The Gene Pax4 Is an Essential Regulator of Pancreatic β-Cell Development

Beatriz Sosa-Pineda 한국분자세포생물학회 2004 Molecules and cells Vol.18 No.3

The Pax-gene family encodes a group of transcription factors characterized by the presence of a highly conserved DNA-binding motif, the paired domain. Pax proteins are key regulators of vertebrate organogenesis since they play major roles in embryonic pattern formation, cell proliferation and cell differentiation (Chi and Epstein, 2002; Dahl et al., 1997; Dohrman et al., 2000; Epstein et al., 1994). Indeed, mutations in Pax genes lead to profound defects in organisms as diverse as flies, mice and humans (Chi and Epstein, 2002; Dahl et al., 1997). To date, nine mammalian Pax genes are known and these are grouped into five different subclasses according to their structural similarities. One of these subclasses comprises two close homologues, Pax4 and Pax6, that contain a second DNA-binding domain: the homeodomain (Dahl et al., 1997; Dohrman et al., 2000). Previous studies showed that Pax4 is a crucial regulator of mammalian pancreas development since lack of its activity prevents the formation of mature pancreatic insulin-producing (beta) cells (Dohrman et al., 2000; Sosa-Pineda et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2004). Presently, it is not yet clear how Pax4 is specifically required for the development of beta cells. Nonetheless, evidence gathered from recent studies has begun to unravel important aspects of the molecular function of Pax4 in pancreatic endocrine cells. Here, I will try to summarize the results of different efforts aimed at understanding how Pax4 is required for both, beta cell development and beta cell function.

Leukocyte-Stimulating Effect and Phytochemical Screening of Trichilia hirta Extracts Edgar Hernandez Sosa, Yulianis Martín Castejón, Alexander Batista Duharte, Deivys

Edgar Hernandez Sosa,Yulianis Martín Castejón,Alexander Batista Duharte,Deivys Portuondo,Vivian Tamayo,Humberto J. Morris Quevedo,Clara Esther Martínez Manrique 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

Trichilia hirta (Family Meliaceae) is a tree traditionally used in the folk medicine of Cuba to treat asthma, cancer, and ulcers. The objective of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition of ethanol extracts obtained from leaves, roots, and stem bark and to evaluate the leukocyte-stimulating effect of T. hirta root extracts on BALB/c mice. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined by phytochemical screening. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins were detected in extracts of T. hirta. The leukocyte-stimulating effect was evaluated by oral application of ethanol extracts (81.8 and 976 mg/kg) in BALB/c mice for 7 days. The application of 976 mg of extract/kg increased the total leukocyte count up to 15–33%; this effect was significant for neutrophil counts compared with control animals (P<.05). In addition, a dose of 82 mg/kg significantly increased total leukocytes at day 4 of the study (P<.05). The results indicated that T. hirta extracts contain phytochemicals reported as immunostimulants. The administration of these extracts to BALB/c mice indicated that ethanol extract could exhibit leukocyte-stimulating properties and makes it a promising alternative for the development of an immunoprotective agent.

Beyond “decorative” 2D supramolecular self-assembly: strategies towards functional surfaces for nanotechnology

Sosa-Vargas, Lydia,Kim, Eunkyoung,Attias, André,-Jean The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 Materials horizons Vol.4 No.4

<▼1><P>Designing new molecular building blocks for functional supramolecular self-assembly at surfaces.</P></▼1><▼2><P>2D supramolecular self-assembly has emerged as a powerful tool in nanoscience for bottom-up fabrication of well-defined and long-range ordered two-dimensional (2D) molecular nanostructures at surfaces. Following an overview of the principles of this distinctive self-assembly process, this review focuses on recent strategies developed to go beyond surface nanopatterning and to provide functional surfaces. With an emphasis on the chemical engineering of the molecular building blocks constituting the adlayer, we show that besides supported nanoporous networks, a more promising approach lies in the upstanding 3D functional building blocks mounted on the substrate. We highlight the opportunities offered by graphene, a substrate for which non-covalent functionalization by supramolecular self-assembly represents a way to either control its electronic properties or provide a new functionality. Finally, future perspectives are addressed.</P></▼2>

Background of Peruvian gastronomy and its perspectives: an assessment of its current growth

Aguirre-Sosa Joaquín,Dextre Maria Luisa,Lozada-Urbano Michellle,Vargas-Merino Jorge Alberto 한국식품연구원 2023 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.10 No.50

Peruvian gastronomy is continuously expanding throughout the world, captivating various regions and major cities with its flavors, textures, colors, and culinary excellence. The objective of this research is to describe the background of Peruvian gastronomy and its perspectives, in order to assess its current growth. A bibliographic and exploratory analysis was conducted, delving into its significance throughout history. The culinary background was delineated from the Pre-Inca, Inca, Colonial, Republican eras, up to the present day. Additionally, the perspectives from the government, private sector, and citizens were explored to evaluate the current status achieved worldwide. Given the importance of the current position held by Peruvian gastronomy, this study holds international relevance in assessing our legacy and paying tribute to the individuals from the past, present, and future whose strategic work enables the expansion of the Peruvian gastronomy. It is concluded that Peruvians must continue striving for continuous improvement in the key links of our gastronomy’s production chain.

The precision-complexity binomial to achieve the best mathematicalthermodynamic modelling on the Gibbs-function and its effect on the separation processes design

Adriel Sosa,Juan Ortega,Luís Fernández,Beatriz Lorenzo 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.108 No.-

A modelling methodology based on the precision-complexity binomial has been applied to a parametricmodel established for the Gibbs function, in order to achieve the best parameterization. This methodologyis integrated into a multi-objective optimization method to describe, as accurately as possible, thereal behaviour of a set of binary solutions of butyl butanoate-alkanes, for which several of their propertieshave been experimentally determined. The optimization is addressed with a genetic algorithm withelitism-control that favours the convergence, providing well distributed results along the efficientfronts. A database of, approximately 1500 values, was generated, which used to check the numerical procedure. The representation of different properties is acceptably described with the multiproperty modelconstituted by the gE-model and its successive derivatives. In relation to other models, the approach carriedout significantly improves the results because, in addition, it includes an estimation of the volumetriceffects. A practical application was carried out with the simulation of a separation process for one ofthe systems that present a complex behaviour, providing solutions for its implementation in an industrialscale.

Activated Carbon: A Review of Residual Precursors, Synthesis Processes, Characterization Techniques, and Applications in the Improvement of Biogas

José Aurelio Sosa,José Ramón Laines,David Salvador García,Rafael Hernández,Mark Zappi,Alejandra E. Espinosa de los Monteros 대한환경공학회 2023 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.28 No.3

The energy growing demand and the international environmental policies contribute to the use of renewable energy sources. Among these sources, biogas has acquired great relevance due to its energetic similarity to fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas (NG). However, biogas needs to be upgraded by removing CO2 and trace gases to obtain biomethane (>85% CH4). This review identifies and classifies seven techniques used in biogas upgrading, reported in academic and scientific publications. A 13-year review period (2008–2021) was considered. Lineal regression was used to analyze the publications number per year. Membranes use represents the largest proportion of publications (33%), while activated carbon (AC) reaches only 22%. However, the use and application of AC obtained the best trend as a publication topic, with a maximum value of R2 = 0.7882. This review documents publish works on obtaining and applying AC in biogas enrichment processes. It includes a review of the characteristics and generation rates of various residual lignocellulosic materials used in the synthesis of AC, the synthesis processes, the characterization techniques, and the final adsorption capacities.

Tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in questing ticks, removed from humans and animals in Mexico

Carolina G. Sosa-Gutierrez,Margarita Vargas-Sandoval,Javier Torres,Guadalupe Gordillo-Pérez 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.3

Tick-borne rickettsial diseases (TBRD) are commonly encountered in medical and veterinary clinical settings. The control of these diseases is difficult, requiring disruption of a complex transmission chain involving a vertebrate host and ticks. The geographical distribution of the diseases is related to distribution of the vector, which is an indicator of risk for the population. A total of 1,107 ticks were collected by tick dragging from forests, ecotourism parks and hosts at 101 sites in 22 of the 32 states of Mexico. Collected ticks were placed in 1.5 mL cryovials containing 70% ethanol and were identified to species. Ticks were pooled according to location/host of collection, date of collection, sex, and stage of development. A total of 51 ticks were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm species identification using morphological methods. A total of 477 pools of ticks were assayed using PCR techniques for selected tick-borne pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was the most commonly detected pathogen (45 pools), followed by, Ehrlichia (E.) canis (42), Rickettsia (R.) rickettsii (11), E. chaffeensis (8), and R. amblyommii (1). Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the tick most frequently positive for selected pathogens. Overall, our results indicate that potential tick vectors positive for rickettsial pathogens are distributed throughout the area surveyed in Mexico.

Effects of Interferon Beta in COVID-19 adult patients: Systematic Review

Juan Pablo Sosa,Maria Mercedes Ferreira Caceres,Jennifer Ross Comptis,Jorge Quiros,Fortunato S Príncipe-Meneses,Riva-Moscoso Adrian,Marie-Pierre Belizaire,Freda Q. Malanyaon,Kuchalambal Agadi,Syeda Sh 대한감염학회 2021 Infection and Chemotherapy Vol.53 No.2

Background: The high rate of transmission and infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of major epidemiological concern. No definitive treatments have been established, and vaccinations have only recently begun. We aim to review the efficacy and safety of Interferon Beta (IFN-β) in patients who have a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A search from PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials. gov databases were conducted from December 2019 to December 2020 to review the efficacy and safety of IFN-β in adult patients with COVID-19 confirmed. We included randomized controlled trials, case reports, and experimental studies. Correspondences, letters, editorials, reviews, commentaries, case control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies that did not include any new clinical data were excluded. Results: Of the 66 searched studies, 8 were included in our review. These studies demonstrated that although IFN-β did not reduce the time to clinical response, there was an increase in discharge rate at day 14 and a decrease in mortality at day 28. The time to negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was shown to be significantly shortened in patients receiving IFN-β, along with a lower nasopharyngeal viral load.Further, patients receiving IFN-β had a less significant rise in IL-6. IFN-β was shown to decrease intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, the requirement of invasive ventilation in severe cases, and improve the survival rate compared to control groups. There were no severe adverse events reported.Our review found that patients who received early treatment with IFN-β experienced significantly reduced length of hospitalization, mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation. A greater chance of clinical improvement and improved imaging studies was noted in patients who received IFN-β. There were no reported deaths associated with the addition of IFN-β. Further randomized trials involving more significant sample sizes are needed to better understand the effect of IFN-β on survival in COVID-19. Conclusion: This review identified encouraging data and outcomes of incorporating IFN-β to treat COVID-19 patients. IFN-β has been shown to decrease hospital stay's overall length and decrease the severity of respiratory symptoms when added to the standard of care. Also, in some studies, it has been demonstrated to reduce the length of ICU stay, enhance survival rate, and decrease the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. There were minor side effects reported (neuropsychiatric symptoms and hypersensitivity reaction). However, randomized clinical trials with a large sample size are needed to assess IFN-β's benefit precisely.

Surgical Management of a Type II Extracranial Internal Carotid Aneurysm near to the Skull Base

Miguel A. Mendez-Sosa,Emmanuel Contreras-Jimenez,Javier E. Anaya-Ayala,Montserrat W. Miranda-Ramirez,Gabriel Lopez-Pena,Luis H. Arzola,Santiago Mier y Teran-Ellis,Hugo Laparra-Escareno,Carlos A. Hinoj 대한혈관외과학회 2021 Vascular Specialist International Vol.37 No.3

True aneurysmal disease in the carotid arteries is very uncommon, but individuals with this pathology face the grave risk of thromboembolism, which may consequently lead to cerebrovascular accidents. Clinical knowledge remains relatively limited owing to its rarity. We present the case of a 41-year-old obese female with a type II right extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm incidentally found during imaging work-up. She underwent open surgical reconstruction with an autologous interposition graft from the common carotid artery to the internal carotid artery at the base level of the skull. Her postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day five with aspirin. At 12 months of follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free without complications.

철학적 회의주의와 외부주의 인식론

E. 소사(Ernst Sosa),선우환(번역) 서울대학교 철학사상연구소 1992 철학사상 Vol.2 No.-