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The astaxanthin nanocapsules (ASX-LNC) was prepared by high-pressure homogenization technology, the microstructure, stability, antioxidant activity, and in vitro release characteristics of ASX-LNC were characterized and evaluated. The ASX-LNC comprised a core material and wall materials. The core material was composed of astaxanthin oil, and the wall materials were composed of β-cyclodextrin, decapolyglycerol monooleate, soybean lecithin (PC60), glycerol, and deionized water. The mean particle size of the ASX-LNC was 206.9 ± 2.8 nm, and the polydispersity index (PdI) value was 0.218 ± 0.026. The zeta potential of ASX-LNC was −26.16 ± 0.87 mV. The loading amount of ASX-LNC was 0.546%±0.032%, and the encapsulation efficiency was 99.65%±0.13%, indicating that the preparation process was feasible. The stability of ASX-LNC was determined under different conditions, indicating good stability of the ASX-LNC. In antioxidant research, the inhibition rate of free radicals of ASX-LNC was 91.03 ± 0.87% under 250 μg/mL for 30 min, and the inhibition rate of free radicals of astaxanthin ethanol solution was 90.83 ± 1.37%. The antioxidant capacity of astaxanthin was not affected by the encapsulation, which demonstrated the effect of prolonging the release of active ingredients due to the protection of the biological activity of astaxanthin by encapsulation. Compared with the astaxanthin ethanol solution, the ASX-LNC had a slow-release effect and could prolong the action time of active substances. Overall, ASX-LNC is a potential carrier for application in food and health products, which can control the release of active substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The majority of studies have reported risks of breast cancer (BC) from benign breast disease (BBD) in essentially homogenous Caucasian populations. Information on breast cancer risk factors in larger, multi-ethnic populations should facilitate the development of appropriate and targeted risk reduction strategies. Design Cases and controls were drawn from a parent BBD cohort of 4,970 women, 1,341 African–Americans (AA) and 3,629 non-AA who were diagnosed with BBD after examination of an excisional breast biopsy. Risk factors (34 variables) included demographics, lesion types, and epidemiological variables. Results The final multivariable model retained significance ( P < 0.05) for lesion risk-level, fibroadenoma, and the interaction of age-by-race. Women with proliferative lesions (no atypia, risk level 2) were 1.7 times more likely to develop BC when compared with women with non-proliferative lesions (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.13, 2.42, P = 0.009). Women with atypia (risk level 3) were 3.75 times more likely to develop BC compared to women with non-proliferative lesions (OR = 3.75, 95% CI 1.99, 7.06, P < 0.001). The odds of breast cancer was approximately 35% lower among women with fibroadenoma as compared to women without fibroadenoma (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.46, 0.94, P = 0.020). AA women with BBD who were 50 years or older were 2.28 times more likely to develop breast cancer as compared to non-AA women who were less than 50 years old (OR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.34, 3.88, P = 0.002). Conclusion Women with fibroadenoma (nonproliferative or proliferative) were less likely to progress to BC. Older AA women are at greater risk for progression to breast cancer from BBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety of oncolytic adenovirus-mediated suicide and interleukin-12 ( IL 12 ) gene therapy was evaluated in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. In this phase I study, a replication-competent adenovirus (Ad5-yCD/ mut TK SR39 rep -hIL-12) expressing yCD/ mut TK SR39 (yeast cytidine deaminase/mutant S39R HSV-1 thymidine kinase) and human IL-12 ( IL 12 ) was injected into tumors of 12 subjects with metastatic pancreatic cancer (T2N0M1-T4N1M1) at escalating doses (1 × 10 11 , 3 × 10 11 , or 1 × 10 12 viral particles). Subjects received 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) therapy for 7 days followed by chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/albumin-bound paclitaxel) starting 21 days after adenovirus injection. The study endpoint was toxicity through day 21. Experimental endpoints included measurements of serum IL 12 , interferon gamma (IFNG), and CXCL10 to assess immune system activation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and proliferation markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. Twelve patients received Ad5-yCD/ mut TK SR39 rep -hIL-12 and oral 5-FC. Approximately 94% of the 121 adverse events observed were grade 1/2 requiring no medical intervention. Ad5-yCD/ mut TK SR39 rep -hIL-12 DNA was detected in the blood of two patients. Elevated serum IL 12 , IFNG, and CXCL10 levels were detected in 42%, 75%, and 92% of subjects, respectively. Analysis of immune cell populations indicated activation after Ad5-yCD/ mut TK SR39 rep -hIL-12 administration. The median survival of patients in the third cohort is 18.1 (range, 3.5-20.0) months. The study maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not reached., Competing Interests: K.N.B. and S.O.F. hold a patent “Methods and Composition for Cancer Therapy Using a Novel Adenovirus” (#7,815,902 B2) for an adenovirus similar to the one used in this study., (© 2020 The Authors.)