ABSTRACT
To evaluate the applicability of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM-T) in the management of xerostomia and OM. Fifty-three patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were randomized into two groups: Sham and PBM-T. The Sham group received artificial saliva and laser simulation, while the PBM-T group received artificial saliva and PBM-T. Xerostomia-related quality of life (QoL), the presence or absence of OM lesions, the decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index, and periodontal charts were evaluated. The results of the QoL questionnaire, DMFT index, and periodontal chart were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test, while OM findings were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. QoL scores significantly increased in the Sham group (p < 0.0001), denoting more severe xerostomia symptoms (p = 0.0074), and decreased in the PBM-T group, indicating no or very mild xerostomia. Higher grades of OM were found in the Sham group than the PBM-T group (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in DMFT index or periodontal charts between the groups (p > 0.05). PBM-T improved QoL in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy, whether as radiation alone or as an adjunct to chemotherapy and surgery.
Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms , Low-Level Light Therapy , Stomatitis , Xerostomia , Humans , Quality of Life , Saliva, Artificial , Stomatitis/etiology , Stomatitis/radiotherapy , Stomatitis/pathology , Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications , Head and Neck Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Xerostomia/etiology , Xerostomia/radiotherapy , Low-Level Light Therapy/methodsABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM-T) in patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and affected by oral mucositis (OM). Background: Few clinical studies have evaluated PBM-T, particularly in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT), for the treatment of OM. Methods: Thirty-one patients were divided by convenience into two groups. One received PBM-T (n = 17) alone, consisting of low-intensity laser (LIL) irradiation (wavelength 660 nm, continuous mode, spot energy 4 J, energy density 142 J/cm2, irradiation time 40 s per spot), once weekly for 4 weeks. The other (n = 14) received a combination of PBM-T and PDT, with curcumin as photosensitizer. Patients were instructed to rinse their mouth with 20 mL of curcumin solution for 5 min. The oral cavity was irradiated with a blue light-emitting diode (power 1200 mV, wavelength 468 nm) for 5 min. LIL was applied as in the PBM-T group. After treatment, OM severity was reassessed. The results were analyzed by the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Both PBM-T alone and PBM-T+PDT yielded significant reductions in OM grade (p < 0.01). PDT+PBM-T resulted in a significantly shorter healing time compared with PBM-T alone (p = 0.0321). Conclusions: Within the parameters of this study, PBM-T+PDT was an effective method to accelerate the OM healing process.
Subject(s)
Low-Level Light Therapy , Neoplasms/complications , Photochemotherapy , Stomatitis/therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Curcumin/therapeutic use , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms/therapy , Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use , Stomatitis/etiology , Stomatitis/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The present study reports the occurrence of Parakosa flexipes (Pinichpongse) (Chirodiscidae) for the first time in Brazil, along with its infection sites on Molossus rufus E. Geoffroy. Thirty-eight bats were caught using mist nets that were placed near a house at the Mars Center for Cocoa Science in the state of Bahia, of which 14 (37%) were parasitized by P. flexipes. Parakosa flexipes was observed parasitizing M. rufus on hairs that were evidently longer than others distributed over the bat's body, where up to three parasites could be spotted on a single hair.(AU)
O presente estudo registra a ocorrência de Parakosa flexipes (Pinichpongse) pela primeira vez no Brasil, bem como seus sítios de infecção em Molossus rufus E. Geoffroy. Foram capturados 38 morcegos com redes-de-neblina, dispostas próximas a uma residência da "Mars Center for Cocoa Science" no Sul da Bahia, dos quais 14 (37%) estavam parasitados por P. flexipes. Parakosa flexipes foi observada parasitando M. rufus em pelos evidentemente maiores que os demais distribuídos pelo corpo do morcego, onde se pôde observar até três parasitos em um único pelo.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Chiroptera/parasitology , Mite Infestations/diagnosis , Acari/parasitology , BrazilABSTRACT
The present study reports the occurrence of Parakosa flexipes (Pinichpongse) (Chirodiscidae) for the first time in Brazil, along with its infection sites on Molossus rufus E. Geoffroy. Thirty-eight bats were caught using mist nets that were placed near a house at the Mars Center for Cocoa Science in the state of Bahia, of which 14 (37%) were parasitized by P. flexipes. Parakosa flexipes was observed parasitizing M. rufus on hairs that were evidently longer than others distributed over the bat's body, where up to three parasites could be spotted on a single hair.
