Gadolinium aluminium garnet (Gd3Al5O12) nanopowders, with 30 at 3̅ d. The crystallite sizes of the powders were determined by using Rietveld refinement analyses. The FTIR results of vibrational characteristics exhibit the internal and external bonds of GdLuAG. The He–Ne laser 633 nm Raman spectra showed a response in the second phonon region exhibiting strong fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR). The GdLuAG internal Raman active mode in the visible range and excited by a 785 nm diode laser were measured. The X-ray, BET and SEM results indicated that aluminium nitrate reverse titration compound calcined at 1150°C is the best homogeneous and uniform sample.

Although the CHA2DS2-VASc score was originally used for stroke risk assessment in patients with atrial fibrillation, recently, its use has been extended to various cardiovascular diseases, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Since most of its components are widely accepted risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) development, we aimed to assess its accuracy in the determination of coronary atherosclerotic burden and its prognostic performance for adverse outcomes. This was a prospective observational single-center study. Consecutive ACS patients were enrolled. For prediction of CAD severity, patients were split into tertiles according to the Syntax score I (SSI). For prognosis, patients were divided into two groups and four subgroups according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Two composite adverse events were assessed: overall major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality, in-hospital and after 1 year of follow-up. A total of 228 patients were enrolled. Of them, 6.14% had a high SSI. Compared to low tertile, the CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in intermediate and high SSI tertiles. Both scores correlated moderately (r = 0.315; P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, the CHA2DS2-VASc score was the only predictor of high SSI (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.12–3.17; P = 0.017). A CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 4 was a cut-off point for severe CAD with a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 74.8%. As for prognosis, higher CHA2DS2-VASc score was associated with a significant increase in in-hospital MACE and death. Likewise, the risk of MACE and 1-year mortality significantly increased in higher subgroups. Following multivariate regression, the CHA2DS2-VASc score was an independent predictor for long-term prognosis (HR = 1.50; P < 0.001 for MACE; HR = 1.87; P < 0.001 for death). Finally, the CHA2DS2-VASc score was comparable to GRACE score with regard to in-hospital and long-term adverse outcomes. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was an independent predictor of severe coronary lesions as well as short and long-term adverse outcomes. Also, the prognostic accuracy of the CHA2DS2-VASc score for poor outcome was comparable with that of the GRACE score.

Since the 2000s, thrombus aspiration (TA) has been widely used in the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Otherwise, recent trials have questioned its safety. Therefore, guidelines are against the routine use of manual TA during primary PCI. Our study aimed to evaluate the immediate angiographic results of the TA to assess the predictive factors of its failure. An observational prospective study was performed from 2016 to 2018. We included all patients who underwent TA using the ExportTM catheter during a primary PCI for less than 12 h of STEMI. The primary endpoint was the failure of TA assessed by TIMI classification for the final coronary flow. Insufficient reperfusion due to failed TA was defined as a TIMI flow < 3 in the culprit artery at the end of the PCI. The secondary composite endpoint was the occurrence of in-hospital Major Adverse CerebroCardiovascular Events (MACCE). We have included 60 consecutive patients. Mean age was 59.7 ± 13.6 years. 81.7% were males. Anterior location of STEMI was noted in 60%. The median delay between symptoms and wire crossing was 5 [3.8-8.7] hours. Initially, 68.3% of the patients presented a TIMI 0 flow and final TIMI 3 flow was established in 66.7% of cases. We identified 4 patients with in-hospital MACCE. Our results suggest a high rate of angiographic failure(33.3%) following a primary PCI despite the use of TA. The associate factors of a failure TA were: the delay between symptoms onset and wire crossing ≥ 5h(P = 0.025) and a cardiogenic shock(P = 0.04). The multivariate study showed that tardive presentation (> 5 h) was the only predictive factor of a failed TA HR = 4 [1.1-14], P = 0.037. Despite the limitation of our observational study, we noted an important rate of slow and no flow in the setting of primary PCI despite using TA. Identifying such risk factors will improve the effectiveness of the primary PCI with a selective TA.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) during hospitalization is considered a frequent complication associated with worse outcomes in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) To assess the predictors and prognosis of NOAF during ACS. A total of 402 patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of ACS were prospectively enrolled. Clinical parameters, echocardiography, biochemical markers were collected. In-hospital mortality and incidence of in-hospital main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were compared between NOAF and non-NOAF groups. In our study population, 39 (9.7%) patients developed NOAF during hospitalization. The patients in NOAF group were significantly older than those in the non-NOAF groups (65 ± 10 years vs 59 ± 10 years, P = 0.001). Moreover, the levels of serum uric acid (P = 0.001), peak creatinine (P = 0.001), CRP (P = 0.02), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.04) and mean platelet volume (MPV, P = 0.02) were significantly higher in the NOAF group, while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF: 43 ± 12% vs 48 ± 10%, P = 0.01) and hemoglobin (119 ± 1.8 g/l vs 130 ± 1.9 g/l, P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the NOAF group. Logistic multivariate regression showed that age (OR = 1.08; P = 0.02), MPV (OR = 1.4; P = 0.03), LVEF (OR = 2; P = 0.001) and indexed left atrial volume (OR = 1.15; P = 0.004) were independent predictors of NOAF after ACS. Patients in the NOAF group had significantly longer hospital stay (4 ± 1.2 days vs 3.6 ± 1 days, P = 0.02). The in-hospital mortality (5% vs 0%, P = 0.009) and the incidence of bleeding complications (5% vs 0.5%, P = 0.04) in the NOAF group were significantly higher. There were no significant differences in stroke between the two groups. Age, LVEF, MPV and indexed left atrial volume are independent predictors of NOAF during ACS in Tunisian patients. This arrhythmia is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and bleeding complications.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is involved in initiation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Uric acid has emerged as an independent marker of morbidity and mortality in several cardiovascular pathologies. But there are few data addressing the association of uric acid levels and OSA in AF patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the levels of serum uric acid were correlated with OSA severity in Tunisian patients with AF. It was a study which included 100 patients followed for non-valvular AF. Non-inclusion criteria were: gout and/or treatment with allopurinol, chronic lung disease with hypoxemia and severe chronic kidney disease. All patients underwent overnight polygraphy. Fasting blood samples were obtained to dose serum uric acid. OSA's diagnosis was retained in 90% of patients: mild in 32% of cases, moderate in 27% of cases and severe in 31% of cases. The mean value of serum uric acid was 61.05 ± 19.4 mg/L. Hyperuricemia was found in 31 patients. Forty-eight percent of patients diagnosed as having hyperuricemia, had also severe OSA. We did not find significant correlation between OSA's diagnosis and uric acid levels. But we note a significant correlation between the level of uric acid and the AHI (P = 0.02) and there was a statistically significant association between hyperuricemia and severe OSA (P = 0.04). According to the ROC curve for predicting severe OSA, the cut-off value of serum uric acid was about 56.5 mg/L (with a sensitivity of 61.5% and specificity of 57%). In our study conducted in a Tunisian population with AF, we did not find a significant difference in uric acid levels between patients with OSA and those without OSA. But we have demonstrated a significant correlation between the increased levels of serum uric acid and severe OSA. So, it seems to be interesting to propose a routine screening of OSA, in patients having AF and hyperuricemia, whose main goal is to detect severe forms of OSA.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) during hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is considered a frequent complication in the setting of acute coronary syndromes. To discuss the role of admission serum laboratory parameters and hematological indices in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) during ACS. A total of 402 patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of ACS were prospectively enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: the NOAF and the non-NOAF group. In our study, 39 patients develop NOAF during hospitalization for ACS. Mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine and serum uric acid (SUA) were higher in the NOAF group compared with non NOAF group, while Hemoglobin (119 ± 1.8 g/l vs. 130 ± 1.9 g/l, P = 0.001) and red cell counts were significantly lower in the NOAF group than the non-NOAF group. In multivariate regression analysis, age, indexed left atrial volume, left ventricular ejection fraction, increased levels of CRP, MPV, SUA, NLR indepentently predict NOAF. Admission serum levels of MPV, SUA, CRP, NLR, hemoglobin were found to be independent predictors of NOAF after ACS.

It is currently recognised that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may affect the function and geometry of heart chambers, which has promoted the development of echocardiographic exploration as one of the tools for screening for the diagnosis of OSA and its severity in the general population. However, few studies have investigated the impact of echocardiographic findings on screening for OSA or its severe forms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Investigate the echocardiographic abnormalities that would be correlated with the positive diagnosis of OSA and the diagnosis of its severity in non-valvular AF patients. This is a cross-sectional study that included 100 patients with non-valvular AF. All patients had an echocardiographic study and overnight polygraphy. OSA's diagnosis was retained in 90% of patients: mild in 32% of cases, moderate in 27% of cases and severe in 31% of cases. In our study, there was no significant difference between groups with and without OSA in terms of left ventricular systolic function, percentage of patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left atrium area, systolic function right ventricle and pulmonary systolic blood pressure level. Comparing patients with severe OSA to patients with non-severe OSA, analysis of echocardiographic parameters showed that LVH was significantly more found in patients with severe OSA compared with those with IAH < 30 (58% versus 35.4%, P = 0.036, OR = 2.52, CI95%: 1.05–6.07). In addition, the surface of the left atrium was positively correlated with hypnea–apnea index (P = 0.018) and therefore with the severity of OSA. In our study conducted in a Tunisian population with AF, we pointed out that OSA was not significantly associated with the different echocardiographic parameters used, whereas LVH and the left atrial area were significantly more noticeable in the severe OSA group compared to the rest of the population.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) frequently complicates acute coronary syndromes (ACS) leading to adverse short and long-term outcomes. The reported incidence ranges from 4 to 22% and a number of factors have consistently been shown to be associated with NOAF. To determine the incidence of NOAF in a Tunisian population admitted for ACS, and to identify its predictive factors. We performed a prospective observational cohort study including consecutive patients admitted to a single center for ACS over a one-year period. According to the NOAF occurred during hospitalization, the patients were divided into two groups: the NOAF and the non-NOAF group. We included 402 patients. The incidence of NOAF was 9.7% in ACS Tunisian patients. NOAF was more frequent in older patients (P = 0.001) and in those with previous renal failure (P < 0.001), stroke (P = 0.009) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (P = 0.02). During hospitalization, patients with NOAF more often had heart failure (P = 0.01) and higher values of serum uric acid (P = 0.001), peak creatinine (P = 0.001), CRP (P = 0.02), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.04) and mean platelet volume (MPV, P = 0.02). On echocardiography, they had greater indexed left atrial volume (P = 0.02) and systolic arterial pulmonary pressure (P = 0.03) while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF: 43 ± 12% vs 48 ± 10%, P = 0.01) was significantly lower. Hemoglobin (119 ± 1.8 g/l vs 130 ± 1.9 g/l, P = 0.001) was significantly lower in the NOAF group than the non-NOAF group. There were no significant differences in history of hypertension, diabetes, heart failure or pulmonary disease. In multivariate analysis, age (OR = 1.08; P = 0.02), MPV (OR = 1.4; P = 0.03), LVEF (OR = 2; P = 0.001) and indexed left atrial volume (OR = 1.15; P = 0.004) remained independent predictors of NOAF. Age, LVEF, MPV and indexed left atrial volume are risk factors for incident NOAF in Tunisian patients admitted for ACS.

Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a frequent complication, which is influenced by several factors. Importantly, its presence increases the risk of death. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with long-term prognosis in a cohort of patients with ACS. This is a prospective observational study of 404 patients consecutively admitted for ACS from January 2019 to November 2019. We studied 404 patients presented with ACS: seventy-nine of them (19.55%) had LVEF < 40% (first group) and 325 (80.45%) had LVEF ≥ 40% (second group). In the first group the prevalence of ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) (73% vs. 49%; P < 0.001) was significantly more important than Non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (26% vs. 50%; P < 0.001). Anterior STEMI has a significant higher prevalence when EF was less than 40% (77% vs. 45%; P < 0.001) than the inferior one (22% vs. 57%; P < 0.001). Failure of thrombolysis was associated to LV dysfunction (82% vs. 46%; P = 0.007). Culprit artery in the first group was mostly the left anterior descending artery (LADA) (88% vs. 73%; P = 0.006). The first group patients had a significant longer hospital stay (4 days ± 2 vs. 3 days ± 1; P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the mortality during the 12 months after the ACS was statistically higher if LVEF < 40% (Log rank = 0.04). Kaplan–Meier curves did not show that MACE was statistically different depending on LVEF (Log rank = 0.7) ( Fig. 1 ). In ACS, long-term prognosis is considerably worse in patients who develop LV dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 40% than in patients with LVEF ≥ 40.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been incriminated in atrial fibrillation (AF) initiation and maintenance, and would be responsible for worsening its morbi-mortality hence the importance of screening them to propose the appropriate therapeutic strategy. To our knowledge, no study has been interested in predictors of severe OAS in AF patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe OSA in a population followed for non-valvular AF, and to identify its predictive factors. We performed a cross-sectional study, including non-valvular AF patients. All patients underwent a polygraphic study. We included 100 patients in our study. The mean age was 66.4 ± 9.7 years. Severe OSA prevalence was 31%. Patients with severe OSA had more snoring (100% versus 81%, P = 0.008), more moderate to severe daytime sleepiness (71% versus 16%, P < 0.001) with a significantly higher mean Epworth score in severe apneics (12 ± 4 versus 9.6 ± 4, P = 0.006). ROC curve's analysis showed that a waist circumference > 107 cm in men and greater than 104 cm in women, was significantly more associated with severe OSA (47.3% versus 11.1%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis concluded that moderate to severe somnolence ( P = 0.004), waist circumference greater than 107 cm in men and greater than 104 cm in women ( P = 0.011), as well as desaturation time (SaO2 < 90%) during sleep over 6 minutes and 40 seconds ( P = 0.036), were independent predictive factors of severe OSA. In our study, moderate to severe somnolence and android obesity have been shown to be independent clinical predictive factors of severity of OAS in non-valvular AF patients. Our study highlights the possibility of creating more relevant clinical scores to screen severe OSA in AF patients which is a very important parameter to determine as it intervenes in the therapeutic decision by continuous positive pressure.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic systemic disease. Recently, emphasis has been placed on the importance of the associated comorbidities, especially cardiovascular, which have a considerable impact on the quality of life and the prognosis of patients. In this study, we attempted to assess the association between COPD and different comorbidities and to evaluate a possible dependence with the profile of a frequent exacerbator. It is a randomized, double-blind, balanced, prospective study including 43 out-patient, aged from 50 to 92 years, affected with COPD followed-up in the department of pneumology. Each patient was subjected for 12-lead ECG, 24-Hour Holter for arrhythmia detection and two-dimensional echocardiography in the department of cardiology. We compared a group of patients with frequent exacerbations of COPD G1 ( n = 23) to a group of patients G2 with infrequent exacerbations of COPD ( n = 20). The mean of age was 71 years (ranging from 47 years to 92 years) in G1 versus 65 years in G2 ( P = 0.04). Among comorbidities, cardiovascular pathologies were the most frequently associated with COPD observed in 15 patients (35%) followed by diabetes in 7 patients (16%) and by anemia in 5 patients (11%). We noted that different cardiovascular comorbidities were significantly more common in the group of patients with frequent exacerbations than the patients with infrequent exacerbations of COPD ( P = 0.04). In our study, there is a close relationship between exacerbation of COPD and association with different cardiovascular comorbidities. These comorbidities influence both the symptoms and the life expectancy, hence the importance of a global management of comorbidities by a multidisciplinary team.

Abstract Background In the acute phase of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the main objective is to recanalize the guilty artery, but it is important to know whether myocardium with severely compromised function is permanently injured or reversibly dysfunctional indicating myocardial viability. On the other hand, viability tests such as scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging with delayed enhanced (DE-MRI) or dobutamine stress echography are either not validated or unavailable in the acute phase of STEMI. The assessment of myocardial deformation by bidimensional strain (2D) is a technique that has emerged in recent years with good correlation with MRI for viability assessment. An important question remains : Is myocardial viability can be determined by 2D strain parameters at the acute phase of STEMI ? Aim : To assess myocardial viability in the acute phase of STEMI by 2D strain echocardiographic parameters in comparison with 3 month DE-MRI as a reference method. Methods A total of 31 first STEMI patients treated with successful primary or elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included with an akinetic area on echocardiography corresponding to the infarct segments. Doppler strain values from left ventricular basal, mid and apical segments (n= 527) were obtained at the acute phase of STEMI and checked up after 3 months. The scar was assessed for viability by DE-MR as reference method, 3 months after the acute phase. Viability was defined by a DE < 50% of wall thickness in the scar zone. Results Mean age of the study population was 59,29 ±9,96 years , 27 (87%) being males. Nine patients (29%) showed post-PCI improvement of left ventricule (LV) function. Regional peak systolic strain of the infarct segments and global longitudinal strain (GLS) after 3 months. At the acute phase, wall motion score index (WMSI), regional and global strain values were signficantly better in the viable than in the non viable segments. GLS was -10,92 ± 2,48 in patients with MRI non viable myocardium and -14,45 ±2,91 in patients with MRI viable myocardium . A pre-PCI strain value of -2,9% as a cutt off predicted segmental function recovery after PCI and myocardial viability with a sensitivity 82% of and a specificity 84%. Conclusion : This monocenter study confirms that 2D strain imaging can be a usueful and accurate method to predict myocardial viability and recovery of segmental and global LV function after PCI in STEMI patients.

Serum uric acid (SUA) is a simple and independent marker of morbidity and mortality in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. In this study we aimed to examine the relationship between serum uric acid levels and clinical, biological and echocardiographic characterstics in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). One hundred and seventy patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation were included (mean age: 66.3 ± 8.5 years; 37% male patients). Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥ 360 μmol/L in women and ≥ 446 μmol/L in men determined determined according to receiver operating characteristic curve. Clinical, biological and echocardiographic characterestics were compared in patients with ( n = 51) and without hyperuricemia ( n = 119). In AF patients, those with hyperuricemia had the most adverse biological risk profile including the highest rates of renal dysfunction ( P < 0.001) and the highest mean level of fibrinogen ( P = 0.033), c-reactive protein ( P = 0.05), calcemia ( P = 0.016) and leucocytosis ( P = 0.03). Patients with hyperuricemia showed also more enlarged left atrium ( P = 0.039) and lower left ventricle ejection fraction ( P = 0.01) and peak myocardial systolic velocity measured at the mitral annulus (Sa) in tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) ( P = 0.01) High serum uric acid levels were associated with a low left ventricle contractile function, enlargement of left atrium, inflammatory biological profile and could provide additional prognostic information on future thromboembolic events in patients with AF.

Abstract Background Following an acute coronary syndrome, ischemic myocardial dysfunction has several degrees of severity and different outcomes from a total or partial recovery to an irreversible injury. In this study led in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients without otherwise previous non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), we investigated the correlation between 2D global longitudinal strain (GLS) and angiographic prognostic factors. The ability of territorial longitudinal strain (TLS), defined as the sum of segmental strain in a coronary territory,to identify culprit artery occlusion was also assessed. Methods 82 consecutive NSTEMI patients were prospectively screened for inclusion; 70 of them without NICM were enrolled. Severe coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as three-vessel disease or a left main disease. Group 1 and 2 were defined by the presence or not of severe CAD. Statics ‘analyses was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics (version 22). Results mean age of patients was 60, 2 ±10 years. 37 patients had diabetes mellitus (53%), 31 had hypertension (44%), 21 had dyslipidemia (30%) and 5 had renal insufficiency (7%). Severe CAD was present in 24 patients (34%). The first ultrasound exam showed that mean EF was 49 ± 11, mean WMSI was 1.43 ± 0.4 and mean GLS was -14.9 ± 4. GLS was higher in group 1 (-12.82 ± 0.95 vs -16.04 ± 0.42; p < 0.001); LVEF and WMSI in group 1 and 2 were (43.3 ± 13.5% Vs 52.7 ± 7.9%; p < 0.001) and (1.64 ± 0.1 Vs 1.32 ± 0.04; p < 0.001) respectively. Correlations were found between LVEF and GLS (p = 0.004), and between WMSI and GLS (p = 0.002) . TLS was able to discriminate between coronary stenosis of LAD, LCX or RCA and to predict the occlusion of the culprit vessel: 7 patients had acute coronary occlusion (10%). TLS was -7.4 ± 5.1 in patients with coronary occlusion and -14.1 ± 6 in the absence of coronary occlusion (p < 0.001). A cut off of -9.5 was able to detect this occlusion with a specificity of 82% and a sensitivity of 85%. The second ultrasound exam, performed after a median of 10 ± 3.1 months, showed a statistically significant improvement of EF (53 ± 10, p =0.02), WMSI (1.35 ± 0.39, p= 0.01) as well as GLS (-17.1 ± 4.2, p =0.004). Patients who received only medical treatment (n = 11) had the lowest variation of EF (47% to 48 %; p = 0.7), WMSI (1.62 to 1.59; p = 0.69) and GLS (14.2 to 15.2; p = 0.2) with no statistical correlation between the two exams. While patients who had PCI or bypass revascularization, had the best outcome with improvement of EF (49% to 53%; p = 0.002), WMSI (1.4 to 1.32;p = 0.01) and GLS (15 to 17.4;p = 0.004). Conclusion GLS is a strong diagnostic and prognostic ultra sound parameter for NSTEMI patients correlated to CAD severity. Strain is a reliable parameter during follow up.TLS can be used to localize the culprit coronary artery and especially to predict its occlusion during the acute phase of NSTEMI which can lead to a different therapeutic strategy.

Spectroscopic and luminescent properties of europium (Eu), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm) doped LiGd(WO4)(2) fibers crystals, present high performances for investigation in phosphorus and laser applications. We have successfully grown 2 at % Eu, Er and Tm-doped LiGd(WO4)(2) singles-crystals fibers by the Micro Pulling Down (14-PD) technique (melting point above 1115 degrees C) using a pulling rate in the range of 0.08-0.15 mm/min. The crystallization interface was flat, with meniscus length equal to the fiber radii. The absorption and emission spectra were measured at room temperature. The absorption and emission cross sections of the Eu3+, Er3+, and Tm3+ transitions were evaluated. For the erbium cation we register S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2), H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2) transitions in the visible and I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) in IR range. The emission spectra recorded in the visible and infrared range with fluorescence correspond to (1)G(4) -> F-3(4) +F-3(2), F-3(3) -> H-3(6), H-3(4) -> H-3(6), and (1)G(4) -> H-3(5) for the thulium, instead for the europium we have D-5(1) -> F-7(1,2) and D-5(0) -> F-7(0-1-2-3-4), transitions. This last one presents an excellent structural probe for investigating the local environment of Eu3+ dopant in LiGd(WO4)(2) host. The fluorescence lifetimes associated to these intense transitions were investigated. The polarized IR and Raman spectra of LiGd (WO4)(2) single crystal fiber were measured, parallel and perpendicular to the fibers growth direction. We observed a bonds at 915 cm(-1) for IR and 913 cm(-1) for Raman corresponding of the symmetric stretching mode of the isolated tetrahedra (WO4)(-2) group. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Genetic diversity of native ovine Barbarine (BR=80) and Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QF=150) breeds as well as the exotic D'man (DM=70) breed were investigated using a panel of ten microsatellite markers. The markers used were all polymorphic and exhibited high levels of polymorphism. The total number of observed alleles across all breeds was 83. The allelic frequency distribution was heterogeneous and tests of genotype frequencies for deviation from HWE revealed significant departure from HWE of all populations for the TGLA48 and MCM527 loci. The mean expected and observed heterozygosity for the BR, OF and DM populations varied from 0.69 to 0.74 and 0.58 to 0.67, respectively. The average Polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.683, 0.699, 0.697 and 0.657 for BR, QFG, QFT and DM, respectively. The mean F (ST) was 0.149 and indicated that most (85.1%) of total genetic variation raised from differences among individuals and only 14.9% came from differences among breeds. Per pair estimator of F(ST) indicated a low to moderate differentiation between BR and QF but a relatively high (F(ST) > 0.15) differentiation between Tunisian native (BR and QF) and DM breeds. Genetic distance and factorial analyses showed that genetic distances observed between BR-DM and between QF-DM were larger than those found between BR-QF breeds.

Intermittent hypoxia is the most prominent characteristic of sleep disordered breathing. This leads through several metabolic processes, to the release of ATP catabolic end product, uric acid. These findings make us wonder if the elevated levels of serum uric acid can be suggested to be a good index of tissue hypoxia. The aim of this study was to verify whether the nocturnal hypoxia was associated with an increased level of serum uric acid in a Tunisian population with atrial fibrillation (AF), which would be a biological marker of sleep disordered breathing in this population. It was a descriptive study which included 100 patients followed for non-valvular AF. They were all referred for overnight polygraphy. Fasting blood samples were obtained to dose serum uric acid. Non inclusion criteria were patients followed for gout and/or being on allopurinol treatment, renal failure (clearance of creatinine < 60 ml/min). The average age was 66 ± 9 years. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor present in 72% of patients. The mean value of serum uric acid was 61.05 ± 19.4 mg/l. Hyperuricemia was found in 31 patients. The average value of mean desaturation and minimal desaturation were respectively 93 ± 2% and 83 ± 7%. There were no significant association between these 2 parameters and uric acid levels with p values respectively of 0.19 and 0.33. The desaturation index mean value was 18.8 ± 13.4. A significant correlation was found between the serum uric acid values and the desaturation index ( P = 0.02). Total desaturation time under 90% was of 21 ± 44 minutes but wasn’t correlated with uric acid values ( P = 0.39). The relationship between desaturation index and serum uric acid found in our study conducted in a Tunisian population with AF, suggests that sleep apnea in these patients is severe enough to cause tissue hypoxia, which is marked by increased levels of serum uric acid.

Genetic parameters were estimated for first lactation survival defined as a binary trait (alive or dead to second calving) and the curve shape traits of milk yield, fat and protein percentages using information from 25 981 primiparous Tunisian Holsteins. For each trait, shape curves (i.e. peak lactation, persistency), level of production adjusted to 305 days in milk (DIMs) for total milk yield (TMY), and average fat (TF %) and protein (TP %) percentages were defined. Variance components were estimated with a linear random regression model under three bivariate animal models. Production traits were modelled by fixed herd  ×  test-day (TD) interaction effects, fixed classes of 25 DIMs  ×  age of calving  ×  season of calving interaction effects, fixed classes of pregnancy, random environment effects and random additive genetic effects. Survival was modelled by fixed herd  ×  year of calving interaction effects and age of calving  ×  season of calving interaction effects, random permanent environment effects, and random additive genetic effects. Heritability ( h 2 ) estimates were 0.03 ( ± 0.01 ) for survival and 0.23 ( ± 0.01 ), 0.31 ( ± 0.01 ) and 0.31 ( ± 0.01 ) for TMY, TF % and TP %, respectively. Genetic correlations between survival and TMY, TF % and TP % were 0.26 ( ± 0.08 ), - 0.24  ( ± 0.06 ) and - 0.13  ( ± 0.06 ), respectively. Genetic correlations between survival and persistency for fat and protein percentages were  - 0.35  ( ± 0.09 ) and  - 0.19  ( ± 0.09 ), respectively. Cows that had higher persistencies for fat and protein percentages were more likely not to survive.

The structure of cubic Garnets multi-components based on Gadolinium (GAG) undoped or doped rare earth, stabilized by Lanthanide as Lutetium, which has weak ionic radius recently attracts much attention to obtain the phases thermodynamically stables. In this work, we have chosen to study the development of compositions of type (Gd1 - x Lux) 3Al5 O12 (x = 0, 2 - 0, 3) doped 2 and 5 at % Er+3. The polycrystalline powders were prepared by reaction solid state method. DRX analyses on these synthesized powders confirmed the results of the phases of GdAlO3 perovskite and Gd3Al5O12 garnet due to the higher content of gadolinium stabilized by Lutetium. FTIR analyses have shown the active vibrations modes associated on the specifics absorption bands of M – O (M: metallic elements Gd and Lu or Al). The optical analyzes carried out by the photoluminescence spectroscopy which it study the transitions of Erbium (Er3+) as doping elements in elaborated samples is of great optical importance.

Research to assess the effect of single genes on reproductive traits in bovine species is imperative to elucidate genes' functions and acquire a better perspective of quantitative traits. The present study was undertaken to characterize genetic diversity in the bovine growth hormone (GH) gene in a population of 410 Holstein dairy cows in Tunisia. The analyses were based on single nucleotide polymorphisms, and GH-AluI and GH-MspI detections and genotyping were carried out using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model with the MIXED procedure to reveal the possible effect of GH genotypes on reproductive traits. The frequency data of AluI(L//V) and MspI(+//-) alleles were 87.04//12.96 and 70.06//29.94, respectively. The distribution of the frequency of GH genotypes for LL/LV/VV and (-/-)//(+/-)//(+/+) were 77.75//18.59//3.66 and 15.37//29.13//55.50, respectively. The results of the statistical analyses proved that GH-AluI showed a substantial favorable effect on exanimate traits except for the age at first calving; however, only a suggestive effect of GH-MspI on the calving interval (CI) and the days open (DI) was found. The homozygous LL genotype seemed to be advantageous with respect to the CI and the DI compared with LV and VV genotypes. Heterozygous MspI(+/-) cows tended to have a longer CI and DI than MspI(+/+) and MspI(-/-) cows, but the difference was not statistically significant. A significant effect of different GH-AluI-MspI combined genotypes was found on the number of inseminations per conception, the CI and the DI, and the LL/- combined genotype seemed to be associated with better reproductive performance. Based on these results, the LL genotype of the GH locus can be considered to be a favorable genotype for reproductive traits in Holstein dairy cattle, although these findings need to be confirmed by further research before polymorphisms can be used in a marker-assisted selection program.