Assessing the environmental sustainability gap in G20 economies: The roles of economic growth, energy mix, foreign direct investment, and population

There is serious debate among researchers regarding the sustainability implications of economic prosperity and energy dependence. Energy consumption has a critical linkage with economic growth, but it also degrades environmental quality. Therefore, it is important to investigate the relationship between economic growth, the energy mix, and environmental sustainability. However, empirical literature utilizes narrow variables to capture environmental sustainability. Because of this, this research introduces a new environmental sustainability variable using entropy weighting and combining deforestation, household carbon emissions, and life expectancy. This study examines the relationship between environmental sustainability, economic growth, and other selected variables using data from 2002 to 2019 for the G20 and its high-, upper-, and low-middle-income member countries. Since shocks in one G20 country can affect another, this study uses the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) technique for empirical analysis. The results of this study indicate that Gross Domestic Product (EG) and its square term did not support the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory. The energy mix has a positive impact on the environmental sustainability gap across all the samples except for the upper-middle-income group. Foreign direct investment positively affects this gap, while population growth has no significant impact. These findings demonstrate that policymakers should support environmentally friendly and clean energy sources to foster long-term economic growth and sustainability.

Breaking the Ice: A Review of Phages in Polar Ecosystems

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect and replicate within bacterial hosts, playing a significant role in regulating microbial populations and ecosystem dynamics. However, phages from extreme environments such as polar regions remain relatively understudied due to challenges such as restricted ecosystem access and low biomass. Understanding the diversity, structure, and functions of polar phages is crucial for advancing our knowledge of the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of these environments. In this review, we will explore the current state of knowledge on phages from the Arctic and Antarctic, focusing on insights gained from -omic studies, phage isolation, and virus-like particle abundance data. Metagenomic studies of polar environments have revealed a high diversity of phages with unique genetic characteristics, providing insights into their evolutionary and ecological roles. Phage isolation studies have identified novel phage-host interactions and contributed to the discovery of new phage species. Virus-like particle abundance and lysis rate data, on the other hand, have highlighted the importance of phages in regulating bacterial populations and nutrient cycling in polar environments. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge about polar phages, and by synthesizing these different sources of information, we can better understand the diversity, dynamics, and functions of polar phages in the context of ongoing climate change, which will help to predict how polar ecosystems and residing phages may respond to future environmental perturbations.

The effects of environmental taxes, renewable energy consumption and environmental technology on the ecological footprint: Evidence from advanced panel data analysis

The world faces various challenges in terms of environmental sustainability. An increasing world population, the rigidity of traditional production and consumption patterns, the complexity of economic activities, globalization, and harmful emissions intensify environmental pressures. In this context, the evaluation of various environmental policy instruments is important to alleviate environmental pressures and, thus, combat climate change. This study aims to investigate the impact of environmental taxes, renewable energy consumption, and environmental technology on the ecological footprint in OECD countries by using data from 1994 to 2018 and modern panel data techniques. The results of the AMG estimator indicate that environmental taxation and renewable energy consumption play a role in reducing the ecological footprint; however, results imply that environmental technology does not have a statistically significant effect on the ecological footprint. In addition, we applied DCCE and CS-ARDL estimators to obtain robustness results and observed that the findings remained valid. Therefore, the results of the study suggest that regulations to increase the effectiveness of environmental taxes, renewable energy consumption, and environmental technology should be promoted to ensure environmental sustainability.

Achieving sustainable environment through infrastructure and energy structure developments: empirical evidence from BRICS

The development of an environment that is sustainable requires infrastructure matching this goal. Moreover, it is almost impossible to achieve this goal without the requisite energy structure. Devising an energy structure that is both effective and efficient must precede the desired infrastructure to achieve sustainability goals. Therefore, it is important to look into the nexus of energy structure, infrastructure, and carbon emissions in "Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS)" countries under the growth and environment hypothesis. To empirically estimate the said nexus, robust econometric techniques are adopted. This paper employs panel data analysis techniques to investigate the relationship between infrastructure, energy consumption, and carbon emissions in the BRICS countries. The econometric estimation methodology includes a cross-sectional dependence test, unit root attribute of the panel data using the cross-sectionally augmented Im Pesaran and Shin (CIPS) test, and estimation of co-integration among the variables, and to address the issues in the panel data, augmented mean group (AMG) technique and common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimator were employed. Findings suggest the existence of a supportive role of infrastructure and energy structure in abating carbon emissions. It is suggested that the BRICS economies need to enhance their investment in infrastructure and energy structure for them to create a sustainable environment. Findings are also robust to short- and long-run policy implications. This study is a step forward toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Does globalization mitigate environmental degradation in selected emerging economies? assessment of the role of financial development, economic growth, renewable energy consumption and urbanization

While the acceleration of globalization in newly developing (emerging) economies contributes positively to economic developments on the one hand, it is a research topic that can have an impact on environmental pollution on the other hand. Therefore, this study analyzes the impact of globalization on environmental pollution for 14 emerging economies in the 1991-2018 period by including economic growth, financial development, renewable energy consumption, and urbanization in the ecological footprint model. In addition to the AMG forecaster, Driscoll-Kraay, PCSE, and FGLS estimation techniques are used for long-term forecasting. Causal linkages among variables are analyzed by the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel bootstrap causality test. The findings show that the series are cointegrated, that is, a long-term relationship between the variables. In the long term, globalization and renewable energy consumption reduce environmental pollution, while economic growth and financial development play a role in encouraging environmental pollution. Causality analysis enumerates a causality from economic growth and financial development to environmental pollution, as well as a two-way causality between globalization and environmental pollution and renewable energy consumption and environmental pollution. Empirical findings can offer important implications for policies that will reduce environmental pollution in these countries.

Clinical outcomes, time span for healing of various ocular surface disorders with amniotic membrane: A prospective, an Indian study

Purpose

To study the clinical outcomes, time span of healing of various ocular surface disorders with amniotic membrane graft.

Methods

A total of 41 patients, presenting to cornea clinic were included in the study and divided into five groups depending on the type of diagnosis: Group 1, with either >2 weeks of Persistent epithelial defect following cataract/retinal/glaucoma surgeries or Shield ulcers, Group 2 with >4 weeks of Non healing corneal ulcers, Group 3 with chemical injuries, Group 4 with Epithelial defects following keratoplasty, and Group 5 is the miscellaneous group.

Results

The mean age of the study subjects was 50.0 years. Overall mean duration between clinical presentation and AMT was 23.59 (30.7) days, a median 16 days (IQR; 2-26 days). Failure rate was high in Group 5 (n = 3: 30.0%) and Group 2 (n = 3: 27.3%). Time taken for epithelial closure was slower in groups 1 and 5 patients. The average time taken for reabsorption of AMG was 14.98 days. The complications included repeat AMG was in four eyes (9.75%), and graft displacement was noted in four eyes (9.75%) required resuturing, three eyes required TPK (7.31%), and one eye underwent evisceration (2.43%) following severe corneal melt secondary to neurotropic ulcer. The mean log MAR visual acuity improved from 1.52 to 1.26 at the 3 months.

Conclusion

Understanding on timespan for healing of ocular surface disorders with AMG is needed to assess the prognosis of the disease, preoperative counselling for repeat procedures, and the compliance with regard to follow up.

Does governance play any role in energy transition? Novel evidence from BRICS economies

Indubitably, energy transition, which is responsible for enhancing renewables in the energy mix, is considered one of the finest strategies for reducing non-renewable utilization and thus helping economies achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this regard, technological innovation and good governance are not only helpful in stimulating green energy supply but also enhance the efficiency of resources to reach the goals. Along with it, diligent long-term policies are required to inculcate some progression in the achievement of SDGs for climate safety. Thereby, factors such as good governance, technological innovation, trade openness, and economic growth can be addressed in a single framework. To achieve the objective of the study, we employ second-generation panel estimation techniques that are robust to cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. Specifically, we apply the cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) model for short- and long-run parameter estimation. The main findings are that governance and technological innovation both positively and significantly influence energy transition in the long run and short run. Economic growth affects energy transition positively, but trade openness affects energy transition negatively, while CO2 emissions have no significant impact on energy transition. Robustness checks, the common correlated effect mean group (CCEMG), and the augmented mean group (AMG) all validated these findings. Based on the findings, government officials are recommended to strengthen institutions, control corruption, and improve the quality of regulations in order to enhance the contributions of institutions to the transition to renewable energy.

SMILE lenticule versus amniotic membrane graft (AMG) augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of perforated corneal ulcer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stromal lenticule obtained from small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery versus amniotic membrane graft (AMG) augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of perforated corneal ulcers and compare the results between the two groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a comparative retrospective study that included 40 eyes with medium-sized corneal perforations, which were classified into two equal groups of 20 eyes each; group (A) was treated with SMILE lenticule graft and group (B) was treated with AMG augmented with PRP. Pre- and postoperative evaluations were carried out using both slit-lamp (SL) examination and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), including closure of perforation, complete healing, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

RESULTS

Complete closure of the perforation was achieved in both groups. However, healing was faster in the SMILE lenticule group than in the AMG with PRP group (P < 0.05). Complete healing was achieved in both groups: 100% in SMILE lenticule group and 95% in AMG with PRP group (P > 0.05). Both groups had few insignificant complications (30% in each), which were managed.

CONCLUSION

Both methods achieved adequate healing of corneal perforations within few weeks without significant complications. However, the stromal lenticule obtained from small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery tended to be safer with faster healing than AMG with PRP.

Effects of Human Capital on Energy Consumption: The Role of Income Inequality

High-quality human capital (HC) development has a strong influence on achieving a win-win target of economic growth and energy consumption mitigation based on the background of the contemporary "carbon neutrality" constraints in China. We here aim to empirically assess the effect of HC on energy consumption (EC) in 30 provinces of China from 2000 to 2019. Moreover, we broaden the literature by discussing the effect of HC in terms of impact mechanism and nonlinear relationship. Based on methods of the augmented mean group (AMG), the estimation of long-term impacts indicates that the improvement of HC significantly discourages the increase in EC. The intrinsic mechanism shows that the accumulation of HC significantly promotes the decline of EC through economic structure adjustment and technological innovation. Moreover, the threshold model indicates that income equality lifts the inhibitory impact of HC on EC. Accordingly, the development of HC should be involved in the policy preference of China's provincial and national development strategies considering its effectiveness in stimulating the reduction of energy consumption.

Use of acoustic myography to evaluate forelimb muscle function in retriever dogs carrying different mouth weights

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of mouth weight on gait and relative function of forelimb muscles in retriever hunting dogs as a possible explanation for biceps tendinopathy.

METHODS

Ten sound retriever dogs underwent acoustic myography, measuring efficiency (E-score), spatial summation (S-score), and temporal summation (T-score) during walk and trot on a pressure-sensitive walkway while carrying a 0 lb (0 kg), 1 lb (0.45 kg), and 3.2 lb (1.45 kg) mouth weight. Gait data included total pressure index (TPI), step length, and stance time. Statistics included a mixed effects model significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Forelimb TPI increased with increasing weight. There was no significant change in individual muscle parameters in response to weight. Significance was found in between-muscle comparisons. For walk, T-score was significantly lower in triceps vs. brachiocephalicus with 1 lb, not with 3.2 lb., S-score was significantly lower in the biceps at 0, 1 lb, and triceps at 0 lb. when compared to brachiocephalicus, E-score was significantly lower in deltoideus vs. brachiocephalicus at trot with l and 3.2 lb. There was an overall significant effect of muscle on T-score at trot, but no individual muscle comparison was significant.

CONCLUSION

Forelimb load increases with mouth weight. Deltoideus had a longer contraction time in response to increasing weight at trot when compared to brachiocephalicus. The biceps muscle did not show increased work in response to increasing weight.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The underlying etiology of biceps tendinopathies in retriever dogs remains uncertain but is not due to increasing weight.

Analysis of the dynamics of environmental degradation for 18 upper middle-income countries: the role of financial development

This study aims at investigating the dynamics of environmental degradation by focusing on the financial development-CO₂ emissions link. In this purpose, economic growth, renewable energy consumption, trade openness and urbanization are integrated into the CO₂ emissions model as other explanatory variables. In this study, 18 upper-middle-income countries with the highest growth rate in the world are examined for the period 1990-2018 by AMG method, which considers the cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. In addition, the causal linkages between variables are explored by Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel bootstrap causality technique. As a result of the study, it is found that financial development and renewable energy consumption reduce CO₂ emissions. In addition, it is determined that economic growth, urbanization, and trade openness deteriorate the environmental quality. As a result of causality analysis, while one-way is found from renewable energy consumption to CO₂ emissions, a bidirectional causality is observed between financial development and CO₂ emissions. Empirical findings provide several policy suggestions that decrease CO₂ emissions in these countries.

Variability in Healthcare Expenditure According to the Stratification of Adjusted Morbidity Groups in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Morbidity is the main item in the distribution of expenditure on healthcare services. The Adjusted Morbidity Group (AMG) measures comorbidity and complexity and classifies the patient into mutually exclusive clinical categories. The aim of this study is to analyse the variability of healthcare expenditure on users with similar scores classified by the AMG. Observational analytical and retrospective study. Population: 1,691,075 subjects, from Canary Islands (Spain), aged over 15 years with data from health cards, clinical history, Basic Minimum Specialised Healthcare Data Set, AMG, hospital agreements information system and Electronic Prescriptions. A descriptive, bivariant (ANOVA coefficient η²) and multivariant analysis was conducted. There is a correlation between the costs and the weight of AMG (rho = 0.678) and the prescribed active ingredients (rho = 0.689), which is smaller with age and does not exist with the other variables. As for the influence of the AMG morbidity group on the total costs of the patient, the coefficient η² (0.09) obtains a median effect in terms of the variability of expenditure, hence there is intra- and inter-group variability in the cost. In a first model created with all the variables and the cost, an explanatory power of 36.43% (R² = 0.3643) was obtained; a second model that uses solely active ingredients, AMG weight, being female and a pensioner obtained an explanatory power of 36.4%. There is room for improvement in terms of predicting the expenditure.

Wind energy and CO2 emissions: AMG estimations for selected countries

This study analyzes the relationship between wind energy consumption, coal energy consumption, globalization, economic growth, and carbon emissions. Data from 37 countries for the period 2000-2019 are included in the analysis. To examine the long-term relationship between the variables, the AMG method, which considers the cross-section dependence and slope homogeneity, was used. According to the long-term coefficient estimates of the cointegrated variables, wind energy consumption has a statistically significant and negative effect on carbon emissions in the long run. For example, a 1% increase in wind energy consumption reduces carbon emissions by 0.018%. On the other hand, the variable of globalization has a statistically significant and positive effect on carbon emissions in the long run. A 1% increase in globalization increases carbon emissions by 0.107%. These findings show the importance of wind energy consumption in reducing carbon emissions.

The decline in carbon intensity: the role of financial expansion and hydro-energy

The effect of a broad financial index (FD), hydro-energy output, and expansion of the economy on the intensity of carbon were investigated by incorporating the effect of financial expansion through the channel of hydro-energy. The cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL), Mean Group (MG), Augmented Mean Group (AMG), and vector error correction mechanism causality approaches were employed to study panel data for the period from 1980 to 2017 for the top four hydro-energy producing states. The outcomes revealed that FD raises the intensity of carbon in both the short and long term. In contrast, hydro-energy output (HYP) is stated to be a significant factor for attaining a low carbon intensity in the short and long term. The outcomes also indicated that the expansion of the economy augments the intensity of carbon. However, FD lowers the intensity of carbon via the channel of hydro-energy. The causality test outcomes revealed a short-run causality moving from the intensity of carbon to hydro-energy as well as a short-term causality moving from GDP to the intensity of carbon. It was also observed that there is a long-term causality running from all the variables to the intensity of carbon. Important policy implications are suggested at the end of the research.

Evaluation of Topical Mitomycin-C Eye Drops After Reconstructive Surgery for Anophthalmic Contracted Socket

Purpose

To report the outcomes of using topical mitomycin-C (MMC) after reconstructive surgery for contracted socket and to compare the results with those of the conventional postoperative treatment.

Patients and Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for contracted anophthalmic socket were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the postoperative treatment protocol, two groups of patients were identified; group I (15 patients) who received topical MMC drops (0.02%) 4 times daily for 6 weeks and group II (15 patients) who received the conventional treatment (topical antibiotic-steroid combination). Preoperative data were extracted for age, gender, cause and timing of anophthalmia, history of previous surgeries, preoperative forniceal depth and socket volume (SV). The main postoperative outcome measures were superior fornix depth (SFD), inferior fornix depth (IFD) and SV at the end of 6th postoperative month. Prosthesis fitting and complications were also considered for analysis.

Results

The mean preoperative IFD was 1.67±0.04 mm in group I and 1.58±0.37 mm in group II, by the end of the 6th postoperative month it increased to 6.1 ±0.27 mm and 5.12 ±0.25mm, respectively. The mean preoperative SFD in group I was 8.3±0.9 mm and 8.9±1.1 mm in group II, by the end of the 6th postoperative month SFD became 13.4±1.2 mm and 10.2±1.4 mm in groups I and II, respectively. The mean SV measured six months postoperatively was 1.9±0.2 mL and 1.3±0.09 mL in groups I and II, respectively. These differences in the postoperative SFD, IFD and SV between both groups were statistically significant. More cases reported successful fitting in group I than in group II but this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Postoperative use of topical MMC is associated with higher forniceal depth and greater SV when compared to the conventional treatment in socket reconstructive surgeries with amniotic membrane graft (AMG).

The impact of water depth and speed on muscle fiber activation of healthy dogs walking in a water treadmill

BACKGROUND

Water treadmills are frequently used in the rehabilitation of dogs, for example with the purpose of re-building muscular strength after surgery. However, little is known about how different water depths and velocities affect the muscular workload during aquatic locomotion. This study used acoustic myography to assess hind limb muscle fiber activation in 25 healthy large-breed dogs walking in a water treadmill. Acoustic myography sensors were attached to the skin over the vastus lateralis of the quadriceps and the biceps femoris muscles. The dogs walked at two velocities (30 and 50 m/min) and four water depths: bottom of the pads, hock, stifle and mid-femur. Acoustic myograph signals were analyzed for changes in three muscle function parameters: efficiency/coordination (E-score) and spatial (S-score) and temporal (T-score) summation.

RESULTS

Differences between E, S, and T were statistically significant compared across different speeds (30, 50) and water levels (0, 1, 2, 3) using a one-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons (Tukey; Geisser-Greenhouse correction) as well as a two-tailed one sample t-test. At 50 m/min in water at the mid-femur, the biceps femoris was less efficient (P < 0.001) and recruited more fibers (P = 0.01) at a higher firing rate (P = 0.03) compared to working in shallower water, while the vastus lateralis was also less efficient (P < 0.01), but spatial and temporal summation did not change significantly. At 30 m/min, biceps efficiency was reduced (P < 0.01) when water was at the mid-femur compared to the bottom of the pads level. Walking in stifle- or hock-deep water did not show increased muscle activation for either muscle compared to walking in water at the bottom of the pads.

CONCLUSION

More muscle activation was required to walk in water at a depth at the level of the mid-femur compared to shallower water, and this exercise was more demanding for the biceps femoris, a muscle engaged in propulsion, than for vastus lateralis. These findings may help practitioners towards making more precise rehabilitation protocols.

The impact of globalization on the ecological footprint: do convergence clubs matter?

In this paper, we examine the impact of globalization on ecological footprint within the framework of the environmental convergence hypothesis for 130 countries over 1980-2016. To do so, we follow a two-stage empirical procedure. First, we test the overall convergence in ecological footprint across countries and identify possible convergence clubs using the nonlinear time-varying factor model developed by Phillips and Sul (2007). Then, we perform panel unit-root and panel cointegration tests used under the presence of cross-sectional dependence to analyze the impact of globalization and economic growth on the ecological footprint both for the full panel sample and convergence clubs. Finally, we estimate long-run coefficients using the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCE-MG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) techniques. The club clustering algorithm identifies five convergence clubs, each converging to a different ecological footprint level. The results show cointegration between variables for the full panel sample and two of the five convergence clubs. Furthermore, there is no significant relationship between ecological footprint and globalization, whereas economic growth is significantly and positively related to the ecological footprint for full panel sample and one of the five convergence clubs. In other words, the impact of globalization and economic growth on ecological footprint differs across full panel sample and convergence clubs.

α-Mangostin Nanoparticles Cytotoxicity and Cell Death Modalities in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

α-Mangostin (AMG) is a potent anticancer xanthone that was discovered in mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.). AMG possesses the highest opportunity for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic therapy. AMG inhibits every step in the process of carcinogenesis. AMG suppressed multiple breast cancer (BC) cell proliferation and apoptosis by decreasing the creation of cancerous compounds. Accumulating BC abnormalities and their associated molecular signaling pathways promotes novel treatment strategies. Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment; due to the possibility of unpleasant side effects and multidrug resistance, there has been substantial progress in searching for alternative solutions, including the use of plant-derived natural chemicals. Due to the limitations of conventional cancer therapy, nanotechnology provides hope for effective and efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nanotechnology enables the delivery of nanoparticles and increased solubility of drugs and drug targeting, resulting in increased cytotoxicity and cell death during BC treatment. This review summarizes the progress and development of AMG’s cytotoxicity and the mechanism of death BC cells. The combination of natural medicine and nanotechnology into a synergistic capital will provide various benefits. This information will aid in the development of AMG nanoparticle preparations and may open up new avenues for discovering an effective BC treatment.

Environmental degradation in ASEAN: assessing the criticality of natural resources abundance, economic growth and human capital

The ASEAN countries have enjoyed significant economic advancement over the years. The region is also blessed with lots of natural resources. However, natural resource abundance and economic growth could contribute to environmental deterioration, especially when the exploration and consumption of natural resource is not sustainable. This study has a maiden attempt to constitute the dynamic linkages between natural resources, human capital, economic growth, and ecological footprint (EF) in ASEAN. The Augmented Mean Group (an advanced econometric estimator) is adopted for empirical analysis over the period 1990 to 2016. The findings confirm the adverse effect of economic growth and natural resource on environmental quality. Human capital, though with a negative coefficient, is not efficient in mitigating environmental degradation in ASEAN. The country-wise results affirm that economic growth intensifies environmental degradation in all the countries, and the outcome was consistent with the dynamic OLS results. Further findings from the country-wise results suggest that natural resource is not harmful in Laos PDR and Thailand, but constitute environmental deterioration in the other countries. Finally, a feedback causality is discovered between natural resource and economic growth, and between human capital and economic growth. The limitations of the study and directions for future research have been highlighted along with relevant policy directions.

Natural resource, globalization, urbanization, human capital, and environmental degradation in Latin American and Caribbean countries

The world is increasingly getting urbanized and globalized, and the increase in natural resource exploration could have a far-reaching impact on environmental quality. Since most Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACCs) have proximity to the Amazon, they, therefore, rely heavily on agriculture and mining which develop via deforestation which could exacerbate the already increasing carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂ emissions). Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, this study becomes the first to investigate the link between natural resources, globalization, urbanization, and environmental degradation in LACCs countries from 1990 to 2017 with advanced panel data econometric techniques. The unit root tests affirm all the variables to be stationary at first difference, and the Westerlund (Oxf Bull Econ Stat 69(6):709-748, 2007) cointegration test confirms the long-run relationship among the variables. The augmented mean group (AMG) and the common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) results affirm that the aforementioned variables add to CO₂ emissions, while human capital mitigates it. Further findings reveal that human capital performs a moderating role in promoting urbanization sustainability. The country-specific results confirm that economic growth adds to emissions in all the countries, except in the Dominican Republic. A feedback causality exists between economic growth, globalization, urbanization, and CO₂ emissions. This study argues for the development of human capital, a gradual transition to sustainable growth-driven and knowledge-based industries, and the introduction of sustainability practices in the natural resource sector to mitigate CO₂ emissions in LACCs.

The role of financial development, tourism, and energy utilization in environmental deficit: evidence from 20 highest emitting economies

This study establishes a long-run relationship between ecological footprint, financial development, energy utilization, and tourism in 20 highest emitting economies under the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework by utilizing the longitudinal data covering the period from 1995 to 2017. In the procedure of panel data estimation, conventional methodologies usually overlook the problem of cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity across cross-sections. The other concern linked to the published literature is that only a small number of studies have estimated the effect of financial development and tourism on the environment in the presence of EKC framework simultaneously, even though these sectors have potentially substantial impact on environmental quality. To bridge these analyzed gaps, this study employs two different unit root tests: Cross-section Augmented Dickey Fuller (CADF) and Cross-section Augmented Im, Pesaran and Shin (CIPS) to confirm that the series are stationary at first difference after confirming the cross-sectional dependency. Westerlund cointegration test applied to confirm the long-run association among variables. Augmented mean group (AMG) results discovered that financial development and the energy utilization significantly enhance the pollution level, while tourism sector reduces the environmental deficit. Moreover, these findings do not validate the EKC hypothesis. Based on the empirical findings, multiple policy implications are suggested to control and reduce the environmental degradation without hindering economic growth and development for the underlying highest emitting countries.

Renewable energy, urbanization, and ecological footprint linkage in CIVETS

Emerging economies are mostly plague by a massive consumption of non-renewable energy amidst an ever inceasing urbanization rate with little or no attention to the quality of the environmental. As such, this paper investigates the relationship between renewable energy, urbanization, economic growth, trade openness, and ecological footprint in CIVETS countries, namely, Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and South Africa. The study employs augmented mean group estimator, panel cointegration, and causality tests. The findings reveal that renewable energy improves environmental quality, and trade is not particularly harmful to the environment. However, non-renewable energy consumption and urbanization are the chief contributors to environmental degradation in the CIVETS countries. Economic expansion mitigates environmental deterioration in Colombia, South Africa, and Turkey, but contributes to pollution in Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Finally, the causality test suggests that urbanization drives environmental degradation. Policy directions are discussed.

Environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis: asymmetry analysis and robust estimation under cross-section dependence

In this paper, we revisit the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by using estimations that account for cross-sectional dependency (CSD) and asymmetry effect in 76 countries for the period 1971-2014. Our results lend moderate support to the EKC hypothesis. The country-specific results unfold that a total of 16 out of 76 countries support the EKC hypothesis using CCEMG estimator. Results from AMG reveal that the EKC hypothesis holds in 24 out of 76 countries. It is worth highlighting that 11 countries (Australia, China, Congo Dem. Rep., Costa Rica, Gabon, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Myanmar, Turkey, and Uruguay) exhibit an inverted U-shaped curve regardless of whether CCEMG or AMG is used. The asymmetry analysis using PMG is also able to support the EKC hypothesis. We conclude that the EKC hypothesis does not fit all countries. Policy implication and recommendation in designing appropriate energy and economic policies are provided.

The economic growth/development and environmental degradation: evidence from the US state-level EKC hypothesis

This study investigates the validity of the EKC (environmental Kuznets curve) hypothesis for the 50 US states and a Federal District (Washington, D.C.). To this aim, the common correlated effects (CCE) and the augmented mean group (AMG) estimation procedures are applied between 1980 and 2015. While the CCE estimation does not support EKC hypothesis, the AMG does. The empirical findings of the AMG estimation indicate that only 14 states verify the EKC hypothesis. Additionally, the expected negative impacts of fossil energy consumption on the environment (CO₂ emissions) are strongly detected in all states except Texas. However, the expected positive impacts of renewable energy consumption on the CO₂ emissions are detected only in 13 states. Furthermore, the expected negative impacts of the population are not detected in some mostly populated states like New York, Texas, and Ohio. The overall findings of this study may help the US state-level policy makers in two ways: first, to understand whether their economic growths are sustainable (eco-friendly); second, to see how their fossil and renewable energy consumptions affect their environments and to review their energy policies.

Effect of natural resources, renewable energy and economic development on CO2 emissions in BRICS countries

Economic development drives industrialization, which increased the value of the extracted natural resources. Excessive usage of natural resources, through agriculture, deforestation, and mining can affect the environment. In this regard, the present study investigates the effects of natural resources' abundance on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The study uses annual panel data spanning from 1990 to 2015 in BRICS countries. The augmented mean group (AMG) panel algorithm, robust to crosssectional dependence and heterogeneity, infers the heterogeneous effect of natural resources on CO₂ emissions among BRICS countries. Abundance of natural resources mitigates CO₂ emission in Russia, but contributes to pollution in South Africa. In addition to this, natural resources help to form Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in Brazil, China, Russia, and South Africa. Finally, causality analysis suggested feedback hypothesis between natural resources and CO₂ emissions.

Lesions of the central amygdala and ventromedial medulla reduce bladder hypersensitivity produced by acute but not chronic foot shock

Both acute and chronic stress has been shown to exacerbate symptoms of chronic visceral pain conditions such as interstitial cystitis. Studies using animal models support these findings in that both acute and chronic exposure to foot shock-induced stress (FS) augment nociceptive reflex responses to urinary bladder distension (UBD). Only a few studies have examined the neural substrates mediating these phenomena and it is not clear whether acute and chronic stress engage the same or different substrates to produce bladder hypersensitivity. The present studies examined the role of two important central nervous system structures - the amygdala (AMG) and the ventromedial medulla (VMM) - in mediating/modulating hypersensitivity evoked by acute versus chronic FS using responses to graded UBD in adult, female Sprague-Dawley rats. Bladder hypersensitivity produced by acute FS was significantly reduced by either bilateral central AMG or VMM lesions using measures generated by graded UBD, but these lesions had no significant effects using the same measures on bladder hyperalgesia produced by chronic FS. Our findings provide evidence that neural substrates underlying bladder hypersensitivity produced by chronic stress differ from those produced by acute stress. These findings suggest that while the AMG and VMM participate in pain processing during periods of limited exposure to stress, prolonged stress may recruit a new set of neural substrates not initially activated by acute exposure to stress.

Potent in vitro and in vivo effects of polyclonal anti-human-myeloma globulins

Introduction

Multiple myeloma is still incurable in most cases. Polyclonal anti T lymphocyte globulins (ATG) have been reported to kill human myeloma cells in vitro and in mouse models.

Methods

Anti-human-myeloma globulins (AMG) were produced by immunizing rabbits with human myeloma cell lines RPMI-8226 (AMG-8226) or KMS-12-BM (AMG-12-BM). Cytotoxicity of the polyclonal antibodies was analyzed in vitro and in a xenograft NOD-SCID mouse model.

Results

Both AMG had stronger cytotoxicity against myeloma cells compared to ATG. In primary T cells, AMG-8226 showed greater complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) than ATG, whereas complement-independent cytotoxicity did not differ. Effects on non-hematopoietic cell lines were also similar. Competitive blocking assays revealed fourfold more antibodies against CD38 in AMG-8226 compared to ATG. Low concentrations of AMG-8226 and ATG increased ADCC. At higher concentrations, ATG inhibited ADCC more potently than AMG-8226. Combinations of ATG and AMG-8226 with melphalan or bortezomib showed additive to synergistic cytotoxicity on myeloma cells. The cytotoxic effects of AMG and ATG were confirmed in the xenograft NOD-SCID mouse model.

Conclusion

Our data show more potent antimyeloma effects of AMG compared to ATG. These results lay the ground for the development of polyclonal antibodies for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Altered functional interaction hub between affective network and cognitive control network in patients with major depressive disorder

Emotional and cognitive dysregulation in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been consistently considered to be attributed to structural and functional abnormalities in affective network (AN) and cognitive control network (CCN). This study was to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) patterns and altered functional interactions between both networks in MDD. We investigated resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging in the AN and the CCN in 25 MDD and 35 healthy controls (HC). The seeds were from voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis results. Then FC within the AN was assessed from a seed placed in the left amygdala (AMG) and FC within CCN was determined by placing seeds in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Compared with HC, MDD showed reduced FC between left AMG and bilateral precuneus and right anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) within AN and reduced FC between right DLPFC and left cuneus, left lingual gyrus, and right ACC within CCN. An interaction hub of altered FC in MDD between AN and CCN located in the right ACC. Interestingly, the altered FC between right ACC and left AMG was negatively correlated with depressive symptom score while the altered FC between right ACC and DLPFC was positively correlated the executive function in MDD. The right ACC not only supports the cognitive and emotional processes, but also is an altered functional interaction hub between AN and CCN in MDD. It further suggest multiple sources of dysregulation in AN and CCN implicate both top-down cognitive control and bottom-up emotional expression dysfunction in MDD.

Effects of hypocretin and norepinephrine interaction in bed nucleus of the stria terminalis on arterial pressure

Forebrain neuronal circuits containing hypocretin-1 (hcrt-1) and norepinephrine (NE) are important components of central arousal-related processes. Recently, these two systems have been shown to have an overlapping distribution within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), a limbic structure activated by stressful challenges, and which functions to adjust arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) to the stressor. However, whether hcrt-1 and NE interact in BST to alter cardiovascular function is unknown. Experiments were done in urethane-α-chloralose anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated male Wistar rats to investigate the effect of hcrt-1 and NE on the cardiovascular responses elicited by l-glutamate (Glu) stimulation of BST neurons. Microinjections of hcrt-1, NE or tyramine into BST attenuated the decrease in AP and HR to Glu stimulation of BST. Additionally, combined injections of hcrt-1 with NE or tyramine did not elicit a greater attenuation than either compound alone. Furthermore, injections into BST of the α2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) antagonist yohimbine, but not the α1-AR antagonist 2-{[β-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]aminomethyl}-1-tetralone hydrochloride, blocked both the hcrt-1 and NE-induced inhibition of the BST cardiovascular depressors responses. Finally, injections into BST of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, but not the GABAB receptor antagonist phaclofen, blocked the hcrt-1 and NE attenuation of the BST Glu-induced depressor and bradycardia responses. These data suggest that hcrt-1 effects in BST are mediated by NE neurons, and hcrt-1 likely acts to facilitate the synaptic release of NE. NE neurons, acting through α2-AR may activate Gabaergic neurons in BST, which in turn through the activation of GABAA receptors inhibit a BST sympathoinhibitory pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that hcrt-1 pathways to BST through their interaction with NE and Gabaergic neurons may function in the coordination of cardiovascular responses associated with different behavioral states.

The steroidogenic enzyme Cyp11a1 is essential for development of peanut-induced intestinal anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND

Cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (Cyp11a1), a cytochrome P450 enzyme, is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the steroidogenic pathway, converting cholesterol to pregnenolone. Cyp11a1 expression is increased in activated T cells.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the role of Cyp11a1 activation in the development of peanut allergy and TH cell functional differentiation.

METHODS

A Cyp11a1 inhibitor, aminoglutethimide (AMG), was administered to peanut-sensitized and challenged mice. Clinical symptoms, intestinal inflammation, and Cyp11a1 levels were assessed. The effects of Cyp11a1 inhibition on T(H)1, T(H)2, and T(H)17 differentiation were determined. Cyp11a1 gene silencing was performed with Cyp11a1-targeted short hairpin RNA.

RESULTS

Peanut sensitization and challenge resulted in diarrhea, inflammation, and increased levels of Cyp11a1, IL13, and IL17A mRNA in the small intestine. Inhibition of Cyp11a1 with AMG prevented allergic diarrhea and inflammation. Levels of pregnenolone in serum were reduced in parallel. AMG treatment decreased IL13 and IL17A mRNA expression in the small intestine without affecting Cyp11a1 mRNA or protein levels. In vitro the inhibitor decreased IL13 and IL17A mRNA and protein levels in differentiated T(H)2 and T(H)17 CD4 T cells, respectively, without affecting GATA3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), or T(H)1 cells and IFNG and T-bet expression. Short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of Cyp11a1 in polarized T(H)2 CD4 T cells significantly decreased pregnenolone and IL13 mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSION

Cyp11a1 plays an important role in the development of peanut allergy, regulating peanut-induced allergic responses through effects on steroidogenesis, an essential pathway in T(H)2 differentiation. Cyp11a1 thus serves as a novel target in the regulation and treatment of peanut allergy.

Pharmacological blockade of TRPV1 receptors modulates the effects of 6-OHDA on motor and cognitive functions in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

TRPV1 receptors and cannabinoid system are considered as important modulators of basal ganglia functions, and their pharmacologic manipulation represents a promising therapy to alleviate Parkinson-induced hypokinesia. Recent evidence suggests that the blockade of cannabinoid receptors might be beneficial to alleviate motor deficits observed in Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of AMG9810 , a selective antagonist of TRPV1 receptors, on the motor and cognitive functions in a rat model of Parkinson's disease generated by an intracerebroventricular injection of 6- hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) (200 μg per animal). The injection of 10 nmol of AMG9810 for a single dose (AMG1) and for 2 weeks (AMG14) partially attenuated the hypokinesia shown by these animals in motor function evaluation tests, whereas chronic administration of AMG had destructive effects on learning and memory in 6-OHDA-treated rats. Animals in the AMG 1 and AMG 14 groups showed an increased latency to fall in rotarod and grasping tests in each trials compared with 6-OHDA-treated rats (P < 0.01) and DMSO 1 and 14 groups (P < 0.05). Our data indicate that pharmacological blockade of TRPV1 receptors by AMG 9810 attenuates the hypokinetic effects of 6-OHDA and that TRPV1 receptors play an important role in 6-OHDA-induced hypokinesia, although elucidation of the neurochemical substrate involved in this process remains a major challenge for the future.

The interaction of disrupted type II neuregulin 1 and chronic adolescent stress on adult anxiety- and fear-related behaviors

The incidence of anxiety, mood, substance abuse disorders and schizophrenia increases during adolescence. Epidemiological evidence confirms that exposure to stress during sensitive periods of development can create vulnerabilities that put genetically predisposed individuals at increased risk for psychiatric disorders. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a frequently identified schizophrenia susceptibility gene that has also been associated with the psychotic features of bipolar disorder. Previously, we established that Type II NRG1 is expressed in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis neurocircuitry. We also found, using a line of Nrg1 hypomorphic rats (Nrg1(Tn)), that genetic disruption of Type II NRG1 results in altered HPA axis function and environmental reactivity. The present studies used the Nrg1(Tn) rats to test whether Type II NRG1 gene disruption and chronic stress exposure during adolescence interact to alter adult anxiety- and fear-related behaviors. Male and female Nrg1(Tn) and wild-type rats were exposed to chronic variable stress (CVS) during mid-adolescence and then tested for anxiety-like behavior, cued fear conditioning and basal corticosterone secretion in adulthood. The disruption of Type II NRG1 alone significantly impacts rat anxiety-related behavior by reversing normal sex-related differences and impairs the ability to acquire cued fear conditioning. Sex-specific interactions between genotype and adolescent stress also were identified such that CVS-treated wild-type females exhibited a slight reduction in anxiety-like behavior and basal corticosterone, while CVS-treated Nrg1(Tn) females exhibited a significant increase in cued fear extinction. These studies confirm the importance of Type II NRG1 in anxiety and fear behaviors and point to adolescence as a time when stressful experiences can shape adult behavior and HPA axis function.