Andalusian Public Eye-Banks: a decade of continuous improvement.

OBJECTIVES: To show donation data, number of keratoplasties and the changes in transplant indications and techniques that occurred in Andalusia in the period from 2013 to 2022. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present work is a retrospective and descriptive study that included all keratoplasties performed between January 2013 and December 2022 in Andalusia, as well as the evolution of the cornea donation and transplant activity of the public and private hospitals pertaining to the waiting list management system of the Public Health System of Andalusia. Transplants performed in private centers with corneas from outside Andalusia were excluded. RESULTS: Cornea donation activity in Andalusia in the decade 2013-2022 has experienced a growth of more than 126%, while overall transplant activity has increased by 157% in public hospitals. Penetrating keratoplasty has decreased from 83% in 2013 to 43% in 2022, while lamellar techniques have increased from 17% to 57% in this same period. Since 2018, more lamellar transplants are performed than penetrating transplants. Regarding indications, endothelial conditions already represent the first cause of transplantation. In 2022 alone, the public Andalusian Eye Banks evaluated 1,054 corneas and prepared 281 endothelial grafts. CONCLUSION: In the decade from 2013 to 2022 in Andalusia there has been an increase in donation activity and the number of keratoplasties. The public Eye Banks implementation in this period has played a key role in the widespread adoption of lamellar keratoplasty techniques and has enabled the transition to perform a greater number of lamellar keratoplasties compared to penetrating keratoplasty.

In vitro study of intestinal transport of arsenite, monomethylarsonous acid, and dimethylarsinous acid by Caco-2 cell line.

Arsenic is a pollutant widely distributed in the environment. There are numerous studies on the toxicity of trivalent arsenic forms As(III), MMA(III), and DMA(III), but few data are available on the processes of digestion and absorption of these arsenic species and the mechanisms involved are unknown. The present study evaluated the processes involved in intestinal absorption of trivalent arsenic species, using the Caco-2 cell model as system. The apparent permeability values obtained for As(III) in apical-basolateral direction (4.6±0.3)×10(-6)cm/s, showing moderate intestinal absorption. Transport of MMA(III) [P(app)=(7.0±0.9)×10(-6)cm/s] and DMA(III) [P(app)=(10.6±1.4)×10(-6)cm/s] is greater than that of As(III). The cellular retention of As(III) (0.9-2.4%) was less than that observed for MMA(III) (30%) and DMA(III) (35%). A substantial paracellular component was observed in transport of As(III) and MMA(III), whereas DMA(III) does not use this pathway for its absorption. For all the trivalent species, transport depends on temperature, with an active transcellular component for MMA(III) and DMA(III). Variations in pH do not affect transport of these species. The presence of GSH and green tea extract significantly alters transport of As(III) across Caco-2 cells.

Total and bioavailable arsenic concentration in arid soils and its uptake by native plants from the pre-Andean zones in Chile.

Arsenic is the most important contaminant of the environment in northern Chile. Soil samples and plant organs from three native plant species, Pluchea absinthioides, Atriplex atacamensis and Lupinus microcarpus, were collected from arid zones in order to determine the total and bioavailable arsenic concentrations in soils and to assess the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and transport index (Ti) of arsenic in the plants. Total arsenic concentrations in soils (pH 8.3-8.5) where A. atacamensis and P. absinthioides were collected, reached levels considered to be contaminated (54.3 ± 15.4 and 52.9 ± 9.9 mg kg⁻¹, respectively), and these values were approximately ten times higher than in soils (pH 7.6) where L. microcarpus was collected. Bioavailable arsenic ranged from 0.18 to 0.42% of total arsenic concentration. In the three plant species, arsenic concentration in leaves were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than in roots. L. microcarpus showed the highest arsenic concentration in its leaves (9.7 ± 1.6 mg kg⁻¹) and higher values of BCF (1.8) and Ti (6.1), indicating that this species has a greater capacity to accumulate and translocate the metalloid to the leaf than do the other species.

Mercury and methylmercury bioaccessibility in swordfish.

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) present a food safety problem for many countries. This study analyses total Hg (t-Hg) concentrations in 27 samples of swordfish marketed in Spain in 2005 and in their bioaccessible fractions (soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium), obtained after applying an in vitro digestion method. Methylmercury (MeHg) was also determined in the bioaccessible fractions. t-Hg concentrations in the samples were 0.41-2.11 mg kg(-1) wet weight, with a mean of 0.96 +/- 0.47 mg kg(-1) wet weight. A total of 37% of the samples exceeded the Hg limit set by Spanish legislation (1.0 mg kg(-1) wet weight). Bioaccessible t-Hg concentrations were 0.17-1.72 mg kg(-1) wet weight (0.63 +/- 0.4 mg kg(-1) wet weight), corresponding to 38-83% (64% +/- 14%) of t-Hg. Bioaccessible MeHg concentrations, representing 94% of the bioaccessible t-Hg concentrations, were 0.16-1.53 mg kg(-1) wet weight, with a mean of 0.49 +/- 0.32 mg kg(-1) wet weight. Children and adults who regularly consume this product in Spain have Hg and MeHg intakes that exceed the tolerable daily intake limits recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These results show the need for recommendations about swordfish consumption by population groups at risk in Spain.

Prediction of calibration curves in ria of digoxin; Influence of some variables.

BACKGROUND: Competitive protein binding radioimmunoassay (CPB-RIA) is a principal method for quantifying serum digoxin concentration. The accuracy of this method is critically dependent on factors that influence the substitution reaction between unlabelled (Q) antigen (digoxin) with (125)I-labelled antigen (M) bound to anti-digoxin antibody (P). We studied the influence of initial concentration of M, ionic strength, and viscosity on the substitution reaction between M and Q. In addition, we propose a kinetic model for this reaction. METHODS: We used a commercially available CPB-RIA for digoxin, a gamma counter, and a viscosimeter to study the effect of initial concentration of M, ionic strength, viscosity, and temperature on the substitution reaction between M and Q. Data were analyzed using Statistica software. RESULTS: The apparent rate constant for the reaction between M and Q in the formation of PM is dependent on the initial concentration of M, and the ionic strength, viscosity, and temperature of the reaction medium, and independent of the concentration of Q. CONCLUSION: A kinetic model for the displacement of the (125)I-digoxin by the digoxin in its union to a specific antibody is proposed. Such model adjusts satisfactorily to the results and allows the prediction of the calibration curves of RIA (activity bound to the antibody vs. concentration of digoxin) showing the influence of the concentration of both species, the time of incubation, the viscosity and the ionic strength of the medium, on the sensitivity of the method of RIA on which the analytical determination of the digoxin is based.

Effect of thermal treatments on arsenic species contents in food.

In arsenic-endemic and other areas, food is an important path of exposure to this contaminant. Food is generally consumed in processed form, after a preservation treatment or cooking, which may alter the concentrations and chemical forms of arsenic. This article summarizes and discusses the work so far published on the effect that thermal treatment used in the cooking or processing of food, including sterilization and preservation stages, has on total arsenic and arsenic species contents. It also reviews possible transformations in arsenic species. The studies included use model systems or food products of marine or vegetable origin. Processing may cause a considerable increase or decrease in the real arsenic intake from food. For example, traditional washing and soaking of Hizikia fusiforme seaweed, which has very high inorganic arsenic contents, may reduce the contents by up to 60%. On the other hand, all the arsenic present in cooking water may be retained during boiling of rice, increasing the contents of this metalloid to significant levels from a toxicological viewpoint. This calls for modifications in arsenic risk assessment, hitherto based on analysis of the raw product. It is necessary to consider the effect of processing on total arsenic and arsenical species in order to obtain a realistic view of the risk associated with intake in arsenic-endemic and other areas.

As2O3-induced oxidative stress and cycle progression in a human intestinal epithelial cell line (Caco-2).

Foods and drinking water are the main routes for human exposure to inorganic arsenic, the intestinal epithelium being the first barrier against such exogenous toxicants. The present study evaluates the effect of As(III) (0.5-25 microM) upon Caco-2 cells as an intestinal epithelia model. Cell viability, intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) changes, and cell cycle distribution in exposed cultures were evaluated. The intracellular production of ROS was seen to increase in a non-dose dependent manner at all concentrations tested, with impairment of cell mitochondrial enzyme function secondary to a loss of Deltapsim. Concentrations between 0.5 and 5 microM induce cell cycle transition from phase G1 to phase S, with no significant alteration in the proportion of cells in phase G2. These data suggest that As(III) could induce intestinal oxidative stress-cytotoxicity at mitochondrial functional level, and affect cell cycle progression. The data presented in this work may also suggest the impairment of essential survival processes in Caco-2 cells, induced after exposure to As(III) (1-25 microM). Oxidative stress and alteration of mitochondrial functionality could be early indicators of arsenic-induced cytotoxicity, with the resulting abnormal progression of the cell cycle.

Biexponential model for the kinetics of the substitution reaction in the radioimmunoassay of triiodothyronine.

The influence of initial concentrations, ionic strength, viscosity and temperature on the substitution reaction of 125I-triiodothyronine (T3) (M) by unlabelled T3 (Q) in the immunocomplex PM (P = anti-T3 antibody) has been studied, and a kinetic model is proposed. The apparent rate constant is dependent on the initial concentration of labelled and unlabelled T3, viscosity and temperature, and independent of ionic strength. The reaction is endothermic and is not controlled by diffusion. The results obtained are in line with the proposed model. We propose some modifications for optimizing the technique.

Bioaccessibility and transport by Caco-2 cells of organoarsenical species present in seafood.

Organoarsenical standards and raw and cooked seafood (DORM-2, sole, and Greenland halibut) were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to estimate arsenic bioaccessibility (maximum soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium). The in vitro digestion did not modify the chemical form of the organoarsenic species standards. In seafood, bioaccessibility was 67.5-100% for arsenobetaine (AB), 30% for dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), 45% for tetramethylarsonium ion (TETRA), and >50% for trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO). Cooking induced no changes in bioaccessible contents. In addition, transport by Caco-2 cells, an intestinal epithelia model, was evaluated from organoarsenical standards and DORM-2. For standards, transport ranged from 1.7% for AB to 15.5% for TETRA. In DORM-2, transport was observed for only AB (12%), with far higher efficiency than in the case of the standard solution, thus illustrating the interest of using whole foods for studying bioavailability.

Modelo general y cuatro ecuaciones para el ajuste de curvas de calibración en RIA. Comparación de resultados / General model and four equations for the fit of calibration curves in RIA. Comparison of results

Se presenta un modelo teórico para la justificación de las ecuaciones de los cuatro parámetros y logarítmico-logística, utilizadas empíricamente en el ajuste de las curvas de calibración en RIA. De dicho modelo se deducen otras dos ecuaciones. Se analiza el ajuste de 192 curvas de RIA para las cuatro ecuaciones y se interpretan los resultados en términos de las posibles características de enlace en la unión antígeno-anticuerpo

A theoretical model for the justification of the equations of the four parameters and logarithmic-logistic, used empirically in the fit of the calibration curves in RIA, is presented. From this model other two equations are deduced. The fit of 192 curves of RIA is analyzed for the four equations and the results are interpreted in terms of the possible characteristics of binding in the union antigen-antibody

La atención familiar, una estrategia de cambio necesaria y pertinente / Family care, a necessary and relevant change strategy

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Organoarsenical species contents in cooked seafood.

The organoarsenical species arsenobetaine (AB), arsenocholine (AC), tetramethylarsonium ion (TMA+), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) were determined in 64 cooked seafood products (fish, bivalves, squid, crustaceans) included in a Total Diet Study carried out in the Basque Country (Spain). For cooking, various treatments were employed (grilling, roasting, baking, stewing, boiling, steaming, microwaving). The results obtained show that in cooked seafood AB is the major species, followed by DMA and TMA+. AC and MMA are minor species. The results in cooked seafood were compared with the arsenic species contents obtained for the same product raw. After cooking there was an increase in DMA for sardines and bivalves and an increase or appearance of TMA+ for meagrim, anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, and sardine. The data provided add to the very scant information available about organoarsenical species contents in cooked seafood.

Kinetics of androstendione-radioactive immunocomplex substitution reaction.

A kinetic model is put forward for the study of the antigen-antibody reactions involved in the coated tube radioimmunoassay (RIA) of androstendione. Twenty experiments were conducted to determine the influence of initial concentrations, ionic strength, viscosity, and temperature on the substitution reaction of 125I-androstendione (M) by unlabelled androstendione (Q) in the immunocomplex PM (P = anti-androstendione antibody). The results obtained are in line with the proposed model. The concentration of radioactive immunocomplex is directly proportional to the initial concentration of labelled androstendione and independent of the concentration of unlabelled androstendione, ionic strength, and viscosity. The reaction is not diffusion-controlled.

Influence of a mine tailing accident near Doñana National Park (Spain) on heavy metals and arsenic accumulation in 14 species of waterfowl (1998 to 2000).

This article presents the impact on waterbirds in Doñana National Park (Spain) of an accidental release of 5 million m3 acid waste produced by the processing of pyrite ore. Heavy metals (zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead) and arsenic were measured in several soft tissues (liver, kidney, and muscle) taken from 14 waterfowl species collected between April 1998 and May 2000. The main source of copper and zinc found in the waterfowl species examined was the spill waste, whereas cadmium, lead, and arsenic could also came from other sources. Kidney was the primary organ for cadmium and lead accumulation, whereas liver accumulated the most zinc and copper. Arsenic was concentrated in both muscle and liver tissue. The degree of contamination of the area where the birds lived, their age, their sex their size, and the time since the spill were found to have less influence than species and trophic level on the accumulation of metal in organs and tissues. Four species (Anser anser, Ciconia ciconia, Larus ridibundus, and Porphyrio porphyrio) were found to have the highest levels of the 5 elements.

Use of near-infrared spectroscopy for determining the total arsenic content in prostrate amaranth.

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for determining the total arsenic (As) content in the prostrate amaranth (Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson) was assessed. Seventy-four samples belonging to this species, were harvested at different maturity stages along the polluted area, and then were scanned by NIRS. Their As reference values were obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry and they were regressed against different spectral transformations using modified partial least square (MPLS) regression. First derivative transformation equation of the raw optical data, previously standardized by standard normal variate (SNV) and De-trending (DT) transformations, resulted in a coefficient of determination (r(2)) in the external validation of 0.63, indicative of equations that can be used for a correct separation of the samples into low, medium and high groups. The standard deviation to standard error of prediction ratio (RPD) and range to standard error of prediction ratio (RER) for the first derivative equation were similar to those obtained for other trace metal calibrations reported in NIRS reflectance. Major cell components such as chlorophyll, lipids, starch and proteins were used by MPLS for modeling the equations. The use of NIRS for the determination of the As content in A. blitoides plants offers an important saving of time and cost of analysis.

Estimation of arsenic bioaccessibility in edible seaweed by an in vitro digestion method.

The aim of this study was to examine the bioaccessibility (maximum soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium) of total (AsT) and inorganic (AsI) arsenic contents and the effect on them of cooking edible seaweed, a food of great interest because of its high As content. An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (pepsin, pH 2, and pancreatin-bile extract, pH 7) was applied to obtain the mineral soluble fraction of three seaweeds (Hizikia fusiforme, Porphyra sp., and Enteromorpha sp.). AsT was determined by dry-ashing flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. AsI was determined by acid digestion, solvent extraction, and flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The bioaccessibility of AsI increased significantly after cooking, attaining 73% in Porphyra sp. and 88% in H. fusiforme. For cooked H. fusiforme, the AsI attained in the bioaccessible fraction was 26 microg g(-1) seaweed, a concentration that is a warning of the toxicological risk of this food.

Heavy metal, total arsenic, and inorganic arsenic contents of algae food products.

The total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury contents of 18 algae food products currently on sale in Spain were determined. The suitability of the analytical methodologies for this type of matrix was confirmed by evaluating their analytical characteristics. The concentration ranges found for each contaminant, expressed in milligrams per kilogram of dry weight, were as follows: total arsenic, 2.3-141; inorganic arsenic, 0.15-88; lead, < 0.05-1.33; cadmium, 0.03-1.9; and mercury, 0.004-0.04. There is currently no legislation in Spain regarding contaminants in algae food products, but some of the samples analyzed revealed Cd and inorganic As levels higher than those permitted by legislation in other countries. Given the high concentrations of inorganic As found in Hizikia fusiforme, a daily consumption of 1.7 g of the product would reach the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake recommended by the WHO for an average body weight of 68 kg. A more comprehensive study of the contents and toxicological implications of the inorganic As present in the algae food products currently sold in Spain may be necessary, which might then be the basis for the introduction of specific sales restrictions.

One-year study of felodipine or placebo for stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension.

Asubstantial number of older hypertensive patients have stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure between 140 and 159 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg), but there are currently no data showing that drug treatment is effective, safe, and/or beneficial. To compare the effects of active treatment compared with placebo on blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and quality of life among older stage 1 isolated systolic hypertensive patients, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial comparing felodipine (2.5, 5, or 10 mg once daily) and matching placebo was performed in 171 patients (49% male, average age 66+/-7 years, with 49% white and 30% Hispanic) with a baseline blood pressure of 149+/-7/83+/-6 mm Hg. During 52 weeks of treatment, patients randomized to active treatment achieved significantly lower blood pressures (137.0+/-11.7/80.2+/-7.6 mm Hg for extended-release felodipine versus 147.5+/-16.0/83.5+/-9.7 mm Hg for placebo, P<0.01 for each), a reduced incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (7% for extended release felodipine versus 24% for placebo, P<0.04), and improved quality of life (change in Psychological General Well-Being index, 3.0+/-6.8 for extended-release felodipine versus -0.8+/-10.3 for placebo, P<0.01) versus baseline. There were no clinically significant differences between treatments in tolerability or adverse effects. Stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension can be effectively and safely treated pharmacologically. Treatment reduced progression to the higher stages of hypertension, reduced the incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, and improved an overall measure of the quality of life. Larger and longer studies will be needed to document any long-term reduction in cardiovascular event rates associated with treating stage 1 systolic hypertension.

Arsenic in cooked seafood products: study on the effect of cooking on total and inorganic arsenic contents.

Total and inorganic arsenic contents were analyzed in cooked seafood products consumed in Spain during the period July 1997-June 1998: hake, meagrim, small hake, anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, sardine, bivalves, crustaceans, squid, and salted cod. Various cooking treatments were used (grilling, roasting, baking, stewing, boiling, steaming, and microwaving). The results obtained were compared statistically with those found previously in the same products raw, and they showed that after cooking there was a significant increase in the concentration of total arsenic for salted cod and bivalves, and in the concentration of inorganic arsenic for bivalves and squid. The mean content of inorganic arsenic was significantly higher in bivalves than in any other type of seafood. For the Spanish population, the mean intake of total arsenic estimated on the basis of the results obtained in this study is 245 microg/day. The intake of inorganic arsenic (2.3 microg/day) represents 1.7% of the World Health Organization provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), leaving an ample safety margin for this population, which has a very high consumption of seafood.

Kinetic study of transformations of arsenic species during heat treatment.

The combination of temperatures and pH levels applied in domestic or industrial cooking and in the sterilization of seafood might cause the transformation of certain species of arsenic into other more toxic species, which could pose a risk to the consumer. To clarify the effect of the temperatures traditionally used in cooking or sterilization on the stability of the various species of arsenic, a kinetic study was carried out, using standards of arsenobetaine (AB), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), tetramethylarsonium ion (TMA(+)), and arsenocholine (AC) heated at different temperatures (85--190 degrees C) and for different treatment times. Various pH levels (4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8.0) were applied during the heating process. The results obtained indicated that there were no transformations of arsenic species after temperature treatments up to 120 degrees C. However, when temperatures between 150 and 190 degrees C were used, a partial decomposition of AB was achieved, producing TMAO at 150 degrees C and TMAO and TMA(+) at temperatures of 160 degrees C or above, in proportions that varied according to the temperature and duration of the heat treatment.