In vivo flexor tendon forces generated during different rehabilitation exercises.

UNLABELLED: We measured in vivo forces in the flexor digitorum profundus and the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons during commonly used rehabilitation manoeuvres after flexor tendon repair by placing a buckle force transducer on the tendons of the index finger in the carpal canal during open carpal tunnel release of 12 patients. We compared peak forces for each manoeuvre with the reported strength of a flexor tendon repair. Median flexor digitorum profundus force (24 N) during isolated flexor digitorum profundus flexion and median flexor digitorum superficialis force (13 N) during isolated flexor digitorum superficialis flexion were significantly higher than during the other manoeuvres. Significantly higher median forces were observed in the flexor digitorum superficialis with the wrist at 30° flexion (6 N) compared with the neutral wrist position (5 N). Median flexor digitorum profundus forces were significantly higher during active finger flexion (6 N) compared with place and hold (3 N). Place and hold and active finger flexion with the wrist in the neutral position or tenodesis generated the lowest forces; isolated flexion of these tendons generated higher forces along the flexor tendons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (controlled trial without randomization).

Contents of zinc, copper, chromium and manganese in silver foxes according to their age and mineral supplementation.

Serum, livers and kidneys of 30 silver foxes from one breeding farm were subjected to analysis of the four microelements contents. The samples derived from 3 groups of animals (n = 10) selected according to age and developed reproduction disorders. Cu, Cr and Mn were determined by a graphite furnace AAS whereas Zn by the flame AAS methods. Serum levels of Zn were the least variable (x (n = 30) = 4.72 +/- 2.313 microg x mL(-1)) and the mean of Cu content was 0.26 +/- 0.244, of Cr was 0.029 +/- 0.032 and of Mn was 0.074 +/- 0.085 microg x mL(-1). The livers and kidneys contained respectively: 159.9 +/- 23.66 and 74.25 +/- 14.44 microg g(-1) of Zn; 34.03 +/- 12.43 and 13.66 +/- 1.67 microg g(-1) of Cu as well as 6.28 +/- 0.97 and 2.60 +/- 0.33 microg g(-1) of Mn. The most variable was Cr level achieving 1.00 +/- 1.06 and 1.43 +/- 2.64 microg g(-1) (all results per gram of wet weights). The differences between means and medians within the age groups did not exceed 41%, however chromium was an exception, its values differed more than 2 times. High zinc level found both in the serum and the organs resulted from its concentration in feedstuff being 1040,5 microg g(-1), exceeding the recommended level for farming foxes. Over-supplementation of dietary Zn might suggest connection between subtoxic action of Zn or its interaction with Cu or Cr followed by subsequent effect on reproduction events. Whether nature of Zn effects derived from direct target action or from Zn - Cu or Zn - Cr interactions have to be solved experimentally. Some foxes contained copper and chromium in livers and kidneys at levels exceeded significantly those concidered as physiological ranges for mammals, whereas manganese was within these limits. Thus, manganese was considered to keep homeostasis status of this element in the examined foxes.

[Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content in vegetables, gooseberry fruit and soil from gardening plots of Lublin]. / Zawartosc olowiu, kadmu, miedzi i cynku w warzywach, owocach agrestu oraz glebie ogrodów dzialkowych Lublina.

Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc contents in vegetables, fruits of gooseberries and in soil of Lublin gardening plots "Pionier" and "Podzamcze" both situated along heavy traffic streets, and "Pionier" additional to the close vicinity of automobile factory were determined by atomic absorption spectrophofometry. Statistical analysis of the results respected the streets or factory distances from the gardening plots, and the species of the vegetables. Levels of the determined elements in the most of the samples were lower than permitted by the Ministry of Health Regulation established in 1993. According to that Regulation a slight exceeding of zinc content in the red beetroots and in the overground parts of the leak were found. Lead content in the parsley root and in the dill was close to the tolerance limit. Both lead and cadmium of the soil of "Podzamcze" gardening plot significantly exceeded the levels considered as tolerable for unpolluted grounds, whereas the soil of "Pionier" contained lead close to limit of tolerance level.