Search Results (2,737)

Background/Objectives: Cross-border retirement migration has become a global trend. However, this population from Hong Kong, with a unique status, offers valuable opportunities for multidimensional empirical research. This paper aims to apply a Stress and Coping Theory–based model to verify the presence of reverse culture shock (RCS) among them and explore how social support and its appraisal are associated with loneliness. It further examines indirect associations involving secondary appraisal within the appraisal structure. Methods: We recruited 210 Hong Kong seniors (aged ≥65) who had relocated to mainland China and had ever returned and surveyed them using validated scales. Results: Robust regression results revealed that higher levels of RCS were associated with higher levels of loneliness. Compared to social support (β = −0.04, p = 0.278), its appraisal had a significant negative association with loneliness (β = −0.09, p < 0.05). Mediation analysis demonstrated a significant indirect association involving social support appraisal, with variation across duration since the last return. Conclusions: With the resumption of normal cross-border travel after COVID-19, RCS is associated with subjective well-being among older returnees. Support appraisal shows a stronger association with loneliness, although this association varies by temporal context. We further propose that within the appraisal structure, secondary appraisal may be implicated in indirect associations linking primary appraisal to emotional outcomes, and that these associations vary by temporal context. Full article

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a globally significant crop increasingly affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant biostimulants offer a promising approach to enhance plant resilience by modulating key physiological and metabolic processes. This study aimed to demonstrate that the preventive application of a Fabaceae-based biostimulant can prime grapevine defense pathways, thereby improving plants’ ability to endure potential stress conditions. Indeed, resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants involves common pathways, including Ca²⁺ and ROS signaling, MAPK cascades, hormone cross-talk, transcription factor activation, and induction of defense genes. Grapevine leaves were subjected to high-throughput transcriptomic analysis coupled with qPCR validation 6 and 24 h following treatment application. Differentially expressed genes were visualized using MapMan to identify the major metabolic and signaling pathways responsive to the treatment. This integrative analysis revealed several defense-related pathways triggered by the biostimulant, with representative protein families showing both up- and downregulation across key functional categories. Overall, the results indicate that a wider array of pathways associated with stress tolerance and growth regulation were stimulated in treated plants compared to untreated controls. These findings support the conclusion that a preventive biostimulant application can effectively prime grapevine metabolism, enhancing its preparation to cope with forthcoming environmental challenges. Full article

Mothers face high depression risks during pregnancy, and untreated depression can harm both mother and baby. Vortioxetine is a novel antidepressant with a multimodal mechanism, unlike traditional ones. However, little is known about its safety and effectiveness in pregnancy due to limited preclinical and clinical data. This study investigated how maternal vortioxetine exposure during pregnancy affects DNA methylation in the brain tissue of mother and offspring rats. It also explored putative structural interactions of vortioxetine through molecular docking with key epigenetic enzymes to provide a hypothesis-generating context. Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were screened using a repeated forced-swim paradigm to characterize a passive stress-coping phenotype. They were then mated and randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10 each): vortioxetine at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg/day orally, saline control, and escitalopram (2.6 mg/kg/day orally) as a comparison. Treatments were given throughout pregnancy. On the day of cesarean section (G20), brain tissue was collected from both the mother and fetus. Global 5-mC levels were measured with ELISA (three replicates). The binding affinities and interaction motifs of vortioxetine and escitalopram with TET2, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B were analyzed via molecular docking. Global 5-mC levels in brain tissue did not differ between groups. However, a significant decrease in overall methylation was observed in offspring given the highest dose of vortioxetine (2.0 mg/kg/day). Docking analyses revealed that vortioxetine and escitalopram could bind strongly to TET2 and DNMT3A/3B; the observed reduction in global 5-mC was compatible with the hypothesis of altered de novo methylation pathways. The results show a specific dose threshold for the fetus. Low to moderate maternal exposures were not associated with detectable differences in global 5-mC under the current assay conditions, whereas high exposure was associated with hypomethylation in offspring. These findings underscore the importance of careful dose selection and mechanism validation for vortioxetine. Full article

Harnessing nature’s ingenuity with microorganisms for industrial production is an attractive solution to today’s climate concerns. Nature’s innate diversity allows the production of many value-added chemicals and can be expanded on through genetic engineering. Although the use of microbial cell factories (MCFs) has been extremely successful at lab scale, the numbers of successful bioprocesses remain limited. High cell densities and long cultivation times lead to reductions in productivity over the course of the cultivation through the effects of genetic and expression instability of the strain. This instability leads to population diversification. In this review, we explore the roots of genetic instability in microorganisms, focusing on prokaryotic bioprocesses, and how organisms cope with this instability. We spotlight single-cell detection methods capable of monitoring populations within the bioprocess both in- and on-line. We also examine different approaches to minimizing population diversification, both through strain development and bioprocess engineering. With this review, we highlight the fact that population-averaged metrics overlook the single-cell stresses driving genetic and functional instability, leading to an overestimation of microbial bioprocess robustness. High-throughput single-cell monitoring in industry-like conditions remains essential to identify and select truly stable microbial cell factories and bioprocesses. Full article

Background: Hospitalisation for paediatric oncohaematological diseases entails significant physical and psychological stress, often compromising children’s emotional regulation and daily functioning. In this context, complementary interventions can provide additional support to the clinical work conducted with children and adolescents undergoing treatment, fostering emotional awareness and well-being. This study evaluates the feasibility and perceived benefits of an animal-assisted psychoeducational intervention to enhance emotional coping during hospitalisation. Methods: A single-centre observational study was conducted at Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Italy in collaboration with the ZOOM Foundation (Turin, Italy), between September 2023 and May 2025. Sixty patients aged 6–15 years participated in an intervention combining observation of an in-ward aquarium, virtual animal encounters, and completion of a psychoeducational booklet promoting emotional reflection through symbolic identification with animal behaviours. Results: The intervention showed high feasibility and acceptability: 90% of participants (54/60) reported positive emotions and enjoyment, 80% (48/60) found the booklet engaging, and all participants (100%) perceived care and attention from facilitators. The activities fostered engagement, curiosity, and well-being, though their impact on deeper emotional processing appeared limited. Conclusions: Animal-assisted psychoeducational interventions are feasible and well-received in paediatric oncohaematology, offering complementary support to clinical care by promoting emotional resilience and enriching the hospital experience. Full article

Sharp declines in temperature pose a significant risk for mass mortality events in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). To assess the effects of acute cold stress on intestinal health, turtles were exposed to temperatures of 28 °C (control), 14 °C, and 7 °C for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 days. The results showed that acute cold stress at 14 °C and 7 °C induced time-dependent alterations in intestinal morphology and histopathology. The damage was more severe at 7 °C, characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration, lymphoid hyperplasia, and extensive detachment and necrosis across the villi, muscle layer, and submucosa. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed significant shifts in intestinal microbiota composition in the 7 °C group, dominated by Helicobacter and Citrobacter. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that respond to acute cold stress and are involved in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (Tlr2, Tlr4, Tlr5, Tlr7, and Tlr8), the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway (Traf6, Traf2, Casr, Rnasel, Pstpip1, Plcb2, Atg5, and Mfn2), apoptosis (Tuba1c, Ctsz, Ctsb, Kras, Hras, Pik3ca, Bcl2l11, Gadd45a, Pmaip1, Ddit3, and Fos), and the p53 signaling pathway (Serpine1, Sesn2, Ccng2, Igf1, Mdm2, Gadd45a, Pmaip1, and Cdkn1a). Metabolomic profiling highlighted differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) that cope with acute cold stress, such as organic acids (oxoglutaric acid, L-aspartic acid, fumaric acid, DL-malic acid, and citric acid) and amino acids (including L-lysine, L-homoserine, and allysine). The integrated analysis of DEGs and DEMs underscored three key pathways modulated by acute cold stress: linoleic acid metabolism, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, and the FoxO signaling pathway. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of intestinal health in Chinese soft-shelled turtles under acute cold stress and elucidates the underlying mechanisms. Full article

The endocrine stress response is a valuable tool for evaluating how organisms cope with environmental challenges. However, selecting an appropriate matrix for measuring glucocorticoids (GCs) requires careful consideration of sample quality and accessibility. This study reveals that blood sampling affects plasma cortisol levels in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum, with the effect being reversed shortly thereafter. To facilitate a non-invasive approach, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) that had previously been validated for measuring plasma cortisol in C. talarum was evaluated to measure adrenocortical activity by analyzing fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGCs). Using this assay, we monitored the stress response during wild capture, transport to captivity, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation, and immobilization. This showed that FGC levels accurately reflect adrenal activation in these contexts. We also documented a relationship between reproductive seasonality and FGCs. Finally, we provide evidence for a relationship between adrenal activity and behavior. Our results suggest that when considering plasma GCs for the assessment of acute stress, it is crucial to understand the magnitude and timing of the effects of blood sampling on the stress state of organisms. The validation of FGC measurement in C. talarum provides a new option for advancing ecophysiological studies in both the wild and captivity. Full article

Introduction: Middle adolescence involves increasingly complex stressors, yet it remains unclear how coping strategies cluster into distinct profiles, how those profiles change across time, and whether profile structure is comparable across gender. We used latent class and transition analysis across three annual waves to identify coping profiles, model transitions, and examine perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and general self-efficacy by profile. Methods: Participants were 964 adolescents (mean age = 16.1 years; 56% female) from public high schools in Texas who completed surveys in spring 2011 with two annual follow-ups. The sample self-identified as Hispanic (32%), White (30%), African American (27%), or other (11%). Latent class/transition models estimated profile membership, transitions, and gender differences in prevalence and transition probabilities. Results: Four coping profiles emerged: Minimal Copers, Maximum Copers, Introverted Approach–Avoidant Copers, and Independent Problem-Solving Copers. Profile structure was comparable for females and males, although prevalence and transition differed. At Wave 4, Introverted Approach–Avoidant Copers reported the highest perceived stress and depressive symptoms, whereas Minimal and Independent Problem-Solving Copers reported lower perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Independent Problem-Solving and Maximum Copers reported higher general self-efficacy, whereas Minimal Copers reported the lowest. Conclusions: Coping in adolescence is heterogeneous and shifts over time, with gender differences in profile prevalence and transitions; findings highlight potential targets for tailored support and self-efficacy enhancement. Full article

Heme released during blood digestion represents a major oxidative challenge for hematophagous insects, promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox imbalance. Although Aedes aegypti has evolved specialized mechanisms to mitigate heme toxicity, how these responses vary across developmental stages remains poorly understood. Here, we applied quantitative proteomics to compare the effects of heme exposure in larvae and adult females. In larvae, heme treatment predominantly led to downregulation of metabolic and antioxidant proteins, consistent with a shift toward energy conservation and growth regulation. Nonetheless, selective upregulation of proteins associated with mitochondrial MnSOD activity, lipid remodeling, and cytoskeletal organization indicates the engagement of complementary protective mechanisms. In contrast, adults exhibited a coordinated bioenergetic response, characterized by enrichment of mitochondrial pathways, redox-related proteins, and molecular chaperones, reflecting enhanced resilience to oxidative stress. Enrichment of cuticle-associated proteins in both stages further suggests heme-induced structural remodeling. Together, these findings demonstrate that A. aegypti employs divergent, stage-specific proteomic strategies to cope with heme toxicity: larvae suppress metabolic activity while maintaining structural and redox homeostasis, whereas adults reinforce mitochondrial function and proteostatic defenses. These insights advance our understanding of mosquito redox biology and highlight stage-specific vulnerabilities that may be exploited for innovative vector control strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: The most relevant psychological constructs for responding to stress in chronic lumbar pain in a positive way are active coping strategies, positive emotions, and resilience. The aim of this study was to study the coping strategies used by people affected by chronic low back pain and associated factors. Methods: We carried out a prospective longitudinal study involving people on a first visit at the Pain Unit of Josep Trueta University Hospital (Girona, Spain) presenting with chronic back pain, with a follow-up at three months. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory (VPMI), and the Abridged Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used. The correlation of variables was analyzed, and a multiple linear regression model was used. Results: A total of 129 people with a mean age of 62.5 years participated (58.1% women). The mean severity of pain was moderate with mild improvement at the follow-up (6.42 to 6.17 points). The use of active coping strategies declined during the study (21.28 to 15.6 points), and a significant increase in passive strategies (23.6 to 30.21 points) and in catastrophizing (13.98 to 14.56 points) was observed. The total resilience scores were slightly better at baseline than at follow-up (27.50 to 26.67 points). The intensity of the back pain had a direct and significant relationship with passive strategies and an inverse relationship with active strategies and resilience. Conclusions: The coping strategies for dealing with chronic back pain observed in the study participants are not fully effective. The intensity of pain is significantly associated with the use of passive strategies and female sex. Full article

Background/Objectives: Athletes face both daily and sport-related stressors while being expected to perform at an optimal level. Effective recovery, particularly adequate sleep, plays a key role in psychophysiological restoration and performance, whereas sleep deprivation may impair functioning and increase perceived stress. This study examined the associations between coping strategies, sleep quality, athletic experience, competitive level, and perceived stress during the pre-competition period among female volleyball players. Methods: Ninety-one athletes (aged 18–35, M = 23.03, SD = 4.37) from three Polish professional leagues—Tauron (n = 31), First League (n = 30), and Second League (n = 30)—completed an online battery including the Stress Coping Strategies in Sport Questionnaire (SR3S), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a demographic survey. Results: Based on PSQI scores, approximately 60% of the athletes were classified as poor sleepers. No significant differences in sleep quality or perceived stress were found across leagues. However, athletes competing in higher leagues reported more frequent use of mental coping strategies. Athletic experience, sleep quality, and the coping strategy of seeking social support were significantly associated with perceived stress. Players with less experience, poorer sleep, and a greater tendency to seek social support reported higher stress levels. The positive association between support-seeking and stress likely reflects reactive coping among more stressed athletes rather than a maladaptive effect of social support. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of promoting adaptive coping and sleep hygiene in competitive sport, particularly among less experienced female athletes during the pre-competition period. Full article

Pain catastrophizing (PC) and hopelessness are increasingly recognized as central determinants of pain severity, disability, and treatment response in individuals with rheumatic and immune-mediated diseases. Traditionally conceptualized as secondary emotional reactions to pain, these cognitive-affective constructs instead represent active mechanisms that shape symptom perception, behavioral responses, and long-term outcomes. In this review, we synthesize evidence across neurobiological, psychological, and clinical domains to elucidate the pathways linking PC and hopelessness to maladaptive coping, kinesiophobia, and functional decline. Early life stress, trauma, and maladaptive cognitive schemas emerge as upstream vulnerability factors that prime heightened emotional reactivity and reduced prefrontal regulatory control, facilitating amplified pain signaling and fear-based avoidance behaviors. Avoidance and inactivity foster physical deconditioning, fatigue, and higher perceived disability, creating a vicious circle that sustains distress and poor quality of life. Moreover, inactivity-related metabolic dysfunction and weight gain may contribute to low-grade inflammation, particularly in conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, thereby intersecting with biological disease pathways. Importantly, these psychological processes identify a distinct patient subgroup for whom further escalation of immunosuppressive therapy provides limited benefit. Instead, integrated psychological approaches—including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and coping-skills training—demonstrate meaningful effects on catastrophizing, agency, and functional recovery. We emphasize the need for routine screening to detect patients with maladaptive cognitive–emotional profiles and propose a stratified care model prioritizing targeted psychological interventions alongside standard rheumatologic therapy. Future research should refine phenotyping strategies, clarify neuroimmune links, and develop scalable intervention models to break the avoidance cycle and improve patient-centered outcomes. Full article

Grounded in stress-reactivity accounts and the Prosocial Classroom model, this study examines how preschool teachers’ responses to children’s negative emotions are associated with teacher job stress and age in Greek early childhood education settings. These frameworks suggest that elevated job stress may erode teachers’ regulatory resources and responsiveness, increasing non-supportive reactions and reducing supportive emotion coaching during emotionally charged classroom interactions. A sample of 101 full-time preschool educators (M age = 42.3 years; 97% female) completed two instruments: the Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES) and the Child Care Workers’ Job Stress Inventory (CCW-JSI). Age-controlled partial correlations indicated that higher job stress was associated with more frequent use of non-supportive reactions, including punitive and minimizing responses, and less frequent use of supportive strategies, such as emotion-focused, problem-focused, and expressive encouragement responses. Older teachers tended to report higher supportive response scores, particularly for problem-focused reactions and expressive encouragement. These findings highlight the importance of teacher well-being for the emotional climate of preschool classrooms and suggest that job stress may undermine educators’ capacity to consistently engage in supportive emotion socialization. The study contributes to the education literature by linking teacher stress and emotion socialization practices in a policy context where early childhood education is expanding but remains under-resourced. Implications for teacher education, professional development, and system-level initiatives to support educators’ social-emotional competence are discussed. Full article

Background: Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder is highly prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) and is associated with adverse health outcomes, yet validated assessment tools for this population are critically lacking. This research aimed to adapt the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) among Portuguese MSM (N = 1116 across four studies). Method and Results: Following translation and adaptation (Study 1a/1b), Exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a two-factor structure of the instrument (Study 2). Moreover, Item Response Theory showed strong item discrimination and convergent/divergent validity. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (Study 3) favored a bifactor structure—one general hypersexuality factor plus two facets (Control/Consequences and Coping). Criterion validity was evident from positive associations with depression, anxiety, and stress. Finally, ROC analyses (Study 4) demonstrated excellent discrimination and established clinical cutoffs. Conclusions: Overall, the HBI emerges as a reliable, culturally attuned tool for early risk identification in MSM and for informing tailored psychosocial interventions in health settings. Full article