title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=214 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Myoferlin alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18499 last-modified: 2024-11-13 description: Myoferlin (MYOF) is a muscle-derived secretory protein. Recent studies have found that MYOF protects against cell damage. However, the role of MYOF in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. Increasing evidence suggests that NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor protein 3) and the pyroptosis cascade play critical roles in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation. To investigate the role of MYOF in cardiac hypertrophy, we conducted a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) experiment in a mouse model. We found that MYOF can improve cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac function. Furthermore, our study confirmed a connection between cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial pyroptosis. Cardiac hypertrophy significantly increased the proportion of apoptotic cells and upregulated apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD). This suggests that pharmacological or genetic inhibition of NLRP3 can effectively reduce cardiac hypertrophy. An abnormal increase in NLRP3 can reverse the cardioprotective effects of MYOF. Our findings indicate that MYOF is a potential therapeutic agent for cardiac hypertrophy. creator: Yang Zhou creator: Yanxu Liu creator: Hao Luo creator: Cong Wen creator: Yangyang Cui creator: Linqing Du creator: Ofe Eugene Kwaku creator: Lan Li creator: Lijuan Xiong creator: Jiankang Zheng creator: Xuefeng Ding creator: Xiufeng Shen creator: Peng Zhou creator: Houxiang Hu creator: Rongchuan Yue uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18499 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Zhou et al. title: Comparing the effectiveness of five traditional Chinese exercises in improving balance function in older adults: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18512 last-modified: 2024-11-13 description: BackgroundDespite numerous studies affirming the potential of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) in enhancing balance in older adults, systematic integration is lacking. This study evaluated the effectiveness of five TCEs—Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Tai Chi, Wuqinxi, and Yijinjing—in improving balance among older adults using network meta-analysis.MethodsThis meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42023481450. Related articles indexed by Web of Science, Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and VIP databases before October 2023 were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving TCEs interventions to improve balance function conducted in older adults who aged ≥60 years were included. Two researchers used Review Manager to assess the quality of the studies, and analyzed the data using Stata and R.ResultsIn total, 46 RCTs and 3,333 older adults were included. The aforementioned TCEs had positive effects on improving balance in older adults. Tai Chi revealed significant intervention effects in performing the Single-Leg Stand with eyes Closed (SLSC), 6-Min Walk Test (6MWT), and Short Form 36-Item Physical Component Summary (SF-36PCS). Liuzijue significantly improved performance in the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), 6MWT, SF-36PCS, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Yijinjing showed noteworthy intervention effects on the BBS. Tai Chi ranked highest in the SLSC, 6MWT, and SF-36PCS in the surface under the cumulative ranking, while Liuzijue and Yijinjing ranked highest in the TUGT and BBS, respectively.ConclusionTai Chi, Liuzijue, and Yijinjing improved the static, dynamic, and overall balance outcomes, respectively. Older adults can make a reasonable choice among these TCEs based on their needs. creator: Jingyi Xie creator: Jindong Guo creator: Bin Wang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18512 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2024 Xie et al. title: Assessment of patient knowledge and perceptions towards orthodontic treatment in the Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study link: https://peerj.com/articles/18516 last-modified: 2024-11-13 description: BackgroundIn orthodontic treatment, it is most important to assess the patient’s perspective of malocclusion because these perceptions are fundamental to determining the patient’s demands and level of treatment satisfaction. This study was done to assess the knowledge and perception of residents of the Aljouf Region of Saudi Arabia seeking orthodontic treatment. Furthermore, we determined the factors associated with the patients’ knowledge and perception of orthodontic treatment.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire among patients seeking orthodontic treatment who were registered at King Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka, and primary health centers. We identified the associated factors using binomial logistic regression analysis. Finally, we applied Spearman’s correlation test to identify the correlation between knowledge and perception.ResultsA total of 282 individuals participated in the current study, of which 53.3% were female and 46.1% were male. About one-third (36.9%) of patients had a low level of knowledge, 35.5% had a medium level of knowledge, and 27.7% had a high level of knowledge regarding orthodontic treatment. A total of 20.6% had low perceptions, 42.9% had medium perceptions, and 36.5% had high perceptions of orthodontic care. A significant correlation was found between age and gender, knowledge (p = 0.001), and perception (p = 0.040). Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between knowledge and perception (Spearman’s rho = 0.297, p = 0.001).ConclusionPeople in Aljouf have poor knowledge and medium perception regarding orthodontic treatment. We recommend that the concerned authorities make a health educational plan for the patients seeking orthodontic treatment. creator: Ayidh Muflih Alqahtani creator: Ashokkumar Thirunavukkarasu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18516 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Alqahtani and Thirunavukkarasu title: Calibrations without raw data—A response to “Seasonal calibration of the end-cretaceous Chicxulub impact event” link: https://peerj.com/articles/18519 last-modified: 2024-11-13 description: A recent article by DePalma et al. reported that the season of the End-Cretaceous mass extinction was confined to spring/summer on the basis of stable isotope analyses and supplementary observations. An independent study that was concurrently under review reached a similar conclusion using osteohistology and stable isotope analyses. We identified anomalies surrounding the stable isotope analyses reported by DePalma et al. Primary data are not provided, the laboratory where the analyses were performed is not identified, and the methods are insufficiently specified to enable accurate replication. Furthermore, isotopic graphs for carbon and oxygen contain irregularities such as missing data points, duplicate data points, and identical-length error bars for both elements despite different scales, that appear inconsistent with laboratory instrument outputs. A close examination of such methodological omissions and data irregularities can help to raise the standards for future studies of seasonality and prevent inaccurate claims or confirmation bias. creator: Melanie A. D. During creator: Dennis F. A. E. Voeten creator: Jeroen (H) J. L. Van der Lubbe creator: Per E. Ahlberg uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18519 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2024 During et al. title: Investigation of the efficacy of siRNA-mediated KRAS gene silencing in pancreatic cancer therapy link: https://peerj.com/articles/18214 last-modified: 2024-11-12 description: AimPancreatic carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that progresses without many symptoms. The difficulty of early diagnosis and an inadequate response to traditional treatments also cause the survival rate of pancreatic cancer to be low. Current research is focusing on methods of diagnosis and treatment, such as gene therapy, to increase survival rates. Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) has emerged as a promising advanced therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. This study sought to silence the KRAS gene in the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line using a complex of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP).MethodsIn this study, 25 nM siRNA and gold nanoparticles at 0.5 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml, and 0.125 mg/ml concentrations were used to silence the KRAS gene in the CAPAN-1 cell line. Real-time PCR analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis, and double staining were carried out, and xCelligence real-time cell analysis (RTCA) was used to measure proliferation.ResultsThe PCR analysis revealed crossing point (CP) values of actin beta (ACTB) ranging from 33.04 to 35.98, which was in the expected range for all samples. The interaction between the gold nanoparticle/siRNA complex in the double staining analysis revealed that the most effective concentration of gold nanoparticle was 0.125 mg/ml. The WST-1 technique showed that siRNA/AuPEI cells in application groups had a viability rate of over 90%, indicating no toxicity or side effects. The xCELLigence RTCA® showed that at hour 72, there was a significant difference in proliferation in the 0.5 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA, 0.25 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA, and 0.125 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA application groups compared to the control and siRNA groups (p < 0.05). By hour 96, all three groups were statistically different from the control and siRNA groups in terms of proliferation (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of this analysis suggest that the AuPEI/siRNA complex can be effectively used to silence the target gene, but more studies are needed to verify these results. creator: Büşra Küçükekmekci creator: Fatma Azize Budak Yıldıran uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18214 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Küçükekmekci and Budak Yıldıran title: Coral recruits demonstrate thermal resilience link: https://peerj.com/articles/18273 last-modified: 2024-11-12 description: Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent during summer and pose a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems. Restoration efforts have the potential to support native coral populations and guard them against some degree of environmental change, while global action against climate change takes place. Interspecific hybridization is one approach through which resilient coral stock could be generated for restoration. Here we compared the performance of Acropora kenti and A. loripes hybrid and purebred coral recruits under a simulated thermal stress event. A. kenti eggs were successfully fertilized by A. loripes sperm to produce ‘KL’ hybrids, but no ‘LK’ hybrids could be produced from A. loripes eggs and A. kenti sperm. Despite corals in the elevated treatment accruing thermal stress (>12 degree heating weeks over 2 months) known to result in mass bleaching, both purebred and hybrid recruits showed no signs of stress under the simulated temperature regime, based on the performance indicators survivorship, size, color (a proxy of bleaching), and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Comparisons between the hybrids and purebreds studied here must be interpreted with caution because hybrid sample sizes were small. The hybrids did not outperform both of their purebred counterparts for any metrics studied here, demonstrating that there are limitations to the extent to which interspecific hybridization may boost the performance of coral stock. In general, the purebred A. loripes recruits performed best under both ambient and elevated conditions. The performance of the KL hybrid corals was similar to the maternal parental species, A. kenti, or not significantly different to either parental purebred species. The Symbiodiniaceae communities of the KL hybrids were characteristic of their maternal counterparts and may have underpinned the performance differences between the A. kenti/KL hybrid and A. loripes recruits. creator: Annika M. Lamb creator: Lesa M. Peplow creator: Peter L. Harrison creator: Craig A. Humphrey creator: Lorenzo Latini creator: Guy A. McCutchan creator: Madeleine J. H. van Oppen uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18273 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Lamb et al. title: Developing a quality indicator system for evaluating internet plus home care nursing services based on the SERVQUAL model: a Delphi-analytic hierarchy process study link: https://peerj.com/articles/18281 last-modified: 2024-11-12 description: BackgroundIn the context of global population aging and the rapid development of information technology, the demand for Internet Plus Home Care Nursing (Internet+ HCN) services have been on the rise, especially in China. Internet+ HCN services have the potential to maximize existing human resources to counter the shortage of medical healthcare services. However, at present, Internet+ HCN services are difficult to scale due to the lack of standardized service quality governance. Quality indicators for service evaluation of Internet+ HCN services are under-defined.ObjectiveTo develop a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services, and to shed theoretical light on assessing mHealth service quality from a user experience perspective.MethodsAn initial quality indicator system was established based on scenarios related to Internet+ HCN services. The Delphi Method was applied to modify the indicators according to experts’ opinions, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to calculate the indicator weight. Finally, a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services was developed based on the SERVQUAL model.ResultsAltogether, 17 experts from relevant fields such as nursing education, clinical nursing, health management, and health informatics were consulted through email surveys. The response rates in both rounds of Delphi and the AHP were 100%. The average expert authority coefficients were 0.912 and 0.925 respectively in the two rounds of Delphi. Kendall’s W, indicating variation coefficients, ranged from 0.262 to 0.265. Finally, a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services, comprising five primary indicators and 15 secondary indicators, was developed. Primary indicators and their AHP generated the following weights: assurance (0.245), reliability (0.240), tangibles (0.192), responsiveness (0.190), and empathy (0.132).ConclusionsBy measuring the services quality gap between user expectations and perceptions, the proposed SERVQUAL model-based quality indicator system shows potential in improving the quality of Internet+ HCN services through the perspective of user experiences. creator: Lei Ye creator: Shulan Yang creator: Biyan Jiang creator: Caixia Liu creator: Xiaoqing Jin creator: Polun Chang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18281 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Ye et al. title: Feasibility of continuous physical activity monitoring: first-month recovery markers following joint replacement surgery link: https://peerj.com/articles/18285 last-modified: 2024-11-12 description: BackgroundThe role of physical activity (PA) monitoring during the recovery after orthopaedic surgeries is unclear. This study aimed to explore early changes in the pattern and level of PA following orthopedic surgeries.MethodsThis observational feasibility study included 11 hip replacement patients (four females) with a mean age of 66 years and five knee replacement patients (four females) with a mean age of 65 years. A PA tracker was used to collect the patients’ daily PA data, including duration of various activity categories, steps taken, and activity intensity count. The PA tracker recorded data from two weeks prior to surgery until four weeks after the surgery. Ratios of PA parameters for each of the first four weeks following surgery were calculated in relation to preoperative measurements.ResultsCompared to preoperative measurements, during the first four weeks after the surgery, the time spent in a recumbent position decreased from 112% to 106%, while continuous walking time and activity intensity count increased from 27% to 77% and from 35% to 73%, respectively. Step counts increased from 18% to 67%, and sit-to-stands rose from 65% to 93%. No significant changes were found in sitting, standing, sporadic walk time, and sporadic steps.ConclusionContinuously measuring PA using wearable sensors was feasible in orthopedic patients during the perioperative period. Continuous step count, walking time, activity intensity count showed noticeable changes and stable patterns demonstrating their potential for remote monitoring of patients during the early postoperative period. creator: Arash Ghaffari creator: Andreas Kappel creator: Thomas Jakobsen creator: Søren Kold creator: Ole Rahbek uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18285 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Ghaffari et al. title: The influence of parenting styles and coping strategies on anxiety symptoms in adolescents: a comparative study of groups with and without non-suicidal self-injury behavior link: https://peerj.com/articles/18378 last-modified: 2024-11-12 description: BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the global incidence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been increasing year by year, especially among adolescents, and it is highly correlated with the level of anxiety among teenagers, particularly within Chinese cultural contexts where parenting styles significantly influence adolescent behavior.ObjectiveThis study examines the role of culturally-influenced parenting styles and adolescent coping strategies in relation to anxiety and NSSI behavior, aiming to clarify these multivariate interactions for better understanding and intervention.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with NSSI-diagnosed adolescents from Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, China, and healthy adolescents from urban schools. Data on background, parenting styles, coping strategies, and anxiety levels were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, MANOVA, and regression analysis.ResultsAdolescents with NSSI reported higher anxiety levels, more punishment and interference, and less emotional warmth from their fathers compared to the non-NSSI group (p < 0.001). The NSSI group also relied more on emotion-oriented coping strategies, while the non-NSSI group favored problem-oriented approaches (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses confirmed significant effects of NSSI behavior, parenting styles, and coping strategies on anxiety levels.ConclusionThis study found that the anxiety levels of NSSI adolescents were significantly higher than those of non-NSSI adolescents in China, which was closely related to less emotional warmth from parents, more punishment and interference, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The results demonstrate that family environment and coping strategies play a critical role in NSSI behavior and anxiety levels, highlighting the importance of emphasizing emotional support and positive coping strategies in the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior. creator: Lingjiang Liu creator: Xinhui Hu creator: Huabing Xie creator: Changzhou Hu creator: Dongsheng Zhou creator: Jie Zhang creator: Yangjian Kong creator: Fang Cheng uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18378 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Liu et al. title: The associations between well-being and Cloninger’s personality dimensions in a Korean community sample link: https://peerj.com/articles/18379 last-modified: 2024-11-12 description: BackgroundWell-being is a multidimensional construct comprising affective and non-affective components. Previous research has consistently linked personality traits to well-being, yet cultural variations in this association remain underexplored, particularly in collectivistic cultures such as Korea. Therefore, this study aims to identify universal and culture-specific characteristics of personality in relation to well-being.MethodsA sample of 527 Korean university students participated, providing data through the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-RS (TCI-RS), self-rated health (SRH), social support (SS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Pearson correlation analysis and ANCOVA, with sex and age as covariates, were employed to examine linear associations. Multidimensional personality profiles were utilized to investigate non-linear associations among character dimensions on different aspects of well-being. All analysis was performed using jamovi 2.3.12.ResultsSelf-directedness and cooperativeness exhibited positive linear associations with both affective (positive and negative affect) and non-affective (SRH, SS, SWLS) components of well-being. Self-directedness emerged as a key predictor across various well-being aspects. Cooperativeness was strongly associated with perception of social support. Self-transcendence showed positive associations with both positive and negative affect, considering interactions with other character dimensions.DiscussionWhile self-directedness played a pivotal role universally, the impact of cooperativeness and self-transcendence appeared to be influenced by cultural factors, enhancing perception of social support and affecting both positive and negative affect in a collectivistic culture. This study illustrates the importance of considering cultural nuances in the relationship between personality and well-being. Future research should delve deeper into cultural differences, emphasizing the need for subtle interpretations of specific personality traits within diverse cultural contexts. creator: Soo Jin Lee creator: C. Robert Cloninger creator: Han Chae uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18379 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Lee et al.