Evolution of instabilities in filament buckling processes.

In this work we study the dynamical buckling process of a thin filament immersed in a highly viscous medium. We perform an experimental study to track the shape evolution of the filament during a constant velocity compression. Numerical simulations reproduce the dynamical features observed from the experimental data and allow quantifying the filament's load. We observe that both the filament's load and the wave number evolve in a stepwise manner. In order to achieve a physical insight of the process, we apply a theoretical model to describe the buckling of a filament in a viscous medium. We solve a hydrodynamic equation in terms of normal modes for clamped-clamped boundary conditions and constant applied load. We find a good agreement between experimental data and simulations, suggesting that the proposed mechanistic model captures the essential features underlying the dynamical buckling process.

Piscivory and trophic position of Anguilla anguilla in two lakes: importance of macrozoobenthos density.

The feeding habits of the European eel Anguilla anguilla (>300 mm total length, L(T)) were compared in two lakes of different environmental state: Lake Grosser Vätersee (LGV), Germany (clear water, mesotrophic and submerged macrophytes), and Lake Vallum (LV), Denmark (turbid, eutrophic and no submerged macrophytes). The density of macrozoobenthos was higher in LV (3500 individuals m(-2)) than in LGV (1500 individuals m(-2)). The abundance of small prey fishes (40-99 mm L(T)) was highest in LV. In LV, A. anguilla fed on macrozoobenthos, in particular, chironomid larvae. In LGV, A. anguilla used fishes as the main food component. Stable isotope analyses confirmed the stomach contents dietary results. The estimated mean +/-s.d. trophic positions of A. anguilla in LGV (3.7 +/- 0.2) was one level higher than those of fish in LV (2.7 +/- 0.2). Based on these results, it is concluded that piscivory among A. anguilla was generally controlled by the density of macrozoobenthos. Stable isotope analysis further indicated that A. anguilla may act as integrators between benthic and pelagic food webs when density of insect larvae is low.

Cryptic dietary components reduce dietary overlap among sympatric butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae).

This study used three different methods to ascertain dietary composition for 21 Chaetodontidae species co-occurring on a single fringing reef in Derawan Island, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The combination of in situ feeding observations, examination of gut contents and stable-isotope analyses was expected to identify previously unresolved prey items that contribute to dietary separation. In situ feeding observations identified five species that feed predominantly on anthozoans (Chaetodon baronessa, Chaetodon bennetti, Chaetodon lunulatus, Chaetodon punctatofasciatus and Chaetodon speculum). Stable-isotope ratios for these species, as well as for Chaetodon ornatissimus (for which no feeding observations were completed), were very similar and consistent with diets comprising mostly anthozoans. Feeding observations, however, showed that they mostly fed on different coral species, while the identifiable portion of their gut contents showed clear separation based on cryptic dietary components. For example, C. baronessa and C. bennetti appeared to ingest annelid worms during the course of coral feeding, whereas gut contents of C. punctatofasciatus and C. speculum were dominated by crustaceans. In situ feeding observations further identified the following groups: coral-bottom feeders, bottom feeders, sponge feeders and pelagic feeders, feeding on a wide variety of prey items such as Annelida, Crustacea, Cnidaria, Mollusca and macroalgae. Overall, many chaetodontid species had similar reliance on major prey items (e.g. anthozoans or polychaetes) but differed greatly in the minor prey items that they utilized. Partitioning of minor prey items may be important in reducing interspecific competition and facilitating coexistence of chaetodontids on coral reefs.

Sediment features, macrozoobenthic assemblages and trophic relationships (delta13C and delta15N analysis) following a dystrophic event with anoxia and sulphide development in the Santa Giusta lagoon (western Sardinia, Italy).

Macrozoobenthic assemblages and stable carbon (delta(13)C) and nitrogen (delta(15)N) isotope values of various primary producers (macroalgae and angiosperms) and consumers (macroinvertebrate filter/suspension feeders, deposit feeders, detritivores/omnivores and carnivores and fishes) were studied in the Santa Giusta lagoon (Sardinia, Italy) before (spring) and after (autumn) a dystrophic event which occurred in the summer of 2004. A few days after the dystrophy, the physico-chemical characteristics of sediments and macrozoobenthic assemblages were also investigated. In the latter occasion, high total organic carbon (3.9%) and organic matter (15.9%) contents of surface sediments went together with peaks in acid-volatile sulphide concentrations. Certain immediate effects were quite extreme, such as the drastic reduction in macrozoobenthos and the massive fish kill in August 2004. Among the macrozoobenthos, there were few individuals of chironomid larvae and Capitella cf. capitata left. However, by October, chironomid larvae were numerous, indicating a lack of predators (e.g. fish) and competitors. In addition, some bivalve species and polychaetes which were absent, or present in small numbers before the event, became relatively numerous. The results are discussed based on a knowledge of the sulphide tolerance of these species. Stable isotope analysis clearly showed that the basal level of the food web for most consumers consisted mainly of macroalgae and sedimentary organic matter, and that the values before and after the dystrophic event were not significantly different from one another. This indicates that the relations among different trophic levels were quickly restored following the dystrophic event.

Heavy-metal concentrations in small mammals from a diffusely polluted floodplain: importance of species- and location-specific characteristics.

The soil of several floodplain areas along large European rivers shows increased levels of heavy metals as a relict from past sedimentation of contaminants. These levels may pose risks of accumulation in food webs and toxicologic effects on flora and fauna. However, for floodplains, data on heavy-metal concentrations in vertebrates are scarce. Moreover, these environments are characterised by periodical flooding cycles influencing ecologic processes and patterns. To investigate whether the suggested differences in accumulation risks for insectivores and carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores are reflected in the actual heavy-metal concentrations in the species, we measured the current levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in 199 specimens of 7 small mammal species (voles, mice, and shrews) and in their habitats in a diffusely polluted floodplain. The highest metal concentrations were found in the insectivorous and carnivorous shrew, Sorex araneus. Significant differences between the other shrew species, Crocidura russula, and the vole and mouse species was only found for Cd. The Cu concentration in Clethrionomys glareolus, however, was significantly higher than in several other vole and mouse species. To explain the metal concentrations found in the specimens, we related them to environmental variables at the trapping locations and to certain characteristics of the mammals. Variables taken into account were soil total and CaCl(2)-extractable metal concentrations at the trapping locations; whether locations were flooded or nonflooded; the trapping season; and the life stage; sex; and fresh weight of the specimens. Correlations between body and soil concentrations and location or specimen characteristics were weak. Therefore; we assumed that exposure of small mammals to heavy-metal contamination in floodplains is significantly influenced by exposure time, which is age related, as well as by dispersal and changes in foraging and feeding patterns under influence of periodic flooding.

Control of modiolid mussels in cooling water systems by continuous chlorination.

Modiolid mussels such as Modiolus philippinarum and Modiolus metcalfei constitute a numerically significant group in fouling communities, especially in tropical and subtropical industrial cooling water systems. Nevertheless, there are hardly any published reports on the tolerance of these species to chlorination or biofouling control measures, This article provides data on the mortality pattern (LT(50) and LT(100)) and physiological activities (oxygen consumption, filtration rate, foot activity, and byssus thread production) of different size groups of M. philippinarum (7- to 30-mm shell lengths) and M. metcalfei (6- to 26-mm shell lengths) exposed to different concentrations of residual chlorine (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg/L for sublethal responses; 1, 2, 3, and 5 mg/L for mortality). It is shown that exposure time for 100% mortality of M. philippinarum and M. metcalfei significantly decreased with increasing residual chlorine concentration. For example, 30-mm size group M. philippinarum exposed to 1 mg/L chlorine residual took 402 h to reach 100% mortality, whereas those exposed to 5 mg/L chlorine took 108 h. Among the two mussels, M. philippinarum showed slightly higher tolerance (9-20%) to chlorine when compared to M. metcalfei. The effect of mussel size on mortality of M. philippinarum was significant, with the larger size group mussels showing greater resistance than smaller ones. However, in M. metcalfei, size of the mussel does not seem to be a determinant of its chlorine tolerance. All size groups of M. philippinarum and M. metcalfei showed progressive reduction in physiological activities (oxygen consumption, filtration rate, foot activity index, and byssus thread production) when chlorine residuals gradually increased from 0 to 1 mg/L. Reduction in physiological activities was strongly correlated with chlorine concentration. A comparison of present data with data available for other coexisting mussel species suggests that M. philippinarum and M. metcalfei are relatively less tolerant to chlorine than Perna viridis, Perna perna, and Brachidontes striatulus, which also cause fouling problems in tropical coastal waters.

Mussel colonization of a high flow artificial benthic habitat: byssogenesis holds the key.

Water flow is an important characteristic determining the settlement and growth of macro-invertebrates in the marine environment. Intake systems of coastal power stations offer a unique opportunity to study the effect of water flow on benthic organisms under field conditions. The cooling water intake system of a tropical coastal power station is used as an experimental facility to study the effect of flow on the recruitment and growth of three mussel species, viz, Brachidontes variabilis, B. striatulus, and Modiolus philippinarum. The study was prompted by earlier observation that these mussels were numerically abundant in the biofouling community present inside the seawater intake tunnel of the power station, even though their occurrence in the benthic community in the coastal waters outside was only nominal. Recruitment data showed that the three mussel species very successfully colonised surfaces exposed to the intake mouth (characterised by relatively high flow) of the power station. Significant difference was observed in the recruitment recorded at the intake point and the ambient environment outside. Under high flow condition, the growth rates of all the three mussel species were uniformly enhanced. It is argued that recruitment of the different species is related to the number of byssus threads produced by each mussel and the strength of the byssus threads. The results indicate that byssus number and byssus strength of the mussels are important criteria that decide successful colonization and establishment in high flow environments.

Factors influencing the upper temperature tolerances of three mussel species in a brackish water canal: size, season and laboratory protocols.

Mussels are the most problematic organisms encountered in the water intake systems of electrical power plants. Various fouling control measures are adopted, among which heat treatment is considered the relatively more attractive from economic and ecological points of view. Thermal tolerance experiments were carried out to determine the effects of mussel size (2-20 mm shell length), season (breeding vs non-breeding), nutritional status (fed vs non-fed), acclimation temperature (5-25 degrees C) and acclimation salinity (1-35%o) on the mortality pattern of three important mussel species, viz. a freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha, a brackish water mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata and a marine mussel Mytilus edulis under different temperatures (36-41 degrees C). The mussels in the 10 mm size group exposed to 36 degrees C showed 100% mortality after 38 min (D. polymorpha), 84 min (M. edulis) and 213 min (M. leucophaeata). The effect of mussel size on M. edulis and M. leucophaeata mortality at different temperatures was significant, with the largest size group of mussels showing greater resistance, while no significant size-dependence was observed in the case of D. polymorpha. All the three mussel species collected during the non-breeding season (June-October). Nutritional status had no significant influence on the thermal tolerance of the three mussels; fed and non-fed mussels showed 100% mortality at comparable rates. Acclimation temperature had a significant effect on the mortality of all three species. Survival time at any given target temperature increased with increasing acclimation temperature. The acclimation salinity showed no significant effect on the thermal tolerance of the three mussel species. In comparison, M. leucophaeata was more tolerant to high temperature stress than the other two species. The present studies clearly show that various factors can influence the mortality of D. polymorpha, M. edulis and M. leucophaeata to elevated temperatures. The results, therefore, suggest that if heat treatment were to be used as a control measure for these mussels, it has to be employed judiciously, depending on the mussel species, mussel size, breeding season, water temperature and salinity.

Upper temperature tolerances of exotic brackish-water mussel, Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad): an experimental study.

The dark false mussel, Mytilopsis leucophaeata is an important mussel colonising the brackish-water systems of temperate and subtropical regions. Of late it has earned notoriety as a biofouling species in industrial cooling water systems. However, there are no published data on the temperature tolerance of this species. This paper presents data on the upper temperature tolerance of this mussel from the view point of biofouling control using thermal methods. In addition to mortality, response of physiological activities such as oxygen consumption, filtration rate, foot activity and byssus thread production were also studied at temperatures varying from 5 to 35 degrees C. Experiments were also carried out to understand the effect of mussel size, breeding condition, nutritional status and acclimation conditions (temperature and salinity) on the mortality pattern. The physiological activities were significantly reduced at temperatures beyond 27.5 degrees C and ceased at 35 degrees C. In 20 mm size group mussels exposed to 37 degrees C, 50% mortality was observed after 85 min and 100% mortality after 113 min. The effect of mussel size on mortality at different temperatures was significant, with the larger size group mussels showing greater resistance. M. leucophaeata collected during the non-breeding season (December-April) were more tolerant to temperature than those collected during the breeding season (June-October). Nutritional status of the mussel had no significant influence on the thermal tolerance of the mussel: fed and starved (non-fed) mussels succumbed to temperature at comparable rates. The effect of acclimation temperature and acclimation salinity on M. leucophaeata mortality at different temperatures was significant. Survival time increased with increasing acclimation temperature and decreased with increasing salinity. In comparison with other co-occurring species such as Mytilus edulis and Dreissena polymorpha, M. leucophaeata appears to be more tolerant to high temperature stress.

Byssal detachment underestimates tolerance of mussels to toxic compounds.

Mussels are sedentary organisms attached to solid substrata by means of byssus threads. Mussels detached from their substratum tend to reattach by producing new byssus threads. Therefore, in bioassays using mussels, if the test animals are in an unattached status, increased byssogenic activity would expose their soft body parts to the toxic compound used. We test the tolerance of two mussel species (Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Mytilus edulis) to an oxidizing biocide (chlorine) and show that detached mussels are 24-28% less tolerant than byssally attached ones. Detached mussels also showed higher oxygen consumption, filtration rate, foot activity, byssus thread production and byssogenesis index, parameters which are associated with valve opening. A review of literature showed that most of the published data on toxicity against heavy metals and biocides are generated using unattached mussels. The data, therefore, represent an underestimation of the toxicity of the tested compound. Correction data are presented for chlorine tolerance of Dreissena polymorpha, Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Mytilus edulis. The present study suggests the importance of maintaining mussels in their attached status, while undertaking toxicity bioassays.

Comparative chlorine and temperature tolerance of the oyster Crassostrea madrasensis: implications for cooling system fouling.

Crassostrea madrasensis is an important fouling oyster in tropical industrial cooling water systems. C. madrasensis individuals attach to surfaces by cementing one of their two valves to the substratum. Therefore, oyster fouling creates more problems than mussel fouling in the cooling conduits of power stations, because unlike the latter, the shell of the former remains attached to the substratum even after the death of the animal. However, there are no published reports on the tolerance of this species to chlorination and heat treatment. The mortality pattern and physiological behaviour (oxygen consumption and filtration rate) of three size groups (13 mm, 44 mm and 64 mm mean shell length) of C. madrasensis were studied at different residual chlorine concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3 to 5 mg 1-1) and temperatures (30 degrees C to 45 degrees C). The effect of shell size (= age) on C. madrasensis mortality in the presence of chlorine and taking into account temperature was significant, with the largest size group oysters showing highest resistance. At 1 mg l-1 residual chlorine, the 13 mm and 64 mm size group oysters, took 504 h (21 d) and 744 h (31 d), respectively to reach 100% mortality. At 39 degrees C, the 13 mm size group oysters took 218 min to reach 100% mortality, whereas the 64 mm size group oysters took 325 min. The oxygen consumption and filtration rate of C. madrasensis showed progressive reduction with increasing residual chlorine concentrations. However, the filtration rate and oxygen consumption responses of C. madrasensis were not significantly different between 30 degrees C (control) and 37.5 degrees C. There was a sharp decrease in the filtration rate and oxygen consumption at 38.5 degrees C. A comparison of the present mortality data with previous reports on other bivalves suggests that the chlorine tolerance of C. madrasensis lies in between that of Perna viridis and Perna perna, while its temperature tolerance is significantly higher than that of the other two bivalve species. However, in power station heat exchangers, where simultaneous chlorine and thermal stresses are existent, C. madrasensis may have an edge over other common foulants, because of its high temperature tolerance.

Effects of mining activities on heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment, and macroinvertebrates in different reaches of the Pilcomayo River, South America.

From 1997 until 1999 the extent and the ecological effects of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium pollution were studied in different reaches of the South American Pilcomayo River. A comparison of metal concentrations in water, sediment, and chironomid larvae, as well as the diversity of macroinvertebrate species, was made between sites near the origin of the Pilcomayo River, with hardly any mining activities, sites in the Potosí region, with intensive mining, and sites located 500 km or further downstream of Potosí, in the Chaco plain. Samples were also collected in an unpolluted river (Cachi Mayu River) and in the Tarapaya River, which is strongly contaminated by mine tailings (1000 tons a day). The upper parts of the Pilcomayo River are strongly affected by the release of mine tailings from the Potosí mines where mean concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in water, filtered water, sediment, and chironomid larvae were up to a thousand times higher than the local background levels. The diversity of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was strongly reduced in the contaminated parts; 97% of the benthic macroinvertebrates consisted of chironomid larvae. The degree of contamination in the lower reaches of the river, however, was fairly low because of sedimentation processes and the strong dilution of mine tailings with enormous amounts of clean sediment from erosion processes. Analysis of sediment cores from the Ibibobo floodplain, however, reveal an increase of the heavy metal concentrations in the lower reaches since the introduction of the contaminating flotation process in the mine industry in 1985.

Response of fouling brown mussel, Perna perna (L.), to chlorine.

Perna perna (L.), the edible brown mussel, is very widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions and is commonly found in rocky shores. Apart from being a candidate for commercial cultivation, P. perna is also a common pest organism in cooling water systems of coastal power stations. Therefore, a lethal and sublethal response of this mussel to commonly used antifouling biocides is of considerable interest to the industry. Mortality pattern (LT(50) and LT(100)) and physiological activities (oxygen consumption, filtration rate, foot activity index, and byssus thread production) of different size groups (9-34 mm shell lengths) of P. perna were studied in the laboratory under different residual chlorine concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg/L for sublethal responses and 1, 2, 3, and 5 mg/L for mortality). Results showed that exposure time for 100% mortality of mussels significantly decreased with increasing residual chlorine concentration. For example, mussels of 9 mm size group exposed to 1 mg/L chlorine residual took 384 h (16 days) to reach 100% mortality, whereas those exposed to 5 mg/L chlorine took 84 h (4 days). The effect of mussel size on mortality was significant between 1 mg/L and 5 mg/L residual chlorine, with larger mussels showing greater resistance than smaller ones. For example, at 2 mg/L residual chlorine, 9 mm and 34 mm size group mussels took 228 h (10 days) and 304 h (13 days), respectively, to achieve 100% mortality. All size groups of P. perna showed progressive reduction in physiological activities, when chlorine residuals were gradually increased from 0 to 1 mg/L. Reduction in physiological activities was strongly correlated with the residual level. A comparison of present data with data available for other common fouling organisms suggests that P. perna is relatively less tolerant to chlorine than Perna viridis (L.) and Brachidontes striatulus (Hanley), which also cause fouling problems in tropical coastal waters.

Tolerance of five species of tropical marine mussels to continuous chlorination.

The paper examines the relative lethal and sublethal response of five important tropical marine mussels (Perna viridis, Perna perna, Brachidontes striatulus, Brachidontes variabilis and Modiolus philippinarum) to different chlorine concentrations varying from 0.25 to 15 mg l(-1). The mussels were observed to co-exist in the cooling water circuits of a coastal power station that adopted intermittent chlorination as a fouling control technique. The five mussel species showed, in response to chlorination, 100% mortality at significantly different exposure times, indicating significant species-specific variability in chlorine tolerance. For example, at 1 mg l(-1) residual chlorine, B. variabilis and P. viridis took 288 and 816 h, respectively, to achieve 100% mortality. The time taken for 100% mortality decreased with increasing chlorine residual concentration. The effect of mussel size (= mussel age) of P. viridis, P. perna, B. striatulus and M. philippinarum on mortality was significant between 1 and 5 mg l(-1) residual chlorine, with larger mussels showing greater resistance than smaller ones. All mussel species showed progressive reduction in physiological activities when chlorine residuals were increased from 0 to 1 mg l(-1). However, species-specific differences in the relative rate of physiological activities were observed. Accordingly, relative reduction in physiological activities in response to chlorination was the lowest in P. viridis and the highest in B. variabilis. The data clearly indicate significant differences in the lethal and sublethal responses of the five mussel species to chlorination. The results, therefore, suggest that for effective fouling control, chlorine treatment against mussels has to be employed judiciously, depending on the mussel species involved.

Control of brackish water fouling mussel, Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad), with sodium hypochlorite.

Though the Conrad's false mussel, Mytilopsis leucophaeata, is an important fouling animal in industrial cooling water systems, there are no published reports on the tolerance of this species to chlorination. A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effects of mussel size (2-20 mm shell length), season (breeding versus nonbreeding), nutritional status (fed versus starved) and acclimation temperature (5-30 degrees C) on the mortality pattern of M. leucophaeata under continuous chlorination (0.25-5 mg/L). The effect of mussel size on M. leucophaeata mortality in the presence of chlorine was significant, with 10 mm size group mussels showing greater resistance. At 0.25 mg/L residual chlorine, 2 mm size group mussels took 89 days to reach 100% mortality, whereas 10 mm size group mussels took 109 days. M. leucophaeata collected during nonbreeding season (December-April) was more tolerant to chlorine than those collected during breeding season (June-October). Nutritional status of the mussel had no significant influence on the chlorine tolerance of the mussel: fed and starved mussels succumbed to chlorine at equal rates. The effect of acclimation temperature on M. leucophaeata mortality in the presence of chlorine was significant. At 0.5 mg/L residual chlorine, mussels acclimated at 5 degrees C required 99 days to reach 95% mortality, whereas mussels acclimated at 30 degrees C required 47 days. A comparison of present data with previous reports suggests that resistance of M. leucophaeata to chlorination is higher than other mussel species causing fouling problems in The Netherlands ( Mytilus edulis and Dreissena polymorpha).

The effect of exercise on percentile rank aerobic capacity, pain, and self-rated disability in patients with chronic low-back pain: a retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 6 weeks of exercise on aerobic capacity and on measures of pain and disability in patients with chronic low-back pain (LBP). DESIGN: Retrospective chart survey. SETTING: A fitness facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. PATIENTS: Patients with chronic LBP with an average duration of pain of 10 months. INTERVENTIONS: Six-week exercise program to improve aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and flexibility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected from 258 charts of patients with chronic LBP treated from 1991 to 1994, including age, sex, and aerobic capacity. Patients completed the numeric ratings scale-101 (pain scale) and Oswestry LBP disability questionnaire. Pre- and postexercise data were compared for patients with LBP who completed the exercise prescription. Comparative data from the same time period were also collected from the records of individuals not treated for chronic pain (controls) and who had volunteered for a test of general fitness at the same facility. RESULTS: Both the control groups and the patients with LBP groups had statistically significant lower levels of aerobic capacity than a large group of Canadians tested in the early 1980s, the benchmark on which the age- and sex-matched standardized scores are based. The percentile rank of aerobic capacity for the patients with LBP was statistically significant and lower than those measures for the controls. Patients with LBP who completed the exercise therapy showed statistically significant improvement in percentile rank aerobic capacity, as well as statistically significant decreases in pain and disability scores. Aerobic capacity improved to a level above the norm. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the hypothesis that exercise may be helpful in the management of chronic LBP.

El Niño caused collapse of the sábalo fishery (Prochilodus lineatus, Pisces: Prochilodontidae) in a South American river.

El Niño is well known to affect marine fishery. The Southern Oscillation, however, may also have a strong effect on riverine fish production in flood-plains via its effect on river discharge. In years with high river discharges larger parts of the floodplain are innundated, increasing the surface area of suitable nursery grounds for young fish stock. In this way high river discharges are thought to have a positive effect on fish production, while low discharges are thought to have a negative effect. The collapse of the sábalo fishery in the Pilcomayo River in Bolivia, for instance, can be attributed to the 1990-1995 El Niño event and subsequent overexploitation of the fish stocks.

Posterior tibial stress fracture: a report of three cases.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the specific clinical and radiographic features of posterior tibial stress fracture, as well as appropriate clinical management, including imaging and treatment, in the presence of suspected or confirmed tibial stress fracture. CLINICAL FEATURES: Three patients suffered from exercise-related lower leg pain, clinical features, and risk factors specific for posterior tibial stress fracture. Diagnosis was confirmed for all three individuals by radiographic imaging. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Treatment included rest and modified activity, followed by a graded return to activity commensurate with bony healing. This approach was successful for two of the individuals diagnosed with posterior tibial stress fracture. In the third individual treatment recommendations were not adhered to, resulting in three separate stress fractures of the posterior tibia over 27 months. CONCLUSION: Stress fractures may go undiagnosed for a long period of time; therefore a high index of suspicion, along with knowledge of its clinical and predisposing factors, is necessary for recognition. Inappropriate management of individuals with tibial stress fracture may result in recurrence or frank fracture. Chiropractors have a role in the prevention of stress fractures by identifying and educating patients at risk for this condition.

Phenolic content of daylight-exposed and shaded floating leaves of water lilies (Nymphaeaceae) in relation to infection by fungi.

Under suboptimal growing conditions (e.g. a lack of sunshine), floating leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea can become heavily infected with the fungi Colletotrichum nymphaeae and Pythium F, respectively. These fungi normally act as decomposers of senescent leaves. Mature leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea contain high concentrations of phenolics, secondary substances known for their fungistatic properties. The production of these compounds requires energy and primary metabolites. The hypothesis that suboptimal growing conditions reduce the ability of nymphaeids to maintain a sufficiently high level of phenolics, thereby making them more vulnerable to infection by fungi, was tested. Outdoor mesocosm experiments were used to examine the response of floating leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea to reduced light availability. Shading significantly reduced the phenolic content of the leaves. This was accompanied by higher disease severity. The outcome of this experiment is also discussed in relation to the higher nitrogen content measured in shaded leaves.