title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=218 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Comparing efficacy in reducing pulling and welfare impacts of four types of leash walking equipment link: https://peerj.com/articles/18131 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: BackgroundLeash pulling is a commonly reported problem behavior for dog owners, as a result, a variety of leash equipment types are offered to mitigate pulling force. We were particularly interested in prong collars as their inherently aversive design has made their use a subject of debate. Though banned in certain countries and widely available in others, to date, there is no research comparing them to other leash walking equipment.MethodsWe compared four types of leash walking equipment: a martingale (flat collar as baseline measure), a front-connection harness, a polymer prong-style collar (Starmark), and a standard metal prong collar. Twenty-three dogs were walked on all four types of equipment for 5-min each. Equipment was attached to a leash which was connected to a battery-powered strain gauge to measure the dog’s pulling force. All walks were video recorded for behavior analysis.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences among the leash equipment types in pulling impulse (Newtons × seconds), (χ2(2) = 30.6, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences in impulse between the martingale and the other equipment: harness (Z = −3.69, p < 0.001), Starmark collar (Z = −3.62, p < 0.001) and prong collar (Z = −3.92, p < 0.001). No other differences among equipment types were significant. Fifteen behaviors were examined as welfare indicators but only three: looking at the handler, lip licking, and sniffing occurred across all dogs and all walks. There was a statistically significant difference in frequency of lip licking behavior across the four types of leash-equipment (χ2(2) = 8.17, p = 0.04) and post-hoc analysis showed a difference between the martingale and the harness (Z = −2.65, p = 0.008). While our research did not provide any clear evidence of poorer welfare due to equipment type, we caution the generalizability of these findings and recommend further assessment of these items of leash-walking equipment in real-life scenarios. creator: Anamarie C. Johnson creator: Clive D. L. Wynne uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18131 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Johnson and Wynne title: Evidence for sweep signatures in antibiotic-resistant strains in three species of bacteria link: https://peerj.com/articles/18178 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: Over the last decades antibiotic resistance has evolved and spread in many different bacterial species. From an evolutionary perspective, drug resistance is an adaptation to a new environment. Population genetic theory predicts that recent adaptations are associated with reduced diversity in the part of the population that carries the adaptive trait, due to a process known as selective sweeps. It is not known if this prediction holds for antibiotic resistance in bacterial species that infect humans. Here, we use a convenience sample of eight datasets covering three species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium). The eight datasets include multi locus sequence type information and antibiotic resistance phenotypes for between 53 to 1,094 patient samples and between three and 19 different antibiotics. Consistent with selective sweep theory, we find that, in most cases, sequence-type diversity amongst antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is lower than amongst antibiotic-susceptible strains. Specifically, in 45 out of 59 comparisons (76%), resistant strains were significantly less diverse than susceptible strains. We also observe that while diversity is lower amongst resistant strains, in all cases there were at least several different sequence types amongst the resistant strains, which suggests that we are dealing here with soft sweeps rather than hard sweeps. Finally, we show that sequence-type diversity of antibiotic-resistant strains is lower if resistance is rare, compared to when resistance is common, which is consistent with rare resistance being due to fewer evolutionary origins. To summarize, our results show that for several different bacterial species, diversity of resistant strains is generally reduced, which is consistent with the evolution of resistance driven by selective sweeps stemming from a limited number of evolutionary origins. In future studies, more detailed analysis of such sweep signatures is warranted. creator: Anjani Pradhananga creator: Lorena Benitez-Rivera creator: Candace Clark creator: Kaho H. Tisthammer creator: Pleuni S. Pennings uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18178 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Pradhananga et al. title: Acute responses and recovery in the femoral cartilage morphology following running and cool-down protocols link: https://peerj.com/articles/18302 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: This study compared the immediate effects of two common post-exercise cool-down methods to a control condition on subsequent morphologic change in femoral cartilage and vascular response in the posterior tibial artery after running. Sixteen healthy young males (23.6 ± 2.2 years, 172.8 ± 4.9 cm, 72.2 ± 7.1 kg) visited the laboratory during three separate sessions and performed 30-min of treadmill running (7.5 km/h for the initial 5-min, followed 8.5 km/h for 25-min). After running, participants experienced one of three 30-min cool-down protocols: active cool-down, cold application, or control (seated rest with their knee fully extended), in a counterbalanced order. Ultrasonographic assessments of femoral cartilage thickness (intercondylar, lateral, and medial) and posterior tibial artery blood flow were compared. To test condition effects over time, two-way analysis of variances and Tukey tests were used (p < 0.05) with Cohen’s d effect sizes (ES). There was no condition by time interaction in femoral cartilage thickness (intercondylar: F30,705 = 0.91, p = 0.61; lateral: F30,705 = 1.24, p = 0.18; medial: F30,705 = 0.49, p = 0.99). Regardless of time (condition effect: F2,705 > 3.24, p < 0.04 for all tests), femoral cartilage in the cold application condition was thicker than the control condition (intercondylar: p = 0.01, ES = 0.16; lateral: p < 0.0001, ES = 0.24; medial: p = 0.04. ES = 0.16). Regardless of condition (time effect: F15,705 > 10.31, p < 0.0001 for all tests), femoral cartilage thickness was decreased after running (intercondylar: p < 0.0001, ES = 1.37; lateral: p < 0.0001, ES = 1.58; medial: p < 0.0001, ES = 0.81) and returned to baseline levels within 40-min (intercondylar: p = 0.09; lateral: p = 0.64; medial: p = 0.26). Blood flow volume was different (condition × time: F30,705 = 2.36, p < 0.0001) that running-induced blood flow volume was maintained for 30-min for the active cool-down condition (p < 0.0001, ES = 1.64), whereas it returned to baseline levels within 10-min for other conditions (cold application: p = 0.67; control: p = 0.62). Neither blood flow nor temperature had a significant impact on the recovery in femoral cartilage after running. creator: Sanghyup Park creator: Junhyeong Lim creator: Jinwoo Lee creator: Seonggyu Jeon creator: Jaewon Kim creator: Jihong Park uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18302 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Park et al. title: Molecular detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Chytridiomycota) and culturable skin bacteria associated with three critically endangered species of Atelopus (Anura: Bufonidae) in Ecuador link: https://peerj.com/articles/18317 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: Chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease responsible for massive amphibian die-offs worldwide, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Potential symbiotic relationships between frogs and the bacteria residing on their skin—referred to as skin-bacteria—may inhibit Bd growth, aiding in resistance to this lethal disease. This research had three main objectives: (1) to detect the presence of Bd in native populations of Atelopus balios, A. bomolochos, and A. nanay in the central Andes and coastal southern regions of Ecuador; (2) to identify the culturable skin-bacteria; and (3) to analyze differences among the bacterial communities in the three Atelopus species studied. Skin swabs were collected from two populations of A. balios (107–203 m a.s.l.) and one population each of A. bomolochos and A. nanay (3,064–3,800 m a.s.l.). These swabs served two purposes: first, to detect Bd using conventional PCR; and second, to isolate culturable bacteria, which were characterized through DNA sequencing, molecular phylogeny, and community composition similarity analysis (Jaccard index). Results showed that Bd was present in all species, with positive Bd PCR amplification found in 11 of the 12 sampled amphibians. The culturable skin-bacteria were classified into 10 genera: Pseudomonas (31.4%), Stenotrophomonas (14.3%), Acinetobacter (11.4%), Serratia (11.4%), Aeromonas (5.7%), Brucella (5.7%), Klebsiella (5.7%), Microbacterium (5.7%), Rhodococcus (5.7%), and Lelliottia (2.9%). The Jaccard index revealed that bacterial genera were least similar in A. bomolochos and A. balios (J = 0.10), while the highest similarity at the genus level was between A. bomolochos and A. nanay (J = 0.33). At the clade-species level, only A. bomolochos and A. nanay show common bacteria (J = 0.13). Culturable bacterial communities of specimens diagnosed as Bd positive (n = 10) or Bd negative (n = 1) share a J value of 0.1 at genus and 0.04 at species-clade level. The prevalence of Bd and the composition of cutaneous bacteria could be influenced by Bd reservoirs, Atelopus biology, and intrinsic environmental conditions. This research contributes to understanding the relationship between endangered Andean species and Bd, and explores the potential use of native skin-bacteria as biocontrol agents against Bd. creator: Jomira K. Yánez Galarza creator: Lenin Riascos-Flores creator: Leopoldo Naranjo-Briceño creator: Andrea Carrera-Gonzalez creator: H. Mauricio Ortega-Andrade uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18317 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Yánez Galarza et al. title: Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of a Chinese self-intermittent catheterization quality of life scale among patients with neurogenic bladder link: https://peerj.com/articles/18319 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: BackgroundIntermittent self-catheterization (ISC) is widely considered the gold standard for treating patients with neurogenic bladder (NB). Healthcare professionals and catheter users must optimize ISC care to improve patients’ quality of life. To achieve this, the Intermittent Self-Catheterization Questionnaire (ISC-Q) is a valuable tool with clear and easy-to-understand items. However, this scale has yet to be adapted for use in China, and its reliability and validity need to be tested through cross-cultural adaptation.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to culturally adapt the ISC-Q and develop the Chinese version of the ISC-Q (C-ISC-Q), and assess its reliability and validity among patients with NB.MethodsWith the authorization of the ISC-Q author, the Beaton mode was used to adapt the scale cross-culturally. The study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2021 in three phases: committee-based translation from English to Chinese, Delphi expert consultations (n = 5) for cultural adaptation, and a cross-sectional study (n = 149) for validation.ResultsThe C-ISC-Q has 24 items and four dimensions. The critical ratio of each item is over 3.0, and the correlation coefficient between each item and the scale’s total score is above 0.4. The Cronbach’s α value for the scale is 0.930, and for each dimension, it is between 0.870–0.92. The retest reliability for the scale is 0.894, and for each dimension is between 0.751–0.889. The content validity at the item level ranges from 0.8~1.0, and at the scale level is 0.9. The criterion-related validity of the scale was −0.708, and the correlation for each dimension was 0.329–0.624. The principal component analysis identified four common factors, with a cumulative contribution rate of 67.846%.ConclusionsThe C-ISC-Q is culturally sensitive, reliable, and valid to measure the quality of life for patients with NB. It can assist nurses and researchers in tailoring strategies to enhance the quality of life for patients with NB. creator: Rong Tang creator: Liqiong Zhou uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18319 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Tang and Zhou title: Association analysis of MTHFR (rs1801133 and rs1801131) gene polymorphism towards the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Dali area population from Yunnan Province, China link: https://peerj.com/articles/18334 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common complex metabolic disorder that exhibits a strong genetic predisposition. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) regulates folate metabolism, which has been proposed to be associated with T2DM, although the relationship is inconsistent among different geographical areas. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131) loci polymorphisms on T2DM susceptibility in the population of the Dali area in Yunnan Province, China.MethodsThis case-control study included 445 patients with T2DM and 272 healthy control individuals from the Dali area of Yunnan Province. Genotyping of the MTHFR gene polymorphisms was performed using the competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) method. The effects of genetic variations of the MTHFR gene on T2DM risk were evaluated using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThe results of the present study revealed that the TT genotype (OR = 1.750, P = 0.030) and the T allele (OR = 1.252, P = 0.047) at the MTHFR C677T locus were considerably associated with the increased odds of developing T2DM. In addition, the CC genotype (OR = 3.132, P = 0.032) at the MTHFR A1298C locus also substantially increased the odds of developing T2DM. The T-A haplotype (OR = 1.305, P = 0.030) of MTHFR C677T and A1298C exhibited the increased odds of developing T2DM. Biochemical index analyses showed that patients with T2DM who carried the CT or TT genotype of MTHFR C677T expressed substantially higher levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), homocysteine (Hcy), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) than those of the CC genotype. Moreover, the FBG and Hcy levels were considerably higher in patients with T2DM who carried the CC or AC genotype of MTHFR A1298C than those of the AA genotype. No obvious association was observed between these MTHFR polymorphisms and cardiovascular risk in T2DM.ConclusionOur study suggests that the genetic variations of MTHFR C677T and A1298C are significantly associated with T2DM susceptibility in the population of the Dali area of Yunnan Province, China. creator: Yongxin Liu creator: Genyuan Pu creator: Caiting Yang creator: Yuqing Wang creator: Kaitai Jin creator: Shengrong Wang creator: Xiao Liang creator: Shenghe Hu creator: Shuguang Sun creator: Mingming Lai uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18334 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Liu et al. title: Remote care instruction via the WeChat platform for female patients receiving subcutaneous anticoagulation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18337 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of remote nursing guidance based on WeChat platform for female patients receiving subcutaneous anticoagulation during the COVID-19 epidemic.MethodsRetrospective analysis of clinical data, including demographic data and anticoagulation complications, of 126 female patients who received subcutaneous anticoagulation therapy and received remote nursing guidance using WeChat platform in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2022. The Anti-Clot Treatment Scale (ACTS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale were used to evaluate patients’ satisfaction with anticoagulation and quality of life at the beginning of anticoagulation, half a month after anticoagulation, and after three months of anticoagulation.ResultsIn total, 126 patients were involved in this study, all of them were female, 115 cases were natural pregnancy, 11 cases were assisted reproduction. This study included seven cases of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, 100 cases of hypercoagulable state, 10 cases of antiphospholipid syndrome, and eight cases of protein S deficiency, one case of hyperhomocysteinemia. During the follow-up period, four patients (3.17%) had subcutaneous injection complications, including three cases of subcutaneous hemorrhage and one case of liquid leakage. A total of 123 patients had completed the planned anticoagulation therapy or were receiving anticoagulation therapy as planned, and three patients did not receive anticoagulation therapy as planned (zero cases lost contact, two cases changed treatment units, and one case refused treatment). ACTS score (55.03 ± 1.73) and WHOQOL-BREF score (62.18 ± 3.17) after three months of anticoagulation, ACTS score (54.18 ± 1.20) and WHOQOL-BREF score (60.37 ± 2.25) after half a month of anticoagulation was significantly higher than the ACTS score (47.81 ± 1.69) and WHOQOL-BREF score (55.25 ± 1.85) at the beginning of anticoagulation, and the difference was statistically significant (P value < 0.01).ConclusionsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, remote nursing instruction via the WeChat platform for female patients receiving subcutaneous anticoagulation can increase anticoagulation compliance, satisfaction, and quality of life. creator: Chao Yun Jiang creator: Ci Juan Li creator: Rong Zhang creator: Tian Hong Cai creator: Teng Hui Zhan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18337 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Jiang et al. title: A retrospective analysis of a newly proposed imaging-etiologic classification for acute ischemic stroke with large vascular occlusion based on MRI and pathogenesis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18342 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: BackgroundEndovascular treatment (EVT) has emerged as the preferred initial therapeutic option for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vascular occlusion (LVO). To facilitate more targeted EVT interventions, we propose a novel imaging-etiologic classification system derived from a comprehensive analysis of preoperative MRI and pathogenesis in AIS patients.MethodsFrom June 2020 to December 2021, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 184 consecutive AIS patients who underwent preoperative MRI and subsequent EVT at the Henan Provincial Cerebrovascular Hospital Stroke Center. Patients’ medical histories were comprehensively reviewed. According to MRI, anterior circulation infarction (ACI) and posterior circulation infarction (PCI) were divided into four groups respectively (A-D & a-d). Three types (1–3) of etiology were identified based on pathogenesis. The types were respectively evaluated by screening test with intra-operative finding of EVT.ResultsOur imaging-etiologic classification achieved an overall positive rate of 90.2% (166/184) when compared to the gold standard. The screening test for each type demonstrated excellent validity (Youden’s index ≥ 0.75) and reliability (Kappa ≥ 0.80).ConclusionThe imaging-etiologic classification represents a simple yet comprehensive approach that can be readily applied in the management of AIS with LVO. It can rapidly and effectively locate the vascular occlusion, and reveal the pathogenesis. creator: Hao Li creator: Zhaoshuo Li creator: Jinchao Xia creator: Lijun Shen creator: Guangming Duan creator: Ziliang Wang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18342 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Li et al. title: Emerging roles of tRNA-derived small RNAs in injuries link: https://peerj.com/articles/18348 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a novel class of small noncoding RNAs, precisely cleaved from tRNA, functioning as regulatory molecules. The topic of tsRNAs in injuries has not been extensively discussed, and studies on tsRNAs are entering a new era. Here, we provide a fresh perspective on this topic. We systematically reviewed the classification, generation, and biological functions of tsRNAs in response to stress, as well as their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various injuries, including lung injury, liver injury, renal injury, cardiac injury, neuronal injury, vascular injury, skeletal muscle injury, and skin injury. We also provided a fresh perspective on the association between stress-induced tsRNAs and organ injury from a clinical perspective. creator: Mengjun Wang creator: Junfeng Guo creator: Wei Chen creator: Hong Wang creator: Xiaotong Hou uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18348 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2024 Wang et al. title: A study on elite athletes: Orthorexia nervosa tendency is a risk factor for sleep quality link: https://peerj.com/articles/18349 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: BackgroundElite athletes adhere to strict daily routines, particularly concerning their nutritional habits. However, these practices can occasionally lead to a pathological fixation on healthy eating known as orthorexia nervosa which may adversely affect sleep quality. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between orthorexia nervosa tendencies and sleep quality in elite athletes, as well as to investigate potential differences in orthorexia nervosa tendencies and sleep patterns between athletes engaged in individual versus team sports.MethodsThe present study explores how orthorexia nervosa tendency affects sleep quality in 249 elite athletes (115 women: aged 19.92 ± 2.48 years, sporting tenure: 8.16 ± 3.96 years, and 134 men: aged 20.69 ± 2.72 years, sporting tenure: 7.85 ± 3.59 years). The orthorexia nervosa tendency was evaluated using the ORTO-11 scale, while their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.ResultsThe results of the present study indicate that orthorexia nervosa negatively affected sleep quality (rho = −0.173, p = 0.006). Additionally, no differences in the orthorexia nervosa tendency was observed between individual and group athletes (p = 0.287); however, individual athletes presented poorer sleep quality (p = 0.287).ConclusionThese results indicate that the elite athletes who present higher orthorexia nervosa tendency had a higher risk of having poorer sleep quality. creator: Musab Çağın creator: Sezen Çimen Polat creator: Halil Sarol creator: Çisem Ünlü creator: Danica Janicijevic uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18349 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Çağin et al.