1
|
Ríos A, López-Gómez S, Belmonte J, Balaguer A, Gutiérrez PR, Ruiz-Merino G, Ayala-García MA, Ramírez P, López-Navas AI. The Roma population's fear of donating their own organs for transplantation. Cir Esp 2023; 101:350-358. [PMID: 35777627 DOI: 10.1016/j.cireng.2022.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The refusal rate for donating organs among the Roma people is much higher than that of any other social group. OBJECTIVE To analyze the attitude towards the donation of one's own organs among the Roma population living in Spain. METHOD . TYPE OF STUDY Spanish national observational sociological study stratified by gender and age. STUDY POPULATION Roma population aged ≥15 years living in Spain. SAMPLE SIZE 1,253 respondents. Assessment instrument: Validated questionnaire on attitude towards organ donation for transplantation "PCID - DTO Ríos". Field work: Random selection based on stratification. Anonymous and self-administered completion. The collaboration of people of Roma ethnicity was required. STATISTICS Student's t test, χ2, Fisher's exact test and a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The degree of completion was 18.2% (n = 228). Of those who completed the questionnaire, 42.1% (n = 96) were in favor of donation, 30.3% (n = 69) were undecided and the remaining 27.6% (n = 63) were against it. Of the 1,025 (81.8%) who declined to complete the questionnaire, 1,004 (98%) indicated that it was for fear of speaking about and filling in a questionnaire that raises the issue of death and organ donation after death. If those who did not complete the questionnaire due to fear of death and donating organs after death are considered not in favor, the results would be as follows: 7.8% (n = 96) in favor of donating their organs compared to 92.2% (n = 1166) not in favor (against or undecided). CONCLUSIONS A majority of the Roma population prefer not speak of death nor organ donation after death. These findings show that current campaigns to promote organ donation are not effective in this population group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ríos
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain.
| | | | - Javier Belmonte
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain; Unidad de Trasplante. Servicio de Cirugía, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Andrés Balaguer
- Unidad de Trasplante. Servicio de Cirugía, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro R Gutiérrez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain; Servicio de Urología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias (CHUC), Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Ruiz-Merino
- Fundación para la Formación e Investigación Sanitarias de la Región de Murcia (FFIS), Murcia, Spain
| | - Marco Antonio Ayala-García
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain; Hospital Regional General Número 58 del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Delegación de Guanajuato, Guanajuato. México
| | - Pablo Ramírez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía, Pediatría, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Unidad de Trasplante. Servicio de Cirugía, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel López-Navas
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Merino ML, Belmonte J, Rosas J, Acosta MC, Gallar J, Belmonte C. Maximal tear secretion evoked by controlled stimulation of corneal sensory nerves in healthy individuals and dry eye subjects. Ocul Surf 2023; 27:80-88. [PMID: 36396021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To measure, the tear flow changes evoked in healthy subjects and dry eye disease (DED) patients by controlled sensory stimulation of the eye surface with i-Onion™, a new stimulation device. METHODS Sensory corneal nerves were stimulated with an instrument (i-Onion™) that ejects puffs of CO2 gas (99.9%) at 200 ml·min-1 for 3s, delivered 5 mm from the cornea. Using Schirmer test strips, tear volumes were measured over 3 min in the cornea of one eye before (basal tear volume -BTV) and in the other eye after stimulation of the sensory nerves with CO2 (stimulated tear volume -STV). These measurements were obtained from a control group of adults of either sex (17 students aged 20-30 and 29 subjects without signs of dry eye aged 25-61), a cohort of DED patients (aged 34-75) that included 12 asymptomatic, suspected DED subjects (Schirmer <7 mm and/or TBUT <10s), and 30 Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients. RESULTS CO2 stimulation significantly increased the tear volume (BTV = 14.6 ± 1.0 mm, STV = 19.0 ± 1.1 mm: n = 46) in 78% of control subjects, reflecting a mean tear reserve volume (TRV = STV-BTV) of 4.4 ± 0.8 mm. Individual differences were wide, and while no increase in reflex tearing was evoked in 30% of subjects with a BTV >10 mm, the remaining 70% responded vigorously to stimulation, even those with a BTV >18 mm. Asymptomatic DED subjects displayed weaker responses to CO2 stimulation, with lower STVs. Both the BTV and STV of SS patients were low, significantly below those of the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Measuring the rise in reflex tearing volume evoked by controlled corneal stimulation provides objective information about the tear glands' secretory capacity in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María L Merino
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain; Oftalmología, Hospital de la Marina Baixa, Villajoyosa, Spain
| | - Javier Belmonte
- Oftalmología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - José Rosas
- Reumatología, Hospital de la Marina Baixa, Villajoyosa, Spain
| | - M Carmen Acosta
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Juana Gallar
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Sanitaria de Alicante, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Carlos Belmonte
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
López-Soriano F, Belmonte J. Bullfighting surgery in the XXI century. Cir Esp 2022; 100:527-528. [PMID: 35597421 DOI: 10.1016/j.cireng.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Belmonte
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rodríguez-Solà R, Casas-Castillo MC, Zhang JJH, Kirchner R, Alarcón M, Periago C, De Linares C, Belmonte J. A study on correlations between precipitation ETCCDI and airborne pollen/fungal spore parameters in the NE Iberian Peninsula. Int J Biometeorol 2022; 66:1173-1187. [PMID: 35275236 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02267-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Precipitation is one of the meteorological variables usually involved in the aerobiological studies, which presents a complex relationship with atmospheric levels of pollen and fungal spores and the temporal characteristics of their seasons. This complexity is due in a large part to rainfall's twofold impact of having, prior to pollination, a positive influence on subsequent pollen production and of contributing, during pollination, to pollen removal from the air through a wash-out effect. To better explore this impact, we place particular emphasis on extreme rainfall by calculating the correlation between airborne pollen and fungal spore parameters and the precipitation indices that the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) proposed for characterising climate extremes. Parameters for twenty-seven pollen and fungal spore taxa measured in six aerobiological stations in the NE Iberian Peninsula have been considered. We have distinguished between annual and winter ETCCDI in order to compare the correlations between extreme rainfall and airborne pollen concentrations and to avoid the wash-out effect as far as possible. Results show a positive influence from an increase in moderately extreme winter rainfall, specifically on subsequent pollen/fungal spore production: the percentage of all possible significant correlations is higher for winter than for annual rainfall. Furthermore, while annual rainfall in this region has nearly the same number of positive as negative correlations, the positive correlations for winter rainfall are more than twice that of the negative ones. The seasonal consideration on rainfall ETCCDI made with the aim to avoid the confounding overlapping of different rainfall impacts has led to more sharpened observations of its positive and negative effects on airborne pollen and fungal spore concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Rodríguez-Solà
- Department of Physics, ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M C Casas-Castillo
- Department of Physics, ESEIAAT, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Colom 1, 08222, Terrassa, Spain.
| | - J J Ho Zhang
- Department of Physics, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Eduard Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Kirchner
- Department of Physics, ESEIAAT, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Colom 1, 08222, Terrassa, Spain
| | - M Alarcón
- Department of Physics, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Eduard Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Periago
- Department of Physics, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Eduard Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C De Linares
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience, Universitat Autònoma de Bellaterra, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - J Belmonte
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience, Universitat Autònoma de Bellaterra, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Bellaterra, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ríos A, López-Gómez S, Belmonte J, Balaguer A, Gutiérrez PR, Ruiz-Merino G, Ayala-García MA, Ramírez P, López-Navas AI. La población gitana tiene miedos sobre la donación de órganos propios para trasplante. Cir Esp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ciresp.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
6
|
Rodríguez-Solà R, Casas-Castillo MC, Zhang JJH, Kirchner R, Alarcón M, Periago C, De Linares C, Belmonte J. Correction to: A study on correlations between precipitation ETCCDI and airborne pollen/fungal spore parameters in the NE Iberian Peninsula. Int J Biometeorol 2022; 66:1189. [PMID: 35352172 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02277-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Rodríguez-Solà
- Department of Physics, ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M C Casas-Castillo
- Department of Physics, ESEIAAT, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Colom 1, 08222, Terrassa, Spain.
| | - J J Ho Zhang
- Department of Physics, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Eduard Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Kirchner
- Department of Physics, ESEIAAT, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Colom 1, 08222, Terrassa, Spain
| | - M Alarcón
- Department of Physics, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Eduard Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Periago
- Department of Physics, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Eduard Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C De Linares
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience, Universitat Autònoma de Bellaterra, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - J Belmonte
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience, Universitat Autònoma de Bellaterra, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Bellaterra, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
|
8
|
Martí-Garrido J, Corominas M, Castillo-Fernández M, Belmonte J, Pineda F, Lleonart R. Allergy to Ailanthus altissima Pollen: A Local Allergen to Consider. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2021; 30:452-454. [PMID: 32376523 DOI: 10.18176/jiaci.0577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Martí-Garrido
- Allergology Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-IDIBELL L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Corominas
- Allergology Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-IDIBELL L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - J Belmonte
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Pineda
- DIATER Laboratories, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Lleonart
- Allergology Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-IDIBELL L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ríos A, López-Gómez S, Belmonte J, López-Navas A, Sánchez A, Carrillo J, Ruiz-Manzanera JJ, Hernández AM, Ramírez P, Parrilla P. Gypsy Population Presents a Favorable Attitude Toward Related Living Donation. Transplant Proc 2019; 51:296-298. [PMID: 30879526 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Negative organ donation rates among the Gypsies is much higher than that of any other social group in Spain. However, living donation rates have not been raised much in this social group, despite the existence of several Gypsy patients on the waiting list for transplantation. OBJECTIVE To analyze the attitude toward related living donation among the Gypsy population who reside in Spain. METHODS This type of study is an observational sociological study. The study consisted of the adult Gypsy population residing in Spain, and a random sampling of 230 adult gypsies was conducted. Attitude questionnaires for live donation, both hepatic PCID-DVH-Ríos and renal PCID-DVR-Ríos, were used, and random selection was based on stratification. Questionnaires were self-administered and completed anonymously. Student t test, χ2, Fisher, and a logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS A sample of 206 Gypsies (52% women) with a mean age of 34 years is obtained. Seventy-two percent (n = 150) would donate an organ to a relative in life, 8% (n = 16) would not donate it, and 20% (n = 41) have doubts. Respondents with a favorable attitude toward living donation presented a more favorable attitude toward cadaveric organ donation (55% vs 0%, P < .001). The attitude toward living kidney donation was more favorable (81% in favor) than toward living liver donation (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The Gypsy ethnic group is sensitized to live donor transplantation. The family and cultural roots of Gypsy people could condition this favorable attitude, a fact to be taken into account to sensitize this social group and promote donation campaigns with the aim of increasing donation rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Ríos
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynecology, University of Murcia; Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
| | - S López-Gómez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain
| | - J Belmonte
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - A López-Navas
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Department of Psychology, UCAM, San Antonio Catholic University, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Sánchez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain
| | - J Carrillo
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynecology, University of Murcia; Spain
| | - J J Ruiz-Manzanera
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynecology, University of Murcia; Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - A M Hernández
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - P Ramírez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynecology, University of Murcia; Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - P Parrilla
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Collaborative Donor Project), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynecology, University of Murcia; Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ríos A, López-Gómez S, Belmonte J, López-Navas A, Sánchez A, Carrillo J, Ruiz-Manzanera J, Hernández A, Ramírez P, Parrilla P. Acceptance of the Xenotransplantation of Organs Among the Population of the Spanish Gypsy Ethnic Group. Transplant Proc 2019; 51:293-295. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
11
|
Ríos A, López-Gómez S, López-Navas AI, Belmonte J, Sánchez Á, Martínez-Alarcón L, Hernández AM, Ramírez P, Parrilla P. Approach of Social Groups With Little Sensitization to Organ Donation: Pilot Study in the Gypsy Population to Assess the Best Approach to Determine the Attitude Toward Organ Donation for Transplantation. Transplant Proc 2018; 50:338-340. [PMID: 29579798 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Ríos
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynaecology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
| | - S López-Gómez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain
| | - A I López-Navas
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Murcia, UCAM, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Belmonte
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain; Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Á Sánchez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain
| | - L Martínez-Alarcón
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - A M Hernández
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - P Ramírez
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynaecology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - P Parrilla
- Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante ("International Collaborative Donor Project"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics y Gynaecology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sikoparija B, Skjøth CA, Celenk S, Testoni C, Abramidze T, Alm Kübler K, Belmonte J, Berger U, Bonini M, Charalampopoulos A, Damialis A, Clot B, Dahl Å, de Weger LA, Gehrig R, Hendrickx M, Hoebeke L, Ianovici N, Kofol Seliger A, Magyar D, Mányoki G, Milkovska S, Myszkowska D, Páldy A, Pashley CH, Rasmussen K, Ritenberga O, Rodinkova V, Rybníček O, Shalaboda V, Šaulienė I, Ščevková J, Stjepanović B, Thibaudon M, Verstraeten C, Vokou D, Yankova R, Smith M. Spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in Europe. Aerobiologia (Bologna) 2017; 33:181-189. [PMID: 28579673 PMCID: PMC5432595 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-016-9463-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The European Commission Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action FA1203 "SMARTER" aims to make recommendations for the sustainable management of Ambrosia across Europe and for monitoring its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The goal of the present study is to provide a baseline for spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in Europe that can be used for the management and evaluation of this noxious plant. The study covers the full range of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. distribution over Europe (39°N-60°N; 2°W-45°E). Airborne Ambrosia pollen data for the principal flowering period of Ambrosia (August-September) recorded during a 10-year period (2004-2013) were obtained from 242 monitoring sites. The mean sum of daily average airborne Ambrosia pollen and the number of days that Ambrosia pollen was recorded in the air were analysed. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated regardless of the number of years included in the study period, while trends are based on those time series with 8 or more years of data. Trends were considered significant at p < 0.05. There were few significant trends in the magnitude and frequency of atmospheric Ambrosia pollen (only 8% for the mean sum of daily average Ambrosia pollen concentrations and 14% for the mean number of days Ambrosia pollen were recorded in the air). The direction of any trends varied locally and reflected changes in sources of the pollen, either in size or in distance from the monitoring station. Pollen monitoring is important for providing an early warning of the expansion of this invasive and noxious plant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B. Sikoparija
- BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - C. A. Skjøth
- National Pollen and Aerobiology Unit, Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ UK
| | - S. Celenk
- Biology Department, Science Faculty, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - C. Testoni
- Local Health Authority Milano Città Metropolitana, Milan, Italy
| | - T. Abramidze
- Center of Allergy and Immunology, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - K. Alm Kübler
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J. Belmonte
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - U. Berger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M. Bonini
- Local Health Authority Milano Città Metropolitana, Milan, Italy
| | - A. Charalampopoulos
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A. Damialis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - B. Clot
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Å. Dahl
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - L. A. de Weger
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R. Gehrig
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M. Hendrickx
- Belgian Aerobiology Network, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - L. Hoebeke
- Belgian Aerobiology Network, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N. Ianovici
- Faculty of Chemistry-Biology-Geography, West University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - A. Kofol Seliger
- Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - D. Magyar
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - G. Mányoki
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - S. Milkovska
- Institute of Occupational Health - WHO Collaborating Center, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - D. Myszkowska
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - A. Páldy
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - C. H. Pashley
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - O. Ritenberga
- Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - V. Rodinkova
- Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnitsa, Ukraine
| | - O. Rybníček
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - V. Shalaboda
- V. F. Kuprevich Institute for Experimental Botany of the NAS of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
| | - I. Šaulienė
- Department of Environmental Research, Siauliai University, Šiauliai, Lithuania
| | - J. Ščevková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - B. Stjepanović
- Institute of Public Health “Dr Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M. Thibaudon
- Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (R.N.S.A.), Brussieu, France
| | - C. Verstraeten
- Belgian Aerobiology Network, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - D. Vokou
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - R. Yankova
- Clinical Center of Allergology, University Hospital Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - M. Smith
- Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Galán C, Alcázar P, Oteros J, García-Mozo H, Aira MJ, Belmonte J, Diaz de la Guardia C, Fernández-González D, Gutierrez-Bustillo M, Moreno-Grau S, Pérez-Badía R, Rodríguez-Rajo J, Ruiz-Valenzuela L, Tormo R, Trigo MM, Domínguez-Vilches E. Airborne pollen trends in the Iberian Peninsula. Sci Total Environ 2016; 550:53-59. [PMID: 26803684 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Airborne pollen monitoring is an effective tool for studying the reproductive phenology of anemophilous plants, an important bioindicator of plant behavior. Recent decades have revealed a trend towards rising airborne pollen concentrations in Europe, attributing these trends to an increase in anthropogenic CO2 emissions and temperature. However, the lack of water availability in southern Europe may prompt a trend towards lower flowering intensity, especially in herbaceous plants. Here we show variations in flowering intensity by analyzing the Annual Pollen Index (API) of 12 anemophilous taxa across 12 locations in the Iberian Peninsula, over the last two decades, and detecting the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Results revealed differences in the distribution and flowering intensity of anemophilous species. A negative correlation was observed between airborne pollen concentrations and winter averages of the NAO index. This study confirms that changes in rainfall in the Mediterranean region, attributed to climate change, have an important impact on the phenology of plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Galán
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Spain.
| | - P Alcázar
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Spain.
| | - J Oteros
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technische Universität München, Germany.
| | - H García-Mozo
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Spain.
| | - M J Aira
- Department of Botany, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - J Belmonte
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - D Fernández-González
- Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management (Botany), University of León, Spain; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - S Moreno-Grau
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Spain.
| | - R Pérez-Badía
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Castilla la Mancha, Spain.
| | - J Rodríguez-Rajo
- Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, University of Vigo, Spain.
| | - L Ruiz-Valenzuela
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, Spain.
| | - R Tormo
- Department of Botany, University of Extremadura, Spain.
| | - M M Trigo
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Malaga, Spain.
| | - E Domínguez-Vilches
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Oteros J, García-Mozo H, Alcázar P, Belmonte J, Bermejo D, Boi M, Cariñanos P, Díaz de la Guardia C, Fernández-González D, González-Minero F, Gutiérrez-Bustillo AM, Moreno-Grau S, Pérez-Badía R, Rodríguez-Rajo FJ, Ruíz-Valenzuela L, Suárez-Pérez J, Trigo MM, Domínguez-Vilches E, Galán C. A new method for determining the sources of airborne particles. J Environ Manage 2015; 155:212-218. [PMID: 25837296 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Air quality is a major issue for humans owing to the fact that the content of particles in the atmosphere has multiple implications for life quality, ecosystem dynamics and environment. Scientists are therefore particularly interested in discovering the origin of airborne particles. A new method has been developed to model the relationship between the emission surface and the total amount of airborne particles at a given distance, employing olive pollen and olive groves as examples. A third-degree polynomial relationship between the air particles at a particular point and the distance from the source was observed, signifying that the nearest area to a point is not that which is most correlated with its air features. This work allows the origin of airborne particles to be discovered and could be implemented in different disciplines related to atmospheric aerosol, thus providing a new approach with which to discover the dynamics of airborne particles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Oteros
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain; Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technische Universität München, Germany.
| | - H García-Mozo
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | - P Alcázar
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | - J Belmonte
- Department of Botany, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Bermejo
- College of Pharmacists of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M Boi
- Department of Biology-Botany, University of the Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - P Cariñanos
- Department of Botany, University of Granada, Spain
| | | | - D Fernández-González
- Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management (Botany), University of León, Spain; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Italian National Research Country, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - S Moreno-Grau
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Spain
| | - R Pérez-Badía
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Castilla la Mancha, Spain
| | - F J Rodríguez-Rajo
- Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, University of Vigo, Spain
| | - L Ruíz-Valenzuela
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, Spain
| | - J Suárez-Pérez
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | - M M Trigo
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Malaga, Spain
| | - E Domínguez-Vilches
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | - C Galán
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Puiggròs A, Muñoz-Cano R, Roger Reig A, Raga E, Belmonte J, Valero A, Asensio de la Cruz O, Eseverri Asín JL, Güell Figueras E, San Miguel Moncín MM, Torredemer Palau A, Bartra J, Tella R, Sala-Cunill A, Dalmau G. Prevalence of sensitization to pollen from trees planted in Barcelona City. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2015; 25:150-151. [PMID: 25997316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
|
16
|
Garcia-Vidal C, Royo-Cebrecos C, Peghin M, Moreno A, Ruiz-Camps I, Cervera C, Belmonte J, Gudiol C, Labori M, Roselló E, de la Bellacasa JP, Ayats J, Carratalà J. Environmental variables associated with an increased risk of invasive aspergillosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 20:O939-45. [DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
17
|
Burgos J, Larrosa MN, Martinez A, Belmonte J, González-López J, Rello J, Pumarola T, Pahissa A, Falco V. Impact of influenza season and environmental factors on the clinical presentation and outcome of invasive pneumococcal disease. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 34:177-186. [PMID: 25109886 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-014-2221-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Influenza and meteorological factors have been associated with increases in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). However, scant data regarding the impact of influenza and the environment on the clinical presentation of IPD are available. An observational study of all adults hospitalized with IPD was performed between 1996 and 2012 in our hospital. The incidence of IPD correlated with the incidence rates of influenza and with environmental data. A negative binominal regression was used to assess the relationship between these factors. Clinical presentation of IPD during the influenza and non-influenza periods was compared. During the study, 1,150 episodes of IPD were diagnosed. After adjusting for confounding variables, factors correlating with the rates of IPD were the incidence of influenza infection (IRR 1.229, 95% CI 1.025-1.472) and the average ambient temperature (IRR 0.921, 95% CI 0.88-0.964). Patients with IPD during the influenza period had a worse respiratory status. A greater proportion of patients had respiratory failure (45.6% vs 52%, p = 0.032) and higher requirements for ICU admission (19.3% vs 24.7%, p = 0.018) and mechanical ventilation (11% vs 15.1%, p = 0.038). When we stratified by invasiveness of pneumococcal serotypes and the presence of comorbid conditions, the increase in the severity of clinical presentation was focused on healthy adults with IPD caused by nonhighly invasive serotypes. Beyond the increase in the burden of IPD associated with influenza, a more severe clinical pattern of pneumococcal disease was observed in the influenza period. This effect varied according to pneumococcal serotype, host comorbidities, and age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Burgos
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India.
| | - M N Larrosa
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India
| | - A Martinez
- Department of Health, Generalitat of Catalonia and Influenza Sentinel Surveillance Network of Catalonia (PIDIRAC), Barcelona, India
| | - J Belmonte
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, India.,Botany Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, India
| | - J González-López
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India
| | - J Rello
- Critical Care Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India.,CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Valladolid, India
| | - T Pumarola
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India
| | - A Pahissa
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India
| | - V Falco
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, India
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Belmonte J, Alarcón M, Avila A, Scialabba E, Pino D. Long-range transport of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) pollen to Catalonia (north-eastern Spain). Int J Biometeorol 2008; 52:675-87. [PMID: 18496718 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-008-0160-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2008] [Revised: 03/25/2008] [Accepted: 03/26/2008] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Local and long-range transport of beech (Fagus sylvatica) pollen was analysed by using 23-year data (1983-2007) at six stations in Catalonia, Spain, and numerical simulations. Back trajectories and synoptic meteorology indicated a consistent north European provenance during beech pollen peak days. Specifically, the area from northern Italy to central Germany was the most probable source, as indicated by a source-receptor model based on back trajectories. For the event with the highest pollen levels (17 May 2004), back trajectories indicated a source in the Vosges (NE France) and the Schwarzwald (SW Germany) regions. By applying a mesoscale model (MM5) to this event, pollen transport could be further refined, allowing its entrance to Catalonia through the lower easternmost pass of the Pyrenees (the Alberes pass, 500 m a.s.l.) to be described. Hourly counts of Fagus pollen allowed the timing of pollen arrival during this episode to be matched with the model results regarding the above-mentioned passage. This study may help to interpret some results of modern beech genetic diversity and contribute to the understanding of paleopalynological records by taking long-range transport into consideration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Belmonte
- Unitat de Botànica and ICTA, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Luengo O, Mollá R, Gámez C, Cardona V, López E, Sastre B, Waisel Y, Belmonte J, Cadahia Á, Lahoz C, del Pozo V. Allergenicity and cross-reactivity of Senecio pollen: identification of novel allergens using the immunoproteomics approach. Clin Exp Allergy 2008; 38:1048-60. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.02985.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
20
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The lower recommended age of the donor cornea is a controversial matter. Although newborn corneas have a high endothelial cell density, there are anatomical, refractive (myopic shift) and postoperative problems. Two cases are analyzed; one had an atypical refractive result and the other an unexpectedly severe immune response. We also review the use of pediatric donor corneas in penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS Two young patients with keratoconus, in whom a penetrating keratoplasty was done using a 4-month-old newborn corneal donor with high endothelial cell density (4.500 cell/mm2) are reported. RESULTS In the early postoperative period, both had high hypermetropy with weak astigmatism that improved over the next few months. In one patient a marked increase in the astigmatism after removal of the continuous suture was observed. One and a half years after the penetrating keratoplasty there was V=1 corrected vision and the endothelial population was almost unchanged (4,300 cell/mm2). The other patient suffered an allograft reaction with corneal oedema in the seventh postoperative month, and subsequent rupture of the continuous suture made its early removal necessary. The oedema partially diminished with high doses of steroids, but still persisted eighteen months later. CONCLUSION The newborn corneal graft might have led to an early strong hypermetropy as opposed to the supposed myopic shift referred to in the literature. The extremely rapid healing seen in young recipients may lead to early loosening of the continuous suture. High endothelial cell density increases the risk of irreversible graft failure probably due to a high antigenic response. The use of a newborn donor cornea is questionable due to unpredictable refractive and immunological responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Belmonte
- Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital General Universitario Alicante, España.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
VanderJagt TA, Ikeh EI, Ujah IOA, Belmonte J, Glew RH, VanderJagt DJ. Comparison of the OptiMAL rapid test and microscopy for detection of malaria in pregnant women in Nigeria. Trop Med Int Health 2005; 10:39-41. [PMID: 15655012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2004.01349.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Malaria during pregnancy causes anaemia in pregnant women and low birthweight in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the OptiMAL rapid malaria test in comparison with standard microscopy for malaria diagnosis in 268 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre-Gombe in Nigeria. Positive results by either method were confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction assay for malaria. Although the OptiMAL assay did not detect malaria in the blood of pregnant women with low levels of parasitaemia, it may be useful for the detection of placental malaria which predisposes to low birthweight infants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T A VanderJagt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Despite the availability of efficient tear substitutes, many patients with dry eye syndrome experience severe corneal injuries and a subsequent loss of vision. Surgical techniques using mayor salivary glands to provide a substitute for tears have been reported; with this technique the drainage of saliva goes into the conjunctival fornix, permitting corneal and conjunctival humidification. The authors describe a new surgical approach in which minor salivary glands are autotransplanted into the conjunctival fornix by means of a graft of the intraoral mucosa-transporting salivary glands. This approach was used in a 56-year-old woman with a 2-year history of refractory and pharmacologically untreatable dry eye syndrome caused by Sjögren's syndrome. The right eye had more severe corneal and conjunctival lesions than did the contralateral one, so the treatment was planned in the right eye only. A weekly follow-up during the first 6 months confirmed the significant improvement of dry eye symptoms in the surgically treated eye. Three months after surgery, a biopsy was performed in the minor salivary gland graft, and the histologic findings revealed the presence of glandular acinus, duct with mucin content, and lymphocyte infiltration. The significant improvement obtained in this patient suggests that the secretion from the grafted salivary minor glands was better in promoting homeostasis of the ocular surface than are artificial tears. This may be explained by: (1) The lacrimal and salivary secretions contain biologically active constituents that may protect from infection and promote normal growth epithelium; (2) The secreted mucin is thought to coat the epithelial surface, reducing the high surface tension of the eye wetted by aqueous tears; (3) The thick secretions of the minor gland might act in reducing the evaporation of the underlying tear layer and form a hydrophobic barrier along the lid margin that can retain the lid margin tear string and prevent its flow onto the skin. Minor gland salivary autotransplant is a new surgical technique with effectiveness demonstrated in one patient, but the scientific explanation is not clear; additional experience with more cases could confirm the initial success.
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND A study was performed to assess the acute association between air pollution, pollen and spores, and mortality in a population based cohort of subjects with asthma recruited from emergency room admissions for an asthma exacerbation using a case crossover design. METHODS Patients in Barcelona aged over 14 years who died during the period 1985-95 who had visited the emergency department of one of the four largest hospitals in the city for asthma during 1985-9 were included in the study (a total of 467 men and 611 women). Deaths were identified by record linkage of the cohort individuals with the Catalonia mortality registry. Causes of death were based on the underlying cause on the death certificate. Air pollution, pollen and spore levels were measured at the city monitoring stations which provide an average for the entire city. RESULTS Nitrogen dioxide was associated with mortality for all causes of death (adjusted odds ratio (OR) for an increase of the interquartile range = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09 to 2.64) in asthmatic patients with more than one emergency room admission for asthma. The association was particularly strong for respiratory causes (OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.86). Ozone also increased the risk of death in asthmatic patients (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.30) during spring and summer. The association with particles, pollen, and spores was not significant, and no interactions between air pollutants and pollen and spores were found. CONCLUSION Nitrogen dioxide and ozone may exacerbate severe asthma and even cause death among asthmatic subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Sunyer
- Respiratory and Environmental Research Unit, IMIM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gajate P, Pietrokovsky S, Abramo Orrego L, Pérez O, Monte A, Belmonte J, Wisnivesky-Colli C. Triatoma infestans in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2001; 96:473-7. [PMID: 11391418 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762001000400006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Health Administration Agencies of many municipalities in Greater Buenos Aires (GBA) receive frequent reports on triatomines in houses. The aim of this work was to identify and describe the dispersal foci of Triatoma infestans in an urban neighborhood of GBA, and contribute to the knowledge of the epidemiological situation in the region. In June 1998, potentially infested places were entomologically evaluated. T. infestans was only detected in a hen building for egg production, which housed approximately 6,000 birds. A total of 2,930 insects were collected. Density was about 9 triatomines/m(2). The proportions of fifth instar nymphs and adults were significantly higher than those of the other stages (p<0.001). The number of triatomines collected largely exceeded the highest domestic infestation found in one house from rural endemic areas of Argentina. Though triatomines were negative for Trypanosoma cruzi, they could acquire the parasite by coming in contact with infected people living in GBA. Besides, the numerous and widely distributed places housing hens and chickens, would favor the settlement of the vector. Together, both facts may constitute a risk of parasitic vectorial transmission. It is recommended to intensify systematic activities of vector search and case detection in GBA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Gajate
- Unidad de Reservorios y Vectores de Parásitos, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Botey J, Torres A, Belmonte J, Eseverri JL, Marin A. Parietaria allergy in children. Pediatr Pulmonol Suppl 1999; 18:157-62. [PMID: 10093130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Parietaria, a grassy plant belonging to the Urticaceae family which is commonly found in urban environments, tends to grow on fences, walls and soils with a high content in nitrogen. Since 1983 the Xarxa Aerobiologica de Catalunya (Catalonian Aerobiological Network) has been using Hirst and Court sensors to monitor the daily concentrations of its pollen with respect to the weather conditions (wind, rain, temperature) in various sites in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. This pollen is present practically all year round in our area, mainly during cold, rainy and seaside areas. Studies at a pediatric level are scarce and this is why we reviewed our data in this field. The study included a total of 12,650 case histories of first time attendances to our Pediatric Allergology Unit; 449 children showed sensitivity to Parietal pollen. Exclusive sensitivity to Parietaria in this age group of 1 and 15 years olds tended to be very low. However, we observed that after initial preferential sensitization to domestic allergens, Parietal pollen became the most frequent cause of sensitivity as the patients grew older. Although rhinoconjunctival manifestations predominate, at least at a pediatric level, the implication of Parietal pollen as a cause of bronchial asthma cannot be ignored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Botey
- Unitat d'Allergologia i Immunologia, Hospital Universitari Materno-Infantil, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze experimentally in cadaver eyes several models of commercially available posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) to determine their stability, fixation, and behavior in the capsular bag in relation to their overall size, optic diameter, shape, material, and haptic configuration. SETTING Eye Bank and Department of Ophthalmology, University General Hospital of Alicante, Spain. METHODS Thirty-three IOLs of different sizes, shapes, and designs, divided in two series and five groups, were implanted successively in 31 cadaver eyes. All the proceedings were videotaped, and measurements were made on the television screen with the picture static. Main outcome measures were the diameters of the lens, the empty capsular bag, and the capsulorhexis; capsular distension by the IOL haptics; extent of haptic arc of contact with the capsular equator; and IOL mobility in the bag. RESULTS The stability of and stretching caused by the IOLs varied greatly depending on their overall size, haptic flexibility, and the extent of the arc of haptic contact with the capsular equator. Lenses between 13.5 and 14.0 mm had good stability but stretched the capsule excessively. The J-loop haptic configuration produced a spindle-shaped bag deformity that might come in contact with the ciliary processes in the physiologic eye. Among IOLs designed for in-the-bag implantation after capsulorhexis, the two smaller than 12.0 mm were unstable, permitting excessive mobility in the capsular bag. Except for IOLs with a 5.0 mm optic, all 12.0 mm IOLs had reasonable stability, little or no mobility within the capsular bag, and good short-term centering. Lenses with a broad angulation at the haptic-optic junction, to about 90 degrees, achieved the largest arc of contact with the equator and behaved as lenses with larger optics. The Pharmacia 808 performed best. CONCLUSION After capsulorhexis and extracapsular cataract extraction, 12.0 mm, poly(methyl methacrylate), one-piece IOLs with modified C-shaped loops, 90 degree angulation at the haptic-optic junction, and an optic diameter between 6.0 and 6.5 mm performed best in the capsular bag.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Tañá
- Hospital General Universitario de Alicante SVS, Servicio de Oftalmologia, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
García-Ortega P, Martínez J, Martínez A, Palacios R, Belmonte J, Richart C. Mercurialis annua pollen: a new source of allergic sensitization and respiratory disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1992; 89:987-93. [PMID: 1583253 DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(92)90221-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Sensitization to Mercurialis annua pollen in 13 patients admitted for allergy study of asthma, rhinitis, or rhinoconjunctivitis is described. Twelve of these patients were also sensitized to other common aeroallergens. In five patients, a relationship was found between exposure to M. annua pollen and elicitation of symptoms. All patients were prick test and RAST positive to an extract of M. annua pollen. Nasal provocation test proved positive in 10 of 12 patients, and bronchial provocation test was positive in the only patient in whom it was performed. Two late responses were recorded. Immunoblotting of the 13 sera revealed two different groups of relevant allergens; one of isoelectric point 10.2, reacting with 12 of the 13 sera, and the other allergen of isoelectric point 5.0 to 5.5, reacting with 11 of the 13 sera. M. annua pollen is able to induce both sensitization and clinical disease in atopic patients. Since sensitization to this pollen accounts for 8.5% of total positive skin tested patients in the same period, we believe M. annua pollen should be considered as a relevant allergen and thus included in skin test batteries. Some patients labeled as having "intrinsic" asthma or rhinitis might be sensitized to this and other previously unknown allergens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P García-Ortega
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Joan XIII, Universidad de Barcelona (división VII), Tarragona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Botey J, Torres A, Eseverri JL, Marin A, Belmonte J, Roure JM. Asthma trough to Parietaria in pediatrics. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 1991; 23:377-83. [PMID: 1772573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We selected 183 patients with asthma, rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis. They responded positively to Parietaria Judaica skin prick-tests. In the first test 91 were positive. Of those 11 were monosensitive and 80 polysensitive. In the follow-up tests 92 were positive, of which 5 were monosensitive and 87 polysensitive. There were 54 cases of rhinitis, of which 23 developed asthma. Of 129 asthma cases, 90 developed asthma with rhinitis. The main seasons are Spring and Autumn and activity declines during winter. 18.57% are perennial. IgE was greater in the re-examination of the polysensitive cases. The monosensative cases confirmed the clinical symptoms most characteristic of rhinitis syndrome, 16.893% and asthma with rhinitis, 49.18%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Botey
- Service for Allergies and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebrón, Autonomus University of Barcelona
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Preston FW, Banuchi F, Belmonte J, Kaplan G, Ramos A. Penetrating wounds of the abdomen. Proc Inst Med Chic 1972; 29:84. [PMID: 5016750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
|