Layer engineering in optoelectronic and photonic properties of single and few layer phosphorene using first-principles calculations

Developing devices for optoelectronic and photonic applications-based nanomaterials has been one of the most critical challenges in the last decade. In this work, we use first-principles density functional theory combined with non-equilibrium Green's function to highlight for the first time the sensitivity of optoelectronic and photonic properties toward the exfoliation process. All the studied structures were relaxed and their relevant phonon modes confirm the high structural stability. The obtained phosphorene layers remained semiconducting with a direct band gap like the respective bulk structure with 10 layers. We also examined the effects of the thickness on the electron-hole interaction by calculating absorption energy combined with electron relaxation lifetimes. Additionally, we explore the optoelectronic properties, which can also be influenced by the exfoliation. Finally, we found that the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic shows higher sensitivity toward the bulk structure than the other 2D forms of phosphorene structures, meaning that the Schottky barrier at the interface of the bulk phosphorene is much lower than mono, and few layer phosphorene.

The Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles Morphologies on the Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Anode materials based on the TiO2 nanoparticles of different morphologies were prepared using the hydrothermal method and characterized by various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and N2 absorption. The TiO2 nanoparticles prepared were used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and their electrochemical properties were tested using discharging/charging measurements. The results showed that the initial morphology of the nanoparticles plays a minor role in battery performance after the first few cycles and that better capacity was achieved for TiO2 nanobelt morphology. The sharp drop in the specific capacity of LIB during their first cycles is examined by considering changes in the morphology of TiO2 particles and their porosity properties in terms of size and connectivity. The performance of TiO2 anode materials has also been assessed by considering their phase.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 containment on CADASIL patients

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 restrictive containment was responsible for major psychological distress and alteration of quality of life (QoL) in the general population. Their impact in a group of patients having cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and at high risk of stroke and disability was unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the potential psychological impact of strict containment during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of CADASIL patients, a rare SVD caused by NOTCH3 gene mutations.

METHODS

Interviews of 135 CADASIL patients were obtained just after the end of the strict containment in France. Depression, QoL and negative subjective experience of the containment were analysed, as well as predictors of posttraumatic and stressor-related manifestations, defined as an Impact Event Scale-Revised score ≥ 24, using multivariable logistic analysis.

RESULTS

Only 9% of patients showed a depressive episode. A similar proportion had significant posttraumatic and stressor-related disorder manifestations independently associated only with socio-environment factors, rather than clinical ones: living alone outside a couple (OR 7.86 (1.87-38.32), unemployment (OR 4.73 (1.17-18.70)) and the presence of 2 or more children at home (OR 6.34 (1.35-38.34).

CONCLUSION

Psychological impact of the containment was limited in CADASIL patients and did not appear related to the disease status. About 9% of patients presented with significant posttraumatic and stressor-related disorder manifestations which were predicted by living alone, unemployment, or exhaustion related to parental burden.

Synthesis of TiO2 Nanobelt Bundles Decorated with TiO2 Nanoparticles and Aggregates and Their Use as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

TiO₂ nanobelt bundles decorated with TiO₂ aggregates were prepared using an easy and scalable hydrothermal method at various temperatures (170, 190, 210, and 230 °C). It was demonstrated that the synthesis temperature is a key parameter to tune the number of aggregates on the nanobelt surface. Prepared TiO₂ aggregates and nanobelt bundles were used to design anode materials in which the aggregates regulated the pore size and connectivity of the interconnected nanobelt bundle structure. A galvanostatic technique was employed for the electrochemical characterization of TiO₂ samples. Using TiO₂ as a model material due to its small volume change during the cycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the relationship between the morphology of the anode materials and the capacity retention of the LIBs on cycling is discussed. It was clearly found that the size and connectivity of the pores and the specific surface area had a striking impact on the Li insertion behavior, lithium storage capability, and cycling performance of the batteries. The initial irreversible capacity was shown to increase as the specific surface area increased. As the pore size increased, the ability of the mesoporous anatase to release strain was stronger, resulting in better cycling stability. The TiO₂ powder prepared at a temperature of 230 °C displayed the highest discharge and charge capacities (203.3 mAh/g and 140.8 mAh/g) and good cycling stability.

Effects of Adsorbate Diffusion and Edges in a Transition from Particle to Dendritic Morphology during Silver Electrodeposition

During silver electrodeposition on Au nanoparticle (NP)-covered highly oriented pyrolitic graphite, a transition from an initial growth of microsized particles to the growth of dendrites with pine tree shape (nanotrees) is observed, which is an advancement for material growth with hierarchical surface roughness. Using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of an electrodeposition model, those results are explained by the interplay of diffusive cation flux in the electrolyte and relaxation of adsorbed atoms by diffusion on quenched crystal surfaces. First, simulations on NP-patterned substrates show the initial growth of faceted silver particles, followed by the growth of nanotrees with shapes similar to the experiments. Next, simulations on electrodes with large prebuilt particles explain the preferential nanotree growth at corners and edges as a tip effect. Simulations on wide flat electrodes relate the nanotree width with two model parameters describing surface diffusion of silver atoms: maximal number of random hops (G) and probability of hop per neighbor (P). Finally, simulations with small electrode seeds confirm the transition from initially compact particles to the nucleation of nanotrees and provide estimates of the transition sizes as a function of those parameters. The simulated compact and dendritic deposits show dominant (111) surface orientation, as observed in experiments. Extrapolations of simulation results to match microparticle and nanotree sizes lead to G = 4 × 10¹¹ and P = 0.03, suggesting to interpret those sizes as diffusion lengths on the growing surfaces and giving diffusion coefficients 2 to 3 × 10^-13 m²/s for deposited silver atoms. These results may motivate studies to relate diffusion coefficients with atomic-scale interactions.

A Micropowered Chemoresistive Sensor Based on a Thin Alumina Nanoporous Membrane and SnxBikMoyOz Nanocomposite

This work presents and discusses the design of an efficient gas sensor, as well as the technological process of its fabrication. The optimal dimensions of the different sensor elements including their deformation were determined considering the geometric modeling and the calculated moduli of the elasticity and thermal conductivity coefficients. Multicomponent Sn_xBi_kMo_yO_z thin films were prepared by ionic layering on an anodic alumina membrane and were used as gas-sensitive layers in the sensor design. The resistance of the Sn_xBi_kMo_yO_z nanostructured film at temperatures up to 150 °C exceeded 10⁶ Ohm but decreased to 10⁴ Ohm at 550 °C in air. The sensitivity of the Sn_xBi_kMo_yO_z composite to concentrations of 5 and 40 ppm H₂ at 250 °C (10 mW) was determined to be 0.22 and 0.40, respectively.

The Epidermal Growth Factor Domain of the Mutation Does Not Appear to Influence Disease Progression in CADASIL When Brain Volume and Sex Are Taken into Account

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

By studying the evolution of brain volume across the life span in male and female patients, we aimed to understand how sex, brain volume, and the epidermal growth factor repeat domain of the mutation, the 3 major determinants of disability in CADASIL, interact in driving disease evolution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used validated methods to model the evolution of normalized brain volume with age in male and female patients using nonparametric regression in a large, monocentric cohort with prospectively collected clinical and high-resolution MR imaging data. We used k-means clustering to test for the presence of different clinical course profiles.

RESULTS

We included 229 patients (mean age, 53 [SD, 12] years; 130 women). Brain volume was larger in women (mean size, 1024 [SD, 62] cm³ versus 979 [SD, 50] cm³; P < .001) and decreased regularly. In men, the relationship between brain volume and age unexpectedly suggested an increase in brain volume around midlife. Cluster analyses showed that this finding was related to the presence of a group of older male patients with milder symptoms and larger brain volumes, similar to findings of age-matched women. This group did not show specific epidermal growth factor repeat domain distribution.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a detrimental effect of male sex on brain volume throughout life in CADASIL. We identified a subgroup of male patients whose brain volume and clinical outcomes were similar to those of age-matched women. They did not have a specific distribution of the epidermal growth factor repeat domain, suggesting that yet-unidentified predictors may interact with sex and brain volume in driving disease evolution.

Spatially Ordered Matrix of Nanostructured Tin-Tungsten Oxides Nanocomposites Formed by Ionic Layer Deposition for Gas Sensing

The process of layer-by-layer ionic deposition of tin-tungsten oxide films on smooth silicon substrates and nanoporous anodic alumina matrices has been studied. To achieve the film deposition, solutions containing cationic SnF₂ or SnCl₂ and anionic Na₂WO₄ or (NH₄)₂O·WO₃ precursors have been used. The effect of the solution compositions on the films deposition rates, morphology, composition, and properties was investigated. Possible mechanisms of tin-tungsten oxide films deposition into the pores and on the surface of anodic alumina are discussed. The electro-physical and gas-sensitive properties of nanostructured Sn_xW_yO_z films have been investigated. The prepared nanocomposites exhibit stable semiconductor properties characterized by high resistance and low temperature coefficient of electrical resistance of about 1.6 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹. The sensitivity of the Sn_xW_yO_z films to 2 and 10 ppm concentrations of ammonia at 523 K was 0.35 and 1.17, respectively. At concentrations of 1 and 2 ppm of nitrogen dioxide, the sensitivity was 0.48 and 1.4, respectively, at a temperature of 473 K. At the temperature of 573 K, the sensitivity of 1.3 was obtained for 100 ppm of ethanol. The prepared nanostructured tin-tungsten oxide films showed promising gas-sensitivity, which makes them a good candidate for the manufacturing of gas sensors with high sensitivity and low power consumption.

Large-Scale Synthesis Route of TiO2 Nanomaterials with Controlled Morphologies Using Hydrothermal Method and TiO2 Aggregates as Precursor

TiO2 of controlled morphologies have been successfully prepared hydrothermally using TiO2 aggregates of different sizes. Different techniques were used to characterize the prepared TiO2 powder such as XRD, XPS, FEGSEM, EDS, and HRTEM. It was illustrated that the prepared TiO2 powders are of high crystallinity with different morphologies such as nanobelt, nanourchin, and nanotube depending on the synthesis conditions of temperature, time, and additives. The mechanism behind the formation of prepared morphologies is proposed involving nanosheet intermediate formation. Furthermore, it was found that the nanoparticle properties were governed by those of TiO2 nanoparticles aggregate used as a precursor. For example, the size of prepared nanobelts was proven to be influenced by the aggregates size used as a precursor for the synthesis.

Evaluation of Clinical Trials in Onco-haematology: A New Method Based on Risk Analysis and Multidisciplinarity

BACKGROUND

European member states are increasingly vying with one another to recruit patients for clinical trials (CTs). The French national agency for medicines (ANSM) now receives an ever-growing number of CTs, extending response times. The aim of the new methodology presented herein is to reduce assessment times below the national mandatory timeframe of 60 days and to improve patient safety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on an analysis of the criteria defining CTs, 4 key points were identified (safety, fragile population, loss of opportunity, design complexity) to build a criticality score which would determine evaluation type. This score also determines the resources needed (complete evaluation, multidisciplinary advice, ad hoc evaluation) and the timeframe required for appropriate analysis. All post-phase I CTs were analysed from the implementation of the new assessment method, on 01/02/2018 through to 31/12/2019.

RESULTS

447 CTs were analysed (63% industry and 37% academic sponsors). Based on a criticality scale, 27% of the CTs received a type A evaluation (complete), 37% a type B (multidisciplinary evaluation), 23% a type C evaluation (ad hoc evaluation) and 13% a type D evaluation (fast evaluation). From 2014 to 2017, 37% of the CTs were analysed within the mandatory timeframe, with a mean of 68 days, reaching a maximum of 102 days in 2017. Using this new assessment method, 92% of CTs respected the mandatory timeframe in 2019; the mean time in 2018-2019 was 34 days; Grounds for Non-Acceptance (GNA) were raised for 66% of the CTs (69% from academic sponsors and 65% from industrial firms). 3 CTs were refused.

CONCLUSION

Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of risk analysis and multidisciplinarity method, which resulted in a dramatic improvement of assessment times.

Different Electrochemical Sensor Designs Based on Diazonium Salts and Gold Nanoparticles for Pico Molar Detection of Metals

We report a comparison of sensors’ performance of different hybrid nanomaterial architectures modifying an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode surface. Diazonium salts and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used as building units to design hybrid thin films of successive layers on the ITO electrode surface. Different architectures of hybrid thin films were prepared and characterized with different techniques, such as TEM, FEG-SEM, XPS, and EIS. The prepared electrodes were used to fabricate sensors for heavy metal detection and their performances were investigated using the square wave voltammetry (SWV) method. The comparison of the obtained results shows that the deposition of AuNPs on the ITO surface, and their subsequent functionalization by diazonium salt, is the best performing architecture achieving a high sensitivity in terms of the lower detection limit of pico molar.

Dye-Doped ZnO Microcapsules for High Throughput and Sensitive Optofluidic Micro-Thermometry

The main objective of this work is to show the proof of concept of a new optofluidic method for high throughput fluorescence-based thermometry, which enables the measure of temperature inside optofluidic microsystems at the millisecond (ms) time scale (high throughput). We used droplet microfluidics to produce highly monodisperse microspheres from dispersed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals and doped them with rhodamine B (RhB) or/and rhodamine 6G (Rh6G). The fluorescence intensities of these two dyes are known to depend linearly on temperature but in two opposite manner. Their mixture enables for the construction of reference probe whose fluorescence does not depend practically on temperature. The use of zinc oxide microparticles as temperature probes in microfluidic channels has two main advantages: (i) avoid the diffusion and the adsorption of the dyes inside the walls of the microfluidic channels and (ii) enhance dissipation of the heat generated by the focused incident laser beam thanks to the high thermal conductivity of this material. Our results show that the fluorescence intensity of RhB decreases linearly with increasing temperature at a rate of about −2.2%/°C, in a very good agreement with the literature. In contrast, we observed for the first time a nonlinear change of the fluorescence intensity of Rh6G in ZnO microparticles with a minimum intensity at a temperature equal to 40 °C. This behaviour is reproducible and was observed only with ZnO microparticles doped with Rh6G.

[Asthma control in adult Algerian patients. Comparison with other North African and Middle-East countries]

INTRODUCTION

Lack of recent data on asthma control in Algeria led to this study whose results were compared with those of the same study conducted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

METHOD

This cross-sectional epidemiological study was performed in adults who had been diagnosed with asthma for at least one year and without exacerbation within the last 4 weeks. Asthma control was assessed using the 2012 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria and the Asthma control test (ACT) questionnaire.

RESULTS

We studied 984 patients mainly managed by specialist physicians; 61% female, mean age 45 years, body mass index 27kg/m², active smokers 2%. Medication was prescribed in 92% with 78% receiving inhaled corticosteroids alone or with add-on therapies. Good adherence was observed in 27%. Asthma control was observed in 34.6% vs. 28.6% in other countries (P < 0.001). Low level of education, absence of medical insurance, lack of physical exercise, and-long duration of the disease were significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma.

CONCLUSION

Poor control of asthma is still observed in Algeria despite a high level of specialist involvement. Except for adherence, known predictive factors of poor asthma control have been observed. Quality improvement training of health care professionals and patient education are probably the main issues to be addressed.

Anthropogenic contribution and influencing factors on metal features in fluvial sediments from a semi-arid Mediterranean river basin (Tafna River, Algeria): A multi-indices approach

Metals in river sediments from a semi-arid Mediterranean basin were investigated from upstream to downstream during contrasting hydrological conditions in 2014 and 2015. The level and origin of the contamination were evaluated using several geochemical and isotopic indicators. Elements were grouped by their level of contamination: high (Pb > Cd > Zn > Cu) and low (Al, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni). Multiple local sources of contamination were identified (industrial, agricultural and domestic waste), as well as very specific ones (gasoline station) and diffuse pollution from atmospheric deposition (gasoline, ores, aerosols). During storm events, the upstream dams can either be secondary sources of contamination or dilutors through particles derived from natural erosion. The contamination was slowed downstream due to the river geomorphology, but eventually washed into the Mediterranean Sea by intense storm events. Naturally derived elements (Co, Ni, Cr, As) were associated with Al, Fe and Mn oxides or clays, and anthropogenic originated metals with phosphorus (Cd and Zn), sulphur (Cu) and POC (Pb enrichment). Cadmium and Pb were the most available metals upstream and at the outlet, but their availability was not strictly related to their degree of contamination. These conclusions could be drawn thanks to an approach by multiple indicators.

Effect of vitamin D on the variability of blood pressure in premenopausal and menopausal hypertensive women in the area of Blida (Algeria)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of 25 (OH) vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure (BP) variability in hypertensive women in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal periods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

881 hypertensive women prospectively followed for an interventional study between January 2016 and September 2017, in specialized consultation at the department of internal medicine at the Blida University Hospital (Algeria). Four hundred and thiry nine premenopausal women (group I) and 442 menopausal women (group II). The initial serum 25 (OH) D level for each group was determined by the enzyme immunoassay. In groups I and II, we identified 2 subgroups, A: insufficiency (vit D between 29 and 20ng/ml) and B: deficiency (vit D less than 20ng/L). Antihypertensive therapy was supplemented with an additional 200000IU/month cholecalciferol for the two B subgroups. The variability in BP was calculated as the ratio of mean systolic and diastolic BP during daytime and nighttime, with performing ambulatory BP measurement at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

At inclusion, the level of 25 (OH) D was lower (P<0.05) in subgroups IB (19.3±8.5ng/ml) and IIB (18.2±9, 5ng/ml) compared to subgroups IA (28.1±10.7ng/ml) and IIA (25.2±10.1ng/ml). After supplementation, the level of 25 (OH) D increased in subgroup IB (38.3±11.9ng/ml) and in subgroup IIB (37.3±10, 5ng/ml) and became higher (P<0.001) than in subgroups IA and IIA. Between subgroups IA and IB, at inclusion, there is no difference (P>0.05) in the SBP and DBP variability during the day and at night. After treatment, the variability of the SBP at night became lower (P<0.02) in group IB compared to group IA. In subgroup IIB, daytime variability indices were higher (P=0.04) at inclusion than in group IIA. After treatment, the variability of SBP during the day decreased but remained the highest (P<0.05) in subgroup IIB (14.8±10.8mmHg) compared to subgroup IB (12.0±8.1mmHg), as well as to subgroups IIA (10.9±9.8mmHg) and IA (10±8.1mmHg). We found a significant correlation of cholecalciferol with the variability of SBP during the day.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D deficiency appears to be a factor of BP variability. Although the variability of the postmenopausal group remains higher than that of the other groups, the correction of the level of 25 (OH) D by the supply of cholecalciferol 200000 IU per month leads to a reduction in the variability of BP in the studied hypertensive women could help to prevent morbimortal complications.

Prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia in hypertensive patients in the area of Blida (Algeria)

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and lipid disorders (LD) in hypertensive patients are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications requiring follow-up and more aggressive therapeutic strategies. The main objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of DM and LD in adult hypertensive patients followed in specialized consultation of hypertension in the region of Blida (North Algeria) during the period from January 2013 to June 2017.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 3268 hypertensive patients (1453 men and 1815 women), mean age of 58.3±13.8years. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate means by sex and age for subgroups [under 30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-60, over 70]. A linear regression was used to determine annual trends. The age and sex specific results were adjusted to the general population data of the city of Blida for a period of 4years and each year studied.

RESULTS

The mean prevalence of diabetes was 21.8% and glucose tolerance was 10.9% without significant trend of increase during the study period in the overall population and according to sex, while in the subgroup of hypertensive patients over 60, there has been an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and a decrease in glucose tolerance over the 4 years (R²=0.78, P=0.05 and R²=0.95, P=0.005, respectively). The mean prevalence of LD for the study period was 16.1% without significant trend at 4years. The increase in total cholesterol combined with the increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels was the most common disorder (32.2%). There was no significant difference in LD prevalence and characteristics in subgroups by sex. Age group analysis showed a greater increase in the frequency of lipid disorders in patients over 60years of age (R²=0.80, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the 4years of study, age over 60 was associated with an increase in the prevalence of metabolic disorders in hypertensive patients. This trend may explain the poor control of BP. Above all, it must be taken into account for the requirement to achieve therapeutic objectives that effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications occurring in these high-risk patients whose number is becoming increasingly important.

Crossover from compact to branched films in electrodeposition with surface diffusion

We study a model for thin film electrodeposition in which instability development by preferential adsorption and reduction of cations at surface peaks competes with surface relaxation by diffusion of the adsorbates. The model considers cations moving in a supported electrolyte, adsorption and reduction when they reach the film surface, and consequent production of mobile particles that execute activated surface diffusion, which is represented by a sequence of random hops to neighboring lattice sites with a maximum of G hop attempts (G≫1), a detachment probability ε<1 per neighboring particle, and a no-desorption condition. Computer simulations show the formation of a compact wetting layer followed by the growth of branched deposits. The maximal thickness z_{c} of that layer increases with G but is weakly affected by ε. A scaling approach describes the crossover from smooth film growth to unstable growth and predicts z_{c}∼G^{γ}, with γ=1/[2(1-ν)]≈0.43, where ν≈0.30 is the inverse of the dynamical exponent of the Villain-Lai-Das Sarma equation that describes the initial roughening. Using previous results for related deposition models, the thickness z_{c} can be predicted as a function of an activation energy for terrace surface diffusion and the temperature, and the small effects of the parameter ε are justified. These predictions are confirmed by the numerical results with good accuracy. We discuss possible applications, with a particular focus on the growth of multifuncional structures with stacking layers of different porosity.

Differences in prevalence, treatment and control rates of hypertension between male and female in the area of Blida (Algeria)

PURPOSE

To compare differences in prevalence rates, treatment and control of hypertension (AHT) between males and females in general medicine consultation in the area of Blida (Algeria).

METHODS

We included 3622 patients in the study (42% males and 58% females), with a mean age of 48.14±10.11 years, examined between January 2014 and June 2016 in general medicine consultation in the area of Blida (Algeria). Data was collected with individual questionnaires. Measurement of blood pressure was made using validated semi-automatic devices (OMRON HEM model 705CP). Individuals using antihypertensive drugs and/or blood pressure (BP) greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg were considered as hypertensives. The knowledge about the disease was identified among those who claimed to be aware of the diagnosis before the measurements. The treatment rate was calculated with those who reported using antihypertensive drugs. Controlled blood pressure was considered in individuals with values lower than 140/90mmHg. Lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol), and fasting blood sugar were measured. All calculations and statistical analyses are processed by the SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypertension was higher among men (46.2%) than women (31.6%) (P<0.001), and among aged over 55 years (P< 0.05) and those that have referred hypertensive parents (P<0.05). Among hypertensive men, 55.7% knew the diagnosis, 63.6% of them were under treatment, and 22% had controlled BP. Among the hypertensive women 69.8% knew the diagnosis, 85.1% were under treatment and 35.6% were with controlled BP (P<0.001 for the three variables). The most frequent associated risk factors were diabetes mellitus in 36.8% of the patients, obesity in 35.7% of the patients, microalbuminuria in 23.6% of the patients, hypercholesterolemia>2g/L in 11.6% of the patients, smoking in 7.7% of them. Presence of controlled AHT was not found to be associated with presence of other risk factors. The likelihood of having AHT was higher among men, diabetics, older subjects and higher BMI.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed the high prevalence of AHT in general medicine consultation in Blida, which is a representative city in the north of Algeria. Although women are better treated, much remains to be done to reach BP goal, much in our countries which have the least financial resources to combat cardiovascular disabilities.

Lung adenocarcinoma with thyroid metastasis: a case report

BACKGROUND

The metastases of a primary lung cancer over the thyroid gland are extremely rare. We report on an unusual presentation of thyroid metastasis of lung cancer in order to improve the management of similar cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

Three years ago, a Moroccan male 59-year-old was admitted for dyspnea, dry cough, and chest pain. He had smoked about 30 cigarette packs a year. Clinical examination revealed a right thyroid nodule. Chest and neck computed tomography (CT) scan showed a proximal left tumor in contact with the pulmonary artery and revealed a suspected nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid with homolateral neck node. Transbronchial biopsy was performed and pathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma of the lung and positive for thyroid transcription factor. Other explorations carried out, such as brain CT, bone scan and abdominal ultrasound were normal. After a repeated negative fine needle aspiration biopsy of the suspected nodule of the right lobe of the thyroid, we performed total thyroidectomy with neck dissection. An anatomopathologic exam revealed a tubulopapillary adenocarcinoma poorly differentiated. An Immunohistochemistry showed positive tumor cells with TTF1 and cytokeratin (CK) 7 but negative cells with thyroglobulin and CK20. Thus, the pulmonary tumor was classified stage IV. Chemotherapy based on the combination of cisplatin and etoposide was conducted along with supportive care. The tumor grew up with brain metastases after three cycles of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient died 2 months after despite brain radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

We presented a medical case of a patient with thyroid metastasis resulting from a pulmonary adenocarcinoma which has rapidly evolved to brain metastases. The prognosis was pejorative in our clinical case (5 months after admission).

[Mucinous carcinoma of the breast: Clinical, biological and evolutive profile]

PURPOSE

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast accounts for 1 to 4% of all breast cancer. There are two histological subtypes: mixed mucinous carcinoma, where the ductal carcinoma is associated with the colloid component, and pure mucinous carcinoma, with a favorable prognosis, where the mucus surrounds the tumour tissue and constitutes a mechanical barrier limiting cell invasion and making this form less aggressive. Our study aimed to determine retrospectively the main epidemiological, clinical, biological, and therapeutic features, as well as the prognosis of this rare form of breast carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors report 32 cases of mucinous carcinoma of the breast diagnosed in Mohammed-VI centre for cancer treatment in Casablanca.

RESULTS

The average tumour size was 4.5cm (0.5-7cm). We found ten positive lymph node dissections, seven of them were of mixed mucinous carcinoma with a tumour size ranging between 4 and 7cm. Mucinous carcinoma was pure in 16 cases, mixed in 14 and a neuroendocrine differentiation was found in two cases. Most tumours were of an intermediate histological grade (n=19) with positive hormonal receptors (68%). After a mean follow-up of 30 months, complete remission was maintained in 92% of evaluable patients.

CONCLUSION

Mucinous carcinoma is a rare type of breast cancer, with a favourable prognosis for the pure form.

Screening of freshwater and seawater microalgae strains in fully controlled photobioreactors for biodiesel production

Strain selection is one of the primary hurdles facing cost-effective microalgal biodiesel production. Indeed, the strain used affects both upstream and downstream biodiesel production processes. This study presents a screening procedure that considers the most significant criteria in microalgal biodiesel production including TAG production and wet extraction and recovery of TAGs. Fourteen freshwater and seawater strains were investigated. Large variation was observed between the strains in all the screening criteria. The overall screening procedure ultimately led to the identification of Parachlorella kessleri UTEX2229 and Nannochloropsis gaditana CCMP527 as the best freshwater and seawater strains, respectively. They featured the largest areal TAG productivity equal to 2.7×10(-3) and 2.3×10(-3)kgm(-2)d(-1), respectively. These two strains also displayed encouraging cell fragility in a high pressure bead milling process with 69% and 98% cell disruption at 1750bar making them remarkable strains for TAG extraction in wet environment.

[The characteristics of arterial hypertension in postmenopausal women in the area of Blida (Algeria)]

OBJECTIVE

Assess the prevalence, the degree of control, and the comorbidities of hypertension in postmenopausal women.

DESIGNS AND METHODS

This is a cohort descriptive and prospective study conducted in 2years in a population with hypertension treated for arterial hypertension in specialized university hospital in Blida, which included one thousand seven hundred and twenty-one postmenopausal women with amenorrhea fore more than 12 consecutive months. All anthropometric data were recorded. All cardiovascular complications were sought. All calculations and statistical analysis are processed by the SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

The mean age of onset menopause is 50.7±6.2yearsold. The prevalence of hypertension is 71%, significantly higher in postmenopausal women aged 65 and over. Among women, 82.3% had a systolic arterial pressure>150mmHg and 42.2% had a diastolic arterial pressure>90mmHg. The prevalence of diabetes was 34.8%, and 88.4% presented type 2 diabetes. Tobacco in 1.3%, hypoHDLmia in 52%, the hypertriglyceridemia in 43.5%, obesity in 31.7%. The metabolic syndrome in 57.8%. The major cardiovascular complications observed are: stroke in 26.4%, heart failure in 14.8%, myocardial infarction in 13.2%, renal failure in 10.1%. The control of high blood pressure is achieved only in 31.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The systolic blood pressure is more important than the diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal women. The cerebral vascular accident remains the most feared complication. The control of hypertension remains not enough and the balance of arterial pressure figures is highly recommended to avoid morbidity and fatal complications.

First-principles investigation of methanethiol adsorption and dissociation mechanisms on the high-Miller-index vicinal surface Cu(4 1 0)

In this work, we present detailed investigations of methanethiol adsorption on a Cu(4 1 0) surface within the framework of the self-consistent first-principles calculations as implemented in the Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP). In particular, the adsorption sites, the surface coverage rate and electronic properties have been determined and compared to experimental values. The results indicate that the favorable adsorption site in the case of low coverage rate is a bridge on the step followed by the hollow site on the terrace. The adsorption significantly affects the outermost layer of the surface mainly for a higher coverage rate in a (2 × 2) supercell. The nature of the chemisorption process on the surface is analyzed by means of the density of states which, combined with charge density difference and atomic charge calculations, confirms the ionic character of the S-Cu bond. The specific effect of the presence of steps is highlighted by comparing the adsorption on the (1 0 0) terrace to the adsorption on the extended Cu(1 0 0) surface. Compared to the flat Cu(1 0 0), it is found here that while the stability is almost the same at p(2 × 2) coverage, the CH3S/Cu(4 1 0) becomes more stable than CH3S/Cu(1 0 0) at c(2 × 2) coverage with 0.30 eV per molecule. The mechanism of methanethiol dissociation is explored by the nudged elastic band method and demonstrates that the most favorable path is dissociation followed by migration of hydrogen from the step to its most stable position (hollow on the terrace) with energy barriers less than 0.5 eV.

[Clinical efficacy of eculizumab as treatment of gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy: A case report]

INTRODUCTION

Gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy is a rare event whose management is not yet consensual. The use of eculizumab could be of interest.

CASE REPORT

A 68-year-old woman was treated by gemcitabine as adjuvant chemotherapy of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Two months later, the patient presented with mechanical hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and high blood pressure that led to the diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy. Gemcitabine was stopped. Plasma exchange therapy was introduced since hematological and renal parameters had worsened. As clinical efficacy was insufficient, eculizumab was introduced at a dose of 900 mg per week 4 times, then 1200 mg every 2 weeks. Symptoms along with hematological and nephrological analysis were back to physiological standards after 7 intravenous injections.

CONCLUSION

Eculizumab seems to be an effective treatment against gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy in case of severe hematological and renal injuries associated with a lack of response to plasma exchange therapy.

Development and validation of a screening procedure of microalgae for biodiesel production: application to the genus of marine microalgae Nannochloropsis

Nannochloropsis has emerged as a promising alga for biodiesel production. However, the genus consists of 6 species and hundreds of strains making strain selection a challenge. Furthermore, oil productivity is instrumental to economic viability of any algal strain for industrial production, which is dependent on growth rate and oil content. In most cases, these two parameters have been studied independently. Thus, the goal of this study is to provide a combined method for evaluating strain performance in specially designed photobioreactors together with an in-depth lipidomic analyses. The nine strains of Nannochloropsis tested showed considerable variations in productivity and lipidomics highlighting the importance of strain selection. Finally, Nannochloropsis gaditana CCMP527 and Nannochloropsis salina CCMP537 emerged as the two most promising strains, with an oil content of 37 and 27 dry wt% after 11-day nitrogen starvation, respectively, resulting in TAG productivity of 13×10(-3) and 18×10(-3) kg m(-3) d(-1), respectively.

Design of TiO2/Au nanoparticle films with controlled crack formation and different architectures using a centrifugal strategy

Centrifugal strategy is demonstrated to enable the design of hybrid nanocomposite films with controllable architecture, porosity, crack density and thickness.

[Cardiovascular morbimortality after a follow-up of six years in black hypertensive in South Algeria]

INTRODUCTION

Arterial hypertension is a major public health problem not only internationally, but also in our country, and it is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In south Algeria, the black population is nearly half the population of the oases of the Algerian Sahara.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are to analyze the long-term fate of the black hypertensive subjects in Algerian oases in southern Algeria, in terms of morbidity and mortality, comparing the morphometric profile and cardiovascular complications with the white population of the same oases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One thousand four hundred and twenty-five subjects of both sexes were included (811 blacks and 614 white subjects), aged 40 and older, living in the Algerian Sahara and were reviewed after six years of decline. The control consisted of filling a questionnaire oriented on civil status, target organ damage, the number of hospitalizations and mortality. All calculations and statistical analyzes are processed by the SPSS 17.0 and Epi Info6 software.

RESULTS

Mean age for the black population and the white population was 60.3±11.1 and 58.6±10.6years, respectively. The incidence of hypertension was 50 % among blacks. The main complications observed were: stroke in 3.8 %, heart failure in 3.1 %, myocardial infarction in 1.7 %, hospitalizations related to cardiovascular complications of the black population was around 4.4 %, mortality 5.4 %.

CONCLUSION

These data on hypertension black subjects emphasize the importance of a policy of adequate local health issues raised, both in terms of the management of hypertension, as in investment in local medical research.