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Association between leafy vegetable consumption and incidence of metabolic syndrome and its symptoms: a systematic review of prospective cohort and randomised control trials
Get PDFPurpose Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of cardiometabolic risk factors that burden health systems worldwide. Vegetables contain substances that are essential in preventing chronic illnesses. However, the effect of leafy vegetable consumption on the incidence of MetS and its symptoms is unclear. We systematically reviewed the association between leafy vegetable consumption and the incidence of MetS and its symptoms.
Methods The Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant publications until August 2023. Randomised control trials (RCT) and prospective cohort studies examining the effect of consumption of leafy vegetable/s on MetS or its components in healthy adults were included.
Results Ten studies (eight RCTs and two cohort studies) were included. A reduction in systolic blood pressure after intervention with leafy vegetables was observed in one RCT, but no effect on blood pressure was reported in two RCTs. One cohort study reported reduced hypertension incidence with increased leafy vegetable intake. A reduction in blood glucose was observed in three RCTs, and two RCT found no change. One cohort study reported no association between leafy vegetable consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Two RCTs found no change in blood lipids. No trials assessing leafy vegetable consumption and obesity or MetS were found.
Conclusion Few studies evaluate the impact of leafy vegetable consumption on MetS and its symptoms. Beneficial effects are reported for blood glucose and blood pressure regulation, but the evidence is limited. More studies are needed to build a robust body of evidence
Screening of modular supramolecular star polymers for 3D printing of biomedical devices
Get PDFIdentifying suitable materials for additive manufacturing and 3D printing is a challenging task and there is a need to streamline the processes to achieve more rapid adoption of new feedstocks. We have developed a process of using modular supramolecular polymers where individual moieties can be modified in order to achieve a variance in properties. We synthesised a library of 64 polymers and performed a systematic sequence of screening steps to identify preferred candidates for an exemplar printing modality and application. The library was screened for materials amenable to inkjet based 3D printing, then refined to those that had mechanical and biological performance suitable for use in articular cartilage repair, and supported chondrocyte growth. The lead candidate was fabricated into macroscopic architectures with intricate designs, including structure of knee cartilage as a demonstrator of potential application. This strategy for screening materials for specific applications could accelerate the translation of new materials for additive manufacture of novel devices
Assessing the gut microbiota composition in older adults: connections to physical activity and healthy ageing
Get PDFThe composition and functionality of the gut microbiota (GM) changes throughout the life course. As we move into older age, it starts to shift towards a less healthy one, which may lead to an imbal- ance in the GM community. Strategies that can reverse age-related dysbiosis are an important part of healthy aging. Little is known about the GM composition of older adults with di erent physical activity (PA) levels and whether it might contribute to healthy ageing. The aim of this study was to compare the GM composition of older adults with di erent PA levels and assess if it is associated with healthy ageing. 101 participants aged between 65–85 years undertook anthropometric measures, a 6-min walking test, wore an accelerometer for 7 days and provided a faecal sample. Faecal GM composition was analysed using 16S rRNA sequenc- ing. We found that those who ful lled the WHO/UK PA recommendations had higher relative abundance of several health-related bacteria such as Lactobacillus, F. prausnitzii and Roseburia intestinalis and lower abun- dance of disease-associated bacteria such as D.piger or Enterobacterales when compared to those who did not reach PA recommendations. These ndings suggest that PA might improve the GM composition and has the potential to, at least partially, revert age-associated dysbiosis and promote healthy ageing
Does corporate social responsibility facilitate public debt financing?
Get PDFWe find that firms with stronger CSR performance have a larger share of public debt in their total debt, particularly when they are subject to higher information asymmetry or greater financial constraints. Moreover, the CSR effect on public debt is weaker for firms in sin industries or low-trust regions where CSR is less likely to be viewed as a genuine commitment. Utilizing the BP oil spill event as a shock to investors’ CSR awareness, we document that the positive effect of CSR on public debt is more evident after the shock, particularly for firms outside the oil and gas industries
Impact of c-di-AMP accumulation, l-cysteine, and oxygen on catalase activity and oxidative stress resistance of listeria monocytogenes 10403S
Get PDFListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen frequently exposed to oxidative stress in diverse environmental conditions. Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a second messenger that plays a key role in stress resistance. This study investigates the role of pdeA (degrades c-di-AMP) and how c-di-AMP accumulation affects catalase activity and oxidative stress response and gene expression. Survival and catalase activity assays were conducted under oxidative stress, and c-di-AMP levels were quantified in L. monocytogenes 10403S under aerobic, anaerobic, and L-cysteine-supplemented conditions. ΔpdeA, which accumulates c-di-AMP, exhibited greater sensitivity to oxidative stress (4.6 log reduction for the wild type (WT) vs 7.34 log reduction for ΔpdeA at 10 h) and lower catalase activity than the WT in the early stationary phase. However, in the late stationary phase, while the catalase activity levels of ΔpdeA remained stable (~6.33 cm foam height), it became resistant to oxidative stress (5.85 log reduction). These findings indicate that pdeA contributes to catalase activity in L. monocytogenes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differential expression of pathways mainly including pentose phosphate pathway, carbon metabolism, O-antigen nucleotide sugar biosynthesis and ABC transporters in ΔpdeA compared to WT. Our transcriptomic data provided promising insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying c-di-AMP regulation, which may enhance stress resistance. Moreover, oxidative stress led to increased intracellular c-di-AMP levels. Under L-cysteine supplementation, catalase activity levels in WT were similar to ΔpdeA (~1.86 cm foam height for both), but the latter showed enhanced oxidative stress resistance and c-di-AMP levels. Anaerobic conditions also elevated c-di-AMP levels in WT and ΔpdeA but resulted in greater oxidative stress sensitivity. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms provides valuable insights into oxidative stress resistance, with potential implications for food safety and pathogen control
Impact of non-digestible carbohydrates and prebiotics on immunity, infections, inflammation and vaccine responses: a systematic review of evidence in healthy humans and a discussion of mechanistic proposals
Get PDFPrebiotics, particularly non-digestible carbohydrates NDCs), are increasingly recognized for their role in modulating immune responses in the gut, lungs, and urinary tract. This review systematically evaluates evidence from human studies on the effects of NDCs and prebiotics on immune markers,
infection risk and severity, inflammation, and vaccine responses. Prebiotics such as inulin, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) positively influence gut microbiota by promoting beneficial species like Bifidobacteria. They also enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which interact with immune cells via G-protein-coupled receptors, inducing anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to microbiota-mediated mechanisms, NDCs and
prebiotics may directly affect immune and epithelial cells by interacting with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), enhancing gut barrier function, and modulating immunity. A systematic review of human studies showed that prebiotics, including GOS, FOS, and 2′-fucosyllactose (2FL), reduced
infections and increased IgA in healthy infants, while yeast β-glucan reduced respiratory infection symptoms in healthy adults. Yeast β-glucan and GOS supplementation resulted in improvements in NK cell activity. Some effects on vaccine efficacy were noted in young adults, but the overall impact
of NDCs and prebiotics on vaccination and systemic inflammation was inconsistent. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms involved and to optimize health applications
Cold-air outbreaks in the continental US: connections with stratospheric variations
Get PDFMid-latitude Northern Hemisphere extreme cold events continue to occur despite overall winter warming trends. These events have been linked to weakened stratospheric polar vortex (SPV) states. In this study, we analyze both the upper and lower polar stratosphere for links to extreme winter cold and snow in the continental US, finding two SPV variations of interest. The first features an upper-level vortex displaced toward western Canada and linked to northwestern US severe winter weather. The second features a weakened upper-level vortex displaced toward the North Atlantic and linked to central-eastern US severe winter weather. Both variations feature lower-level stretched vortices and stratospheric wave reflection. Since 2015, a northwestward shift in severe winter weather across the US is concurrent with an increase in the frequency of the westward-focused variation relative to the eastward-focused variation and a shift to more negative phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation
Environmental management accounting for strategic decision-making
No full textEnvironmental Management Accounting (EMA) has become an essential tool for integrating
sustainability into organizational strategic decision-making, addressing pressing challenges
such as climate change, resource depletion, and ecological degradation. Despite its growing
importance, there remains a critical gap in understanding how EMA can be proactively and
authentically implemented to support sustainable development, and how specific EMA tools
can be identified and utilised for strategic decision-making. This research addresses this gap
through a comprehensive three-paper study, each examining distinct aspects of EMA’s role in
fostering sustainability within organizations.
The first paper investigates the motivations behind EMA usage and its application in
strategic decision-making. This study investigates why and how EMA is used for strategic
decision-making. A systematic literature review was conducted, and factors influencing EMA
usage for strategic decision-making were identified using the drivers–enablers–outcomes–
barriers framework. The study identifies legitimacy, organizational efficiency, and strategic
sustainable development as primary drivers, highlighting an evolving use of EMA from short-term operational benefits to recognizing its long-term potential for strategic sustainable
development driven by management’s environmental responsibility and proactive leadership
commitment.
The second paper investigates how institutional and social behaviours influence EMA
usage for decision-making. This study utilizes institutional logics theory and social value
orientation theory as its theoretical frameworks and employs qualitative methods using
interviews with top managers in Indian private hospitals. It reveals that while proself
motivations such as cost reduction and resource efficiency drive the initial adoption of EMA,
prosocial motivations including social responsibility and sustainable development, promote the
adoption of more comprehensive sustainability practices. Nonetheless, proself strategic
motivations like competitive advantage, are also important in enhancing the use of integrated
and advanced EMA tools. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning strategic priorities
with EMA initiatives and integrating stakeholder perspectives to ensure authentic sustainability
integration, while also identifying challenges such as resource constraints and regulatory
compliance.
The third paper develops a theoretical framework for Sustainability Management
Accounting (SMA), designed to integrate both environmental and social dimensions into
decision-making processes. This framework categorizes SMA tools based on their
environmental and social impacts, facilitating stakeholder engagement and iterative feedback
mechanisms. Framed using stakeholder theory and knowledge-to-action theory, the framework
provides a structured approach for organizations to effectively retrieve and utilize sustainability
information, promoting continuous improvement and strategic alignment with global
sustainability goals.
Collectively, this research advocates for a pragmatic, incremental approach to
sustainability accounting, emphasizing the need to align operational and strategic priorities
with sustainability objectives, while highlighting the essential role of stakeholder integration.
By shifting the emphasis from compliance-focused reporting to fostering accountability and
enhancing managerial decision-making, EMA is positioned as a strategic enabler of
sustainability. The research contributes to both theory and practice by deepening the
understanding of the evolving reasons behind EMA use in decision-making, advancing the
notion of incremental and practical approaches to sustainability accounting, and presenting a
usable framework for integrating EMA into organizational routines. For academic audiences,
the study provides robust theoretical underpinnings that invite further research into the
intersection of management accounting and sustainability. For practitioners and accountants, it
offers practical tools and insights to embed sustainability meaningfully into strategic processes,
encouraging responsible and outcome-driven practices. This comprehensive approach
strengthens the conceptual foundations of EMA while equipping organizations to achieve long-term environmental and social sustainability through informed, integrated decision-making