University of Costa Rica

About: University of Costa Rica is a education organization based out in San José, Costa Rica. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Venom. The organization has 9817 authors who have published 16781 publications receiving 238208 citations. The organization is also known as: UCR & Universidad de Costa Rica.

Wound exudate as a proteomic window to reveal different mechanisms of tissue damage by snake venom toxins.

Abstract: In light of the complexity of wound tissue, proteomic analysis may not clearly reveal the nature of the wound or the processes involved in healing However, exudate associated with wounds may provide a "window" on cellular events leading to the development of the wound and/or its healing In this investigation we performed proteomic analysis on wound exudates from muscular wounds in mice caused by two very different types of snake venom toxins: BaP1, a snake venom metalloproteinase and Mtx-I, a snake venom phospholipase A2 Proteomic analysis of the exudates associated with these wounds clearly differentiated them and offered new perspectives on functional mechanisms by which these toxins cause tissue damage In the case of wounds caused by the metalloproteinase, there was evidence of degradation of nonfibrillar collagens whereas the phospholipase wound exudate was noted by the presence of fibrillar collagen type I, apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV, and E, and fibronectin These results suggest that the hemorrhage caused by snake venom metalloproteinases may be associated with the degradation of specific extracellular matrix proteins which play a role in matrix/capillary stabilization and that release of apolipoproteins from their complexes may be involved with the dysfunctional hemostasis observed following snake envenoming

Cytoarchitecture of the frontal lobe of the squirrel monkey.

Abstract: Six Saimiri sciurea brains were studied. Coronal, horizontal, and sagittal sections were stained with cresyl violet. The frontal lobe map shows, anterior to the cental sulcus, a triangular area 4, agranularis giganto-pyramidalis (FA). Anterior to area 4 is area 6, frontalis agranularis (FB), which differs from area 4 by the absence of Betz cells. Rostral to area 6 is area 8, frontalis intermedia (FC), a narrow, thick band of cortex, with a faint layer IV. Anterior to area 8 the cortex becomes thinner and more granular, its cells are smaller and this region is subdivided into area 9, frontalis granularis (FD), and area 10, fronto-polaris (FE). Area 44 (FCBm) is on the inferior frontal gyrus, this cortex is granular limb of the arcuate sulcus is thin and granular, contains very large pyramidal cells in layers V and III: area 8a (FDT). The orbital cortex posteriorly shows an evident loss of layer IV; area 11 (FF). Area 50 is a narrow band of koniocortex in the inner wall of the fronto-parietal operculum. On the gyrus rectus the cortex develops allocortical characteristics with a heavy layer V, area 12 (FG). The characteristics of limbic cortex (mesocortex) are present on the cingulate gyrus, area 24 (LA). Area 25 is found in the subcallosal region.

Thrombocytopenia and platelet hypoaggregation induced by Bothrops asper snake venom Toxins involved and their contribution to metalloproteinase-induced pulmonary hemorrhage

Abstract: Thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction occur in patients bitten by Bothrops sp snakes in Latin America. An experimental model was developed in mice to study the effects of B. asper venom in platelet numbers and function. Intravenous administration of this venom induces rapid and prominent thrombocytopenia and ex vivo platelet hypoaggregation. The drop in platelet numbers was primarily due to aspercetin, a protein of the C-type lectin family which induces von Willebrand factor-mediated platelet aggregation/agglutination. In addition, the effect of class P-III hemorrhagic metalloproteinases on the microvessel wall also contributes to thrombocytopenia since jararhagin, a P-III metalloproteinase, reduced platelet counts. Hypoaggregation was associated with the action of procoagulant and defibrin(ogen)ating proteinases jararacussin-I (a thrombin-like serine proteinase) and basparin A (a prothrombin activating metalloproteinase). At the doses which induced hypoaggregation, these enzymes caused defibrin(ogen)ation, increments in fibrin(ogen) degradation products and D-dimer and prolongation of the bleeding time. Incubation of B. asper venom with batimastat and alpha2-macroglobulin abrogated the hypoaggregating activity, confirming the role of venom proteinases in this effect. Neither aspercetin nor the defibrin(ogen)ating and hypoaggregating components induced hemorrhage upon intravenous injection. However, aspercetin, but not the thrombin-like or the prothrombin-activating proteinases, potentiated the hemorrhagic activity of two hemorrhagic metalloproteinases in the lungs.

Estudio multicentrico hispano-latinoamericano de actitud hacia la donacion de organos entre profesionales de centros sanitarios hospitalarios

Abstract: Resumen Introduccion Los profesionales hospitalarios son un colectivo generador de opinion para el resto de la poblacion en temas sanitarios. La actitud no favorable de dicho grupo es un obstaculo hacia el incremento de las tasas de donacion de organos propios de cadaver. Objetivo Analizar la actitud de los profesionales hospitalarios hacia la donacion de los organos propios en centros sanitarios espanoles y latinoamericanos y determinar los factores que condicionan dicha actitud. Material y metodo Del «Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante» se seleccionaron 11 centros hospitalarios, 3 de Espana, 5 de Mexico, 2 de Cuba y uno de Costa Rica. Muestra aleatorizada y estratificada por tipo de servicio y categoria laboral. La actitud hacia la donacion y el trasplante se valoro mediante una encuesta validada. El cuestionario fue anonimo y autoadministrado. Estadistica: tests de la t de Student, de la χ2 y analisis de regresion logistica. Resultados De los 2.785 profesionales encuestados, 822 son de Espana, 1.595 de Mexico, 202 de Cuba y 166 de Costa Rica. El 79% (n = 2.191) esta a favor de la donacion de organos de cadaver. Por pais, estan a favor el 94% (n = 189) de los cubanos, el 82% (n = 1.313) de los mexicanos, el 73% (n = 121) de los costarricenses y el 69% (n = 568) de los espanoles (p En el analisis multivariante, las variables con mas peso especifico son: 1) pais, siendo mas favorable en Cuba (odds ratio= 8,196; p Conclusiones La actitud hacia la donacion entre el personal hospitalario de centros sanitarios espanoles y latinoamericanos es favorable, aunque un 21% no esta a favor de donar. Dicha actitud es mas favorable entre los profesionales latinoamericanos, y esta muy condicionada por factores laborales y psicosociales.