title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=94 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Development and validation of COVID-19 vaccination perception (CoVaP) instrument among healthcare workers in Malaysia link: https://peerj.com/articles/19318 last-modified: 2025-04-23 description: BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) play an essential role in facilitating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, and their confidence in vaccination is crucial. Nevertheless, valid instruments for assessing the HCWs’ perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination were lacking. This study aims to develop and validate the COVID-19 Vaccination Perceptions (CoVaP) instrument among HCWs in Malaysia.MethodsA literature review and discussion with research teams were conducted to identify the content to be considered. The instrument was developed in Malay language and underwent back-to-back translations to the English version. The initial CoVaP instrument was unidimensional with 12 items. The Malay and English versions underwent a content validation process by seven expert panels. However, only the Malay version underwent face and construct validation. Face validity was assessed using 30 HCWs. The construct validation was conducted in a two-step process using data from two cross-sectional study samples, including 125 and 300 HCWs for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively. It was a self-administered questionnaire, and the data were collected using both face-to-face and online platforms. The data were analysed using Analysis of Moment Structure version 28.0 and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 26.ResultsThe analysis showed excellent content (item content validity index (I-CVI) = 0.83 to 1.0, average content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) = 0.97) and face (item face validity index (I-FVI) = 0.87 to 1.0, average face validity index (S-FVI/Ave) = 1.02) validity. The EFA analysis revealed seven items with two domains. Subsequent analysis using CFA demonstrated a two-factor model of seven items with an acceptable level of goodness of fit indexes (comparative fit index = 0.999, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.999, incremental fit index = 0.987, chi-squared/degree of freedom = 1.039, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.011). Finally, the Cronbach’s alpha was satisfactory for both domains (0.899 and 0.815).ConclusionThe CoVaP instrument is a valid and reliable tool for measuring perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs. The high validity and reliability of the CoVaP instrument underscore its utility in capturing the unique cultural and contextual factors influencing vaccine perceptions among Malaysian HCWs. Understanding these factors is essential for designing effective public health interventions to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates. creator: Siti Nur Aisyah Zaid creator: Azidah Abdul Kadir creator: Mohd Noor Norhayati creator: Basaruddin Ahmad creator: Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff creator: Anis Safura Ramli creator: Jasy Suet Yan Liew uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19318 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 Zaid et al. title: Impact of Nordic hamstring breaking point angle on football player performance link: https://peerj.com/articles/19275 last-modified: 2025-04-23 description: BackgroundFootball demands both aerobic and anaerobic capacities due to its dynamic movements, which include jumps, directional changes, ball control, and sprints. The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) enhances eccentric strength, which is crucial for high-intensity movements. However, the relationship between Nordic breaking point angle (NHEbpa), which is associated with eccentric hamstring peak torque during Nordic hamstring exercise, and sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), and change of direction (COD) speed in soccer players has not been sufficiently investigated.ObjectiveThis analysis examines the relationship between the Nordic breaking point angle and critical performance indicators—sprint speed, COD ability, and vertical jump—in football players.MethodsFifty-eight male soccer players volunteered for the study. Assessments included anthropometric measurements, CMJ tests, 10-20-30 m sprint tests, and COD (zig-zag) tests. NHEbpa was measured using motion analysis software. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between variables. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the individual effects of the sprint, CMJ, and COD performances on NHEbpa, with data analyzed using JASP 0.18.ResultsCorrelation analysis showed strong positive correlations between NHEbpa and sprint performances (r = 0.633 to 0.666), moderate negative correlation between NHEbpa and CMJ (r = −0.406), and moderate positive correlation between NHEbpa and COD (r = 0.580). Regression analysis results were used to analyze the independent coefficients of multiple variables more comprehensively, revealing significant predictors for performance: 20-m sprint (β = 24.166, p = 0.030), 10-m sprint (β = 22.564, p = 0.047), 30-m sprint (β = 10.677, p = 0.027), and CMJ (β = 4.974, p = 0.034). Conversely, COD performance (β = −0.154, p = 0.470) did not demonstrate a significant effect.ConclusionsThe study identified significant relationships between NHEbpa and sprint/CMJ performances (p < 0.05), while no meaningful effect was observed for COD speed (p > 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of eccentric strength in sprint performance, suggesting that other factors may play a more prominent role in COD. Incorporating eccentric-focused training, particularly through Nordic exercises, is recommended to enhance sprint performance and hamstring strength, which are essential for football players. creator: Murat Koç creator: Niyazi Sıdkı Adıgüzel creator: Barışcan Öztürk creator: Hakan Engin creator: Aydın Karaçam creator: Umut Canli creator: Bekir Erhan Orhan creator: Pablo Prieto-González creator: Peter Sagat creator: Jason Perez creator: Maria Isip creator: Peter Bartik uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19275 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Koç et al. title: A novel approach to assessing the bioavailability of biopeptide inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase from germinated and ungerminated Kara Kratok (Phaseolus lunatus L.) link: https://peerj.com/articles/19262 last-modified: 2025-04-23 description: BackgroundThe bioavailability of biopeptide compounds is a development challenge, mainly because of their resistance to the digestion system. This study aimed to determine the bioavailability of HMG CoA reductase biopeptide inhibitors from germinated and ungerminated Kara Kratok (Phaseolus lunatus L.).MethodsGerminated and ungerminated brown P. lunatus were simulated for digestion enzyme in vitro (120 minutes for pepsin and pancreatin), followed by an in situ method for absorption. Perfusate samples were measured for the absorption percentage, inhibition of HMG CoA reductase, molecular weight (MW), peptide concentration, and hydrolysis degree (%DH).ResultsThe results showed that germinated brown P. lunatus exhibited the highest absorption (32.42%), and the percentage of HMG CoA reductase inhibition during enzymatic digestion was at 210 minutes (87.51%), with MW < 10 kDa, peptide concentration of 2.39 mg/mL, and %DH of 48.90%. These findings suggest that germinated brown P. lunatus is a potent HMG CoA reductase inhibitor with significantly higher bioavailability than that of its ungerminated counterpart. This finding underscores its superiority in this context and open new possibilities for biopeptide research. creator: Cahyo Budiyanto creator: Andriati Ningrum creator: Agnes Murdiati creator: Retno Indrati uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19262 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: ©2025 Budiyanto et al. title: A cross-sectional study on perceptions towards safe disposal of unused/expired medicines and its associated factors among the public in Saudi Arabia—a threat to the environment and health link: https://peerj.com/articles/19258 last-modified: 2025-04-23 description: BackgroundThe unsafe disposal of pharmaceutical waste poses significant health hazards and causes environmental pollution on a global scale. The lack of specifically authorized guidelines in Saudi Arabia for the disposal of unused medicines available at home creates an undue economic burden and potentially threatens the environment and healthcare.AimThe current study aimed to determine the presence, disposal practices, and perceptions of unused or expired household medicines. Furthermore, it identifies the association between demographic characteristics and the presence, disposal practices, and perceptions of the safe disposal of unused/expired medicines. The study also intended to obtain opinions on methods to control the hazardous effects of waste medicines and promote awareness among the public about the safe disposal of unused/expired medicines.MethodsThis study is a web-based, cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted in Saudi Arabia. The authors of the current study developed a questionnaire based on relevant literature. The study questionnaire comprises various domains such as demographic characteristics, presence and disposal of unused/expired medicines, perception of safe disposal of unused/expired medicines, and recommended improvement plan for safe disposal of used/expired medicines. Estimating internal consistency, expert review, and retranslation methods ensured reliability, face validity, and language validation. The results are expressed as frequency and percentages for categorical data. In addition, a chi-square test was also performed to find the association between the independent variables and the survey responses.ResultsAmong the total population, 643 reported having unused/expired medicines at home, with antibiotics being the most common (79.4%). Symptom improvement is associated with accumulating unused medicines at home (71.7%). Age group, educational level, and occupational status were the predictors of the prevalence of waste medicines available at home (p < 0.05). The method selection for disposing of unused medicines was influenced by gender, age group, marital status, and educational level (p < 0.05), and the preferred method was putting them in the garbage (86.1%). Educational level is the most prominent factor associated with the perception of disposal of unused/expired medicines (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur study reveals a positive perception of the safe disposal of used or expired medicines, but practice requires improvement. The initiatives to improve the safe disposal practice should be tailored based on gender, educational level, and occupational status. Patient education during medicine dispensing could be an appropriate intervention and can be done by the pharmacist. Introducing medicine waste collection programs or safe medicine disposal guidelines for the public in Saudi Arabia could effectively prevent potential environmental and health hazards. creator: Noohu Abdulla Khan creator: Vigneshwaran Easwaran creator: Khalid Orayj creator: Krishnaraju Venkatesan creator: Sirajudeen Shaik Alavudeen creator: Saad Ali Alhadeer creator: Abdulbari Ali Al Nazih creator: Ibrahim Hadi Saeed Al Afraa creator: Abubakr Taha Hussein creator: Sultan Mohammed Alshahrani creator: Mohammad Jaffar Sadiq Mantargi creator: Sivakumar Vijayaraghavalu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19258 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: ©2025 Khan et al. title: The Hippo pathway in bone and cartilage: implications for development and disease link: https://peerj.com/articles/19334 last-modified: 2025-04-22 description: Bone is the main structure of the human body; it mainly plays a supporting role and participates in metabolic processes. The Hippo signaling pathway is composed of a series of protein kinases, including the mammalian STE20-like kinase MST1/2 and the large tumor suppressor LATS1/2, which are widely involved in pathophysiological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and death, especially those related to biomechanical transduction in vivo. However, the role of it in regulating skeletal system development and the evolution of bone-related diseases remains poorly understood. The pathway can intervene in and regulate the physiological activities of bone-related cells such as osteoclasts and chondrocytes through its own or other bone-related signaling pathways, such as the Wnt pathway, the Notch pathway, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), thereby affecting the occurrence and development of bone diseases. This article discusses the role of the Hippo signaling pathway in bone development and disease to provide new insights into the treatment of bone-related diseases by targeting the Hippo signaling pathway. creator: Chenwei Shao creator: Hao Chen creator: Tingting Liu creator: Chun Pan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19334 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 Shao et al. title: Comparing the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke and Berg Balance Scale for predicting community walking ability at discharge in subacute stroke: a prospective cohort study link: https://peerj.com/articles/19322 last-modified: 2025-04-22 description: BackgroundBalance assessment is crucial for predicting community ambulation outcomes in subacute stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation. This study aims to compare the accuracy of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in predicting community walking ability at discharge from rehabilitation.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 47 stroke patients admitted to a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation program. Patients were assessed with PASS and BBS at admission. Discharge assessments included the Functional Ambulation Categories and 6-Min Walk Distance tests. Statistical analysis involved calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and cut-off scores.ResultsPASS and BBS demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy, with AUC values of 0.955 (95% CI [0.850–0.994]) for PASS and 0.991 (95% CI [0.906–1.000]) for BBS. Cut-off scores were >28 for PASS and >46 for BBS. Sensitivity was high for both (94.44%, 95% CI [72.7–99.9]), while BBS had superior specificity (96.43%, 95% CI [81.7–99.9]) compared to PASS (85.71%, 95% CI [67.3–96.0]). BBS also had a higher positive likelihood ratio (26.44 vs. 6.61). The difference in AUC values was non-significant (p = 0.093).ConclusionsPASS and BBS assessed at admission are highly accurate tools for predicting community ambulation at discharge in subacute stroke patients, with BBS demonstrating a slight advantage, particularly in its positive predictive value. These findings support the use of both scales to guide rehabilitative clinical decision-making. creator: Chutipa Worraridthanon creator: Maria Justine creator: Akkradate Siriphorn uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19322 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Worraridthanon et al. title: Decoding biomaterial-associated molecular patterns (BAMPs): influential players in bone graft-related foreign body reactions link: https://peerj.com/articles/19299 last-modified: 2025-04-22 description: Bone grafts frequently induce immune-mediated foreign body reactions (FBR), which hinder their clinical performance and result in failure. Understanding biomaterial-associated molecular patterns (BAMPs), including physicochemical properties of biomaterial, adsorbed serum proteins, and danger signals, is crucial for improving bone graft outcomes. Recent studies have investigated the role of BAMPs in the induction and maintenance of FBR, thereby advancing the understanding of FBR kinetics, triggers, stages, and key contributors. This review outlines the stages of FBR, the components of BAMPs, and their roles in immune activation. It also discusses various bone grafting biomaterials, their physicochemical properties influencing protein adsorption and macrophage modulation, and the key mechanisms of protein adsorption on biomaterial surfaces. Recent advancements in surface modifications and immunomodulatory strategies to mitigate FBR are also discussed. Furthermore, the authors look forward to future studies that will focus on a comprehensive proteomic analysis of adsorbed serum proteins, a crucial component of BAMPs, to identify proteins that promote or limit inflammation. This understanding could facilitate the design of biomaterials that selectively adsorb beneficial proteins, thereby reducing the risk of FBR and enhancing bone regeneration. creator: Carel Brigi creator: K.G. Aghila Rani creator: Balachandar Selvakumar creator: Mawieh Hamad creator: Ensanya Ali Abou Neel creator: A.R. Samsudin uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19299 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 Brigi et al. title: Long non-coding RNA CYTOR promotes the progression of melanoma via the miR-485-5p/GPI axis link: https://peerj.com/articles/19284 last-modified: 2025-04-22 description: BackgroundRecent research has underscored the critical role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis and malignancy development. Nevertheless, the role of lncRNA cytoskeleton regulator RNA (CYTOR) in the progression of melanoma remains only partially elucidated. This research seeks to explore the impact of CYTOR on melanoma development and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved.MethodsIn vitro and in vivo models were used to assess CYTOR expression levels by QPCR and Western blotting. Melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by CCK-8 assay, scratch wound assay and transwell invasion experiments. The mechanism of CYTOR promoting melanoma progression was verified in a xenograft tumor mouse model.ResultsOur investigation identified a marked increase in CYTOR expression levels in both melanoma tissues and cells. Experiments conducted both in vitro and in vivo revealed that CYTOR markedly stimulated melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the direct binding of miR-485-5p to CYTOR, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) was identified as a direct target of miR-485-5p. creator: Haitao Lu creator: Yunhua Zhao creator: Yanli Zhang creator: Shaomin Shi creator: Huanrong Hu creator: Xuefei Li creator: Yandong Niu creator: Haihua Qi creator: Shang Ji creator: Xinsuo Duan creator: Yaling Liu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19284 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2025 Lu et al. title: Chemical analysis and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of enzymatic hydrolysates derived from meat of goat-kids with supplemental selenium link: https://peerj.com/articles/19261 last-modified: 2025-04-22 description: BackgroundThe effects of selenium (Se) on animal health due to its antioxidant and immune system regulatory properties are very well-documented. However, there is still a lack of scientific evidence about the effect of Se on muscle tissue. Se supplementation in ruminants will enhance the antioxidant activity of myocytes and increase angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Generating bioactive peptides derived from meat could prevent the production of angiotensin II, a key player in the development of cardiovascular diseases.MethodsForty-five suckling goat kids were randomized into one of three groups: (1) CG: group without Se supplemented in the diet; (2) GSS: group with a single injectable dose subcutaneously of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg of body weight; (3) GSM: group with an oral administration of selenomethionine (SeMe) at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg of body weight). The effect of both sources of Se was evaluated on the proximate composition of meat and liver and the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of meat-derived enzymatic hydrolysates.ResultsThe kids-goat meat from the GSM group had a higher protein content (p < 0.05). The fat content gradually increased over time in the treatment GSM, which increased ca. two-fold (from 1.77 to 3.68). The degree of hydrolysis of the meat samples decreased (p < 0.05) in the treatments supplemented with Se (GSS and GSM). The degree of hydrolysis increased significantly (p < 0.05) over time in treatments with Se (GSS and GSM). The electrophoretic patterns of the enzymatic hydrolysates at two h showed a molecular weight between 23.44 and 27.5 kDa, the bands with more intensity. At 21 d of slaughter, a major degree of hydrolysis was observed in the treatments supplemented with Se (GSS and GSM) compared to the CG. Meat protein content and rate of ACE inhibition after hydrolysis improved (50% and 2%, p < 0.05) with GSM at 7 d of slaughter. After hydrolysis, the IC50 of the selenium-supplemented groups decreased (p < 0.05) the amount of CAE and IC50 values.ConclusionThis is the first report describing the ACE inhibitory activity of bioactive peptides derived from goat-kids meat with supplemental. These results indicate the presence of ACE in goat meat; however, the percentage of ACE inhibition after hydrolysis was only improved with selenomethionine dosing at 7 days of slaughter. The study’s novelty indicates that supplemented selenium synergized with ACE in goat meat. It is necessary to continue these studies to identify specific bioactive peptides, antioxidant activities, and goat meat’s biological and functional value, considering it a functional food that can prevent metabolic diseases and be a healthy alternative for the human population. creator: Silvia C. Pérez-Ramirez creator: Rosy Cruz-Monterrosa creator: Mayra Diaz-Ramirez creator: Erika B. León-Espinosa creator: José E. Aguilar-Toalá creator: Monzerrat Rosas-Espejel creator: J. Efren Ramirez-Bribiesca uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19261 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 Pérez-Ramirez et al. title: eDNA metabarcoding shows highly diverse but distinct shallow, mid-water, and deep-water eukaryotic communities within a marine biodiversity hotspot link: https://peerj.com/articles/19249 last-modified: 2025-04-22 description: As the impact of human activities continues to move beyond shallow coastal waters into deeper ocean layers, it is fundamental to describe how diverse and distinct the eukaryotic assemblages from the deep layers are compared to shallow ecosystems. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a molecular tool that can overcome many logistical barriers in exploring remote deep ocean areas. We analyzed shallow water samples (<30 m) collected via SCUBA diving and adjacent deeper samples (mid-water 30–150 m, deep-water >200 m) obtained with Niskin samplers within 16 locations in a recognized hotspot of marine biodiversity (Gulf of California, Mexico). We sequenced an eDNA metabarcoding library targeting a fragment of the COI gene of eukaryotes. We demonstrated that the diversity of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) did not peak at shallow coastal regions and that the mid-water and deep-water benthic and pelagic samples had similar levels of biodiversity compared to shallow sites, but detected a significant vertical zonation between shallow and deeper habitats. Our results suggest that the deep refugia hypothesis, which posits that deep environments protect biodiversity during environmental changes, enabling species to survive and repopulate shallower regions, is not supported for most taxa and only applies to about a third (34.9%) of the 5,495 OTUs identified that were shared between the shallow and deeper layers. In comparison, the rest of the taxa were exclusive to either shallow (30.8%) or deeper zones (34.28%). The observation that mid-water and deep-water benthic and pelagic communities were as rich but quite distinct as shallow communities supports extending spatial management and conservation tools to deeper habitats to include a significant fraction of unique phylogenetic and functional diversity. creator: Patricia Cerrillo-Espinosa creator: Luis Eduardo Calderón-Aguilera creator: Pedro Medina-Rosas creator: Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez creator: Héctor Reyes-Bonilla creator: Amílcar Leví Cupul-Magaña creator: Ollin Tezontli González Cuellar creator: Adrian Munguia-Vega uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19249 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 Cerrillo-Espinosa et al.