Publications by authors named "Alarcon A"

A new system and methodology are introduced to evaluate photic phenomena induced by different intraocular lens (IOL) technologies using a "see-through" IOL analyzer system in phakic subjects. Nineteen phakic subjects looked through the Groningen IOL Telescope type 1 (GIT1) system under different conditions. Four different IOL designs with different clinical levels of photic phenomena were evaluated by the subjects.

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Wave-particle duality is one of the most notable and counterintuitive features of quantum mechanics, illustrating that two incompatible observables cannot be measured simultaneously with arbitrary precision. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the equivalence of wave-particle duality and entropic uncertainty relations using orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light. Our experiment uses an innovative and reconfigurable platform composed of few-mode optical fibers and photonic lanterns, showcasing the versatility of this technology for quantum information processing.

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Edible flowers have been used since ancient times, but their potential for improving human health has not been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of bioactive compounds (organic acids, phenolics, and carotenoids) and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of nine flower varieties with high concentrations of carotenoids or total phenolic compounds. Ninety-three edible flowers were analysed for physicochemical characteristics, total phenolic and carotenoid concentrations, and antioxidant activity (ABTS).

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Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are an increasingly common cause of infective endocarditis (IE) and lack recent data from large studies.

Objectives: Our aim was to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of staphylococcal IE in a contemporary nationwide cohort study, while comparing coagulase-negative staphylococcal IE (CoNSIE) to IE from Staphylococcus aureus (SAIE), and among IE caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE), S. lugdunensis (SL), and other CoNS.

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Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated the utility of sonication to improve culture yield in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections.

Objective: To analyze the usefulness of sonication in the microbiological diagnosis of CIED infections in comparison with traditional cultures.

Methods: Systematic database searches were performed to identify studies that provided enough data concerning both sensitivity and specificity of traditional (non-sonicated) and sonicated cultures from CIED samples.

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Article Synopsis
  • Nasal dermoid sinus cysts (NDSCs) with intracranial extension require careful surgical resection to prevent recurrence, presenting unique challenges due to their complex nature.
  • A retrospective study from 2017 to 2023 reviewed 18 patients treated for NDSCs, with most undergoing a midline transnasal approach that avoided more invasive procedures like craniotomies.
  • The transnasal method resulted in successful complete resections, minimal complications, less postoperative scarring, and no recurrence or need for reoperation in any patients.
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  • - Ultrashort echo-time MRI offers a non-invasive method to measure tracheomalacia severity in infants with tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia (TEF/EA), aiming to clarify the link between tracheomalacia severity and esophageal atresia.
  • - A review of 16 neonate patients highlighted that those with long gap esophageal atresia exhibited significantly greater tracheomalacia severity compared to those with short gap, along with a higher rate of respiratory-related hospital admissions.
  • - Post-surgery measurements indicated that trachea eccentricity improved in the upper third but worsened in the lower third after TEF/EA repair, illustrating how surgical outcomes can vary across the tr
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Objectives: Posterior glottic diastasis (PGD) is an underappreciated etiology of dysphonia in patients with prior airway reconstruction or prolonged intubation. In endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction (ePCR), cricoid is removed to minimize the posterior glottic gap. Dynamic voice computed tomography (DVCT) permits visualization of the posterior glottis, estimating the amount of cricoid to be removed.

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Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis (SAPVE) is a serious infection with high mortality. The main objective of this study was to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Methods: From January 2008 to December 2021, consecutive patients from a Spanish cohort of infective endocarditis with a definitive diagnosis of SAPVE were analyzed.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study analyzed data from 5667 patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis (IE) across 46 hospitals in Spain from 2008 to 2021, finding that only 1.7% were HIV-infected.
  • HIV-infected patients tended to be younger, predominantly male, and had specific features like higher rates of tricuspid location and community-acquired infections, but fewer surgical interventions.
  • Despite these differences, the study concluded that HIV status did not significantly affect in-hospital or one-year mortality rates for patients with IE.
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Objective: To define the essential elements of the intake questionnaire that will be a part of a larger multicenter registry for aerodigestive patients.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was utilized to obtain consensus on the data elements that should warrant inclusion in the final research database. Patient questionnaires from the eight participating institutions were reviewed and individual elements were aggregated into 14 categories.

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  • Information on infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Cutibacterium spp. is scarce, and the effectiveness of new Duke-ISCVID criteria for diagnosis is still under study.
  • A national study from 2008 to 2023 found that 1% of IE cases were caused by Cutibacterium, predominantly in men, leading to serious intracardiac complications and significant mortality rates.
  • The new diagnostic criteria and molecular testing show promise for identifying Cutibacterium IE, highlighting the importance of cardiac surgery and device removal in reducing patient mortality.
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The biochemical response of plants exposed to pesticides and inoculated with microorganisms is of great importance to explore cleaning up strategies for contaminated sites with pyrethroid-based pesticides. We evaluated the effects of a consortium on the biochemical responses of plants during the removal of a pyrethroid-based pesticide. Plants were inoculated or not with the consortium and exposed to commercial pesticide H24, based on pyrethroids.

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Prostheses or implantable medical devices (IMDs) are parts made of natural or artificial materials intended to replace a body structure and therefore must be well tolerated by living tissues. The types of IMDs currently available and usable are very varied and capable of replacing almost any human organ. A high but imprecise percentage of Spaniards are carriers of one or more IMDs to which they often owe their quality of life or survival.

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We examined behavior (Child Behavior Checklist) and family functioning (Family Impact Questionnaire) in 65 children with congenital cytomegalovirus. Behavioral problems were present in 30.8%.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study of infective endocarditis (IE) in Spain revealed that 19.8% of patients also suffered from acute stroke, with most cases being ischemic strokes.* -
  • Patients with stroke had higher risks of complications, surgical needs, and mortality rates compared to those without stroke, indicating more severe health impacts.* -
  • Factors like the location of infection and the presence of other medical issues were found to increase the likelihood of stroke and its associated mortality in these patients.*
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Rhino-cerebral mucormycosis (RM) is a rare and opportunistic fungal infection observed in immune-compromised patients and metabolic imbalances such as Diabetes Mellitus. RM rapidly infiltrates blood vessels, leading to vascular thrombosis, subsequent tissue necrosis, and high mortality rates (23.6-60%).

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Objectives: This study aims to review the use of reminiscence interventions in the reduction of loneliness in older adults by categorising the interventions by type, and comparing their effectiveness and methodological quality.

Method: This is a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. The search was restricted to studies published in the Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of Science, Psycarticles, Psycinfo, and PubMed databases until December 2022.

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