Abstract: An interphalangeal prosthesis (10) includes a mobile element (12), a proximal fixation element (22), and a distal fixation element (24). The mobile element (12) includes a proximal portion (42, 62, 94) and a distal portion (43, 64, 92), and the proximal portion includes three proximal mobile coupling contiguous surfaces (46, 48, 50) and a proximal mobile coupling protrusion (52), and the distal portion includes a distal coupling mobile surface (54) and a distal mobile coupling protrusion (56), and the proximal portion and the distal portion move relative to each other primarily in an axis of rotation perpendicular to a plane that extends through the proximal mobile coupling protrusion, the three proximal mobile coupling contiguous surfaces, the distal coupling mobile surface, and the distal mobile coupling protrusion in an implanted configuration.

Abstract: An interphalangeal prosthesis (10) includes a mobile element (12), a proximal fixation element (22), and a distal fixation element (24). The mobile element (12) includes a proximal portion (42, 62, 94) and a distal portion (43, 64, 92), and the proximal portion includes three proximal mobile coupling contiguous surfaces (46, 48, 50) and a proximal mobile coupling protrusion (52), and the distal portion includes a distal coupling mobile surface (54) and a distal mobile coupling protrusion (56), and the proximal portion and the distal portion move relative to each other primarily in an axis of rotation perpendicular to a plane that extends through the proximal mobile coupling protrusion, the three proximal mobile coupling contiguous surfaces, the distal coupling mobile surface, and the distal mobile coupling protrusion in an implanted configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying an anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory agent comprising determining cathepsin S expression in activated hepatic stellate cells which have been exposed to a test compound and comparing expression to non-exposed hepatic stellate cells. The invention also relates to methods for treating a disorder characterised or caused by hepatic fibrosis or inflammation, comprising administering a cathepsin S inhibitor to a subject.

Abstract: There is presently provided a method of inhibiting proliferation of a hepatic stellate cell comprising directly down-regulating the hepatic stellate cell proliferation activity of connexin-43 in the hepatic stellate cell for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis or related disorder. This method primarily involves down regulating connexin-43 with agents such as Snai1, siRNAs, antisense RNA and DNA enzymes directed against the connexin-43 transcript. As a result the proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells is down regulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying an anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory agent comprising determining cathepsin S expression in activated hepatic stellate cells which have been exposed to a test compound and comparing expression to non-exposed hepatic stellate cells. The invention also relates to methods for treating a disorder characterised or caused by hepatic fibrosis or inflammation, comprising administering a cathepsin S inhibitor to a subject.