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The increasing socio-political interest in front-of-pack (FOP) labels is leading to a larger body of consumer studies on the topic. This work explores the current literature on a highly discussed color-coded label format at the European level: the Nutri-Score (NS) and its environmental counterpart, the Eco-Score (ES). Our systematic review investigates consumers’ responses to the labels in terms of consumers’ understanding, attitudes, and behaviors. Results from the retrieved articles (n = 72) showed a positive performance of the NS in promoting objective understanding. Specifically, the NS more consistently led to correct responses in tasks assessing objective understanding (e.g. ranking products based on their nutritional quality) compared to other nutrition labels. Additionally, the NS showed promising effects on purchasing behavior, frequently guiding consumers toward choices with improved nutritional quality. More heterogeneity was identified for subjective understanding. Regarding the ES and the dual-labeling system (i.e. the two labels are displayed simultaneously), the restricted number of studies limited our conclusions and implications. Finally, limitations and suggestions for future research were proposed, as well as policy implications. Given the current socio-political debates on this FOP label format, our analysis can contribute to the ongoing discussion to adopt mandatory FOP labels to support public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has recently been ranked as the 11th highest contributor to global disability. More than 40% of patients use complementary and alternative medicine including supplements containing phytoextracts with anti‐inflammatory properties as those from the Boswellia genus. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of phytoextracts from the oleogum resin of the Boswellia genus as supplementation for patients affected by knee OA. Four electronic databases were used for the research and PRISMA statements were followed throughout the study. The following inclusion criteria were used: (a) the subjects of the study were humans with a diagnosis of knee OA reported by medical staff; (b) randomization and the presence of control (placebo, negative or positive control), and (c) outcomes reported with WOMAC and/or visual analog scale (VAS) score. Publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot and through the Egger test. The Jadad scale was used in order to assess the quality of the studies included. The statistical heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results of meta‐analysis and subgroup analysis were reported using a forest plot. A total of 13 studies involving 850 (WOMAC) and 1185 (VAS) patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis did not detect a significant effect of the use of Boswellia extracts between the control and the treatment groups due to the high heterogeneity of the studies (p = 0.0865 for WOMAC) and (p = 0.3966 VAS). However, the subsequent subgroup analysis demonstrated the significant beneficial effect of Boswellia extracts in the treatment of knee OA with respect to a placebo (lower WOMAC score in the treatment groups). This was also confirmed in the meta‐regression applied to the WOMAC scores. This is an important finding as people exposed to NSAID‐related adverse effects could benefit from the use of Boswellia extracts. However, further high‐quality studies are needed to establish the clinical efficacy of extracts from the genus Boswellia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether competition-associated exercise and stress could have a negative effect on urinary biochemical parameters and urinary uromodulin and albumin separated using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis in adequately trained dogs. The results showed that urine pH was affected by exercise and proteinuria levels changed immediately after physical exercise with a return to baseline within 2 h after the physical activity; moreover, quali-quantitative evaluation of the urinary proteome showed a significant increase in urinary albumin and a decrease in uromodulin after exercise. Urinalysis and the evaluation of the urinary proteome by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis proved to be a non-invasive and economic technique for investigating the health status and pre- and post-exercise changes in athletic and working dogs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of exercise during canicross competition on urinary biochemical parameters and urinary proteins. Our results showed that, among the parameters analysed in routine urinalysis, pH was affected by exercise and albuminuria also showed changes immediately after physical exercise with a return to baseline within 2 h after the physical activity. In particular, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis allowed the separation of the urinary proteins on the basis of their molecular mass allowing a qualitative evaluation of the urinary proteome and a quantitative analysis of urine albumin and uromodulin, with a significant increase in urinary albumin and a decrease in uromodulin after exercise. In this study, urine was collected by spontaneous voiding and the use of this non-invasive sampling method proved useful in obtaining information on the health of the animals in the immediate moments before and after the competition without increasing the stress of the animals involved in the competition by any visits or invasive manipulations by veterinarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: Honeybees are vital pollinators, essential for maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity, but there is rising concern about the health of managed honey bee colonies, especially in heavily human-influenced ecosystems. Multiple factors contribute to this decline, including environmental conditions, forage quality, and pesticide use. These elements have a complex effect on the health and nutritional status of honeybee colonies and influence their response to disease and various stressors. In this study, the authors propose a new approach to assess colony health by correlating common measures of colony strength such as honey and pollen reserves, the number of bees, and brood with hemolymph proteins, common bee pathogens (Varroa destructor and Nosema spp.), and essential trace elements (iron, zinc, and copper). Significant correlations were found between hemolymph proteins and colony performance measures, and between V. destructor and hemolymph proteins and iron content. In conclusion, this study confirms the need for a more holistic approach to honeybee health considering all the relevant aspects and critical points that may affect colony survival. Environment, forage quality, management practices, pathogens, and pesticides influence honeybee responses to stressors. This study proposes an innovative approach to assess colony health and performance using molecular diagnostic tools by correlating hemolymph proteins with common measures of colony strength, prevalent honeybee pathogens (Varroa destructor and Nosema spp.), and essential trace elements (iron, zinc and copper). Colonies were selected from four apiaries located in different environmental and foraging conditions in the province of Bologna (Italy). Hemolymph samples were taken from June to October 2019. The Varroa infestation of the colonies was estimated by assessing the natural mortality of the mites, while the bees were tested for Nosema spp. spores using a microscopic method. Hemolymph proteins were quantified and separated using SDS-PAGE, and colony performance was assessed by determining adult bees, total brood, honey, and pollen reserves. The biomarkers measured proved to be useful for monitoring changes in performance and trophic conditions during summer and early autumn. Significant correlations were found between hemolymph proteins and colony performance measures. A positive correlation between pollen reserves, vitellogenin, and hexamerin 70a highlights the importance of these proteins for successful overwintering. In October, Varroa infestation was negatively correlated with total proteins, vitellogenin, apolipophorin II, transferrin, and hexamerin 70a, with negative implications for overwintering; furthermore, Varroa infestation was also negatively correlated with iron content, potentially affecting iron homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) was used as a sustainable and healthy ingredient in two cereal bar formulations, with honey (H) and chocolate (C) used as the binding systems' characterizing ingredients. The two bars, formulated using three levels of BSG (H1: 8.5%; H2: 12.7%; H3: 21.2%; C1: 3.9%; C2: 7.7%; C3: 15.5%) and stored for 20 days, were studied from a physicochemical perspective and compared to non-enriched control bars. The analysis showed that BSG enriched the bars with minerals, B vitamins, proteins, and fibers, meeting the required contents for the "high fiber" nutritional claim. Moisture content and water activity decreased with increasing BSG quantity and storage time. Higher BSG content increased flexibility in H bars after 7 days, while decreasing water content and increasing hardness in C bars at 1 storage day. Higher BSG levels darkened the samples' color with little change during storage. In addition, a consumer sensory test was conducted. The results showed that providing information on BSG had little impact on liking, purchase intent, and sensory perception. In addition, under blind conditions, H bars were considered more natural and healthier than the C bars; however, these differences were not significant in the informed conditions. This study shows the potential use of upcycled ingredients in cereal bars and highlights the central role of the sensory experience on consumer appreciation, considering also information provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The consumption of whole grains has several health benefits, however, most US consumers - including young adults - do not meet the recommended consumption intake. To understand the underlying factors affecting the intention and consumption of whole grain pasta, a survey based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was developed and administered to US college students. For four weeks, participants (n = 325) either did not receive any information (control) or received weekly messages on the health benefits of whole grain pasta (e.g., high fiber and niacin contents) in the forms of gain- (treatment 1) or loss-framed (treatment 2) information. Variables of the TPB model and consumers' perceptions were investigated both at Time 1, when the first message was received (week 0), and at Time 2, one month after the intervention (week 4). Results from the two moments were compared. We found that the TPB measures and perceived usefulness were not influenced by the treatment group; however, the gain-framed message engendered greater message engagement than the loss-framed one. Finally, results from the structural equation model showed that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were positively associated with the intention to consume whole grain pasta, and the intention was a strong determinant of participants' behavior. Based on our results, implications and suggestions for future studies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Spontaneous mammary tumors are very common in bitches. The involvement of oxidative stress and the function of antioxidant enzymes in cancerogenesis have been studied in depth in human medicine, while data in veterinary medicine are still fragmentary. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and the expression of superoxide dismutases (Cu-ZnSOD and MnSOD) and the activity of catalase (CAT) in canine mammary tumors in comparison with the adjacent healthy tissue. Six female dogs (mean age 10.4 years) were included in this study. After surgery, fresh tumor and healthy tissue samples were immediately frozen in dry ice and stored at −80°C for biochemical analyses, while the remaining parts were used for histopathological analysis. Enzyme activity was measured by spectrophotometric assays and protein expression by western blotting. In canine mammary tumors, Cu-ZnSOD activity and expression increased significantly compared with healthy control tissues (p=0.03). MnSOD showed a significantly lower activity in tumoral tissues at stage 2 (p more...