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Background: The potential prognostic value of extranodal soft tissue metastasis (ESTM) has been confirmed by increasing studies about gastric cancer (GC). However, the gold standard of ESTM is determined by pathologic examination after surgery, and there are no preoperative methods for assessment of ESTM yet. Purpose: This multicenter study aimed to develop a deep learning‐based radiomics model to preoperatively identify ESTM and evaluate its prognostic value. Methods: A total of 959 GC patients were enrolled from two centers and split into a training cohort (N = 551) and a test cohort (N = 236) for ESTM evaluation. Additionally, an external survival cohort (N = 172) was included for prognostic analysis. Four models were established based on clinical characteristics and multiphase computed tomography (CT) images for preoperative identification of ESTM, including a deep learning model, a hand‐crafted radiomic model, a clinical model, and a combined model. C‐index, decision curve, and calibration curve were utilized to assess the model performances. Survival analysis was conducted to explore the ability of stratifying overall survival (OS). Results: The combined model showed good discrimination of the ESTM [C‐indices (95% confidence interval, CI): 0.770 (0.729–0.812) and 0.761 (0.718–0.805) in training and test cohorts respectively], which outperformed deep learning model, radiomics model, and clinical model. The stratified analysis showed this model was not affected by patient's tumor size, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, and Lauren classification (p < 0.05). Moreover, the model score showed strong consistency with the OS [C‐indices (95%CI): 0.723 (0.658–0.789, p < 0.0001) in the internal survival cohort and 0.715 (0.650–0.779, p < 0.0001) in the external survival cohort]. More interestingly, univariate analysis showed the model score was significantly associated with occult distant metastasis (p < 0.05) that was missed by preoperative diagnosis. Conclusions: The model combining CT images and clinical characteristics had an impressive predictive ability of both ESTM and prognosis, which has the potential to serve as an effective complement to the preoperative TNM staging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis can effectively improve the survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). A specific imaging technique that is simultaneously deep penetrating and sensitive to small tissue changes is desired to identify GBM. Due to its excellent features in signal contrast, detection sensitivity, and none or little attenuation in tissue, magnetic particle imaging (MPI) possesses great potential in cancer diagnosis, especially when the imaging modality is equipped with specifically targeted nanoprobes. However, when gliomas are small, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is complete and prevents nanoprobes from entering the brain, which negates the theranostic effect. This study proposes a biomimetic nanoplatform that assist the MPI tracers in breaking through the BBB and then demonstrate a targeted and sensitive diagnosis of GBM. Afterward, the photothermal therapy and immune regulation show an excellent therapeutic effect on the GBM. It is experimentally confirmed that the MPI signal does not decay with tissue depth and shows excellent sensitivity for thousands‐cells. Only small animals are conducted in this study due to the limitations of the current commercial MPI scanner, however, this research theoretically enables large animal and human studies, which encourages a promising pathway toward the noninvasive diagnosis of early‐stage GBM in clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Yellowed rice results in serious economic losses to grain industry. This study attempted to profile the volatile metabolites in before‐ and after‐yellowing rice of five Chinese common rice cultivars. Application untargeted metabolomics approach to discover the biomarkers in yellowed rice. Findings: The volatile metabolites were detected by headspace‐gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS‐GC‐IMS) and headspace solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS). Yellowed rice emitted more aldehydes, alcohols, furan, and less ester than white rice. Partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) based on GC‐MS and GC‐IMS data was revealed a good classifying tool for white and yellowed rice. Hexanal, nonanal, octanal, 1‐pentanol, and 2‐pentyl‐furan were selected as the potential markers by the variable importance in projection (VIP) variable selection method. All of these markers were associated with fatty acid oxygenation. Conclusions: Comparative analysis and biomarker identification of the volatile metabolites of different cultivars of Chinese yellowed rice lay a foundation for research on yellowing mechanism. Significance and novelty: The results of the current study provide a useful basis in the rice yellowing mechanism study. Additionally, a rapid rice aroma analysis method using GC‐IMS was developed. So in the future, yellowed rapid reorganization GC‐IMS technology could be a preferred choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic disease, characterized by hyperglycemia. This study administered either β‐mannanase‐treated yeast cell autolysis supernatant (YCS) or yeast cell‐wall residues after autolysis (YCR) to investigate their influence on the alleviation of diabetes in a diabetic mouse model. RESULTS: Application of either YCS or YCR led to body weight gain, blood glucose reduction, and an improvement in lipid composition in the diabetic mice. Administration of YCS was more effective in inhibiting oxidative stress than YCR. The expression of PPARα and CPT1α was enhanced, improving lipid biosynthesis, and Trx1 and HIF‐1‐α genes were downregulated due to the activation of thioredoxin following the interventions, indicating that the processes of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress were heavily involved in the reduction of diabetic characteristics following the interventions. The current study revealed that consumption of YCR also led to a reduction in hyperglycemia, this being associated with its richness in mineral elements, such as chromium and selenium. CONCLUSION: This study may highlight the potential of both YCS and YCR as functional ingredients in dietary formula for improving diabetic syndromes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lupin seeds are rich in proteins, which are utilized in the food industry. There is an increased interest in lupin research due to its association with health‐related benefits, such as reduction of hypertension and hyperglycemia. However, studies on the peptides derived from lupin proteins are rare. RESULTS: Lupin protein hydrolysates (LPHs) were prepared by proteolysis using alcalase, trypsin and pepsin, respectively. All the hydrolysates demonstrated higher antioxidant and angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities compared to lupin proteins. The hydrolysates were fractionated into three fractions based on molecular weight (MW), and the peptides with MW < 3 kDa (LPH3) had the highest antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities compared to other fractions. Cell model study revealed that LPH3 fraction had the highest protection against the generation of reactive oxygen species in HepG2 cells, which was associated with increased activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase through upregulation of SOD1, GPX1, GCLM, SLC7A11 and SRXN1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of amino acid composition indicated that the peptides were characterized with high content of hydrophobic amino acids, which may be responsible for the greatest antioxidant activity. This study highlights the promising potential of lupin peptides as a functional ingredient in healthy foods. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type. Therefore, molecular targets are urgently required for the early detection of HCC and the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Glypican‐3 (GPC3), an oncofetal proteoglycan anchored to the cell membrane, is normally detected in the fetal liver but not in the healthy adult liver. However, in HCC patients, GPC3 is overexpressed at both the gene and protein levels, and its expression predicts a poor prognosis. Mechanistic studies have revealed that GPC3 functions in HCC progression by binding to molecules such as Wnt signaling proteins and growth factors. Moreover, GPC3 has been used as a target for molecular imaging and therapeutic intervention in HCC. To date, GPC3‐targeted magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and near‐infrared imaging have been investigated for early HCC detection, and various immunotherapeutic protocols targeting GPC3 have been developed, including the use of humanized anti‐GPC3 cytotoxic antibodies, treatment with peptide/DNA vaccines, immunotoxin therapies, and genetic therapies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the structure, function, and biology of GPC3 with a focus on its clinical potential as a diagnostic molecule and a therapeutic target in HCC immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn bran polysaccharides were extracted using an ultrasonic-assisted method with a yield of 33.50% and then carboxymethylated. The occurrence of modification was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis. The surface of polysaccharide particles became loosened following the carboxymethylation. The effect of sodium hydroxide concentration, reaction temperature, and the reaction time on the degree of substitution was investigated, and the relationship among the substitution degree, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were studied. With sodium hydroxide concentration of 6.0 mol L−1, keeping the reaction temperature of 60 °C and reaction time of 5.0 h, the modified polysaccharides possessed the highest degree of substitution and antioxidant activity. Cell culture model indicated that the carboxymethylated polysaccharide significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 and HepG-2 cells, and these antitumour characteristics may be associated with the elevated expression of CASP3, CASP8, CASP9, and p53, as well as the significantly decreased expression of Bcl-2 and iNOS genes. The excellent antioxidant capacity and strong antitumour activity of these polysaccharides might provide a potential application as a naturally functional ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels with high strength and toughness have received great interest in recent years. In this study, temperature-responsive composite hydrogels involved the Candida antarctica lipase B were prepared by using sodium alginate and poly( N-isopropylacrylamide), and were evaluated as catalysts using the model reaction of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenol butyrate. The experimental results demonstrated that enzymatic catalyst immobilized in the thermoresponsive carriers offered possibilities for external switching and manipulation for objective reaction system. The mechanical properties of the enzyme-polymer composites pretreated by high pressure carbon dioxide could be significantly improved. The number of recycling use was significantly increased. This work provided a new approach to smart regulation for enzymatic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In this work, CO2-based micelles with TMN series surfactants were used as reactive medium. Hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate catalyzed by porcine pancreas was used as a model reaction. The reactive behaviorwas used to optimize the reaction temperature, pH, pressure, enzyme concentration and the added water. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Generally, the reaction parameters depended on the types of substrates and enzymes. For the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate in CO2-basedmicelles, the reactive yield reached a high level at temperature 303 K, system pressure 15 MPa, pH 6.8, water to surfactant ratioW0 15, and enzyme concentration 1 g mL-1. In addition, the system reactivity was highest when TMN-6 surfactant was used. CONCLUSIONS: The activity of lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis in CO2-basedmicelle was increased significantly compared with that obtained in cyclohexane oil micelle. The combination of enzyme with supercritical CO2 represented a promising 'green' reaction system for bioconversions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The immobilization of enzymes is one of the key issues in both the field of enzymatic research and industrialization. In this article, we report a facile method for immobilizing Candida antarctica lipase B in an alginate carrier. In the presence of calcium cations, an enzyme-alginate suspension was crosslinked to form beads with a porous structure at room temperature, and the enzymes were well dispersed in the beads. The chiral resolution of α-phenyl ethanol in the organic phase was tested by the enzyme-alginate beads. The effects of the reaction parameters, such as the enzyme concentration, temperature, and molar ratio of the substrate to the solvent, on the resolution behavior are discussed. Reuse cycle experiments for the chiral resolution of α-phenyl ethanol demonstrated that the activity of the enzyme-alginate beads was maintained without marked deactivation up to five repeated cycles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40178. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights from the article: Keywords: fluorescence-guided surgery; hepatocellular carcinoma; intraoperative photothermal therapy; triple-modality imaging In article number 1900085, Chihua Fang, Jie Tian, and co-workers develop a multifunctional epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-targeting nanoparticle with triple-modality visualization, uniting magnetic resonance, photoacoustic, and fluorescence imaging for the high precision diagnosis of hepacellular carnicoma (HCC) and intraoperative imaging guidance for accurate hepatectomy. Hepatocellular carcinoma, fluorescence-guided surgery, intraoperative photothermal therapy, triple-modality imaging.

Hepatectomy is one of the main treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, because microscopic tumor residues are often present after surgery, the recurrence rate of HCC remains extremely high. A multimodality imaging‐guided multifunctional nanoparticle, indocyanine‐green–gadolinium–copper sulfide@bovine‐serum‐albumin–epithelial‐cell‐adhesion molecule (EpCAM), is developed for HCC treatment based on a novel theranostic strategy. After intravenous injection of these nanoparticles into HCC‐bearing mice, remarkably selective accumulation and highly efficient retention of the nanoparticles in tumor sites are observed. This is due to the EpCAM's specific targeting ability, which also results in enhanced HCC contrast in a tri‐modal visualization, which unites magnetic resonance, photoacoustic, and fluorescence imaging. Moreover, nanoparticle uptake into the HCC allows photothermal therapy (PTT) as an interoperative adjuvant strategy for further eliminating possible microscopic residues and boosting HCC surgery outcomes. This theranostic strategy not only helps with precise diagnosis of HCC but enables intraoperatively imaging guidance for accurate tumor resection. Moreover, postoperation longitudinal observation demonstrates that intraoperative imaging‐guided resection alongside a PTT‐integrated treatment strategy can result in a significant improvement of overall survival rate. These multifunctional EpCAM‐targeting nanoparticles may respresent a novel theranostic strategy to improve postsurgical HCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]