title: PeerJ
description:  Articles published in PeerJ
link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=164
creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ
errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ
language: en

title: Observation of peri-implant bone loss rates in patients visiting dentist—A retrospective evaluation of patients of a faculty hospital for one year
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18643
last-modified: 2024-12-09
description: BackgroundMany studies have been published on the relationship between different parameters with marginal bone loss around implants. The results of these studies vary, but some variables such as smoking or certain systemic conditions are more likely to predispose or exacerbate the resorption around implants. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of implants with radiographically detected marginal bone loss and to determine whether there is a relationship between the severity of destruction and certain risk factors like location of implant, restoration type, systemic condition, age, sex or smoking habits.Materials and MethodsPanoramic radiographs obtained for 1 year were examined. Patients with bone loss around the implant were classified according to the region of implant placement, type of restoration on implants, systemic diseases, and smoking habits. The rate of bone loss around the implants was recorded as the resorption score. Double and multiple comparison tests were applied to observe whether the resorption scores were related to the variables.ResultsOf 17,352 patients, 1,465 had at least one implant, and 1,116 of these had no bone loss. A total of 181 patients (863 implants) included in the study, there was a weak correlation between age (p = 0.017) and resorption rate. Implants supporting bridge restorations had higher resorption scores. Gender, age, and systemic conditions alone are not effective in increasing peri-implant bone loss (p < 0.05); therefore, placing implants in the mandible (p = 0.020) or using implants to support bridge restorations(p = 0.027) may make implants more vulnerable to resorption.
creator: Ilkim Karadag
creator: Halis Kurnaz
creator: Mehmet Murat Akkaya
creator: İrem Karadag
creator: Zeynep Ilayda Konukçu Kurnaz
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18643
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Karadag et al.

title: Evaluation of the effect of a communication skills course on medical students’ attitude towards patient-centered care: a prospective study
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18676
last-modified: 2024-12-09
description: BackgroundThis study aims to examine whether a communication skills course (Early Clinical Exposure–ECE) might support shaping medical students’ attitudes towards patient-centered care at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia. Attitudes were measured before and after the course using the Patient Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS), which assesses students’ orientation towards patient-centeredness.MethodsThis prospective observational study collected data at two points: the start of year two and the start of year four from the same cohort. The PPOS, divided into the sharing subscale (physician shares information, power, and control with the patient) and the caring subscale (physician considers the patient’s emotions, preferences, and expectations), was used to evaluate students’ attitudes. Mean scores were calculated, and independent sample t-tests were employed to assess statistical significance.ResultsOf the students targeted, 153 participated at year two (response rate = 93.5%) and 143 at year four (response rate = 89.5%). Significant progress was observed in the sharing subscale, with scores increasing from 3.23 ± 0.53 to 3.40 ± 0.60 (p = 0.015). However, the caring subscale exhibited a significant decline, with scores dropping from 4.06 ± 0.53 to 3.76 ± 0.68 (p < 0.001). As a result, there was no significant overall change in the total PPOS score (p = 0.282). Female students showed more progress in the sharing subscale than males.ConclusionsThe communication skills course might have had a positive impact on students’ attitudes towards sharing information in decision-making with patients, but notably, the medical students’ caring attitudes declined. This indicates a need for further emphasis on patient-centered communication, especially on the caring aspects, in the medical curriculum.
creator: Khalid Gaffer Mohamed
creator: Amer Almarabheh
creator: Asim Mukhideer Almughamsi
creator: Hany Atwa
creator: Mohamed Hany Shehata
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18676
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Mohamed et al.

title: Genetic diversity of the Khorat snail-eating turtle (Malayemys khoratensis) in Thailand
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18699
last-modified: 2024-12-09
description: IntroductionMalayemys khoratensis is a freshwater turtle species endemic to northeastern Thailand and Lao PDR. While M. khoratensis is relatively common and widespread in Thailand, its population size and demographic trends remain largely unknown, as direct population estimates are lacking. This species faces significant threats from consumption, exploitation, and trade. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic trends of M. khoratensis in northeastern Thailand, using two mitochondrial DNA genes, Cyt b and ND4.MethodWe grouped the turtles based on three major river basins in northeastern Thailand: Mun, Chi, and Northeast Mekong to assess population structure and test the isolation-by-basin hypothesis. The Cyt b and ND4 genes of 49 M. khoratensis individuals across 15 provinces in Thailand were sequenced, and 15 sequences from a previous study of Ihlow et al. (2016) were included into the analyses. We constructed a haplotype network from the concatenated sequences and analyzed the population structure with the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Additionally, we used a Bayesian Skyline plot (BSP) analysis to estimate the effective female population size and explore the demographic history of this species.ResultsOur analysis identified 13 unique haplotypes defined by 26 polymorphic sites from 64 samples. The total haplotype diversity for M. khoratensis was 0.819, while nucleotide diversity was 0.0031. The haplotype network and AMOVA revealed no distinct population structure among the river basins, suggesting gene flow across these regions. The BSP estimated a stable effective female population size of approximately 130,000 individuals since around 100,000 years ago (late Pleistocene).ConclusionOur findings indicated no significant population structure by river basin, which may be due to natural movement between basins or potential human-mediated translocations linked to the turtle trade. The demographic trend of M. khoratensis appears to have been stable over time. However, given the ongoing exploitation of this species, we recommend regular monitoring of population trends to support its long-term survival.
creator: Thotsapol Chaianunporn
creator: Monthakarn Mokarat
creator: Apichaya Ruangsakunporn
creator: Tanapipat Walalite
creator: Wibhu Kutanan
creator: Khemika Lomthaisong
creator: Kanokporn Chaianunporn
creator: Sarun Keithmaleesatti
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18699
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
rights: © 2024 Chaianunporn et al.

title: A single-center retrospective study of ectopic lymphoid tissues in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic value
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18703
last-modified: 2024-12-09
description: BackgroundIn recent years, ectopic lymphoid tissue (ELT) has been increasingly confirmed as a new biomarker for kidney injury or inflammation. However, there is insufficient research on the relationship between ELT grading and the progression of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).MethodsA total of 147 patients with biopsy-proven IMN in our institution from March 2020 to June 2022 were classified into five grades based on the different distribution of lymphocyte subsets in renal tissue (G0: no B cells or T cells, G1: scattered B and T cells, G2: clustered B and T cells, G3: an aggregation region of B and T cells without a central network, G4: highly organized and formed zones of B and T cells with a central network of follicular dendritic cells and scattered macrophages), and were further divided into low-grade group (G0+G1), intermediate-grade group (G2) and high-grade group (G3+G4). The clinicopathological data, induction treatment response and prognosis among the three groups were analyzed and compared retrospectively.ResultsAs the grading of ectopic lymphoid tissues increased, patients were older, with a higher prevalence of hypertension, a higher 24-h urinary protein level, lower baseline hemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels, and more severe renal pathological damage. Logistic regression analysis showed that after 6 months of induction treatment, patients in the high-grade group were more likely to be in non-remission than those in the low-grade group (odds ratios [ORs] of the three adjusted models were 4.310, 4.239, and 5.088, respectively, P-values were 0.005, 0.006, and 0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients in the intermediate- and high-grade groups had significantly lower renal cumulative survival rate than those in the low-grade group (P = 0.025). Univariate Cox analysis showed that the risk of adverse renal outcome was 3.662 times higher in the intermediate- and high-grade groups than in the low-grade group (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.078–12.435]; P = 0.037). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that failure of remission at the first 6 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.769; 95% CI [1.854–17.950]; P = 0.002) remained an independent risk factor for poor renal outcome in patients with IMN.ConclusionsGrading of renal ectopic lymphoid tissues correlates with disease activity and severity in IMN patients and can be used as an indicator to assess the risk of IMN progression.
creator: Jing Zhang
creator: Siyu Chen
creator: Haiying Zheng
creator: Siyi Rao
creator: Yuanyuan Lin
creator: Jianxin Wan
creator: Yi Chen
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18703
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Zhang et al.

title: Association of vaccine intention against COVID-19 using the 5C Scale and its constructs: a Pima County, Arizona cross-sectional survey
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18316
last-modified: 2024-12-06
description: BackgroundVaccine hesitancy has been ranked as one of the top 10 threats to global health by the World Health Organization. The 5C model (Confidence, Calculation of risk, Complacency, Collective Responsibility, and Constraints) and an accompanying tool to measure vaccine hesitancy, summarize several significant explanatory variables, and move beyond the most common explanatory variable, Confidence.MethodsFrom January to May 2021, we administered a cross-sectional survey among adults in Pima County, Arizona in collaboration with the local health department to assess psychological antecedents to (i.e., psychological factors that lead to) COVID-19 vaccination using the 5C Scale. Participants were recruited virtually for the survey using multiple recruitment methods. Unadjusted and adjusted hierarchical ordinal logistic regressions were conducted to determine if the 5C variables had an association with intention to vaccinate (or intent to vaccinate) against COVID-19.ResultsOf the 1,823 participants who responded to the survey, 924 (76%) were included in the final analyses. Respondents were White (71%), non-Hispanic (59%), Female (68%), Liberal (37%) and Married (46%). The average age of the participants was 43.9 (±1.3) years. Based on the 5C Scale, Confidence (adjOR:3.64, CI [3.08–4.29]), Collective Responsibility (adjOR:1.94, CI [1.57–2.39]) and Complacency (adjOR:0.64, CI [0.51–0.80]) were significantly associated with intention to vaccinate against COVID-19.ConclusionThree of the five 5C variables were associated with the intention to vaccinate, two positively and one negatively. A limitation of the study was that the sample was not weighted to be representative of Pima County. Future research should focus on determining which interventions can bolster Confidence and Collective Responsibility attitudes in communities, while dampening Complacency, to better promote vaccine uptake.
creator: Maiya G. Block Ngaybe
creator: Namoonga Mantina
creator: Benjamin Pope
creator: Veena Raghuraman
creator: Jacob Marczak
creator: Sonja Velickovic
creator: Dominique Jordan
creator: Mary Kinkade
creator: Carlos Mario Perez-Velez
creator: Beatrice J. Krauss
creator: Shailesh M. Advani
creator: Melanie Bell
creator: Purnima Madhivanan
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18316
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Block Ngaybe et al.

title: Improvement of contact lens-associated dry eye disease with the use of hydrogen peroxide
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18482
last-modified: 2024-12-06
description: BackgroundThe dropout rate of contact lens users has not decreased significantly over the years. Despite continuous improvements in contact lens (CL) designs, materials and surface treatments, the number of CL users who drop out remains similar to the number of new CL users. The aim of this study is to analyse the improvement in contact lens-associated dry eye disease (CLADE), quantified with the OSDI questionnaire when changing maintenance system solution from multipurpose solution to hydrogen peroxide.MethodsThis study included contact lens users for over a year as the multipurpose solution for the maintenance system, suffering from CLADE, and those who scored over 13 in the ocular surface disease index questionnaire, and did not manifest any clinical signs over 3 in the EFRON scale. The non-parametric data distribution was verified with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, which was used to compare the visual acuity (VA), OSDI score and bulbar redness (EFRON scale) of the follow-up visit against the baseline value.ResultsThirty-eight patients were included. Analysing the clinical parameters between the initial and final visit after one month of hydrogen peroxide use, a statistically significant improvement was found in the VA, bulbar hyperemia, OSDI scale and their subscales of the total sample (P < 0.04).ConclusionThis study is intended as a first step towards a standardised protocol of actions to improve CLADE in an attempt to reduce contact lens dropout using OSDI as a tool for detection.
creator: Susana Castro
creator: Laura Garcia-Aguilar
creator: Eduardo Garcia-Brion
creator: Sofia Pérez-García
creator: Consuelo Rosique
creator: Carmelo Baños
creator: Irene Sanchez
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18482
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Castro et al.

title: The motivation to inform others: a field experiment with wild chimpanzees
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18498
last-modified: 2024-12-06
description: BackgroundAccumulating evidence indicates that some ape species produce more alarm behaviors to potential dangers when in the presence of uninformed conspecifics. However, since previous studies presented naturalistic stimuli, the influence of prior experience could not be controlled for.MethodTo examine this, we investigated whether apes (wild chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest, Uganda) would communicate differently about a novel danger (an unusually large spider) depending on whether they were with an uniformed conspecific. We tested nine adult males, four of which were exposed to the danger twice alone (Non-Social group), while the remaining five were exposed to the danger first alone and then in the presence of conspecifics (Social group).ResultsWe found that both alarm calling and gaze marking (i.e., persistent gaze after stimulus detection) were more persistent in the Social than Non-Social group, although the effect of condition only reached statistical significance for gaze marking, nonetheless suggesting that chimpanzees tailored their warning behavior to the presence of others, even if they were already familiar with the potential threat.
creator: Derry Taylor
creator: Sam Adue
creator: Monday M’Botella
creator: Denis Tatone
creator: Marina Davila-Ross
creator: Klaus Zuberbühler
creator: Guillaume Dezecache
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18498
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Taylor et al.

title: A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18557
last-modified: 2024-12-06
description: Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) are a diverse and widespread arachnid order with a rich and deep fossil record. Here we review the, sometimes complex, historical development of fossil scorpion higher classification. We present a chronological account of family and genus names, together with an overview of higher taxa as potential clade names. In 1884 Thorell & Lindström divided scorpions based on whether the legs were short and pointed (Apoxypoda) or ended in paired claws (Dionychopoda). Pocock in 1911 used the morphology of the ventral mesosomal sclerites, which could either be bilobed (Lobosterni) or of a modern configuration (Orthosterni). Petrunkevitch in 1949 attached importance to a putative first opisthosomal tergite being present (Protoscorpionina) or absent (Euscorpionina). Kjellesvig-Waering in 1986 recognised four major groups (Holosternina, Meristosternina, Lobosternina and Bilobosternina) based on the shape of the ventral mesosomal sclerites. The Stockwell/Jeram schemes from the 1980s and 1990s proposed a cladistic progression from early branching lineages, for which the names Protoscorpiones and Palaeoscorpiones were used, towards Scorpiones sensu stricto defined by the presence of book lungs and coxapophyses. Scorpiones was further divided into Mesoscorpionina and Neoscorpionina. Neoscorpions were characterised by a reduced number of lateral eye lenses and comprise the paleosterns, with marginal lung spiracles, and orthosterns with spiracles in the middle of the sternite. We briefly discuss the merits of these alternatives and present a summary of the current higher classification of scorpions. Forty-three extinct family groups are currently recognised, and of the 24 living families seven have fossil representatives. Including incertae sedis taxa, there are 76 extinct genera and five extant genera with fossil representatives. Both modern parvorders, Buthida and Iurida, were potentially present in the Triassic. Buthidae, Chaerilidae, Chactidae and perhaps Hormuridae have been reported from the Cretaceous. Euscorpiidae are known from the Palaeogene and Scorpionidae has potential (but unconfirmed) records from the Neogene. Given the complexity of this history and the present taxonomy of the group, we hope this contribution provides a first step towards simplifying fossil scorpion systematics.
creator: Jason A. Dunlop
creator: Russell J. Garwood
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18557
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Dunlop and Garwood

title: Nonlinear relationship between circulating natural killer cell count and 1-year relapse rates in myasthenia gravis: a retrospective cohort study
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18562
last-modified: 2024-12-06
description: BackgroundThe relapse rate in myasthenia gravis (MG) is high, and promising therapies have emerged; however, identifying potential predictive factors for relapse remains a challenge. This study aimed to explore the association between circulating natural killer (NK) cell levels and the risk of recurrence in MG.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 265 patients with MG whose data were included in the Neurology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University database between March 2015 and March 2022. Data from electronic medical records were collected, which included the patients’ circulating NK cell count (exposure variable) and demographic/clinical characteristics (covariates). The primary outcome was the 1-year MG recurrence rate.ResultsThe study revealed a non-linear relationship between peripheral NK cell count and MG recurrence, with an inflection point at 5.38. Below this threshold, the risk of recurrence was low with higher NK cell counts (relative risk (RR): 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.11–0.490]); above this threshold, no significant association was observed (RR: 1.43, 95% CI [0.62–3.34]). Furthermore, the NK cell proportion showed no significant linear or non-linear association with MG recurrence risk (RR: 0.84, 95% CI [0.57–1.2]).ConclusionThis study provides epidemiological evidence of a potential association between peripheral NK cell count and MG recurrence risk, suggesting an immunoregulatory protective effect within a specific NK cell count range. These findings may inform more personalized MG treatment strategies, warranting further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts.
creator: Yifan Zhang
creator: Zhiguo Wen
creator: Meiqiu Chen
creator: Cong Xia
creator: Fang Cai
creator: Lan Chu
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18562
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Zhang et al.

title: Evidence of prostate cancer-linked virus zoonoses from biophysical genomic variations
link: https://peerj.com/articles/18583
last-modified: 2024-12-06
description: An ongoing double-blind examination of (mathematically) smooth functional dependences of population-based genomic distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on quantified environmental parameters has flagged a SNP that has been associated with prostate cancer for dependence on zoonotic viruses. The SNP rs13091518 is an intergenic variant near the gene/pseudo-gene COX6CP6 on chromosome 3. The risk T allele, which is the major allele in all homeostatic populations considered, clearly demonstrates a negative adaptive force of about −0.1 universal genomic energy units/zoonotic virus unit. This biophysical perspective has thus provided evidence for a causative relationship between zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. Our findings are consistent with other studies that have found an association between several zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. This result demonstrates the significance of an intergenic variant in the adaptive response to a viral zoonotic pathogen.
creator: Daniah Alsufyani
creator: James Lindesay
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18583
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Alsufyani and Lindesay