An anatomical investigation of rare upper limb neuropathies due to the Struthers’ ligament or arcade: a meta-analysis

Background: The Struthers’ ligament (SL) is a fibrous band that originates fromthe supracondylar humeral process and inserts into the medial humeral epicondyle, potentially compressing both the median nerve and brachial artery. The controversial Struthers’ arcade (SA) is a musculotendinous band found in the distal end of the arm that might compress the ulnar nerve. This study aimed to evaluate the pooled prevalence estimate of the SL and SA, and their anatomical features. Materials and methods: A meticulous search of major electronic medical databases was carried out regarding both structures. Applicable articles (and all relevant references) were analysed. Data from the eligible articles was extracted and evaluated. The quality and the potential risk of bias in the included studies were assessed using the AQUA tool. Results: The arcade was reported in 13 studies (510 arms), whereas the ligament in 6 studies (513 arms). The overall pooled prevalence estimate of the ligament was 1.8%, and 52.6% for the arcade. Most frequently, the ulnar nerve was covered by a tendinous arcade (42.2%). In all cases, the ligament inserted into the medial humeral epicondyle, but had various origins. Only 1 study reported compression of the median nerve by the ligament, whilst another contradicted this view. Conclusions: Although the SL is rare, and the SA is a valid anatomical entity (though with a variable presentation), clinically meaningful neurovascular entrapments caused by these structures are infrequent. Nonetheless, a better understanding of each may be beneficial for the best patient outcomes

Charakterystyka derywatograficzna i chemiluminescencyjna kwasow huminowych [KH] czterech typow gleb Polski

Badano kwasy huminowe z gleb mineralnych (bielicy, gleby rdzawej i czarnej ziemi) i organicznej torfowo-murszowej. Z każdej z gleby uzyskano po dwa preparaty KH: KH-PIRO z obojętnych ekstraktów pirofosforanowych i KH-NaOH z ekstraktów alkalicznych. We wszystkich preparatach oznaczono skład pierwiastkowy i wyliczono stosunki atomowe. Procesy utleniania tych substancji przebadano dwiema metodami: metodą termicznej analizy (derywatografia) i metodą chemiluminescencyjną i porównano otrzymane wyniki. Obliczono powierzchnie pików pod krzywymi DTA oraz natężenie początkowe I₀ chemiluminescencji i sumę świetlną.Humic acids from mineral soils (podsol, black earth and rusty soil) and organic peat muck soil, were investigated. Two samples of each soil were obtained, one of them being humic acid KH-PIRO from neutral phyrophosphate extracts, the other being KH-NaOH from alkalic extracts. In all these samples elemental analysis was performed. The atomic ratios were computed. The two processes of oxidation of these substances were examined and compared. It was done with the use of derivatographic and chemiluminescence analysis. The peak areas in the DTA curves, the initial chemiluminescence intensity I₀ and the luminous sum ƩI, were computed

Detection and identification of banned processed animal protein in feedingstuffs by microscopic and PCR methods

The aim of the study was to present the results of comparative evaluation of the usefulness of PCR and microscopic methods for the detection of Processed Animal Protein (PAP) in feedingstuffs. In the validation study, the limit of the detection for PCR was determined on 0.05% for beef, 0.1% for pork and 0.2% for poultry meat and bone meal (MBM). Among 62 doubtful samples of feedingstuffs examined by microscopic method 41 (66.13%) were found as positive. Based on the results obtained with the use of the microscopic and PCR methods it is possible to state that the molecular biology methods can, at present, be used as a supplementary method in PAP detection