Fermentation and its effect on the physicochemical and sensory attributes of cocoa beans in the Colombian Amazon.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the basic raw material to produce chocolate and other derivatives such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder and cocoa liquor (cocoa paste), which requires a fermentation process that affects its chemical composition and sensory profile. The objective of this study was to monitor the biochemical, physical and sensory changes during fermentation of cocoa beans in cocoa bean processing plants in the department of Caquetá, Colombia.

Vonoprazan Triple and Dual Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection in the United States and Europe: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background & Aims: Novel, effective treatments for Helicobacter pylori infection are needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, vs standard treatment on H pylori eradication in the United States and Europe.

Methods: In a randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial, treatment-naïve adults with H pylori infection were randomized 1:1:1 to open-label vonoprazan dual therapy (20 mg vonoprazan twice daily; 1 g amoxicillin 3 times daily), or double-blind triple therapy twice a day (vonoprazan 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg; amoxicillin 1 g; clarithromycin 500 mg) for 14 days.

Prognostic factors for survival with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in metastatic pancreatic cancer in real-life practice: the ANICE-PaC study.

Background: Treatment with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine increases survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, the assessment of treatment efficacy and safety in non-selected patients in a real-life setting may provide useful information to support decision-making processes in routine practice.

Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study including patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, who started first-line treatment with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine between December 2013 and June 2015 according to routine clinical practice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose Of Review: This year the number of papers published regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continued to increase compared with last year, coinciding with an increase in incidence and awareness of this tumor.

Recent Findings: Molecular clock studies determined that hepatitis C-related HCC will continue to increase over the next 20 years mimicking the Japanese epidemic. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most common chronic liver disease in the US, has been associated with HCC.