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Chemical Science Jun 2024Cyanines are organic dyes bearing two aza-heterocycles linked by a polymethine chain. Excited states, fluorescence, redox activity, and energy transfer are interesting... (Review)
Review
Cyanines are organic dyes bearing two aza-heterocycles linked by a polymethine chain. Excited states, fluorescence, redox activity, and energy transfer are interesting properties of cyanines which have been used by chemists. Moreover, they are easily accessible and highly tunable. For all these reasons, cyanines are often selected for applications like fluorescent probes, phototherapy and photovoltaics. However, considering cyanines as photocatalysts is a new field of investigation and has been sparsely reported in the literature. This field of research has been launched on the basis of near-infrared light photocatalysis. With a deeper NIR light penetration, the irradiation is compatible with biological tissues. Due to the longer wavelengths that are involved, the safety of the operator can be guaranteed. In this perspective review, the photophysical/redox properties of cyanines are reported as well as their preparations and applications in modern synthetic approaches. Finally, recent examples of cyanine-based NIR-photocatalysis are discussed including photopolymerization and organic synthesis.
PubMed: 38873079
DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00814f -
Value in Health Regional Issues Jun 2024This study investigated the epidemiology, treatment patterns, and resource utilization in patients with alopecia areata (AA) in Taiwan using the National Health...
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the epidemiology, treatment patterns, and resource utilization in patients with alopecia areata (AA) in Taiwan using the National Health Insurance Research Database. AA severity was determined by treatment use and diagnostic codes in the year after enrollment (including corticosteroids, systemic immunosuppressants, topical immunotherapy, and phototherapy).
METHODS
The cross-sectional analysis was conducted to estimate the incidence and prevalence of AA from 2016 to 2020. For the longitudinal analysis, 2 cohorts were identified: mild/moderate and severe. The cohorts were matched based on age, gender, and comorbidities. Patients were enrolled upon their first claim with an AA diagnosis during the index period of 2017-2018.
RESULTS
The number of patients with AA increased from 3221 in 2016 to 3855 in 2020. The longitudinal analysis identified 1808 mild/moderate patients and 452 severe patients. Mild/moderate patients used higher levels of topical corticosteroids (82.41%) than severe patients (73.45%). Conversely, severe patients used more topical nonsteroids (41.81%) and systemic therapies (51.77%) than mild/moderate patients (0.44% and 16.15%, respectively). Oral glucocorticoids use was higher in severe patients (47.57%) relative to mild/moderate patients (14.88%), whereas the use of injectable forms was similar. The most used systemic immunosuppressants were methotrexate, cyclosporin, and azathioprine. Topical immunotherapy utilization decreased with subsequent treatment lines for severe patients. Treatment persistence at 6 months was low for all treatments. Severe patients had higher annual AA-related outpatient visits than the mild/moderate cohort.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the need for additional innovations and therapies to address the clinical and economic burden of AA.
PubMed: 38865765
DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2024.101007 -
PloS One 2024Canine Alopecia X is a non-inflammatory hair loss disorder of unknown etiology that predominantly affects German Spitz dogs. Treatment modalities include hormone and/or... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Comparison between melatonin versus melatonin and photobiomodulation versus photobiomodulation in the treatment of Alopecia X in German Spitz dogs: Clinical, randomized, double-blind, parallel, non-inferiority protocol.
Canine Alopecia X is a non-inflammatory hair loss disorder of unknown etiology that predominantly affects German Spitz dogs. Treatment modalities include hormone and/or melatonin supplementation and low trauma microneedling. Melatonin influences hair growth and pigmentation in several species and presents a low risk of adverse effects when used in dogs with Alopecia X. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is frequently used in human androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata; despite this, PBM remains unexplored in canine Alopecia X. To address this knowledge gap, sixty dogs of both sexes will be randomly assigned to three groups: (i) melatonin only group (3 mg/Kg, n = 20); (ii) PBM only group (diode laser, wavelength 660nm, 100mw power, with 3 J/point, 2 sessions/week for 3 months, n = 20); (ii) PBM + melatonin group (n = 20). The objective is to determine the potential of PBM alone or in conjunction with melatonin supplementation in promoting hair regrowth (hair density and diameter) by means of dermatoscopy and planimetry over a period of 90 days.
Topics: Animals; Melatonin; Dogs; Low-Level Light Therapy; Alopecia; Male; Female; Double-Blind Method; Dog Diseases; Hair
PubMed: 38861499
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304605 -
Lasers in Medical Science Jun 2024Q-switched (QS) Nd: YAG lasers are frequently utilised light sources for tattoo removal due to their precise micro-confined photo-acoustic interaction with exogenous and...
Q-switched (QS) Nd: YAG lasers are frequently utilised light sources for tattoo removal due to their precise micro-confined photo-acoustic interaction with exogenous and endogenous pigments. In order to achieve optimal results, several treatment sessions are usually required. However, the number of sessions depend on tattoo size, design complexity, pigment quantity within dermal layers, and anatomical location. Higher energy settings have often been used to reduce treatment sessions to a minimum however, this approach may lead to possible post-laser skin complications such as pathological wound healing. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing early stages of pathological wound healing encountered after high fluence 1064 nm QS laser tattoo removal. Early implementation of a proportional wound care strategy with anti-neoangiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties through the unconventional use of potent topical steroids applied in a pulsed fashion resulted in positive control of the tissue repair processes. This approach led to effective wound healing re-modulation achieving near normal skin remodelling and optimal tissue healing which in turn, permitted the completion of necessary QS tattoo removal sessions to accomplish successful and safe tattoo fading whilst maintaining overall patient satisfaction.
Topics: Humans; Tattooing; Wound Healing; Lasers, Solid-State; Female; Adult; Low-Level Light Therapy; Tattoo Removal
PubMed: 38861002
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04101-3 -
International Journal of Women's... Jun 2024Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common inflammatory dermatoses in adults. Women are disproportionately impacted by AD and report significant impacts on quality...
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common inflammatory dermatoses in adults. Women are disproportionately impacted by AD and report significant impacts on quality of life compared to men.
OBJECTIVE
Given the absence of formal guidelines for the treatment of AD in women of childbearing age, we will review special considerations for treating women of childbearing age with AD to ensure consistent care and optimal outcomes for these patients.
METHODS
PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant articles from database inception through May of 2023.
RESULTS
There are several treatments including topical therapies, systemic therapies, and phototherapy that are considered safe during preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Given the negative consequences of uncontrolled AD for both the mother and the unborn baby, the risks and benefits of potential therapies should be reviewed with all women of childbearing age suffering from AD.
LIMITATIONS
The gold standard in recommending therapies is randomized controlled trials; however, pregnant and lactating women are often excluded from these trials.
CONCLUSION
Through shared decision-making between the dermatologist, obstetrician, and patient, the risks and benefits of any therapy should be thoroughly discussed and considered with all women of childbearing age, to optimize care and outcomes for this unique population.
PubMed: 38860232
DOI: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000151 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024Granulomatous dermatitis is a common tissue reaction pattern seen in the skin or systematically in various presentations. Granulomatous dermatitis can be subclassified...
Granulomatous dermatitis is a common tissue reaction pattern seen in the skin or systematically in various presentations. Granulomatous dermatitis can be subclassified into infectious and non-infectious categories. This article focuses on a patient with non-infectious granulomatous dermatitis followed for many years. Past medical history included bilateral total shoulder arthroplasty complicated by prosthetic joint infections. In its early stages, the axillary rash was painful and had many fluid-filled blisters. Ultimately, the histology of the rash deemed the lesion non-infectious and mostly due to an inflammatory process. Specifically, ionizing radiation was used for this patient. The category of granulomatous processes is broad and there are many subtypes. Other treatment options for non-infectious granulomatous processes may include corticosteroids, phototherapy, and interferon-gamma injections. The differential for granulomatous processes is extensive and treatment should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
PubMed: 38859870
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241260501 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Radiation therapy and phototherapy are commonly used cancer treatments that offer advantages such as a low risk of adverse effects and the ability to target cancer cells...
Radiation therapy and phototherapy are commonly used cancer treatments that offer advantages such as a low risk of adverse effects and the ability to target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. A promising strategy for cancer treatment involves using nanoparticles (NPs) in combination with radiation and photothermal therapy to target cancer cells and improve treatment efficacy. The synthesis of gold NPs (AuNPs) for use in biomedical applications has traditionally involved toxic reducing agents. Here we harnessed dopamine (DA)-conjugated alginate (Alg) for the facile and green synthesis of Au NPs (Au@Alg-DA NPs). Alg-DA conjugate reduced Au ions, simultaneously stabilized the resulting AuNPs, and prevented aggregation, resulting in particles with a narrow size distribution and improved stability. Injectable Au@Alg-DA NPs significantly promoted ROS generation in 4T1 breast cancer cells when exposed to X-rays. In addition, their administration raised the temperature under a light excitation of 808 nm, thus helping to destroy cancer cells more effectively. Importantly, no substantial cytotoxicity was detected in our Au@Alg-DA NPs. Taken together, our work provides a promising route to obtain an injectable combined radio enhancer and photothermally active nanosystem for further potential clinic translation.
Topics: Gold; Metal Nanoparticles; Alginates; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Cell Line, Tumor; Animals; Mice; Photothermal Therapy; Phototherapy; Humans; Reactive Oxygen Species; Dopamine; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38858410
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60396-w -
Nature Communications Jun 2024The development of Type I photosensitizers (PSs) is of great importance due to the inherent hypoxic intolerance of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the hypoxic...
The development of Type I photosensitizers (PSs) is of great importance due to the inherent hypoxic intolerance of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the hypoxic microenvironment. Compared to Type II PSs, Type I PSs are less reported due to the absence of a general molecular design strategy. Herein, we report that the combination of typical Type II PS and natural substrate carvacrol (CA) can significantly facilitate the Type I pathway to efficiently generate superoxide radical (O). Detailed mechanism study suggests that CA is activated into thymoquinone (TQ) by local singlet oxygen generated from the PS upon light irradiation. With TQ as an efficient electron transfer mediator, it promotes the conversion of O to O by PS via electron transfer-based Type I pathway. Notably, three classical Type II PSs are employed to demonstrate the universality of the proposed approach. The Type I PDT against S. aureus has been demonstrated under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Furthermore, this coupled photodynamic agent exhibits significant bactericidal activity with an antibacterial rate of 99.6% for the bacterial-infection female mice in the in vivo experiments. Here, we show a simple, effective, and universal method to endow traditional Type II PSs with hypoxic tolerance.
Topics: Benzoquinones; Photosensitizing Agents; Animals; Mice; Female; Photochemotherapy; Electron Transport; Staphylococcus aureus; Cymenes; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Singlet Oxygen; Superoxides; Staphylococcal Infections; Humans; Light; Mice, Inbred BALB C
PubMed: 38858372
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49311-z -
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