Controles oficiales de calidad y lucha contra el fraude en el sector del aceite de oliva en Cataluña. Resultados 2011–2014

This article highlights the key aspects of the official control procedures concerning quality and in the fight against food fraud in the oil sector implemented in Catalonia by the Ministry for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Catalonia and, more specifically, by the Subdirectorate General of Agri-food Inspection and Control. This summarized view focuses on issues related to the legality and competence framework for official controls, the goals and purpose thereof, the area’s object of investigation and technical scope, the stages of the food chain at which measures are carried out, the types of inspection and control actions and the main investigation techniques. It also presents the results of the inspections, with a summary of the types of irregularities detected in the olive oil sector over the 2011–2014 period.En este artículo se exponen los aspectos más relevantes del control oficial en materia de calidad y lucha contra el fraude alimentario en el sector del aceite, efectuado en Cataluña por el Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación de la Generalitat de Catalunya, y en concreto, por la Subdirección General de la Inspección y Control Agroalimentario. De manera resumida se focaliza en los aspectos relacionados con el marco legal y competencial del control oficial, objetivo y finalidad del control oficial, ámbitos objeto de investigación y alcance técnico, fase de la cadena alimenticia donde se realiza, tipo de actuaciones de inspección y control y principales técnicas de investigación. Asimismo, se presentan los resultados de las inspecciones, con un resumen de los tipos de irregularidades detectadas en el sector del aceite de oliva en el período 2011–2014

Fixation of osteochondral fragments in the human knee using Meniscus Arrows®

The aim of this study is to compare the hold in bone of Meniscus Arrows® and Smart Nails®, followed by the report of the results of the clinical application of Meniscus Arrows® as fixation devices. First, pull-out tests were performed to analyse the holdfast of both nails in bone. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference; therefore, the thinner Meniscus Arrow® was chosen as fixation device in the patient series of two patients with a symptomatic Osteochondritis dissecans fragment and three patients with an osteochondral fracture of a femur condyle. The cartilage margins were glued with Tissuecoll®. All fragments consolidated. Second look arthroscopy in three patients showed fixed fragments with stable, congruent cartilage edges. At an average follow-up period of 5 years no pain, effusion, locking, restricted range of motion or signs of osteoarthritis were reported. Based on the results of the pull-out tests and available clinical studies, Meniscus Arrows® and Smart Nails® are both likely to perform adequately as fixation devices in the treatment of Osteochondritis dissecans and osteochondral fractures in the knee. They both provide the advantage of one stage surgery. However, based on their smaller diameter, the Meniscus Arrows® should be preferred for this indication

Impact of Preoperative Chemotherapy Features on Patient Outcomes after Hepatectomy for Initially Unresectable Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: A LiverMetSurvey Analysis

Background: Prognostic factors have been extensively reported after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM); however, specific analyses of the impact of preoperative systemic anticancer therapy (PO-SACT) features on outcomes is lacking. Methods: For this real-world evidence study, we used prospectively collected data within the international surgical LiverMetSurvey database from all patients with initially-irresectable CLM. The main outcome was Overall Survival (OS) after surgery. Disease-free (DFS) and hepatic-specific relapse-free survival (HS-RFS) were secondary outcomes. PO-SACT features included duration (cumulative number of cycles), choice of the cytotoxic backbone (oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based), fluoropyrimidine (infusional or oral) and addition or not of targeted monoclonal antibodies (anti-EGFR or anti-VEGF). Results: A total of 2793 patients in the database had received PO-SACT for initially irresectable diseases. Short (<7 or <13 cycles in 1st or 2nd line) PO-SACT duration was independently associated with longer OS (HR: 0.85 p = 0.046), DFS (HR: 0.81; p = 0.016) and HS-RFS (HR: 0.80; p = 0.05). All other PO-SACT features yielded basically comparable results. Conclusions: In this international cohort, provided that PO-SACT allowed conversion to resectability in initially irresectable CLM, surgery performed as soon as technically feasible resulted in the best outcomes. When resection was achieved, our findings indicate that the choice of PO-SACT regimen had a marginal if any, impact on outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The role of platelet rich plasma in musculoskeletal science

The idea of using platelet rich plasma (PRP) in medicine has been around since the 1970s. It is only more recently that its use has been employed in the area of musculoskeletal science. Platelet rich plasma in this area has received much media attention being used by many celebrity sports athletes for musculoskeletal injuries. Therefore it is important for the musculoskeletal practitioner to be aware of the concepts surrounding its use and application. In this article we cover what platelet rich plasma is, how it is prepared and administered, its potential clinical application, and what the current literature discusses in the various areas of musculoskeletal science

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic

Approches novatrices à la génération de champs magnétiques intenses : optimisation d'une source de flux à aimants permanents

Notre recherche consiste à concevoir et réaliser une source de flux statique à aimants permanents générant un champ de 4 à 5 Tesla dans un volume de quelques mm3. Un des aspects novateurs de cette approche est que nous avons cherché à obtenir un champ magnétique intense (principe du dipôle ponctuel) et non pas un champ magnétique homogène (principe du dipôle infini utilisé dans les structures de Leupold/Halbach). Après optimisation du modèle analytique, nous avons discrétisé la structure de manière à obtenir un modèle réalisable à partir de pavé d'aimants réels. Une originalité du travail est la recherche d'une géométrie performante et une combinaison de divers matériaux magnétiques durs (nuances d'aimants Néodyme-Fer-Bore) et de matériau magnétique doux (Fer-Cobalt). Les configurations particulières d'aimants sont optimisées par simulation numérique grâce à des logiciels complémentaires, développés par le LEG : DIPOLE-3D (calcul analytique de champ), FLUX2D et FLUX3D (éléments finis). L'étude de faisabilité du projet a été réalisée en calculant les forces et les champs démagnétisants lors de la séquence de montage. Le modèle de source actuel fournit un champ atteignant 4,3 T dans un volume de diamètre de 6 mm pour une hauteur de 2,8 mm et ayant un diamètre extérieur de 100 mm

Deformable magnetic mirror for adaptive optics: first results

An alternative approach to compact deformable mirrors for adaptive optics is developed. A prototype of a two inch mirror composed of a thin polymer membrane covered with a matrix of permanent magnets and an array of microcoils was built. Several complementary modelling tools were used to study the behaviour of the device. Promising first results show regular deformations of up to 20 mu m, a good linearity and a bandwith of 200 Hz. This novel technology should enable higher resolution with smaller, lighter integrated mirrors

An induction micromotor on a permanent magnet bearing

A first operational prototype of induction electromagnetic micromotor (OE18*2 mm) mounted on a magnetic bearing was built and tested. The maximum speed reached is 4500 rpm, and the corresponding measured torque 1.2 mu Nm. Induction devices therefore seem viable to be miniaturised