Peripheral nerve researchers frequently use the rat sciatic nerve crush model in order to test different therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this study was to determine the sequence of changes after an axonotmetic injury by means of a biomechanical model of the foot and ankle, and compare them with walking track analysis, over a fixed period of time. A kinematic analysis program was used to acquire ankle motion data for further analysis. Although repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant cumulative changes induced by the crush lesion for both ankle kinematic parameters and sciatic functional index, post-hoc multiple comparisons by the Student-Neuman-Keuls test revealed significant differences between week 0 and week 8 only for ankle kinematics. These results are of importance in showing the superiority of ankle kinematics in detecting small biomechanical deficits related to hyperexcitability of the plantarflexor muscles, in contrast with walking track analysis, which showed full motor functional recovery 8 weeks after the crush lesion.

Computerized analysis of rat gait is becoming an invaluable technique used by some peripheral nerve investigators for the evaluation of function. In this article we describe the use of a biomechanical model of the foot and ankle that allows a quantitative assessment and description of the ankle angle, reflecting plantarflexion and dorsiflexion during the stance phase of gait. Kinematic data of 144 trial walks from 36 normal rats were recorded with a high-speed digital image camera at 225 images per second. The ankle angular changes associated with the specific temporal events of foot placement on the ground through the stance phase were assessed. The information obtained was used to propose a new subdivision of the stance phase in the rat into three major components. This approach will provide a helpful research tool to analyze gait data that rely on the accurate determination of spatiotemporal foot events.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscles training in elite female volleyball athletes and whether it is an effective therapy for stress urinary incontinence. Fourteen athletes, both continent and incontinent, between 18 and 30 years of age, were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a protocol for pelvic floor muscle training for 4 months. This consisted of three phases: awareness/stabilization, strength training and power. The control group was not subject to any intervention during the same period. Measures were collected at the initial and final phase for both groups. Maximum voluntary contractions were evaluated with a perineometer, involuntary urine loss with a Pad test and quality of life with the King’s Health Questionnaire. Baseline sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics were not significantly different. Comparing the two groups, the experimental group improved maximum voluntary pelvic contractions (p<0.001) and reduced urine loss (p=0.025), indicating the existence of significant differences between groups in the variation from the initial and final phases. The percentage of urine loss decreased in the experimental group, from 71.4–42.9%, suggesting that the protocol intervention for 16 weeks may help athletes with stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract:In order to safeguard the material and immaterial heritage and to foster delightful experiences for visitors, this investigation aimed to define a Matrix of Priorities for management of Visitation Impacts Management on the Geosites of Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark. With a quantitative approach involving the revision of documents, the methods used in this paper determined what the demands for visitation are as well as the impacts of these demands. We identified the offers for activities and occurrences in the geosites. Using this model, we calculated the following variables: (i) evident impacts, (ii) management profile, (iii) visitor demand and (iv) activity zone. We also classified the recommended management actions and presented the priority matrix. We classified the geosites of Ponte de Pedra, Riacho do Meio and Cachoeira de Missão Velha as requiring immediate or priority management action, in view of the high impacts of visitation evidenced. The geosites of Pedra Cariri, Floresta Petrificada and Parque dos Pterossauros were classified as programmed action, highlighting the difficulty of accessing them and the low demand for visitation. The geosites Pontal de Santa Cruz, Colina do Horto and Batateiras presented the best scores and require feedback action. It is emphasized that the deepening the investigations is required

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In this investigation, we formulated the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum and its centrality indicators, based on the identification of the Ecosystem Health Potentials and Opportunities on the trails of Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio in the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG), establishing a baseline for the promotion of green exercise and geotourism in the territory. Based on the network methodology for complex systems, we analyzed the closeness and strength of biotic, abiotic variables, nature phenomena, infrastructure, and sensory experiences in order to determine the configuration of these associations. In the Santo Sepulcro, regarding the association, two negative relations and two positive relations among the variables were highlighted; as for closeness and strength, Aquatic Diversity with the Scientific Values of Geodiversity stood out. In Riacho do Meio, we highlight three positive associations among the variables; as for connectivity, Biodiversity and Meteorological and Climate Exposure presented the highest values and, as for strength, the variables Biodiversity, Route Classification, and Aquatic Diversity were the most prominent. We conclude, based on the presented configuration, that the variables with greater connectivity act as hubs; if these variables are optimized, the network will present an acceptable theoretical configuration. However, neglecting central strength variables can cause the network to collapse.

Computerized rat gait analysis has become an invaluable technique of functional evaluation for some peripheral nerve investigators, comparing the normal and the pathological kinematic data. Appropriate selection of the methods to evaluate the functional outcome should be sensitive enough to moderate changes. By combining kinematic data and traditional methods in regeneration studies, it is possible to achieve better documentation of functional changes with the passage of time. A review of the three commonly kinematic parameters used in nerve regeneration studies, such as the calculation of sciatic function index, stance factor, and ankle angle, will provide the reader with detailed information about this accurate and consistent means of evaluating peripheral nerve function after nerve injury and repair. This study aims to review the different methods and potentialities of the rat gait kinematics as a noninvasive evaluation during regeneration, allowing for measurement of the rate of functional recovery in experimental studies.