Understanding the purchasing behavior of consumers in response to sustainable marketing practices: An empirical analysis in the food domain

Sustainability has become an important driver in defining business strategies, affecting most critical corporate functions and changing the way in which value is created, communicated, and distributed. This is increasingly impacting marketing practices, in particular, through promoting the development of sustainable marketing in the food sector. In line with this, our study aimed to investigate if and how sustainable marketing practices affect consumer loyalty to a specific brand. To answer our research questions, we relied on the results of a survey submitted to a sample of 907 Italian consumers of biscuits. Results showed that the consumers’ attention to sustainable issues (in the absence of adequate information that can guide them in choosing a brand) did not result in brand loyalty. The same outcome was found when consumers were overloaded by marketing campaigns, which had the effect of confusing users and making them unfaithful. Ultimately, when consumers showed both engagement with sustainable concerns and sensitivity to marketing initiatives (i.e., they are sensitive to sustainable marketing practices), a positive effect on brand loyalty was observed. Our results contribute to the emerging stream of literature discussing the relevance and potential impact of sustainable marketing

Commentary: Glucose control: Not just a bystander in GLP-1RA-mediated cardiovascular protection

Cardiovascular (CV) disease prevention in type 2 diabetes (T2D)demands multifactorial interventions including treatment of dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypercoagulability, and certainly hyperglycemia[1]. However, randomized controlled trials specifically addressing the impact of intensive glucose control (IGC) on CV outcomes yielded ambiguous results [2], while real-life evidence from a Swedish nationwide registry showed hyperglycemia as the strongest predictor of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke [3]. Although CV outcome trials (CVOT) with GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) were designed to achieve glycemic equipoise, all showed a greater HbA1c reduction in the intervention arm [4–10], allowing to consider the potential effect of different degrees of glucose-lowering on their resul

Cardiovascular and Renal Effectiveness of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists vs. Other Glucose-Lowering Drugs in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Real-World Studies

Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT) showed that treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) is associated with significant cardiovascular benefits. However, CVOT are scarcely representative of everyday clinical practice, and real-world studies could provide clini-cians with more relatable evidence. Here, literature was thoroughly searched to retrieve real-world studies investigating the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1RA vs. other glucose-lowering drugs and carry out relevant meta-analyses thereof. Most real-world studies were conducted in populations at low cardiovascular and renal risk. Of note, real-world studies investigating cardio-renal outcomes of GLP-1RA suggested that initiation of GLP-1RA was associated with a greater benefit on composite cardiovascular outcomes, MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events), all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure compared to other glucose-lowering drugs with the exception of sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i). Initiation of SGLT-2i and GLP-1RA yielded similar effects on composite cardiovascular outcomes, MACE, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Conversely, GLP-1RA were less effective on heart failure prevention compared to SGLT-2i. Finally, the few real-world studies addressing renal outcomes suggested a significant benefit of GLP-1RA on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction and hard renal outcomes vs. active comparators except SGLT-2i. Further real-world evidence is needed to clarify the role of GLP-1RA in cardio-renal protection among available glucose-lowering drugs

Composición isotópica del sulfato de las evaporitas Messinienses de la cuenca del Piamonte (Italia)

The Piedmont basin (NW Italy) records a Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) succession including a selenite gypsum deposit assigned to the Primary Lower Gypsum (PLG, MSC stage 1). Strontium isotope ratios are in the range of the PLG deposits of the Mediterranean area. Sulfate isotope compositions of vertically oriented selenite gypsum beds, in the lower part of the succession, are similar to those reported in other PLG deposits. However, flattened branching selenite cones in the upper part show higher isotope compositions, mainly in δ34S values, suggesting intense BSR conditions, stronger than reported in other PLG deposits. We interpret this chemical shift during deposition of the upper part of the PLG as the result of increased marine restriction assisted by the marginal position of this basin in the Adriatic Gulf during the Apennine and Alpine upliftsLa cuenca del Piamonte (NW Italia) contiene una serie Messiniense que incluye una unidad de yeso selenítico atribuida al PLG (MSC estadio 1). La isotopía del estroncio confirma esta asignación. La isotopía del sulfato de los yesos seleníticos de desarrollo vertical de la parte inferior de la serie es comparable a la de otras series PLG del Mediterráneo. Sin embargo, los conos de desarrollo horizontal de la parte superior de la serie muestran composiciones isotópicas mayores, especialmente en δ34S, sugiriendo una intensa actividad bacteriana (BSR) no observada en otros depósitos PLG. Interpretamos esta diferencia como resultado de mayores condiciones de restricción marina de la cuenca del Piamonte debidas a la posición marginal de esta cuenca en el Golfo Adriático durante el levantamiento de los Apeninos y los Alpe

Diabetes in the Time of COVID-19: A Twitter-Based Sentiment Analysis

Since December 31, 2019 and as of May 31, 2020, 6 028 135 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported, including 368 944 deaths.1 A Chinese longitudinal study showed that the COVID-19 outbreak had a significant psychological impact on the general population, with symptoms comparable to those of post-traumatic stress disease.2 Diabetes represents a fully-fledged risk factor for poorer prognosis of COVID-19

Role of glucose-lowering medications in erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a long-term complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D) widely known to affect the quality of life. Several aspects of altered metabolism in individuals with T2D may help to compromise the penile vasculature structure and functions, thus exacerbating the imbalance between smooth muscle contractility and relaxation. Among these, advanced glycation end-products and reactive oxygen species derived from a hyperglycaemic state are known to accelerate endothelial dysfunction by lowering nitric oxide bioavailability, the essential stimulus of relaxation. Although several studies have explained the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the generation of erectile failure, few studies to date have described the efficacy of glucose-lowering medications in the restoration of normal sexual activity. Herein, we will present current knowledge about the main starters of the pathophysiology of diabetic ED and explore the role of different anti-diabetes therapies in the potential remission of ED, highlighting specific pathways whose activation or inhibition could be fundamental for sexual care in a diabetes setting

Reduction of hypoglycaemia, lifestyle modifications and psychological distress during lockdown following SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in type 1 diabetes

Aims: To assess changes in glucose metrics and their association with psychological distress and lifestyle changes in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using flash glucose monitoring (FGM) during lockdown following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreak. Materials and methods: Single-centre, observational, retrospective study enrolling T1D patients who attended a remote visit on April 2020 at the Endocrinology division of the University Hospital Policlinico Consorziale, Bari, Italy. Lockdown-related changes in physical activity level and dietary habits were assessed on a semi-quantitative basis. Changes in general well-being were assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-12 items with a binary scoring system. Glucose metrics were obtained from the Libreview platform for the first 2 weeks of February 2020 (T0) and the last 2 weeks before the phone visit (T1). Results: Out of 84 patients assessed for eligibility, 48 had sufficient FGM data to be included in the analysis. FGM data analysis revealed significant reductions in coefficient of variation, number of hypoglycaemic events, and time below range, while no changes were found in time in range, time above range, mean sensor glucose, and glucose management indicator. Moreover, the frequency of sweets consumption was inversely related to the occurrence of hypoglycaemic events during lockdown. Conclusions: Lockdown-related lifestyle changes, albeit unhealthy, may lead to reduction in FGM-derived measures of hypoglycaemia and glycaemic variability in patients with T1D

Sulfate isotope composition of Messinian evaporites in the Piedmont basin (Italy)

The Piedmont basin (NW Italy) records a Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) succession including a selenite gypsum deposit assigned to the Primary Lower Gypsum (PLG, MSC stage 1). Strontium isotope ratios are in the range of the PLG deposits of the Mediterranean area. Sulfate isotope compositions of vertically oriented selenite gypsum beds, in the lower part of the succession, are similar to those reported in other PLG deposits. However, flattened branching selenite cones in the upper part show higher isotope compositions, mainly in δ34S values, suggesting intense BSR conditions, stronger than reported in other PLG deposits. We interpret this chemical shift during deposition of the upper part of the PLG as the result of increased marine restriction assisted by the marginal position of this basin in the Adriatic Gulf during the Apennine and Alpine uplifts

Mini Review: Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and SGLT-2 Inhibitors on the Growth Hormone/IGF Axis

Accumulating evidence supports the early use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Indeed, these compounds exert numerous pleiotropic actions that favorably affect metabolism and diabetes comorbidities, showing an additional effect beyond glucose control. Although a substantial amount of knowledge has been generated regarding the mechanism of action of both drug classes, much remains to be understood. Growth hormone (GH) is an important driver for multiple endocrine responses involving changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, and affects several tissues and organs (e.g., bone, heart). It acts directly on several target tissues, including skeletal muscle and bone, but several effects are mediated indirectly by circulating (liver-derived) or locally produced IGF-1. In consideration of the multiple metabolic and cardiovascular effects seen in subjects treated with GLP-1RAs and SGLT-2is (e.g., reduction of hyperglycemia, weight loss, free/fat mass and bone remodeling, anti-atherosclerosis, natriuresis), it is reasonable to speculate that GH and IGF-1 may play a about a relevant role in this context. This narrative mini-review aims to describe the involvement of the GH/IGF-1/IGF-1R axis in either mediating or responding to the effects of each of the two drug classes

Spectrum of germline pathogenic variants in brca1/2 genes in the apulian southern italy population: Geographic distribution and evidence for targeted genetic testing

BRCA1/2-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is the most common form of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and occurs in all ethnicities and racial populations. Different BRCA1/BRCA2 pathogenic variants (PVs) have been reported with a wide variety among populations. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed prevalence and geographic distribution of pathogenic germline BRCA1/2 variants in families from Apulia in southern Italy and evaluated the genotype–phenotype correlations. Data were collected from Oncogenetic Services present in Apulian hospitals and a shared database was built containing Apulian native probands (n = 2026) that had undergone genetic testing from 2004 to 2019. PVs were detected in 499 of 2026 (24.6%) probands and 68.5% of them (342 of 499) were in the BRCA1 gene. We found 65 different PVs in BRCA1 and 46 in BRCA2. There were 10 most recurrent PVs and their geographical distribution appears to be significantly specific for each province. We have assumed that these PVs are related to the historical and geopolitical changes that occurred in Apulia over time and/or to a “founder effect”. Broader knowledge of BRCA1/2 prevalence and recurring PVs in specific geographic areas could help establish more flexible genetic testing strategies that may enhance our ability to detect high-risk subjects