A new simplex chemometric approach to identify olive oil blends with potentially high traceability.

Olive oil blends (OOBs) are complex matrices combining different cultivars at variable proportions. Although qualitative determinations of OOBs have been subjected to several chemometric works, quantitative evaluations of their contents remain poorly developed because of traceability difficulties concerning co-occurring cultivars. Around this question, we recently published an original simplex approach helping to develop predictive models of the proportions of co-occurring cultivars from chemical profiles of resulting blends (Semmar & Artaud, 2015). Beyond predictive model construction and validation, this paper presents an extension based on prediction errors' analysis to statistically define the blends with the highest predictability among all the possible ones that can be made by mixing cultivars at different proportions. This provides an interesting way to identify a priori labeled commercial products with potentially high traceability taking into account the natural chemical variability of different constitutive cultivars.

Authentication of Tunisian virgin olive oils by chemometric analysis of fatty acid compositions and NIR spectra. Comparison with Maghrebian and French virgin olive oils.

Six Tunisian virgin olive oil (VOO) varieties, Chemlali Sfax, Chetoui, Chemchali, Oueslati, Zarrazi and Zalmati, were characterised by two analytical methods. The gas chromatography allowed the determination of 14 fatty acids and squalene amounts. With fatty acids of each variety, a characteristic "morphotypes" for each oil variety was established. Chemlali Sfax and Zalmati showed strong similarities. Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and near infrared (NIR) spectra of oils, associated to chemometric treatment, allowed the study of the inter-varietal variability and the verification of the variety origins of some Tunisian commercial VOOs. The specificity of Tunisian VOOs was evaluated by comparing the samples to Algerian, Moroccan and French Protected Designation of Origin VOOs. Classification in varietal origins by SIMCA used the FAME compositions and NIR spectra of the most represented varieties (Chemlali Sfax, Chetoui and Oueslati) showed a high potential to authenticate the varietal origin of Tunisian VOOs.

Physico-chemical change and heat stability of extra virgin olive oils flavoured by selected Tunisian aromatic plants.

Objectives of this work were studying physico-chemical change and heat stability of olive oils flavoured by selected Tunisian aromatic plants. Flavoured olive oils were prepared by maceration of fresh plant materials (rosemary, lavender, sage, menthe, basil, lemon and thyme) with olive oil at a 5% w/w level for 15 days. A sensorial evaluation was applied to select more appreciate flavoured olive oils by consumers. An oxidative procedure was applied to test the stability of selected flavoured olive oils: oils samples were kept in glass bottles and heated at 60 and 130 degrees C during 55 days and 6h, respectively. The resistance to oxidation of these selected flavoured oils was compared to a control samples by measuring PV, K232 and K270 values and change in chlorophyll, carotenes and polyphénols contents. Obtained results show that addition of aromatic plants causes a slight increase in free acidity and viscosity of aromatised olive oils. L*, b* and a* values show that addition of thyme cause a great change in olive oil colours. Heat stability results shows that from selected aromatic plants, rosemary was effectiveness against oxidation followed by thyme and lemon. However, olive oil flavoured with basil exhibit a similar behaviour versus thermal oxidation then the natural olive oil.

[Thymolipoma. A case report]. / Le thymolipome. A propos d'un cas.

Thymolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor of the thymus. Asymptomatic, it is an incidental discovery. Pathogenesis remains controversial. We report a new case in a 36-year-old woman that was discovered on a chest x-ray ordered for pneumonia. The MRI findings suggested the diagnosis which was confirmed at the pathology examination of the surgical specimen.

[Metastatic benign leiomyoma in a 46-year-old woman]. / Léiomyome bénin métastasiant.

Chest X-ray in a 46-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy for a uterine mass revealed a nodular opacity measuring 3 cm. Computed tomography identified 3 other nodules. Histology examination of the lung lesions identified the same configuration as that of the hysterectomy specimen performed two years earlier: benign metastatic leiomyoma. Approximately 40 cases have been reported in the literature.

[Costal chondrosarcoma. 4 cases]. / Chondrosarcome costal. 4 observations.

BACKGROUND: Tumors of the rib cage are uncommon and malignant in 29% of the cases. Chondrosarcoma predominates, accounting for 40% of all cases of malignant costal tumors. CASE REPORTS: Four patients (3 women, 1 man, mean age 28.2 years) were hospitalized for costal chondrosarcoma. Pain and tumefaction dominated the clinical presentation. Calcifications suggested the diagnosis in 3 cases. Curative surgery was performed in all cases. Postoperative radiotherapy was unable to improve prognosis in 2 patients. DISCUSSION: Chondrosarcoma of the ribs is characterized by a strong potential for invasive extension. Diagnosis is suspected on the basis of imaging findings and confirmed at pathology. Surgery is required. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not improve prognosis significantly.

[Intramuscular myxoma. Apropos of two cases]. / Myxome intra-musculaire. Apropos de deux localisations.

The authors report two cases of rare localization of intra muscular myxoma: one in the buttock, and the other in the lumbar area. The first case, a 58 years old woman had a four month history of a mass in the buttock. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a solid tumor. Diagnosis was based on histological examination. After surgical treatment no recurrence was observed after fourteen months. The second case was a 54 years old woman who presented a sciatica with back pain and neurological signs. The symptoms didn't response to medical treatment. Computed tomography showed an enlarged and-cystic lumbar lesion extending to the first sacral hole, with bone erosion of L3 and L4 articular apophysis and spinous process. Needle biopsy and surgical excision of the tumor were performed. Total neurological recovery was observed and no recurrence was observed after three years. The authors reminded the characteristics of this rare and benign soft tissue tumor and specified the place of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to establish the diagnosis which was still confirmed by histological examination of an open biopsy. Clinical follow-up revealed exceptional recurrence and no metastasis.

[Synovial sarcoma. Anatomoclinical aspects apropos of 8 cases]. / Le synovialosarcome. Aspects anatomocliniques à propos de huit cas.

Synovialosarcoma is a rare tumor, of difficult diagnosis. Authors report 8 cases diagnosed in the two pathology departments of Salah Azaïz Institute and the Universitary Hospital of Sfax, from 1985 to 1991. This tumor represents 2.96% of all soft tissues sarcomas treated in Salah Azaïz Institute. It occurs in young adults (the average age in our series: 28.8 years) with a male predominance (6 out of 8 cases), localized preferentially in the lower extremity. In the histological study, immunohistochemistry provides a great contribution in the diagnosis and classification of these tumors. The histoprognosis grading of Trojani applied to our cases shows the good correlation between the grade and the prognosis. Treatment is primarily surgical, consisting in wide excision to avoid recurrences that are unfortunately very frequent. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy give very inconstant results. Some authors recommend radiotherapy to sterilize the tumor field, and chemotherapy to prevent metastasis. The clinical course is characterized by a high frequency of local recurrences and pulmonary metastases.

[Late polymorphous aspect of familial reticulated dystrophy of the pigment epithelium]. / Aspect polymorphe tardif d'une dystrophie réticulée familiale de l'épithélium pigmentaire.

The authors report the observation of a family with different dystrophies of the retinal pigment epithelium: a macroreticular dystrophy (1 case), a butterfly-shaped dystrophy (1 case), a butterfly-shaped or a macroreticular dystrophy associated with vitelliform lesion (3 cases), and hard drusen (2 cases). The association of pattern dystrophies and vitelliform lesions was described in some families or subjects in previous reports. The different fundoscopic aspects could constitute the same autosomal dominant dystrophy with variable expressivity. The presence, in this family, of two cases of probably inherited drusen could reflect the similarity of this disease with the other autosomal dominant dystrophies of the retinal pigment epithelium. Further biological studies should be performed to identify the pathogenesis of these diseases and will allow clearer classification.

[Bladder pheochromocytoma and pregnancy. A case report]. / Phéochromocytome vésical et grossesse. Une observation.

The authors report the case of a 31-year old patient who successfully completed a pregnancy despite unsuspected bladder pheochromocytoma. After delivery, the patient required care post-partum due to serious hemodynamic problems. Hypertension had been attributed to toxemia of pregnancy. The authors recall the diagnostic difficulties of tumors of this type, and the means which can be used for topographical diagnosis and the precautions to be taken before this tumor can be treated surgically.

[Syphilitic aortic insufficiency. Apropos of a case]. / Insuffisance aortique syphilitique. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of aortic insufficiency with aneurysm of the ascending aorta of syphilitic origin. The diagnosis was made only histologically in the presence of a syphilitic granuloma. This opportunity is taken to review the various aspects of cardiovascular syphilis.