Efficacy of indirect intense pulsed light irradiation on meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomized controlled study

AIM:To investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of indirect intense pulsed light(IPL)irradiation on meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD).METHODS:A total of 60 MGD patients was included in this prospective randomized controlled trial.Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 into two groups(3-mm group and 10-mm group)in which IPL was applied at distances from the lower eyelid margin of 3 and 10 mm,respectively.Both groups received three times treatment with 3-week interval.Meibomian gland yield secretion score(MGYSS),standard patient evaluation of eye dryness(SPEED)questionnaire,tear break-up time(TBUT),corneal fluorescein staining(CFS),and in vivo confocal microscopy were performed at baseline and after every treatment.RESULTS:After three IPL treatments,both groups had significant improvement in MGYSS(both P<0.05).The noninferiority test showed that improvement in 10-mm group was not inferior to that in 3-mm group(P<0.001).In both groups,temporal regions of both upper and lower eyelids showed significant improvement in MGYSS.Scores of SPEED questionnaire in both groups declined significantly(both P<0.001)and changes of SPEED had no difference between two groups(P=0.57).Density of central corneal subepithelial nerves and TBUTs showed no statistically significant changes.The 3-mm group had improvement on corneal fluorescein staining(P=0.048)and meibomian gland morphology(acini wall thickness P=0.003,hyperreflective points P=0.024)while the 10-mm group had not.CONCLUSION:The efficacy of IPL indirect irradiation in improving meibomian gland secretion and alleviating dry eye symptoms remains unchanged with increase in treatment distance.IPL may primarily act on the functional improvement of the meibomian glands and corneal nerves.

Model prediction of inactivation of Aeromonas salmonicida grown on poultry in situ by intense pulsed light

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the inactivation effect of intense pulsed light(IPL)on Aeromonas salmonicida grown on chicken meat and skin,and to further develop prediction models of inactivation.In this work,chicken meat and skin inoculated with meat-borne A.salmonicida isolates were subjected to IPL treatments under different conditions.The results showed that IPL had obvious bactericidal effect in the chicken skin and thickness groups when the treatment voltage and time were 7 V combined with 5 s.In addition,the lethality curves of A.salmonicida were fitted under IPL conditions of 3.5-7.5 V.The comparison of statistical parameters revealed that the Weibull model could best fit the mortality curves and could accurately predict the mortality dynamic of A.salmonicida grown on chicken skin.And further a secondary model between the scale factor b and the treatment voltage in Weibull model was established using linear equations,which determined that the secondary model could accurately predict the inactivation of A.salmonicida.This study provides a theoretical basis for future prediction models of Aeromonas,and also provides new ideas for sterilization approaches of meat-borne Aeromonas.

Protective and Regenerative Efficacy of a Plant Oil-Based Day and Night Cream: Investigated by a Novel Approach to Reveal the Impact of Blue Light Irradiation on Epidermal Barrier Integrity and Lipid Matrix

In recent years, the harmful effects of blue light (400 - 500 nm) as a component of visible light (400 - 700 nm) have increasingly gained attention of science, industry, and consumers. To date, only a few in vivo test methods for measuring the effects of blue light on the skin have been described. A direct measurement method that can detect the immediate effects of blue light on the epidermal permeability barrier (EPB) is still lacking. In this study, we present a new methodological approach that can be used to investigate both the protective and regenerative effects of cosmetic products on the EPB after blue light irradiation. In a study with 14 female volunteers, it was investigated whether the regular application of an O/W emulsion (day cream) can strengthen and protect the epidermal barrier against damaging blue light radiation of 60 J/cm2 (protective study design) and also whether a disruption of the epidermal barrier caused by blue light radiation is restored faster and better by the regular application of another O/W emulsion (night cream) than in product-untreated skin (regenerative study design). The two O/W emulsions are different in plant oil, active ingredient composition and texture. The seven-day treatment with the day cream initially led to a significant increase in the normalized lipid lamellae length in the intercellular space, whereas the irradiation with blue light after 24 hours led to a significant decrease in the lipid lamellae length in the untreated test area, but not in the area previously treated with the product. Regarding the regenerative study design, a two-day treatment with the night cream was able to restore a blue-light-induced decrease in lipid lamellae length in the intercellular space. In summary, with the study designs presented here, the protective and regenerative effect of two cosmetic products could be demonstrated for the first time on the integrity of the EPB after blue light irradiation and the data showed that the Lipbarvis® method is suitable for investigating the damaging effects of blue light on the EPB in vivo.

Fifty Cases of Chloasma Treated by Acupuncture plus Intensive Pulse Light Irradiation

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus intensive pulse light irradiation on chloasma. Methods: Ninety-six cases of chloasma were randomly divided into two groups, the control group of 46 cases treated by simple acupuncture and the treatment group of 50 cases treated by acupuncture and intensive pulse light irradiation. Results: The total effective rate was 89.1% and 98.0% in the control group and treatment group respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: For chloasma, the effect of treatment with acupuncture plus intensive pulse light irradiation is superior to that with simple acupuncture.

The Effect of Intense Pulsed Light Treatment for Chronic Hordeolum

Objective To evaluate the effect of intense pulsed light(IPL)in the treatment of chronic hordeolum.Methods Patients with chronic hordeolum who underwent IPL treatment were enrolled in this study.According to the severity of hordeolum,the patients were treated with IPL 3 to 5 times.Patients’satisfaction and visual analog scale scores for ocular discomfort symptoms before and after treatment were collected.The number,congestion,long diameter,short diameter and area of nodules were also recorded and measured.Finally,eyelid margin signs,meibum quality,meibomian gland expressibility,meibomian gland dropout,tear meniscus height,and corneal fluorescein staining were scored.Results 20 patients were enrolled in this study.The eyelid margins were congestive and swollen,with blunt rounding or irregularity.The meibum was cloudy or toothpaste-like.The meibomian gland expressibility,meibomian gland dropout and tear meniscus height were reduced.The cornea showed scattered fluorescein staining.After treatment,score of visual analog scale,congestion and size of nodules were significantly reduced.Eyelid margin signs,meibum quality,meibomian gland expressibility,tear meniscus height and corneal fluorescein staining scores were improved.Meibomian gland dropout had no significant change.No side effects occurred during treatment.Conclusions IPL is beneficial for the treatment of chronic hordeolum.

Electrokinetic-mechanism of water and furfural oxidation on pulsed laser-interlaced Cu_(2)O and CoO on nickel foam

The electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived furfural(FF)feedstocks into 2-furoic acid(FA)holds immense industrial potential in optics,cosmetics,polymers,and food.Herein,we fabricated Co O/Ni O/nickel foam(NF)and Cu_(2)O/Ni O/NF electrodes via in situ pulsed laser irradiation in liquids(PLIL)for the bifunctional electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and furfural oxidation reaction(FOR),respectively.Simultaneous oxidation of NF surface to NiO and deposition of CoO and/or Cu_(2)O on NF during PLIL offer distinct advantages for enhancing both the OER and FOR.CoO/NiO/NF electrocatalyst provides a consistently low overpotential of~359 m V(OER)at 10 m A/cm^(2),achieving the maximum FA yield(~16.37 m M)with 61.5%selectivity,79.5%carbon balance,and a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of~90.1%during 2 h of FOR at 1.43 V(vs.reversible hydrogen electrode).Mechanistic pathway via in situ electrochemical-Raman spectroscopy on CoO/NiO/NF reveals the involvement of phase transition intermediates(NiOOH and CoOOH)as surface-active centers during electrochemical oxidation.The carbonyl carbon in FF is attacked by hydroxyl groups to form unstable hydrates that subsequently undergo further oxidation to yield FA products.This method holds promise for large-scale applications,enabling simultaneous production of renewable building materials and fuel.

Proteomic Alterations in Human Dermal Fibroblasts under Photo-Induced Pollution Caused by Excessive Solar Irradiations such as Infra-Red, Blue Light, UVA and UVB

Background: The skin serves as the first line of defense for the human body. Direct sunlight contains damaging radiations that can speed up the ageing process of the skin, resulting in wrinkles, leathery skin, dark patches, and solar elastosis. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of multiple solar irradiation related factors at the protein level in human dermal fibroblast (HDF). The overall effect of individual solar irradiations such as Infrared A (IRA), blue light (BL), UVA, and UVB on HDF cells and the extent of molecular level aberrations to be assessed and compared against each. Methods: Label-free quantitative proteomics (MS/MS) approach has been adopted in this study to observe the protein level changes induced in the HDF cells through various exposures of full light sources. Following that, downstream insilico analysis has been carried out. Results: In this study, it is demonstrated all the four different solar irradiations significantly contribute to the molecular degeneration of skin cells through various mechanisms. This study confirms that BL down-regulates DNA repair proteins and the skin cells-HDF stimulate the histone proteins as a response mechanism to maintain the chromosomal integrity. Conclusions: The proteomics experiment carried out in the current study intends to support the future sun care products based on full light protection technology that can be custom designed to provide complete protection from the solar radiation. Similar technology could enhance the further investigations for deeper understanding of induction, mode of action, and prevention of skin damage from extensive solar irradiation.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory effects of intense pulsed light with tobramycin/dexamethasone plus warm compress on dry eye associated meibomian gland dysfunction

AIM: To compare the anti-inflammatory effects of intense pulsed light(IPL) with tobramycin/dexamethasone plus warm compress through clinical signs and cytokines in tears.METHODS: Eighty-two patients with dry eye disease(DED) associated meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD) were divided into two groups. Group A was treated with IPL, and Group B was treated with tobramycin/dexamethasone plus warm compress. Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI), tear film breakup time(TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining(CFS), meibomian gland expressibility(MGE), meibum quality, gland dropout and tear cytokine levels were evaluated before treatment, 1 wk and 1 mo after treatment. RESULTS: TBUT in Group A was higher(P=0.035), and MGE score was lower than Group B at 1 mo(P=0.001). The changes of interleukin(IL)-17 A and IL-1β levels in tears were lower in Group A compared with that in Group B at 1 wk after treatment(P=0.05, P=0.005).CONCLUSION: Treatment with IPL can improve TBUT and MGE and downregulate levels of IL-17 A and IL-1β in tears of patients with DED associated MGD better than treatment with tobramycin/dexamethasone plus warm compress in one-month treatment period.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Ocular Demodex Infestation

To observe the clinical changes of meibomian gland dysfunctipn(MGD)and ocular Demodex infestation after intense pulsed light(IPL)treatment to further examine the mechanism of IPL treating patients with MGD and ocular Demodex infestation.The medical records of 25 patients(49 eyes)with MGD treated with IPL,were retrospectively examined to determine outcomes.Associated ocular-surface parameters(ocular surface disease index,OSD1;lipid layer thickness,LLT;noninvasive first breakup time,NIF-BUT;noninvasive average breakup time,NIAvg?BUT;tear film breakup area,TBUA;Schirmer I Test,SIT;corneal fluorescein staining,CFS),eyelid margin abnormalities,meibum quality and expressibility,MG morphological parameters(macrostructure and microstructure),and the number of Demodex infestation were examined before and after treatment.The MG microstructure and the Demodex infestation were examined via in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM).The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in associated ocular-surface parameters(all P<0.05)before and after IPL treatment,except SIT(P=0.065).Eyelid margin abnormalities,meibum quality and expressibility obviously improved in upper and lower eyelid after IPL treatment(all P<0.0001).MG macrostructure(MG dropouts)decreased in upper(P=0.002)and lower eyelid(P=0.001)after IPL treatment.The nine parameters of MG microstructure in upper and lower eyelid all distinctly improved after IPL treatment(all P<0.0001).The mean number of Demodex mites on the upper lid margin(6.59±7.16 to 3.12±3.81/9 eyelashes)and lower lid margin(2.55±2.11 to 1.29±1.53/9 eyelashes)significantly reduced after IPL treatment(all P<0.0001).The Demodex eradication rate was 20%(8/40)in upper lid margin and 34.15%(14/41)in lower lid margin.These findings indicate that IPL shows great therapeutic potential for patients of MGD and ocular Demodex infestation.

Detection of intermediates in the TiO_2-assisted photodegradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation

The photocatalytic degradation of dye Rhodamine B （RhB） in the presence of TiO2 nanostdpe or P25 under visible light irradiation was investigated. The degradation intermediates were identified using Infrared spectra （IR spectra）, ^1H nuclear magnetic resonance （^1HNMR） spectra, and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy （GC-MS）. The IR and the ^1HNMR results showed that the large conjugated chromophore structure of RhB was efficiently destroyed under visible light irradiation in both the photocatalytic systems （TiO2 nanostfipe or P25 and Rhodamine B systems）. GC-MS results showed that the main identified intermediates were ethanediotic acid, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid and benzoic acid, which were almost the same in the TiO2 nanostdpes and P25 systems. This work provides a good insight into the reaction pathway（s） for the TiO2-assisted photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants under visible light irradiation.

Effect of Pulsed Ultraviolet Light on the Total Phenol Content of Elderberry (<i>Sambucus nigra</i>) Fruit

The changes in total polyphenolics in elderberry (Sambucus nigra) following treatment with various doses of pulsed ultraviolet rays (UV) were investigated. Four pulsed UV durations (5, 10, 20, 30 seconds) at three energy dosages (4500, 6000, 11,000 J/m2/pulse) were considered for the research. All treated elderberry fruits were incubated for 24 h at room temperature (25℃) following treatment to ensure enough response duration for enhanced development of polyphenols by the berries. The highest increase in total phenolics around 50% was found with 11,000 J/m2/pulse for a 10 seconds treatment while nearly 40% increase in total phenolics was found at an energy dosage of 11,000 J/m2/pulse after 5 seconds exposure. Even though most of the treatments indicated an increase in total polyphenols, some treatment expressed a decrease in phenolics content when compared to untreated fruits.

Novel intense pulsed light-photodynamic therapy strategy in the treatment of facial actinic keratoses concomitant with rosacea

Rosacea presents as transient or persistent erythema,papules,pustules,fAushing,and telangi-ectasia on the middle of the face,which has some clinical similarity with act inic keratosis(AK).These two conditions can coexist in the same patient.Dermoscopy and reflect ance confocal microscopy(RCM)could be useful methods for diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy.Novel intense pulsed light-photodynamic therapy(IPL-PDT)may have better tolerance and curative effect than traditional red-light 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT).Herein,we present a case of facial AKs concomitant with rosacea where combination therapy of novel IPL-PDT and oral minocycline was effective in that AK lesions were eliminated and the patient's facial erythema and telangiectasia were significantly improved.

Pulsed light treatment in food

Currently, there is a necessity for new technologies that are less harmful to the environment. Consumers have become increasingly demanding towards the quality of the processed products they consume as well as their environmental impact. Pulsed light (PL) technology is a green technology capable of maintaining food quality and safety without impairing nutritional value. PL has been used in the treatment of different food and its constituents. This mini-review aims to describe the basic principle of PL functioning as well as provide examples of the newest applications in the food industry.

Influence of high-intensity pulsed ion beams irradiation on oxidation behavior of 316L stainless steel at 700℃

316L stainless steel samples, as a widespread used material, were irradiated with HIPIB at the beam parameters of ion energy 300 keV, current density 100, 200 and 300 A/cm2, shot number 10 and pulse duration 75 ns. The surface morphology and the phase structure in the near surface region of original and treated samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). It is shown that the HIPIB irradiation can smooth the surface of the samples, and the preferred orientation is present in the surface layer of irradiated coupons. The influence of HIPIB irradiation on the oxidation behavior of 316L stainless steel at 700℃for up to 100 h was investigated. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) was used to study the distribution of elements in the oxidation products. It is found that the oxidation behavior of the irradiated coupons depends greatly on the ion current density of HIPIB. HIPIB irradiation with ion current density of 100 A/cm2 slightly reduces the oxidation rate with respect to the unirradiated coupon. The improvement of the oxidation resistance can be attributed to more oxide of Cr that forms on the surface of the irradiated coupons. In contrast, HIPIB irradiation with ion current density of 200 or 300 A/cm2 is proved to be detrimental, causing a higher oxidation rate.

A new equation for activity calculation in pulse irradiation:derivation, simulation, and experimental validation

To calculate the radioactivity of product nuclides generated in pulse irradiation, it is generally assumed that the irradiation is approximately continuous in the entire irradiation period(ti) and the flux of the incoming irradiation particle can be obtained by averaging their intensity in each pulse period(T). However, this approximation fails to acknowledge the fact that the product nuclides are not created in each pulse period(T)evenly: They are only produced in a very short pulse width(tp) and then decay in a relatively long rest time(tr = T-tp). Given by the enormous number of pulses, the sum of these decays may not be negligible. To make the activity calculation in accordance with the real situation in pulse irradiation, we scrutinize the details of irradiation and decay processes in each pulse, apply the geometric series to obtain the activity superimposition of millions of pulses,and derive a novel activity equation particularly suitable for pulse irradiation. The experimental results,numerical simulations,and activity measurements from photon activation driven by a pulsed electron LINAC have confirmed the validity of this new equation. The comparison between the new and traditional equations indicates that their discrepancy could be significant under certain conditions. The limitations of the new activity equation for pulse irradiation are discussed as well.

Generation and storage of double slow light pulses in a solid

We experimentally study the generation and storage of double slow light pulses in a pr^3＋：Y2SiO5 crystal. Under electromagnetically induced transparency, a single signal pulse is stored in the spin coherence of the crystal. By simultaneously switching on two control fields to recall the stored information, the spin coherence is converted into two slow light pulses with distinct frequencies. Furthermore, the storage and controlled retrieval of double slow light pulses are obtained by manipulating the control fields. This study of double slow light pulses may have practical applications in information processing and all-optical networks.

Cooling of rubidium atoms in pulsed diffuse laser light

This paper reports an experiment on laser cooling of STRb atoms in pulsed diffuse light, which is the key step towards a compact cold atom clock. It deduces an empirical formula to simulate the pulse cooling process based on the loading of cold atoms in cooling time and the loss in the dead time, which is in agreement with the experimental data. The formula gives a reference to select the parameters for the cold atom clock.

Phase Time of P-Polarized Light Pulses Passing through a Glass Plate

The phase time of p-polarized light pulses passing through a glass plate is investigated. We do this by converting the problem into a l-dimensional quantum-mechanical counterpart, a potential well with a position-dependent effective mass. We find that the phase time and the lateral shift have the negative characteristics.

Study on the mechanism of Yinzhihuang granules, Blue light irradiation combined with Bifid Triple Viable Capsules for neonatal jaundice treatment

Objective:To observe the mechanism of Yinzhihuang granules, Blue light irradiation combined with Bifid Triple Viable Capsules for neonatal jaundice treatment and offer clinical help to neonatal jaundice treatment. Methods:80 children with neonatal jaundice were selected and randomly divided into groups:the observation group (40 children) and the control group (40 children). The patient in the control group were treated with blue light and the patients in the observation group were treated with Yinzhihuang granules, Blue light irradiation combined with Bifid Triple Viable Capsules. Biochemical parameters [TBA (total bile acid), TSB (serum total bilirubin), DB (Direct bilirubin) and TCB (Percutaneous jaundice index)], nerve factor [NSE (neuronspecific enolase), Aβ(βamyloid protein) and S100B (Astrocyte derived protein)] and myocardial enzyme spectrum [LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), CK (creatine kinase) and CK-MB (isoenzymes of creatine kinase)], liver function [ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and AST (glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase)] and renal function (BUN and Cr) were detected and analyzed before and after treatment. Results:The comparison of Biochemical parameters, nerve factor and myocardial enzymes, liver function and renal function in the two groups before treatment were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Biochemical parameters (TBA, TSB, TCB and DB), nerve factor (NSE, Aβand S100B) and myocardial enzyme spectrum (LDH, CK and CK-MB), liver function (ALT and AST) and renal function [BUN (urea nitrogen) and Cr (creatinine)] in both groups after treatment significantly decreased compared with that before treatment. The changes were statistically significant (P<0.05). Biochemical parameters (TBA, TSB, TCB and DB), nerve factor (NSE, Aβand S100B) and myocardial enzyme spectrum (LDH, CK and CK-MB), liver function (ALT and AST) and renal function (BUN and Cr) in observation group after treatment decreased more significantly compared with that in control group. The difference between two groups was considered to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions:Yinzhihuang granules, Blue light irradiation combined with Bifid Triple Viable Capsules could regulate the Biochemical parameters, protect nerve function and cardiac muscle cells and improve liver and kidney function in newborns with jaundice. So it has a very important clinical significance of the treatment to neonatal jaundice.