Comparative Study of the Effects of Ferrochelatase‐siRNA Transfection Mediated by Ultrasound Microbubbles and Polyethyleneimine in Combination with Low‐dose ALA to Enhance PpIX Accumulation in Human Endometrial Cancer Xenograft Nude Mice Models

Comparison of the fluorescence intensity caused by the accumulation of PpIX in endometrial cancer xenografts in nude mice after low‐dose 5‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) injection combined with siRNA transfection was mediated by ultrasound microbubbles and polyethyleneimine (PEI) to explore the feasibility of the ultrasound microbubble technique as transfection agents. Knockdown of ferrochelatase (FECH) in human endometrial cancer xenografts in nude mice was performed by transfection with FECH‐siRNA mediated by PEI and ultrasound microbubbles alone or in combination; then, low‐dose ALA was injected. Subsequently, an in vivo animal imaging system was employed to detect the fluorescence intensity in xenografts. Red fluorescence was observed in xenografts given more than 6.25 mg kg^?1 of ALA. When the dose of ALA was greater than 50 mg kg^?1, there was a significant difference in the fluorescence between tumor and other tissues. After the nude mice were transfected with siRNA and treated with low‐dose ALA (1.0 mg kg^?1), apparent PpIX fluorescence of the xenografts was observed, and the fluorescence intensity was PEI+ ultrasound microbubbles > PEI > ultrasound microbubbles. Ultrasound microbubbles in combination with PEI could generate a higher fluorescence intensity of PpIX than that obtained with ultrasound microbubbles or PEI alone, and ultrasound microbubbles could wholly or partially replace PEI under certain conditions.     

Morphology transformation between nanofibres and vesicles controlled by ultrasound and heat in tryptamine-based assembly

A novel low-molecular-mass organic gelator T1 containing tryptamine and sugar segments was designed and synthesised which can gelate alcohols accelerated by heat and sonication. Interestingly, morphology exchange between vesicles as precipitate and a three-dimensional gel network tuned by heating and ultrasound was observed. The mechanism was studied by IR, FL, X-ray diffraction. It was presented that the effect of ultrasound was to disturb the spontaneous self-assembly of T1 molecule, and promote the long arrangement and disordered assembly of T1 molecules into fibrous networks, thus resulting in the gelation in methanol.     

Ultrasound-promoted Lipase-catalyzed Enantioselective Transesterification of (R,S)-Glycidol

Enantioselective transesterification of glycidol with vinyl butyrate as an acyl donor was investigated in the presence of Bacillus subtilis lipase(BSL2) as catalyst. Comparison studies demonstrate the advantage of ultrasound over the conventional shaking for the enzymatic reaction in non-aqueous media. The effects of reaction conditions(ultrasound power, temperature, water activity and pH) on the activity and enantioselectivity were also investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the synthetic activity of BSL2 was 2.95 μmol·min?1·mg?1 and the enantioselectivity(E value) was 52.2. Compared with conventional shaking, ultrasound made the synthetic activity and the enantioselectivity increase 9.5-fold and 1.4-fold, respectively. Furthermore, the repeated use of BSL2 for five cycles resulted in no obvious loss of enzyme activity, suggesting that the enzyme is stable under low power ultrasound conditions.     

Effective Cancer Cell Killing by Hydrophobic Nanovoid‐Enhanced Cavitation under Safe Low‐Energy Ultrasound

β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles with hydrophobic internal nanovoids were prepared and used for effective cancer cell killing in synergistic combination with low‐energy ultrasound (≤1.0 W cm^?2, 1 MHz). The water‐dispersible nanoparticles with hydrophobic internal nanovoids can be taken up by cancer cells and subsequently evoke a remarkable cavitation effect under irradiation with mild low‐energy ultrasound (≤1.0 W cm^?2, 1 MHz). A significant cancer cell killing effect was observed in cancer cells and in a mouse xenograft tumor model treated with the nanoagents together with the low‐energy ultrasound, showing a distinct dependence on the concentration of nanoagents and ultrasound intensity. By contrast, an antitumor effect was not observed when either low‐energy ultrasound or nanoagents were applied alone. These findings are significant as the technique promises a safe, low‐cost, and effective treatment for cancer therapy.     

External control of drug release and penetration. VI. Enhancing effect of ultrasound on the transdermal absorption of indomethacin from an ointment in rats.

The effect of an ultrasound (1 MHz) on transdermal absorption of indomethacin from an ointment was studied in rats. Ultrasound energy was supplied for between 5 and 20 min at a range of intensities (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 W cm-2), energy levels commonly used for therapeutic purposes. For evaluating skin penetration of indomethacin, the change of plasma concentration was measured. The pronounced effect of ultrasound on the transdermal absorption of indomethacin was observed at all ultrasound energy levels studied. The intensity and the time of application were found to play an important role in the transdermal phonophoretic delivery system of indomethacin; 0.75 W cm-2 appeared to be the most effective intensity in improving the transdermal absorption of indomethacin, while the 10 min ultrasound treatment was the most effective. Although the highest penetration was observed at an intensity of 0.75 W cm-2, 0.5 W cm-2 was preferred because intensities of less than 0.5 W cm-2 of ultrasound for 10 min did not result in any significant skin temperature rise nor did it have any destructive effect on rat skin. Progressively more skin damage was noted as the intensity and the time of application of ultrasound increased. When used at a proper intensity and time of application, ultrasound appears to be a safe technique for enhancing the passage of various drug molecules through human skin.     

超声参数联合血清OPN、IL-1β对乳腺癌的临床诊断价值研究

选取我院收治的乳腺癌(BC)患者82例设为研究组,同期乳腺良性肿瘤患者82例设为对照组,探讨了超声参数联合血清骨桥蛋白(OPN)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)对BC的诊断价值.结果显示,研究组患者病灶处的RI值、PI值和血清OPN、IL-1β水平均高于对照组(P＜0.05);PI值、RI值、血清OPN、IL-1β水平...     

高频超声联合PSV、RI、Adler血流分级在甲状腺良恶性结节中的诊断价值

本研究探讨高频超声联合彩色多普勒超声参数在诊断甲状腺良恶性结节中的价值。选取40例甲状腺癌患者作为观察组,42例甲状腺良性结节患者作为对照组,比较两组、不同N和T分期患者高频超声联合彩色多普勒超声参数,并对数据进行统计分析。两组结节形态、边界、回声、钙化超声征象比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组A/T_C、A/T_L、TI-RADS分级评分、PSV、RI、Adler血流分级评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。各参数联合诊断恶性甲状腺结节的AUC为0.902,诊断N1分期的AUC为0.879,诊断Ⅲ+Ⅳ分期的AUC为0.915,均大于任一单一参数(P<0.05)。可见采用高频超声、彩色多普勒超声联合观测甲状腺结节征象与A/T_C、A/T_L、TI-RADS分级、PSV、RI、Adler分级,可诊断结节性质,并能评估恶性结节患者术前肿瘤分期,为临床治疗、决策提供量化参考。     

Sonoelectroanalytical Detection of Ultra‐Trace Arsenic

The electroanalytical detection of arsenic on a gold electrode is investigated in the presence and absence of ultrasound. It is found that under quiescent conditions a detection limit of 1.8×10^?7 M is achievable using a 120 seconds accumulation period. Applying optimised ultrasound during the accumulation period was found to reduce the limit of detection to 1×10^?8 M from using a deposition period of 60 s at ?0.5 V, while increasing the sensitivity by a factor of 15. The methodology was tested on a river sample containing significant copper contamination and electrode passivating organic materials. This technique provides promise for ‘in the field’ measurements due to the electrode‐depassivating effects of ultrasound.     

Microwave and Ultrasound Irradiation‐Assisted Synthesis of Novel Disaccharide‐Derived Arylsulfonyl Thiosemicarbazides

The synthesis of 1‐arylsulfonyl‐4‐(1′‐N‐hepta‐O‐acetyl‐β‐lactosyl)thiosemicarbazides by reaction of hepta‐O‐acetyl‐α‐D‐lactosyl isothiocyanate with substituted phenylsulfonyl hydrazines has been shown to occur in less than 1 min under microwave activation and 8 min under ultrasound irradiation at room temperature. It is noteworthy that when ultrasound and microwaves (MW) were utilized, a cleaner reaction accompanied with higher yields was observed.     

Ultrasound Irradiation Promoted Enzymatic Transesterification of (<em>R/S</em>)-1-Chloro-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanol

(R)-1-Chloro-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanol (3), which is the key intermediate of (S)-propranolol, was successfully prepared via enantioselective transesterification catalyzed by lipase under ultrasound irradiation. Compared with conventional shaking, the enzyme activity and enantioselectivity were dramatically increased under ultrasound exposure. Effects of various reaction conditions on the synthetic activity of enzyme as well as enantioselectivity, including the type of enzyme, ultrasound power, solvent, acyl donor, temperature and substrate molar ratio, were investigated. Pseudomonas sp. lipase (PSL) showed an excellent catalytic performance under optimum conditions (enzyme activity: 78.3 ± 3.2 μmol·g^-1·min^-1, E value: 98 ± 6).     

Synthesis and photochemistry of 1-iodocyclohexene: influence of ultrasound on ionic vs. radical behaviour

Simultaneous application of UV light and ultrasonic irradiation to a reaction mixture containing 1-iodocyclohexene is reported. The irradiation of 1-iodocyclohexene in methanol was carried out with or without addition of zinc. The effect of ultrasound or mechanical stirring on this solid-liquid system was also compared. The irradiation of 1-iodocyclohexene in methanol in the presence of zinc increases the yield of the nucleophilic trapping product, compared with the yield after irradiation in the absence of zinc. The photodegradation of 1-iodocyclohexene was slightly accelerated after addition of zinc. A rapid formation of radical product was accompanied by substantial decrease of 1-iodocyclohexene after application of ultrasound and irradiation without the zinc. The ultrasound significantly affects the photobehaviour of this reaction, predominantly its radical route. The joint application of ultrasound and zinc contributes positively to the production of radical and ionic products. The sonochemical stirring is more effective than mechanical stirring.     

The Use of Ultrasound for the Analytical Determination of Nitrite on Diamond Electrodes by Square Wave Voltammetry

Abstract

This work describes an analytical methodology for the determination of nitrite ions in aqueous solutions using boron‐doped diamond electrodes and square wave voltammetry associated with ultrasound radiation. The nitrite ions were oxidized to nitrate ions in Britton‐Robinson buffer solutions 0.1 M, pH 2.0 at 1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl. The voltammetric response of nitrite in the presence of ultrasound showed a peak current five times higher than the obtained in silent conditions. Thus, the detection limit obtained in the presence of radiation was 17 nM (0.782 µg l^?1), a small value if compared with that obtained in the absence of ultrasound: 140 nM (6.44 µg l^?1).     

超声共沉淀法制备纳米结构LaNiO3及其性质

使用超声共沉淀法制备了LaNiO3复合氧化物纳米催化剂,研究了共沉淀过程中超声波对LaNiO3结构性质和催化活性的影响.X射线衍射分析(XRD)、表面吸附(BET)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、程序升温还原（TPR）和活性评价等表征.结果表明, 在共沉淀过程中施加超声波辐照,可以使LaNiO3复合氧化物的粒径减小,比表面积增加,表面晶格氧空位增加, 表面吸附氧种增加, 使LaNiO3催化剂的表面氧种活化, 表面氧与体相晶格氧的比例增加, 使LaNiO3催化剂的催化活性增加.探讨了超声波作用的机理.     

Ultrasound‐assisted aqueous two‐phase extraction of phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma stems

An efficient ultrasound‐assisted aqueous two‐phase extraction and enrichment process for phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma stems was developed in this work. An ethanol/ammonium sulfate system was chosen for the aqueous two‐phase system due to its fine partitioning and recycling behaviors. Single‐factor experiments and response surface methodology were used to optimize the process parameters of the ultrasound‐assisted aqueous two‐phase extraction. The optimal conditions were as follows: a salt concentration of 23.5%, an ethanol concentration of 20%, an extraction time of 37 min, an extraction temperature of 30°C, a liquid/solid ratio of 30:1 w/w, and an ultrasound power of 300 W. Under the above conditions, the extraction yields of echinacoside and acteoside (the main components of phenylethanoid glycosides) reached 5.35 and 6.22 mg/g dry material weight, respectively. The contents of echinacoside and acteoside in the extracts reached 27.56 and 30.23 mg/g, respectively, which were 2.46‐ and 2.58‐fold higher than the amounts obtained in ultrasound‐assisted extraction. In conclusion, ultrasound‐assisted aqueous two‐phase extraction was an efficient, ecofriendly, and economical method, and it may be a promising technique for extracting and enriching bioactive components from plants.     

Intensified removal of 4-Methylpyridine by ultrasonication in presence of advanced oxidants

Water contamination is a big issue in every part of the globe. In response to the rising demand for wastewater with lower pollutant levels, a unique enhanced oxidation technique called ultrasound assisted irradiation has been developed. In the current study, advanced oxidising technology is used to accelerate the breakdown of 4-Methylpyridine (4 MP) utilising ultrasound at a rated frequency of 22 ± 2 KHz. In the presence of ultrasound, the effects of advanced oxidising agents as well as the effects of different operational factors like pH, time, and power were evaluated. The kinetics for degradation of 4 MP were evaluated by second order model. The combined strategy of ultrasound assisted degradation in the presence of various advanced oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), peroxymonosulphate (PMS), potassium per sulphate (KPS) and Fenton reagent was investigated at optimal operating conditions, with the starting concentration of 50 mg/L at pH 9, and temperature 45⁰C. When applying ultrasound at its highest rated power of 120 W while the Fenton reagent was present, the maximum degradation was recorded to be 99 ± 1%. The scavenger effect of ^?OH free radical andions was evaluated on degradation of 4 MP. The synergetic index for all combination approaches was determined, for US/Fenton maximum synergetic index 10.8 established. The tentative degradation pathway was studied for degradation of 4 MP.     

Ultrasound augmenting injectable chemotaxis hydrogel for articular cartilage repair in osteoarthritis

The increasing incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) seriously affects life quality, posing a huge socioeconomic burden. Tissue engineering technology has become a hot topic in articular cartilage repair as one of the key treatment methods to alleviate OA. Hydrogel, one of the most commonly used scaffold materials, can provide a good extracellular matrix microenvironment for seed cells such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), which can promote cartilage regeneration. However, the low homing rate of stem cells severely limits their role in promoting articular cartilage regeneration. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) plays a crucial role in the activation, mobilization, homing, and migration of MSCs. Herein, a novel injectable chemotaxis hydrogel, composed of chitosan-based injectable hydrogel and embedding SDF-1α-loaded nanodroplets (PFP@NDs-PEG-SDF-1α) was designed and fabricated. The ultrasound was then used to augment the injectable chemotaxis hydrogel and promote the homing migration of BMSCs for OA cartilage repair. The effect of ultrasound augmenting injectable PFP@NDs-PEG-SDF-1α/hydrogel on the migration of BMSCs was verified in vitro and in vivo, which remarkably promotes stem cell homing and the repair of cartilage in the OA model. Therefore, the treatment strategy of ultrasound augmenting injectable chemotaxis hydrogel has a bright potential for OA articular cartilage repair.     

The experimental study and modelling the drying kinetics of mussels using ultrasound assisted vacuum drying

In the present study, chemical compositions, drying kinetics, quality parameters and energy consumptions for mediterranean or black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) subjected to ultrasound assisted vacuum drying (UAVD) were analyzed between the range of 50–70 ​°C. During drying only falling rate periods were observed. Obtained conclusions demonstrated that the moisture content and drying rate were influenced by the ultrasound assisted vacuum drying method and the drying air temperature. The ultrasound assisted vacuum drying shortened the drying period and increased the effective moisture diffusivity (D_eff). Drying led to a considerable increasing of protein and fat content. Six well-known thin layer drying models were compared with regards to coefficients of determination. The Alibas model was selected as the best one. The activation energy was calculated as 3.80 ​kW/kg. High “L1" and low "ΔE" values were obtained for dried mussels. Using of ultrasound assisted vacuum drying technique resulted in very low energy consumption.     

Demulsification of Gas Oil/Water Emulsion via High-Intensity Ultrasonic Standing Wave

High-intensity ultrasonic standing wave field was established in a horizontal direction and its effect on “gas oil” in “water” emulsion separation rate was studied. Also, effects of four parameters on emulsion instability behavior were investigated: ultrasound irradiation time (5–30 min), emulsion position in ultrasound field (17–37 cm), ultrasound input intensity (20, 45, and 75%) and dispersed phase concentration (0.5, 2, and 10%). Emulsion light absorbance, droplet diameter and distribution were measured to analyze separation efficiency. The optimum states were 10% oil in water emulsion treated at 17 cm distance from ultrasound source under 30 minutes irradiation time and 20% sound intensity.     

Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Pyrroles via Green Chemical Methods

Water was found to be an excellent solvent for the one‐pot synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrrole derivatives under ultrasound involving the standard Knoevenagel condensation followed by the Michael type reaction. A new catalyst free system, excellent atom economy, ultrasound in water medium, short reaction times, good yields (88–93%), and ease of workup make this protocol more attractive and economically viable. The resulting substituted pyrroles are characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, and mass spectral data.     

在线超声Mn~(3+)非均相氧化甲苯制备苯甲醛

在一定的硫酸浓度条件下,以高锰酸钾和硫酸锰为原料,采用均相液相氧化法获得了稳定性良好的Mn3+溶液。并以此溶液为氧化剂,在超声波作用下,选择性氧化甲苯制取苯甲醛。探讨了相关因素对Mn3+溶液的稳定性和苯甲醛收率的影响。实验结果表明,在硫酸浓度为4.0 mol/L,高锰酸钾和硫酸锰物质的量比为1∶12时,可制得浓度较高、稳定性良好的Mn3+溶液;同时在反应温度60℃,硫酸浓度7.0 mol/L,甲苯与Mn3+物质的量比4∶1时,施加59 kHz和175 W的超声波,可促进甲苯的选择性氧化,获得较高收率的苯甲醛。