Higienización de alimentos listos para el consumo

En las últimas décadas se ha producido un profundo cambio en los hábitos alimentarios que han conducido, entre otras prácticas, a la preparación masiva de alimentos listos para el consumo (RTE)1 a partir de productos procesados (p. ej., pastas, encurtidos, embutidos, fiambres, pescados ahumados, quesos) o frescos (p. ej., carpaccio, tartar, algunas frutas y hortalizas). La elaboración de estos alimentos implica una reducción de tamaño para transformarlos en lonchas, filetes, cortes, rodajas, porciones, etc. que se envasan en raciones individuales, familiares o para colectividades y se exponen en vitrinas, normalmente refrigeradas, para que el consumidor elija entre una ingente variedad de productos, conformaciones y precios

Datació absoluta de ceràmica pretalaiòtica de l'illa de Menorca

La datació mitjançant termoluminiscència de ceràmiques prehistòriques de la naveta d'enterrament de tipus intermedi de Biniac-l'Argentina de l'illa de Menorca, proporciona edats que perrneten documentar el grup cultural pretalaiotic en dates que van del segle XXIV al XVI a.e. Aquests resultats complementen l'esquema cronològic de la prehistòria de Menorca en un període del qual no es disposava de cap tipus de dates absolutes. Les dates aportades perrneten suposar per a la naveta una major antiguitat de l'acceptada generalment. Així doncs, caldrà esperar noves dates absolutes que confirmin aquesta tendència a situar a grans trets el complex cultural pretalaiòtic en un moment que compren el III mil·leni i la primera meitat del II a.e.Therrnoluminescence dating of prehistoric pottery from the intermediate type burial naveta in Biniac-l' Argentina (Minorca island), provides ages that perrnit to place the pretalaiothic cultural group between the XXIV and XVII centuries b.e. These results fill some gaps in the chronological scheme of Minorca prehistory during a period in which no absolute dates were available. The dates indicate that the naveta is older than generally accepted. Therefore, to confirrn that the pretalaiothic cultural complex existed in a period comprised between the III rnillennium and the first half of the II b.C, we should wait for new absolute dates

Modeling and optimization of the E-beam treatment of chicken steaks and hamburgers, considering food safety, shelf-life, and sensory quality

[EN] The present work was carried out to model the effect of E-beam treatment on the safety,shelf-life and sensory attributes of two poultry products, steaks and hamburgers, and tooptimize the radiation treatment. The inactivation of Salmonella spp. by means of differ-ent irradiation doses was modeled using a first order kinetics. The shelf-life was studiedby periodically counting the bacterial number in samples. For the modeling of experimen-tal data, only the exponential phase of growth was taken into account. The effect of theirradiation dose on the sensory attributes (appearance, odor and flavor) and instrumen-tal color (L*, a* and b* parameters) was modeled using the Gompertz function and theActivation Inactivation or linear models. The optimization of the irradiation dose was car-ried out by maximizing the sensory scores of samples and minimizing the instrumentalcolor changes. The safety and the shelf-life of samples were ensured by introducing con-straints into the optimization problem. In the case of hamburgers, the optimum calculateddose was 2.04 kGy, which guarantees the safety of the product and provides the best combi-nation of sensory and instrumental attributes. As regards the steaks, the optimum assesseddose was 1.11 kGy, significantly lower than for hamburgersThe authors acknowledge the financial support from the Project CSD2007-00016 (CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010) and AGL 2010-19158, both funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.Cárcel Carrión, JA.; Benedito Fort, JJ.; Cambero, M.; M. C. CABEZA; Ordóñez, J. (2015). Modeling and optimization of the E-beam treatment of chicken steaks and hamburgers, considering food safety, shelf-life, and sensory quality. Food and Bioproducts Processing. 96:133-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2015.07.006S1331449

Thermal impact from a thermoelectric power plant on a tropical coastal lagoon

Tropical coastal areas are sensitive ecosystems to climate change, mainly due to sea level rise and increasing water temperatures. Furthermore, they may be subject to numerous stresses, including heat releases from energy production. The Urias coastal lagoon (SE Gulf of California), a subtropical tidal estuary, receives cooling water releases from a thermoelectric power plant, urban and industrial wastes, and shrimp farm discharges. In order to evaluate the plant thermal impact, we measured synchronous temperature time series close to and far from the plant. Furthermore, in order to discriminate the thermal pollution impact from natural variability, we used a high-resolution hydrodynamic model forced by, amongst others, cooling water release as a continuous flow (7.78 m3 s?1) at 6 °C overheating temperature. Model results and field data indicated that the main thermal impact was temporally restricted to the warmest months, spatially restricted to the surface layers (above 0.6 m) and distributed along the shoreline within ?100 m of the release point. The methodology and results of this study can be extrapolated to tropical coastal lagoons that receive heat discharges.<br/

Evaluación del uso apropiado de medicamentos en atención primaria. ¿Cómo se puede mejorar?

IntroducciónEl proceso de medicación de un paciente abarca la identificación de su problema de salud, la prescripción para esa indicación por parte del médico, la dispensación farmacéutica y el consumo del fármaco. Los estudios de utilización de medicamentos analizan dicho proceso con el de detectar los factores que alteran el uso correcto de los fármacos.ObjetivoEvaluar la calidad de la prescripción de ciertos medicamentos en atención primaria en función de la indicación para la que fueron prescritos, detectando aquellas características de los pacientes, médicos prescriptores, centros de atención primaria y áreas de salud que influyen en su uso inapropiado.MétodoEstudio prescripción-indicación basado en la estimación de modelos multinivel con bases de datos individualizadas de las prescripciones, que contienen características de las prescripciones, pacientes, médicos, centros de salud y áreas de salud de pertenencia. Estos modelos suponen un avance en este tipo de estudios ya que permiten analizar de forma conjunta la información de distintos niveles y estimar sus respectivas «cuotas de responsabilidad» en la inadecuación de la prescripción.DiscusiónAdemás de su interés metodológico, que puede guiar estudios posteriores, el principal interés del trabajo estriba en su carácter pionero en la utilización masiva de microdatos poblacionales para evaluar la calidad de la prescripción, que proceden de las historias clínicas informatizadas de atención primaria.IntroductionThe process of medicating a patient embraces the identification of the health problem, the doctor’ s prescription to treat this indication, the dispensing of the medicine and its consumption. The studies of use of medicine analyse this process in order to detect those factors that impinge on the correct use of medicines.ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of the prescription of certain primary care medicines as a function of the indication for which they were prescribed, detecting those features of the patients, prescribing doctors, primary care centre and health district that affect their inappropriate use.MethodPrescription-indication study based on the calculation of multiple-level models with individualised data bases for the prescriptions. These include characteristics of the prescriptions, patients, doctors, health centres and the health district involved. These models are a step forward in this kind of study, in that they enable analysis of the information from different levels at the same time as calculation of the respective «degrees of responsibility» for inadequacies of prescription.DiscussionApart from its methodological originality, which may serve for subsequent studies, the main interest of this study lies in the pioneering nature of its massive use of population micro-data to evaluate prescription quality. These data are taken from the computerised clinical records in primary care

Incidencia del ejercicio físico y el entrenamiento vibratorio sobre la amplitud de movimiento de mujeres con fibromialgia

ResumenObjetivoEn la presente investigación hemos planteado como objetivos principales, por un lado, valorar el efecto del ejercicio físico y el entrenamiento vibratorio sobre la amplitud de movimiento en mujeres con fibromialgia (FM) y, por otro, determinar si existe alguna relación entre dicha variable y el dolor y la rigidez.MétodoLa muestra estuvo constituida por un total de cuarenta y seis mujeres (edad: 58,2±8,5 años; peso: 72,1±9,6kg; altura: 156,9±6,1cm) diagnosticadas con FM. Los participantes fueron divididos aleatoriamente en tres grupos: ejercicio físico y entrenamiento vibratorio (WBV + EJ; n=15); ejercicio físico sin vibraciones (EJ; n=15) y un grupo control (GC; n=16). Los grupos WBV + EJ y EJ realizaron dos sesiones semanales de ejercicio físico durante 8 semanas. Además, los integrantes de WBV + EJ realizaron 3 sesiones semanales de entrenamiento vibratorio (30Hz, 4mm). Las pruebas de evaluación incluyeron el test de sit and reach (variable principal), la valoración del número de tender points (TP) y una escala analógica visual (VAS) para determinar la rigidez.ResultadosLos resultados derivados del análisis intra e intergrupo no mostraron diferencias significativas en la rigidez o el número de TP, si bien, la prueba de sit and reach mostró una mejora estadísticamente significativa en WBV + EJ (58%; p<0,05). El análisis correlacional mostró una relación inversa (r =-0,55; p<0,05) entre el sit and reach y el número de TP.ConclusiónComo conclusión, podemos indicar que los datos obtenidos en la presente investigación han mostrado los efectos significativos del entrenamiento vibratorio sobre la amplitud de movimiento en mujeres con FM, aunque el número de TP o la rigidez no se vieron afectados en ningún caso.AbstractObjectiveThe main aim of this investigation was twofold: first to evaluate the effects of exercise and whole body vibration training on flexibility in women with fibromyalgia (FM) and determine whether these improvements are related to symptom severity (stiffness and bodily pain).MethodForty-six women (mean±sd, age: 58.2±8.5 years; weight: 72.1±9.6kg; height: 156.9±6.1cm) with FM were randomized into one of three groups: exercise and whole body vibration (WBV) training group (WBV + EX; n=15), exercise training group (EX), and usual-care control group (CG). WBV + EX and EX groups carried out two sessions per week of exercise training for 8 weeks. In addition, WBV + EX group performed 3 vibration-training (30Hz, 4mm) sessions per week. Outcome assessed included sit and reach test (primary outcome), tender points (TP) evaluation, and a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to determine the stiffness level.ResultsResults showed no statistical intra and intergroup differences in stiffness or the number of TP. However, a significant increment in the sit and reach performance was observed in WBV + EX (58%; p<0.05). Moreover, correlation analysis showed an inverse and significant relationship (r=-0.55; p<0.05) between sit and reach and number of TP in WBV+EX group.ConclusionIn conclusion, exercise and WBV seems to be effective on flexibility in women with FM. However, the number of TP and stiffness was not modified after the interventio

Relationship Between Glucocerebrosidase Activity and Clinical Response to Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Patients With Gaucher Disease Type I

The quantification of enzyme activity in the patient treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been suggested as a tool for dosage individualization, so we conducted a study to evaluate the relationship between glucocerebrosidase activity and clinical response in patients with Gaucher disease type I (GD1) to ERT. The study included patients diagnosed with GD1, who were being treated with ERT, and healthy individuals. Markers based on glucocerebrosidase activity measurement in patients’ leucocytes were studied: enzyme activity at 15 min. post-infusion (Act75) reflects the amount of enzyme that is distributed in the body post-ERT infusion, and accumulated glucocerebrosidase activity during ERT infusion (Act75-0) indicates the total drug exposure during infusion. The clinical response was evaluated based on criteria established by Pastores et al. and Gaucher Severity Score Index. Statistical analysis included ROC analysis and area under the curve test. Act75 and Act75-0 were found to be moderate predictive markers of an optimal clinical response (area under the ROC of Act75 was 0.733 and Act75-0 was 0.817). Act75-0 showed statistical significance in its discriminative capacity (p &lt; 0.05) for obtaining an optimal response to ERT. The cut-off point was 58% (RR = 1.800; 95% CI: 1.003–3.229; p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, Act75 showed a significant and inverse correlation with the Gaucher Severity Score Index, and Act75 and Act75-0 presented a significant correlation with residual enzyme activity at diagnosis. Markers based on glucocerebrosidase activity have a good correlation with clinical response to ERT. Therefore, it could provide supporting clinical data for dose management in GD1 patients

Recent sediments dating using short-lived radionuclides

[ES] Se presentan las características principales del método de datación de sedimentos recientes mediante el radioisótopo natural 210Pb y su validación utilizando radionucleidos artificiales tales como 137Cs y 239,240Pu. Se hace una revisión de los principios generales de esta metodología, se aportan recomendaciones prácticas para la recogida de testigos sedimentarios en el campo y su posterior procesamiento en el laboratorio, se describen diferentes técnicas analíticas utilizadas en la determinación de sus concentraciones y se explican brevemente varios modelos para la interpretación de los perfiles obtenidos. Por último, se incluyen ejemplos prácticos de su aplicación en secuencias sedimentarias procedentes de distintos ambientes marinos (estuario, bahía y plataforma continental) en el norte de la Península Ibérica.[EN] The main characteristics of the dating method of recent sediments using the natural radioisotope 210Pb and its validation with artificial radionuclides such as 137Cs and 239,240Pu are presented. A review of the general principles of this methodology is made, practical recommendations for the collection of sedimentary cores in the field and their subsequent processing in the laboratory are provided, several analytical techniques used to measure their concentrations are described and several models for the interpretation of the profiles are briefly explained. Finally, practical examples of its application in sedimentary sequences from different marine environments (estuary, bay and continental shelf) in the northern Iberian Peninsula are also included.Este artículo se ha inspirado en el manual de referencia publicado por Sanchez-Cabeza, J.A., Díaz-Asencio, M., Ruiz-Fernández, A.C., eds. (2012). Radiocronología de sedimentos costeros utilizando 210Pb: Modelos, Validación y Aplicaciones. Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica, Viena, 105 pp., donde se profundizan diferentes aspectos tratados aquí. Trabajo financiado por los proyectos RTI2018-095678-B-C21, MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE (MINECO) e IT976-16 (EJ/GV). Dos revisoras/es anónimas/os mejoraron el manuscrito original con sus comentarios y sugerencias. Contribución nº 56 de la Unidad de Investigación Geo-Q Zentroa (Laboratorio Joaquín Gómez de Llarena).Cearreta, A.; Gómez-Arozamena, J.; Irabien, M.; Ruiz-Fernández, A.; Sanchez-Cabeza, J.; Ortiz Moragón, J.; Sáez-Muñoz, M. (2022). Datación de sedimentos recientes utilizando radionucleidos de vida corta. Cuaternario y Geomorfología. 36(3-4):87-104. https://doi.org/10.17735/cyg.v36i3-4.9350487104363-

Modeling and optimization of sensory changes and shelf-life in vacuum-packaged cooked ham treated by E-beam irradiation

[EN] The E-beam irradiation of vacuum-packaged RTE cooked ham was carried out to establish the dose required to achieve the food safety objective (FSO) and to minimize changes in selected sensory attributes. Cooked ham was irradiated with doses ranging 1-4 kGy. After the treatment, the microbial inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, the shelf-life of the product and some sensory attributes (appearance, odor, and flavor) were determined. The inactivation of L monocytogenes was satisfactorily described by a first-order kinetics equation (R2=0.99). The influence of the irradiation dose on appearance, odor, and flavor was modeled through Gompertz (R2=0.99, for appearance) and Activation/Inactivation (R2=0.99, for odor and flavor) equations. A model was also developed to determine the shelf-life of irradiated cooked ham depending on the irradiation dose (R2 > 0.91). The dose that maximized the scores of the sensory attributes was 0.96 kGy resulting in an acceptable sensory quality for 80 days. It is possible to apply up to 2 kGy to ensure microbial safety, while provoking no significant changes in the above mentioned sensory attributes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Project CSD2007-00016 (CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.Benedito Fort, JJ.; Cambero, MI.; Ortuño Cases, C.; Cabeza, MC.; Ordoñez, JA.; De La Hoz, L. (2011). Modeling and optimization of sensory changes and shelf-life in vacuum-packaged cooked ham treated by E-beam irradiation. Radiation Physics and Chemistry. 80(3):505-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2010.11.001S50551380