Memory factors in age-related differences in simple reasoning.

Adults in their 50s were compared with adults in their late teens or 20s in the accuracy of relatively simple reasoning decisions involving varying amounts of information. Because the magnitude of the age differences in decision accuracy was independent of the amount of information relevant to the decision, it was suggested that adults in their 20s and 50s do not differ in the effectiveness of integrating information across multiple premises. However, the 2 groups differed in the accuracy of trials involving only a single relevant premise, and thus it was inferred that 1 factor contributing to reasoning differences within the age range from 20 to 60 may be a failure to encode, or retain, relevant information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the processing and in-vitro degradation of poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide)/CNT films

Nanocomposite films based on single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer (50:50 PLGA) were processed and analyzed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different functionalization systems on the physical stability and morphology of PLGA films. Both covalent and non covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes were considered in order to control the interactions between PLGA and SWNTs and to understand the role of the filler in the biodegradation properties. Using a solvent casting process, different PLGA/SWNT nanocomposites were prepared and incubated using organic solution under physiological conditions. In-vitro degradation studies were conducted by measurements of weight loss, infrared spectroscopy, glass transition temperature and SEM observations as a function of the incubation time, over a 9-week period. All PLGA films were degraded by hydrolitical degradation. However, a different degradation mechanism was observed in the case of functionalized SWNTs with respect to pristine material. It has been observed that system composition and SWNT functionalization may play a crucial role on the autocatalytic effect of the degradation process. These studies suggest that the degradation kinetics of the films can be engineered by varying carbon nanotube (CNT) content and functionalization. The combination of biodegradable polymers and CNTs opens a new perspective in the self-assembly of nanomaterials and nanodevices.     

A Soft Chemistry Route for the Synthesis of Nanostructured Pb2Ru2O6.5 with a Controlled Stoichiometry

A new chemical route to synthesize nanostructured lead ruthenium pyrochlore (Pb₂Ru₂O_6.5) powders was developed. The synthesis was performed starting from a metal nitrate aqueous solution and N , N , N ', N ' tetramethylethylendiamine (TMEDA). The amine, which is a mild basic chelating agent, was able to control the simultaneous precipitation of lead and ruthenium oxo/hydroxides. For the sake of comparison, Pb₂Ru₂O_6.5 powders were prepared using the more conventional polymeric precursor method. The new method was effective for the synthesis of nanostructured Pb₂Ru₂O_6.5 powders already stable at 400°C and up to 1000°C.     

Epoxy formulation including an acrylic triblock copolymer adapted for use in filament winding

Commercial triblock copolymers with a poly(butyl acrylate) (PBuA) central block joined to two poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) end blocks (denoted as MAM) or to two random copolymers end blocks based on MMA and N,N′‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA) (denoted as MAM‐N), can be employed as toughening agents for thermoset composites. However, their use in epoxy formulations for filament winding, requiring low viscosities during the fiber‐impregnation step associated with an adequate glass transition temperature of the cured product is not trivial. In this study, we show that a blend of diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3′‐dimethyldicyclohexylmethane (3DCM) and benzylamine (BA), with 20% of amine hydrogens provided by BA, and containing 5 wt% MAM, can be used for these purposes. The addition of MAM increased the critical stress intensity factor from 0.63 MPa.m^1/2 to 1.0 MPa.m^1/2, the glass transition temperature from 138°C to 145°C, and the glassy modulus at 25°C from 2.95 GPa to 3.15 GPa. MAM was a better choice for the envisaged applications than MAM‐N because it led to solutions of lower viscosity. The higher viscosity produced by MAM‐N was explained by specific interactions between the epoxy‐amine solvent and DMA units present in its terminal blocks. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1153–1159, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Bone Health in Children with Rheumatic Disorders: Focus on Molecular Mechanisms,Diagnosis, and Management

Bone is an extremely dynamic and adaptive tissue, whose metabolism and homeostasis is influenced by many different hormonal, mechanical, nutritional, immunological and pharmacological stimuli. Genetic factors significantly affect bone health, through their influence on bone cells function, cartilage quality, calcium and vitamin D homeostasis, sex hormone metabolism and pubertal timing. In addition, optimal nutrition and physical activity contribute to bone mass acquisition in the growing age. All these factors influence the attainment of peak bone mass, a critical determinant of bone health and fracture risk in adulthood. Secondary osteoporosis is an important issue of clinical care in children with acute and chronic diseases. Systemic autoimmune disorders, like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, can affect the skeletal system, causing reduced bone mineral density and high risk of fragility fractures during childhood. In these patients, multiple factors contribute to reduce bone strength, including systemic inflammation with elevated cytokines, reduced physical activity, malabsorption and nutritional deficiency, inadequate daily calcium and vitamin D intake, use of glucocorticoids, poor growth and pubertal delay. In juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis is more prominent at the femoral neck and radius compared to the lumbar spine. Nevertheless, vertebral fractures are an important, often asymptomatic manifestation, especially in glucocorticoid-treated patients. A standardized diagnostic approach to the musculoskeletal system, including prophylaxis, therapy and follow up, is therefore mandatory in at risk children. Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in skeletal homeostasis and the influence of inflammation and chronic disease on bone metabolism.     

Clinical and Genetic Characterization of Patients with Bartter and Gitelman Syndrome

Bartter (BS) and Gitelman (GS) syndrome are autosomal recessive inherited tubulopathies, whose clinical diagnosis can be challenging, due to rarity and phenotypic overlap. Genotype–phenotype correlations have important implications in defining kidney and global outcomes. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic rate of whole-exome sequencing (WES) coupled with a bioinformatic analysis of copy number variations in a population of 63 patients with BS and GS from a single institution, and to explore genotype-phenotype correlations. We obtained a diagnostic yield of 86% (54/63 patients), allowing disease reclassification in about 14% of patients. Although some clinical and laboratory features were more commonly reported in patients with BS or GS, a significant overlap does exist, and age at onset, preterm birth, gestational age and nephro-calcinosis are frequently misleading. Finally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs in about 30% of patients with BS or GS, suggesting that the long-term prognosis can be unfavorable. In our cohort the features associated with CKD were lower gestational age at birth and a molecular diagnosis of BS, especially BS type 1. The results of our study demonstrate that WES is useful in dealing with the phenotypic heterogeneity of these disorders, improving differential diagnosis and genotype-phenotype correlation.     

Mechanisms Underlying Dichotomous Procoagulant COAT Platelet Generation—A Conceptual Review Summarizing Current Knowledge

Procoagulant platelets are a subtype of activated platelets that sustains thrombin generation in order to consolidate the clot and stop bleeding. This aspect of platelet activation is gaining more and more recognition and interest. In fact, next to aggregating platelets, procoagulant platelets are key regulators of thrombus formation. Imbalance of both subpopulations can lead to undesired thrombotic or bleeding events. COAT platelets derive from a common pro-aggregatory phenotype in cells capable of accumulating enough cytosolic calcium to trigger specific pathways that mediate the loss of their aggregating properties and the development of new adhesive and procoagulant characteristics. Complex cascades of signaling events are involved and this may explain why an inter-individual variability exists in procoagulant potential. Nowadays, we know the key agonists and mediators underlying the generation of a procoagulant platelet response. However, we still lack insight into the actual mechanisms controlling this dichotomous pattern (i.e., procoagulant versus aggregating phenotype). In this review, we describe the phenotypic characteristics of procoagulant COAT platelets, we detail the current knowledge on the mechanisms of the procoagulant response, and discuss possible drivers of this dichotomous diversification, in particular addressing the impact of the platelet environment during in vivo thrombus formation.