Lasers in Medical Science最新文献

Background: Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN) can significantly affect quality of life (QoL) due to pain and sensory disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in patients with long-standing neurosensory disturbances associated with PTTN, using a protocol implemented at our department.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 76 cases treated between 2007 and 2018. All had neurosensory symptoms lasting more than 3 months. Data were collected from the clinical records, a structured questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. PBM therapy was administered using a GaAlAs diode laser. Patients were stratified based on time from injury to treatment (< 12 months vs. > 12 months).

Results: Following PBM therapy, 59% of patients reported subjective improvement (30% extensive, 29% slight), while 38% reported no change and 2.6% noted slight deterioration. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups that responded to PBM therapy and those that did not. Similarly, treatment outcomes showed no significant association with gender, etiology, affected nerve, time to treatment, or number of sessions.

Conclusions: The current study did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect of PBM therapy in patients with neurosensory disturbances associated with PTTN under the applied treatment protocol. Due to the retrospective design, the absence of a control group, and the heterogeneity in patients, etiology, nerve injury types, and timing of treatment, we hypothesize that variables such as laser dosage, session intervals, and application technique may have influenced the lack of observed therapeutic benefit. Subjective improvements must be interpreted cautiously due to potential placebo effects and spontaneous nerve recovery. These findings underscore the need for standardized PBM protocols and well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to validate treatment efficacy in trigeminal nerve injuries.

Conventional suturing has inherent shortcomings like inflammation, wicking effect, and additional appointments for removal. Various suture alternatives have been described in the scientific literature with satisfactory results. This study was planned to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of Laser Tissue Welding (LTW) and conventional suturing after periodontal surgery. Patients indicated for periodontal flap surgery in bilateral quadrants were selected and randomly allocated to the two study groups. In Group I (Control), flap approximation was achieved with 3 - 0 black silk sutures. In Group II (Test), a 20% albumin and indocyanine green mixture was applied, and laser application was done at 1.5 W in a continuous waveform to achieve a welded tissue. Clinical parameters were assessed using the Plaque Index, Early Wound Healing Index, and Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index, which were recorded at baseline, 3rd, 7^th, and 14th postoperative days. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure postoperative pain at the 3rd ,7^th, and 14th day, and to estimate operative time, at the time of surgery. The intergroup comparison has demonstrated significant improvement with LTW in all clinical parameters, with reduced operative time compared to sutured sites. LTW can be used as an efficient suture alternative technique in periodontal surgeries.

Laser-Induced Thermotherapy (LITT) efficacy hinges on achieving localized heating and controlled vaporization within tumor tissue. Building upon our previously developed fully-coupled bioheat vapor bubble model, this study integrates gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to enhance optical absorption and bubble dynamics during LITT of breast tumors. Gold nanoparticles (spherical, ~ 60 nm diameter) were considered to enhance optical absorption and bubble dynamics. We introduce an additional heat-source term, [Formula: see text], to the Pennes bio heat equation, where [Formula: see text] ​and [Formula: see text] denote the nanoparticle absorption coefficient and concentration. Latent-heat effects and Rayleigh Plesset bubble dynamics are retained from the baseline model. Simulations were carried out for fluences of 30-80 J/cm² using an 800 nm near-infrared (NIR) Gaussian laser beam, applied as a 50 ms square pulse .Through simulations comparing nanoparticle rich ([Formula: see text] particles/mL) and nanoparticle free scenarios across laser fluences of [Formula: see text], our results show that GNPs reduce vaporization threshold fluence by approximately 20%, increase peak temperature by ~ 15 [Formula: see text] and elevate peak bubble radius from ~ 12 μm to ~ 18 μm. Sensitivity analyses reveal significant dependencies of necrotic zone size on nanoparticle parameters. This nanoparticle-enhanced model offers a powerful theoretical framework for optimizing LITT protocols, potentially reducing required laser doses and minimizing collateral damage.

To investigate the effects of Nd∶YAP laser-assisted periodontal therapy on masticatory function and gingival circulation indices in patients with chronic periodontitis. This retrospective cohort study included 140 patients with chronic periodontitis, admitted between May 2022 and December 2024. The patients were divided into two groups: 81 patients in the Nd: YAP laser group and 59 in the basic treatment group. The study compared treatment efficacy, periodontal parameters, masticatory function, gingival circulation, inflammatory cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and adverse reactions between the two groups. The Nd: YAP laser group showed a total effective rate of 95.06%, significantly higher than the basic treatment group (P < 0.05). The laser group also demonstrated greater improvements in periodontal indices, masticatory function, gingival circulation, and GCF inflammatory cytokines compared to the basic treatment group (P < 0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in either group. Nd: YAP laser-assisted basic periodontal treatment can improve the treatment effect of patients with chronic periodontitis to a certain extent, effectively improve periodontal indicators and chewing function, improve gingival microcirculation, and relieve inflammatory response. There are no obvious adverse reactions during the treatment, and it is relatively safe. It can be used as one of the auxiliary treatments for chronic periodontitis.

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder, affecting a significant portion of the population. However, approximately 30% of patients do not respond adequately to conventional treatments and develop treatment-resistant depression. Despite notable advancements in psychiatry, effectively treating individuals with treatment-resistant depression remains a significant challenge. Photobiomodulation represents an emerging therapeutic approach for depression, utilizing an enhanced near-infrared therapy device. The objective of this study was to evaluate the primary effects of the usage of high-power enhanced near-infrared therapy device on patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression. In this open-label, four-week study, seven right-handed patients categorized as treatment-resistant depression were recruited. Each participant received a daily 2 min intervention (continuous wave; 850 nm peak wavelength; average irradiance of 127 mW/cm²; average fluence per pulse of 6.35 mJ/cm²; total energy delivered per session of 0.3 kJ; output optical power set to 5000 milliwatts; electromagnetic waves set to 10 Hz). Depression severity was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) before and four weeks after the completion of the intervention. During the treatment, each patient underwent eight treatment sessions, each lasting 2 min: first, the device was applied to the left frontal (F3) area, near the left prefrontal cortex, and then, to the right frontal area (F4) on the forehead. Notably, the depression scores showed a significant reduction after four weeks of treatment. The median HAM-D score decreased from 23 before the intervention to 9 after four weeks, while the mean HAM-D score declined from 28.14 (P = 0.18) to 8.71 (P = 0.09) post-intervention. This preliminary study suggests that the high-power enhanced near-infrared therapy device holds promise in reducing depression among patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral ulcer, causing pain, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. Conventional treatments offer only partial relief and frequent recurrence. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in minor recurrent aphthous ulcers (mRAU). A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed up to January 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LLLT with sham laser or conventional medication were included. Pain relief was the primary outcome; healing time, ulcer size, and functional recovery were secondary outcomes. Meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity. Twenty-one RCTs involving 810 patients were analyzed. LLLT significantly reduced pain immediately and at days 1-3, with stronger effects in split-mouth designs, sham-controlled groups, and single-session trials. Healing time was also significantly shortened. No consistent benefits were observed for ulcer size or functional recovery. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robust results despite heterogeneity. Several studies applied CO₂laser at low power and short exposure, classified as "quasi-low intensity laser therapy.". LLLT is effective in reducing pain and accelerating healing in mRAU, and a single session may be clinically adequate. However, its impact on ulcer size and functional recovery remain unclear. Well-designed RCTs with standardized protocols and sham controls are needed.

Peri-implantitis is one of the most important complications related to dental implants, and there is still no consensus about a protocol for treatment. This study aimed to compare an antimicrobial photodynamic therapy protocol using methylene blue or toluidine blue O, and the efficacy of these two dyes without light activation against human oral biofilm associated with peri-implantitis. Twenty-four dental implants (Classic-CI^®, Systhex Dental Implants) were divided into six groups (n = 4): NC - sterile implants (negative control); PC - contaminated implants (positive control); MB - contaminated implants, decontaminated with methylene blue (0.01%, 1 min); aPDT MB - contaminated implants, decontaminated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (MB + red laser); TBO - contaminated implants, decontaminated with toluidine blue O (0.01%, 1 min); aPDT TBO - contaminated implants, decontaminated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (TBO + red laser). Microbiologic analysis was performed by counting the colony-forming units (CFUs). Statistical analysis used One-way ANOVA test and Tukey post-test to compare the experimental groups, with a significant level of 5%. Both groups treated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy were similarly effective against the biofilm, compared to group C (p < 0.001). Dyes alone were similar (p = 0.518) and had no antimicrobial effect. The antimicrobial photodynamic therapy protocol was effective in implant decontamination in vitro regardless of the photosensitizer used, and the dyes without light activation do not seem to be an indicated method for this purpose.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disease that significantly impacts global health. This study aims to comprehensively analyze global trends and research hotspots in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for computed tomography (CT) detection of COPD.  METHODS: Publications related to AI applications for CT detection in COPD from 2012 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package "bibliometrix".

Result: The field has experienced publications growth, with 189 publications and an annual growth rate of 37.83%. The United States led with 53 publications, followed by China (51) and Germany (13). The University of Iowa was the most prolific institution (69), followed by Harvard University (47) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (37). Hoffman Eric A. is the most prolific author with 16 publications, and journals such as Scientific Reports and Radiology were key contributors to the field. Emerging topics included "quantitative imaging", "low dose CT", "pulmonary disease", "body mass index", "subpopulations", and "prevalence", suggested growing interest in comprehensive patient assessment and population studies.  CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of research on AI applications for CT detection of COPD from 2012 to 2024, identifying key contributors, research hotspots, and emerging trends. Future research should focus on differentiating COPD from other lung diseases or COPD subpopulations for personalized treatment.

Clinical trial number: not applicable.