Recycled Polypropylene/Strontium Ferrite Polymer Composite Materials with Electromagnetic Shielding Properties

This paper presents the obtaining and characterization of recycled polypropylene/strontium ferrite (PP/SrFe12O19) polymer composite materials with applications in the electromagnetic shielding of vehicle interiors (mainly automotive electronics-carcasses) from the electromagnetic radiation emitted mainly by exterior sources-electrical lines and supply sources-in terms of the development of the new electrical vehicles. With this aim, suitable polymer composite materials were developed using SrFe12O19 filler in two forms (powder and concentrate). The recycled PP polymer and composite materials with a PP/SrFe12O19 weight ratio of 75/25 and 70/30 were obtained in two stages, i.e., pellets by extrusion and samples for testing through a melt injection process. The characterization of the obtained materials took into account the requirements imposed by the desired applications. It consisted of determining the mechanical and dielectric properties, and microstructure analyses, along with the determination of the resistance to the action of a temperature of 70 °C, which is higher than the temperatures created during the summer inside vehicles. The performance of these materials as electromagnetic shields was assessed through functional tests consisting of the determination of magnetic permeability and the estimation of the electromagnetic shielding efficiency (SE). The obtained results confirmed the improvement of the mechanical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of the PP/SrFe12O19 composites compared to the selected PP polymers. It is also found that all the composite materials exhibited reflective shielding properties (SER from -71.5 dB to -56.7 dB), with very little absorption shielding. The most performant material was the composite made of PP/SrFe12O19 powder with a weight ratio of 70/30. The promising results recommend this composite material for potential use in automotive shielding applications against electromagnetic pollution.

Special Packaging Materials from Recycled PET and Metallic Nano-Powders

The European methodology for plastics, as a feature of the EU's circular economy activity plan, ought to support the decrease in plastic waste. The improvement of recycled plastics' economics and quality is one important part of this action plan. Additionally, achieving the requirement that all plastic packaging sold in the EU by 2030 be recyclable or reusable is an important objective. This means that food packaging materials should be recycled in a closed loop at the end. One of the most significant engineering polymers is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is widely used. Due to its numerous crucial qualities, it has a wide variety of applications, from packaging to fibers. The thermoplastic polyolefin, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene (PP), is a popular choice utilized globally in a wide range of applications. In the first phase of the current experiment, the materials were obtained by hot pressing with the press machine. The reinforcer is made of Al nanopowder 800 nm and Fe nanopowder 790 nm and the quality of the recycled polymer was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From DSC variation curves as a function of temperature, the values from the transformation processes (glass transition, crystallization, and melting) are obtained. SEM measurements revealed that the polymer composites with Al have smooth spherical particles while the ones with Fe have bigger rough spherical particles.

Flexible Electromagnetic Shielding Nano-Composites Based on Silicon and NiFe2O4 Powders

In this paper, the obtaining and characterization of five experimental models of novel polymer composite materials with ferrite nano-powder are presented. The composites were obtained by mechanically mixing two components and pressing the obtained mixture on a hot plate press. The ferrite powders were obtained by an innovative economic co-precipitation route. The characterization of these composites consisted of physical and thermal properties: hydrostatic density, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and TG DSC thermal analyses, along with functional electromagnetic tests in order to demonstrate the functionality of these materials as electromagnetic shields (magnetic permeability, dielectric characteristics, and shielding effectiveness). The purpose of this work was to obtain a flexible composite material, applicable to any type of architecture for the electrical and automotive industry, necessary for protection against electromagnetic interference. The results demonstrated the efficiency of such materials at lower frequencies, but also in the microwave domain, with higher thermal stability and lifetime.

Immune-mediated diseases involving central and peripheral nervous systems

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In addition to combined central and peripheral demyelination, other immune diseases could involve both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

METHODS

To identify immune-mediated diseases responsible for symptomatic combined central/peripheral nervous system involvement (ICCPs), we conducted a multicentric retrospective study and assessed clinical, electrophysiological, and radiological features of patients fulfilling our ICCP criteria.

RESULTS

Thirty patients (20 males) were included and followed during a median of 79.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 43-145). The median age at onset was 51.5 years (IQR = 39-58). Patients were assigned to one of four groups: (i) monophasic disease with concomitant CNS/PNS involvement including anti-GQ1b syndrome (acute polyradiculoneuropathy + rhombencephalitis, n = 2), checkpoint inhibitor-related toxicities (acute polyradiculoneuropathy + encephalitis, n = 3), and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (subacute polyradiculoneuropathy and meningoencephalomyelitis with linear gadolinium enhancements, n = 2); (ii) chronic course with concomitant CNS/PNS involvement including paraneoplastic syndromes (ganglionopathy/peripheral hyperexcitability + limbic encephalitis, n = 4); (iii) chronic course with sequential CNS/PNS involvement including POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, skin changes) syndrome (polyradiculoneuropathy + strokes, n = 2), histiocytosis (polyradiculoneuropathy + lepto-/pachymeningitis, n = 1), and systemic vasculitis (multineuropathy + CNS vasculitis/pachymeningitis, n = 2); and (iv) chronic course with concomitant or sequential CNS/PNS involvement including combined central and peripheral demyelination (polyradiculoneuropathy + CNS demyelinating lesions, n = 10) and connective tissue diseases (ganglionopathy/radiculopathy/multineuropathy + limbic encephalitis/transverse myelitis/stroke, n = 4).

CONCLUSIONS

We diagnosed nine ICCPs. The timing of central and peripheral manifestations and the disease course help determine the underlying immune disease. When antibody against neuroglial antigen is identified, CNS and PNS involvement is systematically concomitant, suggesting a common CNS/PNS antigen and a simultaneous disruption of blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers.

Kidney involvement in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a cohort study of 103 patients

Background

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a disabling and life-threatening disease that primarily affects the nervous system and heart. Its kidney involvement has not been systematically studied, particularly in non-V30M mutations, and is not well known to nephrologists.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study describing the kidney phenotype of all prevalent patients with ATTR mutations, with neurological or cardiac involvement or presymptomatic carriers, followed up in two university hospitals from the South of France between June 2011 and June 2021.

Results

A total of 103 patients were included, among whom 79 were symptomatic and 24 were presymptomatic carriers. Patients carried 21 different ATTR mutations and 54% carried the V30M mutation. After a mean follow-up of 7.9 ± 25.7 years, 30.4% of the symptomatic patients had developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 20.3% had a urinary protein:creatinine ratio ≥0.5 g/g. None of the presymptomatic carriers had CKD or proteinuria. In a multivariate analysis, late onset of symptoms (after 60 years), the V122I mutation and proteinuria were significantly associated with CKD. The median CKD-free survival in symptomatic patients was estimated at 81.0 years (interquartile range 77.1–84.9). It did not differ between V30M and non-V30M patients, but was lower in patients with the V122I mutation. The average age of the onset of CKD was 69.3 ± 13.0 years. In one 38-year-old V30M female who presented a kidney-predominant phenotype, treatment with patisiran resulted in remission of the nephrotic syndrome.

Conclusion

CKD affects almost one-third of patients with symptomatic ATTRv. The role of ATTRv per se in the development of CKD in this population remains to be determined, but some patients may benefit from specific therapies.

MO045: Kidney involvement in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a cohort study of 103 patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a disabling and life-threatening disease that primarily affects the nervous system and heart. Its kidney involvement has been poorly studied and is not well known to nephrologists.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective study describing kidney phenotype of all prevalent patients with ATTR mutations, with symptomatic amyloidosis or asymptomatic carriers, followed-up in two university hospitals from the South of France, between June 2011 and June 2021.

RESULTS

103 patients were included, among whom 79 were symptomatic and 24 asymptomatic carriers, and 54% carried a V30M mutation. After a mean follow-up of 7.9 ± 25.7 years, 30.4% of the symptomatic patients had developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 20.7% had a urinary protein/creatinine ratio ≥0.5 g/g. None of the asymptomatic carriers had CKD or proteinuria. Median CKD-free survival in the global cohort was 81.0 years, and the average age of CKD onset was 69.3 ± 13.0 years. In a multivariate analysis, late onset of ATTR symptoms (after 60 years), the V122I mutation and proteinuria were significantly associated with CKD. In a 38-year-old V30M female, who presented a kidney-predominant phenotype, treatment with Patisiran resulted in remission of the nephrotic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

CKD affects almost one-third of patients with symptomatic ATTR amyloidosis. The role of ATTR amyloidosis per se in the development of CKD in this population remains to be determined, but some patients may benefit from specific therapies.

High-Efficiency Biocidal Solution Based on Radiochemically Synthesized Cu-Au Alloy Nanoparticles

The use of nanotechnologies in the applied biomedical sciences can offer a new way to treat infections and disinfect surfaces, materials, and products contaminated with various types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The Cu-Au nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by an eco-friendly method that allowed the obtaining in a one-step process of size controlled, well dispersed, fully reduced, highly stable NPs at very mild conditions, using high energy ionizing radiations. The gamma irradiation was performed in an aqueous system of Cu²⁺/Au³⁺/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)/Ethylene Glycol. After irradiation, the change of color to ruby-red was the first indicator for the formation of NPs. Moreover, the UV-Vis spectra showed a maximum absorption peak between 524 and 540 nm, depending on the copper amount. The Cu-Au NPs presented nearly spherical shapes, sizes between 20 and 90 nm, and a zeta potential of about −44 mV indicating a good electrostatic stability. The biocidal properties performed according to various standards applied in the medical area, in dirty conditions, showed a 5 lg reduction for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus hirae, a 5 lg reduction for both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses such as Adenovirus type 5, Murine Norovirus, and human Coronavirus 229E, and a 4 lg reduction for Candida albicans, respectively. Thus, the radiochemically synthesized Cu-Au alloy NPs proved to have high biocide efficiency against the tested bacteria, fungi, and viruses (both encapsulated and non-encapsulated). Therefore, these nanoparticle solutions are suitable to be used as disinfectants in the decontamination of hospital surfaces or public areas characterized by high levels of microbiological contamination.

Distribution of Triclocarban in Natural Aqueous Systems Amended with Carbon Nanomaterials

In this work, the sorption of TCC in natural aqueous solutions with different chemical compositions, on amended sediments with carbon nanomaterials such as MWCNTs and C60, pristine and weathered is presented. The variation of the temperature, the composition of the natural water, the compositions of the sediment were studied, the results were correlated for a better understanding of the possible effects of the carbon nanomaterials in the environment.

Single and simultaneous multiple intracerebral hemorrhages: a radiological review

Simultaneous multiple intracerebral hemorrhage (SMICH) is defined as ICH in two or more discrete noncontiguous acute intraparenchymal locations on initial CT. About 5% of ICH patients present with SMICH. ICH/SMICH etiology is classically divided into disorders of primary or secondary origin. About half of primary SMICH cases are caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy or hypertensive arteriopathy. In this review, we will discuss the radiological features associated with the different causes of primary and secondary ICH and SMICH. Due to its rarity and the associated high morbidity and mortality, we will focus in particular on SMICH.

Chronic Small Cortical Cerebellar Infarctions on MRI are Associated with Patent Foramen Ovale in Young Cryptogenic Stroke

BACKGROUND

In acute infarction patients, small cortical cerebellar infarctions (SCCI) on MRI (assessed on diffusion-weighted imaging, with SCCI often chronic and asymptomatic) are associated with acute cardioembolic infarction. In young cryptogenic stroke patients, patent foramen ovale (PFO) is thought to be a potential source of cardioembolic infarction. We hypothesize that SCCI on MRI would be associated with PFO in young cryptogenic stroke patients.

METHODS

A total of 321 consecutive young (≤50 years) stroke patients admitted between January 2015 and July 2019 were screened. Of these patients, 287 patients had diagnostic work-up including early-phase MRI, intra- and extracranial vessel imaging, contrast transoesophageal or contrast transthoracic echocardiography, and ≥24 h ECG-monitoring. We retrospectively analyzed MRI scans of the 112 patients with cryptogenic stroke, including 63 with and 49 without PFO. Between both groups, we compared baseline characteristics (including cardiovascular risk factors and history of stroke), MRI characteristics of acute symptomatic infarction (cortical/subcortical localization, arterial territory, lesion number, and lesion size in case of subcortical infarction), atrial septum aneurysm (ASA) presence, and acute and chronic SCCI and non-SCCI lesions assessed on diffusion-weighted imaging.

RESULTS

Groups with and without PFO were comparable in regard to performed vessel imaging and echocardiography modalities, baseline characteristics, and acute infarction characteristics, except for more frequent current smoking (67 vs. 44%, p = 0.022) and multiterritorial infarction (14 vs. 0%, p = 0.0024) and less frequent ASA (10 vs. 48%, p < 0.001) in the group without PFO. Risk of Paradoxal Embolism score was >6 in 76% of patients with PFO. SCCI was more frequent in patients with than without PFO (33 vs. 10%, p = 0.0061; OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.5-12.7), with chronic and asymptomatic SCCI in the vast majority of cases. No difference was observed for non-SCCI lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic SCCI are strongly associated with PFO in young cryptogenic stroke patients. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT04043559.

Angioedema associated with thrombolysis for ischemic stroke: analysis of a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Bradykinin-mediated angioedema (AE) is a complication associated with thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Risk factors are unknown and management is discussed.

OBJECTIVES

To clarify risk factors associated with bradykinin-mediated AE after thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

In a case-control study conducted at a French reference centre for bradykinin angiœdema, patients with thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke and a diagnosis of bradykinin-mediated angiœdema, were compared to controls treated with thrombolysis treatment without angiœdema.

RESULTS

Fifty-three thrombolysis-related AE were matched to 106 control subjects. The sites of attacks following thrombolysis for ischemic stroke mainly included tongue (34/53, 64%) and lips (26/53, 49%). The upper airways were involved in 37 (70%) cases. Three patients required mechanical ventilation. Patients with bradykinin-mediated angiœdema were more frequently women [33 (62%) vs. 44 (42%); P = 0.01], had higher frequency of prior ischemic stroke [12 (23%) vs. 9 (8%); P = 0.01], hypertension [46 (87%) vs. 70 (66%); P = 0.005], were more frequently treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [37 (70%) vs. 28 (26%); P < 0.001] and were more frequently hospitalized in intensive care medicine [ICU; 11 (21%) vs. 5 (5%); P = 0.004]. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with thrombolysis-related AE were female sex [odds ratio (OR), 3.04; 95% confident interval (CI), 1.32-7.01; P = 0.009] and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [(OR), 6.08; 95% (CI), 2.17-17.07; P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

This case-control study points out angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and female sex as risk factors of bradykinin AE associated with thrombolysis for ischemic stroke.

Gamma Radiation Synthesis of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles

Radiochemical synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is an eco-friendly method allowing the obtaining of controlled size, well dispersed and highly stable particles at very mild conditions. Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized in a one-step process, in an aqueous system consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Ag+/isopropyl alcohol (IPA), irradiated at various doses by using high energy ionizing radiations (g-rays). The UV-Vis spectra have shown a maximum absorption peak in the range of 390-450 nm, specific for silver nanoparticles. The size of the obtained spherical shape nanoparticles was below 50 nm and decreased with increasing of the irradiation dose.

Target Door-to-Needle Time for Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening Can Be Reduced to 45 min

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the median door-to-needle (DTN) time for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment can be reduced to 45 min in a primary stroke centre with MRI-based screening for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Methods: From February 2015 to February 2017, the stroke unit of Perpignan general hospital, France, implemented a quality-improvement (QI) process. During this period, patients who received tPA within 4.5 h after AIS onset were included in the QI cohort. Their clinical characteristics and timing metrics were compared each semester and also with those of 135 consecutive patients with AIS treated by tPA during the 1-year pre-QI period (pre-QI cohort). Results: In the QI cohort, 274 patients (92.5%) underwent MRI screening. While the demographic and baseline characteristics were not significantly different between cohorts, the median DTN time was significantly lower in the QI than in the pre-QI cohort (52 vs. 84 min; p < 0.00001). Within the QI cohort, the median DTN time for each semester decreased from 65 to 44 min (p < 0.00001) and the proportion of treated patients with a DTN time ≤45 min increased from 25 to 58.9% (p < 0.0001). Overall, DTN time improvement was associated with a better outcome at 3 months (patients with a modified Rankin Scale score between 0 and 2: 61.8% in the QI vs. 39.3% in the pre-QI cohort; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: A QI process can reduce the DTN within 45 min with MRI as a screening tool.

Testicular histopathological changes following sodium fluoride administration in mice

It has been revealed that excessive fluoride intake on long-term is associated with toxic effects and can damage a variety of organs and tissues in the human body, including the male reproductive system. However, the molecular mechanisms of fluoride-induced male reproductive toxicity are not well understood. The study wants to get news concerning the effects of natrium fluoride on testicular tissues when this substance is administrated to a population of mice. The study was conducted on NMRI mice descending from the pregnant females treated with 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg natrium fluoride by daily gavage, from the beginning of pregnancy until the lactation is ceased. Then, the mice, males and females, were divided in six groups, three groups descending from the pregnant females treated with 0.5 mg natrium fluoride (Groups A, B and C) and three groups from the pregnant females with 0.25 mg natrium fluoride (Groups D, E and F). From the moment when the lactation is finished until the adulthood, the animals received the following treatments: homeopathic (a CH7 solution of natrium fluoride - Groups A and D), allopathic-homeopathic (0.25 mg‰ natrium fluoride administered like drinking water ad libitum and CH7 solution of natrium fluoride - Group E; 0.5 mg‰ natrium fluoride administered like drinking water ad libitum and CH7 solution of natrium fluoride - Group B), and allopathic administration of natrium fluoride (0.25 mg‰ natrium fluoride like drinking water ad libitum - Group F; 0.5 mg‰ natrium fluoride like drinking water ad libitum - Group C). When the males reached the adulthood, the administration of natrium fluoride was stopped and, by randomization, they where selected for euthanasia. The euthanasia was realized by cervical dislocation. The testes for the histopathological examination were preserved in a 10% formalin solution. The preparation of samples for optical microscopy was realized with Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The results indicate that natrium fluoride administered in different doses, even at homeopathic dose or at allopathic-homeopathic dose, determined vacuolar dystrophy of epididymal epithelial cells, vacuolar dystrophy of linear seminal cells and necrosis.