-
F1000Research 2024Managing recalcitrant oral lichen planus (OLP) can be challenging. Laser therapy has been suggested as an alternative to corticosteroids for treatment. Photodynamic...
BACKGROUND
Managing recalcitrant oral lichen planus (OLP) can be challenging. Laser therapy has been suggested as an alternative to corticosteroids for treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive technique that enables the removal of lesions without surgery. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) can promote healing and recovery of the lesions.
CASE PRESENTATION
The objective was to treat unresponsive bilateral OLP of the whole buccal mucosae with a combination of PDT and PBMT.
RESULTS
A 43-year-old Thai male presented with the severe painful reticular type of OLP of bilateral buccal mucosae involving upper and lower vestibular areas. The lesions were not remitted with either prednisolone systemic steroids or fluocinolone topical corticosteroids. After undergoing ten sessions of PDT with 10% 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in the form of thermoplastic gel and a 635 nm diode laser at 100 to 400 mW with an energy density of 20 to 30 J/cm in continuous wave mode, combined with five interim-sessions of PBMT using a 635 nm diode laser at 200 to 300 mW with an energy density of 6 to 10 J/cm in continuous wave, the patient reported relief of burning sensation beside remission of lesions without any complications.
CONCLUSION
The wide-spreading recalcitrant OLP with burning sensation can be managed by combining PDT and PBMT.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Photochemotherapy; Lichen Planus, Oral; Mouth Mucosa; Low-Level Light Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Aminolevulinic Acid
PubMed: 38854440
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.146733.1 -
Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology Jun 2024To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the modified Cretan protocol in patients with post-laser in situ keratomileusis ectasia (PLE).
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the modified Cretan protocol in patients with post-laser in situ keratomileusis ectasia (PLE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this retrospective study, 26 eyes of 16 patients with PLE were treated with the modified Cretan protocol (combined transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy and accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking). Visual, refractive, tomographic, and aberrometric outcomes and point spread function (PSF) were recorded preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment.
RESULTS
Both uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity were stable at 24 months postoperatively compared to baseline (from 0.89±0.36 to 0.79±0.33 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [LogMAR] and 0.31±0.25 to 0.24±0.19 LogMAR, respectively, p>0.05 for all values). The mean K1, K2, Kmean, thinnest corneal thickness, and spherical aberration at baseline were 45.76±5.75 diopters (D), 48.62±6.17 D, 47.13±5.89 D, 433.16±56.86 μm, and -0.21±0.63 μm respectively. These values were reduced to 42.86±6.34 D, 45.92±6.74 D, 44.21±6.4 D, 391.07±54.76 μm, and -0.51±0.58 μm at 24 months postoperatively (p<0.001, p=0.002, p<0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.02, respectively). The mean spherical equivalent, manifest cylinder, Kmax, central corneal thickness, other corneal aberrations (root mean square, trefoil, coma, quatrefoil, astigmatism), and PSF remained stable (p>0.05 for all variables), while anterior and posterior elevation were significantly improved at 24 months postoperatively (p<0.001 and p=0.02, respectively). No surgical complications occurred during the 24-month follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The modified Cretan protocol is a safe and effective treatment option for PLE patients that provides visual stabilization and significant improvement in topographic parameters during the 24-month follow-up. Further studies are needed to support our results.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Male; Female; Visual Acuity; Adult; Dilatation, Pathologic; Corneal Topography; Refraction, Ocular; Cross-Linking Reagents; Treatment Outcome; Photosensitizing Agents; Young Adult; Collagen; Lasers, Excimer; Follow-Up Studies; Riboflavin; Photochemotherapy; Corneal Diseases; Cornea; Postoperative Complications; Myopia; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 38853628
DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2024.82342 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), a valuable economic crop worldwide, often goes to waste due to improper packaging and handling. In the present study, three types of...
BACKGROUND
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), a valuable economic crop worldwide, often goes to waste due to improper packaging and handling. In the present study, three types of low-density polyethylene nanocomposite films containing 3% clay (Closite 20A), 3% TiO nanoparticles, and their combination were synthesized using melt blending method, and evaluated on the quality parameters of tomato fruit during 42 days of storage at 4 °C.
RESULTS
Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the degree of dispersion and exfoliation of the nanoparticles. The TiO/clay-nanocomposite films exhibited notable enhancements in Young's modulus and tensile strength compared to conventional films. The addition of clay and TiO nanoparticles resulted in reduced permeability to CO, O, and water vapor. Fruits packed with clay/TiO nanocomposite films showed decreased ethylene production, mitigated weight loss, and maintained pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and firmness. Furthermore, clay/TiO nanocomposite films enhanced membrane stability, decreased membrane lipid peroxidation, and enhanced catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity in fruits.
CONCLUSIONS
The relatively good exfoliation of clay nanoparticles and the proper dispersion of TiO nanoparticles, which were confirmed by TEM, led to an increase in mechanical and physical properties in the Clay/TiO nanocomposite. This film displayed more potential in maintaining the quality properties of tomato fruit during cold storage. Therefore, this film can be considered a practical solution for minimizing pathogen risks and contamination, and enhancing the overall quality of tomato fruit.
Topics: Solanum lycopersicum; Titanium; Clay; Fruit; Food Packaging; Food Preservation; Food Storage; Cold Temperature; Nanocomposites; Aluminum Silicates
PubMed: 38853259
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05215-0 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024In recent years micro- and nanoplastics and metal-oxide nanomaterials have been found in several environmental compartments. The Antarctic soft clam Laternula elliptica...
In recent years micro- and nanoplastics and metal-oxide nanomaterials have been found in several environmental compartments. The Antarctic soft clam Laternula elliptica is an endemic Antarctic species having a wide distribution in the Southern Ocean. Being a filter-feeder, it could act as suitable bioindicator of pollution from nanoparticles also considering its sensitivity to various sources of stress. The present study aims to assess the impact of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NP) and the nanometal titanium-dioxide (n-TiO) on genome-wide transcript expression of L. elliptica either alone and in combination and at two toxicological relevant concentrations (5 and 50 µg/L) during 96 h exposure. Transcript-target qRT-PCR was performed with the aim to identify suitable biomarkers of exposure and effects. As expected, at the highest concentration tested, the clustering was clearer between control and exposed clams. A total of 221 genes resulted differentially expressed in exposed clams and control ones, and 21 of them had functional annotation such as ribosomal proteins, antioxidant, ion transport (osmoregulation), acid-base balance, immunity, lipid metabolism, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton, apoptosis, chromatin condensation and cell signaling. At functional level, relevant transcripts were shared among some treatments and could be considered as general stress due to nanoparticle exposure. After applying transcript-target approach duplicating the number of clam samples, four ecologically relevant transcripts were revealed as biomarkers for PS-NP, n-TiO and their combination at 50 µg/L, that could be used for monitoring clams' health status in different Antarctic localities.
Topics: Animals; Bivalvia; Titanium; Antarctic Regions; Nanoparticles; Transcriptome; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Biomarkers; Polystyrenes; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38850707
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116523 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024In this study, a six-month pot experiment was conducted to explore the effects of nanoparticles (NPs), including CeO, TiO and SiO NPs at 200 and 800 mg/kg, on the...
In this study, a six-month pot experiment was conducted to explore the effects of nanoparticles (NPs), including CeO, TiO and SiO NPs at 200 and 800 mg/kg, on the growth and quality of model medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza. A control group was implemented without the application of NPs. Results showed that NPs had no significant effect on root biomass. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of SiO NPs significantly increased the total tanshinone content by 44.07 %, while 200 mg/kg of CeO NPs were conducive to a 22.34 % increase in salvianolic acid B content. Exposure to CeO NPs induced a substantial rise in the MDA content in leaves (176.25 % and 329.15 % under low and high concentration exposure, respectively), resulting in pronounced oxidative stress. However, TiO and SiO NPs did not evoke a robust response from the antioxidant system. Besides, high doses of CeO NP-amended soil led to reduced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents. Furthermore, the NP amendment disturbed the carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the plant rhizosphere and reshaped the rhizosphere microbial community structure. The application of CeO and TiO NPs promoted the accumulation of metabolites with antioxidant functions, such as D-altrose, trehalose, arachidonic acid and ergosterol. NPs displayed a notable suppressive effect on pathogenic fungi (Fusarium and Gibberella) in the rhizosphere, while enriching beneficial taxa with disease resistance, heavy metal antagonism and plant growth promotion ability (Lysobacter, Streptomycetaceae, Bacillaceae and Hannaella). Correlation analysis indicated the involvement of rhizosphere microorganisms in plant adaptation to NP amendments. NPs regulate plant growth and quality by altering soil properties, rhizosphere microbial community structure, and influencing plant and rhizosphere microbe metabolism. These findings were beneficial to deepening the understanding of the mechanism by which NPs affect medicinal plants.
Topics: Titanium; Salvia miltiorrhiza; Plants, Medicinal; Nanoparticles; Silicon Dioxide; Soil; Cerium; Rhizosphere; Soil Pollutants; Oxidative Stress; Plant Roots; Soil Microbiology; Antioxidants; Benzofurans; Abietanes; Depsides
PubMed: 38850694
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116552 -
Planta Medica Jun 2024Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an evolving treatment strategy against human pathogenic microbes such as the species, including the emerging pathogen ....
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an evolving treatment strategy against human pathogenic microbes such as the species, including the emerging pathogen . Using a modified EUCAST protocol, the light-enhanced antifungal activity of the natural compound parietin was explored. The photoactivity was evaluated against three separate strains of five yeasts, and its molecular mode of action was analysed via several techniques, i.e., cellular uptake, reactive electrophilic species (RES), and singlet oxygen yield. Under experimental conditions ( = 428 nm, H = 30 J/cm, PI = 30 min), microbial growth was inhibited by more than 90% at parietin concentrations as low as c = 0.156 mg/L (0.55 µM) for and , c = 0.313 mg/L (1.10 µM) for , c = 0.625 mg/L (2.20 µM) for , and c = 1.250 mg/L (4.40 µM) for . Mode-of-action analysis demonstrated fungicidal activity. Parietin targets the cell membrane and induces cell death via ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation after light irradiation. In summary, parietin exhibits light-enhanced fungicidal activity against all species tested (including ) and , covering three of the four critical threats on the WHO's most recent fungal priority list.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Cryptococcus neoformans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Candida auris; Light; Candida; Reactive Oxygen Species; Photochemotherapy; Anthraquinones; Photosensitizing Agents
PubMed: 38843798
DOI: 10.1055/a-2249-9110 -
Lasers in Medical Science Jun 2024The aim of this study was to compare two types of light irradiation devices for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). A 660-nm light-emitting diode (LED) and a... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The aim of this study was to compare two types of light irradiation devices for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). A 660-nm light-emitting diode (LED) and a 665-nm laser diode (LD) were used for light irradiation, and 0.1 mg/L TONS 504, a cationic chlorin derivative, was used as the photosensitizer. We evaluated the light attenuation along the vertical and horizontal directions, temperature rise following light irradiation, and aPDT efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus under different conditions: TONS 504 only, light irradiation only, and TONS 504 with either LED (30 J/cm) or LD light irradiation (continuous: 30 J/cm; pulsed: 20 J/cm at 2/3 duty cycle, 10 J/cm at 1/3 duty cycle). Both LED and LD light intensities were inversely proportional to the square of the vertical distance from the irradiated area. Along the horizontal distance from the nadir of the light source, the LED light intensity attenuated according to the cosine quadrature law, while the LD light intensity did not attenuate within the measurable range. Following light irradiation, the temperature rise increased as the TONS 504 concentration increased in the order of pulsed LD < continuous LD < LED irradiation. aPDT with light irradiation only or TONS 504 only had no antimicrobial effect, while aPDT with TONS 504 under continuous or pulsed LD light irradiation provided approximately 3 log reduction at 30 J/cm and 20 J/cm and approximately 2 log reduction at 10 J/cm. TONS 504-aPDT under pulsed LD light irradiation provided anti-microbial effect without significant temperature rise.
Topics: Photochemotherapy; Staphylococcus aureus; Photosensitizing Agents; Humans; Lasers, Semiconductor; Porphyrins; Temperature
PubMed: 38839711
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04103-1 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Jul 2024The albino tea cultivar is one of the most important germplasms for key gene mining and high-quality tea producing. In order to elucidate the chlorophyll-deficient...
The albino tea cultivar is one of the most important germplasms for key gene mining and high-quality tea producing. In order to elucidate the chlorophyll-deficient mechanism of albino cultivar 'Huangjinya' and its offspring, color difference, photosynthetic pigments and the relevant genes' expression of the tender shoots were comprehensively investigated in this study. Among the tested 16 offspring, 5 exhibited albino phenotype in spring and autumn, 3 showed albino phenotype in spring but normal green in autumn, while the rests were all normal green. The shoot of albino offspring had significantly higher lightness and/or yellowness than that of green ones, and possessed dramatically lower photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll precursor protochlorophyllide (Pchlide), as well as higher chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b but lower chlorophylls/carotenoids in comparison with green ones. Among the tested genes involved in chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism pathways, expression of the magnesium protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase (CRD), 3,8-divinyl chlorophyllide 8-vinyl reductase (DVR), 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase 1 (HEMB1), 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase 1 (DXS1) and 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase (ISPH) was remarkably down-regulated in shoots of the albino offspring. Color difference indices of the offspring were significantly correlated with the levels of photosynthetic pigments and Pchlide, and low level of chlorophylls in shoot of albino offspring was mainly due to conversion obstacle from magnesium protoporphyrin Ⅸ (Mg-Proto IX) to Pchlide which might be attributed to down-regulatory expression of CRD and DVR.
Topics: Chlorophyll; Protochlorophyllide; Protoporphyrins; Phenotype; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38838570
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108778 -
Environment International Jul 2024Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are commonly added to sunscreens and cosmetics to protect against UV radiation for human skin and hair. As a result, BPs are ubiquitous...
Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are commonly added to sunscreens and cosmetics to protect against UV radiation for human skin and hair. As a result, BPs are ubiquitous in the environment and human body, and their endocrine-disrupting characteristics have been a hot topic of discussion. However, our knowledge regarding the detrimental effects of prenatal exposure to BPs on pregnant women and their offspring remains limited. To fill this gap, we determined five BP derivatives in 600 serum samples obtained from pregnant women. All the target analytes, except 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1), have achieved a 100 % detection rate. The most prevalent compound was 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), with a median concentration of 0.545 ng/mL. Significant and positive correlations were observed among BP derivatives, indicating both endogenous metabolism and common external sources. Utilizing Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g-computation (QGC) models, we found relationships between BP exposure and reduced neonatal birth weight (BW) and birth chest circumference (BC) during the third trimester. Notably, the adverse effect of BPs on birth size was sex-specific. Moreover, triglyceride (TG) was identified as a potential mediator of the effect of BPs on blood pressure, and co-exposure to BPs was linked to disruptions in thyroid hormone levels and glucose regulation. Further research is warranted to unravel the toxicity of BPs and their detrimental effects on pregnant women and fetuses.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Benzophenones; China; Sunscreening Agents; Adult; Maternal Exposure; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Health; Birth Weight; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Male; Young Adult
PubMed: 38838486
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108797 -
PloS One 2024Describing mitochondrial oxygenation (mitoPO2) and its within- and between-subject variability over time after 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) plaster application in healthy...
OBJECTIVES
Describing mitochondrial oxygenation (mitoPO2) and its within- and between-subject variability over time after 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) plaster application in healthy volunteers.
DESIGN
Prospective cohort study.
SETTING
Measurements were performed in Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
PARTICIPANTS
Healthy volunteers enrolled from July to September 2020.
INTERVENTIONS
Two ALA plasters were placed parasternal left and right, with a 3-hour time interval, to examine the influence of the calendar time on the value of mitoPO2. We measured mitoPO2 at 4, 5, 7, 10, 28, and 31 hours after ALA plaster 1 application, and at 4, 5, 7, 25, and 28 hours after ALA plaster 2 application.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
At each time point, five mitoPO2 measurements were performed. Within-subject variability was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of the mean of five measurements per timepoint of a study participant. The between-subject variability was the SD of the mean mitoPO2 value of the study population per timepoint.
RESULTS
In 16 completed inclusions, median mitoPO2 values and within-subject variability were relatively similar over time at all time points for both plasters. An increase in overall between-subject variability was seen after 25 hours ALA plaster time (19.6 mm Hg vs 23.9 mm Hg after respectively 10 and 25 hours ALA plaster time).
CONCLUSIONS
The mitoPO2 values and within-subject variability remained relatively stable over time in healthy volunteers. An increase in between-subject variability was seen after 25 hours ALA plaster time warranting replacement of the ALA plaster one day after its application.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov with trial number NCT04626661.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Adult; Oxygen; Prospective Studies; Mitochondria; Middle Aged; Aminolevulinic Acid; Oxygen Consumption; Young Adult; Netherlands
PubMed: 38829894
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300602