Parthenope University of Naples
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Heterogeneous antioxidant responses to exercise in middle-aged men: A six-month study of amateur soccer players
No full textPhysical exercise exerts a dual influence on redox homeostasis, capable of inducing both adaptive antioxidant
responses and detrimental oxidative stress, with outcomes critically dependent on exercise intensity and
individual physiological tolerance. This balance is especially pertinent for middle-aged individuals, a
demographic at a pivotal juncture for long-term health, where personalized exercise strategies are key for
promoting successful aging. However, practical and non-invasive tools for routine redox monitoring remain
underutilized in amateur sports settings. This pilot study, therefore, evaluated the heterogeneous effects of a sixmonth amateur soccer training program on salivary antioxidant capacity in middle-aged men under controlled
dietary conditions, utilizing a non-invasive spectrophotometric approach. Twelve participants (aged 45–60 years)
completed the structured training. Saliva samples were collected before and immediately after a standardized
high-intensity session at the program’s conclusion. Total antioxidant capacity was assessed via the 1,1′-diphenyl2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay under standardized analytical conditions, with all samples
processed using the same reagent batch to ensure consistency. The primary outcome was the intra-individual
change (Δ) in absorbance. The results revealed marked interindividual heterogeneity in post-exercise redox
responses. Specifically, half of the cohort exhibited a decrease in post-exercise absorbance (negative Δ values),
indicating enhanced antioxidant activity, while the other half showed an increase (positive Δ values), suggesting
a reduction in antioxidant capacity or an increased pro-oxidant load. The magnitude of change varied
considerably among participants. These findings underscore the threshold-dependent duality of intense exercise
and highlight the significant role of individual redox physiology in mediating its net effect, independent of
dietary confounding in this study. The study provides clear proof-of-concept evidence for the feasibility and
relevance of using non-invasive salivary DPPH testing as a practical tool to monitor exercise-induced oxidative
balance. This supports the rational development of personalized training regimens guided by objective
biochemical feedback, aiming to optimize health benefits and mitigate oxidative risks in middle-aged amateur
athletes. The approach has direct implications for applied sports science, preventive health strategies, and the
move toward more individualized exercise prescription in community-based setting
Staying afloat in the storm: coping with work-related stress in healthcare professions
No full textPurpose – This study investigates how healthcare professionals cope with work-related stress and how organizational conditions enable or hinder these coping mechanisms. While stress in healthcare is well documented, this research focuses on the coping process itself, with particular attention to individual strategies in high-pressure settings.
Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative design was adopted through 41 semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals. Thematic analysis was used to identify core themes related to stressors, coping responses and the role of organizational support in shaping these dynamics.
Findings – The study identified four interrelated themes: (1) enduring sources of stress – such as excessive workload, staff shortages and emotional strain – that shape daily experiences; (2) diverse coping strategies, with professionals balancing task-based approaches and emotional self-regulation; (3) the enabling or constraining role of organizational support, especially leadership involvement and ongoing training and (4) the crucial link between coping efficacy, employee well-being and the intention to remain in the profession. Together, these findings illustrate how personal resilience and organizational conditions dynamically interact in shaping healthcare professionals’ capacity to manage stress.
Practical implications – The findings suggest that healthcare organizations should enhance supportive leadership, provide stress management training and ensure sufficient staffing. Recognizing and reinforcing individual coping efforts through structural support can improve well-being, performance and retention.
Originality/value – The study offers a novel contribution by shifting the focus from stress outcomes to coping processes, emphasizing individual mechanisms rarely addressed in healthcare research. It enriches the JD-R framework by integrating personal coping strategies with organizational context
Performance Esg delle banche: quanto è rilevante l’assetto proprietario?
No full textAnalizzare il legame tra i profili di sostenibilità delle banche e dei propri azionisti è cruciale per comprendere se essi condividono e si approcciano allo stesso modo verso la sostenibilità. Questo studio esamina la relazione tra la performance Esg degli azionisti e quella delle banche, utilizzando un campione internazionale. I risultati indicano che i punteggi Esg medi degli azionisti sono positivamente e significativamente associati ai punteggi di governance delle banche partecipate. Inoltre, le interazioni con gli indicatori di sostenibilità a livello di paese mostrano che i contesti nazionali influenzano l’efficacia delle pratiche Esg. Le implicazioni suggeriscono che maggiori profili Esg da parte degli azionisti possono incentivare miglioramenti nella governance delle banche. Future ricerche potrebbero approfondire l’impatto dei pilastri Esg in specifici contesti regolamentari
Exploring corporate heritage through digital narrative. A cross-cultural thematic analysis of Henokiens’ websites
No full textEnhancing patient engagement through social media: cross-cultural insights from pharmaceutical enterprises
No full textPurpose
This paper investigates how pharmaceutical companies, particularly Pfizer, utilize social media strategies to engage patients across different cultural contexts, identifying emerging trends that enable companies to better address patient needs and enhance campaign effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a case study methodology, we analyze Pfizer’s social media efforts on Instagram in two countries. Data were collected from August to October, focusing on this period due to its relevance to health prevention days. The content of posts and reactions on social media were analyzed using a text mining methodology. Finally, to further analyze our results, we applied the Hofstede framework.
Findings
The research reveals a tailored approach to communication with patients based on the social media platform. Companies are expected to adapt their social media strategies across different countries, gaining insights into effective communication methods. This customization is anticipated to enhance future campaigns and optimize resource allocation.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the analysis of one pharmaceutical company operating in multiple countries, though the findings may be applicable to other entrepreneurial firms. The data collection focuses solely on Instagram, and incorporating semi-structured interviews with management or considering other social media could provide further insights.
Practical implications
The findings offer practical benefits for entrepreneurial firms seeking to develop social media strategies and enhance customer engagement through effective interaction and comment collection.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the understanding of B2C relationships and marketing capability gaps in social media and digital engagement strategies, considering the cultural influence
Arthrospira Platensis Attenuates Endothelial Inflammation and Monocyte Activation
No full textCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disease and remains a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability worldwide. Therefore, the identification of early biomarkers and clarification of the mechanism of action of pharmacological adjuvants is urgently needed. Nutraceuticals such as Arthrospira platensis (commonly known as spirulina) have emerged as promising modulators for their notable vascular anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we provide novel evidence of the anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic potential of Arthrospira platensis toward endothelial cells and immune interactions, combining in vitro assays with bioinformatic profiling. Spirulina treatment significantly attenuated endothelial and angiogenic activation, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine and VEGFA/VEGFR2 expression. Additionally, it also decreased the activation and adhesion capabilities of THP-1 monocytic cell lines. Through computational analysis of the complex molecular mixture present in Arthrospira platensis, we have identified a subset of compounds exhibiting high structural similarity to CHEMBL3559503, a well-characterized synthetic molecule with dual activity as a TLR9 agonist and anti-angiogenic agent. This represents a novel insight, suggesting that spirulina may serve as a natural source of analogues capable of modulating both immune and angiogenic pathways. These results highlight Arthrospira platensis as a promising candidate nutraceutical for targeting endothelial/immune crosstalk in the context of atherosclerosis prevention, offering both mechanistic insights and translational potential
Immersive Technologies and Cognitive Load in Maintenance: A Critical Review of Measurement Methodologies
No full textWith the coming of advanced immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), industrial maintenance processes are undergoing a deep transformation, with potential benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy and reduced operational errors. However, the introduction of these tools raises fundamental questions about the impact of cognitive load on operators, such as mental overload which can compromise the safety or quality of performance and mental and physical well-being of personnel. This study proposes a systematic review of the existing literature to investigate the implications of cognitive load generated using AR and VR in industrial environments, with a particular focus on maintenance activities. The objective is to identify the most effective approaches to assess the impact of these technologies on the mental capacity of operators in real time. The analysis shows a wide spread of quantitative tools over qualitative ones, but also a marked heterogeneity in the methodologies adopted, which limits their standardization and comparability between studies. Through a thorough review, the study outlines a structured framework to validate existing methodologies and provide guidelines for sustainable integration of immersive solutions
Carbon Accounting for Decarbonization Disclosure to SDG7: Content analysis of major shipping companies’ reports
No full textThis study investigates the decarbonization practices implemented by shipping companies to meet SDG7 - Target 7.2, included in the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The International Maritime Organization aims to reduce
or zero shipping emissions by regulating shipping companies, who are increasingly quantifying and accounting their commitment to decarbonization to prove responsibility and transparency to stakeholders. This study highlights that while shipping companies have
made efforts to report on decarbonization practices and outcomes, the use of carbon accounting frameworks to guide accountability
and reinforce responsibility needs further investigation. Likewise, the content of non-financial reports depends on the methodologies
and metrics used for measurement. To fill this gap, this study analyses 60 reports published between 2018 and 2023 by the ten
major shipping companies. The analysis uses a double-level content analysis with Leximancer v5 software and manual content analysis to explore themes, concepts, and measures to meet SDG7-Target 7.2. The results highlight the increasing attention of shipping companies on decarbonizing their value chains, particularly concerning Scope 3 emissions. However, the difficulty of collecting primary qualitative data and the need for close collaboration with stakeholders are still matters not resolved. As a result, there is a need to clarify in companies’ reports the role and extent to which carbon accounting supports the reporting of their contributions to the SDGs, especially SDG 7, Target 7.2. This lack of clarity could be seen as a limitation to effective carbon disclosure for meeting SDGs. This study claims the need for an integrated decarbonization process that addresses direct and indirect emissions in complex
logistics chains, leveraging international carbon accounting frameworks (e.g. Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Science Based Target Initiative, Carbon Disclosure Project) to quantify emissions and enhance accountability and legitimacy, supported by tailored training on carbon accounting tools to ensure high reporting standards. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that explores, through the analysis of shipping companies’ external reports, how carbon accounting tools are key sources in the decarbonization disclosure of these companies, especially for disclosing SDG7-Target 7.2