Effects of Robotic Interactive Gait Training Combined with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality on Balance, Gross Motor Function, Gait Kinetic, and Kinematic Characteristics in Angelman Syndrome: A Case Report.

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic neurological disorder resulting in cognitive and neuromuscular impairments, such as lack of safety awareness and attention, as well as lack of balance and locomotor control. The robotic interactive gait training (RIGT) system is designed to provide accurate proprioceptive, kinematic, and kinetic feedback, and facilitate virtual reality and augmented reality (VR-AR) interactive exercises during gait training. In the present case report, we examined the effect of an innovative hip-knee-ankle interlimb-coordinated RIGT system. We utilized this therapeutic modality in a participant with Angelman syndrome (AS). Gross motor function measures, risk of fall, and gait-related kinetic (force), and kinematic (joint angle) biomechanical characteristics were assessed before and after 20 sessions of RIGT with VR-AR. We found RIGT with VR-AT improved gait ability, as shown by Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment score, gross motor function by Gross Motor Function Measure score, balance by Pediatric Balance Scale score, knee and hip joint kinetics, and kinematics during gait. Our clinical and biomechanical evidence provide important clinical insights to improve the effectiveness of current neurorehabilitation approaches for treating patients with AS in balance and locomotor control and reduce the risk of falling.

The Effect of Alkyl Chain Number in Sucrose Surfactant on the Physical Properties of Quercetin-Loaded Deformable Nanoliposome and Its Effect on In Vitro Human Skin Penetration.

Non-invasive skin penetration of a drug is increased by an edge activator, which enhances the nanoliposome deformability. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the alkyl chain number of sucrose surfactants as an edge activator in elastic nanoliposomes. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the elastic nanoliposomes were characterized and an in vitro human skin permeation study was performed. Elastic nanoliposomes that were composed of sucrose monostearate (MELQ), sucrose distearate (DELQ), and sucrose tristearte (TELQ) were prepared using a thin-film hydration method. Particle size and entrapment efficiency of elastic nanoliposomes increased proportionally with an increase in the amounts and the numbers of the stearate in sucrose surfactant. Deformability of elastic nanoliposomes was indicated as DELQ > MELQ > TELQ and the same pattern was revealed through the in vitro human skin permeability tests. These results suggest that the number of alkyl chains of sucrose surfactant as edge activator affects the physicochemical property, stability, and skin permeability in elastic nanoliposome. Our findings give a valuable platform for the development of elastic nanoliposomes as skin drug delivery systems.

Siansivirga jejuensis [corrected] sp. nov., isolated from seawater of Jeju Island in Korea and emendation of the genus Siansivirga.

A Gram-stain negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterium, strain JHH-2(T), was isolated from seawater collected in Jeju Island, Korea. The novel isolate was found to grow at 25-30 °C, at pH 6.5-7.0 and in the presence of 1-2% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JHH-2(T) is closely related to Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens JCM 17682(T), with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.6%. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were detected as iso-C(15:0), C(16:0) and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH. Polar lipid profiling revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, four unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the chromosomal DNA of the type strain is 35.6 mol%. On the basis of several distinct phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, a new species of the genus Siansivirga, Siansivirga jejuensis [corrected] JHH-2(T) sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JHH-2(T) (= KCCM 90230(T) = JCM 19228(T)). [corrected].