title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=211 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Phylogenetic and taxonomic revisions of Jurassic sea stars support a delayed evolutionary origin of the Asteriidae link: https://peerj.com/articles/18169 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: BackgroundThe superorder Forcipulatacea is a major clade of sea stars with approximately 400 extant species across three orders (Forcipulatida, Brisingida, Zorocallida). Over the past century, the systematics of Forcipulatacea have undergone multiple revisions by various authors, with some considering numerous families such as Asteriidae, Zoroasteridae, Pedicellasteridae, Stichasteridae, Heliasteridae, Labidiasteridae, and Neomorphasteridae, while others recognized only two families (i.e., Asteriidae and Zoroasteridae). Recent molecular analyses have shown the artificial nature of some of these groupings. Notably, four well-supported clades (Zorocallida, Brisingida, Stichasteridae, and Asteriidae) emerged from a synthesis of morphological and molecular evidence. The majority of extinct forcipulatacean species have been placed in modern families. However, many of these fossil species are in need of revision, especially those species placed within the Asteriidae, the largest of all forcipulatacean families.MethodsIn light of recent advancements in forcipulatacean systematics, we comprehensively reassess six well-preserved Jurassic forcipulatacean taxa, including the earliest crown-group members from the Hettangian (∼201.4 Ma), and also describe two new Jurassic genera, Forbesasterias gen. nov. and Marbleaster gen. nov. We assembled the largest and most comprehensive phylogenetic matrix for this group, sampling 42 fossil and extant forcipulatacean species for 120 morphological characters. To infer phylogenetic relationships and construct an evolutionary timeline for the diversification of major clades, we conducted a Bayesian tip-dating analysis incorporating the fossilized birth-death process. A total of 13 fossil species were sampled in our analysis, including six taxonomically revaluated herein, two recently reappraised species from the Jurassic, and five additional species from the Cretaceous and Miocene.ResultsContrary to prior assumptions, our results indicate that none of the Jurassic taxa investigated belong to Asteriidae or any other modern families, and instead represent stem-forcipulatids. Furthermore, our phylogenetic results suggest that Asteriidae likely originated during the late Cretaceous. Our findings highlight a greater early diversity within the Forcipulatacea than previously presumed, challenging existing perceptions of the evolutionary history of this significant clade of marine invertebrates. creator: Marine Fau creator: David F. Wright creator: Timothy A.M. Ewin creator: Andrew S. Gale creator: Loïc Villier uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18169 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Fau et al. title: Effect of bioceramic-based and resin-based sealers on postoperative discomfort following root canal therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18198 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: BackgroundThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to furnish evidence-based recommendations for the utilization of bioceramic-based and resin-based sealers in clinical endodontics, with a focus on reducing postoperative discomfort.MethodsThe investigation’s methodology was registered on the International Prospective Database of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42022355506) and executed using the 2020 PRISMA protocol. Articles were selected utilizing the PICO technique and applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles published between January 2000 and August 2022, PubMed, MEDLINE, and DOAJ were utilized as primary data sources. After the identification of studies, two autonomous reviewers evaluated the titles and abstracts, and data from qualifying studies were extracted.ResultsNine published studies were included in this analysis. The findings indicate that there were no significant differences in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores between resin-based and bioceramic root canal sealers at intervals of 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after treatment.ConclusionThe findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that after the utilization of bioceramic sealers during root canal therapy, the pain and discomfort levels were not significantly different from those experienced pain after the use of resin-based sealers. creator: Mansi Supare creator: Ajinkya M. Pawar creator: Kashmira Sawant creator: Dian Agustin Wahjuningrum creator: Suraj Arora creator: Firas Elmsmari creator: Mohmed Isaqali Karobari creator: Bhagyashree Thakur uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18198 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Supare et al. title: Assessing population structure and morpho-molecular characterization of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for elite germplasm identification link: https://peerj.com/articles/18205 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), known for its adaptability and high yield potential, is vital in global edible oil production. Estimating genetic diversity is a key pre-breeding activity in crop breeding. The current study comprised of 48 genotypes which were assessed for their biometrical traits at department of Oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, during the rainy season of 2022. The lines were subsequently characterised using 103 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for molecular diversity analysis. The results indicated that the net nucleotide distances indicated varying genetic divergence, with subpopulations II and V showing the highest (0.056) and I and IV the lowest (0.014). Subpopulation IV exhibited the highest heterozygosity (0.352), while subpopulation III had the lowest heterozygosity and a low Fst (0.173). Principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed for assessing the morphological diversity, facilitating genotype grouping and parent selection for breeding programs. The first four components cumulatively accounted for 86.72% of the total variation. Cluster Analysis grouped 48 sunflower genotypes into three clusters based on genetic diversity. COSF 13B stands out for its high head diameter, oil content, seed yield, and oil yield based on mean performance of morphological data. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) mirrored the groupings from the Neighbor Joining method, with the first three components explaining 27.24% of the total variation. Molecular data analysis identified five distinct clusters among the germplasm. By integrating morphological and molecular marker data with genetic distance analysis, substantial diversity was revealed with the genotypes RHA 273 and GMU 325 consistently demonstrated high oil yield per plant. The genotypes GMU 477, GMU 450, COSF 13B, RHA 102, CMS 1103B, and RHA GPR 58 have been identified as suitable parents for enhancing oil content in sunflower breeding programs. These findings also aid in selecting SSR markers for genotype characterization and in choosing diverse parents for breeding programs. creator: Sampath Lavudya creator: Kalaimagal Thiyagarajan creator: Sasikala Ramasamy creator: Harish Sankarasubramanian creator: Senthivelu Muniyandi creator: Anita Bellie creator: Sushil Kumar creator: Susmitha Dhanapal uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18205 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Lavudya et al. title: Study on the effect of chlorogenic acid on the antimicrobial effect, physical properties and model accuracy of alginate impression materials link: https://peerj.com/articles/18228 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: BackgroundDental impressions are essential for accurately capturing the detailed anatomy of teeth and surrounding oral structures. However, these impressions often become contaminated with saliva and blood, making proper disinfection necessary. The application of chemical disinfectants has been associated with negative side effects, leading to suboptimal disinfection practices in clinical settings.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorogenic acid (CA) as a disinfectant for alginate impression materials, the impact of CA disinfection on the physical properties and dimensional accuracy of alginate impressions was also investigated.MethodsThe physical properties of alginate impression materials, such as elastic recovery, strain-in-compression, initial setting time, and fluidity, were assessed after mixing the alginate impression materials with three different concentrations of CA solution (10 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL). To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of CA, alginate impressions mixed with a 10 mg/mL CA solution and impressions mixed with distilled water (control group) were contaminated with four types of microorganism: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Following a five-minute incubation period, a CA solution at a concentration of either 50 mg/mL, 55 mg/mL, or 60 mg/mL was sprayed on the samples for disinfection. Samples were collected at different time intervals (10 min, 20 min, 30 min) and cultured to determine the number of colony-forming units (CFU/mL), providing insight into the antimicrobial efficacy of these CA solutions. The dimensional accuracy of alginate impressions was assessed in three groups: one with alginate impressions mixed with distilled water, another with alginate impressions sterilized with available chlorine (2,000 mg/L) mixed with distilled water, and the last group consisting of alginate impressions mixed with 10 mg/mL CA solution and sprayed with 60 mg/mL CA solution. Both the standard model and the plaster model underwent 3D scanning, and the data were processed and compared by software. The root mean square (RMS) was used as a parameter to evaluate the deviation between models.ResultsAll alginate impression materials mixed with either 10 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL, or 20 mg/mL concentrations of CA solution met the ISO 21563 standard for elastic recovery, strain-in-compression, and fluidity. However, only the material mixed with a concentration of 10 mg/mL CA had an initial setting time within the range specified by the T-6505 Japanese industrial standard. The application of CA solution by mixing or spraying showed significant antimicrobial effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. There was no significant difference in the dimensional accuracy of the alginate impressions between the group of the CA solution applied, the blank group, or the chlorine intervention group. creator: Shuling Jiang creator: Fu-Qing Chen creator: Qiao-qiao Hu creator: Fen Yang creator: Niya Hu creator: Xi Nan Luo creator: Yewen Zhang creator: Nuodan Wu creator: Na Li uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18228 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: ©2024 Jiang et al. title: Identification and validation of a prognostic model based on immune-related genes in ovarian carcinoma link: https://peerj.com/articles/18235 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: BackgroundA novel valuable prognostic model has been developed on the basis of immune-related genes (IRGs), which could be used to estimate overall survival (OS) in ovarian cancer (OC) patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) dataset.MethodsThis prognostic model was engineered by employing LASSO regression in training cohort (TCGA dataset). The corresponding growth predictive values of this model for individualized survival was evaluated using survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve), and risk curve analysis. Combined with clinical characteristics, a model risk score nomogram for OS was well built. Thereafter, depended on the model risk score, patients were divided into high and low risk subgroups. The survival difference between these subgroups was measured using Kaplan-Meier survival method. In addition, correlations containing pathway enrichment, treatment, immune cell infiltration and the prognostic model were also analyzed. We established the ovarian cancer cell line W038 for this study and identified the performances of GBP1P1 knockdown on a series of activities including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of W038 cells in vitro.ResultsWe constructed a 25-genes prognostic model (TNFAIP8L3, PI3, TMEM181, GBP1P1 (LOC400759), STX18, KIF26B, MRPS11, CACNA1C, PACSIN3, GMPR, MANF, PYGB, SNRPA1, ST7L, ZBP1, BMPR1B-DT, STAC2, LINC02585, LYPD6, NSG1, ACOT13, FAM120B, LEFTY1, SULT1A2, FZD3). The areas under the curves (AUC) of 1, 2 and 3 years were 0.806, 0.773 and 0.762, in the TCGA cohort, respectively. Besides, the effectiveness of the model was verified using ICGC testing data. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis exposes the risk score as an independent prognosis predictor for OS both in the TCGA and ICGC cohort. In summary, we utilized comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to build an effective prognostic gene model for OC patients. These bioinformatic results suggested that GBP1P1 could act as a novel biomarker for OC. GBP1P1 knockdown substantially inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of W038 cells in vitro, and increased the percentage of apoptotic W038 cells.ConclusionsThe analyses of genetic status of patients with 25-genes model might improve the ability to predict the prognosis of patients with OC and help to select patients suit able to therapies. Immune-related gene GBP1P1 might serve as prognostic biomarker for OC. creator: Min Yu creator: Dan Li creator: Li Zhang creator: Ke Wang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18235 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Yu et al. title: The significance of biowaste drying analysis as a key pre-treatment for transforming it into a sustainable biomass feedstock link: https://peerj.com/articles/18248 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: The objective of this study is to investigate the drying kinetics of fruit and vegetable peel biowaste using a sustainable technique as a key-pretreatment for its conversion into useful feedstock. Biowaste represents a missed potential source of bioenergy and bioproducts, but moisture removal is required, and conventional drying methods are expensive since they require great quantity of energy supplied, almost always, by a non-renewable energy. In this study six batches with the same quantity of biowaste, and heterogeneous physical composition were dried under open-sun conditions. We evaluated the influence of the interaction between drying area and the initial moisture content on drying rate. Eight semi-theoretical models were fitted using Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm to predict drying rate, and their accuracy was assessed through goodness-of-fit tests. Maximum moisture content to preserve biomass (10%) was reached on 5th day and the equilibrium on 16th day of drying. According to goodness-of-fit test (R2 = 0.999, χ2 = 4.666 × 10−5, RMSE = 0.00683) the best model to predict drying rate was Two-term model. The mathematical model obtained from Fick’s second law is reliable to predict drying kinetics, R2 (0.9648 ± 0.0106); despite the variation between drying area and initial moisture content. Kruskal-Wallis test showed that drying rates between batches are not significantly different (p = 0.639; 0.05); nor effective diffusion coefficient (Deff = 4.97 × 10−11  ±  0.3491 × 10−11), (p = 0.723; 0.05). The study of drying kinetics is crucial for selecting the optimal biowaste treatment based on its generation context. This could enable its use as feedstock for bioproduct or bioenergy production, thereby reducing waste accumulation in landfills and environmental impact. creator: Fernando Damián Barajas Godoy creator: Marco A. Martínez-Cinco creator: José G. Rutiaga-Quiñones creator: Otoniel Buenrostro-Delgado creator: Jose Mendoza uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18248 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Barajas Godoy et al. title: A comparative study on the lipid layer thickness analysis of medical staff before and after work link: https://peerj.com/articles/18258 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: Background & AimsTo study the change of the lipid layer thickness analysis in medical staff (MS) before and after work, and to explore the significance of measuring lipid layer thickness (LLT) respectively in four quadrants.MethodsOcular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and video display terminal using time for 55 MS were collected (the informed consent was obtained from all patients). Noninvasive tear break-up time, LLT, tear meniscus height (TMH), meibomian glands (MG) dropout, and blink pattern before and after work (worked for more than 4 h) of 110 eyes were measured by Gaush iDea Ocular surface analyzer. Lid margin abnormalities were evaluated by the slit-lamp microscopy.ResultsThe average OSDI score of 55 MS was 25.68 ± 14.91. The average LLT of 110 eyes after work (65.12 ± 3.63 nm) was significantly reduced compared to before work (66.54 ± 4.16 nm), p < 0.05. The LLT in the superior quadrant was significantly thinner than that in the other three quadrants, p < 0.01. The average LLT was positively correlated with the LLT in the inferior (r = 0.822, p < 0.001), nasal (r = 0.261, p < 0.001), and temporal quadrant (r = 0.372, p < 0.001), while was negatively correlated with the MG dropout in lower lid (r = −0.209, p = 0.002). There was a significant correlation between the LLT in the inferior quadrant and the VDTt (r = −0.173, p = 0.01). The LLT of inferior quadrant were positively related to the TMH (r = 0.149, p = 0.027) and negatively related to MG dropout in lower lid (r = −0.162, p = 0.017).ConclusionThe LLT significantly decreases after work in MS. The distribution of the lipid layer on the ocular surface is uneven. It is unreasonable for current detection instruments to measure the inferior quadrant LLT alone to represent average LLT. creator: Qian Li creator: Xiufen Liu creator: Yu Ren creator: Tianlong He creator: Fei Shao creator: Nuerailimu Yimingtuohuti creator: Dan Li creator: Chengwei Lu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18258 license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ rights: title: The influence of inactivated entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis on the immune responses of the Colorado potato beetle link: https://peerj.com/articles/18259 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: BackgroundInvasion of microorganisms into the gut of insects triggers a cascade of immune reactions accompanied by increased synthesis of effectors (such as antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, and amino acids), leading to changes in the physiological state of the host. We hypothesized that even an inactivated bacterium can induce an immune response in an insect. The aim of this study was to compare the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and of the response of detoxification and antioxidant systems in a Colorado potato beetle (CPB) larval model in the first hours after invasion by either an inactivated or live bacterium.MethodsThe influence of per os inoculation with inactivated entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis (Bt) on the survival and physiological and biochemical parameters of CPB larvae was assessed as changes in the total hemocyte count (THC), activity of phenoloxidases (POs), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), nonspecific esterases (ESTs), catalase, peroxidases, superoxide dismutases (SODs) and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).ResultsA series of changes occurred within the hemolymph and the midgut of CPBs inoculated with inactivated Bt at 12 h after inoculation. These physiological and biochemical alterations serve to mediate generalized resistance to pathogens. The changes were associated with an increase in the THC and a 1.4–2.2-fold enhancement of detoxification enzymatic activities (such as GST and EST) as well as increased levels of antioxidants (especially peroxidases) in hemolymph in comparison to the control group. Suppressed EST activity and reduced ROS formation were simultaneously detectable in the larval midgut. Inoculation of beetle larvae with active Bt cells yielded similar results (elevated THC and suppressed PO activity). A fundamental difference in the immune activation processes between larvae that ingested the inactivated bacterium and larvae that had consumed the active bacterium was that the inactivated bacterium did not influence ROS formation in the hemolymph but did reduce their formation in the midgut. At 24 h postinfection with active Bt, ROS levels went up in both the hemolymph and the midgut. This was accompanied by a significant 5.7-fold enhancement of SOD activity and a 5.3-fold suppression of peroxidase activity. The observed alterations may be due to within-gut toxicity caused by early-stage bacteriosis. The imbalance in the antioxidant system and the accumulation of products toxic to the “putative” pathogen can activate detoxification mechanisms, including those of an enzymatic nature (EST and GST). The activation of detoxification processes and of innate immune responses is probably due to the recognition of the “putative” pathogen by gut epithelial cells and is similar in many respects to the immune response at early stages of bacteriosis. creator: Olga V. Polenogova creator: Natalia A. Kryukova creator: Tatyana Klementeva creator: Anna S. Artemchenko creator: Alexander D. Lukin creator: Viktor P. Khodyrev creator: Irina Slepneva creator: Yana Vorontsova creator: Viktor V. Glupov uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18259 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Polenogova et al. title: Compositions of the major ions, variations in their sources, and a risk assessment of the Qingshuijiang River Basin in Southwest China: a 10-year comparison of hydrochemical measurements link: https://peerj.com/articles/18284 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: Rivers in karst areas face increased risks from persistent growth in human activity that leads to changes in water chemistry and threatens the water environment. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA), ion ratio measurements, and other methods were used to study the water chemistry of the Qingshuijiang River Basin over the past 10 years. The results showed that the main ions in the river were Ca2+ and HCO3–, with a cation order of Ca2+ (mean: 0.93 mmol/L) > Mg2+ (mean: 0.51 mmol/L) > Na+ (mean: 0.30 mmol/L) > K+ (mean: 0.06 mmol/L) and HCO3– (mean: 2.00 mmol/L) > SO42– (mean: 0.49 mmol/L) > Cl– (mean: 0.15 mmol/L) > NO3– (mean: 0.096 mmol/L) > F– (mean : 0.012 mmol/L). In the past 10 years, the concentration of major ions in the river water in the basin has increased significantly. The weathering input of rock (mainly upstream carbonate) was the main source of Mg2+, Ca2+, and HCO3−, though sulfuric acid was also involved in this process. While K+ and Na+ were affected by the combination of human activity and the weathering input of silicate rock in the middle and lower reaches of the river, human activity was the main source of SO42−, NO3−, and F− ions. Irrigation water quality and health risks were evaluated by calculating the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (Na%), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and hazard quotient (HQ). The findings indicated that the river water was generally safe for irrigation and drinking, and the health risks were gradually reduced over time. However, long-term monitoring of the river basin is still essential, especially for the risk of excessive F− in a few tributaries in the basin. creator: Jiemei Lv creator: Tianhao Yang creator: Yanling An uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18284 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Lv et al. title: Deep-ocean macrofaunal assemblages on ferromanganese and phosphorite-rich substrates in the Southern California Borderland link: https://peerj.com/articles/18290 last-modified: 2024-10-31 description: Mineral-rich hardgrounds, such as ferromanganese (FeMn) crusts and phosphorites, occur on seamounts and continental margins, gaining attention for their resource potential due to their enrichment in valuable metals in some regions. This study focuses on the Southern California Borderland (SCB), an area characterized by uneven and heterogeneous topography featuring FeMn crusts, phosphorites, basalt, and sedimentary rocks that occur at varying depths and are exposed to a range of oxygen concentrations. Due to its heterogeneity, this region serves as an optimal setting for investigating the relationship between mineral-rich hardgrounds and benthic fauna. This study characterizes the density, diversity, and community composition of macrofauna (>300 μm) on hardgrounds as a function of substrate type and environment (depth and oxygen ranges). Rocks and their macrofauna were sampled quantitatively using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) during expeditions in 2020 and 2021 at depths above, within, and below the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). A total of 3,555 macrofauna individuals were counted and 416 different morphospecies (excluding encrusting bryozoans and hydrozoans) were identified from 82 rocks at depths between 231 and 2,688 m. Average density for SCB macrofauna was 11.08 ± 0.87 ind. 200 cm−2 and mean Shannon-Wiener diversity per rock (H′[loge]) was 2.22 ± 0.07. A relationship was found between substrate type and macrofaunal communities. Phosphorite rocks had the highest H′ of the four substrates compared on a per-rock basis. However, when samples were pooled by substrate, FeMn crusts had the highest H′ and rarefaction diversity. Of all the environmental variables examined, water depth explained the largest variance in macrofaunal community composition. Macrofaunal density and diversity values were similar at sites within and outside the OMZ. This study is the first to analyze the macrofaunal communities of mineral-rich hardgrounds in the SCB, which support deep-ocean biodiversity by acting as specialized substrates for macrofaunal communities. Understanding the intricate relationships between macrofaunal assemblages and mineral-rich substrates may inform effects from environmental disruptions associated with deep-seabed mining or climate change. The findings contribute baseline information useful for effective conservation and management of the SCB and will support scientists in monitoring changes in these communities due to environmental disturbance or human impact in the future. creator: Michelle Guraieb creator: Guillermo Mendoza creator: Kira Mizell creator: Greg Rouse creator: Ryan A. McCarthy creator: Olívia S. Pereira creator: Lisa A. Levin uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18290 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Guraieb et al.