A Brazilian multicenter pilot case series on the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy for COVID-19-related taste dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Among the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is taste dysfunction, which has a ranging clinical presentation. As well as its pathophysiology remains to be unclear, there is not enough information about the efficacy and safety of the available treatments. This study aims to report a series of cases using PBMT for the management of COVID-19-related taste impairment. CASE SERIES: 8 female and 2 male patients sought medical help for taste impairment (either partially or completely) after COVID-19 infection. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the tongue mucosa was then proposed but with 3 different protocols. Taste perception at baseline and before every laser session was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, taste recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSION: given the high prevalence rates of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and the lack of information about the available treatments, PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality but not dependent on the total number of laser sessions and the interval between them. The choice of the most suitable laser protocol as well as the knowledge of the exact photonic mechanisms, however, need to be better studied.

Intranasal photobiomodulation therapy for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction: A Brazilian multicenter case series.

Olfactory dysfunction is commonly seen in COVID-19 patients; however, little is known about the pathophysiology and management. The present study aimed to report a series of cases in which three protocols of intranasal photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) were used for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, olfaction recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. Although intranasal PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality, more research is needed to better define effectiveness.

Changes in salivary composition of chemically dependent subjects / Cambios en la composición salival de personas químicamente dependientes

Abstract Chemically dependent subjects may present relevant changes in the volume and composition of salivary fluid because the secretion of the salivary glands is controlled by the parasympathetic and sympathetic system. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary concentration of total proteins, amylase, urea, calcium, phosphate and flow rate between chemically dependent and non-chemically dependent subjects. Saliva flow rate, calcium, phosphate, total protein, amylase and urea concentrations were measure in both groups: chemical dependent group (n=27) and control group (n=27). Saliva samples, from the chemically dependents, were taken one day before the beginning of the detoxification treatment. Statistical analysis was undertaken using t-test. The salivary flow and the urea concentration did not present statistically significant difference between the groups. However, total proteins, amylase, calcium and phosphate concentrations were statistically higher on the chemical dependents group. Saliva composition seems to be modified by the chronic use of alcohol and illicit drugs.

Resumen Los dependientes químicos pueden presentar cambios relevantes en el volumen y la composición de la saliva, debido a que la secreción de las glándulas salivales es controlada por el sistema parasimpático y simpático. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la concentración salival de proteínas totales, amilasa, urea, calcio, fosfato y la velocidad de flujo salival entre personas con dependencia química y no dependientes. Cada grupo fue formado por 27 participantes. La velocidad del flujo salival y las concentraciones de calcio, fosfato, proteína total, amilasa y urea se midieron en ambos grupos. Las muestras de saliva de los dependientes químicos se tomaron un día antes de comenzar el tratamiento de desintoxicación. El análisis estadístico se realizó por medio del test t de student. El flujo salival y la concentración de urea no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. Sin embargo, las concentraciones de proteínas totales, amilasa, calcio y fosfato fueron estadísticamente mayores en el grupo de dependientes químicos. El uso crónico de alcohol y de drogas ilícitas provocan modificaciones en la composición salival.

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of cinnamaldehyde against S. epidermidis.

The search for new antimicrobial drugs has been necessary due to the increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics currently in use, and natural products play an important role in this field. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of cinnamaldehyde on S. epidermidis strains, biofilm set-up prevention, as well as its effect on pre-established biofilms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 300 to 500 µg/mL, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) from 400 to 600 µg/mL. The biofilm inhibitory concentration and biofilm eradication concentration values were four-fold (clinical isolate) and eight-fold (ATCC strain) greater than the concentration required to inhibit planktonic growth. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde attenuated biofilm formation of S. epidermidis strains on polystyrene microtiter plates. The combination of cinnamaldehyde and linezolid was able to inhibit S. epidermidis with a bactericidal effect. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of cinnamaldehyde revealed its effect on the cell membrane permeability, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images illustrated the impact of cinnamaldehyde in the detachment and killing of existing biofilms. Thereby, our data confirmed the ability of cinnamaldehyde to reduce bacterial planktonic growth of S. epidermidis, inhibiting biofilm formation and eradicating pre-formed biofilm.