Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduces alveolar bone resorption during orthodontic treatment via Lamin A/C-Yes-associated protein axis in stem cells

BACKGROUND The bone remodeling during orthodontic treatment for malocclusion often requires a long duration of around two to three years,which also may lead to some complications such as alveolar bone resorption or tooth root resorption.Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS),a noninvasive physical therapy,has been shown to promote bone fracture healing.It is also reported that LIPUS could reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment;however,how LIPUS regulates the bone metabolism during the orthodontic treatment process is still unclear.AIM To investigate the effects of LIPUS on bone remodeling in an orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model and explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS A rat model of OTM was established,and alveolar bone remodeling and tooth movement rate were evaluated via micro-computed tomography and staining of tissue sections.In vitro,human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)were isolated to detect their osteogenic differentiation potential under compression and LIPUS stimulation by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining,and Alizarin red staining.The expression of Yes-associated protein(YAP1),the actin cytoskeleton,and the Lamin A/C nucleoskeleton were detected with or without YAP1 small interfering RNA(siRNA)application via immunofluorescence.RESULTS The force treatment inhibited the osteogenic differentiation potential of hBMSCs;moreover,the expression of osteogenesis markers,such as type 1 collagen(COL1),runt-related transcription factor 2,ALP,and osteocalcin(OCN),decreased.LIPUS could rescue the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs with increased expression of osteogenic marker inhibited by force.Mechanically,the expression of LaminA/C,F-actin,and YAP1 was downregulated after force treatment,which could be rescued by LIPUS.Moreover,the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs increased by LIPUS could be attenuated by YAP siRNA treatment.Consistently,LIPUS increased alveolar bone density and decreased vertical bone absorption in vivo.The decreased expression of COL1,OCN,and YAP1 on the compression side of the alveolar bone was partially rescued by LIPUS.CONCLUSION LIPUS can accelerate tooth movement and reduce alveolar bone resorption by modulating the cytoskeleton-Lamin A/C-YAP axis,which may be a promising strategy to reduce the orthodontic treatment process.

Pain Efficacy of a Home-Based Low-Intensity Continuous Ultrasound Stimulator for Knee Arthritis: A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Prospective Clinical Trial

1) Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is defined as a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects the bone. This study aims to evaluate the effect of low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICUS) treatment on the knee of osteoarthritis patients through home-based intervention using the LICUS medical device. 2) Methods: The clinical trials were designed in a single-arm, open-label, and intervention study. Thirty-five participants, including those who dropped out (12%), were screened and enrolled. The patients received LICUS (1.1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm2, collimated beams) on the knee by the instructions of the investigator at home (5 min/session, 3 times/day, for four-weeks). Outcome measures were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) as a primary endpoint and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) as a secondary endpoint to evaluate pain relief and functional recovery of the knee between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (four-weeks). 3) Results: Knee pain scores measured using the VAS and WOMAC indices were significantly reduced after a four-week treatment with LICUS compared to baseline. Knee stiffness and functional capacity were significantly reduced after the LICUS application. In addition, there were no reports of adverse effects during the study period. 4) Conclusion: Long-term and home-based application of LICUS can be recommended as an alternative option for the treatment of OA patients, as evidenced by the effect of pain relief and knee function recovery.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation on porous hydroxyapatite blocks for posterolateral fusion of lumbar spine in rabbits

he effects of porous hydroxyapatite blocks（PHABs） and an adjunct low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation（LIPUS） on the fusion rate in a rabbit spinal posterolateral fusion（PLF） model were evaluated.Twenty rabbits underwent PLF with autograft and PHABs were randomly assigned to two groups：treated group with 20 min LIPUS daily and untreated control group for 4 weeks until euthanasia.The fused motion segments were subjected to manual palpation,gross observation,and radiographic investigation before histomorphologic and scanning electron microscopic analyses.Statistical differences between the LIPUS group and the control group are found in the fusion rate,bone density gray scale,trabecular bone formation,osteoblast-like cells,chondrocytes and positive expression of BMP-2 and TGF-β1 in the junction zone（significance level p〈0.05）.The results suggest that LIPUS can increase fusion rates and accelerate bone in-growth into PHAB.Hence,PHAB and LIPUS may be used together to increase fusion rates in a rabbit spinal fusion model with a promising extension to human application.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on posterolateral lumbar fusion of rabbit

Objective:To observe the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the posterolateral Lumbar fusion of rabbit.Methods:A total of 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the observation group and control group,including the autogenous iliac observation group.artificial bone observation group,artificial bone control group and autogenous iliac control group according to the different bone grafting.The posterolateral lumbar fusion of rabbits in each group was analyzed and compared.Results:After 4 weeks of treatment using the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound,the fusion in the bone grafting area of observation group was good.There was the relatively dense fusion area between the right transverse process and artificial bone.The left transverse process had been completely fused,with the clear bone trabecula through the fusion area.There was no significant fusion sign in the control group.According to the fusion comparison between two groups,the fusion rale of the observation group was 83.3%and it was significantly higher than the one of the control group(37.5%).Results of the comparison were statistically significant(P<0.05).The number of chondrocytes and the increase in the relative gray-scale in the fusion area of the iliac observation group were significantly higher than ones of the iliac control group(P<0.05).The number of chondrocytes and the increase in the relative gray-scale in the fusion area of the artificial bone observation group were significantly higher than ones of the artificial bone control group(P<0.05).The expression of IL-1.IL-6 and IL-17 4 weeks after the treatment of the observation group was significantly lower than the one of the control group,with the statistical significance(P<0.05).It indicated that the treatment of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound could reduce the expression level of inflammatory factors.Conclusions:The low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can significantly increase the bone grafting fusion rate of the rabbit's posterolateral lumbar fusion.The possible mechanism is that it promotes the lumbar posterolateral endochondral ossification and reduces the inflammatory reaction.

Effects of Low-Intensity Ultrasound on Cell Proliferation and Reproductivity

Ultrasound has been widely used in clinics. Cellular responses to low-intensity ultrasound are parameter-dependent. Proper parameter setting is vital to its exact use. To get guidelines for parameter setting, lowintensity ultrasound stimulation on the proliferation and reproductivity of Hep G2 and 3T3 cells in vitro was examined with a 1.06 MHz-generator by changing the parameters(including intensity, pulse repetition frequency and duty cycle)in a wide range. Cell viability and reproductivity at different time after sonication were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)and colony formation assay to indicate timerelated proliferation. The results illustrate that ultrasound irradiation at 0.4—0.8 W/cm^2 and high pulse repetition frequency(100 Hz)can facilitate cell proliferation, while above 0.8 W/cm^2 would resist it. The extent of resistance closely correlated with duty cycle and pulse repetition frequency. Resistance effect at low pulse repetition frequency(1 Hz)is greater than that at high pulse repetition frequency(100 Hz)and not time-related. The influence of high pulse repetition frequency is time-accumulated, indicating cellular process involved. These findings would provide valuable guidelines for the application of low-intensity ultrasound in stem cell transformation and tissue engineering.

Wideband frequency-dependent dielectric properties of rat tissues exposed to low-intensity focused ultrasound in the microwave frequency range

Tissue dielectric properties can vary upon the incident of an acoustic wave.The goal of this study is to quantify this change due to the acoustoelectric effect(AE),and to obtain the frequency-dependent dielectric properties of tissues exposed to low-intensity focused ultrasound(LIFU).The dielectric properties of the blood,brain,chest muscle,heart,kidney,leg muscle,liver,lung,pancreas,and spleen of rats were measured by an open-ended coaxial probe method.The acoustic intensity of LIFU focus was 2.97 MPa(67.6 W/cm^(2)),3.95 MPa(120 W/cm^(2)),and 5.17 MPa(204 W/cm^(2)),respectively,and the measurement frequency band was 0.1–7.08 GHz.The measurement results show that with the LIFU modulation,the conductivity and dielectric constant decreased in the high-frequency band,and on the contrary,they increased in the lowfrequency band,and the larger the acoustic intensity was,the more obvious the phenomenon was.This work contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms by which ultrasound acts on the dielectric properties of biological tissues.It is expected that the findings from this study will provide a basis that the response of tissue to LIFU modulation can be monitored by noninvasive techniques such as microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging(MTI)and microwave imaging,present a new idea for improving the endogenous contrast between different biological tissues in MTI and acoustoelectric imaging,and possibly lead to the development of a new imaging method based on the relaxation time of tissue after LIFU modulation.

Low-intensity ultrasound for regeneration of injured peripheral nerve

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is a kind of mechanical wave and characterized by mechanical effect, heat effect and physical and chemical effect. Ultrasound can promote regeneration of peripheral nerves after a slight injury based on its mechanical effect. However, whether it can promote regeneration of peripheral nerves after a severe injury or not is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of low-intensity ultrasound (LIU) on regeneration of injured peripheral nerve, through examining sciatic nerve function index, the sensory nerve conduction velocity and the thickness of myelin sheath. DESIGN: Single factor design of contrast observation. SETTING: Institute of Ultrasound Engineering, Chongqing Medical University. MATERIALS: A total of 64 female Wistar rats, of clean grade, aged 3 months, weighing 200-250 g, were provided by Experimental Animal Center of Chongqing Medical University. All rats were randomly divided into treatment group and control group with 32 in each group. In addition, rats were observed at 4 time points, including 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, with 8 at each time point. The main equipments were detailed as follows: forceps (Medical Treatment Apparatus Company, Chongqing), low-intensity ultrasound treatment instrument (Institute of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine), the analysis instrument of diagram resembles and arithmetic figure (the United States Bio-RAD Company), ultrasound coupling agent (Xunde Image material factory, Hangzhou), Osmium Tetraoxide (Next Chimica, South Africa). METHODS: The experiment was carried out in Institute of Ultrasound Engineering of Chongqing Medical University from December 2003 to May 2004. The right sciatic nerves of 64 rats were crushed with forceps for 30 s to form the experimental animal models. Then they were treated at 3 days after operation. Rats in the treatment group received the LIU exposure. LIU was applied every other day to the crush site of rats, which had a spatial peak, time-averaged intensity of 0.25 W/cm2 operated at 1 MHz for 1 minute per application for total 8 weeks. At various stages after operation, the sciatic nerve function index(SFI), the sensory nerve conduction velocity and its histology were detected. Rats in the control received a sham exposure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SFI; sensory nerve conduction velocity; density of myelinated nerve fiber; velocity of nerve regeneration; histological examination. RESULTS: Among 64 Wistar rats, 2 were lost during the experiment and another 2 were supplied. ① Histological examination: Two weeks after treatment, degeneration of axis-cylinder and myelin sheath was obvious in treatment group as compared with that in control group. Within 4-8 weeks after treatment, regeneration of axis-cylinder and myelin sheath of nerve fiber was superior in treatment group to that in control group. At 8 weeks after treatment, axis-cylinder and myelin sheath in treatment group were closed to normal value. Quantity of nerve fiber was less in control group than that in treatment group and the arrangement was disorder. At 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment, proliferation of Schwann cells was superior in treatment group to that in control group. At 6 and 8 weeks after treatment, proliferation of fiber tissue in nerve was severer in control group than that in treatment group. ② SFI: At 4, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment, SFI was higher in treatment group than that in control group (t =8.00, 12.41, 15.13, P < 0.01). ③ Sensory nerve conduction velocity: At 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment, sensory nerve conduction velocity was faster in treatment group than that in control group (t =11.74, 10.81, 3.51, P < 0.01). ④ Density of myelinated nerve fiber: At 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment, density of myelinated nerve fiber was higher in treatment group than that in control group (t =2.16, P < 0.05; t =3.29, 3.52, 3.23, P < 0.01). ⑤ Velocity of nerve regeneration: Velocity of nerve regeneration was (1.50±0.08) mm/d and (1.22±0.10) mm/d of treatment group and control group, respectively. This suggested that velocity of nerve regeneration was faster in treatment group than that in control group (t =2.708, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LIU can promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve from the appearance, construction, function aspect and functional recovery. Its mechanism may be through the modulation and effect of many links of nerve regeneration process.

Experimental study for treatment of low-intensity laser on neuropathic pain in diabetic rats

Objective:To systematically identify the therapeutic effects of low-intensity laser with 830 nm on diabetic neuropathic pain.Methods:Thirty male SPF Wistar rats were equally assigned to the blank control(Control),diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP)and diabetic neuropathic pain exposed to the laser treatment(DNP+Laser)groups.The rats in the DNP group and DNP+Laser group were subjected to intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin(STZ)to establish the diabetic animal model.The rats in the DNP+Laser group were exposed to laser stimulation(700 Hz,60 mW)with 3 sessions per day and 50 s per session for overall 8 weeks.The paw mechanical pain threshold levels and thermal pain threshold levels were measured at 0,2,4,6 and 8 weeks post the STZ administration,and the motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity were also determined.Results:The rats in the DNP+EMF group showed significantly higher paw mechanical pain threshold levels and thermal pain threshold levels than the rats in the DNP group(P<0.05).Moreover,the motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the DNP+Laser group were also significantly higher than those in the DNP group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Low-intensity laser stimulation displayed positive effects on the attenuation of the progression of neuropathic pain in diabetic rats,implying that low-intensity laser treatment has the potential to be an effective biophysical approach for diabetic neuropathic pain in clinics.

Effect of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Ischaemic Heart Disease Patients (Novel Technique)

Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Coronary heart disease means that the heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen supply through the coronary arteries. The most common cause of this disease is the process of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Although significant progress has been made in the management of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) The number of severe IHD patients is increasing. The treatment options for IHD have not changed much over the last three decades, which is divided between medications, coronary Angioplasty and Coronary artery bypass surgery. Thus it was crucial to develop new, non-invasive therapeutic strategies in case of Failure of medical or interventional therapy or in case patient is not fit for surgery or angioplasty. In this study, we are pleased to reveal a novel technique that was carried out on a human model. We aimed to develop low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy for the treatment of patients with Ischaemic Heart Disease. We have set up the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the treatment protocol of LIPUS on IHD patients. In this limited group of IHD patients, We found promising clinical results and improvement on myocardial functions.

The Effect of Material Surface Microstructure on the Enhancement of Bone-Bonding Ability of a Hydroxyapatite-Implant by Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS)

Excellent firm bonding between the biomaterials and bone tissue (osseointegration and osteo-conductivity) has been desired for the stability in vivo of dental implants and artificial joints. Much has been learned about this concept, which has led to significant improvements in the design and surface modification of implants in the field of implant dentistry, orthopedic surgery. We have already reported that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) irradiation can accelerate the bone bonding ability of the bio-conductive materials such as bioactive titanium and hydroxyapatite implant. However, it is still unclear whether the LIPUS could have same effect to different types of the bioactive-materials. Therefore, in this study, the differences of bone-like hydroxyapatite formation on some kind of hydroxyapatite surface in simulated body fluid (SBF) under the LIPUS irradiation were investigated. Two kinds of hydroxyapatite samples immersed in SBF was exposed to ultrasound waves, the bone-like apatite on the surface was analyzed by Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. As a result, the enhancement of hydroxyapatite formation on the surface by LIPUS was confirmed, the initial epitaxial nucleation and crystal growth of apatite depended on crystal structure of the surface of matrix materials.

Low-intensity anticoagulation therapy in the pregnant women with mechanical heart valves:a report with 56 cases

Objective To evaluate the method of low-intensity anticoagulation therapy in the pregnant women who had received mechanical heart valve replacemant,and the effects of warfarin on the pregnant women and their fetus. Methods This retrospective study involved 56 pregnant women (61 pregnancies) who had received mechanical heart valve replacement. Their pregnant status,delivery, and anticoagulation therapy were observed

L-Type Calcium Channel Modulates Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound-Induced Excitation in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

As a noninvasive technique,ultrasound stimulation is known to modulate neuronal activity both in vitro and in vivo.The latest explanation of this phenomenon is that the acoustic wave can activate the ion channels and further impact the electrophysiological properties of targeted neurons.However,the underlying mechanism of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS)-induced neuro-modulation effects is still unclear.Here,we characterize the excitatory effects of LIPUS on spontaneous activity and the intracellular Ca^(2+)homeostasis in cultured hippocampal neurons.By whole-cell patch clamp recording,we found that 15 min of 1-MHz LIPUS boosts the frequency of both spontaneous action potentials and spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents(sEPSCs)and also increases the amplitude of sEPSCs in hippocampal neurons.This phenomenon lasts for>10 min after LIPUS exposure.Together with Ca^(2+)imaging,we clarified that LIPUS increases the[Ca^(2+)]cyto level by facilitating L-type Ca^(2+)channels(LTCCs).In addition,due to the[Ca^(2+)]cyto elevation by LIPUS exposure,the Ca^(2+)-dependent CaMKII-CREB pathway can be activated within 30 min to further regulate the gene transcription and protein expression.Our work suggests that LIPUS regulates neuronal activity in a Ca^(2+)-dependent manner via LTCCs.This may also explain the multi-activation effects of LIPUS beyond neurons.LIPUS stimulation potentiates spontaneous neuronal activity by increasing Ca^(2+)influx.

Feasibility of low-intensity ultrasound treatment with hydroxylamine to accelerate the initiation of partial nitrification and allow operation under intermittent aeration

Partial nitrification is a key aspect of efficient nitrogen removal,although practically it suf-fers from long start-up cycles and unstable long-term operational performance.To address these drawbacks,this study investigated the effect of low intensity ultrasound treatment combined with hydroxylamine(NH2OH)on the performance of partial nitrification.Results showthat compared with the control group,low-intensity ultrasound treatment(0.10W/mL,15 min)combined with NH2OH(5 mg/L)reduced the time required for partial nitrification initiation by 6 days,increasing the nitrite accumulation rate(NAR)and ammonia nitro-gen removal rate(NRR)by 20.4% and 6.7%,respectively,achieving 96.48% NRR.Mechanis-tic analysis showed that NH2OH enhanced ammonia oxidation,inhibited nitrite-oxidizing bacteria(NOB)activity and shortened the time required for partial nitrification initiation.Furthermore,ultrasonication combined with NH2OH dosing stimulated EPS(extracellular polymeric substances)secretion,increased carbonyl,hydroxyl and amine functional group abundances and enhanced mass transfer.In addition,16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that ultrasonication-sensitive Nitrospira disappeared from the ultrasound+NH_(2)OH system,while Nitrosomonas gradually became the dominant group.Collectively,the results of this study provide valuable insight into the enhancement of partial nitrification start-up during the process of wastewater nitrogen removal.

Impact of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy on vascular parameters and sexual function in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

Previous published studies have shown an improvement of penile hemodynamic parameters after low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy(Li-ESWT).However,the clinical significance of these findings remains unclear,and definitive selection criteria for Li-ESWT based on preexisting comorbidities have yet to be established.This was an observational study of 113 patients with ED,evaluated between January 2019 and December 2021 in Andrology Unit at the Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation,University of Foggia(Foggia,Italy).Penile dynamic Doppler was performed to evaluate vascular parameters and 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction(IIEF-5)questionnaire was administered to assess the severity of ED.This was repeated 1 month after treatment.Patients with a peak systolic velocity(PSV)<30 cm s−1 were considered eligible for Li-ESWT.Our protocol consisted of 8 weekly sessions with 1500 strokes distributed in 5 different locations along the penis.After treatment,a significant mean(±standard deviation[s.d.])PSV increase of 5.0(±3.4)cm s−1 was recorded and 52/113(46.0%)patients reached a PSV>30 cm s−1 at posttherapeutic penile dynamic Doppler.A clinically significant IIEF-5 score improvement was observed in 7 patients,21 patients,and 2 patients with mild-to-moderate,moderate,and severe pretreatment ED,respectively.No different outcomes were assessed based on smoking habits,previous pelvic surgery,or use of oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor(PDE5i).On the other side,only 1(6.7%)in 15 patients with diabetes mellitus showed an IIEF-5 score improvement after Li-ESWT.Shockwave treatment determined a significant increase in PSV and correlated IIEF-5 improvement in ED patients.This advantage seemed particularly evident for moderate ED and was not affected by smoking habits,previous pelvic surgery,and use of PDE5i.Conversely,diabetic patients did not benefit from the treatment.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in repairing injured articular cartilage

Objective: To investigate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in repairing injured articular cartilage. Methods: Ten adult New Zealand rabbits with bilateral full-thickness osteochondral defects on the cartilage surface of intercondylar fossas were used in this study. The wounds in the left knees were treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound as the experimental group. The right knees received no treatment as the control group. All the animals were killed at 8 weeks after injury and the tissues in the wounds were collected for gross appearance grading, histological grading and proteoglycan quantity. Results: The scores of the gross appearance grades, histological grades and the optical density of toluidine blue of the tissues in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the controls at 8 weeks after injury (P<(0.05)). Conclusions: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can accelerate the repair of injured articular cartilage.

Efficacy and safety of low-intensity shockwave therapy plus tadalafil 5 mg once daily in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction:a matched-pair comparison study

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy(LiESWT)represents a promising treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction(ED).We investigated the efficacy of LiESWT combined with tadalafil 5 mg once daily in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and ED and compared LiESWT protocols administering different number of shockwaves.We performed a retrospective matched-pair comparison using data from a prospectively maintained database.Seventy-eight patients who received tadalafil 5 mg once dai7ly for 12 weeks+LiESWT performed with an electrohydraulic source for 3 weeks(Group A)were matched 1:1 to patients who received tadalafil 5 mg once daily alone for 12 weeks(Group B).A subgroup analysis was performed according to the number of shockwaves delivered during each session(1500,1800,and 2400 in subgroup A1,A2,and A3,respectively).The mean International Index of Erectile Function-5(IIEF-5)score variations with respect to baseline recorded at 4,12,and 24 weeks after the end of the treatment were investigated as treatment outcomes.The mean IIEF-5 scores significantly improved in all groups and subgroups at 4-week follow-up without intergroup differences.At 12-and 24-week follow-up,the mean IIEF-5 improvement was significantly higher among patients in the A3 subgroup(+5.0±2.1[P<0.001]and+4.7±2.3[P<0.001],respectively).The combined approach with tadalafil 5 mg once daily and LiESWT with a protocol involving 2400 shockwaves provides significant advantages in terms of IIEF-5 improvement and durability compared to tadalafil 5 mg once daily alone in patients with T2DM and ED.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy: a potential strategy to stimulate tendon-bone junction healing

Incorporation of a tendon graft within the bone tunnel represents a challenging clinical problem. Successfulanterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires solid healing of the tendon graft in the bone tunnel. En-hancement of graft healing to bone is important to facilitate early aggressive rehabilitation and a rapid return topre-injury activity levels. No convenient, effective or inexpensive procedures exist to enhance tendon-bone (T-B)healing after surgery. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) improves local blood perfusion and angiogenesis,stimulates cartilage maturation, enhances differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, and motivates osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and therefore, appears to be a potential non-invasive tool for T-Bhealing in early stage of rehabilitation of ACL reconstruction. It is conceivable that LIPUS could be used to stimulateT-B tunnel healing in the home, with the aim of accelerating rehabilitation and an earlier return to normal activities inthe near future. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate how LIPUS stimulates T-B healing at the cellular andmolecular levels, describe studies in animal models, and provide a future direction for research.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for regenerating peripheral nerves:potential for penile nerve

Peripheral nerve damage,such as that found after surgery or trauma,is a substantial clinical challenge.Much research continues in attempts to improve outcomes after peripheral nerve damage and to promote nerve repair after injury.In recent years,low-intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS)has been studied as a potential method of stimulating peripheral nerve regeneration.In this review,the physiology of peripheral nerve regeneration is reviewed,and the experiments employing LIPUS to improve peripheral nerve regeneration are discussed.Application of LIPUS following nerve surgery may promote nerve regeneration and improve functional outcomes through a variety of proposed mechanisms.These include an increase of neurotrophic factors,Schwann cell(SC)activation,cellular signaling activations,and induction of mitosis.We searched PubMed for articles related to these topics in both in vitro and in vivo animal research models.We found numerous studies,suggesting that LIPUS following nerve surgery promotes nerve regeneration and improves functional outcomes.Based on these findings,LIPUS could be a novel and valuable treatment for nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction.

Improved activity of MC3T3-E1 cells by the exciting piezoelectric BaTiO_(3)/TC4 using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound

Developing bioactive materials for bone implants to enhance bone healing and bone growth has for years been the focus of clinical research.Barium titanate(BT)is an electroactive material that can generate electrical signals in response to applied mechanical forces.In this study,a BT piezoelectric ceramic coating was synthesized on the surface of a TC4 titanium alloy,forming a BT/TC4 material,and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS)was then applied as a mechanical stimulus.The combined effects on the biological responses of MC3T3-E1 cells were investigated.Results of scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and X-ray diffraction showed that an uniform nanospheres-shaped BT coating was formed on TC4 substrate.Piezoelectric behaviors were observed using piezoelectric force microscopy with the piezoelectric coefficient d_(33)of 0.42 pC/N.Electrochemical measures indicated that LIPUS-stimulated BT/TC4 materials could produce a microcurrent of approximately 10μA/cm^(2).In vitro,the greatest osteogenesis(cell adhesion,proliferation,and osteogenic differentiation)was found in MC3T3-E1 cells when BT/TC4 was stimulated using LIPUS.Furthermore,the intracellular calcium ion concentration increased in these cells,possibly because opening of the L-type calcium ion channels was promoted and expression of the Ca_(V)1.2 protein was increased.Therefore,the piezoelectric BT/TC4 material with LIPUS loading synergistically promoted osteogenesis,rending it a potential treatment for early stage formation of reliable bone-implant contact.

Degradation of organics using LaFeO_(3)as a persulfate activator under low-intensity ultra-violet-light irradiation:Catalytic performance and mechanism

ABO_(3)-type perovskite oxides with abounding defect structures and diverse physical chemistry attributes have been extensively studied in heterogeneous catalysis.Semiconductor LaFeO_(3)perovskites fabricated via the sol-gel method were used as peroxydisulfate(PDS)activators for methylene blue(MB)degradation under low-intensity ultra-violet(UV)-light to evaluate the degradation efficiency of organic pollutants and mechanism.The results indicate that under low-intensity UV irradiation,the developed UV/LaFeO_(3)/PDS system shows excellent degradation ability of organic pollutants in a wide pH range.Electron spin resonance and radical quenching experiments verify that SO_(4)^(·-),·OH,h^(+)and ^(1)O_(2)are generated during the activation process,and ^(1)O_(2)plays a dominant role in MB degradation.Reduction of low oxidation state Fe(Ⅱ)and O_(2)^(2-)/O^(-)on the LaFeO_(3)surface shows that oxygen vacancy,as the electron transfer mediator,enhances the redox cycle efficiency of Fe(Ⅱ)/Fe(Ⅲ).Photogenerated electrons of LaFeO_(3)involved in the cyclic transformation of Fe(Ⅱ)/Fe(Ⅲ)and PDS activation further increase the number of active radicals and thus promote the synergistic effect of photocatalytic coupled with sulfate radicalbased advanced oxidation processes.