title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=217 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Transperineal prostate biopsy guided by which ultrasound transducer: transrectal or transperineal: a retrospective study link: https://peerj.com/articles/18424 last-modified: 2024-11-11 description: BackgroundProstate biopsies are primarily conducted using either the transrectal or transperineal approach, with the ultrasound probe positioned in the rectum to obtain a clear view of the prostate. Reports on the utilization of transperineal prostate biopsies with the ultrasound probe placed on the perineal skin are limited.MethodsA retrospective investigation was conducted on 119 patients who underwent transperineal ultrasound guided transperineal prostate biopsy (TP-TPPB). Additionally, 85 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided transperineal prostate biopsy (TR-TPPB) were included as controls. The prostate cancer detection rates (PCDRs) and postoperative complication rates were compared between the two groups, and their application values were also evaluated.ResultsThe overall PCDRs were 35.3% (42/119) in the TP-TPPB and 32.9% (28/85) in the TR-TPPB group (χ2 = 0.122, p = 0.727). When categorized by PSA level, there was no significant difference between the two groups in PCDRs in any category (p > 0.05). However, the single-needle PCDRs in some regions (L4, L5, R2, and apex) showed significant differences (p < 0.05). There was no difference in postoperative complication rates between the groups.ConclusionThe PCDRs and the postoperative complication rates of TP-TPPB and TR-TPPB are similar. However, TP-TPPB requires simpler equipment and does not require intestinal preparation, which is especially useful for patients with rectal contraindications, such as those with severe hemorrhoids and rectal/anal diseases. creator: Yang Xiao creator: Lina Han creator: Han Wang creator: Guorong Lyu creator: Shilin Li uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18424 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Xiao et al. title: CAF-derived miR-642a-3p supports migration, invasion, and EMT of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting SERPINE1 link: https://peerj.com/articles/18428 last-modified: 2024-11-11 description: BackgroundCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells interact to promote HCC progression, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1) has conflicting roles in HCC, and microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate tumor progression through intercellular communication. Therefore, we investigated the potential involvement of miRNA/SERPINE1 axis in crosstalk between CAFs and HCC cells.MethodsIn this study, candidate miRNAs targeting SERPINE1 3′ UTR were predicted using multiple miRNA databases. The miRNAs and SERPINE1 mRNA expression in Huh7 cells was assessed after co-culture with CAFs using RT-qPCR. Huh7 cell proliferation and invasion were detected after SERPINE1 siRNA. The functions of the CAF-derived miR-642a-3p/SERPINE1 axis in HCC cells were examined using CCK-8, wound healing, transwell assays, western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Moreover, a orthotopic xenograft model was used to investigate the contribution of miR-642a-3p knockdown in HCC.ResultsSERPINE1 mRNA expression decreased, while miR-642a-3p expression increased in Huh7 cells co-cultured with CAFs. SERPINE1 knockdown enhanced Huh7 cell proliferation and invasion as well as miR-642a-3p expression. miR-642a-3p overexpression promoted migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in Huh7 cells by targeting SERPINE1, while miR-642a-3p knockdown yielded the opposite effect. Rescue experiments confirmed that SERPINE1 knockdown attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-642a-3p knockdown on migration, invasion, and EMT in Huh7 cells. Importantly, miR-642a-3p knockdown suppressed growth and EMT in orthotopic liver tumors.ConclusionCAF-derived miR-642a-3p/SERPINE1 axis facilitated migration, invasion, and EMT in the HCC cells, suggesting miR-642a-3p/SERPINE1 axis can be a potential therapeutic target for HCC. creator: Shuo Zhang creator: Gang Cao creator: Shuijie Shen creator: Yu Wu creator: Xiying Tan creator: Xiaoyan Jiang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18428 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Zhang et al. title: Relationship between tooth macrowear and jaw morphofunctional traits in representative hypercarnivores link: https://peerj.com/articles/18435 last-modified: 2024-11-11 description: The mammalian adult dentition is a non-renewable resource. Tooth attrition and disease must be accommodated by individuals using behavioral, physiological, and/or musculoskeletal shifts to minimize impact on masticatory performance. From a biomechanical perspective, the musculoskeletal system becomes less efficient at producing bite force for a given amount of muscle input force over an individual’s life, because tooth-food contact area increases as cusps wear. In this study we ask the question: does mandibular biomechanical performance show evidence of compensation with increasing tooth wear? We use representative taxa of three carnivoran ecomorphologies (meat specialist, scavenger, bone cracker) as a study system to compare morphofunctional data on tooth macrowear, jaw depth, bite mechanical efficiency, and jaw stress during biting. No significant shifts in adult mandibular corpus dimensions occurs in the sampled taxa as canine and carnassial teeth wear. In bone cracking spotted hyenas carnassial biting mechanical efficiency increases significantly with increasing tooth wear, with no significant change in mandibular stress. Analyses of the fossil carnivore Hyaenodon suggests an increase in canine biting efficiency with increased tooth wear, but this may reflect interspecific variation or phylogenetic contingency rather than a life history shift. Overall, these findings indicate that scavenging hyaenids and felid meat specialists do not exhibit morphofunctional compensation for the decreased mechanical capability of worn and dull teeth. Behavioral modifications, rather than musculoskeletal adjustments, may instead play a major role in maintaining food acquisition and processing capabilities for individuals surviving into advanced ontogenetic age and tooth wear. These observations highlight the mammalian masticatory system as having a dynamic performance profile through its useful lifespan, and encourage a more nuanced understanding of past and present carnivore guilds by considering wear-dependent performance changes as a possible source of selection. creator: Z. Jack Tseng creator: Larisa R. G. DeSantis uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18435 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Tseng and DeSantis title: Cryophysiology of coral microfragments: effects of chilling and cryoprotectant toxicity link: https://peerj.com/articles/18447 last-modified: 2024-11-11 description: Coral reefs are being degraded at alarming rates and decisive intervention actions are urgently needed. One such intervention is coral cryopreservation. Although the cryopreservation of coral sperm and larvae has been achieved, preservation of coral fragments including both its tissue and skeleton, has not. The overarching aim of this study was to understand and assess the physiological stressors that might underlie coral fragment cryopreservation, understand the long-term consequences of these exposures to continued growth, and develop a health metrics scale for future research. Therefore, we assessed small fragments (~1 cm2) from the Hawaiian coral, Porites compressa, examining: (1) chill sensitivity; (2) chemical sensitivity to complex cryoprotectants; (3) methods to safely remove algal symbionts of coral for cryopreservation; (4) continued growth over time of coral fragments exposed to chilling and cryoprotectants; and (5) assessment of health and viability of coral fragments post the applied treatments. Corals were able to withstand chilling to 0 °C for 1 min and after 2 weeks were not significantly different from the live controls, whereas, corals exposed to complex cryoprotectants needed 3 weeks of recovery. Most importantly, it appears that once the coral fragments had surpassed this initial recovery, there was no difference in subsequent growth. Technological advances in cryo-technology promise to support successful coral fragment cryopreservation soon, and its success could help secure much of the genetic and biodiversity of reefs in the next decade. creator: Claire V. A. Lager creator: Riley Perry creator: Jonathan Daly creator: Christopher Page creator: Mindy Mizobe creator: Jessica Bouwmeester creator: Anthony N. Consiglio creator: Jake Carter creator: Matthew J. Powell-Palm creator: Mary Hagedorn uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18447 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Lager et al. title: Digital competence of faculty members in health sciences measured via self-reflection: current status and contextual aspects link: https://peerj.com/articles/18456 last-modified: 2024-11-11 description: This descriptive study aims to determine the digital competence level of faculty members who teach in the health sciences, empirically considering possible contextual aspects. Two data collection instruments were used: a self-reflection questionnaire to assess digital competence, and a survey querying demographics and aspects of teaching and learning context. In total, 306 health sciences faculty members from six universities voluntarily participated the study. The results revealed that a majority of the faculty members have intermediate (integrator or expert) level of digital competence, which is described as being aware of the potential use of digital technology in teaching and having a personal repertoire for its use under various circumstances. Age, digital teaching experience, perception of work environment, and previous teaching experience in fully- or partially-online courses were identified as influencing factors for digital competence. Faculty members in health sciences were able to integrate digital technologies in their teaching practices. Health education institutions may facilitate the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning environments. Moreover, institutions or stakeholders should consider that digital competence requires practice and experience in meaningfully-designed digital environments and tools. creator: Halil Ersoy creator: Cigdem Baskici creator: Aydan Aytar creator: Raimonds Strods creator: Nora Jansone Ratinika creator: António Manuel Lopes Fernandes creator: Hugo Neves creator: Aurelija Blaževičienė creator: Alina Vaškelytė creator: Camilla Wikström-Grotell creator: Heikki Paakkonen creator: Anne Söderlund creator: Johanna Fritz creator: Sultan Kav uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18456 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Ersoy et al. title: Simple, reference-independent assessment to empirically guide correction and polishing of hybrid microbial community metagenomic assembly link: https://peerj.com/articles/18132 last-modified: 2024-11-08 description: Hybrid metagenomic assembly of microbial communities, leveraging both long- and short-read sequencing technologies, is becoming an increasingly accessible approach, yet its widespread application faces several challenges. High-quality references may not be available for assembly accuracy comparisons common for benchmarking, and certain aspects of hybrid assembly may benefit from dataset-dependent, empiric guidance rather than the application of a uniform approach. In this study, several simple, reference-free characteristics–particularly coding gene content and read recruitment profiles–were hypothesized to be reliable indicators of assembly quality improvement during iterative error-fixing processes. These characteristics were compared to reference-dependent genome- and gene-centric analyses common for microbial community metagenomic studies. Two laboratory-scale bioreactors were sequenced with short- and long-read platforms, and assembled with commonly used software packages. Following long read assembly, long read correction and short read polishing were iterated up to ten times to resolve errors. These iterative processes were shown to have a substantial effect on gene- and genome-centric community compositions. Simple, reference-free assembly characteristics, specifically changes in gene fragmentation and short read recruitment, were robustly correlated with advanced analyses common in published comparative studies, and therefore are suitable proxies for hybrid metagenome assembly quality to simplify the identification of the optimal number of correction and polishing iterations. As hybrid metagenomic sequencing approaches will likely remain relevant due to the low added cost of short-read sequencing for differential coverage binning or the ability to access lower abundance community members, it is imperative that users are equipped to estimate assembly quality prior to downstream analyses. creator: Garrett J. Smith creator: Theo A. van Alen creator: Maartje A.H.J. van Kessel creator: Sebastian Lücker uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18132 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Smith et al. title: Morphological, molecular and 3D synchrotron X-ray tomographic characterizations of Helicascus satunensis sp. nov., a novel mangrove fungus link: https://peerj.com/articles/18341 last-modified: 2024-11-08 description: A new species of Helicascus satunensis sp. nov. was collected on mature dead fruits of the Nypa palm in Satun Province, southern Thailand. Its morphological characteristics are similar to those of the genus Helicascus. Recently, a genus Helicascus with three species from marine habitats worldwide was studied. The morphology of this fungus was investigated and combined with multigene sequence analyzes of small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) genes. Morphologically, H. satunensis sp. nov. is characterized by semi-immersed, lenticular ascomata, multilocules, a bitunicate ascus and smooth, obovoid, dark brown ascospores that are one-septate and unequally two-celled. In addition, 3D visualization using synchrotron X-ray tomography was performed to investigate the interaction between fruiting body and substrata. Molecular phylogeny with multigene revealed that H. satunensis sp. nov. belongs to the family Morosphaeriaceae, order Pleosporales, class Dothideomycetes. Furthermore, H. satunensis sp. nov. forms a well-supported clade with Helicascus species described from marine habitats. Based on the unique morphological and molecular evidence, we propose this fungus, H. satunensis sp. nov., as a new species for Helicascus. creator: Sita Preedanon creator: Anupong Klaysuban creator: Satinee Suetrong creator: Oraphin Pracharoen creator: Waratthaya Promchoo creator: Tanuwong Sangtiean creator: Catleya Rojviriya creator: Jariya Sakayaroj uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18341 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Preedanon et al. title: YouTube as a source of information in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 2020 AHA Resuscitation Guidelines link: https://peerj.com/articles/18344 last-modified: 2024-11-08 description: BackgroundThe Internet has transformed global information access, particularly through platforms like YouTube, which launched in 1995 and has since become the second largest search engine worldwide with over two billion monthly users. While YouTube offers extensive educational content, including health topics like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS), it also poses risks due to potential misinformation. Our study focuses on evaluating the accuracy of CPR and BLS videos on YouTube according to the latest 2020 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. This research aims to highlight inconsistencies and provide insights into improving YouTube as a reliable educational resource for both lay rescuers and healthcare professionals.MethodsIn this cross-sectional observational study, English YouTube videos uploaded between October 21, 2020, and May 1, 2023, were searched using keywords related to CPR and basic life support. Videos were assessed for their source, duration, views, use of human or mannequin models, and mean assessment scores by two emergency medicine physicians. A third physician’s opinion was sought in cases of disagreement. The first assessment evaluated video validity based on specified information criteria, while the second assessed their ability to convey advanced medical information aligned with the 2020 AHA guidelines.ResultsIn this study, 201 English YouTube videos uploaded between October 21, 2020, and May 1, 2023, were evaluated based on search terms related to CPR and BLS, resulting in 95 videos meeting inclusion criteria after excluding 106 due to various reasons. Most included videos were from healthcare professionals (49.5%), followed by anonymous sources (29.5%) and official medical organizations (21.1%). Video durations ranged widely from 43 to 6,019 seconds, with an average of 692 seconds. Videos featuring mannequins predominated (91.6%), followed by those using human subjects (5.3%) or both (3.2%). Healthcare professional and official medical organization videos scoring significantly higher than those of unknown origin (p = 0.001). Video length did not correlate significantly with view counts, although shorter videos under 5 minutes tended to have higher average views.DiscussionThe results presented in this study demonstrated that English-language videos on YouTube related to BLS and CPR, throughout the study period, did not conform to the 2020 AHA guidelines in terms of providing basic information for lay rescuers. Furthermore, healthcare professionals cannot obtain advanced medical knowledge through these videos. We recommend a professional oversight mechanism in health-related videos that does not tolerate such misinformation. creator: Merve Yazla creator: Tuba Şafak creator: Şakir Hakan Aksu creator: Kadiriye Savran creator: Rafet Fatih Aydogan creator: Mustafa Arslan creator: Abdullah Osman Koçak creator: Burak Katipoğlu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18344 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Yazla et al. title: Stable dominance of parasitic dinoflagellates in Antarctic sponges link: https://peerj.com/articles/18365 last-modified: 2024-11-08 description: BackgroundMarine sponges are dominant components of Antarctic benthos and representative of the high endemism that characterizes this environment. All microbial groups are part of the Antarctic sponge holobionts, but microbial eukaryotes have been studied less, and their symbiotic role still needs to be better understood. Here, we characterize the dynamics of microbial eukaryotes associated with Antarctic sponges, focusing on dinoflagellates over three summer periods to better understand the members, interannual variations, and trophic and lifestyle strategies.ResultsThe analysis revealed that dinoflagellates dominate microeukaryotic communities in Antarctic sponges. The results also showed significant differences in the diversity and composition of dinoflagellate communities associated with sponges compared to those in seawater. Antarctic sponges were dominated by a single dinoflagellate family, Syndiniales Dino-Group-I-Clade 1, which was present in high abundance in Antarctic sponges compared to seawater communities. Despite minor differences, the top microeukaryotic amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) showed no significant interannual abundance changes, indicating general temporal stability within the studied sponge species. Our findings highlight the abundance and importance of parasitic groups, particularly the classes Coccidiomorphea, Gregarinomorphea, and Ichthyosporea, with the exclusive dominance of Syndiniales Dino-Group-I-Clade 1 within sponges.ConclusionsThe present study comprehensively characterizes the microbial eukaryotes associated with Antarctic sponges, showing a remarkable stability of parasitic dinoflagellates in Antarctic sponges. These findings underscore the significant role of parasites in these marine hosts, with implications for population dynamics of the microeukaryome and the holobiont response to a changing ocean. creator: Marileyxis R. López-Rodríguez creator: Catherine Gérikas Ribeiro creator: Susana Rodríguez-Marconi creator: Génesis Parada-Pozo creator: Maria Manrique-de-la-Cuba creator: Nicole Trefault uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18365 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 López-Rodríguez et al. title: Force-velocity-power variables derived from isometric and dynamic testing: metrics reliability and the relationship with jump performance link: https://peerj.com/articles/18371 last-modified: 2024-11-08 description: We investigated the convergent validity and intrasession reliability of force, velocity, and power (FVP) variables and the dynamic strength index (DSI) obtained from isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and squat jump (SJ) testing. Fifteen male combat sports athletes (27 ± 5 years, 77 ± 9 kg, 1.76 ± 0.1 m, 14 ± 6% body fat) participated in a 2-days study. The first day involved testing familiarization, while the second was dedicated to IMTP and SJ testing. Maximal isometric force (Fiso) was obtained from IMTP, while mean force, mean velocity, jump height, and jump impulse (J) were gathered from SJ. To analyze the FVP, we calculated the linear relationship between force and velocity, which allowed us to obtain the slope of the relationship (SFV), the theoretical velocity at zero force (V0), and the theoretical maximal power (Pmax). DSI was obtained as a ratio from SJ peak force and Fiso. The convergent validity was investigated using Spearman’s ρ coefficients to assess the relationships between jump height and J with Fiso, V0, SFV, Pmax, and DSI. The intrasession reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variations (CV). All variables demonstrated acceptable reliability scores. ICC ranged from moderate to excellent, and the mean CV was <10%. We found a “very large” correlation between jump J and Pmax, while jump height was not correlated with any variable. In conclusion, the IMTP and SJ combination is a practical way to determine FVP producing capacities that can be reliably measured (intrasession). The Pmax, derived from FVP, was correlated with jump performance, which might evidence the convergent validity of the method. creator: Amilton Vieira creator: Rafael Cunha creator: Carlos Gonçalves creator: Juliano Dal Pupo creator: James Tufano uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18371 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Vieira et al.