Clinical Performance of an Extended Range of Vision Intraocular Lens After LASIK.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) of cataract surgery with implantation of a wavefront-shaping extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes with previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia correction.

Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 50 eyes with previous LASIK from 25 patients (age: 46 to 70 years) who underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL (Alcon Laboratories, Inc). Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated during a 3-month follow-up.

Quantifying the contribution of environmental variables to cyclists' exposure to PM using machine learning techniques.

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to travel-related exposure to air pollution. Understanding the factors that increase exposure is crucial for promoting healthier urban environments. Machine learning models have successfully predicted air pollutant concentrations, but they tend to be less interpretable than classical statistical ones, such as linear models.

Environmental, meteorological and pandemic restriction-related variables affecting SARS-CoV-2 cases.

Three years have passed since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought the world to standstill. In most countries, the restrictions have ended, and the immunity of the population has increased; however, the possibility of new dangerous variants emerging remains. Therefore, it is crucial to develop tools to study and forecast the dynamics of future pandemics.

Effect of Conventional Cataract Surgery and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery on Bruch's Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Macular Thickness.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of conventional cataract surgery (CCS) and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) on Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL), and macular thickness (MT) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods: BMO-MRW, RNFL, and MT were measured using SD-OCT preoperatively, 1 month and 6 months after surgery in both CCS and FLACS groups. Differences between preoperative and postoperative values were evaluated in both groups.

Cyclists' exposure to air pollution: in situ evaluation with a cargo bike platform.

Cyclists' exposure to air pollutants near roadways has been associated with numerous health effects. While the adverse health effects concerning aerosols have traditionally been assessed with data of particle mass concentrations, it appears that the number concentration is also another important indicator of toxicity. Thus, to holistically evaluate one's exposure to aerosol particles, assessments should be based on mass concentrations and number concentrations.

QuEChER method for air microbiological monitoring in hospital environments.

Introduction: Nosocomial pathogens have become a priority issue for public health, since they are responsible for increased morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and the development of multi-resistant microorganisms, as well. Recent studies found strong evidence that airborne transmission plays a key role in many nosocomial infections. Thus, we aim to develop a QuEChER methodology for the characterization of airborne microbial levels, analyzing potential variables that modify the air microbiological load.

Indoor persistent organic pollutants in agricultural areas from Argentina.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are anthropogenic chemicals extensively used in the past for industrial and agricultural purposes, characterized by their lipophilicity, ubiquity, volatility and environmental persistence. By other hand, chlorpyrifos is the most widely used current pesticide (CUPs) being the main insecticide used for crops in Argentina. The aim of this work was to assess levels of POPs and CUPs in different fractions of airborne particles collected indoor in agricultural areas from Argentina.

Satellite-based view of the aerosol spatial and temporal variability in the Córdoba region (Argentina) using over ten years of high-resolution data.

Space-based observations offer a unique opportunity to investigate the atmosphere and its changes over decadal time scales, particularly in regions lacking in situ and/or ground based observations. In this study, we investigate temporal and spatial variability of atmospheric particulate matter (aerosol) over the urban area of Córdoba (central Argentina) using over ten years (2003-2015) of high-resolution (1 km) satellite-based retrievals of aerosol optical depth (AOD). This fine resolution is achieved exploiting the capabilities of a recently developed inversion algorithm (Multiangle implementation of atmospheric correction, MAIAC) applied to the MODIS sensor datasets of the NASA-Terra and -Aqua platforms.

Atmospheric levels of BPA associated with particulate matter in an urban environment.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an Endocrine disruptor compound (EDC), capable of interfering with hormone related pathways and cause adverse effects, for example, in the reproductive system in wildlife and humans. As it has multiple applications and uses, mainly in the manufacturing of plastic and resin products, increasing amounts are being released into the environment with resulting enhanced exposure pathways. Since negative effects have been demonstrated even at low doses, it has been increasingly studied.

Influence of Meteorological Variables and Forest Fires Events on Air Quality in an Urban Area (Córdoba, Argentina).

Extreme environmental events, such as forest fires, are a major emission source of aerosols into the atmosphere. Thus, to investigate the contribution of local forest fires to urban particulate matter, we selected several forest fire indicators, such as number of heat sources, fire events, and burnt area, and collected particles smaller than 2.5 µm (PM) during a 2.

Corneal dioptric power and astigmatism: A comparison between colour light-emitting diode based (Cassini) and Scheimpgflug technology (Pentacam) topography.

Aim: To determine the agreement and to compare the measurements obtained from a colour light-emitting diode based (Cassini) and Scheimpflug (Pentacam) based topography in the evaluation of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal power and astigmatism.

Methods: A total of 30 eyes from 30 healthy patients were consecutively measured using Pentacam and Cassini. The main evaluated parameters were the anterior, posterior, and total dioptric power, and a power vector analysis of the astigmatism.

Effect of UV-B radiation on the content of UV-B absorbing compounds and photosynthetic parameters in Parmotrema austrosinense from two contrasting habitats.

We studied the resistance of Parmotrema austrosinense to UV-B stress. We focused on the effects of a high dose UV-B radiation on the content of chlorophylls, carotenoids and UV-B screening compounds. Photosynthetic parameters were measured by chlorophyll fluorescence (potential and effective quantum yields, photochemical and non-photochemical quenching) and evaluated in control and UV-B-treated lichens.

Land use and air quality in urban environments: Human health risk assessment due to inhalation of airborne particles.

Particle matter (PM) and its associated compounds are a serious problem for urban air quality and a threat to human health. In the present study, we assessed the intraurban variation of PM, and characterized the human health risk associated to the inhalation of particles measured on PM filters, considering different land use areas in the urban area of Cordoba city (Argentina) and different age groups. To assess the intraurban variation of PM, a biomonitoring network of T.

Biomonitoring levels and trends of PAHs and synthetic musks associated with land use in urban environments.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are some of the most studied organic compounds in urban environments, due to their known adverse effects on human health and persistence in environmental matrices. During the last decade, new groups of organic compounds with an intensive use worldwide such as synthetic musks have been raising the interest of the scientific community given their toxicity and health effects. However, literature is still scarce in studies dealing with their concentration in the environment, especially in developing countries, where they are even more rare or non-existing at all.

Source Apportionment of PM-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Positive Matrix Factorization in Córdoba City, Argentina.

The composition and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on particles smaller than 10 microns (PM) were analyzed in an urban area during a 2-year period from August 2011 to August 2013. Diagnostic ratios (DR) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were employed to assess emission sources. To discount weather influence, a multiple linear regression model was generated and also a photodecomposition index was calculated for each sample.

Organic compounds present in airborne particles stimulate superoxide production and DNA fragmentation: role of NOX and xanthine oxidase in animal tissues.

Suspended particulate matter trigger the production of reactive oxygen species. However, most of the studies dealing with oxidative damage of airborne particles focus on the effects of individual compounds and not real mixtures. In order to study the enzymatic superoxide production resulting from the exposition to a complex mixture, we derived organic extracts from airborne particles collected daily in an urban area and exposed kidney, liver, and heart mammal tissues.

Effect of daily temperature range on respiratory health in Argentina and its modification by impaired socio-economic conditions and PM10 exposures.

Epidemiological investigations regarding temperature influence on human health have focused on mortality rather than morbidity. In addition, most information comes from developed countries despite the increasing evidence that climate change will have devastating impacts on disadvantaged populations living in developing countries. In the present study, we assessed the impact of daily temperature range on upper and lower respiratory infections in Cordoba, Argentina, and explored the effect modification of socio-economic factors and influence of airborne particles We found that temperature range is a strong risk factor for admissions due to both upper and lower respiratory infections, particularly in elderly individuals, and that these effects are more pronounced in sub-populations with low education level or in poor living conditions.

Clinical outcomes and surgeon assessment after implantation of a new diffractive multifocal toric intraocular lens.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome in eyes with significant corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery with implantation of a new diffractive multifocal toric intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods: Prospective, non-randomised multicentre clinical study including 57 eyes of 38 consecutive patients with an age between 37 and 84 years that underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the toric multifocal IOL Tecnis ZMT (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, California, USA). Changes in uncorrected and corrected logMAR distance, intermediate and near visual acuity ((uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), corrected near visual acuity) and manifest refraction were evaluated during a 2-4 month follow-up.

Composition and mutagenicity of PAHs associated with urban airborne particles in Córdoba, Argentina.

The comet assay and micronucleous test were used to assess the genotoxicity of organic compounds associated with particulate material collected in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Samples were collected on fiber glass filters and their organic extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. These extracts were used for the comet assay on human lymphocytes and for the MCN test with Tradescantia pallida.

The effect of airborne particles and weather conditions on pediatric respiratory infections in Cordoba, Argentine.

We studied the effect of estimated PM(10) on respiratory infections in children from Cordoba, Argentine as well as the influence of weather factors, socio-economic conditions and education. We analyzed upper and lower respiratory infections and applied a time-series analysis with a quasi-Poisson distribution link function. To control for seasonally varying factors we fitted cubic smoothing splines of date.

Accumulation of aluminium and physiological status of tree foliage in the vicinity of a large aluminium smelter.

A pollution gradient was observed in tree foliage sampled in the vicinity of a large aluminium production facility in Patagonia (Argentina). Leaves of Eucalyptus rostrata, and Populus hybridus and different needle ages of Pinus spec. were collected and concentrations of aluminium (Al) and sulphur (S) as well as physiological parameters (chlorophyll and lipid oxidation products) were analyzed.

Integral assessment of pollution in the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) as a contribution to lotic ecosystem restoration programs.

The Suquía River lower-middle basin (Córdoba, Argentina) is subject to a strong anthropic impact because it receives pollutants from different sources (industries, wastewaters, heavy traffic, agricultural land use, etc.) We have assessed the degree of watershed degradation of Suquía River lower-middle sections through the analysis of different ecosystem compartments (air, water, riparian soil, sediments and biota), in order to provide useful data to be considered in future river restoration programs. Four study sites were selected along the river (La Calera city, Córdoba city, Corazón de María village and Río Primero city) which were sampled during the low- and high-water flow periods.