Publications by authors named "Diaz Y"

Colorectal cancer (CRC) development is a gradual process in which progressive histological alterations of the intestinal mucosa damage occur over years. This process can be influenced by modifiable external factors such as lifestyle and diet. Most CRC cases (>80%) originate from conventional adenomas through the adenomatous pathway and usually harbour dysplastic cells, whereas the serrated pathway is less frequent (<20% cases) and comprises hyperplastic polyps and other polyps containing dysplastic cells.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study focuses on the stereoselective syntheses of 1-deoxysphingosine analogues as potential inhibitors of sphingosine kinase (SphK), particularly targeting its isoforms SphK1 and SphK2, which are implicated in cancer progression and therapy resistance. The research builds on previous work by designing a series of analogues featuring systematic structural modifications like the incorporation of a triazole ring, varying degrees of fluorination, and different head groups (, guanidino, -methylamino, and ,-dimethylamino). These modifications aimed to enhance polar and hydrophobic interactions especially with SphK2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Poverty is associated with poorer mental health in early adulthood. Cash transfers (CTs) have been shown to improve child health and education outcomes, but it is unclear whether these effects may translate into better mental health outcomes as children reach young adulthood. Using a quasi-experimental approach that exploits variation across countries in the timing of national CT programme introduction, we examine whether longer exposure to CTs during childhood (0-17 years) reduces depressive symptoms in early adulthood (18-30 years).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study examined SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and risk factors among unvaccinated people living with HIV (PWH), finding an 18% prevalence of infection in this group.
  • It involved testing plasma samples from 4,400 PWH and revealed that a significant portion of those infected were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms.
  • The research concluded that common risk factors included younger age, female sex, MSM status, and syphilis history, while antiretrovirals, including tenofovir, did not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted to create a risk score to predict loss to follow-up (LTFU) in patients living with HIV (PLWH) in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
  • The study analyzed 6,661 PLWH and identified key factors contributing to LTFU, including age, nationality, drug use, viral load, and time since diagnosis.
  • The results indicated that a significant portion of PLWH (28.8%) was at medium risk and 3.4% at high risk for LTFU, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to retain patients in HIV care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: People with HIV have a substantially higher risk of anal cancer than the general population. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with the development of anal cancer among people with HIV to implement more effective and targeted screening strategies.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study in 16 hospitals across Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Spain, between Jan 1, 1998, and Dec 31, 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains, which produce the heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) either alone or in combination with the heat-labile enterotoxin, contribute to the bulk of the burden of child diarrheal disease in resource-limited countries and are associated with mortality. Developing an effective vaccine targeting ST presents challenges due to its potent enterotoxicity, non-immunogenicity, and the risk of autoimmune reaction stemming from its structural similarity to the human endogenous ligands, guanylin, and uroguanylin. This study aimed to assess a novel synthetic vaccine carrier platform employing a single chemical coupling step for making human ST (STh) immunogenic.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Extensive evaluations exist concerning the linkage between objective task demands and subsequent effects on user performance. However, the human user also experiences a range of emotions related to external task demands. Problematically, little is known about the associations between emotional valence, and arousal associated with the task demand-performance axis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Our aims were: (1) to characterize gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender (TG) populations using internet-based self-sampling services in the TESTATE project or attending community-based STI/HIV voluntary counselling and testing (CBVCT) services as alternative strategies to formal HIV testing within the Spanish national health system, and (2) to identify factors associated with repeat use of the same screening strategy from November 2018 to December 2021. Demographic, health, and behavioral characteristics of users using complementary strategies were analyzed. We developed a cross-sectional study, with descriptive analysis, HIV cascade, and a multivariate logistic model to identify factors associated with participants' repeated use of the same screening strategy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum (MIRPC) has been performed using the Abramson technique in which the bar that compresses the sternum is fixed with steel wires on the ribs. A 14-year-old patient underwent to a MIRPC using a sandwich technique in which two metallic bars fixed with bridges were implanted below the sternum under thoracoscopic vision, and another bar in a subcutaneous tunnel was implanted above. This technique has the potential to avoid specific problems related to the original technique like loosening of support for correction (broken wire), avoidance of induction of pectus excavatum or subcutaneous tissue adhesion.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

OBJECTIVETo describe the characteristics of people indicated for directly observed treatment (DOT) in Spain, and the factors associated with unsuccessful treatment.METHODSThis was a multicentre observational study based on a prospective follow-up of patients over 18 years old diagnosed with TB between 2006 and 2019 from the registry of the Programa Integrado de Investigación en Tuberculosis (PII-TB). Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: We investigated potential relationships among initial lesions of the intestinal mucosa, fecal enzymatic activities and microbiota profiles.

Methods: Fecal samples from 54 volunteers were collected after recruitment among individuals participating in a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program in our region (Northern Spain) or attending for consultation due to clinical symptoms; intestinal mucosa samples were resected during colonoscopy. Enzymatic activities were determined in fecal supernatants by a semi-quantitative method.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: There is increased awareness about the need for quality improvement (QI) education for trainees within clinical training programs. However, formal integration of a QI curriculum into graduate medical education (GME) remains a work-in-progress. We describe the creation and implementation of a novel, virtual QI curriculum complemented by virtual-based workshops.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * The study analyzed cause of death using a modified protocol and found a significant decrease in all-cause mortality rates, dropping from 9.6 per 1000 person-years to 3.33. Major causes of death now include non-AIDS cancers, cardiovascular disease, and liver diseases.
  • * Key predictors for both AIDS and non-AIDS mortality included factors like age, comorbidities, and ART adherence,
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) can lead to severe diseases, including chronic arthritis and, in rare cases, neurological issues and death, primarily transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • A comprehensive study revealed that deaths from CHIKV are linked to multi-organ infections, serious brain damage, and higher levels of inflammation in the body compared to survivors.
  • The research also found that CHIKV infection disrupts the blood-brain barrier, leading to increased permeability and changes in protein expression, enhancing our understanding of CHIK pathophysiology and fatal outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: At the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, transfusion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy to help patients severely afflicted by COVID-19. The efficacy of CCP has been controversial as it depends on many variables pertaining to the plasma donor and the patient with COVID-19, for example, time of convalescence or symptoms onset. This feasibility and descriptive study aimed to assess the safety of multiple doses of CCP in mechanically ventilated, intubated patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Healthcare provided by a bilingual provider or with the assistance of an interpreter improves care quality; however, their associations with patient experience are unknown. We reviewed associations of patient experience with provider-patient language concordance (LC) and use of interpreters for Spanish-preferring patients.

Method: We reviewed articles from academic databases 2005-2023 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Joanna Briggs Institute Checklists to rate study quality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (Des1) catalyzes the formation of a CC double bond in dihydroceramide to furnish ceramide. Inhibition of Des1 is related to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death. The lack of the Des1 crystalline structure, as well as that of a close homologue, hampers the detailed understanding of its inhibition mechanism and difficults the design of new inhibitors, thus making Des1 a strategic target.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome marked by sudden liver function decline and multiorgan failure, predominantly acute kidney injury (AKY), in patients with chronic liver disease. Unregulated inflammation is a hallmark of ACLF; however, the key drivers of ACLF are not fully understood. This study explores the therapeutic properties of human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome, particularly focusing on its enhanced anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative properties after the in vitro preconditioning of the cells.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * PWH had higher booster vaccination rates (68.5% vs. 63.1%) than PWoH, particularly among those with advanced HIV profiles, like low CD4 counts.
  • * The study identified factors such as prior SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, migrant status, and socioeconomic challenges as barriers to primary vaccination for PWH, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance vaccine access and coverage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • COVID-19 has a greater impact on migrants and ethnic minorities, including people with HIV, highlighting the need for detailed studies on their risks and outcomes.
  • A study in Catalonia analyzed data from over 10,000 people with HIV, comparing COVID-19 testing, vaccination rates, and clinical outcomes between migrants and Spanish natives.
  • Results showed migrants had lower testing and vaccination rates, faced higher hospitalization and ICU admission rates, but had similar COVID-19 diagnosis rates and mortality compared to non-migrants, indicating the necessity for targeted health policies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a notable decrease in healthcare services usage among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Catalonia, particularly in HIV units, hospitals, and emergency departments.
  • During the lockdown, overall medical visits decreased by 17.1%, with significant drops in specific healthcare facilities, while primary care visits remained relatively stable.
  • CD4 and HIV RNA monitoring saw significant declines, emphasizing the need for better preparedness for future pandemics to maintain healthcare access for PLWH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Progressive intestinal mucosal damage occurs over years prior to colorectal cancer (CRC) development. The endoscopic screening of polyps and histopathological examination are used clinically to determine the risk and progression of mucosal lesions. We analyzed fecal microbiota compositions using 16S rRNA gene-based metataxonomic analyses and the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) using gas chromatography in volunteers undergoing colonoscopy and histopathological analyses to determine the microbiota shifts occurring at the early stages of intestinal mucosa alterations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF