{"id":1337,"date":"2023-03-06T14:43:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T18:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/?post_type=dt_team&#038;p=1337"},"modified":"2023-09-08T11:55:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T15:55:42","slug":"dr-luz-a-silva-torres","status":"publish","type":"dt_team","link":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/dt_team\/dr-luz-a-silva-torres\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Luz A. Silva Torres"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-702969d790f152864\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-702969d790f152864 uvc-8768 accent-subtitle-color\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-702969d790f152864 h2'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"desktop:30px;mobile_landscape:34px;\",\"line-height\":\"desktop:40px;mobile_landscape:44px;\"}' ><h2 style=\"font-weight:bold;color:#0a0a0a;margin-bottom:10px;\">Dra. Luz A. Silva Torres<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-702969d790f152864 .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"desktop:18px;mobile_landscape:20px;\",\"line-height\":\"desktop:34px;mobile_landscape:30px;\"}'  style=\"font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:30px;\">Assistant Professor<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;]<div class=\"ult-content-box-container \" >\t\t<div class=\"ult-content-box\" style=\"background-color:#545454;box-shadow: px px px px none;border-style:solid;border-width:5px;border-radius:5px;border-color:#545454;padding:10px;-webkit-transition: all 700ms ease;-moz-transition: all 700ms ease;-ms-transition: all 700ms ease;-o-transition: all 700ms ease;transition: all 700ms ease;\"  data-hover_box_shadow=\"none\"     data-bg=\"#545454\"  data-border_color=\"#545454\" ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1f568e6c0494a788f56855f45596b83a.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1f568e6c0494a788f56855f45596b83a.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1f568e6c0494a788f56855f45596b83a .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1f568e6c0494a788f56855f45596b83a .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-1f568e6c0494a788f56855f45596b83a alignnone  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:300px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap  layzr-bg\" style=\"\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"preload-me lazy-load aspect\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#39;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#39;%20viewBox%3D&#39;0%200%20300%20300&#39;%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/03\/luz-silva.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/03\/luz-silva.jpg 300w\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\"  data-dt-location=\"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/dt_team\/dr-luz-a-silva-torres\/luz-silva\/\" style=\"--ratio: 300 \/ 300;\" alt=\"Dra. Luz A. Silva Torres\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Contact Info<\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"uavc-list-icon uavc-list-icon-wrapper ult-adjust-bottom-margin   \"><ul class=\"uavc-list\"><li><div class=\"uavc-list-content\" id=\"list-icon-wrap-1016\">\n<div class=\"uavc-list-icon  \" data-animation=\"\" data-animation-delay=\"03\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><div class=\"ult-just-icon-wrapper  \"><div class=\"align-icon\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<div class=\"aio-icon none \"  style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:32px;display:inline-block;\">\n\t<i class=\"icomoon-the7-font-the7-mail-03\"><\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><span  data-ultimate-target='#list-icon-wrap-1016 .uavc-list-desc'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  class=\"uavc-list-desc ult-responsive\" style=\"\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"mailto:luz.silva@upr.edu\">luz.silva@upr.edu<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"uavc-list-content\" id=\"list-icon-wrap-3306\">\n<div class=\"uavc-list-icon  \" data-animation=\"\" data-animation-delay=\"03\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><div class=\"ult-just-icon-wrapper  \"><div class=\"align-icon\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<div class=\"aio-icon none \"  style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:32px;display:inline-block;\">\n\t<i class=\"icomoon-the7-font-the7-map-05\"><\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><span  data-ultimate-target='#list-icon-wrap-3306 .uavc-list-desc'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  class=\"uavc-list-desc ult-responsive\" style=\"\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">University of Puerto Rico<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medical Sciences Campus<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">P.O. Box 365067<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">San Juan, PR 00936-5067<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"uavc-list-content\" id=\"list-icon-wrap-5399\">\n<div class=\"uavc-list-icon  \" data-animation=\"\" data-animation-delay=\"03\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><div class=\"ult-just-icon-wrapper  \"><div class=\"align-icon\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<div class=\"aio-icon none \"  style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:32px;display:inline-block;\">\n\t<i class=\"icomoon-the7-font-the7-phone-071\"><\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><span  data-ultimate-target='#list-icon-wrap-5399 .uavc-list-desc'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  class=\"uavc-list-desc ult-responsive\" style=\"\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">787-758-2525 Ext. 1365<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>[vc_column_text]<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Education<\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"standard-arrow list-divider bullet-top\"><ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">B.S. en Ciencias Generales<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">B.S. in Chemistry, Universidad Interamericana<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">M.A. Public Affairs, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">PhD en Toxicolog\u00eda, UPR-Ciencias M\u00e9dicas<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Post Doctorado en Desarrollo de Drogas Anti-Cancer, Universidad Metropolitana, PR<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-615569d790f15369a\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-615569d790f15369a uvc-3891  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-615569d790f15369a h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:30px;\">RESEARCH AREAS<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-615569d790f15369a .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Drug use and Addiction<\/li>\n<li>Cytotoxicity Mechanism of Action determination<\/li>\n<li>DNA damage associated to polydrug use disorder<br \/>\nNovel Psychoactive Drugs (NPD) identification<\/li>\n<li>Toxicogenomic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-714269d790f1536ff\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-714269d790f1536ff uvc-9648  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-714269d790f1536ff h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:30px;\">RESEARCH INTEREST<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-714269d790f1536ff .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;\">The attention of my current work has focused on drug abuse, the endothelial cytotoxicity mechanisms involved polydrug users. This job is sustained with a wide experience in Forensic Toxicology as well as other areas in Forensic Science, with more than 27 years of work experience in the Institute of Forensic Sciences of Puerto Rico. In addition, I have a broad background in chemical analysis using GC\/MS, HS\/GC\/FID\/MS, NucleoCounter System, UPLC\/MS\/MS and fluorometric techniques, with specific training and expertise in molecular DNA damage and Apoptosis mechanism identification. In addition, we have work with the postmortem identification of myocardial tissue damage in addicts.<\/p>\n<p>Our thesis studies were focused on provide understandings of Xylazine use (XYL) and its speedball combination in humans, which include seized drug characterization by GC\/MS, postmortem samples analysis of xylazine\u2019s intoxication cases by UPLC\/MS\/MS and toxic effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). XYL was detected in seized drug alone and in combination with Heroin (HER).\u00a0 Syringe\u2019s content analysis, using GC\/MS, reveals users mix XYL, HER and Cocaine (COC) before administration. In addition, postmortem samples analysis showed that; XYL (as a parent drug) is widely distributed as long as HER and COC, in vitreous humor, and blood. These drug users mainly use intravenous administration, therefore endothelial cells are one of the first tissues impact upon administration. Our last study determined: the cytotoxicity effects involved in xylazine use and its speedball combination, in human endothelial cells.\u00a0 In addition, we determined cytotoxic mechanism of xylazine and its speedball combination, in human endothelial cells. These findings were achieved using the following activities: caspases 8 and 9 activation, reactive species generation (ROS and RNS), cell cycle and DNA damage. Generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), cell cycle effect, caspases 8\/9 activation and DNA fragmentation were analyzed using fluorometric assays.<\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-940469d790f153749\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-940469d790f153749 uvc-6310  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-940469d790f153749 h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:30px;\">Publications<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-940469d790f153749 .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;\"><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>V\u00e9lez C, Soto J, R\u00edos K, Silva L, Hernandez W, Rivera LA, Ortiz-Col\u00f3n AI, Cox O, Zayas B. Toxicity and Apoptosis Related Effects of Benzimidazo [3,2-\u03b1] Quinolinium Salts Upon Human Lymphoma Cells. Open Med Chem J. 2017 Jun 30\u00a0;11\u00a0:54-65. Doi\u00a0: 10.2174\/1874104501711010054. PMID\u00a0: 28761559\u00a0; PMCID\u00a0: PMC5510565.<\/li>\n<li>Silva-Torres LA, V\u00e9lez C, Zayas B (2015) Xylazine and Its Speedball Combination: Induction of Apoptosis by Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathway in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. J Subst Abuse Alcohol 3(1): 1024.<\/li>\n<li>Silva-Torres L, Vel\u00e9z C, Alvarez L, Zayas B. Xylazine as a drug of abuse and its effects on the generation of reactive species and DNA damage on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. J Toxicol. 2014;2014:492609. Doi: 10.1155\/2014\/492609. Epub 2014 Nov 11. PMID: 25435874; PMCID: PMC4243599.<\/li>\n<li>Silva-Torres LA, V\u00e9lez C, Lyvia Alvarez, Ortiz JG, Zayas B. Toxic effects of xylazine on endothelial cells in combination with cocaine and 6-monoacetylmorphine. Toxicol In Vitro. 2014 Oct; 28(7):1312-9. Doi: 10.1016\/j.tiv.2014.06.013. Epub 2014 Jul 8. PMID: 25017475; PMCID: PMC4181877.<\/li>\n<li>Ruiz-Col\u00f3n K, Mart\u00ednez MA, Silva-Torres LA, Chavez-Arias C, Mel\u00e9ndez-Negr\u00f3n M, Conte-Miller MS, Bloom-Oquendo J. Simultaneous determination of xylazine, free morphine, codeine, 6-acetylmorphine, cocaine and benzoylecgonine in postmortem blood by UPLC-MS-MS. J Anal Toxicol. 2012 Jun; 36(5):319-26. Doi: 10.1093\/jat\/bks024. PMID: 22582266.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Other Not Scientific Publications :<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Silva-Torres LA, et al. A Comparison of the most Common Drugs Detected in Urine Drug Testing Samples in Different Populations in Puerto Rico. El Crisol, June 2008, Colegio de Qu\u00edmicos de Puerto Rico.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-589869d790f1537b1\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-589869d790f1537b1 uvc-7676  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-589869d790f1537b1 h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:30px;\">EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-589869d790f1537b1 .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;\"><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\u00a02014: Digital Newspaper Article, Aumentan las muertes por la \u201canestesia de caballo\u201d, Dialogo, august 18, 2014. http:\/\/www.dialogodigital.com\/index.php\/ Aumentan-las-muertes-por-la-anestesia-de-caballo.html#.U_JsSSgkOa<\/li>\n<li>\u00a02014: Digital News Paper Article, Drogas cortadas con xilazina siguen causando muertes, El Nuevo Peri\u00f3dico Directo de Caguas, august 20, 2014.<\/li>\n<li>2014: Newspaper article, Adulterante Fatal, El Nuevo D\u00eda, Sept. 5, 2014, Science section, pag. 59. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.elperiodicopr.com\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=4408:drogas-cortadas-con-xilazina-siguen-causando muertes&amp;catid=69:noticias&amp;Itemid=124\">http:\/\/www.elperiodicopr.com\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=4408:drogas-cortadas-con-xilazina-siguen-causando muertes&amp;catid=69:noticias&amp;Itemid=124<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","dt_team_category":[34],"class_list":["post-1337","dt_team","type-dt_team","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","dt_team_category-faculty","dt_team_category-34","description-off"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_team\/1337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_team"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/dt_team"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dt_team_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/md.rcm.upr.edu\/pharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_team_category?post=1337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}