Fotogrametria na identificação de assimetrias posturais em cadetes e pilotos da academia da força aérea brasileira

Objective: To identify whether flight training activities cause postural changes in cadets and pilots of the Brazilian Air Force Academy (AFA). Methods: Eighty subjects were assessed through photographic images in anterior and right side views. Four groups of cadets (n=20 per group) divided according to the year since enlistment and a fifth group of fifteen pilots from the Air Demonstration Squadron (ADS) were included. Pictures were analyzed using the Postural Analysis Program (SAPO) and angles related to head vertical alignment (HVA), head horizontal alignment (HHA), acromion horizontal alignment (AHA) and anterior-superior iliac spine horizontal alignment (HAS) were plotted. Results: We did not find statistical significant differences in the angles: HVA, HHA and AHA. However, a significant difference was found for the HAS angle with pilots having lower values than cadets, suggesting greater postural stability for this variable in pilots. Conclusion: The horizontal alignment of the anterior-superior iliac spine was the only measure that showed significant difference in the comparison between pilots and cadets. The remaining alignments were not different, possibility because of the strict criteria used for admission of cadets at the AFA and the efficiency of the physical training that is performed periodically.

Atividade da catalase e da lactato desidrogenase em tilápias submetidas a estresse de confinamento: efeito da cor do ambiente

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da cor do ambiente sobre o crescimento e a atividade da enzima antioxidante catalase (CAT) e da lactato desidrogenase (LDH) em tilápias do Nilo (n=24; 36,2±3,6g). Oito exemplares foram mortos para determinação da atividade basal das enzimas e os demais permaneceram isolados durante 14 dias sob espectro de luz branca ou azul (n=8 peixes/tratamento). A seguir os peixes foram submetidos a um estresse diário de confinamento de 90 minutos (15° ao 28° dia) e pesados semanalmente para cálculo da taxa de crescimento específico (TCE). A TCE negativa confirmou que o confinamento provocou estresse nos peixes, independentemente da cor do ambiente. O aumento da atividade da LDH no músculo vermelho dos peixes mantidos sob luz branca ou azul indicou mudança do metabolismo aeróbio para anaeróbio. O estresse reduziu a atividade da CAT no músculo branco dos peixes mantidos sob a luz branca ou azul. Na musculatura vermelha, esta redução ocorreu apenas nos animais mantidos sob a luz branca. O confinamento aumenta os processos metabólicos anaeróbios e é adequado para estudos sobre os efeitos do estresse. O espectro de luz azul não evita a redução do crescimento e a demanda energética anaeróbia em situações de estresse, mas preserva a atividade da CAT, contribuindo para o bem-estar da tilápia.

Embryonic development and larval stages of Steindachneridion parahybae (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) - implications for the conservation and rearing of this endangered Neotropical species

Steindachneridion parahybae is a freshwater catfish endemic to the Paraiba do Sul River and is classified as an endangered Neotropical species. An increasing number of conservation biologists are incorporating morphological and physiological research data to help conservation managers in rescue these endangered species. This study investigated the embryonic and larval development of S. parahybae in captivity, with emphasis in major events during the ontogeny of S. parahybae. Broodstocks were artificially induced to reproduce, and the extrusion occurred 200-255 degree-hours after hormonal induction at 24 degrees C. Larval ontogeny was evaluated every 10 minutes under microscopic/stereomicroscopic using fresh eggs samples. The main embryogenic development stages were identified: zygote, cleavage, including the morula, blastula, gastrula phase, organogenesis, and hatching. The extruded oocytes showed an average diameter of 1.10 +/- 0.10 mm, and after fertilization and hydration of eggs, the average diameter of eggs increased to about 1.90 +/- 0.60 mm, characterized by a large perivitelline space that persisted up to embryo development, the double chorion, and the poles (animal and vegetative). Cell division started about 2 minutes after fertilization (AF), resulting in 2, 4, 8 (4 x 2 arrangement of cells), 16 (4 x 4), 32 (4 x 8) and 64 (2 x 4 x 8) cells. Furthermore, the blastula and gastrula stages followed after these cells divisions. The closed blastopore occurred at 11 h 20 min AF; following the development, the organogenetic stages were identified and subdivided respectively in: early segmentation phase and late segmentation phase. In the early segmentation phase, there was the establishment of the embryonic axis, and it was possible to distinguish between the cephalic and caudal regions; somites, and the optic vesicles developed about 20 h AF. Total hatching occurred at 54 h AF, and the larvae average length was 4.30 +/- 0.70 mm. Gradual yolk sac reduction was observed during the first two days of larval development. The first feeding occurred at the end of the second day. During the larval phase, cannibalism, heterogeneous larval growth and photophobia were also observed. This information will be important in improving the artificial reproduction protocols of S. parahybae in controlled breeding programs.

Influence of different types of seat cushions on the static sitting posture in individuals with spinal cord injury

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of the Postural Assessment Software PAS/SAPO in the posture analysis of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during sitting position and to analyze if the use of different types of seat cushions-gel and foam, with no cushion-can interfere in the individual's posture during sitting position. Setting: Centre of Rehabilitation at the University Hospital (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Methods: Eight individuals, four paraplegics and four tetraplegics with SCI and 20 healthy individuals participated in the study. Photos were taken of individuals in the sitting position using foam, gel cushions and with no cushion. They were analyzed using the PAS/SAPO. The alignment of the anterior-superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the posterior pelvic tilt were evaluated from the angle formed between the ASIS and the greater trochanter of the femur. Results: The group of healthy individuals presented the best postural alignment when compared with the group with SCI, both for the ASIS alignment (P < 0.05) and for the degree of posterior pelvic tilt (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the variables analyzed when the seat cushions were compared. Conclusion: The different types of cushions did not alter the sitting posture; however, individuals with SCI showed worse postural alignment than the healthy individuals. PAS/SAPO was demonstrated to be useful for postural assessment. Spinal Cord (2012) 50, 627-631; doi:10.1038/sc.2012.7; published online 21 February 2012

Fotogrametria na identificação de assimetrias posturais em cadetes e pilotos da academia da força aérea brasileira

OBJETIVO: Identificar se a atividade de treino de voo pode desencadear alterações posturais em cadetes e pilotos da Academia da Força Aérea Brasileira (AFA). MÉTODOS: Os sujeitos foram avaliados por meio de registro fotográfico em vista anterior e lateral direita, tendo como casuística 80 cadetes da AFA, divididos em quatro grupos, 20 em cada, e 15 pilotos do Esquadrão de Demonstração Aérea (EDA), formando o quinto grupo. As fotos foram transferidas para o Software de Avaliação Postural (SAPO), sendo traçados ângulos relacionados ao alinhamento vertical da cabeça (AVC), alinhamento horizontal da cabeça (AHC), alinhamento horizontal dos acrômios (AHA) e alinhamento horizontal das espinhas ilíacas ântero-superiores (AHE). RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que, após comparação das médias das assimetrias posturais entre os grupos, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante em relação aos ângulos AVC, AHC e AHA. No entanto, na variável AHE, observou-se que o grupo de pilotos apresentou valores significativamente menores que os dos cadetes, sugerindo maior estabilidade postural em relação a essa variável. CONCLUSÃO: O AHE foi a única medida que apresentou diferença estatisticamente significate na comparação entre os pilotos e cadetes dos diferentes anos. Quanto aos demais alinhamentos, não houve diferença, podendo atribuir esse fato aos critérios exigentes de ingresso dos cadetes na AFA e a eficiência do treinamento físico realizado periodicamente.