Variability in the distance between the suprascapular notch with the spine of the scapulae and the acromion.

INTRODUCTION: The suprascapular notch lies in the superior border of the scapula and is a passageway for the suprascapular nerve that is sensory to the shoulder joint. Suprascapular nerve block involves injection of local anaesthetic into the suprascapular notch, either ultrasound guided or blind, using the spine of scapula and/or the medial border of the acromion as surface landmarks. AIM: To investigate the anatomic variations that exist between the distance of the notch from the spine of scapula and acromion. METHOD: Ninety-two dry scapulae were measured with a digital calliper for their length of the spine, distance between the midpoint of the spine and base of the suprascapular notch and distance between the medial border of the acromion and the base of the suprascapular notch. These measurements were compared for variations in the scapular bony landmarks, the spine and the acromion to determine the site for the injection. RESULTS: Measurement reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation, Cronbach's alpha being 0.99, 0.97 and 0.91 for length of spine, distance from spine and distance from acromion respectively. The distance from the acromion had less variation in measurement (3.73 ± 0.42 cm) but a flatter distribution when compared to distance from the spine of the scapula (3.32 ± 0.39 cm). CONCLUSION: Length of the spine of the scapula appeared not to influence either distance from the acromion or distance from the spine of scapula. There is potential for greater variability in placement of nerve blocks that use acromion as the bony reference. Key Points • Dry scapular measurement using electronic Vernier callipers is accurate (0.91-0.97). • There is potential for greater variability in placement of blind nerve blocks that use acromion as the bony reference to locate the suprascapular notch.

Normative Values for Pinch Strength-Relationship With Joint Hypermobility as Measured With the Beighton Criteria.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine normative ranges of static pinch strength as measured with a spring gauge in adults of working age and investigate whether pinch strength is associated with hand hypermobility. A secondary aim was to explore whether the Beighton criteria for hypermobility are associated with hypermobility in joints of the hand during forceful pinching. Methods: A convenience sample of healthy men and women aged 18-65 years were recruited for measurement of lateral pinch, 2-point pinch, 3-point pinch, and joint hypermobility according to the Beighton criteria. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of age, sex, and hypermobility on pinch strength. Results: Two hundred and fifty men and 270 women participated in this study. Men were stronger than women at all ages. Lateral and 3-point pinch were greatest for all participants and 2-point pinch was the least strong. There were no statistically significant differences between age groups, but a trend for the lowest pinch strength to occur before the mid-thirties was seen in both sexes. Thirty-eight percent of women and 19% of men were hypermobile; however, these participants statistically insignificant differ in pinch strength compared with other participants. The Beighton criteria corresponded strongly with hypermobility in other joints of the hand as observed and photographed during pinch. Hand dominance did not show clear relationships with pinch strength. Conclusions: Normative lateral, 2-point, and 3-point pinch strength data for adults of working age are presented with men having greatest pinch strength at all ages. The Beighton criteria for hypermobility are associated with hypermobility in other joints of the hand. Clinical Relevance: Benign joint hypermobility is not related to pinch strength. Men have greater pinch strength at all ages than women.

Adding to the Allied Health Student Experience: Motivators, Deterrents, and How to Get More from Peer Teaching.

Volunteering as a peer tutor offers teaching experience to allied health students who will one day teach patients and colleagues. It also provides an opportunity for students to extend themselves personally and academically. Medical and nursing literature supports peer teaching, yet fewer publications describe the experience of allied health students. This study investigated the effects of cross-level peer tutoring in anatomy, for the peer tutors and their students. Peer tutors revealed their primary concern as lacking anatomical knowledge; however, students valued the currency of their student experience and the opportunity to discuss learning processes with a peer. Recommendations from peer tutors and students included: recognition of the value of interactions between students and peer tutors; value of teaching how to learn, rather than content; and for academics to introduce peer tutors as peers, which clarifies the students' expectations of the peer tutor.

Whole-body heat exposure induces membrane changes in spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis of laboratory mice.

This study was carried out to determine if exposure to hot environmental temperatures had a direct, detrimental effect on sperm quality. For this the effect of whole-body heat exposure on epididymal spermatozoa of laboratory mice was investigated. C57BL/6 mice (n = 7) were housed in a microclimate chamber at 37 degrees C-38 degrees C for 8 h per day for three consecutive days, while control mice (n = 7) were kept at 23 degrees C-24 degrees C. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were obtained 16 h after the last heat treatment. The results showed that sperm numbers were similar in the two groups (P = 0.23), but after heat treatment, a significant reduction in the percentage of motile sperm was present (P < 0.0001). Membrane changes of the spermatozoa were investigated by staining with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated Annexin V, which detects exteriorization of phosphotidylserine from the inner to the outer leaflet of the sperm plasma membrane, and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD), which binds to the sperm nucleus when the plasma membrane is damaged. The percentage of spermatozoa showing positive staining with Annexin V-PE or 7-AAD or both, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in heat-exposed mice compared with controls. These results show that whole-body heat exposure to 37 degrees C-38 degrees C induces membrane changes in the epididymal spermatozoa of mice, which may lead to apoptosis.