ABSTRACT
Following our survey, we can appreciate that a variety of laser platforms exist to rejuvenate the skin by resurfacing the outer layer of the skin as well as heating the lower layers of the dermis. Based on reliable clinical effectiveness and a limited side effect profile, we can confirm that nonablative fractionated technologies greatly improve the appearance of lentigines, rhytids; eliminate sun damage, attenuate scarring due to acne and other causes; and treat hyperpigmentation. The Fraxel (Solta Medical) laser system delivers pulses across a wide range of density and energy levels. We determined that when increasing the pulse energy this led to an increase in thermolysis microzone depth and width without damaging the surrounding tissue. Due to its performance and various clinical applications, Fraxel laser can be optimally considered to be the gold standard for skin rejuvenation.
Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris , Hyperpigmentation , Laser Therapy , Lasers, Solid-State , Skin Aging , Cicatrix/etiology , Cicatrix/prevention & control , Cicatrix/surgery , Humans , Laser Therapy/adverse effects , Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , RejuvenationSubject(s)
Carcinoma, Basal Cell/therapy , Laser Therapy/methods , Photochemotherapy/methods , Skin Neoplasms/therapy , Carcinoma, Basal Cell/pathology , Cicatrix/pathology , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Thulium , Treatment Outcome , Wounds and Injuries/complicationsSubject(s)
Angiokeratoma/diagnostic imaging , Angiokeratoma/surgery , Lasers, Gas/therapeutic use , Pseudolymphoma/diagnostic imaging , Pseudolymphoma/surgery , Skin Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Skin Neoplasms/surgery , Adult , Angiokeratoma/pathology , Dermoscopy , Female , Humans , Pseudolymphoma/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , ToesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We treated two patients with recalcitrant lichen sclerosus (LS) of the penis with a combination of 1927 nm thulium fiber laser and methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT). BACKGROUND DATA: Therapy of LS is based on topical potent steroids, emollients, and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Circumcision is effective, but not always accepted. PDT represents a valid therapeutic option in refractory cases, but there are no reports about the association with 1927 nm thulium laser in the treatment of this pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used to treat the affected areas with a combination of 1927 nm thulium fiber laser and MAL PDT in the same section. The same protocol was repeated after 1 month. RESULTS: An improvement of lesions after the first treatment and complete cleaning after 3 months of therapy were noted. Results were maintained in the follow-up after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Association with 1927 nm thulium laser was able to amplify the effectiveness of PDT and to promote tissue remodeling. Despite the positive response to our case, clinical studies are lacking and further analysis could be performed on a wider population to better define correct dosage and safety profile. Further, it is necessary to compare this procedure with other treatments to establish the real effectiveness.
Subject(s)
Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus/radiotherapy , Photochemotherapy , Thulium , Humans , Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus/pathology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Many areas in the cortex are active during reading of narrative material, and these activations in the brain produce significant changes in connectivity. Following previous results showing cognitive benefits in memory domains of a narrative training program in nursing home patients living with dementia, the aim of the present study was to perform a more in depth investigation of the effects of this training on memory domains and other cognitive areas. Methods: An experimental group of eight patients underwent auditory narrative training of 60 hours. At the beginning and end of the training, subjects were tested with a neuropsychological battery to quantify any improvements in individual performance. Results: The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the list learning task (immediate memory) and list learning recognition for single tasks, and a statistically significant improvement in overall cognitive area scores for immediate and delayed memory. Conclusion: Results replicate and expand our previous findings, indicating that this type of intervention can increase performance on memory-related tests.
RESUMO Muitas áreas no córtex são ativos durante a leitura do material narrativa, e essas ativações no cérebro podem produzir mudanças significativas na conectividade. Na sequência dos resultados anteriores mostrando os benefícios cognitivos em domínios de memória de um programa de treinamento narrativa em pacientes do lar de idosos que vivem com demência, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma investigação mais aprofundada dos efeitos desta formação sobre os domínios de memória e outras áreas cognitivas. Métodos: Um grupo experimental de oito pacientes foram submetidos a treinamento narrativa auditivo de 60 horas. No início e no final do treinamento, os participantes foram testados com uma bateria neuropsicológica para quantificar quaisquer melhorias no desempenho individual. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa na tarefa lista de aprendizagem (memória imediata) e reconhecimento lista de aprendizagem para tarefas individuais e uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa na pontuação da área cognitivas gerais para a memória imediata e tardia. Conclusão: Replicar os resultados e expandir nossas descobertas anteriores, indicando que este tipo de intervenção pode aumentar o desempenho em testes relacionados à memória.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Dementia , Narration , NeuropsychologyABSTRACT
Many areas in the cortex are active during reading of narrative material, and these activations in the brain produce significant changes in connectivity. Following previous results showing cognitive benefits in memory domains of a narrative training program in nursing home patients living with dementia, the aim of the present study was to perform a more in depth investigation of the effects of this training on memory domains and other cognitive areas. METHODS: An experimental group of eight patients underwent auditory narrative training of 60 hours. At the beginning and end of the training, subjects were tested with a neuropsychological battery to quantify any improvements in individual performance. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the list learning task (immediate memory) and list learning recognition for single tasks, and a statistically significant improvement in overall cognitive area scores for immediate and delayed memory. CONCLUSION: Results replicate and expand our previous findings, indicating that this type of intervention can increase performance on memory-related tests.
Muitas áreas no córtex são ativos durante a leitura do material narrativa, e essas ativações no cérebro podem produzir mudanças significativas na conectividade. Na sequência dos resultados anteriores mostrando os benefícios cognitivos em domínios de memória de um programa de treinamento narrativa em pacientes do lar de idosos que vivem com demência, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma investigação mais aprofundada dos efeitos desta formação sobre os domínios de memória e outras áreas cognitivas. MÉTODOS: Um grupo experimental de oito pacientes foram submetidos a treinamento narrativa auditivo de 60 horas. No início e no final do treinamento, os participantes foram testados com uma bateria neuropsicológica para quantificar quaisquer melhorias no desempenho individual. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa na tarefa lista de aprendizagem (memória imediata) e reconhecimento lista de aprendizagem para tarefas individuais e uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa na pontuação da área cognitivas gerais para a memória imediata e tardia. CONCLUSÃO: Replicar os resultados e expandir nossas descobertas anteriores, indicando que este tipo de intervenção pode aumentar o desempenho em testes relacionados à memória.
ABSTRACT
Practicing a visual task commonly results in improved performance. Often the improvement does not transfer well to a new retinal location, suggesting that it is mediated by changes occurring in early visual cortex, and indeed neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies both demonstrate that perceptual learning is associated with altered activity in visual cortex. Theoretical treatments tend to invoke neuroplasticity that refines early sensory processing. An alternative possibility is that performance is improved because of an altered attentional strategy and that the changes in early visual areas reflect locally altered top-down attentional modulation. To test this idea, we have used functional MRI to examine changes in attentional modulation in visual cortex while participants learn an orientation discrimination task. By examining activity in visual cortex during the preparatory period when the participant has been cued to attend to an upcoming stimulus, we isolated the top-down modulatory signal received by the visual cortex. We show that this signal changes as learning progresses, possibly reflecting gradual automation of the task. By manipulating task difficulty, we show that the change mirrors performance, occurring most quickly for easier stimuli. The effects were seen only at the retinal locus of the stimulus, ruling out a generalized change in alertness. The results suggest that spatial attention changes during perceptual learning and that this may account for some of the concomitant changes seen in visual cortex.
