Uptake of azoles by lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta L.) grown in hydroponic conditions.

An uptake and translocation study of azole compounds was performed in lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta L.) grown in nutrient solution fortified with different azoles. Three azoles, (clotrimazole, fluconazole and propiconazole), which have different physico-chemical properties and are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, were the compounds selected. An analytical method, based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) followed by LC-MS/MS determination, was developed to quantify these compounds in aqueous solution and in roots and leaves. The physicochemical properties of azoles are the main factors governing the uptake and plant accumulation. These azoles were detected in leaves indicating their transport within lamb's lettuce. Translocation from nutrient solution to the aerial part of lamb's lettuce was found to be highly dependent on the hydrophobicity of the azole. Clotrimazole accumulates in roots causing necrosis in roots and leaves, whereas fluconazole was the azole with the highest concentration in leaves without causing apparent phytotoxicity symptoms. The assessment of the levels of these azoles in leaves indicates that the risk for human health is negligible.

Determination of selected environmental contaminants in foraging honeybees.

Colony losses of honeybees have been of great concern in the last years. To explain these losses, several studies have been reported, and various factors, such as pathogens and pesticides, have been considered as possible causes. Nevertheless, organic contaminants, rather than pesticides, are continuously released to the environment, and can be intercepted by honeybees during foraging with the possible consequent damage. Azoles and organophosphorus esters have been selected in this work as environmental contaminants to be monitored in honeybees. A fast and robust method has been developed to determine these organic pollutants in honeybees. It is based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD), which performs sample dispersion with extraction and clean up in the same step, followed by LC-ESI-MS/MS determination. Recoveries of the method varied between 73% and 119% and MQLs ranged from 0.8 to 4 ng g(-1). Honeybee samples from ten apiaries located in different regions were analyzed applying the developed method. Azole compounds were found at low levels, but not in all samples, while organophosphorus esters were found in most samples whatever location. Tris-(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate, TCPP, and tributyl phosphate, TBP, were detected in all honeybees samples at levels higher than the rest of organophosphates analyzed.

Application of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the analysis of PCBs in water and soil leachates by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Two magnetic solid-phase extraction methods (mSPE) were developed and compared for the extraction and preconcentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from water and soil leachates. Analyses were carried out by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The mSPE extraction parameters were optimised using Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with palmitate or oleate. Differences were found between the developed mSPE methods depending on the magnetic nanoparticle coating. The extraction efficiency of both sorbents was studied by spiking soil leachates at three concentration levels (from 0.6 to 0.18 ng ml(-1) and from 0.4 to 0.04 ng ml(-1) using palmitate or oleate coated nanoparticles, respectively) and recoveries from 86 to 109 % were obtained. The developed method provided a preconcentration factor of 250. The detection limits were about 29 times lower with the oleate-coated nanoparticles. Although both mSPE procedures could be used for the extraction of PCBs from water and soil leachates, oleate-coated nanoparticles gave the best extractive conditions and lower quantifications limits. Finally, the mSPE using oleate-coated nanoparticles was applied to the analysis of PCBs in river waters and in soil leachates obtained from soil with different physico-chemical characteristics. The levels of PCBs present in the leachates depended on the soil sample. The present work demonstrates the applicability of both mSPE methods to the determination of PCBs in water and soil leachates, which is of interest for mobility and bioavailability studies of these compounds in soil.

[Stability of NT-ProBNP in patients with systolic heart failure]. / Estabilidad de NT-proBNP en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca sistólica.

Natriuretic peptides are extremely useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with heart failure. However, it is not clear whether their values are stable. We carried out a prospective study of 30 consecutive ambulatory patients (mean age, 62.6 [12.2] years) with stable systolic heart failure, as determined by the 6-minute walk test, who were in New York Heart Association class II or III and who had a left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (mean ejection fraction, 24.2% [6.68%]). At baseline, the mean N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and the mean distance walked in 6 minutes were 2237.3 pg/mL and 348.26 m, respectively. At 3-month follow-up, the corresponding values were 2096.2 pg/mL and 372.05 m, respectively. No significant difference was observed in NT-proBNP level or in distance walked in 6 minutes between baseline and 3 months (P=.8). Overall, there was a good correlation (r=0.94; P< .001) between the plasma NT-proBNP level at baseline and at 3 months in patients with stable chronic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction in New York Heart Association class II or III.

Estabilidad de NT-proBNP en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca sistólica / Stability of NT-ProBNP in patients with systolic heart failure

Los péptidos natriuréticos tienen un alto valor diagnóstico y pronóstico en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca, pero desconocemos la estabilidad de sus valores. Determinamos en 2 visitas ambulatorias los valores de N terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) de 30 pacientes consecutivos con insuficiencia cardiaca estable [New York Heart Association (NYHA) II-III] (test 6 min) por disfunción sistólica [función ventricular izquierda deprimida (FEVI) < 30%] separadas entre sí 3 meses. Tenían una edad media de 62,6 ± 12,2 años y una fracción de eyección del 24,2 ± 6,68%. No encontramos diferencias significativas entre los valores basales del NT-proBNP como test de los 6 min (2.237,3 pg/ml y 348,26 m) y a los 3 meses (2.096,2 pg/ml y 372,05 m). El coeficiente de correlación intraclase entre los valores basales y a los 3 meses de NT-proBNP fue de 0,94 (p < 0,001). Existe una buena correlación entre los valores basales y a los 3 meses de las concentraciones plasmáticas de NT-proBNP en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica estable (NYHA II-III) por disfunción sistólica

Natriuretic peptides are extremely useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with heart failure. However, it is not clear whether their values are stable. We carried out a prospective study of 30 consecutive ambulatory patients (mean age, 62.6 [12.2] years) with stable systolic heart failure, as determined by the 6-minute walk test, who were in New York Heart Association class II or III and who had a left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (mean ejection fraction, 24.2% [6.68%]). At baseline, the mean N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and the mean distance walked in 6 minutes were 2237.3 pg/mL and 348.26 m, respectively. At 3-month follow-up, the corresponding values were 2096.2 pg/mL and 372.05 m, respectively. No significant difference was observed in NT-proBNP level or in distance walked in 6 minutes between baseline and 3 months (P=.8). Overall, there was a good correlation (r=0.94; P<.001) between the plasma NT-proBNP level at baseline and at 3 months in patients with stable chronic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction in New York Heart Association class II or III

[Collagen synthesis and heart failure]. / Síntesis de colágeno e insuficiencia cardíaca.

Little is known about collagen metabolism in heart failure, with or without left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We studied serum concentrations of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIP), a marker of collagen type-I synthesis, and of the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (ICTP), a marker of collagen type-I degradation, in 70 patients admitted for heart failure (35 with depressed left ventricular systolic function and 35 with preserved left ventricular systolic function) and in 30 control subjects. Patients with kidney failure, liver disease, metabolic bone disease, rheumatic disease, recent (within 3 months) major trauma or surgery, or serious wounds were excluded. The concentration of the collagen synthesis marker, PIP, was higher in heart failure patients than control subjects, at 140+/-56.38 mg/L vs 113.66+/-36.6 microg/L, respectively (P=.01). However, there was no difference in the concentration of the collagen degradation marker, ICTP, between heart failure patients and control subjects, at 2.89+/-2.37 mg/L vs 2.26+/-1.7 microg/l, respectively. In heart failure patients, left ventricular systolic function had nonsignificant effect on the PIP or ICTP concentration.

Síntesis de colágeno e insuficiencia cardíaca / Collagen synthesis and heart failure

Se desconoce el metabolismo del colágeno en la insuficiencia cardíaca con y sin disfunción sistólica ventricular izquierda. Estudiamos las concentraciones de los marcadores de síntesis de colágeno tipo I (péptido C-terminal del procolágeno tipo I [PIP]) y de degradación (telopéptido del colágeno tipo I [CITP]) en un grupo de 70 pacientes tras un ingreso por insuficiencia cardíaca (35 con función ventricular izquierda deprimida y 35 con función ventricular conservada), así como en 30 individuos sanos. Excluimos a los pacientes con insuficiencia renal, enfermedad hepática, enfermedad autoinmunitaria o del metabolismo óseo, traumatismo mayor y cirugía reciente (< 3 meses) y heridas extensas. Encontramos mayores concentraciones del marcador de síntesis colágena (PIP)en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca respecto al grupo control (140 ±56,38 frente a 113,66 ±36,6 µg/l; p= 0,01), sin que se apreciaran diferencias en el marcador de degradación (CITP) (2,89 ± 2,37 frente a 2,26 ± 1,7µg/l). No observamos diferencias significativas entre los valores medios de PIP y CITP en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca con función sistólica conservada frente adeprimida

Little is known about collagen metabolism in heart failure, with or without left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We studied serum concentrations of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIP), a marker of collagentype-I synthesis, and of the carboxy-terminal telopeptideof collagen type I (ICTP), a marker of collagen type-I degradation, in 70 patients admitted for heart failure (35 with depressed left ventricular systolic function and 35 with preserved left ventricular systolic function) and in 30 control subjects. Patients with kidney failure, liver disease, metabolic bone disease, rheumatic disease, recent (within 3 months) major trauma or surgery, or serious wounds were excluded. The concentration of the collagen synthesis marker, PIP, was higher in heart failure patients thancontrol subjects, at 140±56.38 mg/L vs 113.66±36.6 µg/L, respectively (P=.01). However, there was no difference in the concentration of the collagen degradation marker, ICTP, between heart failure patients and control subjects, at 2.89±2.37 mg/L vs 2.26±1.7 µg/l, respectively. In heart failure patients, left ventricular systolic function had nosignificant effect on the PIP or ICTP concentration