University of Costa Rica

About: University of Costa Rica is a education organization based out in San José, Costa Rica. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Venom. The organization has 9817 authors who have published 16781 publications receiving 238208 citations. The organization is also known as: UCR & Universidad de Costa Rica.

The Relationship Between Actual and Perceived Motor Competence in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract: Actual and perceived motor competence are important correlates of various health-related behaviors. As such, numerous studies have examined the association between both constructs in children and adolescents. The first aim of this review and meta-analysis was to systematically examine, analyze and summarize the scientific evidence on the relationship between actual and perceived motor competence (and by extension more general physical self-perception) in children, adolescents and young adults with typical and atypical development. The second aim was to examine several a priori determined potential moderators (i.e., age, sex, and developmental status of study participants, as well as level of alignment between measurement instruments) of the relationship between actual motor competence and perceived motor competence/physical self-perception. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and was registered with PROSPERO on August 21st 2017. A systematic literature search of five electronic databases (i.e., MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and EMBASE) with no date restrictions was conducted. Eligibility criteria included (1) a study sample of youth aged 3–24 years, (2) an assessment of actual motor competence and perceived motor competence/physical self-perception, and (3) a report of the association between both, using a cross-sectional, longitudinal, or experimental design. Only original articles published in peer-reviewed journals with at least the title and abstract in English were considered. Meta-analyses were conducted by type of actual motor competence (i.e., overall motor competence, locomotor, object control, stability/balance and sport-specific competence) through univariate and multivariable random-effects meta-regression and clustered random-effects meta-regression models. Of the 1643 articles screened, 87 were included for the qualitative review, while 69 remained for the final meta-analyses. All included studies had some risk of bias with only 15% meeting five of the six examined criteria. Significant (p < 0.001) pooled effects were found for overall motor competence (N = 54; r = 0.25; 95% CI [0.20, 0.29]), locomotor (N = 45; r = 0.19; 95% CI [0.13, 0.25]), object control (N = 50; r = 0.22; 95% CI [0.17, 0.27]), stability/balance (N = 8; r = 0.21; 95% CI [0.12, 0.30]), and sport-specific competence (N = 8; r = 0.46; 95% CI [0.28, 0.61]). None of the hypothesized moderators significantly influenced the relationship between actual motor competence and perceived motor competence/physical self-perception. The strength of the association between actual motor competence and perceived motor competence/physical self-perception in youth is low to moderate, with current data demonstrating that the strength of association does not differ by age, sex, developmental status, or alignment between measurement instruments. However, this review highlights the lack of clarity on the relationship between actual motor competence and perceived motor competence/physical self-perception. Future research should address issues surrounding the design of studies and measurement of actual motor competence and perceived motor competence/physical self-perception as well as explore other potential confounding variables (i.e., product- versus process-oriented assessments, race, culture) that might affect the relationship between these two constructs.

Snake venom phospholipase A2s (Asp49 and Lys49) induce mechanical allodynia upon peri-sciatic administration: involvement of spinal cord glia, proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide.

Abstract: Snakebites constitute a serious public health problem in Central and South America, where species of the lancehead pit vipers (genus Bothrops) cause the majority of accidents. Bothrops envenomations are very painful, and this effect is not neutralized by antivenom treatment. Two variants of secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2), corresponding to Asp49 and Lys49 PLA2s, have been isolated from Bothrops asper venom. These sPLA2s induce hyperalgesia in rats following subcutaneous injection. However, venom in natural Bothrops bites is frequently delivered intramuscularly, thereby potentially reaching peripheral nerve bundles. Thus, the present series of experiments tested whether these sPLA2s could exert pain-enhancing effects following administration around healthy sciatic nerve. Both were found to produce mechanical allodynia ipsilateral to the injection site; no thermal hyperalgesia was observed. As no prior study has examined potential spinal mechanisms underlying sPLA2 actions, a series of anatomical and pharmacological studies were performed. These demonstrated that both sPLA2s produce activation of dorsal horn astrocytes and microglia that is more prominent ipsilateral to the site of injection. As proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide have each been previously implicated in spinally mediated pain facilitation, the effect of pharmacological blockade of these substances was tested. The results demonstrate that mechanical allodynia induced by both sPLA2s is blocked by interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, anti-rat interleukin-6 neutralizing antibody, the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10, and a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor (L-NAME). As a variety of immune cells also produce and release sPLA2s during inflammatory states, the data may have general implications for the understanding of inflammatory pain.

Medfly courtship duration: a sexually selected reaction norm changed by crowding

Abstract: The evolutionary effects of crowding on male courtship behavior were studied using wild and mass-reared medflies. Mass-reared strains had been raised under highly crowded conditions in mass-rearing facilities for approximately 75, 180, and 238 generations. Pre-mounting courtship was facultatively shortened in both wild and mass-reared males under conditions of greater crowding. The courtship behavior of males of mass-reared strains was also shorter than that of wild males under similar conditions of crowding. Shorter courtships are probably advantageous for males in crowded conditions because they reduce the likelihood of the courtship being interrupted by other flies. Several types of data indicated that males rather than females were responsible for shortened courtships. We conclude that heritable variation in male courtship behavior has persisted in a wild population despite its overall relatively low genetic variability, and that genetic changes in mass-reared strains have altered the range of faculta...

A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research.

Abstract: Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.