Objective To assess the effects of different application sequences of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet(Nd∶YAG)laser and the desensitizing toothpaste containing stannous fluoride on dentinal tubule occlusion.Methods Twelve intact third molars freshly extracted from human were selected and prepared into dentin slices with a thickness of 0.8 mm.Each dentin slice was subdivided into four small slices,three of which were etched with 6% citric acid and randomly assigned to the following three groups(n=12):(1)control group:no treatment;(2)Nd∶YAG+toothbrushing(TB)group:first irradiated with Nd∶YAG laser and then brushed with desensitizing toothpaste;(3)TB+Nd∶YAG group:first brushed with desensitizing toothpaste and then irradiated with Nd∶YAG laser.The Nd∶YAG laser irradiation were carried out at 1 W,15 pulses/s,and the pulse width of 150 μs for 10 s(for a total of 6 cycles).After the above treatment,the 12 dentin slices from the Nd∶YAG+TB and TB+Nd∶YAG groups were randomly assigned to four subgroups(n=3)and subjected to acid etching in the Coca-Cola solution for 0,5,10,and 15 min.A scanning electron microscope was used to observe and photograph the dentin slices in each group,and eight single-blinded examiners scored the slices according to uniform criteria.The analysis of variance was carried out to compared the scores between groups.Results Before acid etching,the dentin tubule occlusion scores of the Nd∶YAG+TB and TB+Nd∶YAG groups were(4.83±0.09) scores and(3.85±0.66) scores,respectively,which had no significant difference between each other(P=0.0590)and were higher than that[(0.10±0.07)scores]of the control group(both P<0.0001).The dentin tubule occlusion scores of the Nd∶YAG+TB group after acid etching for 5,10,and 15 min were(4.33±0.60)scores,(4.27±0.24)scores,and(3.63±0.07)scores,respectively,which were not significantly different from those[(4.04±0.10)scores,(3.76±0.59)scores,and(3.17±0.29)scores,respectively]of the TB+Nd∶YAG group(all P>0.05).In the Nd∶YAG+TB subgroup,the dentin tubule occlusion score after acid etching for 15 min was significantly lower than that before acid etching(P=0.0011).In the TB+Nd∶YAG group,there was no statistically significant difference in the score between before and after acid etching(P>0.05).Conclusions Nd∶YAG laser irradiation with appropriate parameters combined with the use of desensitizing toothpaste could produce an excellent occluding effect on dentinal tubules regardless of the sequence.However,brushing with desensitizing toothpaste followed by Nd∶YAG laser irradiation produced more consistent dentin sealing after acid etching.
Humans ; Dentin ; Dentin Sensitivity/therapy* ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Toothpastes/pharmacology*

Solid-state multi-wavelength laser equipment is the treatment device with selected wavelength Nd: YAG laser frequency technology, integrated red (659 nm), yellow (589 nm) and green (532 nm) of three solid-state lasers. The device is designed by the accurate controlled laser output system, precision optical and electronic control through the optical coupler into the optical fiber transmission system. It's combined with an eye slit lamp integration of high precision, good stability stability for all solid-state multi-wavelength lasers equipment.
Equipment Design ; Fundus Oculi ; Laser Therapy ; instrumentation ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Retinal Diseases ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the histological and ultrastructural changes of the skin and hair follicles following hair removal by alexandrite laser in Tibet mini-pigs.

METHODSTwelve healthy Tibet mini-pigs with dark hair were treated with alexandrite laser for hair removal. The skin specimens were taken immediately and at 1 h and 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 days after the laser treatment for observation under optical and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSLaser hair removal resulted in extensive coagulation necrosis, carbonization and falling of the subcutaneous hair shafts, and some of the cells in the outer root sheath and hair bulb underwent degenerative and necrotic changes. One hour after laser treatment, the cells in the outer root sheath and bulb exhibited nuclear condensation, fragmentation and or karyolysis characteristic of cell apoptosis. The cell apoptosis reached the peak level on day 3 after the laser exposure, accompanied by endothelial degeneration in the hair papilla vessels, edema and lymphocyte infiltration in the dermal tissues. Tissue reaction and inflammation were relieved on day 5, and the dermal tissue and follicles recovered their normal structures on day 10. At 60 days after the treatment, the hair follicles decreased markedly but the structure of the residue follicles remained normal.

CONCLUSIONAlexandrite laser exposure results in selective destruction of the follicles by inducing direct coagulation and cell apoptosis to achieve permanent hair removal. Tibet mini-pigs with black hair can be used as the animal model of clinical laser hair removal.

Animals ; Hair Follicle ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Hair Removal ; methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Swine ; Tibet

BACKGROUNDTrichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) is the most common causative agent of dermatophytosis worldwide. In this study, we examined the effect of laser irradiation on the growth and morphology of T. rubrum.

METHODSColonies of T. rubrum were isolated (one colony per plate), and randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: Q-switched 694 nm ruby laser treatment, long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser treatment, intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, 308 nm excimer laser treatment and the blank control group without treatment. Standardized photographs were obtained from grown-up fungal plates prior to treatment. Colonies were then exposed to various wavelengths and fluences of laser light. To compare the growth of colonies, they were re-photographed under identical conditions three and six days post-treatment. To investigate the morphology of T. rubrum, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were obtained from specimens exposed to 24 hours of laser treatment.

RESULTSGrowth of T. rubrum colonies was significantly inhibited following irradiation by 694 nm Q-switched and 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers. Other treatments exerted little or no effect. Q-switched laser irradiation exerted a stronger growth inhibitory effect than long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Following treatment by the Q-switched ruby laser system, T. rubrum hyphae became shrunken and deflated, and SEM images revealed rough, fractured hyphal surfaces, punctured with small destructive holes. TEM images showed that the hyphae were degenerating, as evidenced by the irregular shape of hyphae, rough and loose cell wall, and obscure cytoplasmic texture. Initially high electron density structure was visible in the cell; later, low-density structure appeared as a result of cytoplasmic dissolution. In contrast, the blank control group showed no obvious changes in morphology.

CONCLUSIONThe Q-switched 694 nm ruby laser treatment significantly inhibits the growth and changes the morphology of T. rubrum.

Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Photochemotherapy ; Trichophyton ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure

BACKGROUNDImproving the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is the hot issue in this field. Here we reported our experience on the treatment of proximal ureteral stones.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2010, 187 consecutive patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. The initial 52 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope alone were classified as group 1. The subsequent 135 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope with the aid of stone basket and flexible ureteroscope were classified as group 2.

RESULTSIn group 1, the overall stone-free rate was 67.3%. By a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semi-rigid instrument, patients with ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level achieved 91.7% stone-free rate, which was only 50% in patients with stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients since ureteral perforation was observed. In group 2, the stone-free rate achieved 93.2% with the aid of an N-Trap basket, which was significantly higher than that of patients without the aid of the basket (51.6%). Flexible ureteroscope was subsequently used in patients with fragment migration, thus making the overall success rate in group 2 increases to 97.0%.

CONCLUSIONSUreteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi-rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone-free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone-migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone-free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N-trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDRecent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.

METHODSThirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients (78 nails) in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients (76 nails) in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval.

RESULTSIn group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLong pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Onychomycosis ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of propranolol with 1 064 nm Nd:YAG laser on proliferating hemangioma in body surface.

METHODS97 patients with proliferating hemangiomas in body surface were randomly assigned to three groups: A group (32 patients were treated by propranolol with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser), B group (35 patients were treated by 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser), C group (30 patients were treated by propranolol). Their visual analog scores, clinical outcomes and adverse events were compared respectively.

RESULTS18 weeks later, A group had a mean visual analog score of 65.50 +/- 16.55, compared with 54.03 +/- 20.13 in B group, 28.08 +/- 30.34 in C group (P < 0.05); 24 weeks later, the mean visual analog scores of three groups were 76.88 +/- 19.05, 63.89 +/- 19.43 and 45.48 +/- 31.86 (P < 0.05). After 24 weeks' treatment, 9 cases (28.1%) in A group, 3 cases (8.6%) in B group, 1 cases (4.0%) in C group obtained complete healing (P < 0.05). To effect of adverse events in body surface, the mean score of B group was higher than the scores of A group and C group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPropranolol with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe in the treatment of proliferating hemangioma.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Hemangioma ; therapy ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Propranolol ; therapeutic use ; Skin Neoplasms ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate and compare the effect and safety of Holmium laser and Thulium laser in transurethral enucleation of the prostate in BPH patients.

METHODSNinety-eight BPH patients were divided into 2 groups and underwent transurethral enucleation of the prostate with holmium laser (Ho group) and thulium laser (Th group) respectively. Comparisons were made between the 2 groups in operation time, bleeding volume, electrolyte, IPSS score, PVR and Qmax.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences were noted between the 2 groups in age and preoperative prostate volume, IPSS, PVR and Qmax (P > 0.05). The mean operation time was shorter in the Th group ([84.6 +/- 10.2] min) than in the Ho group ([70.5 +/- 7.5] min) (P = 0.032); blood loss was less in the former ([126.5 +/- 14.6] ml) than in the latter ([176.5 +/- 14.1] ml) (P = 0.071), with no blood transfusion necessitated; and the mean times of catheter indwelling were 2.4 d and 2.5 d respectively. There were no significant differences in the levels of hemoglobin and electrolyte before and after operation between the two groups, and no TURP syndrome was observed. IPSS, PVR and Qmax before operation were significantly different from those obtained 3 months after it (P < 0.05) in both the groups, but none of the indexes exhibited statistically significant differences when compared in the same period (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth holmium and thulium laser transurethral enucleation of the prostate can alleviate LUTS in BPH patients with similar short-time effectiveness. Thulium is superior to holmium laser in hemostasis, but inferior to it in anatomical distinctness.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Thulium ; therapeutic use ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the advantages and disadvantages of point electro-cauterization (PEC) and holmium laser cauterization (HLC) in the treatment of post-ejaculation hematuria. METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2018, 73 patients with post-ejaculation hematuria, aged 24－63 (36.8 ± 4.2) years, underwent PEC (n = 35) or HLC (n = 38) after failure to respond to 3 months of conservative treatment. We compared the hospital days, total hospitalization expenses, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qavg), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) score, postoperative duration of hematuria, and recurrence rate at 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: All the patients experienced first ejaculation but no post-ejaculation hematuria at 1 month after operation. The recurrence rates were lower in the PEC than in the HLC group at 3 months (5.71% vs 2.63%, P > 0.05) and 6 months postoperatively (8.57% vs 5.26%, P > 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the Qmax was decreased from (18.56 ± 2.53) ml/s to (13.68 ± 3.31) ml/s (P < 0.05) and the Qavg from (14.35 ± 2.26) ml/s to (9.69±1.84) ml/s in the PEC group at 1 month after surgery (P < 0.01), but neither showed any statistically significant difference in the HLC group. Mild to moderate anxiety was prevalent in the patients preoperatively, particularly in those without job or regular income and those with a long disease course or frequent onset, the severity of which was not correlated with age, education or marital status. The HAMA score was decreased from18.65 ± 4.33 before to 12.35 ± 3.63 after surgery in the PEC group (P < 0.01), and from 16.88 ± 2.11 to 6.87 ± 4.36 in the HLC group (P < 0.01). The mean hospital stay was significantly longer in the former than in the latter group (［5.2 + 1.3］ vs ［3.4 ± 0.5］ d, P < 0.01), while the total cost markedly lower (［6.35 ± 1.20］ vs ［12.72 ± 2.15］ thousand RMB ¥, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both PEC and HLC are safe and effective for the treatment of post-ejaculation hematuria, with no significant difference in the recurrence rate at 3 and 6 months after operation, but their long-term effect needs further follow-up studies. PEC may increase the risk of negative outcomes of the postoperative urinary flow rate, while HLC has the advantages of better relieving the patient's anxiety, sooner discharge from hospital and earlier recovery from postoperative hematuria, though with a higher total cost than the former.
Adult ; Cautery ; Ejaculation ; Hematuria/surgery* ; Holmium ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to explore the optimal timing of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients presenting benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the perioperative and postoperative outcome data of 1212 patients who underwent HoLEP in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai, China) between January 2009 and December 2018. According to the preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), all patients whom we analyzed were divided into Group A (IPSS of 8-18) and Group B (IPSS of 19-35). Peri- and postoperative outcome data were obtained during the 1-year follow-up. IPSS changes were the main postoperative outcomes. The postoperative IPSS, quality of life, peak urinary flow rate, postvoid residual, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) improved significantly. The IPSS improved further in the group with severe LUTS symptoms, but the postoperative IPSS was still higher than that in the moderate LUTS group. OABSSs showing moderate and severe cases after follow-up were more frequent in Group B (9.1%) than in Group A (5.2%) (P < 0.05). There were no significant intergroup differences in the intraoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists or hospitalization expense scores, and the medication costs, as well as the total costs, were significantly higher in Group B. In this retrospective study, HoLEP was an effective treatment for symptomatic BPH. For patients with LUTS, earlier surgery in patients with moderate severity may result in a marginally better 12-month IPSS than that in men with severe symptoms.
Male ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Holmium ; Quality of Life ; China ; Treatment Outcome ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/surgery* ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use*