title: PeerJ
description:  Articles published in PeerJ
link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=123
creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ
errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ
language: en

title: Potential transoceanic dispersal of Geodia cf. papyracea and six new tetractinellid sponge species descriptions within the Hawaiian reef cryptofauna
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18903
last-modified: 2025-02-17
description: Kāne‘ohe Bay has historically been known for the introduction of alien species from the Caribbean and the Western Indo-Pacific. Recent efforts that explore the reef cryptofauna have shown that in addition to the diversity of non-indigenous species, patch reef environments are rich with undescribed species. Here we integrate molecular phylogeny and systematics to distinguish introduced species from those that are potentially native or endemic. We focus on the order Tetractinellida and document the potential transoceanic dispersal of Geodia papyracea from the Caribbean to Hawai‘i. Our integrative approach allowed us to describe new species of Stelletta (Stelletta kela sp. nov., Stelletta hokunalohia sp. nov., Stelletta kuhapa sp. nov., Stelletta hokuwanawana sp. nov., Stelletta apapaola sp. nov.) and one new species of Stryphnus (Stryphnus huna sp. nov.); all collected from the reef cryptofauna via the use of Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures. Specimens were barcoded using 28S and COI molecular markers, providing insights into the phenotypic plasticity of sponges and the phylogenetic placement of these new species based on morphological characters. Using both molecular phylogeny and traditional taxonomy enhances the accuracy of species identification and classification, contributing to a broader understanding of sponge biodiversity within the Hawaiian archipelago.
creator: Rachel M. Nunley
creator: Emily C. Rutkowski
creator: Robert J. Toonen
creator: Jan Vicente
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18903
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Nunley et al.

title: The effect of perioperative probiotics and synbiotics on postoperative infections in patients undergoing major liver surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18874
last-modified: 2025-02-17
description: ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of perioperative probiotics or synbiotics on the incidence of postoperative infections following major liver surgery.DesignMeta-analysisData sourcesPubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for relevant English-language studies published up to February 21st, 2024.Eligibility criteriaRandomized controlled trials evaluating perioperative probiotics or synbiotics for preventing postoperative infections in patients undergoing major liver surgery.Data extraction and synthesisOutcomes included postoperative infection incidence, antibiotic therapy duration, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. A random-effect model was adopted for the meta-analysis. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.ResultsTen studies involving 588 patients were included. Pooled analyses revealed that perioperative probiotics or synbiotics significantly reduced postoperative infection incidence (RR 0.36, 95% CI [0.24–0.54], P < 0.0001, I2 = 6%) and antibiotic therapy duration (MD −2.82, 95% CI [−3.13 to −2.51], P < 0.001, I2 = 0%). No significant differences were observed in length of stay in ICU (MD −0.25, 95% CI [−0.84–0.34], P = 0.41, I2 = 64%) or length of stay in hospital (MD −1.25, 95% CI [−2.74–0.25], P = 0.10, I2 = 56%).ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that perioperative administration of probiotics or synbiotics may reduce the incidence of postoperative infections and duration of antibiotic therapy. Their use as adjunctive therapy during the perioperative period could be considered for patients undergoing major liver surgery.
creator: Haopeng Wu
creator: Zhihui Guan
creator: Kai Zhang
creator: Lingmin Zhou
creator: Lanxin Cao
creator: Xiongneng Mou
creator: Wei Cui
creator: Baoping Tian
creator: Gensheng Zhang
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18874
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2025 Wu et al.

title: Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Georgia (Caucasus): annotated review of regional butterfly fauna with vernacular names index, notes on distribution and phenology
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18720
last-modified: 2025-02-17
description: BackgroundIt is well known that butterflies are valuable indicators of environmental quality, given their existence in various habitats. Collecting and regularly updating data on species richness, abundance, and distribution of all butterfly species in the country is crucial for effective monitoring and conservation efforts, which can ultimately help minimise biodiversity losses. Since the last publication of the Georgian butterfly list, there have been numerous reports registering taxonomic revisions, nomenclatural changes or providing several new butterfly “cryptic species” based on genetic research. In the following article, based on a review of various sources of data, including existing literature and new, unpublished data, we present an annotated regional checklist of butterflies of Georgia, a country that is a part of the Caucasus ecoregion representing one of 36 biodiversity “hotspots”.MethodsA database with all reported species for Georgia was created by compiling information from critical reviews of all available literature reports, records submitted by contributors of three websites dedicated to butterfly fauna, and data deposited in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database. Various specialised sources were used to extract vernacular species names (Georgian, Russian and English).ResultsThe updated list of butterflies from Georgia includes 244 species of the superfamily Papilionoidea recorded from almost 600 different locations. Nearly 25% of the 244 species were considered rare and extremely rare, while at the same time being at risk of potential extinction. For each species, we present brief phenological information, distribution in Georgia/Caucasus, occurrence status in each region of the country, thumbnails (ventral and dorsal view), as well as a list of vernacular names in Georgian, Russian and English. Regarding species that are reported in the literature as new, uncertain, or questionable in Georgia, we provide the relevant comments. In comparison to the other republics of Transcaucasia (Armenia, Azerbaijan), we noted a similar number of species. Our studies provide a robust baseline of data for further exploration of the Lepidoptera fauna of Georgia. This foundation should help to fill in the gaps in knowledge regarding regional species distribution, phenology, and habitat requirements.
creator: Iwona Słowińska
creator: Krzysztof Jonko
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18720
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Słowińska and Jonko

title: Broad-scale spatial distribution, microhabitat association and habitat partitioning of damselfishes (family Pomacentridae) on an Okinawan coral reef
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18977
last-modified: 2025-02-14
description: Spatial distribution of coral reef fishes is related to diverse environmental variables. This study aimed to elucidate the (1) broad-scale spatial distribution, (2) microhabitat-scale substrate association, (3) degree of dependence on live corals and (4) habitat partitioning of 26 damselfish species on an Okinawan coral reef. Broad-scale analysis revealed that fish assemblages could be divided into three groups in relation to the degree of wave exposure, and the coverage of live corals as well as non-coralline substrates: (1) 11 species that were found in exposed reefs with greater coverage of rock; (2) nine species that that were found in inner reefs with greater coverage of live corals, dead corals and macroalgae; and (3) six species that were found in inner reefs with a greater coverage of sand. Microhabitat-scale analysis revealed that fish assemblages could be divided into six groups in relation to diverse microhabitat availability: (1) 12 species showed significant positive associations with rock; (2) two species showed significant positive associations with coral rubble; (3) two species showed significant positive associations with corymbose Acropora, Pocillopora and branching corals; (4) three species showed significant positive associations with branching Acropora; (5) three species showed significant positive associations with branching Acropora, branching Isopora and branching Porites; and (6) two species showed significant positive associations with staghorn Acropora and branching Millepora. The microhabitat-scale analysis also revealed that Pomacentrus amboinensis showed a significant positive association with branching Millepora, whereas Neopomacentrus anabatoides showed significant positive associations with branching Porites, foliose coral and dead branching Porites. Among the 26 species, nine species were categorized as obligate coral dwellers (>80% of the individuals were associated with live corals), and three species showed a greater degree of dependence on acroporid corals (>60% individuals were associated with acroporid coral). Niche overlap analysis revealed that 14 species showed relatively greater habitat partitioning with other species, whereas the remaining 12 species showed greater habitat overlaps among some species. These results suggest that broad-scale and microhabitat-scale habitat partitioning is one of the factors supporting coexistence in at least 14 species among the 26 species, and the effects of habitat diversity on the species coexistence of damselfishes should be incorporated to establish effective marine protected areas to preserve damselfish species diversity.
creator: Atsushi Nanami
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18977
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Nanami

title: Preparation and analysis of quinoa active protein (QAP) and its mechanism of inhibiting Candida albicans from a transcriptome perspective
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18961
last-modified: 2025-02-14
description: The globe cultivation and industrial production of quinoa have been steadily increasing. Nevertheless, the full potential of quinoa’s nutritional and economic benefits remains underexploited. This study investigates the isolation and purification of quinoa active protein (QAP) through the precipitation method using ammonium sulfate from a phosphate extraction solution. The purification process involved gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-75 and Sephadex G-50 columns to obtain QAP fractions exhibiting inhibitory effects against Candida albicans (C. albicans). A comprehensive series of experiments was undertaken to examine the antifungal properties of these fractions. Proteomic analysis was employed to elucidate the composition of the active proteins. Furthermore, the activities of succinate dehydrogenase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, and catalase in C. albicans following treatment with QAP were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of QAP on the cell morphology of C. albicans cultured on Spider agar medium was further investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis was conducted to investigate the alterations in gene expression in C. albicans cells subjected to QAP treatment. To elucidate the functional significance of these expression changes, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was subsequently employed to validate the observed changes in gene expression. Our findings demonstrate that QAP exhibits inhibitory effects against C. albicans, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 182 µg/mL. Through proteomic analysis, a definitive set of 18 active quinoa proteins was identified. At the molecular level, genes associated with hyphal development, cell wall and membrane integrity, cellular respiration, and energy metabolism were found to be enriched. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed that these QAP inhibit the growth of C. albicans hyphae, compromise cell wall and membrane integrity, and suppress oxidative phosphorylation. These disruptions collectively impair normal cellular metabolic activities, thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on C. albicans.
creator: Xufei Zhang
creator: Chunmei Zheng
creator: Wenxuan Ge
creator: Xueying Li
creator: Xiuzhang Wang
creator: Yanxia Sun
creator: Xiaoyong Wu
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18961
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2025 Zhang et al.

title: Associations between physical activity and emotional and behavioural problems in Chinese children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18949
last-modified: 2025-02-14
description: Background and purposeEmotional and behavioural problems (EBPs) are the two main forms of mental health problems that hinder the social interactions, learning and daily living of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID). Studies have shown that sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with mental health outcomes among children and adolescents with typically developing (TD). However, these associations have not been fully studied in children and adolescent with ID, especially in samples from China. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the associations between MVPA and EBPs in Chinese children and adolescents with ID.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 116 students with ID (35.34% girls) aged 6–18 years. The wGT3-BT accelerometer was used to measure physical activity (PA), and the Chinese version of the parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess the participants’ EBPs. A series of binary logical regression analyses was conducted to examine the ability of the MVPA guideline attainment in predicting EBPs in the total sample.ResultsThe descriptive results showed that 43.97% of children and adolescents with ID present with EBPs. After controlling for age, sex, ID severity and weight status, logistic regression analysis indicated that the participants who meet the MVPA guideline exhibited significantly lower odds ratio for emotional symptoms (OR = 0.334, 95% CI [0.114–0.975], p = 0.045), peer problems (OR = 0.071, 95% CI [0.015–0.328], p < 0.001) and total difficulties (OR = 0.192, 95% CI [0.069–0.535], p = 0.002) compared with those who did not meet the guidelines.ConclusionThe prevalence of EBPs in Chinese children and adolescents with ID remains high. Children and adolescents with ID meeting the MVPA guideline were more likely to have lower risks for emotional symptoms, peer problems and total difficulties than those who did not meet the guidelines. Future research adopting longitudinal or interventional designs to determine the relationships between PA and EBPs in this population are expected.
creator: Yecheng Zhong
creator: Junjie Zhou
creator: Niuniu Li
creator: Wenhong Xu
creator: Jing Qi
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18949
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Zhong et al.

title: Increased glycoprotein hormone yield in stably transfected CHO cells using human serum albumin signal peptide for beta-chains
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18908
last-modified: 2025-02-14
description: Heterologous signal peptides enable increasing titers of recombinant proteins in mammalian cell culture. Four human heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH; luteinizing hormone, LH; chorionic gonadotropin, CG; and thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH) were expressed in stably transfected CHO cells when varying signal peptides of their β-subunits. The signal peptide of human serum albumin proved to be the most effective for the glycoprotein hormone family. The cell specific productivity was increased for LH (2.5 pg/cell, 4-fold increase), TSH (1.6 pg/cell, 13-fold increase), and CG (1.0 pg/cell, 60%-increase). According to the Western blotting and quantitative PCR data, the productivity increase is associated with an increase in the efficiency of translation and translocation of β-subunits of hormones in the endoplasmic reticulum due to their coupling with the heterologous signal peptides.
creator: Maria V. Sinegubova
creator: Denis E. Kolesov
creator: Ivan I. Vorobiev
creator: Nadezhda A. Orlova
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18908
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Sinegubova et al.

title: Change in exercise capacity, physical activity and motivation for physical activity at 12 months after a cardiac rehabilitation program in coronary heart disease patients: a prospective, monocentric and observational study
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18885
last-modified: 2025-02-14
description: BackgroundExercise capacity (EC) and physical activity (PA) are relevant predictors of mortality in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) but the CHD-specific long-term trajectories of these outcomes after a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program are not well known. The main objective of this study was to determine the mean change in EC (6-min walking test (6MWT) distance) in CHD patients at 12 months after a CR program compared to the end of the program. We also performed a series of exploratory analyses: (i) estimating the decile shifts and the typical (median) individual change for EC, PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form Metabolic Equivalent of Task (IPAQ-SF MET)-min/week), and motivation for PA (Echelle de Motivation envers l’Activité Physique en contexte de Santé (EMAPS) scores) over the 12-month follow-up period; (ii) characterizing the PA motivational profiles at the end of the program and 12 months after the program; (iii) characterizing the barriers to PA perceived at 12 months; and (iv) estimating the categories of changes in EC and PA over time and their potential predictors.MethodsEighty-three patients were recruited at the end of a CR program.ResultsFor an average patient, EC was trivially increased at 12 months. However, the decile shifts analysis did not confirm that the positive shift of the distribution of the performances over time was uniform. In contrast, we observed a significant decrease in PA between the end of the program and 12 months post-program but not between 6 and 12 months post-program when considering both the group of patients as a whole and the typical individual change. The results regarding motivation for PA were mixed, with significant and non-uniform shifts of the deciles towards scores depicting degrees of autonomous and controlled motivations as well as amotivation that would be more in favor of PA, but with no significant typical individual changes except for introjected regulation. Two motivational profiles were identified both at the end of the program and 12 months after the program: one with a very high level of autonomous motivation and a high level of introjected regulation; and another one with a high level of autonomous motivation and a moderate level of introjected regulation. Unfavorable weather, lack of time, fatigue, and fear of injury were the main barriers to PA at 12 months post-program. The change in EC and PA could be categorized into different classes without the possibility to determine any potential predictor of the assignment to a given class. Overall, these results suggest that clinicians managing a CR program with CHD patients as the one implemented in the present study may expect slightly positive or at least steady trajectories in EC, PA (after 6 months), and motivation for PA during the year after the program when considering the bulks of the distributions of patient scores. However, these global trajectories are actually the results of heterogeneous individual changes with some profiles of patients who could need a particular attention.
creator: Paul Da Ros Vettoretto
creator: Anne-Armelle Bouffart
creator: Youna Gourronc
creator: Anne-Charlotte Baron
creator: Marie Gaume
creator: Florian Congnard
creator: Bénédicte Noury-Desvaux
creator: Pierre-Yves de Müllenheim
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18885
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Da Ros Vettoretto et al.

title: Comparative mitogenomics of Cheiracanthium species (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae) with phylogenetic implication and evolutionary insights
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18314
last-modified: 2025-02-14
description: The genus Cheiracanthium C. L. Koch, 1839 is the most species-rich genus of the family Cheiracanthiidae. Given the unavailability of information on the evolutionary biology and molecular taxonomy of this genus, here we sequenced nine mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Cheiracanthium species, four of which were fully annotated, and conducted comparative analyses with other well-characterized Araneae mitogenomes. We also provide phylogenetic insights on the genus Cheiracanthium. The circular mitogenomes of the Cheiracanthium contain 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and one putative control region (CR). All genes show a high A+T bias, characterized by a negative AT skew and positive GC skew, along with numerous overlapped regions and intergenic spacers. Approximately half of the tRNAs lack TΨC and/or dihydrouracil (DHU) arm and are characterized with unpaired amino acid acceptor arms. Most PCGs used the standard ATN start codons and TAR termination codons. The mitochondrial gene order of Cheiracanthium differs significantly from the putative ancestral gene order (Limulus polyphemus). Our novel phylogenetic analyses infer Cheiracanthiidae to be the sister group of Salticidae in BI analysis, but as sister to the node with Miturgidae, Viridasiidae, Corinnidae, Selenopidae, Salticidae, and Philodromidae in ML analysis. We confirm that Cheiracanthium is paraphyletic, for the first time using molecular phylogenetic approaches, with the earliest divergence estimated at 67 Ma. Our findings enhance our understanding of Cheiracanthium taxonomy and evolution.
creator: Zhaoyi Li
creator: Feng Zhang
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18314
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2025 Li and Zhang

title: Ankylosing spondylitis and kinesiophobia
link: https://peerj.com/articles/19034
last-modified: 2025-02-13
description: BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic rheumatic disease that predominantly affects the axial skeleton, causing pain and functional impairment. Kinesiophobia, or fear of movement, is common in patients with chronic pain conditions and can significantly hinder treatment outcomes. This study aims to assess the level of kinesiophobia in AS patients and explore its relationship with demographic characteristics, disease duration, pain intensity, disease activity, and functional impairment.MethodsThis single-center study included 35 AS patients from July 2021 to July 2023. Patient demographics, disease duration, disease activity (BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index)), functionality (BASFI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index)), pain intensity (VAS (Visual Analog Scale)), and kinesiophobia (TSK (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia)) were recorded and analyzed. Patients were categorized into low and high kinesiophobia groups based on TSK scores.ResultsOf the 35 AS patients, 15 (42.86%) had high kinesiophobia levels (TSK ≥37). Patients with high kinesiophobia had significantly higher BASDAI, BASFI, and VAS scores (p < 0.001) compared to those with low kinesiophobia. No significant relationship was found between kinesiophobia and age, gender, or disease duration (p > 0.05).ConclusionHigh levels of kinesiophobia in AS patients are associated with increased pain, disease activity, and functional impairment. Early interventions targeting kinesiophobia could improve treatment outcomes and patient functionality.
creator: Ugur Ertem
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19034
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2025 Ertem