Energy and the Circular Economy: Filling the gap through new business models within the EGD

The FEEM report 2019 (Zoboli et al. 2019) proposed to embed the Circular Economy (CE) into a broader NEXUS framework, in which the relationships between the CE transition, the decarbonization transition, and the bioeconomy transition have to be considered in sustainability transition strategies. In this report, the focus is on the CEDecarbonisation nexus, in particular the energy-CE links, taking into consideration also those links to the bioeconomy that can be relevant for the energy-CE link. We will highlight how, in spite of the very broad policy vision emerging from the European Green Deal (EGD) and the continuously increasing industrial interest for the CE, there are still missing, or not completely deployed, links between CE and energy/decarbonization. In particular, there are missing links within the EU policy framework, in which legislation on CE and energy/climate are still delinked. The wide range of specific strategies triggered by the EGD, including the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 (EC 2020c), are going towards a deeper integration between CE and energy/decarbonization, and this can provide new opportunities. At the same time, the CE-related new business models are more and more holistic and flexibly encompass the CE-energy/ decarbonizations links. In this framework, the energy industry is undertaking broad strategies for the CE that emphasize these links and move in the direction of integrated business models. The report first presents the CE-energy/decarbonizations links. Then it takes stock of the evolving policy framework for these links. The other sections address the CE-energy/decarbonizations links in the energy industry, also presenting the range of initiatives of some major players, and the CE measurement at the company level

Antimycotic Efficacy and Safety of a New Cold Corneal Storage Medium by Time-Kill and Toxicity Studies

To evaluate a new corneal cold storage medium including an antimycotic tablet (Kerasave, AL.CHI.MI.A. S.r.l.). Kerasave and tryptone soy broth (control) were inoculated with 10 and 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of 6 Candida isolates (Candida albicans [n = 4], Candida tropicalis [n = 1], and Candida glabrata [n = 1]). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using amphotericin B Etest strips. Sterile porcine corneas contaminated with 10 CFU/mL of each isolate were incubated in Kerasave and control at 4°C. Growth rate and Log10 reduction at 4°C at different time intervals were determined for liquid samples and tissue homogenates. Kerasave biocompatibility was assessed according to ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10. No C. albicans or C. tropicalis colonies were recovered from Kerasave inoculated with 10 CFU/mL after incubation for 3 days at 4°C. C. glabrata was inhibited but not killed after 3 days at 4°C. Four of the 6 strains contaminated with 10 CFU/mL demonstrated a significant ≥ 3 Log10 reduction in media and tissue homogenates within 5 days as compared to controls (p < 0.01). Amphotericin B MICs ranged from 0.19 to 0.38 μg/mL for C. albicans (n = 3) and C. tropicalis (n = 1). C. glabrata showed reduced susceptibility (0.5 μg/mL) and 1 C. albicans was resistant to amphotericin B (≥ 1 μg/mL). Kerasave was not cytotoxic, irritating, or sensitizing according to the ISO standards. Kerasave showed high antifungal efficacy against susceptible fungal strains at 4°C in the presence and absence of corneal tissue. Resistant strains to amphotericin B were not eliminated by Kerasave. Kerasave is not cytotoxic, irritating, or sensitizing

A Morphometric Study of Mechanotransductively Induced Dermal Neovascularization

Background: Mechanical stretch has been shown to induce vascular remodeling and increase vessel density, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the morphologic changes induced by tensile forces to dermal vessels are poorly understood. Methods: A custom computer-controlled stretch device was designed and applied to the backs of C57BL/6 mice (n = 38). Dermal and vascular remodeling was studied over a 7-day period. Corrosion casting and three-dimensional scanning electron microscopy and CD31 staining were performed to analyze microvessel morphology. Hypoxia was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors was performed. Results: Skin stretching was associated with increased angiogenesis as demonstrated by CD31 staining and vessel corrosion casting where intervascular distance and vessel diameter were decreased (p < 0.01). Immediately after stretching, VEGF dimers were increased. Messenger RNA expression of VEGF receptor 1, VEGF receptor 2, neuropilin 1, and neuropilin 2 was increased starting as early as 2 hours after stretching. Highly proliferating epidermal cells induced epidermal hypoxia starting at day 3 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Identification of significant hypoxic cells occurred after identification of neovessels, suggesting an alternative mechanism. Increased expression of angiogenic receptors and stabilization of VEGF dimers may be involved in a mechanotransductive, prehypoxic induction of neovascularization

Energy and the Circular Economy: Filling the gap through new business models within the EGD

The FEEM report 2019 (Zoboli et al. 2019) proposed to embed the Circular Economy (CE) into a broader NEXUS framework, in which the relationships between the CE transition, the decarbonization transition, and the bioeconomy transition have to be considered in sustainability transition strategies. In this report, the focus is on the CEDecarbonisation nexus, in particular the energy-CE links, taking into consideration also those links to the bioeconomy that can be relevant for the energy-CE link. We will highlight how, in spite of the very broad policy vision emerging from the European Green Deal (EGD) and the continuously increasing industrial interest for the CE, there are still missing, or not completely deployed, links between CE and energy/decarbonization. In particular, there are missing links within the EU policy framework, in which legislation on CE and energy/climate are still delinked. The wide range of specific strategies triggered by the EGD, including the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 (EC 2020c), are going towards a deeper integration between CE and energy/decarbonization, and this can provide new opportunities. At the same time, the CE-related new business models are more and more holistic and flexibly encompass the CE-energy/decarbonizations links. In this framework, the energy industry is undertaking broad strategies for the CE that emphasize these links and move in the direction of integrated business models. The report first presents the CE-energy/decarbonizations links. Then it takes stock of the evolving policy framework for these links. The other sections address the CE-energy/decarbonizations links in the energy industry, also presenting the range of initiatives of some major players, and the CE measurement at the company level

Cecropin B Enhances Betalactams Activities in Experimental Rat Models of Gram-Negative Septic Shock

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of imipenem, piperacillin combined with cecropin B in the prevention of lethality in 2 rat models of septic shock. Main outcome measures were bacterial growth in blood and intra-abdominal fluid, endotoxin and TNF-α concentrations in plasma, and lethality. BACKGROUND: Sepsis remains a serious clinical problem despite intense efforts to improve survival. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The primary cause of Gram-negative shock results from activation of host effector cells by endotoxin, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) associated with cell membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were given (1) an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg of Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS or (2) 2 × 10(10) CFU of E. coli ATCC 25922. All animals were randomized to receive intraperitoneally isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1 mg/kg cecropin B, 20 mg/kg imipenem, and 120 mg/kg piperacillin alone and combined with 1 mg/kg cecropin B. Each group included 20 animals. RESULTS: All compounds reduced the lethality when compared with controls. Piperacillin and imipenem significantly reduced the lethality and the number of E. coli in abdominal fluid compared with saline treatment. On the other hand, each betalactam determined an increase of plasma endotoxin and TNF-α concentration. Combination between cecropin B and betalactams showed to be the most effective treatment in reducing all variables measured. CONCLUSION: Cecropin B enhances betalactams activities in Gram-negative sepic shock rat models