High-carbon steels have been used to high-strength steel wire and strands for prestressing concrete. The necessity of high-strength levels at increasingly larger diameters of wire rods is a technological challenge. Two steels with and without Nb were obtained in a steel mill, submitted to detailed microstructural (previous austenitic grain size, pearlite interlamellar spacing and colony size) and mechanical characterization through tensile tests and hardness. Hot torsion and dilatometry tests were performed to simulate steels processing and to verify the influence of Nb on phase transformation. Adding Nb to steel resulted in a refinement in austenitic grain size and pearlite colonies but had no effect on pearlitic interlamellar spacing. There was a decrease at the start transformation temperature austenite/pearlite and therefore an increase in the hardenability of the Nb-added steel. Finally, Nb addition proved to be a technical and economical way to increase tensile strength and to reduce the variability of the mechanical properties.

Abstract Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide; several risk factors have been identified as major underlying causes for developing this condition. Optic disc hemorrhage has been identified as a risk factor for the development and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma, as well it has been related to playing an important role in normal-tension glaucoma. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Colombia among hypertensive and diabetic patients. This study included 2,067 subjects older than 50 years who were attended by a group of ophthalmologists in six cities in Colombia who conducted a complete medical and ophthalmological examination and applied standardized questionnaires and interviews aiming to evaluate participant’s health conditions and lifestyles. Results: We found a prevalence of Optic disc hemorrhage (ODH) of 0.4%. ODH presented an OR: 8.82 (95% CI 1.60 - 48.52) for the presence of Glaucoma. Patients diagnosed with systemic hypertension had an OR: 0.02 (95% CI 0.00 - 0.96); Patients with Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defect (RNFL) presented an OR: 509.40 (95% CI 8.60 - 30152.97) for the presence of ODH and 50% of patients with ODH did not have a diagnosis of glaucoma. Conclusions: Despite the low prevalence of ODH in our study (0.4%), its presence is a High-risk factor for the presence of Glaucoma. RNFL defect is also highly related to ODH and the presence of Glaucoma.

Resumen Introducción: El glaucoma es una de las principales causas de ceguera irreversible a nivel mundial; varios factores de riesgo han sido identificados como las principales causas subyacentes para el desarrollo de esta condición. La hemorragia del disco óptico se ha identificado como un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo y progresión del glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto, así como también se ha relacionado con desempeñar un papel importante en el glaucoma de tensión normal. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en Colombia entre pacientes hipertensos y diabéticos. Este estudio incluyó a 2.067 sujetos mayores de 50 años que fueron atendidos por un grupo de oftalmólogos en seis ciudades de Colombia, quienes realizaron un examen médico y oftalmológico completo y aplicaron cuestionarios y entrevistas estandarizados con el fin de evaluar las condiciones de salud y estilos de vida de los participantes. Resultados: Encontramos una prevalencia de hemorragia del disco óptico (HDO) del 0,4%. ODH presentó un OR: 8,82 (IC 95% 1,60 - 48,52) para la presencia de Glaucoma. Los pacientes diagnosticados de hipertensión sistémica tuvieron OR: 0,02 (IC 95% 0,00 - 0,96); Los pacientes con Defecto de la Capa de Fibras Nerviosas de la Retina (RNFL) presentaron un OR: 509,40 (IC 95% 8,60 - 30152,97) para la presencia de ODH y el 50% de los pacientes con ODH no tenían diagnóstico de glaucoma. Conclusiones: A pesar de la baja prevalencia de HDO en nuestro estudio (0,4%), su presencia es un factor de alto riesgo para la presencia de Glaucoma. El defecto de la RNFL también está muy relacionado con la ODH y la presencia de glaucoma.

Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccines comprise a family of related strains. Whole genome sequencing has allowed the better characterisation of the differences between many of the BCG vaccines. As sequencing technologies improve, updating of publicly available sequence data becomes common practice. We hereby announce the draft genome of four commonly used BCG vaccines in Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.