Upregulated expression of transforming growth factor-β receptor I/II in an endemic Osteoarthropathy in China

Background Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic, deforming, endemic osteochondropathy that begins in patients as young as 2–3 years of age. The pathogenesis of KBD remains unclear, although selenium (Se) deficiency and T-2 toxin food contamination are both linked to the disease. In the present study, we evaluated transforming growth factor-β receptor (TGF-βR I and II) levels in clinical samples of KBD and in pre-clinical disease models. Methods Human specimens were obtained from the hand phalanges of eight donors with KBD and eight control donors. Animal models of the disease were established using Sprague–Dawley rats, which were fed an Se-deficient diet for 4 weeks and later administered the T-2 toxin. Cartilage cellularity and morphology were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Expression and localization of TGF-βRI and II were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Results In the KBD samples, chondral necrosis was detected based on cartilage cell disappearance and alkalinity loss in the matrix ground substance. In the necrotic areas, TGF-βRI and II staining were strong. Positive percentages of TGF-βRI and II staining were higher in the cartilage samples of KBD donors than in those of control donors. TGF-βRI and II staining was also increased in cartilage samples from rats administered T-2 toxin or fed on Se-deficient plus T-2 toxin diets. Conclusion TGF-βRI and II may be involved in the pathophysiology of KBD. This study provides new insights into the pathways that contribute to KBD development.

Outcomes of Surgery for Enchondromas within the Hand

Background. Enchondromas are the most common benign bone tumours found in the hand. They are usually accidentally diagnosed on an X-ray, because they grow asymptomatically. In some cases, a pathological fracture of the involved phalanx may be the first sign. The objective of this study was to assess the results of operative treatment of enchondromas involving hand phalanges and metacarpals. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 24 patients, 16 women (67%) and 8 men, (33%), aged a mean of 31 years, who were operated on at our centre. The surgery consisted in curettage, and - in most cases - filling the bone defect with either a bone graft or a bone substitute. Follow-up assessment was performed over the telephone in 17 patients (79% of the group) at a mean of 2 years after surgery. Results. Half of the patients were asymptomatic and fully recovered functionally, whereas the other half complained of some not troublesome symptoms such as scar discomfort, limitation of finger movement or cold sensitivity. No differences were observed with regard to the material used for filling of the bone defect following curettage. Two cases of recurrence were noted after surgery: one in the bone substitute group and one in the bone graft group. Conclusions. 1. Enchondromas are the most common benign bone tumours encountered in bones of the hand. 2. The first line treatment in these lesions is curettage and filling of the bone defect with a bone sub­stitute or cancellous bone graft. 3. Both the results of the present study and literature data show that the approach to managing the tu­mour cavity after curettage has no significant effect on outcomes, which are essentially satisfactory.

Human Hand Anatomy-Based Prosthetic Hand

The present paper describes the development of a prosthetic hand based on human hand anatomy. The hand phalanges are printed with 3D printing with Polylactic Acid material. One of the main contributions is the investigation on the prosthetic hand joins; the proposed design enables one to create personalized joins that provide the prosthetic hand a high level of movement by increasing the degrees of freedom of the fingers. Moreover, the driven wire tendons show a progressive grasping movement, being the friction of the tendons with the phalanges very low. Another important point is the use of force sensitive resistors (FSR) for simulating the hand touch pressure. These are used for the grasping stop simulating touch pressure of the fingers. Surface Electromyogram (EMG) sensors allow the user to control the prosthetic hand-grasping start. Their use may provide the prosthetic hand the possibility of the classification of the hand movements. The practical results included in the paper prove the importance of the soft joins for the object manipulation and to get adapted to the object surface. Finally, the force sensitive sensors allow the prosthesis to actuate more naturally by adding conditions and classifications to the Electromyogram sensor.

Human Hand Anatomy Based Prosthetic Hand

The present paper describes the development of a prosthetic hand based on the human hand anatomy. The hand phalanges are printed by using 3D printed with Polylactic Acid material. One of the main contributions is the investigation on the prosthetic hand joins; the proposed design enables to create personalized joins that allow the prosthetic hand a high level of movement by increasing the degrees of freedom of the fingers. Moreover, the driven wire tendons show a progressive grasping movement, being the friction of the tendons with the phalanges very low. Another important point is the use of force sensitive resistors for simulating the hand touch pressure. These are used for the grasping stop simulating touch pressure of the fingers. Surface Electromyogram (EMG) sensors allow the user to control the prosthetic hand grasping start. Their use may provide the prosthetic hand the possibility of classification of the hand movements. The practical results included in the paper prove the importance of the soft joins for the object manipulation and to get adapted to the object surface. Finally, the force sensitive sensors allow the prosthesis to actuate with more naturalness by adding conditions and classifications to the Electromyogram sensor.