title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=332 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: The effect of obesity on the outcome of thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/17246 last-modified: 2024-04-19 description: BackgroundObesity is a well-known predictor for poor postoperative outcomes of vascular surgery. However, the association between obesity and outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the roles of obesity in the outcomes of TEVAR.MethodsWe systematically searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases to obtain articles regarding obesity and TEVAR that were published before July 2023. The odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) was used to assess the effect of obesity on TEVAR outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) was also compared between patients experiencing adverse events after TEVAR and those not experiencing adverse events. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the enrolled studies.ResultsA total of 7,849 patients from 10 studies were included. All enrolled studies were high-quality. Overall, the risk of overall mortality (OR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.02–2.17], p = 0.04) was increased in obese patients receiving TEVAR. However, the associations between obesity and overall complications (OR = 2.41, 95% CI [0.84–6.93], p = 0.10) and specific complications were all insignificant, including stroke (OR = 1.39, 95% CI [0.56–3.45], p = 0.48), spinal ischemia (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.64–1.47], p = 0.89), neurological complications (OR = 0.13, 95% CI [0.01–2.37], p = 0.17), endoleaks (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.46–2.29], p = 0.96), wound complications (OR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.28–2.96], p = 0.88), and renal failure (OR = 2.98, 95% CI [0.92–9.69], p = 0.07). In addition, the patients who suffered from postoperative overall complications (p < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (p = 0.006) were found to have a higher BMI. In conclusion, obesity is closely associated with higher risk of mortality after TEVAR. However, TEVAR may still be suitable for obese patients. Physicians should pay more attention to the perioperative management of obese patients. creator: Jiajun Li creator: Yucong Zhang creator: Haijun Huang creator: Yongzhi Zhou creator: Jing Wang creator: Min Hu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17246 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Li et al. title: Association of time-averaged serum uric acid level with clinicopathological information and long-term outcomes in patients with IgA nephropathy link: https://peerj.com/articles/17266 last-modified: 2024-04-19 description: ObjectiveWhether serum uric acid (SUA) at baseline could been identiûed as a risk factor for progression in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients remains unclear, therefore, long- term SUA control levels must be monitored. We aimed to investigate the relevant factors affecting time-averaged SUA (TA-SUA) and to assess the prognostic value of TA-SUA in IgAN.MethodsThis retrospective study included 152 patients with IgAN. The relationships between TA-SUA and clinicopathological features and renal outcomes (defined as the doubling of the baseline serum creatinine level or end-stage renal disease) were analyzed in groups divided by quartiles of TA-SUA levels, the presence of hyperuricemia, and sex.ResultsPatients with high TA-SUA levels had higher levels of baseline SUA, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), triglycerides, serum C3 and serum C4 and were more likely to be male and have hypertension, proteinuria, poor renal function, and pathological injuries including high grades of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T1–T2). These patients had a poorer prognosis compared with patients with low TA-SUA levels. The TA-SUA level was positively correlated with baseline age and BUN, triglycerides, serum C3, and serum C4 levels, and negatively correlated with baseline eGFR. Survival curve analysis indicated that persistent hyperuricemia was associated with significantly poorer renal outcomes than normo-uricemia in both men and women. The TA-SUA level also was an independent predictor of renal outcome in patients with IgAN, with optimal cutoû values of 451.38 µmol/L (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.934) for men and 492.83 µmol/L (AUC = 0.768) for women.ConclusionsThe TA-SUA level is associated with triglyceride level, complement component levels, renal function, and pathological severity of IgAN, and it may be a prognostic indicator in male and female patients with IgAN. creator: Mengjie Weng creator: Binbin Fu creator: Yongjie Zhuo creator: Jiaqun Lin creator: Zhenhuan Zou creator: Yi Chen creator: Jiong Cui creator: Guifen Li creator: Caiming Chen creator: Yanfang Xu creator: Dewen Jiang creator: Jianxin Wan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17266 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Weng et al. title: Non-significant influence between aerobic and anaerobic sample transport materials on gut (fecal) microbiota in healthy and fat-metabolic disorder Thai adults link: https://peerj.com/articles/17270 last-modified: 2024-04-19 description: BackgroundThe appropriate sample handling for human fecal microbiota studies is essential to prevent changes in bacterial composition and quantities that could lead to misinterpretation of the data.MethodsThis study firstly identified the potential effect of aerobic and anaerobic fecal sample collection and transport materials on microbiota and quantitative microbiota in healthy and fat-metabolic disorder Thai adults aged 23–43 years. We employed metagenomics followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and 16S rRNA gene qPCR, to analyze taxonomic composition, alpha diversity, beta diversity, bacterial quantification, Pearson’s correlation with clinical factors for fat-metabolic disorder, and the microbial community and species potential metabolic functions.ResultsOur study successfully obtained microbiota results in percent and quantitative compositions. Each sample exhibited quality sequences with a >99% Good’s coverage index, and a relatively plateau rarefaction curve. Alpha diversity indices showed no statistical difference in percent and quantitative microbiota OTU richness and evenness, between aerobic and anaerobic sample transport materials. Obligate and facultative anaerobic species were analyzed and no statistical difference was observed. Supportively, the beta diversity analysis by non-metric multidimensional scale (NMDS) constructed using various beta diversity coefficients showed resembling microbiota community structures between aerobic and anaerobic sample transport groups (P = 0.86). On the other hand, the beta diversity could distinguish microbiota community structures between healthy and fat-metabolic disorder groups (P = 0.02), along with Pearson’s correlated clinical parameters (i.e., age, liver stiffness, GGT, BMI, and TC), the significantly associated bacterial species and their microbial metabolic functions. For example, genera such as Ruminococcus and Bifidobacterium in healthy human gut provide functions in metabolisms of cofactors and vitamins, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites against gut pathogens, energy metabolisms, digestive system, and carbohydrate metabolism. These microbial functional characteristics were also predicted as healthy individual biomarkers by LEfSe scores. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that aerobic sample collection and transport (<48 h) did not statistically affect the microbiota and quantitative microbiota analyses in alpha and beta diversity measurements. The study also showed that the short-term aerobic sample collection and transport still allowed fecal microbiota differentiation between healthy and fat-metabolic disorder subjects, similar to anaerobic sample collection and transport. The core microbiota were analyzed, and the findings were consistent. Moreover, the microbiota-related metabolic potentials and bacterial species biomarkers in healthy and fat-metabolic disorder were suggested with statistical bioinformatics (i.e., Bacteroides plebeius). creator: Naruemon Tunsakul creator: Lampet Wongsaroj creator: Kantima Janchot creator: Krit Pongpirul creator: Naraporn Somboonna uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17270 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Tunsakul et al. title: Metabolome and transcriptome integration reveals insights into petals coloration mechanism of three species in Sect. Chrysantha chang link: https://peerj.com/articles/17275 last-modified: 2024-04-19 description: BackgroundSect. Chrysantha Chang, belonging to the Camellia genus, is one of the rare and precious ornamental plants distinguished by a distinctive array of yellow-toned petals. However, the variation mechanisms of petal color in Sect. Chrysantha Chang remains largely unclear.MethodsWe conducted an integrated analysis of metabolome and transcriptome to reveal petal coloration mechanism in three species, which have different yellow tones petals, including C. chuongtsoensis (CZ, golden yellow), C. achrysantha (ZD, light yellow), and C. parvipetala (XB, milk white).ResultsA total of 356 flavonoid metabolites were detected, and 295 differential metabolites were screened. The contents of 74 differential metabolites showed an upward trend and 19 metabolites showed a downward trend, among which 11 metabolites were annotated to the KEGG pathway database. We speculated that 10 metabolites were closely related to the deepening of the yellowness. Transcriptome analysis indicated that there were 2,948, 14,018 and 13,366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CZ vs. ZD, CZ vs. XB and ZD vs. XB, respectively. Six key structural genes (CcCHI, CcFLS, CcDFR1, CcDFR2, CcDFR3, and CcCYP75B1) and five candidate transcription factors (MYB22, MYB28, MYB17, EREBP9, and EREBP13) were involved in the regulation of flavonoid metabolites. The findings indicate that flavonoid compounds influence the color intensity of yellow-toned petals in Sect. Chrysantha Chang. Our results provide a new perspective on the molecular mechanisms underlying flower color variation and present potential candidate genes for Camellia breeding. creator: Yadan Yan creator: Ye Wang creator: Yafeng Wen creator: Yu Huang creator: Minhuan Zhang creator: Jiadi Huang creator: Xinyu Li creator: Chuncheng Wang creator: Dangqing Xu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17275 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Yan et al. title: Relationships among barodontalgia prevalence, altitude, stress, dental care frequency, and barodontalgia awareness: a survey of Turkish pilots link: https://peerj.com/articles/17290 last-modified: 2024-04-19 description: BackgroundGas expansion in body cavities due to pressure changes at high altitudes can cause barodontalgia. This condition may compromise flight safety.AimTo investigate relationships among barodontalgia awareness, dental visit frequency, and barodontalgia prevalence in civilian and military pilots operating at high altitudes.Materials and MethodsCivilian pilots from Turkish Airlines and military pilots from the Turkish Air Force, flying between November 2022 and January 2023, participated in this study. A 20-question survey was administered to 750 pilots, covering topics such as barodontalgia awareness, dental visit frequency, breaks after dental treatments, in-flight pain, and pain type and severity. The voluntary surveys were distributed by email.ResultsOf the 750 pilots, 526 completed the survey; 61% were aware of barodontalgia, and 81% of pilots who had experienced it reported pain at altitudes <2000 feet. The study revealed higher barodontalgia awareness among pilots who had experienced it, with the highest prevalence among jet pilots. Pilots with barodontalgia also showed a higher frequency of dental visits (p < 0.001). Additionally, this group reported more frequent interruption of flight due to dental treatment (IFDT), more problems experienced in flights after treatment (PFAT), and higher instances of bruxism or teeth clenching during flight, suggesting stress and anxiety (p < 0.05).ConclusionsBarodontalgia, a type of pain linked to stress, significantly impacts pilot performance, and can threaten flight safety, even at lower altitudes. Thus, there is a need to educate pilots about stress management, barodontalgia awareness, and the importance of regular dental check-ups. creator: Celalettin Topbaş creator: Dursun Ali Şirin creator: Hilal Gezeravcı creator: Fatih Özçelik creator: Yelda Erdem Hepşenoğlu creator: Şeyda Erşahan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17290 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Topbaş et al. title: S100A8/9 modulates perturbation and glycolysis of macrophages in allergic asthma mice link: https://peerj.com/articles/17106 last-modified: 2024-04-18 description: BackgroundAllergic asthma is the most prevalent asthma phenotype and is associated with the disorders of immune cells and glycolysis. Macrophages are the most common type of immune cells in the lungs. Calprotectin (S100A8 and S100A9) are two pro-inflammatory molecules that target the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and are substantially increased in the serum of patients with severe asthma. This study aimed to determine the effects of S100A8/A9 on macrophage polarization and glycolysis associated with allergic asthma.MethodsTo better understand the roles of S100A8 and S100A9 in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma, we used ovalbumin (OVA)-induced MH-S cells, and OVA-sensitized and challenged mouse models (wild-type male BALB/c mice). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and western blotting were performed. The glycolysis inhibitor 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) was used to observe changes in glycolysis in mice.ResultsWe found knockdown of S100A8 or S100A9 in OVA-induced MH-S cells inhibited inflammatory cytokines, macrophage polarization biomarker expression, and pyroptosis cell proportion, but increased anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA; also, glycolysis was inhibited, as evidenced by decreased lactate and key enzyme expression; especially, knockdown of S100A8 or S100A9 inhibited the activity of TLR4/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)/Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Intervention with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) abolished the beneficial effects of S100A8 and S100A9 knockdown. The observation of OVA-sensitized and challenged mice showed that S100A8 or S100A9 knockdown promoted respiratory function, improved lung injury, and inhibited inflammation; knockdown of S100A8 or S100A9 also suppressed macrophage polarization, glycolysis levels, and activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the lung. Conversely, S100A9 overexpression exacerbated lung injury and inflammation, promoting macrophage polarization and glycolysis, which were antagonized by the glycolysis inhibitor 3-BP.ConclusionS100A8 and S100A9 play critical roles in allergic asthma pathogenesis by promoting macrophage perturbation and glycolysis through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Inhibition of S100A8 and S100A9 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma. creator: Xiaoyi Ji creator: Chunhua Nie creator: Yuan Yao creator: Yu Ma creator: Huafei Huang creator: Chuangli Hao uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17106 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Ji et al. title: Carbon content and other soil properties of near-surface peats before and after peatland restoration link: https://peerj.com/articles/17113 last-modified: 2024-04-18 description: Peatland restoration usually aims at restarting the peatlands’ function to store carbon within peat. The soil properties of the near-surface peat can give a first understanding of this process. Therefore, we sampled pH value, total organic carbon content (TOC), total nitrogen content (TN), C/N ratio as well as dry bulk density (BD), and describe the structure of near-surface peats in six restored fens in North-East Germany before (2002–2004) and after (2019–2021) restoration. Before restoration, the study sites showed peat degradation to various extents in their near-surface peats. pH values remained relatively stable over time. Comparing the degraded peat horizons, TOC increased significantly in four study sites, ranging from 35.7% to 47.8% in 2002–2004 and from 42.5% to 54.0% in 2019–2021. TN varied from 1.5% to 3.5% in 2002–2004 and from 1.8% to 3.2% in 2019–2021, but changes were only significant in one site, showing a slight decrease. In three sites, the increase in C/N ratio was significant, indicating lower nutrient availability. BD ranged from 0.08 to 0.48 g/cm3 in 2002–2004 and from 0.10 to 0.16 g/cm3 in 2019–2021, decreasing significantly in four sites. The structure of the degraded peat horizons changed after restoration to a more homogenous, sludge mass with larger re-aggregates. In three sites, new peat moss peat layers above the degraded soil horizon were present in 2019–2021, with a mean thickness of 6.8 to 36.1 cm. The structure was comparable to typical, slightly decomposed peat moss peat. Our findings suggest that within about 17 years after fen restoration, and thereby a water table rise close to surface, TOC of the near-surface peats increased to values that are typical for undisturbed peatlands. This indicates that restoration can lead to the re-establishment of peatlands as potential carbon sinks, with TOC within the near-surface peat as one key factor in this process. Further, we assume that the decrease in nutrient availability, decrease of BD, and new, undisturbed peat layers can favor the establishment of mire-specific biodiversity and support ecosystem services similar to near-natural mires. creator: Jenny Hammerich creator: Corinna Schulz creator: Robert Probst creator: Thomas Lüdicke creator: Vera Luthardt uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17113 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Hammerich et al. title: COVID-19 and malaria co-infection: a systematic review of clinical outcomes in endemic areas link: https://peerj.com/articles/17160 last-modified: 2024-04-18 description: BackgroundCOVID-19 and malaria cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. Co-infection of these diseases can worsen their impact on public health. This review aims to synthesize literature on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 and malaria co-infection to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted using MeSH terms and keywords from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to January 2023. The review included original articles on COVID-19 and malaria co-infection, evaluating their methodological quality and certainty of evidence. It was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023393562).ResultsOut of 1,596 screened articles, 19 met the inclusion criteria. These studies involved 2,810 patients, 618 of whom had COVID-19 and malaria co-infection. Plasmodium falciparum and vivax were identified as causative organisms in six studies. Hospital admission ranged from three to 18 days. Nine studies associated co-infection with severe disease, ICU admission, assisted ventilation, and related complications. One study reported 6% ICU admission, and mortality rates of 3%, 9.4%, and 40.4% were observed in four studies. Estimated crude mortality rates were 10.71 and 5.87 per 1,000 person-days for patients with and without concurrent malaria, respectively. Common co-morbidities included Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders.ConclusionMost patients with COVID-19 and malaria co-infection experienced short-term hospitalization and mild to moderate disease severity. However, at presentation, co-morbidities and severe malaria were significantly associated with higher mortality or worse clinical outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of early detection, prompt treatment, and close monitoring of patients with COVID-19 and malaria co-infection. creator: Amal H. Mohamed creator: Ebtihal Eltyeb creator: Badria Said creator: Raga Eltayeb creator: Abdullah Algaissi creator: Didier Hober creator: Abdulaziz H. Alhazmi uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17160 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Mohamed et al. title: Hand grab or noose pole? Evaluating the least stressful practice for capture of endangered Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas Cyclura carinata link: https://peerj.com/articles/17171 last-modified: 2024-04-18 description: As the analysis of blood metabolites has become more readily accessible thanks to the use of point-of-care analyzers, it is now possible to evaluate stress level of wild animals directly in the field. Lactate is receiving much attention as a good stress level proxy in individuals subjected to capture, manual restraint, and data sampling in the wild, and appropriate protocols to maintain lactate values low should be preferred. In this study we compare how two different capture methodologies, hand grab vs. noose pole, affect the variation of blood lactate values in Cyclura carinata iguanas when captured for sampling. We used blood lactate concentration, measured immediately upon- and 15 min after-capture, as a proxy for stress level. While the primary goal of this work is to determine the least stressful capture methodology to be favored when sampling this and other wild iguanas, we also evaluated additional baseline physiological parameters relevant to the health and disease monitoring for this species. Our results show that while initial lactate values level-out in sampled individuals after 15 min in captivity, regardless of the capture methodology, rock iguanas captured by noose pole showed significantly higher lactate concentration and increased heartbeat rate immediately after capture. While the overall health evaluation determined that all analyzed individuals were in good health, based on our results we recommend that, when possible, hand capture should be preferred over noose pole when sampling wild individuals. creator: Giuliano Colosimo creator: Gwyneth Montemuro creator: Gregory A. Lewbart creator: Gabriele Gentile creator: Glenn P. Gerber uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17171 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Colosimo et al. title: Preliminary study on the protective effect of remazolam against sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) link: https://peerj.com/articles/17205 last-modified: 2024-04-18 description: BackgroundSepsis can disrupt immune regulation and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) frequently. Remazolam, a fast-acting hypnotic drug with superior qualities compared to other drugs, was investigated for its potential protective effects against sepsis-induced ARDS.MethodsForty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, including the sepsis + saline group, sham operation + saline group, sham operation + remazolam group and the sepsis + remazolam group. Lung tissues of rats were extracted for HE staining to assess lung damage, and the wet weight to dry weight (W/D) ratio was calculated. The levels of proinflammatory factors, anti-inflammatory factors, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood, MDA, MPO, and ATP in the lung tissue were measured by using ELISA. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression of HMGB1 in lung tissues.ResultsIn comparison to the sham operation + saline and sham operation + remazolam groups, the sepsis + saline group exhibited significantly higher values for W/D ratio, lung damage score, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PCT, CRP, MDP and MPO, while exhibiting lower levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, PaO2, PCO2, and ATP. The rats in the sepsis + saline group displayed ruptured alveolar walls and evident interstitial lung edema. However, the rats in the sepsis + remazolam group showed improved alveolar structure. Furthermore, the HMGB1 protein expression in the sepsis + remazolam group was lower than the sepsis + saline group.ConclusionRemazolam can alleviate the inflammatory response in infected rats, thereby alleviating lung injury and improving immune function, which may be attributed to the reduction in HMGB1 protein expression. creator: Xiaoxin Gao creator: Rujun Zhang creator: Zhenzhou Wang creator: Qingan Chen creator: Zhenlin Lei creator: Yanan Yang creator: Jia Tian uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17205 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Gao et al.