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The unicellular green alga Monoraphidium minutum and the diatom Nitzschia perminuta were cultured under different concentrations of Co 2+ . Growth and pigment content were slightly increased at low concentrations and inhibited by high Co 2+ concentrations. The results concerning the effect of different concentrations of Co 2+ on photosynthetic O 2 evolution showed a reduction in the amount of O 2 evolved by each alga in response to increasing Co 2+ concentrations. However, an increase in O 2 evolution for both M. minutum and N. perminuta was observed at relatively low Co 2+ concentrations. Photosynthetic electron transport in M. minutum was more sensitive to Co 2+ toxicity than in N. perminuta. On the other hand, the effect of the heavy metal on respiration showed that higher Co 2+ concentrations were inhibitory to O 2 uptake by the two algal species. Low Co 2+ concentrations stimulated O 2 uptake by M. minutum throughout the experimental period. However, in N. perminuta, different concentrations of Co 2+ led to a reduction of O 2 uptake. To localize the action site of Co 2+ in the photosynthetic electron transport chain, the fluorescence induction technique was carried out. According to the results obtained, the inhibitory action of Co 2+ is located on the acceptor side of PSII for both M. minutum and N. perminuta.

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Purpose Congenital clasped thumb is a deformity that is associated with heterogeneous congenital anomalies and it has been addressed in many congenital syndromes. The aim of this study was to diagnose and evaluate cases of clasped thumb as regards the associated congenital anomalies and syndromes, and evaluation of the results of treatment of such cases. Methods A prospective study on 40 patients with 73 clasped thumbs was done. All the patients' data regarding their personal, family, pregnancy and developmental histories were recorded. All the patients were exposed to thorough clinical and radiological examination and genetic assessment. The cases were classified using the Tsuyuguchi et al. (J Hand Surg [Am] 10:613-618, 1985) classification into three types. Conservative treatment was adopted in ten hands, and surgical treatment was performed for 28 hands in 17 patients, with an average follow-up of 26 months. Results Positive consanguinity was recorded in 57.5% of cases. Associated anomalies were recorded in 77.5% of cases. Type I was the most common one, followed by type III and then type II. Conservative treatment is effective in type I cases when presented early, and all patients were satisfied with the results of surgical treatment. ConclusionsWe reported associated anomalies which are to our knowledge have not mentioned before in the literature which include; congenital blindness, radial deviation of the index finger and ventricular septal defect. We found that 68% of the patients had associated syndromes, and this has not been mentioned before. In this study, we found that there were no difference between type II and type III clasped thumb as regards the pathological findings, severity, the operative procedures, the treatment protocol and the operative results. Properly planned treatment gives satisfactory results.

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