Mitigation of photoreceptors abnormalities after low-level laser therapy and chia seeds supplementation in experimental diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and chia seeds on the mitigation of photoreceptors abnormalities in experimental diabetic retinopathy (DR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 65 female Wistar rats, 5 rats were served as a control group and 60 rats were injected intraperitoneally with one dose of 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce DR after 6-8 weeks. The rats were divided into (n = 20 rats each): (a) DR group: did not receive any treatment, (b) DR+ LLLT group was exposed to 670-nm LLLT for 6 weeks (two sessions/week), and (c) DR+ LLLT+ chia seed group, in which rats were exposed to LLLT and administrated with 250 mg/kg/day of chia seeds flour for 2 weeks before STZ injection and continued to the end of the experiment. Blood glucose (BG) levels and retinal histological examination were employed after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. RESULTS: The BG level in the DR group and the treated groups were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in the control group after the four-time periods. Chia seeds group exhibited BG levels less than the DR and the DR+ LLLT groups after 6 weeks (P < 0.01). LLLT improved the degeneration of the photoreceptors after 6 weeks of treatment, while LLLT+ chia seeds supplementation showed early photoreceptors improvement after 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The early improvement in the photoreceptors after LLLT+ chia seed may be attributed to the potent antioxidant properties of chia seeds. Therefore, the combination between LLLT and chia seeds should be employed to protect the retinal photoreceptors against DR.

Low-Level Laser Therapy with 670 nm Alleviates Diabetic Retinopathy in an Experimental Model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the retina with diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: Eight Wistar rats were used as a control group, and 64 rats were injected intraperitoneally with 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes and served as a diabetic group. After the establishment of the DR, the rats were separated into (a) 32 rats with DR; did not receive any treatment, (b) 32 rats with DR were exposed to 670 nm LLLT for 6 successive weeks (2 sessions/week). The retinal protein was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and histological examination. RESULTS: LLLT improved retinal proteins such as neurofilament (NF) proteins (200 KDa, 160 KDa, and 86 KDa), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) (46 KDa). Moreover, the percentage changes in TAC were 46.8% (P < 0.001), 14.5% (P < 0.01), 4.8% and 1.6% (P > 0.05), and in H2O2, they were 30% (P < 0.001), 25% (P < 0.001), 20% (P < 0.01), and 5% (P > 0.05) after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks, compared with the control. DR displayed swelling and disorganization in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and photoreceptors, congestion of the capillaries in the nerve fiber layer, thickening of the endothelial cells' capillaries, and edema of the outer segment of the photoreceptors layer. The improvement of the retinal structure was achieved after LLLT. CONCLUSION: LLLT could modulate retinal proteins such as NSE and NFs, improve the RGCs, photoreceptors, and reduce the oxidative stress that originated in the retina from diabetes-induced DR.

Innovative application of helium-neon laser: enhancing the germination of Adansonia digitata and evaluating the hepatoprotective activities in mice.

The laser pretreatment of seed is drawing pronounced attention from the scientific community for its positive impact in boosting germination, seedling , and growth of plants. In this study, the laser pretreatment of Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) seeds was evaluated. Eight laser treatments were conducted at different powers, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mW, with the two-time interval for each power at 2 and 4 min. The outcomes indicated that the most efficient irradiation was 10 mW/2 min which induces the highest germination rate and polyphenolic contents for seeds. Based on these results, the animal experimental design was processed to assess the hepatoprotective activity of A. digitata extracts obtained through the optimum laser preillumination to enhance the resistance of liver damage in mice. The total phenol and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant properties of the methanolic extracts were estimated in vitro. The CCl4 was used to induce hepatotoxicity in mice. The animals were divided into five groups. The sera of the treated animals were used for the determination of transaminases, and the liver homogenates were used for the determination of antioxidant status, and further liver tissues were subjected to verify the anti-apoptotic effect of A. digitata methanolic extract. The in vivo results showed that the methanolic extract exposed to laser treatment at 10 mW/2 min provided better hepatoprotective capacity than the other treatments. Administration of A. digitata extract not only offered a significant decrease in liver enzyme activity but also markedly improved the antioxidant status and reduced the apoptotic progression induced by CCl4 toxicity in liver tissue.

The Synergistic Cytotoxic Effect of Laser-Irradiated Gold Nanoparticles and Sorafenib Against the Growth of a Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line.

Gold nanoparticles are the most promising candidate in cancer treatment due to their physiochemical properties
and increased use in photothermal therapy (PTT). In the present study, spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were
synthesized using citrate reduction method. The particles were then characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy and
transmission electron microscope. A hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was incubated with sorafenib and/or
non-irradiated or laser-irradiated AuNPs for 48 hrs. The cytotoxic effect of different treatment modalities was determined
using MTT assay. Furthermore, apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide, as
well as estimating the level of caspases. Results showed that AuNPs and sorafenib reduced HepG2 cell viability, and
the cytotoxicity was associated with increased release of LDH in the culture medium. The recorded cytotoxicity was
attributed to enhanced apoptosis as revealed by increased cellular caspases (3, 8 and 9), that was further confirmed by
flow cytometry. The most notable cytotoxic effect was recorded when combining sorafenib with laser-irradiated AuNPs.
In conclusion, a synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed between sorafenib and laser-irradiated AuNPs against the
growth of HepG2, suggesting the potential substitution of large toxic doses of sorafenib by lower doses in combination
with photothermal therapy.

Has the time come to include low-level laser photobiomodulation as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of impaired endometrial receptivity?

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in photobiomodulation to promote healing, regenerate, and restore tissue function. Women with persistent thin endometrium were assumed to encounter diminished activity in the regenerative and functional capacity of their endometrium. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of LLLT in 635 nm wavelength to enhance the proliferation and gene expression of in vitro cultured endometrial cells. Single (SE) versus multiple exposures (ME) to LLLT were examined in the study groups and compared to controls. A fluence dose of 4.27 J/cm2 for 16 min was given once in the SE or divided in three equal sessions in days 2, 4, and 6 of the culture in ME. Cellular response was evaluated by measuring viable cell numbers and surface area. Pattern of MUC1, ITGA5, ITGB3, LIF, and PTEN gene expression was assessed using the qRT-PCR. Greater numbers of cells were found in both study groups (P < 0.001) as compared to controls. The surface area of cells at the end of culture phase was highly significant (P < 0.001) in ME when compared to SE and controls. A statistically significant difference was found in terms of gene expression in both irradiated groups (P < 0.001) as compared to controls, although greater difference in PTEN tumour suppressor gene (Phosphatase and tensin homolog) expression was toward ME. The introduction of LLLT to the armamentarium of infertility will serve as a new adjuvant therapy in this field. The current study proofed that LLLT was able to increase the proliferative and functional capacity of cultured endometrial cells.

A novel management of streptococcal pharyngotonsillar infections by laser-activated silver nanoparticles and methylene blue conjugate, in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Species of Streptococcus are classified based on their hemolytic properties into alpha and beta types. And, since antimicrobial drug resistance is an increasingly problematic issue, the efforts to develop modalities that would overcome this obstacle and avoid antibiotic side effects is an ongoing challenge. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 20 patients from both sexes were selected. The isolated organisms were identified according to standard laboratory methods. Bacterial Cultures were subjected to the low-level diode laser (660 nm), methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizing agent and for silver nanoparticles. RESULTS: All the experimental groups showed statistically lower values of CFU/ml than the positive control group. CONCLUSION: The photoactivated MB, silver nanoparticles conjugate showed the maximum inhibitory effect on Streptococci, which opens a gate to further investigation of such a promising protocol to establish a safe and efficient method of management for resistant cases of streptococcal tonsillar infections.

An exploration of experts' perceptions on the use of interprofessional education to support collaborative practice in the care of community-living older adults.

Globally, as older adults are living longer and with more chronic conditions, there is a need to support their ability to age optimally in their homes and communities. Community-based interprofessional teams working closely with these older adults, their families, and informal caregivers will be instrumental in achieving this goal. Interprofessional education (IPE) is the means through which these teams can develop expertise in collaboratively working together with older adults. However, most IPE occurs in academic settings, and acute and long-term care sectors and little is known about IPE in the context of home and community care of older adults. The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of academic and practice experts related to the current state of IPE in home and community care of older adults and the changes that are necessary to meet the future needs of practitioners and older adults. Using a qualitative descriptive design, interviews were conducted with 32 national and international key informants representing practitioners, educators, researchers, and health system decision-makers in the field of IPE. Thematic analysis of the data identified six themes: (a) client and family-centred care at the core of IPE, (b) the community as a unique learning setting across the learning continuum; (c) an aging-relevant IPE curriculum; (d) faculty commitment and resources for IPE; (e) technological innovation to support IPE; and (f) comprehensive IPE programme evaluation and research. These findings are explored through the lens of an interprofessional learning continuum model. The article concludes with a discussion of the study implications for IPE practice and research specifically in the care of community-living older adults.

Photodecomposition, photomutagenicity and photocytotoxicity of retinyl palmitate under He-Ne laser photoirradiation and its effects on photodynamic therapy of cancer cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study photodecomposition, photomutagenicity and cytotoxicity of retinyl palmitate (RP), a principal storage form of vitamin A in humans and animals, under He-Ne laser photoirradiation. Moreover, the effect of different concentrations and timing protocol of antioxidants on photodynamic therapy (PDT) is contradictory, so the effect of RP (as antioxidant) on the PDT cytotoxicity was studied. METHODS: Photomutagenicity was tested by Ames test. Photodecomposition was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity was measured with MTT-assay. Moreover, the effect of PDT, using hematoporphyrin derivatives (HpD) as photosensitizer under He-Ne laser irradiation (10 J/cm(2)), was studied on HeLa cells either with or without RP (1-100 µM) which incubated with the cells for short or long incubation period (1 h or 24 h) prior to PDT. RESULTS: No photodecomposition of RP alone was obseved whereas there is a little photodecomposition of RP only in presence of HpD under irradiation with He-Ne laser. Moreover, no photomutagenicity was observed in Salmonella typhimurium strains under laser irradiation in presence or absence of HpD. RP alone (1-100 µM) significantly decrease the viability of HeLa cells. Laser irradiation of HeLa cells pre-incubated with RP alone for 24 h showed further significant decrease in viability of the cells. While RP incubations for 1 h before PDT had slight effect on the cells, 24 h incubation before PDT enhanced the cytotoxicity of PDT on HeLa cells. CONCLUSIONS: RP can be used 24 h before PDT to enhance its effects. RP is not mutagenic under irradiation with He-Ne laser.

Photodynamic antibacterial enhanced effect of methylene blue-gold nanoparticles conjugate on Staphylococcal aureus isolated from impetigo lesions in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcal aureus is the most common organism which has been encountered in impetigo infection. Gold nanoparticles can be used as a tool to deliver antimicrobials or to enhance photodynamic destruction of bacteria. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the photodynamic effect of methylene blue gold nanoparticles (MB-gold nanoparticles conjugate) on S. aureus which were isolated from impetigo lesions. PATIENT AND METHODS: Twenty children were diagnosed clinically as impetigo, and aged from 3 to 5 years of both sexes were recruited in the study. Two bacteriological samples were collected from each patient, identified and cultured. Samples of S. aureus of a concentration of 10(-1)ml were divided into four groups. S. aureus was treated by MB-gold nanoparticles conjugate, gold nanoparticles, MB, and the fourth group served as a control group. Diode laser (660 nm) was used for photoactivation. The bacterial growth inhibition was determined by two methods: the percentage of reduction of viable bacteria count and the optical density (O.D) of bacterial growth. RESULTS: The highest significant inhibitory effect on S. aureus was obtained with MB-gold nanoparticles conjugate when irradiated by diode laser 660 nm (P < 0.0001). The percentage of viable bacteria was 3%. The photoactivated gold nanoparticles showed a significant inhibitory effect on bacterial growth (P < 0.05). A non-significant inhibitory effect was elicited in other groups. CONCLUSION: The photoactivated MB-gold nanoparticles conjugate showed the maximum inhibitory effect on S. aureus activity. The gold nanoparticles proved efficacy as a drug delivery system. It enhanced the photodynamic antibacterial effect of methylene blue.