Ghaleb A. Husseini

Liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a major global health challenge, causing high mortality worldwide. Conventional chemotherapy often results in severe side effects due to its systemic distribution, which limits its effectiveness in targeting cancer cells specifically. The development of targeted drug delivery systems can enhance the precision and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents while reducing their side effects. In this context, we used lactobionic acid (LA) as a targeting moiety due to its ability to bind to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), which is highly expressed on the surface of hepatocytes (liver cells). Conjugating lactobionic acid to liposomes creates an efficient delivery system that specifically targets liver cancer cells, thereby ensuring a higher uptake of the drug by these cells. Ultrasound is used to further facilitate drug release by enhancing drug targeting, promoting accumulation at the tumor site, and triggering drug release, thereby making the treatment more effective and less toxic. This study successfully synthesized stable DOX-loaded liposomes conjugated with lactobionic acid (LL) on their surface, with a size range of 89.4 ± 0.9 nm and a polydispersity index of 13.06 ± 3.5. Successful LA-DSPE-PEG-NH ₂ conjugation to the LL was confirmed via Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The sulfuric acid colorimetric assay quantified lactobionic acid conjugation as 14 ± 1.35% (w/w), while DOX encapsulation was measured at 40.1 ± 1.6%. LL exhibited strong absorption, fluorescence properties and good stability at 37 ˚C. LL showed controlled release via ultrasound, making it suitable for precise drug delivery. In vitro studies on HepG2 cells confirmed enhanced drug uptake and therapeutic efficacy. The effects of ultrasound-enhanced drug delivery to HepG2 cells demonstrated that the combination of ultrasound and targeted liposomes significantly increased the internalization of the drug (DOX) and triggered apoptosis in HepG2 cells, leading to cell death. Morphological observations on treated cells via phase contrast microscopy supported the signs of apoptosis, indicating LL’s potential to target liver cancer cells effectively.

Cancer remains one of the most significant global health challenges, with conventional treatments limited by side effects and resistance to drugs. The unique properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which offer high surface areas, tunable structures, and biodegradable properties, make them promising candidates for cancer therapy. This review focuses on MOF-based drug delivery systems for cancer treatment in biomedical applications. This article discusses various synthesis methods, drug-loading strategies, and cytotoxicity considerations. The relationship between the basic chemistry of MOFs and their biomedical applications is elucidated by how each feature directly affects MOF performance in cancer drug delivery. Therefore, this review is a practical and complete guide for researchers working to translate MOFs into effective cancer treatments. Moreover, the role of stimuli-responsive MOFs in cancer therapy is highlighted, along with recent studies demonstrating the effectiveness of MOF-based drug delivery systems. Overall, MOFs offer opportunities for advancing cancer treatment and controlled drug delivery.

Ultrasound-triggered liposomes designed for specific targeting show promise as a drug delivery system, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy while minimizing related side effects in clinical settings. This paper aims to model the drug release rate of seven targeted liposomes using a second-order discrete equation rather than the previously used first-order equation. By modeling the rate as second-order, different variants of the Kalman Filter can be applied to estimate the drug release rate. After modeling the equations and fitting the data to a second-order model, the Kalman filter variants, including the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Cubature Kalman Filter (CKF), and the Variational Bayesian-Based Correntropy Cubature Kalman Filter (VBMCCKF), were used to estimate the drug release rate. By applying those variants, we can see that the VBMCCKF yields the best tracking performance, combining the VBKF’s adaptive estimation of measurement noise with the MCCKF’s setting of the filter gain to a very small value when an abnormal measurement is found. As a result, the VBMCCKF yielded the lowest Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE).

MXenes are relatively new 2D materials made up of carbides and/or nitrides of transition metals with a chemical formula M_n+1X_nT_x. They are usually fabricated by chemically etching a ceramic phase. MXenes possess tunable catalytic, optical, and electronic properties, which have attracted significant research interest, primarily in energy storage and biosensing applications. Since their first fabrication in 2011, there has been a rapid increase in studies investigating the use of MXenes in a wide range of applications. In this review, the synthesis methods of MXenes are discussed. Then, the potential application of MXenes in cancer treatment is highlighted based on current research. The ability of MXene to convert light, usually NIR (I and II), to heat with improved conversion efficiencies makes it a competitive candidate for photothermal cancer therapy. Moreover, the surface of MXenes can be modified with drugs or nanoparticles, thereby achieving synergistic photo/chemo/, and sonodynamic therapy. This review also examines the available research on the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of MXenes.

By 2030, millions of new cancer cases will be diagnosed, as well as millions of cancer-related deaths. Traditional drug delivery methods have limitations, so developing smart drug delivery systems (SDDs) has emerged as a promising avenue for more effective and precise cancer treatment. Nanotechnology, particularly nanomedicine, provides innovative approaches to enhance drug delivery, including the use of nanoparticles. One such type of SDD is thermosensitive nanoparticles, which respond to internal and external stimuli, such as temperature changes, to release drugs precisely at tumor sites and minimize off-target effects. On the other hand, hyperthermia is a cancer treatment mode that goes back centuries and has become popular because it can target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This paper presents a comprehensive review of smart thermosensitive nanoparticles for cancer treatment, with a primary focus on organic nanoparticles. The integration of hyperthermia with temperature-sensitive nanocarriers, such as micelles, hydrogels, dendrimers, liposomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles, offers a promising approach to improving the precision and efficacy of cancer therapy. By leveraging temperature as a controlled drug release mechanism, this review highlights the potential of these innovative systems to enhance treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse side effects.

DM is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insufficient insulin production or impaired use in the cells, leading to a high blood glucose level. This disease requires constant monitoring of blood glucose levels. Traditional blood glucose monitoring techniques are invasive and inconvenient, highlighting the need for non-invasive alternatives. Breath acetone, a byproduct of fat metabolism in diabetic patients, has been identified and used as a biomarker for diabetes as it is directly related to blood glucose levels. Its concentration is significantly higher in the breath of diabetic patients, making it an effective indicator of the disease’s progression. This review comprehensively analyzes various acetone sensor technologies, including electrochemical, capacitive, chemiresistive, mass spectrometry-based, piezoelectric, and optical sensors. This review also discusses the biological background of acetone as a diabetic biomarker, the mechanism of different sensor types, and their advantages and disadvantages. Further, it explores the future prospect of enhancing sensor performance through integrating artificial intelligence (AI), energy harvesting, and the Internet of Things (IoT). By addressing the gaps in the literature regarding the summary of acetone sensors, this review aims to guide future developments in non-invasive diabetic monitoring technologies.

Neurological conditions resulting from severe spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other traumatic incidents often lead to the loss of essential bodily functions, including sensory and motor capabilities. Traditional prosthetic devices, though standard, have limitations in delivering the required dexterity and functionality. The advent of neuroprosthetics marks a paradigm shift, aiming to bridge the gap between prosthetic devices and the human nervous system. This review paper explores the evolution of neuroprosthetics, categorizing devices into sensory and motor neuroprosthetics and emphasizing their significance in addressing specific challenges. The discussion section delves into long-term challenges in clinical practice, encompassing device durability, ethical considerations, and issues of accessibility and affordability. Furthermore, the paper proposes potential solutions with a specific focus on enhancing sensory experiences and the importance of user-friendly interfaces. In conclusion, this paper offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of neuroprosthetics, outlining future research and development directions to guide advancements in the field.

Microfluidic techniques have emerged as promising, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly desalination solutions. By utilizing fluid dynamics at the microscale, these techniques offer precise control over chemical, biological, and physical processes, presenting advantages such as reduced energy consumption, miniaturization, portability, and enhanced process control. A significant challenge in scaling microfluidic desalination for macro applications is the disparity in flow rates. Current devices operate at microliters per minute, while practical applications require liters daily. Solutions involve integrating multiple units on a single chip and developing stackable chip designs. Innovative designs, such as 3D microfluidic chips, have shown promise in enhancing scalability. Fouling, particularly in seawater environments, presents another major challenge. Addressing fouling through advanced materials, including graphene and nanomaterials, is critical to improving the efficiency and longevity of devices. Advances in microfluidic device fabrication, such as photo-patterned hydrogel membranes and 3D printing, have increased device complexity and affordability. Hybrid fabrication approaches could further enhance membrane quality and efficiency. Energy consumption remains a concern, necessitating research into more energy-efficient designs and integration with renewable energy sources. This paper explores various electrochemical-based microfluidic desalination methods, including dialysis/electrodialysis, capacitive deionization (CDI)/electrochemical capacitive deionization (ECDI), ion concentration polarization (ICP), and electrochemical desalination (ECD).