Optimization of spray drying process of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) juice powder using nondigestible maltodextrin by response surface methodology (RSM).

The optimal spray-drying conditions for manufacturing Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) juice powder (JAJP) using response surface methodology (RSM) were investigated. The optimization was performed using two independent factors, which are inlet air temperature (130-180 °C) and different concentrations of nondigestible maltodextrin (NMD) as a carrier agent (10-30%). Responses such as drying yield, moisture content, water solubility index (WSI), bulk density, color, pH, and antioxidant activities of JAJP were investigated. Moisture content, vitamin C content, color, antioxidant activity, pH and bulk density were greatly influenced by inlet air temperature, but dry yield and WSI were only significantly affected by NMD concentration. The optimum spray drying conditions were determined as 14.7% NMD concentration and 154.5 °C inlet air temperature, respectively. At these optimum conditions, a drying yield of 55.73%, 4.84% moisture content, 90.98% WSI, 0.59 g/mL of bulk density, and 169.87 mg/g vitamin C content in JAJP were measured. Therefore, JAJP with the desirable physicochemical properties could be produced.

Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L14 Promotes Cell Growth and Invasion by Modulating Reactive Oxygen Species in Thyroid Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The mitochondrial ribosomal protein L14 (MRPL14) is encoded by a nuclear gene and participates in mitochondrial protein translation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of MRPL14 in thyroid cancer. METHODS: We investigated the association between MRPL14 expression and clinicopathological features using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chungnam National University Hospital (CNUH) databases. Functional studies of MRPL14, including proliferation, migration, invasion, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, were performed in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell lines (B-CPAP and KTC-1). RESULTS: Based on the TCGA dataset, PTC tissues lost mitochondrial integrity and showed dysregulated expression of overall mitoribosomal proteins (MRPs) compared with normal thyroid tissues. Of 78 MRPs, MRPL14 was highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues. MRPL14 overexpression was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis. MRPL14 increased cell proliferation of thyroid cancer and promoted cell migration via epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. Moreover, MRPL14 knockdown reduced the expression of oxidative phosphorylation complex IV (MTCO1) and increased the accumulation of ROS. Cotreatment with a ROS scavenger restored cell proliferation and migration, which had been reduced by MRPL14 knockdown, implying that ROS functions as a key regulator of the oncogenic effects of MRPL14 in thyroid cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that MRPL14 may promote cell growth, migration, and invasion by modulating ROS in thyroid cancer cells.

Tuning Surface Plasmon Resonance Responses through Size and Crosslinking Control of Multivalent Protein Binding-Capable Nanoscale Hydrogels.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomena have been widely studied to detect biomolecules because of their high sensitivity and ability to determine biomolecular interactions with kinetic information. However, highly selective detection in specific concentration ranges relevant to target biomolecules is still a challenging task. Recently, we developed bioresponsive nanoscale hydrogels to selectively intensify SPR signals through multivalent protein binding (MPB) events with target biomolecules, including IL-2, where we were able to demonstrate exceptional selectivity for target biomolecules with minimal responses to nonspecific and monovalent binding events. In this work, we systematically explored the relationship between the physical properties of MPB-capable nanoscale hydrogels and their SPR response induced in the presence of the programmed cell death protein 1 antibody (PD-1Ab) as a model target biomolecule. First, we developed a synthetic protocol by controlling various reaction parameters to construct a library of nanoscale poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels (NHs) with different sizes (from 400 nm to 1 µm) and degrees of crosslinking (from 2 to 8%). Then, by incorporating MPB-capable PD-1 receptors onto the surface of NHs to form PD-1-responsive nanoscale hydrogels (PNHs), the hydrogel size and crosslinking dependency of their SPR responses were investigated. Our results reveal the appropriate hydrogel size regime and degree of crosslinking for effective PD-1Ab detection at specific concentrations range between a few nM and 1 µM. Overall, our study demonstrates that by tuning the physical properties of the nanoscale hydrogel matrix, the sensitivity and detection range of MPB-based SPR sensors can be modulated to potentially benefit clinical applications such as monitoring diverse therapeutic biomolecules.

Anti-Diabetic Effects of Allium hookeri Extracts Prepared by Different Methods in Type 2 C57BL/J-db/db Mice.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether Allium hookeri can control diabetic symptoms. Aqueous extract (AE1: 100 mg/kg BW, AE2: 200 mg/kg BW) and ethanol extract (EE1: 100 mg/kg BW, EE2: 200 mg/kg BW) of A. hookeri were orally administrated to diabetic mice (C57BL/J-db/db) for 8 weeks. The negative (NC) and the positive (PC) control groups were treated with 0.9% saline and metformin (150 mg/kg BW), respectively. Glucose and lipid profile (triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and HDL-C) as biochemical parameters, toxicological factors such as liver/kidney functional parameters (ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr), and NK cell activity in blood were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and histopathological examination were also conducted. Compared with the NC group, AE and EE decreased blood glucose, HbA1c, area under the curve (AUC) during OGTT, and leptin levels while increasing adiponectin levels. Serum lipid profiles and toxicological factors levels were reduced by the A. hookeri extract. Interestingly, HDL-C, glomerular mesangial expansion score in the kidney, and NK cell activity were effectively controlled in EE groups. Based on the results, EE is considered to be more effective in reducing high blood glucose, lipid profile, and related factor levels than AE, and is comparable to metformin in some biomarkers. It can be presumed that EE can more effectively control the major anomalies in the diabetic model than AE, and it may be used to prevent diabetic symptoms without toxicity in the Type 2 diabetic model.

Optimization of spray drying process parameters for production of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) juice powder.

Optimization of spray drying conditions namely inlet air temperature (IAT) and maltodextrin (MD) concentration was utilized by response surface methodology for Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) juice powder (JAJP) manufacture. Drying yield, moisture content, water solubility index (WSI), bulk density, color, pH, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), vitamin C content, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity of juice powder were measured. Moisture content, vitamin C content, color, DPPH radical-scavenging activity, pH, and bulk density were greatly influenced by IAT, but drying yield, WSI, TPC, and TFC were only significantly affected by MD concentration. The spray drying condition was optimum at 10% MD concentration and 165.8 °C IAT. The properties of juice powder were 37.50% drying yield, 4.81% moisture content, 134.25 mg/g vitamin C content, 27.52% DPPH radical-scavenging activity, 2.78 pH, 89.15% WSI, 232.856 µg GAE/100 g TPC, 404.66 µg CE/100 g TFC, and 0.49 bulk density. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00950-8.

Simple Host-Guest Assembly for High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Microvasculature.

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an important imaging technique that can be used to identify and characterize various types of vascular diseases. However, currently used molecular contrast agents are unsuitable for MRA due to the short intravascular retention time, the whole-body distribution, and the relatively low contrast effect. In this study, we developed a vascular analysis contrast agent (i.e., VasCA) for MRA, which is a simple and biocompatible 1:1 host-guest assembly of PEGylated ß-cyclodextrin and gadolinium chelate with renal clearable size and high relaxivity (r1 = 9.27 mM-1 s-1). Its biocompatibility was confirmed by in vivo animal studies as well as in vitro 3D cell culture. In a tumor-bearing rat model, VasCA circulated in the blood vessels much longer (4.3-fold increase) than gadoterate meglumine (Dotarem) and was mainly excreted by the renal system after intravenous injection. This feature of VasCA allows characterization of tumor microvasculature (e.g., feeding and draining vessels) as well as visualization of small vessels in the brain and body organs. Furthermore, after treatment with an angiogenesis inhibitor (i.e., sorafenib), VasCA revealed the vessel normalization process and allowed the assessment of viable and necrotic tumor regions. Our study provides a useful tool for diverse MRA applications, including tumor characterization, early-stage evaluation of drug efficacy, and treatment planning, as well as diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.

Clinical experience of robotic myomectomy for fertility preservation using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging predictor.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate the use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to select the optimal surgical technique between single-site (SS) and multi-site (MS) robotic myomectomy based on clinical experience, for the preservation of fertility. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who underwent SS or MS robotic myomectomy using the da Vinci® Si system after undergoing MRI were evaluated retrospectively. The correlation between preoperative MRI findings and the intraoperative or postoperative findings during robotic myomectomy for the preservation of fertility was analyzed. The reproductive outcome was investigated when the patient wished to conceive. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.68±5.04 years and 80 patients (81.6%) were nulliparous. The total diameter of myomas on MRI was 106.75±54.52 mm. The number of resected myomas was 4.31±4.39 (range, 1-27), and the total weight of resected myomas was 293.11±281.13 (range, 30-1,260) g. Myomas with high signal intensity on MRI required less time for resection. MS robotic myomectomy was performed for an increased number and total diameter of a myoma or a deep-seated myoma. Postoperatively, all patients resumed normal menstruation. Of the 15 patients who wished to conceive, 12 (80%) conceived successfully. Of these, uterine dehiscence occurred in 1 patient and 10 patients underwent an uneventful cesarean section. CONCLUSION: SS or MS robotic myomectomy can be recommended for patients who wish to conserve fertility. However, the optimal surgical technique should be selected based on preoperative MRI findings to predict an effective surgical process and the successful preservation of fertility.

Evaluation of models describing the growth of nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli O157:H7 in blanched spinach and Iceberg lettuce as a function of temperature.

The aim of this study was to model the growth of nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7NR) in blanched spinach and to evaluate model performance with an independent set of data for interpolation (8.5, 13, 15 and 27 °C) and for extrapolation (broth and fresh-cut iceberg lettuce) using the ratio method and the acceptable prediction zone method. The lag time (LT), specific growth rate (SGR) and maximum population density (MPD) obtained from each primary model were modeled as a function of temperature (7, 10, 17, 24, 30, and 36 °C) using Davey, square root, and polynomial models, respectively. At 7 °C, the populations of E. coli O157:H7NR increased in tryptic soy broth with nalidixic acid (TSBN), blanched spinach and fresh-cut iceberg lettuce, while the populations of E. coli O157:H7 decreased in TSB after 118 h of LT, indicating the risk of nalidixic acid-resistant strain of E. coli O157:H7 contaminated in ready-to-eat produce at refrigerated temperature. When the LT and SGR models of blanched spinach was extended to iceberg lettuce, all relative errors (percentage of RE = 100%) were inside the acceptable prediction zone and had an acceptable Bf and Af values. Thus, it was concluded that developed secondary models for E. coli O157:H7NR in blanched spinach were suitable for use in making predictions for fresh cut iceberg lettuce, but not for static TSBN in this work.

Comparison of Growth Kinetics of Various Pathogenic E. coli on Fresh Perilla Leaf.

Growth kinetics for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in perilla leaves were compared to those of pathogenic E. coli strains, including enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC) and other enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) at 13, 17, 24, 30 and 36 °C. Models for lag time (LT), specific growth rate (SGR) and maximum population density (MPD) as a function of temperature were developed. The performance of the models was quantified using the ratio method and an acceptable prediction zone method. Significant differences in SGR and LT among the strains were observed at all temperatures. Overall, the shortest LT was observed with E. coli O157:H7, followed by EPEC, other EHEC, EIEC and ETEC, while the fastest growth rates were noted in EPEC, followed by E. coli O157:H7, ETEC, other EHEC and EIEC. The models for E. coli O157:H7 in perilla leaves was suitable for use in making predictions for EPEC and other EHEC strains.