Publications by authors named "Cruz M A"

Mineralizing cells release a special class of extracellular vesicles known as matrix vesicles (MV), crucial for bone mineralization. Following their release, MV anchor to the extracellular matrix (ECM), where their highly specialized enzymatic machinery facilitates the formation of seed mineral within the MV's lumen, subsequently releasing it onto the ECM. However, how MV propagate mineral onto the collagenous ECM remains unclear.

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There are few in vitro models available to study microglial physiology in a homeostatic context. Recent approaches include the human induced pluripotent stem cell model, but these can be challenging for large-scale assays and may lead to batch variability. To advance our understanding of microglial biology while enabling scalability for high-throughput assays, we developed an inducible immortalized murine microglial cell line using a tetracycline expression system.

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toxigenic strains represent a critical health threat, mainly due to their link to antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis. This serious condition results from the bacteria's ability to produce tilimycin and tilivalline cytotoxins. Our research highlights the pivotal role of OmpR, a key regulator within the EnvZ/OmpR two-component system, in controlling the virulence factors associated with .

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Innovative skin dressings are needed for an effective skin wound treatment. Here in, it was used spongin-like collagen (SC) from marine sponge Chondrilla caribensis as a promising biomaterial, sodium alginate as matrix and, 3D printing technique to manufacture skin dressings in three concentrations (C1, C2, C3). The physicochemical, morphological and biological (in vitro) results were investigated.

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The toxigenic strains secrete tilymicin and tilivalline enterotoxins, which cause antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis. Both enterotoxins are non-ribosomal peptides synthesized by enzymes encoded in two divergent operons clustered in a pathogenicity island. The transcriptional regulator Lrp (eucine-responsive egulatory rotein) controls the expression of several bacterial genes involved in virulence.

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Article Synopsis
  • The research focused on discovering new drugs that can modify osteoarthritis (OA) by boosting type II collagen production in chondrocytes using a novel, less destructive method.
  • Primary human chondrocytes were engineered to express a reporter gene and cultured in 3D models to screen a library of natural compounds over three weeks.
  • Aromoline, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, showed promise in enhancing type II collagen expression, with dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) identified as a potential target for future OA treatments.
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Endosymbiotic reproductive manipulators are widely studied as sources of post-zygotic isolation in arthropods, but their effect on pre-zygotic isolation between genetically differentiated populations has garnered less attention. We tested this using two partially isolated populations of the red and green colour forms of Tetranychus urticae, either uninfected or infected with different Wolbachia strains, one inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility and the other not. We first investigated male and female preferences, and found that, in absence of infection, females were not choosy, but all males preferred red-form females.

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Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of open fractures treated at the University Hospital of Lagarto in the years 2019 and 2020.

Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study, using data from electronic medical records.

Results: In total, 312 patients met the inclusion criteria for this research and were included.

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  • Eating behaviors in childhood begin with parental influence, shaping dietary variety and quantity.
  • A study surveyed 46 parents, primarily mothers aged 20-44, using an online questionnaire to assess their control over children's diets.
  • Significant differences were found in food restriction practices among different age groups, particularly noting that older parents (45-64) tended to restrict their children's food more than younger parents, highlighting the need for targeted health education for this demographic.*
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Surface treatments play an important role in enhancing the osseointegration of Titanium (Ti) and its alloys. This study introduces a method employing biomimetic hydroxyapatite (Hap) deposition guided by molecularly organized phospholipids, affixed to the metal implant surface. Using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, phospholipids were deposited onto Ti-screws by using CaCl or CaCl/SrCl aqueous solution in the subphase of a Langmuir trough in the target proportion (i.

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Evaluating citrus rootstocks is of paramount importance in determining their suitability for a certain region and promoting resilience in orchards by increasing the genetic pool, thereby potentially contributing to a more strategic establishment of new plantings. This long-term field study (2000-2013) aimed to evaluate different rootstocks for 'Swatow' mandarin grown at two locations (Paranavaí and Londrina) in the Brazilian subtropics. Nine rootstocks were evaluated, including 'Rangpur' lime, 'Swingle' citrumelo, 'Volkamer' lemon, 'Caipira DAC' sweet orange, 'Cleopatra' and 'Sunki' mandarins, 'Trifoliate' orange, 'Carrizo', and 'Fepagro C-13' citranges.

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Cryptic pockets are of growing interest as potential drug targets, particularly to control protein-nucleic acid interactions that often occur via flat surfaces. However, it remains unclear whether cryptic pockets contribute to protein function or if they are merely happenstantial features that can easily be evolved away to achieve drug resistance. Here, we explore whether a cryptic pocket in the Interferon Inhibitory Domain (IID) of viral protein 35 (VP35) of Zaire ebolavirus aids its ability to bind double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).

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  • The study investigates the role of extracellular vimentin in blood from septic patients, focusing on its contribution to fibrin formation and clot structure in a swine model of MRSA sepsis.
  • Results show that extracellular vimentin levels significantly increase after MRSA infection, and using anti-vimentin antibodies can reduce fibrin formation, altering the texture of fibrin clots.
  • The findings support the use of swine models to better understand sepsis-related coagulopathy and to explore new therapeutic approaches for treating microvascular thrombosis in septic patients.
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Background: Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is depleted in critically ill or surgical patients. In pediatric and adult patients, sepsis results in an arginine-deficient state, and the depletion of plasma arginine is associated with greater mortality. However, direct supplementation of arginine can result in the excessive production of nitric oxide (NO), which can contribute to the hypotension and macrovascular hypo-reactivity observed in septic shock.

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Normally, von Willebrand factor (VWF) remains inactive unless its A1A2 domains undergo a shear stress-triggered conformational change. We demonstrated the capacity of a recombinant A2 domain of VWF to bind and to affect fibrin formation, altering the fibrin clot structure. The data indicated that VWF contains an additional binding site for fibrin in the A2 domain that plays a role in the incorporation of VWF to the polymerizing fibrin.

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Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) can potentially cure malignant blood disorders and benign conditions such as haemoglobinopathies and immunologic diseases. However, allo-HSCT is associated with significant complications. The most common and debilitating among them is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

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Introduction: Radial head fractures are consistently part of a terrible triad of the elbow and can occur in association with Monteggia fracture-dislocations, transolecranon fractures, and their variations. Understanding the degree of comminution of the radial head fracture and the location of fragments determines the course of action to be taken.

Objectives: To correlate fracture-dislocations with the pattern of radial head fracture (number of fragments) and involvement in the proximal radioulnar region.

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Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) continues to pose significant challenges for anesthesiologists. Beyond the expected complexities of managing difficult airways in these patients, they often present with systemic anomalies that can elevate the risk of morbidity during surgeries conducted under anesthesia. Furthermore, laparoscopic procedures bring about additional physiologic changes that must be taken into consideration when planning the anesthetic care for these individuals.

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Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) is a rarely encountered cardiac anomaly that can potentially lead to adverse clinical outcomes. RSOV increases the risk of morbidity during pregnancy due to the physiological changes associated with gestation, that can exacerbate the underlying cardiac pathology. We present the case of a 29-year-old female with an uncorrected RSOV who required an emergency cesarean section for abruptio placenta.

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Unlabelled: is an emerging pathogen isolated in healthcare-associated infections. A major virulence factor of this bacterium is the type VI secretion system (T6SS). The genome of harbors two T6SS gene clusters (T6SS-1 and T6SS-2), and the functional characterization of both systems showed that these two T6SSs are not expressed under the same conditions.

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Background: The incidence of anastomotic leak after colorectal anastomosis in ovarian cancer has been reported to be much lower than that in colorectal cancer patients. Regarding the use of protective manoeuvres (diverting ileostomy) as suggested by clinical guidelines, the goal should be the implementation of a restrictive stoma policy for ovarian cancer patients, given the low rate of anastomotic leakage in this population.

Material And Methods: Patients who underwent cytoreduction surgery in a single centre (University Hospital La Fe, Valencia Spain) due to ovarian cancer between January 2010 and June 2023 were classified according to two groups: a non-restrictive stoma policy group (Group A) and a restrictive stoma policy group (Group B).

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 To evaluate the stability of osteotomies created in the subtrochanteric and trochanteric regions in a pediatric femur model fixed by flexible intramedullary rods.  Tomographic sections were obtained from a pediatric femur model with two elastic titanium rods and converted to a three-dimensional model. This model created a mesh with tetrahedral elements according to the finite element method.

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Fermentation, a critical post-harvest process, can be strategically manipulated to augment coffee quality. This enhancement is achieved through the activity of microorganisms, which generate metabolites instrumental in the formation of distinct sensory profiles. This study investigated the impact of different fermentation methods on the quality of coffee beverages, specifically utilizing the Catiguá MG2 variety.

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Article Synopsis
  • A comprehensive analysis of 356 Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex isolates revealed three main types: classical (cl), presumptive hypervirulent (p-hv), and hypermucoviscous-like (hmv-like), with the majority being classical at 82.3%.
  • Most classical isolates produced extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBLs), and a small percentage showed colistin resistance, while all p-hv strains were antibiotic-susceptible.
  • The study found significant differences in capsule production between the different types, which affected virulence, and highlighted the emergence of atypical hypervirulent strains in the population, emphasizing the importance of tracking these pathogens in Mexican healthcare settings.
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