title: PeerJ
description:  Articles published in PeerJ
link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=338
creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ
errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ
language: en

title: Assessing the quality and reliability of YouTube videos as a source of information on inflammatory back pain
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17215
last-modified: 2024-04-11
description: BackgroundInflammatory back pain is a chronic condition with localized pain, particularly in the axial spine and sacroiliac joints, that is associated with morning stiffness and improves with exercise. YouTube is the second most frequently used social media platform for accessing health information. This study sought to investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos on inflammatory back pain (IBP).MethodsThe study design was planned as cross-sectional. A search was conducted using the term “inflammatory back pain,” and the first 100 videos that met the inclusion criteria were selected on October 19, 2023. The data of the videos selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the study settings were examined. Videos with English language, with audiovisual content , had a duration >30 s, non-duplicated and primary content related to IBP were included in the study. A number of video parameters such as the number of likes, number of views, duration, and content categories were assessed. The videos were assessed for reliability using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark criteria and the DISCERN tool. Quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS). Continuous variables were checked for normality of distribution using Shapiro–Wilk test and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to analyze the continuous data depending on the number of groups. Categorical data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test.ResultsReliability assessment based on JAMA scores showed 21% of the videos to have high reliability. Quality assessment based on GQS results showed 19% of the videos to have high quality. JAMA, DISCERN, and GQS scores differed significantly by source of video (p < 0.001, < 0.001, and = 0.002, respectively). Video duration had a moderate positive correlation with scores from the GQS (r = 0.418, p < 0.001), JAMA (r = 0.484, p < 0.001), and modified DISCERN (r = 0.418, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of the present study showed that YouTube offers videos of low reliability and low quality on inflammatory back pain. Health authorities have a responsibility to protect public health and should take proactive steps regarding health information shared on social media platforms.
creator: Mete Kara
creator: Erkan Ozduran
creator: Müge Mercan Kara
creator: Volkan Hanci
creator: Yüksel Erkin
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17215
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Kara et al.

title: Vertical farming for lettuce production in limited space: a case study in Northern Thailand
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17085
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: BackgroundGreenhouse vertical farming under natural sunlight is an alternative farming technique that grows crops in a stacking column and extends in a vertical direction. Sunlight availability is one of the crucial factors for crop development in vertical farming. Therefore, this investigation aimed to examine the effect of sunlight availability on lettuce growth and yields at different levels of vertical shelves.MethodsSix shelves were constructed with three levels: upper, middle and lower levels. Lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) as ‘Baby Cos’ and ‘Green Oak’ at 14 days after sowing were planted on the three levels. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was recorded, and the PPFD values were then converted to the daily light integral (DLI). Plant height and canopy width were measured three times at 14, 21 and 28 days after transplanting. At maturity, fresh weight (FW) was directly monitored after harvest.ResultsThe results showed that the highest PPFD and DLI values were found at the upper level (PPFD 697 μmol m−2 s−1 and DLI 29 mol m−2 d−1) in comparison to the middle (PPFD 391 μmol m−2 s−1 and DLI 16 mol m−2 d−1) and lower (PPFD 322 μmol m−2 s−1 and DLI 13 mol m−2 d−1) levels. The lowest plant height and canopy width values were observed on the upper levels for both lettuce varieties during the three measurement dates. The middle (‘Baby Cos’ = 123.8 g plant−1 and ‘Green Oak’ = 190.7 g plant−1) and lower (‘Baby Cos’ = 92.9 g plant−1 and ‘Green Oak’ = 203.7 g plant−1) levels had the higher values of FW in comparison to the upper level (‘Baby Cos’ = 84.5 g plant−1 and ‘Green Oak’ = 97.3 g plant−1). The values of light use efficiency (LUE) showed an increased trend from the upper to lower levels in both varieties, with values of ‘Baby Cos’ of 0.10 g mol−1 in the upper level, 0.28 g mol−1 in the middle level and 0.26 g mol−1 in the lower level and ‘Green Oak’ of 0.12 g mol−1 in the upper level, 0.44 g mol−1 in the middle level and 0.57 g mol−1 in the lower level. The findings of the study indicated the viability of utilizing vertical shelves for lettuce production.
creator: Suwimon Wicharuck
creator: Nuttapon Khongdee
creator: Ar Man
creator: Wahyu Nurkholis Hadi Syahputra
creator: Parichat Yalangkan
creator: Prapaporn Chaiphak
creator: Chatchawan Chaichana
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17085
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Wicharuck et al.

title: Advancement in the development of single chain antibodies using phage display technology
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17143
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: Phage display technology has become an important research tool in biological research, fundamentally changing the traditional monoclonal antibody preparation process, and has been widely used in the establishment of antigen-antibody libraries, drug design, vaccine research, pathogen detection, gene therapy, antigenic epitope research, and cellular signal transduction research.The phage display is a powerful platform for technology development. Using phage display technology, single chain fragment variable (scFv) can be screened, replacing the disadvantage of the large size of traditional antibodies. Phage display single chain antibody libraries have significant biological implications. Here we describe the types of antibodies, including chimeric antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and scFvs. In addition, we describe the phage display system, phage display single chain antibody libraries, screening of specific antibodies by phage libraries and the application of phage libraries.
creator: Xiaohui Zheng
creator: Qi Liu
creator: Yimin Liang
creator: Wenzhi Feng
creator: Honghao Yu
creator: Chunyu Tong
creator: Bocui Song
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17143
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Zheng et al.

title: Association of healthy lifestyle score with control of hypertension among treated and untreated hypertensive patients: a large cross-sectional study
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17203
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: BackgroundHypertension stands as the leading single contributor to the worldwide burden of mortality and disability. Limited evidence exists regarding the association between the combined healthy lifestyle score (HLS) and hypertension control in both treated and untreated hypertensive individuals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between HLS and hypertension control among adults with treated and untreated hypertension.MethodsThis cross-sectional study, including 311,994 hypertension patients, was conducted in Guangzhou using data from the National Basic Public Health Services Projects in China. The HLS was defined based on five low-risk lifestyle factors: healthy dietary habits, active physical activity, normal body mass index, never smoking, and no alcohol consumption. Controlled blood pressure was defined as systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the association between HLS and hypertension control after adjusting for various confounders.ResultsThe HLS demonstrated an inverse association with hypertension control among hypertensive patients. In comparison to the low HLS group (scored 0–2), the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for hypertension were 0.76 (0.74, 0.78), 0.59 (0.57, 0.60), and 0.48 (0.46, 0.49) for the HLS groups scoring 3, 4, and 5, respectively (Ptrend < 0.001). Notably, an interaction was observed between HLS and antihypertensive medication in relation to hypertension control (Pinteraction < 0.001). When comparing the highest HLS (scored 5) with the lowest HLS (scored 0–2), adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.50 (0.48, 0.52, Ptrend < 0.001) among individuals who self-reported using antihypertensive medication and 0.41 (0.38, 0.44, Ptrend < 0.001) among those not using such medication. Hypertensive patients adhering to a healthy lifestyle without medication exhibited better blood pressure management than those using medication while following a healthy lifestyle.ConclusionHLS was associated with a reduced risk of uncontrolled blood pressure.
creator: Ting Dong
creator: Qin Zhou
creator: Weiquan Lin
creator: Chang Wang
creator: Minying Sun
creator: Yaohui Li
creator: Xiangyi Liu
creator: Guozhen Lin
creator: Hui Liu
creator: Caixia Zhang
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17203
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Dong et al.

title: Representation of investigation results of microplastics on sandy beaches—accumulation rate and abundance in the entire study site
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17207
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: Long-term microplastics (MPs) environmental pollution trends cannot be understood only by investigating their presence on beaches. Without estimating MPs for the entire beach, comparisons between multiple beaches cannot be made. In this study, Nagasaki Prefecture was selected as the study site, we measured MPs accumulation rate to express the MPs pollution trend and weighted the measurement results to enable comparison of MPs content among multiple sandy beaches. The MPs accumulation rate in the study site was measured by periodic investigation at fixed spots. The average in the supratidal zone was 1.5 ± 0.9 mg-MPs/(m2-sand⋅ d) (n = 15). The weighting of the MPs content in hot spots and non-hot spots by their respective areas enabled us to obtain the representative value and the dispersion of the MPs content in the entire study site. The MPs contents in the three beaches were 298 ± 144, 1,115 ± 518, and 4,084 ± 2,243 mg-MPs/(m2-sand), respectively. Using these values, it is possible to compare the MPs contents of multiple beaches.
creator: Hiroshi Asakura
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17207
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Asakura

title: Population dynamics and seasonal migration patterns of Spodoptera exigua in northern China based on 11 years of monitoring data
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17223
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: BackgroundThe beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), is an important agricultural pest worldwide that has caused serious economic losses in the main crop-producing areas of China. To effectively monitor and control this pest, it is crucial to investigate its population dynamics and seasonal migration patterns in northern China.MethodsIn this study, we monitored the population dynamics of S. exigua using sex pheromone traps in Shenyang, Liaoning Province from 2012 to 2022, combining these data with amigration trajectory simulation approach and synoptic weather analysis.ResultsThere were significant interannual and seasonal variations in the capture number of S. exigua, and the total number of S. exigua exceeded 2,000 individuals in 2018 and 2020. The highest and lowest numbers of S. exigua were trapped in September and May, accounting for 34.65% ± 6.81% and 0.11% ± 0.04% of the annual totals, respectively. The average occurrence period was 140.9 ± 9.34 days during 2012–2022. In addition, the biomass of S. exigua also increased significantly during these years. The simulated seasonal migration trajectories also revealed varying source regions in different months, primarily originated from Northeast China and East China. These unique insights into the migration patterns of S. exigua will contribute to a deeper understanding of its occurrence in northern China and provide a theoretical basis for regional monitoring, early warning, and the development of effective management strategies for long-range migratory pests.
creator: Hao-Tian Ma
creator: Li-Hong Zhou
creator: Hao Tan
creator: Xian-Zhi Xiu
creator: Jin-Yang Wang
creator: Xing-Ya Wang
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17223
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Ma et al.

title: Comparative study of nasal cavity drug delivery efficiency with different nozzles in a 3D printed model
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17227
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: BackgroundNasal sprays are widely used in treating nasal and sinus diseases; however, there are very few studies on the drug delivery efficiency of nasal sprays. In this study, the drug delivery efficiency of three different nasal spray devices was evaluated in vitro using a 3D printed cast model of nasal cavity.MethodsThree nasal spray devices with different nozzles and angles of administration were used in the 3D model of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The spraying area (SA), maximal spraying distance (MSD), and spraying distribution scores on the nasal septum and lateral nasal wall were recorded.ResultsDifferent nasal spray devices have their own characteristics, including volume of each spray, SA, and plume angle. The SA of the three nozzles on the nasal septum increased with an increasing angle of administration. When the angle of administration was 50°, each nozzle reached the maximal SA. There was no statistically significant difference in MSD among the three nozzles at the three angles. The total scores for each nozzle using the three different spraying angles were as follows: nozzle A, 40° > 30° > 50°; nozzle B, 30° > 40° > 50°; and nozzle C, 30° > 40° > 50°. The total scores for different nozzles using the same angle were statistically significantly different and the scores for nozzle C were the highest. Nozzle C had the minimum plume angle. None of the three nozzles could effectively delivered drugs into the middle meatus at any angle in this model.ConclusionsThe design of the nozzle affects drug delivery efficiency of nasal spray devices. The ideal angle of administration is 50°. The nozzle with smaller plume angle has higher drug delivery efficiency. Current nasal spray devices can easily deliver drugs to most areas of the nasal cavity, such as the turbinate, nasal septum, olfactory fissure, and nasopharynx, but not the middle meatus. These findings are meaningful for nozzle selection and device improvements.
creator: Shengjian Fang
creator: Xiaoqing Rui
creator: Yu Zhang
creator: Zhangwei Yang
creator: Weihua Wang
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17227
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Fang et al.

title: Behind the wheel: exploring gray matter variations in experienced drivers
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17228
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: BackgroundDriving is a complex skill involving various cognitive activities. Previous research has explored differences in the brain structures related to the navigational abilities of drivers compared to non-drivers. However, it remains unclear whether changes occur in the structures associated with low-level sensory and higher-order cognitive abilities in drivers.MethodsGray matter volume, assessed via voxel-based morphometry analysis of T1-weighted images, is considered a reliable indicator of structural changes in the brain. This study employs voxel-based morphological analysis to investigate structural differences between drivers (n = 22) and non-drivers (n = 20).ResultsThe results indicate that, in comparison to non-drivers, drivers exhibit significantly reduced gray matter volume in the middle occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and cerebellum, suggesting a relationship with driving-related experience. Furthermore, the volume of the middle occipital gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus, is found to be marginally negative related to the years of driving experience, suggesting a potential impact of driving experience on gray matter volume. However, no significant correlations were observed between driving experiences and frontal gray matter volume.ConclusionThese findings suggest that driving skills and experience have a pronounced impact on the cortical areas responsible for low-level sensory and motor processing. Meanwhile, the influence on cortical areas associated with higher-order cognitive function appears to be minimal.
creator: Jiangtao Chen
creator: Xiaoyu Chen
creator: Li Gong
creator: Di Zhang
creator: Qiang Liu
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17228
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2024 Chen et al.

title: The impact of chemical and hormonal treatments to improve seed germination and seedling growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endi
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17236
last-modified: 2024-04-10
description: PurposeJuniper (Juniperus procera) is a common forest tree species in Saudi Arabia. The decline in many populations of J. procera in Saudi Arabia is mainly due to seed dormancy and loss of natural regeneration. This study assessed the effects of chemical and hormonal treatments on seed germination and seedling growth in juniper plants.MethodsThe seeds were subjected to either chemical scarification with 90% sulfuric acid and 20% acetic acid for 6 min or hormonal treatment by seed soaking in two concentrations (50 and 100 ppm) of three growth regulators, namely, indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins (GA3), and kinetin, for 72 h. A control group without any seed treatment was also prepared. The experiments were performed in an incubator maintained at room temperature and under a light and dark period of 12 h for 6 w. The germinated seeds for each treatment were counted and removed from the dishes. The selected germinated seeds from different treatments were planted in a greenhouse and irrigated with tap water for another 6 weeks. The hormone-treated seedlings were sprayed with their corresponding hormone concentrations 1 w after planting.ResultsThe highest percentage of seed germination was significantly recorded after seed soaking in 50 ppm GA3, whereas treatment with IAA (100 ppm) resulted in the best seedling growth. Seedlings treated with the three phytohormones showed a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments, total soluble sugars, proteins, percentage of oil, IAA, GA3, and kinetin contents of juniper seedlings compared with the control value, whereas abscisic acid content was decreased compared with chemical treatments.ConclusionThe investigated different treatments had an effective role in breaking seed dormancy and improving seedling growth of J. procera, which is facing a notable decline in its population worldwide. Moreover, such an effect was more pronounced in the three phytohormones that succeeded in breaking dormancy and growth of the Juniperus plant than in the other treatments.
creator: Alae Ahmad Jabbour
creator: Abdulaziz Alzahrani
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17236
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Jabbour and Alzahrani

title: The dinosaurs that weren’t: osteohistology supports giant ichthyosaur affinity of enigmatic large bone segments from the European Rhaetian
link: https://peerj.com/articles/17060
last-modified: 2024-04-09
description: Very large unidentified elongate and rounded fossil bone segments of uncertain origin recovered from different Rhaetian (Late Triassic) fossil localities across Europe have been puzzling the paleontological community since the second half of the 19th century. Different hypotheses have been proposed regarding the nature of these fossils: (1) giant amphibian bones, (2) dinosaurian or other archosaurian long bone shafts, and (3) giant ichthyosaurian jaw bone segments. We call the latter proposal the ‘Giant Ichthyosaur Hypothesis’ and test it using bone histology. In presumable ichthyosaur specimens from SW England (Lilstock), France (Autun), and indeterminate cortical fragments from Germany (Bonenburg), we found a combination of shared histological features in the periosteal cortex: an unusual woven-parallel complex of strictly longitudinal primary osteons set in a novel woven-fibered matrix type with intrinsic coarse collagen fibers (IFM), and a distinctive pattern of Haversian substitution in which secondary osteons often form within primary ones. The splenial and surangular of the holotype of the giant ichthyosaur Shastasaurus sikanniensis from Canada were sampled for comparison. The results of the sampling indicate a common osteohistology with the European specimens. A broad histological comparison is provided to reject alternative taxonomic affinities aside from ichthyosaurs of the very large bone segment. Most importantly, we highlight the occurrence of shared peculiar osteogenic processes in Late Triassic giant ichthyosaurs, reflecting special ossification strategies enabling fast growth and achievement of giant size and/or related to biomechanical properties akin to ossified tendons.
creator: Marcello Perillo
creator: P Martin Sander
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17060
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2024 Perillo and Sander