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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is uncertain. The ECCO guidelines 2021 recommended HCV treatment but warn about the risk of IBD reactivation. We aimed to evaluate 1) the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in IBD; 2) the interaction of DAAs with IBD drugs. Multicentre study of IBD patients and HCV treated with DAAs. Variables related to liver diseases and IBD, as well as adverse events (AEs) and drug interactions, were recorded. McNemar's test was used to assess differences in the proportion of active IBD during the study period. We included 79 patients with IBD and HCV treated with DAAs from 25,998 IBD patients of the ENEIDA registry. Thirty-one (39.2 %) received immunomodulators/biologics. There were no significant differences in the percentage of active IBD at the beginning (n = 11, 13.9 %) or at the 12-week follow-up after DAAs (n = 15, 19 %) (p = 0.424). Sustained viral response occurred in 96.2 % (n = 76). A total of 8 (10.1 %) AEs occurred and these were unrelated to activity, type of IBD, liver fibrosis, immunosuppressants/biologics, and DAAs. We demonstrate a high efficacy and safety of DAAs in patients with IBD and HCV irrespective of activity and treatment of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) is used in the management of pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT. This work aims to simplify the treatment planning process for TLI via a proposed template using the volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique. Fifteen pediatric patients were planned, prescribed to 8 Gy in 4 fractions. Cost functions included in the template were the ones for the planning target volume (PTV), and conformality cost function (CCF) for the rest of the patient's volume. Conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), conformation number (CN), gradient index (GI), integral dose, and doses to the organs at risk achieved with the template were reported. Cost function influence over various indexes was studied by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Same 15 patients were planned with 3-dimensional conventional radiotherapy (3D-CRT) technique for comparison. Mean CI and HI were 1.33 and 0.13, respectively, which indicates good dose conformation and homogeneity. Mean CN and GI values were 0.69 and 4.51, respectively. Mean PTV coverage was reached (V 100% > 95%). No correlation between the CCF and indexes values was found (p > 0.05). Doses to organs at risk (OARs) were as low as possible without losing PTV coverage. VMAT plan showed higher levels of conformation and similar homogeneity as 3D-CRT plans. Doses to OARs were inferior with VMAT except for the right kidney. The proposed template simplifies the planning of TLI treatments, and it is able to create acceptable plans with little modification in order to reduce doses to certain organs like the kidneys or the heart. VMAT technique showed higher conformation and lower doses to OAR compared to 3D-CRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most widely developed approaches for pesticide residues analysis in spices and herbs present serious limitations; this is because of the high number of interferences that they typically contain, which makes it difficult to identify/quantify compounds in a considerable percentage of cases. Different strategies are applied to overcome these difficulties including extensive clean-up steps, dilution of the extracts, more selective detection techniques and other effective methods. However, there is a strong matrix effect present with the most complex matrices. Recent advances with new clean-up sorbents and the greater sensitivity and selectivity provided by modern mass spectrometers facilitates the determination of pesticide residues in these complex matrices at the desired limits of quantification. This review summarizes the main sample extraction and clean-up procedures for pesticide residues in spices and herbs published between 2008 and 2018, evaluating both their strengths and limitations. In addition, the high-end mass spectrometry detection methods are critically discussed. Image 1 • Analysis of spices and herbs samples for pesticide residues. • Main sample extraction procedures in the period 2008–18. • Strengths and limitations of analytical procedures are evaluated. • Improvements in sensitivity and effectiveness are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the patient safety and quality in the radiotherapy treatment, by applying the risk matrix methodology to the process. to obtain a theoretical risk model with the potential errors and failures of that process, and to develop a computer application to introduce the model and offer the possibility of applying this methodology in an exhaustive and as simple as possible way to different professionals involved in the treatment 23 working group meetings at the headquarters of the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council in Madrid, in which the results of the different proposals previously discussed and agreed by the different professional societies involved in the process representatives (Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists/Dosimetrists and Radiologic Technologists), were integrated. We analyzed IMRT, IGRT and SBRT techniques performed with LINAC. Radiosurgery, brachytherapy, metabolic treatments with non-encapsulated sources. Development of a Process Map : The different professional's tasks were analyzed. The process was divided into 7 phases (Therapeutic decision, Volume localization, Volume delineation, Treatment planning, Post-planning verification, Initial treatment session and Daily treatment), and the process map was prepared. Possible errors and failures (Initiating Events) identification : Once the analysis was done, the possible Initiating Events (IE) with consequences for the patients were identified, analyzed and consensed in the working group meetings. A total of 138 initiating events identified, analyzed and consensed are presented, separated in the different stages of the process, in Table 1. Identification of possible Barriers and Reducers of Frequency and Consequences : 125 barriers, 60 frequency reducers and 35 consequence reducers were identified. Computer application development : The MARRTA computer application was developed presenting the risk model resulting that includes: list of stages and sub-stages, flow chart, list of IE with their associated barriers and frequency and consequence reducers, and the risk of each of these IE. One can create new risk models by modifying the existing ones (indicating in the model to modify what applies and what does not to his department) or he can create a new one from scratch. It allows: Calculation of the risk of each one of the IE, statistics of the number of IE of very high risk, high, medium and low risk at each stage/sub-stage and analysis of the importance of the barriers and frequency and consequence reducers. the MARRTA computer application provides radiotherapy departments with a tool to easily apply the risk matrix methodology to perform risk analysis in an exhaustive and easy way, and to modify the model to adapt to its particular map of processes and risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In total, 181 streptococci-like bacteria isolated from intramammary infections (IMI) were submitted by a veterinary clinic to Quality Milk Production Services (QMPS, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY). The isolates were characterized by sequence analysis, and 46 Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and 47 Lactococcus garvieae were tested for susceptibility to 17 antibiotics. No resistant strains were found for β-lactam antibiotics widely used in clinical practice (penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin), and all minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were far from the resistance breakpoints. Eight strains had MIC intermediate to cefazolin. The random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR fingerprint patterns showed a slightly higher heterogeneity for Lc. lactis ssp. lactis isolates than for Lc. garvieae isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium caseinate films were physico-chemically characterized for the effects of atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma as function of applied voltage and treatment times. Surface roughness of plasma treated films at both 60 and 70 kV was found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the control. Glass transition temperature of all the films after plasma treatment was found to be less than the control film. The increase in the O/C atomic ratio shows the formation of new oxygen-containing groups on the film surface. XRD and FT-IR spectra suggest a disruption in the inter-helical structure without any change in the helical configuration of the protein molecules. Increase in the hydrophilicity of the sodium caseinate film was also observed after DBD plasma, but no significant (p > 0.05) increase in the WVTR and OTR was noticed, showing the suitability of the film for novel processes such as in-package plasma decontamination of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) air plasma is a novel technique for in-package decontamination of food, but it has not been yet applied to the packaging material. Characterization of commercial polylactic acid (PLA) films was done after in-package DBD plasma treatment at different voltages and treatment times to evaluate its suitability as food packaging material. DBD plasma increased the roughness of PLA film mainly at the site in contact with high voltage electrode at both the voltage levels of 70 and 80kV. DBD plasma treatments did not induce any change in the glass transition temperature, but significant increase in the initial degradation temperature and maximum degradation temperature was observed. DBD plasma treatment did not adversely affect the oxygen and water vapor permeability of PLA. A very limited overall migration was observed in different food simulants and was much below the regulatory limits. Industrial relevance: In-package DBD plasma is a novel and innovative approach for the decontamination of foods with potential industrial application. This paper assesses the suitability of PLA as food packaging material for cold plasma treatment. It characterizes the effect of DBD plasma on the packaging material when used for in-package decontamination of food. The work described in this research offers a promising alternative to classical methods used in fruit and vegetable industries where in-package DBD plasma can serve as an effective decontamination process and avoids any post-process recontamination or hazards from the package itself. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cold plasma technology is an emerging, green process offering many potential applications for food packaging. While it was originally developed to increase the surface energy of polymers, enhancing adhesion and printability, it has recently emerged as a powerful tool for surface decontamination of both foodstuffs and food packaging materials. New trends aim to develop in-package decontamination, offering non-thermal treatment of foods post-packaging. This paper provides an overview of cold plasma theory, equipment and summarises recent advances in the modification of polymeric food packaging materials along with potential applications in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: The study aimed to propose an alternative salvage technique based on local subcutaneous injection of low molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the management of venous congested pedicle and free flaps in which venous outflow could not be surgically restored. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who received the proposed protocol at a single centre was performed. Results: Fifteen patients were treated (six free flaps and nine regional flaps). The LMWH protocol was applied for a mean of 11 days (10–14 days). Thirteen patients required transfusions with a mean number of 5 U (0–12 U) of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfused per patient. All flaps were successfully salvaged (seven totally and eight partially). There were two associated complications: one patient developed a recipient-site haematoma and another patient suffered a syncope episode, related to anaemia. Conclusions: Local subcutaneous injection of LMWH was proven to be an effective alternative in improving flap venous congestion. The main advantages of this procedure are availability, easy application and local limited action. However, the associated morbidity should be balanced against the risk of flap loss and a judicious application is mandatory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poster: Physics track: Basic dosimetry and phantom and detector development PO-1324: Small field output factors measurement with EBT3 gafchromic film in water A. Obesso, C. Ferrer, C. Huertas, E. Corredoira. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Background: Iliac branch device (IBD) technique has been introduced as an appealing and effective solution to avoid complications occurring during repair of aorto-iliac aneurysm with extensive iliac involvement. Nevertheless, no large series with long-term follow-up of IBD are available. The aim of this study was to analyse safety and long-term efficacy of IBD in a consecutive series of patients. Methods: Between 2006 and 2011, 100 consecutive patients were enrolled in a prospective database on IBD. Indications included unilateral or bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms combined or not with abdominal aneurysms. Patients were routinely followed up with computed tomography. Data were reported according to the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: There were 96 males, mean age 74.1 years. Preoperative median common iliac aneurysm diameter was 40 mm (interquartile range (IQR): 35–44 mm). Sixty-seven patients had abdominal aortic aneurysm >35 mm (IQR: 40–57 mm) associated with iliac aneurysm. Eleven patients presented hypogastric aneurysm. Twelve patients underwent isolated iliac repair with IBD and 88 patients received associated endovascular aortic repair. Periprocedural technical success rate was 95%, with no mortality. Two patients experienced external iliac occlusion in the first month. At a median follow-up of 21 months (range 1–60) aneurysm growth >3 mm was detected in four iliac (4%) arteries. Iliac endoleak (one type III and two distal type I) developed in three patients and buttock claudication in four patients. Estimated patency rate of internal iliac branch was 91.4% at 1 and 5 years. Freedom from any reintervention rate was 90% at 1 year and 81.4% at 5 years. No late ruptures occurred. Conclusions: Long-term results show that IBD use can ensure persistent iliac aneurysm exclusion at 5 years, with low risk of reintervention. This technique can be considered as a first endovascular option in patients with extensive iliac aneurysm disease and favourable anatomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of phthalates in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) formulations has been questioned by their potential toxicity and high migration to foodstuff. Phthalates can be replaced by other harmless and environmentally friendly plasticizers, such as epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), which has been also proved an efficient stabilizer for PVC helping to prevent degradation during processing. Formulations based on PVC with different amounts of ESBO (from 30 to 50wt%) were fully characterized showing good compatibility and a clear increase in thermal stability. An evaluation of the use of ESBO for PVC stabilization in commercial lids was carried out by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). ESBO was detected in all materials and their thermal stability was highly dependent on the plasticizer concentration. Most of them showed a significant increase in thermal degradation temperatures, permitting their use in food processing at high temperatures without risk of degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The onset of frictional slip has always been somewhat difficult to study due to the fact that access to the contact area is almost impossible and in most cases only indirect measurements can be carried out. In this report the acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to record and study the elastic waves that appear during the transition from static to kinetic friction in a stick–slip experiment carried out using a sheet of soft steel and a clamp of quenched steel. From the results it has been observed that the onset of the slip event is accompanied by an increase in the continuous AE activity and, immediately afterwards, a long train of AE waves. The main characteristic of these trains are the presence of a first wave with a relatively low amplitude and the very high amplitude of the three or four next ones. After these, the train of waves acquires a decaying-amplitude behaviour. This paper describes the AE activity associated with a slip event and discusses how the aforementioned AE waves could be related with the tribological behaviour of the frictional pair during the slip event. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]