OBJECTIVETo reveal the force mechanism for therapeutic effect of pushing manipulation with one-finger meditation.

METHODSA total of 15 participants were recruited in this study and assigned to an expert group, a skilled group and a novice group, with 5 participants in each group. Mechanical signals were collected from a biomechanical testing platform, and these data were further observed via similarity analysis and cluster analysis.

RESULTSComparing the force waveforms of manipulation revealed that the manipulation forces were similar between the expert group and the skilled group (P>0.05). The mean value of vertical force was 9.8 N, and 95% CI rang from 6.37 to 14.70 N, but there were significant differences compared with the novice group (P<0.05). The result of overall similarity coefficient cluster analysis showed that two kinds of manipulation forces curves were existed between the expert group and the skilled group.

CONCLUSIONPushing manipulation with one-finger meditation is a kind of light stimulation manipulation on the acupoint, and force characteristics of double waveforms continuously alternated during manual operation.

Acupuncture Points ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; physiology ; Clinical Competence ; Fingers ; physiology ; Hand Strength ; physiology ; Humans ; Individuality ; Massage ; education ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Meditation ; methods ; Models, Theoretical ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; education ; methods ; standards

This study compared the effectiveness two-finger chest compression technique (TFCC) performed using the right vs. left hand and the index-middle vs. middle-ring fingers. Four different finger/hand combinations were tested randomly in 30 healthcare providers performing TFCC (Test 1: the right index-middle fingers; Test 2: the left index-middle fingers; Test 3: the right middle-ring fingers; Test 4: the left middle-ring fingers) using two cross-over trials. The "patient" was a 3-month-old-infant-sized manikin. Each experiment consisted of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) consisting of 2 minutes of 30:2 compression: ventilation performed by one rescuer on a manikin lying on the floor as if in cardiac arrest. Ventilations were performed using the mouth-to-mouth method. Compression and ventilation data were collected during the tests. The mean compression depth (MCD) was significantly greater in TFCC performed with the index-middle fingers than with the middle-ring fingers regardless of the hand (95% confidence intervals; right hand: 37.8-40.2 vs. 35.2-38.6 mm, P = 0.002; left hand: 36.9-39.2 vs. 35.5-38.1 mm, P = 0.003). A deeper MCD was achieved with the index-middle fingers of the right versus the left hand (P = 0.004). The ratio of sufficiently deep compressions showed the same patterns. There were no significant differences in the other data. The best performance of TFCC in simulated 30:2 compression: ventilation CPR performed by one rescuer on an infant in cardiac arrest lying on the floor was obtained using the index-middle fingers of the right hand. Clinical Trial Registry at the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0001515).
Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/*methods ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; *Fingers ; Hand ; Heart Arrest/*therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Manikins ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Thorax/physiology ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to determine whether skin temperature measurement by digital thermography on hands and feet is useful for diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Fifty-seven patients with RP (primary RP, n = 33; secondary RP, n = 24) and 146 healthy volunteers were recruited. After acclimation to room temperature for 30 min, thermal imaging of palmar aspect of hands and dorsal aspect of feet were taken. Temperature differences between palm (center) and the coolest finger and temperature differences between foot dorsum (center) and first toe significantly differed between patients and controls. The area under curve analysis showed that temperature difference of the coolest finger (cutoff value: 2.2degrees C) differentiated RP patients from controls (sensitivity/specificity: 67/60%, respectively). Temperature differences of first toe (cutoff value: 3.11degrees C) also discriminated RP patients (sensitivity/specificity: about 73/66%, respectively). A combination of thermographic assessment of the coolest finger and first toe was highly effective in men (sensitivity/specificity : about 88/60%, respectively) while thermographic assessment of first toe was solely sufficient for women (sensitivity/specificity: about 74/68%, respectively). Thermographic assessment of the coolest finger and first toe is useful for diagnosing RP. In women, thermography of first toe is highly recommended.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fingers/*physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Raynaud Disease/*diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Temperature ; *Thermography ; Toes/*physiology

Formation of the periodontium begins following onset of tooth-root formation in a coordinated manner after birth. Dental follicle progenitor cells are thought to form the cementum, alveolar bone and Sharpey's fibers of the periodontal ligament (PDL). However, little is known about the regulatory morphogens that control differentiation and function of these progenitor cells, as well as the progenitor cells involved in crown and root formation. We investigated the role of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (Bmp2) in these processes by the conditional removal of the Bmp2 gene using the Sp7-Cre-EGFP mouse model. Sp7-Cre-EGFP first becomes active at E18 in the first molar, with robust Cre activity at postnatal day 0 (P0), followed by Cre activity in the second molar, which occurs after P0. There is robust Cre activity in the periodontium and third molars by 2 weeks of age. When the Bmp2 gene is removed from Sp7(+) (Osterix(+)) cells, major defects are noted in root, cellular cementum and periodontium formation. First, there are major cell autonomous defects in root-odontoblast terminal differentiation. Second, there are major alterations in formation of the PDLs and cellular cementum, correlated with decreased nuclear factor IC (Nfic), periostin and α-SMA(+) cells. Third, there is a failure to produce vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in the periodontium and the pulp leading to decreased formation of the microvascular and associated candidate stem cells in the Bmp2-cKO(Sp7-Cre-EGFP). Fourth, ameloblast function and enamel formation are indirectly altered in the Bmp2-cKO(Sp7-Cre-EGFP). These data demonstrate that the Bmp2 gene has complex roles in postnatal tooth development and periodontium formation.
Actins ; analysis ; Activating Transcription Factor 2 ; genetics ; Age Factors ; Ameloblasts ; pathology ; Amelogenesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; Cementogenesis ; genetics ; Dental Cementum ; pathology ; Dental Pulp ; blood supply ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Molar ; growth & development ; Molar, Third ; growth & development ; NFI Transcription Factors ; analysis ; Odontoblasts ; pathology ; Odontogenesis ; genetics ; Periodontal Ligament ; growth & development ; Sp7 Transcription Factor ; Stem Cells ; physiology ; Tooth Root ; growth & development ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; Zinc Fingers ; genetics

The hand strength of astronauts, when they are outside the space capsule, is highly influenced by the residual pressure (the pressure difference between inside pressure and outside one of the suit) of extravehicular activity spacesuit glove and the pressure exerted by braided fabric. The hand strength decreases significantly on extravehicular activity, severely reducing the operation efficiency. To measure mechanical influence caused by spacesuit glove on muscle-tendon and joints, the present paper analyzes the movement anatomy and biomechanical characteristics of gripping, and then proposes a grip model. With phalangeal joint simplified as hinges, seven muscles as a finger grip energy unit, the Hill muscle model was used to compute the effects. We also used ANSYS in this study to establish a 3-D finite element model of an index finger which included both bones and muscles with glove, and then we verified the model. This model was applied to calculate the muscle stress in various situations of bare hands or hands wearing gloves in three different sizes. The results showed that in order to achieve normal grip strength with the influence caused by superfluous press, the finger's muscle stress should be increased to 5.4 times of that in normal situation, with most of the finger grip strength used to overcome the influence of superfluous pressure. When the gap between the finger surface and the glove is smaller, the mechanical influence which superfluous press made will decrease. The results would provide a theoretical basis for the design of the EVA Glove.
Astronauts ; Fingers ; physiology ; Finite Element Analysis ; Gloves, Protective ; adverse effects ; Hand Strength ; physiology ; Humans ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Pressure ; Space Suits ; adverse effects

BACKGROUND: Current examination methods to assess the anatomical variations of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon in the little finger necessitate a strong external force applied by the examiner and cause false negatives. A new examination method was designed to detect the variations more accurately. METHODS: We examined the little fingers of 220 adult hands (110 subjects) by 2 methods: the expanded examination method advocated by Tan et al., and a new examination method. Variations of the FDS in the little finger were examined by both methods and categorized separately as having independent FDS function, FDS connection to the tendons of the ring finger or of the multiple adjacent fingers, and functional substitution of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) with or without tendinous connection to the ring or multiple adjacent fingers. By our new method, we could further divide the FDS connection or FDP substitution with connection to the ring finger into 2 subtypes: loose and close connections. Data were reported as case numbers and percent. Date on symmetry were statistically analyzed by matched case-control studies. RESULTS: Among 220 hands, 113 hands (51.4%) had independent FDS function by the new examination method, which was lower than the incidence (55.5%) detected with the existing expanded examination method. In the hands with connections between FDS tendons of the little and the ring fingers, 32 hands (14.5%) demonstrated loose and 37 (16.8%) close connections. Three hands (1.4%) had loose and 19 (8.6%) had close FDP substitution with tendinous connection to the ring finger. Among 110 hands without independent FDS function, variants of 42 hands (38.2%) were asymmetric. There was no statistical significance in symmetry of variations. CONCLUSIONS: This new examination method offers other assessment variations of FDS tendon in the little finger. We recommend using this test to assess the variations and function of the FDS of the little finger.
Adult ; *Anatomic Variation ; Female ; Fingers/*anatomy & histology/physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination/*methods ; Tendons/*anatomy & histology/physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the replantation of fingertip amputation in lack of availability of intravenous anastomosis.

METHODSFrom November 2009 to November 2010, 86 patients (104 fingers) with fingertip amputation were treated with replantatioin, including 64 males and 22 females, with an average age of 26 years ranging from 2 to 64 years. The time from injury to therapy was from 30 min to 12 h, time of broken finger ischemia was from 2.5 to 12 h. Preoperative examination showed no obvious abnormalities. Four different replantation methods were selectively applied to these 104 amputated fingertips of 86 cases: (1) replantation with anastomosis of single or bilateral proper digital artery in 37 fingers; (2) replantation with arteriovenous bypass in 27 fingers; (3) replantation with exclusive anastomosis of digital artery in 24 fingers; (4) replantation with removing the palmar pocket method in 16 fingers.

RESULTSOne hundred and two of 104 amputated fingertips were survived. Among these survived fingers,75 cases (92 fingers) were followed-up for 6 to 24 months. According to the assessment standard of Chinese Medical Association of Hand Surgery, the results were excellent in 52 cases, good in 19, poor in 4.

CONCLUSIONIt benefits to expand the indications and improve the survival rate of replantation of fingertip amputation with the correct choice of different replantation methods according to the injury situation of the broken fingertip artery after debridement under the microscope.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Amputation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Debridement ; Female ; Fingers ; physiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Replantation ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct the zinc finger protein-activating transcription factor (ZFP-ATF) plasmid and evaluate its efficacy in inducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in EY.HY926 endothelial cells.

METHODSFirstly, we constructed the ZFP-ATF plasmid, then testified the quantity of VEGF protein in EY.HY926 endothelial cells after transfected with ZFP-ATP plasmid by Western blot, finally, we used the RT-PCR to testify whether the ZFP-ATF can stimulate expression of VEGF splice variants.

RESULTSThe ZFP-ATF DNA sequences were located the multiclone sites of PVAX1 vector between the site of BamH1and Xhol.Western blot result showed VEGF expression in EY.HY926 endothelial cells transfected with ZFP-ATF plasmid was significantly higher than that in cells transfected with VEGF165 (19.95±3.95 vs.12.15±1.55 μg÷μL, P<0.01).RT-PCR result showed VEGF-A mRNA expression level induced by ZFP-ATF was high than that induced by VEGF165.

CONCLUSIONZFP-ATF can up-regulate the VEGF-A expression in comparison with VEGF165, which might have beneficial effects in angiogenesis process.

Activating Transcription Factors ; physiology ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Plasmids ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; Zinc Fingers ; physiology

This article reported researches on the pattern recognition of finger key-press gestures based on surface electromyographic (SEMG) signals. All the gestures were defined referring to the PC standard keyboard, and totally 16 sorts of key-press gestures relating to the right hand were defined. The SEMG signals were collected from the forearm of the subjects by 4 sensors. And two kinds of pattern recognition experiments were designed and implemented for exploring the feasibility and repeatability of the key-press gesture recognition based on SEMG signals. The results from 6 subjects showed, by using the same-day templates, that the average classification rates of 16 defined key-press gestures reached above 75.8%. Moreover, when the training samples added up to 5 days, the recognition accuracies approached those obtained with the same-day templates. The experimental results confirm the feasibility and repeatability of SEMG-based key-press gestures classification, which is meaningful for the implementation of myoelectric control-based virtual keyboard interaction.
Algorithms ; Electromyography ; methods ; Fingers ; Gestures ; Humans ; Movement ; physiology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

Vernalization makes Arabidopsis and other cruciferous plants flowering earlier. During this process, an important plant homeodomain-finger(PHD-finger) protein named VIN3 is involved. The PHD domain was a conserved zinc-finger domain in eukaryotic organism. It used to take part in the interaction between proteins, especially the modification on histone of nucleosome, such as methylation, acetylation and phosphorylation. In vernaliazation pathway, the proteins translated by VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3(VIN3) and homologous genes could result in methylation on H3K9 and H3K27 and deacetylation on H3K9 and H3K14 on chromatin histone of FLOWERING LOCUS C, a gene that inhibited flowering. The structure state of FLC would be changed from relaxation into compression. Then the transcription activity of FLC could be restrained and it couldn't inhibit flowering any more, so it would induce flowering earlier. This paper reviewed the function of PHD-finger proteins in vernalization pathway in Arabidopsis and other cruciferous plants, and overviewed the vernalization mechanism.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Arabidopsis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Arabidopsis Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Brassicaceae ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; genetics ; physiology ; Histones ; metabolism ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; MADS Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Zinc Fingers