Characterization of nanodimensional Ni-Zn ferrite prepared by mechanochemical and thermal methods.

Nickel zinc ferrite nanoparticles, Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0), with dimensions below 10 nm have been prepared by combining chemical precipitation with high-energy ball milling. For comparison, their analogues obtained by thermal synthesis have also been studied. Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements are used for the characterization of the obtained materials. X-ray diffraction shows that after 3h of mechanical treatment ferrites containing zinc are formed, while 6h of treatment is needed to obtain NiFe2O4. The magnetic properties of the samples exhibit a strong dependence on the phase composition, particle size and preparation method

Midventricular variant of Takotsubo syndrome in a patient with threatening status epilepticus from simple motor seizures

We present a clinical case of a 70-year-old woman who was urgently admitted to the Department of Neurology with threatening status epilepticus from simple motor seizures in the right half of the face and right hand. Computed tomography of the head visualized a calcified extra axial round formation in the left posterofrontal, possibly a meningioma. On admission and during the symptomatic attacks, dynamic ECG changes were recorded with negative T waves precordially, as well as a dynamic increase in serum troponin. Echocardiography revealed hypokinesia involving the middle segments of the left ventricle. Coronary angiography was performed with no evidence of coronary disease. From the ventriculography hypokinesia of middle segments was found and measured EF 47%. Complex therapy with valproate, dexamethasone, mannitol and clonazepam, levetiracetam, acetizal, a statin and a beta-blocker was initiated. After controlling the epileptic seizures and diagnostic work-up of the cardiovascular status, the patient was referred for neurosurgical treatment of the tumor formation

Mössbauer and magnetic study of Co x Fe3−x O4 nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles of cobalt ferrites Co x Fe3−x O4 (x = 1 or 2) have been obtained either by mechanical milling or thermal treatment of pre-prepared layered double hydroxide carbonate x-LDH–CO3. Mechanical milling of the 1-LDH–CO3 leads to the large-scale preparation of nearly spherical nanoparticles of CoFe2O4, the size of which (5 to 20 nm) is controlled by the treatment time. Core-shell structure with surface spin-canting has been considered for the nanoparticles formed to explain the observed hysteresis loop shift (from ZFC–FC) in the magnetic properties. Annealing treatment of the 2-LDH–CO3 below 673 K results in the formation of nearly spherical pure Co2FeO4 nanoparticles. At 673 K and above, the LDH decomposition leads to the formation of a mixture of both spinels phases Co2FeO4 and CoFe2O4, the amount of the latter increases with annealing temperature. Unusually high magnetic hardness characterized by a 22 kOe coercive field at 1.8 K has been observed, which reflects the high intrinsic anisotropy for Co2FeO4

The upper critical field in superconducting MgB_2

The upper critical field Hc2(T) of sintered pellets of the recently discovered MgB_2 superconductor was investigated in magnetic fields up to 16 T. The upper critical field of the major fraction of the investigated sample was determined from ac susceptibility and resistance data and was found to increase up to Hc2(0) = 13 T at T = 0 corresponding to a coherence length of 5.0 nm. A small fraction of the sample exhibits higher upper critical fields which were measured both resistively and by dc magnetization measurements. The temperature dependence of the upper critical field, Hc2(T), shows a positive curvature near Tc and at intermediate temperatures. This positive curvature of Hc2(T) is similar to that found for the borocarbides YNi_2B_2C and LuNi_2B_2C indicating that MgB_2 is in the clean limit.Comment: 8 pages with 4 figure

Mössbauer study of nanodimensional nickel ferrite-mechanochemical synthesis and catalytic properties

Iron-nickel spinel oxide NiFe2O4 nanoparticles have been prepared by the combination of chemical precipitation and subsequent mechanical milling. For comparison, their analogue obtained by thermal synthesis is also studied. Phase composition and structural properties of iron-nickel oxides are investigated by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Their catalytic behavior in methanol decomposition to CO and methane is tested. An influence of the preparation method on the reduction and catalytic properties of iron-nickel samples is established

Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 13

This is the thirteenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Amaryllidaceae (incl. Alliaceae), Apocynaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Crassulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Gramineae, Hydrocharitaceae, Iridaceae, Labiatae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Orobanchaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papaveraceae, Pittosporaceae, Primulaceae (incl. Myrsinaceae), Ranunculaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae and Umbelliferae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Allium, Anthemis, Atriplex, Centaurea, Chasmanthe, Chenopodium, Delphinium, Digitaria, Elodea, Erigeron, Eucalyptus, Hypecoum, Leptorhabdos, Luffa, Malvaviscus, Melia, Melica, Momordica, Nerium, Oxalis, Pastinaca, Phelipanche, Physalis, Pittosporum, Salvia, Scorzoneroides, Sedum, Sesleria, Silene, Spartina, Stipa, Tulipa and Ziziphus, new combinations in Cyanus, Lysimachia, Rhaponticoides and Thliphthisa, and the reassessment of a replacement name in Sempervivum

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 13

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: brown alga Heribaudiella fluviatilis, red alga Batrachospermum skujae, saprotrophic fungus Gnomonia geranii-macrorrhizi, mycorrhizal fungi Amanita alseides and Russula griseascens, liverwort Ricciocarpos natans, moss Blindia acuta, Leucodon sciuroides var. morensis and Pseudostereodon procerrimus, monocots Allium ampeloprasum, Carex ferruginea and Carex limosa and dicots Convolvulus althaeoides, Fumana aciphylla, Hieracium petrovae, Lamium bifidum subsp. bifidum and Ranunculus fontanus are given within SE Europe and adjacent region

Impact of renal impairment on atrial fibrillation: ESC-EHRA EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and renal impairment share a bidirectional relationship with important pathophysiological interactions. We evaluated the impact of renal impairment in a contemporary cohort of patients with AF. Methods: We utilised the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry. Outcomes were analysed according to renal function by CKD-EPI equation. The primary endpoint was a composite of thromboembolism, major bleeding, acute coronary syndrome and all-cause death. Secondary endpoints were each of these separately including ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic event, intracranial haemorrhage, cardiovascular death and hospital admission. Results: A total of 9306 patients were included. The distribution of patients with no, mild, moderate and severe renal impairment at baseline were 16.9%, 49.3%, 30% and 3.8%, respectively. AF patients with impaired renal function were older, more likely to be females, had worse cardiac imaging parameters and multiple comorbidities. Among patients with an indication for anticoagulation, prescription of these agents was reduced in those with severe renal impairment, p <.001. Over 24 months, impaired renal function was associated with significantly greater incidence of the primary composite outcome and all secondary outcomes. Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship between eGFR and the primary outcome (HR 1.07 [95% CI, 1.01–1.14] per 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 decrease), that was most notable in patients with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 (HR 2.21 [95% CI, 1.23–3.99] compared to eGFR ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2). Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients with AF suffer from concomitant renal impairment which impacts their overall management. Furthermore, renal impairment is an independent predictor of major adverse events including thromboembolism, major bleeding, acute coronary syndrome and all-cause death in patients with AF

Clinical complexity and impact of the ABC (Atrial fibrillation Better Care) pathway in patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in AF General Long-Term Registry

Background: Clinical complexity is increasingly prevalent among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The ‘Atrial fibrillation Better Care’ (ABC) pathway approach has been proposed to streamline a more holistic and integrated approach to AF care; however, there are limited data on its usefulness among clinically complex patients. We aim to determine the impact of ABC pathway in a contemporary cohort of clinically complex AF patients. Methods: From the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry, we analysed clinically complex AF patients, defined as the presence of frailty, multimorbidity and/or polypharmacy. A K-medoids cluster analysis was performed to identify different groups of clinical complexity. The impact of an ABC-adherent approach on major outcomes was analysed through Cox-regression analyses and delay of event (DoE) analyses. Results: Among 9966 AF patients included, 8289 (83.1%) were clinically complex. Adherence to the ABC pathway in the clinically complex group reduced the risk of all-cause death (adjusted HR [aHR]: 0.72, 95%CI 0.58–0.91), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; aHR: 0.68, 95%CI 0.52–0.87) and composite outcome (aHR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.58–0.85). Adherence to the ABC pathway was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death (aHR: 0.74, 95%CI 0.56–0.98) and composite outcome (aHR: 0.76, 95%CI 0.60–0.96) also in the high-complexity cluster; similar trends were observed for MACEs. In DoE analyses, an ABC-adherent approach resulted in significant gains in event-free survival for all the outcomes investigated in clinically complex patients. Based on absolute risk reduction at 1 year of follow-up, the number needed to treat for ABC pathway adherence was 24 for all-cause death, 31 for MACEs and 20 for the composite outcome. Conclusions: An ABC-adherent approach reduces the risk of major outcomes in clinically complex AF patients. Ensuring adherence to the ABC pathway is essential to improve clinical outcomes among clinically complex AF patients

Impact of clinical phenotypes on management and outcomes in European atrial fibrillation patients: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in AF (EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry

Background: Epidemiological studies in atrial fibrillation (AF) illustrate that clinical complexity increase the risk of major adverse outcomes. We aimed to describe European AF patients\u2019 clinical phenotypes and analyse the differential clinical course. Methods: We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Ward\u2019s Method and Squared Euclidean Distance using 22 clinical binary variables, identifying the optimal number of clusters. We investigated differences in clinical management, use of healthcare resources and outcomes in a cohort of European AF patients from a Europe-wide observational registry. Results: A total of 9363 were available for this analysis. We identified three clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 3634; 38.8%) characterized by older patients and prevalent non-cardiac comorbidities; Cluster 2 (n = 2774; 29.6%) characterized by younger patients with low prevalence of comorbidities; Cluster 3 (n = 2955;31.6%) characterized by patients\u2019 prevalent cardiovascular risk factors/comorbidities. Over a mean follow-up of 22.5 months, Cluster 3 had the highest rate of cardiovascular events, all-cause death, and the composite outcome (combining the previous two) compared to Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 (all P <.001). An adjusted Cox regression showed that compared to Cluster 2, Cluster 3 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27\u20133.62; HR 3.42, 95%CI 2.72\u20134.31; HR 2.79, 95%CI 2.32\u20133.35), and Cluster 1 (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.48\u20132.38; HR 2.50, 95%CI 1.98\u20133.15; HR 2.09, 95%CI 1.74\u20132.51) reported a higher risk for the three outcomes respectively. Conclusions: In European AF patients, three main clusters were identified, differentiated by differential presence of comorbidities. Both non-cardiac and cardiac comorbidities clusters were found to be associated with an increased risk of major adverse outcomes