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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Finger interaction during accurate multi-finger force production tasks in young and elderly persons.

We addressed a hypothesis that changes in indices of finger interaction during maximal force production (MVC) tasks are accompanied by changed coordination of fingers in multi-finger accurate force production tasks. To modify relative involvement of extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles, the subjects produced force by pressing either at their distal phalanges or at their proximal phalanges. As in earlier studies, in MVC trials, the elderly subjects showed a greater force decline when pressing at the proximal phalanges as compared to pressing at the distal phalanges. Two methods were applied to analyze finger coordination during the task of four-finger force production from zero to 30% of MVC over 5 s, at the level of finger forces (performance variables) and at the level of modes (control variables). Our previous observations of higher indices of variability during the ramp task in elderly subjects have been generalized to both sites of force application. An index of finger force covariation (the difference between the variance of the total force and the sum of the variances of individual finger forces) revealed small age related differences, which did not depend on the site of the force application. In contrast, analysis of covariation of force modes within the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis showed much better stabilization of the time profile of the total force by young subjects. The UCM hypothesis was also used to test stabilization of the pronation/supination moment during the ramp task. Young subjects showed better moment stabilization than elderly. Age related differences in both force- and moment-stabilization effects were particularly strong during force application at the proximal phalanges. We conclude that the drop in MVC is accompanied in elderly subjects with worse coordination of control signals to fingers in multi-finger tasks. The UCM analysis was more powerful as compared to analysis of force variance profiles in revealing significant differences between the groups. This general result underscores the importance of efforts to analyze motor coordination using control rather than performance variables.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Finger plethysmography--a method for monitoring finger blood flow during sleep disordered breathing.

We investigated a non-invasive measurement for changes in finger blood flow during wakefulness and sleep. Changes in finger blood flow, reflected by pulse wave amplitude (PWA) derived from finger plethysmography, were compared with changes in forearm vascular flow assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography after intra-arterial infusion of norepinephrine (NE), phentolamine, and isoproterenol (n=15, 15, 14 subjects, respectively). Moreover, PWA was assessed during obstructive breathing during sleep (n=8 patients). Vasoconstriction in the finger (PWA) was stronger than that obtained in the forearm vascular bed in the higher NE dose range both without (ANOVA, P=0.002) and with concomitant phentolamine-induced alpha-receptor blockade (P=0.02). Isoproterenol increased forearm blood flow but did not induce flow changes detectable by the finger plethysmographic technique (P<0.001). PWA was significantly reduced during arousal from obstructive sleep apnea (-37.5+/-16.1%, P=0.002, n=6 patients), suggesting vasoconstriction in the digital vascular bed. PWA derived from finger plethysmography allows continuous, non-invasive measurement of changes in finger blood flow during wakefulness and sleep. However, as may be expected from the anatomical and functional differences between the finger and forearm vascular beds and demonstrated by the lack of response to beta(2)-receptor stimulation, PWA does not mimic forearm vascular flow characteristics. Thus, finger plethysmography may be a useful complement to current vascular research techniques, in particular to monitor sympathetic influences on skin blood flow in the finger.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2003

Safe treatment of trigger finger with longitudinal and transverse landmarks: an anatomic study of the border fingers for percutaneous release.

Transverse landmarks have recently been determined to predict the proximal and distal edges of the A1 pulley for trigger finger release. Percutaneous A1 pulley release has been discouraged for the border digits because of the risk of injury to the neurovascular structures of the index and small fingers. The purpose of the study was to identify longitudinal surface landmarks to prevent injury to the neurovascular bundles during percutaneous A1 pulley release of the ulnar and radial border digits. Longitudinal surface landmarks were identified and marked on 29 cadaver hands. Proximal and distal landmarks for the longitudinal vector through which the A1 pulley of the small finger was released include the midline of the proximal digital crease and the scaphoid tubercle. Proximal and distal landmarks for the longitudinal line through which the index finger A1 pulley was released include the midline of proximal digital crease and radial edge of the pisiform. Longitudinal incisions were performed between these landmarks, straight through the skin and deep enough to score the A1 pulley. The distance of the medial edge of the neurovascular structures from the longitudinal incision in the A1 pulley was measured for each small finger and index finger. Using these longitudinal landmarks for the index and small fingers, none of the neurovascular structures was injured while performing these longitudinal incisions through the skin, scoring the A1 pulley. In fact, the average distance for the neurovascular structures from the longitudinal vector of the small finger was 5.4 +/- 1.4 mm radially and 6.7 +/- 1.9 mm ulnarly. The average distance for the neurovascular structures from the longitudinal line of the index finger was 8.5 +/- 1.8 mm radially and 6.2 +/- 1.7 mm ulnarly. Based on the findings of this anatomical study, these longitudinal landmarks can be used to avoid injury to neurovascular structures in the management of trigger finger involving the border digits with steroid-injection, open, or percutaneous A1 pulley release.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2005

Effect of room temperature on percentage finger systolic blood pressure response to finger cooling.

Percentage finger systolic blood pressure (%FSBP) in response to finger cooling is used to assess vascular components of the hand-arm vibration syndrome and the measurement method is under discussion for standardization. It has been suggested that measurement circumstances including room temperature may affect %FSBP. We investigated the effect of room temperature on %FSBP response to finger cooling in healthy subjects. Six healthy male subjects who were medical students volunteered for the study. Multi-channel plethysmograph was used for simultaneous multi-finger FSBP measurements. The examination room was kept at 21 +/- 1 degrees C and 25 +/- 1 degrees C, and the subjects were randomly assigned. Percentage finger systolic blood pressures for the index, middle, ring and little fingers at 15 degrees C and 10 degrees C cuff-water temperatures were calculated. Four-way analysis of variance was performed to determine the independent effect of subject, room temperature, finger and cuff-water temperature factors on %FSBP. The room temperature as an independent factor affecting %FSBP was statistically significant (P < 0.01). From the results, it can be concluded that %FSBP response to finger cooling in healthy subjects may be affected by room temperature. Therefore, room temperature is expected to be controlled when assessing peripheral vascular components of the upper extremities using %FSBP response to finger cooling.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Finger movements and fingers postures in pre-term infants are not a good indicator of brain damage.

The aim of the study was to analyse, with a more detailed classification the occurrence of movements and postures of the fingers in normal and brain damaged pre-term infants. To this end the same videorecordings of normal subjects of the study described by Cioni and Prechtl and those with defined brain lesions from the investigation by Ferrari et al. have been reanalysed. In three general movements, selected randomly from each infant, we assessed the finger movement. There was no systematic trend with age and the repertoire of finger patterns per observation varied between different individuals. Only one or two finger(s) move (pattern B) and synchronized finger opening-closing (pattern D) and the complex and variable movement of three or more fingers (pattern E) are all more often or even only seen during arm movements. Fisting without arm movement (pattern A-) was only seen less frequently in the control cases, in the infants with flares and one-sided lesions. On the other hand, the two latter groups had more often pattern C+ (opening of all fingers with arm movement) while B+ (only one or two fingers move with arm movement) and E+ (three or more fingers move variably with arm movement) was less frequent in the severely damaged infants. Albeit significant differences, the plotted data immediately show the large overlap of the findings between the groups. There was no difference in the fisting between low-risk and neurologically abnormal pre-term infants. These findings corroborate the conclusions that abnormal movements and postures are not useful in the diagnosis of pre-term infants with confirmed brain lesions because of the wide overlap between the values for normal and brain damaged infants.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed2000

An accessory DNA binding motif in the zinc finger protein Adr1 assists stable binding to DNA and can be replaced by a third finger.

The DNA binding domain of Adr1, the protein derived from alcohol dehydrogenase regulatory gene 1, is unusual for zinc finger proteins in that it consists of two classical Cys2His2 zinc fingers and an amino-terminal proximal accessory region termed PAR. PAR is unstructured in the free protein and becomes structured in the DNA-bound form. We investigated the role of PAR in DNA binding using molecular and biochemical approaches, and its importance for activation in vivo, using Adr1-dependent reporter genes. PAR was unimportant for DNA binding when a third finger was added to Adr1, and its importance was diminished but not eliminated by mutations in finger two that increased DNA binding affinity. The kinetic rate constants for three Adr1 proteins containing or lacking PAR were determined by surface plasmon resonance. PAR increased the on rate and decreased the off rate for specific DNA sites for Adr1 containing wild-type fingers one and two. Surprisingly, PAR had no significant effect on the kinetic rate constants when a third finger was present, or when single-stranded DNA was used as the substrate for DNA binding. A mutant form of Adr1-F1F2 in which finger 2 makes three base-specific contacts with DNA had a higher affinity for DNA than Adr1 containing three fingers, yet the mutant protein still depended on PAR for optimal binding affinity. The ability to activate transcription in vivo was correlated with a low dissociation rate, suggesting that stabilizing an activator at the promoter might be rate-limiting for transcription in vivo. PAR may have evolved to lend additional stability to DNA-Adr1 complexes encompassing short binding sites. In addition, PAR may have a role in transcription at a step after DNA binding since deletion of PAR from Adr1 with three fingers decreased activation in vivo but had no effect on DNA binding kinetics.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2001

Improved DNA binding specificity from polyzinc finger peptides by using strings of two-finger units.

Multizinc finger peptides are likely to reach increased prominence in the search for the "ideal" designer transcription factor for in vivo applications such as gene therapy. However, for these treatments to be effective and safe, the peptides must bind with high affinity and, more importantly, with great specificity. Our previous research has shown that zinc finger arrays can be made to bind 18 bp of DNA with picomolar affinity, but also has suggested that arrays of fingers also may bind tightly to related sequences. This work addresses the question of zinc finger DNA binding specificity. We show that by changing the way in which zinc finger arrays are constructed--by linking three two-finger domains rather than two three-finger units--far greater target specificity can be achieved through increased discrimination against mutated or closely related sequences. These new peptides have the added capability of being able to span two short gaps of unbound DNA, although still binding with picomolar affinity to their target sites. We believe that this new method of constructing zinc finger arrays will offer greater efficacy in the fields of gene therapy and in the production of transgenic organisms than previously reported zinc finger arrays.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Comparative analysis of KRAB zinc finger proteins in rodents and man: evidence for several evolutionarily distinct subfamilies of KRAB zinc finger genes.

Although the KRAB zinc finger proteins probably constitute the single largest class of transcription factors within the human genome, almost nothing is known about their biological function. To increase our knowledge about this interesting and relatively unexplored family of potent transcriptional repressors, we here present the cloning, structural analysis, and expression study of three novel mouse KRAB zinc finger proteins. In addition, we present an extensive comparative analysis of various members of this gene family based on the structure of the common KRAB A motif. At least three larger subfamilies of KRAB zinc finger proteins are identified: one carrying the classical KRAB A motif only, another holding both a classical KRAB A and a classical KRAB B motif, and a third holding a classical KRAB A and a highly divergent KRAB B domain, named b. A large variation both in size and in primary amino acid sequence was observed in the linker region between the KRAB domain and the C-terminally located zinc finger repeats. This variability indicates that this region is of minor importance for the biological function of KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins. The fact that in many zinc finger genes, the entire or almost the entire linker region is composed of degenerate finger motifs substantiates this conclusion. The absence of identifiable KRAB A and B motifs in the genome of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, indicates a relatively late appearance of the KRAB domain in evolution and may suggest that the biological functions are restricted to multicellular organisms. In addition, we show that the expression of individual members of one subfamily of KRAB zinc finger genes is restricted to specific hematopoietic cell lineages. This finding suggests that KRAB zinc finger proteins may play a role in lineage commitment, possibly silencing leakage transcription from nonlineage-expressed genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A novel four zinc-finger protein targeted against p190(BcrAbl) fusion oncogene cDNA: utilisation of zinc-finger recognition codes.

A three zinc-finger protein that binds specifically to the cDNA representing the unique fusion gene BCR:Abl, associated with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, has previously been characterised. At this breakpoint, a sequence homology of 8/9 bp exists between the BCR:Abl (fusion) and c-ABL: (parental) target sequences. We show that the three zinc-finger protein discriminates poorly between the fusion (BCR:Abl) and parental (ABL:) sequence (K:(d)s of 42.8 and 65.1 nM, respectively). In order to improve the discriminatory properties of this protein, and to demonstrate the utility of current zinc-finger databases, we have added a fourth zinc-finger to the original three zinc-finger protein. This fourth finger recognises a 3 bp subsite derived from the BCR: portion of the breakpoint and is not present in c-ABL: This novel four finger protein, which now recognises a 12 bp sequence, demonstrates improved specific binding to BcrAbl (K:(d )= 17 nM). More significantly we have shown that there is now enhanced discrimination between BcrAbl and ABL: sequences by the four finger protein than the original three finger protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Optimal circumference reduction of finger models for good prosthetic fit of a thimble-type prosthesis for distal finger amputations.

The prosthetic fit of a thimble-type esthetic silicone prosthesis was retrospectively reviewed in 29 patients who were fitted following distal finger amputations. The aim was to correlate prosthetic fit with the magnitudes of circumference reduction in the finger models used to produce the prostheses and to identify the optimum reduction for the best outcome. A good fit is achieved primarily by making the prosthesis circumferentially smaller than the segment of the residual finger (residuum) over which it "cups". The percentage reduction in circumference of the finger model against the residuum model was calculated by dividing the difference in circumference between the residuum model and the finger model by the residuum model circumference and multiplying the result by 100. The computed percentage circumference reduction in the finger models ranged from small (1-3), moderate (5-7), to large (8-9). Twelve of 15 patients whose finger models had between one to three circumference reductions had a loose prosthetic fit. Only two of 14 patients who had a larger model circumference reduction of between five to nine had loose-fitting prostheses. Two of five patients who had eight to nine model circumference reduction had an uncomfortably tight prosthetic fit. A 5-7% circumference reduction in the finger model was shown in this study to best translate into good fit of a thimble-type prosthesis for distal finger amputations.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Muscular production of individuated finger movements: the roles of extrinsic finger muscles.

Individuated finger movements--those in which one or more fingers are moved relatively independently of the movement or posture of other body parts--are produced in part by the action of the extrinsic finger muscles. Flexion/extension movements of the fingers are particularly dependent on these extrinsic muscles, most of which are multitendoned. How can contraction of multitendoned muscles move one digit without producing equivalent motion in other digits? This question was addressed by recording EMG activity from muscles of the forearm as trained rhesus monkeys performed flexion and extension individuated movements of each digit of the hand and of the wrist. Recordings showed that during movements of different fingers, a given muscle could act as an agonist, antagonist, or stabilizer of the digits it serves. Furthermore, during a given finger movement, several different muscles typically were active. A three-level connection model was developed that computed the relative motion of the digits during each finger movement based on the changes in EMG activity in the recorded muscles. The model showed that EMG activity changes in the extrinsic finger muscles, and the thenar muscles, could account for most of the motion of both the instructed digit and noninstructed digits. These results indicate that individuated finger movements were produced not by independent sets of muscles acting on each digit, but by the activity of several muscles, many of which act on more than one digit, combined such that the net effect was movement of one digit more than others.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

In vivo flexor tendon forces increase with finger and wrist flexion during active finger flexion and extension.

The effects of different hand motions and positions used during early protected motion rehabilitation on tendon forces are not well understood. The goal of this study was to determine in vivo forces in human flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons of the index finger during active unresisted finger flexion and extension. During open carpal tunnel surgery (n = 12), flexor tendon forces were acquired with buckle force transducers, and finger positions were recorded on video while subjects actively flexed and extended the fingers at two different wrist angles. Mean in vivo FDP tendon forces varied between 1.3N +/- 0.9 N and 4.0 N +/- 2.9 N while mean FDS tendon forces ranged from 1.3N +/- 0.5 N to 8.5 N +/- 10.7 N. FDP force increased with active finger flexion at both wrist angles of 0 degrees or 30 degrees flexion. FDS force increased with finger flexion when the wrist was in 30 degrees flexion, but was unchanged when the wrist was in 0 degrees of flexion. Tendon forces were similar regardless of whether the fingers were moving in the flexion or extension direction. Active finger flexion and extension with the wrist at 0 degrees and 30 degrees flexion may be used during early rehabilitation protocols with limited risk of repair rupture. This risk can be further decreased for a FDS tendon repair by reducing wrist flexion angle.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Maximum finger force prediction using a planar simulation of the middle finger.

Maximum isometric finger-grip forces were predicted using a biomechanical model for plane motion of the middle finger. In the course of this study, mathematical representations of tendon displacement, the moment arm of tendon at the finger joints and muscle force-length relationship were investigated. The information gathered was applied to the model to estimate the maximum grip force of the middle finger gripping cylinders of different sizes. Muscle force per unit physiological cross-section area of 30 N/cm2 resulted in good agreement with measured force. However, for finger postures having an acute proximal interphalangeal joint angle, the estimated force was greater than that measured. Various joint angles were applied to the model to simulate the wrist and finger postures not limited to the cylinder grip. In general the finger force was greatest with the wrist in its extended position and at acute flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The maximum finger force occurred at reduced metacarpophalangeal joint angles as the wrist joint changed from an extended position to a flexed one. It is also postulated that muscle force-length relationship is an important factor in muscle force predictions. The data obtained by this research are useful for the design of handles and the current model is applicable to the analysis of hand postures for workers using hand tools.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2006

[Classification of finger flaps and its use in emergency treatment for finger injuries].

OBJECTIVE: To choose the homo-digital and the hetero-digital flaps in the reconstruction of the distal finger injuries and to summarize the treatment results obtained in the clinical practice. METHODS: From August 2001 to June 2005, 112 injured fingers in 108 patients (68 males, 40 females; aged 16-63 years) were surgically treated. The injuries were due to emotion, crushing or avulsion, and they underwent operations 2 hours after the injuries. Nine kinds of flaps were taken from the dorsal or volar aspect of the injured fingers to cover the defects of the distal fingers. The flaps were divided into two kinds: 1) The flaps were nourished by the main digital arterial branches, including the V-Y island flap based on the digital neurovascular bundles, the reversed digital artery flap, the modified Moberg flap, and the twins flaps based on the digital general neurovascular bundles (flaps ranging in area from 1.5 cm X 2.00cm); and r The flaps were nourished by the collateral digital arterial branches, including the dorsoulnar arterial retrograde flap of the thumb(flaps ranging in area from 1. cm X 1.. cm to 3.. cm Xx2. 5 cm) and the reverse flap based on the dorsal branches of the digital artery (flaps ranging in area from 1. 7 cmX x1. 0 cm to 4. 5 cmX x . 0 cm), the volar flap based on the transverse palmar branch of the digital artery (flaps ranging in area from 2.0 cm Xx1.0 cm to 2. 5 cm Xx2. 0 cm). and the island flap from the dorsum of the index finger and the digital local flaps. RESULTS: The follow-up for 2 weeks to 8 months revealed that all the flaps survived with an exception of flap necrosis in 3 patients and superficial necrosis in 3 patients. The sensation reached almost normal levels in the flaps based on collateral digital arteries and the two-point discrimination was between 5 mm and 10 mm in the flaps based on the arterial branches. The finger motion ability was good and the finger appearance was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The choice of the above-mentioned skin flaps can repair the soft tissue defects of the distal parts of the fingers, which can have a satisfactory restoration contour.

Adolescent↗