Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-12-16T17:15:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 marcellofonsecasalgadofilho.pdf: 9000247 bytes, checksum: a234119931ed8da56fb969e17bc8b078 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-12-19T13:03:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 marcellofonsecasalgadofilho.pdf: 9000247 bytes, checksum: a234119931ed8da56fb969e17bc8b078 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-19T13:03:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 marcellofonsecasalgadofilho.pdf: 9000247 bytes, checksum: a234119931ed8da56fb969e17bc8b078 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-14 / Introdução: O bloqueio do nervo dorsal do pênis (BNDP) e a anestesia local tópica (LT) com uma mistura eutética de prilocaína e lidacaína são técnicas de uso rotineiro, fácil aplicação e baixo índice de complicações na cirurgia de postectomia. Propôs-se avaliar qual delas apresenta melhor analgesia com menor efeito hemodinâmico na cirurgia de postectomia por Plastibell® em crianças. Pacientes e métodos: Este ensaio clínico randomizado foi conduzido com 41 meninos, submetidos à postectomia por Plastibell® divididos em dois grupos: LT e BNDP. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa em Humanos segundo as normas da declaração de Helsinki e pelo Clinical trials/FDA. Nos pacientes sorteados para a técnica LT, a pomada de mistura eutética de prilocaína e lidacaína era aplicada no prepúcio uma hora antes da cirurgia. Antes da indução anestésica, todas as crianças eram monitoradas com estetoscópio precordial e monitor multiparâmetro Datex Omeda®. A indução anestésica era padrão para os dois grupos, com concentração inspirada de sevoflurano a 8% sob máscara facial e ventilação espontânea. No grupo BNDP, fez-se o bloqueio do nervo dorsal do pênis com levobupivacaína a 0,5% na dose de 2mg/kg. Avaliaram-se a frequência cardíaca, a pressão arterial média, a frequência respiratória e os movimentos involuntários durante os momentos de indução anestésica, de bloqueio do nervo dorsal do pênis, um minuto após a incisão e no pós-operatório imediato. A dor foi avaliada na primeira e na vigésima quarta hora de pós-operatório, pela escala análogo visual de dor. Resultados: Os grupos foram homogêneos quanto à idade, peso, diâmetro da glande, comprimento do pênis e tempo cirúrgico. No grupo LT, observou-se uma tendência a aumento da freqüência cardíaca no momento 1 minuto pós-incisão (p = 0,073) e da pressão arterial media no momento 1 minuto pósincisão (p = 0,046). No grupo BNDP, houve aumento da freqüência cardíaca (p = 0,004) e da pressão arterial média (p = 0,016) no momento do bloqueio. Comparando os momentos de maiores estímulos hemodinâmicos em cada grupo (T2 no grupo LT e T1 no grupo BNDP), observamos um estímulo mais intenso no BNDP, com aumento significante da freqüência cardíaca (p = 0,001) e maior incidência de movimentos involuntários (p = 0,002). Não houve diferença na dor 7 na primeira e na vigésima quarta hora de pós-operatório entre os grupos estudados. A incidência de hematoma e edema em 24 horas de pós--operatório foi maior no grupo BNDP. Conclusão: A anestesia LT com a pomada de mistura eutética de prilocaína e lidacaína proporciona menor repercussão hemodinâmica e analgesia satisfatória ao procedimento de postectomia por Plastibell®, controle da dor pós-operatório e baixa incidência de complicações pós-operatórias em relação ao BNDP, quando ambas as técnicas estão associadas à anestesia geral inalatória com sevoflurano. / Introduction: The dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) and local topical anesthesia (LT) with eutetic mixture lidocaine and prilocaine are current techniques with easy implementation and low complication rate in circumcision surgery. Herein, we evaluated which anesthetic technique provides better analgesia with less hemodynamic stimulation during circumcision with Plastibell® in children. Patients and methods: Forty-one boys who underwent circumcision with Plastibell® were divided at random into two groups: LT and DPNB. In LT group the ointment eutetic mixture lidocaine and prilocaine was applied to the foreskin one hour before surgery. Before inhalatory induction, all children were completely monitored. Inhalatory induction was standard for the two groups with 8% end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane on a facemask and spontaneous ventilation. After 10 minutes of anesthesia induction, the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was decreased to 2%. In the DPNB a dorsal penile nerve block was done with levobupivacaine 0.5% (2 mg/kg). We evaluated the heart rate, respiratory rate mean arterial pressure, and involuntary movements in the moments of induction of anesthesia (T0); dorsal penile nerve block (T1); 1 minute post-incision (T2) and 1 minute after end of surgery (T3). And also pain 1 hour and 24 hours after surgery. Results: The groups were homogeneous when compared age, weight, diameter of the glands, penile length and surgical duration. In the LT group there was a tendency to increase Heart Rate at T2 (p = 0.073) and an increase of Mean Arterial Pressure at T2 (p = 0.046) when compared to the induction time. The DPNB group had an increase in Heart Rate (p = 0.004) and Mean Arterial Pressure (p = 0.016) at the block time (T1) when compared to T0 time. Comparing the moments of greatest hemodynamic stimulus for each group (T2 for LT and T1 for DPNB) we observed a more intense stimulus in DPNB group with a significant increase in Heart Rate (p = 0.001) and greater incidence of involuntary movements (57.1% vs. 10%; p = 0.002). There was no difference in the incidence of pain between the study groups. Post-operative complications were higher in DPNB, especially hematoma and edema. Conclusions: Anesthesia with eutetic mixture lidocaine and prilocaine provides satisfactory hemodynamic stable during circumcision with Plastibell®, pain control and less complication in the post 9 operative period when this technique is associated with general anesthesia with sevoflurane.

A amígdala expandida central (EAc) inclui os núcleos central da amígdala (CeA), intersticial lateral da estria terminal (BSTl), intersticial do ramo posterior da comissura anterior (IPAC) e amígdala expandida sublenticular (SLEA). A EAc e a concha do acumbens possuem densa inervação dopaminérgica, implicada em processos motivacionais, e cuja origem foi estudada com a técnica de dupla marcação celular, combinando-se imunofluorescência para o traçador retrógrado Fluoro-Gold e para a tirosina hidroxilase. Nossos resultados indicam que a inervação dopaminérgica do CeA e BSTl é semelhante, se originando em igual proporção da área tegmental ventral (A10) e do núcleo dorsal da rafe/substância cinzenta periaquedutal (A10dc). A inervação dopaminérgica da SLEA, IPAC e concha do acumbens se origina principalmente do grupo A10. Com um anticorpo específico para dopamina vimos que parte da projeção do A10dc para o CeA é de fato dopaminérgica. Os grupos dopaminérgicos diencefálicos não inervam a EAc e a concha do acumbens. / The central extended amygdala (EAc) includes the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA), lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTl), interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC) and sublenticular extended amygdala (SLEA). The dopaminergic innervation of the EAc and nucleus accumbens shell is functionally related to motivational processes. Its origin was studied by combining immunofluorescence to tyrosine hydroxylase and Fluoro-Gold, used as retrograde tracer. Our results show that dopaminergic fibers to the CeA and BSTl derive in equal proportion from neurons in ventral tegmental area (A10) and in dorsal raphe nucleus/periaqueductal gray (A10dc). Dopaminergic inputs to SLEA, IPAC and accumbens shell arise mainly from A10 neurons. Using a dopamine antibody, we confirmed that A10dc projections to CeA are in part dopaminergic. Futhermore, the present data indicate that the diencephalic dopaminergic groups do not project to EAc and accumbens shell.

Ce travail visait à évaluer le potentiel d’une méthodologie innovante récemment adaptée à la Souris sur la base de tests neuropsychologiques utilisés en clinique humaine. Après optimisation de 3 tâches (PAL, VMCL, PVD) ciblant différentes fonctions cognitives chez l’animal, nos études ont établi : (1) l’existence possible d’interférences proactives lors d’apprentissages consécutifs ; (2) l’absence de déficit d’acquisition chez les souris de la lignée Tg2576 (modèle transgénique de la maladie d’Alzheimer), quelle que soit l’étendue de la charge amyloïde ; (3) l’implication spécifique du striatum dorsal lors de l’acquisition des tâches de VMCL et PAL, et celle de l’hippocampe lors du rappel de cette dernière tâche. Ces derniers résultats suggèrent qu’en dépit des efforts déployés pour s’assurer du caractère translationnel d’une tâche cognitive dans le paradigme du touchscreen, certaines adaptations inhérentes à chaque espèce influencent profondément les bases neurobiologiques associées. / This thesis work aimed to specify the potential of an innovative methodology latterly adapted in mice from neuropsychological tasks used in Humans. After the optimization of 3 assays (PAL, VMCL, PVD) taxing various cognitive functions in animals, different behavioral studies have gradually revealed: (1) the putative existence of proactive interferences over consecutive learnings in touchscreen tasks; (2) no acquisition deficit in Tg2576 mice (a transgenic model of Alzheimer’s Disease) in these paradigms, whatever the amyloid load considered; (3) the specific involvement of the dorsal striatum during the acquisition of VMCL and PAL tasks and the key role of the hippocampus during the recall of the latter task. As exemplified by the PAL task, our results suggest that despite momentous efforts in order to ensure the translational feature of touchscreen cognitive tasks, certain adaptations inherent to each species deeply influence the nature of underlying neurobiological substrates.

L'objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier l'implication de deux structures de la formation hippocampique, le cortex entorhinal latéral (CEL) et l'hippocampe dorsal (DH), dans les processus sous-tendant la formation et la flexibilité d'associations entre deux stimuli de modalités sensorielles différentes : l'olfaction et le toucher. Pour cela, une tâche bimodale olfacto-tactile (OT) est développée chez le rat. Dans celle-ci, l'animal doit apprendre à identifier une combinaison "odeur-texture" spécifique parmi les trois proposées afin d'obtenir un renforcement (ex: O1T1+ O2T1 O1T2, + désignant la combinaison renforcée). Aucun indice spatial ou contextuel n'est pertinent pour résoudre cette tâche. Suite à l'acquisition de deux tâches différentes, les stimuli sont réassociés sous forme de combinaisons inédites dans une troisième tâche appelée « recombinaison ». La manipulation pharmacologique de l'activité du CEL a mis en évidence l'implication des systèmes glutamatergique NMDA et cholinergique de cette structure dans les processus sous-tendant ces deux types de tâche. En revanche, si le DH n'est pas indispensable pour l'acquisition, son système cholinergique est critique pour la recombinaison. En comparaison avec l'acquisition, l'étude électrophysiologique a montré que la recombinaison repose sur un découplage de la synchronisation entre les activités oscillatoires du CEL et celles du DH dans la bande thêta (5-12 Hz). De plus, cet apprentissage est associé à une augmentation de l'amplitude des oscillations bêta (15-45 Hz) dans le CEL. Ces travaux montrent que le CEL et le DH interviennent dans les processus sous-tendant la flexibilité des représentations bimodales / The goal of this thesis is to study the involvement of two structures of the hippocampal formation, the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) and the dorsal hippocampus (DH), in the processes underlying the formation and the flexibility of associations of stimuli between two different sensory modalities. To this aim, a new olfactory-tactile (OT) bimodal task has been developed in the rat. To solve the task, animals have to identity one “odor-texture” combination between three in order to obtain a reinforcement (ex: O1T1+ O2T1 O1T2, + for the baited cup). This procedure excludes the use of any spatial or contextual cues for solving the task. After the acquisition of two different tasks, the familiar stimuli used in acquisition were recombined in a third task (called “recombination”). The pharmacological manipulation of the LEC showed that the NMDA glutamatergic and cholinergic system in this structure are involved in the processes underlying the acquisition and the recombination. In contrast, the cholinergic system in the DH is selectively and critically involved in the recombination processes. Compared to acquisition, our electrophysiological data showed that the recombination is based on a desynchronization between the oscillatory activities of the LEC and of the DH in the theta band (5-12 Hz). Moreover, this task is associated with increased amplitude of beta oscillations (15-45 Hz) in the LEC. These data demonstrated that the LEC and the DH are critically involved in the processes underlying the flexibility of bimodal representations

A concepção de aeronaves não convencionais a fim de alcançar um determinado desempenho ou melhoria operacional é sem dúvida um dos objetivos mais importantes da engenheira aeronáutica. Tais melhorias envolvem: redução de arrasto, redução da seção transversal, redução de ruído, redução da distância de decolagem e pouso, aumento da eficiência aerodinâmica, aumento da carga útil, entre outros. Por tanto, métodos de otimização multidisciplinar se tornaram em ferramentas muito úteis para aprimorar o projeto conceitual destas aeronaves. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento do projeto conceitual de uma aeronave não convencional de combate e a análise de desempenho aerodinâmico do seu sistema de admissão de ar (Intake), tendo como principal característica, estar localizado na parte superior da fuselagem da aeronave (Dorsal Intake). O delineamento conceitual foi desenvolvido através da implementação de metodologias de otimização multidisciplinar de projeto (MDO) na fase de projeto paramétrico, integrando conceitos como: entropia estatística, desdobramento da função qualidade (QFD) e análise de restrições. Além disso, foram usados métodos analíticos e teóricos, ferramentas de desenho assistido por computador (CAD) e simulações da dinâmica dos fluidos computacionais (CFD) para otimizar e obter a configuração final da aeronave. Posteriormente, 5 configurações de asa delta foram selecionadas para avaliar as mudanças de desempenho do dorsal intake sob a influência aerodinâmica das superfícies principais da aeronave (Asa e Fuselagem), em regimes de voo subsônico (Mach = 0.4), transônico (Mach = 0.9) e supersônico (Mach = 1.7; 2) a diversos ângulos de ataque (De α = 10º a α = 30º ). Os resultados encontrados neste trabalho foram avaliados em separado, subsequentemente foram integrados, a fim de obter a nova concepção de aeronave não convencional de combate; a aplicação de MDO permitiu estimar as variáveis de projeto ideais para o desenvolvimento do projeto da aeronave, em relação a sua missão. Em contrapartida, os resultados da integração intake-estrutura mostram que apropriadas características de desempenho e compatibilidade foram mantidas durante as fases de voo subsônicas, para as 5 configurações de asa. No entanto, para velocidades transônicas, a configuração canard apresentou um acréscimo nos níveis de recuperação de pressão total, devido ao fluxo de alta energia na parte superior da fuselagem, o qual é produzido pelo vórtice do canard a moderados ângulos de ataque. Finalmente, para velocidades supersônicas, a asa com dispositivos LEX (Leading Edge Extensions) obteve os melhores níveis de recuperação de pressão total, pois a implementação destes dispositivos apresentou uma montagem mais vantajosa com sua fuselagem para gerar o cone de Mach, aumentando os níveis de recuperação de pressão total e reduzindo a distorção na face do motor. No entanto, para velocidades maiores a Mach = 2, sem importar a configuração de asa, a expansão do escoamento sobre a fuselagem e as asas da aeronave produziu um aumento no número Mach local na entrada do intake, o que reduziu os níveis de desempenho e compatibilidade do mesmo. Em consequência, a posição do intake na parte superior da fuselagem representa uma opção de configuração viável para aeronaves que requerem apenas capacidades de ângulo de ataque razoáveis, tais como aeronaves de caça ar-terra, sendo a asa com dispositivos LEX a geometria que representa melhores qualidades de desempenho na maioria dos 3 regimes de voo avaliados. / The conception of non-conventional aircraft with the aim of achieving a certain performance or operational improvement is undoubtedly, one of the most important objectives of the aeronautical engineering. These improvements involve: drag reduction, cross section reduction, noise reduction, shortening of take-off and landing distance, increase of aerodynamic efficiency, payload increase, among others. Therefore, optimization multidisciplinary methods became in very important tools to upgrade the conceptual design phase of these aircraft. In this context, this work had as aim the development of the conceptual design of a nonconventional fighter aircraft and the aerodynamic performance analysis of its air intake, having as main characteristic to be located at the top of the fuselage (Dorsal Intake). The conceptual design was developed through the implementation of multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) methods in the parametric design phase, integrating concepts of: statistical entropy, quality function deployment (QFD) and constraint analysis. Besides that, it was used analytical and theoretical methods, computer-aided design (CAD) tools and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to optimize and obtain the final aircraft configuration. Subsequently, 5 delta wing configurations were selected to evaluate the dorsal intake performance changes under the aerodynamic influence of the main aircraft surfaces (Wings and Fuselage) in subsonic (Mach = 0.4), transonic (Mach = 0.9) and supersonic (Mach = 1.7; 2) flight regimes, at various angles of attack (From α = 10º to α = 30º ). The results found in this work were evaluated separately, later these were integrated, in order to get the new conception of non-conventional fighter aircraft; the MDO application allowed to estimate the ideal design variables for developing the aircraft design, regarding to its mission. On the other hand, the results of the intake-structure integration shown that appropriate performance and compatibility characteristics were maintained during the subsonic flight stages for the 5 wing configurations. However, for transonic velocities, the canard configuration presented an increase in the total pressure recovery levels, due to the high energy flux on the fuselage, which is produced by the canard vortex at moderate angles of attack. Finally, for supersonic velocities, the wing with LEX (Leading Edge Extensions) devices got the best levels of total pressure recovery, because the implementation of these devices presented a more advantageous assembly with its fuselage to generate the Mach cone, increasing the total pressure recovery levels and reducing the distortion at the engine face. However, for velocities higher than Mach = 2, regardless the wing configuration, the flow expansion on the fuselage and the wings produced an increase in the local Mach number in the intake entrance, which reduced the performance and compatibility levels of it. As a consequence, the top mounted intake position represents an option of viable configuration to aircraft that require only reasonable angles of attack capabilities, such as air-to-ground fighter aircraft, being the wing with LEX devices the geometry that represents better performance qualities in the majority of the 3 evaluated flight regimes.

Knowledge of the course of the pudendal nerve (PN) is important when performing perineal surgery. Distances between landmarks were measured after PN dissections in 71 cadavers and after perineal procedures on 30 cadavers. Separate inferior rectal nerve (IRN) entry and medial position of the PN/IRN with shortened sacrospinous ligaments were often seen in black individuals. A PN block should therefore be placed more proximally and medially. The Richter’s stitch should be placed further from the ischial spine. During ischioanal procedures the IRN is at risk in white females, as it was more superficial. The dorsal nerve of the clitoris/penis (DNC/DNP) is in danger during the outside-in procedures in white or obese individuals, as it was closer to the inferior pubic ramus. The dorsal penile nerve block should be administered deeper in white and obese individuals, as the DNP was deeper. The above-mentioned findings should be verified in a clinical setting. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Anatomy / Unrestricted

Choisir quel mouvement effectuer est une fonction primordiale du système nerveux central. Comment ces décisions sont prises est encore sujet à débats. Une hypothèse traditionnelle pose qu’elles sont prises de façon sérielle, à l’aide de processus perceptifs qui alimentent un exécutif central, qui communique ensuite au système moteur quel mouvement effectuer. L’hypothèse alternative préférée par notre équipe est que les mouvements potentiels commencent à être préparés en parallèle et entrent en compétition pour les effecteurs. Dans le but de tester ces hypothèses, notre équipe a enseigné à un macaque une tâche de prise de décision motrice. Le sujet y est placé devant un écran où deux cibles apparaissent. Chacune a une valeur qui découle de deux caractéristiques : sa luminosité (BU pour bottom-up, information ascendante) et l’orientation d’une ligne qui la coupe comme une aiguille d’horloge (TD pour top-down, information descendante.) Le sujet choisit une des deux à l’aide d’un mouvement d’atteinte, et reçoit une récompense proportionnelle à sa valeur. Cette tâche permet de comparer plusieurs types d’essais : certains présentent une seule cible, une absence de choix, ou deux cibles identiques, un choix sans conséquence. D’autres ont une cible plus valable que l’autre, le choix est alors facile. On peut alors faire varier la caractéristique (BU ou TD) qui donne une plus grande valeur à la meilleure cible. Finalement, on peut montrer deux cibles de valeur égale, mais dont une tire sa valeur d’un bon score TD et l’autre, d’un bon score BU. Le sujet doit alors, en quelque sorte, choisir entre les caractéristiques. Pendant que le sujet exécute la tâche, on enregistre ses potentiels de champ locaux (LFP) à l’aide de deux réseaux d’électrodes déplaçables individuellement, l’un placé dans le cortex pariétal postérieur (PPC) et l’autre, dans le cortex prémoteur dorsal (PMd). L’analyse de ces données à l’aide de spectrogrammes, et une discussion des réactions spécifiques dans les bandes de fréquences alpha, bêta et gamma, sont présentées ici. / Choosing which movement to make is a primary function of the central nervous system. How these decisions are made is still a matter of debate. A traditional hypothesis posits that such decisions are made in a serial fashion: perceptual processes feed into a central executive, which then communicates to the motor system which movement to make. The alternative hypothesis preferred by our team is that potential movements begin to be prepared in parallel, and compete for effectors until a consensus forms in brain areas related to controlling the movements. In order to test these hypotheses, our team taught a macaque to perform a reach-based decision-making task. The subject is placed in front of a screen on which two targets appear. Each target has a value derived from two features: its brightness (BU, bottom-up information) and the orientation of a line that crosses it like a clock hand (TD, top-down information.) The subject freely chooses one of the two targets by reaching it, and then receives a reward proportional to its value. This task compares several types of trials: some show a single target, therefore no choice, or show two identical targets, which means the choice has no consequences. Other trials have one target that is more valuable than the other, which makes the choice easy. The feature which gives that better target a greater value can be either BU or TD. Finally, some trials show two targets of equal value, but one of them derives its value from a good TD score while the other derives its value from a good BU score. The subject must then choose between the features. While the subject performs the task, local field potentials (LFP) are recorded using two individually movable electrode arrays. One array is placed in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and the other, in the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd). The data thus obtained is analyzed using spectrograms, and a discussion of specific responses in the alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands is presented here.

Dorsal-ventral (DV) polarity in the Drosophila embryo is defined by spatially regulated activation of the transmembrane receptor Toll, which is uniformly distributed throughout the early embryo's plasma membrane. Ventral activation of Toll is accomplished through the local production of its activating ligand, a processed C-terminal fragment of the Spätzle protein, which is generated in the last step of a proteolytic cascade involving the sequentially-acting proteases Gastrulation Defective (GD), Snake and Easter. Pipe protein, a homologue of vertebrate glycosaminoglycan modifying enzymes, which is expressed during oogenesis in ventral follicle cells adjacent to the developing oocyte, is believed to control the ventrally restricted processing of Spätzle. pipe expression and the sulfation of its enzymatic target in the ventral follicle cells leads to the formation of a stable ventral cue, embedded in the eggshell. Recently the Pipe enzymatic target has been identified as several protein components of the vitelline membrane, the inner layer of the eggshell. Prior to this work, an important piece of information missing from our understanding of Drosophila DV patterning was the identity of the initial step in the protease cascade that requires Pipe activity. Here, I show that the processing of Snake is independent of Pipe activity, while the processing of Easter requires Pipe function, indicating that Easter processing by Snake is the key proteolytic step that is controlled by Pipe activity and presumably the first cleavage event that is spatially regulated. A second key gap in our understanding of Drosophila embryonic DV patterning concerned the role of GD in the protease cascade. While GD is the protease that cleaves and activates Snake, the existence of two distinct classes of complementing gd alleles has suggested that GD provides another, distinct function. Investigations described here indicate that the second function of GD is to promote the ability of activated Snake to process Easter, independent of its Snake-processing function. Finally, I provide evidence for the formation of protein complexes containing various components of the serine protease cascade, which suggest that conformational changes in the complexes, which act to promote productive interactions between the proteins, are an important aspect of their activation. / text

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Catfish pectoral spines are an anti-predator defense mechanism. They can be bound or locked, making the fish harder to swallow, or used to produce distress calls by rubbing ridges on the dorsal process against a channel in the wall of the pectoral girdle. Growth of the pectoral spine and girdle were examined in relation to fish size within and across species that occur throughout central and eastern Virginia. These included blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), white catfish (Ameiurus catus), brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus), yellow bullheads (Ameiurus natalis), flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), margined madtom (Noturus insignis), and tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus).Pectoral spines and girdles grow as catfish increase in size. In larger species spine length and weight increase nonlinearly with fish size, suggesting that maintaining spine dimensions becomes less important in bigger individuals less likely to suffer predation. The incidence of spine breakage also increases in larger fish. In smaller species spine length increases linearly in our samples (brown and yellow bullheads and margined and tadpole madtoms). In all species spine width increases linearly with total length. The spine base (dorsal process width and depth and dorsal-ventral length) grows linearly with total length in most species. However, measurements of the spine base increase nonlinearly in white catfishes, and dorsal process width increases nonlinearly in wild channel catfish although the increase was linear in cultured channel catfish.Girdle depth increased linearly with total length in all species except for wild channel catfish, and the ratio of coracoid to cleithrum depth varied among species. Pectoral girdle weight increased linearly with fish weight in blue catfish, cultured channel catfish, brown bullheads, and margined and tadpole madtoms. However, girdle weight, a major component of the body, increased nonlinearly in wild channel, white, yellow bullheads, and flathead catfishes. Cultured channel catfish had smaller pectoral spines and girdles than wild channels, a likely epigenetic response to predators. Catfish spines were identified to species, allowing determination of catfishes eaten by bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using spines collected near their nests. Bald eagles ate blue catfish (60%), channel catfish (27%), white catfish (9%), brown bullheads (4%) and yellow bullheads (0.5%). Madtom and flathead catfish were not consumed. Mean sizes captured were: Blue catfish (366 mm, 414 g), channel catfish (417 mm, 618 g), white catfish (320 mm, 591 g), brown bullheads (278 mm, 277 g) and yellow bullhead (203 mm, 192 g).