title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=380 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin for major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/16376 last-modified: 2023-11-13 description: BackgroundHigh-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) is associated with cardiovascular outcomes in the general population, but the prognostic value of hs-cTn in the diabetic population remains inconclusive. This study aimed to systematically review current evidence regarding the association between hs-cTn and the prognosis of diabetic patients.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database were searched from inception to May, 2023. Observational studies that investigated the prognostic value of hs-cTn in diabetic patients were included in this meta-analysis. Studies were excluded if they did not report outcomes of interest, or urine hs-cTn were measured. Two independent investigators extracted and analyzed the data according to the PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcome was long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).ResultsWe included 30 cohort studies of 62,419 diabetic patients. After a median follow-up of 5 (4.1–9.5) years, the pooled results suggested elevation of hs-cTn was associated with a significantly increased risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation (SD) change 1.15, 95% CI [1.06–1.25], I2 = 0%) and heart failure (adjusted HR per SD change 1.33, 95% CI [1.08–1.63], I2 = 0%) in patients with diabetes. No significant association was found regarding the association between elevation of hs-cTn and risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR per SD change 1.24, 95% CI [0.98–1.57], I2 = 0%). The results of sensitivity analyses were similar in prospective cohort studies, high-quality studies, or population without major cardiovascular comorbidities at baseline. hs-cTn may represent a strong and independent predictor of MACE and heart failure in diabetic patients. Future research is warranted to determine the appropriate cutoff value for hs-cTn with different comorbidities, for instance, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral artery diseases, etc. creator: Tiange Song creator: Yu Lan creator: Kecheng Li creator: Honglang Huang creator: Li Jiang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16376 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Song et al. title: The correlation between heart rate variability index and vulnerability prognosis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure link: https://peerj.com/articles/16377 last-modified: 2023-11-13 description: ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between Heart Rate Variability Index (HRV) and poor prognosis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).MethodsA retrospective compilation of clinical data encompassed 128 cases of patients afflicted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) who were admitted to and discharged from our hospital between April 2019 and July 2022. Subsequent to assessing their follow-up progress during the tracking period, the subjects were categorized into two cohorts: the poor prognosis group (n = 31) and the good prognosis group (n = 97). Comparative analysis of clinical data and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters was executed between these two groups. Moreover, a multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the contributing factors associated with adverse prognoses in ADHF patients. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to evaluate the prognostic predictive capability of HRV parameters among ADHF patients.ResultsThe levels of SDNN (t = 3.924, P < 0.001), SDANN (t = 4.520, P < 0.001) and LF (t = 2.676, P = 0.018) in the poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the good prognosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of PNN50 (t = 2.132, P = 0.035), HF (t = 11.781, P < 0.001) and LF/HF (t = 11.056, P < 0.001) in the poor prognosis group were significantly lower than those in the good prognosis group (P < 0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that SDNN, SDANN, LF, PNN50, and HF were factors influencing poor prognosis in ADHF patients (P < 0.05). The results of the ROC curve analysis indicate that the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting poor prognosis in ADHF patients using HRV parameters were as follows: SDNN (AUC = 0.818, 95% CI [0.722–0.914]), SDANN (AUC = 0.684, 95% CI [0.551–0.816]), PNN50 (AUC = 0.754, 95% CI [0.611–0.841]), LF/HF (AUC = 0.787, 95% CI [0.679–0.896]), and combined diagnosis (AUC = 0.901, 95% CI [0.832–0.970]). Among these, the combined diagnosis exhibited the highest AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for predicting poor prognosis in ADHF patients (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe HRV parameters of SDNN, SDANN, PNN50 and LF/HF are closely related to the prognosis of ADHF patients. The combined detection of the above HRV parameters can improve the efficacy of predicting the poor prognosis of ADHF patients. This suggests that clinical staff can identify ADHF patients at risk of poor prognosis by long-term monitoring of HRV in the future. creator: Hongbo Liu creator: Xiaotong Wang creator: Xiaowei Wang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16377 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Liu et al. title: The impact of vestibular dysfunction on falls and postural instability in individuals with type 2 diabetes with and without diabetic polyneuropathy link: https://peerj.com/articles/16382 last-modified: 2023-11-13 description: AimThis study aimed to determine the association between vestibular dysfunction, falls, and postural instability in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to healthy control individuals and to examine the impact of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).MethodsThis cross-sectional study included individuals with T2D with DPN (n = 43), without DPN (n = 32), and healthy controls (n = 32). Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) were recorded, and latencies and amplitudes were determined. DPN was diagnosed based on nerve conduction studies and clinical scores. Postural instability was examined using a static posturographic balance system and calculated as an instability index (ST). Falls were recorded retrospectively during the past year. Group comparisons were conducted by using univariate and bivariate statistics.ResultsIndividuals with T2D experienced more falls than healthy controls (T2D with DPN n = 12[38%], T2D without DPN n = 15[35%], controls n = 5[16%], p = 0.04). Individuals with T2D had decreased postural stability, T2D with DPN, ST (median of 52[iqi = 33; 77]), T2D without DPN, ST (median of 31[iqi = 24; 39]), controls ST (median of 26[iqi = 19; 33], p = 0.01), when comparing all three groups. Individuals with T2D had a greater number of no-responses in oVEMP compared to controls (T2D with DPN, n = 15[46.9%] T2D without DPN n = 25[58.1%], controls n = 9[28.1%], p = 0.04). No difference was found in cVEMP and oVEMP amplitudes in any of the groups. Irrespectively of DPN, fallers with T2D had decreased oVEMP and cVEMP latencies on the right ears, when comparing to non-fallers, respectively, n10 (fallers [median of 16, iqi=15;19 ms.] vs. non-fallers [median of 25 iqi=16;35 ms]); p13 (fallers [median of 16, iqi=15;17 ms.] vs. non-fallers [median of 15, iqi=8;16 ms.], p < 0.05).ConclusionFalls and postural instability were more frequent in individuals with T2D compared to healthy controls. Fallers with T2D had vestibular end-organ impairments based on the oVEMP and cVEMP latencies on the right but not the left ears, irrespective of DPN. Individuals with T2D had more frequent no-response of the oVEMP, indicating impaired vestibular nerve function. creator: Ina Ejsing Hunnerup Jørgensen creator: Louise Devantier creator: Hatice Tankisi creator: Henning Andersen creator: Karolina Snopek Khan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16382 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Jørgensen et al. title: Identification and characterization of cold-responsive aquaporins from the larvae of a crambid pest Agriphila aeneociliella (Eversmann) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) link: https://peerj.com/articles/16403 last-modified: 2023-11-13 description: As small ectotherms, insects need to cope with the challenges of winter cold by regulating the water content through water transport. Aquaporins (AQPs) are key players to enhance the cold resistance by mediating essential homeostatic processes in many animals but remain poorly characterized in insects. Agriphila aeneociliella is a newly discovered winter wheat pest in China, and its early-stage larvae have strong tolerance to low temperature stress. Six AQP genes were identified, which belong to five AQP subfamilies (RPIP, Eglp, AQP12L, PRIP, DRIP). All of them contained six hydrophobic transmembrane helices (TMHs) and two relatively conservative Asparagine-Proline-Alanine motifs. The three-dimensional homology modeling showed that the six TMHs folded into an hourglass-like shape, and the imperceptible replace of four ar/R residues in contraction region had critical effects on changing the pore size of channels. Moreover, the transcript levels of AaAQP 1, 3, and 6 increased significantly with the treatment time below 0 °C. Combined with the results of pore radius variation, it is suggested that AaAQP1 and AaAQP3 may be considered to be the key anti-hypothermia proteins in A. aeneociliella by regulating rapid cell dehydration and allowing the influx of extracellular cold resistance molecules, thus avoiding death in winter. creator: Chunqing Zhao creator: Zhen Liu creator: Yong Liu creator: Yidi Zhan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16403 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Zhao et al. title: Comparison of nutritional supplements in improving glycolipid metabolism and endocrine function in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/16410 last-modified: 2023-11-13 description: ObjectiveTo explore the comparative effectiveness of nutritional supplements in improving glycolipid metabolism and endocrine function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodRandomized controlled clinical trials on the effects of nutritional supplements in PCOS patients were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from their establishments to March 15, 2023. Then, literature screening, data extraction, and network meta-analysis were performed. This study was registered at PROSPERO (registration number CRD 42023441257).ResultForty-one articles involving 2,362 patients were included in this study. The network meta-analysis showed that carnitine, inositol, and probiotics reduced body weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to placebo, and carnitine outperformed the other supplements (SUCRAs: 96.04%, 97.73%, respectively). Omega-3 lowered fasting blood glucose (FBG) (SUCRAs: 93.53%), and chromium reduced fasting insulin (FINS) (SUCRAs: 72.90%); both were superior to placebo in improving insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and chromium was more effective than Omega-3 (SUCRAs: 79.99%). Selenium was potent in raising the quantitative insulin sensitivity index (QUICKI) (SUCRAs: 87.92%). Coenzyme Q10 was the most effective in reducing triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (SUCRAs: 87.71%, 98.78%, and 98.70%, respectively). Chromium and probiotics decreased TG levels, while chromium and vitamin D decreased TC levels. No significant differences were observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total testosterone (TT), sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) between nutritional supplements and placebo.ConclusionCarnitine was relatively effective in reducing body mass, while chromium, Omega-3, and selenium were beneficial for improving glucose metabolism. Meanwhile, coenzyme Q10 was more efficacious for improving lipid metabolism. However, publication bias may exist, and more high-quality clinical randomized controlled trials are needed. creator: Xinyin Hu creator: Wanyi Wang creator: Xuhan Su creator: Haoye Peng creator: Zuolin Tan creator: Yunqing Li creator: Yuhua Huang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16410 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Hu et al. title: A pyroptosis gene-based prognostic model for predicting survival in low-grade glioma link: https://peerj.com/articles/16412 last-modified: 2023-11-13 description: BackgroundPyroptosis, a lytic form of programmed cell death initiated by inflammasomes, has been reported to be closely associated with tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis. However, the roles of pyroptosis genes (PGs) in low-grade glioma (LGG) remain unclear.MethodsWe obtained information for 1,681 samples, including the mRNA expression profiles of LGGs and normal brain tissues and the relevant corresponding clinical information from two public datasets, TCGA and GTEx, and identified 45 differentially expressed pyroptosis genes (DEPGs). Among these DEPGs, nine hub pyroptosis genes (HPGs) were identified and used to construct a genetic risk scoring model. A total of 476 patients, selected as the training group, were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups according to the risk score. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves verified the accuracy of the model, and a nomogram combining the risk score and clinicopathological characteristics was used to predict the overall survival (OS) of LGG patients. In addition, a cohort from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was selected as a validation group to verify the stability of the model. qRT-PCR was used to analyze the gene expression levels of nine HPGs in paracancerous and tumor tissues from 10 LGG patients.ResultsSurvival analysis showed that, compared with patients in the low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis. A risk score model combining PG expression levels with clinical features was considered an independent risk factor. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that immune-related genes were enriched among the DEPGs and that immune activity was increased in the high-risk group.ConclusionIn summary, we successfully constructed a model to predict the prognosis of LGG patients, which will help to promote individualized treatment and provide potential new targets for immunotherapy. creator: Hua Wang creator: Lin Yan creator: Lixiao Liu creator: Xianghe Lu creator: Yingyu Chen creator: Qian Zhang creator: Mengyu Chen creator: Lin Cai creator: Zhang’an Dai uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16412 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Wang et al. title: Critical re-examination of known purported fossil Bombycoidea (Lepidoptera) link: https://peerj.com/articles/16049 last-modified: 2023-11-10 description: We critically re-examine 17 records of fossils currently assigned to the lepidopteran superfamily Bombycoidea, which includes the silk moths, emperor moths and hawk moths. These records include subfossils, compression and impression fossils, permineralizations and ichnofossils. We assess whether observable morphological features warrant their confident assignment to the superfamily. None of the examined fossils displays characters that allow unequivocal identification as Sphingidae, but three fossils and a subfossil (Mioclanis shanwangiana Zhang, Sun and Zhang, 1994, two fossil larvae, and a proboscis in asphaltum) have combinations of diagnostic features that support placement in the family. The identification of a fossil pupa as Bunaeini (Saturniidae) is well supported. The other fossils that we evaluate lack definitive bombycoid and, in several cases, even lepidopteran characters. Some of these dubious fossils have been used as calibration points in earlier studies casting doubt on the resulting age estimates. All fossil specimens reliably assigned to Bombycoidea are relatively young, the earliest fossil evidence of the superfamily dating to the middle Miocene. creator: Maria Heikkilä creator: Joël Minet creator: Andreas Zwick creator: Anna Hundsdoerfer creator: Rodolphe Rougerie creator: Ian J. Kitching uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16049 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Heikkilä et al. title: Efficacy and safety of veliparib combined with traditional chemotherapy for treating patients with lung cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/16402 last-modified: 2023-11-10 description: ObjectiveLung cancer, originating from bronchial mucosa or lung glands, poses significant health risks due to its rising incidence and mortality. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Veliparib combined with chemotherapy versus pharmacotherapy alone for lung cancer treatment, guiding clinical approaches for this severe disease.MethodsComprehensive searches in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Veliparib combined with standard chemotherapy to chemotherapy alone in lung cancer treatment, up until December 28, 2022. Two reviewers meticulously selected literature based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Cochrane tool was used to assess the bias risk of the included studies, and meta-analysis was performed using Stata 15.0.ResultsFive RCTs (1,010 participants) were included. The analysis results showed that only Veliparib combinedwith chemotherapy prolonged the progression-free survival (PFS) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients [HR = 0.72, 95% CI = (0.57, 0.90)]. No significant differences were observed in overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). Veliparib and combined chemotherapy caused some side effects in patients with lung cancer, including leukopenia [RR = 2.12, 95% CI = (1.27, 3.55)], neutropenia [RR = 1.51, 95% CI = (1.01, 2.26)], anemia [RR = 1.71, 95% CI = (1.07, 3.07)], and thrombocytopenia [RR = 3.33, 95% CI = (1.19, 9.30)]. For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, there were no statistically significant differences in PFS, OS, or ORR between the experimental and control groups [HR = 0.97, 95% CI = (0.75, 1.27)].ConclusionThe strategy of combining Veliparib with chemotherapy may, to some extent, prolong the PFS in lung cancer patients. However, this benefit is not observed in OS or ORR. Additionally, there are evident adverse reactions. Due to a limited number of the included studies, additional extensive multicenter RCTs are required to validate these results. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023411510. creator: Guanhua Zhao creator: Enzhi Feng creator: Yalu Liu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16402 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Zhao et al. title: Effects of a single bout of mobile action video game play on attentional networks link: https://peerj.com/articles/16409 last-modified: 2023-11-10 description: BackgroundVideo game play has been linked to a range of cognitive advantages, and investigations in this domain have predominantly utilized cross-sectional designs or long-term training paradigms. Nevertheless, the specific effects of engaging in a single bout of video game play remain poorly understood. Consequently, the objective of this study is to examine the influence of a single session of mobile action video game (MAVG) play on attentional networks among college students.MethodsSeventy-two nonvideo game players were assigned randomly into an MAVG and a control game group. Participants in the MAVG group engaged in a 60-minute session of an action video game played on mobile phones, while the control group played a mobile card game for the same duration. All participants completed the attentional network test (ANT), which assesses alerting, orienting, and executive control network efficiencies, before and after the intervention.ResultsThe MAVG group had significantly improved alerting network efficiency following the intervention, compared to before (p < 0.05); the control game group did not. Neither executive control network efficiency nor orienting network efficiency were found to be improved by the intervention.ConclusionThe present data demonstrated that a single bout of MAVG play can improve alerting network efficiency selectively in young-adult college students. MAVGs may be useful for promoting attentional function with the advantages of being accessible virtually any time and anywhere. creator: Biye Wang creator: Jiahui Jiang creator: Wei Guo uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16409 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Wang et al. title: Participation in youth sports influences sarcopenia parameters in older adults link: https://peerj.com/articles/16432 last-modified: 2023-11-10 description: BackgroundThe degree of deterioration in sarcopenia parameters may be affected by a person’s level of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). Our study focused on examining the PA and SB of active older adults including those with and without history of sports in youth.MethodsForty-four participants (20 men and 24 women, mean age of total sample 76.1 ± 5.2 years) were included in analysis of PA, SB habits and sarcopenia parameters, determined by skeletal muscle index, hand-grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go tests (TUG). PA and SB were recorded with accelerometers. Our primary aim was to compare participants with (AH) or without a sport history in youth (NAH), in their sarcopenia parameters and PA and SB habits.ResultsWhen divided participants in two groups (AH and NAH) and adjusting for age, we have detected the differences for skeletal muscle index (p = 0.007) and hand-grip strength (p = 0.004) in favor of participants who were engaged in sports in youth. We did not find any differences in PA and SB habits between the AH and NAH groups. After adjusting for age, participants with a higher number of daily steps, longer moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts, a higher number of MVPA bouts in a day and higher overall MVPA engagement achieved better results in hand-grip strength and TUG. Participants with lower SB had better TUG and gait speed results.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that engaging in sports activities in youth can make a difference with sarcopenia parameters. Although we found no differences in PA and SB habits between participants with AH and NAH, participants with an athlete history performed better results in sarcopenia parameters. creator: Kaja Teraž creator: Miloš Kalc creator: Boštjan Šimunič creator: Uros Marusic creator: Primož Pori creator: Saša Pišot creator: Rado Pišot uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16432 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Teraž et al.