Publications by authors named "G A Ismael Plaza"
The mechanics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) determine cell activity and fate through mechanoresponsive proteins including Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP). Rigidity and viscous relaxation have emerged as the main mechanical properties of the ECM steering cell behavior. However, how cells integrate coexisting ECM rigidity and viscosity cues remains poorly understood, particularly in the high-stiffness regime.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTonsillectomy is considered the standard of care in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and large tonsils; however, there are selected cases where this procedure should not be considered. We present two patients with tonsil grade 4 and severe OSA where tonsillectomy was not the solution for their problem and could be a superfluous procedure. In our experience, a preoperatory drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and proper patient phenotyping will prevent this type of surgical failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigated the treatment of underground coal gasification (UCG) wastewater using constructed wetlands (CWs) enhanced with hybrid adsorption and electrocoagulation (EC) methods across four system configurations over a 60-day period.
- Results showed that systems incorporating electrocoagulation were particularly effective in removing metals (e.g., Fe and Ni) and achieving near-complete removal of phenols, BTEX, and cyanides, while CWs without EC were efficient in BTEX removal after just 14 days.
- Despite significant reductions in toxicity (up to 90%) and pollutants, the treated wastewater remained toxic due to the presence of degradation intermediates from organic compounds.
Assessing the usefulness of tubomanometry as a diagnostic tool in Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
October 2024
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of tubomanometry (TMM) in diagnosing obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) before balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET).
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, involving 25 patients with sinonasal pathology, 75 patients with middle ear disease, and 25 healthy subjects, totaling 250 ears. All participants underwent comprehensive physical examinations, including TMM, nasal videoendoscopy, otoendoscopy, Valsalva maneuver (VM), tympanometry, and audiometry.
The micropipette-aspiration technique is commonly used in the field of mechanobiology, offering a variety of measurement types. To extract biophysical parameters from the experiments, numerical analysis is required. Although previous works have developed techniques for the partial automation of these analyses, these approaches are relatively time consuming for the researchers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF