Publications by authors named "MA Ramos"

Urbanization is a complex and multifaceted process studied across various scientific disciplines. However, in ethnobiology, research on the impacts of urbanization on local ecological knowledge (LEK) often lacks standardization and tends to focus primarily on local scales. This study aims to systematically characterize how researchers address urbanization in ethnobiology and assess its effects on LEK globally.

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  • The study highlights how underrepresentation in clinical genomics research diminishes the relevance of findings and benefits, particularly emphasizing the importance of diverse participant inclusion.
  • Researchers implemented patient-centered, data-driven strategies, such as using relatable and flexible recruitment methods, to ensure a diverse sample of parents and children in a pediatric genome sequencing study.
  • As a result, a high percentage of eligible participants agreed to enroll (93.5% acceptance) and the majority of those who enrolled completed the study, demonstrating the effectiveness of engaging with underrepresented communities.
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  • - The study examines how inoculating Tilia tomentosa seedlings with Ectomycorrhizal fungi, specifically Lactarius deliciosus and Paxillus involutus, impacts their growth, especially in urban settings where such fungi may be scarce.
  • - Paxillus involutus was found to be particularly beneficial, significantly improving growth metrics like plant height, mycorrhization rates, and phosphorus uptake in both acidic and alkaline substrates, while Lactarius deliciosus showed limited benefits only in alkaline conditions.
  • - The research concludes that inoculating seedlings with the right fungi enhances their resilience against stressors, such as water scarcity, and stresses the importance of considering soil pH for effective transplanting in urban environments.
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Plastics derived from fossil fuels are used ubiquitously owing to their exceptional physicochemical characteristics. However, the extensive and short-term use of plastics has caused environmental challenges. The biotechnological plastic conversion can help address the challenges related to plastic pollution, offering sustainable alternatives that can operate using bioeconomic concepts and promote socioeconomic benefits.

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 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that ∼ 32 million children worldwide are affected by hearing loss (HL). Cochlear implant is the first-line treatment for severe to profound sensorineural HL. It is considered one of the most successful prostheses developed to date.

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There is increasing evidence of the clinical utility of genetic and genomic testing (GT); however, factors influencing personal utility of GT, especially in diverse, multilingual populations, remain unclear. We explored these factors in a diverse cohort of parents/guardians (participants) whose children received clinical GT through the NYCKidSeq program. A total of 847 participants completed surveys at baseline, post-results disclosure, and 6 months (6m) post-results.

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Background: The complex interplay of social and environmental factors shapes ecosystems, potentially leading to harmony or conflict, highlighting the importance of understanding these dynamics for coexistence. In developing countries, firewood serves as a primary energy source and plays a role in cultural-religious rituals and festivities. However, the specific patterns of woody species used for the latter remain poorly understood, including the impact of access restrictions to resources and local bans on practices.

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Digital solutions are needed to support rapid increases in the application of genetic/genomic tests (GTs) in diverse clinical settings and patient populations. We developed GUÍA, a bilingual digital application that facilitates disclosure of GT results. The NYCKidSeq randomized controlled trial enrolled diverse children with neurologic, cardiac, and immunologic conditions who underwent GTs.

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Purpose: To better understand the effects of returning diagnostic sequencing results on clinical actions and economic outcomes for pediatric patients with suspected genetic disorders.

Methods: Longitudinal physician claims data after diagnostic sequencing were obtained for patients aged 0 to 21 years with neurologic, cardiac, and immunologic disorders with suspected genetic etiology. We assessed specialist consultation rates prompted by primary diagnostic results, as well as marginal effects on overall 18-month physician services and costs.

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Before environmental opportunistic pathogens can infect humans, they must first successfully grow and compete with other microbes in nature, often via secreted antimicrobials. We previously discovered that the bacterium , the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, can compete with other microbes via a secreted molecule called HGA. Curiously, strains that produce HGA is not wholly immune to its toxicity, making it a mystery how these bacteria can withstand the "friendly fire" of potentially self-targeting antimicrobials during inter-bacterial battles.

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Background: Digital solutions are needed to support rapid increases in the application of genetic and genomic tests (GT) in diverse clinical settings and patient populations. We developed GUÍA, a bi-lingual web-based platform that facilitates disclosure of GT results. The NYCKidSeq randomized controlled trial evaluated GUÍA's impact on understanding of GT results.

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Some mononitrosyl complexes of transition metals exhibit one or two metastable states (linkage isomers, MS1 and MS2) when irradiated at low temperatures with appropriate wavelengths. In this work, the generation of metastable state one (MS1) (or Ru-ON linkage isomer) in K[RuFNO].HO at 77 K was studied by sample excitation using laser light in a wide range of wavelengths.

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  • A study was conducted to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among older Filipinos aged 60 and above, revealing a significant lack of management in this population.
  • The findings indicated that 69.1% of older Filipinos had hypertension; however, only 61.6% were aware of their condition and 51.5% were untreated.
  • Sociodemographic factors like age, sex, and education were found to influence the prevalence and awareness of hypertension, highlighting the need for improved government outreach to better manage this health issue among older adults.
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Copy number variations (CNVs) play a significant role in human disease. While chromosomal microarray has traditionally been the first-tier test for CNV detection, use of genome sequencing (GS) is increasing. We report the frequency of CNVs detected with GS in a diverse pediatric cohort from the NYCKidSeq program and highlight specific examples of its clinical impact.

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We compared Spanish (L1)-English (L2) bilinguals and Spanish monolinguals in a semantic judgment relationship task in L1 that produced within-language conflict due to the coactivation of the two meanings of a Spanish homophone (e.g., "hola" and "ola" meaning "hello" and "a wave" in English).

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Purpose: Adoption of genome sequencing (GS) as a first-line test requires evaluation of its diagnostic yield. We evaluated the GS and targeted gene panel (TGP) testing in diverse pediatric patients (probands) with suspected genetic conditions.

Methods: Probands with neurologic, cardiac, or immunologic conditions were offered GS and TGP testing.

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An acidic extracellular pH value (pH) is characteristic of many cancers, in contrast to the physiologic pH found in most benign cells. This difference in pH offers a unique opportunity to design and engineer chemicals that can be employed for pH-selective reactions in the extracellular fluid of cancer cells. The viability of human skin melanoma and corresponding fibroblasts exposed to CaS dispersions is reported.

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Purpose: Adoption of genome sequencing (GS) as a first-line test requires evaluation of its diagnostic yield. We evaluated the GS and targeted gene panel (TGP) testing in diverse pediatric patients (probands) with suspected genetic conditions.

Methods: Probands with neurologic, cardiac, or immunologic conditions were offered GS and TGP testing.

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Article Synopsis
  • The COVID-19 pandemic made healthcare use more telehealth, which could help more people access genomic medicine, especially those in underserved areas.
  • NYCKidSeq started the TeleKidSeq pilot study to find out how well different methods of sharing genetic information work through video calls for families.
  • They will look at how using screen-sharing in genetic counseling affects understanding and satisfaction, while also checking the benefits and costs of genome sequencing.
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The increased use of next-generation sequencing has expanded our understanding of the involvement and prevalence of mosaicism in genetic disorders. We describe a total of eleven cases: nine in which mosaic variants detected by genome sequencing (GS) and/or targeted gene panels (TGPs) were considered to be causative for the proband's phenotype, and two of apparent parental mosaicism. Variants were identified in the following genes: PHACTR1, SCN8A, KCNT1, CDKL5, NEXMIF, CUX1, TSC2, GABRB2, and SMARCB1.

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The interaction of host molecules with water molecules is of primary importance in astrophysical and atmospheric studies. Water-binding interactions continue to attract a broad interest in various fields, especially those related to the formation of assembly structures. Using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method and a two-beam interferometer with a wavelength of 406 nm, the refractive indices of thin films of a water and nitrogen (argon) mixture were calculated in the range from 15 to 35 K.

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It is widely accepted that physical exercise can be used as a tool for the prevention and treatment of various diseases or disorders. In addition, in the recent years, exercise has also been successfully used to enhance people's cognition. There is a large amount of research that has supported the benefits of physical exercise on human cognition, both in children and adults.

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