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.

The Bio-Culture of Parenting: Evidence From Five Cultural Communities

Abstract: Objective. This study analyzes culturally formed parenting styles during infancy, as related to the sociocultural orientations of independence and interdependence. Design. Free-play situations between mothers and 3-month-old infants were videotaped in 5 cultural communities that differ according to their sociocultural orientations: cultural communities in West Africa (N = 26), Gujarat in India (N = 39), Costa Rica (N = 21), Greece (N = 51), and Germany (N = 56). The videotapes were analyzed using coding systems that operationalize the component model of parenting with a focus on 4 parenting systems, including body contact, body stimulation, object stimulation, and face-to-face contact. Results. 2 styles of parenting (distal and proximal) can be related to the sociocultural orientations of independence and interdependence. It is apparent that they express parenting priorities in particular ecocultural environments. Conclusions. Infants participate, from birth on, in sociocultural activities that are commit...

High 18:2 Trans-Fatty Acids in Adipose Tissue Are Associated with Increased Risk of Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction in Costa Rican Adults

Abstract: Trans-fatty acid intake is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), but the atherogenic potential of individual trans-fatty acids (FA) from partially hydrogenated oils (18:1 and 18:2) or meat and dairy products (16:1 and 18:1) is unclear. Incident cases (n = 482) of a first nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) were matched with population controls (n = 482) for age, gender and area of residence, all living in Costa Rica. Trans-FA in adipose tissue samples were assessed by gas chromatography. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated from conditional logistic regression models. Total adipose tissue trans-fat was positively associated with risk of MI. After adjusting for established risk factors and other confounders, the OR by quintiles of total trans-fat were 1.00, 1.34, 2.05, 2.22 and 2.94 (P-test for trend < 0.01). This association was attributed mainly to 18:2 trans-FA that were abundant in both adipose tissue and in partially hydrogenated soybean oil, margarines and baked products used by this population; OR = 1.00, 0.96, 2.09, 3.51 and 5.05 (P-test for trend < 0.001). Adipose tissue 16:1 trans-FA were also associated with MI; OR = 1.00, 1.57, 1.39, 1.34 and 2.58 (P-test for trend < 0.05). An association with 18:1 trans-FA was not detected. High 18:2 trans-FA in adipose tissue are associated with increased risk of MI. Because the use of hydrogenated oils is increasing worldwide, consumers should be aware of the harmful effects of products containing partially hydrogenated oils.

Carotenoids are more bioavailable from papaya than from tomato and carrot in humans: a randomised cross-over study

Abstract: Carrot, tomato and papaya represent important dietary sources of β-carotene and lycopene. The main objective of the present study was to compare the bioavailability of carotenoids from these food sources in healthy human subjects. A total of sixteen participants were recruited for a randomised cross-over study. Test meals containing raw carrots, tomatoes and papayas were adjusted to deliver an equal amount of β-carotene and lycopene. For the evaluation of bioavailability, TAG-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions containing newly absorbed carotenoids were analysed over 9.5 h after test meal consumption. The bioavailability of β-carotene from papayas was approximately three times higher than that from carrots and tomatoes, whereas differences in the bioavailability of β-carotene from carrots and tomatoes were insignificant. Retinyl esters appeared in the TRL fractions at a significantly higher concentration after the consumption of the papaya test meal. Similarly, lycopene was approximately 2.6 times more bioavailable from papayas than from tomatoes. Furthermore, the bioavailability of β-cryptoxanthin from papayas was shown to be 2.9 and 2.3 times higher than that of the other papaya carotenoids β-carotene and lycopene, respectively. The morphology of chromoplasts and the physical deposition form of carotenoids were hypothesised to play a major role in the differences observed in the bioavailability of carotenoids from the foods investigated. Particularly, the liquid-crystalline deposition of β-carotene and the storage of lycopene in very small crystalloids in papayas were found to be associated with their high bioavailability. In conclusion, papaya was shown to provide highly bioavailable β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene and may represent a readily available dietary source of provitamin A for reducing the incidence of vitamin A deficiencies in many subtropical and tropical developing countries.

Blister formation and skin damage induced by BaP1, a haemorrhagic metalloproteinase from the venom of the snake Bothrops asper

Abstract: Blister formation and skin damage can be induced by BaP1, a haemorrhagic metalloproteinase from the venom of the snake Bothrops asper. Pathological changes in the skin were investigated after intramuscular injections of Bothrops asper haemorrhagic metalloproteinase BaP1. Blisters developed within the first hour, with separation of epidermis from the dermal-epidermal junction, whereas acantholysis of epithelial cells was not observed. After the third hour there was ulceration with formation of a proteinaceous scab and inflammatory infiltrate. By 7 to 14 days there was evidence of a regenerative process in dermis and epidermis. Haemorrhage occurred in both dermis and hypodermis as a consequence of BaP1 injection, together with damage of sebaceous glands and an inflammatory reaction in which enlarged macrophages were the predominant cell type. Zymography assays showed the presence of several endogenous metalloproteinases in the exudate, skin homogenates and plasma. In addition, BaP1 was detected in exudates and plasma by immunoblotting. This technique also demonstrated the presence of components immunologically related to laminin and collagen type IV in exudates. It is suggested that BaP1, and probably endogenous matrix metalloproteinases, degrade some protein components at the dermal-epidermal junction, inducing the formation of blisters.