13 results on '"Virginia Flores"'
Search Results
2. Monitoring of a Living Wall System in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as a Strategy to Reduce the Urban Heat Island
- Author
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Letzai Ruiz-Valero, Beatriz Arranz, Juan Faxas-Guzmán, Virginia Flores-Sasso, Orisell Medina-Lagrange, and Julio Ferreira
- Subjects
urban heat island ,living wall system ,urban microclimate ,air temperature ,relative humidity ,surface temperature ,Building construction ,TH1-9745 - Abstract
Given the current need to reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) worldwide, one of the strategies that can contribute to this mitigation is green façades. In this context, the aim of this research is to evaluate a Living Wall System (LWS) as a strategy to reduce the urban heat island in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, using outdoor test cells. This research was focused on the monitoring of two different façades, an LWS and a reference façade, during the warmer months. For the comparison, the parameters measured were air temperature, relative humidity, surface temperature and environmental variables. In addition, thermal images were taken. Results reveal that during the days selected, the average outdoor air temperature difference between the LWS compared to the reference façade was 5.3 °C, whereas during the day, the average was 3.3 °C. Concerning surface temperature, in the case of the LWS, the temperature was higher and had greater fluctuations than the reference façade. This behavior was confirmed by the results obtained with thermal images. In conclusion, using an LWS in a tropical climate helps the urban microclimate, which contributes to urban heat island effect mitigation during the warmer months.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Triterpene Derivatives as Potential Inhibitors of the RBD Spike Protein from SARS-CoV-2: An In Silico Approach
- Author
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Mayra Avelar, Laura Pedraza-González, Adalgisa Sinicropi, and Virginia Flores-Morales
- Subjects
triterpenes ,SARS-CoV-2 ,spike protein ,RBD ,molecular docking ,molecular dynamics ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
The appearance of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in 2019 kicked off an international public health emergency. Although rapid progress in vaccination has reduced the number of deaths, the development of alternative treatments to overcome the disease is still necessary. It is known that the infection begins with the interaction of the spike glycoprotein (at the virus surface) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 cell receptor (ACE2). Therefore, a straightforward solution for promoting virus inhibition seems to be the search for molecules capable of abolishing such attachment. In this work, we tested 18 triterpene derivatives as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein by means of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, modeling the RBD S1 subunit from the X-ray structure of the RBD-ACE2 complex (PDB ID: 6M0J). Molecular docking revealed that at least three triterpene derivatives of each type (i.e., oleanolic, moronic and ursolic) present similar interaction energies as the reference molecule, i.e., glycyrrhizic acid. Molecular dynamics suggest that two compounds from oleanolic and ursolic acid, OA5 and UA2, can induce conformational changes capable of disrupting the RBD-ACE2 interaction. Finally, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties simulations revealed favorable biological activity as antivirals.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Therapeutic Effects of Coumarins with Different Substitution Patterns
- Author
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Virginia Flores-Morales, Ana P. Villasana-Ruíz, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Samantha González-Delgado, and Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro
- Subjects
coumarin ,antineoplastic ,cancer therapy ,docking ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
The use of derivatives of natural and synthetic origin has gained attention because of their therapeutic effects against human diseases. Coumarins are one of the most common organic molecules and are used in medicine for their pharmacological and biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective, among others. In addition, coumarin derivates can modulate signaling pathways that impact several cell processes. The objective of this review is to provide a narrative overview of the use of coumarin-derived compounds as potential therapeutic agents, as it has been shown that substituents on the basic core of coumarin have therapeutic effects against several human diseases and types of cancer, including breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and kidney cancer. In published studies, molecular docking has represented a powerful tool to evaluate and explain how these compounds selectively bind to proteins involved in various cellular processes, leading to specific interactions with a beneficial impact on human health. We also included studies that evaluated molecular interactions to identify potential biological targets with beneficial effects against human diseases.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Physical and Chemical Characterisation of the Pigments of a 17th-Century Mural Painting in the Spanish Caribbean
- Author
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Virginia Flores-Sasso, Gloria Pérez, Letzai Ruiz-Valero, Sagrario Martínez-Ramírez, Ana Guerrero, and Esteban Prieto-Vicioso
- Subjects
Caribbean ,Cathedral of Santo Domingo ,17th century ,UV–VIS–NIR ,Raman spectroscopy ,XRD ,Technology ,Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering ,TK1-9971 ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Microscopy ,QH201-278.5 ,Descriptive and experimental mechanics ,QC120-168.85 - Abstract
The arrival of Spaniards in the Caribbean islands introduced to the region the practice of applying pigments onto buildings. The pigments that remain on these buildings may provide data on their historical evolution and essential information for tackling restoration tasks. In this study, a 17th-century mural painting located in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo on the Hispaniola island of the Caribbean is characterised via UV–VIS–NIR, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, XRD and SEM/EDX. The pigments are found in the older Chapel of Our Lady of Candelaria, currently Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy. The chapel was built in the 17th century by black slave brotherhood and extended by Spaniards. During a recent restoration process of the chapel, remains of mural painting appeared, which were covered by several layers of lime. Five colours were identified: ochre, green, red, blue and white. Moreover, it was determined that this mural painting was made before the end of the 18th century, because many of the materials used were no longer used after the industrialisation of painting. However, since both rutile and anatase appear as a white pigment, a restoration may have been carried out in the 20th century, and it has been painted white.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Synthesis, In Vitro, and In Silico Analysis of the Antioxidative Activity of Dapsone Imine Derivatives
- Author
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Ricardo Guzmán-Ávila, Mayra Avelar, Edgar A. Márquez, Julio C. Rivera-Leyva, José R. Mora, Virginia Flores-Morales, and Jesús Rivera-Islas
- Subjects
dapsone imines ,dapsone-derivatives ,antioxidant in vitro ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
Dapsone (DDS) is an antibacterial drug with well-known antioxidant properties. However, the antioxidant behavior of its derivatives has not been well explored. In the present work, the antioxidant activity of 10 dapsone derivatives 4-substituted was determined by an evaluation in two in vitro models (DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power). These imine derivatives 1–10 were obtained through condensation between DDS and the corresponding aromatic aldehydes 4-substuited. Three derivatives presented better results than DDS in the determination of DPPH (2, 9, and 10). Likewise, we have three compounds with better reducing activity than dapsone (4, 9, and 10). In order to be more insight, the redox process, a conceptual DFT analysis was carried out. Molecular descriptors such as electronic distribution, the total charge accepting/donating capacity (I/A), and the partial charge accepting/donating capacity (ω+/ω−) were calculated to analyze the relative donor-acceptor capacity through employing a donor acceptor map (DAM). The DFT calculation allowed us to establish a relationship between GAPHOMO-LUMO and DAM with the observed antioxidant effects. According to the results, we concluded that compounds 2 and 3 have the lowest Ra values, representing a good antioxidant behavior observed experimentally in DPPH radical capturing. On the other hand, derivatives 4, 9, and 10 display the best reducing capacity activity with the highest ω− and Rd values. Consequently, we propose these compounds as the best antireductants in our DDS imine derivative series.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Expression Levels of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress-Related Genes in Skin Biopsies and Their Association with Pityriasis Alba
- Author
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Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro, Griselda A. Cabral-Pacheco, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Andrés E. Campuzano-García, Alma P. Díaz-Alonso, Virginia Flores-Morales, Iram P. Rodriguez-Sanchez, Ivan Delgado-Enciso, and Jorge Rios-Jasso
- Subjects
Pityriasis Alba ,gene expression ,oxidative stress ,inflammatory stress ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Background and objectives: Pytiriasis alba (PA) is a common skin disorder which affects 80% of children between six and 16 years. The etiology of PA is unclear, but hypo-pigmented patches in photo-exposed zones characterize the disease. Because the high ultraviolet exposition of the skin promotes an acute inflammatory response and an increase of oxidative stress (OS), this study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of inflammatory and OS-related genes in skin biopsies, and their association with PA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Skin biopsies of the lesion sites and healthy skin (controls) from 16 children with PA were evaluated. The tissue expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, TNFα, INFγ, IL-1β, SOD1, and HMOX1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR, using SYBR Green and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene as the endogenous control. Results: There were differences in the ΔCq values of HMOX1, SOD1, IL-6, and IFNγ between tissue with lesions and healthy skin (p < 0.05). Compared with healthy skin, IL-6, IFNγ, HMOX1, and SOD1 were predominantly under-expressed in the lesion sites. However, 25% of skin biopsies with lesions showed over-expression of these four genes. Positive correlations between the expression of IL-6 and HMOX1, SOD1, and IFNγ (p < 0.05) were also observed. Conclusions: Our results suggest the presence of molecular stages of PA, defined according to the over-expression (first stage) or under-expression (second stage) of the HMOX1, SOD1, IL-6, and IFNγ genes in abnormal skin tissue. These findings may have implications for the selection of treatment for PA-related lesions.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Current Advances in Antimicrobial Therapies and Emerging Treatments
- Author
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Jesus Manuel Ramirez-Acuña, Sergio A Cardenas-Cadena, Pedro A Marquez-Salas, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Aurelio Perez-Favila, Miguel A Cid-Baez, Virginia Flores-Morales, and Margarita L Martinez-Fierro
- Subjects
diabetic foot ulcer ,antimicrobial therapy ,regenerative medicine ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,RM1-950 - Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are very important diabetes-related lesions that can lead to serious physical consequences like amputations of limbs and equally severe social, psychological, and economic outcomes. It is reported that up to 25% of patients with diabetes develop a DFU in their lifetime, and more than half of them become infected. Therefore, it is essential to manage infection and ulcer recovery to prevent negatives outcomes. The available information plays a significant role in keeping both physicians and patients aware of the emerging therapies against DFUs. The purpose of this review is to compile the currently available approaches in the managing and treatment of DFUs, including molecular and regenerative medicine, antimicrobial and energy-based therapies, and the use of plant extracts, antimicrobial peptides, growth factors, ozone, devices, and nano-medicine, to offer an overview of the assessment of this condition.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Modelling the Interruption on HCI Using BDI Agents with the Fuzzy Perceptions Approach: An Interactive Museum Case Study in Mexico
- Author
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Ricardo Rosales, Manuel Castañón-Puga, Felipe Lara-Rosano, Richard David Evans, Nora Osuna-Millan, and Maria Virginia Flores-Ortiz
- Subjects
human–computer interaction ,ambient intelligence ,interruption factor ,belief–desire–intention agents ,perceptual computing ,Type-2 fuzzy inference system ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Technological advancements have revolutionized the proliferation and availability of information to users, which has created more complex and intensive interactions between users and systems. The learning process of users is essential in the construction of new knowledge when pursuing improvements in user experience. In this paper, the interruption factor is considered in relation to interaction quality due to human–computer interaction (HCI) being seen to affect the learning process. We present the results obtained from 500 users in an interactive museum in Tijuana, Mexico as a case study. We model the HCI of an interactive exhibition using belief–desire–intention (BDI) agents; we adapted the BDI architecture using the Type-2 fuzzy inference system to add perceptual human-like capabilities to agents, in order to describe the interaction and interruption factor on user experience. The resulting model allows us to describe content adaptation through the creation of a personalized interaction environment. We conclude that managing interruptions can enhance the HCI, producing a positive learning process that influences user experience. A better interaction may be achieved if we offer the right kind of content, taking the interruptions experienced into consideration.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Security and Violence Perception of Medical Interns during Social Service Practice in Mexico
- Author
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Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro, Miguel A. Ramirez-Madrigal, Rosa Martha Covarrubias-Carrillo, Lorena Avila-Carrasco, Virginia Flores-Morales, Oscar G. Meza-Zavala, María de León-Sigg, Sodel Vázquez-Reyes, Alejandro Mauricio-González, Perla Velasco-Elizondo, and Idalia Garza-Veloz
- Subjects
Social Work ,social service medical intern ,medicine ,Zacatecas ,assaults ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Article ,violence ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Humans ,Female ,Perception ,Mexico - Abstract
The increase of insecurity levels in Mexico, as well as the fact that violence is a frequent experience among health personnel, motivated this study whose purpose was to evaluate the perception of security and violence that social service medical interns (SSMI) had on the institutions and localities where they carried out their social work and make visible the main types of violence to which they were exposed. This was a cross-sectional study, based on a perception survey self-administered to 157 SSMI from Zacatecas, in Mexico. A high proportion of the participants (75.8%) stated that they were victims of violence, describing 134 incidents; however, only 33.6% of SSMI made an official report. The reported incidents were related to organized crime (31.9%), verbal violence (20.6%), violence by the authorities (14.7%) and sexual harassment (11.8%). One hundred percent of the victims of sexual harassment were women (p = 0.039). According to the above, it is a priority to generate strategies to prevent and reduce the risk of exposure to the violence generated in the medical units and communities where SSMI carry out their activities as medical graduates, as well as, to efficiently process formal violence reports to promote a safe environment that favors the fulfillment of the practice of SSMIs in Mexico.
- Published
- 2021
11. Synthesis, In Vitro, and In Silico Analysis of the Antioxidative Activity of Dapsone Imine Derivatives
- Author
-
Julio Cesar Rivera-Leyva, Edgar Marquez, Ricardo Guzmán-Ávila, Mayra Avelar, José R. Mora, Virginia Flores-Morales, and Jesús Rivera-Islas
- Subjects
Antioxidant ,DPPH ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Imine ,Pharmaceutical Science ,antioxidant in vitro ,Redox ,Article ,Antioxidants ,Analytical Chemistry ,Structure-Activity Relationship ,Partial charge ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,QD241-441 ,Molecular descriptor ,Drug Discovery ,medicine ,Computer Simulation ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Density Functional Theory ,Molecular Structure ,Chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,Combinatorial chemistry ,In vitro ,dapsone imines ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,Molecular Medicine ,Ferric ,dapsone-derivatives ,Imines ,Dapsone ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Dapsone (DDS) is an antibacterial drug with well-known antioxidant properties. However, the antioxidant behavior of its derivatives has not been well explored. In the present work, the antioxidant activity of 10 dapsone derivatives 4-substituted was determined by an evaluation in two in vitro models (DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power). These imine derivatives 1–10 were obtained through condensation between DDS and the corresponding aromatic aldehydes 4-substuited. Three derivatives presented better results than DDS in the determination of DPPH (2, 9, and 10). Likewise, we have three compounds with better reducing activity than dapsone (4, 9, and 10). In order to be more insight, the redox process, a conceptual DFT analysis was carried out. Molecular descriptors such as electronic distribution, the total charge accepting/donating capacity (I/A), and the partial charge accepting/donating capacity (ω+/ω−) were calculated to analyze the relative donor-acceptor capacity through employing a donor acceptor map (DAM). The DFT calculation allowed us to establish a relationship between GAPHOMO-LUMO and DAM with the observed antioxidant effects. According to the results, we concluded that compounds 2 and 3 have the lowest Ra values, representing a good antioxidant behavior observed experimentally in DPPH radical capturing. On the other hand, derivatives 4, 9, and 10 display the best reducing capacity activity with the highest ω− and Rd values. Consequently, we propose these compounds as the best antireductants in our DDS imine derivative series.
- Published
- 2021
12. Expression Levels of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress-Related Genes in Skin Biopsies and Their Association with Pityriasis Alba
- Author
-
Jorge Rios-Jasso, Iram P. Rodriguez-Sanchez, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Andrés E Campuzano-García, Ivan Delgado-Enciso, Alma P Díaz-Alonso, Virginia Flores-Morales, Griselda A Cabral-Pacheco, and Margarita L Martinez-Fierro
- Subjects
Male ,Medicine (General) ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Biopsy ,SOD1 ,Endogeny ,Pityriasis Alba ,gene expression ,oxidative stress ,inflammatory stress ,medicine.disease_cause ,Article ,Lesion ,R5-920 ,Gene expression ,Humans ,Medicine ,Pityriasis alba ,Child ,Mexico ,Skin ,Inflammation ,Pityriasis ,integumentary system ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Etiology ,Female ,Tumor necrosis factor alpha ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Oxidative stress - Abstract
Background and objectives: Pytiriasis alba (PA) is a common skin disorder which affects 80% of children between six and 16 years. The etiology of PA is unclear, but hypo-pigmented patches in photo-exposed zones characterize the disease. Because the high ultraviolet exposition of the skin promotes an acute inflammatory response and an increase of oxidative stress (OS), this study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of inflammatory and OS-related genes in skin biopsies, and their association with PA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Skin biopsies of the lesion sites and healthy skin (controls) from 16 children with PA were evaluated. The tissue expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF&alpha, INF&gamma, IL-1&beta, SOD1, and HMOX1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR, using SYBR Green and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene as the endogenous control. Results: There were differences in the &Delta, Cq values of HMOX1, SOD1, IL-6, and IFN&gamma, between tissue with lesions and healthy skin (p <, 0.05). Compared with healthy skin, IL-6, IFN&gamma, HMOX1, and SOD1 were predominantly under-expressed in the lesion sites. However, 25% of skin biopsies with lesions showed over-expression of these four genes. Positive correlations between the expression of IL-6 and HMOX1, SOD1, and IFN&gamma, (p <, 0.05) were also observed. Conclusions: Our results suggest the presence of molecular stages of PA, defined according to the over-expression (first stage) or under-expression (second stage) of the HMOX1, SOD1, IL-6, and IFN&gamma, genes in abnormal skin tissue. These findings may have implications for the selection of treatment for PA-related lesions.
- Published
- 2020
13. Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Current Advances in Antimicrobial Therapies and Emerging Treatments
- Author
-
Virginia Flores-Morales, Pedro A Marquez-Salas, Aurelio Perez-Favila, Sergio A Cardenas-Cadena, Miguel A Cid-Baez, Jesus Manuel Ramirez-Acuña, Margarita L Martinez-Fierro, and Idalia Garza-Veloz
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Microbiology (medical) ,medicine.medical_specialty ,regenerative medicine ,030209 endocrinology & metabolism ,Review ,Biochemistry ,Microbiology ,antimicrobial therapy ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Diabetes mellitus ,medicine ,Pharmacology (medical) ,General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics ,Intensive care medicine ,business.industry ,lcsh:RM1-950 ,Antimicrobial ,medicine.disease ,Diabetic foot ,lcsh:Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,030104 developmental biology ,Infectious Diseases ,Diabetic foot ulcer ,business ,diabetic foot ulcer - Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are very important diabetes-related lesions that can lead to serious physical consequences like amputations of limbs and equally severe social, psychological, and economic outcomes. It is reported that up to 25% of patients with diabetes develop a DFU in their lifetime, and more than half of them become infected. Therefore, it is essential to manage infection and ulcer recovery to prevent negatives outcomes. The available information plays a significant role in keeping both physicians and patients aware of the emerging therapies against DFUs. The purpose of this review is to compile the currently available approaches in the managing and treatment of DFUs, including molecular and regenerative medicine, antimicrobial and energy-based therapies, and the use of plant extracts, antimicrobial peptides, growth factors, ozone, devices, and nano-medicine, to offer an overview of the assessment of this condition.
- Published
- 2019
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