Tumor biomarkers play an essential role in immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer treatment, contributing to early diagnosis, patient selection, treatment monitoring, and personalized treatment plans. Despite their importance in cancer care, circulating biomarkers may not always be detectable or sufficiently elevated to provide reliable test results. Due to the pressing need for innovative approaches to enhance biomarker levels, this study explored the potential use of focused shock waves and cavitation for non-invasively releasing tumor-associated antigens. Renal carcinoma cell lines ACHN and TOS-1 were used in an in vitro study to analyze the impact of shock waves on two membrane glycosphingolipid antigens, MSGG and G1, respectively. Focused shock waves were generated using a partial spherical piezoceramic dish. Flow-cytometric analysis of treated cells immediately after 1,000 focused shock waves at 16 MPa overpressure showed a 29.4 % and 17.6 % decrease in MSGG and G1 antigens on the cell surfaces. In the immunostaining of glycosphingolipid fractions on thin-layer chromatography (TLC), both tumor markers were reduced by an average of 49.30 % (MSGG) and 57.08 % (G1). Immunoelectron microscopy images confirmed decrease in the cell membrane intensity immediately after shock waves because of the release of antigens into the extracellular spaces. The released antigens were primarily found on cell debris formed by shock waves and cavitation induced damage to the cell membrane. Theoretical analyses were performed to understand antigen release mechanisms. Moreover, the biophysical events that occurred following the interaction of a shock wave with a suspended cell were modeled and clarified. A novel model was used to calculate the tensile stresses following shock waves and to explain the deformations observed in scanning electron microscopy images. The release of tumor antigens by focused shock waves and inertial cavitation represents exciting prospects for advancing cancer care strategies.
Zein-based films exhibit high efficiency in ethylene adsorption. However, its brittleness limits the practical applications. To address this issue, this study synergizes the plasticizing effects of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) and castor oil (CO) to reduce the brittleness of zein-based films. The plasticizing mechanism was demonstrated through the formation of new intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, as evidenced by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and zeta potential measurements. The tensile strength of 6 % CO-zein film increased eightfold. Additionally, the freshness of mangoes stored with 6 % CO-zein film significantly improved, extending their shelf life from 5 days to 15 days. Therefore, this study investigated the synergistic plasticization of zein-based films through the addition of CO, based on HIU. It also provides a theoretical basis for fruit packaging.
Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a disruptive technology that provides unprecedented design freedom and manufacturing flexibility for the forming of complex components. Despite its unparalleled advantages over traditional manufacturing methods, the existence of fatal issues still seriously hinders its large-scale industrial application. Against this backdrop, U-FAAM is emerging as a focus, integrating ultrasonic energy into conventional metal AM processes to harness distinctive advantages. This work offers an up-to-date, specialized review of U-FAAM, articulating the integrated modes, mechanisms, pivotal research achievements, and future development trends in a systematic manner. By synthesizing existing research, it highlights future directions in further optimizing process parameters, expanding material applicability, etc., to advance the industrial application and development of U-FAAM technology.