Time correlated single photon mie scattering from a sonoluminescing bubble

Strategies to Reverse Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment for Enhanced Sonodynamic Therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a highly effective modality for the treatment of malignant tumors owing to its powerful penetration ability, noninvasiveness, site-confined irradiation, and excellent therapeutic efficacy. However, the traditional SDT, which relies on oxygen availability, often fails to generate a satisfactory level of reactive oxygen species because of the widespread issue of hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment of solid tumors. To address this challenge, various approaches are developed to alleviate hypoxia and improve the efficiency of SDT. These strategies aim to either increase oxygen supply or prevent hypoxia exacerbation, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of SDT. In view of this, the current review provides an overview of these strategies and their underlying principles, focusing on the circulation of oxygen from consumption to external supply. The detailed research examples conducted using these strategies in combination with SDT are also discussed. Additionally, this review highlights the future prospects and challenges of the hypoxia-alleviated SDT, along with the key considerations for future clinical applications. These considerations include the development of efficient oxygen delivery systems, the accurate methods for hypoxia detection, and the exploration of combination therapies to optimize SDT outcomes.

The promising interplay between sonodynamic therapy and nanomedicine

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a non-invasive approach for cancer treatment in which chemical compounds, named sonosensitizers, are activated by non-thermal ultrasound (US), able to deeply penetrate into the tissues. Despite increasing interest, the underlying mechanisms by which US triggers the sonosensitizer therapeutic activity are not yet clearly elucidate, slowing down SDT clinical application. In this review we will discuss the main mechanisms involved in SDT with particular attention to the sonosensitizers involved for each described mechanism, in order to highlight how much important are the physicochemical properties of the sonosensitizers and their cellular localization to predict their bioeffects. Moreover, we will also focus our attention on the pivotal role of nanomedicine providing the sonodynamic anticancer approach with the ability to shape US-responsive agents to enhance specific sonodynamic effects as the sonoluminescence-mediated anticancer effects. Indeed, SDT is one of the biomedical fields that has significantly improved in recent years due to the increased knowledge of nanosized materials. The shift of the nanosystem from a delivery system for a therapeutic agent to a therapeutic agent in itself represents a real breakthrough in the development of SDT. In doing so, we have also highlighted potential areas in this field, where substantial improvements may provide a valid SDT implementation as a cancer therapy.

The bright side of sound: perspectives on the biomedical application of sonoluminescence

Light is a physical phenomenon that is very important to human life, and has been investigated in its nature, behaviour and properties throughout human history although the most impressive improvements in the use of light in human activities, and of course in medicine, began just two centuries ago. However, despite the enormous progress in diagnosis, therapy and surgery to assess health and treat diseases, the delivery of light sources in vivo remains a challenge. In this regard, several strategies have been developed to overcome this drawback, the most interesting of which is the involvement of ultrasound. In this review, the authors examine how ultrasound may improve light delivery in vivo with a special emphasis on one of the most intriguing ultrasound-mediated phenomena called sonoluminescence, which is the conversion of mechanical ultrasound energy into light.

The Chemical History of a Bubble

Acoustic cavitation (the growth, oscillation, and rapid collapse of bubbles in a liquid) occurs in all liquids irradiated with sufficient intensity of sound or ultrasound. The collapse of such bubbles creates local heating and provides a unique source of energy for driving chemical reactions. In addition to sonochemical bond scission and formation, cavitation also induces light emission in many liquids. This phenomenon of sonoluminescence (SL) has captured the imagination of many researchers since it was first observed 85 years ago. SL provides a direct probe of cavitation events and has provided most of our understanding of the conditions created inside collapsing bubbles. Spectroscopic analyses of SL from single acoustically levitated bubbles as well as from clouds of bubbles have revealed molecular, atomic, and ionic line and band emission riding atop an underlying continuum arising from radiative plasma processes. Application of spectrometric methods of pyrometry and plasma diagnostics to these spectra has permitted quantitative measurement of the intracavity conditions: relative peak intensities for temperature measurements, peak shifts and broadening for pressures, and peak asymmetries for plasma electron densities. The studies discussed herein have revealed that extraordinary conditions are generated inside the collapsing bubbles in ordinary room-temperature liquids: observable temperatures exceeding 15 000 K (i.e., three times the surface temperature of our sun), pressures of well over 1000 bar (more than the pressure at the bottom of the Mariana Trench), and heating and cooling rates in excess of 10¹² K·s^-1. Scientists from many disciplines, and even nonscientists, have been and continue to be intrigued by the consequences of dynamic bubbles in liquids. As chemists, we are fascinated by the high energy reactions and processes that occur during acoustic cavitation and by the use of SL as a spectroscopic probe of the events during cavitation. Within the chemical realm of SL and cavitation there are many interesting questions that are now answered but also many that remain to be explored, so we hope that this Account reveals to the reader some of the most fascinating of those curiosities as we explore the chemical history of a bubble. The high energy species produced inside collapsing bubbles also lead to secondary reactions from the high energy species created within the collapsing bubble diffusing into the bulk liquid and expanding the range of sonochemical reactions observed, especially in redox reactions relevant to nanomaterials synthesis. Bubbles near solid surfaces deform upon collapse, which lessens the internal heating within the bubble, as shown by SL studies, but introduces important mechanical consequences in terms of surface damage and increased surface reactivity. Our understanding of the conditions created during cavitation has informed the applications of ultrasound to a wide range of chemical applications, from nanomaterials to synthetically useful organic reactions to biomedical and pharmaceutical uses. Indeed, we echo Michael Faraday's observation concerning a candle flame, "There is not a law under which any part of this universe is governed which does not come into play and is touched upon in these phenomena." ( Faraday , M. The Chemical History of a Candle ; Harper & Brothers : New York , 1861 ).

Energetic cavitation collapse generates 3.2 Mbar plasma with a 1.4 J driver

A tabletop device uses 1.4 J to drive the symmetric collapse of a 1.8 mm radius vapor bubble in water at 22 bar. Single shot streak imaging reveals a stagnation plasma of 28 micron radius at over 12,000 K and an unprecedented pressure of 3.2 Mbar. Compared to sonoluminescence, the most commonly studied cavitation mechanism, this event is greater by factors of 30-40 in size, 1,000,000 in energy, and 100 in stagnation pressure. This regime of high energy density has previously been accessible only in massive facilities with very low repetition rates.

Molecular dynamics of extreme mass segregation in a rapidly collapsing bubble

A molecular dynamic simulation of a mixture of light and heavy gases in a rapidly imploding sphere exhibits virtually complete segregation. The lighter gas collects at the focus of the sphere and reaches a temperature that is several orders of magnitude higher than when its concentration is 100%. Implosion parameters are chosen via a theoretical fit to an observed sonoluminescing bubble with an extreme expansion ratio (25:1) of maximum to ambient radii.

Inside a collapsing bubble: sonoluminescence and the conditions during cavitation

Acoustic cavitation, the growth and rapid collapse of bubbles in a liquid irradiated with ultrasound, is a unique source of energy for driving chemical reactions with sound, a process known as sonochemistry. Another consequence of acoustic cavitation is the emission of light [sonoluminescence (SL)]. Spectroscopic analyses of SL from single bubbles as well as a cloud of bubbles have revealed line and band emission, as well as an underlying continuum arising from a plasma. Application of spectrometric methods of pyrometry as well as tools of plasma diagnostics to relative line intensities, profiles, and peak positions have allowed the determination of intracavity temperatures and pressures. These studies have shown that extraordinary conditions (temperatures up to 20,000 K; pressures of several thousand bar; and heating and cooling rates of >10(12) K s(1)) are generated within an otherwise cold liquid.

Emission from electronically excited metal atoms during single-bubble Sonoluminescence

Variations in sonoluminescence (SL) from an acoustically driven but rapidly translating bubble in solutions of sulfuric acid with alkali-metal salts coincide with variations in translational bubble dynamics. At low acoustic pressures, emission from Ar excited states is observed and the bubble motion is smooth and elliptical. At elevated acoustic pressures, SL intensity decreases, emission from excited alkali-metal atoms is observed, and the bubble motion becomes increasingly erratic with frequent and abrupt changes in direction. These results provide a direct experimental link between single and multibubble SL and point toward the origins of sonochemical reactivity of nonvolatile species.

Efficiency factors and radiation characteristics of spherical scatterers in an absorbing medium

The radiative properties of bubbles or particles embedded in an absorbing medium are investigated. We aim first to determine the conditions under which absorption by the surrounding medium must be accounted for in the calculation of the efficiency factors by comparing results from Mie theory and the far-field and near-field approximations. Then, we relate these approximations for a single particle to the effective radiation characteristics required for solving the radiative transfer in an ensemble of scatterers embedded in an absorbing medium. The results indicate that the efficiency factors for a spherical particle can differ significantly from one model to another, in particular for large particle size parameter and matrix absorption index. Moreover, the effective scattering coefficient should be expressed based on the far-field approximation. Also, the choice of the absorption efficiency factor depends on the model used for estimating the effective absorption coefficient. However, for small void fractions, absorption by the matrix dominates, and models for the absorption coefficient and efficiency factor are unimportant. Finally, for bubbles in water, the conventional Mie theory can be used between 0.2 and 200 mum except at some wavelengths at which absorption by water must be accounted for.

Measurement of pressure and density inside a single sonoluminescing bubble

The average pressure inside a sonoluminescing bubble in sulfuric acid has been determined by two independent techniques: (1) plasma diagnostics applied to Ar atom emission lines, and (2) light scattering measurements of bubble radius vs time. For dimly luminescing bubbles, both methods yield intracavity pressures approximately 1500 bar. Upon stronger acoustic driving of the bubble, the sonoluminescence intensity increases 10,000-fold, spectral lines are no longer resolved, and radius vs time measurements yield internal pressures > 3700 bar. Implications for a hot inner core are discussed.

Size of the light-emitting region in a sonoluminescing bubble

The size of the light-emitting region is a key parameter toward understanding the light-emitting processes in a sonoluminescing bubble. Here we present measurements of interference effects from particles with a diameter of approximately 2 microm situated 6-10 microm from a sonoluminescing bubble. From the angular size of the pattern and from an estimated distance to the particles we conclude that the light-emitting region of a sonoluminescing bubble is smaller than commonly believed [see, e.g., Nature (London) 398, 402 (1999)]. We argue that an upper limit of the size of the light-emitting region is approximately 200 nm.

Sonoluminescence from a single bubble driven at 1 megahertz

Measurements of the spectrum of sonoluminescence from an isolated bubble driven at 1 MHz are well fit by assuming thermal bremsstrahlung from a transparent 10(6) degree plasma. According to this interpretation, the photon-matter mean free path is larger than the light-emitting radius of a 1 MHz bubble, but smaller than the light-emitting radius for bubbles driven at approximately 40 kHz, thus accounting for the observed blackbody spectrum at 40 kHz.

Alternative method to deduce bubble dynamics in single-bubble sonoluminescence experiments

In this paper we present an experimental approach that allows to deduce the important dynamical parameters of single sonoluminescing bubbles (pressure amplitude, ambient radius, radius-time curve). The technique is based on a few previously confirmed theoretical assumptions and requires the knowledge of quantities such as the amplitude of the electric excitation and the phase of the flashes in the acoustic period. These quantities are easily measurable by a digital oscilloscope, avoiding the cost of the expensive lasers or ultrafast cameras of previous methods. We show the technique in a particular example and compare the results with conventional Mie scattering. We find that within the experimental uncertainties these two techniques provide similar results.

Stable nonspherical bubble collapse including period doubling in sonoluminescence

We present observations of stable spherical symmetry broken states in single bubble sonoluminescence including observations of period doubled states. States observed involve both spatially oriented states and states with a tumbling symmetry axis. The observations are made using a fiber based four-channel correlation scheme. The measurements are made both with and without narrow band optical filters. The symmetry broken states are seen in all cases even using a 650+/-40-nm filter. This fact may be used to distinguish between different theories for the light emission. Prior to the measurements reported here, theoretical attempts to explain observations of period doubling bifurcation phenomena in single bubble sonoluminescence were centered on radially bifurcated collapses. The present experiments show unequivocally that the observations are primarily a result of breaking the spherical symmetry in the bubble collapse. Period doubling will at most show up as secondary effects in the total light output, if at all.

Molecular dynamics simulation of the response of a gas to a spherical piston: implications for sonoluminescence

Sonoluminescence is the phenomena of light emission from a collapsing gas bubble in a liquid. Theoretical explanations of this extreme energy focusing are controversial and difficult to validate experimentally. We propose to use molecular dynamics simulations of the collapsing gas bubble to clarify the energy focusing mechanism, and determine physical parameters that restrict theories of the light emitting mechanism. In this paper, we model the interior of a collapsing noble gas bubble as a hard sphere gas driven by a spherical piston boundary moving according to the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. We also include a simplified treatment of ionization effects in the gas at high temperatures. The effects of water vapor are neglected in the model. By using fast, tree-based algorithms, we can exactly follow the dynamics of 10(6) particle systems during the collapse. Our preliminary model shows strong energy focusing within the bubble, including the formation of shocks, strong ionization, and temperatures in the range of 50 000-500 000 K. Our calculations show that the gas-liquid boundary interaction has a strong effect on the internal gas dynamics, and that the gas passes through states where the mean free path is greater than the characteristic distance over which the temperature varies. We also estimate the duration of the light pulse from our model, which predicts that it scales linearly with the ambient bubble radius. As the number of particles in a physical sonoluminescing bubble is within the foreseeable capability of molecular dynamics simulations, we also propose that fine scale sonoluminescence experiments can be viewed as excellent test problems for advancing the art of molecular dynamics.

Comment on "Mie scattering from a sonoluminescing bubble with high spatial and temporal resolution"

A key parameter underlying the existence of sonoluminescence (or SL) is the time dependence of the radius R(t) of the collapsing bubble from which SL originates. With regard to the use of light scattering to measure this quantity, we wish to note that we disagree with the statement of Gompf and Pecha-highly compressed water causes the minimum in scattered light to occur 700 ps before SL-and that this effect leads to an overestimate of the bubble wall velocity. We discuss potential artifacts in their experimental arrangement and reply to their criticisms of our experiments on Mie scattering.

Observation of bubble dynamics within luminescent cavitation clouds: Sonoluminescence at the nano-scale

Measurements of acoustically driven cavitation luminescence indicate that this phenomenon is robust over a huge parameter space ranging from 10 kHz to >10 MHz. The minimum bubble radius achieved is an upper bound for the size of the light-emitting region and ranges from about 1 microm at 15 kHz to tens of nm at 11 MHz. Although lines can be discerned in the spectra of some cavitation clouds, they sit on top of a broadband continuum which can have greater spectral density in the ultraviolet than is observed for resonantly driven sonoluminescence from a single bubble.