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The Cana Brava Complex is the northernmostand least well known layered intrusion of a discontinuousbelt of mafic-ultramafic massifs within the Brasilia Belt,which also comprises theNiquelândia and Barro Alto complexes.Available geochronological data from a range oftechniques (K/Ar, Ar/Ar, Rb/Sr, Sm/Nd and U/Pb) providea range of possible ages (time span from 3.9 Ga to 450 Ma),hence a precise and reliable age for the Cana Brava Complexis still lacking. Also, preliminary isotopic and geochemicaldata of the Cana Brava Complex suggest a significantcrustal contamination, which could have affectedbulk-rock Sr and Nd systematics resulting in meaninglessage determinations. In this paper, we present new U-PbSHRIMP zircon analyses from four samples of differentunits of the Cana Brava Complexwhich suggest that the intrusionoccurred during the Neoproterozoic, between 800and 780 Ma, i.e. at the same age ofNiquelândia. Discordantolder 206Pb/238U ages are provided by inherited zircons,and match the age of the metamorphism of the embeddingPalmeirópolis Sequence.

This paper deals with the geological mapping of the late-Variscan Sàrrabus pluton, (southeastern Sardinia), a shallow multiple and composite igneous complex dominated by several generations of granodiorites, metaluminous and peraluminous granites and repeated pulses of mantle-derived mafic magmas. The map has been compiled based on geological surveys at 1:10,000 and 1:5,000 scales, assisted by in situ gamma-ray spectrometry and detailed petrographic investigations. Granite-related ore deposits have been also reported. The emplacement age of the pluton can be constrained by U/Pb dating on zircons of Cala Regina granodiorite, yielding an age of 286 ± 9 Ma. The resulting scenario documents a bimodal magmatism controlled by an EW trending shear zone, followed by the shallower emplacement of several pulses of independent granite magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metamorphic rocks are the records of plate tectonic processes whose reconstruction relies on correct estimates of the pressures and temperatures (P-T) experienced by these rocks through time. Unlike chemical geothermobarometry, elastic geobarometry does not rely on chemical equilibrium between minerals, so it has the potential to provide information on overstepping of reaction boundaries and to identify other examples of non-equilibrium behavior in rocks. Here we introduce a method that exploits the anisotropy in elastic properties of minerals to determine the unique P and T of entrapment from a single inclusion in a mineral host. We apply it to preserved quartz inclusions in garnet from eclogite xenoliths hosted in Yakutian kimberlites (Russia). Our results demonstrate that quartz trapped in garnet can be preserved when the rock reaches the stability field of coesite (the high-pressure and hightemperature polymorph of quartz) at 3 GPa and 850 °C. This supports a metamorphic origin for these xenoliths and sheds light on the mechanisms of craton accretion from a subducted crustal protolith. Furthermore, we show that interpreting P and T conditions reached by a rock from the simple phase identification of key inclusion minerals can be misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic geothermobarometry on inclusions is a method to determine pressure-temperature conditions of mineral growth independent of chemical equilibrium. Because of the difference in their elastic properties, an inclusion completely entrapped inside a host mineral will develop a residual stress upon exhumation, from which one can back-calculate the entrapment pressure. Current elastic geobarometric models assume that both host and inclusion are elastically isotropic and have an ideal geometry (the inclusion is spherical and isolated at the center of an infinite host). These conditions do not commonly occur in natural rocks, and the consequences for inclusion pressures can only be quantified with numerical approaches. In this paper, we report the results of numerical simulations of inclusions with the finite element method on elastically isotropic systems. We define and determine a geometrical factor (G) that allows measured residual pressures to be corrected for the effects of non-ideal geometry. We provide simple guidelines as to which geometries can safely be used for elastic geobarometry without correcting for the geometry. We also show that the discrepancies between elastic and conventional geobarometry reported in literature are not due to geometrical effects, and therefore result from other factors not yet included in current models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A geochronological study was performed on zircon grains from a middle‐lower crustal shear zone exposed in the northern sector of the Ivrea‐Verbano Zone (Southern Alps, Italy) for the first time. The shear zone developed at the boundary between mafic rocks of the External Gabbro unit and ultramafic rocks of the Amphibole Peridotite unit. It is ~10–20 m wide, can be followed along a NE strike for several kilometers, and consists of an anastomosing network of mylonites and ultramylonites. Zircon grains were studied in thin sections and as separates from three representative outcrops along the shear zone. Zircon grains are more abundant in the shear zone compared to wall rocks and are generally equant, rounded to subrounded with dimensions up to 500 μm. U‐Pb data are mainly discordant, and the apparent 206Pb/238U dates show a large variation from Permian to Jurassic. Isotopic data, combined with microstructural, morphological, and internal features of zircon, reveal an inherited age component and suggest partial zircon recrystallization under high‐temperature conditions during Late Triassic to Early Jurassic. High‐temperature deformation in the shear zone, at lower crustal levels, was coeval with amphibolite to greenschist facies mylonitic deformation at upper crustal levels and is inferred to be related to Mesozoic rifting processes at the Adriatic margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minerals trapped as inclusions within other host minerals will develop non-lithostatic pressures during both prograde and retrograde metamorphism because of the differences between the thermoelastic properties of the host and inclusion phases. There is only a single possible path in P-T space, the entrapment isomeke, along which no residual pressure would be developed in a host-inclusion system; non-lithostatic pressures are developed in inclusions as a result of the external pressure and temperature deviating from the isomeke that passes through the entrapment conditions. With modern equation of state and elasticity data for minerals now available, it is possible to perform precise calculations of the isomekes for mineral pairs. These show that isomeke lines are not straight lines in P-T space at metamorphic conditions. We show that silicate inclusions in silicate hosts tend to have flat isomekes, with small values of [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new micro-furnace equipped with an H-shaped resistance heater has been developed to conduct in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments at high temperature. The compact design of the furnace does not restrict access to reciprocal space out to 2θ = 60°. Therefore, unit-cell parameters and intensity data can be determined to a resolution of 0.71 Å with Mo radiation. The combined use of mineral phases with well characterized lattice expansion ( e.g. pure Si and SiO2 quartz) and a small-diameter (0.025 mm) K-type thermocouple allowed accurate temperature calibration from room temperature to about 1273 K and consequent evaluation of thermal gradients and stability. The new furnace design allows temperatures up to about 1273 K to be reached with a thermal stability better than ±5 K even at the highest temperatures. Measurements of the lattice thermal expansion of pure silicon (Si), pure synthetic grossular garnet (Ca3Al2Si3O12) and quartz (SiO2) are presented to demonstrate the performance of the device. Its main advantages and limitations and important considerations for using it to perform high-temperature diffraction measurements are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Pbca orthopyroxene samples, donpeacorite (DP N.1) and enstatite (B22 N.60) with chemical formulae Mn0.54Ca0.03Mg1.43Si2O6 (XMn = 0.27) and Fe0.54Ca0.03Mg1.43Si2O6 (XFe = 0.27), respectively, were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at high-temperature conditions. The nearly identical XFe and XMn make the two samples the perfect candidates to investigate the effect of the compositional change at the M2 site (i.e. Fe-Mn substitution) on the thermal expansion behaviour of orthopyroxenes. Therefore, the unit-cell parameter thermal expansion behaviour of both samples has been investigated in the temperature range between room T and 1073 K. No evidence for phase transitions was found over that range. The two samples have been previously disordered with an ex situ annealing at ~1273 K. The unit-cell parameters and volume thermal expansion data, collected on the disordered samples, have been fitted to a Fei Equation of State (EoS) and the following coefficients obtained: V0 = 853.35(4) Å3, αV,303K = 2.31(24) × 10-5 K-1 and V0 = 845.40(6) Å3, aV,303K = 2.51(25) × 10-5 K-1 for DP N.1 and B22 N.60, respectively. While there is no difference in the volume thermal expansion coefficient as a function of composition and the expansion along the b direction is nearly identical for both samples, slight differences have been found along a and c lattice directions. The thermal expansion along the a direction is counterbalanced by that along c being responsible for the changes in lattice expansion scheme from αb > αc > αa at room T, to αc > αb > αa at high T. Therefore, as a result of the different behaviour along a and c, the unit-cell volume thermal expansion for both samples is identical within estimated standard deviations. The negligible effect of the Fe-Mn substitution on the bulk thermal expansion can be applied when dealing with geothermobarometry based on the elastic host-inclusion approach (e.g. Nestola et al., 2011; Howell et al., 2010; Angel et al., 2014a,b, 2015). In fact, though the compressibility effect is still not known, the nearly identical thermal expansion coefficients will not affect the entrapment pressure (Pe). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider magnetic Tonelli Hamiltonian systems on the cotangent bundle of the 2-sphere, where the magnetic form is not necessarily exact. It is known that, on very low and on high energy levels, these systems may have only finitely many periodic orbits. Our main result asserts that almost all energy levels in a precisely characterized intermediate range (e0,e1)${(e_{0},e_{1})}$ possess infinitely many periodic orbits. Such a range of energies is non-empty, for instance, in the physically relevant case where the Tonelli Lagrangian is a kinetic energy and the magnetic form is oscillating (in which case, e0=0${e_{0}=0}$ is the minimal energy of the system).

Cenozoic basalts carrying ultramafic mantlexenoliths occur in the Matilde, León and Chenque hillsin the Paso de Indios region, Argentina. The mantle xenolithsfrom the Chenque and León hills mainly presentporphyroclastic textures, whereas the Matilde hill xenolithshave coarse-grained to porphyroclastic textures. Theequilibrium temperatures are in the range of 780 to 940ºC,indicating a provenance from shallow sectors of the lithosphericmantle column that were subjected to a relativelylow heat ffiux at Cenozoic Era.

The field of neuropathology, a subspecialty of pathology which studies the diseases affecting the nervous system, is experiencing significant changes due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Traditionally reliant on histological methods and clinical correlations, neuropathology is now experiencing a revolution due to the development of AI technologies like machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). These technologies enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize workflows, and enable personalized treatment strategies. AI algorithms excel at analyzing histopathological images, often revealing subtle morphological changes missed by conventional methods. For example, deep learning models applied to digital pathology can effectively differentiate tumor grades and detect rare pathologies, leading to earlier and more precise diagnoses. Progress in neuroimaging is another helpful tool of AI, as enhanced analysis of MRI and CT scans supports early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. By identifying biomarkers and progression patterns, AI aids in timely therapeutic interventions, potentially slowing disease progression. In molecular pathology, AI's ability to analyze complex genomic data helps uncover the genetic and molecular basis of neuropathological conditions, facilitating personalized treatment plans. AI-driven automation streamlines routine diagnostic tasks, allowing pathologists to focus on complex cases, especially in settings with limited resources. This review explores AI's integration into neuropathology, highlighting its current applications, benefits, challenges, and future directions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

The present review discusses the transformative role of AI in the diagnosis and management of head and neck cancers (HNCs). Methods: It explores how AI technologies, including ML, DL, and CNNs, are applied in various diagnostic tasks, such as medical imaging, molecular profiling, and predictive modeling. Results: This review highlights AI's ability to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, particularly in analyzing medical images like CT, MRI, and PET scans, where AI sometimes outperforms human radiologists. This paper also emphasizes AI's application in histopathology, where algorithms assist in whole-slide image (WSI) analysis, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) quantification, and tumor segmentation. AI shows promise in identifying subtle or rare histopathological patterns and enhancing the precision of tumor grading and treatment planning. Furthermore, the integration of AI with molecular and genomic data aids in mutation analysis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies. Conclusions: Despite these advancements, the review identifies challenges in AI adoption, such as data standardization and model interpretability, and calls for further research to fully integrate AI into clinical practice for improved patient outcomes.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a formidable clinical challenge due to their molecular complexity and varied prognostic outcomes. This review delves into the pivotal role of the epigenetic marker H3K27me3 in the development and treatment of CNS tumors. H3K27me3, specifically the trimethylation of lysine 27 on the histone H3 protein, plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and maintaining chromatin architecture (e.g., in X-chromosome inactivation). Notably, a reduction in H3K27me3 levels, frequently tied to mutations in the H3 gene family such as H3F3A and HIST1H3B, is evident in diverse brain tumor variants, including the diffuse midline glioma characterized by the H3K27M mutation and certain pediatric high-grade gliomas. The loss of H3K27me3 has been linked to more aggressive behavior in meningiomas, with the trimethylation loss associated with significantly shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) among grade 2 meningiomas, albeit not within grade 1 tumors. Pediatric posterior fossa ependymomas characterized by a lowered H3K27me3 and DNA hypomethylation exhibit poor prognosis, underscoring the prognostic significance of these epigenetic alterations in CNS tumors. Comprehending the role of H3K27me3 in CNS tumors is vital for advancing diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life. This review underscores the importance of ongoing investigations into H3K27me to refine and optimize management strategies for CNS tumors, paving the way for improved personalized medicine practices in oncology.

Growing scientific evidence suggests a link between the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and cervical cancer carcinogenesis. Specifically, a close relation between TLR4 expression and FIGO stage, lymph node metastases, and tumor size has been reported in cervical cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between TLR4 expression levels and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and/or high-risk (hr) HPV integration status in patients with a histological diagnosis of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (H-SIL), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix. Sixty biopsies of cervical neoplasia, comprising H-SIL (n = 20) and SCC (n = 40), were evaluated for TLR4 expression by immunohistochemistry. All samples were positive for high-risk HPV as confirmed by in situ hybridization (ISH) and broad-spectrum PCR followed by Sanger sequencing analysis. The intensity of TLR4 staining was higher in tissues negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) than in H-SIL, and further reduced in SCC. Moreover, statistically significant differences have been observed in the percentage of TLR4 expression between NILM and H-SIL and between H-SIL and SCC, with higher percentages of expression in H-SIL than in SCC. Our results showed a significant downregulation of TLR4 in HPV-related H-SIL and SCC, compared to NILM. These data support the hypothesis that TLR4 expression is suppressed in HPV-driven oncogenesis.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a relatively rare mesenchymal fibroblastic tumor occurring most commonly in adults with no gender predilection. Although the pathological diagnosis of SFT is usually straightforward, some difficulties may occasionally arise mainly due to the wide morphological spectrum exhibited by this tumor. In the present paper we aimed to evaluate the unusual clinicopathological features in a series of 31 SFTs arising from parenchymal organs, superficial soft tissues and deep soft tissues. Our results emphasize that SFTs may occur anywhere, including unusual sites such as periosteum of the thoracic spine, mesorectal tissue, hepatic hilum, paravescial space, kidney and breast. Moreover, a wide morphological spectrum was observed in tumors included in our series. The most striking morphological features observed included: extensive lipomatous component, myxoid stromal changes, epithelioid cell component, metaplastic mature bone, neurofibroma-like, myxofibrosarcoma-like and pseudoalveolar-like areas. Additionally, multinucleated giant cells and sarcomatous dedifferentiation were also identified. Our paper emphasizes that SFT may occur in unusual anatomical locations and exhibits a wide morphological spectrum. Pathologists must be aware of these features to avoid confusion with other benign and malignant neoplasms that may show overlapping morphological features., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Background: Media communication during the covid-19 pandemic has been relevant for the population to receive information about the ongoing number of cases, deaths, and social restriction measures. Notably, the effects of the communication methods on young adults during the covid-19 pandemic have not been studied. Therefore the present study aimed to investigate the influence of communication modality about covid-19 on the perception of risk and judgment among young adults., Methods: A double-blind cross-sectional study was designed. Three hundred four subjects (age range19-25 years old) saw a 4-minute video concerning data communication on the covid-19 pandemic and compiled an online questionnaire about their perceptions. Two videos were randomized, one presenting the covid-19 data negatively (HARD video) while the other showed a positive ongoing resolution of the pandemic (SOFT video). Association tests and nominal logistic regression were used to evaluate differences in responses among the two groups., Results: The two videos lead to different reactions. Participants showed higher disagreement concerning the video content in the "SOFT" group compared to the "HARD" group. The responses of the "SOFT" group were more to be optimistic (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.311-6.27) than those who had seen the "HARD" video. The sense of helplessness was lower in the "SOFT" compared "HARD" group (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.311-6.96). The perception of fear was higher for the "HARD" group (OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.21-7-02)., Discussion: The modality of data presentation influenced the perception and feelings about the covid-19 pandemic. Likely, pre-existing perception of a pessimistic perspective was present in both groups; thus, the video did not lead to any change in the behavior., Conclusions: The phobic or counter-phobic reactions shown in the study participants highlighted the importance of the reliability of the information received and how previous feelings may influence the perception of the information.

Atypical sensory processing is frequently reported in persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and it is one of the described diagnostic criteria for ASD. There is also mounting literature supporting the presence of motor impairments in individuals with ASD. Among these motor signs, tip-toe behavior (TTB) is a possible clinical finding, but its etiology is not clearly understood. It is suggested that TTB in ASD could be a sign of a sensory modulation impairment, but evidence is lacking and controversial. The main aim of this pilot study is to explore sensory features in a sample (4 females; 28 males) of children and adolescents with ASD (age range: 7-18). All participants also presented Intellectual Disability. Participants were divided in two groups, matched for age and gender, on the basis of the presence or absence of TTB (16 ASD TTB group vs. 16 ASD NO-TTB group) and then evaluated by using the Short Sensory Profile. We found that both ASD groups tend to significantly present sensory-related behavioral symptoms, but ASD TTB individuals more frequently showed the specific pattern of "under responsive/seeks sensation" than ASD NO-TTB individuals. These preliminary findings support that sensory-motor features might be taken into consideration when rehabilitation for TTB in children and adolescents with ASD is necessary.

STAT6 is usually considered to be a very sensitive and specific immunomarker for diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT), being a surrogate of the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene identified in most cases of this tumor. STAT6 expression has also been reported in rare cases of other soft tissue tumors, such as low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma and deep fibrous histiocytoma. The aim of this study was to report, for the first time, a case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma showing diffuse aberrant immunohistochemical expression of STAT6. Molecular biology, showing the HEY1-NCOA2 fusion gene, was crucial to rule out SFT., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Brain damage can affect several functions related to speech production leading to dysphonia and dysarthria. Most rehabilitation treatments focus on articulation training rather than on pneumophonic coordination and respiratory muscle strength. Respiratory training using an intermitted positive pressure breathing (IPPB) ventilator can be used for this last purpose; no agreement on a standard protocol has been reached to date., Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of a standardized incremental protocol of respiratory training using IPPB to treat dysphonia and dysarthria., Design: Case series study., Setting: Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Unit in an Italian Neurorehabilitation Division., Population: Thirty-two subjects with dysphonia and dysarthria resulting from neurological lesion., Methods: Participants were assessed using clinical evaluation scales (GIRBAS scale of dysphonia, Robertson dysarthria profile), respiratory function test, and arterial blood gas analysis in air. The evaluations were performed at baseline and after 20 sessions of respiratory training with IPPB. The protocol provided a default increment of ventilator parameters. All subjects also underwent a standard speech and language therapy treatment. A satisfaction survey to assess acceptability and the Goal Attainment Scale were applied., Results: All participants fulfilled the protocol. No complications or discomfort were reported. Subjects' satisfaction at survey was 97.7%. After respiratory training, all respiratory function parameters increased, but only maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were statistically significant (P<0.05). Clinical evaluation scales significantly improved (P<0.05). Correlation between respiratory function parameters and clinical evaluation scales showed a moderate correlation between MVV, MEP, MIP, and Robertson dysarthria profile (P<0.01). A weak correlation was found between MIP, MVV, and GIRBAS scale (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Our protocol showed to be practical and well-tolerated. After respiratory training, MVV, MIP and MEP improved in significantly. Clinical scale scores improved in all participants., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: Respiratory training using IPPB ventilator can be useful in implementing speech and language treatments in subjects with dysphonia and dysarthria linked to brain injury.

Pharmacological strategies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) are very limited. We systematically reviewed data on rehabilitation, exercise, physical therapy, and other physical non-pharmacological interventions and offered evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of CIPN. A literature search using PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted from database inception until May 31st, 2021. 2791 records were title-abstract screened, 71 papers were full-text screened, 41 studies were included, 21 on prevention and 20 on treatment of CIPN. Treatment type, cancer type, chemotherapy compounds were heterogeneous, sample size was small (median: N = 34) and intention-to-treat analysis was lacking in 26/41 reports. Because of the methodological issues of included studies, the reviewed evidence should be considered as preliminary. Exercise, endurance, strength, balance, and sensorimotor training have been studied in low-to-moderate quality studies, while the evidence for other treatments is preliminary/inconclusive. We offer recommendation for the design of future trials on CIPN., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a neurodegenerative disease leading to Alzheimer's disease or dementia, is often associated with physical complaints. Combined physical and cognitive training (PCT) has been investigated to see the effects on cognitive function, but its impact on motor functions and activities of daily living has not been explored yet. The combination of physical and cognitive training may be a valuable non-pharmacological intervention that could preserve motor function and quality of life (QoL). We aimed, therefore, to analyze if combined PCT is effective at improving motor performance in patients with an MCI. A systematic electronic literature search and a meta-analysis were conducted. The following criteria were compulsory for inclusion in the study: (1) randomized controlled trial design; (2) combined PCT compared to motor training alone or no intervention; (3) motor outcomes as a study's end point. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that PCT significantly enhances balance compared to motor training alone (SMD 0.56; 95% CI 0.07 to 1.06; I 2 = 59%; 160 participants), whereas a significant improvement was found for mobility in the PCT group when compared to no intervention (MD -1.80; 95% CI -2.70 to -0.90; I 2 = 0%; 81 participants). However, there is no evidence that people with MCI experience an increase in gait speed and QoL at the end of their practice sessions. Further investigation with larger samples and a longer period of monitoring after intervention should be undertaken.

Background: Many robots are available for gait rehabilitation (BWSTRT and ORET) and their application in persons with SCI allowed an improvement of walking function., Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the effects of different robotic exoskeletons gait training in persons with different SCI level and severity., Methods: Sixty-two studies were included in this systematic review; the study quality was assessed according to GRADE and PEDro's scale., Results: Quality assessment of included studies (n = 62) demonstrated a prevalence of evidence level 2; the quality of the studies was higher for BWSTRT (excellent and good) than for ORET (fair and good). Almost all persons recruited for BWSTRT had an incomplete SCI; both complete and incomplete SCI were recruited for ORET. The SCI lesion level in the persons recruited for BWSTRT are from cervical to sacral; mainly from thoracic to sacral for ORET; a high representation of AIS D lesion resulted both for BWSTRT (30%) and for ORET (45%). The walking performance, tested with 10MWT, 6MWT, TUG and WISCI, improved after exoskeleton training in persons with incomplete SCI lesions, when at least 20 sessions were applied. Persons with complete SCI lesions improved the dexterity in walking with exoskeleton, but did not recover independent walking function; symptoms such as spasticity, pain and cardiovascular endurance improved., Conclusion: Different exoskeletons are available for walking rehabilitation in persons with SCI. The choice about the kind of robotic gait training should be addressed on the basis of the lesion severity and the possible comorbidities.

Background: Gait impairments are common disabling symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Among the approaches for gait rehabilitation, interest in robotic devices has grown in recent years. However, the effectiveness compared to other interventions, the optimum amount of training, the type of device, and which patients might benefit most remains unclear., Objective: To conduct a systematic review about the effects on gait of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in PD patients and to provide advice for clinical practice., Methods: A search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Cochrane library, Web of science, and guideline databases, following PRISMA guidelines. We included English articles if they used a robotic system with details about the intervention, the parameters, and the outcome measures. We evaluated the level and quality of evidence., Results: We included twenty papers out of 230 results: two systematic reviews, 9 randomized controlled trials, 4 uncontrolled studies, and 5 descriptive reports. Nine studies used an exoskeleton device and the remainders end-effector robots, with large variability in terms of subjects' disease-related disability., Conclusions: RAGT showed benefits on gait and no adverse events were recorded. However, it does not seem superior to other interventions, except in patients with more severe symptoms and advanced disease.

Background: The recovery of walking after stroke is a priority goal for recovering autonomy. In the last years robotic systems employed for Robotic Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) were developed. However, literature and clinical practice did not offer standardized RAGT protocol or pattern of evaluation scales., Objective: This systematic review aimed to summarize the available evidence on the use of RAGT in post-stroke, following the CICERONE Consensus indications., Methods: The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library and PEDro, including studies with the following criteria: 1) adult post-stroke survivors with gait disability in acute/subacute/chronic phase; 2) RAGT as intervention; 3) any comparators; 4) outcome regarding impairment, activity, and participation; 5) both primary studies and reviews., Results: Sixty-one articles were selected. Data about characteristics of patients, level of disability, robotic devices used, RAGT protocols, outcome measures, and level of evidence were extracted., Conclusion: It is possible to identify robotic devices that are more suitable for specific phase disease and level of disability, but we identified significant variability in dose and protocols. RAGT as an add-on treatment seemed to be prevalent. Further studies are needed to investigate the outcomes achieved as a function of RAGT doses delivered.

This work points out the main differences in the semantic expressions used by patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and epileptic seizures (ES). In reference to the body as a phenomenological entity, in ES the concept of the body-object prevails while in PNES the body, with all its life attributes, predominates. In description of seizures and in similitudes and metaphors used, ES patients focus on the description of the attack, trying to close the "gap" with a big effort, while patients with PNES concentrate on the context and on the presence of bystanders. Patients with PNES are unable to describe their own attack, since this it is not at the core of their distress, but rather the manifestation of something else, which is hiding the extreme anguish associated with experiences of the past that cannot be revealed (expressed). In the case of ES, instead, the ability to talk and the willingness to elaborate on the emotions become useful tools for facing the disease, an entity perhaps unsurmountable but at least manageable, to the benefit of everyone. In general, we can say that the experience of a disease (real or symbolic) deserves constant attention because it gives us the opportunity not only to probe the depth of the emotional experiences but also the psychic structure of the individual in front of us. A cure would not be a cure without considering such fundamental elements. It would become a sterile exercise of prescribing medications without paying attention to the person, which is the best way of preserving dignity in a state of illness.

A method for the self-consistent description of the large variations of unit-cell parameters of crystals with pressure and temperature is presented. It employs linearized versions of equations of state (EoSs) together with constraints to ensure internal consistency. The use of polynomial functions to describe the variation of the unit-cell angles in monoclinic and triclinic crystals is compared with the method of deriving them from linearized EoSs for d spacings. The methods have been implemented in the CrysFML Fortran subroutine library. The unit-cell parameters and the compressibility and thermal expansion tensors of crystals can be calculated from the linearized EoSs in an internally consistent manner in a new utility in the EosFit7c program, which is available as freeware at http://www.rossangel.net., (© Ross Angel et al. 2021.)

Introduction: There is growing evidence on the efficacy of gait robotic rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but most of the studies have focused on gait parameters. Moreover, clear indications on the clinical use of robotics still lack. As part of the CICERONE Italian Consensus on Robotic Rehabilitation, the aim of this systematic review was to investigate the existing evidence concerning the role of lower limb robotic rehabilitation in improving functional recovery in patients with MS., Evidence Acquisition: We searched for and systematically reviewed evidence-based studies on gait robotic rehabilitation in MS, between January 1 st , 2010 and December 31 st , 2020, in the following databases: Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed and Google Scholar. The study quality was assessed by the 16-item assessment of multiple systematic reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) and the 10-item PEDro scale for the other research studies., Evidence Synthesis: After an accurate screening, only 17 papers were included in the review, and most of them (13 RCT) had a level II evidence. Most of the studies used the Lokomat as a grounded robotic device, two investigated the efficacy of end-effectors and two powered exoskeletons. Generally speaking, robotic treatment has beneficial effects on gait speed, endurance and balance with comparable outcomes to those of conventional treatments. However, in more severe patients (EDSS >6), robotics leads to better functional outcomes. Notably, after gait training with robotics (especially when coupled to virtual reality) MS patients also reach better non-motor outcomes, including spasticity, fatigue, pain, psychological well-being and quality of life. Unfortunately, no clinical indications emerge on the treatment protocols., Conclusions: The present comprehensive systematic review highlights the potential beneficial role on functional outcomes of the lower limb robotic devices in people with MS. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the role of robotics not only for walking and balance outcomes, but also for other gait-training-related benefits, to identify appropriate outcome measures related to a specific subgroup of MS subjects' disease severity.

Objective: To evaluate the refusal of the prosthesis in order to highlight elements in determining the acceptance/rejection of the prosthetic devices, and its role on rehabilitation program., Methods: A literature review through a search of the database Medline for studies published between October 2007 and May 2020 using the key words "prosthesis", "limb", and "accept"*., Results: Nine studies were included. Women appear to be more concerned about discomfort in using body-powered devices and about prosthesis cosmetic appearance. Level of limb amputation was considered relevant for prosthesis rejection only for the upper limb. Children fitted with prosthesis before two years old were less likely to abandon the prosthesis, preschool children have a lower drop-out prevalence compared to adults and school-age children., Conclusions: Understating the factors for rejections is crucial for more favorable health outcomes; multiple psychological factors should be considered during the rehabilitation process of individuals with limb amputation. Rehabilitation should consider psychosocial assistance for acceptance and perception of body representation and its discrepancy with the real body.

Introduction: Stroke is the third leading cause of adult disability worldwide, and lower extremity motor impairment is one of the major determinants of long-term disability. Although robotic therapy is becoming more and more utilized in research protocols for lower limb stroke rehabilitation, the gap between research evidence and its use in clinical practice is still significant. The aim of this study was to determine the scope, quality, and consistency of guidelines for robotic lower limb rehabilitation after stroke, in order to provide clinical recommendations., Evidence Acquisition: We systematically reviewed stroke rehabilitation guideline recommendations between January 1, 2010 and October 31, 2020. We explored electronic databases (N.=4), guideline repositories and professional rehabilitation networks (N.=12). Two independent reviewers used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument, and brief syntheses were used to evaluate and compare the different recommendations, considering only the most recent version., Evidence Synthesis: From the 1219 papers screened, ten eligible guidelines were identified from seven different regions/countries. Four of the included guidelines focused on stroke management, the other six on stroke rehabilitation. Robotic rehabilitation is generally recommended to improve lower limb motor function, including gait and strength. Unfortunately, there is still no consensus about the timing, frequency, training session duration and the exact characteristics of subjects who could benefit from robotics., Conclusions: Our systematic review shows that the introduction of robotic rehabilitation in standard treatment protocols seems to be the future of stroke rehabilitation. However, robot assisted gait training (RAGT) for stroke needs to be improved with new solutions and in clinical practice guidelines, especially in terms of applicability.

The vault nanoparticle is a eukaryotic ribonucleoprotein complex consisting of 78 individual 97 kDa-"major vault protein" (MVP) molecules that form two symmetrical, cup-shaped, hollow halves. It has a huge size (72.5 × 41 × 41 nm) and an internal cavity, wherein the vault poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (vPARP), telomerase-associated protein-1 (TEP1), and some small untranslated RNAs are accommodated. Plenty of literature reports on the biological role(s) of this nanocomplex, as well as its involvement in diseases, mostly oncological ones. Nevertheless, much has still to be understood as to how vault participates in normal and pathological mechanisms. In this comprehensive review, current understanding of its biological roles is discussed. By different mechanisms, vault's individual components are involved in major cellular phenomena, which result in protection against cellular stresses, such as DNA-damaging agents, irradiation, hypoxia, hyperosmotic, and oxidative conditions. These diverse cellular functions are accomplished by different mechanisms, mainly gene expression reprogramming, activation of proliferative/prosurvival signaling pathways, export from the nucleus of DNA-damaging drugs, and import of specific proteins. The cellular functions of this nanocomplex may also result in the onset of pathological conditions, mainly (but not exclusively) tumor proliferation and multidrug resistance. The current understanding of its biological roles in physiological and pathological processes should also provide new hints to extend the scope of its exploitation as a nanocarrier for drug delivery.