Update of ultrasound-assembling fabrication and biomedical applications for heterogeneous polymer composites

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs)-mediated multimodal sonodynamic therapy for the anticancer applications

As a promising anticancer modality, sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is becoming popular with the cooperative services of covalent organic frameworks (COFs). In this review, a comprehensive observation about the COFs-mediated SDT is preached by focusing on the fast-track advances in the cancer treatments. Here, the review not only systematically shows the theranostic applications of COFs-based nanodrugs, but also deeply describes the COFs-mediated SDT according to the Type-I and Type-II activation mechanisms. More importantly, the review hierarchically narrates many successes in the COFs-coordinated multimodal SDT/X platforms, highlighting their competitive superiority and improvements in the anticancer applications. In addition, the review also proposes some possible challenges of COFs-mediated SDT strategies. Accordingly, the development of COFs and SDT in the anticancer platform will promote the technological innovation of nanodrugs and facilitate the close exchange of cancer-related events.

Self-Assembled PVP-Gd Composite Nanosheets via Ultrasound Synthesis for Targeted Acrylamide Sensing in Food Safety

Acrylamide (AM) is a recognized carcinogen and neurotoxin, posing a significant threat to food safety and human health. Therefore, developing sensitive and convenient methods for AM detection in food samples is essential. This study responds to the urgent need for sensitive and selective detection of AM, a hidden hazard in food, to safeguard public health and environmental safety. We present the development of a novel two-dimensional ultrasound-synthesized PVP-Gd composite nanosheet platform for precise AM sensing. These self-assembled nanosheets, constructed from gadolinium (Gd) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), exhibit remarkable stability and robust blue fluorescence, with a quantum yield of 45.01% upon excitation at 380 nm. A full factorial design was employed to optimize the synthesis process, revealing significant parameter interactions. The optimized nanosheets demonstrated a strong quenching effect upon acrylamide exposure, resulting in a high-performance acrylamide sensor with an impressively low detection limit (9.4 nM) and a broad linear response range. This innovative sensor platform offers a promising approach for environmental monitoring and food safety applications, effectively addressing the risks associated with acrylamide.

Diagnosis and therapy of Alzheimer's disease: Light-driven heterogeneous redox processes

Light-driven heterogeneous processes are promising approaches for diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating its relevant biomolecules. The molecular understanding of the heterogeneous interface environment and its interaction with target biomolecules is important. This review critically appraises the advances in AD early diagnosis and therapy employing heterogeneous light-driven redox processes, encompassing photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, PEC therapy, and photoacoustic therapy. The design strategies for heterogeneous interfaces based on target biomolecules and applications are also compiled. Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives are discussed. The present review may promote the fundamental understanding of AD diagnosis and therapy and facilitate interdisciplinary studies at the junction of nanotechnology and bioscience.

Current status of controlled onco-therapies based on metal organic frameworks

Despite consecutive efforts devoted to the establishment of innovative therapeutics for cancer control, cancer remains as a primary global public health concern. Achieving controlled release of anti-cancer agents may add great value to the field of oncology that requires the involvement of nanotechnologies. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) hold great promise in this regard owing to their unique structural properties. MOFs can act as superior candidates for drug delivery given their porous structure and large loading area, and can be prepared into anti-cancer therapeutics by incorporating stimuli-sensitive components into the ligands or nodes of the framework. By combing through chemical and physical features of MOFs favorable for onco-therapeutic applications and current cancer treatment portfolios taking advantages of these characteristics, this review classified MOFs feasible for establishing controlled anti-cancer modalities into 6 categories, outlined the corresponding strategies currently available for each type of MOF, and identified understudied areas and future opportunities towards innovative MOF design for improved or expanded clinical anti-cancer applications.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF)-Assisted Sonodynamic Therapy in Anticancer Applications

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for anticancer treatments and is becoming a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research field. This review starts with the latest developments of SDT and provides a brief comprehensive discussion on ultrasonic cavitation, sonodynamic effect, and sonosensitizers in order to popularize the basic principles and probable mechanisms of SDT. Then the recent progress of MOF-based sonosensitizers is overviewed, and the preparation methods and properties (e.g., morphology, structure, and size) of products are presented in a fundamental perspective. More importantly, many deep observations and understanding toward MOF-assisted SDT strategies were described in anticancer applications, aiming to highlight the advantages and improvements of MOF-augmented SDT and synergistic therapies. Last but not least, the review also pointed out the probable challenges and technological potential of MOF-assisted SDT for the future advance. In all, the discussions and summaries of MOF-based sonosensitizers and SDT strategies will promote the fast development of anticancer nanodrugs and biotechnologies.

Sonochemistry: An emerging approach to fabricate biopolymer cross-linked emulsions for the delivery of bioactive compounds

Sonochemistry shows remarkable potential in the synthesis or modification of new micro/nanomaterials, particularly the cross-linked emulsions for drug delivery. However, the trend of utilizing sonochemical emulsions for delivery of food-derived bioactive compounds has been just started. The extension of sonochemistry as a tool for engineering bioactive delivery systems will make the approach more universal and greatly increase its applications in the food industry. This review summarizes different types of biopolymeric cross-linked emulsions (CLEs) synthesized via sonochemical approach, including CLEs, surface-modified CLEs, cross-linked high internal phase emulsions, and some novel systems templated on CLEs. Special emphasis is directed toward the cross-linking mechanisms of biopolymers at the oil-water interfaces under acoustic cavitation and the physicochemical principles underlying sonochemical fabrication. We also highlight the advantages and challenges associated with the delivery performance of each system for bioactive compounds. The potential in delivering bioactives using sonochemical emulsions has not been fully reached. There are still a number of issues that need to be overcome, including low cross-linking degree of biopolymers, degradation of bioactives in sonochemical process, and unclear biological fate of encapsulated bioactive compounds. This review may guide future trends in exploring efficient sonochemical strategies and multifunctional delivery systems for food applications.

Advances in polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules for biomedical applications: A review

Biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharides are abundant and renewable natural materials. Polysaccharides and their derivatives are developed into various carrier materials for biomedical applications. In particular, advanced polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules have received extensive attention in biomedical applications due to their good encapsulation ability and tunability. In recent years, polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules have been widely used in drug carriers, gene carriers, antigen carriers, wound dressings, bioimaging and biosensors. Numerous research results have confirmed the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules in the above-mentioned biomedical applications. This review discussed and analyzed the latest research strategies and design considerations for these applications in detail. The preparation methods, application strategies, and design considerations of polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules are summarized and analyzed, and their challenges and future research prospects in biomedicine are further discussed. It is expected to provide researchers with inspiration and design ideas.