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Diferenciales salariales de género y sus determinantes para el personal académico titular en la Universidad de Costa Rica
(2023-07-03) Rojas Blanco, Laura Cristina
Se utilizan bases de datos administrativas de la Universidad de Costa Rica para analizar los diferenciales salariales de género para el personal académico titular de esta institución. Se encuentra que el salario bruto promedio por hora de los hombres es 7,8% mayor que el de las mujeres, dicho indicador es inferior al que se observa en el mercado laboral costarricense para la población con estudios terciarios. Asimismo, este diferencial salarial se explica completamente por diferencias asociadas, principalmente, al proceso de acumulación de capital humano y a la investigación. Las mujeres tienen una menor probabilidad que los hombres de contar con un doctorado y de haberse graduado de las mejores universidades del mundo. Dado que el mecanismo de ascenso en la academia es la investigación, estas características repercuten en que ellas reporten una menor producción académica, a la vez que su trabajo es menos valorado.
Malic enzyme 2 and susceptibility to psychosis and mania
(2007-01-29) Dae Lee, Byung; Walss Bass, Consuelo; Thompson, Peter M.; Dassori, Albana Maria; Montero Vega, Ana Patricia; Medina, Rolando; Contreras, Salvador A.; Armas, Regina; Ramírez, Mercedes E.; Pereira Castro, Mariana; Salazar Fonseca, Rodolfo; Leach, Robin Jean; Quezada, Paulina; Raventós Vorst, Henriette; Escamilla, Michael A.
Previous studies have identified a putative gene locus for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the chromosome 18q21 region. To identify candidate genes associated with these disorders we completed fine mapping analyses (using microsatellite markers) in 152 families from the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR) (376 total subjects, 151 with a history of psychosis, 97 with a history of mania). Microsatellite analyses showed evidence of association at two contiguous markers, both located at the same genetic distance and spanning approximately 11 known genes. In a corollary gene expression study, one of these genes, malic enzyme 2 (ME2), showed levels of gene expression 5.6-fold lower in anterior cingulate tissue from post-mortem bipolar brains. Subsequent analysis of individual SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium with the ME2 gene revealed one SNP and one haplotype associated with the phenotype of psychosis in the CVCR sample. ME2 interacts directly with the malate shuttle system, which has been shown to be altered in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and has roles in neuronal synthesis of glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid. The present study suggests that genetic variation in or near the ME2 gene is associated with both psychotic and manic disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) and susceptibility to a quantitative phenotype for hebephrenic schizophrenia
(2008-01-09) Chavarría Siles, Ivan M.; Contreras Rojas, Javier; Hare, Elizabeth; Walss Bass, Consuelo; Quezada, Paulina; Dassori, Albana; Contreras, Salvador A.; Medina, Rolando; Ramírez, Mercedes E.; Salazar Fonseca, Rodolfo; Raventós Vorst, Henriette; Escamilla, Michael A.
Functional alterations of components of the endogenous cannabinoid system, in particular of the cannabinoid receptor 1 protein (CB1), are hypothetical contributors to many of the symptoms seen in schizophrenia. Variants within the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) have been shown to be directly associated with the hebephrenic form of schizophrenia in a Japanese population. This finding, however, has yet to be replicated. In the present study we sought to study the same (AAT)n-repeat microsatellite of the CNR1 gene which showed association to hebephrenic schizophrenia in Japan, and to investigate whether this microsatellite showed association to a hebephrenic type of schizophrenia in a family-based association study in a population of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The Lifetime Dimensions of Psychosis Scale and a best estimate consensus process were utilized to identify subjects with schizophrenia who had an elevated lifetime dimensional score for negative and disorganized symptoms, which we used as a proxy for "hebephrenia." Using the Family Based Association Test we found association of these hebephrenic subjects and the (AAT)n-repeat marker of the CNR1 (multi-allelic P = 0.0368). Our hypothesis that an association with the (AAT)n-repeat marker of CNR1 would not be found with the more general type of schizophrenia was also confirmed. Schizophrenic subjects with prominent lifetime scores for disorganization and negative symptoms (dimension for hebephrenia) are associated with the CNR1 gene and present a type of symptomatology that resembles chronic cannabinoid-induced psychosis. The current finding points to the possibility of different genetic and pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying different types of schizophrenia.
Is subclinical anxiety an endophenotype for bipolar I patients? A study from a Costa Rican sample
(2009-09-04) Contreras Rojas, Javier; Hare, Elizabeth; Pacheco Arce, Adriana; Escamilla, Michael A.; Raventós Vorst, Henriette
Although genetic influences on bipolar I disorder are well established, localization of genes that predispose to the illness has been difficult. Some genes predisposing to bipolar I disorder may be transmitted without expression of the categorical clinical phenotype. One strategy to overcome this obstacle is the use of quantitative endophenotypes, as has been done for other medical disorders. Methods. We analyzed 30 bipolar I extended families (300 subjects, average family size 10.34 members, range: 2–31) and 20 unrelated healthy controls from a Costa Rican sample. Heritability and genetic correlation of the state and trait scale from the Anxiety State and Trait Inventory was computed by using the general linear model (SOLAR package software). We also assessed variation of both scores among groups (patients, relatives and controls) and tested independence of affection status. Results. Heritability for state is 0.45 (SE = 0.11, p = 0.0000001) and for trait is 0.89 (SE = 0.06, p = 6.22e− 29). Genetic correlation for state and trait is 0.29, (SE = 0.12, p = 0.038–3.19e− 8). Bipolar I patients showed the highest trait score (F = 12.17 [5,24], p = 0.002), (bipolar I patients > relatives with other pathologies, > healthy relatives > unrelated healthy controls) with normal distribution in healthy individuals and no difference regarding depression and mania current status, (F = 0.230, df = 1, p = 0.632 and F = 1.401, df = 1, p = 0.238, respectively), contrary to the state score. Limitations. Confounding factors such as comorbid disorders could affect the interaction of subclinical anxiety with mania. Due to our limited budget we were not able to re-evaluate the subjects and conduct a test retest to assess the STAI reliability and mood state independence of anxiety traits over different times. Further research is needed to evaluate if anxiety traits are specially related to bipolar I disorder in comparison with other traits such as anger, attention or response inhibition deficit, pathological impulsivity or low self-directedness. Conclusions. Anxiety state and trait are heritable and share some genetic factors but only trait showed normal distribution in healthy subjects, mood current status independence and significant liability for bipolar I disorder. A stair-step distribution of trait anxiety scores in the family members and controls based on their genetic proximity to affected individuals and diagnostic status suggests that trait anxiety could be an endophenotype in these bipolar I families.
Social and clinical comparison between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type I with psychosis in Costa Rica
(2009-08-30) Pacheco Arce, Adriana; Barguil Gallardo, Marcela; Contreras Rojas, Javier; Montero Vega, Ana Patricia; Dassori, Albana; Escamilla, Michael A.; Raventós Vorst, Henriette
Introduction: Schizophrenia (SC) and bipolar disorder (BP) are two of the most severe and incapacitating mental disorders. It has been questioned whether these two conditions designate distinct illnesses with different etiologies or whether they represent different ends of a clinical spectrum with a common etiology. Materials and methods: This study compares social and clinical characteristics of 84 SC and 84 BP subjects from the Costa Rican Central Valley (CRCV) using information from the DIGS, FIGS and psychiatric records. Each of these subjects had a best estimate lifetime consensus diagnosis of either bipolar type I or SC. Results: Subjects with SC differed from subjects with BP in social adjustment measures like marital and employment status, and number of children. Both groups were very similar in years of education, age of onset of their illness, history of other psychiatric co-morbidities, and treatment received. Discussion: The high percentage of psychosis in the BP group (97.6%) may largely explain the similarities found between groups in their clinical characteristics. Conclusion: The differences in social and functional decline support the original dichotomy described by Kraepelin based on chronicity and periodicity between these two psychotic disorders.