6 research outputs found
Short- and Long-Term Learning of Feedforward Control of a Myoelectric Prosthesis with Sensory Feedback by Amputees
No full textPublisher Copyright: © 2017 IEEE.Human motor control relies on a combination of feedback and feedforward strategies. The aim of this study was to longitudinally investigate artificial somatosensory feedback and feedforward control in the context of grasping with myoelectric prosthesis. Nine amputee subjects performed routine grasping trials, with the aim to produce four levels of force during four blocks of 60 trials across five days. The electrotactile force feedback was provided in the second and third block usingmultipad electrode and spatial coding. The first baseline and last validation block (open-loop control) evaluated the effects of long-(across sessions) and short-term (within session) learning, respectively.The outcomemeasureswere the absolute error between the generated and target force, and the number of force saturations. The results demonstrated that the electrotactile feedback improved the performance both within and across sessions. In the validation block, the performance did not significantly decrease and the quality of openloop control (baseline) improved across days, converging to the performance characterizing closed-loop control. This paper provides important insights into the feedback and feedforwardprocessesin prosthesiscontrol, contributing to the better understanding of the role and design of feedback in prosthetic systems.Manuscript received October 19, 2016; revised April 2, 2017; accepted May 17, 2017. Date of publication June 6, 2017; date of current version November 6, 2017. This work was supported in part by Tec-nalia Research & Innovation, Spain, in part by FIK, Spain, in part by the European Commission under the MYOSENS project (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IAPP-286208), and in part by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia under Project 175016. (Corresponding author: Matija Štrbac.) M. Štrbac and M. Isaković are with Tecnalia Serbia Ltd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, and also with the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia (e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]).Peer reviewe
Bidirectional Control of Myoelectric Prostheses in Upper Limb Amputees: Current Results and Expectations
No full textMeaningful life is possible with locked - In syndrome the personal account of a survivor
No full textLocked-in syndrome (LIS) is a rare condition characterised by quadriplegia and anarthria and is usually caused by a bilateral ventral ischemic pontine lesion. Patients are normally fully conscious, but their only mode of communication is with vertical eye movements and/or blinking. Although the mortality rate is high, it has been shown that patients can survive for a significant period of time. Once an LIS patient becomes medically stable, given appropriate medical care, his or her life expectancy may be several decades. LIS patients may suffer appreciably if they are treated by hospital staff as nonresponsive. Medical professionals and lay people often assume that the quality of life of an LIS patient is so poor that it is not worth living. However, the reported overall quality of life of LIS patients is not significantly different from that of healthy subjects. In this case report, we describe a 60-year-old retired man living in a locked-in state due to a brainstem infarct. His personal account vividly reveals his inner thoughts, a great deal of suffering, and his ability to cope with his condition throughout seven years of illness. LIS patients' early referral to specialist rehabilitation services and strong social support from family greatly improves LIS patients'their quality of life. Even limited physical recovery can improve quality of life and enable LIS patients to become active members of society and return to living with family
Hypotensive and Cardioprotective Potential of Yellow Bedstraw Extract-Based Oral Liquid in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
No full textThis study aimed to prepare, characterize and assess the antioxidant activity of yellow bedstraw extracts (YBEs), focusing on identifying extracts with high antioxidant capacity. The selected extract was loaded into an oral liquid formulation and further investigated for its therapeutic potential in reducing blood pressure and associated complications in spontaneously hypertensive Wistar kyoto rats (SHR). Rats were divided into untreated SHR and SHR treated with a YBE-based oral formulation over four weeks. After treatment, blood pressure was measured, and cardiac function was assessed using the Langendorff technique to simulate ex vivo ischemic conditions. Prooxidant levels were assessed in plasma while antioxidant activity was evaluated in red blood cells. Histological analyses of heart, kidney, and liver samples were conducted to assess pathological changes induced by hypertension. Our results showed that the oral formulation loaded with ethanol YBE effectively reduced blood pressure, preserved myocardial function under ischemic stress, and decreased oxidative stress markers in blood. Importantly, our formulation with YBE demonstrated potential in attenuating structural kidney damage associated with hypertension. Overall, these findings suggest a cardioprotective effect of orally administered YBE formulation, highlighting its potential as an herbal supplement. However, clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the extract’s suitability for clinical use
Potentilla tormentilla Extract Loaded Gel: Formulation, In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Properties
No full textThe objective of the study was to develop a novel topical gel by mixing Potentilla tormentilla ethanolic extract, thermosensitive poloxamer 407, and carbomer 940 and evaluating its stability and rheological behavior. The irritation potential of the gel was evaluated in accordance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines 404. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of the developed gel were evaluated in vivo in rats using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test. Moreover, the in silico binding affinity for chlorogenic and ellagic acid, as dominant components in the extract, against cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 was also determined. Our findings suggest that the gel containing Potentilla tormentilla extract remained stable throughout the observation period, exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, and caused no irritation in rats, thus being considered safe for topical treatment. Additionally, the developed gel showed the capability to reduce rat paw edema, which highlights significant anti-inflammatory potential. In silico analysis revealed that chlorogenic and ellagic acid exhibited a reduced binding affinity against COX-1 but had a similar inhibitory effect on COX-2 as flurbiprofen, which was confirmed by molecular dynamics results. The study proposes the possible application of Potentilla tormentilla ethanolic extract gel for the alleviation of localized inflammatory diseases; however, future clinical evaluation is required
Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate) Extracts and Their Effects on Healthy and Diseased Skin
No full textThe aim of this review is to provide a summary of the botany, phytochemistry and dermatological effects of Punica granatum (PG), with special emphasis on therapeutic mechanisms in various skin conditions. PG peel contains the highest levels of chemical compounds. Due to the high abundance of polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, PG peel possesses significant health-promoting effects. Up until now, different parts of PG in the form of various extracts, fixed seed oil or individual active compounds have been investigated for various effects on skin conditions in in vitro and in vivo studies, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemoprotective and antiaging effects, as well as positive effects on striae distensae, skin repair mechanisms, erythema, pigmentation and psoriasis. Therefore, formulations containing PG active compounds have been used for skincare of diseased and healthy skin. Only a few effects have been confirmed on human subjects. Based on encouraging results obtained in in vitro and animal studies about the numerous substantial dermatological effects of PG active compounds, future perspectives should incorporate more in vivo investigations in human volunteers. This approach can aid in identifying the optimal concentrations and formulations that would be most efficacious in addressing specific skin conditions
