Publications by authors named "Fernandez F"

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a frequently metastatic tumor of the thyroid that develops from the malignant transformation of C-cells. These tumors most commonly have activating mutations within the RET or RAS proto-oncogenes. Germline mutations within RET result in C-cell hyperplasia, and cause the MTC pre-disposition disorder, multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2A (MEN2A).

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Background: Pediatric femoral neck fractures (PFNF) are rare but associated with a high rate of serious complications such as avascular femoral head necrosis (AVN). Major risk factors and prognostic tools for an AVN are still unclear. As AVN is a devastating complication, this study aims to evaluate the predictors for AVN following a PFNF.

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Quantum mechanics has proved to be suitable for the study of molecular systems. In particular, the Born-Oppenheimer approximation enables one to separate the motions of electrons and nuclei. In the case of diatomic molecules, this approximation leads to the so-called potential-energy function that provides the interaction between the two nuclei.

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A collagen-inspired helical protein-mimic has been synthesized via topochemical polymerization of a designed tripeptide monomer. In the monomer crystal, molecules arrange in a head-to-tail manner, forming supramolecular helices. The azide and alkyne of adjacent molecules in the supramolecular helix are proximally preorganized in a ready-to-react arrangement.

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Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a standard of care across a variety of healthcare settings due to its ability to provide critical clinical information and as well as procedural guidance to clinicians directly at the bedside. Implementation of enterprise imaging (EI) strategies is needed such that POCUS images can be appropriately captured, indexed, managed, stored, distributed, viewed, and analyzed. Because of its unique workflow and educational requirements, reliance on traditional order-based workflow solutions may be insufficient.

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Sirtuins (SIRTs), nicotine adenine dinucleotide (+)-dependent histone deacetylases, have emerged as critical regulators in many signalling pathways involved in a wide range of biological processes. Currently, seven mammalian SIRTs have been characterized and are found across a number of cellular compartments. There has been considerable interest in the role of SIRTs in the brain due to their role in a plethora of metabolic- and age-related diseases, including their involvement in learning and memory function in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

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Hydrogen adatoms are involved in many reactions catalyzed by Transition Metal (TM) surfaces, such as the Haber-Bosch process or the reverse water gas shift reaction, key to our modern society. Any rational improvement on such a catalyst requires an atomistic knowledge of the metal↔hydrogen interaction, only attainable from first-principles calculations on suited, realistic models. The present thorough density functional theory study evaluates such H interaction at a low coverage on most stable surfaces of , , and TMs.

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  • Endurance exercise training (ExT) leads to significant changes in lipid composition across various tissues, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of these alterations.
  • In a study involving Fischer-344 rats, it was found that both male and female rats show distinct lipid remodeling in tissues like the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle after different durations of ExT.
  • Exercise resulted in lower body fat and better cardiorespiratory fitness, with important changes in types of lipids (like phospholipids and ceramides) that could help explain how exercise benefits overall health.
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Objective: The aim of this study was to provide long-term clinical results-including "sweet spot" identification and connectomic imaging analysis-in a series of patients treated with deep brain stimulation for refractory chronic cluster headache.

Background: Deep brain stimulation is a relatively recent indication for the treatment of refractory chronic cluster headache. This indication has generated substantial debate in recent years due to uncertainty surrounding the mechanism of action and the lack of long-term efficacy data.

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  • A study under the European LIFE project is investigating the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in 20 types of infant formulas and in baby bottles and teats, highlighting the risks posed by these chemicals, especially during pregnancy and infancy.* -
  • The study used advanced analytical methods to test for 85 different chemicals, finding low levels of certain harmful substances like phthalates and PAHs in baby products, raising concerns about exposure.* -
  • While some chemicals were absent in accordance with EU regulations in baby bottles, significant levels of EDCs were found in infant formulas, signaling a need for ongoing monitoring and public health measures to protect young children.*
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: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most lethal cancers among women due to most cases going undiagnosed until later stages. The early detection and treatment of this malignancy provides the best prognosis, but the lack of an accurate and sensitive screening tool combined with ambiguous symptoms hinders these diagnoses. In contrast, screening for cervical cancer via Papanicolaou (Pap) tests is a widespread practice that greatly reduces the cancer's mortality rates.

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  • - This study examines whether lower doses of anti-PD(L)1 agents are as effective as the standard doses for treating patients with solid tumors at a Brazilian hospital, aiming to highlight cost-effectiveness.
  • - A total of 71 patients were analyzed, comparing efficacy outcomes such as clinical overall response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival between those receiving low-dose (LD) and conventional-dose (CD) treatments.
  • - Findings revealed no significant differences in treatment outcomes between LD and CD groups, suggesting that lower doses could provide a more accessible treatment option worth further investigation in future randomized trials.
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The impact on quality of life (QoL) following esophagectomy is well reported in many studies that have analyzed patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The morbidity surrounding esophagectomy mainly lies within the significant lifestyle changes that can be permanent in some patients. Research efforts in cancer treatments primarily focus on measurements of survival and major morbidity to establish the best therapy that provides the longest survival, but they do not consider the global well-being of the patient.

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The Chilean Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (SOCHICAR) is a scientific society whose mission is to improve the nation's cardiovascular health. Its primary goals include discussing issues affecting the specialty and engaging in various activities that support its advancement. To achieve these goals, numerous educational initiatives are undertaken for health professionals, including physicians in cardiology training programs.

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  • The study wanted to see how different amounts of caffeine affect sleep when taken in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
  • They tested two doses of caffeine (100mg and 400mg) against a placebo with 23 men over several conditions.
  • Results showed that 100mg didn’t affect sleep much, but 400mg could make it harder to fall asleep and negatively change sleep quality if taken close to bedtime.
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is a commensal gut bacterium capable of forming the secondary bile acids deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid from the primary bile acids cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, respectively, as well as converting glucocorticoids to androgens. Historically, only two strains, ATCC 35704 and VPI 12708, have been characterized and to any significant extent. The formation of secondary bile acids is important in maintaining normal gastrointestinal function, in regulating the structure of the gut microbiome, in the etiology of such diseases such as cancers of the GI tract, and in the prevention of infection.

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  • * Diagnosis usually involves standard X-rays, but younger kids might benefit from ultrasounds; treatment varies based on fracture severity, with less than 20° angulation potentially allowing for conservative management, while surgery may be required for larger dislocations.
  • * Complications can arise, including joint issues and deformation, necessitating a multidisciplinary treatment approach, but long-term outcomes are generally favorable, emphasizing the importance of understanding potential complications for effective management.
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Introduction: Heart transplantation (HTx) has emerged as a pivotal intervention for end-stage heart failure, offering significant improvements in survival and quality of life. This manuscript elucidates the landscape of HTx across Latin America (LATAM) from its advent in 1968 through December 2022, shedding light on its evolution, current practices, and regional disparities.

Methods: We distributed a structured questionnaire to the national coordinators or representatives of the Interamerican Council of Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension, collating responses from 20 LATAM nations.

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  • - The study focuses on how the microstructure, particularly pore architecture, of bioceramic bone grafts affects their effectiveness, noting that random closed pores hinder biological activity and integration with host tissue.
  • - Bioceramic grafts with open through pores are shown to facilitate better natural bone remodeling, leading to improved cell migration and retention.
  • - Hydroxyapatite ceramics with aligned channels were developed, demonstrating successful cell colonization and potential advantages for bone tissue engineering through better access for cells.
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Forensic chemistry literature has grown exponentially, with many analytical techniques being used to provide valuable information to help solve criminal cases. Among them, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS), particularly MALDI MS imaging (MALDI MSI), has shown much potential in forensic applications. Due to its high specificity, MALDI MSI can analyze a wide variety of compounds in complex samples without extensive sample preparation, providing chemical profiles and spatial distributions of given analyte(s).

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Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapies have had limited success so far in clinical trials due in part to heterogeneity in immune-responsive phenotypes. Therefore, techniques to characterize these properties of MSCs are needed during biomanufacturing. Imaging cell shape, or morphology, has been found to be associated with MSC immune responsivity-but a direct relationship between single-cell morphology and function has not been established.

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  • * MRI is the main method for diagnosing these injuries, while surgical intervention using the transphyseal technique has become the standard for treating ACL injuries in younger patients.
  • * Post-surgery, consistent follow-up and rehabilitation are crucial to prevent re-injury, with special consideration given to symptomatic disc meniscus injuries, while isolated tears in collateral or posterior cruciate ligaments are very rare.
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Lipidomics focuses on investigating alterations in a wide variety of lipids that harness important information on metabolic processes and disease pathology. However, the vast structural diversity of lipids and the presence of isobaric and isomeric species creates serious challenges in feature identification, particularly in mass spectrometry imaging experiments that lack front-end separations. Ion mobility has emerged as a potential solution to address some of these challenges and is increasingly being utilized as part of mass spectrometry imaging platforms.

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