Publications by authors named "Daniel Flores"

Background: Although uncertainties exist regarding implementation, artificial intelligence-driven generative language models (GLMs) have enormous potential in medicine. Deployment of GLMs could improve patient comprehension of clinical texts and improve low health literacy.

Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential of ChatGPT-3.

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  • The study discusses AZD3152, a monoclonal antibody created to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and enhance effectiveness against new variants that can resist other treatments.
  • AZD3152 targets a specific part of the virus's spike protein, blocking its ability to bind to human cells and effectively neutralizes various variants, including Omicron, but struggles against certain XBB subvariants.
  • In animal trials, AZD3152 helped protect hamsters from severe symptoms and lung issues, and initial human trials suggest it is safe and may offer long-lasting protection against certain strains of COVID-19.
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  • The study examines the roles of PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in various metastatic sites of breast cancer, focusing on differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • Analysis of 3076 patient biopsies revealed that liver metastases (LvMs) have high TMB but lower PD-L1 expression and adaptive immune cell infiltration compared to primary breast tumors (BrTs).
  • The findings suggest that the metastatic site affects immune characteristics and biomarker expression, indicating the need for tailored approaches in immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments based on biopsy locations.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) encodes several proteins that inhibit host interferon responses. Among these, ORF6 antagonizes interferon signaling by disrupting nucleocytoplasmic trafficking through interactions with the nuclear pore complex components Nup98-Rae1. However, the roles and contributions of ORF6 during physiological infection remain unexplored.

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Unlabelled: We and others have previously shown that the SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein ORF6 is a powerful antagonist of the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway by directly interacting with Nup98-Rae1 at the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and disrupting bidirectional nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking. In this study, we further assessed the role of ORF6 during infection using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 viruses carrying either a deletion or a well characterized M58R loss-of-function mutation in ORF6. We show that ORF6 plays a key role in the antagonism of IFN signaling and in viral pathogenesis by interfering with karyopherin(importin)-mediated nuclear import during SARS-CoV-2 infection both , and in the Syrian golden hamster model .

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Introduction. News treatments, make early diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) critical. The objective of this study is to analyze the different factors that influence delay in diagnosis.

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Background: Hemangioblastomas (HBs) are rare lesions accounting for 1%-5% of all spinal cord tumors, and are mostly associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Localization in the cauda equina is uncommon.

Aim: In this manuscript, we aimed to describe a rare case of sporadic intradural extramedullary HB of the cauda equina and present a literature review.

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  • The study introduces a method for synthesizing 4-membered heterocyclic rings, specifically azetidines, using copper-catalyzed photocycloadditions of non-conjugated imines and alkenes.
  • Traditional direct excitation techniques face challenges due to the poor photophysical properties of imines and alkenes, making this new method an important advancement.
  • The research combines experimental and computational studies to detail the mechanism of the reaction, which involves selective activation of alkenes through a coordination-MLCT pathway.
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  • Despite the success of COVID-19 vaccines, there is still a need for additional prevention and treatment methods for at-risk individuals.
  • AZD7442 is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies that target different parts of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, effectively neutralizing the virus and preventing its entry into human cells.
  • Clinical studies suggest that AZD7442 can provide long-lasting protection, potentially up to 12 months, especially benefiting those at higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
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Microwave (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are main ablative techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (MT). This randomized phase 2 clinical trial compares the effectiveness of MWA and RFA as well as morphology of corresponding ablation zones. HCC and MT patients with 1.

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  • The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a pest that spreads Citrus Greening Disease, which is increasing in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), Texas, making its management crucial.
  • Researchers collected over 9,300 psyllid samples to find local strains of entomopathogenic fungi that can effectively control ACP and identified two isolates of Beauveria bassiana.
  • These local fungal strains outperformed a standard control fungus in laboratory tests, showing promise as biological control agents for managing ACP populations in the region.
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Exposure to metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), may impair kidney function as individual toxicants or in mixtures. However, no single medium is ideal to study multiple metals simultaneously. We hypothesized that multi-media biomarkers (MMBs), integrated indices combining information across biomarkers, are informative of adverse kidney function.

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In this research, emphasis is placed on the information and diagnostic phase of the physical environment for land-use planning (LUP). Our work is mainly focused on a land-planning case study of a tectonic depression, the Tulum Valley, which extends into the Pampean flat-slab segment. We propose the use of tectonic structures to define Environment Units (EUs) as necessary boundaries for the LUP.

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Large-conductance K (BK) channels expressed in intercalated cells (ICs) in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron (ASDN) mediate flow-induced K secretion. In the ASDN of mice and rabbits, IC BK channel expression and activity increase with a high-K diet. In cell culture, the long isoform of with-no-lysine kinase 1 (L-WNK1) increases BK channel expression and activity.

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The authors sought to examine associations between urinary exosomal miRNAs (exo-miRs), emerging biomarkers of renal health, and cardiorenal outcomes in early childhood. The authors extracted exo-miRs in urine from 88 healthy Mexican children aged 4-6 years. The authors measured associations between 193 exo-miRs and cardiorenal outcomes: systolic/diastolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate and urinary sodium and potassium levels.

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  • This study examines the nutritional composition and bioactivity of adult Tenebrionidae beetles, addressing the knowledge gap that primarily focused on their larval stages.
  • Both species were processed to extract proteins, and detailed analyses revealed differences in protein, fat, and crude fiber content between them.
  • The results highlighted that one species exhibited higher antioxidant activity and potential for microbial growth inhibition through its protein extracts, suggesting their viability as new sources for bioactive peptides in microbiological applications.
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  • The cortical collecting duct (CCD) in mammalian kidneys is crucial for regulating electrolytes, acid/base balance, and fluid levels through reabsorption and excretion by its specialized cells.
  • Researchers developed a novel in vitro three-dimensional kidney CCD model using immortalized mouse cells to study these processes under conditions that mimic natural flow in the kidney.
  • The 3D model successfully formed a tight epithelial barrier and demonstrated functional Na absorption, making it a useful tool for investigating renal physiology more accurately than traditional flat cell cultures.
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BK channels are expressed in intercalated cells (ICs) and principal cells (PCs) in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of the mammalian kidney and have been proposed to be responsible for flow-induced K+ secretion (FIKS) and K+ adaptation. To examine the IC-specific role of BK channels, we generated a mouse with targeted disruption of the pore-forming BK α subunit (BKα) in ICs (IC-BKα-KO). Whole cell charybdotoxin-sensitive (ChTX-sensitive) K+ currents were readily detected in control ICs but largely absent in ICs of IC-BKα-KO mice.

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Infants born prematurely or with low birth weights are more susceptible to kidney dysfunction throughout their lives. Multiple proteins measured in urine are noninvasive biomarkers of subclinical kidney damage, but few studies have examined the joint effects of multiple biomarkers. We conducted an exploratory study of 103 children in the Programing Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment, and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) longitudinal birth cohort, and measured nine proteins selected a priori in banked spot urine samples collected at ages 4-6.

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Endometriosis of the appendix is a very rare entity and commonly affects females in childbearing age. Clinical presentation might be confusing varying from asymptomatic to acute abdominal pain and often mimicks acute appendicitis or chronic pelvic pain. Diagnosis is generally made after pathological examination as operative findings are usually non-specific.

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  • Downregulation of HO-1, COX2, and NOS2 in Dahl rodents leads to salt sensitivity, but restoring these proteins improves sodium excretion and lowers blood pressure.
  • Cholesterol loading in kidney collecting duct cells reduces the flow-induced activation of these important genes, suggesting that cholesterol may hinder the body's ability to excrete sodium effectively.
  • Experiments show that mice on a cholesterol diet have lower urine output and altered electrolyte levels, indicating that excess cholesterol can negatively impact kidney function and sodium regulation.
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Photocycloadditions are often typified by the oxetane-forming Paternò-Büchi reaction. However, the mechanistic constraints of carbonyl excitation and olefin interception have limited this attractive oxetane-forming pathway. Here we describe the use of a Cu(I) precatalyst that achieves selective olefin activation via coordination to the metal center.

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Background: Altered standing balance during pregnancy has been previously reported. To date, body center of mass (bCOM) motion has not been used to track balance changes in this population. We recently compared three methods to determine the torso center of mass (tCOM) location (via force plate acquired center of pressure calculation, using Pavol surface anthropometry measurements, and a combination of the two) to use in calculating the bCOM during pregnancy.

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