High Levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 in Cerebrospinal Fluid of COVID-19 Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease

Guartazaca-Guerrero Sebastián,Rodríguez-Morales Jahir,Rizo-Téllez Salma A.,Solleiro-Villavicencio Helena,Hernández-Valencia Aldo F.,Carrillo-Ruiz José Damián,Escobedo Galileo,Méndez-García Lucía A. 한국뇌신경과학회 2021 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.30 No.3

The coronavirus family has tropism for the Central Nervous System (CNS), however, there is no solid evidence demonstrating that the neurological effects of COVID-19 result from direct viral infection or systemic inflammation. The goals of this study were to examine the cytokine profile and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from two patients with cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19. Although the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA was not detected in CSF of both patients, we found abnormally high levels of numerous proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, especially IL-8 and MCP-1. Since these chemokines mediate activation and recruitment of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, it is feasible that cerebrovascular disease related-neuroinflammation found in both patients results from an exacerbated inflammatory response instead of SARS-CoV-2 direct invasion to CNS. These results suggest that neuroinflammation plays a key role in cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19.

Mycorrhizal Synthesis of Périgord Black Truffle ( Tuber melanosporum ) with Mexican Oak Spec

Guevara-Guerrero Gonzalo,Pacioni Giovanni,Leonardi Marco,Ocañas Fortunato Garza,Rigoberto Gaitán Hernández 한국미생물·생명공학회 2022 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.50 No.1

The Périgord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is an edible fungus and among the most expensive foods worldwide. It is the basis of a multimillion-dollar bio-business. Truffle farming does not exist in Mexico, and no formal studies have been conducted on its culture. This report describes the mycorrhizal synthesis (i.e., artificial union of fungus with host) of T. melanosporum with oak species native to Mexico (Quercus polymorpha, Q. fusiformis, and Q. canbyi). The mycorrhizal association was successful in Q. polymorpha and Q. fusiformis, as confirmed morphologically and using T. melanosporum molecular primers (ITSML/ ITS4LNG). The effect of the ectomycorrhizal fungus on host growth (stem diameter) was statistically significant. Illustrations of the study are presented.

A general exergy-based environmental impact index

Sósimo E. Díaz-Méndez,José María Rodríguez-Lelis,Abel Hernández-Guerrero 대한기계학회 2011 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.25 No.8

An ecosystem is a complex system in which biotic and abiotic factors interact and influence each other both directly and indirectly. Each of these factors has to comply with a specific function in the different processes that occur inside the ecosystem, whether transporting or transforming energy or both. When anthropogenic emissions are produced, part of the useful energy of the ecosystem is used to assimilate or absorb those emissions, and the energy spent, loses its function and becomes lost work in accordance with the Gouy-Stodola theorem. Thus, the work that an ecosystem can carry out varies as a function of the lost work produced by anthropogenic sources. The permanency or loss of the ecosystem depends on how many irreversibilities it can support. The second law of thermodynamics through a systematic use of the exergy and lost work is the basis of this paper where a general environmental impact index, based on exergy, is proposed. For the purpose of this work, the ecosystem is divided in subsystems--water, soil, atmosphere, organisms and society--all of them inter-related. The ideal work variation can be obtained from each subsystem within the selected ecosystem, and a global index can be determined by adding the partial lost work of each subsystem. This global index is then used to determine the trend followed by the ecosystem from its pristine, original or environmental line base state. This environmental impact index applicability is presented for a simple combustion example.

Blood-brain Barrier Damage is Pivotal for SARS-CoV-2 Infection to the Central Nervous System

Rodríguez-Morales Jahir,Guartazaca-Guerrero Sebastián,Rizo-Téllez Salma A.,Viurcos-Sanabria Rebeca,Barrón Eira Valeria,Hernández-Valencia Aldo F.,Nava Porfirio,Escobedo Galileo,Carrillo-Ruiz José Dami 한국뇌신경과학회 2022 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.31 No.4

Transsynaptic transport is the most accepted proposal to explain the SARS-CoV-2 infection of the CNS. Nevertheless, emerging evidence shows that neurons do not express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2, which highlights the importance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in preventing virus entry to the brain. In this study, we examine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and the cytokine profile in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from two patients with a brain tumor and COVID-19. To determine the BBB damage, we evaluate the Q- albumin index, which is an indirect parameter to assess the permeability of this structure. The Q-albumin index of the patient with an intraventricular brain tumor suggests that the BBB is undamaged, preventing the passage of SARS-CoV-2 and pro-inflammatory molecules. The development of brain tumors that disrupt the BBB (measured by the Q-albumin index), in this case, a petroclival meningioma (Case 1), allows the free passage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and probably lets the free transit of pro-inflammatory molecules to the CNS, which leads to a possible activation of the microglia (astrogliosis) and an exacerbated immune response represented by IL-13, IFN-γ, and IL-2 trying to inhibit both the infection and the carcinogenic process.

A New Observer Design for Systems in Presence of Time-varying Delayed Output Measurements

Boubekeur Targui,Omar Hernández-González,Carlos-Manuel Astorga-Zaragoza,Gerardo-Vicente Guerrero-Ramírez,María-Eusebia Guerrero-Sánchez 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.1

This paper presents a state observer for linear systems and Lipschitz nonlinear systems with delayedoutput measurements, which are affected by a known and bounded time-varying delay. The structure of the proposedobserver is based on a proportional-integral term, which allows to compensate the time-varying delay. The observergain depends on the maximum bounded delay. This gain is computed by a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) approach. The observer exhibits good performance for state estimation of the system despite the presence of significantly longdelay. A Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is used to prove the asymptotical convergence to zero of the observationerror. This observer is applied to the case of systems with time-varying delay whose dynamic is described by apiecewise differentiable function. Examples and numerical simulations are provided in order to support the validityof the main results.

Production and characterization of Al2O3-Cu composite materials

Enrique Rocha-Rangel,José G. Miranda-Hernández,Socorro Moreno-Guerrero,Ana B. Soto-Guzmán 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2006 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.7 No.4

Using an intense powder mixture of Al2O3 with different copper contents (1, 5, 10, 20 or 30 mass %) several Al2O3-Cu composite materials were fabricated. The microstructure of the composites was observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The observations show a microstructure formed by an Al2O3 ceramic matrix with fine Cu metallic networks. Due to the liquid sintering mechanism, the relative density reached by the samples was higher than 95%, this together with the fine and homogeneous microstructure present in the samples let us obtain composite materials with good values of toughness, hardness, elastic modulus and electrical properties. The incorporation of a ductile metal inside a hard ceramic matrix increments its toughness. The probable toughening mechanism is crack bridging due to the presence of a homogeneous ductile metal networks in the material’s microstructure. The values of density, hardness, elastic modulus and electrical resistance of the composites are directly dependent on the copper content in the matrix, because with an increase in copper content the density of the composites is larger, whereas, the hardness, elastic modulus and electrical resistance are reduced. Using an intense powder mixture of Al2O3 with different copper contents (1, 5, 10, 20 or 30 mass %) several Al2O3-Cu composite materials were fabricated. The microstructure of the composites was observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The observations show a microstructure formed by an Al2O3 ceramic matrix with fine Cu metallic networks. Due to the liquid sintering mechanism, the relative density reached by the samples was higher than 95%, this together with the fine and homogeneous microstructure present in the samples let us obtain composite materials with good values of toughness, hardness, elastic modulus and electrical properties. The incorporation of a ductile metal inside a hard ceramic matrix increments its toughness. The probable toughening mechanism is crack bridging due to the presence of a homogeneous ductile metal networks in the material’s microstructure. The values of density, hardness, elastic modulus and electrical resistance of the composites are directly dependent on the copper content in the matrix, because with an increase in copper content the density of the composites is larger, whereas, the hardness, elastic modulus and electrical resistance are reduced.

Unilateral approach for bilateral clipping of posterior communicating artery aneurysms in a hybrid operating room: A technical note

Juan Luis Gómez-Amador,Pablo David Guerrero-Suárez,Jaime Jesús Martínez-Anda,Jorge Fernando Aragón-Arreola,Andrea Castillo-Matus,Ricardo Marian-Magaña,Marcos V Sangrador-Deitos,Alan Hernández-Hernánde 대한뇌혈관외과학회 2023 Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neuros Vol.25 No.4

Bilateral posterior communicating (pComm) artery aneurysms represent only 2% of mirror intracranial aneurysms. Usually, these are surgically approached through bilateral craniotomies for clipping. We present the case of a 50-year-old female presenting with headache and horizontal diplopia. Neurological examination revealed a left oculomotor palsy, with no other neurological deficits. Imaging studies revealed bilateral aneurysmatic lesions in both internal carotid arteries (ICA). A conventional left pterional approach was planned in order to treat the symptomatic aneurysm, and, if deemed feasible, a contralateral clipping through the same approach. The procedure was performed in a hybrid operating room (HOR), performing an intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and roadmapping assistance during dissection and clipping. Transoperatively, a post-fixed optic chiasm was identified, with a wide interoptic space, which allowed us to perform the contralateral clipping through a unilateral approach. This technique for clipping bilateral pComm aneurysms can be performed when the proper anatomical features are met.

Antivirulence Activity of a Dietary Phytochemical: Hibiscus Acid Isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Reduces the Virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Mouse Infection Model

Humberto Cortes-López,Javier Castro-Rosas,Rodolfo García-Contreras,José Salud Rodríguez-Zavala,Bertha González-Pedrajo,Miguel Díaz-Guerrero,Javier Hernández-Morales,Naybi Muñoz-Cazares,Marcos Soto-Her 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.9

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs) calyxes, rich in organic acids, are included in diets in different countries. In recent years, some phytochemicals have been shown to reduce bacterial virulence at sublethal concentrations by interfering with quorum sensing (QS) systems. Therefore, in this study the antivirulence properties of Hs calyxes and two γ-lactones (hibiscus acid [HA] and its methyl ester) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa were analyzed. Acetone and methanol extracts of Hs showed anti-QS activity by inhibiting violacein production (60% to 80% with 250 μg/mL). In molecular docking analysis, the γ-lactones registered a good binding score, which suggests strong interaction with the active site of LasR protein. To verify their effect in vitro, they were isolated from Hs and evaluated in six QS-regulated phenotypes, as well as in ExoU toxin that is released by the type III secretion system (T3SS). At 500 μg/mL they reduced alkaline protease (29–52%) and elastase (15–37%) activity, biofilm formation (∼75%), and swarming (50%), but there was no effect on pyocyanin production, hemolytic activity, or type III secretion. In a mouse abscess/necrosis model, HA at sublethal concentrations (15 and 31.2 μg/mL) affected infection establishment and prevented damage and systemic spread. In conclusion, HA is the first molecule identified with antivirulence properties in Hs with the potential to prevent infections caused by P. aeruginosa.