Microflow-induced shear stress on biomaterial wall by ultrasound-induced encapsulated microbubble oscillation

A model of an ultrasound-driven encapsulated microbubble(EMB) oscillation near biomaterial wall is presented and used for describing the microflow-induced shear stress on the wall by means of a numerical method. The characteristic of the model lies in the explicit treatment of different types of wall for the EMB responses. The simulation results show that the radius-time change trends obtained by our model are consistent with the existing models and experimental results. In addition, the effect of the elastic wall on the acoustic EMB response is stronger than that of the rigid wall, and the shear stress on the elastic wall is larger than that of the rigid wall. The closer the EMB to the wall, the greater the shear stress on the wall. The substantial shear stress on the wall surface occurs inside a circular zone with a radius about two-thirds of the bubble radius. This paper may be of interest in the study of potential damage mechanisms to the microvessel for drug and gene delivery due to sonoporation.     

Antioxidising activity of cinnamic acid derivatives against oxidative stress induced by oxidising radicals

Cinnamic acid and its derivatives react with hydroxyl radical (HO^?), in neutral medium, to give hydroxylation products, whether on the benzene ring or on the exocyclic chain, and decarboxylation products. The latter compounds are also obtained after oxidation of the same substrates by the SO₄^?? radical anion. Evidence was provided for the protecting effects afforded by cinnamic acid and hydroxylated derivatives against oxidative reaction mediated by HO^?. By using adenine as a model compound, the results obtained suggest that the high protective effect is due to an antioxidising cascade process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

B模式实时成像定量监控超声空化时空行为的研究

提出一种采用B超图像实现高强聚焦超声(HIFU)治疗时声空化的时空量化监控的方法。首先,采用B模式实时成像系统对不同声辐照能量下的HIFU在凝胶仿体中引发的超声空化进行实验监测;接着,利用二维数字图像处理算法消除高强聚焦超声(HIFU)在B超图像中产生的干涉条纹,并在此基础上,对B超成像中观察到的高亮区域的面积变化情况进行量化分析;最后,进一步讨论了驱动声压或脉冲宽度对超声空化产生的高亮区域的生成速度和面积大小的影响。结果显示该方法可以有效去除B超图像中的干涉条纹,并对HIFU引发的空化现象进行实时监测。实验结果还表明辐照声能量的提高将引发更强烈的声空化行为,并且显著缩短HIFU引发的空化泡群的初始生成时间。研究结果对进一步优化HIFU治疗有重要意义。     

B模式实时成像定量监控超声空化时空行为的研究

提出一种采用B超图像实现高强聚焦超声(HIFU)治疗时声空化的时空量化监控的方法。首先,采用B模式实时成像系统对不同声辐照能量下的HIFU在凝胶仿体中引发的超声空化进行实验监测;接着,利用二维数字图像处理算法消除高强聚焦超声(HIFU)在B超图像中产生的干涉条纹,并在此基础上,对B超成像中观察到的高亮区域的面积变化情况进行量化分析;最后,进一步讨论了驱动声压或脉冲宽度对超声空化产生的高亮区域的生成速度和面积大小的影响。结果显示该方法可以有效去除B超图像中的干涉条纹,并对HIFU引发的空化现象进行实时监测。实验结果还表明辐照声能量的提高将引发更强烈的声空化行为,并且显著缩短HIFU引发的空化泡群的初始生成时间。研究结果对进一步优化HIFU治疗有重要意义。     

Evaluation and comparison of three novel microbubbles: Enhancement of ultrasound-induced cell death and free radicals production

Three novel lipid-shell-type microbubbles (MBs), AS-0100, BG6356A and BG6356B, have been evaluated for their impact on ultrasound (US)-induced cell death and free radicals production. Previously studied and well-characterized US exposure conditions were employed in which human myelomonocytic lymphoma U937 cells were exposed to 1 MHz pulsed US beam (0.3 W/cm², 10% duty factor) for 1 min with or without MBs. Three different concentrations of each MB were used. Apoptosis and cell lysis were assessed by examining phosphatidylserine externalization and by counting viable cells, respectively, 6 h post-exposure. Free radicals production and scavenging activities were evaluated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-spin trapping. The results showed that only AS-0100 and BG6356A were able to enhance the US-induced apoptosis, mainly by increasing the secondary necrosis. Apoptosis and cell lysis seemed to depend more on mechanical forces exerted by oscillating MBs while free radicals played a trivial role. BG series MBs exhibited pronounced scavenging activities. Generally, despite the need for further optimization, AS-0100 and BG6356A appear to be promising as adjuncts in cases where US-induced cell death is required.     

Hemoglobin oxidative stress

Venous blood obtained from healthy donors and from patients suffering from breast cancer have been treated with acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) for different time. Mössbauer spectra of the packed red cells have been recorded and compared. The largest difference occurs after 50 min of treatment with APH where the patient samples show a broad spectral pattern indicating an advanced hemoglobin oxidation. These results may have some relevance in early cancer diagnosis.     

Characterization of ultrasound-induced fracture of polymer-shelled ultrasonic contrast agents by correlation analysis

Beyond a characteristic value of the negative peak pressure, ultrasound fracture the shell of ultrasonic contrast agents (UCAs). Existing criteria for ascertaining this threshold value exploit the dependence of the amplitude of the UCA acoustic response on the incident pressure. However, under the common experimental conditions used in this work, these criteria appear to be unreliable when they are applied to UCAs that are stabilized by a thick polymeric shell. An alternative criterion for determining the onset of shell fracture is introduced here, which uses variations of the shape of the acoustic time-domain response of an UCA suspension. Experimental evidence is presented that links the changes of the cross-correlation coefficient between consecutive time-domain signals to the fracture of the shells, and consequent release of air microbubbles. In principle, this criterion may be used to characterize similar properties of other types of particles that cannot undergo inertial cavitation.     

Enhancement of catalytic activity by increasing surface area in heterogeneous catalysis

The use of nanoclusters in systems with confined void spaces such as inside mesoporous or microporous solids appears to be an efficient way of preventing aggregation of nanoclusters in their catalytic application. Zeolite-Y is considered as a suitable host providing highly ordered supercages with a diameter of 1.3 nm. Intrazeolite metal(0) nanoclusters were prepared at room temperature by ion-exchange of metal cations with the extra framework Na⁺ ions in Zeolite-Y, followed by the reduction of the metal cations in the cavities of Zeolite-Y with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution, whereby the Zeolite-Y is reloaded with Na⁺ ions. Hence, host framework remains intact as shown by using a multi-prong approach. Intrazeolite transition-metal(0) nanoclusters were isolated by suction filtration and drying in vacuum at room temperature and characterized by a combination of analytical methods. Intrazeolite metal(0) nanoclusters were tested as catalyst in the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride and ammonia-borane, both of which have been considered as a promising hydrogen storage materials. High catalytic activity and the outstandingly long lifetime of intrazeolite transition-metal(0) nanoclusters catalyst in the hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of both sodium borohydride and ammonia-borane is demonstrated. The results are attributed to the small size of the nanoclusters within the zeolite cages as well as prevention of agglomeration of the nanoclusters.     

Dose-dependent inhibition of ultrasound-induced cell killing and free radical production by carbon dioxide

Previous studies have shown that if a solution for cell suspension is saturated with CO(2), ultrasound-induced in vitro cell killing and free-radical production are inhibited. However, the dose dependency of this observation has not been explored. Here, we used NaHCO(3) and HCl to produce a predictable concentration of CO(2) within the culture medium. Using 1 MHz continuous wave 4 W/cm(2) ultrasound, we sonicated U937 cells suspension for 1 min at 37 degrees C with CO(2) at different concentrations. At 2 mM, reduced cell killing was observed that further decreased with increasing CO(2) concentration until 100% protection was attained at 20 mM. Ultrasound-induced free-radical production was significantly decreased at 1 mM and became undetectable at 2 mM CO(2). This finding shows that CO(2)-mediated inhibition is concentration dependent and that the threshold for free-radical production is one order of magnitude higher than the threshold for cell killing induced by ultrasound. In addition, it also cautions researchers when adding acids and acid-based agents to a culture medium, which almost always contains NaHCO(3), in experiments related to the bioeffects of ultrasound.     

Halobenzene activation by heterofullerenes: computational investigation of oxidative addition activity

Potential of Pd‐ and Ni‐substituted fullerenes for oxidative addition of halobenzenes was investigated using density functional theory. The metal centers in the catalysts were found to be the potential reaction sites. Adsorption of halobenzenes was mildly exergonic over both the compounds. Activation of all halobenzenes was observed over both the compounds. Oxidative addition of C₆H₅I was found to be the least energy intensive process with a free energy requirement that was 3 times smaller than that for C₆H₅F over C₅₉Pd. Activities of both the catalysts were found to be comparable with the end products differing in the coordination of phenyl ring with the heterofullerenes.     

超声空化增强川芎嗪对脑缺血再灌注损伤保护作用机制的研究

川芎的生物活性成分(川芎嗪)已广泛应用于治疗心脑血管疾病。基于谷氨酸诱导PC12细胞损伤建立脑缺血再灌注损伤的细胞模型,探讨超声增强川芎嗪对谷氨酸损伤PC12细胞的保护作用机制。研究结果表明,超声能进一步加强川芎嗪对细胞的保护,其主要作用机制为:(1)抑制氧化应激和细胞凋亡相关的Bcl-2蛋白和Bax蛋白的变化从而达到抗凋亡的效果;(2)降低炎症因子(TNF-α和IL-8)的表达,减轻炎症反应损伤;(3)适当的声压可以增强川芎嗪对谷氨酸损伤PC12细胞的保护作用,但过高的声压会引起细胞损伤,导致细胞凋亡。本文的工作表明超声能够增强川芎嗪对脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用,为临床脑缺血再灌注损伤的治疗提供了新治疗策略。     

Effect of temperature on rectified diffusion during ultrasound-induced heating

Experimental observations of delayed-onset cavitation during ultrasound insonation have been suggested as being caused by a change in the size distribution of the bubble population due to rectified diffusion. To investigate this hypothesis, a single bubble model is used here to explore the effect of heating and the subsequent elevated temperatures on the rectified diffusion process. Numerical solution of the model, which includes the temperature dependences of seven relevant physical parameters, allows quantification of the change in the pressure threshold for rectified diffusion, as well as the importance of the bulk liquid saturation concentration in determining bubble evolution. Although elevated temperatures and liquid supersaturation reduce the rectified diffusion threshold, it remains coincident with the inertial cavitation thresholds at submicron bubble sizes at all temperatures. This observation suggests that changes in the nucleation environment, rather than bubble growth due to rectified diffusion, is a more likely cause of delayed-onset cavitation events.     

Calorimetric study of the energy efficiency for ultrasound-induced radical formation

Energy conversion in sonochemistry is known to be an important factor for the development of industrial applications, however, the strong influence of the physical properties of the liquid on the ultrasound characteristics usually prevents an accurate determination of the chemical effects. In this study, the energy efficiency of the ultrasound-induced radical formation from methyl methacrylate has been investigated. The energy yield can be quantified by comparison of the ultrasonic power that is transferred to the liquid and the radical formation kinetics. Based on this method the influence of temperature and amplitude of the ultrasound horn on the energy efficiency has been determined. The energy yield for the formation of radicals from ultrasonic waves appears to be in the order of 5 x 10(-6) J/J. The energy conversion is the highest at low temperatures and at low amplitudes.     

The responses of Ht22 cells to oxidative stress induced by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO)

Background  

glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant thiol antioxidant in mammalian cells. It directly reacts with reactive oxygen species (ROS), functions as a cofactor of antioxidant enzymes, and maintains thiol redox potential in cells. GSH depletion has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, particularly to Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of cellular antioxidant status and basic cell functions in the relatively early stages of GSH depletion.     

Enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles by surface-capping DBS groups

TiO₂ nanoparticles capped with sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) are synthesized by a sol-hydrothermal process using tetrabutyl titanate and DBS as raw materials. The effects of surface-capping DBS on the surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), photoluminescence (PL) and photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ nanoparticles are principally investigated together with their relationships. The results show that the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles can be well capped by DBS groups while the pH value and added DBS amount are controlled at 5.0 and 2% of TiO₂ mass weight, respectively, and the linkage between DBS groups and TiO₂ surfaces is mainly by means of quasi-sulphonate bond. The intensities of SPS and PL spectra of TiO₂ obviously decrease after DBS-capping, while the activity can greatly increase during the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution, which are mainly attributed to the electron-withdrawing character of the DBS groups. Moreover, the enhancement of photocatalytic activity of DBS-capped TiO₂ is also related to the increase in the capability for adsorbing RhB.     

Cerium oxide nanoparticles protect primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells from apoptosis induced by oxidative stress

The sintering of a silver (Ag) nanoparticle film by laser beam irradiation was studied using a CW DPSS laser. The laser sintering of the Ag nanoparticle thin film gave a transparent conductive film with a thickness of ca. 10 nm, whereas a thin film sintered by conventional heat treatment using an electronic furnace was an insulator because of the formation of isolated silver grains during the slow heating process. The laser sintering of the Ag nanoparticle thin film gave a unique conductive network structure due to the rapid heating and quenching process caused by laser beam scanning. The influences of the laser sintering conditions such as laser scan speed on the conductivity and the transparency were studied. With the increase of scan speed from 0.50 to 5.00 mm/s, the surface resistivity remarkably decreased from 4.45 × 10⁸ to 6.30 Ω/sq. The addition of copper (Cu) nanoparticles to silver thin film was also studied to improve the homogeneity of the film and the conductivity due to the interaction between the oxidized surface of Cu nanoparticle and a glass substrate. By adding 5 wt% Cu nanoparticles to the Ag thin film, the surface resistivity improved to 2.40 Ω/sq.     

Formation of vesicle-templated CdSe hollow spheres in an ultrasound-induced anionic surfactant solution

Hollow sphere of CdSe with size of ≈100–200 nm can be templated from anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) vesicles induced by the ultrasonic irradiation. The successful vesicle templating indicated that the outer leaflet of the bilayer is the receptive surface in the controlled growth of CdSe nanoparticles, which provide the unique reactor for the nucleation and mineralization growth of CdSe nanoparticles. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, and HRTEM techniques. UV–vis spectrum recorded the optical properties of CdSe hollow spheres (2.01 eV), which showed an obvious blue shift relative to the bulk cubic CdSe (1.73 eV). Surfactant molecules (SDS) passivated in the CdSe hollow spheres were completely extracted, as determined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Systematic studies found that the ultrasound irradiation and concentration of surfactant (SDS) in the system were important factors on the controlled synthesis desired hollow sphere morphologies, and also the temperance have an importance influence on the mineralization and crystallization of the CdSe hollow spheres. Based on the observation on morphological difference of CdSe in different systems, the possible mechanism for the formation of CdSe hollow spheres was discussed.