Publications by authors named "Luis Acosta"

Two new species of the genus Acrographinotus (Opiliones, Laniatores, Gonyleptidae) are described from protected areas placed on sub-Andean ranges: Acrographinotus tariquiae sp. nov. from Tariquía National Reserve, southern Bolivia, and A.

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Oncogenic mutations in KRAS are present in ~95% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and are considered the initiating event of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) precursor lesions. While it is well established that KRAS mutations drive the activation of oncogenic kinase cascades during pancreatic oncogenesis, the effects of oncogenic KRAS signaling on regulation of phosphatases during this process is not fully appreciated. Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has been implicated in suppressing KRAS-driven cellular transformation and low PP2A activity is observed in PDAC cells compared to non-transformed cells, suggesting that suppression of PP2A activity is an important step in the overall development of PDAC.

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Increased parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattentive symptoms, but not hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, and may contribute to inattentive subtype etiology. Guided by prior work linking infant rhinorrhea and watery eyes without a cold (RWWC) to PNS dysregulation, we examined associations between infant RWWC and childhood ADHD symptoms in a longitudinal cohort of Black and Latinx children living in the context of economic disadvantage (N = 301 youth: 158 females, 143 males). Infant RWWC predicted higher inattentive (relative risk [RR] 2.

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Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms (HAPs) are rare but life-threatening complications associated with hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) therapy for unresectable liver metastases. Traditional management options include open surgery or stent placement, but these approaches have drawbacks. We present a unique case of a dislodged stent embedded in a HAP, resulting in delayed type-I endoleak.

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Background: Asthma development has been inversely associated with exposure to fungal diversity. However, the influence of fungi on measures of asthma morbidity is not well understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that fungal diversity is inversely associated with neighborhood asthma prevalence and identify specific fungal species associated with asthma morbidity.

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Von Willebrand disease (VWD) and hemophilia A are the most common inherited bleeding disorders. Quantitative or qualitative von Willebrand factor (VWF) anomalies cause this disorder in men and women. VWF, a plasma glycoprotein, relies on platelets for primary hemostasis.

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Introduction: Asthma and allergy symptoms vary seasonally due to exposure to environmental sources of allergen, including fungi. However, we need an improved understanding of seasonal influence on fungal exposures in the indoor environment. We hypothesized that concentrations of total fungi and allergenic species in vacuumed dust vary significantly by season.

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Background Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) or functional MR intensity with or without repair increases the risk of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and if the contaminant is undertaken, it doubles the risk of the surgery. This study aimed to characterize patients with concomitant CABG and mitral valve repair (MVR) and assess the surgical and long-term outcomes. Methods We conducted a cohort study from 2014 to 2020 on 364 patients who underwent CABG.

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Purpose: To identify common findings visualized on CT following damage control laparotomy, including post-surgical changes and additional injuries, and to determine change in frequency of post-laparotomy CT at our institution over time.

Methods: Single institution, IRB-Exempt, retrospective review of the University of Kentucky trauma registry from 1/2006 to 2/2019 for all trauma patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy initially and subsequently undergoing CT of the abdomen and pelvis within 24 hours. Operative findings from surgical operation notes and findings reported on post-laparotomy CT were recorded, including vascular and solid organ injuries, operative changes, free intraperitoneal fluid/air, and retroperitoneal findings.

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Gonyleptes robustus Holmberg, 1876 (Opiliones, Gonyleptidae), hitherto under the synonymy of Acanthopachylus aculeatus (Kirby, 1819) is revalidated. It is recognized as the second species of genus Acanthopachylus Roewer, 1913, currently monotypic, giving the new combination Acanthopachylus robustus (Holmberg, 1876) comb. nov.

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Introduction: Previously, we found that reported infant rhinorrhea and watery eyes without a cold (RWWC) predicted school age exercise-induced wheeze, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. These findings were independent of allergic sensitization, and we theorized that increased parasympathetic tone underlay the association. We also reported that increased heart-rate variability (HRV) in infants predicted wheeze in 2-3 year-olds.

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In its first twenty years of existence Zootaxa has been widely utilized among researchers of Opiliones, mainly those coming from Latin American countries, principally Brazil. During 20032020, a total of 141 papers on Opiliones were published in Zootaxa (no papers were published on Opiliones in the first two years, 20012002). The journal has greatly facilitated the dissemination of knowledge on Opiliones, especially with respect to the taxonomy and systematics of harvestmen from the Neotropical Realm.

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The harvestmen family Gonyleptidae (Opiliones), the largest one in the Neotropics (Kury 2003), is astonishingly diverse in eastern South America. The species-rich genus Eusarcus Perty, 1833, is characteristic for this area. It is the second largest gonyleptid genus (Kury 2003; Hara Pinto-da-Rocha 2010), with a long taxonomical history beginning in the 19th century, when Perty (1833) described the genus together with four species.

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The long-neglected Chilean harvestman species Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae) is redescribed and illustrated from the types and additional material. A lectotype is designated from the original syntype series. Until now P.

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Background: Indoor environments contain a broad diversity of non-pathogenic Basidiomycota yeasts, but their role in exacerbating adverse health effects has remained unclear.

Objective: To understand the role of Vishniacozyma victoriae exposure and its impact on human health.

Methods: A qPCR assay was developed to detect and quantify an abundant indoor yeast species, Vishniacozyma victoriae (syn.

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The nomenclatural history of the collared and white-lipped peccaries, two well-recognized taxonomic entities, has been confusing. From the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, several genera were created, most of them without an explicit designation of type species. Due to differing opinions as to whether the two species should be included in a single genus or, if separate genera were recognized, which generic name should be applied to each of the two taxa, the validity of generic and specific names oscillated until even recently.

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 continues to spread and to date, no definitive treatment is available. Overcrowded and under-resourced healthcare centres have had to design different strategies to treat these patients, what includes the control of the electrocardiogram (ECG), as some drugs that have been used to treat this disease may prolong the QT interval as a side effect. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we designed a protocol for monitoring the QT interval using a portable device with Bluetooth connectivity.

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Background: Previously, we found that reported infant rhinorrhea and watery eyes without a cold (RWWC) predicted school age exercise-induced wheezing, emergency department visits, and respiratory-related hospitalizations for asthma. These findings appeared independent of infant wheezing and allergy. Overall, we theorize that prenatal material hardship and psychosocial distress can induce infant dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system leading to infant RWWC and school age exercise-induced wheezing.

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A new genus of Gonyleptidae Pachylinae, Qorimayus gen. nov., is described to place the high-altitude species originally named Parabalta alticola Ringuelet, endemic to Sierra de Famatina, western Argentina.

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A variety of glial cell functions are supported by connexin and pannexin proteins. These functions include the modulation of synaptic gain, the control of excitability through regulation of the ion and neurotransmitter composition of the extracellular milieu and the promotion of neuronal survival. Connexins and pannexins support these functions through diverse molecular mechanisms, including channel and non-channel functions.

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Background: Sarcopenia is one of the most common complications of cirrhosis. Liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of choice for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that are unsuitable for resection.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 163 patients transplanted at our institution with HCC from 1998 to 2016.

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Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a relatively rare category of cancers that arise in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and other organs. Extended hepatectomies including resection of multiple organs are often necessary to achieve negative margins.

Methods: We performed a review of patients undergoing liver resection for NET liver metastases from 2005 to 2015 using National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

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