Evaluation of the microstructure, optical properties and hopping conduction mechanism of rare earth doped Ba0.85Ca0.12RE0.03Ti0.90Zr0.04Nb0.042O3 ceramics (RE = Ce3+ and Pr3+).

The current research work examines the impact of Rare Earth (RE3+) ion substitution on the structural, optical and conduction properties of a Ba0.85Ca0.12RE0.03Ti0.90Zr0.04Nb0.042O3 (BCRETZN) (RE = Ce, Pr) ceramic compound produced via a solid-state route. The Rietveld method of the X-ray data revealed a tetragonal (P4mm) structure at room temperature for our ceramic compound. The morphology of the compound was explored using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) as well as optical response and conduction behavior. The photoluminescence properties revealed that the BCPrTZN sample results in green and red photoemissions under laser excitation at 450 nm at RT. Furthermore, for the BCCeTZN sample, the photoluminescence data demonstrated that strong violet emission bands were acquired, at RT upon an excitation at 350 nm. The electrical conduction process was verified via the correlated barrier Hopping method. The scaling behavior suggests that the electrical conduction mechanism is independent of temperature. The existence of Ce3+ and Pr3+ ions in these materials could have important technological potential in new multifunctional devices.

[Idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis]. / Fibrose médiastinale idiopathique.

Mediastinal fibrosis or fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare condition characterized by chronic fibrosis occurring in mediastinal structures, in proliferating fibrous scar tissue. The disease may be secondary or idiopathic. The authors report the case of a 46-year-old woman, without a particular past history, who, in December 2006, presented dyspnoea on exertion and a superior vena cava syndrome. Her chest X-ray showed a right laterotracheal opacity. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed concentric tracheobronchial narrowing, severe hyperemia and mucosal edema. The chest computed tomography documented the obstruction of the superior vena cava, the right main bronchus and the right upper lobe bronchus secondary to a mediastinal mass. Mediastinoscopy revealed a hard and dense mass, surrounding the different structures of the mediastinum. Pathologic examination corroborated mediastinal fibrosis. No cause was determined. Prednisone and anticoagulant were prescribed during 2 years with a regression of dyspnoea and the superior vena cava syndrome and an important regression of radiological lesions. In conclusion, prolonged corticosteroids may be efficient in the treatment of idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis.

[Necrotizing fasciitis complicating transthoracic biopsy]. / Fasciite nécrosante compliquant une ponction-biopsie transthoracique.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive and often fatal infection of the soft-tissue fascia deep to the skin but superficial to the muscles. We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior chest wall complicating a percutaneous needle biopsy. CASE: A 49-year-old diabetic patient, presented persistent excavated right pulmonary opacities. A percutaneous biopsy was obtained and complicated by a necrotizing fasciitis. The patient underwent surgery for total resection of the necrotic tissues followed by antibiotic treatment. Outcome was favorable after 30 days of antibiotic therapy. DISCUSSION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening complication of transthoracic percutaneous biopsy. Prognosis depends on rapid diagnosis and treatment.

[Pulmonary mucormycosis. Two cases]. / Mucormycose pulmonaire. A propos de deux cas.

Mucormycosis is a rare, devastating, opportunistic fungal infection, which occurs principally in some particular conditions, specially in non-controlled diabetic patients, notably during keratoacidosis. We report two cases in 62 and 72 year-old diabetic women. In both cases, histologic examination of endobronchial biopsies showed tissue invasion by hyphae with characteristic morphology leading to the diagnosis of pulmonary zygomycosis. This difficult diagnosis must be evoked in diabetic patients with non-responsive lung infections in order to apply early aggressive therapy.

[Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in adults]. / Hémosidérose pulmonaire idiopathique de l'adulte.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage characterized by abnormal deposition of hemosiderin iron in the macrophages of alveoli. Most cases occur in children. In adults, IPH is rare: almost 10 cases reported during the late 10 years. We report the case of a 20-year-old-girl with IPH. There was no evidence of pulmonary vasculitis or capillaritis. Long-term treatment with systemic corticosteroids was followed by clinical remission lasting 4 years.

[Unusual presentation of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis]. / Lipoprotéinose alvéolaire pulmonaire de présentation inhabituelle.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of granular lipoproteinaceous material within the alveoli; the interstitium is preserved. We report the case of a 27-year-old patient hospitalized for exploration of asymptomatic bilateral interstitial syndrome. Neither the radiographic signs nor the aspect of bronchoalveolar lavage was typical. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathology examination of surgical lung biopsy specimen which revealed lesions of interstitial fibrosis and cholesterol granulomas in association with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Since there was no functional deterioration, therapeutic abstention was decided.

[Etiology and evolution of bronchiectasis in women]. / Profil étiologique et évolutif des bronchectasies chez la femme.

INTRODUCTION: Although considered as an orphan disease in the developed countries, bronchiectasis are frequent in our country as in all emerging ones. They are most common in women and they represent a frequent cause for consultation and hospitalization in pulmonology departments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To determine the etiology and prognosis of the bronchectasies in women, a retrospective study was performed including 200 patients. RESULTS: The mean age was 55.60 years. The diagnosis of bronchiectasis was confirmed in all patients. Bronchiectasis were post-tuberculosis in 56.5% of cases and primitive in 29.5% of cases. The systemic diseases, in particular the rheumatoid polyarthritis represented 3% of cases. The infectious complications and the chronic respiratory failure were more frequent in patients with primitive bronchiectasis than those with secondary bronchiectasis. However this difference was statistically significant only for the chronic respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: The bronchiectasis remains frequent in women in our country, as a sequel of pulmonary tuberculosis more than primitive forms. Bronchiectasis secondary to systemic diseases, although rare, must be known.