PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327536
RuChen She, Dongmei Wang
{"title":"Determinants of physical activity participation among U.S. adolescents aged 12-17: A study of key factors.","authors":"RuChen She, Dongmei Wang","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0327536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327536","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the influence of six key factors-family structure, poverty level, parental education, mental health, family resilience, and childhood adversity-on the participation of U.S. adolescents (ages 12-17) in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for at least 60 minutes per day. Using data from the 2018-2023 health surveys across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the study applies significance difference analysis, random forest regression, and cluster analysis to assess the impact and interaction effects of these factors on adolescent physical activity. The results indicate that mental health, family resilience, and poverty level have the most significant influence on adolescents' physical activity participation, with strong interactions among the variables. Cluster analysis further reveals disparities in physical activity participation across states, with certain states showing significant imbalances due to factors such as poverty and family support. These findings underscore the importance for policymakers to consider the unique socioeconomic contexts and policy environments of different states when promoting youth physical activity, advocating for tailored approaches to enhance adolescent physical activity levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0327536"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327169
Jongseok Lee, Hyelim Lee, Hwajung Cha, Jun Seok, In Cheol Jeong
{"title":"Refining the Martin-Hopkins method for estimating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: Median versus optimal TG/VLDL-C ratio.","authors":"Jongseok Lee, Hyelim Lee, Hwajung Cha, Jun Seok, In Cheol Jeong","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0327169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is typically calculated using the Friedewald formula when triglyceride (TG) levels are below 400 mg/dL. Recent studies have demonstrated the superior accuracy of the Martin-Hopkins method across diverse populations. While this method estimates very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) using strata-specific median TG/VLDL-C ratios, its reliance on median statistics raises questions about whether these ratios are truly optimal.</p><p><strong>Objectives and methods: </strong>This study evaluated the performance of the Martin-Hopkins method compared to the Friedewald formula, focusing on its potential for improvement by applying optimal TG/VLDL-C ratios. Using data from 18,322 individuals in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we derived strata-specific optimal TG/VLDL-C ratios designed to maximize concordance with directly measured LDL-C values, based on LDL-C categories defined by clinical guidelines. We compared the performance of four LDL-C estimation models: the Friedewald formula (LDL-CF), the original Martin-Hopkins method (LDL-CM-N), and two alternative models that applied TG/VLDL-C ratios derived from our data-one using median values (LDL-CKM-N) and the other using optimal values tailored to each stratum (LDL-CKO-N).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Martin-Hopkins method showed significantly higher concordance than the Friedewald formula for TG levels < 400 mg/dL (79.6% for LDL-CF vs. 83.2% for LDL-CM-180, p < 0.001). Concordance improved by less than 2% for TG levels < 150 mg/dL (83.3% vs. 84.9%), but by approximately 10% for TG levels of 150-399 mg/dL (68.8% vs. 78.0%). The largest discrepancy was observed in classifying LDL-C levels < 70 mg/dL among individuals with TG levels of 150-399 mg/dL (47.5% for LDL-CF vs. 90.3% for LDL-CM-180). However, the overall concordance differed only modestly between the 10-cell and 180-cell Martin-Hopkins equations (82.8% for LDL-CM-10 vs. 83.2% for LDL-CM-180, a difference of 0.4%), indicating only a marginal benefit despite the substantial increase in the number of strata. Using optimal TG/VLDL-C ratios increased overall concordance compared to median ratios within the same stratification, with LDL-CKO-N estimates outperforming their LDL-CKM-N counterparts. However, this improvement was not statistically significant in LDL-C estimates derived from TG-only stratification.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Applying optimal TG/VLDL-C ratios within the Martin-Hopkins method improves accuracy compared to median ratios, particularly when stratifications incorporate both TG and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels. This enhancement can be achieved without increasing the number of strata, offering a practical pathway to refine LDL-C estimation while avoiding excessive stratification. Our findings suggest tha","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0327169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325710
Eleonore Lebeuf-Taylor, Alexandria Cosby, Quinn Webber, Karl Cottenie
{"title":"Social structuring of the gut microbiome in communally roosting bats.","authors":"Eleonore Lebeuf-Taylor, Alexandria Cosby, Quinn Webber, Karl Cottenie","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0325710","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0325710","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The gut microbiome is the community of microbes that inhabits the gastrointestinal tracts of animals. Laboratory findings have shown that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in host metabolism, physiology, and immunity. This has led to speculation that selection acts on both host and microbiome-although identifying functionally essential coevolving microbes in wild animals remains challenging. A recent surge of studies in wild populations has identified phylogenetic, spatiotemporal, dietary, and social patterns in host-associated microbiomes. Here, we describe and assess the gut microbiomes of two sympatric bat species: big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). Although these species share similar diets and environments throughout much of their North American ranges, we found they have distinct gut microbiomes. We find no evidence of a functional core microbiome among big brown bats and identify roost identity as a driver of microbiome composition, likely arising from social transmission among hosts through physical proximity. We conclude that both environmental and social factors drive microbiome composition in big brown bats and that repeated, extensive sampling is required to bring ecological reality to host-associated microbiome studies in wild populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0325710"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326141
Tong Yen Suan, Saiful Irwan Zubairi, Ruth Naomi Manuel, Zalifah Mohd Kasim, Nur Huda-Faujan
{"title":"Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Clinacanthus nutans using ionic liquid (ILs) binary solvent: Application of Peleg's model and response surface methodology.","authors":"Tong Yen Suan, Saiful Irwan Zubairi, Ruth Naomi Manuel, Zalifah Mohd Kasim, Nur Huda-Faujan","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0326141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Clinacanthus nutans (Sabah snake grass) is widely recognized for its pharmacological properties, particularly its high phenolic content and antioxidant activity. However, the optimization of its ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) remains underexplored. This study aims to enhance the extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds from Clinacanthus nutans leaves using ionic liquid (IL) binary solvents, with optimization based on Peleg's model and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Peleg's model was used to determine the optimal extraction time, while RSM with a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was applied to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic frequency (40-60 kHz) and the ratio of ILs to water (2:8, 5:5 and 8:2) on total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). The experimental results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, model fitting, and desirability functions. Peleg's model indicated that the predicted maximum total phenolic content (TPC) of 42.556 ± 0.0003 mg GAE/g was achieved at an ultrasonic frequency of 50 kHz within 3 hours, making this duration as the predictive model benchmark for further optimization. The optimal extraction conditions were identified as an ultrasonic frequency of 60 kHz and an IL-to-water ratio of 2:8, yielding a maximum TPC of 0.01 ± 7.97 x 10-5 mg GAE/g, DPPH antioxidant activity of 95.08 ± 0.57%, and FRAP antioxidant capacity of 6.31 ± 0.10 mg AEAC/g. Peleg's model inadequately predicted the best exhaustive extraction time prior to RSM leading to a low TPC value throughout the optimization process while maintaining high in antioxidant efficacy. However, the use of IL binary solvents significantly enhanced the release of phenolic compounds compared to conventional solvents, demonstrating their potential as a green extraction alternative. This study highlights the effectiveness of ultrasonic-assisted extraction combined with IL binary solvents for maximizing the recovery of bioactive compounds from Clinacanthus nutans leaves. The optimized extraction method can be beneficial for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food industries. Future research should focus on identifying specific phenolic compounds using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), combined kinetic and diffusion equilibrium model and further refining process optimization parameters (e.g., longer concoction duration) to enhance yield efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0326141"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326340
Guodong Zeng, Yixi Hu, Hao Li, Yonghong Yang, Xuancang Wang
{"title":"Applying a GM (1, 1)-BPNN to predict pavement Rutting Depth Index in hot and humid region: A case study in Guangdong, China.","authors":"Guodong Zeng, Yixi Hu, Hao Li, Yonghong Yang, Xuancang Wang","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0326340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pavement performance prediction plays a crucial role in formulating scientific pavement maintenance plans. However, current research on how the rutting depth index (RDI) in hot and humid regions is affected by multiple influencing factors and the development of accurate prediction indicators remains insufficient. To establish a scientific basis for maintenance, the research team collected maintenance, traffic, pavement surface and internal temperature, climate, and road condition data from 2015 to 2021 for a freeway section located in Foshan, China, a typical hot and humid region. Then, a combined predictor, GM(1,1)-BPNN, was proposed to conduct accurate RDI prediction for the pavement. Furthermore, the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method was employed to analyze the impact of each influencing factor on RDI in greater detail. The results indicated that 1) The proposed combined model has a higher prediction performance. Validated by validation set, the MAE, MSE, RMSE as well as R2 were 0.068, 0.004, 0.068, 0.79, respectively, surpassing the baseline models PPI and GM (1, 1); 2) The SHAP analysis shows that maintenance fund, middle layer maximum temperature, integrated radiation, and pavement surface maximum temperature have a more significant impact on RDI. The conclusions of the paper provide a theoretical basis for road administrations to formulate scientific maintenance plans and contribute to understanding the impact of climatic and traffic environments on RDI.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0326340"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327304
Abdelhamid Ajbar, Rubayyi T Alqahtani, Khalid Alhumaizi
{"title":"Bifurcation study of a tumor-immune system with chemotherapy.","authors":"Abdelhamid Ajbar, Rubayyi T Alqahtani, Khalid Alhumaizi","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0327304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the dynamics of cancer cell growth, the interplay between tumor and immune cells, and the efficacy of chemotherapy are pivotal areas of focus in cancer research. In this regard, mathematical modeling can provide significant insights. This study re-examines a classical two-dimensional model of tumor-immune cell interactions where the tumor's growth rate is assumed to adhere to von Bertalanffy's model instead of the logistic model. We investigate the model both without chemotherapy and with treatment. The equilibrium points are identified, classified, and their stability analyzed. Our results reveal that the model can demonstrate a broad spectrum of behaviors, including bi-stability and multi-stability as well as regions of stable periodic behavior. We establish analytical conditions for the existence of Hopf points. Furthermore, we assess the impact of model parameters on the various behavior predicted by the model. This mathematical investigation can provide general guidance on treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0327304"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fixed point-based stability analysis of climate and Langevin models.","authors":"Syed Khayyam Shah, Waleed Eltayeb Ahmed, Ishraq Alabdi, Ayman Alahmade, Khaled Aldwoah, Eltigani I Hassan","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0327488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327488","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this manuscript, the existence and uniqueness of solutions to equations associated with climate change are discussed. For this purpose, we utilize some results from the existing literature to investigate the behavior of these equations. Additionally, the role of fixed point theory in emphasizing the importance of proving the stability and consistency of the models is explored. Several definitions and results, such as the F-contraction, [Formula: see text]-F-contraction, rational type [Formula: see text]-contraction, and Geraghty type contraction, are recalled from the existing literature to illustrate their theoretical foundations and practical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0327488"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327426
Anna E Eberwein, Priscila Ribeiro Cummings, Daniel Cummings, Julia Andre, Kathryn H Jacobsen
{"title":"Hepatitis B (HBsAg) prevalence among obstetric patients in Caluquembe, Angola, 2023-2024.","authors":"Anna E Eberwein, Priscila Ribeiro Cummings, Daniel Cummings, Julia Andre, Kathryn H Jacobsen","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0327426","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Newborns who contract hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections at birth often develop chronic infections that can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death in middle adulthood. Birth doses of hepatitis B vaccine can be lifesaving for babies born to mothers with hepatitis B infections. We aimed to measure hepatitis B prevalence among maternity patients in Huíla, a rural province in southwestern Angola.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a prospective case series study among 317 peripartum women at the Hospital Evangélico de Caluquembe from November 2023 to February 2024. Each participant received a point-of-care hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test and was asked about HBV and vaccine knowledge. We also conducted qualitative interviews about HBV prevention with 26 healthcare workers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The HBsAg prevalence was 4.7%. None of the women who tested positive was previously aware of her status. Only about one-third of the women expressed familiarity with hepatitis B or HBV vaccines, and almost none reported that their older children had received HBV vaccines. Maternal health workers proposed hosting community meetings to provide education about HBV and birth-dose vaccination.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Only about half of Angolan babies are born at healthcare facilities, but more than 80% of women attend at least one antenatal care visit. Improved access to and uptake of hepatitis B screening at antenatal checkups is essential for ensuring that babies born to women with chronic hepatitis B infections are able to receive birth dose hepatitis B vaccines.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0327426"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-07-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315472
Nick O Yalla, Jackline Kosgei, Frank Mechan, Daniel P McDermott, Brian Polo, Seline Omondi, Elizabeth Omukunda, Eric Ochomo
{"title":"Influence of mould growth and outdoor exposure on the efficacy of attractive targeted sugar baits against Anopheles arabiensis in western Kenya.","authors":"Nick O Yalla, Jackline Kosgei, Frank Mechan, Daniel P McDermott, Brian Polo, Seline Omondi, Elizabeth Omukunda, Eric Ochomo","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0315472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs) effectively target Anopheles mosquitoes in semi-arid, low-humidity climates. However, high humidity encourages mould growth on ATSB surfaces, and its effect on the efficacy of ATSBs against malaria vectors is yet to be determined. This study explored how mould growth affects the performance of ATSB version 1.2 by comparing mouldy stations from exposed environments to non-mouldy stations from protected settings through laboratory bioassays on the local malaria vector, Anopheles arabiensis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred ATSB stations were deployed in Asembo, Rarieda-Subcounty, Siaya County Six samples, consisting of three mouldy from exposed locations and three non-mouldy from protected locations were collected monthly for laboratory bioassays. These were tested alongside three new laboratory-kept ATSBs and two negative controls (water only and 77% sugar solution with water) to assess mosquito feeding and mortality over 48 hours.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study found that after 12 months of outdoor exposure, the mouldiest ATSBs from exposed locations showed a non-significant reduction in Anopheles arabiensis feeding rates compared to the least mouldy ATSBs from protected locations 57.42% (95% CI: 45.64-68.85) vs. 74.40% (95% CI: 64.56-82.50), (P = 0.062) respectively. Mosquito mortality significantly declined on mouldy ATSBs compared to laboratory controls 95.35% (95% CI: 92.23-97.48) vs. 98.70% (95% CI: 97.87-99.30), (P = 0.002) respectively. In contrast, protected (non-mouldy) ATSBs showed only a slight reduction in mortality compared to controls 95.94% (95% CI: 90.42-97.46) vs. 98.91% (95% CI: 97.67-99.60) respectively (P = 0.009).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides evidence that environmental exposure post-deployment slightly reduced the efficacy of ATSBs in controlling Anopheles arabiensis, particularly beyond the recommended 6-month period. Although mould may have contributed to this reduction over 12 months, no significant difference was found between mouldy and non-mouldy ATSBs. However, mould invasion and community concerns highlight the need to replace mouldy stations to maintain effectiveness and safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0315472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Men in menopause? Experimental verification of the mate choice theory with Drosophila melanogaster shows both sexes can undergo menopause.","authors":"Divya Purohith, Mitali Chaudhary, Alyssa Gomes, Nina Rajapakse, Aditi Das, Neha Dhanvanthry, Michelle Brown, Manan Mukherjee, Rama S Singh","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0326972","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Various hypotheses regarding the origin of menopause have been proposed, and although the kin-selection-based theory appears promising, it involves population genetic processes that are insufficient to compensate for loss of fitness. The grandmother hypothesis and its variation the live long hypothesis is untenable; the former requires \"climbing a steep fitness hill\", as grandmothers share only 25% of their genes with their grandchildren, compared to 50% with their direct offspring, while the latter proposes a prolongation of the post-menopausal lifespan through selection, which is not possible in a population of non-reproducing females. The mate choice theory explains menopause as the result of asymmetric mating involving younger females and older males that leads to an accumulation of infertility mutations and the evolution of menopause in older females. In this study, we investigated the mate choice theory using an infertility mutation accumulation experiment with Drosophila melanogaster that involved mating between individuals of different age groups. After 70 generations of asymmetric mating, the results showed that younger females who were paired with older males showed declining fertility in old age. The same trend was noted with younger males when mated with older females; the fertility of the males declined in old age. These results support the mate choice theory and indicate that menopause is not a life history trait of females but of the sex of the younger mate. Mate choice theory treats the evolution of menopause and post-menopausal lifespan as independent traits that are driven by the mate choices exercised by older males. Menopause may be an atypical process because the evolutionary mechanism (age-restricted asymmetric mating) involved is rarely observed in nature.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 7","pages":"e0326972"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}