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Phylovenomics of Daboia russelii across the Indian subcontinent. Bioactivities and comparative in vivo neutralization and in vitro third-generation antivenomics of antivenoms against venoms from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
(2019-09-15) Pla Ferrer, Davinia; Sanz, Libia; Quesada Bernat, Sarai; Villalta Arrieta, Mauren; Baal, Joshua; Wahed Chowdhuryd, Mohammad Abdul; León Montero, Guillermo; Gutiérrez, José María; Kuch, Ulrich; Calvete Chornet,, Juan
Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) is, together with Naja naja, Bungarus caeruleus and Echis carinatus, a member of the medically important ‘Big Four’ species responsible for causing a large number of morbidity and mortality cases across the Indian subcontinent. Despite the wide distribution of Russell's viper and the well-documented ubiquity of the phenomenon of geographic variability of intraspecific snake venom composition, Indian polyvalent antivenoms against the “Big Four” venoms are raised against venoms sourced mainly from Chennai in the southeastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Biochemical and venomics investigations have consistently revealed notable compositional, functional, and immunological differences among geographic variants of Russell's viper venoms across the Indian subcontinent. However, these studies, carried out by different laboratories using different protocols and involving venoms from a single geographical region, make the comparison of the different venoms difficult. To bridge this gap, we have conducted bioactivities and proteomic analyses of D. russelii venoms from the three corners of the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Tamil Nandu (India) and Sri Lanka, along with comparative in vivo neutralization and in vitro third-generation antivenomics of antivenoms used in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These analyses let us to propose two alternative routes of radiation for Russell's viper in the Indian subcontinent. Both radiations, towards the northeast of India and Bangladesh and towards south India and Sri Lanka, have a common origin in Pakistan, and provide a phylovenomics ground for rationalizing the geographic variability in venom composition and their distinct immunoreactivity against available antivenoms.
Challenges and Key Factors of Breastfeeding in Costa Rica Listening to Mothers’ Voices: A Phenomenological Analysis
(2025-09-23) Núñez Rivas, Hilda Patricia; Holst Schumacher, Ileana; Roselló Araya, Marlene; Campos Saborío, Natalia
Objective: To analyze the current state of breastfeeding in Costa Rica by examining key indicators and identifying profiles of mothers at risk, to understand the factors influencing breastfeeding decisions and to propose evidence-based interventions in maternal and child health policies. Methodology: A qualitative study with an interpretative phenomenological approach was conducted. The lived experiences of 24 mothers from diverse regions across the country were explored and analyzed. Results: The findings reveal that, although both rural and urban mothers share a strong intention to breastfeed, they face different challenges. Perceptions of motherhood, insecurity regarding milk production, and employment-related obstacles significantly influence the time and exclusivity of breastfeeding. Urban mothers often encounter more pronounced work-related barriers, while rural mothers report limited access to professional support. Maternal education and the availability of postnatal support emerged as critical factors in sustaining breastfeeding practices. Conclusions: Strengthening postnatal support systems, enhancing maternal education, and developing strategies to reconcile breastfeeding with employment demands are essential. These measures could improve national breastfeeding indicators and help close socioeconomic gaps among mothers in different contexts.
El uso de Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación y su relación con la brecha digital de género en la atención y prevención de la violencia contra las mujeres durante la pandemia por COVID-19
(2024) Martínez Toledo, Yanet; Ulloa Martínez, María Laura
Este capítulo tiene como fin analizar los impactos que la pandemia COVID-19 ha tenido en la profundización de la BDG (Brecha Digital de Género) en la atención institucional ante la Violencia contra las Mujeres (VcM) en Costa Rica durante el año 2020. La presente investigación tiene como fin analizar los impactos que la pandemia COVID-19 ha tenido en la profundización de la BDG (Brecha Digital de Género) en la atención institucional ante la VcM en Costa Rica durante el año 2020. Para ello, se indaga acerca el proceso de transición de la presencialidad a la virtualidad en la atención de VcM por parte del Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres (INAMU).
Palavra viva: mulheres, literatura e tradução
(2025-09-21) Morazzo, Yolanda; Sultuane, Sônia; Barreto de Lara Albuquerque, Alda Ferreira Pires; Rezende, Maria; Evaristo, Conceição; Nascimento, Beatriz; Almeida Barbosa, Eileen; Martins Marques, Ana; de Almeida Prado Hilst, Hilda; Lipanga, Énia; dos Guimarães Peixoto Bretas, Ana Lins; Semedo, Odete; de Oliveira Correia, Natália; Moira, Amara; Borges, Patricia; Marín Fallas, Ivannia Victoria; Solórzano Damasceno, Lara; Flores, Kevin; Azofeifa Porras, Javier; Rojas Bravo, Claudia; Hidalgo Rodríguez, Ariel; Cordero Guillén, Daniela; Navarro Piedra, Natalia; Rodríguez Chacón, Angie; Fallas Pérez, Mónica; Angulo Calvo, Mauricio; Montoya Brenes, Randall Lorenzo
El libro Palavra Viva: Mulheres, literatura e tradução fue editado por la profesora Lara Solórzano Damasceno y producido en conjunto por la Editorial Estudiantil de la UCR y la Revista Virtual Quimera, gracias a una serie de talleres impartidos en la Universidad de Costa Rica.
«Este libro surge del encuentro de voces y voluntades. En primer lugar, nos referimos a las voces poéticas de mujeres que se expresan en lengua portuguesa —o cuya expresión se da en portugués—, y evitamos aquí el término lusófono para no entrar en los debates que conlleva su carga semántica. Son las voces de autoras de distintos países donde el portugués es lengua oficial y que, a la vez, representan diversas generaciones y movimientos.
Participan también las voluntades, y en especial la voluntad colectiva, de un grupo de estudiantes que se adentró en el desafiante, delicado y profundo proceso de la traducción literaria. Más que trasladar palabras de una lengua a otra, nos propusimos transcrear sentidos, emociones, memorias y estructuras culturales.»
An experimental model of acute pulmonary damage induced by the phospholipase A2-rich venom of the snake Pseudechis papuanus
(2025-06-12) Solano Centeno, Daniela; Rucavado Romero, Alexandra; Escalante Muñoz, Teresa; Bastos Gandra Tavares, Edith; Moreira Bezerra, Suellen Karoline; Olivo, Clarice Rosa; Leick, Edna Aparecida; Rojas Moscoso, Julio Alejandro; Dias, Lourdes; Lopes Calvo Tibérico, Iolanda de Fátima; Hyslop, Stephen; Gutiérrez Gutiérrez, José María
An experimental model of acute pulmonary damage was developed based on the intravenous injection of the phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-rich venom of Pseudechis papuanus (Papuan black snake) in mice. Venom caused pulmonary edema, with the accumulation of a protein-rich exudate, as observed histologically and by analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In parallel, venom induced an increase in all of the pulmonary mechanical parameters evaluated, without causing major effects in terms of tracheal and bronchial reactivity. These effects were abrogated by incubating the venom with the PLA2 inhibitor varespladib, indicating that this hydrolytic enzyme is responsible for these alterations. The venom was cytotoxic to endothelial cells in culture, hydrolyzed phospholipids of a pulmonary surfactant, and reduced the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the lungs. The pretreatment of mice with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME reduced the protein concentration in the BALF, whereas no effect was observed when mice were pretreated with inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), bradykinin, or neutrophils. Based on these findings, it is proposed that the rapid pathological effect of this venom in the lungs is mediated by (a) the direct cytotoxicity of venom PLA2 on cells of the capillary–alveolar barrier, (b) the degradation of surfactant factor by PLA2, (c) the deleterious action of nitric oxide in pulmonary tissue, and (d) the cytotoxic action of free hemoglobin that accumulates in the lungs as a consequence of venom-induced intravascular hemolysis. Our findings offer clues on the mechanisms of pathophysiological alterations induced by PLA2s in a variety of pulmonary diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).