Distinctive physiological muscle synergy patterns define the Box and Block Task execution as revealed by electromyographic features.

Stroke survivors experience muscular pattern alterations of the upper limb that decrease their ability to perform daily-living activities. The Box and Block test (BBT) is widely used to assess the unilateral manual dexterity. Although BBT provides insights into functional performance, it returns limited information about the mechanisms contributing to the impaired movement. This study aims at exploring the BBT by means of muscle synergies analysis during the execution of BBT in a sample of 12 healthy participants with their dominant and non-dominant upper limb. Results revealed that: (i) the BBT can be described by 1 or 2 synergies; the number of synergies (ii) does not differ between dominant and non-dominant sides and (iii) varies considering each phase of the task; (iv) the transfer phase requires more synergies. Clinical Relevance- This preliminary study characterizes muscular synergies during the BBT task in order to establish normative patterns that could assist in understanding the neuromuscular demands and support future evaluations of stroke deficits.

Development of a hydroxyapatite ceramic matrix for the continuous delivery of coumadin.

Coumadin [Warfarin Sodium, 3-(alpha-Acytonylbenzyl-4-hydroxy coumarin)] has been associated with severe side affects such as excessive hemorrhaging and necrosis when given in dosages to maintain the plasma concentration above the effective threshold level. Periodic administration of drugs induces large, fluctuating concentrations in the body A ceramic drug delivery system (CDDS) consisting of hydroxyapatite resorbable ceramic matrix (HA) and coumadin could release coumadin in a sustained manner. Thus, the dosage of coumadin could be decreased while maintaining an effective threshold level of the drug. In this investigation, a hydroxyapatite ceramic delivery system was developed to continuously release coumadin. Data obtained in this investigation suggest that ceramic-coumadin devices compressed at loads of 9000 pounds with cysteine as a binder could deliver coumadin continuously for several days.