bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A meta‐analysis of tropical land‐use change effects on the soil microbiome: Emerging patterns and knowledge gaps
Authors: Díaz‐Vallejo Emily Judith , Seeley Megan , Smith A. Peyton , Marín‐Spiotta Erika 
Published: April 2021

AbstractModifications to vegetation and soil due to changes in land use have the potential to alter the soil microbiome, with consequences for carbon and nutrient cycling. Despite the important function of soil microorganisms, little is known about their response to land‐use change, especially in tropical regions where current rates of land conversion are greatest. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to examine how land‐use change influences soil microbial properties in tropical ecosystems and to identify current trends and knowledge gaps in the literature. We identified 83 published paired studies that reported data on microbial biomass, abundance, composition, and enzyme activity under representative land‐use changes in the tropics. We calculated response ratios for studies that compared the following: reference forests to (a) agriculture, (b) pastures, (c) plantations, and (d) secondary forests. Soil microbial biomass decreased with forest conversion to agriculture and plantations. Microbial biomass response to land‐use change depended on rainfall classes, although this was the only microbial variable which had sufficient data to test for a rainfall effect. Microbial abundance and enzyme activity showed variable results depending on the type of forest conversion. Microbial diversity and richness did not show any pattern with forest conversion or recovery to secondary forests. Published studies were not representative of the range of biophysical conditions observed in the tropics. Sites in moist regions in the American tropics were overrepresented. To better predict how land‐use change affects the soil microbiome and its contribution to nutrient cycling, research should reflect observed environmental variation in the tropics.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
CD21low B cells are predictive markers of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Visentini Marcella , Pellicano Chiara , Leodori Giorgia , Marrapodi Ramona , Colantuono Stefania , Gigante Antonietta , Casato Milvia , Rosato Edoardo 
Published: April 2021

Summary
The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive role of CD21low B cells as markers of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients. Peripheral blood B cell subpopulations and clinical assessments have been evaluated in 74 systemic sclerosis patients at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up. After a 12-month follow-up, 23 (31.1%) systemic sclerosis patients developed new digital ulcers. The median percentage of CD21low B cells was significantly higher in patients with than without new digital ulcers [10.1 (4.3–13.6) versus 4.8 (3.5–7.4); p &lt; 0.01]. The 10% cut-off shows good diagnostic accuracy [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.732, confidence interval (CI) = 0.587–0.878; P = 0.01]. Kaplan–Meier curves show a significantly reduced free survival from new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients with CD21low B cells ≥ 10% (p &lt; 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, CD21low B cells ≥ 10%, modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) are associated with the development of new digital ulcers. We hypothesize that CD21low B cells are a predictive marker of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients.
Starting age of oestrogen‐progestin therapy is negatively associated with bone mineral density in young adults with Turner syndrome independent of age and body mass index
Authors: Nishigaki Satsuki , Itonaga Tomoyo , Hasegawa Yukihiro , Kawai Masanobu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveOsteoporosis is an important health issue in patients with Turner syndrome (TS), and oestrogen sufficiency has been implicated in increased bone mineral density (BMD); however, the impact of the starting age of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density remains unclear, particularly during young adulthood.DesignA retrospective study from three tertiary care hospitals in Japan.PatientsOne hundred and three patients with TS aged between 18 and 30 years of age who underwent dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.MeasurementsAnthropometric parameters, lumbar bone mineral density (L‐BMD), including areal BMD (aBMD) and volumetric BMD (vBMD), karyotypes, the presence of spontaneous menarche, the starting ages of oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and oestrogen‐progestin therapy (EPT), and the duration between starting ages of oestrogen replacement therapy and oestrogen‐progestin therapy were investigated. vBMD was calculated based on the Kröger method.ResultsaBMD was lower in young adults with TS than in an age‐matched reference population. L‐BMD positively correlated with weight and body mass index (BMI). L‐BMD was higher in subjects with spontaneous menarche (N = 22) than in those without. A dose escalation regimen of oestrogen replacement therapy was used in 84% of subjects without spontaneous menarche (N = 81). The starting age of oestrogen replacement therapy and the duration between the starting ages of oestrogen replacement therapy and oestrogen‐progestin therapy negatively and independently correlated with aBMD, but not with vBMD, after adjustment with age and BMI. The starting age of oestrogen‐progestin therapy negatively correlated with L‐BMD independent of age and BMI.ConclusionsEarly introduction of hormone replacement therapy, particularly oestrogen‐progestin therapy, is important to accrue better L‐BMD in young adults with TS.
The use of indocyanine green fluorescence to define bowel microcirculation during laparoscopic surgery for acute small bowel obstruction
Authors: Guerra Francesco , Coletta Diego , Greco Paola Antonella , Eugeni Emilio , Patriti Alberto 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimAlthough there is growing evidence to support the feasibility of a minimally invasive approach for acute small bowel obstruction, the inability to adequately evaluate compromised bowel segments has been cited as a major limitation. The aim of this work is to report a novel application of extemporaneous indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence to assess bowel viability where there is a concern for ischaemic damage.MethodAfter the cause of obstruction has been identified and resolved, and where there are dubious signs of bowel ischaemia present, fluorescent selective angiography is undertaken. The segment of bowel in question is observed under both normal and fluorescent light to assess local microcirculation. The adequacy of both the arterial supply and the venous drainage is thus appraised to define bowel viability.ResultsAmong 71 patients who have undergone surgery for acute small bowel obstruction with a laparoscopic approach, seven received extemporaneous ICG fluorescence assessment of bowel viability. Different presentations with their relevant management are described.ConclusionsSelective use of intraoperative fluorescent angiography may overcome some of the intrinsic limitations of laparoscopy in assessing bowel viability during surgery for acute small bowel obstruction.
Tree‐Huggers Versus Human‐Lovers: Anthropomorphism and Dehumanization Predict Valuing Nature Over Outgroups
Authors: Rottman Joshua , Crimston Charlie R. , Syropoulos Stylianos 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPrevious examinations of the scope of moral concern have focused on aggregate attributions of moral worth. However, because trade‐offs exist in valuing different kinds of entities, tabulating total amounts of moral expansiveness may conceal significant individual differences in the relative proportions of moral valuation ascribed to various entities. We hypothesized that some individuals (“tree‐huggers”) would ascribe greater moral worth to animals and ecosystems than to humans from marginalized or stigmatized groups, while others (“human‐lovers”) would ascribe greater moral worth to outgroup members than to the natural world. Additionally, because moral valuation is often treated as being zero‐sum, we hypothesized that there would be no difference in aggregate levels of moral concern between tree‐huggers and human‐lovers. Finally, because attributions of mental capacities substantially contribute to moral valuation, we predicted that tree‐huggers and human‐lovers would show different patterns of mind attribution for animals versus humans. Three studies (N= 985) yielded evidence in support of our hypotheses. First, over one‐third of participants valued nature over outgroups. Second, extending moral value to animals and nature was not indicative of more expansive moral concern overall; instead, tree‐huggers and human‐lovers were identical in their aggregate ascriptions of moral worth. Third, tree‐huggers had relatively amplified tendencies to attribute mental capacities to animals and relatively reduced tendencies to attribute mental capacities to outgroup members—thus having elevated rates of both anthropomorphism and dehumanization. These findings necessitate a reconceptualization of both the extension of moral worth and the attribution of minds.
On the Generalization of Simple Alternating Category Structures
Authors: Kurtz Kenneth J. , Wetzel Matthew T. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA fundamental question in the study of human cognition is how people learn to predict the category membership of an example from its properties. Leading approaches account for a wide range of data in terms of comparison to stored examples, abstractions capturing statistical regularities, or logical rules. Across three experiments, participants learned a category structure in a low‐dimension, continuous‐valued space consisting of regularly alternating regions of class membership (A B A B). The dependent measure was generalization performance for novel items outside the range of the training space. Human learners often extended the alternation pattern––a finding of critical interest given that leading theories of categorization based on similarity or dimensional rules fail to predict this behavior. In addition, we provide novel theoretical interpretations of the observed phenomenon.
“The SDGs are not God”: Policy‐makers and the queering of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa
Authors: Izugbara Chimaraoke , Sebany Meroji , Wekesah Frederick , Ushie Boniface 
Published: April 2021

SummaryMotivationThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are globally touted as an opportunity for more strategic policy and programmatic focus on marginalized groups, including sexual minorities.PurposeTo explore Togolese, Nigerian, and Ugandan policy‐makers’ views and experiences of harnessing SDG‐era national policies and programmes to address the exclusion and marginalization of sexual minoritiesMethods and approachWe relied on qualitative data collected through in‐depth interviews (IDIs) with key policy‐makers in the study countries.FindingsPolicy officials acknowledged the wide range of challenges facing LGBT people in their countries, disapproved of LGBT‐privileging SDGs policies, and challenged the notion that LGBT inclusion in SDGs policy‐making requires their targeted integration in policies. Policy‐makers’ anxieties and apprehension that LGBT‐favouring SDGs policies will indicate national support for homosexuality prompted them to equate defence of heteronormative SDGs policy‐making with the defence of their countries’ civility and sovereignty. Their efforts to include LGBT people in SDG policies involved a dialectical dance, in which they showed neither vested interest in troubling existing homophobic narratives nor in preserving them using policies and programmes.ConclusionTranslating the aims of the SDGs into reality for LGBT people in countries with homophobic laws would require supporting policy‐makers to navigate the challenges they face in balancing the policy needs of marginalized groups and local mores and politics, even as pressures for legal change continue to build.
Emotional Pathways of Embodied Health Vulnerability: Maternal Health Risk and Emotional Distress among First‐ and Second‐Generation Immigrants on the US‐Mexico Border
Authors: Heckert Carina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article draws on interviews with pregnant and postnatal first‐ and second‐generation immigrant women in the US‐Mexico border region to explore the relationship among immigration‐related concerns, emotional distress, and birth outcomes. Maternal stress is associated with a range of maternal and infant health complications, making it important to understand how immigration‐related apprehensions shape the emotional experience of pregnancy. In analyzing women's narratives, this article expands on theoretical conceptions of embodiment to explore how a range of immigration‐related anxieties can shape women's emotions in ways they perceived as contributing to health vulnerabilities. In doing so, it examines emotional pathways of embodiment in relation to: (1) the embodiment of immigration‐related precarity, or how one's immigration status generates vulnerability; (2) corporeal kinship effects of migration, or the ways immigration concerns over family generate vulnerability; and (3) embodied histories of migration‐related vulnerability, or the ways past experiences of precariousness can mark one's physiology.
Effects of home‐based exercise on motor, non‐motor symptoms and health‐related quality of life in Parkinsonʼs disease patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wu Pei‐Ling , Lee Megan , Wu Shey‐Lin , Ho Hsueh‐Hou , Chang Ming‐Hong , Lin Hsia‐Sui , Huang Tzu‐Ting 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimTo explore the effect of home‐based exercise on motor symptoms (MS), non‐motor symptoms (NMS), and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in Parkinsonʼs disease (PD) patients.MethodsThis study was a randomized control trial with a convenience sample of 98 PD patients. Data were collected at baseline and interventions after 4 and 8 weeks. The exercise group was instructed to perform 150 min/week of exercise at home; the control group maintained their regular lifestyle. Questionnaires measured MS, NMS, and HRQOL. We also compare compliance and non‐compliance subgroups of the exercise group. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to determine the exercise effect of 120 and 150 min per week after testing for exercise times was at six time points (90–140 min).ResultsThe exercise (n = 49) and control groups (n = 49) were homogeneous except for disease stage at baseline. Significant differences were found for depression, HRQOL, motor ability, activity of daily living, and fatigue (p < .000) between the exercise and control groups, and also between the compliance and non‐compliance subgroups (p < .05). The GEE revealed that exercising 150 min/week significantly improved HRQOL, depression, motor ability, ADL, fatigue, and sleep quality (p < .05), though not anxiety, and exercising 120 min/week was also effective.ConclusionsThis home‐based exercise was effective in improving MS, NMS, and HRQOL. We recommend PD patients to exercise 30–50 min at least three times a week, or 10–15 min per session daily, to accumulate 120–150 min per week.
Evaluation of the efficacy of pro‐yellow laser in the management of vascular skin disorders
Authors: Aksoy Sarac Gulhan , Onder Meltem 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundLasers have great importance in the management of vascular skin lesions.AimTo determine the efficacy of 577‐nm pro‐yellow laser in cure of certain vascular skin diseases.Material and methodsSeventy‐four patients who are diagnosed as vascular skin diseases were involved in this study. All participants were treated with 577‐nm pro‐yellow laser with 4‐week intervals. The photographs that were taken before and at every following visit were used to evaluate improvement.ResultsA significant improvement occurred in port‐wine stain, rosacea, facial telangiectasia, venous lake, scrotal angiokeratoma, and cherry angioma cases.ConclusionVascular skin lesions can be treated with 577‐nm pro‐yellow laser with a minimal adverse effect and great success rate.
A new treatment for static forehead rhytides: Autologous fibroblast and keratin injection
Authors: Wang Bingqing , Yang Jing , Guan Ying , Zhang Jiao , Zhang Qingguo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of injection of autologous keratin gel and fibroblast for static forehead rhytides rectification as new soft tissue filler.Materials and MethodsTotally, 48 volunteers suffering static forehead rhytides received the injection of autologous keratin and fibroblast, and 6 volunteers received botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) and hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment as parallel control. The follow‐up study was carried out at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, and photographs and satisfactions questionnaire were collected and assessed. All volunteers were independently assessed by blinded evaluators using global aesthetic improvement scores (GAIS). One‐way Anova was used for statistical analysis, and the significant level was α=0.05).ResultsThe static forehead rhytides were improved observably after the treatment. It still showed good result even at month 24 after the injection. There are no severe adverse effects observed in the whole procedure.ConclusionAutologous fibroblast and keratin combined injection might be an ideal therapy in mini‐invasive plastic injection area, which is safe and effective for static forehead rhytides correction, and has a long‐term efficacy.
Effectiveness of a family nurse‐led programme on accuracy of blood pressure self‐measurement: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Simonetti Valentina , Comparcini Dania , Tomietto Marco , Pavone Daniele , Flacco Maria Elena , Cicolini Giancarlo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAims and objectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)‐led programme on the degree of adherence of current recommendations on home blood pressure self‐measurement (HBPM) as compared to routine care and management.BackgroundHBPM plays an important role for monitoring hypertensive patients; however, patients’ adherence to current guidelines is unsatisfactory. A nurse‐led training programme in the community setting could be an effective strategy to achieve high level of patients’ adherence to recommendations.DesignA multicentre randomised controlled trial was carried out from September 2016 to September 2017.MethodsIn total, 170 patients were randomly allocated into the intervention group (n = 83) and the usual care (n = 87). All participants received usual care (written and verbal information on HBPM recommendations); subjects in the intervention group also received 1‐hour training session on how to correctly self‐measure BP. Clinical trial registration was done (ClinicalTrials.gov.: NCT04681703). The CONSORT checklist for randomised controlled trials was used in this study.ResultsAt baseline, the level of adherence to the recommendation was similar in the two groups (p < .05). After 1 month, the adherence significantly increased in the intervention group, where patients were more likely to measure BP at the same hour and from the same arm, in a quiet environment, with the back and uncovered arm supported and the legs uncrossed; recording BP more than once in each measurement session; keeping a diary of blood pressure measurements; use of the appropriate cuff and proper placement of the cuff; and resting for >5 min before performing the measurement (all p < .05).ConclusionsThe FNP‐led programme is effective in improving patients’ adherence to guidelines on the correct technique to self‐measure BP at home.Relevance to clinical practiceThis programme may be added to the existing interventions in the community setting or considered into specifically nurse‐led hypertension management models.
Improving hypertension knowledge, medication adherence, and blood pressure control: A feasibility study
Authors: Marseille Beatrice Remy , Commodore‐Mensah Yvonne , Davidson Patricia M. , Baker Deborah , D'Aoust Rita , Baptiste Diana‐Lyn 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAims and ObjectivesTo examine the feasibility of a culturally tailored education programme for Haitian immigrants diagnosed with hypertension.BackgroundHypertension is a major public health problem, impacting more than 26% of the global population. The overall prevalence of hypertension is 45.4% in the United States with nearly 80,000 deaths due to hypertension in 2015. African Americans and other Black populations living in the U.S. are disproportionally affected by hypertension.DesignPre‐test and post‐test feasibility study.MethodsA convenience sample of forty‐four participants who identified as Haitian immigrants was enrolled in this evidence‐based education programme. The intervention included culturally tailored education focused on improving knowledge, medication adherence and blood pressure. Outcomes were measured using the Hill‐Bone Medication Adherence Scale and Hypertension Knowledge Test. The SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines were used for reporting outcomes.ResultsOf the participants that completed the study (N=42), the mean age was 61.95 (± 9.75) years and 59% were female. Baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 143 (±18.15) and 85 (±7.23), respectively. Six weeks after the intervention, there was a significant decrease in mean systolic, 126 (±12.07) and diastolic 78.50 (± 7.23) blood pressures. An increase in medication adherence and hypertension knowledge was also noted at the six‐week follow‐up period.ConclusionThe feasibility of healthcare provider implementation of a culturally tailored intervention to manage hypertension has been demonstrated. However, future research is warranted to gain a more in‐depth understanding of how to approach hypertension management among Haitians and other Black immigrant communities.Relevance to clinical practiceAdvanced practice nurses are uniquely qualified to implement evidence‐based programmes that improve patient knowledge and adherence to hypertension management. Through tailoring and adopting an evidence‐based methods for educating patients about medication adherence and adequate blood pressure management, there is a potential to see improvements in patient outcomes.