Publications by authors named "Silvia Garcia"

Microfluidic systems offer controlled microenvironments for cell-to-cell and cell-to-stroma interactions, which have precise physiological, biochemical, and mechanical features. The optimization of their conditions to best resemble tumor microenvironments constitutes an experimental modeling challenge, particularly regarding carcinogenesis in the central nervous system (CNS), given the specific features of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Gel-free 3D microfluidic cell culture systems (gel-free 3D-mFCCSs), including features such as self-production of extracellular matrices, provide significant benefits, including promoting cell-cell communication, interaction, and cell polarity.

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  • Pulse-wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) are key methods for assessing arterial health and identifying cardiovascular issues, especially in populations with various risk factors like diabetes and hypertension.
  • These tests help in the early detection of vascular diseases and assist in treatment decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
  • Recent studies highlight the need to include these assessments in evaluating cardiovascular health for patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome, allowing for better risk stratification and management.
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  • The study investigates how differences in the gut microbiome between male and female rats influence the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
  • Using male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats, researchers compared microbiome compositions in the small intestine and colon after a high-fat diet to induce MASLD.
  • Significant differences were found in microbiome diversity and bacterial profiles based on sex, highlighting the potential for tailored treatment approaches for MASLD based on gut microbiome variations.
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Eating habits established during the preschool stage may last a lifetime, underlining the importance of choosing and purchasing healthy foods for proper nutrition. To assess the associations between place of food purchase and dietary intake and quality in Spanish preschool children. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out within the framework of the () project.

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Assessing dietary habits with validated questionnaires is crucial for achieving reliable results in health research. The aim of this study was the development and validation of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in an 18-30-year-old Serbian population. A total of 93 participants completed the FFQ and three 24 h dietary recalls (24 hR).

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  • - Patients with statin-resistant familial hypercholesterolemia (SR-FH) are at high cardiovascular risk, prompting the need for new treatment options like PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i), which lower cholesterol levels and may affect inflammation.
  • - A study evaluated the impact of PCSK9i on inflammatory markers in 20 SR-FH patients, revealing significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines after six months of treatment.
  • - The findings suggest that PCSK9i therapy can lead to subclinical anti-inflammatory effects, highlighting its potential benefits for improving patient outcomes in SR-FH cases.
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Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease observed in clinical practice worldwide. This disorder has been independently associated with an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 2-year intervention based on a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity focussed on reducing intrahepatic fat contents (IFC) was associated with a decreased risk of CKD.

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Obesity and overweight pose significant risks to health, contributing to the prevalence of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The current study aimed to assess the impact of a 6-year nutritional and lifestyle intervention on oxidative and inflammatory markers in individuals aged 55 to 75, specifically those at high risk of CVD. A study was carried out in a group of 80 participants with metabolic syndrome (MetS) residing in Mallorca, Spain, who underwent nutritional intervention based on a low-calorie Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and promotion of physical activity.

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Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for preeclampsia (PE), associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity. We previously demonstrated that pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) display a spontaneous PE-like phenotype with distinct placental, fetal, and maternal features. Here, we hypothesized that supplementation with alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant, during early pregnancy could ameliorate the PE phenotype in this model.

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The association between hypertension and obesity-induced cardiac damage is usually accepted. However, no studies have been focused on cardiac alterations in obesity, independently of blood pressure increase. It is well known that Cardiac TRH induces Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) and fibrosis, and its inhibition prevents the development of hypertrophy.

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Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is recognized as a healthy dietary pattern. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver.

Objectives: To assess the antioxidant status in erythrocytes, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of NAFLD patients following a 24-month lifestyle intervention based on the MedDiet.

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Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The regular practice of physical activity is a crucial factor for healthy aging and for controlling and preventing chronic diseases. To assess the effects of regular physical activity on the biochemical and inflammatory profiles, as well as the quality of life of older adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

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Objective: To estimate the environmental impact of a dietary intervention based on an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) after one year of follow-up.

Methods: Baseline and 1-year follow-up data were used for 5800 participants aged 55-75 years with metabolic syndrome in the PREDIMED-Plus study. Food intake was estimated through a validated semiquantitative food consumption frequency questionnaire, and adherence to the MedDiet was estimated through the Diet Score.

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Unlabelled: Central TRH, a neuropeptide, is involved in cardiovascular regulation. We demonstrated that the overexpression of diencephalic TRH (dTRH) in SHR rats can be prevented by antisense treatment, normalizing blood pressure (BP). Valproate (VPA) is an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDAC) which modulates gene expression through epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation.

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Cluster headache (CH) is one of the worst primary headaches that remain underdiagnosed and inappropriately treated. There are recent advances in the understanding of this disease and available treatments. This paper aims to review CH's recent clinical and pathophysiological findings, diagnosis, and treatment.

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Beverages are an important part of the diet, but their environmental impact has been scarcely assessed. The aim of this study was to assess how changes in beverage consumption over a one-year period can impact the environmental sustainability of the diet. This is a one-year longitudinal study of 55-75-year-old participants with metabolic syndrome (n = 1122) within the frame of the PREDIMED-Plus study.

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Background: Carbon dioxide (CO) is a primary greenhouse gas (GHG) causing global temperature to rise. Unsustainable diets induce an increment in the risk of obesity and noncommunicable diseases but also contribute to the global GSG burden.

Objective: To assess whether CO dietary emissions influence the inflammatory and oxidative status of subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

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Article Synopsis
  • Cluster headache (CH) is a severe type of headache that often goes unrecognized and is typically treated late or incorrectly; this paper reviews recent treatment advancements.
  • A literature review identified effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for CH, categorized into three phases: transitional, acute, and preventive.
  • Key treatments include prednisone for transitional therapy, triptans and oxygen for acute attacks, and verapamil along with monoclonal antibodies for preventive measures, providing personalized options for episodic, chronic, and hard-to-treat CH cases.
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Aims: To analyse the relationship between Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and the association between EAT or MedDiet adherence at baseline with AF recurrence after ablation.

Methods And Results: We included 199 patients from the PREDIMAR trial (PREvención con DIeta Mediterránea de Arritmias Recurrentes), in a single centre in this substudy. All of them had a computed tomography with EAT measurement.

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Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge and minimizing extinction rates is the goal of several multilateral environmental agreements. Policy decisions require comprehensive, spatially explicit information on species' distributions and threats. We present an analysis of the conservation status of 14,669 European terrestrial, freshwater and marine species (ca.

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Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease without pharmacological treatment yet. There is also a lack of specific dietary recommendations and strategies to treat the negative health impacts derived from NAFLD.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to compile dietary patterns, foods, and nutrients to ameliorate NAFLD.

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Background: A major barrier to a healthy diet may be the higher price of healthy foods compared to low-quality foods.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between the monetary cost of food and diet quality in Spanish older adults at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was carried out in Spanish older adults ( = 6,838; 48.

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Citizens lack knowledge about the impact of gut microbiota on health and how lifestyle and dietary choices can influence it, leading to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and affecting overall well-being. Participatory action research (PAR) is a promising approach to enhance communication and encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors and improve their health. In this study, we explored the feasibility of integrating the photovoice method with citizen science approaches to assess the impact of social and environmental factors on gut microbiota health.

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Biogas biorefineries have opened up new horizons beyond heat and electricity production in the anaerobic digestion sector. Added-value products such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are environmentally benign and potential candidates to replace conventional plastics, can be generated from biogas. This work investigated the potential of an innovative two-stage growth-accumulation system for the continuous production of biogas-based polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) using Methylocystis hirsuta CSC1 as cell factory.

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