title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=224 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en 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. title: Ceciamaralia, a new genus of Dorvilleidae (Annelida) from deep waters of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and an insight into its relationship within the family link: https://peerj.com/articles/18358 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: Dorvilleidae Chamberlin, 1919 is a family of Annelida containing some of the smallest ‘polychaetes’ species, being poorly studied worldwide, and with little knowledge regarding its diversity and occurrence. Samples obtained in oceanographic campaigns performed in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian coast) revealed a high number of specimens of dorvilleids, adding to our knowledge of the family’s biodiversity. A detailed morphological analysis of these organisms has revealed a new genus, Ceciamaraliagen. nov., with two new species. The new genus differs from other Dorvilleidae genera in (i) the robust and enlarged pharynx which are frequently everted, (ii) unique composition of maxillae, with an elongated pair of serrated basal plates and one pair of anterior free maxillary plates with a long and thin anterior spine and (iii) ventral cirri present only in few first chaetigers. Ceciamaralia lanaigen. et sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of a broad and large dorsal cirrus on a few anterior parapodia and by furcate chaeta in supra-acicular fascicles. While Ceciamaralia nonatoigen. et sp. nov. presents one geniculate chaeta instead of one furcate, the absence of dorsal cirri and, in some specimens, the absence of palps. A cladistic analysis supported the monophyly of Ceciamaraliagen. nov. by four synapomorphies related to the unique morphology of its maxillae, pharynx and appendages. This study is part of several recent taxonomic studies aiming to elucidate and increase the knowledge of Dorvilleidae, since it is part of a Ph.D project focused on the family. creator: Rafael de Oliveira Bonaldo creator: Tatiana Menchini Steiner creator: André Rinaldo Senna Garraffoni uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18358 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Bonaldo et al. title: Current status of the remaining Mexican cloud forests: landscape findings and conservation initiatives link: https://peerj.com/articles/18386 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: Tropical montane cloud forests are known for their unique biodiversity and their critical role in sustaining ecosystem services; however, approximately 50% of their original cover in Mexico was estimated to have been lost by 1998. The Mexican ecoregion that supports these ecosystems experienced one of the highest rates of deforestation between 2001 and 2021. Thus, a more recent evaluation of Mexico’s cloud forests is required. There is limited data on the landscape structure of cloud forests in Mexico, despite the possible application of landscape factors in conservation planning. Here, we estimated the average total area, number of patches, effective mesh size, total edge, and the shape of mixed forests that was present in 2020 within polygons of cloud forests defined in 1999 by Mexico’s National Commission for the Use and Knowledge of Biodiversity (CONABIO for its acronym in Spanish). We estimated land cover using data from the North American Land Change Monitoring System, which classifies cloud forests as mixed forests. We found that eight out of the 109 polygons have no mixed forests and that an average of 49% of the 1,768,914 ha of cloud forests polygons are now covered by mixed forests distributed across 13 states. Additionally, within the remaining 101 polygons that do contain this type of vegetation, mixed forest is distributed on average across 140 patches (range = 1–1,473); 80% of these forests have very low effective mesh size values; 90% of them have low total edge values (<2,000 km); and their shapes tend to be uniformly distributed. Furthermore, most of cloud forest polygons are located outside of federal protected areas. Overall, our results suggest that the remaining Mexican cloud forests are extremely vulnerable and fragmented and that their extent has steadily declined since 1999. To ensure the survival of Mexican cloud forests, it will be crucial to prioritize high-diversity areas, strengthen protection in critical zones, establish ecological corridors, encourage sustainable practices, and actively engage local communities. This study highlights the complex issues and inherent heterogeneity that characterize cloud forest ecosystems in Mexico and provides crucial insights for conservation. creator: Wesley Dáttilo creator: Sergio A. Cabrera-Cruz creator: César A. Gallo-Gómez creator: Juan Carlos Serio-Silva creator: Rafael Villegas-Patraca uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18386 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Dáttilo et al. title: Silver nanoparticles can be sampled by ultrafiltration probe but elution into & recovery from plasma and Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline differs in vitro link: https://peerj.com/articles/18388 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: Locally sustained release antimicrobials such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) might prove useful in combating local infections. Their elution has been investigated in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) including from poloxamer 407 (P407). No information exists on possible interactions with proteins, nor have ultrafiltration (UF) probes been evaluated to measure Ag. These investigations would provide helpful data prior to investigating the sustained release after subcutaneous implantation in vivo over time. We compared (1) the influence of elution fluid on AgNP elution, and (2) UF probe and direct sampling in vitro. Six AgNP-P407 specimens in a dialysis tube were placed in Dulbecco’s PPBS (DPBS) (n = 3) or canine plasma (n = 3) for 96 h on a stirred hot plate (37 °C and 600 rpm) and sampled 20 times. A 0.001 mg/mL AgNP solution was prepared in DPBS or plasma. Six pipette and UF probe samples were taken of each. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to analyze Ag. Stock plasma contained Ag. At 96 h, 5/6 dialysis tubes had not fully released AgNP. One peak in hourly Ag increase was present in DPBS (10–13 h), and two peaks in plasma (6–8 and 10–13 h). The hourly Ag increase in plasma decreased earlier than in DPBS. Ultrafiltration probe sampling was possible in both DPBS and plasma and resulted in higher Ag concentrations but with more variation. While in vitro use of DPBS might be more cost effective, plasma should be considered due to difference in elution and recovery. Ultrafiltration probes can be used to sample Ag, but results will have a greater degree of variation, and multiple samples and increased time points should be considered. creator: Marije Risselada creator: Robyn R. McCain creator: Miriam G. Bates creator: Makensie L. Anderson uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18388 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2024 Risselada et al. title: Effects of progessive vs. constant protocol whole-body vibration on muscle activation, pain, disability and functional performance in non-specific chronic low back pain patients: a randomized clinical trial link: https://peerj.com/articles/18390 last-modified: 2024-10-24 description: Background and ObjectiveNon-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a prevalent condition causing significant disability and functional impairment. Whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) has emerged as a new treatment method, but additional research is necessary to determine the optimal parameters of WBVE that would be beneficial for patients experiencing chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aims to investigate the effects of two type of WBVE (constant vs progressive) on pain, disability, functional performance, and muscle activity in patients with NSCLBP.MethodsThirty-two individuals diagnosed with chronic low back pain (CLBP) without any specific causes were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: a constant/fixed protocol WBVE group or a progressive protocol WBVE group. Participants underwent WBVE sessions for around 30 min, thrice weekly over a period of 8 weeks. Primary outcomes assessed included pain intensity, functional disability, functional performance, and electromyographic activity of core musculature, measured at baseline and upon completion of the intervention period. Temporal changes of each outcome variable across different periods and between groups were measured with repeated measures 2×2 mixed ANOVA. Further, the paired t-test was performed to compare pre- and post-treatment values within each group.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed in both the constant and progressive WBVE protocol groups. Pain intensity decreased by 64.2% (p < 0.001) in the constant group and by 61.1% (p < 0.001) in the progressive group. Functional disability decreased by 48.1% (p < 0.001) in the constant group and by 53.3% (p < 0.001) in the progressive group. Functional performance improved by 16.5% (p < 0.001) in the constant group and by 16.9% (p < 0.001) in the progressive group. Electromyography (EMG) demonstrated significant improvements across all measured variables except % maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) of external obliques (EO) in both intervention groups with time (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the magnitude of improvement between the constant and progressive WBVE protocols (p > 0.05), indicating both modalities’ effectiveness in ameliorating CLBP symptoms and associated functional impairments.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that both progressive and constant WBVE protocols are equally effective in reducing pain and disability in NSCLBP patients. These findings support the inclusion of progressive WBVE in clinical practice, offering a flexible treatment option that can be tailored to individual patient needs, ensuring both tolerability and effectiveness. This contributes valuable evidence towards optimizing WBVE protocols for managing NSCLBP. creator: Tasneem Zafar creator: Saima Zaki creator: Md Farhan Alam creator: Saurabh Sharma creator: Reem Abdullah Babkair creator: Shibili Nuhmani uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18390 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©Zafar 2024 et al. title: Combining citizen science, phylogenetics, and bioacoustics to inform taxonomy and conservation of the Near Threatened Proceratophrys paviotii (Anura, Odontophrynidae) link: https://peerj.com/articles/17990 last-modified: 2024-10-23 description: Herein, basel on novel data gathered by citizens scientists and specialists, we contribute to the improvement of scientific knowledge and conservation of the Near Threatened Proceratophrys paviotii in order to: 1) test for the first time the phylogenetic position and a species delimitation of P. paviotii through a molecular approach; 2) describe a larger sample of its advertisement call to properly encompass the species intraspecific variation; 3) describe for the first time the P. paviotii release call; and 4) provide novel insights on the species conservation status. Our 16S tree confidently grouped P. paviotii with P. cururu, P. renalis, and P. laticeps. The average sequence divergence between P. paviotii and its congeners ranged from 2.2% (P. laticeps) to 9.1% (P. redacta). Advertisement calls consisted of a single note with duration of 0.26–0.58 s, 17–41 pulses emitted at rate of 54.19–77.49 pulses/s and peak frequency of 775.19–947.46 Hz. Release calls consisted of a single note with duration of 0.04–0.43 s, 2–13 pulses emitted at rate of 21.17–81.58 pulses/s and peak frequency of 689.1–1,722.6 Hz. Additionally, our study strongly supports the notion that Citizen Science approaches can yield invaluable information concerning species’ geographic distribution and conservation. creator: João Victor Andrade Lacerda creator: Diego J. Santana creator: Carla Guimarães creator: Alice Zanoni dos Santos creator: Alan P. Araujo creator: Natalia Pirani Ghilardi-Lopes creator: Sarah Mângia uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17990 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Lacerda et al. title: Surface-functionalized PAN fiber membranes for the sensitive detection of airborne specific markers link: https://peerj.com/articles/18077 last-modified: 2024-10-23 description: PAN fibers are characterized by having a large surface-to-volume ratio and small pores, which are beneficial for applications in filtration and specific molecular detection systems. Naturally, larger items are filtered, and a lower ratio between specific and nonspecific binding is expected since small pores do not allow larger elements to penetrate through membranes; thus, nonspecific binding is enhanced. We prepared and tested fiber membranes (diameter cca 700 nm) functionalized with a specific antibody to prove that even microscopic systems such as bacteria could be specifically identified. In addition, we established a methodology that enabled the effective binding of bacteria in not only an aqueous environment but also air. Our data clearly prove that even large systems such as bacteria could be specifically identified by fiber membranes surface-functionalized with a specific antibody. This research opens the door to the construction of biosensors for the fast, inexpensive, and sensitive identification of airborne bacterial contaminants and other airborne pollutants. creator: Leontyna Varvarovska creator: Bruno Sopko creator: Dana Gaskova creator: Tomas Bartl creator: Evzen Amler creator: Tatana Jarosikova uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18077 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Varvarovska et al. title: Spontaneous space closure after extraction of young first permanent molar. Retrospective cohort study link: https://peerj.com/articles/18276 last-modified: 2024-10-23 description: BackgroundEarly compromised first-permanent-molar (FPM) extraction can adversely affect occlusion. However, the current literature does not provide sufficient support for definitive early extraction outcome. This cohort study aimed to evaluate the pattern of post-FPM extraction spontaneous space closure and its pre-extraction indicators.MethodsPatients of 7–13 years, with compromised FPM at three-tertiary-centers between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively screened. Pre-extraction indicators were evaluated (extraction location, direction of the second permanent molar (SPM) long-axis, and SPM Demirjian development stage). Spontaneous space closure pattern was evaluated clinically and radiographically using the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) grading system.ResultsIn total, 112 FPMs (73-patients) were identified and five (4.5%) of the extraction sites showed favorable combined-ABO-scores. Distal direction of the SPM long-axis in the maxillary arch significantly decreased the relative risk (RR) of having a SPM rotation/alignment ABO score-1 (P = 0.002; RR = 0.64). For the mandibular arch, Demirjian stage D and E significantly decreased the RR of having ABO score-1 for spacing between the SPMs and second premolars (P = 0.029; RR:0.57, P = 0.004; RR:0.53, respectively) and vertical dimension (P = 0.02; RR = 0.53).ConclusionsThe direction of the SPM long-axis and its developmental stage are key indicators of the favorable outcome pattern of spontaneous space closure after FPM early extraction. creator: Heba Jafar Sabbagh creator: Ahmad Adnan Samara creator: Shoroog Hassan Agou creator: Jihan Turkistani creator: Manal Ibrahim Al Malik creator: Hadeel Abdulatief Alotaibi creator: Abrar Shimi Dhaifallah Alsolami creator: Nada Othman Bamashmous uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18276 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Sabbagh et al.