Phthalates: Potential sources and control measures

The issue of endocrine disruptors is a subject of debate in the agri-food sector and questioning for consumers through the media. Among these compounds, some of the family of phthalates, are used in the composition of some materials used in wineries. This makes it a worrying issue in terms of image and safety. The objective ok this work was to identify the sources of phthalates and the factors favoring their diffusion in wines to propose preventive and curative solutions to the wine makers. The modalities were therefore selected in different French wine regions to represent the diversity of oenological practices. This survey also led to examine more thoroughly the parameters involved in the situations that favored migration of the highest levels. Additional experiments were performed specifically on certain sources or contributing factors. The first identified sources include epoxy resin, fiberglass reinforced polyester as well as PVC materials (pipes …). Favorable factors include alcohol content, temperature, duration and contact area

Efficacy of Sym004 in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer With Acquired Resistance to Anti-EGFR Therapy and Molecularly Selected by Circulating Tumor DNA Analyses: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy (epidermal growth factor receptor) is frequently due to RAS and EGFR extracellular domain (ECD) mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Some anti-EGFR-refractory patients retain tumor EGFR dependency potentially targetable by agents such as Sym004, which is a mixture of 2 nonoverlapping monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR. OBJECTIVE: To determine if continuous blockade of EGFR by Sym004 has survival benefit. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter, phase 2, randomized, clinical trial comparing 2 regimens of Sym004 with investigator's choice from March 6, 2014, through October 15, 2015. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was analyzed for biomarker and tracking clonal dynamics during treatment. Participants had wild-type KRAS exon 2 mCRC refractory to standard chemotherapy and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to Sym004, 12 mg/kg/wk (arm A), Sym004, 9 mg/kg loading dose followed by 6 mg/kg/wk (arm B), or investigator's choice of treatment (arm C). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included preplanned exploratory biomarker analysis in ctDNA. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients were randomized (intent-to-treat [ITT] population) (median age, 63 [range, 34-91] years; 63% male; n\u2009=\u2009160). Median OS in the ITT population was 7.9 months (95% CI, 6.5-9.9 months), 10.3 months (95% CI, 9.0-12.9 months), and 9.6 months (95% CI, 8.3-12.2 months) for arms A, B, and C, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI, 0.92-1.87 for A vs C; and HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.68-1.40 for B vs C). The ctDNA revealed high intrapatient genomic heterogeneity following anti-EGFR therapy. Sym004 effectively targeted EGFR ECD-mutated cancer cells, and a decrease in EGFR ECD ctDNA occurred in Sym004-treated patients. However, this did not translate into clinical benefit in patients with EGFR ECD mutations, likely owing to co-occurring resistance mechanisms. A subgroup of patients was defined by ctDNA (RAS/BRAF/EGFR ECD-mutation negative) associated with improved OS in Sym004-treated patients in arm B compared with arm C (median OS, 12.8 and 7.3 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Sym004 did not improve OS in an unselected population of patients with mCRC and acquired anti-EGFR resistance. A prospective clinical validation of Sym004 efficacy in a ctDNA molecularly defined subgroup of patients with refractory mCRC is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrialsregister.eu Identifier: 2013-003829-29

Incidence des équipements vinicoles sur l'extraction des composés phénoliques

This presentation is about the vinification of red wines. Some mechanical systems greatly improve the extraction of constituents from the grape skin. Specific equipments and thermic control are very efficient tools in the extraction of phenolic compounds but the cause-effect relationships may still be optimized. / Cette communication se limite à la vinification des vins rouges. Certains systèmes mécaniques améliorent sensiblement l'extraction des constituants de la pellicule. Remontages, équipements spécialisés et contrôle thermique sont des outils très efficaces de maîtrise de l'extraction des composés phénoliques, mais les relations de cause à effet restent encore à optimiser

Mise en oeuvre de la macération préfermentaire à froid

Solid on liquid CO2 can be used for cool prefermentation maceration. This article describes the enginering aspects (equipment, refrigeration requirements) of the method, and emphasizes the need for more knowledge about mass transfer. / Le CO2 solide ou liquide peut être utilisé pour la macération préfermentaire à froid. Cet article décrit les aspects ingénierie (équipement, besoins en réfrigération) de la méthode, et insiste sur le besoin de développer des connaissances sur les transferts de masse

Wavelet analysis of high-resolution signal-averaged ECGs in postinfarction patients

International audienceThe authors present an original method for the discrimination of patients prone to ventricular tachycardia. The wavelet transform, which is a new time-scale technique suitable for transient signal detection, was applied to bipolar unfiltered X, Y, Z signal-averaged electrocardiograms in 20 postinfarction patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia, in 20 myocardial infarction patients without ventricular tachycardia, and in 10 healthy subjects. An improved automated algorithm for the detection and localization of sharp variations of the signal, based on coherent detection of the local maxima of the wavelet transform, was developed. A risk stratification method, based on the detection of at least one singularity at or after a point defined with reference to the QRS onset, was assessed. The optimum cutoff point, found 98 ms after the onset of QRS, provides a specificity of 90% and a sensitivity of 85%. The authors conclude that wavelet analysis makes it possible, in this group of patients, to discriminate those with ventricular tachycardia. It yields better results than those obtained from the conventional time-domain approach

Echocardiography is not a good way of monitoring cardiac grafts after abdominal heterotopic transplantation in the rat.

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