The Use of Camera Traps and Auxiliary Satellite Telemetry to Estimate Jaguar Population Density in Northwestern Costa Rica.

Regular evaluation of jaguar () population status is an important part of conservation decision-making. Currently, camera trapping has become the standard method used to estimate jaguar abundance and demographic parameters, though evidence has shown the potential for sex ratio biases and density overestimates. In this study, we used camera trap data combined with satellite telemetry data from one female jaguar to estimate jaguar population density in the dry forest of Santa Rosa National Park in the Guanacaste Conservation Area of northwestern Costa Rica.

Experimental Release of Orphaned Wild Felids into a Tropical Rainforest in Southwestern Costa Rica.

A 3- to 4-mo-old male ocelot () and a 6- to 8-mo-old female margay () were brought in from the wild, held in captivity, and rehabilitated for 906 and 709 days, respectively, at the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica. During captivity, both cats were kept as isolated as possible from humans and fed appropriate live wild prey. After maturing and demonstrating the ability to capture and feed on live prey, the cats were radio-collared, released at a national wildlife refuge previously assessed for predator and prey occurrence, and monitored.

Environmental and anthropogenic factors synergistically affect space use of jaguars.

Large terrestrial carnivores have undergone some of the largest population declines and range reductions of any species, which is of concern as they can have large effects on ecosystem dynamics and function. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the apex predator throughout the majority of the Neotropics; however, its distribution has been reduced by >50% and it survives in increasingly isolated populations. Consequently, the range-wide management of the jaguar depends upon maintaining core populations connected through multi-national, transboundary cooperation, which requires understanding the movement ecology and space use of jaguars throughout their range.

Water-soluble Ru(II)-anethole compounds with promising cytotoxicity toward the human gastric cancer cell line AGS.

Aims: Ruthenium-based compounds exhibit critical biochemical properties making them suitable for diverse pharmacological applications. The aim of this work was to study the anticancer effects of three ruthenium complexes on a human gastric cancer cell line.

Main Methods: We synthetized three [Ru(η-anethole)(en)X]PF complexes, where (en) is ethylenediamine and X is Cl (1), Br (2) or I (3), which were then evaluated by MTT assay, RT-qPCR and flow cytometry on the human gastric cancer cell line AGS.

Jaguar movement database: a GPS-based movement dataset of an apex predator in the Neotropics.

The field of movement ecology has rapidly grown during the last decade, with important advancements in tracking devices and analytical tools that have provided unprecedented insights into where, when, and why species move across a landscape. Although there has been an increasing emphasis on making animal movement data publicly available, there has also been a conspicuous dearth in the availability of such data on large carnivores. Globally, large predators are of conservation concern.

Growth hormone deficiency, low levels of adiponectin, and unfavorable plasma lipid and lipoproteins.

Objective: To examine the impact of adolescent growth hormone deficiency (GHD) on circulating adiponectin levels and the relation between adiponectin, fasting insulin, plasma lipid, and lipoprotein levels.

Study Design: Twelve children with GHD on GH treatment with a chronological age (CA) of 14.4 +/- 2.

Entamoeba histolytica: identification of EhGPCR-1, a novel putative G protein-coupled receptor that binds to EhRabB.

EhRabB is an Entamoeba histolytica protein involved in phagocytosis. However, proteins that regulate the EhRabB activity are unknown. Here, we report the identification of a putative G protein-coupled receptor of E.

Endothelial function, carotid artery intima-media thickness, epicardial adipose tissue, and left ventricular mass and function in growth hormone-deficient adolescents: apparent effects of growth hormone treatment on these parameters.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether GH-deficient (GHD) adolescents have abnormalities of cardiac and vascular function detectable during the teenage years.

Design/methods: Ten GHD children on GH treatment with a chronological age (CA) of 14.6 +/- 1.

EhCP112 is an Entamoeba histolytica secreted cysteine protease that may be involved in the parasite-virulence.

EhCP112 is an Entamoeba histolytica protease that together with the EhADH112 protein forms the EhCPADH complex involved in trophozoite virulence. Here, we produced the recombinant EhCP112 and studied its relationships with extracellular matrix components and with target cells. A DNA fragment containing the pro-peptide and the mature enzyme was expressed in bacteria as an active enzyme (rEhCP112), whereas the full gene containing the signal peptide, the pro-peptide and the mature enzyme expressed a non-active protein.

Peripheral inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers in adolescents with growth hormone deficiency: relation to postprandial dyslipidemia.

Objective: To determine whether peripheral inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers are elevated in growth hormone-deficient (GHD) adolescents and associated with increased postprandial lipoproteins.

Study Design: Fifteen GHD children on GH treatment with a chronologic age of 12.7 +/- 2.

Cardiovascular risk of young growth-hormone-deficient adolescents. Differences in growth-hormone-treated and untreated patients.

Objective: To determine whether postprandial lipids, coagulation factors and homocysteine levels are abnormal in young growth hormone (GH)-deficient (GHD) adolescents.

Methods: Fifteen GHD adolescents on GH replacement were studied. Ten untreated GHD adolescents and 15 healthy subjects served as controls.

Monitoring Mammal Populations in Costa Rican Protected Areas under Different Hunting Restrictions.

It is necessary to assess whether the management of protected areas is achieving the objectives set for them. In particular, changes and trends in wildlife populations should be documented. We compared the 1990 abundance of mammals in two Costa Rican protected areas, Corcovado National Park (CNP) and Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve (GDFR), with similar environmental characteristics but different hunting restrictions and levels of protection.