Publications by authors named "Miralles M"

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) stands among the most lethal urological malignancies. Most RCCs are incidentally diagnosed as initial symptoms are unspecific. Novel, minimally-invasive diagnostic and prognostic methods for RCC are needed, ideally in urine.

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Carotid artery stenosis is mainly produced due to the progressive accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the vascular wall. The atherosclerotic plaque is characterized by the accumulation of lipids, low density proteins, expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules, and migration of monocytes and lymphocytes into the plaque. Its rupture can produce stroke, but embolic propensity depends principally on the composition and vulnerability of plaque rather than the severity of stenosis.

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  • - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe motor neuron disease with about a three-year average survival time, primarily characterized by TDP-43 protein issues that affect gene stability and autophagy processes.
  • - Research on ALS mice revealed that reducing ATG4B worsens survival and autophagy, while an increase in LC3ylation was observed in both ALS patients and mouse models, suggesting a link between these processes.
  • - Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting TDP-43 genes have been developed, showing potential for non-invasive treatments that can effectively distribute in the brain after administration.
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The dysfunction of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases, though the specific contributions of its toxic gain-of-function versus loss-of-function effects remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of TARDBP loss on cellular metabolism and viability using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons and HeLa cells. TARDBP silencing led to reduced metabolic activity and cell growth, accompanied by neurite degeneration and decreased oxygen consumption rates in both cell types.

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Background: Past exposure to schistosomiasis is frequent among migrants from endemic countries, and chronic untreated infection may lead to long-term morbidities.

Methods: We carried out a prospective population-based cross-sectional study among migrants from endemic Sub-Saharan countries living in Barcelona, Spain. Participants had not been previously diagnosed or treated for schistosomiasis.

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  • Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase IIA trial tested the safety and pain relief efficacy of NFX-88 in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.
  • A total of 61 adults with varying levels of SCI participated, receiving either a placebo or one of three NFX-88 doses alongside pregabalin.
  • Results showed no severe side effects and indicated that the 2.1g/day dose of NFX-88 provided the most significant reduction in neuropathic pain, suggesting its potential for future trials.
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Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relevant clinical problem due to the risk of rupture of progressively dilated infrarenal aorta. It is characterized by degradation of elastic fibers, extracellular matrix, and inflammation of the arterial wall. Though neutrophil infiltration is a known feature of AAA, markers of neutrophil activation are scarcely analyzed; hence, the main objective of this study.

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  • Schistosomiasis is a disease that's common in sub-Saharan Africa, and this study looked at male migrants in Spain to see if they showed signs of it.
  • The researchers tested 388 men and found that about 38% had positive tests for Schistosoma, with only a tiny number showing parasite eggs in their urine.
  • Many reported different health issues related to their genitals, showing that even after living in Europe for a long time, symptoms can still be present.
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This article summarizes the methodology for the identification of practitioners' challenges, in the context of the H2020 funded project FIRE-IN (Fire and Rescue Innovation Network) activities. The project consisted of five thematic areas or "Thematic Working Groups", as they are called, i.e.

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Foot lesions are among the most frequent causes of morbidity and disability in the diabetic population. Thus, the exploration of preventive control measures is vital for detecting early signs and symptoms of this disease. Infrared thermography is one of the complementary diagnostic tools available that has proven to be effective in the control of diabetic foot.

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Globally, a leg is amputated approximately every 30 seconds, with an estimated 85 percent of these amputations being attributed to complications arising from diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), as stated by the American Diabetes Association. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a risk factor resulting in DFU and can, either independently or in conjunction with diabetes, lead to recurring, slow-healing ulcers and amputations. According to guidelines amputation is the recommended treatment for patients with no-option critical ischemia of the limb (CTLI).

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Background: Canine behaviour problems seen by speciality behavioural medicine services often involve chronic anxiety disorders that have resulted in maladaptation of the individual to its environment. Common stressors include the presence of other individuals (other dogs or people), noise and being alone. The treatment of these behavioural problems usually includes a combination of behaviour modification, environmental modification and biological therapies.

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Sternal wound complications following cardiac surgery, including sternal dehiscence, mediastinitis, and osteomyelitis, pose significant challenges in terms of management and patient outcomes. We present a case report highlighting the complex management of a patient who underwent open heart surgery for severe aortic valve stenosis, followed by sternal wound dehiscence and sternum osteomyelitis due to extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing . A multiple myeloma diagnosis was also suspected at the positron emission tomography (PET) scan and confirmed with bone marrow biopsy.

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We present a case describing a technique for the surgical management and aesthetico-functional reconstruction of a shoulder in an adult with unilateral upper limb phocomelia (ULP).⁠ A 25 year old male patient was presented to our clinic with upper left limb non-syndromic phocomelia. His main concerns was an aesthetically unpleasant limb and shoulder shape.

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Introduction: Our objective was to compare the in vitro efficacy of electrothermal bipolar [EB] vessel sealing and ultrasonic harmonic scalpel [HS] versus mechanical interruption, with conventional ties or surgical clips (SC), in sealing saphenous vein (SV) collaterals, during its eventual preparation for bypass surgery.

Methods: Experimental in vitro study on 30 segments of SV. Each fragment included two collaterals at least 2 mm in diameter.

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Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a severe genetic neuromuscular disorder that occurs in childhood and is caused by misexpression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN reduction induces spinal cord motoneuron (MN) degeneration, which leads to progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. The link between SMN deficiency and the molecular mechanisms altered in SMA cells remains unclear.

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Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by reduction of the ubiquitously expressed protein Survival Motor Neuron (SMN). Low levels of SMN impact on spinal cord motoneurons (MNs) causing their degeneration and progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. To study the molecular mechanisms leading to cell loss in SMN-reduced MNs, we analyzed the NF-κB intracellular pathway in SMA models.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the agreement of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and semiautomated central lumen line (CLL) analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), with 3 different software workstations (WS1, WS2, WS3) and 2 experienced practitioners as well as to analyze its eventual impact in graft selection.

Materials And Methods: Twenty computed tomography (CT) angiography data sets were randomly chosen from a series of 100 consecutive studies. Measurements were performed twice by each reader, in random order, and included 8 parameters (5 diameters and 3 lengths).

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Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate due to its aggressive nature and high metastatic rate. When coupled to the difficulties in detecting this type of tumor early and the lack of effective treatments, this cancer is currently one of the most important clinical challenges in the field of oncology. Melitherapy is an innovative therapeutic approach that is based on modifying the composition and structure of cell membranes to treat different diseases, including cancers.

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  • - The study aimed to explore the relationship between calcification in carotid atheromatous plaques and the progression of atheromatous disease using quantitative CT Angiography in 43 asymptomatic patients with significant internal carotid artery stenosis.
  • - Results showed that over 12 months, there was an increase in both the volumetric stenosis of carotid arteries and the intraplaque calcium content, with specific correlations found between calcium levels and vitamin D, as well as an inverse relationship with stenosis progression.
  • - The findings indicate that higher calcium content in plaques may help stabilize carotid atheromatous disease, potentially reducing the risk of symptoms and stroke.
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Thrombospondins are a family of matricellular proteins with a multimeric structure that is known to be involved in several biological and pathological processes. Their relationship with vascular disorders has raised special interest recently. Aortic aneurysms are related to the impairment of vascular remodeling, in which extracellular matrix proteins seem to play an important role.

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Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) reflecting impaired erythropoyesis, has been associated with poor prognosis and mortality in several conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between RDW and the 5-year survival after the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) and its ability to improve the discriminative power of a survival predictive score.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 284 patients undergoing EVAR at a single centre.

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  • - Chronic lower limb ischemia is a serious complication for patients with type 2 diabetes, leading to high rates of non-traumatic amputations, and existing treatments like antiplatelet therapy and statins have not been very effective.
  • - This study aims to explore a new treatment method using mesenchymal stromal cells from adipose tissue to improve blood flow in patients who cannot undergo surgery for critical limb ischemia.
  • - The research will involve a randomized trial with 90 patients divided into three groups to assess the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy over one year, while also considering the impact on patients' quality of life.
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During the last years, several kinds of Embolic Protection Devices (EPD) have been developed, with the aim of minimizing complication caused by thrombi generated during Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS). These devices are capable of capturing small particles generated during the intervention, avoiding cerebral stroke and improving the outcomes of the surgery. However, they have associated complications, like the increase on flow resistance associated by their use or the lack of knowledge on their actual filtration efficiency for thrombi of low size.

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Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular genetic disease caused by reduced survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is ubiquitous and deficient levels cause spinal cord motoneurons (MNs) degeneration and muscle atrophy. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which SMN reduction in muscle contributes to SMA disease is not fully understood.

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