Publications by authors named "Rodriguez-Perez M"

In the present work, the influence of the addition of graphene nanoplatelets presenting different dimensions on polyurethane-polyisocyanurate aerogel structure and properties has been studied. The obtained aerogels synthesized through a sol-gel method have been fully characterized in terms of density, porosity, specific surface area, mechanical stiffness, thermal conductivity, and speed of sound. Opacified aerogels showing high porosity (>92%) and low densities (78-98 kg/m) have been produced, and the effect of the size and content of graphene nanoplatelets has been studied.

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Background: Current literature highlights a gap in precise stroke cost data for Latin America. This study measures the real costs associated with acute ischemic stroke care in Latin America using Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC). The findings aim to lay a solid foundation for adopting value-based healthcare (VBHC) strategies in the region.

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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association of aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) with genetic abnormalities and postnatal symptomatology, by comparing isolated and non-isolated ARSA cases.

Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and comparative study involving fetuses diagnosed with ARSA during routine fetal ultrasound scans, between 19 and 40 weeks, in a tertiary referral university hospital in Barcelona from January 2007 to December 2023.

Results: Out of 154 fetuses diagnosed with ARSA, 75.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the well-being of the general population. However, more information is needed regarding the relationship between participation-related outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the pandemic on occupational balance (OB) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after social restrictions and to explore their relationship with COVID-19 diagnosis.

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Baena-Raya, A, Robles-Ruiz, J, Pérez-Castilla, A, Pareja-Blanco, F, and Rodríguez-Pérez, MA. Effects of light versus very heavy resisted sprint training on multidirectional speed in semi-professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week resisted linear sprint training (RST) program with 2 loading conditions (light vs.

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  • Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) is a neurological injury affecting infants, causing motor and sensory issues in the arms due to complications during birth, specifically shoulder dystocia.* -
  • The study aims to evaluate early therapeutic interventions from the occupational therapy perspective for treating OBPP, filling a noted gap in specialized care for newborns and enhancing treatment decisions.* -
  • After reviewing 2190 articles, 108 were analyzed, with 22 meeting the study’s criteria; the most effective therapies identified were constraint-induced movement therapy and splinting, while additional techniques like joint manipulation and early education were used as needed.*
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(1) Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive decline and functional impairment. The NeuronUP platform is a computer program whose main function is cognitive stimulation through three types of activities that change so that the user does not manage to learn it. This program provides opportunities to work on various domains, including activities of daily living (ADLs), social skills, and cognitive functions.

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  • The study investigates how sex (male vs female) and type of exercise equipment (free-weight vs Smith machine) affect the estimation of Repetitions in Reserve (RIR) during bench press exercises.
  • Findings indicate that women underestimate their RIR more than men at a lighter load (65% of 1RM), and participants generally have a lower RIR perception using free weights compared to the Smith machine.
  • Overall, while RIR is a reliable method for tracking workout intensity, it may not be as accurate for female athletes and those using free weights, particularly at lower loads.
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  • There is increasing research into how Long-COVID affects cognitive functions, utilizing neuroimaging to understand the underlying brain changes in patients experiencing cognitive impairment.
  • A study using advanced brain imaging techniques on 53 Long-COVID patients revealed significant cognitive deficits, particularly in executive functions and attention, with some correlations found between brain structure and memory performance.
  • The results suggest that Long-COVID is associated with lasting cognitive impairments due to altered brain structure and connectivity, highlighting the importance of understanding these changes for patient care.
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The aim of this study is to assess the possible effect of olive seed oil (OSO) and destoned and dehydrated olive oil (DDOO), in comparison with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), on some cardiovascular biomarkers in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic animals showed evident alterations in biomarkers involved in the evolution of diabetic vasculopathy, marked by increases in biomarkers that favor vascular damage, which was between 1.5 and five times as many as those in non-diabetic animals, and a smaller number of biomarkers that protect against such damage (25-75% less than in healthy controls) was observed.

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Purpose: Resistance training mitigates side effects during and after cancer treatment. To provide a new approach for precisely and safely assessing and prescribing the intensity of resistance training in supportive cancer care, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the load-velocity relationship during the row exercise in women survivors of breast cancer.

Methods: Twenty women survivors of breast cancer who had undergone surgery and had completed core breast cancer treatment within the previous 10 years completed an incremental loading test until the one repetition maximum (1RM) in the row exercise.

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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of triterpenoids on the development of diabetic nephropathy in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. For this purpose, a destoned and dehydrated olive oil (DDOO) was used, comparing its effects to a destoned olive oil (DOO). DDOO had a higher triterpenoid content than DOO but an equal content of alcoholic polyphenols.

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  • The study presents the first records of two mosquito species, Aedes tormentor and Culex panocossa, found during vector surveillance in Tamaulipas, Mexico, an area linked to eastern equine encephalitis.
  • Aedes tormentor had previously been noted in Central America and other Mexican states but is now confirmed to have its southernmost range in Tamaulipas.
  • Tamaulipas is reported to have 82 different mosquito species, ranking fourth in species diversity among 11 states that have undergone detailed mosquito distribution studies.
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  • Stroke is a major health problem, causing many disabilities and deaths around the world.
  • A new virtual reality program called RESET aims to help people with stroke improve their daily life and abilities through fun, game-like activities.
  • The RESET trial will test if this VR program is better than regular rehab by comparing it with standard care and another VR program over 10 weeks.
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Background: Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, Zika and chikungunya, pose significant public health threats in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. To mitigate the impact of these diseases on human health, effective vector surveillance and control strategies are necessary. Traditional vector control methods, which rely on chemical agents such as insecticides and larvicides, face challenges such as resistance and environmental concerns.

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  • Long COVID-19 syndrome affects over 145 million people worldwide, leading to various symptoms and challenges in treatment, making it essential to understand its influences on quality of life and independence.
  • The study used logistic regression to analyze how sociodemographic factors and clinical variables relate to symptoms like fatigue (asthenia), low mood, and anxiety.
  • Results indicated that older age, gender, and longer duration of symptoms increase mental health issues, while greater independence and better physical functioning help protect against such symptoms.
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Background: To infer a reliable SARS-CoV-2 antibody protection level from a serological test, an appropriate quantitative threshold and solid equivalence across serological tests are needed. Additionally, tests should show a solid correlation with neutralising assays and with the protection observed in large population cohorts even against emerging variants.

Objectives: We studied convalescent and vaccinated populations using 11 commercial antibody assays.

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Background: The neurological symptoms of Long COVID (LC) and the impact of neuropsychological manifestations on people's daily lives have been extensively described. Although a large body of literature describes symptoms, validating this with objective measures is important. This study aims to identify and describe the effects of Long COVID on cognition, balance, and the retinal fundus, and determine whether the duration of symptoms influences cognitive impairment.

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  • The study focused on the prevalence and associated factors of carotid atherosclerosis in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), finding that 34.6% of patients had this condition.
  • Among 2,955 patients analyzed, 6.9% had carotid stenosis of 50% or more, and 5.7% experienced carotid occlusion, with age and previous vascular conditions being significant risk factors.
  • The research concluded that atherosclerosis in multiple arterial beds is a strong predictor of significant carotid stenosis, indicating a high level of cardiovascular risk in these patients.
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The aims of this study were to assess (i) the load-velocity relationship during the box squat exercise in women survivors of breast cancer, (ii) which velocity variable (mean velocity [MV], mean propulsive velocity [MPV], or peak velocity [PV]) shows stronger relationship with the relative load (%1RM), and (iii) which regression model (linear [LA] or polynomic [PA]) provides a greater fit for predicting the velocities associated with each %1RM. Nineteen women survivors of breast cancer (age: 53.2 ± 6.

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  • Chagas disease is caused by a parasite and is transmitted by triatomine bugs; it poses a significant risk to humans, especially in countries like Mexico where domestic animals, like dogs, can be a source of infection.
  • A study tested 296 dogs in two Mexican cities for Chagas disease using methods like quantitative PCR and antibody assays, revealing a low prevalence of infection among dogs (3.4% positivity, with only 0.7% found through DNA testing).
  • The findings highlight the importance of dogs in monitoring the disease and the need for better diagnostic tools and surveillance in households to manage Chagas disease effectively.
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Specific T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 provided an overview of acquired immunity during the pandemic. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity determines the severity of acute illness, but also might be related to the possible persistence of symptoms (long COVID). We retrospectively analyzed ex vivo longitudinal CD8 T cell responses in 26 COVID-19 patients diagnosed with severe disease, initially (1 month) and long-term (10 months), and in a cohort of 32 vaccinated healthcare workers without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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This study investigated how equipment and sex affect the prediction accuracy of the maximum number of repetitions performed to failure (RTF) using the fastest mean velocity of the set (MV). Sixteen men and twelve women completed four sessions (two using free-weight equipment and two sessions using the Smith machine). Each session involved three sets of repetitions to failure against the 65%, 75%, and 85% of the one-repetition maximum, interspersed by 10-min of rest.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition in the brain of senile plaques composed of amyloid-β peptides (Aβs) that increase inflammation. An endogenous peptide derived from the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, glycine-proline-glutamate (GPE), has IGF-I-sensitizing and neuroprotective actions. Here, we examined the effects of GPE on Aβ levels and hippocampal inflammation generated by the intracerebroventricular infusion of Aβ25-35 for 2 weeks (300 pmol/day) in ovariectomized rats and the signaling-related pathways and levels of Aβ-degrading enzymes associated with these GPE-related effects.

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