Diacylhydrazine bridged anthranilic acids with aryl and heteroaryl domains have been synthesized as the open flexible scaffold of arylamide quinazolinones in order to investigate flexibility versus ...rigidity towards DNA photocleavage and sensitivity. Most of the compounds have been synthesized via the in situ formation of their anthraniloyl chloride and subsequent reaction with the desired hydrazide and were obtained as precipitates, in moderate yields. All compounds showed high UV-A light absorption and are eligible for DNA photocleavage studies under this "harmless" irradiation. Despite their reduced UV-B light absorption, a first screening indicated the necessity of a halogen at the
-position in relation to the amine group and the lack of an electron-withdrawing group on the aryl group. These characteristics, in general, remained under UV-A light, rendering these compounds as a novel class of UV-A-triggered DNA photocleavers. The best photocleaver, the compound
, was active at concentrations as low as 2 μΜ. The 5-Nitro-anthranilic derivatives were inactive, giving the opposite results to their related rigid quinazolinones. Molecular docking studies with DNA showed possible interaction sites, whereas cytotoxicity experiments indicated the iodo derivative
as a potent cytotoxic agent and the compound
as a slight phototoxic compound.
Potentially toxic metals in the urban chemical environment impose risks to both ecosystem and human health. Here, we evaluate the labile pools and availabilities of non-anthropogenic Ni, Cr, Co and ...Mn in soil samples from Thiva town (central Greece) and investigate their associations with common soil properties and geochemical data obtained by the aqua regia and single selective dissolutions. Experimental work included the initial application of the sequential extraction protocol proposed by the European Community Bureau of Reference and chemical extractions with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid solution and a modified physiologically based extraction test with the aim to obtain the operationally defined fractions of plant availability and human bioaccessibility, respectively. The leachate results demonstrated that despite the significant contribution of residual metal species especially for Ni and Cr, the studied serpentine soils provide chemically labile pools for all the considered elements. Nickel was found to be the most available metal with the order being Ni > Cr ∼ Co ∼ Mn for plant uptake and Ni > Cr > Co ∼ Mn for human bioaccessibility. The aqua regia extractable concentrations are not predictors of elemental availabilities except for Ni bioaccessible data interpreting however only a moderate percentage of the total variance. The incorporation of basic soil properties (mostly total organic carbon), geochemical data for the major elements Ca, Mg and Fe and ammonium oxalate extractable Cr significantly improved the estimations for individual elements entailing the strong influence of the chemistry and mineralogy of soil materials to the release of focus metals from the soil matrix. This study provides for the first time bioaccessible data for serpentine-derived soils that are more realistic for evaluating potential adverse effects on the human health.
The known metallotherapeutic Ag(salH)2 (AGSAL-1) of salicylic acid (salH2), was used for the development of new efficient silver based material for wounds healing. AGSAL-1 was characterized by ...spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. The wound healing epithelialization of AGSAL-1 was investigated by the means of scratch assay against immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of AGSAL-1 was evaluated by monitoring the catalytic peroxidation of linoleic acid to hydroperoxylinoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX). The antibacterial activity of AGSAL-1 was evaluated against bacterial species which colonize wounds, such as: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, by the means of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and their Inhibition Zone (IZ). Moreover, the influence of AGSAL-1 against the formation of biofilm of PAO1 and St. aureus was also evaluated by the mean of Biofilm Elimination Concentration (ΒΕC). A hydrogel material CMC@AGSAL-1, based on the dispersion of AGSAL-1 in to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was tested for its antimicrobial activity. Molecular Docking was performed, to explore the molecular interaction of AGSAL-1 with (i) the transcriptional regulator of PAO1, LasR. (ii) the mevalonate pathway for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids which is essential for gram-positive bacteria St. epidermidis and St. aureus. The toxicity of AGSAL-1 was examined against the HaCaT cells. Its genotoxicity was evaluated using Allium cepa model, in vivo. No genotoxicity was detected, indicating that AGSAL-1 is a candidate towards the development on a new efficient medication of the silver based metallodrugs.
The already known metallotherapeutic Ag(salH)2 (AGSAL-1) of the natural product and its composite with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) CMC@AGSAL-1, were used for the development of new efficient silver based material for wounds healing. Display omitted
•Silvermaterials.•Silvercomplex of the natural product salicylic acid (AGSAL-1).•AGSAL-1 as wound healing agent.•Anti-inflammatory activity of AGSAL-1 through LOX inhibition.•Antimicrobial activity of AGSAL-1 and CMC@Agsalagainst three bacterial strains.
Physical and chemical soil properties are affected by wildfires. Post-wildfire runoff may contain nutrient loads and particulate matter that negatively impact soil, surface water, and groundwater. ...According to data from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, devastating wildfires on Northern Euboea Island, Greece, in August 2021 destroyed more than 50,910 ha. Coniferous and broad-leaved forests mostly covered the affected area, according to CORINE. Topsoil and subsoil samples were collected from burned areas and analyzed for physicochemical parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon. After digestion with aqua regia, the Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, and As ‘pseudo total’ contents were determined. Leaching experiments were conducted to evaluate the levels of potentially toxic elements leaching from soils and the impact of environmental conditions. The leachates were analyzed for Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, As, Ca, Mg, Na, and K. Overall, most of the concentrations of the studied elements were higher in fire-affected soils than in unburned ones. Similar findings for element concentrations have been confirmed between topsoils and subsoils, with the latter exhibiting lower values. The increased ‘pseudo total’ values of Cr, Ni, Fe, Co, and Mn in all the soil samples, along with the medium to high positive correlations between them, indicate that geogenic factors play a major role in controlling element enrichment. High concentrations of Mn, Ni, and As in soil leachates exceeded the EU maximum permissible limits, indicating a potential ecological risk to natural water quality and, subsequently, to human health. The correlation coefficients between elements in fire-affected and unburned soils suggested that their geogenic origins were mainly associated with the ultramafic rocks and related ores of the study area. The elements’ concentrations in the leachates were significantly lower than their ‘pseudo total’ contents in soil, with no correlation between them. The reducing order of elements leachability did not coincide with the decreasing order of elements ‘pseudo total’ median values in soils. The decreasing order of element abundance in soil leachates coincides with their relative extractability and differs from the decreasing order of their ‘pseudo total’ median values in soils. Neutral to alkaline, soil pH conditions and organic carbon content, which substantially influence the retention and mobility of elements, presented different patterns among the studied elements, with only Mn, Cr, and Co showing correlations. The increased content of organic matter in fire-affected soils suggests that the combustion of vegetation was incomplete.
Abstract
Background/Aims
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the abnormal formation and deposition of mature lamellar bone within soft tissue, associated with trauma, surgery, neurologic injury and ...prolonged immobilisation. Several recent case reports have demonstrated this condition in COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
Methods
We present a case of heterotopic ossification in the shoulder after a long stay in intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19 infection.
Results
A 55-year-old man with stable psoriatic arthritis on sulfasalazine was admitted to ICU for mechanical ventilation after contracting COVID-19 infection. After discharge from ICU, he began noticing increasing right shoulder pain with restricted movements of abduction, internal and external rotation. His serum alkaline phosphatase was moderately elevated. Despite physiotherapy and NSAIDs, there was slow improvement. Shoulder x-ray showed significant bony overgrowth around proximal humerus which was initially thought to be part of his psoriatic arthritis. It was confirmed at Rheumatology/Radiology MDT to be heterotopic ossification. A computed tomography of the right shoulder was requested to evaluate the extent of the condition and orthopaedic advice was sought.
Conclusion
There are many factors contributing to the development of heterotopic ossification including trauma, spinal cord injury, brain injury, hypoxia, prolonged immobilisation with limitation of joint movement and prolonged bed rest which cause alterations in calcium homeostasis, male sex and over 60 years of age.
New onset joint pain and stiffness in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 especially those who had long ICU stay should be further investigated for this condition.
Treatment includes analgesia and physiotherapy with potential surgical intervention.
Disclosure
Y. Chang: None. E. Stathopoulou: None.
The study area is the Thriassion Plain, an important area, in antiquity, surrounding the famous ancient town of Eleusis, 20 km west of Athens. The modern town and port and the entire area were ...heavily industrialized (1965–1995) coupled with unregulated urban and agricultural development. The presence of two crude oil refineries and other oil-related industries have strongly impacted the entire environment, including soils, waters and sediments of the broader area. The purpose of this work is to better understand how a multi-layered groundwater system affects the potential underground spread of certain fuel volatile compounds, namely the BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and total xylenes) as well as their attenuation after their direct or indirect release into the aquifer system. The spatial distribution of BTEX in groundwaters show that they were concentrated mainly in four rather restricted locations. Three of them were spotted, as expected, in the close vicinity of known pollution sources (a military airfield and two crude oil refineries). The other one corresponds to an abandoned site with no outstanding pollution sources where wells exist, eventually used for illegal dumping of oily wastes. It is important that the concentrations decrease significantly from autumn to spring. This decline could be characterized as natural attenuation, related to natural dilution phenomena and a flushing out of pollutants discharging through underwater springs to the sea during the rainy period (October to April). This, in turn, could be associated to the specific geological conditions affecting the hydrology, such as the unconsolidated non-permeable deposits and the multi layered formations of the area’s aquifers.
Normally atmospheric CO2 is the major driver of ocean acidification (OA); however, local discharge/degradation of organic matter (OM) and redox reactions can exacerbate OA in coastal areas. In this ...work we study the response of nutrient and carbon systems to pH decrease in relation to hydrographically induced intermittent characteristics and examine scenarios for future ocean acidification in a coastal system. Laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted using seawater and surface sediment collected from the deepest part of Elefsis Bay; the pH was constantly being monitored while CO2 gas addition was adjusted automatically. In Elefsis Bay surface pCO2 is already higher than global present atmospheric values, while near the bottom pCO2 reaches 1538 μatm and carbonate saturation states were calculated to be around 1.5. During the experiment, in more acidified conditions, limited alkalinity increase was observed and was correlated with the addition of bicarbonates and OM. Ammonium oxidation was decelerated and a nitrification mechanism was noticed, despite oxygen deficiency, paralleled by reduction of Mn-oxides. Phosphate was found significantly elevated for the first time in lower pH values, without reprecipitating after reoxygenation; this was linked with Fe(II) oxidation and Fe(III) reprecipitation without phosphate adsorption affecting both available dissolved phosphate and (dissolved inorganic nitrogen) DIN:DIP (dissolved inorganic phosphate)ratio.
We construct a model where bureaucrats are corruptible, in the sense that they may accept bribes in order to mislead the authorities on the actual circumstances of firms that do not comply with a ...government regulation. We show that corruption increases the number of competing firms. We also show that increased competition (i) increases the likelihood that corruptible bureaucrats will actually transgress, and (ii) increases the bribe that corrupt bureaucrats will demand from each firm. These results are consistent with existing evidence showing a positive relation between competition and corruption, and that this causal relation operates in both directions.
The aim of this research is to study the seasonal histological changes in the digestive gland of males and females Nephrops norvegicus at the Pagasitikos Gulf. The food availability in Pagasitikos ...Gulf varies and depends on the seasonality, physicochemical conditions and diversification of organic material. After obtaining histological sections, the size of tubules, their lumens and the R-, F- and B-cells were calculated in March and May. A special image analysis algorithm was used that can automatically calculate both the above area ratios using digestive gland histological sections. Both male and female, which were sampled in May, had a larger density of lipid droplets than N. norvegicus sampled in March. However, females sampled in May had more lipid droplets per tubule and a smaller F-cell-to-tubule ratio than males, which indicated that the intensive feeding period had started for reproduction in the females. The digestive gland can be used as a nutritional indicator to assess the nutritional status of Nephrops stocks and to assist with the management of the Nephrops wild stocks by proposing a seasonal fishery management plan to improve the sustainability of the stocks.
Green Alliances and the Role of Taxation Stathopoulou, Eleni; Gautier, Luis
Environmental & resource economics,
11/2019, Letnik:
74, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We examine two alternative strategies that an environmental group can embark when interacting with a firm. The first one which is already discussed in the literature is when the group campaigns ...against the firm. The second one which has not been modelled in the literature is when the group collaborates with the firm (green alliance) to reduce the cost of the cleaner technology. We look at the case of both options being available for the group in a setting with an environmental tax. One of the main results of the paper argues that for higher taxation the conflict scenario is more likely to happen, implying that collaboration and a more stringent environmental policy are substitutes. This identifies a previously unexamined and possibly adverse effect of public policy on environmental quality because it weakens the impact of the pollution tax on emission intensity. We also characterise the optimal tax that maximises social welfare and find that under pure conflict –when conflict is the only option for the environmentalists– optimal tax is higher than when the group can choose to act against or join forces with the firm, indicating that a less stringent environmental policy is needed in the latter scenario.
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