Optical properties investigation and multicolor behavior of neodymium (Nd)-doped oxyfluoride silicate glasses SiO-PbO-PbF.

The aim of this research is to investigate novel compositions of oxyfluoride glasses doped with Neodymium (Nd) rare earth ions in the visible spectrum. This area has not been extensively studied in the existing literature, so it is vital to understand the favorable photoluminescence characteristics within this part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, we synthesized and characterized SiO-PbO-PbF (SPF) doped with 1% neodymium (Nd) ions glasses.

Luminescence properties of CdF single crystals co-doped with Er and Y ions.

The luminescence properties of erbium and yttrium co-doped cadmium difluoride with three different concentrations of yttrium were investigated. First, we synthesized single crystal samples with good optical quality using the Bridgman technique. From the optical absorption spectra, recorded at room temperature, both in the ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectral ranges, Judd-Ofelt analysis was performed based on yttrium concentrations to predict the radiative properties of Er luminescent ions.

The relationship between body mass index, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis risk factors in type 1 and 2 diabetic patients from northwestern Algeria.

The present work was framed to study the relationship between body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and atherosclerosis risk factors on the basis of three lipid ratios in type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. A prospective, comparative, and cross-sectional study was performed at the level of three health facilities in Sidi-Bel-Abbes city (north-western Algeria). Anthropometric parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and lipid profiles were assessed in adults T1D and T2D patients over a period of eleven months.

Lipoprotein Ratios: A Potential Biomarker for Clinical Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis in Type 1 Diabetic Patients With Foot Ulceration.

Background Lipoprotein ratios are indicators of atherosclerosis and related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Early and accurate diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease in patients with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is required urgently and remains fundamental to assess the risk of CVDs. This study aimed to determine whether lipoprotein ratios can predict atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetic patients with DFU.

Associations Between Dietary Antioxidant Intake and Markers of Atherosclerosis in Middle-Aged Women From North-Western Algeria.

The role of several dietary antioxidants in preventing the development and the progression of atherosclerosis has recently aroused considerable interest. Although they are not yet conclusive, most of the existing suggestions support this hypothesis. The aim of the present work was to investigate the intake of dietary antioxidant nutrients in relation to atherogenic indices in a group of Algerian middle aged women with and without type 2 diabetes.

Primary antibiotic resistance and its relationship with cagA and vacA genes in Helicobacter pylori isolates from Algerian patients.

The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics is poorly documented in Africa and especially in Algeria. The aim of our study was to determine the antibiotic resistance rates, as well as its possible relationship with VacA and CagA virulence markers of isolates from Algerian patients. One hundred and fifty one H.

Epidemiological profile of gastric cancer in the northwestern region of Algeria: about 116 cases.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a public health issue despite the global incidence decrease over the last decades. GC is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and stills of poor prognosis due to its late detection. The overall objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological aspects of stomach cancer.

Gland and Zonal Segmentation of Prostate on T2W MR Images.

For many years, prostate segmentation on MR images concerned only the extraction of the entire gland. Currently, in the focal treatment era, there is a continuously increasing need for the separation of the different parts of the organ. In this paper, we propose an automatic segmentation method based on the use of T2W images and atlas images to segment the prostate and to isolate the peripheral and transition zones.

Effect of IL-1β and IL-1RN polymorphisms in carcinogenesis of the gastric mucosa in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori in Algeria.

Background: Infection with Helicobacter pylori is considered a potential risk of developing gastric cancer in association with contributing host genetic factor. IL-1β and IL-1RN polymorphisms appear to maintain and promote Helicobacter pylori infection and to stimulate neoplastic growth of the gastric mucosa.

Objective And Methods: In order to elucidate the effect of these polymorphisms in combination with gastric cancer in a population from northwestern Algeria, a case-control study was carried out on 79 patients infected with H.

Immunohistochemical examination of cholecystokinin and gastrin receptors (CCK-2/gastrin-R) expression in normal and exocrine cancerous human pancreatic tissues.

Objective: Evaluating tissue samples of normal and exocrine cancerous human pancreas on the expression of CCK2/gastrin receptor. We performed an immunohistochemical protocol that allows efficient detection of this receptor in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human tissues.

Methods: Twenty (20) paraffin blocks of pancreatic tissue sections were collected from the Departments of pathology, Central University Hospital of Sidi-bel-Abbes City (Western Algeria) for the period 2004-2013; ten (10) of them were normal pancreatic samples; and ten (10) cancerous pancreatic sections.

Delayed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer reported as more common in a population of North African young adults.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging tumor entities worldwide, characterized as a highly aggressive disease with dismal overall prognosis and an incidence rate equaling mortality rate.

Objective: In order to have an update about pancreatic cancer incidence and evolution in North Africa, we conducted an epidemiological analytical retrospective study at the level of three Algerian regions: Sidi-bel-Abbes, Oran and Tlemcen along the last eight years [2006-2013].

Methods: We performed a retrospective hospital-based study in which we analyzed the records of 160 pancreatic cancer patients registered, evaluated and treated in a Northern African region; at the level of hospital centers of the three western Algerian regions from 2006 to 2013.

Impact of corpulence parameters and haemoglobin A1c on metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients: comparison of apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio with fasting and postprandial conventional lipid ratios.

Background And Objective: The incidence of diabetes co-morbidities could probably be better assessed by studying its associations with major corpulence parameters and glycaemic control indicators. We assessed the utility of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in metabolic control for type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Fasting and postprandial blood samples were collected from 238 type 2 diabetic patients aged 57.

Epidemiology and risk factors for exocrine pancreatic cancer in a Northern African population.

Background: The etiology of pancreatic cancer remains largely unknown. Although epidemiological studies have reported that many environmental factors may contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer, only age and cigarette smoking have been established as consistent risk factors for the disease.

Objective: Studying the biological clinical and histological features of patients with pancreatic cancer in order to assess the possible risk factors for pancreatic cancer in a North African population.

A survey of prostate modeling for image analysis.

Computer technology is widely used for multimodal image analysis of the prostate gland. Several techniques have been developed, most of which incorporate a priori knowledge extracted from organ features. Knowledge extraction and modeling are multi-step tasks.

Effect of Gender and Body Weight on Postprandial Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

Introduction: The magnitude of the healthcare problem of type-2-diabetes increases according to its association with several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity and dyslipidemia.

Methods: This study took place in the north-western region of Algeria. We aimed to assess the effect of body weight and gender on postprandial lipid and glucose in type-2-diabetes patients.

The use of the green emission in Er(3+)-doped CaF(2) crystals for thermometry application.

We report here the use of the green upconversion emissions originating from the thermally coupled levels (2)H(11/2) and (4)S(3/2) of the Er(3+) ion in CaF(2):Er (0.01 at.%) for thermometry application in the range 303-423 K.

Fully automated screening procedure for early detection of visual field defects.

A major problem in mass screening for glaucoma is the substantial time required to detect areas of depressed visual sensitivity, scotoma. We have developed a novel instrument for testing rapidly and automatically the sensitivity of the visual field. The patient views a large CRT screen on which up to four luminous points are presented in a prearranged pattern.