Crisis and environmental governance decisions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from European countries.

This study investigates the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on environmental governance decisions within publicly listed European companies. It utilizes a comprehensive analysis of publicly available data regarding these firms and check the environmental governance practices during the pandemic, informed by risk society theory which describes modern societies marked by ongoing risks and uncertainties primarily stemming from technological and scientific advancements. The regression and robustness analysis has been performed on how companies have responded to the crisis, specifically in terms of their approaches to environmental sustainability and governance. Covid-19 has a significantly positive impact on environmental governance (EG), with a coefficient of 18.73 and a p-value of .000. Other variables like human development (HD), size, and free cash flow (FCF) positively affect EG, while corruption (Corrupt) and leverage (Lev) have a negative influence. Robust analysis confirms the negative impact of Covid-19 on EG, with a coefficient of 18.46 and a p-value below .01, consistent across different subsamples. However, it also underscores the challenges companies have encountered in upholding their sustainability efforts amid the crisis. In sum, this research offers valuable insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected environmental governance decisions, with potential implications for policymakers, regulators, and business leaders striving to advance sustainability in the post-pandemic landscape.

Optimization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated for bioremediation from Ha'il region of Saudi Arabia.

Majority of dyes are toxic to all the living organisms and inherently resistant to microbial degradation. Hence, decolorization and degradation of textile dye methyl red were evaluated using isolated bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Methyl red dye decolorization by P. aeruginosa with respect to various parameters was optimized. Data shows that maximum possible decolorization was seen at 50 ppm dye concentration, 1400 mg/l glucose concentration, 700 mg/l sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration, pH 9, temperature 38°C, 1000 mg/l urea concentration P. aeruginosa AM-1 strain. The highest percent (91.1%) of bioremediation was achieved at 40 ppm dye concentration in Allium cepa test. These findings suggest P. aeruginosa strain (AM-1) has the potential to be used in the biological treatment of highly toxic dye which is main constituent of dyeing mill effluents due to its high decolorization activity with simple conditions. Strain AW-1 strain also has potential to bioremediate other wastewater containing methyl red dye.

Bioremediation potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain isolated from the Ha'il region of Saudi Arabia.

Increased amounts of toxicants may cause sever health issues in humans as well as in aquatic life. Scientists are developing new technologies to combat these problems. Biological methods of detoxification are always beneficial for the environment. Pseudomonas fluorescens is known for its detoxification capacity. In this study Pseudomonas fluorescens stains were isolated from different locations of the Ha'il region, Saudia Arabia. The microbial strain AM-1 displayed resistance to heavy metals (Cr6+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Pb2+) and pesticides (BHC, 2,4-D, Mancozeb) at pollutant levels typical of highly contaminated areas. Additionally, AM-1 exhibited substantial detoxification potential, reducing toxicity by 40.67% for heavy metals and 47.4% for pesticides at 3x concentrations. These findings suggest that the AM-1 strain supports environmental remediation and pollution mitigation. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) results exhibited bioremediation efficiency for metals Cr6+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ using immobilized cells of P. fluorescens AM-1 isolate, estimated to be 60.57%, 68.4%, and 53.93% respectively. These findings show that AM-1 strain has a potential role in bioremediation of water pollutants and may have future implications in wastewater treatment.

Glycation end-products specific auto-antibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, which is highly inflammatory. Compared to a healthy control group, SLE patients exhibit a higher concentration of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and a lower concentration of receptors for AGEs (RAGE) in serum, however, the exact aetiology is still unclear. In the present study, non-enzymatic glycation induced modification of human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied by biophysical techniques. Glycated HSA (G-HSA) was used as an antigen, and serum autoantibody levels were estimated in SLE and normal humans (NH) against it, using direct binding ELISA and competitive inhibition ELISA. Compared to N-HSA, remarkable structural modifications were observed in G-HSA. Modified HSA also showed increased pentosidine fluorescence (213.7 ± 13.4 AU). Glycation of HSA induced a conversion of α-helix and random coil to ß-sheet and ß-turns. Serum immuno assays results exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) higher binding of G-HSA with serum autoantibodies from SLE patients when compared with native HSA (N-HSA). Furthermore, competitive ELISA results showed significantly (p < 0.001) high percent inhibition of serum IgG from SLE patients with modified antigen. Chronic inflammation with excessive oxidative stress in SLE patients could be a possible reason for structural alterations in blood proteins, generating highly immunogenic unique new-epitopes. These in turn induce the generation of specific autoantibodies against G-HSA that may serve as a potential biomarker for SLE pathogenesis.

Air embolism during percutaneous nephrolithotomy using air pyelogram during initial access: Does it really occur?

INTRODUCTION: In the present era, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the standard treatment for large (>2 cm) renal or staghorn renal stones. Both air and iodinated contrast has been used to opacify the pelvicalyceal system (PCS) before the dilatation of the tract. There are rare reports of air embolism following air pyelogram on mere presumptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. A total of 164 patients underwent PCNL in which air was used to opacify the PCS by placing a ureteric catheter for initial access. RESULTS: None of our patients developed any complication during the procedure or in the postoperative period, which could be attributed to air embolism. CONCLUSIONS: The present study ascertains that using air for opacification of PCS for initial puncture access is a safe and acceptable alternative to iodinated contrast.

Depression and Smoking Augment the Production of Circulating Autoantibodies against Glycated HSA in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Depression and smoking contribute to the prognosis of autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are also detected in RA patients. This study correlates RA in patients with various levels of depression and a history of smoking through the detection of antibodies against AGEs of proteins. METHODS: Sixty RA subjects were selected and divided into 4 groups based on their levels of depression and smoking habits. The division was as follows: group I consisted of RA patients classified as depressed (RA-D); group II consisted of RA patients with a history of smoking (RA-S); group III consisted of RA patients suffering from depression who were also smokers (RA-DS); and group IV consisted of patients with RA alone (RA-A), i.e., not depressed and non-smokers. In vitro human serum albumin (HSA) was modified by glucose, and the modifications were studied by biochemical and biophysical techniques. Glycated (G)-HSA was used as an antigen, and autoantibodies against G-HSA (G-HSA-Abs) were screened in serum samples of different groups of RA subjects. Oxidative stress levels in all patients and healthy individuals were analyzed by protein-bound carbonyl content estimations. RESULTS: Significant biochemical and biophysical changes were detected in G-HSA when compared to native (N)-HSA. All patients and control subjects were screened for circulating G-HSA-Abs and N-HSA-Abs. From the cohort of different samples, serum autoantibodies from RA-DS showed a high recognition of G-HSA-Abs titres compared to RA-D or RA-S. RA-A exhibited the least binding of circulating G-HSA-Abs of all the groups. The oxidative stress marker, the carbonyl content also exhibited highest levels in RA-DS, followed by RA-D and RA-S. Band shift assay showed the highest titres of immunoglobulin G in the serum samples of RA-DS. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and concomitant depression in RA subjects may lead to enhanced oxidative stress levels responsible for the gradual formation and/or exposing of cryptic epitopes on HSA that induce the production of G-HSA-Abs. Hence, we postulate that by reducing depression and corresponding oxidative stress, it may be possible to control or limit the severity of the precipitation of RA disease activity and improve prognosis.

An eco-friendly dyeing of woolen yarn by Terminalia chebula extract with evaluations of kinetic and adsorption characteristics.

In the present study Terminalia chebula was used as an eco-friendly natural colorant for sustainable textile coloration of woolen yarn with primary emphasis on thermodynamic and kinetic adsorption aspects of dyeing processes. Polyphenols and ellagitannins are the main coloring components of the dye extract. Assessment of the effect of pH on dye adsorption showed an increase in adsorption capacity with decreasing pH. Effect of temperature on dye adsorption showed 80 °C as optimum temperature for wool dyeing with T. chebula dye extract. Two kinetic equations, namely pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order equations, were employed to investigate the adsorption rates. Pseudo second-order model provided the best fit (R (2) = 0.9908) to the experimental data. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption behavior accorded well (R (2) = 0.9937) with Langmuir isotherm model. Variety of eco-friendly and sustainable shades were developed in combination with small amount of metallic mordants and assessed in terms of colorimetric (CIEL(∗) a (∗) b (∗) and K/S) properties measured using spectrophotometer under D65 illuminant (10° standard observer). The fastness properties of dyed woolen yarn against light, washing, dry and wet rubbing were also evaluated.

Cytochrome P450-Mediated Estrogen Metabolites and Autoimmunity: Relationship and Link to Free Radicals.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are responsible for the hydroxylation of various endogenous estrogens of the Phase I metabolic pathway. Cytochrome P450s produce hormonally active estrogen metabolites that are typically reactive and mutagenic. Although these metabolites are known to have important roles in autoimmunity, the underlying mechanism of this remains unknown. Here we report that cytochrome P450-mediated estrogen metabolites produce high ROS concentrations that can result in DNA damage. Such DNA damage can alter its immunogenicity, resulting in the induction and elevation of autoantibody concentrations, thus generating various autoimmune conditions. Here we focus on the mechanisms through which cytochrome P450-catalyzed estrogen metabolites induce immune responses and subsequently produce the autoimmune phenomenon.

Detoxification and bioremediation potential of a Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate against the major Indian water pollutants.

A Pseudomonas fluorescens strain was isolated from the soil of industrial estate of Aligarh, India. This strain was resistant to some of the major Indian water pollutants, namely Cd2+, Cr6+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, BHC, 2,4-D, mancozeb and phenols up to the levels occurring in the highly polluted regions. Moreover, the test strain seems to have a great potential for the detoxification of these pollutants. The decrease in toxicity as determined by the Allium cepa test was recorded as 62.5% for the model water containing the mixture of test heavy metals, 71.9% for the pesticides, 73.2% for phenols, and 58.5% for combination of all these toxicants. These values were obtained after 24 hours, exposure to the immobilized cells of the test isolate in the calcium alginate matrix at the concentrations of these polutants supposedly present in the highly polluted water systems in India. The efficiency of bioremediation for certain heavy metals at the same concentrations by means of immobilized cells of the test Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate was estimated to be 75.9% for cadmium, 74.2% for hexavalent chromium and 61.0% for lead during the 24 hours' treatment. In view of the preliminary work, the test isolate seems to be a good candidate for the bioremediation of water pollutants.