Publications by authors named "Miquel J"

In the winter of 2022-2023, hundreds of the Atlantic puffins () appeared dead in the coast of the Canary Islands, a rare event considering their cold-living habits, normally occupying the North Atlantic Ocean. In this work, investigation about the parasites present in the Atlantic puffins found in the biggest islands of the Archipelago was carried out from a population portion. Necropsies of 39 birds were made and, during the examination of the urinary tracts, helminths were found.

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The study of sperm characteristics has proven useful for elucidating interrelationships in several groups of Platyhelminthes, such as digeneans. Thus, in the present work, the ultrastructural organization of the mature spermatozoon of the digenean (Echinostomatidae), a parasite of (Rodentia: Muridae) from Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, was investigated for the first time using transmission electron microscopy. The male gamete of exhibits two axonemes of different lengths, showing the 9 + '1' pattern of the Trepaxonemata, a nucleus, two mitochondria, two lateral expansions, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation, spine-like bodies, and granules of glycogen.

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In recent years, air sac parasitic helminths have been reported to cause severe disease in birds. In addition, various species appear to be expanding and infecting new avian hosts in various regions worldwide. In this context, an air sac nematode was initially detected in 2014 infecting the Eurasian scops owl, hospitalized in the local wildlife hospital in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain).

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The ultrastructural features of the mature spermatozoon of Telorchis attenuatus (Digenea, Telorchiidae), an intestinal parasite of the red-eared turtle Trachemys scripta elegans (Testudines, Emydidae), are described using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mature spermatozoon of T. attenuatus is a filiform cell tapered at both ends and displays Bakhoum et al.

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  • FGFR2 fusions, found in 10-15% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) patients, may benefit from FGFR inhibitors, and this study evaluated detecting these fusions in plasma samples.
  • In a study of 18 iCCA patients with known FGFR2 fusions, 88.9% tested positive for the fusion in plasma, suggesting that lower levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) correlate with better clinical outcomes.
  • The research indicates that monitoring plasma biomarkers can not only predict treatment success but also detect disease progression earlier than traditional imaging methods, aiding in better clinical management for iCCA patients.
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Gene variants in the gene are strongly associated with circulating bilirubin levels in several populations, as well as other variants of modest effect across the genome. However, the effects of such variants are unknown regarding the Native American ancestry of the admixed Latino population. Our objective was to assess the Native American genetic determinants of serum bilirubin in Chilean admixed adolescents using the local ancestry deconvolution approach.

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Background: Pharmacogenomic knowledge as a biomarker for cancer care has transformed clinical practice, however, as current guidelines are primarily derived from Eurocentric populations, this limits their application in Latin America, particularly among Hispanic or Latino groups. Despite advancements, systemic chemotherapy still poses challenges in drug toxicity and suboptimal response. This study explores pharmacogenetic markers related to anticancer drugs in a Chilean cohort, filling a gap in Latin American research.

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Background: The benefits of reverse shoulder arthroplasty compared to nonoperative treatment for patients presenting with complex proximal fractures have been rarely explored. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the functional results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty with those of nonsurgical treatment in patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures.

Methods: A multicentric prospective randomized control trial of patients older than 70 years who sustained an acute proximal humeral fracture (3 or 4 parts), with less than 3 weeks of evolution, and had no previous condition or surgery on the affected shoulder was conducted.

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  • * This experiment produced 2.05 MJ of laser energy, resulting in 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, which exceeds the Lawson criterion for ignition, demonstrating a key milestone in fusion research.
  • * The report details the advancements in target design, laser technology, and experimental methods that contributed to this historic achievement, validating over five decades of research in laboratory fusion.
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Ultrastructural characters of spermiogenesis and the mature spermatozoon of the cestode (Cyclophyllidea: Catenotaeniidae), a parasite of the Lesser Egyptian gerbil () and the North African gerbil () (Rodentia: Muridae) in the Djebel Dahar (South of Tunisia), were studied using transmission electron microscopy. The spermiogenesis of is of Bâ and Marchand's type III, which is mainly characterized by a proximodistal fusion of a single flagellum with a cytoplasmic extension. In this catenotaeniid, the proximal fusion is preceded by a 90° rotation of the flagellum.

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A rebalance between energy supply and demand in HBV-specific-CD8 activated progenitor (AP) cells could restore the functionality of proliferative progeny (PP) in e-antigen(Ag)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHBe(-)). We observed that quiescent progenitor (QP [TCF1/FSC]) HBVcore-specific-CD8 cells displayed a memory-like phenotype. Following Ag-encounter, the generated AP [TCF1/FSC] subset maintained the PD1/CD127 phenotype and gave rise to proliferative progeny (PP [ TCF1/FSC]).

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Despite emerging evidence and advances in the management of atopic dermatitis there a lack of consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria, therapeutic approach, method to assess severity, and patient follow-up for this condition. An expert consensus study was conducted to provide recommendations on the management of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The study used Delphi-like methodology based on a literature review, a summary of the scientific evidence, and a 2-round survey.

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Background And Aims: Latin American populations remain underrepresented in genetic studies of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Most genetic association studies of IBD rely on Caucasian, African, and Asian individuals. These associations have yet to be evaluated in detail in the Andean region of South America.

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Lactose intolerance (LI) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted an observational study in 192 Chilean IBD patients to investigate the prevalence of a specific gene variant (LCT-13910 CC genotype) associated with LI and the prevalence of VDD/Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene variants. Blood samples were analyzed using Illumina's Infinium Global Screening Array.

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Article Synopsis
  • Breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy (PrBC) and postpartum (PPBC) tends to be found at more advanced stages, leading to a poorer prognosis, especially with PPBC being very aggressive.
  • Researchers discovered that cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be detected in breast milk (BM) from breast cancer patients, showing higher detection rates compared to plasma samples.
  • This study suggests that using BM for ctDNA analysis could serve as a novel liquid biopsy method, allowing for earlier detection of breast cancer, even months before standard diagnosis techniques.
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Purpose: Intramuscular capillary-type hemangiomas (ICTHs) are rare entities, belonging to the group of intramuscular "hemangiomas." The diagnosis remains challenging. We aimed to assess the diagnostic criteria, treatments and outcomes of ICTHs.

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Background: Sun exposure, especially during childhood, is the main environmental risk factor for skin cancers. This study evaluated the impact of the school-based sun safety education program "Living with the Sun" on the knowledge and behavior of primary school children regarding sun safety in Reunion Island.

Methods: This multicenter, comparative intervention study was conducted in selected primary schools of Reunion during the 2016-2017 school year.

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is a metastrongyloid nematode and the etiologic agent of angiostrongyliasis, a disease characterized by eosinophilic meningitis. This emerging zoonotic parasite has undergone great expansion, including in some regions of Europe and America. In the Canary Islands, the parasite was first discovered parasitizing on the island of Tenerife in 2010.

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The spermatozoon ultrastructure of (Stossich, 1886) (Digenea: Opecoelidae), an intestinal parasite of the sheephead bream (Walbaum, 1792) (Sparidae), is described by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mature spermatozoon possesses two axonemes of the 9+'1' trepaxonematan pattern, an anterior electron-dense material, two mitochondria, a nucleus and parallel cortical microtubules distributed in two bundles. The absence of external ornamentation of the plasma membrane and spine-like bodies are the noteworthy characters that distinguish the spermatozoon of from those of most opecoelids.

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Purpose: Surrogate outcomes are clinical endpoints that are used as substitutes for direct measures of how a patient feels, functions, or survives. The present study aims to analyze the impact of surrogate outcomes on the results of randomized controlled trials on shoulder rotator cuff tears disorders.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to rotator cuff tear conditions published up until 2021 were retrieved from the PubMed and ACCESSSS databases.

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Background: Tralokinumab was recently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and is the first selective interleukin (IL)-13 inhibitor that specifically neutralizes IL-13 with high affinity.

Objectives: To determine the real-life short-term effectiveness and safety of tralokinumab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Methods: A multicentre retrospective study was conducted including adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who started tralokinumab treatment from 1 April to 30 June 2022 in 16 Spanish hospitals.

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Persistent localized dermatitis (PLD) or eczema flare-ups (EF) may occur in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients treated with dupilumab. They may reflect concomitant allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) exposed by the inhibition of the Th2 pathway by dupilumab in some cases. To evaluate the prevalence and etiology of these events and the impact of dupilumab on patch test outcome.

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