Publications by authors named "Vila M"

For batteries to function effectively all active material must be accessible requiring both electron and ion transport to each particle. A common approach to generating the needed conductive network is the addition of carbon. An alternative approach is the electrochemically induced formation of conductive reaction products generated with intimate contact to the active material.

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Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) burden is currently evolving with regional differences associated with complex behavioural, environmental, and genetic risk factors. The LEGACy study is a Horizon 2020-funded multi-institutional research project conducted prospectively to provide comprehensive data on the tumour biological characteristics of gastroesophageal cancer from European and LATAM countries.

Material And Methods: Treatment-naïve advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients were prospectively recruited in seven European and LATAM countries.

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In a hyperconnected world, framing and managing biological invasions poses complex and contentious challenges, affecting socioeconomic and environmental sectors. This complexity distinguishes the field and fuels polarized debates. In the present article, we synthesize four contentious issues in invasion science that are rarely addressed together: vocabulary usage, the potential benefits of nonnative species, perceptions shifting because of global change, and rewilding practices and biological invasions.

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Aims: In this study, we report the use of two novel lytic polyvalent phages as a cocktail in in planta assays and their efficacy in the control of bacterial halo blight (BHB) caused by Pseudomonas coronafaciens pv. garcae (Pcg) in coffee plants.

Methods And Results: Phages were isolated from samples of coffee plant leaves collected at two different locations in Brazil.

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Traditionally, control of coffee plant bacterial halo blight (BHB) caused by the phytopathogen Pseudomonas coronafaciens pv. garcae (Pcg) involves frequent spraying of coffee plantations with non-environmentally friendly and potentially bacterial resistance-promoting copper products or with kasugamycin hydrochloride. In this study we report a leap forward in the quest for a new ecofriendly approach, characterizing (both physicochemically and biologically) and testing both in vitro and ex vivo a new lytic phage for Pcg.

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Autophagy is a vital cellular process responsible for the degradation of proteins, organelles, and other cellular components within lysosomes. In neurons, basal autophagy is indispensable for maintaining cellular homeostasis and protein quality control. Accordingly, lysosomal dysfunction has been proposed to be associated with neurodegeneration, and with Parkinson's disease (PD) in particular.

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Background: Electrical remodeling has been linked to the progression and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation (CA). Substrate mapping based solely on a voltage amplitude electrogram (EGM) does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the left atrial (LA) disease. The aim of this study is to assess left atrial spatial entropy (LASE) from voltage maps routinely obtained during AF ablation to further characterize the LA substrate.

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Contamination of water with mercury constitutes a serious public health problem, especially in locations where the use of Hg occurs improperly/illegally and negligently, as is the case in the Amazon region (Brazil). The riverside populations in the Amazon are frequently invaded by illegal mining, exposing these populations to significant risks, of which contamination by heavy metals such as mercury (Hg) has the potential to cause serious illnesses. Furthermore, exposure to this metal causes neurological, cardiovascular, immune and digestive system disorders, in addition to damaging the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.

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Objective: To provide a description of laparoscopic approach to correct pelvic organ prolapses and evaluate the risk factors associated with the prolapse recurrence.

Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed 418 patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse who underwent a laparoscopic reparation at our university center from 2010 to 2020. Prolapses were assessed by Baden-Walker system (stage I-IV).

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Introduction: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients display weak seroconversion and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and remain at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While B-cell memory is the hallmark of serological immunity, its role in driving successful vaccine responses and providing immune protection in SOT patients remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the function and interplay of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells (mBc), different cytokineproducing T cells, and cross-reactive NAb in driving seroconversion and protection against COVID-19 in two cohorts.

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Article Synopsis
  • A major challenge in treating neurodegenerative diseases is the lack of accurate models that simulate human disease processes, particularly concerning neuromelanin accumulation with aging.
  • Researchers developed a transgenic mouse model, tgNM, that mimics the distribution of neuromelanin in human brains, specifically in catecholamine-producing neurons.
  • This model exhibits age-related neuronal dysfunction and degeneration, presenting symptoms similar to early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, thus offering new opportunities for research in brain aging and neurodegeneration.
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Despite decades of research documenting the consequences of naturalized and invasive plant species on ecosystem functions, our understanding of the functional underpinnings of these changes remains rudimentary. This is partially due to ineffective scaling of trait differences between native and naturalized species to whole plant communities. Working with data from over 75,000 plots and over 5,500 species from across the United States, we show that changes in the functional composition of communities associated with increasing abundance of naturalized species mirror the differences in traits between native and naturalized plants.

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Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. It is known that the activation of STAT3 signaling pathways promotes the development and progression of this neoplasia and it has been described the role of PTPRT as a negative regulator of STAT3. Then, we have evaluated the impact of them as biomarkers of outcome in a series of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN treated with weekly paclitaxel-plus-cetuximab (ERBITAX) regimen.

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Only a small number of studies have assessed structural differences between the two hemispheres during childhood and adolescence. However, the existing findings lack consistency or are restricted to a particular brain region, a specific brain feature, or a relatively narrow age range. Here, we investigated associations between brain asymmetry and age as well as sex in one of the largest pediatric samples to date (n = 4265), aged 1-18 years, scanned at 69 sites participating in the ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) consortium.

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Introduction: Telemedicine (TM) can help in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study examines knowledge, current use and potential limitations for practical implementation of TM for the remoted management of COPD patients among members of the COPD area of SEPAR ( = 3118).

Methods: An electronic survey was circulated three times to these 3118 health-care professionals.

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Fast environmental changes and high coastal human pressures and impacts threaten the Mediterranean Sea. Over the last decade, recurrent blooms of the harmful dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata have been recorded in many Mediterranean beaches.

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Biological invasion is recognised as one of the major threats to biodiversity, particularly in disturbance-prone ecosystems such as costal dunes. Many studies have associated alien plant invasion of dune ecosystem to human disturbances, but less is known about the role of soil properties in invasion after disturbance. Soil properties are crucial filters during plant succession and soil-related changes in the initial stage of species colonization might shape the final success of the invaders.

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Ostreopsis spp. blooms have been occurring in the last two decades in the Mediterranean Sea in association with a variety of biotic and abiotic substrata (macroalgae, seagrasses, benthic invertebrates, sand, pebbles and rocks). Cells proliferate attached to the surfaces through mucilaginous trichocysts, which lump together microalgal cells, and can also be found in the plankton and on floating aggregates: such tychoplanktonic behavior makes the quantitative assessment of blooms more difficult than planktonic or benthic ones.

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Article Synopsis
  • The IPBES invasive alien species assessment is the first comprehensive global review focusing on the threats posed by invasive species to biodiversity and human wellbeing, synthesizing over 13,000 scientific and local knowledge sources.
  • It reveals significant and escalating threats from invasive alien species and outlines practical management strategies for addressing these challenges.
  • The assessment has garnered support from 143 member states, urging immediate action against biological invasions to protect ecosystems and communities worldwide.
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Our aim was to develop an accurate, highly sensitive method for HBV genotype determination and detection of genotype mixtures. We examined the preS and 5' end of the HBV X gene (5X) regions of the HBV genome using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The 1852 haplotypes obtained were subjected to genotyping via the Distance-Based discrimination method (DB Rule) using two sets of 95 reference sequences of genotypes A-H.

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Article Synopsis
  • Tissue establishments process and distribute allografts, requiring a matching process based on allograft morphology, which can be error-prone due to manual procedures.
  • A new digital system is proposed to manage bone allograft-recipient matching by using DICOM files for image storage and provides advanced functionalities like 3D modeling and simultaneous data visualization.
  • Testing at the Barcelona Tissue Bank shows that this software can optimize the matching process by improving interaction and measurement capabilities.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Our study examines the risks posed by 94 invasive species to seven vital ecosystem services in Europe, revealing widespread impacts on areas like outdoor recreation and crop provision.
  • - We found that areas with less provision of ecosystem services are more exposed to invasive species, with potential invasion areas projected to increase by 77% in key regions.
  • - The research highlights the need to monitor high-value ecosystem service areas, which cover a small part of Europe but are crucial for conservation, aligning management strategies with biodiversity goals.
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Basic Science is crucial for the advancement of clinical care for Movement Disorders. Here, we provide brief updates on how basic science is important for understanding disease mechanisms, disease prevention, disease diagnosis, development of novel therapies and to establish the basis for personalized medicine. We conclude the viewpoint by a call to action to further improve interactions between clinician and basic scientists.

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