Biomedical subjects

C Cámara

Publications and source records attributed to C Cámara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Accelerated extraction for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine biota.

A rapid and simple method is proposed for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in complex matrices such as marine biota. The method uses sonication, by means of an ultrasonic probe, as a new tool for assisted extraction, coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) with fluorescence detection (FL) for determination of 16 US EPA priority PAH. Separation and detection of the 16 PAH were complete in 45 min by RP-LC with a C18 column and acetonitrile-water gradient elution. Multivariate optimisation of the variables affecting extraction (ultrasound radiation amplitude, sonication time, and temperature of the water-bath in which the extraction cell was placed) was conducted. The accuracy of the method was determined by analysis of a certified reference material and comparison of the results obtained with those from another method (microwave-assisted extraction and GC-MS). The new technique avoids the main problems encountered in the determination of PAH in complex matrices such as marine biota, and no clean-up step is necessary. The method was applied to determination of PAH in estuarine biota samples from the Urdaibai estuary (Biscay, Spain).

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Synthesis of a pH dependent covalent imprinted polymer able to recognize organotin species.

The covalent imprinting approach has for the first time been successfully applied for the synthesis of an imprinted polymer able to recognize organotin species. The synthesis has been accomplished by co-polymerization of the complex Bu(2)SnO-m-vinylbenzoin as the imprinting template plus co-monomer sodium methacrylate, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker. The imprinting effect has been evidenced within the narrow pH range 2.5< pH< 3.5. At lower pH values, the imprinting effect is prevented by the exclusive existence of non-specific interactions, whereas pH>3.5 provokes a strong rebind of the template in both imprinted and non-imprinted polymers. This pH dependency can be explained as a selective chemical modification which reduces bind diversity following a model based on enolization by protonation of the specific cavities. Characterization of the adsorption isotherms showed good agreement with the Langmuir-Freundlich (LF) model, presenting quite homogeneous binding sites for a bulk material and high capacity in the imprinting pH range. In addition, the affinity spectrum (AS) method has been represented showing the typical profiles of LF isotherm for both sub-saturation and saturation levels, being in general agreement with the encountered values for fitting coefficients. The covalent molecular imprinted polymer has been successfully evaluated in a SPE process for further OTC determination in the certified mussel tissue (CRM 477).

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of a focused sonication probe for arsenic speciation in environmental and biological samples.

Arsenic speciation analysis suffers in general from high sample handling time required by sample preparation. In a previous work, ultrasonic probe has been proved to reduce sample treatment time for arsenic extraction in rice to only a few minutes. Base upon the obtained results, here several extraction media for chicken, fish and soil samples (SEAS G6RD-CT2001-00473) have been studied and evaluated employing the same technique. Chicken sample needed an enzymatic treatment in order to liberate the species linked to the protein matrix. Extraction of the major species in fish, AsB, was quantitatively achieved in water in 1 min. Also 1 min was enough to leach about 85% of species present in soils and sediments, mainly the inorganic ones, using H(3)PO(4). In all cases, no inter-conversion among As species was observed. The five species found in those samples were separated using an improved HPLC-ICP-MS method in only 11 min, with detection limits at the ng l(-1) level. The proposed methods were validated by analysing several Certified Reference Materials: SRM 1,568 a rice flour, CRM-627 tuna fish tissue, SOIL-7 soil and MURST-ISS-A1 Antarctic sediment.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Simultaneous determination of maneb and its main metabolites in tomatoes by liquid chromatography using diode array ultraviolet absorbance detection.

Liquid chromatography (LC) with diode array ultraviolet absorbance (DAD UV) detection is used for the simultaneous determination of the fungicide maneb and its main metabolites (ethylenethiourea--ETU, ethylenebis (isothiocyanate) sulfide--EBIS, and ethyleneurea--EU) in tomatoes. The identity of EBIS, one of the main UV degradation products of maneb, was verified by both DAD UV detection and mass spectrometry. The analytes were extracted three times with 3 mL of 1:1:1 acetonitrile-dichloromethane-chloroform by 2 min of mechanical shaking and separated on a C-18 column by gradient elution with an acetonitrile-methanol-aqueous 100mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) mixture. The quantification limits of 0.45, 0.04, and 0.35 mg kg(-1) obtained for maneb, ETU, and EU, respectively, show that the proposed method is suitable for their determination in tomatoes.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Optimization of a matrix solid-phase dispersion method with subsequent clean-up for the determination of ethylene bisdithiocarbamate residues in almond samples.

A matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) method with subsequent clean-up has been developed to isolate the ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) main metabolites (ethylenethiourea, ETU, and ethylenebis [isothiocyanate] sulphide, EBIS) in almond samples. The optimized experimental set-up configuration involved 0.2 g of almond sample, washed sand as MSPD support and NaOH as defatting agent. A subsequent purification step on alumina using acetonitrile as extraction solvent was enough to remove all interferent matrix components, including the fatty material, and provide clean extracts. Quantitative analysis was performed by reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) with diode-array ultraviolet absorbance (DAD UV) detector. Analytes recoveries were between 76 and 85% with relative standard deviations ranging from 3 to 12%. The low limits of quantification of 0.05 and 0.07 mg kg(-1) achieved for ETU and EBIS, respectively, make the method useful for the determination of EBDC residues on almond samples.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Characterisation and quality assessment of binding sites on a propazine-imprinted polymer prepared by precipitation polymerisation.

In this paper, the Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm (LF) is used to characterise a propazine-imprinted polymer obtained by precipitation polymerisation (MIP-P). Different rebinding studies were carried out allowing to explain the different interactions taking place between the molecularly imprinted polymer and six triazinic herbicides (desisopropylatrazine, desethylatrazine, simazine, atrazine, propazine and prometryn). The LF fitting parameters obtained (total number of binding sites, heterogeneity index and mean binding affinity) were compared to those obtained in a previous work for a propazine-imprinted polymer prepared by bulk polymerisation (MIP-B). From that study, it was concluded that precipitation polymerisation yielded polymers with a more homogeneous binding site distribution and higher affinity constants.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2004

Enzymatic probe sonication: enhancement of protease-catalyzed hydrolysis of selenium bound to proteins in yeast.

This paper describes the dramatic activity enhancement of two proteolytic enzymes (protease XIV and subtilisin) when treated with an ultrasonic probe and their application to total Se determination and Se speciation in biological samples. Total Se extraction from enriched yeast is performed with 10 mg of yeast plus 1 mg of protease with a sonication time of 5 s, whereas 30 s is needed for extracting selenomethionine. In both cases, aqueous media was used. This spectacular finding is important because the enzymatic procedure usually requires a long treatment period at 37 degrees C. In addition to this major advantage, no control temperature is needed and the risk of species interconversion is drastically reduced or inhibited (the same Se species were detected after different sonication times). Moreover, the extraction is performed in water, minimizing contamination risk and without further pH adjustment. The new sample treatment proposed has been successfully applied to selenium speciation in yeast using chromatographic separation (HPLC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Catalysis↗

PubMed2004

Distribution and biotransformation of arsenic species in chicken cardiac and muscle tissues.

This study evaluated the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic species in chicken heart and meat tissues. The experimental study was carried out using two sets of samples. In the first one, 10-d-old chickens were exposed to sodium arsenate, using spiked drinking water. These chickens grew normally and were killed after 50 d of arsenic exposure. The second set were edible chickens used as blanks for a parallel study. The total arsenic and arsenic species content in the exposed samples were at least twice those in the normal edible chicken. It has been demonstrated that sodium arsenate is biotransformed to arsenite and an unknown species and its distribution varies among the different cardiac and meat tissues. One important aspect is the capability of the auricle to preconcentrate the most toxic species, arsenite, in the exposed chicken. A nonidentified arsenic species from the edible chicken was detected. Arsenobetaine was also detected in several tissues. This article shows that chicken can be used as a representative animal when considering inorganic arsenic exposure in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Clean-up of triazines in vegetable extracts by molecularly-imprinted solid-phase extraction using a propazine-imprinted polymer.

An analytical methodology based on a molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) procedure was developed for the determination of several triazines (atrazine, simazine, desethylatrazine (DEA), desisopropylatrazine (DIA), and propazine) in vegetable samples. A methacrylic acid-based imprinted polymer was prepared by precipitation polymerisation using propazine as template and toluene as porogen. After removal of the template by Soxhlet extraction, the optimum loading, washing, and elution conditions for MISPE of the selected triazines were established. The optimised MISPE procedure was applied to the extraction of the selected triazines in pea, potato, and corn sample extracts and a high degree of clean-up was obtained. However, some remaining interferences, non-specifically and strongly bound to the polymeric matrix, appeared in the chromatogram, preventing quantification of DIA in potatoes and DIA, DEA, and propazine in corn samples. Thus, a new clean-up protocol based on the use of a non-imprinted polymer for removal of these interferences prior to the MISPE step was developed. By following the new two-step MISPE procedure, the matrix compounds were almost completely removed, allowing the determination of all the triazines selected at concentration levels below the established maximum residue limits, making the developed procedure suitable for monitoring these analytes in vegetable samples.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of pesticide uptake by Lupinus seeds.

Pesticide uptake by seeds depends on the properties of the chemical, such as structure, stability, log k(ow) and diffusion rate, type of water, pH, temperature, content of organic matter and composition, and on seed characteristics such as permeability of the seed coat. The efficiency with which Lupinus angustifolius seeds retain different herbicides (simazine, atrazine, isoproturon, linuron,) and insecticides (carbaryl, fenamiphos, permethrin) was evaluated using both a batch and a continuous system. Factors which affect pesticide uptake by seeds, such as flow rate, seed biomass, pesticide concentration, contact time, pH, seed saturation and also the speed of the retention process for 17 days, were tested. L. angustifolius showed a high retention capacity for the above mentioned pesticides. The extraction of pesticides from seeds using different organic solvents, such as methanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate and n-hexane was evaluated and no pesticide residues were detected in any of the solvents tested. This could be attributed to the capacity of the seed to degrade the pesticides. From the results obtained, L. angustifolius seems to be a promising seed to be applied for phytoremediation of industrial effluents or contaminated water.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2002

Stability of total selenium and selenium species in lyophilised oysters and in their enzymatic extracts.

To obtain reliable information on speciation analysis it is necessary to previously evaluate the stability of the species in the sample of interest. Furthermore, in those cases in which sample treatment to extract the species is time-consuming, an evaluation of how to maintain species integrity in the extracts is paramount. Thus, the present paper reports the stability of total Se, SeMet and TMSe+ in freeze-dried oyster and in the enzymatic extracts stored in Pyrex and polyethylene containers at different temperatures (-18, 4 and 20 degrees C). Total selenium determinations and Se speciation were carried out by HG-AAS after acid digestion in a microwave oven and by on-line coupling of cation exchange HPLC-ICP-MS after enzymatic hydrolysis, respectively. The results obtained for the freeze-dried sample showed that total Se and the selenium species evaluated are stable for at least 12 months, under all the conditions tested. However, Se species in the enzymatic extracts are only stable for 10 days if stored at 4 degrees C in Pyrex containers. These results show that the extracts do not necessarily have to be analysed just after sample treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Solid-phase microextraction method for the determination of atrazine and four organophosphorus pesticides in soil samples by gas chromatography.

A simple and rapid solid-phase microextraction (SPME) based method is presented for the simultaneous determination of atrazine and four organophosphorus (i.e. parathion-methyl, chlorpyriphos, methidathion and carbophenothion) in soils. After optimisation of the different experimental variables affecting the SPME of the target compounds from aqueous solutions by using an experimental design, a consensus strategy was adopted which allowed the use of the SPME method developed for the simultaneous screening of all the analytes selected. The complete analytical procedure finally proposed consisted of a 15-min ultrasonic extraction of the target compounds from a 0.5-g soil sample with 5 ml of methanol and the dilution of this extract to up 10% methanol followed by the addition of NaCl to a final concentration of 10% (w/v). The analytes in this aqueous extract were preconcentrated for 30 min in the SPME fiber and subsequently desorbed by heating of the fiber at 260 degrees C for 5 min in the gas chromatograph injection port. Final determination was carried out with an electron-capture detector. The recoveries of the pesticides studied in soils ranged from 72 to 123%, except for atrazine, and the SDs were below 16%. The feasibility of the procedure finally proposed for the screening of the endogenous pesticides irrespective of the properties of the soil selected has been shown.

Atrazine↗

PubMed2001

Molecular recognition in a propazine-imprinted polymer and its application to the determination of triazines in environmental samples.

An analytical methodology for the determination of triazines in environmental samples incorporating a molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) process using a propazine-imprinted polymer was developed. Two different polymers were prepared using acetonitrile or toluene as porogen, and their optimum loading, washing, and elution conditions were established. Although both polymers were able to recognize several chlorotriazines (propazine, atrazine, simazine, desethylatrazine, and desisopropylatrazine), the polymer prepared in toluene showed the best performance and was also capable of recognizing a methylthiotriazine (prometryn). A binding study carried out in this polymer demonstrated that it possesses heterogeneous binding sites with different binding abilities. From this study, it was also concluded that desethylatrazine and desisopropylatrazine displace the other triazines at high concentrations, including the template molecule. The accuracy and selectivity of the MISPE process developed was verified using a certified reference material for drinking water containing atrazine and simazine among other commonly used pesticides. Finally, the MISPE procedure was successfully applied to the cleanup of drinking and groundwater, soil, and corn sample extracts, and the triazines were determined by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary↗

PubMed2001

Interleukin-6 dimers produced by endothelial cells inhibit apoptosis of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

Tumoral lymphocytes from patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) are long-lived cells in vivo, but they die rapidly by apoptosis in vitro. Here, it is reported that endothelial cells (ECs) inhibit the apoptosis of B-CLL cells, as determined by 4 different flow cytometric methods, and that this antiapoptotic effect is mediated mainly by soluble factor(s), as can be deduced from the following findings. First, EC-conditioned medium (ECCM) inhibited the apoptotic rate in B-CLL to approximately 50% of control. Second, the antiapoptotic effect mediated by EC/B-CLL cell contact was more apparent than real; using a fluorescence-based phagocytosis assay, it was demonstrated that this effect was due to the phagocytic capacity of ECs, which internalized apoptotic cells. Third, the protective effect of ECCM was associated neither with proliferation nor differentiation signals. Fourth, the survival factor was a dimeric form of IL-6 because anti-IL-6 antibodies completely neutralized the antiapoptotic effect mediated not only by the crude ECCM but also by the 45- to 55-kd active fractions obtained after gel filtration, which contained high levels of IL-6. These IL-6 dimers (IL-6(D)) were noncovalently associated. Sixth, human recombinant IL-6(D) (hrIL-6(D)) inhibited B-CLL apoptosis, whereas hrIL-6 monomers (hrIL-6(M)) did not. Binding and functional competition experiments showed not only that monomers and dimers had similar affinity for the IL-6R, but also that hrIL-6(M) inhibited the antiapoptotic activity of hrIL-6(D). These data suggest that IL-6(D) derived from ECs promote the survival of B-CLL cells.

Annexin A5↗

PubMed2001

Removal of interfering elements in ICP-QMS for the determination of Pt, Rh, and Pd by chemically modified sample introduction capillaries.

New on-line methods developed for the determination of Pt, Rh, and Pd by inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) include separation of elements which might lead to spectral interference in the quadrupole instrument. The fused-silica capillaries generally used for transport of the sample to mu-flow nebulizers have been chemically modified with ion-exchanger compounds to remove interfering elements such as Cu, Pb, or Hf. Characterization of the modification procedures by atomic-force microscopy showed that the quality of the quartz material and the kind of modification had a decisive influence on the yield of surface modification, and thus the exchange capacity of the capillaries.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Homogeneity and stability studies on sodium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese in human saliva.

This article reports on the homogeneity and stability of saliva samples treated and stored under different conditions. The analytes chosen for this evaluation were Na, Ca, and Mg as minor elements and Mn as the trace element. The results obtained show that when the sample was homogenized in an ultrasonic bath, a minimum volume of 0.25 mL was required to consider the sample homogeneous. The stability of the analytes depended on their concentration. The Ca and Mg content seemed to be stable for at least 1 wk when the samples were stored at room temperature, whereas the Mn content seemed to be unstable for 1 d even when the sample was stored at -20 degreesC.

Calcium↗

PubMed2000

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells inhibit spontaneous Ig production by autologous bone marrow cells: role of CD95-CD95L interaction.

A variable degree of humoral immunodeficiency is a common feature in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The aim of this study was to explore the possibility that B-CLL cells play a direct role in this phenomenon. To this end, patients' bone marrow (BM) immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells were cocultured with autologous purified B-CLL cells. The results show that tumoral cells inhibited the spontaneous IgG secretion by BM plasma cells, and this effect increased after PMA-induction of B-CLL cells. This inhibitory process was proportional to the number of B-CLL cells added and depended on cellular contact. Adhesion molecules did not appear to be involved in the cellular interaction, because the inclusion of blocking antibody to a variety of these proteins did not reverse the inhibitory phenomenon. However, the addition of monoclonal antibody that blocked the function of either CD95 or CD95L clearly reversed B-CLL cell inhibition on autologous BM plasma cells. These latter cells were shown to express CD95, and B-CLL cells contained detectable quantities of CD95L at the level of messenger RNA and protein. Annexin V-binding experiments revealed increased apoptosis of BM Ig-secreting cells when cocultured with autologous B-CLL cells. Finally, this inhibitory phenomenon might be operative in vivo because (a) there was a good correlation between the intensity of the inhibitory effect in vitro and the serum IgG level exhibited by every patient and (b) B-CLL cells also inhibited in vivo antigen-induced IgG-tetanus toxoid-secreting cells obtained from normal immunized subjects. Collectively, these data suggest that B-CLL cells inhibit autologous CD95-bearing Ig-secreting cells by the interaction with CD95L present on B-CLL cells and, hence, contribute to the state of humoral immunodeficiency that occurs in these patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The capillary cold trap as a suitable instrument for mercury speciation by volatilization, cryogenic trapping, and gas chromatography coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry.

An innovative accessory for speciation analysis has been developed. The system is based on the combination of cryogenic trapping and gas chromatographic separation, carried out within the same capillary. The instrument, hyphenating derivatization, gas-phase extraction, preconcentration, and analyte separation, is semiautomated, and all operational parameters are adjustable via an in-house-developed control unit, which regulates the selected parameters throughout the analysis process. Species detection was carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limits achieved were 33, 39, and 71 ng L(-1) for dimethylmercury, methylmercury, and inorganic mercury, respectively. A complete chromatogram could be obtained within three minutes, resulting in the duration of one whole analysis cycle of about 15 min. The proposed method was applied to mercury speciation in freeze-dried tuna fish powder after microwave-assisted extraction, finding that mercury is present at 80% as methylmercury and about 20% as inorganic mercury, in this kind of biological material.

Animals↗