Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “DEXTERITY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Test-retest reliability of the Purdue Pegboard for persons with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The Purdue Pegboard test often is used in clinical settings to evaluate changes in clients' fine motor dexterity. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability and practice effects of the Purdue Pegboard for persons with multiple sclerosis. In addition, this study compared the reliability of one-trial administration to three-trial administration of the four subtests. METHOD: Thirty-two volunteers from a midwestern community-based maintenance rehabilitation center for persons with multiple sclerosis participated in this study. The participants were administered the four subtests of the Purdue Pegboard, three trials in a row. A second administration was completed 1 week later. Data from 25 participants were analyzed using paired t tests, Pearson product-moment correlations, and intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from .85 to .90 for one-trial administration and from .92 to .96 for the sum of three trials. No significant practice effects existed except for the sum of three trials of both hands. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the one-trial administration of the Purdue Pegboard is a sufficiently reliable assessment to use with persons with multiple sclerosis. Findings further suggest that for a person with multiple sclerosis, any changes in Purdue Pegboard scores using one-trial administration may reflect actual change in that person's dexterity, as no practice effect was demonstrated in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Micro-telerobotic surgical system for microsurgery.

Modern surgical methods which utilize microscopes have allowed medical professionals to visualize the surgical field on the order of microns. This new found visual capacity has created a performance gap between a surgeon's visual skills and manipulative skills that surgical robotics have the capability to remedy. Robotics can be used as an aid to the surgeon to help correct natural human dexterity problems such as tremor and resolution of motion. Devices that would benefit surgical dexterity at the micron scale are in development at Sandia National Laboratories. A six degree-of-freedom (DOF) force reflecting telerobotic manipulator has been designed and developed for use in microsurgical applications. The system utilizes a unique mechanical platform, actuation schemes, and controller that provides high positional precision while maintaining high frequency response for implementation of force feedback. Thus, the same device is used to form a master-slave telerobotic arrangement to assist the surgeon. This makes the system very intuitive to the surgeon and easier to implement for the engineer. The system utilizes high performance Digital Signal Processors (DSP) for control of both the master and slave platforms. Six dimensional force information is obtained from transducers located at the end effectors of both the master and slave. Two distinctly different types of motors are currently being evaluated, as well as several types of control algorithms. Position scaling, force scaling, and tremor filtering are being implemented in the DSP control software. Control parameters are based upon system frequency response testing. Results from our system identification and performance testing will be discussed.

Computers↗
PubMed2000

The applicability of WHO-NCTB in Korea.

Neurotoxic chemical substances have been widely used in Korea since 1960. The World Health Organization-recommended Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (WHO-NCTB) was introduced into Korea early in the 1990s and has been applied to the study of workers exposed to neurotoxic chemicals. Thirteen studies using the WHO-NCTB have been reported in Korean journals, two of which were published in English and the rest in Korean-language journals. Ten studies were reviewed to examine the influence of age, education and other factors on the WHO-NCTB in Korean workers. Pursuit Aiming, Digit Symbol, Digit Span and Benton Visual Retention test are effected by years of education, especially when years of education were less than 12. Santa Ana Dexterity test and Simple Reaction Time test were not effected. Pursuit Aiming, Santa Ana Dexterity test and Digit Symbol were effected by age, but not the Simple Reaction Time test, Benton Visual Retention test, or Digit Span. Some studies had difficulty in finding a proper reference group, because many workers exposed to neurotoxic chemicals were old and less educated than available reference groups. However, daily use of chopsticks by Koreans, especially coupled with work that requires skillful and quick hand movements, might develop psychomotor functions in exposed workers. The cultural and emotional differences between Korean and Caucasian led POMS to be applied only to two studies. In conclusion, the WHO-NCTB has been successfully applied to Korean workers for evaluating the neurobehavioral effects of individual chemicals, although age and education can be confounding factors. It was difficult to apply the WHO-NCTB to workers educated less than 12 years.

Affect↗
PubMed2001

[Autologous dendritic cells eliciting cytotoxicity of bone marrow cells against chronic granulocytic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activity of bone marrow cells activated by autologous dendritic cells (DC) to mediate cytotoxicity against chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) cells. METHODS: DC were separated from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) of two CGL patients in hematological remission and harvested after 3 days of culture in IMDM containing autologous plasma, rhGM-CSF and rhTNFalpha at 37 degrees C, 5% CO(2) humidified atmosphere. BMMNC obtained from the patients were divided into 3 groups to set up Dexter systems: the control group, rhIL-2 containing, and the third group having DC added at day 4. After 10 days of culture, non-adherent cells were harvested and the changes of immunological phenotype and the percentage of P210 positive cells were analyzed. The cytotoxicity were assayed with two-colour flow cytometry. The non-adherent cells from all the 3 systems served as effector cells, those from control system as target cells. RESULTS: The cytotoxic activity against target cells was greater in the DC-activated effector cells than that in rhIL-2-activated ones. The percentages of death cells in target cells were 63.12% versus 42.59% (case 1) and 61.60% versus 21.46% (case 2), respectively. In addition, there was a marked increase in the death cell percentage in the DC-activated effector cells themselves after incubation with target cells. This phenomenon was not found in the rhIL-2-activated effector cells. The percentage of P210 positive cells was significantly lower in non-adherent cells after 10 days of culture in Dexter system, comparing with that in non-cultured BMMNC. The least P210 positive cells were found in those cultured with DC and the less in those with rhIL-2. CONCLUSION: Autologous DC were able to activate bone marrow cells to generate cytotoxicity against CGL cells. Their effect was greater than that of rhIL-2. These activated bone marrow cells might mediate graft versus leukemia effect in vivo.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMed2002

Cardiac surgical procedures and glove reinforcements.

The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the frequency and site of glove perforation during cardiac surgical procedures. Over a period of six months, gloves from 206 surgical team members were collected at the conclusion of surgery. All cases of known perforations were eliminated from the study. The percentage of glove perforation was 14%. The distribution of perforation across locations of the hand was significantly unequal (P = 0.001). We found that 73% of the punctures occurred in one of four contiguous locations on the glove: the radial side of the index finger (28%), the radial side of the thumb (21%), the palmar side of the index (14%), and the palmar side of the thumb (10%). Therefore, we recommend glove reinforcement on these locations that would provide better protection against transmission of infectious agents. Discomfort from restricted dexterity and impaired sense of touch with double gloving renders glove reinforcement a suitable alternative for universal precautions, especially in cardiac surgery while high level of perfection and dexterity were needed in lengthy, critical operations.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2002

Effect of ceramic-impregnated "thermoflow" gloves on patients with Raynaud's syndrome: randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of ceramic impregnated gloves in the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Teaching hospital outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-three patients meeting the "Pal" criteria for Raynaud's syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment period of three months with use of ceramic-impregnated gloves. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary end points: Pain visual analogue scale ratings and diary; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand questionnaire; Jamar grip strength; Purdue board test of hand dexterity. Secondary end points: Infrared skin temperature measurements; seven-point Likert scale rating of treatment. RESULTS: In 60 participants with complete data, improvements were noted in the visual analogue scale rating (p=0.001), DASH score (p=0.001), Jamar grip strength (p=0.002), infrared skin fingertip temperature (p=0.003), Purdue hand dexterity test (p=0.0001) and the Likert scale (p=0.001) with ceramic gloves over the placebo cotton gloves. CONCLUSION: The ceramic-impregnated "thermoflow" gloves have a clinically important effect in Raynaud's syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of anti-CD33 blocked ricin immunotoxin on the capacity of CD34+ human marrow cells to establish in vitro hematopoiesis in long-term marrow cultures.

Human marrow cells that express the CD34 antigen but lack CD33 are able to initiate sustained, multilineage in vitro hematopoiesis in long-term Dexter cultures and are believed to include the primitive stem cells responsible for effecting long-term hematopoietic reconstitution in vivo following marrow transplantation. In studies described in this report we investigated the effects of a novel anti-CD33 immunotoxin on the clonogenic potential of normal human CD34+ marrow cells and on the ability of these cells to initiate hematopoiesis in two-stage Dexter cultures (long-term marrow cultures, LTMC). This immunotoxin (anti-CD33-bR), shown previously to kill both clonogenic myelogenous leukemia cells and normal mature myeloid progenitor cells (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, CFU-GM), consists of an anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody conjugated to purified ricin that has been modified by blocking the carbohydrate binding domains of the ricin B-chain to eliminate nonspecific binding. For our studies, normal CD34+ human marrow cells were isolated from the light-density (less than 1.070 g/ml) cells of aspirated marrow by positive selection with immunomagnetic beads linked to the monoclonal antibody K6.1. These cell isolates were highly enriched with both multipotential and lineage-restricted clonogenic, hematopoietic progenitors (mixed lineage colony-forming units, CFU-Mix; CFU-GM; and erythroid burst-forming units, BFU-E) which constituted greater than or equal to 20% of the cells. Recovery of clonogenic progenitors from these CD34+ cell preparations, following treatment with anti-CD33-bR (10 nM), was reduced by greater than or equal to 85% for CFU-GM and 20%-40% for CFU-Mix and BFU-E. However, the capacity of these cells to initiate hematopoietic LTMC was preserved. Indeed, the production of high proliferative potential (HPP) CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-Mix in cultures seeded with 10(5) anti-CD33-bR-treated CD34+ marrow cells was substantially greater than that observed in LTMC seeded with equivalent numbers of untreated CD34+ cells. Moreover, concentrations of long-term culture initiating cells in CD34+ cell isolates, quantified by a limiting dilution technique, were found to be increased following anti-CD33-bR treatment. These findings support the potential usefulness of anti-CD33-bR for in vitro marrow purging or in vivo treatment to eliminate CD33+ leukemic clones, while sparing normal CD34+/CD33- stem cells that support normal hematopoiesis and hematopoietic reconstitution in vivo.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1992

Decrement in manual arm performance during whole body cooling.

Six subjects performed three manual arm tasks: 1) prior to immersion in 8 degrees C water; 2) soon after immersion to the neck, but prior to any decrease in core temperature; and 3) every 15 min until core temperatures decreased 2-4.5 degrees C. The tasks were speed of flexion and extension of the fingers, handgrip strength and manual dexterity. There was no immediate effect of cold immersion; however, all scores decreased significantly after core temperature decreased 0.5 degrees C. Further decrease in core temperature was associated with a progressive impairment of performance, although at a slower rate than during the first 0.5 degrees C decrease. Flexion and extension of the fingers was affected relatively more than handgrip strength or manual dexterity. Decrement in performance is a result of peripheral cooling on sensorimotor function with a probable additional effect of central cooling on cerebral function.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Quality of life and economic burden of illness in very early arthritis. A population based study in southern Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To measure health related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with very early arthritis in a population based study in southern Sweden, and to compare HRQOL at baseline between the different diagnostic groups. Further, we investigated whether HRQOL at baseline correlated with the costs the patients incurred during the study. METHODS: Seventy-one adult patients with arthritis of less than 3 months' duration were referred from primary health care centers to rheumatologists. HRQOL was measured with the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS) and EuroQol at baseline. A comparison of HRQOL measures at baseline and the costs the patients incurred during the study was conducted in 56 of the patients. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (38%) patients had reactive arthritis (ReA), 17 (24%) undifferentiated arthritis, 15 (21%) rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 4 (6%) psoriatic arthritis, and the rest (11%) other diagnoses. Statistically significant differences were found between the 4 patient groups concerning the AIMS subscales of dexterity, household activity, activities of daily living (ADL) and pain, the patients with RA being most severely affected. There were no statistically significant differences between the 4 diagnosis groups concerning the EuroQol utility and EuroQol visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Of the AIMS subscales, the mobility, physical activity, household activity, ADL, and pain subscales correlated significantly with the incurred costs. Also the EuroQol utility scores and EuroQol VAS scores correlated significantly with the costs. Only the AIMS household activity subscale predicted the costs in the regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with RA had significantly worse scores in the AIMS dexterity, household activities, ADL, and pain subscales compared to patients with other arthritides very early in the disease. The EuroQol generic quality of life instrument was less sensitive in detecting differences between patients with early arthritis than the disease-specific AIMS instrument. There was a correlation between the costs and the EuroQol utility scores and EuroQol VAS scores during the very first months of the disease, as well as with costs and the AIMS subscales of mobility, physical activity, household activity, ADL, and pain.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

A comprehensive review of anti-reflux procedures completed by computer-assisted tele-surgery.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common esophageal disorder. Although GERD is an illness primarily treated by medical management, patients refractory to, or those unwilling to endure long-term medical therapy often undergo anti-reflux surgery. Laparoscopic surgery made the surgeon's task technically more challenging. While laparoscopy provides a good field of vision, all depth perception is lost. Furthermore, the movements of the chopstick-like instruments are counter-intuitive with limited degrees of freedom, diminished tactile feedback, and disassociated movement. Now that advanced minimally invasive surgeons have acquired the necessary skills to overcome these hurdles, technology has developed a way to make laparoscopic surgery easier. The latest advance in laparoscopic surgery is computer-assisted telesurgery (CATS) which allows the surgeon to be seamlessly submerged into the surgical field while being seated at a distance from the patient. The technological advances afforded by CATS make minimally-invasive surgery easier by adding stereoscopic vision, which provides depth perception, and the endo-wrist, which provides wrist-like dexterity within the abdominal cavity. The advantages of CATS are: the ergonomic positioning of the surgeon thus decreasing fatigue; stereoscopic vision with possibility of 10x magnification; wrist-like manual dexterity with intuitive motion; motion-scaling and tremor elimination all of which enhance precision and accuracy. A small yet growing body of evidence has provided information which suggests that the use of CATS for anti-reflux surgery is equivalent to the current gold standard, unassisted laparoscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Real-time synchronization of kinematic and video data for the comprehensive assessment of surgical skills.

Surgical dexterity in operating theatres has traditionally been assessed subjectively. Electromagnetic (EM) motion tracking systems such as the Imperial College Surgical Assessment Device (ICSAD) have been shown to produce valid and accurate objective measures of surgical skill. To allow for video integration we have modified the data acquisition and built it within the ROVIMAS analysis software. We then used ActiveX 9.0 DirectShow video capturing and the system clock as a time stamp for the synchronized concurrent acquisition of kinematic data and video frames. Interactive video/motion data browsing was implemented to allow the user to concentrate on frames exhibiting certain kinematic properties that could result in operative errors. We exploited video-data synchronization to calculate the camera visual hull by identifying all 3D vertices using the ICSAD electromagnetic sensors. We also concentrated on high velocity peaks as a means of identifying potential erroneous movements to be confirmed by studying the corresponding video frames. The outcome of the study clearly shows that the kinematic data are precisely synchronized with the video frames and that the velocity peaks correspond to large and sudden excursions of the instrument tip. We validated the camera visual hull by both video and geometrical kinematic analysis and we observed that graphs containing fewer sudden velocity peaks are less likely to have erroneous movements. This work presented further developments to the well-established ICSAD dexterity analysis system. Synchronized real-time motion and video acquisition provides a comprehensive assessment solution by combining quantitative motion analysis tools and qualitative targeted video scoring.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2004

In vivo robots for laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic techniques have allowed surgeons to perform operations through small incisions. However, the benefits of laparoscopy are still limited to less complex procedures because of losses in imaging and dexterity compared to conventional surgery. This project is developing miniature robots to be placed within the abdominal cavity to assist the surgeon. These remotely controlled in vivo robots provide the surgeon with an enhanced field of view from arbitrary angles as well as provide dexterous manipulators not constrained by small incisions in the abdominal wall.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Observation on the biological behavior of human umbilical cord blood adherent cells].

To study the possibility of separation and culture of human umbilical cord blood adherent cell (HUCBAC), the umbilical cord blood CD34(+) cells were cultured in Dexter system in order to evaluate and observe the biological behavior of adherent cells in vitro. The results showed that all cells were cultured with Dexter system. By day 9-14 (at a median of 11.2 days), adherent cell colonies formed and reached their maximum at 15-22 days (mean 19.6 days), by day 28, all adherent cells spread over the bottom of Petri dish. By means of light microscopy, these cells were found to differentiate into three kinds of cells in culture of 28 days: fibroblast-liked cell, macrophage liked cell and small-round cells. The ratio of these three kinds of cells was 56.8%, 38%, 5.5% respectively. Cytochemistry assay revealed that the positive rate reached 100% in NSE stain and PAS stain; the adherent cell by ALP stain were shown 35% positive, but in POX stain the result was negative. Immunohistochemistry stain revealed that the positive rate of cord adherent cells for CD106, CD29, CD44, CD45, CD50, Fn, Ln, collagen IV etc reached 96%, 93%, 98%, 68%, 72%, 92%, 74%, 83% respectively. It is concluded there are hematopoietic adherent precursors in cord blood CD34(+) cells and the HUCBAC shows some biological behavior of hematopoietic stromal cells.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic multifunctional instruments: design and testing of initial prototypes.

BACKGROUND: Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques will require new types of instrument end-effectors for smaller, longer, and flexible instruments. These include a new class of multifunctional instruments capable of performing more than 1 task with a single set of working jaws. Furthermore, it is desired that multifunctional instruments be designed to provide improved dexterity compared with that in currently commercially available instruments. METHODS: Three prototypes of multifunctional laparoscopic surgical instruments are described: (1) a mechanical scissors-grasper, (2) a mechanical scissors-grasperarticulator, and (3) a compliant mechanism scissors-grasper. Methods of baseline analysis, design methods and considerations, and subjective evaluations of interim prototypes are presented. RESULTS: The 3 prototypes demonstrate promising early results. However, based on subjective evaluation, these prototypes do not perform individual functions as well as basic disposable single-function laparoscopic instruments do. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of multifunctionality and increased end-effector dexterity is achievable as demonstrated by the prototypes presented. Further work is required to refine, simplify, and improve the multifunctional instruments to a point where they may be useful as surgical tools.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed2005

[An experimental study of effects of active-heating-system for extravehicular spacesuit gloves on working performance].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of active heating system for spacesuit gloves on extravehicular working performance. METHOD: After analyzing the factors with gloves influence on the working performance, the effects of active heating system for gloves were studied experimentally with aspects to fatigue, hand strength, dexterity and tactile sensing. RESULT: 1) Heating-system had not influence to grip; 2) Heating-system had 17% influence to fatigue except specific person; 3) Nut assembly and nipping pin showed that heating-system had little influence to dexterity; 4) Apperceiving shape of object and two-point distance showed heating-system had little influence to tactility. CONCLUSION: The active heating method is rational and has little influence on working performance.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Physical and cognitive performance during long-term cold weather operations.

BACKGROUND: Physiological responses, physical performance, and cognitive performance were measured during military cold weather survival courses to determine the effects of long-term cold exposure on training safety and potential survival ability. METHODS: There were 28 males, from 5 9-d winter survival courses, who participated. Cognitive performance was evaluated through logical reasoning, planning, and vigilance. Physical performance was evaluated with tests of hand function and arm strength. Subjective cold sensation scale (CSS), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and mood indicators were quantified. Core temperature (T(core0) and HR were recorded continuously throughout the courses, and fingertip temperature (T(finger)) was also recorded during testing. Hematocrit values to indicate hydration status were obtained from blood samples taken on three occasions. RESULTS: Mean air temperature (T(air)) during the testing periods ranged from -24.4 to 4.4 degrees C among the five courses. Hydration level and T(core) remained normal throughout all courses while T(finger) decreased with decreasing T(air). Finger dexterity deteriorated by 23-28% when T(finger) decreased from 18 to 10 degrees C. Muscular strength was decreased by a small (4%) but significant amount over 6 d of testing. Cognitive function was unaffected by cold air or time on the course. Mood indicators were consistent with CSS and RPE scores. CONCLUSION: Under the exposure conditions and availability of basic survival equipment, including water, described herein, and in the absence of trauma, healthy fit individuals can participate in this military training without any serious decrements in cognitive and physical performance. In an actual survival situation, similarly decreased dexterity may adversely affect survival activities.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of terbium (III) luminescence enhancement in mutants of EF hand calcium binding proteins.

The luminescent isomorphous Ca2+ analogue, Tb3+, can be bound in the 12-amino acid metal binding sites of proteins of the EF hand family, and its luminescence can be enhanced by energy transfer from a nearby aromatic amino acid. Tb3+ can be used as a sensitive luminescent probe of the structure and function of these proteins. The effect of changing the molecular environment around Tb3+ on its luminescence was studied using native Cod III parvalbumin and site-directed mutants of both oncomodulin and calmodulin. Titrations of these proteins showed stoichiometries of fill corresponding to the number of Ca2+ binding loops present. Tryptophan in binding loop position 7 best enhanced Tb3+ luminescence in the oncomodulin mutant Y57W, as well as VU-9 (F99W) and VU-32 (T26W) calmodulin. Excitation spectra of Y57F, F102W, Y65W oncomodulin, and Cod III parvalbumin revealed that the principal Tb3+ luminescence donor residues were phenylalanine or tyrosine located in position 7 of a loop, despite the presence of other nearby donors, including tryptophan. Spectra also revealed conformational differences between the Ca2+- and Tb(3+)-bound forms. An alternate binding loop, based on Tb3+ binding to model peptides, was inserted into the CD loop of oncomodulin by cassette mutagenesis. The order of fill of Tb3+ in this protein reversed, with the mutated loop binding Tb3+ first. This indicates a much higher affinity for the consensus-based mutant loop. The mutant loop inserted into oncomodulin had 32 times more Tb3+ luminescence than the identical synthetic peptide, despite having the same donor tryptophan and metal binding ligands. In this paper, a ranking of sensitivity of luminescence of bound Tb3+ is made among this subset of calcium binding proteins. This ranking is interpreted in light of the structural differences affecting Tb3+ luminescence enhancement intensity. The mechanism of energy transfer from an aromatic amino acid to Tb3+ is consistent with a short-range process involving the donor triplet state as described by Dexter (Dexter, D. L. (1953) J. Chem. Phys. 21, 836). This cautions against the use of the Förster equation in approximating distances in these systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Right atrial and tricuspid hypoplasia.

Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare cardiac anomaly with division between the sinus and primitive atrial portions of the right atrium. It is supposed that the failure of the venous valves to regress appropriately may create abnormalities in fetal circulation predisposing the fetus to maldevelopment of the right heart structures. The underdevelopment of the right ventricle with hypoplasia or atresia of the tricuspid valve is a well known abnormality, but underdevelopment of the right atrium with tricuspid hypoplasia due to multiple venous valves is extremely rare. This is a case of complex type of cor triatriatum dexter in which the right atrium is hypoplastic and like a tube formed by the superior and inferior vena cava and is divided into 3 portions by 2 membranes.

Adult↗