title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=229 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Factors associated with quality of life among newly diagnosed acute ischemic stroke patients: a community-based case-control study link: https://peerj.com/articles/18266 last-modified: 2024-10-16 description: BackgroundStroke burden is expected to increase and surviving a bout of stroke may leave one with a chronic or disabling outcome decreasing significantly the quality of life of the sufferer. The study aimed to explore the association between quality of life (QoL) in stroke and non-stroke individuals in a predominantly agricultural community.MethodA community-based case-control study was conducted among 154 cases aged 18 and 75 diagnosed with incident stroke. Controls were 554 non-stroke individuals (n = 554) recruited from a community where cases resided. Cases and controls were matched for age, gender and residential area. Using a self-reported questionnaire of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits were measured in association with QoL. Statistical analyses included multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsSignificant predictors associated with low-medium QoL were having a larger waist circumference (aOR = 1.619, 95%CI [1.003–2.612]) and being a farmer (aOR = 2.976, 95%CI [1.143–7.750]) but having a current smoking habit and being male were at lesser odds with low-medium QoL (aOR = 0.381, 95%CI [0.191–0.757]) and (aOR = 0.564, 95%CI [0.323–0.985]) respectively. In all domains, women were at a higher risk of low-medium QoL while in physical health and environment domains, it was having a larger waist circumference. In both physical health and psychological domains, being married was protective to low-medium QoL so also being age 39 or younger and having a higher education in social relationship domain.ConclusionWaist circumference, occupation, smoking habit and gender are associated with low-medium QoL. Addressing the influence of such factors could create an additional therapeutic line in the primary prevention of stroke in at-risk populations. creator: Fatima Ibrahim Abdulsalam creator: Prapatsorn Somsri creator: Piyapong Papitak creator: Kittipod Tussanabunyong creator: Wisit Chaveepojnkamjorn creator: Nitikorn Phoosuwan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18266 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Abdulsalam et al. title: Estimation methods for the variance of Birnbaum-Saunders distribution containing zero values with application to wind speed data in Thailand link: https://peerj.com/articles/18272 last-modified: 2024-10-16 description: Thailand is currently grappling with a severe problem of air pollution, especially from small particulate matter (PM), which poses considerable threats to public health. The speed of the wind is pivotal in spreading these harmful particles across the atmosphere. Given the inherently unpredictable wind speed behavior, our focus lies in establishing the confidence interval (CI) for the variance of wind speed data. To achieve this, we will employ the delta-Birnbaum-Saunders (delta-BirSau) distribution. This statistical model allows for analyzing wind speed data and offers valuable insights into its variability and potential implications for air quality. The intervals are derived from ten different methods: generalized confidence interval (GCI), bootstrap confidence interval (BCI), generalized fiducial confidence interval (GFCI), and normal approximation (NA). Specifically, we apply GCI, BCI, and GFCI while considering the estimation of the proportion of zeros using the variance stabilized transformation (VST), Wilson, and Hannig methods. To evaluate the performance of these methods, we conduct a simulation study using Monte Carlo simulations in the R statistical software. The study assesses the coverage probabilities and average widths of the proposed confidence intervals. The simulation results reveal that GFCI based on the Wilson method is optimal for small sample sizes, GFCI based on the Hannig method excels for medium sample sizes, and GFCI based on the VST method stands out for large sample sizes. To further validate the practical application of these methods, we employ daily wind speed data from an industrial area in Prachin Buri and Rayong provinces, Thailand. creator: Natchaya Ratasukharom creator: Sa-Aat Niwitpong creator: Suparat Niwitpong uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18272 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Ratasukharom et al. title: Larval growth rate is not a major determinant of adult wing shape and eyespot size in the seasonally polyphenic butterfly Melanitis leda link: https://peerj.com/articles/18295 last-modified: 2024-10-16 description: BackgroundInsects often show adaptive phenotypic plasticity where environmental cues during early stages are used to produce a phenotype that matches the environment experienced by adults. Many tropical satyrine butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) are seasonally polyphenic and produce distinct wet- and dry-season form adults, providing tight environment-phenotype matching in seasonal environments. In studied Mycalesina butterflies, dry-season forms can be induced in the laboratory by growing larvae at low temperatures or on poor food quality. Since both these factors also tend to reduce larval growth rate, larval growth rate may be an internal cue that translates the environmental cues into the expression of phenotypes. If this is the case, we predict that slower-growing larvae would be more likely to develop a dry-season phenotype.MethodsWe performed the first experimental study on seasonal polyphenism of a butterfly in the tribe Melanitini. We measured both larval growth rate and adult phenotype (eyespot size and wing shape) of common evening brown butterflies (Melanitis leda), reared at various temperatures and on various host-plant species. We constructed provisional reaction norms, and tested the hypothesis that growth rate mediates between external cues and adult phenotype.ResultsReaction norms were similar to those found in Mycalesina butterflies. We found that both among and within treatments, larvae with lower growth rates (low temperature, particular host plants) were more likely to develop dry-season phenotypes (small eyespots, falcate wing tips). However, among temperature treatments, similar growth rates could lead to very different wing phenotypes, and within treatments the relationships were weak. Moreover, males and females responded differently, and eyespot size and wing shape were not strongly correlated with each other. Overall, larval growth rate seems to be weakly related to eyespot size and wing shape, indicating that seasonal plasticity in M. leda is primarily mediated by other mechanisms. creator: Freerk Molleman creator: M. Elizabeth Moore creator: Sridhar Halali creator: Ullasa Kodandaramaiah creator: Dheeraj Halali creator: Erik van Bergen creator: Paul M. Brakefield creator: Vicencio Oostra uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18295 license: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ rights: title: A pooled analysis of the incidence and mortality risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with COVID-19 link: https://peerj.com/articles/18330 last-modified: 2024-10-16 description: BackgroundThere exist serious cardiovascular complications subsequent to SARS-Cov2 infection (COVID-19); however, the association between COVID-19 and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains to be elucidated. We aimed to assess the prevalence of AF among COVID-19 patients and its associated risk of death.MethodsThe present systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was registered with CRD42022306523. A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify studies reporting on the prevalence of pre-existing or new-onset fibrillation (AF), and/or the associated clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2023. The random-effect model was used to estimate the prevalence of AF and its related mortality.ResultsA total of 80 studies, including 39,062,868 COVID-19 patients, were identified in the present investigation. The prevalence rates of pre-existing AF or new-onset AF were 10.5% (95% CI [9.3–11.7%]) or 10.3% (95% CI [6.2–14.5%]), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed a two fold higher incidence of AF in older patients (≥65 years) compared to younger patients (<65 years) (14.4% vs. 6.4%). The highest rate of AF was observed in Europeans (10.7%, 95% CI [10.2–11.2%]), followed by Northern Americans (10.0%, 95% CI [8.2–11.7%]), while Asians demonstrated a lower prevalence (2.7%, 95% CI [2.2–3.3%]). Notably, severe COVID-19 patients displayed a significantly elevated prevalence of AF at 14.l% (95% CI [13.3–14.9%]), which was approximately 2.5-fold higher than that in non-severe patients (5.2%, 95% CI [4.8–5.5%]). Both pre-existing (HR: 1.83, 95% CI [1.49–2.17]) and new-onset AF (HR: 3.47, 95% CI [2.26–5.33]) were associated with an increased mortality risk among COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, the effect on mortality risk was more significant in Asians (HR: 5.33, 95% CI [1.62–9.04]), compared to Europeans (HR: 1.68, 95% CI [1.24–2.13]) and North Americans (HR: 2.01, 95% CI [1.18–2.83]).ConclusionThis study comprehensively investigated the association between AF and COVID-19 in a real-world setting. Notably, a high prevalence of AF was observed among older individuals, severe COVID-19 patients, and in Europe and Northern America. Moreover, co-existing AF was found to be associated with an increased risk for mortality. Further investigations are warranted to improve the management and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with AF. creator: Nan-Nan Shen creator: Jia-Liang Wang creator: Xin-Wen Liu creator: Yong-Ping Fu creator: Xue-Fang Chen uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18330 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Shen et al. title: Determination of natural populations to be included in breeding program in St. John’s wort species (Hypericum perforatum L.) link: https://peerj.com/articles/18336 last-modified: 2024-10-16 description: St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant of rapidly increasing importance. The cultural production of this species, which is of economic importance due to its medicinal properties, is limited. One of the main ways to increase production is to develop cultivars. Thus, the homogeneous raw material required for a standard product will be provided. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of natural populations to obtain productive cultivars with high hypericin and hyperforin that can meet market demands. In addition to yield and quality values, other characteristic features of the plant such as flower diameter, petal length and petal width, which directly affect productivity, were revealed in the study. The study was conducted under field conditions for two years with three replications. Fresh flower weight among the populations varied between 30.15 and 240.28 g/plant, while the hypericin ratio varied between 51.32 and 105.31 (mg/100 g). The study determined a wide variation among the populations, and the populations with superior characteristics were included in the breeding program. creator: Fatma Uysal Bayar uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18336 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Uysal Bayar title: Age trends of genetic parameters and genotype-by-environment interactions for growth traits of Eucalyptus urophylla clones in South-China link: https://peerj.com/articles/18218 last-modified: 2024-10-15 description: Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake, an important economic tree species, is widely cultivated as a raw material source for pulpwood, veneer plywood, and sawlog timber in southern China. As a tree in multiple environments, tree-breeding programs can assess genotype by environment (G × E) interactions and identify the suitable genotype for a specific environment. G × E interactions related to growth traits and soil factors have not been adequately studied for clones of Eucalyptus urophylla and its hybrids. To examine this important question, trials containing 20 clones of E. urophylla and its hybrids were established at three sites in southern China: Shankou (SK), Tiantang (TT), and Xiniujiao (XNJ). These sites each have different soil conditions but similar geographical and climatic conditions. With the data across nearly eight years, average phenotypic trends and broad sense repeatability (H2) were modeled, G×E interactions between clones and diverse soil environments were estimated, genetic gains of clones were calculated, and the adaptabilities of E. urophylla clones in different soil environments were compared. Average survival trends for clones tended to show a moderate decrease while growth traits tended to show sharp increases with age. At the same age, sites were ordered for average survival and growth traits as TT>SK>XNJ while H2 values for growth traits by site followed the basic order TT>SK>XNJ. The H2 values for growth traits at SK tended to increase at first, platform, and then smooth with age. The H2 values for growth traits at TT were high and stable across ages, and those at XNJ tended to undulate largely at a relatively low level across ages. Genetic correlations for growth traits between any pair of sites tended to increase at first and then decrease. A genetic correlation was strong between SK and TT, intermediate between SK and XNJ, and weak between TT and XNJ. It was concluded that: (1) clones tended to be adapted better to an environment with acidic and loamy soil with a clay content of about 45.6%, the soil depth from the surface to parent material about 1.5 m, and the previous vegetation of Eucalypts. (2) The G×E interactions between clones and sites are weaker if the environmental conditions between the sites are similar, and which are stronger if the environmental conditions between the sites are different. (3) The optimum selection age for clones ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 years old, while the optimum selection growth trait is individual tree volume. creator: Guangyou Li creator: Zhaohua Lu creator: Deming Yang creator: Yang Hu creator: Jianmin Xu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18218 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Li et al. title: The effects of subjective family status and subjective school status on depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents: the role of anxiety and psychological resilience link: https://peerj.com/articles/18225 last-modified: 2024-10-15 description: BackgroundDepression and suicidal tendencies are notably prevalent among adolescents, yet few studies have revealed the impact of social status on them. This study aimed to explore the mediating and moderating effects of anxiety and psychological resilience on family status, school status, depression, and suicidal ideation.MethodsA total of 1,190 secondary school students aged 13 to 17 years (mean age: 13.57 ± 2.02 years) were evaluated depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation using the PHQ-8 and GAD-7 questionnaires. Subjective family and school status were also assessed. Data analysis was conducted using Mplus, SPSS’s Process, and the RSA 3.0 plugin.ResultsSubjective family/school status, anxiety, psychological resilience, depression, and suicidal ideation were significantly correlated. Anxiety played a partial mediating role in the influence of subjective family status and subjective school on depression and suicidal ideation, and psychological resilience moderated the impact of anxiety on adolescent depression and suicidal ideation (βdepression = −0.05, p < 0.01; βsuicidal ideation = −0.06, p < 0.05).ConclusionsSubjective family status and school status played important roles in depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents, and anxiety and psychological resilience played mediating and moderating roles. creator: Zhan Shu creator: Shurui Chen creator: Hui Chen creator: Xianliang Chen creator: Huajia Tang creator: Jiawei Zhou creator: Yusheng Tian creator: Xiaoping Wang creator: Jiansong Zhou uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18225 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Shu et al. title: Risk factors associated with air embolism following computed tomography-guided percutaneous lung biopsy: a retrospective case-control study link: https://peerj.com/articles/18232 last-modified: 2024-10-15 description: BackgroundRetrospective analysis to identify the risk factors for air embolism following computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB).MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients who underwent CT-TNB at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Xuzhou Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 was performed. A total of 21 factors relevant to air embolisms were collected. Risk factors associated with air embolisms were determined by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) was used to assess the ability of these factors to identify air embolisms.ResultsOf these 32,748 patients, 28 experienced air embolisms (19 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (incidence, 1.46%) and nine at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital (incidence, 0.69%); total incidence, 2.16%). Only seven patients exhibited symptoms (symptom rate, 25.00%). A total of 21 patients were asymptomatic at the time of swept-source CT. No deaths occurred. We found through univariate and multivariate analysis that eight out of these 21 factors are associated with the occurrence of air embolism. The area under the ROC curve was 0.721, indicating good predictive power (P < 0.05).ConclusionCough during the procedure, hemoptysis during the procedure, the distance between the mass and the pulmonary vein, the presence of a cavity in the lesion, lesion location, number of samples, abnormalities in the patient’s coagulation mechanism, and the puncture position may be the risk factors for air embolism in CT-TNB. creator: Tingting Wu creator: Shuai Li creator: Mengyu Gao creator: Bin Yang creator: Yufeng Wang creator: Tao Xie uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18232 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: ©2024 Wu et al. title: Heme oxygenase-1: potential therapeutic targets for periodontitis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18237 last-modified: 2024-10-15 description: Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent inflammatory disease worldwide, which affects 11% of the global population and is a major cause of tooth loss. Recently, oxidative stress (OS) has been found to be the pivital pathophysiological mechanism of periodontitis, and overactivated OS will lead to inflammation, apoptosis, pyroptosis and alveolar bone resorption. Interestingly, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, can exert antioxidant activites through its products—carbon monoxide (CO), Fe2+, biliverdin and bilirubin in the inflammatory microenvironment, thus exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptosis and bone homeostasis-regulating properties. In this review, particular focus is given to the role of HO-1 in periodontitis, including the spatial-temporal expression in periodental tissues and pathophysiological mechanisms of HO-1 in periodontitis, as well as the current therapeutic applications of HO-1 targeted drugs for periodontitis. This review aims to elucidate the potential applications of various HO-1 targeted drug therapy in the management of periodontitis, investigate the influence of diverse functional groups on HO-1 and periodontitis, and pave the way for the development of a new generation of therapeutics that will benefit patients suffering from periodontitis. creator: Weiwei Lv creator: Shichen Hu creator: Fei Yang creator: Dong Lin creator: Haodong Zou creator: Wanyan Zhang creator: Qin Yang creator: Lihua Li creator: Xiaowen Chen creator: Yan Wu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18237 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Lv et al. title: Interaction of CTCF and CTCFL in genome regulation through chromatin architecture during the spermatogenesis and carcinogenesis link: https://peerj.com/articles/18240 last-modified: 2024-10-15 description: The zinc finger protein CTCF is ubiquitously expressed and is integral to the regulation of chromatin architecture through its interaction with cohesin. Conversely, CTCFL expression is predominantly restricted to the adult male testis but is aberrantly expressed in certain cancers. Despite their distinct expression patterns, the cooperative and competitive mechanisms by which CTCF and CTCFL regulate target gene expression in spermatocytes and cancer cells remain inadequately understood. In this review, we comprehensively examine the literature on the divergent amino acid sequences, target sites, expression profiles and functions of CTCF and CTCFL in normal tissues and cancers. We further elucidate the mechanisms by which CTCFL competitively or cooperatively binds to CTCF target sites during spermatogenesis and carcinogenesis to modulate chromatin architecture. We mainly focus on the role of CTCFL in testicular and cancer development, highlighting its interaction with CTCF at CTCF binding sites to regulate target genes. In the testis, CTCF and CTCFL cooperate to regulate the expression of testis-specific genes, essential for proper germ cell progression. In cancers, CTCFL overexpression competes with CTCF for DNA binding, leading to aberrant gene expression, a more relaxed chromatin state, and altered chromatin loops. By uncovering the roles of CTCF and CTCFL in spermatogenesis and carcinogenesis, we can better understand the implications of aberrant CTCFL expression in altering chromatin loops and its contribution to disease pathogenesis. creator: Xin Tong creator: Yang Gao creator: Zhongjing Su uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18240 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Tong et al.