Antiphospholipid syndrome; its implication in cardiovascular diseases: a review

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is a rare syndrome mainly characterized by several hyper-coagulable complications and therefore, implicated in the operated cardiac surgery patient. APLS comprises clinical features such as arterial or venous thromboses, valve disease, coronary artery disease, intracardiac thrombus formation, pulmonary hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy. The most commonly affected valve is the mitral, followed by the aortic and tricuspid valve. For APLS diagnosis essential is the detection of so-called antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) as anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) or lupus anticoagulant (LA). Minor alterations in the anticoagulation, infection, and surgical stress may trigger widespread thrombosis. The incidence of thrombosis is highest during the following perioperative periods: preoperatively during the withdrawal of warfarin, postoperatively during the period of hypercoagulability despite warfarin or heparin therapy, or postoperatively before adequate anticoagulation achievement. Cardiac valvular pathology includes irregular thickening of the valve leaflets due to deposition of immune complexes that may lead to vegetations and valve dysfunction; a significant risk factor for stroke. Patients with APLS are at increased risk for thrombosis and adequate anticoagulation is of vital importance during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A successful outcome requires multidisciplinary management in order to prevent thrombotic or bleeding complications and to manage perioperative anticoagulation. More work and reporting on anticoagulation management and adjuvant therapy in patients with APLS during extracorporeal circulation are necessary

Compositional dependence of the crystal symmetry of Eu3+-doped (SrxBa1-x)(2)CaWyMo1-yO6 phosphors

International audienceTwo series of A-site and B-site Eu3+ doped (SrxBa1-x)(2)CaWyMo1-yO6 double perovskite phosphor materials were prepared via a modified Pechini sol-gel route; (SrxBa1-x)(1.96)Eu(0.02)K(0.02)CaW(y)Mo(1-)yO(6) and (SrxBa1-x)(2)Ca0.96Eu0.02Li0.02WyMo1-yO6 (x and y=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1). The Sr/Ba ratio was the main determinant for the crystal symmetry of the series, while variation in the W/Mo ratio did influence the crystal symmetry significantly. The crystal structure evolved with Sr/Ba ratio from cubic Frn (3) over barm for x=0, via tetragonal 14/m for x=0.25, to monoclinic P2(1)/n for x >= 0.5, as verified by Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffractograms as well as by Raman spectroscopy. The reported boundaries for the compositionally induced phase transitions are in very good agreement with reported optical properties. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Photoluminescence of A- and B-site Eu3+-substituted (SrxBa1-x)(2)CaWy Mo1-yO6 phosphors

International audienceThe photoluminescence of two series of A- and B-site Eu3+ substituted (SrxBa1-x)(2)CaWyMo1-yO6 double perovskite phosphor materials, (SrxBa1-x)(1.96)Eu0.02K0.02CaWyMo1-yO6 and (SrxBa1-x)(2)Ca0.96Eu0.02Li0.02WyMo1-yO6 (x and y=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1), were studied systematically as a function of stoichiometry and crystal structure. The Eu3+ lattice sites controlled by co-doping with either K or Li were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The variation in integrated emission intensity and emission colour over the experimental matrix was examined using statistical tools, and the observed trends were rationalized based on the physical and electronic structure of the phosphors. Phosphors with Eu on B-site with maximum Sr content had remarkably higher emission intensities than all other materials, but the emission was more orange than red due to domination of the D-5(0) - F-7(1) (595 nm) transition of Eu3+. The relative intensities of the D-5(0) - F-7(2) (615 nm) and D-3(0) - F-7(1) transitions of Eu3+, and thus the red-shift of the emission, decreased linearly with increasing Sr content in the A-site Eu-substituted phosphors, and reached a maximum for Sr1.96Eu0.02K0.02CaW0.25Mo0.75O6. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 17% was obtained for the phosphor Sr2Ca0.7Eu0.15Li0.15W0.5Mo0.5O6 with Eu on B-site. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved