Glyphosate and atrazine in rainfall and soils in agroproductive areas of the pampas region in Argentina.

The presence in the atmosphere of glyphosate (GLP) and atrazine (ATZ) was investigated-those pesticides dominating the market in Argentina-through rain, as the main climatic phenomenon associated with wet deposition, both through analyzing source-receptor relationships with soil along with the climatic influences that may condition that transport and through estimating the annual deposition on the surface of the Argentine pampas. Rainwater samples (n = 112) were collected throughout each rainfall in urban areas of the pampas having different degrees of land use and with extensive crop production plus subsurface-soil samples (n = 58) from the relevant periurban sites. The herbicides-analyzed by liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-were detected in >80% of the rain samples at median-to-maximum concentrations of 1.24-67.3 µg·L-1 (GLP) and 0.22-26.9 µg·L-1(ATZ), while aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) was detected at 34% (0.75-7.91 µg·L-1). In soils, GLP was more frequently registered (41%; 102-323 µg·kg-1) followed by ATZ (32%; 7-66 µg·kg-1) and then AMPA (22%; 223-732 µg·kg-1). The maximum GLP concentrations quantified in rainwater exceeded the previously reported levels for the USA and Canada. No associations were observed between soil and rainwater concentrations in the same monitoring areas-despite the soil's action as a source, as evidenced through the AMPA present in rainwater. Median GLP concentrations were significantly associated with isohyets, in an increasing gradient from the east to the west-as such in an inverse pattern to that of the annual rainfall volumes; whereas ATZ-rainwater levels exhibited no characteristic spatial configuration. The estimated annual deposition of GLP by rainfall indicated that more than onc source of a herbicide can lead to its presence in the atmosphere and points out the relevance of rainfall's contribution to the surface levels of a pollutant.

Occurrence and fate of pesticides in the Argentine stretch of the Paraguay-Paraná basin.

The Argentine stretch of the del Plata basin crosses regions devoted to extensive and intensive agriculture mostly with chemical pest control. The utilization of pesticides in the region has increased 900% in the last two decades associated with the introduction of biotech crops and direct-seeding techniques. Our objective was to study the occurrence, concentration, and fate of pesticides in surface water and bottom sediments of the principal tributaries and main watercourse of the Paraguay-Paraná River. We sampled 22 sites in the distal positions of the main affluents and main watercourse of the Paraná and report here results from two monitoring campaigns (2010-2012). Surface water and bottom sediments were analyzed according to standardized methods by matrix-solid-phase dispersion and liquid-liquid extraction, respectively. Twenty-three pesticide compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography. The results from both campaigns indicated a generalized but variable distribution in the concentrations detected throughout the basin. The ranges of total measured pesticide concentrations in water and sediments were, respectively, 0.004-6.62 µg/l and 0.16-221.3 µg/kg dry weight. Endosulfans, cypermethrin, and chlorpyrifos were ubiquitous compounds in both environmental compartments and quantitatively the most relevant. All concentrations detected in water were over the recommended guidelines for the protection of aquatic biota. The partitioning indicated a higher affinity for the sediments. Agricultural activity is the source of pesticide-pollution loads, transported by tributaries that reach the main watercourse and alter the quality of the aquatic ecosystem.

Drug-Induced QTc Interval Prolongation: A Multicenter Study to Detect Drugs and Clinical Factors Involved in Every Day Practice.

OBJECTIVE: The actual prevalence of drug induced QTc prolongation in clinical practice is unknown. Our objective was to determine the occurrence and characteristics of drug-induced QT prolongation in several common clinical practices. Additionally, a subgroup of patients treated with dextropropoxyphene of particular interest for the regulatory authority was analysed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Medical history and comorbidities predisposing to QT interval prolongation were registered for 1270 patient requiring medical assistance that involved drug administration. Three ionograms and ECGs were performed: baseline, intra- and after treatment; QT interval was corrected with Bazzet formula. RESULTS: Among patients, 9.9% presented QTc >450/470 ms, 3% QTc > 500 ms, 12.7% ΔQTc >30 ms and 5.2% ΔQTc >60 ms. QTc prolongation associated with congestive heart failure, ischemic cardiopathy, diabetes, renal failure, arrhythmias, hypothyroidism, and bradycardia. At univariate analysis, clarithromycin, haloperidol, tramadol, amiodarone, glyceryl trinitrate, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, amoxicillin + sulbactam, ampicillin + sulbactam, fentanyl, piperacillin + tazobactam, and diazepam prolonged QTc. Prolongation remained significantly associated with furosemide, clarithromycin, glyceryl trinitrate and betalactamase inhibitors after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: QT interval prolongation in everyday practice is frequent, in association to clinical factors and drugs that can be easily identified for monitoring and prevention strategies.

Evaluación del uso de los antibióticos en el Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín" / Evaluation of antibiotics use at the Hospital of Clinical José de San Martín

El 18 de junio de 1986 se efectuó en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín un estudio para evaluar el uso de los antibióticos en pacientes internados y los gastos que surgen de su empleo inadecuado. El 28% de los internados recibían antibióticos, el 69% de las indicaciones con finalidad terapéutica y el 35% de las profilaxisis fueron correctas. El error más frecuente en el tratamiento fue el uso del antibiótico no electivo y en la profilaxis, la utilización innecesaria. El gasto por uso inadecuado fue de u$s 494.17 en un día, u$s 14.825 en un mes y u$s 180.372 por año (AU)

Evaluación del uso de los antibióticos en el Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín" / Evaluation of antibiotics use at the Hospital of Clinical José de San Martín

El 18 de junio de 1986 se efectuó en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín un estudio para evaluar el uso de los antibióticos en pacientes internados y los gastos que surgen de su empleo inadecuado. El 28% de los internados recibían antibióticos, el 69% de las indicaciones con finalidad terapéutica y el 35% de las profilaxisis fueron correctas. El error más frecuente en el tratamiento fue el uso del antibiótico no electivo y en la profilaxis, la utilización innecesaria. El gasto por uso inadecuado fue de u$s 494.17 en un día, u$s 14.825 en un mes y u$s 180.372 por año