Cornea ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Iontophoresis ; Riboflavin

The effect of parasitic ions on the results of ultraviolet A (UVA) cross-linking in iontophoresis was still not clear. In this work, the porcine sclera was cross-linked by riboflavin lactate Ringer's solution (group A) and riboflavin normal saline (group B)
Animals ; Collagen ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Ions ; Iontophoresis ; Permeability ; Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology* ; Riboflavin ; Sclera ; Swine ; Ultraviolet Rays

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) receives dense projections from cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain. Acetylcholine can contributes to amygdala-dependent behaviors: formation and extinction of fear memory and appetitive instrumental learning. However, the cholinergic mechanism at the circuit level has not been defined yet. We demonstrated that cholinergic-induced di-synaptic inhibition of BLA pyramidal neurons exhibits a retrograde form of short-term synaptic inhibition, depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI). Activation of nicotinic receptors was sufficient to evoke action potentials in cholecystokinin (CCK)-positive inhibitory neurons, which strongly inhibit pyramidal neurons through their perisomatic synapses. Our cell type-specific monosynaptic retrograde tracing also revealed that CCK neurons are innervated by basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Therefore, our data indicated that CCK inhibitory neurons mediate the cholinergic-induced di-synaptic inhibition of BLA pyramidal neurons.
Acetylcholine ; Action Potentials ; Basal Forebrain ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex ; Cholecystokinin ; Cholinergic Neurons ; Conditioning, Operant ; Iontophoresis ; Memory ; Neurons ; Pyramidal Cells ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; Synapses

The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers on electroosmotic flow (EOF) through skin. The effect of size and concentration of dendrimer was studied, using generation 1, 4 and 7 dendrimer (G1, G4 and G7, respectively). As a marker molecule for the direction and magnitude of EOF, a neutral molecule, acetoaminophen (AAP) was used. The visualization of dendrimer permeation into the current conducting pore (CCP) of skin was made using G4–fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugate and confocal microscopy. Without dendrimer, anodal flux of AAP was much higher than cathodal or passive flux. When G1 dendrimer was added, anodal flux decreased, presumably due to the decrease in EOF by the association of G1 dendrimer with net negative charge in CCP. As the generation increased, larger decrease in anodal flux was observed, and the direction of EOF was reversed. Small amount of methanol used for the preparation of dendrimer solution also contributed to the decrease in anodal flux of AAP. Cross-sectional view perpendicular to the skin surface by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) study showed that G4 dendrimer-FITC conjugate (G4-FITC) can penetrate into the viable epidermis and dermis under anodal current. The permeation route seemed to be localized on hair follicle region. These results suggest that PAMAM dendrimers can permeate into CCP and change the magnitude and direction of EOF. Overall, we obtained a better understanding on the mechanistic insights into the electroosmosis phenomena and its role on flux during iontophoresis.
Acetaminophen ; Dendrimers* ; Dermis ; Electroosmosis* ; Epidermis ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Hair Follicle ; Iontophoresis ; Methanol ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Skin*

Managing pain and anxiety in patients has always been an essential part of dentistry. To prevent pain, dentists administer local anaesthesia (LA) via a needle injection. Unfortunately, anxiety and fear that arise prior to and/or during injection remains a barrier for many children and adults from receiving dental treatment. There is a constant search for techniques to alleviate the invasive and painful nature of the needle injection. In recent years, researchers have developed alternative methods which enable dental anaesthesia to be less invasive and more patient-friendly. The aim of this review is to highlight the procedures and devices available which may replace the conventional needle-administered local anaesthesia. The most known alternative methods in providing anaesthesia in dentistry are: topical anaesthesia, electronic dental anaesthesia, jet-injectors, iontophoresis, and computerized control local anaesthesia delivery systems. Even though these procedures are well accepted by patients to date, it is the authors' opinion that the effectiveness practicality of such techniques in general dentistry is not without limitations.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anxiety ; Child ; Dentistry ; Dentists ; Humans ; Iontophoresis ; Needles

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: A total of 108 patients with peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture group (a combined group), a methycobal iontophoresis group and a simple balance acupuncture group, 36 cases in each one. Basic medical treatment were given in the three groups. The simple balance acupuncture was applied at contralateral lumbago acupoint, rhinitis acupoint, stomachache acupoint in the simple balance acupuncture group. Methycobal through iontophoresis anodic introduction therapy was given in the methycobal iontophoresis group. On the basic treatment of methycobal iontophoresis, in the combined group, acupuncture was supplied at contralateral lumbago acupoint, rhinitis acupoint and stomachache acupoint. The treatment in all groups was given once a day, for 2 weeks. The House-Brackmann grading scale and the modified portmann score (RPA) method were used to observe the degree of nerve function and facial paralysis before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the combined group was 97.2% (35/36), which was higher than 83.3% (30/36) in the methycobal iontophoresis group and 88.9% (32/36) in the simple balance acupuncture group (all <0.05). After treatment, the H-B classification of the combined group was significantly different from those of the methycobal iontophoresis group and simple balance acupuncture group (both <0.05). There was no significant difference between the methycobal iontophoresis group and simple balance acupuncture group (>0.05). The RPA score of the combined group was higher than those in the methycobal iontophoresis group and simple balance acupuncture group (both <0.05), and there was no significant difference in the RPA score between the methycobal iontophoresis group and simple balance acupuncture group (>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with methycobal iontophoresis and simple balance acupuncture therapy, methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of peripheral facial paralysis.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Facial Paralysis ; Humans ; Iontophoresis ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common disorder of excessive sweating. A number of studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of iontophoresis in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. However, controlled clinical studies on iontophoresis for palmar hyperhidrosis have been limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of iontophoresis in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with a randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind, and parallel-designed study. METHODS: Twenty nine patients with significant palmar hyperhidrosis were enrolled in this study. They received active iontophoresis treatment (group A) or sham treatment (group B). Iontophoresis was performed 20 minutes each time, five times per week, for 2 weeks. Its efficacy was assessed with starch-iodine test, mean sweat secretion rate, and hyperhidrosis disease severity scale. RESULTS: Twenty-seven of the 29 patients completed the 2-week treatment. After completion of 10 times of treatment, results of the starch-iodine test showed clinical improvement in 92.9% of patients in group A and 38.5% of patients in group B (p=0.001). The mean sweat secretion rate was reduced by 91.8% of patients in group A and by 39.1% of patients in group B (p<0.001). Improvement in quality of life was reported by 78.6% of patients in group A and by 30.8% of patients in group B (p=0.028). In group A, one case of localized adverse event was noted, although no adverse event was encountered in group B. CONCLUSION: Tap water iontophoresis could be used as an effective and safe treatment modality for palmar hyperhidrosis.
Humans ; Hyperhidrosis* ; Iontophoresis* ; Placebos ; Quality of Life ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Water*

PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients tend to have higher serum magnesium values than healthy population due to their positive balance of magnesium in kidney. Recent studies found that magnesium level is positively correlated with endothelial function. Therefore, this study was conducted to define the relationship between magnesium level and endothelial dysfunction in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Iontophoresis with laser-Doppler flowmetry, flow mediated dilation (FMD), and carotid intima-media thickness were measured. Patients' average serum magnesium levels were measured over previous three months, including the examination month. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate regression model were used to define the association between magnesium and endothelial function. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, higher magnesium levels were associated with better endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) of the FMD in ESRD patients on HD (r=0.516, p=0.007). When the participants were divided into two groups according to the median magnesium level (3.47 mg/dL), there was a significant difference in EDV of FMD (less than 3.47 mg/dL, 2.8±1.7%; more than 3.47 mg/dL, 5.1±2.0%, p=0.004). In multivariate analysis, magnesium and albumin were identified as independent factors for FMD (β=1.794, p=0.030 for serum magnesium; β=3.642, p=0.012 for albumin). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that higher serum magnesium level may be associated with better endothelial function in ESRD patients on HD. In the future, a large, prospective study is needed to elucidate optimal range of serum magnesium levels in ESRD on HD patients.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endothelium ; Humans ; Iontophoresis ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Magnesium* ; Microcirculation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Vasodilation

PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients tend to have higher serum magnesium values than healthy population due to their positive balance of magnesium in kidney. Recent studies found that magnesium level is positively correlated with endothelial function. Therefore, this study was conducted to define the relationship between magnesium level and endothelial dysfunction in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Iontophoresis with laser-Doppler flowmetry, flow mediated dilation (FMD), and carotid intima-media thickness were measured. Patients' average serum magnesium levels were measured over previous three months, including the examination month. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate regression model were used to define the association between magnesium and endothelial function. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, higher magnesium levels were associated with better endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) of the FMD in ESRD patients on HD (r=0.516, p=0.007). When the participants were divided into two groups according to the median magnesium level (3.47 mg/dL), there was a significant difference in EDV of FMD (less than 3.47 mg/dL, 2.8±1.7%; more than 3.47 mg/dL, 5.1±2.0%, p=0.004). In multivariate analysis, magnesium and albumin were identified as independent factors for FMD (β=1.794, p=0.030 for serum magnesium; β=3.642, p=0.012 for albumin). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that higher serum magnesium level may be associated with better endothelial function in ESRD patients on HD. In the future, a large, prospective study is needed to elucidate optimal range of serum magnesium levels in ESRD on HD patients.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endothelium ; Humans ; Iontophoresis ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Magnesium* ; Microcirculation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Vasodilation

PURPOSE: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a pivotal phenomenon in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a known uremic toxin that induces ED in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AST-120, an absorbent of IS, improves microvascular or macrovascular ED in HD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, case-controlled trial. Fourteen patients each were enrolled in respective AST-120 and control groups. The subjects in the AST-120 group were treated with AST-120 (6 g/day) for 6 months. Microvascular function was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry using iontophoresis of acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at baseline and again at 3 and 6 months. Carotid arterial intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated vasodilation were measured at baseline and 6 months. The Wilcoxon rank test was used to compare values before and after AST-120 treatment. RESULTS: Ach-induced iontophoresis (endothelium-dependent response) was dramatically ameliorated at 3 months and 6 months in the AST-120 group. SNP-induced response showed delayed improvement only at 6 months in the AST-120 group. The IS level was decreased at 3 months in the AST-120 group, but remained stable thereafter. cIMT was significantly reduced after AST-120 treatment. No significant complications in patients taking AST-120 were reported. CONCLUSION: AST-120 ameliorated microvascular ED and cIMT in HD patients. A randomized study including a larger population will be required to establish a definitive role of AST-120 as a preventive medication for CVD in HD patients.
Acetylcholine ; Adult ; Carbon/*therapeutic use ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology/*prevention & control ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Endothelium, Vascular/*physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Iontophoresis ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications/*physiopathology/*therapy ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Male ; Microcirculation/physiology ; Middle Aged ; Nitroprusside ; Oxides/*therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; *Renal Dialysis ; Young Adult