Journal: Npj Acoustics

Article Title: Ultrasound modulates microglial activity and reduces neuroinflammation in a parameter-dependent manner

doi: 10.1038/s44384-026-00047-8

Figure Lengend Snippet: A In vitro experiments were performed by culturing cells in CellCrown™ inserts mounted on a polystyrene film within a latex-sealed device filled with media. The device was placed above three unfocused transducers and submerged in degassed water to ensure acoustic coupling. The transducers were driven by a 4-channel signal generator controlled by a PC software to modulate acoustic pressure, pulse repetition frequency, duty cycle, and treatment duration. B In vivo experiments were performed with a 0.5 MHz focused transducer mounted on a 3D positioning system. The transducer was coupled to the head via a water-filled cone and parafilm-bottomed bath containing deionised water, with ultrasound gel applied for acoustic coupling. Ultrasound pulses were emitted from the transducer driven by a function generator through a 50-dB power amplifier. C The whole mouse brain was treated with ultrasound by moving the transducer within a grid of 8.52 × 14.98 mm in size. Figures were created with Fusion 360, BioRender and Figma.

Article Snippet: A single-element spherical focused ultrasound transducer (centre frequency 0.5 MHz; focal depth: 39.49 mm, active diameter: 22.60 mm, part number: H-107; Sonic Concepts, Bothwell, WA, USA) was used to emit the ultrasound (Fig. ).

Techniques: In Vitro, Software, In Vivo, Ultrasound Gel

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Acoustically activatable drug-loaded nanodroplets for mechanochemical therapy in solid tumors

doi: 10.64898/2026.04.20.719550

Figure Lengend Snippet: First, drug-loaded NDs are fabricated via nanoassembly microfluidic synthesis. Following systemic ND injection, a rotating imaging transducer initiates ADV to vaporize NDs into MBs. Concurrently, low-frequency therapeutic US triggers high amplitude vaporized NDs oscillations, inducing volumetric tumor tissue fractionation and drug uncaging, resulting in synergistic mechanotherapy and localized drug delivery at the tumor site.

Article Snippet: A spherically focused, single-element therapeutic transducer (H149, Sonic Concepts, Bothell, WA, USA, 105 kHz center frequency, 65 mm focal length) was coaxially aligned with a 1D rotating imaging probe (IP104, Sonic Concepts, Bothell, WA, USA) positioned at its base.

Techniques: Injection, Imaging, Fractionation

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Acoustically activatable drug-loaded nanodroplets for mechanochemical therapy in solid tumors

doi: 10.64898/2026.04.20.719550

Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Solubility comparison of BODIPY in different solvents. Left: BODIPY in PBS solution remains undissolved, forming a solid precipitate at the bottom of the tube. Right: BODIPY in PFC (C 6 F 14 ) demonstrates complete dissolution, yielding a homogeneous green-yellow solution. (B) Schematic illustration of the in vitro release experimental setup. Payload release was triggered using a simultaneous dual-frequency US system (3.5 MHz imaging transducer, MI 0.84, 105 kHz therapy transducer, MI 1.67). Release efficiency was quantified by analyzing the fluorescence/absorbance of the supernatant fraction collected before and after US exposure. (C) Quantification of BDPg release showing the calibration curve (fluorescence intensity vs. concentration, R 2 =0.979) overlaid with supernatant measurements. A ∼4-fold increase in fluorescence intensity is observed in the post-US supernatant compared to pre-US controls. (D) Comparative fluorescence analysis of top supernatant fractions from DI water (background), intact NDs (passive leakage), and US-activated NDs (active release). (E) Spectroscopic characterization of 5-FU solubility. Representative excitation spectra (Em = 310 nm) of 5-FU dissolved in C 6 F 14 versus DI water, revealing a characteristic intensity peak at ∼270 nm specific to the fluorinated phase. (F) Quantification of 5-FU fluorescence intensity (Ex = 265 ± 20 nm, Em = 310 ± 20 nm) in C 6 F 14 and DI water compared to pure solvent controls. The significant signal enhancement confirms the successful dissolution and core-loading of 5-FU within the C 6 F 14 matrix. (G) HPLC calibration curve correlating peak area with free 5-FU concentration, used to calculate the release concentrations in panel H (R 2 =0.99). (H) HPLC quantification of 5-FU release efficiency, showing a significant increase in the integrated peak area (a.u.) for post-US samples compared to pre-US baselines (****p < 0.0001). Data represent mean ± SD (n = 3). Statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison test (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001).

Article Snippet: A spherically focused, single-element therapeutic transducer (H149, Sonic Concepts, Bothell, WA, USA, 105 kHz center frequency, 65 mm focal length) was coaxially aligned with a 1D rotating imaging probe (IP104, Sonic Concepts, Bothell, WA, USA) positioned at its base.

Techniques: Solubility, Comparison, Dissolution, In Vitro, Imaging, Fluorescence, Concentration Assay, Solvent

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Acoustically activatable drug-loaded nanodroplets for mechanochemical therapy in solid tumors

doi: 10.64898/2026.04.20.719550

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vitro optimization and therapeutic efficacy of ND-mediated therapy.(A) Schematic representation of the in vitro experimental setup. An Eppendorf containing a suspension of cancer cells mixed with NDs was positioned at the acoustic focal point of the US-guided focused US system and exposed to US. Cell viability was assessed 72 h after treatment. (B) Effect of ND concentration on cell viability without ultrasound exposure. (C) Comparative analysis of cell viability of NTC, dual-frequency US only, NDs only, imaging transducer + NDs, therapy transducer + NDs, and the combined dual-frequency + NDs. (D) Quantitative viability analysis of live cells across therapeutic groups: NTC, blank ND, 5-FU ND, blank ND + US, and 5-FU ND + US. The combined treatment demonstrates significant synergistic cytotoxicity. (E) Representative confocal microscopy images of GFP-expressing 4T1 breast cancer cells following selected treatments. Scale bar: 100 µm. Data represents mean ± SD (n = 6). Statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison test (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001).

Article Snippet: A spherically focused, single-element therapeutic transducer (H149, Sonic Concepts, Bothell, WA, USA, 105 kHz center frequency, 65 mm focal length) was coaxially aligned with a 1D rotating imaging probe (IP104, Sonic Concepts, Bothell, WA, USA) positioned at its base.

Techniques: In Vitro, Drug discovery, Suspension, Concentration Assay, Imaging, Confocal Microscopy, Expressing, Comparison