Search Results (86)

Background/Objectives: Dietary sweetener use is common among individuals with diabetes, yet little is known about the socioeconomic and dietary factors that influence the choice between caloric and artificial sweeteners in Central and Eastern Europe. This study examined the determinants of caloric and artificial sweetener use among adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Hungary. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using frequency-based self-reported dietary measures of 542 adults with self-reported DM from the 2019 European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). Weighted descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between sweetener use and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary characteristics. Results: Overall, 28.0% of participants reported daily use of caloric sweeteners, and 45.2% reported daily use of artificial sweeteners. Higher educational attainment and healthier dietary patterns, including greater fruit and vegetable consumption, were associated with lower odds of caloric sweetener use. Individuals with lower fruit and vegetable intake, less frequent fruit juice consumption, and poor adherence to diabetic diet recommendations were more likely to use caloric sweeteners. In contrast, artificial sweetener use was strongly associated with daily fruit consumption, lower intake of fruit juice, and adherence to a diabetic diet. Vegetable intake showed a positive association with artificial sweetener use, which may reflect compensatory patterns in dietary self-management. Conclusions: Caloric and artificial sweetener use were associated with distinct socioeconomic and dietary profiles. Caloric sweetener use was linked to less healthy dietary behaviors, whereas artificial sweetener use appeared to be consistent with sugar-reduction strategies. These findings highlight the need for tailored dietary counseling that addresses both sweetener use and broader dietary patterns among individuals with diabetes in Hungary. Full article

Objective: This study aims to investigate the protective effect of Shengmai San (SMS) against high-glucose (HG)-induced injury in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) and to elucidate the underlying pharmacological molecular mechanisms. We hypothesize that SMS ameliorates HG-induced calcium homeostasis imbalance in NRVMs by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder, and this protective effect is associated with the downregulation of oxidized and phosphorylated CaMKII expression to inhibit CaMKII signaling pathway overactivation. Herein, we verify this hypothesis by assessing mitochondrial function, calcium transients, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium handling and CaMKII phosphorylation levels in NRVMs. Methods: First, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the chemical components of SMS to clarify its material basis. Primary NRVMs were then cultured under low-glucose (LG) or HG conditions, with 2% SMS-medicated serum (SMS-MS) as the experimental intervention, and NAC (ROS scavenger) and KN93 (CaMKII inhibitor) as positive controls. Following intervention, we sequentially detected key indicators corresponding to the proposed pathological pathway: intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (oxidative stress), mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial function indices including oxygen consumption rate (OCR) (energy metabolism), calcium transients and diastolic intracellular free calcium concentration (global calcium homeostasis), sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium leak (calcium handling disorder), and, finally, the phosphorylation, oxidation levels of CaMKII and RyR2 phosphorylation (Ser2814) (p-RyR2) (key regulatory pathway) via Western blot to systematically elucidate the mechanistic link between SMS intervention and HG-induced NRVM injury. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed that high-glucose (HG) induction significantly reduced calcium transient amplitude and prolonged the decay time constant (tau) in NRVMs at 72 h (p < 0.01 vs. LG), with these parameters normalizing by 120 h—an effect indicative of a compensatory adaptive response. The 2%SMS-MS markedly ameliorated HG-induced calcium transient abnormalities at 72 h (p < 0.01 vs. HG). Additionally, 2%SMS-MS significantly enhanced mitochondrial basal oxygen consumption rate, spare respiratory capacity, ATP production, and maximal respiration in HG-exposed NRVMs (p < 0.01 vs. HG). SMS also significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (p < 0.01 vs. HG), mitochondrial ROS levels (p < 0.01 vs. HG), diastolic intracellular free calcium concentration (p < 0.01 vs. HG), and SR calcium leak (p < 0.05 vs. HG). Western blot analysis revealed that 2%SMS-MS intervention effectively downregulated the expression of oxidized CaMKII (Ox-CaMKII) (p < 0.01 vs. HG), phosphorylated CaMKII (p-CaMKII) (p < 0.01 vs. HG), and RyR2 phosphorylation (Ser2814) (p < 0.05 vs. HG), which may be the potential mechanism in maintaining calcium homeostasis in HG-induced NRVMs. Conclusions: This study suggests that SMS enhances mitochondrial energy metabolism and exerts a protective effect against high-glucose-induced calcium homeostasis imbalance in NRVMs, which supports our proposed hypothesis. Its potential mechanism indicates that the protective effects of SMS are associated with its ability to downregulate the expression of oxidized and phosphorylated CaMKII. These findings highlight SMS as a potential therapeutic candidate for alleviating HG-related myocardial injury and provide evidence for its application in the prevention of early diabetic cardiomyopathy. Full article

Understanding the long-term impact of historical land system failures on rural elderly dietary habits is essential for enhancing rural well-being. Existing studies focus on physiological effects but often neglect the deep-seated psychological mechanisms and resource boundaries driving irrational late-life consumption. By integrating the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model and compensatory consumption theory, this study uses balanced panel data from the CLHLS and a Cohort-Difference-in-Differences framework to identify causal effects. The results show that: (1) Early-life famine exposure creates a rigid life-cycle consumption imprint. Adolescent exposure leads to significantly higher levels of compensatory food consumption in later life despite current improvements in material conditions. (2) Learned helplessness drives historical trauma into compensation. Mechanism analysis shows that individuals attempt to restore a sense of order and security by controlling micro-level food intake. (3) The behavioral impact of this trauma depends on resource boundary conditions. The compensatory drive is stronger in resource-scarce regions but weakens with individual economic self-reliance. Additionally, professional community counseling shows a reversal effect, surpassing informal family support which suffers from a “compliance paradox”. These results are robust after a series of validation tests. Our study supports shifting rural revitalization policies from material aid to professional psychological intervention. Full article

This study evaluates the environmental footprint of producing a polymer flocculant synthesised from phenol–formaldehyde resin waste (novolak T) at a quarter-technical scale, with electricity supply assumed from photovoltaic (PV) generation. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment was performed in SimaPro Developer v9.4 using the Environmental Footprint (EF) 3.0 method and ecoinvent datasets. The functional unit was 100 kg of the sodium salt of the sulfonic derivative of novolak T. The characterization results indicate a climate change impact of 170.1 kg CO₂ eq and an acidification impact of 5.99 mol H⁺ eq per functional unit. Hotspot analysis shows that process chemicals dominate most impact categories: sulphuric acid production drives acidification and several air-emission-related categories, while sodium carbonate is a major contributor to toxicity- and eutrophication-related indicators. In contrast, electricity has a marginal contribution across categories. Recycling of novolak waste provides a strong compensatory credit, leading to net negative results in selected categories, including resource use and fossils (−5.02 × 10³ MJ). Overall, the results indicate that improving the upstream supply chains and the consumption of process reagents are the primary levers for reducing the environmental footprint of this waste-derived flocculant. Full article

Compensatory Health Beliefs (CHBs) are cognitions that the negative effects of unhealthy behaviors can be offset by healthy ones. While their role in single behaviors is established, their mechanisms in regulating multiple health behaviors remain empirically unclear, particularly whether CHBs facilitate or inhibit actual cross-behavior compensation between physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE). This study tested a dual-path model proposing that CHBs are associated with immediate intention compensation via moral licensing and with long-term cross-behavior inhibition through reduced self-efficacy. A cross-sectional online survey of 366 university students assessed general CHBs, domain-specific social cognitive variables (self-efficacy, intention, planning), and self-reported PA (IPAQ-SF) and HE (calculated from reported food consumption as a dietary guideline adherence score). Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. We found that CHBs were positively associated with PA intention but negatively linked to HE intention, planning, and behavior. CHBs were also negatively related to HE self-efficacy, which was subsequently associated with lower PA planning, indicating a cross-behavior inhibition pathway. In conclusion, CHBs are linked to lower health behavior engagement through two pathways: short-term intention-based licensing across domains and self-efficacy erosion that inhibits integrated planning. This integrated model highlights the importance of addressing both CHBs and self-efficacy in health interventions. Full article

With the continuous acceleration of the green transformation of sports stadiums, green sports stadiums characterized by low-carbon and sustainable attributes provide consumers with green consumption options in the context of sports consumption. By constructing a structural equation model, this study examines the effects of environmental awe and environmental guilt on green sports stadium consumption intention, as well as the parallel mediating role of compensatory consumption psychology. The results show that, first, environmental awe and environmental guilt have significant positive effects on green sports stadium consumption intention; second, environmental awe and environmental guilt exert positive effects on compensatory consumption psychology, including symbolic, enhancement, emotional restorative, and resilience dimensions; third, the parallel mediation analysis reveals that significant parallel mediating effects are observed only among avoidance-oriented mediators, whereas such effects are not confirmed among approach-oriented mediators. This study aims to provide theoretical references for further exploring the compensatory consumption mechanisms of green sports stadiums, promoting consumers’ intentions toward green sports stadium consumption, and supporting the operation of green sports stadiums. Full article

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by chronic, painful ulcerations. Despite increasing evidence suggesting immunological dysregulation, the role of IL-36 cytokines in PG remains poorly defined. To evaluate serum levels of IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γ, IL-36Ra, IL-37, and IL-38 in PG patients compared to healthy controls, and to assess their correlation with selected clinical parameters and cytokine ratios. 44 PG patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this case–control study. Serum cytokine levels were measured using ELISA. Correlations between cytokine levels and clinical features were analyzed using nonparametric tests. PG patients showed significantly lower serum levels of IL-36α and IL-36γ (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.02, respectively), with no difference in IL-36β. Conversely, levels of IL-36Ra, IL-37, and IL-38 were significantly higher in PG patients (p < 0.0001 for all). In the PG group, significant positive correlations were observed between IL-36α and IL-36β, and between IL-36β and IL-36γ, while IL-37 correlated negatively with IL-38. IL-36α was inversely associated with serum IgA levels and total ulcer surface area, and IL-36γ correlated negatively with white blood cell count. Our findings reveal a dysregulated IL-36 cytokine profile in pyoderma gangrenosum, marked by reduced serum levels of IL-36α and IL-36γ and elevated levels of IL-36Ra, IL-37, and IL-38. This may reflect a compensatory response to chronic inflammation. The inverse correlation between IL-36α and ulcer size suggests its potential involvement in wound healing. Despite lower serum levels of agonists, local biological activity of IL-36 cytokines may remain elevated due to tissue-level activation and consumption. These results highlight the therapeutic relevance of targeting the IL-36 pathway—particularly in treatment-resistant cases—and support further research into cytokine activity beyond serum concentration to guide novel therapeutic strategies. Full article

Global crises, from pandemics to geopolitical instability, intensify societal anxiety. Paradoxically, these periods of collective threat often witness surges in luxury consumption. Drawing on Terror Management Theory (TMT), we propose this behavior is a psychological response to the deindividuating nature of such threats. We argue that a collective crisis increases intentions to purchase luxury goods via an intensified need for uniqueness, which functions as a self-affirming mechanism against a threatened sense of personal identity. We test this model using the COVID-19 pandemic as a salient operationalization of a collective threat. We further propose that this effect is counterintuitively moderated by independent self-construal. Findings from an experimental study (N = 276) show that perceived crisis risk increases luxury purchase intention, and this effect is serially mediated by the need for uniqueness. Critically, this indirect effect is strongest for individuals low in independent self-construal, who are prompted to engage in compensatory uniqueness-seeking when their primary buffer of social connection is disrupted. Our findings contribute to consumer behavior research by identifying a novel psychological pathway linking collective threats to consumption and offer insights for brands navigating consumer behavior during periods of widespread uncertainty. Full article

Background/Objectives: High fructose consumption is a significant risk factor for glomerular podocyte injury. This study aimed to identify the underlying mechanism of fructose-induced podocyte injury and explore the protective effect of the natural polyphenol morin. Methods: In vivo, high-fructose-diet-fed rats were used to evaluate podocyte injury through ultrastructural structure analysis, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and synaptopodin expression. In vitro, adenosine 5′-monophosphate deaminase (AMPD) expression and activity, mitochondrial function, and glycolytic flux were measured in mouse podocyte clone-5 (MPC5) exposed to 5 mM fructose, with molecular docking and siRNA interference assays validating morin’s regulatory role. Results: High fructose significantly increased AMPD activity in the purine nucleotide cycle (PNC), leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and a compensatory activation of glycolysis in podocytes. Morin effectively mitigated podocyte injury and suppressed the upregulation of AMPD activity, potentially through targeting AMPD2, as evidenced by molecular docking, which demonstrated a strong binding affinity between morin and AMPD2. Similarly, AMPD2 knockdown markedly alleviated mitochondrial impairment and glycolysis activation, confirming the pivotal role of AMPD2 in fructose-induced podocyte injury. In high-fructose-diet-fed rats, morin substantially improved ultrastructural damage, as shown by reduced podocyte foot process effacement, decreased UACR, restored glomerular synaptopodin expression, and suppressed AMPD activity in the renal cortex. Conclusions: Morin alleviated high-fructose-induced podocyte injury by inhibiting AMPD activity in the PNC, highlighting AMPD2 as a potential therapeutic target for podocyte injury caused by high fructose intake. This study provides novel mechanistic insights into how morin counteracts mitochondrial energy disturbance in podocyte injury. Full article

Objective: Historically, television has been regarded as the mass medium that is most closely associated with audiences’ needs and expectations. In the context of rapid population ageing, older adults now inhabit a progressively important place in society, and they remain the most frequent consumers of broadcast television. This study investigates the formative role of television among Portuguese older adults—combining informal learning, cognitive engagement, and social connection. It explores how TV contributes to well-being and participation in later life. Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted with 203 participants aged 65 to 94. Results: Television continues to play a fundamental role in older adults’ everyday lives, mitigating loneliness and promoting happiness, information, and life satisfaction. We also saw that higher TV consumption is related with superior income and residence in urban areas. Conclusions: The findings highlight television’s enduring formative and compensatory functions and contribute to ongoing debates on active ageing, media literacy, and digital inclusion among older adults. Full article

Instant Cascara (IC), a beverage obtained from dried coffee cherry pulp, represents a sustainable hydration option rich in bioactive phytochemicals, such as caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and melanoidins, which may provide effects beyond basic nutrition. This study evaluated the impact of three weeks of IC consumption on somatic and visceral sensitivity, and on neural and immune markers in the colon of male and female healthy Wistar rats. Behavioral tests showed that IC increased locomotor activity and somatic sensitivity in females (p < 0.05). Although control females were more sensitive to visceral pain than males (p < 0.05), IC intake did not significantly alter pain sensitivity in either sex. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses in the colonic myenteric plexus revealed higher enteric glial cell density and glia-to-neuron ratio (p < 0.01), but lower calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive fiber density (p < 0.001) in IC-treated compared to control females. Macrophages decreased in IC-treated compared with control males in the colon wall (p < 0.05), whereas their number increased in IC-treated females compared to IC-treated males (p > 0.0001). Visceral pain responses are associated with complex sex-dependent neuroimmune changes in the colon. Interestingly, IC effects appear mild under healthy conditions, possibly due to compensatory mechanisms exerted by its different phytochemicals. Further investigation is needed to determine the effects of IC in pathological situations involving visceral hypersensitivity, such as brain–gut axis disorders. Full article

Lombardy is Italy’s leading region in primary agricultural production, yet it faces a significant decline in agricultural soil, primarily due to urban expansion. This land consumption largely affects arable areas, as land is repurposed for low-density residential developments, roads, logistics, and commercial or industrial hubs. The reduction in agricultural land threatens regional food security and increases dependency on external markets. This study determines the long-term sustainability of this trend by estimating the actual quantity of agricultural land required to satisfy the food demand of the region’s citizens. The research employed a two-part georeferenced analysis. First, a cross-tabulation matrix quantified the land consumption over two decades. Second, the Planning Forecasts Map was analyzed, coupled with new road projects, to estimate future potential land consumption embedded in Land Use Plans (PGT). Finally, food consumption was converted into the required hectares of agricultural land per capita and compared to the current stock of agricultural land to quantify the deficit by municipality. The dramatic spatial deficit confirms that the current trajectory of land consumption is unsustainable, leaving Lombardy’s food security highly dependent on imports. While regional laws have reduced planned urbanization, the limitation of land take remains far from the goals. The results highlight the urgent need for effective compensatory measures and mitigation strategies that account for the true magnitude and spatial distribution of the agricultural land deficit, particularly in the most critical urban and peri-urban areas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and insulin resistance are increasing globally. Emerging evidence suggests that not only the quantity but also the source of dietary protein may improve metabolic health outcomes. This study evaluated the effects of high-protein diets (HPDs) containing animal or plant protein sources on obesity and obesity-related metabolic markers in a rodent model of genetic obesity. Methods: Obese male fa/fa Zucker rats were fed HPDs (35% of energy) containing protein from different sources (casein, egg white protein, soy + pea protein, mixture of egg white + soy + pea proteins) or a normal protein diet (15% of energy) containing casein over 8 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance, weight gain, fat depots, serum biochemistry, adipocyte and pancreatic islet size, and markers of adipose tissue lipolysis, insulin signaling, and immune cells were assessed. Results: Consumption of HPDs containing egg white protein, soy + pea, or their mixture resulted in smaller adipocytes compared to the casein diets, despite greater weight gain, elevated serum NEFA, and more total visceral fat in the HPD plant group. These HPD groups had reduced fasting insulin and no compensatory pancreatic islet enlargement. CD3 levels were elevated in adipose tissue without changes in F4/80, and no differences were observed in ATGL, HSL, Akt or AS160. Conclusions: The source of dietary protein in HPDs significantly influences metabolic outcomes in obese rats, impacting adipocyte and pancreatic islet size, insulinemia, and immune cell markers in adipose tissue. These findings support the potential of employing targeted dietary protein interventions for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders. Full article

Grazing affects soil organic carbon (SOC) through plant removal, livestock trampling, and manure deposition. However, the impact of grazing on SOC is also influenced by multiple factors such as climate, soil properties, and management approaches. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms by which grazing intensity influences SOC density in grasslands remain incompletely understood. This study examines the effects of varying grazing intensities on SOC density (0–30 cm) dynamics in temperate grasslands of northern China using field surveys and experimental analyses in a typical steppe ecosystem of Inner Mongolia. Results show that moderate grazing (3.8 sheep units/ha/yr) led to substantial consumption of aboveground plant biomass. Relative to the ungrazed control (0 sheep units/ha/yr), aboveground plant biomass was reduced by 40.5%, 36.2%, and 50.6% in the years 2016, 2019, and 2020, respectively. Compensatory growth failed to fully offset biomass loss, and there were significant reductions in vegetation carbon storage and cover (p < 0.05). Reduced vegetation cover increased bare soil exposure and accelerated topsoil drying and erosion. This degradation promoted the downward migration of SOC from surface layers. Quantitative analysis revealed that moderate grazing significantly reduced surface soil (0–10 cm) organic carbon density by 13.4% compared to the ungrazed control while significantly increasing SOC density in the subsurface layer (10–30 cm). Increased precipitation could mitigate the SOC transfer and enhance overall SOC accumulation. However, it might negatively affect certain labile SOC fractions. Elucidating the mechanisms of SOC variation under different grazing intensities and precipitation regimes in semi-arid grasslands could improve our understanding of carbon dynamics in response to environmental stressors. These insights will aid in predicting how grazing systems influence grassland carbon cycling under global climate change. Full article

Corporate environmental claims often neglect the substantial ecological impact of land-use changes. This case study examines the spatial dimension of retail-driven land-use transformation by analyzing supermarket expansion in the Veneto region (northern Italy), with a focus on a large grocery retailer. We evaluated its corporate environmental claims by assessing land consumption patterns from 1983 to 2024 using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The GIS-based methodology involved geocoding 113 Points of Sale (POS—individual retail outlets), performing photo-interpretation of historical aerial imagery, and classifying land-cover types prior to construction. We applied spatial metrics such as total converted surface area, land-cover class frequency across eight categories (e.g., agricultural, herbaceous, arboreal), and the average linear distance between afforestation sites and POS developed on previously rural land. Our findings reveal that 65.97% of the total land converted for Points of Sale development occurred in rural areas, primarily agricultural and herbaceous lands. These landscapes play a critical role in supporting urban biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services, which are increasingly threatened by unchecked land conversion. While the corporate sustainability reports and marketing strategies emphasize afforestation efforts under their “We Love Nature” initiative, our spatial analysis uncovers no evidence of actual land-use conversion. Additionally, reforestation activities are located an average of 40.75 km from converted sites, undermining their role as effective compensatory measures. These findings raise concerns about selective disclosure and greenwashing, driving the need for more comprehensive and transparent corporate sustainability reporting. The study argues for stronger policy frameworks to incentivize urban regeneration over greenfield development and calls for the integration of land-use data into corporate sustainability disclosures. By combining geospatial methods with content analysis, the research offers new insights into the intersection of land use, business practices, and environmental sustainability in climate-vulnerable regions. Full article