Publications by authors named "AGUILAR A"

Globally, those who live in rural areas experience significant barriers to accessing health care due to a maldistribution of health care providers. Those who live in rural areas in the Appalachian region of the United States face one of the worst shortages of health care providers despite experiencing more complex health needs compared to Americans in more affluent, urban areas. Prior research has failed to identify effective solutions to narrow the provider maldistribution, despite it being a policy focus for decades.

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This study aimed to delineate trends in intervertebral disc degeneration among Mexican patients, specifically focusing on the distribution and correlation between BMI and Pfirrmann classification results within the Mexican population. Conducted using the public health database of Mexico City. The study involved 51 patients sampled via convenience sampling, with exclusive utilization of internal MRI data from L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs.

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Introduction: Chronic nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a wide range of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal conditions. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires a systematic and well-structured approach. If the initial investigation for structural, toxic and metabolic disorders is negative, digestive motility and gut-brain interaction disorders should be assessed.

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Purpose/objectives: Hispanic and Latino (hereafter 'H/L') cancer survivors report higher rates of anxiety/depression and are less likely to receive psychosocial services than other survivors. We field-tested a culturally and linguistically adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention with H/L post-treatment cancer survivors. Goals were to: (1) assess feasibility; (2) describe future efficacy outcomes; and (3) examine feedback for refinements.

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In vitro development relies primarily on treating progenitor cells with media-borne morphogens and thus lacks native-like spatial information. Here, we engineer morphogen-secreting organizer cells programmed to self-assemble, via cell adhesion, around mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in defined architectures. By inducing the morphogen WNT3A and its antagonist DKK1 from organizer cells, we generated diverse morphogen gradients, varying in range and steepness.

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Article Synopsis
  • Introductory biology serves as a key course for students in STEM fields, but the influence of prior chemistry knowledge on biology performance hasn't been thoroughly researched.
  • A study explored how gaps in students' prior chemistry coursework affect their performance in introductory biology, using data from around 1,800 students across seven course sections.
  • The findings emphasize that addressing chemistry concepts early in the biology course, along with providing support, is crucial to bridge opportunity gaps and improve overall student performance.
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Digital health tools are positive for delivering evidence-based care. However, few studies have applied rigorous frameworks to understand their use in community settings. This study aimed to identify implementation determinants of the Automated Heart-Health Assessment (AH-HA) tool within outpatient oncology settings as part of a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.

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Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by microvascular damage and fibrosis. Mortality in patients with SSc has significantly decreased. Consequently, patients with SSc have longer life expectancy, and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) has become more relevant in the comprehensive management of the disease.

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Complications of acute pancreatitis can be disastrous if appropriate treatment is not initiated. Pancreatic necrosis can occur without the presence of symptoms; however, in some cases, it can be accompanied by organic failure, abscess, pseudocyst, fistulas, and pancreatic exocrine disfunction. The surgical treatment of pancreatic necrosis can be managed with open surgical debridement of necrotic tissue.

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This study explores the production of bio-composites from barley, wheat, and cassava flours, reinforced with varying ratios of oil palm residues. The research emphasizes principles of circular economy and sustainability. Both flours and reinforcements underwent characterization to elucidate how their physicochemical properties affect the mechanical behavior of the bio-composites.

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Objective: With the growth of physician associates/assistants (PAs) and NPs providing primary care services, we sought to understand the public's perception of the different types of healthcare providers (HCPs) they might encounter in a clinical setting, such as primary care.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate public perceptions about various types of primary care providers (PCPs), identify public preferences for PCPs in relation to experience and training, and examine public preferences for PCP credentials.

Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with adults, and used inductive and deductive coding and reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the data.

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Background: (Aunasin) is an endemic Philippine plant of the family Primulaceae, with several studies showing the genus Ardisia as having potential antibacterial, antiangiogenic, cytotoxic, and antipyretic properties.

Objective: This study aims to determine the antibacterial and antibiofilm-forming activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts on , Methicillin-Sensitive (MSSA), and Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA).

Methods: This is an experimental study testing the activity against bacterial strains of , MSSA, and MRSA using ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves.

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MDM2 has been pursued as an attractive therapeutic target for human cancers. Herein, we describe our discovery of MD-265 as a promising PROTAC MDM2 degrader and extensive and evaluations of its therapeutic potential and mechanism of action. MD-265 effectively depleted MDM2 protein in cancer cells at concentrations as low as 1 nM, leading to strong activation of p53 in cancer cells carrying wild-type p53.

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Article Synopsis
  • Climate variability affects marine ecosystems, influencing the diet and migration of North Atlantic fin whales.
  • Researchers conducted stable isotope analysis on baleen plates of 29 fin whales to track their dietary habits and migration patterns over time.
  • Findings reveal that climate patterns, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, lead to shifts in whale diets towards higher trophic resources and changes in migratory routes, demonstrating the species’ adaptability to climate changes.
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Bacterial infections (BI) are a major cause of mortality in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH); however, only a few studies have investigated BI in AH in the last decade. Therefore, we aimed to assess the features and outcomes of BI in patients with AH. This observational descriptive study included patients with AH admitted to a tertiary academic hospital between 2016 and 2021.

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Article Synopsis
  • In February 2022, a fertilizer plant fire in Winston Salem, NC, led to a four-day blaze that forced thousands of low-income Black and Latino residents to evacuate their homes.
  • Researchers partnered with affected residents and nonprofits to assess perceptions of health risks and the emotional and financial toll stemming from the incident, focusing on the release of nitrous dioxide.
  • Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, seven major themes emerged, highlighting residents’ views of their community pre- and post-fire, health effects experienced, and their concerns about environmental impacts and the city's response.
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At near 50 years of the discovery of microcins, this article highlights the pivotal-but under-recognised-influence of Spanish biochemist Carlos Asensio (1925-1982) in contemporary microbiology, featuring the epistemological, sociological, and cultural impact of his scientific achievements. At a time when the intestinal microbiome is central to current biomedical research, it is due to emphasise his role in the establishment of new scientific fields that are now considered fundamental. Despite his premature death at the peak of his conceptual and experimental creativity, many of his ideas about microbial communication in complex communities inspired a generation of researchers and opened new topics reach to this day.

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Introduction: This study explores the transformative effects of the Community Plunge, an educational program at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSOM), on healthcare delivery, community engagement, and trainee perspectives. It addresses the broader context of health outcomes, where clinical care only accounts for 20%, emphasizing the critical role of social determinants of health (SDOH) and individual behaviors in the remaining 80%.

Methods: WFUSOM's Community Plunge, established in 2002, involves a guided tour of the community, discussions with residents, and debriefing sessions.

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Pluripotent stem cells have the ability to differentiate into all cells and tissues within the human body, and as a result they are attractive resources for use in basic research, drug discovery and regenerative medicine. In order to successfully achieve this application, starting cell sources ideally require in-depth characterisation to confirm their pluripotent status and their ability to differentiate into tissues representative of the three developmental germ layers. Many different methods to assess potency are employed, each having its own distinct advantages and limitations.

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The search for adsorbents that are non-toxic and low cost with a high adsorption capacity and excellent recyclability is a priority to determine the way to reduce the serious environmental impacts caused by the discharge of effluents loaded with heavy metals. Bacterial cellulose (BC) biomass has functional groups such as hydroxyl and carbonyl groups that play a crucial role in making this cellulose so efficient at removing contaminants present in water through cation exchange. This research aims to develop an experimental process for the adsorption, elution, and reuse of bacterial cellulose biomass in treating water contaminated with Cr (VI).

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Background: Echinococcosis is a uncommon condition in pediatric patients, and encompasses alveolar and cystic forms, predominantly affecting the lungs and liver. Transmission occurs primarily through zoonotic means, such as the contamination of water and food by infected dog and other canid feces. Diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific symptoms that often mimic pneumonia.

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AbstractInvasions of freshwater habitats by marine fishes provide exceptional cases of habitat-driven biological diversification. Freshwater habitats make up less than 1% of aquatic habitats but contain ∼50% of fish species. However, while the dominant group of freshwater fishes (Otophysi) is older than that of most marine fishes (Percomorphaceae), it is less morphologically diverse.

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