An improved method of maturation of an unaged or partially aged distilled spirit, the method comprising: exposing the spirit to at least one catalytic material consisting of a group selected from: iron oxide nanoparticles, alumina-supported Fe(II) complexes, Pd/C, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon xerogels, carbon based solid acid catalysts, SO.sub.4.sup.2-/TiO.sub.2/-Al.sub.2O.sub.3, an element selected from the group consisting of: columns 4-12 transition metals except for Fe, column 13 boron group, Si, and mixtures thereof; wherein throughout the exposing, the spirit is not being distilled, and the exposing is allowed until level of at least one maturation congener in the spirit attains predetermined desired congener level/s in the spirit.

Methods and systems in a process for disinfecting or sterilizing a fermented beverage and/or a composition utilized in a fermentation process to produce a fermented beverage, using ultraviolet light. Such methods and systems can be coupled with processes for neutralizing unwanted acidic congeners and separating the resulting salts of the acidic congeners to produce a refined fermented beverage, including but not limited to a neutral malt base, gluten-free base, gluten-reduced base, grain-neutral spirit, wine base, and a sugar-brew base. Drinkable fermented beverages, including but not limited to flavored malt beverages and hard seltzer beverages, can also be disinfected or sterilized with ultraviolet light using any of the systems or methods described herein.

Introduction: Rituximab (R) is an integral component of therapy for B-cell lymphoid malignancies; bortezomib (Btz) has shown provocative single agent activity in Follicular Lymphoma (FL), Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia (WM), providing the rationale for investigating the combination.

Patients+Methods: Forty-five adult patients (pts.) (30 men, 15 women) with histologically confirmed recurrent CD20+ve FL, MCL or WM, median age 60 years (range 45-79), FL: 17, MCL: 18, WM: 10, stage III/IV 40 (93%), bone marrow (BM) infiltration 32 (73%), elevated LDH 22 (49%), performance status 1 22 (49%), were enrolled in a randomised trial comparing 2 schedules of Brz+R: Arm A (twice weekly) Btz: 1.3 mg/m.sup.2 (on days 1, 4, 8, 11 of a 21-day cycle) and R: 375 mg/m.sup.2 (on day 1) for 8 cycles, or Arm B (weekly) Btz: 1.6 mg/m.sup.2 (on days 1, 8, 15, 22 of a 35-day cycle) and R: 375 mg/m.sup.2 (on days 1, 8, 15, 22 of cycles 1 and 4) for 6 cycles (23 arm A, 22 arm B). The median number of previous treatments was 2 (range 1-7). Seventeen pts. had received a R-containing regimen, with response lasting >6 months, and 8 high-dose treatment. Response was evaluated using the IWR criteria (Cheson et al, JCO 17:1244, 1999) and the updated response criteria from the 3rd International Workshop on WM (Treon et al, Blood 107:3442, 2006)

Results: Ability to deliver the therapy, toxicity and efficacy were equivalent in both arms. The median number of cycles given in arm A was 4 and 5 in arm B. Haematological toxicity (grade3: anaemia 0%, neutropenia 25%, thrombocytopenia 22%) was significantly influenced by the high percentage of pts. with BM infiltration and concomitant cytopenia on entry to the trial. The most common non-haematological adverse events were fatigue (76%), nausea (56%), diarrhoea (56%), lethargy (46%). Neurotoxicity occurred in 19 pts. (46%) (10 pts. grade 1, 7 pts. grade 2, 2 pts. grade 3). Btz dose was reduced in 7 pts.; 5 doses were omitted because of neuro or haematological toxicity. In 16 pts., treatment was delayed by 1-14 days and in 24 pts. treatment was stopped prematurely. The reasons for stopping treatment were: treatment-related toxicity 11 pts., progressive disease 9 pts., patient's preference 3 pts., myocardial infarction 1 pt. One pt. was excluded having been found ineligible post randomisation. Thirty-nine pts. (21 arm A, 18 arm B) are evaluable for response so far, one having only received 1 cycle of therapy, which had to be discontinued because of excessive toxicity. 15/32 were in remission (CR, CRu, PR) at the completion of therapy, 7/7 at mid-therapy assessment, and 5 have yet to be evaluate

An apparatus and method for modifying the organoleptic properties of a beverage, such as wine in a bottle, said apparatus having a least one light-source, said light-source applying peak wavelengths at intensities and time durations optimal for modifying said beverage's organoleptic properties with a highly reflective inner surface, a translucent air flow baffle, a translucent liquid barrier, and a controlled oxygen concentration in the bottle headspace.

The invention relates to a fluid treatment device comprising a stirring element and at least one magnetic device. The stirring element has a plurality of flutes within its central portion, and the magnetic devices are placed around the stirring element. The device can further comprise a UV irradiation module and an on-line analysis module.

The invention relates to apparatus and a method to allow the application of an electromagnetic field to a product for a period of time to alter a condition of the product. The condition change may be to speed up an occurring process and/or change quality of the experience of subsequent use of the product. The apparatus includes a support and a container in which the said product is located. The support includes one or more modules for generation of a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and the support and hence modules are connected to control means to control the generation of the PEMF and are positionable with respect to the said product so as to allow the product to be exposed to the generated PEMF.

An improved process for producing beverage having favorable sensory characteristic such as smell, taste, etc. The process comprises irradiating the liquid with a light with a dose of 1-watt hours per litre to 3,000-watt hours per litre for 1 hour to 96 hours at a temperature of between 15 C. and 55 C. The process improves the taste of the beverage.

Methods and systems in a process for disinfecting or sterilizing a fermented beverage and/or a composition utilized in a fermentation process to produce a fermented beverage, using ultraviolet light. Such methods and systems can be coupled with processes for neutralizing unwanted acidic congeners and separating the resulting salts of the acidic congeners to produce a refined fermented beverage, including but not limited to a neutral malt base, gluten-free base, gluten-reduced base, grain-neutral spirit, wine base, and a sugar-brew base. Drinkable fermented beverages, including but not limited to flavored malt beverages and hard seltzer beverages, can also be disinfected or sterilized with ultraviolet light using any of the systems or methods described herein.

The present invention relates to a process for accelerating aging of spirits. In particular the invention relates to a process for producing a matured spirit comprising an extraction phase, a transformation phase and a finishing phase for obtaining a matured spirit. The process is carried out in a closed system in the presence of elevated temperature and ultrasound.