Atividades antropogênicas relacionadas ao uso massivo de antibacterianos tem favorecido para que ambientes aquáticos sejam importantes locais para seleção e/ou disseminação de bactérias multirresistentes (MR). O objetivo do estudo foi monitorar a ocorrência de bactérias MRs em ambientes aquáticos públicos no estado de SP, caracterizando genótipos de resistência adquirida. Foram analisados 50 isolados de bactérias gram-negativas, recuperadas de amostras de água, sendo que 70% dos isolados apresentaram perfil de MR, identificando-se os genes blaCTX-M-2 (n= 5), blaCTX-M-9 (n= 1), blaCTX-M-15 (n= 2), blaKPC-2 (n= 3), qnrB (n= 1), oqxA (n= 3), oqxB (n= 3) e, aac(6)1b-cr (n= 7). Destaca-se a primeira detecção de A. calcoaceticus produtora de KPC-2. Ambientes aquáticos de acesso público podem ser importantes fontes para a disseminação e/ou transmissão de uma ampla variedade de espécies bacterianas MRs tanto para seres humanos como para ecossistemas associados, sendo que a presença de genótipos endêmicos sugere contaminação por esgoto doméstico e/ou hospitalar. / Anthropogenic activities related to the massive use of antibacterial has contributed to the selection and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) into the aquatic environment. This study aimed to monitor the occurrence of MDR bacteria in public aquatic environments, in the state of São Paulo, characterizing genotypes of acquired resistance. Of the 50 gram-negative isolates, recovered of water samples, 70% exhibited a MDR profile. Indeed, blaCTX-M-2 (n= 5), blaCTX-M-9 (n= 1), blaCTX-M-15 (n= 2)-, blaKPC-2 (n= 3)-, qnrB (n= 1)-, oqxA (n= 3)-, oqxB (n= 3)- and aac(6)-1b-cr (n = 7) genes were identified. Noteworthy is the first the detection of KPC-2-producing Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Aquatic environments, with public access, may be important sources for the dissemination and/or transmission of a wide variety of MDR bacterial species to both humans and associated ecosystems. Moreover, the presence of endemic genotypes suggests contamination by domestic and/or hospital sewage.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-06-25. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:25:48Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-10869.pdf: 639507 bytes, checksum: 4b13227940debf1c6d9d1683aa25bd22 (MD5) / Objetivo: Observar o comportamento metabólico e os ajustes fisiológicos promovidos por um protocolo de atividades físicas em meio aquático com o uso de cargas complementares, variando entre 3-5% do peso corporal. Métodos: Para a realização do experimento, foram utilizados 30 ratos machos, adultos da linhagem Wistar. Os 30 animais empregados no estudo foram divididos aleatoriamente, em dois grupos sendo um o Grupo Treinado (GT) e outro o Grupo Controle (GC). Os animais (15) submetidos ao treinamento físico (GT) foram divididos em três subgrupos: GT1; GT2 e GT3, todos foram submetidos a cinco sessões semanais de natação com duração de 60 minutos, totalizando três, seis e doze semanas respectivamente de treinamento. Dosagens das concentrações de insulina, IGF, glicose e lactato em diferentes momentos e fases do protocolo, foram adotadas como ferramentas para a interpretação de possíveis adaptações. O tratamento estatístico empregado para a análise da glicose, insulina e IGF, foi ANOVA ONEWAY para dados não pareados. Para o lactato plasmático empregou-se ANOVA TWO-WAY empregando o pacote estatístico SAS para PC versão 6.08, (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Resultados: não houve alterações significativas das concentrações plasmáticas analisadas. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que o modelo experimental empregado não induz ajustes fisiológicos ou tampouco adaptações hormonais quando estas são analisadas pelos métodos e pelas variáveis bioquímicas acima citadas. Contudo, novos estudos devem ser realizados com experimentos de longo prazo, associando técnicas e abordagens distintas. / Objective: Observe metabolic behavior and physiological adjustments promoted by a protocol of physical activities in aquatic way with the use of additional loads varying between 3 and 5% of body weight. Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: the Trained Group (TG) and Control Group (CG). The 15 animals of the TG, which underwent physical training, were subdivided into three subgroups: GT1, GT2 and GT3. They underwent 5 weekly swimming sessions during 60 minutes, respectively totaling 3, 6 and 12 weeks of training. Insulin concentration doses, IGF, glucose and lactate at different periods and stages of protocol were used as tools to interpret possible adaptations. ANOVA ONE-WAY for unpaired data was the statistical method for glucose, insulin and IGF analysis. ANOVA TWO-WAY, statistic SAS for PC 6.08 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used for plasmatic lactate. Results: No significant changes in plasmatic concentrations occurred. Conclusion: Current analysis showed that experimental model used does not induce physiological adjustments and hormone adaptations when these are analyzed by the above-mentioned methods and biochemical variables. Other researches should be undertaken involving long-term experiments coupling distinct techniques and approaches. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Leaching is one of the major processes occurring when organic litter is decomposed and is often completed within a few days when litter enters aquatic environments. It is important that leaching is addressed when studying microbial and invertebrate decomposition rates in order to avoid overestimations. The traditional litter bag method that has been used to measure decomposition rates in both terrestrial and aquatic environments has in recent years been challenged by the new and widely adopted tea bag index (TBI). Both methods, however, fail to bring a standardized methodology for separating and recognizing weight losses of litter due to leaching and biotic decomposition. Through a field experiment in two streams with different water discharge, this study has focused on exploring the leaching phase and post-leaching phase of the tea products used in TBI. The results unveiled that 20% of rooibos tea’s and 44% of green tea’s initial weight was lost to leaching within three days (72 hours) of the experiment. After the 72nd hour, both teas remained in a stabilized phase until the end of the experiment (120 hours). Water discharge had no significant effect on neither of the tea-weights during or after the leaching phase. This study recommends that weight loss through the leaching phase are taken into account in future studies and advocate the development of an updated TBI protocol where leaching losses are recognized. If not, overestimations of active decomposition rates will be made and may result in compromised conclusions. / Urlakning är en av de viktigaste processerna som uppstår vid nedbrytning av organiskt material och är ofta slutfört inom några dagar när materialet befinner sig i vattenmiljöer. Det är viktigt att den urlakade massan beräknas när studier fokuserade på nedbrytningshastigeter av mikrober och evertebrater genomförs, detta för att undvika en överestimering av den biotiska aktiviteten. Den traditionella metoden, där torkade växtdelar i påsar, har använts för att mäta nedbrytningshastigheter i både mark- och vattenmiljöer har under de senaste åren utmanats av det nya och allmänt accepterade tepåse-indexet (TBI). Båda metoderna misslyckas dock med att implementera en standardiserad metodik för att separera och uppskatta materialets viktförluster genom urlakning och biotisk nedbrytning. Genom ett fältexperiment i två vattendrag med olika vattenföring har denna studie fokuserat på att undersöka urlakningsfasen och den stabiliserade perioden efter urlakningen hos teprodukterna som används i TBI. Resultaten avslöjade att 20% av rooibos tes och 44% av grönt tes ursprungliga vikt förloras genom urlakning inom tre dagar (72 timmar) av experimentet. Efter den 72:a timmen förblev båda teerna i en stabiliserad fas till slutet av experimentet (120 timmar). Vattenflöde hade ingen signifikant effekt på någon av tetypernas vikter, varken för perioden under eller efter urlakningsfasen. Denna studie rekommenderar att viktminskning genom urlakningsfasen beaktas i framtida studier och förespråkar utvecklingen av ett uppdaterat TBI-protokoll för att inkludera urlakningens påverkan. Om inte, kommer överskattningar av aktiva nedbrytningshastigheter att göras och kan leda till äventyrade slutsatser.

O aumento crescente da população brasileira em combinação com o uso abusivo de medicamentos no mercado nacional, aliados à falta de saneamento básico e de políticas públicas para o correto gerenciamento de alguns tipos de resíduos têm resultado na presença de compostos farmacêuticos em ambientes aquáticos. Estudos indicam que várias dessas substâncias parecem ser persistentes no ambiente e algumas vezes, resistem até mesmo às estações de tratamento de água, fazendo-se presentes na água tratada, que chega à população. O presente trabalho visou analisar quantitativamente a presença dos anti-inflamatórios e do analgésico mais comumente consumido no Brasil: diclofenaco, cetoprofeno, naproxeno, indometacina, ibuprofeno e o paracetamol em águas superficiais, por LC-MS/MS com extração em fase sólida, antes e depois do tratamento convencional, em escala laboratorial pelo ensaio de Jar-Test, bem como caracterizar o risco humano pela presença destes compostos na água após o tratamento. Os métodos utilizados na quantificação destes fármacos apresentaram bons resultados: a análise cromatográfica obteve coeficientes de correlação entre 0,9952-0,9991, com limites de quantificação de 0,5ng/mL- 50ng/mL e desvios padrões entre (0,08-2,08); na recuperação do método de extração em fase sólida o diclofenaco, o cetoprofeno, o naproxeno e a indometacina apresentaram cerca de 100% de recuperação, o ibuprofeno apresentou apenas 48%(±9,37) de recuperação e o paracetamol aproximadamente 19,84% (±2,52); no ensaio de jar-test, observou-se que apenas o cetoprofeno e o ibuprofeno não foram removidos completamente no tratamento utilizado (remoção de 0-15% do cetoprofeno e de 0-35% do ibuprofeno). Amostras ambientais foram coletadas e tratadas pelo ensaio de Jar-Test, e os valores obtidos para o cetoprofeno e ibuprofeno após o tratamento foram de 18,67-19,65ng/L e 147ng/L, respectivamente. Através de cálculos, com a dose de referência de cada um dos compostos e considerando as características desta exposição, foi possível concluir que nestas concentrações o cetoprofeno e o ibuprofeno não causam risco à saúde humana. / The increasing population growth in combination with the misuse of drugs in the domestic market, coupled with the lack of sanitation and public policies for proper management of some types of waste have resulted in the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments. Studies indicate that several of these substances appear to be persistent in the environment and sometimes even resistant to water treatment plants, being present in the treated water which reaches the population. This study aimed to analyze quantitatively the presence of anti-inflammatory and analgesic most commonly consumed in Brazil: diclofenac, ketoprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, ibuprofen and paracetamol in surface waters by LC-MS/MS with solid phase extraction prior and after conventional treatment in a laboratory scale by using Jar-test assay, and to determine the human risk posed by the presence of these compounds in the water after treatment. The methods used to quantify these drugs showed good results: a chromatographic analysis obtained correlation coefficients between 0.9952 to 0.9991, with limits of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL- 50ng/mL and standard deviations between (0.08 - 2.08); recovery method of solid phase extraction to diclofenac, ketoprofen, naproxen and indomethacin showed about 100% recovery, ibuprofen showed only 48% (± 9.37) and paracetamol approximately 19 84% (± 2.52) recovery; in the jar-test, it was observed that only ketoprofen and ibuprofen were not completely removed (removal: 0-15% of ketoprofen and 0-35% of ibuprofen). Environmental samples were collected and handled by jar-test test, and the values obtained for ketoprofen and ibuprofen after treatment were 18.67 to 19.65 ng / L and 147ng / L, respectively. By calculation with a reference dose of each compound and considering the characteristics of this display, it was concluded that these concentrations of ketoprofen and ibuprofen do not cause risk to human health.

Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe - FAPITEC/SE / The recent research aims at an idealization of an Archaeology of Aquatic Environment worried in inserting multiple voices in the process of the construction of the knowledge, making it possible to bring closer society to archaeological research and to its heritage. Through the presentation and the discussion of a theoretical-methodological framework of an integrative and multivocal bias and through the contextualization of the researched area, the lower São Francisco River, it’s sought to draw a line in a position in which Archaeology is capable to comprehend the many relationships existent between local communities and its archaeological heritage. Thus, the sub aquatic archaeology research rises as a form to mediate a relation of self-recognition of society to its underwater cultural heritage. / A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo a idealização de uma Arqueologia de ambientes aquáticos preocupada em inserir múltiplas vozes no processo da construção do conhecimento, para que seja possível aproximarmos a sociedade da pesquisa arqueológica e de seu patrimônio. Por meio da apresentação e da discussão de um arcabouço teórico-metodológico de viés integrativo e multivocal e da contextualização da área de pesquisa, o baixo rio São Francisco, busca-se delinear um posicionamento em que a Arqueologia seja capaz de compreender as diversas relações existentes entre as comunidades locais e o seu patrimônio arqueológico. Assim, a pesquisa arqueológica subaquática surge como uma forma de mediarmos uma relação de autorreconhecimento da sociedade para com o seu patrimônio cultural subaquático.

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2016-05-03T17:20:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Eline_VersãoFinal.pdf: 24730530 bytes, checksum: 660259a520e774bdef4c1478084f292b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-03T17:20:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Eline_VersãoFinal.pdf: 24730530 bytes, checksum: 660259a520e774bdef4c1478084f292b (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências-Geoquímica. Niterói, RJ / A contaminação dos ambientes aquáticos por contaminantes emergentes é, ainda, pouco investigada no Brasil. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de fármacos de diferentes classes terapêuticas, cafeína e bisfenola, em corpos hídricos de diferentes escalas no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram eles: em micro escala, os Córregos São Domingos e Ribeirão Santíssimo (município de Santa Maria Madalena); em pequena escala, as bacias dos rios Paquequer, Guandu, Iguaçu e Sarapuí; em média escala, a bacia do médio rio Paraíba do Sul. Considerando os objetivos propostos foram analisadas 47 amostras para a determinação de 34 fármacos (acetaminofeno, ácido salicílico, codeína, diclofenaco, fenazona, ibuprofeno, ketoprofeno, meloxicam, naproxeno, piroxicam, atorvastaina, benzafibrato, gemfibrozil, alprazolam, carbamazepina, diazepam, lorazepam, venlafaxina, atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propanolol, sotalol, furosemida, torasemida, glibenclamida, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, warfarina, tiabendazol, xilazina, sulfametoxazol, trimetoprim), cafeína e bisfenol-a, empregando a técnica analítica de extração em fase sólida, cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência e espectrometria de massa tandem. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que nenhuma amostra analisada estava livre da contaminação por esses compostos e apenas dois deles (piroxicam e torasemida) não foram detectados em qualquer amostra. A freqüência com que os demais compostos foram detectados variou entre 2,1 (para a xilazina) e 100% (para ácido salicílico, velanfaxine, propanolol, tiabendazol, trimetoprim e cafeína). Uma avaliação qualitativa sobre consumo de medicamentos no município de Santa Maria Madalena mostrou uma estreita relação entre o consumo, a concentração e a frequência com que são encontrados fármacos em amostras ambientais. Os rios que apresentaram as maiores concentrações totais destes contaminantes foram (em ordem decrescente): rios Iguaçu-Sarapuí (51,8 μg L-1); córregos São Domingos e Ribeirão Santíssimo (19,0 μg L-1); rio Paquequer (18,2 μg L-1); rio Guandu (1,46 μg L-1) e rio Paraíba do Sul (1,42 μg L-1). Esses resultados mostram a importância da vazão na diluição da contaminação por fármacos, cafeína e bisfenol-a, oriundos da entrada de esgoto doméstico, o que pode ser avaliada através das cargas de contaminantes transportadas em cada bacia. A alta concentração de certos compostos (alguns quantificados neste estudo na ordem de μg L-1) não é, necessariamente, a principal preocupação ambiental, mas também, a sua persistência e atividade biológica. Contudo, para a maioria desses compostos não existem dados suficientes quanto a ocorrência, avaliação de risco e ecotoxicidade, e desta forma, é difícil prever os seus efeitos causados à saúde do homem e dos organismos aquáticos, o que torna primordial a sua investigação / The contamination of aquatic environments by emerging contaminants is still poorly investigated in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of different therapeutic classes of drugs, caffeine and bisphenol-a in water bodies of different scales in the State of Rio de Janeiro. They were: in micro-scale, the streams of São Domingos and Ribeirão Santíssimo (in the city of Santa Maria Madalena); in a small-scale, the River Basins Paquequer, Guandu, Iguaçu and Sarapuí; on the medium scale, the basin of the middle Paraíba do Sul River. Considering the objectives proposed, 47 samples were analyzed for the determination of 34 pharmaceutical compounds (acetaminophen, salicylic acid, codeine, diclofenac, phenazone, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam, naproxen, piroxicam, atorvastatin, benzafibrate gemfibrozil, alprazolam, carbamazepine, diazepam, lorazepam, venlafaxine, atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, furosemide, torasemide, glibenclamide, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, warfarin, thiabendazole, xylazine, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim), caffeine and bisphenol-a, using the analytical technique of Solid Phase Extraction, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry tandem. The results showed that any sample evaluated was free from contamination by these compounds; only two compounds (piroxicam and torasemide) were not detected in any sample. The frequency of compounds detected ranged from 2.1 (for xylazine) and 100% (for salicylic acid, velanfaxine, propranolol, thiabendazole, trimethoprim and caffeine). A qualitative assessment about drug use in the municipality of Santa Maria Madalena showed a close relationship between the consumption, the concentration and the frequency wherein pharmaceutical compounds are found in environmental samples. The rivers that had the highest total concentrations of these contaminants were (in descending order): Iguaçu and Sarapuí rivers, (51.8 mg L-1), and the streams São Domingos and Ribeirão Santíssimo (19.0 mg L-1); Paquequer River (18.2 mg L- 1); Guandu River (1.46 mg L-1) and Paraíba do Sul River (1.42 mg L-1). These results show the importance of flow in the dilution of the contamination by pharmaceutical compounds, caffeine and bisphenol-a, from the entry of domestic sewage, which can be evaluated through loads of contaminants carried in each basin. The high concentration of certain compounds (some quantified in this study in order mg L-1) is not necessarily the main environmental concern, but also its persistence and biological activity. However, for most of these compounds there are insufficient data regarding the occurrence, risk assessment and ecotoxicology, and thus it is difficult to predict the health effects in humans and aquatic organisms, which makes its primary research

Suite à une anthropisation généralisée des ressources aquatiques et des écosystèmes associés, on retrouve de nombreux contaminants chimiques organiques à l’état de traces dans l’environnement aquatique. En parallèle de ces contaminants, dans les milieux aquatiques on retrouve également des molécules rassemblées sous la dénomination « matière organique dissoute (MOD) », qui sont des mélanges complexes de molécules et macromolécules, qui peuvent s’associer à ces contaminants et influencer leur comportement et leur distribution. Les interactions entre MOD et contaminants peuvent s’avérer difficiles à étudier étant donné qu’elles sont dépendantes de nombreux facteurs tels que la nature des contaminants et de la MOD, ainsi que des paramètres physico-chimiques du milieu. L’objectif de ces travaux était donc d’étudier ces interactions. Les contaminants organiques choisis ont été les Hydrocarbures Aromatiques Polycycliques (HAP) et les substances pharmaceutiques. D’autre part, plusieurs types de MOD d’origine naturelle ou commerciale ont été utilisés. Pour étudier les interactions, plusieurs techniques analytiques ont été développées dont la micro-extraction sur phase solide couplée à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse et à la spectrométrie de masse et l’extinction de fluorescence. / In relation with a widespread human impact on aquatic resources and ecosystems, many organic chemical contaminants are present at trace levels in aquatic environments. In parallel to these contaminants, dissolved organic matter (DOM), which is composed of complex mixtures of molecules and macromolecules, is also found and could be associated with these contaminants and influence their behavior and distribution. Interactions between DOM and contaminants can be very difficult to understand because they depend on many factors such as the nature of contaminants and DOM, as well as on environmental physico-chemical parameters. The aim of this work was thus to study these interactions. Organic contaminants studied were Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, several types of natural and commercial DOM have been used. To study the interactions, several analytical techniques have been developed like solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and fluorescence quenching.

With a coast of approximately 8.500 km of extension, Brazil possesses a maritime scenario of great archaeological potency, formed mainly by rests of shipwrecks, port structures, maritime religiosity spaces, the sanctuary sites, and the depository sites. In the last twenty years of scientifically archaeological research, we entered in an innovative reality proposal that intends to encompass the many varied dimensions of human interaction with the aquatic environment, through the analyses of the multiple social and material expressions arising from this perception, be it from the nautical, maritime, or underwater segment corroborating in an Archaeology of Aquatic Environment. In the intent to evaluate the development and the perspective of this research field in Brazil, our dissertation has as one of its goals to do a approach of archaeological sites formed by rests of shipwrecks at the All Saints Bay - Bahia, relating historical, technical, nautical and social archaeological arising from this types of sites, by means of a inventory liability until reaching the research in situ from the rests of the clipper Blackadder. To this end we land in Public Archaeology, approaching segments of society to better understand the importance and meaning of shipwrecks archaeological sites as an integral part of the Underwater Brazilian Cultural Heritage. / Com um litoral de aproximadamente 8.500 km de extensão, o Brasil apresenta um cenário marítimo de grande potencial arqueológico, formado principalmente por restos de embarcações naufragadas, estruturas portuárias, espaços de religiosidade marítima, sítios santuários, e sítios depositários. Nesses últimos 20 anos de pesquisas arqueológicas científicas, ingressamos numa realidade de proposta inovadora que visa englobar as mais variadas vertentes da interação do ser humano com o ambiente aquático, através da análise das múltiplas expressões materiais e sociais advindas desta percepção, seja ela do segmento marítimo, náutico ou subaquático corroborando numa Arqueologia de Ambientes Aquáticos. No intuito de avaliar o desenvolvimento e as perspectivas deste campo de pesquisa no Brasil, nossa dissertação tem como um dos objetivos desenvolver uma abordagem de sítios arqueológicos formados por restos de embarcações naufragadas na Baía de Todos os Santos, Salvador - BA, relacionando informações históricas, técnicas, náuticas e sociais advindas desses tipos de sítios, por meio de um inventário passivo até alcançar a pesquisa in situ dos restos do clipper Blackadder. Nessa perspectiva, nos aportamos na Arqueologia Pública, aproximando segmentos da sociedade para melhor compreender a importância e significância dos sítios arqueológicos de naufrágios como um elemento integrante do patrimônio cultural subaquático brasileiro.

Inadequately treated wastewater effluent is harmful to the receiving aquatic environment. Water-borne chemicals and microbial pathogens pose a health risk to anyone living downstream from sewage treatment facilities. This study assessed the effluent from a package plant with a design capacity of 48kℓ/24 hours, servicing 12 household units and a restaurant in Mogale City. Over a 12 month period, fortnightly water samples were collected from ten selected sites including two boreholes, a river and two dams. Standard parameters including physical (pH, EC, temperature, DO and SS), chemical (nutrient concentration) and biological (bacterial counts) were analysed using handheld meters, standard membrane filter techniques and colorimetric methods. One borehole was affected by pathogen and nitrate runoff from an adjacent poultry farm. If regularly monitored, the package plant effectively removed microbes (most samples contained 0 cfu/100mℓ) but above limit COD, ammonia and phosphate was released in the effluent (with maximum values of 322 mg/ℓ, 42.52 mg/ℓ and 7.18 mg/ℓ, respectively). Generally, river and dam water at the site was of good quality. / Environmental Science / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Title: Rating postural stability in synchronized swimming Objectives: The aim of the diploma thesis is to detect, with a use of the system Gaitview ® AFA - 50 systém (Foot Scanner), if synchronized swimming has effect on postural stability of synchronized swimmers. Methods: Therotical part of diploma thesis is about synchronized swimming, influence of the aquatic environment, postural stability, stabilization and balance. A sample of 113 female athletes aged 6-35, who were long term synchronized swimmers at competition level, was chosen for this survey. Postural stability of athletes was tested while standing still with open and closed eyes by Gaitview ® AFA-50 system (Foot Scanner). Measured data were processed through Gaitview software, Microsoft Excel 2010 and anaylzed by statistical methods (average percentage, ratio, linear trend). Results: Results confirmed the effect of synchronized swimming on athletes postural stability. The longer are athletes dedicated to synchronized swimming the better is postural stability. From the age of 15 years and after 9 years of experience in synchronized swimming postural stability was shown to be better without access to visual information than with it. In the youngest category there is the biggest difference in postural stability while standing still with...