Publications by authors named "Cristina Ortega"

Background: Spinal stabilization in dogs is challenging, and improper implant placement can result in significant morbidity. Objectives were to evaluate reliability of a ball-tipped probe for detection of breached versus non-breached pedicle drill tracts in a canine large breed cadaveric model. CT scans obtained from T6 to sacrum.

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Article Synopsis
  • Physician burnout and wellbeing are critical issues in healthcare, with mobile technology influencing communication but potentially increasing workplace stress (telepressure).
  • A survey was conducted among internal medicine and general surgery faculty and residents to assess factors related to burnout, showing strong internal validity and significant correlations with established burnout measures.
  • Results indicated that surgical trainees experience the highest levels of burnout across all examined domains, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to alleviate workplace telepressure and enhance physician wellbeing.
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Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic inspection of thoracolumbar and lumbar pedicle tracts in a canine large-breed model and its accuracy for the detection of breached versus nonbreached tracts.

Animals: 2 greyhound cadavers.

Methods: CT scans of 2 greyhound cadavers from the sixth thoracic vertebra to the sacrum were obtained.

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Objective: To compare pin placement accuracy, intraoperative technique deviations, and duration of pin placement for pins placed by free-hand probing (FHP) or 3D-printed drill guide (3DPG) technique.

Sample Population: Four greyhound cadavers.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) examinations from T6-sacrum were obtained for determination of optimal pin placement and 3DPG creation.

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Background: The proportions of different urolith types have not been investigated in cats from the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) previously. The objective of this study was to investigate the proportions of different feline urolith types submitted to Minnesota Urolith Center from the ROI and NI from 2010 to 2020. An additional aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors associated with each urolith type in cats in this geographic area.

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The histomorphological changes occurring in the Dama dama reticulum during prenatal development have been investigated. Twenty-five Dama dama embryos were used, from the first stages of prenatal life until birth. Differentiation of the reticulum was observed at 23% gestation.

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This work studies the morphological changes taking place in the Dama dama rumen during prenatal development using histomorphometrics, surface microstructure and immunohistochemistry analysis as well as carrying out a comparative analysis of this species with other wild (red deer) and domestic-type ruminants. A total of 25 fallow deer embryos and fetuses were used, from the first stage of prenatal life until birth. The appearance of the rumen from the primitive gastric tube was observed at 51 days of prenatal life (CRL 3 cm, 21% gestation).

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During embryonic development, the oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) are generated in specific oligodendrogliogenic sites within the neural tube and migrate to colonize the entire CNS. Different factors have been shown to influence the OPC migration and differentiation, including morphogens, growth factors, chemotropic molecules, and extracellular matrix proteins. Neuregulins have been shown to influence the migration of neuronal precursors as well as the movement and differentiation of Schwann cells for peripheral myelination, but their role in the motility of OPCs has not been explored.

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Studies evaluating the relationship between microbes and human health at non-point source beaches are necessary for establishing criteria which would protect public health while minimizing economic burdens. The objective of this study was to evaluate water quality and daily cumulative health effects (gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory illnesses) for bathers at a non-point source subtropical marine recreational beach in order to better understand the inter-relationships between these factors and hence improve monitoring and pollution prevention techniques. Daily composite samples were collected, during the Oceans and Human Health Beach Exposure Assessment and Characterization Health Epidemiologic Study conducted in Miami (Florida, USA) at a non-point source beach, and analyzed for several pathogens, microbial source tracking markers, indicator microbes, and environmental parameters.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the activity in our Outpatient Minor Surgery unit during its first five-year period.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Methods: It was carried out in two centres of a Basic Health Area with a catchment area of 73,000 inhabitants.

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The objectives of this work were to compare enterococci (ENT) measurements based on the membrane filter, ENT(MF) with alternatives that can provide faster results including alternative enterococci methods (e.g., chromogenic substrate (CS), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)), and results from regression models based upon environmental parameters that can be measured in real-time.

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The use of enterococci as the primary fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) for the determination of recreational water safety has been questioned, particularly in sub/tropical marine waters without known point sources of sewage. Alternative FIB (such as the Bacteroidales group) and alternative measurement methods (such as rapid molecular testing) have been proposed to supplement or replace current marine water quality testing methods which require culturing enterococci. Moreover, environmental parameters have also been proposed to supplement current monitoring programs.

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Background: Microbial water-quality indicators, in high concentrations in sewage, are used to determine whether water is safe for recreational purposes. Recently, the use of these indicators to regulate recreational water bodies, particularly in sub/tropical recreational marine waters without known sources of sewage, has been questioned. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the risk to humans from exposure to subtropical recreational marine waters with no known point source, and the possible relationship between microbe densities and reported symptoms in human subjects with random-exposure assignment and intensive individual microbial monitoring in this environment.

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Swimming in ocean water, including ocean water at beaches not impacted by known point sources of pollution, is an increasing health concern. This study was an initial evaluation of the presence of indicator microbes and pathogens and the association among the indicator microbes, pathogens, and environmental conditions at a subtropical, recreational marine beach in south Florida impacted by non-point sources of pollution. Twelve water and eight sand samples were collected during four sampling events at high or low tide under elevated or reduced solar insolation conditions.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate whether indicator microbes and physical-chemical parameters were correlated with pathogens within a tidally influenced Estuary. Measurements included the analysis of physical-chemical parameters (pH, salinity, temperature, and turbidity), measurements of bacterial indicators (enterococci, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and total coliform), viral indicators (somatic and MS2 coliphage), viral pathogens (enterovirus by culture), and protozoan pathogens (Cryptosporidium and Giardia). All pathogen results were negative with the exception of one sample which tested positive for culturable reovirus (8.

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Thyroid hormones play a major role in the development and function of several organs, especially the brain. The actions of thyroid hormones are exerted through the interaction of T3 with nuclear receptors and regulation of gene expression. The present study analyzed the effects of hypothyroidism and T3 administration on gene expression in the rat brain and cerebellum during the postnatal period.

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