Human ascariasis, an evolutionary complex relationship between host and parasite

La ascariasis es una enfermedad parasitaria que diezma la salud de cientos de miles de seres humanos, especialmente en los países en desarrollo. Sin embargo, la falta de profilaxis adecuada del parásito, asociado con un mayor riesgo de sufrir enfermedades inmunes, es un problema principalmente en los países desarrollados donde la prevalencia del parásito es muy baja. La relación evolutiva y los mecanismos por los cuales el parásito fue capaz de colonizar y establecerse en el huésped humano aún no se han descifrado. Del mismo modo, los mecanismos inmunes (proximales) de respuesta del huésped para eliminar o controlar el parásito no se entienden completamente. La comprensión de estos mecanismos nos permitirá establecer mejores tratamientos médicos, evitando efectos indeseables y más enfocados en el control de la parasitosis, así como para la terapia de estas enfermedades inmunológicas asociadas con la relación huésped-ascárido.Ascariasis is a debilitating parasitic disease that has decimated the health of hundreds of thousands of human beings, especially in developing countries. The lack of adequate prophylaxis of the parasite associated with an increased risk of immunological disease is a challenge mainly in developed countries where the prevalence of this parasite is very low. The evolutionary relationship and mechanisms by which the parasite was able to colonize and establish itself in human hosts have not yet been unraveled. In addition, the host immune response mechanisms to eliminate or control the parasite are not fully understood. Understanding these immunological mechanisms (proximates) will allow establishing better medical treatments for diseases related to the positive effects of parasitosis, thus also avoiding the undesirable effects of the parasitosis itselfUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Sociales::Centro de Investigaciones Antropológicas (CIAN)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Ciencias Sociales::Escuela de Antropologí

GENETIC STRUCTURE AND BIODEMOGRAPHY OF THE RAMA AMERINDIANS FROM THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN COAST OF NICARAGUA

This dissertation examines the evolutionary impact of recent historical events on the population structure of the Rama Amerindians who inhabit the southern Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, by analyzing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphic variants and their biological relationship with, and ancestral divergence from other neighboring groups. Genetic profiles of 265 individuals from seven Rama communities revealed that the majority of individuals belong to haplogroup B2 (71%) or A2 (28%), with the remaining 1% of variation comprised by the maternal lineages C1 and L3. Based on multivariate analyses combined with median-joining networks, AMOVA, tests of selective neutrality and diversity, phylogeography, and surname isonomy analyses, it is proposed that the geographic distribution of the haplogroups among the Rama communities reflects the history of migration of this population after the European incursion into the Caribbean region of Southern Central America following the 16th century. Ethnographic and ethnohistorical accounts of sub-population fissions and subsequent forced migrations are congruent with these results, leading to the conclusion that the disruption of the Rama's traditional way of life led to changes in mortality patterns, reproductive dynamics and epidemiology, which ultimately impacted the genetic variation of this population

Black Creek (Cat U.C.R. N0 467): primeras interpretaciones arqueológicas de un modo de vida costero en el Caribe Sur de Costa Rica

Black Creek es uno de los sitios cerámicos tempranos y costeros de Costa Rica (4,000-2,500 AP)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Ciencias Sociales::Escuela de Antropologí

Explotacion Temprana de Recursos Costeros en el Sitio Black Creek (4,000-2,500 AP), Caribe Sur de Costa Rica

Prácticas socioeconómicas relacionadas con la explotación de recursos cos-teros entre el 3830 y el 2355 cal. A.P. (2-δ), se infieren a partir dos compo-nentes estructurales del sitio Black Creek en la costa sur del Caribe de Costa Rica. Dos rasgos, un fogón y una superficie de actividad doméstica fueron deducidos mediante la aplicación de métodos estadísticos multivariados a las evidencias químicas, artefactuales, y de ecofactos asociados en el yaci-miento. Se concluye que desde el segundo milenio antes de nuestra era, la costa Caribe de Costa Rica fue un espacio importante en el origen de la produc-ción excedentaria y manipulación de recursos marino-costeros en la región arqueológica de la Gran Chiriquí.Early Exploitation of Coastal Resources at the Black Creek Archaeological Site (4000-2500 B.P.), Southern Caribbean Region of Costa RicaSocio-economic practices associated with the exploitation of coastal re-sources between 3830 and 2355 cal. BP (2-δ) are inferred from two structural components at the Black Creek site in the Southern Caribbean coast of Cos-ta Rica. Two features, a fireplace and the surface of a domestic activity area were deduced through the application of multivariate statistical methods to associated chemical evidence, artifacts, and ecofacts. It was concluded that since the second millennium before our era, the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica was an important region for the origins of surplus production and the manipulation of coastal resources.L’exploitation ancienne des ressources côtières au site archéologique Black Creek (4000-2500 A.A.), région des Caraïbes méridionales du Costa RicaLes pratiques socio-économiques liées à l’exploitation des ressources côtiè-res entre 3830 et 2355 cal. A.A. (2-δ) sont déduites à partir de deux compo-santes structurales du site Black Creek sur la côte des Caraïbes méridionales du Costa Rica. Deux structures, un foyer et une aire d’activité domestique, ont été inférées à partir de l’application de méthodes statistiques multivariées sur des données chimiques, des artefacts et des écofacts. Il a été conclu que depuis le second millénaire avant notre ère, la côte caraïbe du Costa Rica était une région importante dans l’origine des surplus de pro-duction et de la manipulation des ressources côtières.Antiga exploração dos recursos costeiros no sítio arqueológico Black Creek (A.P. 4000-2500), sul da região caribenha da Costa RicaAs práticas sócio-económicas associadas à exploração dos recursos costei-ros entre 3830 e 2355 CAL. BP (2-δ) são deduzidos a partir de dois compo-nentes estruturais no sitio Black Creek na costa sul do Caribe da Costa Rica. Dois traços culturais, uma fogueira e uma superfície de atividade doméstica foram inferidos através da aplicação de métodos estatísticos multivariados associados a evidencias químicas e de ecofatos associados no sítio. Conclu-iu-se que desde o segundo milenio antes da nossa era, a costa caribenha da Costa Rica, foi um importante espaço na origem da produção e manipulação de recursos costeiros na região arqueológica Gran Chiriqui.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Ciencias Sociales::Escuela de Antropologí

Population history and mitochondrial genetic substructure of the rama Amerindians from Nicaragua

The Rama are a coastal population from Southern Nicaragua who in large part were able to resist, at least for a time, the cultural changes and social reorganization brought on by colonial and modern influences. Historical information leaves the Rama origins and biological relationships to nearby extinct and extant groups ambiguous. The objective of this study is to examine the internal genetic microdifferentiation based on the first hipervariable region of the mtDNA from a sample of approximately 20% of the population, and to expand the few available historical and anthropological data on the Rama by exploring the effects of cultural practices and historical events on genetic structure, providing an integrative perspective on the Rama genetic history. When considering differences in the spatial distribution and genetic diversity of the mtDNA haplotypes together with historical information on the Rama, a noteworthy pattern emerges: first, haplotypes are differentially distributed among a central Rama community (Punta Águila) from the other five peripheral communities (AMOVA: Fct = 0.10, p < 0.001) and their distribution is consistent with the historical relocation of this population after their split from Punta Gorda in the 18th century; second, differential genetic signatures found among central and peripheral Rama communities resemble two population histories: one of stability (haplogroup A2) and other of expansion (haplogroup B2), supporting the possibility that these patterns of genetic microdifferentiation between central and peripheral populations resulted from the 18th century unification in southern Nicaragua of the Rama and a group of Voto migrants from Costa Rica that later split and hived off to the Bay of Bluefields.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Ciencias Sociales::Escuela de Antropologí

History of Human Population Genetics of Central America

To frame and evaluate contributions to the development of human population genetics studies in Central America we summarize, classify, and compare the most relevant literature published since the beginning of the twentieth century. The development of human population genetics in Central America is a continuation of studies of morphological variation. From the 1920s to 1960s, emphasis was placed on morphology and the biochemical differences of local indigenous populations. From the 1970s to the 1990s, new serological discoveries made microevolutionary studies possible among indigenous and Afro- Caribbean populations. The molecular genetics investigations that were initiated in the 1990s started a new era of the examination of novel evolutionary questions in the twenty- first century. During this period, use of a wide variety of informative markers enabled the unraveling of demographic histories of national and indigenous populations. Despite steady development of population genetics in Central America over the past century, differences exist in the quantity and quality of investigations in this geographic area. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama are the most frequently studied countries in comparison with Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador. It is hoped that future research improves this disparity.Con el propósito de organizar y evaluar las contribuciones de la genética de poblaciones en humanos en América Central, hemos clasificado, resumido, y comparado la literatura más relevante que se ha publicado sobre este tema desde inicios del siglo XX. El desarrollo de la genética de poblaciones en América Central deviene como la continuación de los estudios de variación morfológica y bioquímica que se desarrollaron entre las décadas de 1920 y 1960 sobre poblaciones indígenas locales. Entre las décadas de 1970 y 1990 los nuevos descubrimientos en los estudios serológicos dieron paso a la investigación microevolutiva entre poblaciones indígenas y afrocaribeñas. Las investigaciones en genética molecular que se iniciaron en la década de 1990 en América Central fueron la antesala para plantear en el siglo XXI nuevas preguntas sobre aspectos evolutivos. Durante este último período, se han utilizado una amplia variedad de marcadores informativos que han permitido revelar las historias demográficas de poblaciones nacionales e indígenas. No obstante, a pesar del rápido aumento de publicaciones en los últimos 15 años en América Central es notable la diferencia en la cantidad y la calidad de las investigaciones en esta área geográfica. Costa Rica, Nicaragua y Panamá son los países que cuentan con más investigaciones en comparación con Guatemala, Honduras, Belice y El Salvador. Se espera que futuras investigaciones corrijan esta disparidad.Visando reconhecer e evaluar as contribuições ao desenvolvimento dos estudos de genética de populações humanas na América Central, fazemos um resumo, classificamos e comparamos a literatura mais pertinente publicada desde o início do século XX. O desenvolvimento da genética de populações humanas na América Central é uma continuação de estudos da variação morfológica e bioquímica das populações indígenas locais que foram desenvolvidas entre as décadas de 1920 e 1960. Entre 1970 e 1990, novos descobrimentos sorológicos fizeram possíveis estudos microevolutivos entre populações indígenas e afro-caribenhas. As pesquisas genético-moleculares que se iniciaram na década dos 90 na América Central iniciaram uma nova era de pesquisas com novas perguntas evolutivas no século 21. Durante este período, o uso de uma ampla variedade de marcadores informativos possibilitou deslindar as histórias demográficas de populações indígenas e nacionais. Contudo, apesar do desenvolvimento estável da genética de populações na América Central durante os últimos 15 anos, existem diferenças na quantidade e qualidade de pesquisas dentro desta área geográfica. Costa Rica, Nicaragua e Panamá são os países mais estudados em comparação a Guatemala, Honduras, Belize e El Salvador. Esperase que futuros estu-dos corrijam esta disparidade.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Ciencias Sociales::Escuela de AntropologíaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí