Design and Experimental Testing of a Force-Augmenting Exoskeleton for the Human Hand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Triolo ◽  
Brett BuSha
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Human Hand ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Upper Limb Dysfunction ◽  
Exoskeleton Device

Abstract BackgroundMany older Americans suffer from long-term upper limb dysfunction, decreased grip strength, and/or a reduced ability to hold objects due to injuries and a variety of age-related illnesses. The objective of this study was to design and build a five-fingered powered assistive exoskeleton for the human hand, and to validate its ability to augment the gripping and pinching efforts of the wearer and assist in performing ADLs. MethodsThe exoskeleton device was designed using CAD software and 3-D printed in ABS. Each finger’s movement efforts were individually monitored by a force sensing resistor at each fingertip, and proportionally augmented via the microcontroller-based control scheme, linear actuators, and rigid exoskeleton structure. The force production of the device and the force augmenting capability were assessed on ten healthy individuals include one 5-digit grasping test, three pinching tests, and two functional tests. ResultsUse of the device significantly decreased the forearm muscle activity necessary to maintain a grasping effort (67%,p<0.001), the larger of the pinching efforts (30%,p<0.05), and the palmer pinching effort (67%,p<0.001); however, no benefit by wearing the device was identified while maintaining a minimal pinching effort or attempting one of the functional tests. ConclusionThe exoskeleton device allowed subjects to maintain independent control of each digit, and while wearing the exoskeleton, in both the unpowered and powered states, subjects were able to grasp, hold, and move objects such as a water bottle, bag, smartphone, or dry-erase marker.

scholarly journals Crosstalk between Long-Term Sublethal Oxidative Stress and Detrimental Inflammation as Potential Drivers for Age-Related Retinal Degeneration

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Lara Macchioni ◽  
Davide Chiasserini ◽  
Letizia Mezzasoma ◽  
Magdalena Davidescu ◽  
Pier Luigi Orvietani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Inflammasome Activation ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Rpe Cells ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Oxidative Insult

Age-related retinal degenerations, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are caused by the loss of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptors. The pathogenesis of AMD, deeply linked to the aging process, also involves oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, the molecular mechanisms contributing to the shift from healthy aging to AMD are still poorly understood. Since RPE cells in the retina are chronically exposed to a pro-oxidant microenvironment throughout life, we simulated in vivo conditions by growing ARPE-19 cells in the presence of 10 μM H2O2 for several passages. This long-term oxidative insult induced senescence in ARPE-19 cells without affecting cell proliferation. Global proteomic analysis revealed a dysregulated expression in proteins involved in antioxidant response, mitochondrial homeostasis, and extracellular matrix organization. The analyses of mitochondrial functionality showed increased mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP generation and improved response to oxidative stress. The latter, however, was linked to nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) rather than nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. NF-κB hyperactivation also resulted in increased pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and inflammasome activation. Moreover, in response to additional pro-inflammatory insults, senescent ARPE-19 cells underwent an exaggerated inflammatory reaction. Our results indicate senescence as an important link between chronic oxidative insult and detrimental chronic inflammation, with possible future repercussions for therapeutic interventions.

Evaluation attempt of own body sensing amongst persons with and without scoliosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Szczygieł ◽  
Agata Gigoń ◽  
Izabela Cebula Chudyba ◽  
Golec Joanna ◽  
Golec Edward
Keyword(s):  
Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Sensory Integration ◽  
Head Position ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Spine Deformity ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Body Proportion ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Age Range

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common structural spine deformity affecting 2%–4% of adolescents. Due to the unknown cause of idiopathic scoliosis, its therapy is a long-term and often unsatisfactory process. In the literature, it is often suggested that problems related to the feeling of one’s own body are caused by AIS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the feeling of one’s own body among children with and without scoliosis on the example of feeling the head position, pelvis shape and balance. METHOD: The research included 62 children: 30 with scoliosis and 25 without diagnosed scoliosis with an age range between 11 to 19 years. The minimum scoliosis value was 7∘ and the maximum was 53∘. The average value was 25∘. During the study, three functional tests were used: Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPET), Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance (CTSIB) and Body proportion demonstration test (BPDT). RESULTS: The results of the tests showed statistically significant differences (CJPET p= 3.54* 10-14, CTSIB p= 0.0376, BPDT p= 0.0127). However, none of the studies showed a correlation between the results of people with scoliosis and the value of their Cobb angles.

scholarly journals Title I: Modernizing Definitions and Programs Under the Administration on Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 714-715
Author(s):  
Marie Gualtieri
Keyword(s):  
Title I ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Aging Society ◽  
Program Adaptation ◽  
Older Americans Act ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Older Adult Population

Abstract The recent reauthorization of the Older Americans Act adds language and definitions to current issues facing the aging population. Specifically, Title I includes definitions related to program adaptation and coordination, workforce and long-term care issues, nutrition and social isolation, as well as family caregivers. Different from the last authorization, these definitions span beyond the individual experience to include other entities impacted by an aging society, such as the workforce and families. Overall, the Title I reauthorization seeks to modernize policy to reflect the current influx of the older adult population and its consequences.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health disorders associate with greater decreases in physical capability in older women

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juopperi Samuli ◽  
Sund Reijo ◽  
Rikkonen Toni ◽  
Kröger Heikki ◽  
Sirola Joonas
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Baseline Body Mass Index ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Physical Capability ◽  
Study Population

Abstract Background Good physical capability is an important part of healthy biological ageing. Several factors influencing physical capability have previously been reported. Long-term reports on physical capability and the onset of clinical disorders and chronic diseases are lacking. Decrease in physical capacity has been shown to increase mortality. This study focuses on the prevalence of chronic diseases. The primary objective of the study was to reveal the association between physical capability and morbidity. Secondary objectives included the validity of self-reported physical capability and the association between baseline physical capability and mortality. Methods The OSTPRE (Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Study) prospective cohort involved all women aged 47–56 years residing in the Kuopio Province, Finland in 1989. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed at five-year intervals. Physical capability questions were first presented in 1994. From these women, we included only completely physically capable subjects at our baseline, in 1994. Physical capability was evaluated with five scale self-reports at baseline and in 2014 as follows: completely physically capable, able to walk but not run, can walk up to 1000 m, can walk up to 100 m and temporarily severely incapable. The prevalences of selected chronic diseases, with a minimum prevalence of 10% in 2014, were compared with the change in self-reported physical capability. Additionally, associations between long-term mortality and baseline physical capability of the whole 1994 study population sample were examined with logistic regression. The correlation of self-reported physical capability with functional tests was studied cross-sectionally at the baseline for a random subsample. Results Our study population consisted of 6219 Finnish women with a mean baseline age of 57.0 years. Self-reported physical capability showed statistically significant correlation with functional tests. Cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders show the greatest correlation with decrease of physical capability. Prevalence of hypertension increased from 48.7% in the full physical capability group to 74.5% in the “able to walk up to 100 metres” group (p < 0.001). Rheumatoid arthritis showed a similar increase from 2.1 to 7.4% between these groups. Higher baseline body mass index (BMI) decreases long-term capability (P < 0.001). Women reporting full physical capability at baseline had a mortality rate of 15.1%, in comparison to 48.5% in women within the “able to walk up to 100 m” group (p = 0.357). Mortality increased steadily with worsening baseline physical capability. Conclusions The results of this study show that chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders, correlate with faster degradation of physical capability in the elderly. Similar results are shown for increase in BMI. We also demonstrate that the risk of mortality over a 20-year period is higher in individuals with poor baseline physical capability.

scholarly journals Chondroitin 6-sulphate is required for neuroplasticity and memory in ageing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujeong Yang ◽  
Sylvain Gigout ◽  
Angelo Molinaro ◽  
Yuko Naito-Matsui ◽  
Sam Hilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chondroitin Sulphate ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Aged Mice ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Early Memory

AbstractPerineuronal nets (PNNs) are chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan-containing structures on the neuronal surface that have been implicated in the control of neuroplasticity and memory. Age-related reduction of chondroitin 6-sulphates (C6S) leads to PNNs becoming more inhibitory. Here, we investigated whether manipulation of the chondroitin sulphate (CS) composition of the PNNs could restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits in aged mice. We first confirmed that aged mice (20-months) showed memory and plasticity deficits. They were able to retain or regain their cognitive ability when CSs were digested or PNNs were attenuated. We then explored the role of C6S in memory and neuroplasticity. Transgenic deletion of chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase (chst3) led to a reduction of permissive C6S, simulating aged brains. These animals showed very early memory loss at 11 weeks old. Importantly, restoring C6S levels in aged animals rescued the memory deficits and restored cortical long-term potentiation, suggesting a strategy to improve age-related memory impairment.

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