Publications by authors named "Maria Cruz"

Introduction: Attachment style and working alliance are two fundamental variables in psychotherapy. This systematic review aims to provide data on the relationship between therapist attachment and alliance in psychotherapy, updating a previous review and providing a quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis).

Method: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement recommendations were followed.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impairs patients' quality of life as a result of intense itching and persistent eczematous lesions. Although AD has a multifaceted etiology-including genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, barrier dysfunction, and dysregulated immune responses-interleukin-4 (IL-4) has a recognized central role in its pathogenesis. This narrative review explores the role of IL-4 in the pathophysiology of AD, its contribution to the atopic march, and the therapeutic impact of IL-4 inhibition.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has driven immunity acquisition through infection or vaccination, leading to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This study introduces a colorimetric biosensor for COVID-19 immunity screening using Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein motifs on a cellulose carrier. The cellulose was chemically modified with DSS to secure the VLPs, verified via FTIR.

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Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It is a highly heterogeneous disease, consisting of multiple subtypes that vary significantly in clinical characteristics and survival outcomes. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive and challenging subtype of breast cancer.

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Determining environmental risk levels posed to different urban lagoon can provide an important overview regarding the relative severity of the environmental degradation of these ecosystems, increasing the risks visibility, which can be used as an important decision-making tool to prioritize investments. Jacarepaguá Lagoon (JPAL) is part of a coastal lagoon system comprising four interconnected lagoons in Rio de Janeiro city, Southeastern Brazil. Real estate speculation and insufficient sanitation infrastructure resulted in untreated sewage discharge into this ecologically sensitive lagoon system.

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Curcumin has been proposed as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its ability to inhibit amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregates and to destabilise pre-formed ones. Derivative 27 was synthesized to improve low-dose efficacy in the context of AD. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-amyloidogenic activities were evaluated in chemico, in vitro using AD and neuroinflammation cell models, and in vivo using the double-transgenic APP/PS1 mice.

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Background: Diagnosing and predicting neonatal sepsis is challenging because of its nonspecific symptoms, lack of diagnostic criteria consensus, and absence of early, sensitive, and specific diagnostic laboratory tests.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of adrenomedullin (ADM), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS).

Methods: We studied 53 neonates with culture-proven LOS by sampling at admission and on antibiotic treatment days 3 and 7.

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Article Synopsis
  • Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with few effective treatment options, leading to rapid patient decline post-diagnosis.
  • Ferroptosis, a regulated cell death mechanism linked to iron overload and reactive oxygen species, shows promise as a new target for treatment, particularly in overcoming apoptosis resistance in tumors.
  • The review explores the use of nanoparticles designed to specifically deliver ferroptosis inducers to GBM cells, assessing the mechanisms, design, effectiveness, and safety of various nanocarriers in combating this challenging cancer.
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Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess if uterine adenomyosis impacts live birth rate per euploid embryo transfer. The secondary objectives included addressing obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the study group.

Methods: This was a multicenter and retrospective cohort study in which 228 patients diagnosed with adenomyosis undergoing single euploid embryo transfer between 2016 and June 2023 were included and matched on 1:1 ratio to control patients without ultrasonographic diagnostic criteria for adenomyosis.

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  • Asthma is a prevalent noncommunicable disease associated with significant mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, where short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) are often overused, leading to health risks.
  • The review highlights the need for improved asthma management strategies, including the use of inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol combinations, patient education on inhaler use, and adherence to medication to prevent severe outcomes.
  • Recommendations for better asthma care involve enhancing access to essential medications, implementing treatment algorithms, and developing multidisciplinary team approaches for primary care providers to improve patient outcomes.
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  • The research focused on discovering new drugs that can modify osteoarthritis (OA) by boosting type II collagen production in chondrocytes using a novel, less destructive method.
  • Primary human chondrocytes were engineered to express a reporter gene and cultured in 3D models to screen a library of natural compounds over three weeks.
  • Aromoline, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, showed promise in enhancing type II collagen expression, with dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) identified as a potential target for future OA treatments.
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Current therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) do not delay its progression, therefore, novel disease-modifying strategies are urgently needed. Recently, an increasing number of compounds from natural origin with protective properties against AD have been identified. Mixtures or extracts obtained from natural products containing several bioactive compounds have multifunctional properties and have drawn the attention because multiple AD pathways can be simultaneously modulated.

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Background/objectives: Nasal vaccines are a promising strategy for enhancing mucosal immune responses and preventing diseases at mucosal sites by stimulating the secretion of secretory IgA, which is crucial for early pathogen neutralization. However, designing effective nasal vaccines is challenging due to the complex immunological mechanisms in the nasal mucosa, which must balance protection and tolerance against constant exposure to inhaled pathogens. The nasal route also presents unique formulation and delivery hurdles, such as the mucous layer hindering antigen penetration and immune cell access.

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Background: Following the conclusion of a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial of the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (SAIA) to optimize the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission cascade in Manica Province, Mozambique, we conducted a natural experiment to test the sustainability of the delivery model with limited financial inputs.

Methods: District nurse supervisors were encouraged to continue to facilitate SAIA cycles in subordinate health facilities and provided phone credit and tablet access to upload implementation data. No additional resources (eg, funds for transport, refreshments, or supplies) were provided.

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The pursuit of cosmetic ingredients with proven efficacy and safety that meet consumer needs drives the advancement of new products. Ascorbic acid (AA) is utilized in cosmetic products, predominantly for its potent antioxidant properties. Nonetheless, its instability compromises its efficacy.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The research involved extracting pollen allergens from various local plants, and conducting SPT on patients at a university clinic, with subsequent blood tests for a more precise allergen profile.
  • * Out of 165 patients tested, 129 had positive reactions to the pollen extracts, with weeds identified as the most common sensitizers, indicating a significant allergic response among the population.
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Introduction: This large multicenter study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes using three follitropin alfa preparations within a progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol, while identifying contributing factors to cycle success.

Methods: A retrospective, anonymized cohort analysis was conducted on donor-recipient cycles from 12 clinics during 2019 to 2021. 7389 oocyte donors underwent ovarian stimulation (OS) with three follitropin alfa preparations (Ovaleap [n=3231], Bemfola [n=3542], Gonal-F [n=616]) were included.

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  • Excessive sun exposure can lead to various skin issues like sunburn, dryness, and wrinkles, making aftersun products important for recovery.
  • This study analyzed 84 aftersun products from 41 brands in Portugal to identify effective natural and synthetic ingredients that help reduce sun damage.
  • The research highlights the popularity of compounds from terrestrial and marine sources, assesses their mechanisms of action, and emphasizes the need for both in vitro and in vivo research to validate their efficacy in addressing skin photodamage.
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A comprehensive understanding of sports biomechanics is essential for optimizing athletic performance. Recent advancements in sensor technology, particularly inertial sensors, have transformed the landscape of sports performance analysis. These sensors offer profound insights into the kinematic and kinetic aspects of sports, with a particular impact on water-based sports such as rowing and canoeing.

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Evaluating citrus rootstocks is of paramount importance in determining their suitability for a certain region and promoting resilience in orchards by increasing the genetic pool, thereby potentially contributing to a more strategic establishment of new plantings. This long-term field study (2000-2013) aimed to evaluate different rootstocks for 'Swatow' mandarin grown at two locations (Paranavaí and Londrina) in the Brazilian subtropics. Nine rootstocks were evaluated, including 'Rangpur' lime, 'Swingle' citrumelo, 'Volkamer' lemon, 'Caipira DAC' sweet orange, 'Cleopatra' and 'Sunki' mandarins, 'Trifoliate' orange, 'Carrizo', and 'Fepagro C-13' citranges.

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Background: Respiratory allergies are one of the most common allergic diseases that affect Filipinos. Grass pollen accounts for the majority of the outdoor allergens triggering these respiratory allergies. Cross-reactivity among the Philippine grass pollen grains has not been extensively studied.

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  • - A 12-month-old boy developed a skin rash 15 days after getting several vaccines, including MMR, pneumococcal, and meningococcal.
  • - The skin condition was diagnosed as Wells syndrome, a rare allergic reaction.
  • - Patch testing revealed a positive response to gelatin, a common stabilizer found in the MMR vaccine but not in the others.
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