Active targeting nano-scale bubbles enhanced ultrasound cavitation chemotherapy in Y1 receptor-overexpressed breast cancer

Self-Assembly of Organelle-Localized Neuropeptides Triggers Intrinsic Apoptosis Against Breast Cancer

Biosynthesis has become a diverse toolbox for the development of bioactive molecules and materials, particularly for enzyme-induced modification and assembly of peptides. However, intracellular spatiotemporal regulation of artificial biomolecular aggregates based on neuropeptide remains challenging. Here, an enzyme responsive precursor (Y1 L-KGRR-FF-IR) is developed based on the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor ligand, which self-assembles into nanoscale assemblies in the lysosomes and subsequently has an appreciable destructive effect on the mitochondria and cytoskeleton, resulting in breast cancer cell apoptosis. More importantly, in vivo studies reveal that Y1 L-KGRR-FF-IR has a good therapeutic effect, reduces breast cancer tumor volume and generates excellent tracer efficacy in lung metastasis models. This study provides a novel strategy for stepwise targeting and precise regulation of tumor growth inhibition through functional neuropeptide Y-based artificial aggregates for intracellular spatiotemporal regulation.

Neuropeptide Y Peptide Family and Cancer: Antitumor Therapeutic Strategies

Currently available data on the involvement of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and their receptors (YRs) in cancer are updated. The structure and dynamics of YRs and their intracellular signaling pathways are also studied. The roles played by these peptides in 22 different cancer types are reviewed (e.g., breast cancer, colorectal cancer, Ewing sarcoma, liver cancer, melanoma, neuroblastoma, pancreatic cancer, pheochromocytoma, and prostate cancer). YRs could be used as cancer diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. A high Y1R expression has been correlated with lymph node metastasis, advanced stages, and perineural invasion; an increased Y5R expression with survival and tumor growth; and a high serum NPY level with relapse, metastasis, and poor survival. YRs mediate tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis; YR antagonists block the previous actions and promote the death of cancer cells. NPY favors tumor cell growth, migration, and metastasis and promotes angiogenesis in some tumors (e.g., breast cancer, colorectal cancer, neuroblastoma, pancreatic cancer), whereas in others it exerts an antitumor effect (e.g., cholangiocarcinoma, Ewing sarcoma, liver cancer). PYY or its fragments block tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion in breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. Current data show the peptidergic system's high potential for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and support using Y2R/Y5R antagonists and NPY or PYY agonists as promising antitumor therapeutic strategies. Some important research lines to be developed in the future will also be suggested.

Green Cleaning of 3D-Printed Polymeric Products by Micro-/Nano-Bubbles

3D printing technology has been used to directly produce various actual products, ranging from engines and medicines to toys, especially due to its advantage in producing items of complicated, porous structures, which are inherently difficult to clean. Here, we apply micro-/nano-bubble technology to the removal of oil contaminants from 3D-printed polymeric products. Micro-/nano-bubbles show promise in the enhancement of cleaning performance with or without ultrasound, which is attributed to their large specific surface area enhancing the adhesion sites of contaminants, and their high Zeta potential which attracts contaminant particles. Additionally, bubbles produce tiny jets and shock waves at their rupture, driven by coupled ultrasound, which can remove sticky contaminants from 3D-printed products. As an effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly cleaning method, micro-/nano-bubbles can be used in a range of applications.

Physicochemical Characteristics and the Scale Inhibition Effect of Air Nanobubbles (A-NBs) in a Circulating Cooling Water System

Air nanobubbles (A-NBs) in a circulating cooling water system have not been investigated, although their role is significant. In this paper, the influences of the contents of main salts and other parameters on the physicochemical characteristics and scale inhibition performance of A-NBs in circulating cooling water were investigated and the scale inhibition mechanism of A-NBs in a simulated circulating cooling water system was explored. A-NBs realized a higher scale inhibition rate of 90%, which was higher than that of 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (40%), and A-NBs stably existed for more than 5 days in the complex water environment. Four interface functions were proposed to interpret the scale inhibition effect of A-NBs in circulating cooling water as follows. First, the negatively charged surface of A-NBs adsorbed cations (Ca²⁺) reduced the concentration of scaling ions. Second, the negatively charged surface of A-NBs could also adsorb microcrystals, and their crystal-like seed action was conducive to the formation of large-size crystals, broke the rules of crystal growth, and reduced the adhesion of scales to the pipe wall. Third, A-NBs could also form a bubble layer after they were adsorbed on the inner surface of pipes, thereby preventing the deposition of scales on the surface. Fourth, A-NB burst caused local turbulence, increased the shear force onto the pipe surface, and reduced the scales adhering to the pipe surface. The interface effect of A-NBs in metal pipes is important in many industrial applications. This study laid the basis for the development of a new green A-NB scale-inhibiting technology.

Ultrasound and Nanomedicine for Cancer-Targeted Drug Delivery: Screening, Cellular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal cell growth. According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. It should be noted that ultrasound is already widely used as a diagnostic procedure for detecting tumorigenesis. In addition, ultrasound energy can also be utilized effectively for treating cancer. By filling the interior of lipospheres with gas molecules, these particles can serve both as contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging and as delivery systems for drugs such as microbubbles and nanobubbles. Therefore, this review aims to describe the nanoparticle-assisted drug delivery system and how it can enhance image analysis and biomedicine. The formation characteristics of nanoparticles indicate that they will accumulate at the tumor site upon ultrasonic imaging, in accordance with their modification characteristics. As a result of changing the accumulation of materials, it is possible to examine the results by comparing images of other tumor cell lines. It is also possible to investigate ultrasound images for evidence of cellular effects. In combination with a precision ultrasound imaging system, drug-carrying lipospheres can precisely track tumor tissue and deliver drugs to tumor cells to enhance the ability of this nanocomposite to treat cancer.

Ultrasound and nanomaterial: an efficient pair to fight cancer

Ultrasounds are often used in cancer treatment protocols, e.g. to collect tumor tissues in the right location using ultrasound-guided biopsy, to image the region of the tumor using more affordable and easier to use apparatus than MRI and CT, or to ablate tumor tissues using HIFU. The efficacy of these methods can be further improved by combining them with various nano-systems, thus enabling: (i) a better resolution of ultrasound imaging, allowing for example the visualization of angiogenic blood vessels, (ii) the specific tumor targeting of anti-tumor chemotherapeutic drugs or gases attached to or encapsulated in nano-systems and released in a controlled manner in the tumor under ultrasound application, (iii) tumor treatment at tumor site using more moderate heating temperatures than with HIFU. Furthermore, some nano-systems display adjustable sizes, i.e. nanobubbles can grow into micro-bubbles. Such dual size is advantageous since it enables gathering within the same unit the targeting properties of nano bubbles via EPR effect and the enhanced ultrasound contrasting properties of micro bubbles. Interestingly, the way in which nano-systems act against a tumor could in principle also be adjusted by accurately selecting the nano-system among a large choice and by tuning the values of the ultrasound parameters, which can lead, due to their mechanical nature, to specific effects such as cavitation that are usually not observed with purely electromagnetic waves and can potentially help destroying the tumor. This review highlights the clinical potential of these combined treatments that can improve the benefit/risk ratio of current cancer treatments.

Neuropeptide Y and Metabolism Syndrome: An Update on Perspectives of Clinical Therapeutic Intervention Strategies

Through the past decade of research, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying metabolic syndrome have been suggested to involve not only the peripheral tissues, but also central metabolic regulation imbalances. The hypothalamus, and the arcuate nucleus in particular, is the control center for metabolic homeostasis and energy balance. Neuropeptide Y neurons are particularly abundantly expressed in the arcuate of the hypothalamus, where the blood-brain barrier is weak, such as to critically integrate peripheral metabolic signals with the brain center. Herein, focusing on metabolic syndrome, this manuscript aims to provide an overview of the regulatory effects of Neuropeptide Y on metabolic syndrome and discuss clinical intervention strategy perspectives for neurometabolic disease.

Update on the Role of Neuropeptide Y and Other Related Factors in Breast Cancer and Osteoporosis

Breast cancer and osteoporosis are common diseases that affect the survival and quality of life in postmenopausal women. Women with breast cancer are more likely to develop osteoporosis than women without breast cancer due to certain factors that can affect both diseases simultaneously. For instance, estrogen and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) play important roles in the occurrence and development of these two diseases. Moreover, chemotherapy and hormone therapy administered to breast cancer patients also increase the incidence of osteoporosis, and in recent years, neuropeptide Y (NPY) has also been found to impact breast cancer and osteoporosis.Y1 and Y5 receptors are highly expressed in breast cancer, and Y1 and Y2 receptors affect osteogenic response, thus potentially highlighting a potential new direction for treatment strategies. In this paper, the relationship between breast cancer and osteoporosis, the influence of NPY on both diseases, and the recent progress in the research and treatment of these diseases are reviewed.