The influx of sodium (Na+) ions into a resting cell is regulated by Na+ channels and by Na+/H+ and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, whereas Na+ ion efflux is mediated by the activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase to maintain a high transmembrane Na+ ion gradient. Dysfunction of this system leads to changes in the intracellular sodium concentration that promotes cancer metastasis by mediating invasion and migration. In addition, the accumulation of extracellular Na+ ions in cancer due to inflammation contributes to tumor immunogenicity. Thus, alterations in the Na+ ion concentration may potentially be used as a biomarker for malignant tumor diagnosis and prognosis. However, current limitations in detection technology and a complex tumor microenvironment present significant challenges for the in vivo assessment of Na+ concentration in tumor. 23Na‐magnetic resonance imaging (23Na‐MRI) offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of Na+ ion concentration changes in cancer. Although challenged by a low signal‐to‐noise ratio, the development of ultrahigh magnetic field scanners and specialized sodium acquisition sequences has significantly advanced 23Na‐MRI. 23Na‐MRI provides biochemical information that reflects cell viability, structural integrity, and energy metabolism, and has been shown to reveal rapid treatment response at the molecular level before morphological changes occur. Here we review the basis of 23Na‐MRI technology and discuss its potential as a direct noninvasive in vivo diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cancer therapy, particularly in cancer immunotherapy. We propose that 23Na‐MRI is a promising method with a wide range of applications in the tumor immuno‐microenvironment research field and in cancer immunotherapy monitoring. Level of Evidence 2 Technical Efficacy Stage 2

Mineral element compositions of Baobab fruit and seed have been determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Total of 18mineral elements were determined of which 10 are not normally reported using other methods. The concentrations of heavy metals were: Arsenic < 0.06 and < 0.04, Mercury < 0.04 and < 0.04 Hg and Cadmium < 0.08 and < 0.04 respectively for the seeds and the fruit. The average concentration of trace elements in the seed were; Aluminium (11.50 μg/g), Barium (17.3 μg/g), Bromine (2.45 μg/g), Cobalt (0.07 μg/g), Copper (28.6 μg/g), Iron (<42 μg/g), Iodine (<0.04 μg/g), Manganese (17.7 μg/g), Sodium (23.53 μg/g), Vanadium (0.035 μg/g), and Zinc (12.06 μg/g), while the average concentrations of Aluminium (27.74 μg/g), Barium (13.10 μg/g), Bromine (3.01 μg/g), Cobalt (0.08 μg/g), Copper (14.9 μg/g), Iron (26.05 μg/g), Iodine (0.27 μg/g), Manganese (7.05 μg/g), Sodium (52.06 μg/g), Vanadium (0.08 μg/g), and Zinc (0.79 μg/g) were determined for the dried fruit pulp. The mineral concentrations of the baobab fruit and seed were characterized with high concentration of potassium, calcium, magnesium and substantive amount of chlorine [K (21350 μg/g), Ca (3170 μg/g), Mg (2310 μg/g) and Cl (211 μg/g), for the fruit pulp and K (12240 μg/g), Ca (2360 μg/g), Mg (4720 μg/g) and Cl (88.6 μg/g), for the seed]. The fruits and seeds present useful source of mineral needs for the indigenous African community where the trees are found and may be recommended as food supplement due to high content of calcium, magnesium and potassium.

No abstract

No abstract