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This paper presents a gesture-controlled robotic arm system designed for agricultural harvesting, utilizing a data glove equipped with bending sensors and OptiTrack systems. The system aims to address the challenges of labor-intensive fruit harvesting by providing a user-friendly and efficient solution. The data glove captures hand gestures and movements using bending sensors and reflective markers, while the OptiTrack system ensures high-precision spatial tracking. Machine learning algorithms, specifically a CNN+BiLSTM model, are employed to accurately recognize hand gestures and control the robotic arm. Experimental results demonstrate the system's high precision in replicating hand movements, with a Euclidean Distance of 0.0131 m and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.0095 m, in addition to robust gesture recognition accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 96.43%. This hybrid approach combines the adaptability and speed of semi-automated systems with the precision and usability of fully automated systems, offering a promising solution for sustainable and labor-efficient agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new magnetic molecular imprinting‐based turn‐on fluorescence probe (Fe3O4NPs@SiO2@NBD@MIPs) has been synthesized via a facile sol–gel polymerization for the detection of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D). Based on the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) of nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD), 2,4‐D can be recognized by enhancement of NBD fluorescence. With the presence of Fe3O4 in the core of the probe, this sensor can also be reused many times using magnetic aggregation methods. After the addition of various concentrations of 2,4‐D, the fluorescence peak at 530 nm (excitation of 468 nm) increased linearly ranging from 0.1 to 3 μM with a detection limit of 0.023 μM. This sensing system is believed to be available for detecting 2,4‐D in real samples, with high recovery rates ranging from 94% to 108% for three spike levels of 2,4‐D with precisions below 5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hyaluronic acid (HA) intra‐articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery has been widely applied but its efficacy and safety remain controversial. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the efficacy and safety of HA intra‐articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery, and to compare the efficacy of HA with different molecular weights. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, Google scholar and the Cochrane library from inception to 16 September 2022 for English‐written articles, in order to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the clinical efficacy and/or safety of HA intra‐articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery. Then we meta‐analyzed the outcomes of patients given intra‐articular HA injections postoperatively and control patients. We also evaluated the influence of HA with different molecular weights. In every calculation, sensitive analysis was performed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and adverse events were selected as the primary outcome measurements, while Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner score were selected as the secondary outcome measurements. Publication bias of every outcome was evaluated using egger test. Results: Fifteen studies involving 951 knees were included and 12 of them were used to performed the meta‐analysis. The results showed no significant difference between the HA group and control group according to VAS, whether assessed at less (P = 0.90) or more than 6 months (P = 0.55). Besides, there were no statistical differences between the HA group and control group according to subgroup analysis (Ps = 0.77, 0.91 and 0.81 in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy and overall groups, respectively). Compared to control group, the overall effect of WOMAC score showed no significant differences (P = 0.25), nor did in two subgroups (P = 0.37 and P = 0.22). Outcomes measured by Lysholm (P = 0.13), IKDC (P = 0.86) and Tegner (P = 0.42) scores showed no significant differences, either. The analysis of the risk of adverse events indicated no increase in HA groups (P = 0.06). We found no significant differences between high‐ and low‐molecular‐weight HA at 6 (P = 0.96) or 12 months (P = 0.93) postoperatively. Two studies failed to pass the sensitive analysis and the reasons were discussed detailly and acceptable publication bias was observed. Conclusions: Although HA injection after arthroscopic knee surgery is safe, the available evidence does not support its efficacy in pain relief and functional recovery. Therefore, the application of HA injection after arthroscopic knee surgery is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe feasibility of nano calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite-multi (amino acid) copolymer (n-CDHA-MAC) membrane tubes in repairing goat femurs' large defects. Methods: Twelve goats were divided into two groups, whose femurs were created 30 mm segmental bone defects and then implants were performed. In experimental group, the bone defect of right femur was reconstructed by n-CDHA-MAC membrane tube, while left side was reconstructed by allogenic bone tube in control group. Every three goats were sacrificed at 4, 8, 16, 24 weeks after operation respectively. General observation, X-ray analysis, histology, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination and protein level comparison of BMP-2 were conducted to evaluate the effects of repairing segmental bone defects. Results: All goats recovered well from anesthesia and surgical interventions. The radiographic evaluations showed that periosteal reaction outside of the membrane tubes and allogenic bone tubes were observed 4 weeks after surgery. At 16 weeks, callus was continuously increased in experimental group, which was more obvious than control group. At 24 weeks, callus outside of the membrane tubes connected together. Histologic evaluation showed fibro-cartilage callus was evolved into bony callus in experimental group, which was more obvious than control group at 8 and 16 weeks. The protein expression level of BMP-2 increased at 4, 8 weeks and peaked at 16 weeks in experimental groups. There were statistical differences at 8 and 16 weeks (P < 0.05). At each time point in 8, 16, 24 weeks after surgery, the bending stiffness, torsional stiffness and compressive strength of the two groups were similar, and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This novel surface degradation n-CDHA-MAC membrane tube has good ability to maintain enough membrane space, which can provide long-term and stable biomechanical support for large bone defects and integrate well with the surrounding bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Pelvic tumor involving Type I + IV resections are technically challenging, along with various reconstructions methods presenting unsatisfactory outcomes and high complication rates. Since predominating studies preferred adopting pedicle screw-rod system (PRSS) to address this issue, we designed a novel three-dimensional-printed, multimodality imaging (3DMMI) based endoprosthesis with patient-specific instrument (PSI) assistance to facilitate the surgical reconstruction of pelvic tumor involving Enneking Type I + IV resection. We aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of this novel endoprosthesis and compare it with PRSS in Type I + IV reconstruction. Methods: We retrospective studied 28 patients for a median follow-up of 47 months (range, 10 to 128 months) in this study with either 3D-printed endoprosthesis reconstruction (n = 10) or PRSS reconstruction (n = 18) between January 2000 and December 2017. Preoperative 3DMMI technique was used for tumor evaluation, PSI design, virtual surgery, and endoprosthesis fabrication. Clinical, oncological outcomes, functional assessments, and complications were analyzed between the two groups. Results: Minor surgical trauma with mean operative duration of 251 ± 52.16 minutes (p = 0.034) and median intraoperative hemorrhage of 2000ml (range, 1600, 4000ml) (p = 0.032) was observed in endoprosthesis group. Wide margins were achieved in 9 patients of the endoprosthesis group compared with 10 in the PRSS group (p = 0.09). The 1993 version of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (MSTS-93) was 23.9 ± 3.76 in endoprosthesis group, which was higher than PRSS group (p = 0.012). No statistical significance was found in relapse between two groups (p = 0.36). Complications were observed in two patients in endoprosthesis group compared with 12 patients in PRSS group (p = 0.046). Conclusion: The novel design of this 3D-printed endoprosthesis, together with 3DMMI and PSI assisted, is technically accessible with favorable clinical outcomes compared with PRSS. Further study is essential to identify its long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-induced osteomalacia, a rare and intriguing paraneoplastic syndrome that is usually caused by a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor, leads to severe pain and hypophosphatemia. However, during clinical practice, most patients suffer from significant delay of diagnosis and treatment because the symptoms are similar to those of some very common diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Moreover, physical complaints from postmenopausal women usually exacerbate the possibility of such delays. We describe a case of a postmenopausal woman with crippling bone pain and weakness, who had been diagnosed with a case of simple osteoporosis and osteoarthritis for 3 years, even with fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the offending phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor. After surgical removal of the 2 × 3-cm2 tumor in her sole, we observed immediate relief of her systemic symptoms, with visual analogue scale improvement from 5 of 10 preoperatively to 2 of 10 5 days after surgery. There were no signs of recurrence during 2-year follow-up. This case highlights the significance of thorough history-taking as a fundamental tool for diagnosis even in the era of advanced technology, and that the awareness of tumor-induced osteomalacia should be raised. Otherwise, such a small localized soft tissue mass would seldom be associated with the severe systemic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We sought to assess the early clinical outcome of 3D-multimodality image (3DMMI)-based virtual surgical planning for resection and reconstruction of malignant giant pelvic tumors. Patients and methods: In this retrospective case-control study, surgery was planned and performed with 3DMMI-based patient-specific instruments (PSI) in 13 patients with giant pelvic malignancy and without 3DMMI-based PSI in the other 13 patients. In the 3DMMI group, 3DMMI was utilized, taking advantages of computed tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), which could reveal the whole tumor and all adjacent vital structures. Based on these 3DMMI, virtual surgical planning was conducted and the corresponding PSI was then designed. The median follow-up was 8 (3–24) months. The median age at operation was 37.5 (17–64) years. The mean tumor size in maximum diameter was 13.3 cm. Surgical margins, intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration of surgery, and intra-operative blood loss were analyzed. Results: In the non-3DMMI group, the margins were wide in six patients (6/13), marginal in four (4/13), wide-contaminated in two (2/13), and intralesional in one (1/13). In the 3DMMI group, the margins were wide in 10 patients (10/13), marginal in three (3/13), and there were no wide-contaminated or intralesional margins. The 3DMMI group achieved shorter duration of surgery (P=0.354) and lower intraoperative blood loss (P=0.044) than the non-3DMMI group. Conclusion: The 3DMMI-based technique is advantageous to obtain negative surgical margin and decrease surgical complications related to critical structures injury for malignant giant pelvic tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Arthrodesis is one of the most widely accepted surgical recommended methods for tumors of the talus, but it may be associated with poor limb functions. The aim of this study was to present a novel reconstruction with ankle function preserved after en bloc talus tumor resection.Patient and Method: A 43-year-old female with mesenchymal sarcoma of the talus was admitted in West China Hospital. Total talar replacement with three-dimensional (3D) printed modular prosthesis was prepared for reconstruction. The 3D printed modular prosthesis was designed exactly as the mirror image of the contralateral talus with complete filling of the sinus tarsi and subtalar joint space. The upper modular component of prosthesis was made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, and the lower component, titanium alloy. Pre-drilled holes in three directions were prepared for screw fixation of the subtalar joint.Results: The patient underwent en bloc talus resection through anterior approach, followed by reconstruction with the 3D printed prosthesis. The whole procedure took 2 hours, and intra-operative blood loss was 50 mL. At the last follow-up, our patient was disease free and she could walk almost normally without any aid or pain. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 26/30. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 91/100. The range of motion for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion was 40°. And no abnormalities were observed in the roentgenograph.Conclusion: Total talar replacement with a 3D printed modular prosthesis may be an effective procedure for patients with tumors of the talus as it could maintain ankle function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chondroblastoma is a rare benign cartilaginous tumor, which primarily occurs in children and adolescents. Chondroblastoma commonly originates in the epiphyseal plate of long bones. An aggressive curettage treatment is recommended to manage lesion, which may jeopardize an open epiphyseal plate and result in limb shortening and deformity as the limb grows and develops. The purpose is to observe surgical effects of chondroblastoma on open epiphyseal plate of long bones in children and adolescents and explore influences on limb growth and development. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 18 cases of long bone chondroblastoma with open epiphyseal growth plate during March 2004 to October 2010 in our center. Seven females and 11 males with mean age of 11.6 ± 2.0 years old (8–15 years) were included. Patients, who suffered from trauma and pathological fracture of the epiphyseal plate or congenital diseases such as poliomyelitis, congenital dementia, and cartilage malnutrition, were excluded. All patients were treated with meticulous intralesional curettage and inactivity with alcohol followed by bone grafts. All cases were followed up 8.2 ± 1.7 years (5–11.5 years). Results: All had no local recurrence and distance metastasis. The length of the affected limb was short, 18.47 ± 7.22 mm (1.5–30 mm). There was no obvious relativity with tumor activity (P = 0.061). Meanwhile, there were obvious relativity with the greatest dimension of the lesion (TGD) (P = 0.003), the vertical dimension between edge of lesion and epiphyseal line (TVD) (P = 0.010), and area ratio of lesion to local epiphysis (lesion/growth plate) (P = 0.015). The MSTS93 (Revised Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Rating Scale 93) and SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) had been significantly improved (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Managing of chondroblastoma located in open epiphyseal plate of a long bone with meticulous curettage, inactivity, and bone grafts can control tumor progression and recurrence effectively. Meanwhile, early detection and prompt surgical treatment intervention, which reduced significantly the tumor to influence limb growth and development, get encouraging limb function. Trial registration: This is a retrospective study, which was not registered in any trial registry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoprosthetic replacement (EPR) and intramedullary nailing (IMN) are the two most commonly applied surgical methods used to treat proximal metastatic lesions; however, indication of the above procedures remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical, functional and oncological outcomes of patients who underwent EPR compared to IMN for the treatment of proximal femur metastases to investigate the surgical indication for patients. The records of patients (n=88) with pathological fractures secondary to metastatic tumors of the proximal femur admitted between January 2005 and December 2014 to West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Chengdu, China) were retrospectively studied. A total of 57 patients were treated with EPR (34 males and 23 females; mean age, 62.5 years) and 31 patients were stabilized with IMN (19 males and 12 females; mean age, 60.2 years). Patients were analyzed regarding surgery time, blood loss, hospital stay, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, survival, recurrence and complications. The median follow-up period was 12.9 (range, 3-98) months. The median survival time in EPR was 10.0 months and 7.5 months in IMN. The surgery time was 142.6±22.7 min in the EPR group and 98.7±19.5 min in the IMN group (P=0.001). Significantly less blood loss was observed in the IMN group (345.2±66.4 ml) than in the EPR group (631.5±103.6 ml; P=0.001). The median hospital stay in the EPR group was 8 (quartile range, 7-9) days and 5 (quartile range, 5-6) days in the IMN group (P=0.001). Local recurrence rate was 10.5% (6/57) in the EPR group and 25.8% (8/31) in the IMN group (P=0.074). The complication rates were 10.5% (6/57) in the EPR group and 29.0% (9/31) in the IMN group (P=0.038). MSTS-93 score was higher in IMN compared with EPR at 6 weeks postoperatively (P=0.001), while the EPR group demonstrated a higher score at 6 months postoperatively (P=0.001). EPR has the advantage of better functional outcomes and higher life quality in the long term, with lower complication rates in treating metastatic lesions of the proximal femur with pathological fractures. EPR is recommended for patients with relatively good general condition and prognosis. IMN is best indicated when the patient's life expectancy is extremely limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bamboo expansion did not accumulate more Si. • There was a shift in the plant Si pool from above to belowground accompanying bamboo expansion. • Bamboo expansion accelerates biogeochemical Si cycling, which is attributed to the quick turnover of Si, including the intense Si uptake of bamboo and its higher production of phytoliths. Silicon (Si) pools and fluxes are affected by plant community shifts in forest ecosystems. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is a Si accumulating plant, and its expansion exerts various ecological effects in colonized forest ecosystems. However, it is unclear how bamboo expansion might alter the biogeochemical Si cycle. To estimate the consequences of bamboo expansion on Si availability and biochemical cycling in subtropical areas, we selected bamboo-pure forest (BPF), bamboo-broadleaved mixed forest (BMF), and adjacent secondary evergreen broadleaved forest (EBF) stands in an area of bamboo expansion and compared Si pools and fluxes of plants in each forest type. We found that the content of the soluble and exchangeable Si in soils of BPF was lower than EBF (0.18 g kg−1 versus 0.25 g kg−1), that is, bamboo expansion decreased the soluble and exchangeable Si fraction, whereas there was no significant difference among BPF, BMF and EBF. In addition, the plant Si pool in BPF (285 g Si m−2) was 32.6 % lower than EBF (428 g Si m−2), and there was a shift in Si allocation from aboveground to belowground with conversion from EBF to BPF, largely attributed to abundant roots in BPF. We found that bamboo expansion accelerated the biogeochemical Si cycle to some extent, with higher production of phytoliths and quicker turnover of fine roots in BPF than EBF. We also highlight that bamboo expansion accelerated the uptake and return of Si, and promoted the release and dissolution of phytoliths. These results have implications for assessing the impacts of vegetation shifts on the biogeochemical Si cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]