Robot-assisted therapy for upper limb paresis after stroke: Use of robotic algorithms in advanced practice.

Background: Rehabilitation of stroke-related upper limb paresis is a major public health issue.

Objective: Robotic systems have been developed to facilitate neurorehabilitation by providing key elements required to stimulate brain plasticity and motor recovery, namely repetitive, intensive, adaptative training with feedback. Although the positive effect of robot-assisted therapy on motor impairments has been well demonstrated, the effect on functional capacity is less certain.

Influence of nanocrystal size on the in vivo absorption kinetics of caffeine after topical application.

The absorption of topically applied substances is challenging due to the effective skin barrier. Encapsulation of substances into nanoparticles was expected to be promising to increase the bioavailability of topically applied products. Since nanoparticles cannot traverse the intact skin barrier, but penetrate into the hair follicles, they could be used to deliver substances via hair follicles, where the active is released and can translocate independently transfollicularly into the viable epidermis.

Adapted physical activity in community-dwelling adults with neurological disorders: design and outcomes of a fitness-center based program.

Purpose: To describe and evaluate an adapted physical activity-based program (APA-program) designed for community-dwelling patients with neurological diseases in local fitness centers.

Materials And Methods: The APA-program consisted of individual and group activities supervised by an adapted physical activity (APA) instructor twice a week for 6 months. Clinical evaluations before and after the APA-program included strength tests on gym machines, the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the single-leg stance test, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36).

[Follicular penetration of nanocarriers is an important penetration pathway for topically applied drugs].

Background: The hair follicle represents a significant penetration route for topically applied substances.

Issue: The percutaneous absorption of substances can be significantly increased and accelerated by the involvement of hair follicles. In addition, nanoparticles have the characteristic to penetrate deeply and effectively into the hair follicles.