Determination of heavy metals in edible oils by a novel voltammetry taste sensor array.

Herein, a novel voltammetry taste sensor array (VTSA) using pencil graphite electrode, screen-printed electrode, and glassy carbon electrode was used to identify heavy metals (HM) including Cad, Pb, Sn and Ni in soybean and rapeseed oils. HMs were added to edible oils at three concentrations of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.25 ppm, and then, the output of the device was classified using a chemometric classification method. According to the principal component analysis results, PG electrode explains 96% and 81% of the variance between the data in rapeseed and soybean edible oils, respectively. Additionally, the SP electrode explains 91% of the variance between the data in rapeseed and soybean oils. Moreover, the GC electrode explains 100% and 99% of the variance between the data in rapeseed and soybean edible oils, respectively. K-nearest neighbor exhibited high capability in classifying HMs in edible oils. In addition, partial least squares in the combine of VTSA shows a predict 99% in rapeseed oil. The best electrode for soybean edible oil was GC.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study To Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Iclaprim versus Vancomycin for Treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections Suspected or Confirmed To Be Due to Gram-Positive Pathogens (REVIVE-2 Study).

Iclaprim is a novel diaminopyrimidine antibiotic that may be an effective and safe treatment for serious skin infections. The safety and effectiveness of iclaprim were assessed in a global phase 3, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial. Six hundred thirteen adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) suspected or confirmed to be due to Gram-positive pathogens were randomized to iclaprim (80 mg) or vancomycin (15 mg/kg of body weight), both of which were administered intravenously every 12 h for 5 to 14 days. The primary endpoint was a ≥20% reduction in lesion size compared with that at the baseline at 48 to 72 h after the start of administration of study drug in the intent-to-treat population. Among patients randomized to iclaprim, 78.3% (231 of 295) met this primary endpoint, whereas 76.7% (234 of 305) of those receiving vancomycin met this primary endpoint (difference, 1.58%; 95% confidence interval, -5.10% to 8.26%). This met the prespecified 10% noninferiority margin. Iclaprim was well tolerated, with most adverse events being categorized as mild. In conclusion, iclaprim was noninferior to vancomycin in this phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. On the basis of these results, iclaprim may be an efficacious and safe treatment for skin infections suspected or confirmed to be due to Gram-positive pathogens. (This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02607618.).

Intracranial Activity of Cabozantinib in MET Exon 14-Positive NSCLC with Brain Metastases.

INTRODUCTION: A significant portion of NSCLCs with MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase gene (MET) exon 14 skipping alterations are sensitive to small-molecule mesenchymal-epithelial transition tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, the incidence and management of brain metastases in this molecular subset is unknown and represents an unmet clinical need. METHODS: Hybrid capture-based comprehensive genomic profiling identified a patient with a MET exon 14 skipping alteration, and serial magnetic resonance imaging was utilized to follow intracranial disease during crizotinib and subsequent cabozantinib therapy. RESULTS: Intracranial progression developed in the context of ongoing extracranial disease control during crizotinib therapy. Rapid intracranial response was observed after change to cabozantinib. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides the first detailed description of brain metastases in MET exon 14-positive NSCLC and provides preliminary support for the intracranial activity of cabozantinib. Prospective study is warranted and needed to refine the management of intracranial disease in MET exon 14-positive NSCLC.

The process of producing tomato paste by ohmic heating method.

In this study, the effect of ohmic heating technique on electrical conductivity, water evaporation rate, heating rate, colour parameters, pH and energy consumption of tomato samples was investigated. Ohmic heating was accomplished till the moisture content of the tomato samples reduced from initial moisture content of as 9.33 (dry basis) to a safer level of 2.2. The results of the nonlinear mathematical model including the effects of voltage gradient level and the temperature on the electrical conductivity changes had good agreement (R ≥ 0.955) with the experimental data. Also, it was observed that the electrical conductivity increased along with concentration of tomato samples. The range of electrical conductivity during ohmic heating was 3.19-8.95 (S/m). It was found that processing time decreased from 28.32 to 4.3 min over the voltage gradient range studied (6 to 14 V/cm), which resulted in decreased specific energy consumption from 4.63 to 3.05 (MJ/kg water). Due to increasing of heating rate and water evaporation rate at high voltage gradient, the change of the pH was limited. Samples processed in high voltage gradient had higher L*, b* and hue angle (h), lower a* and Chroma (C) values as compared to low voltage gradient. The optimum value of processing time, pH, colour, specific energy consumption was obtained at 14 V/cm voltage gradient level.