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Neurosurgery is a therapeutic option for patients with refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder who do not respond to previous treatments. Although its efficacy in reducing clinical symptomatology has been proven, few studies have analyzed its effects at the cognitive level. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the cognitive outcomes of functional neurosurgery in patients that went through capsulotomies or cingulotomies. PubMed, Medline, Scopus, PsycInfo, PsyArticles, and Web of Knowledge were searched for studies reporting cognitive outcomes in refractory obsessive–compulsive patients after capsulotomies and cingulotomies. The risk of bias was assessed with the Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies With No Control Group tool; 13 studies met inclusion criteria, including 205 refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder patients for both surgical procedures. Results showed a substantial number of studies that did report significant cognitive improvement after surgery, being this improvement specially related to memory and executive functions. The second-most frequent finding is the maintenance of cognitive performance (nor improvement or worsening). From a neuropsychological point of view, this outcome might be considered a success, given that it is accompanied by amelioration of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Subtle cognitive adverse effects have also been reported. Neurosurgery procedures appear to be safe from a cognitive point of view. Methodological issues must be improved to draw clearer conclusions, but capsulotomies and cingulotomies constitute an effective alternative treatment for refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, the steelmaking industry produces millions of tons of slags resulting in pollution to the environment. Among the waste, secondary metals and scales rich in iron oxides are also thrown away. There is a need to treat the steel waste in a reasonably way to protect the environment and proposing new cheap technologies for producing advanced materials. In this study we report the morphological and structural characterization of waste scales generated during roll milling steel process at JSC "Arcelor Mittal Temirtau". The raw slag and annealed at 1000 °C were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy adapted with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM- EDX), magnetometry and Mössbauer Spectroscopy (MS). Fe and O were detected by EDX as main chemical elements and Si, S, Ca, Mg, C and Al as minimal elemental composition. XDR for the raw sample revealed α-Fe2O3 (hematite) and Fe3O4 (magnetite) as principal and secondary phase, respectively; whereas monophasic α-Fe2O3 is detected for the scales annealed at 1000 °C. Magnetometry measurements show the Verwey transition for the raw sample and the Morin transition for the annealed at 1000 °C; those are fingerprints for the presence of magnetite and hematite, respectively. MS measurements for the raw sample consist of 6 small peaks of absorption and a broad two-lines absorption peak in the central part. The doublets are associated to the hyperfine parameters belonging to wustite. Magnetite is related to the hyperfine parameters for two sextets in octahedral Fe2.5+ and tetrahedral Fe3+sites and a small sextet that resembles the Mössbauer parameters of α-Fe2O3. Only a well crystallized and weakly ferromagnetic sextet confirm the presence of α-Fe2O3 phase for the sample annealed at 1000 °C due to thermal oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary process in an electrical arc furnace (EAF) during industrial steelmaking results in tons of black slags which cause pollution to the environment. In this work, the iron oxides of black slags generated in the EAF from the SIDERPERU plant, Peru was reduced via the carbothermal reaction. The reduction of the black slag to α-Fe is demonstrated by X-ray diffraction, Mӧssbauer spectroscopy and magnetometry. However, phases with calcium and silicon persist in the sample after the carbothermal process. The thermodynamic calculations of the most probable reactions sequence were performed to understand the reduction process. The magnetometry measurements confirm the presence of ferromagnetic domains, supporting the success of the reduction of the black slag to α-Fe. The reduced black slags were recycled into a HRB335 steel rod by consolidation and extrusion processes and inspected by X-ray fluorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tons of waste is produced during iron steel's industrial production, creating environmental pollution. This work aims to characterize the steel scale formed on the billet surface during the last step of steel production in the SIDERPERU steel plant. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) shows stacked layers one above the other on steel billets scales surface. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) reveal the high content of Fe and O, with Ca, Si, Mn, and Cr as minority elemental compounds. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) shows FeO, α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 as crystallographic phases. Magnetometry reveals Verwey transition and paramagnetic signals that screen the Morin transition. Mössbauer Spectroscopy at room temperature displays magnetic and non-magnetic parts. The non-magnetic part has the hyperfine parameters corresponding to predominant nonstoichiometric wustite. Octahedral (Fe+2/Fe3+) and tetrahedral Fe+3 hyperfine fields of 46.0 and 49.4 T values respectively are associated to nonstoichiometric magnetite and another sextet with a hyperfine field of 52.0 T is related to hematite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A small percentage of patients will develop a severe form of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, it is important to predict the potential outcomes identifying early markers of poor prognosis. In this context, we evaluated the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with lipid abnormalities and their role in prognosis. Methods: Single-center, retrospective, observational study of COVID-19 patients admitted from March to October 2020. Clinical and laboratory data, comorbidities, and treatments for COVID-19 were evaluated. Main outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality were analyzed with a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: We selected 1489 from a total of 2038 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19, who had a complete lipid profile before ICU admission. During the follow-up performed in 1109 patients, we observed a decrease in T-c, HDL-c, and LDL-c in 28.6%, 42.9%, and 30.4% of patients, respectively, and an increase in TG in 76.8%. The decrease of both T-c and HDL- c was correlated with a decrease in albumin levels (r = 0.39 and r = 0.37, respectively). Kaplan–Meier survival curves found an increased ICU admission in patients with lower T-c (HR 0.55, CI 0.36–0.86), HDL-c (HR 0.61, CI 0.45–0.84), and LDL-c (HR 0.85, CI 0.74–0.97). Higher values of T-c (HR 0.45, CI 0.36–0.57), HDL-c (HR 0.66, CI 0.54–0.81), and LDL-c (HR 0.86, CI 0.78–0.94) showed a protective effect on mortality. Conclusions: Abnormalities in lipid profile are a frequent complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection and might be related to morbidity and mortality. Funding: Proyectos de Investigación en Salud (FIS) and cofinanced by FEDER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Aims of this study are to evaluate the current terminology and assess the influence of the latest proposals on the terminology used for Achilles tendon-related disorders in both daily practice and literature. Methods: (1) All orthopedic surgeons experienced in the field of foot and ankle surgery of the Ankleplatform Study Group were invited to participate in this survey by email. They were requested to fill out a survey on terminology in six typical cases with Achilles tendon-related disorders. (2) A systematic literature search of Achilles tendon-related disorders was performed in eight foot and ankle journals in Medline, Embase (Classic) from 2000 to 2016. All extracted terms were counted and compared to the terminology proposals, based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology. Results: (1) In total, 141 of the 283 (50%) orthopedic surgeons responded to the survey. In five out of six cases with Achilles tendon-related disorders, the majority gave an answer according to latest proposals. (2) An overview of terminology used for Achilles tendon-related disorders from 2000 to 2016 shows an increase in use of terminology according to the latest proposals based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology. Conclusion: The revised terminology for Achilles tendon-related disorders based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology is used by the majority of orthopedic surgeons and is increasingly used in the literature. However, the indistinct Haglund eponyms are still frequently used in Achilles tendon-related terminology. Level of evidence: Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The texture and magnetic anisotropy of a YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) film growth onto a MgO substrate are analyzed in order to understand the relation between them. X-ray diffraction shows the presence of the (00l) reflections from the YBCO layer with a grain's fraction value 98%. Rocking Curves (RC) measurements reveal an out-of-plane texture with a full width at the half maximum of 0.81°, revealing a high uniaxial texture in the YBCO film. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility measurements obtained under many applied fields along Hext ||c-axis and Hext||ab-plane reveals strong relationship between the uniaxial texture and the magnetic anisotropy, confirming the high ordering of the CuO2 superconducting planes. In addition, the critical current density values are obtained from the hysteresis loops and compared to similar YBCO films with uniaxial and biaxial texture reported elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a pleiotropic transcription factor that has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, regulating more than 250 genes. As NRF2, cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is also implicated in the preservation of neurons against glia-driven inflammation. To this concern, little is known about the regulation pathways implicated in CB2 receptor expression. In this study, we analyze whether NRF2 could modulate the transcription of CB2 in neuronal and microglial cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed an antioxidant response element in the promoter sequence of the CB2 receptor gene. Further analysis by chemical and genetic manipulations of this transcription factor demonstrated that NRF2 is not able to modulate the expression of CB2 in neurons. On the other hand, at the level of microglia, the expression of CB2 is NRF2-dependent. These results are related to the differential levels of expression of both genes regarding the brain cell type. Since modulation of CB2 receptor signaling may represent a promising therapeutic target with minimal psychotropic effects that can be used to modulate endocannabinoid-based therapeutic approaches and to reduce neurodegeneration, our findings will contribute to disclose the potential of CB2 as a novel target for treating different pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The revised European consensus on sarcopenia definition and diagnosis (EWGSOP2) includes the SARC-F questionnaire, the most valid and consistent sarcopenia screening tool, as the mandatory first step. Our aim was the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the SARC-F questionnaire as a culturally-responsive Spanish-language version for the European population. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study, applying the two-step WHO methodology for translation and cross-cultural adaptation of health questionnaires, and harmonization with the Mexican-Spanish version. European Union Geriatric Medicine Society recommendations for SARC-F validation in European languages were considered. Participants: Outpatient clinics of a university hospital. Inclusion criteria: stable, ambulatory (including aids), community-dwelling population ≥65 years old. Main outcome measures: The self-reported 5-item SARC-F questionnaire was administered; scores ≥4 indicated sarcopenia. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy-likelihood ratios, predictive values, and kappa statistics were calculated and consecutively compared with European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and EWGSOP2 criteria. Results: This Spanish version, administered in an average 70s, has adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha=0.779). For the validation study, 90 (43.3%) of 208 potentially eligible subjects (81.4 ± 5.9 years old, 75.6% women) were included. SARC-F identified 51 (56.7%) subjects with sarcopenia and 39 (43.3%) without the disease. Prevalence was 17.8% per EWGSOP and 25.6% per EWGSOP2 (58% accuracy and fair agreement: sensitivity, 783%; specificity, 50.8%). Conclusions: SARC-F is a feasible tool, suitable for bedside assessment in community-dwelling older patients. Wide diffusion of this culturally-responsible SARC-F Spanish version is expected as EWGSOP2 is adopted and sarcopenia assessment is broadly implemented in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic and environmental benefits may be obtained by extracting certain resources from industrial waste instead of natural sources. Flue dust from Cu smelting is a potential source of Ge, since relatively high contents of this element may be present in Cu-sulphide ores. This study focuses on evaluating Cu smelting flue dust as a potential source of valuable elements. Chemical and mineralogical characterisation of Chilean Cu flue dust and the leaching potential of Ge (and other elements) were performed with different chemical leaching agents. Cu smelting flue dust presents fine particle size with high enrichment of small crystals, mainly composed of As, S, Pb, Zn and Cu minerals (sulphides and sulphates). Extraction with water revealed Li, Rb and Ge yields between 97.2 and 100 %, suggesting their occurrence as soluble species. In view of the high leaching yield achieved, Cu smelting flue dust may be considered a promising material for the extraction and recovery of Ge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Temporal trends in hip fracture incidence have recently been reported in some developed countries. Such data in Spain has previously been incomplete; this study reports the stratified incidence of hip fractures in people over 65 in Spain during the last 14 years. Introduction: The main objective is to establish whether temporal trends in hip fracture incidence in Spain exist. Methods: Ecological study with data from hospital discharges nationwide. The study includes patients aged ≥65 years during a 14-year period (1997-2010). The analysis compares two periods of four years: 1997-2000 (P1) and 2007-2010 (P2). Results: There were 119,857 fractures in men and 415,421 in women. Comparing periods (P1 vs P2) over 10 years, the crude incidence rate/100,000 inhabitant/year increased an average of 2.3 %/year in men and 1.4 % in women. After adjustment, the rate increased an average of 0.4 %/year in men ( p < 0.0001), but decreased 0.2 %/year in women ( p < 0.0001). In men, younger than 85, the decrease was not significant except in 70-74 years, and from 80 years, the adjusted rate increases significantly ( p < 0.0001). In women under 80 years of age, the decrease in adjusted rate was significant; there was no change in 80-84 years, and the adjusted rate increased significantly in individuals 85 years and older ( p < 0.0001). Mortality rates declined by 22 % in both sexes, and the index of overaging population rises 30.1 % in men and 25.2 % in women. Conclusions: This study supports other international studies by showing changes in the incidence of hip fractures after age-population adjustment, which denotes a decrease in the younger age groups and among women and shows an increase in both groups over 85 years. The increase in the crude incidence rate of hip fracture in Spain reflects changes in population structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study the magnetic properties of the bcc lattice via site-diluted Ising model, using the operator differential technique by employing effective field theory. The results obtained here were applied to the study of the magnetic properties of Fe-Al alloys. We propose that only ferromagnetic interaction among nearest-neighbors Fe-Fe and the dependence of the exchange parameter with the aluminum concentration is quadratic. The results for the spontaneous magnetization coincides very well with the experimental data. The critical temperature as a function of aluminum concentration qualitatively describes the experimental phase diagram. We obtain the exchange interaction which is very close to that obtained using the Bogoulibov inequality and renormalization group technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interdigital tissue regression during embryonic development is one of the most representative model systems of morphogenetic cell death, but the degenerative cascade accounting for this process awaits clarification. Although the canonical apoptotic caspase pathway appears to be activated in the interdigital mesenchyme committed to die, neither genetic nor chemical blockage of caspases or their downstream effectors, is sufficient to prevent cell death. Hence, alternative and/or complementary dying pathways must also be responsible for this degenerative process. In this work we have chosen to study the endonucleases during the regression of the interdigital tissue of avian embryos to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms accounting for programmed cell death in this system. We show that caspase activated DNase, which is a neutral DNase associated with the caspase apoptotic pathway, appears to be the main endonuclease only at an initial phase of interdigit regression. However at peak stages of the degenerative process, the acidic DNases L-DNase II and lysosomal DNase IIB become predominant in the system and markers for cell autophagy become moderately up-regulated. Consistent with the activation of acidic endonucleases we observed that microenvironmental pH value in the interdigits decreased to levels only appropriate for acidic enzymes. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of lysosomal DNase IIB in embryonic limb mesoderm promoted cell death, which was also accompanied by up-regulation and activation of L-DNase II. Up-regulation of acidic DNases was maintained in interdigits explanted to culture dishes, where the participation of exogenous professional phagocytes of hematopoietic origin is avoided. Finally, and consistent with all our findings, up-regulation of acidic DNases was much reduced in the webbed interdigits of duck embryos, characterized by a rudimentary interdigital degenerative process. We conclude that the regression of the interdigital tissue involves a coordinated and sequential activation of the caspase and lysosomal degenerative molecular cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adult heart displays a low proliferation capacity, compromising its function if exposed to distinct biological insults. Interestingly, the observation that an increasing number of cell types display an unpredicted cellular plasticity has opened new therapeutical avenues. In this review we will summarize the current knowledge of non-resident stem cells that can be putatively used for cardiac regeneration. At present, bone marrow stem cells have been extensively studied as a cellular source to heal the heart; however, their myocardial contribution is highly limited. Experimental studies have demonstrated that skeletal myoblasts can engraft into the heart, although, unfortunately, they lead to myocardial uncoupling. Embryonic stem cells can spontaneously generate cardiomyocytes that exhibit a variety of electrophysiological phenotypes. Several constrains should nonetheless be overcome before entering the clinical arena, such as the ability to direct and control the generation of cardiomyocytes into a single myocardial lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the magnetism properties on single crystal of CaFeMoO double perovskite prepared by a floating zone technique. This high quality material has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and magnetic measurements. The field dependence of the magnetization at 5 K, 100 K, and 300 K suggest a ferrimagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetic moment of approximately 2.1 μ, 2.0 μ, and 1.4 μ per formula unit, respectively. From dc susceptibility, we observed two magnetic transitions at T=380 K (paramagnetic-ferrimagnetic) and T=336 K (orthorhombic-monoclinic phase). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of magnetization and magnetocaloric effect for the SmMnO compound. This compound was synthesized by combustion reaction and its magnetic and structural properties studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and magnetization ( M) measurements as a function of temperature and under magnetic fields. The XRD pattern at room temperature confirmed the presence of a single phase with orthorhombic structure. From magnetization versus temperature, we observe two magnetic orderings, the first one at 6 K due to Sm, and the other one at T=57(2) K is the anti-ferromagnetic long-range ordering. The magnetic entropy change, Δ S, was obtained from magnetization isotherms close to T where it reaches a maximum value of about 8.0 J/kg K for an applied field of 7 T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report magnetization and ac susceptibility as functions of the temperature and frequency for CuCrO spinel oxide from 2 K to 300 K. Bulk CuCrO crystallizes at room temperature in a tetragonal distorted spinel and above 865 K its structure is cubic spinel; distortion is caused by Jahn-Teller Cu ions. The magnetization data of the polycrystalline sample indicates ferrimagnetic order below T=122 K. Magnetization isotherm resulted in an average magnetic moment of 0.08 μ/f.u. at 2 K values lowest to expected value. This discrepancy can be explained assuming a triangular configuration of spins Cr and Cu. The ferromagnetic phase of the sample does not show glassy behavior. Its magnetic response can be explained simply from the domain wall dynamics of otherwise homogeneous ferrimagnet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]