Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible hydroxyapatite coated ferrite

Ferrite particles coated with biocompatible phases can be used for hyperthermia treatment of cancer. We have synthesized substituted calcium hexaferrite, which is not stable on its own but is stabilized with small substitution of La. Hexaferrite of chemical composition (CaO)_0.75(La₂0₃)_0.20(Fe₂O₃)₆ was prepared using citrate gel method. Hydroxyapatite was prepared by precipitating it from aqueous solution of Ca(NO₃)₂ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ maintaining pH above 11. Four different methods were used for coating of hydroxyapatite on ferrite particles. SEM with EDX and X-ray diffraction analysis shows clear evidence of coating of hydroxyapatite on ferrite particles. These coated ferrite particles exhibited coercive field up to 2 kOe, which could be made useful for hysteresis heating in hyperthermia. Studies by culturing BHK-21 cells and WBC over the samples show evidence of biocompatibility. SEM micrographs and cell counts give clear indication of cell growth on the surface of the sample. Finally coated ferrite particle was implanted in Kasaulli mouse to test its biocompatibility. The magnetic properties and biocompatibility studies show that these hydroxyapatite coated ferrites could be useful for hyperthermia.     

Nanoheterojunction Engineering Enables NIR-II-Triggered Photonic Hyperthermia and Pyroelectric Catalysis for Tumor-Synergistic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a non-invasive strategy shows high promise in cancer treatment. However, owing to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and light irradiation-mediated rapid electron–hole pair recombination, the therapeutic efficacy of PDT is dramatically discounted by limited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Herein, a multifunctional theranostic nanoheterojunction is rationally developed, in which 2D niobium carbide (Nb₂C) MXene is in situ grown with barium titanate (BTO) to generate a robust photo-pyroelectric catalyst, termed as BTO@Nb₂C nanosheets, for enhanced ROS production, originating from the effective electron–hole pair separation induced by the pyroelectric effect. Under the second near-infrared (NIR-II) laser irradiation, Nb₂C MXene core-mediated photonic hyperthermia regulates temperature variation around BTO shells facilitating the electron–hole spatial separation, which reacts with the surrounding O₂ and H₂O molecules to yield toxic ROS, achieving a synergetic effect by means of combinaterial photothermal therapy with pyrocatalytic therapy. Correspondingly, the engineered BTO@Nb₂C composite nanosheets feature benign biocompatibility and high antitumor efficiency with the tumor-inhibition rate of 94.9% in vivo, which can be applied as an imaging-guided real-time non-invasive synergetic dual-mode therapeutic nanomedicine for efficient tumor nanotherapy.     

Let There be Light: Polymeric Micelles with Upper Critical Solution Temperature as Light‐Triggered Heat Nanogenerators for Combating Drug‐Resistant Cancer

Complete drug release and efficient drug retention are two critical factors in reversing drug resistance in cancer therapy. In this regard, polymeric micelles with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) are designed as a new exploration to reverse drug resistance. The amphiphilic UCST‐type block copolymers are used to encapsulate photothermal agent IR780 and doxorubicin (DOX) simultaneously. The integrated UCST‐type drug nanocarriers show light‐triggered multiple synergistic effects to reverse drug resistance and are expected to kill three birds with one stone: First, owing to the photothermal effect of IR780, the nanocarriers will be dissociated upon exposure to laser irradiation, leading to complete drug release. Second, the photothermal effect‐induced hyperthermia is expected to avoid the efflux of DOX and realize efficient drug retention. Last but not least, photothermal ablation of cancer cells can be achieved after laser irradiation. Therefore, the UCST‐type drug nanocarriers provide a new strategy in reversing drug resistance in cancer therapy.     

基于ARM内核的嵌入式肿瘤热疗系统

采用基于ARM内核的嵌入式系统开发小型超声热疗仪是肿瘤热疗系统开发领域中应用嵌入式技术的一个全新尝试，实现了上、下位机一体化设计。嵌入式肿瘤热疗系统包括组织温度采集与转换系统、超声功率控制信号发生模块、存储管理系统、人机交互系统（包括液晶显示及键盘输入）以及其他基本功能模块。根据热疗实际需要对PID控制算法进行改进与优化，提高了治疗中肿瘤组织温度的控制品质。实验结果表明，系统设计可靠，满足临床肿瘤热疗要求。     

肿瘤热疗中温控系统的建模与仿真

热疗是近几年出现的一种治疗肿瘤的新方法,针对热疗温度控制对象的纯滞后特性,在具有一阶惯性环节的Smith预估器的基础上,结合模糊PID控制与模糊自适应Smith预估控制,提出了一种模糊Smith智能控制方法。在生物热传递方程的基础上,建立了典型的热疗数学模型。通过对此模型的仿真研究表明：模糊Smith智能控制方法改善了控制性能,使温度控制系统的鲁棒性和抗干扰性得到了显著提高。     

基于互相关函数法的超声无损测温研究

生物组织的声速随温度变化明显。利用信号处理技术中的互相关函数分析方法,计算超声散射回波信号的时间延迟。通过分析超声散射回波的时间延迟和组织温度的关系,提取生物组织的温度信息。实验结果表明:当以最高温度时的超声散射回波信号为基准信号时,不同温度时的超声散射回波信号与基准信号的时间延迟随着温度的降低而增大。该种处理方法可有效检测到超声散射回波信号的时间延迟随温度变化的趋势。     

Fast access to core/shell/shell CdTe/CdSe/ZnO quantum dots via magnetic hyperthermia method

The intrinsic low quantum yield (QY) of type II core shell quantum dots (QDs) composes the limitation for these heterostructured nanomaterials to be used in practical application. Herein, magnetic hyperthermia method is employed to intensify reaction process and facilely synthesize CdTe/CdSe heterostructured QDs with improved optical performance for the first time. The QY of the type II QDs is increased to 49% by further growing an inert ZnO layer. The type I interface between CdSe and ZnO helps confine electrons to the inner structure of the QDs, thus improving the QY. The successful preparation and performance enhancement of the CdTe/CdSe type II QDs via magnetic hyperthermia method demonstrate the great potential of this method for the preparation of other materials. Besides, the red‐emission QDs are used as conversion materials in white light emitting diodes to reveal their promising application in practical illumination. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2614–2621, 2016     

肿瘤热疗用锰锌铁氧体磁性纳米粒的制备及表征

以硫酸盐为原料,氢氧化钠为沉淀剂制备了不同化学组成的纳米级锰锌铁氧体,采用X射线衍射分析（XRD）、透射电镜（TEM）及热重分析系统对其进行表征;并探讨了在20℃室温,200kHz的交变磁场下锰锌铁氧体磁流体热效应情况。实验结果表明：制备的锰锌铁氧体为尖晶石结构,圆形,平均粒径在50nm左右,粒度较均匀,居里温度随Zn^2＋含量的增加而降低;其在交变磁场作用下具有明显的热效应,升温可至肿瘤热疗的有效温度范围;且升温的速度及恒定时的温度与锰锌铁氧体的含量、磁场强度有关,含量高,场强大,升温速度快,恒定温度高;另外,在其它条件相同时,恒定时所能达到的温度随Zn^2＋含量的增加而降低。本研究为肿瘤热疗的控温、恒温奠定了基础。     

Hyperthermia Enhances Doxorubicin Therapeutic Efficacy against A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and its incidence has alarmingly increased in the last few decades, creating a need for novel treatment approaches. Thus, we evaluated the combinatorial effect of doxorubicin (DOX) and hyperthermia on A375 and MNT-1 human melanoma cell lines. Cells were treated with DOX for 24, 48, and 72 h and their viabilities were assessed. The effect of DOX IC10 and IC20 (combined at 43 °C for 30, 60, and 120 min) on cell viability was further analyzed. Interference on cell cycle dynamics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis upon treatment (with 30 min at 43 °C and DOX at the IC20 for 48 h) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Combined treatment significantly decreased cell viability, but not in all tested conditions, suggesting that the effect depends on the drug concentration and heat treatment duration. Combined treatment also mediated a G2/M phase arrest in both cell lines, as well as increasing ROS levels. Additionally, it induced early apoptosis in MNT-1 cells, while in A375 cells this effect was similar to the one caused by hyperthermia alone. These findings demonstrate that hyperthermia enhances DOX effect through cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death.