Drivers of variation in occurrence, abundance, and behaviour of sharks on coral reefs.

Quantifying the drivers of population size in reef sharks is critical for the development of appropriate conservation strategies. In north-west Australia, shark populations inhabit coral reefs that border growing centres of human population, industry, and tourism. However, we lack baseline data on reef sharks at large spatial scales (hundreds of km) that might enable managers to assess the status of shark populations in the face of future development in this region. Here, we examined the occurrence, abundance and behaviour of apex (Galeocerdo cuvier, Carcharhinus plumbeus) and reef (C. amblyrhynchos, C. melanopterus, Triaenodon obesus) sharks using > 1200 deployments of baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) across > 500 km of coastline. We found evidence for species-specific influences of habitat and fishing activities on the occurrence (probability of observation), abundance (MaxN) and behaviour of sharks (time of arrival to the stereo-BRUVs and likelihood of feeding). Although the presence of management zoning (No-take areas) made little difference to most species, C. amblyrhynchos were more common further from boat ramps (a proxy of recreational fishing pressure). Time of arrival for all species was also influenced by distance to boat ramp, although patterns varied among species. Our results demonstrate the capacity for behavioural metrics to complement existing measures of occurrence and abundance in assessing the potential impact of human activities on shark populations.

Diagnosis and management of McFarland fractures.

BACKGROUND: McFarland fracture is the eponym for a rare Salter Harris III or IV fracture involving the medial distal tibia. These fractures can be difficult to diagnose without a high index suspicion and appropriate radiographic imaging. These fractures may result in significant growth disturbances to the pediatric patient. When diagnosed and treated acutely, these fractures can be managed with cast immobilization and close follow up. If diagnoses in a delayed fashion they can result in significant morbidity including prolonged casting and possible surgical treatment. CASE REPORT: In this case report we discuss a pediatric patient with a delayed presentation McFarland fracture which was initially diagnosed and treated as an ankle sprain. He required a prolonged course of treatment and we describe his clinical progression. We review the literature regarding this fracture pattern including history, acute management and outcomes. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: McFarland fractures are rare Salter Harris III fractures of the medial malleolus. These ankle fractures affect patients nearing skeletal maturity and may be difficult to diagnose without the appropriate orthogonal X-ray imaging. Also, a missed diagnosis can lead to unnecessary morbidity to the patient. If diagnosed acutely, these fractures can be easily treated with immobilization but if allowed to become chronic they require prolonged periods of casting and possibly even surgical intervention. A patient with a specific constellation of symptoms and history should raise suspicion for these injuries and prompt a thorough workup.

Post-traumatic stress disorders; psychophysiological and medical aspects.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychobiological concept. Distressing events outside the range of usual human experience produce several somatovegetative and especially several psychic disturbances. The psychoneuroendocrine mechanisms of PTSD concern the impact of cognitive factors, a disorder of arousal and alterations of the central sympathoadrenal system and of the noradrenergic mediation. The authors exhibited the influence of stressful events (uprising of December 1989 in Romania) on the intestinal and noncoronary cardiovascular complains and analysed five cases of PTSD, treated in the last three years.

[HBsAg carriers--a study performed on a closed collective of 0- to 3-year-old children]. / Purtatori de AgHBs--studiu efectuat într-o colectivitate închisa de copii 0-3 ani.

The clinical, functional-histological and mainly the therapeutical aspect in chronic hepatitis, still raises important problems in children's pathology. As the clinical aspect of the chronic liver diseases is variable and less suggestive in the early and even advanced stages in children, the authors followed--for three years--the incidence of biochemical and histological functional disturbances in a closed collectivity of children. Since no specific therapeutical possibilities exist yet, the importance for a better knowledge of epidemiology of post-viral chronic hepatitis is emphasized.