Monica Rivera - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Monica Rivera

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 2006

The purpose of this review is to provide the latest findings in the constantly changing field of ... more The purpose of this review is to provide the latest findings in the constantly changing field of brow and forehead lifting. Significant articles published in the last 24 months are reviewed and discussed based on the personal experience of the senior author (F.P.). Important anatomical findings have been made over the last few years which will have an impact on plastic surgery of the upper third of the face, with new ligamentous structures of the forehead and more precise landmarks of the supraorbital neurovascular bundle being described. The short-term efficacy of a new device for periosteal fixation has been evaluated and new data have been collated about the time required for forehead periosteal readhesion. In the last few years there have been important anatomical findings which will allow the development of more detailed and safe techniques for forehead lift surgery. New absorbable materials are available that allow efficient mechanical fixation of the soft tissues. The senior author of this review has extensive personal experience involving more than 400 cases. In addition to commenting on recent articles, we detail the methods we have used over the last 8 years, especially regarding the fixation technique.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2006

Since the International Ascites Club published the diagnostic criteria of refractory ascites (RA)... more Since the International Ascites Club published the diagnostic criteria of refractory ascites (RA) and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), there have been few studies assessing the natural history of ascites. The aims of this study were to define the natural history of cirrhotic ascites and to identify prognostic factors for dilutional hyponatremia (DH), RA, HRS, and survival. Two hundred sixty-three consecutive cirrhotic patients were followed for 40.9 +/- 2.6 months after their first significant ascites. During follow-up 74 (28.1%) patients developed DH, 30 (11.4%) RA (diuretic-resistant in 2 cases and diuretic-intractable because of the development of diuretic-induced complications in 28 cases), and 20 (7.6%) HRS (type 1, 7; type 2, 13). The 5-year probability of DH, RA, and HRS development was 37.1%, 11.4%, and 11.4%, respectively. The probability of survival at 1 and 5 years was 85% and 56.5%, respectively. The independent predictors for survival were baseline age, baseline Child-Pugh score, and DH development. The 1-year probability of survival after developing DH, RA, and type 2 HRS was 25.6%, 31.6%, and 38.5%, respectively. In contrast, the mean survival was only 7 +/- 2 days in those patients developing type 1 HRS. (1) The survival of cirrhotic patients with first episode of ascites is relatively high, and it is mainly influenced by age and Child-Pugh score at the time of ascites decompensation, as well as by DH development. (2) The probability of RA and HRS development is relatively low, but they are associated with a poor prognosis.

Liver International, 2006

Abstract: Background: Although chronic alcohol intake and chronic hepatitis C may progress to cir... more Abstract: Background: Although chronic alcohol intake and chronic hepatitis C may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), few data are available about survival and probability of developing HCC in decompensated cirrhosis of both aetiologies.Methods: This study identified factors related with probability of developing HCC and survival in a cohort of 377 consecutive patients with decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis (200 cases) or alcoholic cirrhosis (177 cases) without known HCC, hospitalized for their first hepatic decompensation, as well as to evaluate differences between both aetiologies. Patients were followed for a mean period of 39±2 months.Results: During follow-up, 42 patients (11.1%) developed HCC (16.5% vs 5.1%) in groups HCV and alcohol, respectively; p=0.0008), and 131 patients (34.7%) died (42% vs 26.6% in groups HCV and alcohol, respectively; p=0.002). Age and HCV-cirrhosis were independently related to HCC development, while baseline age and Child-Turcotte-Pugh score were independently correlated with survival.Conclusion: Survival in decompensated HCV-related or alcoholic cirrhosis is influenced by age and baseline Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, without differences in cirrhosis aetiology. The risk of developing HCC is greater in HCV-related cirrhosis than in alcoholic cirrhosis.

Journal of Hepatology, 2004

Background/Aims: Since few data are available concerning the clinical course of decompensated hep... more Background/Aims: Since few data are available concerning the clinical course of decompensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, the aim of the present study was to define the natural long-term course after the first hepatic decompensation.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2010

Colloids and Surfaces A-physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2009

Single-molecule force spectroscopy, as implemented in an atomic force microscope, provides a rare... more Single-molecule force spectroscopy, as implemented in an atomic force microscope, provides a rarely used method by which to monitor dynamic processes that occur near surfaces. Here, a methodology is presented and characterized that facilitates the study of polymer bridging across nanometer-sized gaps.

Biophysical Journal, 2007

In AFM-based single molecule force spectroscopy, it is tacitly assumed that the pulling direction... more In AFM-based single molecule force spectroscopy, it is tacitly assumed that the pulling direction coincides with the end-to-end vector of the molecule fragment being stretched. By systematically varying the position of the attachment point on the substrate relative to the AFM tip, we investigate empirically and theoretically the effect of the pulling geometry on forceextension characteristics of double-stranded DNA. We find that increasing the pulling angle can significantly lower the force of the characteristic overstretching transition and increase the width of the plateau feature beyond the canonical 70%. These effects, when neglected, can adversely affect the interpretation of measured force-extension relationships. We quantitatively evaluate force and extension errors originating from this ''pulling angle effect'' and stress the need to correct the pulling geometry when stretching rigid molecules with an AFM.

Langmuir, 2008

Polymer bridging between surfaces plays an important role in a range of fundamental processes in ... more Polymer bridging between surfaces plays an important role in a range of fundamental processes in the material and life sciences. Bridges formed by main-chain reversible polymers differ from their covalent analogs in that they can dynamically adjust their size and shape in response to external stimuli and have the potential to reform following bond scission. In this work, the time and distance dependence of main-chain reversible polymer bridge formation are studied using an atomic force microscope. The bridging process was studied using single-molecule force spectroscopy, and its dependence on the distance between surfaces and equilibration time was probed. The number of bridges formed decreases as the gap width increases, from ∼2 bridges per 14 s equilibration at separations of 5-15 nm to ∼0.5 bridges per 14 s equilibration at separations of 35-45 nm. The kinetics of bridge formation appear to be slightly faster at smaller separations.

Taller sobre uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación / TIC Estimadas compañera... more Taller sobre uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación / TIC Estimadas compañeras: En días anteriores recibieron la invitación al Taller sobre uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación / TIC, programado para realizarse del 18 al 20 de Septiembre 2013 en la ciudad de Managua. Como parte de los preparativos del taller hemos querido incluir un sondeo que nos permita conocer mejor las necesidades e intereses de formación de las participantes en este tema, así como sus conocimientos previos; de tal forma que podamos preparar una metodología que realmente abone al quehacer y las realidades de todas.