Research areas

The research area of Mental Health and Neuroscience is formed by a multidisciplinary group and they actively collaborate in national and international research networks, highlighting the leadership of a CIBERSAM group and the consolidation of the Mixed Unit with the UAB Neuroscience Institute since 2018.

Strategic lines

• Application of new digital technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health pathologies.
• Prevention and promotion of mental health in the young and adult population.
• Translational research for the development of markers and specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health pathologies.

Objectives of the area

1. Increase the number of research staff dedicated to research through new additions and loyalty of the research team through competitive contracts and structural funding.
2. Start new projects in AI applied to the lines of research in the area.
3. Promote digital innovation projects to implement them in the SNS.
4. Maintain and expand the number of groups consolidated by the AGAUR within the area.
5. Attract new collaborations through the TECSAM network.
6. Improving the gender balance in the scientific leadership of the groups.

Scientific production

Outstanding scientific publications

• Goldberg X, Espelt C, Nadal R, Alon Y, Palau D, Bar-Haim Y, Armario A. Blunted neurobiological reactivity and attentional bias to threat underlie stress-related disorders in women survivors of intimate partner violence. Psychol Med. 2023 Nov;53(15):7329-7340. doi: 10.1017/S0033291723000910 

• Pesiou S, Barcelo R, Fradera M, Torres F, Pontes C. Use of drugs for the treatment of psychiatric diseases in the pediatric population: focus on off-label use. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Jun 16;14:1157135. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1157135 

• Cardoner N, Andero R, Cano M, Marin-Blasco I, Porta-Casteràs D, Serra-Blasco M, Via E, Vicent-Gil M, Portella MJ. Impact of Stress on Brain Morphology: Insights into Structural Biomarkers of Stress-related Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2024;22(5):935-962. doi: 10.2174/1570159X21666230703091435 

• Commander L, Jiménez-Villamizar MP, Losilla JM, Sanabria-Mazo JP, Mateo-Canedo C, Zebra AI, Sanz A, Palau DJ. Effect of synchronous remote-based interventions on suicidal behaviors: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2023 Dec 6;13(12):e075116. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075116 

• Llorens M, Barba M, Torralbas-Ortega J, Nadal R, Armario A, Gagliano H, Urraca L, Pujol S, Montalvo I, Gracia R, Polo D, González-Riesco L, Matalí JL, Palao D, Pàmias M, Labad J. Relationship between hair cortisol concentrations and cognitive functioning in adolescents with ADHD. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2023;14(2):2281752. doi: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2281752 

Research staff

Highlights of the area

The research area of Metabolism and Digestive includes leading professionals in metabolic and digestive pathologies, highlighting their participation in national and international projects and the leadership of a CIBERDEM group.

Strategic lines

• Obesity, Prader-Willi Syndrome and hyperphagia.
• Diabetes: cardiovascular risk and new technologies.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Application of new digital and biotechnological technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive metabolic diseases.

Objectives of the area

1. Consolidation of collaborations with basic research groups to promote studies in omics and gene therapy.
2. Increase the impact factor of the area.
3. Reduce the number of publications in journals not indexed in the JCR.
4. Participate in the Horizon Europe program.

Scientific production

Outstanding scientific publications

• Couto-Rosende Y, Garcia-Tirado D, Palacio-Marco M, Caixàs A, Corripio R. A Personalized Approach to Determining the Caloric Needs of Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome Treated with Growth Hormone. J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 10;12(12):3967. doi: 10.3390/jcm12123967 

• Albert L, Romero A, Capel I, Cano A, Subías D, Casamitjana L, Mazarico I, Rigla M. Off-label use of an automated insulin delivery system in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2023 Aug;202:110800. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110800 

• Mazarico-Altisent I, Capel I, Baena N, Bella-Cueto MR, Barcons S, Guirao X, Pareja R, Muntean A, Arsentales V, Caixàs A, Rigla M. Genetic testing for familial hyperparathyroidism: clinical-genetic profile in a Mediterranean cohort. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Sep 21;14:1244361. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1244361 

• Pérez-Aisa Á, Nyssen OP, Keco-Huerga A, Rodrigo L, [...] Calvet X*, Gisbert JP. Bismuth quadruple three-in-one single capsule three times a day increases effectiveness compared with the usual four times a day schedule: results from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg). Gut. 2023 Nov;72(11):2031-2038. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-329259 

• Llibre-Nieto G, Lira A, Vergara M, Casas M, Solé C, Ferrusquía-Acosta J, Puig-Diví V, Grau-López L, Barradas JM, Solà M, Miquel M, Sánchez-Delgado J. Prevalence of Radiological Chronic Pancreatitis and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Patients with Decompensated Liver Disease: Is Fecal Elastase Useful in This Setting? nutrients 2023 Jan 11;15(2):375. doi: 10.3390/nu15020375 

Research staff

Highlights of the area

The research area of Rare Diseases it focuses on the research of diseases in which the Parc Taulí University Hospital is a center of reference for the diagnosis and treatment of the same.

Strategic lines

• Study of minority diseases prevalent in our population: childhood obesity, genetic intellectual disability, Prader-Willi syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis.
• Application of bioinformatics to improve diagnosis and treatment.
• Study of disorders during puberty.
• Childhood and juvenile diabetes.

Objectives of the area

1. Promote the visibility of the scientific activity carried out by the research groups in the area.
2. Increase leadership in competitive projects.
3. Develop projects in collaboration with other groups and research centers that make it possible to generate impact.
4. Promote training and the completion of doctoral theses in groups.
5. Promote publication in journals with an impact factor and Open Access.

Scientific production

Outstanding scientific publications

• Elias-Mas A, Potrony M, Bague J, Cutler DJ, Alvarez-Mora MI, Torres T, Barcos T, Puig-Butille JA, Rubio M, Madrigal I, Puig S, Allen EG, Rodriguez-Revenga L. Evaluation of AQP4 functional variants and its association with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 Jan 6;14:1073258. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1073258 

• Pernía JV, Cancho T, Segovia I, Granda E, Velasco R. Diagnostic performance of serum biomarkers in acute appendicitis in children. Eur J Emerg Med. 2023 Dec 1;31(1):74-76. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0000000000001090 

• Spataro N, Trujillo-Quintero JP, Manso C, Gabau E, Capdevila N, Martinez-Glez V, Berenguer-Llergo A, Reyes S, Brunet A, Baena N, Guitart M, Ruiz A. High Performance of a Dominant/X-Linked Gene Panel in Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Genes (Basel). 2023 Mar 13;14(3):708. doi: 10.3390/genes14030708 

• González-de Paz L, Valdesoiro-Navarrete L, Roma J, Blat-Guimerà E, Benavent-Areu J, Bartra J, Sisó-Almirall A. Prevalence and Impact of Asthma and Allergy on Daily Life, Health Outcomes and Use of Healthcare Services in Children: A Population-Based Study. Arch Bronchopneumol. 2023 Aug;59(8):481-487. English, Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2023.05.005 

• Ayats-Vidal R, Bosque-García M, Cordobilla B, Asensio-De la Cruz O, García-González M, Castro-Marrero J, López-Rico I, Domingo JC. Changes of Erythrocyte Fatty Acids after Supplementation with Highly Concentrated Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. 2023 May 26;12(11):3704. doi: 10.3390/jcm12113704 

Research staff

Highlights of the area

The research area ofEpidemiology, care improvement and chronicity it is formed by a multidisciplinary group of professionals from the hospital, primary care and socio-health center.

Strategic lines

• Study of the impact of infections by COVID-19 and other pandemics.
• Improving chronic patient care.
• Nursing assessment and care.
• Quality, safety and traceability of patients treated by health services.

Objectives of the area

1.  Consolidate the collaborations currently active in the area.
2. Increase the visibility of the activity of the groups in the area.
3. Increase collaboration between the groups in the area.
4. Strengthen R+D+i relations with primary care.
5. Promote the incorporation of groups into research networks.

Scientific production

Outstanding scientific publications

• Ruiz Ramos J, Calderón Hernanz B, Castellanos Clemente Y, Bonete Sánchez M, Vallve Alcon E, Santolaya Perrin MªR, García Martín MªÁ, de Lorenzo Pinto A, Real Campaña JM, Ramos Rodríguez J, [...] Povar Marco J. Pharmacist care in hospital emergency departments: a consensus paper from the Spanish hospital pharmacy and emergency medicine associations. Emergencies 2023 Jun;35(3):205-217. doi: 10.55633/s3me/E063.2023 

• Selva A, Mosconi G, Cacitti S, Odone A, Pylkkanen L, Solà I, Torà N, Russo S, Cadum E, Deandrea S. Participants' satisfaction with colorectal cancer screening programs: A systematic review. Prev Med. 2023 Oct;175:107706. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107706 

• Loyal M, Corral-Vazquez C, Baré M, Comet R, Herranz S, Baigorri F, Gimeno-Miguel A, Raurich M, Fortià C, Navarro M, Poblador-Plou B, Baré M. Multimorbidity patterns in COVID-19 patients and their relationship with infection severity: MRisk-COVID study. PLoS One. 2023 Aug 31;18(8):e0290969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290969 

• Mazarico E, Meler E, Mendoza M, Herraiz I, Llurba E, De Diego R, Comas M, Boada D, González A, Bonacina E, Armengol-Alsina M, Moline E, Hurtado I, Tower N, Gomez-Roig MD, Galindo A, Figueras F. Mortality and severe neurological morbidity in extremely preterm growth-restricted fetuses. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Dec;62(6):788-795. doi: 10.1002/uog.26290 

• Garcia-Grau E, Oliveira M, Amengual MJ, Rodriguez-Sanchez E, Veraguas-Imbernon A, Costa L, Benet J, Ribas-Maynou J. An Algorithm to Predict the Lack of Pregnancy after Intrauterine Insemination in Infertile Patients. J Clin Med. 2023 Apr 30;12(9):3225. doi: 10.3390/jcm12093225 

Research staff

Highlights of the area

The research area d'Infections and Immunology promotes translational research in inflammatory and infectious diseases, clinical microbiology and immunology in order to optimize the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of infectious diseases.

Strategic lines

• Application of genomics, microbiology and proteomics in clinical research.
• Application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence or Big Data analysis to develop techniques for early diagnosis and clinical decision support.
• New research work methodologies in the network at different care levels.
• Search for new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious, immune and inflammatory diseases.

Objectives of the area

1. Encourage the realization of projects that include the study of omics.
2. Increase collaboration between area groups.
3. Implement in the SNS the results of the innovation projects currently active in the groups.
4. Participate in new research networks and strengthen collaborative relationships that allow the groups' research to be consolidated.
5. Incorporation of main researchers in the groups of the area.

Scientific production

Outstanding scientific publications

• Footwear S, Hernández-Meneses M, Llopis J, Boix-Palop L, Dietl B, Calbo E, Andrés M, García X, Agustí C, Dorca E, Tricas JM, Díez de Los Ríos J, Cuquet J, Cárdenas A, Roca JM, Ortiz M, Caresia AP, Guillamon L, Quintana E, Ambrosioni J, Gasch O, Miró JM; Central Catalonia 10 Endocarditis Teams (CC10ET). The hidden side of infective endocarditis: Diagnostic and management of 500 consecutive cases in noncardiac surgery centers (2009-2018). Surgery. 2023 Sep;174(3):602-610. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.04.061 

• Bay-Barley L, Carmezim J, Pérez-Rodríguez MT, Bereciartua E, López LE, Montenegro MR, Pomar V, Andrés M, Petkova E, Sopena N, Lora-Tamayo J, Monsálvez V, Ramirez-Hidalgo MF, Gómez-Zorrilla S, Boix L, Meije Y, Jiménez E, Gasch O. Randomized Clinical Trial of the Need for Antibiotic Treatment for Low-Risk Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Caused by Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 May 1;12(5):839. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12050839 

• Calvet J, García-Manrique M, Berenguer-Llergo A, Orellana C, Cirera SG, Llop M, Galisteo Lencastre C, Arévalo M, Aymerich C, Gómez R, Giménez NA, Gratacós J. Metabolic and inflammatory profiles define phenotypes with clinical relevance in female knee osteoarthritis patients with joint effusion. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 Dec 1;62(12):3875-3885. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead135 

• Rock O, Goligher EC, Amato MBP. Driving pressure: applying the concept at the bedside. Intensive Care Med. 2023 Aug;49(8):991-995. doi: 10.1007/s00134-023-07071-2 

• Blot PL, Chousterman BG, Santafe M, Cartailler J, Pacheco A, Magret M, Masclans JR, Artigas A, Roca O, García-de-Acilu M. Subphenotypes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with high-flow oxygen. Crit Care 2023 Nov 1;27(1):419. doi: 10.1186/s13054-023-04687-0 

Research staff

Highlights of the area

The research area of Surgery and interventional procedures brings together professionals from different fields and disciplines with the aim of generating clinical application knowledge and generating technological innovations that improve healthcare practice.

Strategic lines

• Application of new technologies for the reduction of invasive procedures.
• Application of Artificial Intelligence in Big Data and image analysis to generate prediction and diagnostic algorithms.
• Application of 3D printing technology to improve efficiency and quality in surgical procedures and interventions.

Objectives of the area

1. Increase the implementation of the results in the health system, generating an impact on patients.
2. Increase the scientific impact of the results: improve the level of publications and communications at national and international level.
3. Explore new lines of research for the application of 3D technologies and artificial intelligence.
4. Promote the generation of results that allow the consolidation of research groups in the area.

Scientific production

Outstanding scientific publications

• Fernández-Poch N, Fillat-Gomà F, Martínez-Carreres L, Coderch-Navarro S, Yela-Verdú C, Carbó-Cedán S, Pelfort X. Three-dimensional-printed patient-specific instrumentation is an accurate tool to reproduce femoral bone tunnels in multiple-ligament knee injuries. Int Orthop. 2023 May;47(5):1213-1219. doi: 10.1007/s00264-023-05712-1 

• Miquel J, Salomó-Domènech M, Santana F, Torrens C. Impact of surrogate outcomes in randomized controlled trials for shoulder rotator cuff tears. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2023 Oct;143(10):6117-6122. doi: 10.1007/s00402-023-04911-0 

• López-Cano M, Adell-Trapé M, Verdaguer-Tremolosa M, Rodrigues-Gonçalves V, Badia-Closa J, Serra-Aracil X. Parastomal hernia prevention with permanent mesh in end colostomy: failure with late follow-up of cohorts in three randomized trials. hernia 2023 Jun;27(3):657-664. doi: 10.1007/s10029-023-02781-4 

• Serra-Aracil X, Mora-Lopez L, Gomez-Torres I, Pallisera-Lloveras A, Serracant A, Garcia-Nalda A, Pino-Perez O, Torrecilla A, Navarro-Soto S. Laparoscopic and robotic intracorporeal resection and end-to-end anastomosis in left colectomy: a prospective cohort study – stage 2a IDEAL framework for evaluating surgical innovation. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2023 Apr 1;408(1):135. doi: 10.1007/s00423-023-02844-1 

• Serra-Aracil X, Hidalgo JM, Dominguez A, Vallverdu H, Millan M, Caro-Tarragó A, Delgado S, Gomez C, Llorach N, Mora-Lopez L; CR‐Vesical Cath‐Study group. Multicentre, prospective, randomized control non-inferiority trial of bladder catheter management in colon surgery. Colorectal Dis. 2023 Jul;25(7):1506-1511. doi: 10.1111/code.16593 

Research staff

Outstanding projects