PeerJ最新文献

Background: The gut microbiome is closely associated with malignant tumors; however the specific mechanisms by which it contributes to the development of lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear. In this study, we performed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and lung adenocarcinoma. By identifying single nucleotide polymorphism markers linked to gut microbiome species, we aimed to discover potential biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma. These findings may offer new insights into the role of the gut microbiome in the prevention and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: We used genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics to assess the association between the gut microbiome and lung adenocarcinoma through two-sample MR analysis. Sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the robustness of the findings. Reverse MR analysis and GWAS data integration were employed to identify potential genetic and therapeutic targets. Bioinformatics analysis and quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) were utilized to validate gene expression and explore the underlying mechanisms of key genes.

Results: Our analysis identified two bacterial taxa, Prevotella9 and Parabacteroides, as being causally associated with lung adenocarcinoma, both showing positive causal relationships. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations. The reverse MR analysis revealed no evidence of reverse causality. GWAS data identified 15 genes (DNAH1, PDE10A, DOCK2, INSYN2B, DNAI3, SUOX, LINC01505, SULT4A1, NT5ELP, LINC02895, calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase 1D (CAMK1D), ENSG00000253557, BCAS3, C18orf63, MYO18B) that passed the summary-data-based MR test. The transcriptomic data revealed that five genes (CAMK1D, BCAS3, DNAH1, PDE10A, and C18orf63) were differentially expressed between lung adenocarcinoma patients and healthy individuals. Through qRT-PCR validation, the CAMK1D gene was markedly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, whereas BCAS3, DNAH1, PDE10A, and C18orf63 genes exhibit ed substantially reduced expression.

Conclusion: Our study identified specific gut microbial taxa as risk factors for lung adenocarcinoma and proposes CAMK1D as a microbiota-related candidate biomarker and potential therapeutic target that may inform personalized treatment and drug development strategies in the future.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a major cause of cancer mortality, and robust biomarkers are needed for prognosis stratification and immuno-oncology research. We investigated coagulation factor II receptor-like 1 (F2RL1) in HNSCC, focusing on expression, clinical outcomes and immune associations.

Methods: RNA sequencing and clinical follow-up data from The Cancer Genome Atlas head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cohort (TCGA-HNSC) were analysed. Three independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts (GSE9844, GSE55547 and GSE55548) were used for external confirmation, with preprocessing and differential-expression exports generated using Xiantao Academic. Immune infiltration, functional enrichment and multi-omics annotations were assessed. Experimental validation was performed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results: F2RL1 was significantly upregulated in HNSCC and was associated with worse overall survival (OS). Expression differences were consistent across the three GEO cohorts. F2RL1 showed significant associations with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint genes, and correlated with DNA methylation features and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators. A nomogram was constructed to estimate 1-, 3- and 5-year OS.

Conclusion: F2RL1 is reproducibly overexpressed in HNSCC and is linked to adverse outcomes and immune-related features, supporting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and candidate therapeutic target.

In the context of semen cryopreservation, egg yolk is frequently utilized as a protective agent; however, it poses a potential risk of contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Pasteurization of egg yolk can effectively eliminate pathogenic bacteria while retaining its active components. This study established two groups for comparison: (1) the experimental group (PS), which utilized a diluent containing pasteurized chicken egg yolk, and (2) the control group (Control), which employed a diluent with chicken egg yolk mixed at ambient temperature. The diluents from both groups were subjected to microscopic structural observation, bacterial isolation and culture, as well as Gram staining. Boar semen was cryopreserved using two different diluents following standard methods. Following thawing, sperm motility parameters, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, antioxidant indicators, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and the expression of genes related to oxidative stress and apoptosis were assessed. Microscopic observation revealed no significant differences in yolk granule morphology between PS and the control. Bacterial isolation and Gram staining results indicated the presence of small, spherical Gram-positive bacteria in the control, whereas no bacterial growth was observed in the PS. Post-thaw sperm analysis showed that, compared to the control, the PS exhibited significantly lower sperm survival rate and motility (P < 0.05), but significantly higher values for straight line velocit (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and average path velocity (VAP) (P < 0.05). Although the integrity of the acrosome and plasma membrane in sperm from the PS group showed improvement compared to the control, this difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the PS group were significantly lower (P < 0.05), while the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed a decreasing trend, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05).The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the PS group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis related to cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis showed that the mRNA levels of CAT, SOD, P53, and Bax were lower in the PS than in the control, with CAT expression significantly diminished (P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 expression slightly elevated (P > 0.05). In conclusion, pasteurized chicken egg yolk diluent can effectively eliminate pathogenic bacteria, reduce oxidative damage to sperm, and lower sperm apoptosis rate. Nonetheless, it is important to note that in the PS group, the post-thaw survival rate and motility of porcine sperm were markedly diminished, accompanied by an upregulation of certain apoptosis-related genes.

Objective: The visual assessment of the "nonparallel orientation" descriptor in the ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is subjective and may affect both the accurate interpretation of breast masses and the overall diagnostic performance of the ultrasound BI-RADS. The objective of this study was to determine whether quantitative measurement of the nonparallel orientation descriptor improves diagnostic performance in the evaluation of breast malignancy assessment.

Methods: This prospective study, conducted at a tertiary hospital, analyzed 253 out of 6,893 patients with ultrasound BI-RADS 3-5 solid breast masses. For each mass, parallel or nonparallel orientation was assessed visually, and the orientation angle of breast mass was measured quantitatively on ultrasound image using built-in ultrasound software. Histopathological diagnosis served as the reference standard. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the optimal cutoff value for the orientation angle in assessing breast malignancy. The diagnostic performances of the standard BI-RADS (using visual nonparallel orientation) and a modified BI-RADS (using the quantitative orientation angle) were compared for malignancy stratification.

Results: McNemar testing demonstrated significant differences in diagnostic outcomes between visual nonparallel orientation assessment and quantitative angle measurement, as well as between the standard and modified ultrasound BI-RADS classifications (all p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for visual assessment was 0.651, compared to 0.838 for the orientation angle (p < 0.001). Incorporating orientation angle into ultrasound BI-RADS showed higher diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.922) compared to the standard ultrasound BI-RADS in this cohort (AUC = 0.905, p = 0.024).

Conclusion: The quantitative orientation angle is a more reproducible and objective measure. It can serve as a valuable complementary descriptor within ultrasound BI-RADS. Integrating this quantitative angle into a multi-descriptor assessment of breast masses improves the overall diagnostic performance.

Background: Chronic heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome that poses a serious threat to human health. Breathing training and aerobic exercise are key strategies for promoting rehabilitation in these patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of breathing training combined with aerobic exercise on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods: A computer-based search was conducted using a combination of subject terms and free-text terms to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of breathing training combined with aerobic exercise on cardiopulmonary function in patients with chronic heart failure from both Chinese and international databases. All databases were searched from inception to April 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 17.0.

Results: A total of seven randomized controlled trials involving 246 patients were included. The analysis showed that, compared with the control group, breathing training combined with aerobic exercise resulted in statistically significant improvements across several functional outcomes, including exercise duration (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI [0.05 to 0.60], p = 0.02) and quality of life (SMD = -1.09, 95% CI [-1.78 to -0.40], p < 0.001). No significant effects were observed on cardiac function parameters. Subgroup analyses suggested that factors such as sex composition may influence intervention effects, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion: Breathing training combined with aerobic exercise has positive effects on pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure, while its impact on cardiac function parameters appears to be limited. Given the limited number and quality of the included studies, these conclusions and the optimal intervention duration require further confirmation in high-quality research. This study has completed registration with the Systematic Review Program at PROSPERO under registration number CRD420251014242.

Purpose: Outcome measurement is fundamental to rehabilitation practice; however, the tools commonly used in occupational therapy after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) may not adequately capture the complex needs of individuals living in the community. This scoping review synthesised the outcome measures employed in post-discharge occupational therapy in Japan and identified the core concepts they assess.

Method: A comprehensive search of nine databases was conducted without restrictions on publication year or language. Search strategies were developed using relevant keywords, and four independent reviewers applied predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure methodological rigour.

Results: Of the 1,188 abstracts screened, 985 articles were excluded, leaving 104 for full-text review. Ultimately, 44 studies met the eligibility criteria, yielding 32 distinct outcome measures. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (29.5%) was most frequently applied, followed by the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) (9.0%), the Life Space Assessment (LSA) (7.7%), and the Barthel Index (BI) (7.7%). Categorisation of the 11 most frequently used tools according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) revealed a strong emphasis on mobility (26%) and self-care (18%).

Discussion: These findings reflect both the influence of Japan's ageing population on assessment priorities and a critical gap in which participation, cognition, and broader psychosocial outcomes remain underrepresented. Broader and more comprehensive assessment strategies are required to address the diverse realities of community life following ABI.

Background: Catostylus tagi is a scyphozoan jellyfish native to Portuguese waters. While its life cycle is known, the environmental conditions that support polyp survival, trigger strobilation, and promote asexual reproduction remain unclear. Field observations from the citizen science GelAvista project indicate that C. tagi occurs year-round in the Tagus estuary, suggesting tolerance to broad temperature and salinity ranges. However, polyps and ephyrae have not been observed in the wild, and their natural habitats and environmental preferences remain unknown. This study aims to fill these knowledge gaps by investigating how temperature and salinity affect C. tagi polyps under controlled conditions and integrating these results with field data.

Methods: Ninety-six polyps were cultured for 71 days in well plates at four temperature treatments (14, 17, 20, 23 °C) and four salinity levels (10, 17.5, 25, 35). Survival, asexual reproduction, and strobilation were monitored. Seven years of citizen science data were analysed with environmental parameters to assess estuarine distribution.

Results: Polyp survival was high, except at salinity 35, where mortality increased regardless of temperature. Podocyst production was enhanced at higher temperatures (20-23 °C) and intermediate salinities (17.5-25), although podocyst development into new polyps occurred at lower salinities (10-17.5). Strobilation occurred predominantly at intermediate temperatures (17-20 °C) and salinities (17.5-25). Medusae are most frequently found in the lower Tagus estuary and coastal adjacent areas, exhibiting a peak between July and January. Results showed that wind intensity was negatively correlated with medusa stranding abundances on the shores, possibly displacing individuals away from coastal areas during periods of strong winds. Sea surface temperature (SST), measured two to four months prior to medusae occurrence, was positively correlated with C. tagi abundance.

Discussion: Optimal polyp performance occurred at 17-20 °C and 17.5-25 salinity. When considered alongside citizen science observations, these findings suggest that polyps may occur in estuarine areas where such conditions prevail, such as upper estuary inlets and marinas. It is further hypothesized that ephyrae could disperse to downstream and adjacent coastal zones via wind and tides. The correlation between sightings and past SSTs indicates the ephyrae and young medusae dispersal rate. Furthermore, this study highlights C. tagi's adaptability to varying environmental conditions and contributes to identifying optimal parameters for polyp well-being and reproduction, with potential applications in jellyfish farming.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of parenting styles and psychological resilience on physical activity (PA) levels in junior high school students, and to examine the mediating role of resilience in this relationship.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 336 adolescents (195 boys, 141 girls) from Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected using the Chinese versions of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), the Short-Form Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran for Children (s-EMBU-C), and the Adolescent Resilience Scale. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficients, logistic regression, and hierarchical multiple regression were used to explore the associations among variables. Mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro (Model 4, 5,000 bootstraps samples).

Results: (1) Gender and grade differences in PA were significant: girls were more likely to be in the low-PA group, while boys were more likely to be in the medium- or high PA groups. As grade level increased, the proportion of students in the low-PA group decreased, the medium-PA group increased, and the high PA remained stable (p < 0.01). No urban-rural differences were observed. (2) Parenting styles were significantly associated with PA levels: parental emotional warmth was positively correlated with PA, whereas paternal rejection was negatively correlated; overprotection showed weaker but still significant effects. (3) Hierarchical regression revealed that parental emotional warmth was a strong positive predictor of PA, while paternal rejection was a negative predictor. The final model explained 49.8% of the variance in total PAQ scores. (4) Psychological resilience mediated the relationship between parenting styles and PA. Emotional warmth had both direct and indirect effects on PA through resilience, while paternal rejection and overprotection influenced PA indirectly, with paternal rejection exerting the strongest negative indirect effect.

Conclusion: Greater parental emotional warmth and lower levels of paternal rejection are associated with increased PA levels among adolescents, with psychological resilience acting as a key mediator. These findings underscore the importance of strategies that promote positive parenting and resilience to enhance PA and support adolescent development.

Seabirds face increasing pressure from commercial fisheries through both direct mortality and indirect competition for shared prey resources. In Chile's Humboldt Current System, artisanal purse-seine fisheries target small pelagic fish species such as anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), which also comprise key components of the Humboldt penguin's (Spheniscus humboldti) diet. To investigate the potential for spatio-temporal overlap between purse-seine fisheries and penguin foraging areas, we tracked breeding Humboldt penguins from Isla Choros, Coquimbo Region, northern Chile, during the autumn and spring breeding seasons of 2022 using GPS dive loggers. We quantified penguin at-sea distribution and overlap with fishing effort data obtained from purse-seine vessels operating in the Coquimbo Region. Tracking data from 22 penguins revealed a bimodal foraging pattern linked to nest location. Penguins nesting on the eastern, mainland-facing side of Isla Choros foraged exclusively in coastal waters, while western-nesting individuals foraged both offshore and inshore, likely depending on environmental conditions. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) analysis identified two core foraging zones: one along the mainland coast near Playa de los Choros and another southwest of the island. Purse-seine fishing effort in autumn was concentrated along the coast, overlapping substantially with the coastal foraging zone of the penguins. Nearly 60% of the penguins' coastal core foraging area overlapped with the 50% KDE of autumn purse-seine activity. In contrast, spring fishing effort was more dispersed and located farther south, with no overlap observed between spring fishing and penguin foraging areas. These findings suggest a high likelihood of indirect resource competition between Humboldt penguins and fisheries during the autumn breeding season-a critical time when penguins are energetically constrained as central place foragers. We provide the first empirical evidence of substantial seasonal overlap between Humboldt penguins and inshore purse-seine fisheries at the Humboldt Archipelago and highlight the need to integrate seabird ecology into fisheries management. To protect vulnerable seabird populations such as the Humboldt penguin, marine spatial planning should consider critical foraging habitats and breeding schedules. Future work should aim to quantify dietary overlap, assess potential sub-lethal effects of prey depletion, and monitor the impact of small-scale, untracked fisheries within key penguin foraging areas.