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In this paper, the electrical properties different diodes were reported. Pure and Al-doped ZnO thin films of different concentrations (Al: 1, 2 and 3 wt.%) were deposited by sol-gel dip-coating onto p-Si substrate to form heterojunctions. Zinc acetate dehydrate, Hexahydrate aluminum chloride, ethanol and ethanolamine were used as a starting material, doping, solvent and stabilizer, respectively. The dip-coating process with drying was repeated 6 times to obtain multilayer films. The morphological and electrical properties of the thin films as a function of Al concentration have been investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and current-voltage (I-V) measurements at room temperature. AFM images revealed that grain sizes and surface roughness increase with increasing Al concentration. I-V characteristics of the diodes exhibited high and low currents under forward and reverse bias, respectively. The ideality factors (n), rectification ratio (RR) and barrier heights (BH) were found to range from 1.97 to 8.34, 0.84 to 5958 and 0.80 to 0.86 eV for different Al doping concentrations, respectively. These findings showed no monotonic behaviour of the calculated parameters with varying Al doping concentrations. The best electrical characteristic was obtained for the sample n-ZnO: 2 % Al/p-Si, with an ideality factor of 1.97 eV, reverse saturation current of 1.69 ± 10– 8 A, rectification ratio of 5958 at ± 2 V, and barrier height of 0.85 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study examines the optical and electrical characteristics of n-ZnO:Al (AZO) thin films that were deposited on p-Si using the sol-gel dip-coating process, with thicknesses ranging from three to six cycles. The I-V characteristics of the diode device exhibited a high and low current under forward and reverse bias, respectively. The ideality factors were found to decrease from 2.78 to 2.13 with an increase in the number of layers from 3C to 6C. However, it was revealed that the barrier height increased from 0.72 to 0.79 eV. Similarly, the rectification ratio increased from 3196 at ±4 V to 5253 at ±4 V with an increase in the thickness of the emitter layer. Some diode parameters were calculated according to the thermionic and Chueng models and found to be in a range comparable to the literature. The optical study based on photoluminescence under UV excitation showed typical emission spectra of n-AZO/-Si heterostructure characterized by a high emission band around 389 nm, which is due to the recombination of excitons (e-=h+). The various intrinsic defects present in ZnO-doped Al thin films are attributed to the broad emission band in the visible range. The chromaticity study with color properties indicated that the correlated color temperature value of the sample 3C (1380 K) falls in the warm white light region. However, the correlated color temperature value of sample 6C (4454 K) is located in the cool white light source region, which is more suitable as an LED lighting source. It was found that by increasing the emitter layer thickness, the correlated color temperature value of the 6C sample is getting closer to 6504 K - the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) standard for daylight (D65). However, unlike the Duv value of the 6C sample (0.011), the one of the 3C sample (0.0032) is located within the acceptable shift range (±0:006). Based on this study, these heterostructures might be an appealing option for manufacturing W-LEDs with n-UV/blue LED chips as the excitation source for use in displays and lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En Afrique, la prise en charge des envenimations vipérines demeure un problème majeur de santé publique avec un taux de mortalité qui reste élevé.La survenue d’une envenimation vipérine au cours de la grossesse est un événement rare, et grave du fait des conséquences maternelles et fatales qui en découlent. Les auteurs rapportent un cas de morsure de serpent au niveau de la face chez une femme enceinte, dont l’évolution a été marquée par l’installation d’un œdème cervico-facial nécessitant une trachéotomie en urgence, et une mort fatale in utero avec troubles de l’hémostase responsable du décès maternel dans un tableau de choc hémorragique.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles using low cost organic dye Coumarin 343 (C343), carbon counter electrode and iodide electrolyte were fabricated and compared. The two types of thin films were deposited on the transparent conducting oxide substrates by doctor Blade technique. The morphological and structural properties of these thin films were studied using SEM and XRD. Current-voltage measurements were carried out to investigate the DSSCs photovoltaic efficiency. The comparative performance study shows that the cell with ZnO/C343 as the photo-anode produces higher short circuit current density (Jsc) and open circuit voltage (Voc), which leads to higher energy conversion efficiency than the cell with TiO2/C343 as the photo-anode. UV-Visible and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies revealed the better performance of ZnO cell due to higher light absorption and slower electron recombination compared to TiO2 solar cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the GdSn3, CmSn3 and GdxCm1-xSn3 compounds (x = 0:25, 0:5 and 0:75) were studied using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method, within the generalized gradient approximation+U. The ground-state properties are determined for the bulk materials GdSn3, CmSn3 and GdxCm1-xSn3 crystallized in AuCu3-type structure. The calculated structural, electronic and magnetic properties of GdSn3 compound are in good agreement with the existing experimental and theoretical data. It is found that the most stable magnetic con1gurations of both compounds CmSn3 and GdSn3 are anti-ferromagnetic type A (AFM-A) and have a metallic behavior. The magnetic moment found decreases with increasing the Cm composition in GdxCm1-xSn3 compounds. The results show that the GdSn3, CmSn3 and GdxCm1-xSn3 compounds share some properties, and may well be useful for spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the effect of Fe incorporation on structural and electro-optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by spin coating techniques. The Fe/Zn nominal volume ratio was 7 % in the solution. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films showed that doped incorporation leads to substantial changes in the structural characteristics of ZnO films. All the films have polycrystalline structure, with a preferential growth along the ZnO (002) plane. The crystallite size was calculated using a well-known Scherrer’s formula and found to be in the range of 22-17 nm. The highest average optical transmittance value in the visible region was belonging to the Fe doped ZnO film. The results of the Raman scattering confirmed the observations of XRD and UV-Vis analysis techniques by the appearance of these occupancies at Zn+2 sites. These results are explained theoretically and are compared with those reported by other workers. The results of Hall measurement of ZnO and ZnO:Fe thin films reveal a high electron concentration around 1016 cm–3 and low mobility 2.6 cm2/Vs. All as-grown samples show ambiguous carrier conductivity type (p-type and ntype) in the automatic Van der Pauw Hall measurement. A similar result has been observed in Li-doped ZnO and in As-doped ZnO films by other groups before. However, by characterizing our samples whit XPS, we have demonstrated that the ambiguous carrier type n in intended our ZnO films is not intrinsic behavior of the samples. It is due to the persistent photoconductivity effect in ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spray pyrolysis is a simple and low cost technique used for large thin films fabrication. In this paper, we reported the preparation of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films with spray pyrolysis on glass substrates using different aqueous solutions. So, we chose to vary anions (S) and cations (Cu, Zn, Sn) concentrations. The purpose of this choice is the EDX analysis so that the percentage of copper is closer to 25 %; on the other hand, zinc and tin are around 12.5 % and sulfur at 50 %. The structural, chemical composition, morphological and optical properties of CZTS thin films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-visible spectroscopy analysis, respectively. The X-ray diffraction showed the formation of kesterite structure with dominant peaks along (112), (220) and (312) directions. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the existence of internal compressive stress in the CZTS thin films. The EDX analysis showed a better stoichiometry when optimizing the precursor concentrations. CZTS thin films showed low optical transmission and optical absorbance higher than 5×104 сm–1, which make the CZTS thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique suitable for CZTS solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an n-type semiconductor with a large optical gap (3.4 eV) belonging to the transparent conductive oxides family (TCO). Strongly present as optical window in the chalcopyrite based structures CIGS and CIS. The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films deposited onto glass substrates by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) technique have been investigated. For comparison and a better understanding of physical properties of undoped and (Al, In) doped ZnO thin films, a number of techniques, including XRD, SEM, optical absorption method (UV) and four-point probe technique were used to characterize the obtained ZnO thin films. Structural analysis shows that all the films were found to be polycrystalline with a wurtzite structure and show a (1 0 1) preferential growth. Besides, we noted that the preferred orientation does not depend on the nature of dopant. The band gaps (Eg) varied from 3.35 to 3.37 eV by Al and In dopants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is important II-VI semiconductors material for the development of various modern technologies and photovoltaic applications. ZnS thin film was prepared by using chemical spray pyrolysis technique. The starting solution is a mixture of 0.1 M zinc chloride as source of Zn and 0.05 M thiourea as source of S. The glass substrate temperature was varied in the range of 300 °C-400 °C to investigate the influence of substrate temperature on the structure, chemical composition, morphological and optical properties of ZnS films. The DRX analyses indicated that ZnS films have polycrystalline cubic structure with (111) preferential orientation and grain size varied from 25 to 60 nm, increasing with substrate temperature. The optical properties of these films have been studied in the wavelength range 300-2500 nm using UV-VIS spectro-photometer. The ZnS films has a band gap of 3.89 eV-3.96 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoped ZnO thin films have been prepared on glass substrates at different substrate temperatures by spray pyrolysis method. The effect of temperature on the structural, morphological and optical properties of n-type ZnO films was studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that the ZnO thin films were polycrystalline with wurtzite structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements showed that the surface morphology of the films changed with temperature. The studies demonstrated that the ZnO film had a transmission of about 85 % and energy gap of 3.28 eV at 450 °C. The RBS measurements revealed that ZnO layers with a thickness up to 200 nm had a good stoichiometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin oxide films (SnO2) are prepared by the spray pyrolysis technique at different temperatures. The XRD measurement confirm that the thin films grown by this technique have good crystalline tetragonal rutile structures. The observations by scanning electron microscopy indicate that polycrystalline SnO2 film surfaces were formed by pyramidal grains (200 nm 300 nm), The composition on the films was obtained by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), which is identical to the analysis EDS. Characterization by UV-visible spectrophotometry of thin films showed that the films have an optical transmission above 80 % in the visible and the values of Eg were in the range 3.98-4.02 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fluorine doped SnO2 thin films were spray deposited using three tin precursors, tin tetrachloride, dibutyl-tin-diacetate and butyl-tin-trichloride, adding small amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to the source solutions. The molar ratio range [H2O2]/[Sn]=0 to 0.8 with respect to the tin precursor was investigated. At a given deposition temperature T d, a net optimum was found close to [H2O2]/[Sn]=0.5 for the deposition rate, the electrical properties and the crystalline quality. The effect of H2O2 addition was found to increase the growth rate, even at a temperature as low as 340 °C. The higher was the deposition temperature T d, the larger was the increase. The deposition process of FTO films was optimized at T d =420 °C. At this temperature, the most significant result with respect to solar cell applications was obtained with butyl-tin-trichloride as tin precursor and [H2O2]/[Sn]=0.6; carrier concentration : 4.5×1020 cm−3; mobility : 34 cm2 V−1 s−1; resistivity: 4.1×10−4 Ω cm. It is concluded that the main effect of addition of hydrogen peroxide is to improve the film crystallization at a lower T d than in the absence of H2O2, increasing the carrier mobility significantly and keeping a high deposition rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We propose in this work, contact Schottky Nickel/porous silicon (PSi) system, coupled to nanocrystallites size variation of material for a possible technique to reduce dark current. The device consists of metal- semiconductor-metal photodiode (MSM-PD). Higher barrier ΦΒ enhances the performance of MSM-PD through reduction in dark current (Is), and benefits to resolve noise from signal detection of the devices. In order to reduce much more Is, we proposed different anodization times (5–7–10 min) as method to tune the size of nanocrystallites. As result Is value was reduced to almost two orders of magnitude for 10 min etching time, and the value of Is ≈ 10–10 A. ΦΒ reached the value of 0.882 eV. Among the hypothesis suggested in the reduction of Is was the quantum confinement effects. According to Rhoderick model, the Schottky barrier height is explicitly linked to the band gap energy due to the presence of interface states. The existence of narrow nanocrystallites increased energy band gap of PSi and the Schottky barrier height, which in turn reduces Is. The photoluminescence measurements confirmed our hypothesis. Photosensitivity of the device was established by adopting the MSM configuration, and strong absorption was detected in visible range. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The oxide semiconductor compounds such as SnO2, In2O3, ITO, ZnO and others brought about a new attention for the metal-insulator-semiconductor structures as photovoltaic converters because of the high values of transmission and conductivity and the possibility of metal replacement in above-mentioned structures. The characteristics of the solar cells based on these oxide semiconductor compounds can be improved with conductivity increasing of the transparent semiconductor films and that is why the purpose of this paper is obtaining of F-doped tin oxide thin films, preparation of SnO2:F-Si solar cells and studying of their properties. The F-doped tin oxide thin films were prepared by spray pyrolysis technique [1–8]. This method was chosen because of the simplicity of the apparatus and relatively low cost. Aqueous solutions containing 0.1 M (TT, BTT or DTD) and 0.07 M NH4F (in the case of doping with F) have been sprayed by an atomizer on Si or glass substrates, heated up to 420 °C by maintaining the spray liquid volume, the spray time and the pressure of the carrier gas. Spray pyrolysis deposition of transparent and conductive SnO2 is a low-cost and very flexible technique applicable to solar cells. For SnO2, the drawback is that polycrystalline films are only obtained at relatively high deposition temperatures, largely above 450 °C. This constraint may cause damage to the photovoltaic junction. In the present work, it will be demonstrated that the photovoltaic parameters can be influenced by adding small amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to the source solution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• The present work is an important issue to optimize the CZTS solar cell performance. • We've first make an experimental study of the CZTS thin film which it's prepared by sol gel dip coating technique. • Used of the experimental parameters obtained by the experience on the numerical study. • By Scaps-1D we study the effect of the active layer thickness on the performance of the studied cell, and also the effect of, shallow acceptor density and work temperature. This work aims to study the basic Characteristics of CZTS thin films produced by chemical solution process in addition to a numerical study of the CZTS-based solar cells. In this context, eco-friendly and cost effective thin films of CZTS were coated on glass substrates by sol–gel dip-coating method. This method is used to grow crystalline CZTS thin films without sulfidation processes. The structural and optical properties have been carried out by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV/Visible spectroscopy. The oxidation states of CZTS thin film have been studied by, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS analysis. The performance of CZTS solar cells has been investigated with the simulator SCAPS-1 D. The impact of different parameters like the CZTS absorber layer thickness, the carrier doping density and the operation temperature has been studied to get better understanding of the properties of our cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteomics, the large-scale study of proteins in biological systems has emerged as a pivotal tool in the field of animal and veterinary sciences, mainly for investigating local and rustic breeds. Proteomics provides valuable insights into biological processes underlying animal growth, reproduction, health, and disease. In this review, we highlight the key proteomics technologies, methodologies, and their applications in domestic animals, particularly in the tropical context. We also discuss advances in proteomics research, including integration of multi-omics data, single-cell proteomics, and proteogenomics, all of which are promising for improving animal health, adaptation, welfare, and productivity. However, proteomics research in domestic animals faces challenges, such as sample preparation variation, data quality control, privacy and ethical considerations relating to animal welfare. We also provide recommendations for overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the importance of following best practices in sample preparation, data quality control, and ethical compliance. We therefore aim for this review to harness the full potential of proteomics in advancing our understanding of animal biology and ultimately improve animal health and productivity in local breeds of diverse animal species in a tropical context., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Uterine disease in cattle impairs reproductive performance and profitability and increases antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Thus, probiotics offer a promising alternative therapy. This review presents conceptual findings on the efficacy of probiotics in managing uterine diseases and fertility in cows. Probiotics containing Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. individually or as composite formulations are known to improve fertility. Strategic intravaginal administration of these formulations would likely enhance uterine immunity, particularly during the postpartum period. While current findings on the benefits to uterine health are encouraging, there is still significant knowledge missing, including a lack of empirical information from large-scale field trials. This review underscores the need for evidence-based guidelines for probiotics, such as genomic selection of formulations, targeted delivery, or potential synergy with other interventions. Future research should address these gaps to maximize the potential of probiotics in managing uterine diseases and enhancing the reproductive health of dairy cattle.

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a major transboundary animal ailment in Algeria, is a serious economic burden on the livestock sector. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of FMD in Algeria and identifies the factors contributing to this phenomenon., Materials and Methods: Data on FMD cases occurring in Algeria from 2014 to 2022 were collected from various sources, including archives at the Ministry of Agriculture, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, reference laboratory reports, and unpublished scientific reports. The data were compiled and analyzed using MS Office Excel® and SPSS® software., Results: A total of 22,690 FMD cases and 1,141 outbreaks were reported in Algeria between 2014 and 2022. The apex of infections occurred in 2014 (34.5%), followed by an increase in the number of infections in 2019 and 2017. The prevalence of FMD extended to 91.6% of the districts of the country, particularly in the north (center) and eastern regions. Cows were the most affected, with 654 outbreaks and more than 3,665 cases. Although FMD affected all four regions, there was a statistically significant long-term decline in the incidence., Conclusion: These spatial and temporal trends underscore the robust disease control methodologies implemented by the Algerian government, such as the strategic immunization of livestock to fortify their viral resistance, stringent constraints on animal mobility, and enlightenment of farmers regarding the hazards associated with unrestricted livestock movement to effectively curb FMD dissemination., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Guessoum, et al.)

TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite thin films have gained the attention of the scientific community due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In this paper, we report on the fabrication and characterization of a TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite disk-shaped target. The target was used for the deposition of TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide/glass substrates using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The thicknesses of the thin films were fixed to 100 nm, and the deposition temperature ranged from room temperature to 300 °C. As revealed by the microstructural and morphological characterizations revealed, the TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite thin films are amorphous and display homogeneous distribution. The determined values of the indirect optical band gap range from 2.92 to 3.07 eV, while those of the direct optical band gap lie between 3.50 and 3.55 eV. Additionally, as the deposition temperature decreases, the light transmission increases in the visible and in the ultraviolet ranges, which is suitable for flexible perovskite solar cells. This research can uncover new insights into the fabrication of amorphous TiO 2 -SiO 2 -based nanostructured thin films using the PLD technique for perovskite solar cell technology.

Microbiota regulate endometrial health in cattle. It is important to know what a 'good' microbiome is, in order to understand pathogeneses of uterine disease. Given that microbial influx into the genital tract of cows at calving is unavoidable, exploring the involvement of genital tract bacteria in promoting endometrial health is warranted. The dysbiosis of endometrial microbiota is associated with benign and malign uterine diseases. The present review discusses current knowledge about the altered endometrial microbiome and the implications of this modulation on endometrial inflammation, ovarian activity, fecundation, pregnancy, and postpartum complications. Intravaginal administration of symbiotic microbes in cattle is a realistic alternative to antibiotic and hormone therapy to treat uterine disease. Genital microbial diversity can be modeled by nutrition, as the energy balance would improve the growth of specific microbial populations. It may be that probiotics that alter the endometrial microbiome could provide viable alternatives to existing therapies for uterine disease in cattle.

Clinical endometritis (CE) is a multifactorial disease of dairy animals. Retained fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis are the major risk factors of CE in dairy cows. Because uterine inflammation affects the profitability of the dairy industry, antibiotics and hormonal therapies are commonly used to mitigate against the disease. However, the One-Health concept aims to reduce antibiotic use in food animals to avoid the emergence of drug resistance or residues in milk or meat. Thus, phytotherapy may represent a good alternative to antibiotics in food animals. Echinops spinosus (E. spinosus) is a natural plant known to have therapeutic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties in vitro. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of E. spinosus as a preventive strategy for CE in dairy cows with other postpartum complications. Holstein−Friesian cows (n = 36) diagnosed with RFM or metritis enrolled in the study were allocated into three groups. One group received antibiotic treatment. Another group received prostaglandin injection (PG). The experimental group received E. spinosus decoction orally. As a control group, eutocic cows (n = 36), without RFM and metritis were included in the study. The efficiency of the treatment was based on the occurrence of CE and improved reproductive outcomes. At 30 ± 2 DPP, CE was diagnosed in 25%, 58.34%, and 75% in antibiotic, PG, and E. spinosus groups, respectively (p < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups at 55 ± 5 DPP (16.67%, 33.44%, and 41.67% in antibiotic, PG and E. spinosus groups, respectively, p > 0.05). The E. spinosus group had the longest open days, lowest conception rate at 150 DPP, and highest number of services per conception. Oral E. spinosus extract is ineffective as a therapeutic for cows at risk of CE. These findings may pave the way for future innovative strategies employing E. spinosus to protect cattle against endometritis.

Cattle have a genital microbiome that is established early in life, even before calving. Microbial influx into the reproductive system of cows, during calving or mating, is unavoidable and is likely to alter the commensal microflora composition. It is now well established that a commensal endometrial flora is largely responsible for the overall fertility of cows. These microbes are important for maintenance of structural integrity of the genital mucosal barrier, immunomodulation, and protection against pathogens. Further, the genital microbiome functions in the semiochemical communication between a male and female. An optimal balance between the abundance and diversity of the microbiome is essential to promote female genital tract health. Disruption of this balance leads to dysbiosis and genital diseases and perturbed fertility. As part of the global strategy of One World, One Health, there is a need to reduce antibiotic use in animals. This area of research has the potential to expand the knowledge about the nexus between the endometrial microbiome and fertility including being probiotic in different species.

Introduction: The atherosclerosis process is highly accelerated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Oxidative stress is considered as one of the pro-atherogenic factors involved in accelerating the atherosclerosis process of the carotid artery. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between oxidative stress markers and the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in CKD patients., Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 162 patients with CKD and 40 controls, and the disease stage was scored between 2 and 5D. Blood samples were taken and advanced oxidative protein product, myeloperoxidases, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione, and oxidised low-density lipoprotein were measured. Furthermore, we studied the correlations between these biomarkers and clinical and para-clinical cardiovascular complications., Results: The average age of patients was 56.5 years. The oxidative stress markers average ± SD levels in CKD groups compared to the control were as follows: advanced oxidation protein product (61.89 ±1.4 vs. 26.65 ±1.05 µmol/l), myeloperoxidase (59.89 ±1.98 vs. 38.45 ±1.98 UI/ml), malondialdehyde (6.1 ±0.12 vs. 3.26 ±0.03 µmol/l), nitric oxide (65.82 ±1.06 vs. 52.19 ±2.1 µmol/l), glutathione (52.21 ±1.3 vs. 89.4 ±2.6 IU/ml), and oxLDL (15.57 ±1.07 vs. 1.72 ±0.82 µmol/l). While the glutathione level decreased significantly in advanced CKD stage ( p < 0.05), the concentrations of all the other biomarkers increased significantly in accordance with CKD score ( p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Cardiovascular diseases, mainly atherosclerosis, can be diagnosed indirectly by measuring oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, theses markers can be used to predict the progression of CKD, for better management of the disease., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Termedia & Banach.)

Periparturient diseases of dairy cows are caused by disproportionate energy metabolism, mineral imbalance, and perturbed immune function. The aim of the present study was to characterize metabolism, innate immune endometrial gene expression, and uterine microbial populations of transition animals receiving normal or restricted energy diets. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows (n = 14) were randomly assigned to one of the two dietary treatments from 20 d prepartum until 35 d postpartum (DPP). One group was fed a diet providing 100% energy requirements (NE), whereas the other received an energy-restricted diet providing 80% energy requirements (RE). Feed intake, milk yield, body weight, body condition score, temperature, respiratory, and pulse rate were recorded. After calving, blood was collected weekly to analyze nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and total cholesterol (TC). Endometrial cytobrushes were collected for gene expression analysis of inflammatory markers, microbial populations determination, and cytological evaluation. The restricted energy diet did not alter feed intake or milk yield but changed energy balance and metabolites levels (P < 0.05). In fact, RE animals had high NEFA and BHB levels, and low TC concentrations (P < 0.05). Moreover, RE animals had upregulated gene expression of serum amyloid A3 (SAA3) at 35 DPP (P < 0.05) and CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) at 14 DPP (P < 0.01). Interleukin (IL) 1 and IL8 genes were downregulated 14 DPP but upregulated 35 DPP in RE animals, whereas IL6 and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) genes were upregulated at 14 DPP (P ≤ 0.05). The most abundant phyla in RE animals (n = 3) were Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria, whereas Proteobacteria was the least abundant at both 14 and 35 DPP. In conclusion, it can be speculated that energy balance is one of the main drivers for uterine inflammation by affecting metabolism, immune function, and uterine microbiota. However, these findings should be validated in a larger sample size., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the etiologic agent of Johne's disease is spread between cattle via the fecal-oral route, yet the functional changes in the salivary gland associated with infection remain uncharacterized. In this study, we hypothesized that experimental challenge with MAP would induce stable changes in gene expression patterns in the salivary gland that may shed light on the mucosal immune response as well as the regional variation in immune capacity of this extensive gland. Holstein-Friesian cattle were euthanized 33 months' post oral challenge with MAP strain CIT003 and both the parotid and mandibular salivary glands were collected from healthy control (n = 5) and MAP exposed cattle (n = 5) for histopathological and transcriptomic analysis., Results: A total of 205, 21, 61, and 135 genes were significantly differentially expressed between control and MAP exposed cattle in dorsal mandibular (M1), ventral mandibular (M2), dorsal parotid (P1) and ventral parotid salivary glands (P2), respectively. Expression profiles varied between the structurally divergent parotid and mandibular gland sections which was also reflected in the enriched biological pathways identified. Changes in gene expression associated with MAP exposure were detected with significantly elevated expression of BoLA DR-ALPHA, BOLA-DRB3 and complement factors in MAP exposed cattle. In contrast, reduced expression of genes such as polymeric immunoglobin receptor (PIGR), TNFSF13, and the antimicrobial genes lactoferrin (LF) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) was detected in MAP exposed animals., Conclusions: This first analysis of the transcriptomic profile of salivary glands in cattle adds an important layer to our understanding of salivary gland immune function. Transcriptomic changes associated with MAP exposure have been identified including reduced LF and LPO. These critical antimicrobial and immunoregulatory proteins are known to be secreted into saliva and their downregulation may contribute to disease susceptibility. Future work will focus on the validation of their expression levels in saliva from additional cattle of known infection status as a potential strategy to augment disease diagnosis.

Cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM), the product of epithelial cells lining the uterus, cervix and vagina, is secreted to facilitate uterine lubrication and microbial clearance. Predominantly composed of water and mucins, CVM also contains high levels of immuno-active proteins such as immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin and lysozyme which protect against infection by blocking adhesion and mediating microbial killing. The repertoire of cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides is predominantly generated by the secretions of endometrial epithelial cells into the uterine lumen and concentrated in the CVM. The quantity and relative proportions of these inflammatory biomarkers are affected by diverse factors including the estrus cycle and health status of the animal and therefore potentially provide important diagnostic and prognostic indicators. We propose that measuring molecular signatures in bovine CVM could be a useful approach to identifying and monitoring genital tract pathologies in beef and dairy cows.

Background: In the postpartum cow, early diagnosis of uterine disease is currently problematic due to the lack of reliable, non-invasive diagnostic methods. Cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) is an easy to collect potentially informative source of biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of uterine disease in cows. Here, we report an improved method for processing CVM from postpartum dairy cows for the measurement of immune biomarkers. CVM samples were collected from the vagina using gloved hand during the first two weeks postpartum and processed with buffer alone or buffer containing different concentrations of the reducing agents recommended in standard protocols: Dithiothriotol (DTT) or N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC). Total protein was measured using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay; interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8 and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) were measured by ELISA., Results: We found that use of reducing agents to liquefy CVM affects protein yield and the accuracy of biomarker detection. Our improved protocol results in lower protein yields but improved detection of cytokines and chemokines. Using our modified method to measure AGP in CVM we found raised levels of AGP at seven days postpartum in CVM from cows that went on to develop endometritis., Conclusion: We conclude that processing CVM without reducing agents improves detection of biomarkers that reflect uterine health in cattle. We propose that measurement of AGP in CVM during the first week postpartum may identify cows at risk of developing clinical endometritis.

Aim: The present study was conducted to detect and identify Helicobacter pylori within local cow breeds in the central region of Algeria., Materials and Methods: Two hundred (n=200) cows from three provinces of the central region of Algeria were studied, between January 2016 and September 2017. Each cow was subject to stool, milk, and blood sampling. Milk and fecal samples were used to detect and identify H. pylori using bacteriology culture method. Blood and milk samples were used to detect H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the abundance of H. pylori in milk by detecting glmM gene., Results: Out of 200 sera and 200 milk samples, 12% (24) and 4% (8/200) were positive for the H. pylori IgG antibody. glmM gene was detected in the milk of 13% of cows and was confirmed in all cows presenting IgG in milk., Conclusion: From the present study, we concluded that the glmM gene is an important marker for detecting H. pylori in milk. Moreover, Algerian local-breed cows are a source of H. pylori and could be responsible for serious zoonosis.

Endometritis significantly impacts fertility and milk yield, thus reducing profitability of the dairy production. In cows that develop endometritis, normal postpartum endometrial inflammation is dysregulated. Here, we propose that endometrial inflammation is reflected in cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) which could therefore be used as a prognostic tool. CVM was collected from 20 dairy cows (10 with clinical endometritis and 10 healthy) 7 and 21 days postpartum (DPP). Polymorphonuclear (PMN), mononuclear leukocyte and epithelial cells were counted, total protein levels were estimated and levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and C5b were analyzed by ELISA in CVM. PMN were consistently high in CVM from 7 to 21 DPP, but were higher in CVM from cows with clinical endometritis 21 DPP compared with healthy cows. In contrast, there were more epithelial cells in healthy cows 21 DPP than in clinical endometritis animals. Total protein levels decreased significantly in CVM from healthy cows between days 7 and 21 postpartum. All inflammatory biomarkers except C5b, remained high in cows with clinical endometritis from 7 to 21 DPP, indicating sustained and chronic endometrial inflammation. IL1, IL-6, IL-8 and Hp levels were higher in CVM from cows with clinical endometritis compared to healthy cows 21 DPP. Interestingly IL-1β levels were raised in CVM from clinical endometritis but not in healthy cows 7 DPP suggesting that early measurement of IL-1β levels might provide a useful predictive marker of clinical endometritis. In contrast, SAA and C5b levels were increased in healthy cows 21 DPP, compared to cows with clinical endometritis suggesting that these acute phase proteins might have an anti-inflammatory role. Our results show that CVM is convenient for profiling disease-associated changes in key inflammatory molecules postpartum and reaffirms that sustained inflammation is a key feature of clinical endometritis in the dairy cow., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal processing and analysis provide crucial information about functional status of the heart. The QRS complex represents the most important component within the ECG signal. Its detection is the first step of all kinds of automatic feature extraction. QRS detector must be able to detect a large number of different QRS morphologies. This paper examines the use of wavelet detail coefficients for the accurate detection of different QRS morphologies in ECG. Our method is based on the power spectrum of QRS complexes in different energy levels since it differs from normal beats to abnormal ones. This property is used to discriminate between true beats (normal and abnormal) and false beats. Significant performance enhancement is observed when the proposed approach is tested with the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database (MITDB). The obtained results show a sensitivity of 99.64% and a positive predictivity of 99.82%., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An in-home sleep monitoring system was developed previously in our laboratory for monitoring electrocardiography (ECG) and respiratory signals. However, the ECG signal acquired with this system is prone to high-grade noise caused by motion artifact. Since the detection of the QRS complexes with high accuracy is very important in a computer-based analysis of the ECG, a high accuracy QRS detection algorithm is developed and based on the combination of heart rate indicators and morphological ECG features. The proposed algorithm is tested both on 16 h data acquired using the two sensors of our cardiorespiratory belt system, i.e., the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film and the conductive fabric sheets, and on all 48 records of the MIT/BIH Arrhythmia Database. Satisfying results are obtained for both databases, the sensitivity S(e) and positive predictivity P(+) were calculated for each case and results show S(e)=[96.98%, 93.76%] and P(+)=[97.81%, 99.48%] for conductive fabric and PVDF film sensors, respectively, and S(e)=99.77% and P(+)=99.64% in the case of the MIT/BIH Arrhythmia Database. Further, heart rate variability (HRV) measures were calculated using our system and a commercial system. A comparison between systems' results is done to show the usefulness of our developed algorithm used with our cardiorespiratory belt sensor.

In this paper, a new method for the detection of apnea/hypopnea periods in physiological data is presented. The method is based on the intelligent combination of an integrated sensor system for long-time cardiorespiratory signal monitoring and dedicated signal-processing packages. Integrated sensors are a PVDF film and conductive fabric sheets. The signal processing package includes dedicated respiratory cycle (RC) and QRS complex detection algorithms and a new method using the respiratory cycle variability (RCV) for detecting apnea/hypopnea periods in physiological data. Results show that our method is suitable for online analysis of long time series data.