The Role of Methodological Choices in the Effects of Experimental Exposure to Simulated Natural Landscapes on Human Health and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 001391652090648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew H. E. M. Browning ◽  
Fatemeh Saeidi-Rizi ◽  
Olivia McAnirlin ◽  
Hyunseo Yoon ◽  
Yue Pei
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Natural Landscapes ◽  
Negative Findings ◽  
First Time ◽  
Keyword Searches

We review the methods and findings of experiments that have examined the effects of exposure to simulated natural landscapes on human health and cognitive performance. Keyword searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science resulted in the inclusion of 175 experiments in 148 research articles. that were published/in press by December 31, 2018. We report how often landscape features and human factors are controlled for within these experiments, thereby—for the first time—recording specifically what elements of “nature” and the built/social environment are used when testing the benefits of green space and blue space exposure. We also document all the simulation methods that are used (e.g., duration, number of exposures, senses engaged, and devices used). Next, to determine what methodological decisions influence study findings, we compare positive versus mixed/null or negative findings across 14 potential moderators. Only study quality and outcome measure influence findings; experiments without control groups or randomized treatments reported more positive findings than expected. Experiments studying perceived restoration also reported more positive findings than expected—remarkably, 95% of such experiments reported simulated nature was indeed restorative. We discuss the possibility that these findings may indicate publication bias in favor of overreporting the salutory impacts of natural landscapes. We conclude our review with a synthesis of best practices for future research studies.

Similar use of intonation structure in early implanted children and hearing children: The case of Italian

2021 ◽  
pp. 014272372098605
Author(s):  
Paola Zanchi ◽  
Laura Zampini ◽  
Luca Pancani ◽  
Roberta Berici ◽  
Mariapaola D’Imperio
Keyword(s):  
Chronological Age ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Story Generation ◽  
Italian Children ◽  
Children's Stories ◽  
Hearing Children ◽  
First Time

This work presents an analysis of the intonation competence in a group of Italian children with cochlear implant (CI). Early cochlear implantation plays a crucial role in language development for children who were born deaf in that it favours the acquisition of complex aspects of language, such as the intonation structure. A story-generation task, the Narrative Competence Task, was used to elicit children’s stories. Narrations produced by 8 early implanted children and by 16 children with typically hearing (TH) (8 one-to-one matched considering the chronological age, TH-CA, and 8 considering the hearing age, TH-HA) were analysed considering intonation features (pitch accent distribution, edge tones and inner breaks). Results show that children with CI produce intonation patterns that are similar to those of both TH-CA and TH-HA control groups. Few significant differences were found only between children with CI and children matched for TH-HA in the use of rising edge tones. These results are discussed in light of the role of cognitive development in using prosody and intonation and the importance of early CI implantation. This study shows for the first time that intonation use of early implanted children is not different from that of typically developing children with the same chronological age.

scholarly journals Exploring Secondary Metabolite Profiles of Stachybotrys spp. by LC-MS/MS

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Jagels ◽  
Viktoria Lindemann ◽  
Sebastian Ulrich ◽  
Christoph Gottschalk ◽  
Benedikt Cramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Modifications ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
The Individual ◽  
First Time ◽  
Analytical Standards ◽  
Respective Species

The genus Stachybotrys produces a broad diversity of secondary metabolites, including macrocyclic trichothecenes, atranones, and phenylspirodrimanes. Although the class of the phenylspirodrimanes is the major one and consists of a multitude of metabolites bearing various structural modifications, few investigations have been carried out. Thus, the presented study deals with the quantitative determination of several secondary metabolites produced by distinct Stachybotrys species for comparison of their metabolite profiles. For that purpose, 15 of the primarily produced secondary metabolites were isolated from fungal cultures and structurally characterized in order to be used as analytical standards for the development of an LC-MS/MS multimethod. The developed method was applied to the analysis of micro-scale extracts from 5 different Stachybotrys strains, which were cultured on different media. In that process, spontaneous dialdehyde/lactone isomerization was observed for some of the isolated secondary metabolites, and novel stachybotrychromenes were quantitatively investigated for the first time. The metabolite profiles of Stachybotrys species are considerably influenced by time of growth and substrate availability, as well as the individual biosynthetic potential of the respective species. Regarding the reported adverse effects associated with Stachybotrys growth in building environments, combinatory effects of the investigated secondary metabolites should be addressed and the role of the phenylspirodrimanes re-evaluated in future research.

On the use of uno in Colombian Spanish: the role of transitivity

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-64
Author(s):  
Luz Marcela Hurtado ◽  
Ivan Ortega-Santos
Keyword(s):  
Focus Of Attention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Null Pronouns ◽  
Overt Pronouns ◽  
Colombian Spanish ◽  
The One ◽  
First Time ◽  
Two Bodies ◽  
Impersonal Pronoun

Abstract Our goal is to explore the intersection of two bodies of literature, namely, the one on impersonal constructions with an emphasis on uno ‘one’, and the one on the effect of transitivity and the focus of attention on the distribution of overt vs. null pronouns, where it has been shown that overt pronominal subjects are disfavored in transitive contexts as opposed to intransitive contexts. Through a variationist analysis of the expression of uno in Barranquilla, Colombia, in the PRESSEA-BARRANQUILLA corpus, we extend this line of inquiry to this impersonal pronoun and study in detail for the first time the effect of the various components of transitivity on the distribution of overt pronouns. Specifically, various transitivity parameters put forward by Hopper and Thompson are shown to correctly predict the distribution of uno, namely, number of participants and kinesis whereas sentence polarity, aspect and individuation of the object yield mixed results meriting future research.

Digesting the emerging role for the gut microbiome in central nervous system demyelination

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1553-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Joscelyn ◽  
Lloyd H Kasper
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Host Immunity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Risk Factor ◽  
Central Nervous System Demyelination ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
First Time

The fields of microbiology, immunology, neurology and nutrition are rapidly converging, as advanced sequencing and genomics-based methodologies have enabled the mapping out of the microbial diversity of humans for the first time. Bugs, guts, brains and behavior were once believed to be separate domains of clinical practice and research; however, recent observations in our understanding of the microbiome indicate that the boundaries between domains are becoming permeable. This permeability is multidirectional: Biological systems are operating simultaneously in a vastly complex and interconnected web. Understanding the microbiome-gut-brain axis will entail fleshing out the mechanisms by which transduction across each domain occurs, allowing us ultimately to appreciate the role of commensal organisms in shaping and modulating host immunity. This article will highlight animal and human research to date, as well as highlight directions for future research. We speculate that the gut microbiome is potentially the premier environmental risk factor mediating inflammatory central nervous system demyelination, in particular multiple sclerosis.

scholarly journals The Oral Microbiota: A Literature Review for Updating Professionals in Dentistry. Part I

2019 ◽  
pp. 143-152
Author(s):  
Cristina Barboza-Solís DDS, MSc, PhD ◽  
Luis Alberto Acuña-Amador PhD
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Oral Microbiome ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Oral Microbiota ◽  
Systemic Diseases ◽  
Conceptual Background ◽  
Keyword Searches

In recent decades, a body of literature examining the relationships between oral health and general health has rapidly developed. However, the biological mechanisms involved in explaining such relationships have not been fully described. Recent evidence has suggested that these relationships could be partially explained by the composition and interaction of the microbiome/microbiota between local and systemic body sites. For instance, it has been suggested that intestinal microbiota could have effects on non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study is to explore current evidence of the link between oral and systemic diseases, to discuss whether oral microbiome/microbiota could represent an unexplored biological pathway partially explaining those relationships. A non-systematic review of the literature was carried out using keyword searches in Pubmed from February to May 2019. The ultimate goal was to present recent scientific evidence to update the general knowledge on this topic to professionals in dentistry. This review is divided in two parts for journal publication; however, it is intended to be used as one piece. In this first part, we will summarize the conceptual background of oral microbiome/microbiota, we will describe the main methods used in microbiology to characterize oral organisms, and will present the main composition of bacteria in oral microbiome/microbiota. The second part highlights the main evidence regarding the biological plausibility that links oral microbiome and systemic diseases and we will conclude with some future research recommendations. Taking into account the role of oral microbiota in the development of systemic diseases could change the main paradigm of how oral health is currently conceptualized by dental professionals.

scholarly journals Novel Insight Into the Development and Function of Hypopharyngeal Glands in Honey Bees

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saboor Ahmad ◽  
Shahmshad Ahmed Khan ◽  
Khalid Ali Khan ◽  
Jianke Li
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Hypopharyngeal Glands ◽  
And Function ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Made In

Hypopharyngeal glands (HGs) are the most important organ of hymenopterans which play critical roles for the insect physiology. In honey bees, HGs are paired structures located bilaterally in the head, in front of the brain between compound eyes. Each gland is composed of thousands of secretory units connecting to secretory duct in worker bees. To better understand the recent progress made in understanding the structure and function of these glands, we here review the ontogeny of HGs, and the factors affecting the morphology, physiology, and molecular basis of the functionality of the glands. We also review the morphogenesis of HGs in the pupal and adult stages, and the secretory role of the glands across the ages for the first time. Furthermore, recent transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome analyses have elucidated the potential mechanisms driving the HGs development and functionality. This adds a comprehensive novel knowledge of the development and physiology of HGs in honey bees over time, which may be helpful for future research investigations.

Role of Soils and Its Trace Element Concentration on Human Dental Health: An Overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-83
Author(s):  
Anjan Patel ◽  
Elina Choudhury
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Human Teeth ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Nutrition Value ◽  
Ground Condition

Recognition of the relationship between soils and human health dates back to ancient times and soil degradation has certainly been an important issue for human civilization. The intake of food quality and its nutrition value depends to a large extent on the health of soils, in which it is grown. Moreover, the quality of drinking water depends upon the mineral-bearing rocks forming the aquifers, the soils through which it passes and the related geo-hydrological parameters. The present study specifically addresses the dental health problems caused due to the in-situ ground condition of the locality and the soil contamination. This kind of study has become more vital considering the fact that the burden of oral diseases is increasing in many developing countries, especially among the rural masses. However, the possible connections between soils or ground conditions and dental problems are yet to be established properly. Mechanism of the incorporation of trace elements into soils and further into human teeth need more understanding. The present appraisal of the works related to soils and human health can be considered as thought-provoking for future research in this field, especially in view of the effects of rapid climate change and industrialisation on soils and human health in recent times.

scholarly journals Does human-dog attachment increase the resilience and resistance to COVID-19? A biopsychosocial approach and future research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanner Boere ◽  
Ita Oliveira Silva
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Resilience ◽  
Biopsychosocial Approach ◽  
Stress Alleviation ◽  
Human Capacity ◽  
Dog Attachment

This article is a biopsychosocial proposal about improvement of resilience to diseases, including the COVID-19, due to affective attachment between humans and dogs. Resilience concerns the physical and emotional human capacity to respond positively to the adverse events such as diseases. Recently, some authors have proposed independent hypotheses about role of oxytocin (OT) and crossed immunity to increase the psychological resilience and immune response against the COVID-19. This text extends the hypothesis to a biopsychosocial field, including the well-known benefits of the human-dog affective attachment on human health. And proposes that a strong and reciprocal affection between human and dog can increase the resilience and resistance to COVID-19, due the role of OT in the immune response, adding to crossed immunity. Other benefits such as emotional buffering, mental comfort and stress alleviation are adjunctive roles of dogs on human health and vice-versa.

scholarly journals First Insights into the Diverse Human Archaeome: Specific Detection of Archaea in the Gastrointestinal Tract, Lung, and Nose and on Skin

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisa Koskinen ◽  
Manuela R. Pausan ◽  
Alexandra K. Perras ◽  
Michael Beck ◽  
Corinna Bang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Processing Pipeline ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Human-associated archaea remain understudied in the field of microbiome research, although in particular methanogenic archaea were found to be regular commensals of the human gut, where they represent keystone species in metabolic processes. Knowledge on the abundance and diversity of human-associated archaea is extremely limited, and little is known about their function(s), their overall role in human health, or their association with parts of the human body other than the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity. Currently, methodological issues impede the full assessment of the human archaeome, as bacteria-targeting protocols are unsuitable for characterization of the full spectrum of Archaea. The goal of this study was to establish conservative protocols based on specifically archaea-targeting, PCR-based methods to retrieve first insights into the archaeomes of the human gastrointestinal tract, lung, nose, and skin. Detection of Archaea was highly dependent on primer selection and the sequence processing pipeline used. Our results enabled us to retrieve a novel picture of the human archaeome, as we found for the first time Methanobacterium and Woesearchaeota (DPANN superphylum) to be associated with the human gastrointestinal tract and the human lung, respectively. Similar to bacteria, human-associated archaeal communities were found to group biogeographically, forming (i) the thaumarchaeal skin landscape, (ii) the (methano)euryarchaeal gastrointestinal tract, (iii) a mixed skin-gastrointestinal tract landscape for the nose, and (iv) a woesearchaeal lung landscape. On the basis of the protocols we used, we were able to detect unexpectedly high diversity of archaea associated with different body parts. IMPORTANCE In summary, our study highlights the importance of the primers and data processing pipeline used to study the human archaeome. We were able to establish protocols that revealed the presence of previously undetected Archaea in all of the tissue samples investigated and to detect biogeographic patterns of the human archaeome in the gastrointestinal tract and on the skin and for the first time in the respiratory tract, i.e., the nose and lungs. Our results are a solid basis for further investigation of the human archaeome and, in the long term, discovery of the potential role of archaea in human health and disease. IMPORTANCE In summary, our study highlights the importance of the primers and NGS data processing pipeline used to study the human archaeome. We were able to establish protocols that revealed the presence of previously undetected Archaea in all of the tissue samples investigated and to detect biogeographic patterns of the human archaeome in the gastrointestinal tract, on the skin, and for the first time in the respiratory tract, i.e., the nose and lungs. Our results are a solid basis for further investigation of the human archaeome and, in the long term, discovery of the potential role of archaea in human health and disease.

scholarly journals Fundamentos constitucionais da igualdade de género

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sónia Fertuzinhos
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Constitutional Law ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
International Organisations ◽  
Parliamentary Debates ◽  
Formal Equality ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
First Time

The 1976 Constitution included equal rights for women in Portuguese constitutional law for the first time. This article uses the literature and the texts of parliamentary debates to analyse the evolution of the constitutional bases for gender equality over the 40-year life of the Constitution and its seven reviews to date. The break with the previous constitutional experience, especially that of 1933, and the transformative dimension of the Constitution that arose from the 1974 revolution are at the roots of the key role the latter had and has in promoting gender equality and public policies in this area. The densification of the gender equality dimension of the principle of equality, marked by increasing demand for factual and not just formal equality, illustrates and accompanies the path taken by women’s rights. The study of that path makes it possible to identify several points for discussion and deepening in future research, including the influence of Portugal’s participation in the European project and in different international organisations, and the importance of the role of different actors in the process of constructing the constitutional text in the gender equality field, with particular attention to women’s organisations.

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