An insight into the degradation processes of the anti-hypertensive drug furosemide

Furosemide (FUR), an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) belonging to a group of drugs known as loop diuretics, has widespread use, but, is characterized by a strong instability to light, which causes chemical transformations that could give a yellowing phenomenon and have a significant impact from a health and marketing point of view. Many studies have tried to explain this phenomenon under different experimental conditions, but no detailed explanation of the yellowing phenomenon has been provided. This work, unlike the others, provides an overall view and explanation of the behavior of FUR in relation to the yellowing phenomenon, both in the solution and in solid state, considering several aspects, such as light exposure, presence of oxygen, and moisture effects

Tailoring the Chemical Structure of Cellulose Nanocrystals by Amine Functionalization

The surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals is presently considered a useful and straightforward tool for accessing very reliable biocompatible and biodegradable nanostructures with tailored physical and chemical properties. However, to date the fine characterization of the chemical appendages introduced onto cellulose nanocrystals remains a challenge, due to the low sensitivity displayed by the most common techniques towards surface functionalization. In this paper, we demonstrate the easy functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals with aliphatic and aromatic amines, demonstrating the tunability of their properties in dependence on the selected functionality. Then, we apply to colloidal suspensions of modified nanocrystals 1H-NMR analysis to elucidate their surface structure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where such investigation was performed on cellulose nanocrystals presenting both surface and reducing end modification. These results involve interesting implications for the fields of Cultural Heritage and of Materials Chemistry

Investigation into the Influence of the Process Parameters on the Stability of a Poly(Vinyl)-Alcohol-Based Coating System

Most tablets put on the market are coated with polymers soluble in water. The Opadry II 85 series from Colorcon Inc., is a family of PVA-based products marketed since the 1990s. Despite numerous publications on the properties of PVA, to date, limited work has been undertaken to determine the physico-chemical parameters (i.e., UV light, high temperature, and relative humidity) that could affect the performance of PVA-based coatings. To this end, we performed artificial ageing processes on samples made of Opadry Orange II or of some selected components of this coating and analysed them by means of a multidisciplinary approach, using, for example, FTIR, NMR, rheology, and DMTA measurements. In this way, we analysed the influence of the critical components of the Opadry Orange II formula, such as titanium dioxide and aluminium hydroxide, on the coating characteristics under ageing conditions

Emotion-related impulsivity moderates the cognitive interference effect of smartphone availability on working memory

Although recent studies suggest that the mere presence of a smartphone might negatively impact on working memory capacity, fluid intelligence, and attentional processes, less is known about the individual differences that are liable to moderate this cognitive interference effect. This study tested whether individual differences in emotion-related impulsivity traits (positive urgency and negative urgency) moderate the effect of smartphone availability on cognitive performance. We designed an experiment in which 132 college students (age 18–25 years) completed a laboratory task that assessed visual working memory capacity in three different conditions: two conditions differing in terms of smartphone availability (smartphone turned off and visible, smartphone in silent mode and visible) and a condition in which the smartphone was not available and was replaced by a calculator (control condition). Participants also completed self-reports that assessed their thoughts after the task performance, positive/negative urgency, and problematic smartphone use. The results showed that participants with higher positive urgency presented increased cognitive interference (reflected by poorer task performance) in the “silent-mode smartphone” condition compared with participants in the “turned-off smartphone” condition. The present study provides new insights into the psychological factors that explain how smartphone availability is liable to interfere with high-level cognitive processes

The efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for high school students: A preliminary randomized study

Early onset in adolescent gambling involvement can be a precipitator of later gambling problems. The aim of the present study was to test the preliminary efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for students within a high school-based setting. Students attending a high school in Italy (N=168) participated in the present study (58% male–age, M=15.01; SD=0.60). Twelve classes were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: intervention ( N=6; 95 students) and control group (N=6; 73 students). Both groups received personalized feedback and then the intervention group received online training (interactive activities) for three weeks. At a two-month follow-up, students in the intervention group reported a reduction in gambling problems relative to those in the control group. However, there were no differences in gambling frequency, gambling expenditure, and attitudes toward the profitability of gambling between the two groups. In addition, frequent gamblers (i.e., those that gambled at least once a week at baseline) showed reductions in gambling problems and gambling frequency post- intervention. Frequent gamblers that only received personalized feedback showed significantly less realistic attitudes toward the profitability of gambling post-intervention. The present study is the first controlled study to test the preliminary efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for students within a high school-based setting. The results indicate that a brief web-based intervention delivered in the school setting may be a potentially promising strategy for a low-threshold, low-cost, preventive tool for at-risk gambling high school students

Heterogeneity of smartphone impact on everyday life and its relationship with personality and psychopathology: A latent profile analysis

Background The relationships between problematic smartphone use and psychological factors have been extensively investigated. However, previous studies generally used variable-centered approaches, which hinder an examination of the heterogeneity of smartphone impact on everyday life. Objective In the present study, we capitalized on latent profile analysis to identify various classes of smartphone owners based on the impact associated with smartphone use (e.g., unregulated usage, preference for smartphone-mediated social relationships) and to compare these classes in terms of established psychological risk factors for problematic smartphone use. Method We surveyed 934 young adults with validated psychometric questionnaires to assess the impact of smartphones, psychopathological symptoms, self-esteem and impulsivity traits. Results Smartphone users fall into four latent profiles: users with low smartphone impact, users with average smartphone impact, problematic smartphone users, and users favoring online interactions. Individuals distributed in the problematic smartphone user profile were characterized by heightened psychopathological symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies) and impulsivity traits. Moreover, users who preferred online interactions exhibited the highest symptoms of social anxiety and the lowest levels of self-esteem. Conclusions These findings further demonstrate the multidimensionality and heterogeneity of the impact of smartphone use, calling for tailored prevention and intervention strategies

Herramientas digitales : ¿Y ahora qué hacemos?

Introducción: A causa del aislamiento obligatorio la educación ha sufrido un cambio radical. Pasamos de un aprendizaje presencial a virtual. Los docentes aplicaron herramientas tecnológicas. Plataformas Moodle, Zoom; aplicaciones Power Point, Word, online y presentaciones sincrónicas fueron la salida casi perfecta para el proceso enseñanza – aprendizaje. Objetivos: Incentivar la formación continua del estudiante, potenciando el uso de los medios tecnológicos y la conexión virtual para profundizar los conocimientos y dilucidar dudas de los alumnos en relación a los contenidos de la Asignatura y creando un hábito de resolución de problemas.Facultad de Odontologí

The Importance of Periodic Controls in Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Children. Clinic Case Report

Introducción: La reposición de piezas dentarias primarias o permanentes anteriores faltantes es esencial para devolver la estética, recuperar la función, conservar el remanente biológico en salud y evitar la instalación de hábitos nocivos. Independientemente de la causa que haya provocado la ausencia de este sector, ya sean por traumatismos, caries o agenesias, no sólo es importante la rehabilitación del sector faltante, sino también los controles periódicos a fin de evitar maloclusiones y acompañar el crecimiento maxilar.Introduction: The replacement of missing anterior primary or permanent teeth is essential to restore aesthetics, restore function, preserve the biological remnant in health and avoid the installation of habits. Regardless of the cause caused by the absence of this sector, whether due to trauma, caries or agenesis, it is not only important to rehabilitate the missing sector, but also regular check-ups in order to avoid malocclusions and accompany maxillary growth.Facultad de Odontologí

Ossicular Chain Lesions in Tympanic Perforations and Chronic Otitis Media without Cholesteatoma

The first aim was to determine the prevalence, kind, and functional effects on hearing of ossicular chain suffering (OCS) in chronic otitis without cholesteatoma (NCOM) and tympanic perforations (TP). The second aim was to correlate the findings with clinical parameters and hearing level.The study group comprised 250 consecutive patients affected by NCOM and who were subjected to tympanoplasty and never operated on before. Each patient underwent preoperative pure tone audiometry. Ossicles were evaluated during surgery. The incidence of OCS in NCOM was reported in 15-62% of the patients.Ossicular chain suffering was found in 26 out of the 250 patients included in the overall sample (10%). It was found in 7% of the patients affected by TP without otorrhea and in 19% of the patients affected by chronic ear discharge with drum perforation. OCS was found most frequently in posterior eardrum perforations and in patients with bilateral disease. The incus was the ossicle most frequently interested by resorption (92% of the patients). The air conduction threshold and air bone gap were more impaired in NCOM than in TP.Ossicular chain damages in patients with non-cholesteatomatous middle ear pathologies are not frequent and are present in no more than 10% of the patients, but lesions found were similar to those reported in patients with cholesteatoma. Otorrhea, posterior perforation, and bilateral disease can be considered as good predictors of OCS