Effects of interactive video-game based system exercise on the balance of the elderly.

This study evaluated the effects of interactive video-game based (IVGB) training on the balance of older adults. The participants of the study included 30 community-living persons over the age of 65. The participants were divided into 2 groups. Group A underwent IVGB training for 6 weeks and received no intervention in the following 6 weeks. Group B received no intervention during the first 6 weeks and then participated in training in the following 6 weeks. After IVGB intervention, both groups showed improved balance based on the results from the following tests: the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Sway Velocity (SV) test (assessing bipedal stance center pressure with eyes open and closed). Results from the Sway Area (SA) test (assessing bipedal stance center pressure with eyes open and closed) revealed a significant improvement in Group B after IVGB training. Group A retained some training effects after 6 weeks without IVGB intervention. Additionally, a moderate association emerged between the Xavix measured step system stepping tests and BBS, MFES, Unipedal Stance test, and TUG test measurements. In conclusion, IVGB training improves balance after 6 weeks of implementation, and the beneficial effects partially remain after training is complete. Further investigation is required to determine if this training is superior to traditional physical therapy.

Synthesis and characterizations of amphiphilic poly(L-lactide)-grafted chondroitin sulfate copolymer and its application as drug carrier.

In this investigation, new biodegradable brush-like amphiphilic copolymers were synthesized by ring opening polymerization. Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) was grafted onto chondroitin sulfate (CS), which is one of the physiologically significant specific glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), using a tin octanoate [Sn(Oct)2] catalyst in DMSO. The hydroxyl groups of the chondroitin sulfate were used as initiating groups. These functional groups enable specific mucoadhesion or receptor recognition. The degree of substitution (DS), the degree of polymerization (DP) and the chondroitin sulfate content (from 1.1 to 15.4%) were analyzed by 1H NMR. The characteristics of these grafted copolymers, including the structure, the thermal properties and biodegradability, etc., were examined with respect to CS content. Meanwhile, the amphiphilic core (PLLA)-corona (CS) nanoparticles, with size smaller than 200 nm, was examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Zeta potential analysis exhibited the value in the range -18.3 to -49.4 mV. The morphologies of the nanoparticles were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The nanoparticles with lower cytotoxicity were examined by MTT assay. Furthermore, the in vitro BSA release kinetics of those CSn-PLLA nanoparticles was also determined in this study.

Biomimetic porous scaffolds made from poly(L-lactide)-g-chondroitin sulfate blend with poly(L-lactide) for cartilage tissue engineering.

A novel biodegradable graft copolymer chondroitin sulfate-grafted poly(L-lactide) (CS-PLLA) was synthesized. The graft copolymer was blended with PLLA to form biomimetic porous scaffolds. Natural CS was introduced into the polyester matrix to promote the proliferation of cells. Three-dimensional spongelike scaffolds were fabricated by a combination of salt leaching and solvent casting methods. The morphology of the scaffolds was observed with scanning electron microscopy with an average pore size between 50 and 250 microm, and its porosity was high (>85%). Compression analysis indicated that the mechanical properties of the scaffold were adequate to support the proliferation of cells. The hydrophilicity increased with an increase in the copolymer content in the blend, as determined by measuring the contact angle. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson, and Safranin-O staining showed that cells formed a chondro tissue gradually. Histological results revealed that abundant cartilaginous matrixes surrounded spherical chondrocytes in the center of the explants. Chondrocytes cultured in this extracellular-matrix-like scaffold maintained a round morphology phenotype, characterized by a significant quantity of extracellular matrixes of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and collagens. Additionally, phenotypic gene expression (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) indicated that chondrocytes expressed transcripts that encoded type II collagen and aggrecan and generated sulfated glycosaminoglycans.

Preparation of amphiphilic poly(L-lactide)-graft-chondroitin sulfate copolymer self-aggregates and its aggregation behavior.

Novel polymeric amphiphilic copolymers were synthesized using chondroitin sulfate (CS) as a hydrophilic segment and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) as a hydrophobic segment. Micelles of those copolymers were formed in an aqueous phase and were characterized by 1H NMR spectra, fluorescence techniques, dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and confocal microscopy. Their critical aggregation concentrations (CAC) are in the range of 0.0043-0.0091 mg/mL at 25 degrees C. The partition equilibrium constants, Kv, of the pyrene probe in the aqueous solution were from 3.65 x 10(5) to 1.41 x 10(6) at 25 degrees C. The mean diameters of the micelles were below 200 nm, and their sizes were narrowly distributed. The AFM images revealed that the self-aggregates were spherical. Additionally, the CSn-PLLA micelles can efficiently transport within the cells via endocytosis as observed from confocal microscopy.