Exploring the Usefulness of a Multi-Sensory Environment on Sensory Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological development with social and communication deficits and sensory abnormalities. Sensory problems have a significant impact on daily life. Multisensory environments (MSEs), such as Snoezelen rooms, offer controlled sensory stimulation.

Parental involvement in robot-mediated intervention: a systematic review.

Introduction: Over the years, the conceptual approach to pediatric rehabilitation has reevaluated the parent's role in the therapeutic process, considering parental involvement as a necessary condition for the effectiveness of the intervention. In the field of pediatric intervention, the therapeutic use of robots represents a growing clinical interest, but the feasibility and applicability of these robotic interventions, including those involving parents, remain unclear. This systematic review aims to investigate parental involvement in robot-mediated interventions (RMI) for children and adolescents in the current literature.

Peptide-Functionalized and Drug-Loaded Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus Nanoparticles Counteract Tumor Growth in a Mouse Model of Shh-Dependent Medulloblastoma.

Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma (SHH-MB) accounts for 25-30% of all MBs, and conventional therapy results in severe long-term side effects. New targeted therapeutic approaches are urgently needed, drawing also on the fields of nanoparticles (NPs). Among these, plant viruses are very promising, and we previously demonstrated that tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), functionalized on the surface with CooP peptide, specifically targets MB cells.

Characterization of Early and Late Damage in a Mouse Model of Pelvic Radiation Disease.

Pelvic radiation disease (PRD), a frequent side effect in patients with abdominal/pelvic cancers treated with radiotherapy, remains an unmet medical need. Currently available preclinical models have limited applications for the investigation of PRD pathogenesis and possible therapeutic strategies. In order to select the most effective irradiation protocol for PRD induction in mice, we evaluated the efficacy of three different locally and fractionated X-ray exposures.

Improvement of Self-Esteem in Children with Specific Learning Disorders after Donkey-Assisted Therapy.

Dyslexia is a learning disorder related to receptive language characterized by difficulties with decoding, fluent word recognition, automatic naming skills and/or reading comprehension skills. It usually leads to severe functional impairment and the permanent need for support and interventions. Since animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have been found to improve physical, emotional, cognitive and/or social functioning in humans, the aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of onotherapy on children with SLD by improving self-esteem and school performance.

Multisensory stimulation and rehabilitation for disability improvement: Lessons from a case report.

Rationale: Spastic quadriplegia is most severe form of Infantile Cerebral Palsy. Patients are unable to use their legs, arms and body and show language disorder and profound intellectual disability. The treatment of patients diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia is complex and multidisciplinary.

Use of Virtual Reality in Children with Dyslexia.

In recent years, the study of dyslexia has seen rapid progress in definition and classification, neuropsychological correlates, neurobiological factors, and intervention. However, there are few studies on how virtual reality can affect improving cognitive domains and cross-cutting pedagogical skills. We, therefore, tested intervention through the use of a virtual reality rehabilitation system (VRRS) in children with dyslexia.

MiRNA-Mediated Fibrosis in the Out-of-Target Heart following Partial-Body Irradiation.

Recent reports have shown a link between radiation exposure and non-cancer diseases such as radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD). Radiation exposures are often inhomogeneous, and out-of-target effects have been studied in terms of cancer risk, but very few studies have been carried out for non-cancer diseases. Here, the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of RIHD was investigated.

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum.

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking.

Is psychosocial rehabilitation useful in older people living in nursing homes? A pilot study on long-term cognitive and behavioural outcomes.

Background: Age-related changes in cognitive and behavioural functions, although common, may vary considerably across individuals and cognitive domains. There is limited evidence focusing on the benefits of training based on cognitive/social learning principles in the elderly. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Assertive Social Skill Training (ASST) in improving cognitive and mood outcomes in a sample of older patients living in a Sicilian nursing home.

Neuropsychological assessment in Niemann-Pick disease type C: a systematic review.

Background: The neuropsychological profile of Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) patients is characterized by an early deterioration in executive functions and attention. There are few studies on cognitive impairment and on neuropsychological assessment of NP-C disease. The purpose of this review is to analyze the studies on a psychological assessment for NP-C patients.

How patients with mild dementia living in a nursing home benefit from dementia cafés: a case-control study focusing on psychological and behavioural symptoms and caregiver burden.

Background: Dementia is a syndrome, mainly due to neurodegeneration, affecting cognition, behaviour, feelings and relationships. Pharmacological treatment is still challenging and thus different ways to improve/slow down the disease are necessary.

Methods: Twenty-five subjects with mild dementia, living in a nursing home, and their relatives were invited to attend a dementia cafe, a community group which provides support for families affected by dementia.

Assessment and rehabilitation of cognitive deficit in a Niemann-Pick type C disease patient.

Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) disease is a lipid storage disorder characterized by visceral (hepatosplenomegaly) and neurological symptoms: ataxia, dystonia, cognitive disorder, psychiatric disorder, and vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. Cognitive impairment is one of the core symptoms of NP-C disease, but there are few data about the cognitive rehabilitation treatment in NP-C patients. This case report aims to evaluate the effects of the cognitive rehabilitation treatment of a young woman affected by NP-C.

Does overground robotic gait training improve non-motor outcomes in patients with chronic stroke? Findings from a pilot study.

Stroke is the leading cause of disability among the elderly in the industrialized world. No more than 40% of stroke survivors walk independently, and only after receiving appropriate rehabilitation treatment; many stroke patients have also non-motor symptoms. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of Ekso-training on non-motor outcomes, including gastrointestinal function and psychological well-being, in post stroke patients.

An integrative cognitive rehabilitation using neurologic music therapy in multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease, affecting both the sensorimotor and cognitive systems. The typical pattern of cognitive impairment includes reduced speed of information processing, decreased phonological and semantic speech fluency, deficits in verbal and visual episodic memory, as well as attention and executive dysfunctions. We aimed to investigate the influence of the neurologic music therapy (NMT) on mood, motivation, emotion status, and cognitive functions in patients with MS.

Do patients with multiple sclerosis benefit from semi-immersive virtual reality? A randomized clinical trial on cognitive and motor outcomes.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of autoimmune originate. A large proportion of patient present with cognitive deficits that negatively affect their quality of life, thus, a proper cognitive rehabilitation is mandatory. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of semi-immersive virtual reality training (sVRT) on neuropsychological and motor recovery individuals suffering from MS.

Do patients with PD benefit from music assisted therapy plus treadmill-based gait training? An exploratory study focused on behavioral outcomes.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, presenting not only with motor symptoms (resting tremor, bradykinesia, and muscular rigidity), but also with cognitive and behavioral problems that need to be addressed in a rehabilitation setting. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a combined rehabilitative approach, using gait training coupled to music-based therapy, on cognitive and behavioral function in a sample of patients with PD. Forty patients, meeting the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in this study and were randomly divided into two groups.

Do people with multiple sclerosis benefit from PC-based neurorehabilitation? A pilot study.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Cognitive impairment is a frequent feature of MS at both the earlier and later stages of the disease, and it tends to worsen over time. Cognitive rehabilitation (CR) is becoming a standard component of neurorehabilitation in patients with MS.

Computerized Training in Poststroke Aphasia: What About the Long-Term Effects? A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Poststroke aphasia is a very disabling disorder, which may affect speech expression, comprehension, and reading or writing. Treatment of aphasia should be initiated as soon as possible after the brain injury; however, the improvement of language functions can occur also in the chronic phase.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (17 patients) treated with computerized rehabilitation training (Power-Afa, Maddaloni, Campania, Italy) or a control group (15 patients), submitted to conventional speech therapy.

Poststroke delusions: What about the neuroanatomical and neurofunctional basis?

Delusion is a belief about yourself, people, or events that has no accordance with reality. Although it is known that stroke could cause various psychiatric and psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and aggressiveness, psychotic symptoms, especially delusions, are rather uncommon. The most investigated poststroke delusions are paranoid type, nihilistic, and Fregoli syndrome.

Improving Cognitive Function in Patients with Stroke: Can Computerized Training Be the Future?

Background: Cognitive impairment after stroke is common and can cause disability with a high impact on quality of life and independence. Cognitive rehabilitation is a therapeutic approach designed to improve cognitive functioning after central nervous system's injuries. Computerized cognitive rehabilitation (CCR) uses multimedia and informatics resources to optimize cognitive compromised performances.

The relevance of prelamin A and RAD51 as molecular biomarkers in cervical cancer.

Along with their role in the maintenance of nuclear architecture, nuclear lamins also control genomic stability, DNA damage repair, transcription, cell proliferation, differentiation and senescence. Recent reports reveal that prelamin A-processing defects play a role in cancer development by impacting on transcription of key players in the maintenance of the genome stability, including RAD51. Here, we performed a 'proof of concept' study evaluating the role of prelamin A and RAD51 expression in clinical outcome of cervical cancer patients.