Publications by authors named "Maria Ballesta"

Background: Mutations in CRYAA, which encodes the α-crystallin protein, are associated with a spectrum of congenital cataract-microcornea syndromes.

Results: In this study, we performed clinical examination and subsequent genetic analysis in two unrelated sporadic cases of different geographical origins presenting with a complex phenotype of ocular malformation. Both cases manifested bilateral microphthalmia and severe anterior segment dysgenesis, primarily characterized by congenital aphakia, microcornea, and iris hypoplasia/aniridia.

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Background: Measurement of myocardial electrical impedance can allow recognition of infarct scar and is theoretically not influenced by changes in cardiac activation sequence, but this is not known.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the ability of endocardial electrical impedance measurements to recognize areas of infarct scar and to assess the stability of the impedance data under changes in cardiac activation sequence.

Methods: One-month-old myocardial infarction confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was induced in 5 pigs submitted to coronary artery catheter balloon occlusion.

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The intestinal microbiota in the breast-fed infant is considered as ideally healthy. We assessed the microbiota of breast-fed full-term neonates from two different Spanish locations. Statistically significant geographical differences for different bacterial groups were found, underlining the need to consider and define geographical-related effects on microbiota.

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The lignifying xylem from Zinnia elegans stems gives an intense reaction with 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), a reagent previously reported to be specific for peroxidase/H2O2. However, the staining of lignifying xylem cells with TMB is apparently the result of two independent mechanisms: one, the catalase-sensitive (H2O2-dependent) peroxidase-mediated oxidation of TMB, and the other, the catalase-insensitive oxidation of TMB, probably mediated by xylem oxidases which are specific from lignifying tissues. The catalase-insensitive oxidation of TMB by the Z.

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