Publications by authors named "Luna A"

Objectives: Despite the great impact the migration has had in economic, social and health-related fields, and the repercussions of alcohol consumption on them, few data exist concerning the extent of alcohol consumption in migrant workers. The aims of this study were to identify workers with a hazardous drinking problem by means of a self-reported questionnaire (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-AUDIT) and a biomarker (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin-CDT) and to ascertain associated risk factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a random sample of 385 migrant workers, undergoing a routine health examination as part of occupational health services.

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Introduction: Management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is hampered by frequent recurrences after restoration of sinus rhythm. Delayed interatrial conduction has been associated with the development of AF in different clinical settings. The aim of our study was to assess whether advanced interatrial block (aIAB) was associated with AF recurrence after pharmacological cardioversion with two different antiarrhythmic drugs.

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In acute coronary syndromes, the electrocardiogram (ECG) provides important information about the presence, extent, and severity of myocardial ischemia. At times, the changes are typical and clear. In other instances, changes are subtle and might be recognized only when ECG recording is repeated after changes in the severity of symptoms.

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An intricate network regulates the activities of SIRT1 and PARP1 proteins and continues to be uncovered. Both SIRT1 and PARP1 share a common co-factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and several common substrates, including regulators of DNA damage response and circadian rhythms. We review this complex network using an interactive Molecular Interaction Map (MIM) to explore the interplay between these two proteins.

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Identifying key mediators of cancer invasion and metastasis is crucial to the development of new and more effective therapies. We previously identified FILamin A Interacting Protein 1-Like (FILIP1L) as an important inhibitor of cell migration and invasion. FILIP1L expression was inversely correlated with the invasive potential of ovarian tumors.

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Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a food-borne pathogen that causes salmonellosis in the United States. Bacteriophages are emerging as viable biocontrol agents against this pathogen. Here, we present the complete annotated genome sequence of Salmonella Enteritidis T4-like myophage Marshall, which has potential as a phage therapy agent.

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Breast cancer is the most common cause of cutaneous metastases from internal malignancies. Generally, the neoplastic cells are located in the dermis or hypodermis, while a finding of transepidermal elimination on cutaneous metastases is exceptional. In this report we present a patient with perforating cutaneous metastases from breast cancer with mucin 1 expression.

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This study was designed to assess the ability to prevent glucose penetration of a bioceramic putty ready-to-use repair cement comparing to white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA). After root canal instrumentation, the apical 3 mm of maxillary incisors were resected and root-end cavities with depth of 3 mm were prepared with ultrasound and filled with the tested materials (15 roots per group). All roots were mounted in a double chamber system to assess glucose penetration using 15 psi pressure application.

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Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is an uncommon benign tumor with aggressive and invasive behavior. Predominant symptoms are usually slow and painless swelling, sometimes resulting in perforation of the cortical borders of the affected bone. In this paper, a case report of a patient with an OM on the right maxillary sinus and a vertical excess of maxilla will be presented.

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We investigate the iridescence exhibited by Ceroglossus suturalis beetles, which mostly live endemically in the southern end of South America. Two differently colored specimens have been studied. We observed and characterized the samples by different microscopy techniques, which revealed a multilayer structure within their cuticle.

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Dissemination of knowledge in genetics to be applied in medicine has created a growing need for capacity building in health care workers. The CAPABILITY ARGENTINA outreach project protocol was designed as a model to introduce genetics in areas without genetic services. Our aim was for genetic health care to become part of primary care in an Argentine province lacking genetic services.

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Background. D2 lymphadenectomy is a demanding technique which is associated with high morbidity in the West. We report our experience with D2 lymphadenectomy after a training period in Japan.

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Beef nutrition is important to the worldwide beef industry. The objective of this study was to analyze proximate composition of eight beef rib and plate cuts to update the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Furthermore, this study aimed to determine the influence of USDA Quality Grade on the separable components and proximate composition of the examined retail cuts.

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Natural photonic structures exhibit remarkable color effects such as metallic appearance and iridescence. A rigorous study of the electromagnetic response of such complex structures requires to accurately determine some of their relevant optical parameters, such as the refractive indices of the materials involved. In this paper, we apply different heuristic optimization strategies to retrieve the real and imaginary parts of the refractive index of the materials comprising natural multilayer systems.

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Introduction: Adenosine, acting through the A(2A) receptor, promotes tissue matrix production in the skin and the liver and induces the development of dermal fibrosis and cirrhosis in murine models. Since expression of A(2A) receptors is increased in scleroderma fibroblasts, we examined the mechanisms by which the A(2A) receptor produces its fibrogenic effects.

Methods: The effects of A(2A) receptor ligation on the expression of the transcription factor, Fli1, a constitutive repressor for the synthesis of matrix proteins, such as collagen, is studied in dermal fibroblasts.

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In the present study a method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins B2 and G2 in peanuts has been developed. The method uses second order standard addition method and excitation-emission fluorescence data together with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). The aflatoxin analysis was based on extraction with methanol-water and carried out using immunoaffinity clean-up.

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Purpose: The PathVisio-Faceted Search plugin helps users explore and understand complex pathways by overlaying experimental data and data from webservices, such as Ensembl BioMart, onto diagrams drawn using formalized notations in PathVisio. The plugin then provides a filtering mechanism, known as a faceted search, to find and highlight diagram nodes (e.g.

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Background And Aims: Oxidative stress is presumed to play an important role in Crohn's disease (CD) pathogenesis. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the intestinal antioxidant capacity through the analysis of glutathione peroxidase activity in CD remains to be determined.

Methods: 20 CD outpatients and 16 volunteers going through colonic cancer screening were enrolled.

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Objective: We aimed to analyze the retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles in adipose tissues and liver of morbidly obese (MO) women with or without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to study the relationships with other pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in vivo and in vitro.

Design And Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver samples from four lean and 45 MO women with or without NAFLD by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time reverse transcription-PCR. We also studied RBP4 expression in HepG2 hepatocytes under various inflammatory stimuli.

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The saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis) is a Passeriforme of the Brazilian wildlife. There are scarcely any morphological studies on it, although it is frequently trafficked for its birdsong abilities. Its peculiarities, such as territorialism and developed syrinx that provides outstanding song, draw attention towards its domestication.

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The reactions of 3-allenyl 3-hydroxyoxindoles with a variety of halogenated reagents in the presence of catalytic amounts of precious metal salts were explored. Both, rearrangement and oxycyclization reactions to give 4-(1-halovinyl)-quinolinediones or spirocyclic halooxindoles, respectively, are competitive pathways. The kind of functionalization is substrate and reaction conditions dependent.

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1. A study was conducted to evaluate whether feed supplementation with thymol or isoeugenol can alter Japanese quail growth rate and final body weight, the female onset of puberty, hen-day egg production and the physical and chemical characteristics of the egg, as well as its potential to alter hatchability. 2.

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Paraganglioma are uncommon neuroendocrine tumours arising from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells of the autonomic nervous system. In the head and neck region, these neoplasms most commonly arise from the carotid body, the vagus nerve, and the jugulotympanic area. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman who suffered from dyspnoea and dysphonia for six months.

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