No causative or curative therapy exists for the polyneuropathy associated with antibodies to myelin‐associated glycoprotein (anti‐MAG). Rituximab is a mouse‐human chimeric antibody that specifically ...eliminates B‐cells and B‐cell precursors. Preliminary results suggest a beneficial effect on antibody‐dependent autoimmune diseases. Nine patients with an anti‐MAG–associated IgM polyneuropathy received rituximab once weekly for 4 weeks. In all patients, the number of B‐cells in the peripheral blood declined below levels of detection, and the IgM levels decreased between 35% and 82% (median, 58%). In eight patients, lowering of the anti‐MAG antibody titers of more than 52% was observed. Clinical status improved in six patients, remained stable in two, and worsened in one. The motor nerve conduction velocity improved by at least 10% in one ulnar nerve in seven patients and worsened in two. Rituximab was well tolerated and is a promising new drug in the treatment of patients with anti‐MAG–associated polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve 27:611–615, 2003
Magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared as magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) adsorbent for the enrichment of six heterocyclic pesticides in environmental water samples, including ...imidacloprid, triadimefon, fipronil, flusilazole, chlorfenapyr and fenpyroximate. Then six heterocyclic pesticides were separated and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD). Major factors influencing MSPE efficiency, including the dose of mag-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (mag-MWCNTs), extraction time, solution pH, salt concentration, type and volume of eluent and desorption time were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the enrichment factor of the method reached to 250. The linearity was achieved within 0.05-10.0 μg/L for imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr, 0.10-10.0 μg/L for fipronil, flusilazole, triadimefon and fenpyroximate. Limits of detection were in the range of 0.01-0.03 μg/L. Good precision at three spiked levels were 1.1-11.2% (intra-day) and 1.7-11.0% (inter-day) with relative standard deviation of peak area, respectively. The developed method was utilized to analyze tap water, river water and reservoir water samples and recoveries at three spiked concentration levels ranged from 72.2% to 107.5%. The method was proved to be a convenient, rapid and practical method for sensitive determination of heterocyclic pesticides.
Membrane bioreactors are widely used for industrial wastewater treatment. However, membrane fouling is one of the critical problems in applying these systems. fouling mitigation is an essential issue ...since membrane fouling results in decreased permeability, increased energy consumption, and reduced membrane lifespan which should be addressed in industrial designs. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the filtration performance and fouling behavior of the blended polyvinyl chloride/polycarbonate (PVC/PC) and nanocomposite PVC/PC/modified silver nanoparticles (PVC/PC/MAg) hollow fiber membranes in continuous and intermittent (filtration with backwashing) filtration experiments at constant pressure. Additionally, an experimental module was designed for the backwashing process so that the fouling phenomenon could be investigated step-by-step for both membranes. The performance of the nanocomposite membrane was compared with that of the blended membrane after each backwashing step in terms of flux recovery and fouling resistances. Permeate flux of the blended and nanocomposite membranes at the end of the continuous filtration experiments compared with the initial flux declined by 61% and 48%, respectively. During the intermittent filtration experiments, the average flux of the blended and nanocomposite membranes in the last step decreased by about 16% and 7% in comparison with the first step, respectively. Flux recovery for the nanocomposite membrane at the end of each backwashing step in the intermittent filtration experiment was over 95% resulting in lower permeability decline over the filtration process. Moreover, the present study reveals that incorporating silver nanoparticles into the structure of the PVC/PC membrane results in an increase in permeability and enhancement of antifouling properties, as well as it increases the flux recovery during the backwashing process in MAg-filled nanocomposite membranes.
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•The effect of the backwashing process on the fouling behavior of both membranes at each step was investigated.•The backwashing process showed better performance for nanocomposite membranes.•The presence of modified Ag nanoparticles in the blended membrane led to a change in the structure of EPS.•Fouling resistance assessment after each step of the backwashing process was conducted.•The rate of flux recovery in the nanocomposite membrane end of each backwashing step was higher than 95%.
Immune-related neurological syndromes (affecting both the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the neuromuscular junction) can associate with low-grade B-cell lymphomas. Methods: We ...conducted a retrospective study on the records of patients with miscellaneous immune-related neuropathies followed by the “Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS” in collaboration with the Services of Internal Medicine and Hematology (La Timone Hospital, and the Paoli Calmettes-Insitute, Marseille, France; Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland). Clinical, biological, immunological and histological work-up was carried out and data collected. Results: We identified 12 patients with neurological syndromes and atypical presentation/course. In all these patients multiple autoantibodies were found. This prompted us to perform thorough hematologic investigations, that led to the diagnosis of different type of Low-Grade B-Cell lymphomas i.e. marginal zone lymphomas with lymphoplasmacytic differentiation (n=3), splenic marginal area lymphoma with secondary lymph node invasion (n=1), unclassified marginal area lymphomas (n=8). Treatment of the underling lymphoma resulted in an improvement (n=8) or stabilization (n=4) of neurological disease. Conclusion: Atypical presentation of immune-related neurological syndromes, as well as the presence of antibodies with different antigenic targets should be regarded as “warning signs” and raise the suspicion of a paraneoplastic origin sustained by an underlying low-grade B-cell lymphoma that should be actively sought and treated. Close collaboration between internists, neurologists and hematologists allows for the appropriate management of each case.
The technology of laser–MAG hybrid welding was used on 16mm thick plate of weathering steel S355J2W+N. Under the welding parameters used in the experiment, full penetration weld without flaws such as ...pores, cracks and lack of fusion was obtained by a three-layer and three-pass welding technique. In this study, the outstanding advantages of laser–arc hybrid welding were summarized by comparison with welded joint of traditional MAG welding. The microstructure of hybrid welded joint has also been detailed investigated. Besides, the mechanical property tests were performed according to corresponding European standards. Furthermore, the tensile and impact strength of laser–MAG hybrid welded joint turned out to be almost as good as base metal. Most of the hybrid welded joints had a good bending property, but for some sample, there was a micro-crack with the length of 0.9mm emerging within the transition region where contraction stress would accumulate and remain, being one of the most vulnerable zones in weld metal. The results show that laser–MAG hybrid welding technology is appropriate for S355J2W+N thick plate welding, in favor of not only improving the product performance, but also lowering the production cost and improving the productivity.
•Laser–MAG hybrid welding is conducted to 16mm S355J2W+N plates by three passes.•Advantages of hybrid welding are illustrated by comparing with MAG welded joint.•The transition region could be vulnerable owing to the stress concentration.•“Opposite-growing structure” in laser zone tends to form a kind of weak interface.
In a single bevel GMAW (gas metal arc welding) with gap fluctuation, a deep learning model was constructed using the monitoring image during the welding to predict the welding quality. We utilized ...Python and the library Keras and created a CNN (Convolutional neural network) model using the top surface image including the molten pool as an input. The classification model was used to predict the burn-through, and the regression model was used to estimate the penetration depth. As a result, the excessive penetration and burn-through could be predicted in advance and more than 95 % of estimated results of penetration depth were less 1 mm error for stepped and tapered sample shapes.
Appropriate control of the weld pool is essential to obtain weld beads in accordance with project specifications. In this context, the TIG-MIG/MAG welding process has appeared as a viable ...alternative, mainly due to the greater independence between the deposited material and the heat transferred to the plate. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the influence of input variables in TIG-MIG/MAG welding process on the weld bead geometry. Welds were made varying the TIG current, the TIG torch angle, the MIG/MAG torch angle, and the distance between the electrodes. It was found that it is possible to act upon the geometry of the weld bead varying the parameters evaluated. A larger fusion zone area and penetration are achieved by TIG current TIG torch angle and MIG/MAG torch angle in maximum and the distance between the electrodes in minimum values. Greater bead width is obtained by using the TIG current and MIG/MAG torch angle in the minimum value and distance between electrodes and the TIG torch angle in the maximum values. The highest reinforcement is obtained when using the TIG current, TIG torch angle, and MIG/MAG torch angle in maximum values and the distance between electrodes at the minimum value.
Les neuropathies associées à une immunoglobuline monoclonale M avec activité anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) sont les plus fréquentes neuropathies dysimmunes acquises. Ce sont des ...polyneuropathies sensitivomotrices démyélinisantes, symétriques et distales.
L’objectif principal était de caractériser l’évolution de la démyélinisation des neuropathies anti-MAG. Les objectifs secondaires étaient d’étudier leur profil électrophysiologique et le comparer à une cohorte de polyradiculonévrites chroniques (PRNC).
Nous nous sommes intéressés à l’évolution électrophysiologique des neuropathies anti-MAG à partir de deux patients connus depuis 11 et 14 ans en séparant leur suivi en deux périodes que nous avons comparées. Nous avons étudié les données cliniques et électrophysiologiques initiales des 10 patients suivis sur le CHU de Dijon depuis 2004 pour une polyneuropathie anti-MAG. Nous avons comparé leur profil électrophysiologique à celui d’une cohorte de PRNC lors des diagnostics initiaux.
Le suivi des 2 patients montrait une dégradation significative des vitesses de conduction motrice (VCM) alors que les latences motrices distales (LMD) n’étaient pas différentes, les index de latence terminale (ITL) étaient supérieurs en seconde période. Les polyneuropathies anti-MAG étaient sensitivomotrices symétriques démyélinisantes à prédominance distale : le ralentissement prédominait sur les LMD par rapport aux VCM donnant des ITL bas. Dans les PRNC la démyélinisation était plus homogène avec des ITL plus élevés.
Nos résultats étaient innovants par la mise en évidence d’une modification de la répartition de la démyélinisation au cours de l’évolution : elle se stabilisait en distalité des nerfs et évoluait sur les parties proximales. Nos résultats étaient concordants avec le profil classique des neuropathies anti-MAG avec une atteinte distale lors du diagnostic contrairement aux PRNC avec une atteinte homogène.
Nous avons caractérisé l’évolution de la démyélinisation des neuropathies anti-MAG : celle-ci progresse vers la partie proximale des nerfs donnant un profil de démyélinisation plus homogène avec le temps.
Les neuropathies paraprotéinémiques à IgM (NP-IgM) sont fréquemment démyélinisantes. Cependant, une dégénérescence axonale survient secondairement et pourrait être quantifiée par le taux plasmatique ...de la chaîne légère du neurofilament (pNfL).
Déterminer de façon prospective et transversale si le pNfL est augmenté dans les NP-IgM avec ou sans activité anti-MAG et s’il est corrélé avec leur sévérité.
Patients et méthodes 49 échantillons plasmatiques ont été collectés sur 12 mois (neuropathies anti-MAG n=18, sans activité anti-MAG n=17, témoins n=14). La sévérité de la maladie était évaluée selon des scores cliniques (Sensory Modality Sum Score SMS, Neuropathy Impairment Scale NIS) et fonctionnels (Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale ONLS, Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale I-RODS, 10 Meter Walk Test 10MWT, Six-Minute Walk Test 6WMT). Le pNfL a été mesuré par la méthode Single Molecule Array.
Notre cohorte comptait 62 % d’hommes, d’âge moyen de 76±4 ans, avec une durée de la maladie moyenne de 10±8 ans et un score ONLS médian à 2. Le pNfL était augmenté chez les patients NP-IgM (médiane 23,6pg/mL), comparé aux témoins (médiane 9,9pg/mL, p<0,0001) et corrélait avec tous les scores de sévérité de la maladie (SMS : r=−0,40, p=0,0165 ; NIS : r=0,56, p=0,0005 ; ONLS : r=0,59, p=0,0002 ; I-RODS : r=−0,48, p=0,0038 ; 10MWT : r=0,70, p<0,0001 ; 6WMT : r=−0,56, p=0,0016).
L’élévation du pNfL et sa corrélation avec la sévérité de la maladie ont été rapportés dans plusieurs neuropathies acquises. Dans notre cohorte, le pNfL médian était proche des neuropathies chroniques, notamment démyélinisantes. Il traduit la survenue d’une neurodégénérescence axonale, en dépit d’un mécanisme primitivement démyélinisant. La sévérité des NP-IgM semble fortement liée à cette neurodégénérescence et donc au pNfL.
Le pNfL est augmenté chez les patients atteints de NP-IgM. Il est corrélé à la sévérité clinique et fonctionnelle de la pathologie. Ainsi, il pourrait être un biomarqueur pronostique prometteur de ces neuropathies.
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