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Development and pre-clinical characterization of two therapeutic equine formulations towards SARS-CoV-2 proteins for the potential treatment of COVID-19
(2020-10-19) León Montero, Guillermo; Herrera Vega, María; Vargas Arroyo, Mariángela; Arguedas Gómez, Mauricio; Sánchez Brenes, Andrés; Segura Ruíz, Álvaro; Gómez Argüello, Aarón; Solano Blanco, Gabriela; Corrales Aguilar, Eugenia; Risner, Kenneth; Narayanan, Aarthi; Bailey, Charles; Villalta Arrieta, Mauren; Hernández Bolaños, Andrés; Sánchez Sánchez,, Adriana; Cordero, Daniel; Solano Cneteno, Daniela; Durán Blanco, Gina; Segura Agüero, Eduardo; Cerdas Solís, Maykel; Umaña Blanco, Deibid; Moscoso Suárez, Edwin; Estrada Umaña, Ricardo; Gutiérrez González, Jairo; Méndez Alvarado, Marcos; Castillo Mora, Ana Cecilia; Sánchez Céspedes, Laura; Gutiérrez, José María; Díaz Oreiro, Cecilia; Alape Girón, Alberto
In the current global emergency due to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, passive immunotherapy emerges as a promising treatment for COVID-19. Among animal-derived products, equine formulations are still the cornerstone therapy for treating envenomations due to animal bites and stings. Therefore, drawing upon decades of experience in manufacturing snake antivenom, we developed and preclinically evaluated two anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal equine formulations as potential alternative therapy for COVID-19. We immunized two groups of horses with either S1 (anti-S1) or a mixture of S1, N, and SEM mosaic (anti-Mix) viral recombinant proteins. Horses reached a maximum anti-viral antibody level at 7 weeks following priming, and showed no major adverse acute or chronic clinical alterations. Two whole-IgG formulations were prepared via hyperimmune plasma precipitation with caprylic acid and then formulated for parenteral use. Both preparations had similar physicochemical and microbiological quality and showed ELISA immunoreactivity towards S1 protein and the receptor binding domain (RBD). The anti-Mix formulation also presented immunoreactivity against N protein. Due to high anti-S1 and anti-RBD antibody content, final products exhibited high in vitro neutralizing capacity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, 80 times higher than a pool of human convalescent plasma. Pre-clinical quality profiles were similar among both products, but clinical efficacy and safety must be tested in clinical trials. The technological strategy we describe here can be adapted by other producers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Expanding the neutralization scope of the Central American antivenom (PoliVal-ICP) to include the venom of Crotalus durissus pifanorum
(2021-08-31) Alfaro Chinchilla, Adriana; Segura Ruiz, Álvaro; Gómez Arguello, Aarón; Díaz Oreiro, Cecilia; Corrales, Greivin; Chacón, Danilo; Arguedas Gómez, Mauricio; Estrada Imaña, Ricardo; Gutiérrez, José María; León Montero, Guillermo
The proteomic, enzymatic, toxicological, and immunogenic profiles of the venom of C. d. pifanorum were studied. It was found that venom of C. d. pifanorum is composed of 63% phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), 13% serine proteinases (SVSPs), 8% bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs), 4% L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), 3% metalloproteinases (SVMPs), and other minor components. This composition allows the venom to exert lethal, PLA2, myotoxic, coagulant and defibrinogenating activities, but no azocaseinolytic or hemorrhagic activities. The addition of C. d. pifanorum venom to the group of venoms used as immunogens to produce the Central American antivenom PoliVal-ICP (i.e., venoms of Bothrops asper, Crotalus simus and Lachesis stenophrys) resulted in 1) the expansion of the neutralization scope of the antivenom to cover the venom of C. d. pifanorum and other antigenically related venom (i.e., C. s. scutulatus venom), 2) improvement of the neutralizing potency towards the venom of C. simus, and 3) no significant reduction of the neutralization of venoms of B. asper and L. stenophrys. It was concluded that supplementation of the immunogens used to produce PoliVal-ICP with the venom of C. d. pifanorum is a viable alternative to expand the neutralization scope of the antivenom.
El agua de la gracia: manantiales, ríos, sequías e inundaciones en el culto mariano en América Latina
(2025-10) Arias Salguero, Mario Enrique
Este libro es un aporte del proyecto de Acción Social denominado: La Cultura del Agua como instrumento para la Gestión Integrada del Recurso Hídrico (ED-2873), inscrito en la Universidad de Costa Rica, que enfoca uno de sus objetivos a contribuir al fortalecimiento de la Cultura del Agua por medio de la divulgación y capacitación con respecto a la situación de este recurso a nivel nacional, para que la información sea utilizada en la toma de decisiones.
Esta libro ofrece una perspectiva fundamental para la Gestión Integrada del Recurso Hídrico (GIRH), demostrando que, en América Latina, la percepción del agua trasciende la utilidad técnica. La investigación revela cómo el culto a la Virgen María se articuló sobre un sustrato cultural preexistente (Sincretismo), donde el agua ya era vista como una manifestación de lo sagrado (Hierofanía). El resultado es que los manantiales y fuentes hídricas asociados a los santuarios marianos son, para millones de ciudadanos, sitios de valor espiritual y cultural innegable, y no solo puntos de captación. Comprender esta carga simbólica es crucial, ya que la Cultura del Agua popular se construye en torno a la idea de la Gracia del Agua (el agua como don) que es mediada por la Madre. El libro identifica el profundo arraigo de la devoción mariana como un capital social desaprovechado por los gestores del recurso hídrico. La tradición Mariana ha generado históricamente mecanismos de cohesión social y resiliencia ante los riesgos hídricos (sequías e inundaciones). Los administradores del agua pueden encontrar en los fieles creyentes a aliados estratégicos para la educación ambiental y la promoción de una Cultura del Agua efectiva. La fe que busca la Gracia en el agua bendita puede y debe ser catalizada para motivar la responsabilidad de los fieles en la protección activa de las cuencas hidrográficas y acuíferos que alimentan las fuentes de sus santuarios, traduciendo la piedad en un compromiso cívico de custodia. Se establece que la gestión sostenible del agua no puede ser solo un problema técnico-institucional-legal; es, ante todo, un imperativo ético y cultural. El libro provee el marco conceptual para vincular la doctrina social de la Iglesia (Eco-teología y Laudato Si’) con los objetivos de la Gestión Integrada del Recurso Hídrico. Al entender que la comunidad ya percibe el agua como un bien sagrado que exige cuidado, las instituciones pueden integrar esta poderosa narrativa en sus estrategias de Gobernanza Hídrica. El desafío es aprovechar este motor de movilización para impulsar la transparencia, la participación comunitaria y la preservación ecológica de las fuentes hídricas, reconociendo que la gestión integrada debe incluir necesariamente las dimensiones culturales y espirituales del agua. Con la intención de que este documento sea divulgado y utilizado por todos aquellos que lo requieran, se autoriza su reproducción, parcial o total, siempre y cuando se cite apropiadamente la fuente.
A faunal inventory of methane seeps on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica
(2025-01-03) Seid, Charlotte A.; Hiley, Avery Sea; McCowin, Marina F.; Carvajal, José I.; Cha, Harim; Ahyong, Shane T.; Ashford, Oliver Simon; Breedy Shadid, Odalisca; Eernisse, Douglas J.; Goffredi, Shana K.; Hendrickx Reners, Michel Edmond; Kocot, Kevin M.; Mah, Christopher L.; Miller, Allison K.; Mongiardino Koch, Nicolás; Mooi, Rich; O’Hara, Timothy D.; Pleijel, Fredrik; Stiller, Josefin; Tilic, Ekin; Valentich Scott, Paul; Warén, Anders Herman; Wicksten, Mary Katherine; Wilson, Nerida Gaye; Cordes, Erik E.; Levin, Lisa Ann; Cortés Núñez, Jorge; Rouse, Greg W.
The methane seeps on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica support extensive animal diversity and offer insights into deep-sea biogeography. During five expeditions between 2009 and 2019, we conducted intensive faunal sampling via 63 submersible dives to 11 localities at depths of 300–3600 m. Based on these expeditions and published literature, we compiled voucher specimens, images, and 274 newly published DNA sequences to present a taxonomic inventory of macrofaunal and megafaunal diversity with a focus on invertebrates. In total 488 morphospecies were identified, representing the highest number of distinct morphospecies published from a single seep or vent region to date. Of these, 131 are described species, at least 58 are undescribed species, and the remainder include some degree of taxonomic uncertainty, likely representing additional undescribed species. Of the described species, 38 are known only from the Costa Rica seeps and their vicinity. Fifteen range extensions are also reported for species known from Mexico, the Galápagos seamounts, Chile, and the western Pacific; as well as 16 new depth records and three new seep records for species known to occur at vents or organic falls. No single evolutionary narrative explains the patterns of biodiversity at these seeps, as even morphologically indistinguishable species can show different biogeographic affinities, biogeographic ranges, or depth ranges. The value of careful molecular taxonomy and comprehensive specimen-based regional inventories is emphasized for biodiversity research and monitoring.
Effects of a virtual physical activity program within the context of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
(2021-03-26) Santamaría Guzmán, Keven; Rodríguez Hernández, Mynor Gerardo; Moncada Jiménez, José
To determine the effects of a virtual physical activity (PA) program in college students during social distancing due to COVID-19. 44 college students, male and female. Methods: Participants completed self-reported measures of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, weekly PA, and a short-survey of the educational experience during social distancing. Participants completed the instruments at baseline and after 10-weeks of an on-line virtual PA program. Increased overall PA (p = 0.040) and transportation PA (p = 0.004), leisure-time PA (p = 0.031) domains increased following the program. The sitting time increased following the intervention (p = 0.0001). Students who failed to comply with at least 150 min/week of PA reduced the frequency of positive emotions compared to those who complied (p = 0.017). Social distancing and daily college tasks seem to lessen the effect of PA on sedentary behavior in college students regardless of an increase in PA.