High activity in the dry reforming of methane using a thermally switchable double perovskite and in situ generated molecular level nanocomposite.

This work emphasizes the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction on citrate sol-gel-synthesized double perovskite oxides. Phase pure La2NiMnO6 shows very impressive DRM activity with H2/CO = 0.9, hence revealing a high prospect of next-generation catalysts. Although the starting double perovskite phase gets degraded into mostly binary oxide phases after a few hours of DRM activity, the activity continues up to 100 h. The regeneration of the original double perovskite out of decomposed phases by annealing at near synthesis temperature, followed by the spectacular retention of activity, is rather interesting and hitherto unreported. This result unravels unique reversible thermal switching between the original double perovskite phase and decomposed phases during DRM without compromising the activity and raises challenge to understand the role of decomposed phases evolved during DRM. We have addressed this unique feature of the catalyst via structure-property relationship using the in situ generated molecular level nanocomposite.

Engineering of Thermoelectric Composites Based on Silver Selenide in Aqueous Solution and Ambient Temperature.

The direct, solid state, and reversible conversion between heat and electricity using thermoelectric devices finds numerous potential uses, especially around room temperature. However, the relatively high material processing cost limits their real applications. Silver selenide (Ag2Se) is one of the very few n-type thermoelectric (TE) materials for room-temperature applications. Herein, we report a room temperature, fast, and aqueous-phase synthesis approach to produce Ag2Se, which can be extended to other metal chalcogenides. These materials reach TE figures of merit (zT) of up to 0.76 at 380 K. To improve these values, bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) particles also prepared in an aqueous solution are incorporated into the Ag2Se matrix. In this way, a series of Ag2Se/Bi2S3 composites with Bi2S3 wt % of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 are prepared by solution blending and hot-press sintering. The presence of Bi2S3 significantly improves the Seebeck coefficient and power factor while at the same time decreasing the thermal conductivity with no apparent drop in electrical conductivity. Thus, a maximum zT value of 0.96 is achieved in the composites with 1.0 wt % Bi2S3 at 370 K. Furthermore, a high average zT value (zTave) of 0.93 in the 300-390 K range is demonstrated.

Ni-Ru supported on CeO2 obtained by mechanochemical milling for catalytic hydrogen production from ammonia.

Developing active and stable catalysts for carbon-free hydrogen production is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change. Ammonia is a promising carbon-free hydrogen source, as it has a high hydrogen content and is liquid at low pressure, which allows its easy storage and transportation. We have recently developed a nickel-based catalyst with a small content of ruthenium supported on cerium oxide, which exhibits high activity and stability in ammonia decomposition. Here, we investigate mechanochemical milling for its synthesis, a faster and less energy-consuming technique than conventional ones. Results indicate that mechanochemical synthesis increases catalytic activity compared to the conventional incipient wetness impregnation method. The interaction between the metal precursors and the support is key in fine-tuning catalytic activity, which increases linearly with oxygen vacancies in the support. Moreover, the mechanochemical method modifies the oxidation state of Ni and Ru species, with a variation depending on the precursors.

Dynamic behaviour of platinum and copper dopants in gold nanoclusters supported on ceria catalysts.

Understanding the behaviour of active catalyst sites at the atomic level is crucial for optimizing catalytic performance. Here, the evolution of Pt and Cu dopants in Au25 clusters on CeO2 supports is investigated in the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction, using operando XAFS and DRIFTS. Different behaviour is observed for the Cu and Pt dopants during the pretreatment and reaction. The Cu migrates and builds clusters on the support, whereas the Pt creates single-atom active sites on the surface of the cluster, leading to better performance. Doping with both metals induces strong interactions and pretreatment and reaction conditions lead to the growth of the Au clusters, thereby affecting their catalytic behaviour. This highlights importance of understanding the behaviour of atoms at different stages of catalyst evolution. These insights into the atomic dynamics at the different stages are crucial for the precise optimisation of catalysts, which ultimately enables improved catalytic performance.

Gender differences in antithrombotic treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation from Spain versus the rest of Western Europe. GLORIA-AF Program

Background and objective:Thromboembolic risk is higher in women than men with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Published data indicate variability in antithrombotic use by gender and region. We analyzed gender-specific antithrombotic treatment patterns in Spain and rest of Western Europe (rWE) in patients with NVAF.Methods:GLORIA-AF (Phase III) is a global, prospective, observational study which enrolled newly diagnosed NVAF patients with CHA2DS2-VAScs≥1 (2014–2016). Analyses were performed comparing antithrombotic treatments by gender in Spain and rWE.Results:This analysis included 1163 and 7972 patients from Spain and rWE, respectively. Stroke risk was higher in women than men in both Spain and rWE. While in rWE, bleeding risk and antithrombotic treatment pattern were similar between genders, in Spain bleeding risk in women was lower and more females compared to men received OACs (95.0% versus 92.4%, d=−0.1078, respectively). Fewer Spanish patients received direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (women 32.1%, men 25.3%) than vitamin-K-antagonists (VKAs) (women 63.0%, men 67.1%) vs. rWE patients. In Spain women received more DOACs compared to men (56.0% versus 44.0%).Conclusions:OAC rates were higher in Spain as compared to rWE. More women received OACs in Spain, while in rWE no difference by gender was observed. DOACs in rWE are the most prescribed OAC while in Spain, due to prescription barriers, its use remains low for both genders and VKAs are preferred. Spanish women received more DOACs compared to men. (NCT01468701). (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo:El riesgo tromboembólico es mayor en mujeres que en varones con fibrilación auricular no valvular (FANV). Existen diferencias en el uso de anticoagulantes (ACO) según sexo y zona geográfica. Se estudiaron los patrones de anticoagulación por sexo en España y el resto de Europa Occidental (rEO) en pacientes con FANV.Métodos:GLORIA-AF es un estudio observacional prospectivo (fase III) que incluyó a pacientes con diagnóstico reciente de FANV y CHA2DS2-VASc>1 (2014-2016). Se analizó la prescripción de anticoagulantes por sexo en España y el rEO.Resultados:Se incluyó a 1.163 pacientes de España y 7.972 del rEO. El riesgo de ictus fue superior en mujeres tanto en España como en el rEO. El riesgo de hemorragia y el tratamiento antitrombótico fueron similares en ambos sexos en el rEO; en España, el riesgo de hemorragia fue menor en mujeres y estas recibieron más ACO que los varones (95,0% vs. 92,4%, d=–0,1078). En España, menos pacientes recibieron ACO directos (ACOD) (mujeres 32,1%, varones 25,3%) vs. antagonistas de la vitamina K (AVK) (mujeres 63,0%, varones 67,1%), y las mujeres recibieron más ACOD que los varones (56,0% vs. 44,0%).Conclusiones:En España se emplearon más ACO que en el rEO y más mujeres fueron tratadas con ACO, mientras que en el rEO no hubo diferencias por sexo. En el rEO, los ACOD se emplearon más. En España, los ACOD se emplean menos por restricciones de prescripción y se emplean más los AVK. Las mujeres españolas reciben más ACOD que los varones. (NCT01468701). (AU)

Comunicación de los resultados de la investigación observacional: análisis mediante la guía Strobe / The reporting of observational studies: analysis using the STROBE statement

Fundamento: En la publicación de la investigación biomédica se detectan deficiencias que han llevado a la aparición de guías cuyo seguimiento mejora la calidad de la comunicación. El objetivo del estudio es analizar el cumplimiento de los criterios de la Iniciativa Strobe para la publicación de estudios observacionales. Métodos: Análisis descriptivo transversal de los estudios observacionales de las áreas Cardiovascular y Metabolismo (CVM) publicados en 6 revistas españolas a lo largo de 2009 mediante la aplicación de los 34 puntos de la Iniciativa STROBE. Se describieron las frecuencias de las variables cualitativas y los estimadores muestrales y de dispersión de las variables cuantitativas. El análisis comparativo entre revistas se realizó mediante el test ANOVA (p<0,05). Resultados: En 2009 se publicaron 74 estudios observacionales en las revistas evaluadas. Los más frecuentes fueron estudios de cohortes 45 (60,8%) y transversales 28 (37,8%). En cuanto al objetivo principal, la mayoría fueron sobre patología 55 (74,3%), seguidos de fármacos e intervenciones no farmacológicas 15 (20,3%) y diagnóstico 4 (5,4%). La media de criterios cumplidos fue de 20 sobre 34 (DE±3,7), con un máximo de 24 (DE±2) en Gaceta Sanitaria y un mínimo de 19 (DE±2,8) en Hipertensión. Conclusiones: Solo algo más de la mitad de los artículos cumplían las recomendaciones de la Iniciativa STROBE. Los apartados de Resultados y Métodos fueron los que mostraron más carencias(AU)

Background: Deficiences detected in biomedical studies publication have led to develop different Guidelines to improve communication’s quality. The objective of the study is to assess the communication of observational studies of Cardiovascular and Metabolism therapeutic area (CVM) published in 6 Spanish journals in 2009 using the STROBE statement. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of articles related to CVMtherapeutic area, published during 2009 in 6 Spanish journals applying the 34 items of the STROBE statement. Descriptive analysis of the results for qualitative variables was performed using a frequency analysis. Quantitative variables were analyzed by sample estimates and dispersion. A comparative analysis of journals was performed using ANOVA with a statistical significance of p<0.05. Results: Throughout 2009, 74 CVM observational studies were published in the evaluated journals. The most frequent design were cohorts 45 (60.8%) and cross-sectional 28 (37.8%). The study main objective was on pathology 55 (74.3%), followed by drug and non-pharmacological interventions 15 (20.3%) and diagnosis 4 (5.4%). Themean of complied items was 20 on 34 (DE±3.7), with a maximum of 24 (DE±2) in Gaceta Sanitaria and a minimum of 19 (DE±2.8) in Hipertensión. Conclusions: Evaluated papers comply with slightly more than a half items (58%) of the STROBE recommendations. The Methods and Results sections showed more deficiencies(AU)

Influencia del cumplimiento asociado a la incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares y los costes en combinaciones a dosis fijas en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial / Influence of compliance on the incidence of cardiovascular events and health costs when using single-pill fixed-dose combinations for the treatment of hypertension

Fundamento y objetivo: Determinar la incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares (ECV) y costes sanitarios en función del cumplimiento, persistencia y control de la presión arterial, comparando pacientes consumidores de dosis-fijas (DF) frente a dosis-libres (DL) en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial (HTA).Pacientes y método: Diseño observacional-multicéntrico. Se incluyeron pacientes>30 años que iniciaron tratamiento farmacológico (año 2006). Se establecieron dos grupos de estudio: DF (inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina/diuréticos [IECA/DIU]; antagonistas de los receptores de angiotensina de tipo II [ARA II]/DIU) y DL (IECA+DIU; ARA II+DIU, por separado). Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, comorbilidad, parámetros bioquímicos, cumplimiento y persistencia (según criterios ESH-ESC). Se determinó la incidencia acumulada de ECV y un modelo de costes totales (diferenciando sanitarios/directos y no-sanitarios/indirectos). El seguimiento de los pacientes se realizó durante dos años. Se realizó un análisis estadístico que incluyó regresión-logística, riesgos proporcionales y ANCOVA. Resultados: Se reclutaron 1.605 pacientes, 1.112 (69,3%) en DF y 493 (30,7%) en DL (p<0,001). La edad media (DE) fue de 69,4 (12,2) años y un 55,5% eran mujeres. Las DF mostraron un mejor cumplimiento (77,6 frente a 71,9; p<0,001) y persistencia del tratamiento (62,1%, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 56,3-67,9%, frente al 49,7%, IC 95% 38,5-60,9%; p<0,001). El control óptimo de la presión arterial en DF fue superior (48,9% frente a 46,7%; p<0,001). La incidencia acumulada de accidente vasculocerebral en DL fue de 4,6% frente a 2,4% (p=0,041). El coste total fue menor (1.650,7 € frente a 1.674,8 €; p<0,001) en atención especializada (316,1 € frente a 382,9 €; p<0,001), ocasionando menos ingresos hospitalarios y pérdidas de productividad laboral (44,5 € frente a 88,4 €; p<0,001) (AU)

Background and objective: To determine the incidence of cardiovascular events (CVE) and health care costs in relation to compliance, persistence and level of blood pressure control when comparing patients treated with single-pill combinations (SPC) or free combinations (FC) for the treatment of hypertension. Patients and methods Observational, multicenter study that included patients>30 years old, from six primary care teams and two hospitals, who started pharmacological treatment for hypertension during 2006. Two study groups were established: SPC (ACEIs/diuretics; ARBs/diuretics) and FC (ACEIs+DIU; ARB+DIU, separately). Main variables studied were sociodemographic data, comorbidity, Charlson-index, compliance, persistence and achievement of therapeutic goals (ESH-ESC criteria). The cumulative incidence of CVE and a total-cost model were determined (differentiating: health/direct; non-health/indirect). Patients were followed for two years. Statistical analysis included logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards model and analysis of covariance. Statistical signification: p<0.05. Results: 1,605 patients were recruited, 1,112 (69.3%) receiving SPC and 493 (30.7%) receiving FC, p<0.001; mean age: 69.4 (12.2) years; women: 55.5%. FC treatments were associated with ischaemic heart disease (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0) and organ failure (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1), p<0.031. Patients on SPC showed better therapeutic compliance (77.6% vs 71.9%; p<0.001) and longer persistence of treatment (62.1% on-treatment at 24-months [95% CI: 56.3-67.9] vs 49.7% [95% CI: 38.5-60.9]; p<0.001). Optimal control of blood pressure was higher in SPC (48.9% [95% CI: 43.0-54.8] vs 46.7% [95% CI: 35.6-57.8]; p<0.001). Cumulative incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in FC was 4.6% vs 2.4% in SPC; p=0.041. The total health care costs were lower in SPC (1,650.7 € vs 1,674.8 €; p<0.001), including lower specialized care costs (316.1 € vs 382.9 €; p<0.001), fewer hospital admission (AU)

Organic matter in comets and cometary dust / Materia orgánica en cometas y polvo cometario

Comets are primitive conglomerates of the solar system containing amixture of frozen gases, refractory grains, and carbonaceous particles rich in biogenicelements. The dramatic display of comets is mostly caused by a cloud of micrometer-sized dust particles that leave the comet nucleus when frozen gases sublimateas they approach the Sun. Analyses of cometary dust captured in the stratospheretogether with data obtained from space missions to comets have revealed the presence of a great variety of organic molecules. Since substantial amounts of cometary dust were gently deposited on Earth, their organic content could have played a major role in prebiotic processes prior to the appearance of microorganisms. This review discusses the description and implications for life of the organic content of comets and cometary dust

Los cometas son conglomerados primitivos del sistema solar que contienen una mezcla de gases helados, granos refractarios y partículas carbonáceas ricas en elementos biogénicos. La apariencia espectacular de los cometas se debe principalmente a una nube de partículas micrométricas de polvo que abandonan el núcleo del cometa a medida que los gases helados se subliman al acercarse al Sol. Tanto el análisis de polvo cometario capturado en la estratosfera como las misiones espaciales a cometas han demostrado la presencia de una gran variedad de moléculas orgánicas. Dado que una cantidad importante de polvo cometario se depositó con suavidad en la Tierra, su contenido orgánico pudo desempeñar un papel importante en los procesos prebióticos previos a la aparición de microorganismos. Esta revisión se centra en la descripción de los compuestos orgánicos de cometas y polvo cometario, así como su posible relación con el origen de la vida

Organic matter in meteorites / Materia orgánica en meteoritos

Some primitive meteorites are carbon-rich objects containing a variety of organic molecules that constitute a valuable record of organic chemical evolution in the universe prior to the appearance of microorganisms. Families of compounds include hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, aminoacids, amines, amides, heterocycles, phosphonic acids, sulfonic acids, sugar-related compounds and poorly defined high-molecular weight macromolecules. A variety of environments are required in order to explain this organic inventory, including interstellar processes, gas-grain reactions operating in the solar nebula, and hydrothermal alteration of parent bodies. Most likely, substantial amounts of such organic materials were delivered to the Earth via a late accretion, thereby providing organic compounds important for the emergence of life itself, or that served asa feedstock for further chemical evolution. This review discusses the organic content of primitive meteorites and their relevance to the build up of biomolecules (AU)

Algunos meteoritos primitivos son objetos ricos en carbono con una gran variedad de moléculas orgánicas, lo que hace de ellos un registro muy valioso de la evolución química orgánica en el universo antes de la aparición de los microorganismos. Las familias de compuestos comprenden, entre otros, hidrocarburos, alcoholes, aldehídos, cetonas, ácidos carboxílicos, aminoácidos, aminas, amidas, heterociclos, ácidos fosfónicos, ácidos sulfónicos, compuestos relacionados con azúcares y macromoléculas poco definidas de alto peso molecular. Para explicar el origen de este material orgánico diverso, se requieren varios ambientes, tales como procesos interestelares, reacciones gas-sólido en la nebulosa solar y la alteración hidrotermal de los cuerpos asteroidales originales. Es muy probable que una gran cantidad de ese material orgánico llegara a la Tierra durante los últimos estadios de su formacióny que su presencia resultara crucial para el origen de la vida o que sirviesen como material nutritivo para una evolución química posterior. Esta revisión se centra en el contenido orgánico de los meteoritos más primitivos y ensu papel en la síntesis de biomoléculas (AU)