In vivo study of dermal collagen of striae distensae by confocal Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

This research work mainly deals with studying qualitatively the changes in the dermal collagen of two forms of striae distensae (SD) namely striae rubrae (SR) and striae albae (SA) when compared to normal skin (NS) using confocal Raman spectroscopy. The methodology includes an in vivo human skin study for the comparison of confocal Raman spectra of dermis region of SR, SA, and NS by supervised multivariate analysis using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to determine qualitatively the changes in dermal collagen. These groups are further analyzed for the extent of hydration of dermal collagen by studying the changes in the water content bound to it. PLS-DA score plot showed good separation of the confocal Raman spectra of dermis region into SR, SA, and NS data groups. Further analysis using loading plot and S-plot indicated the participation of various components of dermal collagen in the separation of these groups. Bound water content analysis showed that the extent of hydration of collagen is more in SD when compared to NS. Based on the results obtained, this study confirms the active involvement of dermal collagen in the formation of SD. It also emphasizes the need to study quantitatively the role of these various biochemical changes in the dermal collagen responsible for the variance between SR, SA, and NS.

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Dr. Martin Citardi Recognized with AAO-HNS Distinguished Service Award

Martin J. Citardi, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UTHealth's McGovern Medical School,... Read the full article...

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Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on short-term and long-term treatment of chronic tinnitus

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of anodal and cathodal methods in reducing the intensity of tinnitus and to compare them with the control.

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An assessment of the use of antihistamines in the management of atopic dermatitis

Antihistamines are often used to treat pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) despite lack of evidence for their efficacy. The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend the general use of antihistamines in the management of AD, although the value of short-term sedating antihistamine use for insomnia secondary to itch is recognized.

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Personal History of Keratinocyte Carcinoma is Associated with Reduced Risk of Death from Invasive Melanoma in Men

Previous studies have found an increased risk of invasive cutaneous melanoma (CM) among those with a history of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC).

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Just A Quick Pic: Ethics of Medical Photography

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In vitro assessment of the broad-spectrum ultraviolet protection of clothing

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Post-diagnosis aspirin use and overall survival in patients with melanoma

Mouse studies show that tumor-derived prostaglandins and platelets promote melanoma progression and immune-evasion.

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Combination of MPPa-PDT and HSV1-TK/GCV gene therapy on prostate cancer

Abstract

We combined pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester, photodynamic therapy (MPPa-PDT), 670 ± 10 nm, 4 mW/cm², with herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV1-TK/GCV) to improve the therapeutic effect. We built HSV1-TK expression vector GV230-TK and we observed a bright green fluorescence under fluorescence microscope. It indicated the recombinant plasmid was transfected into PC-3M prostate cancer cells successfully. As the abundant glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) promoter in PC-3M cells can cause active expression of HSV1-TK, cell protein was collected for western blot to determine the expression of HSV1-TK. In CCK-8 assay (n = 6), the cell survival rate of combined treatment group was about 10%, less than that of pure MPPa-PDT group (23%) and pure HSV1-TK/GCV group (35%) (t test, P < 0.05). Flow cytometry was used to measure the cytotoxicity; the apoptosis rate of combined treatment group was about 38%, higher than that of pure MPPa-PDT group (about 22%) and pure HSV1-TK/GCV group (about 19%). The results showed that the combination of the two treatments can effectively improve the cytocidal effect in PC-3M cells.

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Making Contact: The Key to Dental Inclusion

Publication date: Available online 6 January 2018
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Thomas B. Dodson




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Minimally invasive skin tape strip RNA-seq identifies novel characteristics of type 2-high atopic dermatitis disease endotype

Publication date: Available online 6 January 2018
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Nathan Dyjack, Elena Goleva, Cydney Rios, Byung Eui Kim, Lianghua Bin, Patricia Taylor, Caroline Bronchick, Clifton F. Hall, Brittany N. Richers, Max A. Seibold, Donald Y. Leung
BackgroundExpression profiling of skin biopsies has established molecular features of the skin in atopic dermatitis (AD). Invasiveness of biopsies has prevented their use in defining individual level AD pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes) in large research studies.ObjectiveTo determine if minimally invasive skin tape strip transcriptome analysis identifies gene expression dysregulation in AD and molecular disease endotypes.MethodsWe sampled non-lesional and lesional skin tape strips and biopsies from adult Caucasian subjects AD patients (18 males, 12 females; age (Mean±SE) 36.3±2.2 yrs) and healthy controls (9 males, 16 females; age (Mean±SE) 34.8±2.2 yrs). Ampliseq whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on extracted RNA. Differential expression, clustering/pathway analyses, immunostaining of skin biopsies, and clinical trait correlations were performed.ResultsSkin tape expression profiles were distinct from skin biopsy profiles and better sampled epidermal differentiation complex genes. Skin tape expression of 29 immune and epidermis-related genes (FDR<5%) separated AD from healthy subjects. Agnostic gene set analyses and clustering revealed 50% of AD subjects exhibited a type 2 inflammatory signature (type 2-high endotype) characterized by differential expression of 656 genes including overexpression of IL13, IL4R, CCL22, CCR4 (log2FC=5.5, 2.0, 4.0, and 4.1, respectively), and at a pathway level by T-helper 2/dendritic cell activation. Both expression and immunostaining of skin biopsies indicated this type 2-high group was enriched for inflammatory, type 2-skewed dendritic cells expressing the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI). The type 2-high endotype group exhibited more severe disease by both EASI score and body surface area covered by lesions.ConclusionMinimally invasive expression profiling of non-lesional skin reveals stratification in AD molecular pathology by type 2 inflammation that correlates with disease severity.



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A comparison of cell survival and heat shock protein expression after radiation in normal dermal fibroblasts, microvascular endothelial cells, and different head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines

Abstract

Objectives

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) shows increased radioresistance due to the manipulation of homeostatic mechanisms like the heat shock response. This study intended to comparatively analyze effects of ionizing radiation on different HNSCC cell lines (PCI) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHFs) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) to uncover differences in radiation coping strategies.

Materials and methods

Proliferation (BrdU assay), apoptosis (caspase 3/7) and intracellular protein expression of heat shock protein (HSP)-70, and phosphorylated and total HSP27, determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were analyzed after exposure to increasing doses of ionizing radiation (2, 6, and 12 Gray, Gy).

Results

Cell count decreased dose-dependently, but PCI cell lines consistently showed higher numbers compared to NHF and HDMEC. Likewise, high doses reduced cell proliferation, but low-dose radiation (2 Gy) instead increased proliferation in PCI 9 and 52. Apoptosis was not detectable in PCI cell lines. Basic HSP70 expression was high in PCI cells with little additional increase by irradiation. PCI cells yielded high basic total HSP27 concentrations but irradiation dose-dependently increased HSP27 in HDMEC, NHF, and PCI cells. Phosphorylated HSP27 concentrations were highest in NHF.

Conclusion

PCI cell lines showed higher resistance to dose-dependent reduction in cell number, proliferation, and protection from apoptosis compared to NHF and HDMEC. In parallel, we observed a high basic and radiation-induced expression of intracellular HSP70 leading to the assumption that the radioresistance of PCI cells is conferred by HSP70.

Clinical relevance

HNSCC use HSP to escape radiation-induced apoptosis and certain subtypes might increase proliferation after low-dose irradiation.

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Retraction notice to “The effect of prednisolone and/or acyclovir in relation to severity of Bell's palsy at presentation” [Egypt. J. Ear Nose Throat Allied Sci. 14(3) (2013) 155–159]

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, Volume 18, Issue 3
Author(s): Ahmed Mohammed Abdelghany, Samer Badee Kamel




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Editorial Board

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, Volume 18, Issue 3





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Respiratory impedance is correlated with airway narrowing in asthma using three-dimensional computed tomography

Abstract

Background

Respiratory impedance comprises the resistance and reactance of the respiratory system, and can provide detailed information on respiratory function. However, details of the relationship between impedance and morphological airway changes in asthma are unknown.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the correlation between imaging-based airway changes and respiratory impedance in patients with asthma.

Methods

Respiratory impedance and spirometric data were evaluated in 72 patients with asthma and 29 reference subjects. We measured the intraluminal area (Ai) and wall thickness (WT) of third- to sixth-generation bronchi using three-dimensional computed tomographic analyses, and values were adjusted by body surface area (BSA, Ai/BSA, and WT/the square root (√) of BSA).

Results

Asthma patients had significantly increased respiratory impedance, decreased Ai/BSA, and increased WT/√BSA, as was the case in those without airflow limitation as assessed by spirometry. Ai/BSA was inversely correlated with respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20). R20 had a stronger correlation with Ai/BSA than did R5. Ai/BSA was positively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and percent predicted mid-expiratory flow. WT/√BSA had no significant correlation with spirometry or respiratory impedance.

Conclusions & Clinical Relevance

Respiratory resistance is associated with airway narrowing.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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IL-6 pathway upregulation in subgroup of severe asthma is associated with neutrophilia and poor lung function

Summary

We have investigated the IL-6 pathway in the severe asthma phenotypes using U-BIOPRED database. A subset of severe asthma patients has increased IL6R mRNA levels and IL-6 protein levels in the sputum. This sub-population is highly neutrophilic and has poorer lung function. These neutrophilic patients have a high unmet medical need and they could potentially benefit from therapy targeting IL-6.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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A case of Shewanella algae endocarditis: an emerging pathogen with a diverse clinical spectrum

Shewanella algae is a rare pathogen related to water exposure in temperate climates. It is commonly associated with skin and soft tissue infections, peritonitis and bacteraemia. We report the first-ever case of S. algae infective endocarditis in a patient with previous splenectomy and explore the difficulties in treatment as well as highlight the importance of this organism as an emerging pathogen.

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Management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia in two brothers

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare, genetic disorder of abnormally high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) requiring aggressive interventions to retard the evolution of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We treated two brothers (ages 46 years and 47 years) with HoFH with statins, lipoproteinapheresis (LA) and the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor lomitapide. Both brothers carried the p.Thr434Arg homozygous LDLR mutation and had childhood total cholesterol levels >700 mg/dL. Inter-LA LDL-C levels remained high; therefore, they were given escalating doses of oral lomitapide (5–10 mg/day). One brother was able to maintain LDL-C levels <70 mg/dL and stop LA. Lomitapide was well tolerated, with only an episode of headache requiring dose reduction from 40 mg/day to 20 mg/day in one patient. In two HoFH cases, lomitapide was an effective and well-tolerated adjunct therapy. Lomitapide doses required to maintain LDL-C goal levels appear to be lower in clinical practice than in clinical trials.

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Colovesical fistula: a rare complication after renal transplantation

Colovesical fistula per se is a rare condition and most commonly occurs secondary to diverticular disease in normal patients. Colovesical fistula in the setting of post-renal transplantation is even rarer and very few cases have been reported in literature. Patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are predisposed to diverticulosis and hence are at a higher risk for fistula formation. Herein, we report a case of colovesical fistula in a renal allograft recipient with ADPKD in the absence of diverticulosis. The patient was successfully operated and is stable with no complications at 1-year follow-up.

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Successful management of a 24-year-old pregnant woman with necrotising fasciitis of the forearm

A 24-year-old woman who was 24 weeks pregnant presented to the emergency department with septic shock and an elbow wound that had become infected. She sustained an injury to the tip of the right elbow on a light switch 4 days prior. In the space of 1 day, she developed a necrotising soft tissue infection, which was rapidly spread to the forearm with florid sepsis. Her initial serum C reactive protein was 392 mg/L, and white cell count was 32x10⁹/L. The patient was treated promptly with aggressive surgical debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics. An early multidisciplinary approach including orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetics, intensive care, obstetrics, microbiologists and paediatrics was taken. Ultimately, both mother and child had an excellent outcome, the former of whom only had minimal soft tissue resection and primary wound closure. Emphasis is made on first treating the mother as the patient and priority.

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Mycophenolate mofetil treatment in a patient with recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis

Lymphocytic hypophysitis (LHP) is a relatively rare disease characterised by lymphocytic infiltration of the pituitary gland, resulting in pituitary dysfunction. LHP is generally responsive to corticosteroid therapy, but cases with recurrence require clinicians to select second-line therapy. We report here the case of a 58-year-old patient with LHP who developed panhypopituitarism and bitemporal hemianopia. He responded to prednisolone 40 mg/day but relapsed during tapering. The prednisolone dose was increased again and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was added. Thereafter, over the course of 1 year, prednisolone was tapered to 8 mg/day without relapse. Because of the rarity of LHP, there are no standard treatment protocols that support the choice of a specific immunosuppressive drug. MMF was effective for recurrent LHP in our case. Further accumulation of cases is needed to establish the standard treatment for this disease.

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Ureteral intramural metastatic deposit of prostate cancer with ureteric obstruction

True metastatic ureteric lesions are exceptionally rare when sourced from any primary tumour. Primary prostatic cancer metastasis to the ureter is understandably even more atypical with very few cases reported in current literature. True intramural ureteric metastatic disease deposited from prostate cancer is an even rarer occurrence. We present a case of a man in his mid-60s with left-sided hydronephrosis in the setting of biochemical recurrence of Gleason 9 prostate cancer. Initially misdiagnosed as obstruction secondary to mass effect from a large trigonal lesion, subsequent investigation revealed solid intramural metastatic deposit of prostate primary tumour in the distal ureter. We detail current hypotheses regarding the subsequent pathophysiology of the disease and its common clinical presentations. Our case highlights that prostatic metastasis should be considered as a differential in coexisting prostate cancer and ureteric obstruction despite its low incidence.

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Guillain-Barre syndrome with exaggerated pleocytosis and anti-GM1 ganglioside antibodies

An 81-year-old man presented with fever, confusion and rapidly-progressive flaccid tetraparesis. Clinical presentation and neurophysiology were consistent with a severe axonal polyneuropathy. Anti-GM1 and Campylobacter serology were both positive, consistent with postinfectious axonal-variant Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). GBS is characterised by albuminocytological dissociation, where an elevated protein and acellular cerebrospinal fluid are typical. However, in this case, CSF analysis revealed an exaggerated pleocytosis (72 white blood cells (WBC)/mm³). No source of central nervous system infection or inflammation was identified despite thorough investigation. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and intensive rehabilitation.

Albuminocytological dissociation classically distinguishes GBS from infective causes of flaccid weakness (eg, enteroviruses, flaviviruses and HIV). Diagnostic criteria frequently cite a pleocytosis of <50 WBC/mm³ as required in the diagnosis of GBS. However, this case demonstrates that pleocytosis exceeding this level can occur in the presence of convincing evidence of GBS and without demonstrable neurotropic infection.

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Neonatal small left colon syndrome (NSLCS): Rare but important complication in an infant of diabetic mother

Description

A female infant born at 35+6 weeks by caesarean section to a mother with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes was admitted to the neonatal unit due to hypoglycaemia. Birth weight was 3.2 kg (91–98th centile). On day 1, the baby required a glucose load of 10 mg/kg/min to maintain normoglycaemia. By day 2, her blood sugar levels stabilised, feeds were started and intravenous fluids were weaned. With the introduction of feeds, she had milky vomits and abdominal distension. Feeds were stopped and an abdominal X-ray showed a dilated transverse colon with an abrupt transition zone at splenic flexure (figure 1, arrow indicates transition zone). Symptoms resolved after passage of a large, thick plug of mucus and meconium that resembled an intestinal cast (figure 2). 

Figure 1

Patient's plain abdominal X-ray. There is a dilated transverse colon and calibre change at the splenic flexure indicates...

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Trichosporon asahii septic thrombophlebitis following lower extremity amputation in an immunocompetent host

A 59-year-old man with a history of peripheral vascular disease status post femoral popliteal bypass presented with critical limb ischaemia of the left leg. An arterial Doppler ultrasound showed an occluded graft requiring an above knee amputation. Five days after surgery, the patient developed fever, leucocytosis, significant stump swelling and pain, and serosanguinous discharge from his wound. Wound swab cultures from the stump grew Trichosporon asahii. A venous Doppler ultrasound revealed extensive thrombosis of the left lower extremity. Biopsy of the left thigh muscle showed necrotic thrombus with fungal hyphae in the clotted blood vessel. The left femoral vein was subsequently resected, and the excised venous tissue also grew T. asahii. The patient was successfully treated with voriconazole based on antifungal susceptibilities. This case describes an invasive fungal infection in the absence of typical immunosuppressive conditions commonly associated with Trichosporon spp. It also illustrates the role of a combination of antimicrobial and surgical management in achieving cure.

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Loss of Eed leads to lineage instability and increased CD8 expression of mouse CD4+ T cells upon TGFβ signaling

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 94
Author(s): Taku Naito, Sawako Muroi, Ichiro Taniuchi, Motonari Kondo
Tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) is a repressive epigenetic modification catalyzed by polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that is required for proper cell fate determination as well as cellular function. Numerous studies have been performed to elucidate the role of PRC2 in T-cell differentiation and function; however, its role in the regulation of T-helper (Th) subset differentiation and identity has not been fully explored. Here, we report that Eed, an essential subunit of PRC2, is crucial to maintain the identity of CD4⁺ T cells under TGFβ-induced regulatory T cell (Treg)-polarizing conditions. Mouse CD4⁺ T cells lacking Eed exhibited unstable CD4 expression upon TCR stimulation in vitro. Helper lineage instability was further augmented by Treg-polarizing conditions, leading to the immense up-regulation of CD8α as well as other molecules, resembling CD4⁺ CD8αα⁺ intraepithelial lymphocyte (DP-IEL) differentiation. Genetic studies suggested that the altered balance between transcription factors T-bet, Runx3, and Th-POK underlies the induction of the DP-IEL-like phenotype in Eed-deficient CD4⁺ cells. Furthermore, comparison to Th1- and Th17-polarizing conditions indicated that cooperation between Smad3 and the T-bet-Runx3 axis facilitated by the loss of H3K27me3 is crucial for phenotype induction. Collectively, our results provide insight into the molecular mechanism that maintains and regulates the proper cellular response upon TGFβ signaling in CD4⁺ T cells.



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Primary mucinous eccrine carcinoma of the buccal space: A case report and review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 5 January 2018
Source:American Journal of Otolaryngology
Author(s): Kirkland N. Lozada, Muhammed S. Qazi, Azita S. Khorsandi, Raymond L. Chai
ImportanceMucinous eccrine carcinoma is a rare entity that most commonly affects the head and neck. Due to its low frequency of occurrence, review of its etiology, histopathology, and treatment strategies is beneficial to all clinicians who may encounter similar appearing masses.ObservationAn 84-year-old male presented with a blue mass on the left cheek. This mass started as a small bump and grew significantly over one year. His primary care physician monitored its growth and ultimately referred to an otolaryngologist. Imaging findings revealed a multi-lobular solid and cystic left buccal lesion. FNA was suggestive of low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma.InterventionPatient underwent surgical excision with primary closure of the defect. Frozen section was consistent with low grade salivary malignancy. Final pathology revealed primary mucinous eccrine carcinoma of the skin.Conclusions and relevanceMucinous eccrine carcinoma is a rare entity commonly seen in the head and neck region. Mucinous deposits to the skin from primaries elsewhere in the body are much more common than primary lesions of the skin. Histology is a key component of the diagnosis but full oncologic workup is required. Treatment typically includes wide local excision with possible adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation for high risk features.



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What is the difference between Botox and dermal fillers?

We compare Botox and dermal fillers, examining their uses, costs, and possible side effects. Learn more about the differences between them here.

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Correction to: Laser-assisted surgery of the upper aero-digestive tract: a clarification of nomenclature. A consensus statement of the European Laryngological Society

Abstract

The article 'Laser-assisted surgery of the upper aero-digestive tract: a clarification of nomenclature. A consensus statement of the European Laryngological Society,' written by Marc Remacle, Christoph Arens, Mostafa Badr Eldin, Guillermo Campos, Carlos Chiesa Estomba, Pavel Dulguerov, Ivana Fiz, Anastasios Hantzakos, Jerôme Keghian, Francesco Mora, Nayla Matar, Giorgio Peretti, Cesare Piazza, Gregory N. Postma, Vyas Prasad, Elisabeth Sjogren, Frederik G. Dikkers, was originally published Online First without open access. After publication in volume 274 issue 10, page 3723–3727 the authors decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an open access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2018 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://ift.tt/1iwynXF), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

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Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the genes encoding IL-10 and TGF-β1 in Iranian children with atopic dermatitis

Publication date: Available online 5 January 2018
Source:Allergologia et Immunopathologia
Author(s): N. Behniafard, A.A. Amirzargar, M. Gharagozlou, F. Delavari, S. Hosseinverdi, S. Sotoudeh, E. Farhadi, M. Mahmoudi, M. Khaledi, Z.G. Moghaddam, A. Aghamohammadi, N. Rezaei
BackgroundAtopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease in which both genetic and environmental factors interact to determine the susceptibility and severity of the disease.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the association between atopic dermatitis and IL-10 and TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms.MethodsThe allele and genotype frequencies of genes encoding for IL-10 and TGF-β1 were investigated in 89 patients with atopic dermatitis in comparison with 138 in the control group using the PCR-SSP method.ResultsA significant increase was found in the frequency of the TGF-β1 codon 10/C allele among patients (p<0.001, OR=6.77), whereas a significant decrease was observed in the frequency of the T allele at the same position (p<0.001, OR=0.14). The frequency of the TGF-β1 codon 25/G allele in the control group was significantly higher than among patients (p<0.001, OR=0.08). A significant positive correlation was seen between CC (p<0.001, OR=15.10) and CG (p<0.001) genotypes and AD at codons 10 and 25, respectively. The most frequent haplotypes among patients was TGF-β1 CG which was significantly higher than in the control subjects (50% in patients vs. 39.9% in controls, p=0.042). A significant increase was found in the frequency of TGF-β CC (36% in patients vs. 7.6% in controls, p<0.001) and TC (14% in patients vs. 0% in controls, p<0.001) haplotypes among patients compared to controls. By contrast, the TGF-β1 TG haplotype was significantly lower in patients than controls (0% in patients vs. 52.5% in controls, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the frequency of alleles, genotypes and haplotypes of the IL-10 gene.ConclusionsWe found a strong association between the polymorphisms of the TGF-β1 gene at codon 10 and codon 25 positions and atopic dermatitis.



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Study on mechanism of release oxygen by photo-excited hemoglobin in low-level laser therapy

Abstract

According to the calculated results on the charge distribution of oxygenated heme and deoxygenated heme, and based on the theory of electron excitations in photo-acceptor molecules and the absorption spectra of hemoglobin, it is found that low-level laser within the waveband of about 800–1060 nm can promote the release of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin and improve the oxygen supply of capillaries to surrounding tissues. Furthermore, the reasons have been explained that why the low-level laser at a wavelength of 830 nm is better in the treatment on burn injury and stimulation of hair growth. We also explained why the near-infrared laser of 1064 nm is applied to the forehead to improve cerebral oxygenation in healthy humans. Finally, according to comparison of atomic charge distribution in heme before and after bound to small molecule of carbon monoxide or nitric oxide, it could be inferred that the low-level laser with an appropriate wavelength can promote the carbon monoxide hemoglobin and nitric oxide hemoglobin to dissociate the carbon monoxide molecules and the nitric oxide molecules. This may be used for adjuvant therapy of carbon monoxide poisoning or nitric oxide poisoning.

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A preliminary randomized clinical trial comparing diode laser and scalpel periosteal incision during implant surgery: impact on postoperative morbidity and implant survival

Abstract

The aim of this preliminary randomized clinical trial was to compare: (1) post-operative morbidity after application of laser or scalpel incision for flap advancement during implant surgery and bone grafting and (2) implant survival rate following flap advancement with laser or scalpel incision after 6 months of loading. Eighteen patients who were scheduled for dental implant placement and simultaneous bone grafting were randomly assigned to test or control groups. Diode laser (810 nm, 2 W, pulse interval 200 μs; pulse length 100 μs, 400-μm initiated fiber tip), or scalpel (control) was used to sever the periosteum to create a tension-free flap. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, rate of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption, intensity of swelling, and ecchymosis were measured for the six postsurgical days. Six months after loading, implant survival was assessed. VAS pain score (during the first four postoperative days), rate of NSAID consumption (during the first three postoperative days), and intensity of swelling (during the first five postoperative days) were significantly lower in the test group compared to the control group (All P values < 0.05). One patient in the control group experienced ecchymosis. All implants were successful in function. Application of laser for performing periosteal releasing incision reduced the incidence and severity of postoperative morbidity of the patients undergone implant surgery in conjunction with bone augmentation procedure. We did not find any detrimental effect of laser incision on the implant survival within 6 months of loading.

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Laser photobiomodulation in pressure ulcer healing of human diabetic patients: gene expression analysis of inflammatory biochemical markers

Abstract

Pressure ulcers (PU) are wounds located mainly on bone surfaces where the tissue under pressure suffers ischemia leading to cellular lesion and necrosis , its causes and the healing process depend on several factors. The aim of this study was evaluating the gene expression of inflammatory/reparative factors: IL6, TNF, VEGF, and TGF, which take part in the tissue healing process under effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT). In order to perform lesion area analysis, PUs were photographed and computer analyzed. Biochemical analysis was performed sa.mpling ulcer border tissue obtained through biopsy before and after laser therapy and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. The study comprised eight individuals, mean age sixty-two years old, and sacroiliac and calcaneous PU, classified as degree III and IV according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP). PUs were irradiated with low-level laser (InGaAIP, 100 mW, 660 nm), energy density 2 J/cm², once a day, with intervals of 24 h, totaling 12 applications. The lesion area analysis revealed averaged improvement of the granulation tissue size up to 50% from pre- to post-treatment. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that IL6 values were not significantly different before and after treatment, TNF gene expression was reduced, and VEFG and TGF-β gene expression increased after treatment. After LLLT, wounds presented improvement in gross appearance, with increase in factors VEFG and TGF-β, and reduction of TNF; despite our promising results, they have to be analyzed carefully as this study did not have a control group.

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Modification in oxidative processes in muscle tissues exposed to laser- and light-emitting diode radiation

Abstract

Exposure of living tissues to high-intensity red or near-infrared light can produce the oxidative stress effects both in the target zone and adjacent ones. The protein oxidative modification (POM) products can be used as reliable and early markers of oxidative stress. The contents of modified proteins in the investigated specimens can be evaluated by the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine assay (the DNPH assay). Low-intensity red light is able to decrease the activity of oxidative processes and the DNPH assay data about the POM products in the biological tissues could show both an oxidative stress level and an efficiency of physical agent protection against the oxidative processes. Two control groups of white rats were irradiated by laser light, the first control group by red light and the second one by near-infrared radiation (NIR).Two experimental groups were consequently treated with laser and red low-level light-emitting diode radiation (LED). One of them was exposed to red laser light + LED and the other to NIR + LED. The fifth group was intact. Each group included ten animals. The effect of laser light was studied by methods of protein oxidative modifications. We measured levels of both induced and spontaneous POM products by the DNPH assay. The dramatic increase in levels of POM products in the control group samples when compared with the intact group data as well as the sharp decrease in the POM products in the experimental groups treated with LED low-level light were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). Exposure of skeletal muscles to high-intensity red and near-infrared laser light causes oxidative stress that continues not less than 3 days. The method of measurement of POM product contents by the DNPH assay is a reliable test of an oxidative process rate. Red low-intensity LED radiation can provide rehabilitation of skeletal muscle tissues treated with high-intensity laser light.

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Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: differential dermoscopic features in a case series, and a progression model

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