Red Y2O3:Eu-Based Electroluminescent Device Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition for Transparent Display Applications

Y₂O_3:Eu is a promising red-emitting phosphor owing to its high luminance efficiency, chemical stability, and non-toxicity. Although Y₂O₃:Eu thin films can be prepared by various deposition methods, most of them require high processing temperatures in order to obtain a crystalline structure. In this work, we report on the fabrication of red Y₂O₃:Eu thin film phosphors and multilayer structure Y₂O₃:Eu-based electroluminescent devices by atomic layer deposition at 300 °C. The structural and optical properties of the phosphor films were investigated using X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements, respectively, whereas the performance of the fabricated device was evaluated using electroluminescence measurements. X-ray diffraction measurements show a polycrystalline structure of the films whereas photoluminescence shows emission above 570 nm. Red electroluminescent devices with a luminance up to 40 cd/m² at a driving frequency of 1 kHz and an efficiency of 0.28 Lm/W were achieved.     

Highly diastereoselective construction of novel dispiropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives via multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of cyclic diketones-based tetrahydroisoquinolinium N-ylides

In the quest for new heterocyclic scaffolds exhibiting potentially biological activities for medicinal chemistry, a multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of tetrahydroisoquinolinium N-ylides, generated in situ from cyclic diketones and isoquinoline, and (E)-3-arylidene-1-phenyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-diones has been developed. This route provides workable access to dispiropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-fused pyrrolidine-2,5-diones bearing two adjacent spiro-carbons. An unprecedented regioselectivity was observed in this 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, leading to the construction of a novel dispirooxindole skeleton. The structure and relative stereochemistry of the spiranic adducts have been confirmed by three X-ray diffraction studies. To reinforce the observed regio- and stereoselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition, calculations using the DFT approach at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level were carried out. It was found that this reaction affords the kinetic products.

A new series of dispiropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives was synthesized by multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of tetrahydroisoquinolinium N-ylides and (E)-3-arylidene-1-phenyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-diones.     

Radiologically guided lumbar injections

Lumbar injections of corticosteroids are an established part of sciatica nonsurgical treatment; that's to their anti-inflammatory properties. Fluoroscopically monitored injections are more likely to place medication at the exact target site and with higher concentration; then they maximize therapeutic results. Lumbar steroid injections are efficient at short and middle term, and they precipitate relief.     

Antiplatelet effect of once- or twice-daily aspirin dosage in stable coronary artery disease patients with diabetes

The aim of this pilot study was to compare the effect of two different regimens of aspirin dosage on platelet of coronary artery disease (CAD) diabetic patients. Twenty-five CAD diabetic patients were included. Initially, all patients received aspirin 100 mg/day for 10 days. At day 10, aspirin antiplatelet effect was determined by measuring the collagen/epinephrine closure time (CT) 2 h after the last aspirin dosage and the next morning at 8 a.m.. The aspirin regimen was modified to 100 mg twice daily for patients showing a non-optimal platelet-inhibitory effect (CT < 298 s at 8 a.m.). Persistent high platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined by a CT < 160 s. During the 100 mg/day aspirin regimen, the prevalence of HPR at 8 a.m. was 48%, and only 7 patients (28%) had showed an optimal platelet-inhibitory effect. Bridging to the twice-daily regimen, the HPR was significantly reduced (p = 0.025), and the optimal platelet-inhibitory effect was reached for 3 other patients. Our results showed that 100 mg aspirin twice-daily dosing rather than a once-daily dose significantly improves the aspirin effect on platelet of CAD diabetic patients. However, large prospective studies were needed to confirm whether this strategy will be clinically relevant and safe.     

Unusual presentation of giant thymolipoma]

Thymolipoma is a rare thymic tumor; His frequency is estimated at 2 at 9% of all thymic tumors. His diagnosis usually easy, can be difficult with an unusual radio clinic pattern, but actually get benefice from progress in radiologic investigations especially MRI. We reported a case of a 36-year old woman, admitted for a left pleuro-pneumopathy investigation. Evolution, after antibiotic treatment and pleural effusion draining, was well. However, patient developed systolic aortic murmur and a chest-X-ray cardiomegaly supposing cardiologic dysfunction. But the normality of cardiac sonography, the ascension of diaphragma and non-specific thoracic sonographic pattern, guided to thoracic MRI. This exploration demonstrated a giant thymolipoma, which was confirmed by the histologic examination of a resected mass.     

Behavioral,neurochemical, and electrophysiological characterization of a genetic mouse model of depression

Depression is a multifactorial illness and genetic factors play a role in its etiology. The understanding of its physiopathology relies on the availability of experimental models potentially mimicking the disease. Here we describe a model built up by selective breeding of mice with strikingly different responses in the tail suspension test, a stress paradigm aimed at screening potential antidepressants. Indeed, "helpless" mice are essentially immobile in the tail suspension test, as well as the Porsolt forced-swim test, and they show reduced consumption of a palatable 2% sucrose solution. In addition, helpless mice exhibit sleep-wakefulness alterations resembling those classically observed in depressed patients, notably a lighter and more fragmented sleep, with an increased pressure of rapid eye movement sleep. Compared with "nonhelpless" mice, they display higher basal seric corticosterone levels and lower serotonin metabolism index in the hippocampus. Remarkably, serotonin(1A) autoreceptor stimulation induces larger hypothermia and inhibition of serotoninergic neuronal firing in the nucleus raphe dorsalis in helpless than in nonhelpless mice. Thus, helpless mice exhibit a decrease in serotoninergic tone, which evokes that associated with endogenous depression in humans. Finally, both the behavioral impairments and the serotoninergic dysfunction can be improved by chronic treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine. The helpless line of mice may provide an opportunity to approach genes influencing susceptibility to depression and to investigate neurophysiological and neurochemical substrates underlying antidepressant effects.     

Idiopathic chylothorax: usefulness of aetiologic survey and the follow-up

Chylothorax is an uncommon condition. It's characterized by the presence of chyle in the pleura. The most common causes are malignancy and trauma. When an underlying cause is excluded, the chylothorax is called idiopathic. We report a case of a 68 aged woman, admitted for abundant chylothorax. Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging of the chest and thoracotomy showed no lesion of the lymphatic duct. Fibrothorax has developed after pleurodesis. Stable clinical and radiological condition was noticed during 3 years. We discuss the difficulty in the exclusion of a malignancy and the necessity of the follow up for these patients.