Publications by authors named "Ana M Rodriguez"
Microplastic pollution has become a pervasive environmental challenge due to their global distribution and putatively harmful effects on organisms at different ecotoxicological endpoints. However, in some cases, the effects of microplastics are similar to, or even less harmful than those of naturally occurring particles. Bioplastics, developed as a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, still have unclear effects compared with oil-based microplastics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Long-term deterioration in the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been reported during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Determining the impact of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates on the mental health of HCWs is essential to prepare for potential new pandemics. This study aimed to investigate the association of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates with depressive symptoms over 2 years among HCWs in 20 countries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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- * Researchers synthesized several ruthenium (Ru) complexes with terpyridine ligands and clotrimazole, aiming to investigate their light-activated antifungal properties and the effect of different ligand substituents.
- * One specific complex with a carboxybenzene unit exhibited exceptional activity against common yeast infections when exposed to light, outperforming free clotrimazole by 141 times and showing greater effectiveness on yeast than on cancer cells.
Association of electronic-cigarette, number of cigarettes, and marijuana use with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among men and women: A cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample.
Samuel V David Alejandro Villasante-Tezanos Gabriela Bustamante Denny Fe G Agana-Norman Muhammad Amith Ana M Rodriguez
Ann Epidemiol
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- Smoking increases the risk of HPV infections, but the impact of e-cigarettes and marijuana in underserved populations is not well understood.
- A study analyzed data from 1,351 individuals (687 males and 664 females) from NHANES 2013-2016, focusing on smoking history, e-cigarette use, and high-risk HPV infections.
- Results showed that both high cigarette consumption and e-cigarette use were significantly linked to high-risk HPV infections, with implications for prevention strategies in diverse populations.
Article Synopsis
- Novel alkyl zinc complexes with acetamidate/thioacetamidate ligands were synthesized and showed varying coordination modes influenced by their electronic and steric properties.
- These complexes were found to effectively catalyze hydroelementation reactions of alkynyl alcohol/acid substrates, leading to enol ether or unsaturated lactone products under mild conditions.
- Kinetic studies revealed that the reactions are first-order with respect to the catalyst and zero-order in alkynyl substrate, while DFT calculations indicated a mechanism involving an alkoxide-zinc intermediate formed through protonolysis of the Zn-alkyl bond.
Article Synopsis
- * In a study with female rats, those on a western diet showed increased leptin levels in the foetal stomach, amniotic fluid, and placenta, resulting in greater foetal weight.
- * Choline supplementation during late gestation partially reduced the negative impact of the obesogenic diet on foetal growth, suggesting a need for more research into potential sex-specific outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- The reaction of bis(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methane derivatives with BuLi and different aldehydes produced new neutral ligand precursors with alcohol groups.
- The characteristics of these compounds varied based on the steric effects of the aldehydes used, with different functionalization patterns observed.
- The resulting precursors were used to create efficient dinuclear organometallic complexes with aluminum and zinc, which demonstrated potential for catalyzing selective polymerization reactions.
Article Synopsis
- Chronic schistosomiasis is likely more common among African migrant women in countries where the disease isn't typically found.
- There is a pressing need for a reliable diagnostic method to accurately assess how widespread this condition is.
- Understanding the clinical presentation of female genital schistosomiasis in this group is crucial for effective treatment and management.
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- Inflammation is critical in neurobrucellosis, primarily due to interactions between glial cells, leading to neuronal damage.
- Soluble factors from -infected astrocytes activate microglia, which then begins to phagocytose and kill neurons, a process fueled by increased levels of IL-6.
- Blocking IL-6 signaling can prevent microglial phagocytosis and protect neurons, suggesting that targeting this pathway could help manage inflammation and neural damage in neurobrucellosis.
One approach to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer treatment is photodynamic therapy (PDT), which allows spatiotemporal control of the cytotoxicity. We have used the strategy of coordinating π-expansive ligands to increase the excited state lifetimes of Ir(III) half-sandwich complexes in order to facilitate the generation of O. We have obtained derivatives of formulas [Cp*Ir(CN)Cl] and [Cp*Ir(CN)L]BF with different degrees of π-expansion in the CN ligands.
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- Cervical cancer is preventable, but access to screening and prevention services is inequitable, especially in medically underserved areas (MUAs) of Texas, where rates are 55% higher than elsewhere in the US.
- In 2019, a comprehensive program was launched partnering with 13 clinics and mobile vans in these MUAs, focusing on community education, patient navigation, and training for local healthcare providers to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
- From 2019 to 2022, the initiative educated over 75,000 individuals, facilitated nearly 45,000 screenings, and significantly improved access to diagnostic procedures like colposcopy and LEEP, demonstrating effective cervical cancer prevention outreach in underserved populations.
Article Synopsis
- The INTEGRActiv study aims to identify new biomarkers that link physical activity (PA) to health outcomes specifically in children and adolescents, addressing the need for personalized health interventions.
- The research involves two phases: the first involves analyzing a core group of 180 volunteers divided by age and weight status using various physical and molecular measures to identify potential biomarkers.
- In the second phase, a subgroup of 60 participants will undergo an educational intervention to validate the biomarkers discovered, furthering the understanding of how PA affects health in youths.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focuses on creating efficient bimetallic Al/Mg-based complexes as catalysts for sustainable industrial processes, specifically designed with a unique helical structure.
- - Characterization techniques like single-crystal X-ray analysis and advanced NMR studies revealed the formation of complex structures, including scorpionate complexes with new bonds between metals.
- - These novel catalysts showed high efficiency in the ring-opening polymerization of biorenewable lactide, achieving remarkable reaction rates and selectivity, highlighting their potential for sustainable applications.
Article Synopsis
- - Young adults, especially non-Hispanic (NH) Asian individuals aged 18-39, are less likely to use preventive healthcare services compared to older adults and other racial/ethnic groups, as shown by data from the National Health Interview Survey (2016-2018).
- - The study found that NH Asian young adults reported significantly lower rates of blood pressure checkups and HIV testing compared to NH Whites and other groups, indicating health disparities in this demographic.
- - Recommendations for improving healthcare access point to the need for targeted public health strategies to encourage greater use of preventive services among young adults from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Article Synopsis
- The study discusses two cases of Schaaf-Yang syndrome that have the same genetic makeup (genotypically identical) but show different physical symptoms (phenotypically distinct).
- It suggests that using Genome Sequencing early in patients who show vague or nonspecific symptoms can help diagnose rare genetic diseases sooner.
- This early diagnosis could lead to better health care outcomes for affected children.
Article Synopsis
- Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) like Letrozole are gaining attention for treating hormone-dependent cancers, but they can cause side effects like hot flashes and fibromyalgia while posing risks such as endometrial cancer.
- New AI derivatives inspired by Letrozole have been developed, particularly one with a benzimidazole ring (compound 6), which shows better aromatase inhibitory activity and reduces cancer cell growth compared to established AIs.
- Compound 6 enhances binding to the aromatase enzyme due to its ferrocene structure, leading to improved interaction and increased effectiveness in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.
Article Synopsis
- Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) is a rare genetic disorder that severely affects patients' health and quality of life, highlighting the need for a specific measure to assess their experiences.
- The study aimed to validate the Congenital Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura-Patient Experience Questionnaire (cTTP-PEQ), which evaluates symptoms across various domains such as pain, cognitive issues, and treatment burden, through patient self-reports.
- Results from 36 participating patients showed strong convergent validity, confirming that the cTTP-PEQ effectively measures the patient experience and can distinguish between different levels of disease severity.
Article Synopsis
- - A series of donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) structures based on arylethynyl 1-benzo[]imidazole were created to investigate their potential as optical waveguides.
- - Some of the resulting single crystals exhibited luminescence between 550-600 nm and showed low optical loss coefficients, indicating effective light transport.
- - X-ray diffraction confirmed the crystalline structure, featuring internal channels that facilitate light propagation, making these compounds promising for optical applications.
Article Synopsis
- A study aimed to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive cervical cancer prevention program on women with cervical dysplasia treated with LEEP, analyzing the duration between their colposcopy and treatment.
- The multicomponent intervention included outreach, patient navigation, and provider training, and it was assessed through a retrospective cohort study that reviewed medical records over multiple years.
- Results showed a significant increase in women receiving treatment within 90 days, rising from 76.2% at baseline to 92.9% by year 4, and the average wait time for treatment decreased from 62 days to 45 days.
Article Synopsis
- Mixed pancreatic tumors that combine epithelial and mesenchymal components are rare and often invasive.
- A unique case of a 72-year-old woman revealed a sarcomatous change in a residual intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) without any invasive features.
- Both tumor types in the case exhibited abnormal p53 protein expression and shared a specific mutation in the KRAS gene, with no signs of relapse after 6 months.*
Article Synopsis
- Nen ŨnkUmbi/EdaHiYedo (NE) is an intervention aimed at reducing STIs, HIV, HCV, and teen pregnancy among Assiniboine and Sioux youth on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana, evaluated using a stepped-wedge trial design.
- The study employs a mixed methods approach, gathering quantitative data from questionnaires and qualitative insights from interviews to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth sexual behaviors.
- Findings indicate that youth who reported having sex with fewer partners due to the pandemic engaged in more sexual acts, while those who maintained their sexual activity reported fewer acts, highlighting complex behavioral changes during this time.
Article Synopsis
- The HPV vaccine is proven to be safe and effective in reducing related health issues, and schools are ideal locations for promoting vaccination and health literacy.
- A study evaluated the impact of a physician-led HPV education and vaccination program in six rural Texas school districts, reaching nearly 20,000 students between 2016 and 2022.
- The results showed that the program led to an HPV vaccine update rate of 58.8%, with younger students starting the vaccine resulting in higher completion rates and timely vaccinations.
Article Synopsis
- The text discusses a method for creating new polymer materials by using ring-opening copolymerization with epoxides, carbon dioxide, and cyclic esters.
- New bimetallic chloride indium complexes are introduced as effective catalysts that work well under mild conditions, producing poly(cyclohexene carbonate) without needing a co-catalyst.
- The process allows for adjustable incorporation of carbon dioxide, leading to different copolymer thermal properties depending on the CO pressure and monomer used.
Article Synopsis
- American Indians/Alaska Natives face the highest rates of acute Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection and related deaths in the U.S., alongside rising drug overdose deaths involving stimulants.
- A pilot study was conducted with 40 Indigenous people who use injection drugs (IPWIDs) to analyze their polysubstance use patterns over their lifetimes using a life history calendar.
- Results showed that most participants started injecting drugs before age 21, many shared syringes, and there was a significant increase in stimulant use after they began injecting, highlighting a connection between methamphetamine use and the HCV epidemic in this population.
Cancers are driven by multiple genetic mutations but evolve to evade treatments targeting specific mutations. Nonetheless, cancers cannot evade a treatment that targets mitochondria, which are essential for tumor progression. Iridium complexes have shown anticancer properties, but they lack specificity for their intracellular targets, leading to undesirable side effects.
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