The Role Of The Carpometacarpal Ligaments Of The Thumb In Stability And The Development Of Osteoarthritis Lesions : An Anatomical Study.

This study aims to assess ligament lesions and subluxations of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumbs and the role that these ligament ruptures play in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). Twenty-five fresh-frozen cadaver hands were dissected. There were 14 female and 11 male with mean age 65 years (51-92 years old).

Nitrogen fixation in a non-heterocystous cyanobacterial mat from a mountain river.

In situ nitrogen fixation was investigated in a cyanobacterial mat growing on the bed of rocks of the Muga River, Spain. The filamentous non-heterocystous cyanobacterium Schizothrix dominated the mat, showing nitrogenase activity in the light at similar rates to those found in nearby heterocystous Rivularia colonies. N2 fixation in the light was significantly increased by an inhibitor of PSII and oxygen evolution, DCMU (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea), and anaerobic conditions.

Dysfunction of the pisotriquetral joint: degenerative arthritis treated by excision of the pisiform.

From 1995 to 2000, 21 patients (14 women and 7 men) with a mean age of 42 were treated with excision of the pisiform for a dysfunction of the pisotriquetral joint. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 36 months (average: 30 months). The diagnoses included degenerative arthritis of the pisotriquetral joint (15 patients), degenerative arthritis associated with a ganglion (3 patients), and calcifications caused by flexor carpi ulnaris tendinopathy (3 patients).