Publications by authors named "Torres K"

Background: While the global burden of malaria cases has decreased over the last two decades, the disease remains a major international threat, even on the rise in many regions. More than 85% of Peruvian malaria cases are in the Amazonian region of Loreto. Internal mobility primarily related to occupation is thought to be primarily responsible for maintaining endemicity and introducing and reintroducing malaria parasites into areas of anophelism, a challenge for malaria eradication.

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Unresolved chronic inflammation, a hallmark of cancer, promotes tumor growth and metastasis in various cancer types. In contrast to blocking inflammation, stimulation of resolution of inflammation is an entirely novel approach to "resolve" inflammation. Resolution of inflammation mechanisms in cancer includes clearance of tumor debris, counter-regulation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines, and suppression of leukocyte infiltration.

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Environmental problems persist due to mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) as well as ecological problems associated with the macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes Martius (EC). Environmental problems persist due to mercury contamination from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and ecological issues related to the macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes Martius (EC). A bioaccumulation study was conducted on mercury-laden wastewater (WWm) from ASGM using a pilot treatment plant, specifically a constructed wetland system (CW) with the macrophyte species EC.

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  • Obesity is linked to serious health issues that can hinder healing, with the study focusing on how Body Mass Index (BMI) and insulin resistance affect moderately burned patients.
  • The research involved 149 patients, examining their clinical data, laboratory tests, and surgical needs upon admission and discharge.
  • Findings revealed that patients needing insulin had poorer lab results, longer hospital stays, and that high triglyceride levels and BMI over 25 kg/m² may indicate worse outcomes and a greater need for insulin.
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  • Researchers examined COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to discover distinct respiratory subphenotypes to improve treatment strategies.
  • A total of 718 ventilated patients were analyzed, revealing two main subphenotypes: Subphenotype A and B, with Subphenotype B showing poorer respiratory function and higher mortality risk.
  • Subphenotype B was characterized by higher levels of inflammation and comorbidities, as well as being more prevalent in female patients, indicating the need for tailored management approaches in ARDS treatment.
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Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) development is characterized by an altered DNA methylation landscape, which presents a promising area for developing MPNST-specific biomarkers for screening patients with NF1. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of a cohort of 13 patients with MPNST (29 samples of tumor and adjacent neurofibroma tissues) and of NF1-MPNST cell lines was performed to identify and validate candidate MPNST-specific CpG sites (CpGs). A logistic regression prediction model was constructed to select MPNST-specific CpGs distinct from adjacent neurofibromas and normal tissues.

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Breast cancer is a public health concern worldwide, characterized by increasing incidence and mortality rates, requiring novel and effective therapeutic strategies. Curcumin is a bioactive compound extracted from turmeric with several pharmacological activities. Curcumin is a multifaceted anticancer agent through mechanisms including the modulation of signaling pathways, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and production of reactive oxygen species.

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Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common inherited neurological disorder that can lead to the development of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), a highly aggressive form of sarcoma. Current treatment options for MPNSTs are limited, with poor prognosis and high recurrence rates. This study aims to explore the potential of targeting the Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and Ras interaction as a novel therapeutic strategy for MPNSTs.

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Background: In the Peruvian Amazon, Plasmodium vivax malaria transmission is maintained due to the high frequency of recurrences. By understanding the recurrence rates of submicroscopic and asymptomatic cases, we can develop informed strategies to prevent transmission more efficiently and disrupt the silent transmission cycle.

Methods: A three-year, population-based cohort study was conducted in two sites, Cahuide and Lupuna, within the Loreto region in Peru from 2013 to 2015.

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Objective: To analyze the experiences and meanings attributed by trans men to the breastfeeding process in light of the Theory of Social Representations.

Method: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, carried out nationwide, with an intentional sample of five trans men who experienced breastfeeding and aged 18 or over. A semi-structured interview script was applied as a data collection instrument, using the Google Meet® platform, from September to October 2021.

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  • Penstemons are flowering plants native to the Rocky Mountains, often used in urban landscaping, but elite varieties struggle with abiotic stresses like drought and salinity.
  • Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) is more resilient to these stresses and can hybridize with other penstemon species, offering a way to create more tolerant cultivars.
  • Researchers sequenced the genome of a firecracker penstemon from Utah and additional accessions, creating the most complete penstemon genome assembly so far.
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  • * A study conducted from March to December 2023 in Honduras assessed the capabilities for diagnosing and treating IFIs, revealing a lack of consistent use of available diagnostic methods and inadequate antifungal options in health care facilities.
  • * The findings indicated that while basic antifungal medications like fluconazole are available, more potent options are scarce, and advanced diagnostic techniques for fungal infections are largely absent, creating major barriers to effective IFI management.
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  • The study aimed to evaluate how caregiver practices for children aged 0-23 months changed after a 10-month integration of Responsive Care and Early Learning (RCEL) counseling into nutrition services.
  • Data was collected through surveys and observations before and after the intervention, which trained health staff and community volunteers to support caregivers in their practices.
  • Results showed significant improvements in RCEL practices, home learning opportunities, reduced parenting stress, and better feeding practices, indicating that combining RCEL with nutrition counseling enhanced overall caregiver support without disrupting services.
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  • The study investigates synaptic density in autistic adults using positron emission tomography (PET) and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) as a marker.
  • Results show that autistic individuals exhibit a 17% lower synaptic density across the whole cortex compared to non-autistic peers, with significant deficits in various brain regions, especially the prefrontal cortex.
  • The findings suggest that lower synaptic density is associated with increased autistic features, pointing to a potential molecular basis for autism that requires further exploration.
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  • Impaired blood flow in the brain due to blood vessel constriction and microthrombi can lead to delayed cerebral ischemia following a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
  • The overexpression of 12/15-Lipooxygenase (12/15-LOX) is linked to poor early brain injury outcomes, and the study investigates its role in delayed effects after SAH.
  • Results show that inhibiting 12/15-LOX improves brain perfusion and reduces negative outcomes like microvessel constriction and platelet activation, suggesting it could be a key target for treatment after SAH.
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Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is the largest subgroup of soft tissue sarcomas. This study determined the value of perfusion-weighted imaging with dynamic-contrast-enhancement (PWI/DCE) morphologic, qualitative, and semiquantitative features for predicting UPS pathology-assessed treatment effect (PATE). This retrospective study included 33 surgically excised extremity UPS patients with pre-surgical MRI.

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Background: The course of subclinical gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is variable. The management of small GISTs is not well-defined.

Methods: Records of patients presenting with small GISTs with documented follow-up appointment at our institution between 2016 and 2022 were identified and reviewed.

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Laboratory benchmarking allows objective analysis of the analytical performance of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). We present the analytical detection limits of the Rapigen BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf/Pv (pLDH/pLDH), the Rapigen BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf (pLDH/HRPII), and two best-in-class WHO-prequalified comparator RDTs, generated using standardized panels containing recombinant antigen, in vitro cultured parasites, international standards, and clinical samples. Detection limit antigen concentrations of HRP2, PfLDH, and PvLDH were determined for the Rapigen and comparator RDTs.

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Background: Moderately hypofractionated, preoperative radiotherapy in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (HYPORT-STS; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03819985) investigated a radiobiologically equivalent, moderately hypofractionated course of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) 15 × 2.85 Gy in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

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  • Atypical intradermal smooth muscle neoplasm, or cutaneous leiomyosarcoma, is a rare skin tumor that grows slowly and usually isn't very aggressive.
  • A study looked at 95 patients with this tumor from 2002 to 2021, mostly men around 58 years old, with most tumors appearing as painless lumps on the legs or arms.
  • After treatment, the majority of patients (96%) stayed free of the disease for five years, showing that the outcomes were mostly good.
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<b>Introduction:</b> Computer-based interactive techniques are becoming an important tool in medical education. One of the important benefits of the use of telemedicine in surgical training is the reduction of the number of people in the operating room. As shown in the studies, this can lead i.

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Studies indicate that ultra-processed food (UP) consumption correlates negatively with essential vitamin and mineral intake and positively with sodium and lipid intake. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between UP consumption and deviations from nutritional guidelines. An observational, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

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Gastric cancer is an aggressive and multifactorial disease. () is identified as a significant etiological factor in gastric cancer. Although only a fraction of patients infected with progresses to gastric cancer, bacterial infection is critical in the pathology and development of this malignancy.

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Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is overexpressed on tumor cells in multiple types of cancer and contributes to disease progression and metastasis. In this work, we engineered a novel bi-paratopic uPAR targeting agent by fusing the binding domains of two native uPAR ligands: uPA and vitronectin, with a flexible peptide linker. The linker length was optimized to facilitate simultaneous engagement of both domains to their adjacent epitopes on uPAR, resulting in a high affinity and avid binding interaction.

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