Could Photobiomodulation help lactating women and their newborns?

During the first several weeks following lactation, nipple pain frequently prevents mothers from continuing breastfeeding. To evaluate the efficacy of using Photobiomodulation (PBM) versus anti-inflammatory topical cream, on inflamed nipple, and the effect on milk production. This study was carried-out on 50 breastfeeding women with nipple pain and fissure. Our patients were divided into two groups ; study group (Group I): 25 patients received 12 sessions of PBM using Diode laser for a period of 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week every alternative day, and controlled group (Group II): 25 patients used Anti-inflammatory topical cream. Regarding inflammatory signs in both groups, Group I showed a significant decrease in redness compared to Group II at the 3rd and 4th week, and a significant decrease in nipple fissure and pain at the 3rd week. There was a significant increase in milk amount reflected on the infant's weight. We concluded that PBM was more effective in decreasing nipple pain, inflammation and subsequently milk production and infant weight than topical anti-inflammatory creams.

Short-term effects of low-level laser versus ultrasound therapy on children's neck posture after long-term use of electronic devices.

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), ultrasound therapy (US), and strengthening and stretching exercise in children diagnosed with cervical straightening caused by long-term use of electronic devices. A total of 60 patients from 12 to 18 years of both gender diagnosed with straight neck syndrome which is losing the normal C shape of cervical vertebrae. Patients were randomized into three groups. In group A, patients received LLLT plus exercise, while in group B, they received US plus exercise, and group C received exercise. In group A and B, Cobb angle and VAS showed a significant improvement (more significant in group A) with P < 0.001, while in group C P = 0.006. LLLT, US, and exercise improved the cervical straight curve, and reduced pain with maximum effect was done by LLLT.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on quadriceps and foot muscle fatigue in children with spastic diplegia: a randomized controlled study.

Spastic diplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy; children with spastic diplegia are suffering from muscle fatigue and spasticity which lead to decreasing power of muscles, impaired motor control, and many functional abilities. The effect of low-level laser (LLL) has a good result as it improves muscles pain and spasticity and in decreasing lactate levels. Forty children were selected with spastic diplegia and were divided into two groups: A and B. Group A received low-level laser treatment (LLLT) with physiotherapy treatment. Group B got physiotherapy sessions. Pain intensity was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain which is reliable from age 5, before treatment and after 1-month follow-up. Muscle fatigue and power were assessed by maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) before treatment and after 1-month follow-up. Also, we tested blood lactate level in both groups; all evaluations were done before treatment and after 1-month follow-up. We found a significant difference between the two groups in VAS and MVIC and blood lactate level test regarding low-level therapy after 1-month follow-up. There is a good effect of low-level laser in increasing muscle power, decreasing blood lactate level, and improving pain.

Laser acupuncture improving functional chronic constipation in children: a randomized controlled trial.

Functional chronic constipation (FCC) is a disorder caused by low fiber consumption, lack of fluid intake, lack of mobility, or side effects of medications. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of laser acupuncture and the commonly used osmotic laxative, lactulose (as the control), both combined with behavioral therapy and dietary modification, on children with FCC in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Forty children were randomly chosen, aged 5-15 years with FCC, and randomized into two equal groups (gender ratio (50% male; 50% female), mean ± SD weight (24.2 ± 6.27 kg and 25.7 ± 7.47 kg for groups A and B, respectively)). Study group (group A): used laser acupuncture (650 nm), 30 mW, 0.15 cm2 spot size, 90 s per acupuncture point (ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, and LI11). Control group (group B): lactulose syrup (1 to 3 mL/kg/day) orally, in divided doses 3 times weekly for 4 weeks, and behavioral training for both groups. Evaluations were conducted before and after the study to assess the efficacy of the therapy. Median value frequency significantly increased in groups A and B post-treatment (4 (6.75-3) and 3 (3.75-2), respectively) compared to pre-treatment (2 (2-1) and 2 (2-0.25), respectively) (p = 0.0001), in favor of group A (p = 0.01). Significant improvement of stool consistency according to Bristol stool scale (BSS) in groups A and B (p = 0.0001), (p = 0.002) respectively in favor of group A (p = 0.03). T-test, Fisher, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were conducted to compare groups. Non-invasive, painless laser acupuncture therapy can be considered as an alternative therapy for patients with FCC.

Evaluation of scars in children after treatment with low-level laser.

Burn scars are known for their tendency to worsen with hypertrophy and contracture, causing esthetic and functional problems. The objective is to analyze the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on post-burn hypertrophic scar tissue in children. A randomized controlled study included 15 children, ranging from 2 to 10 years of age, presented with post-burn hypertrophic scars. They received He-Ne laser and topical treatment. Each scar was divided into two halves. One half was treated with laser therapy and topical treatment (study area), and the other half was treated with topical treatment only (control area). The children were evaluated before, and after 3 months of the study by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), ultrasonography, and laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Significant improvement was reported in the studied area, compared to the control area for patients with P values (P = 0.003) and (P = 0.005), for VSS and U/S scores, respectively. No differences were detected for blood perfusion of the scar between both areas (P = 0.73). In addition, no adverse effects were reported. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an efficient and safe therapeutic modality for post-burn hypertrophic scars in children, with no side effects, and should be considered a part of combination therapy for better results.

Variants of CDKAL1 rs7754840 (G/C) and CDKN2A/2B rs10811661 (C/T) with gestational diabetes: insignificant association.

OBJECTIVES: Pathophysiological similarity exists between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus with common genetic origin. Genetic liability for GDM in our population is still not researched. The goal was to reveal the genotypic and allele frequency differences of 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) namely, CDKAL1 (rs7754840) and CDKN2A/2B (rs10811661) between GDM pregnancies and normal pregnancies. We assessed them by real time polymerase chain reaction using Taqman® allelic discrimination assays. We included 47 GDM pregnant subjects and 51 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) pregnant women as controls. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies in the GDM group and the NGT group of rs7754840-GG/GC/CC were 6.4/15.7% (3/8), 55.3/45.1% (26/23) and 38.3/39.2% (18/20) respectively. Also, those of rs10811661-CC/CT/TT were 74.5/14.9/4.3% (38/7/2) and 80.9/19.6/5.9% (38/10/3) respectively. The allele frequencies in the GDM group and the NGT group of C/G and T/C were 66/34% (62/32), 61.8/38.2% (63/39) and 11.7/88.3% (11/83), 15.7/84.3% (16/86) respectively. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in allele frequencies and genotype frequencies (all P > 0.05). Non-significant association was seen in the two SNPs of CDKAL1 and CDKN2A/B genes with GDM. Further studies are essential to validate data.

Photobiomodulation effect on children's scars.

The management of burn scars has become one of the major clinical challenges in the developing countries which involve enormous treatment cost; this needs new methods for better cost benefit relationship. The objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on post-burn scar tissue in children. A randomized controlled study included 15 children, ranging from 2 to 10 years of age, presenting with burn scars. They received diode laser and topical treatment. Each scar was divided into two halves. One half was treated with laser therapy and topical treatment (study area), and the other half was treated with topical treatment only (control area). The children were evaluated before and after 3 months of the study by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), ultrasonography (U/S), and laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Significant improvement was reported in the studied area compared to the control area for patients with P values (P = 0.005) and (P = 0.0001) for VSS and U/S scores, respectively. No difference was detected for blood perfusion to the scar between both areas (P = 0.18). In addition, no adverse effect was reported. Photobiomodulation is an efficient and safe therapeutic modality for post-burn hypertrophic scars in children and should be considered a part of combination therapy for better results.

Topical timolol solution versus laser in treatment of infantile hemangioma: a comparative study.

Lasers, 595-nm pulsed dye and 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), have been used successfully for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IHs). Recently the use of a topical ß-blocker, specifically timolol maleate, has been promising in the treatment of IHs. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of topical timolol 5 mg/mL solution with that of combined sequential dual-wavelength laser in the treatment of IHs. Sixty children with IHs were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group 1 was treated with applications of timolol drops (5 mg/mL) twice daily. Group 2 was treated with sequential pulsed dye and Nd:Yag laser. Treatments were performed every month for a maximum of six sessions. Efficacy was evaluated clinically and by measuring the average hemoglobin level. A significant decrease in the average hemoglobin level was determined in both groups and a dramatic response was observed in superficial hemangiomas in the timolol group. The timolol group received treatment for an average of 4.0 ± 1.1 months and the laser group for 5.5 ± 0.9 months. The degree of improvement of mixed hemangiomas to laser treatment was greater than that of the timolol group. During 3 months of follow-up, no further improvement or relapse was reported in either group. Timolol solution is a safe and effective alternative to laser treatment in superficial hemangiomas. In mixed hemangiomas, the combined sequential 595-nm and 1,064-nm dual-wavelength laser provided better results than timolol solution because it penetrated deeply so that deep dermal blood vessels were reached.

Nicotine does not influence NF-κB activity in neonatal mice reoxygenated with room-air or 100% oxygen.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is considered an important mediator of inflammation, but is also important for developing organs and is constitutive active in neurons in the newborn brain. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to test the effects of preconditioning with nicotine on neonatal mice subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenated with either room-air or 100% oxygen. We hypothesized that nicotine would be neuroprotective and possibly reduce detrimental effects of 100% oxygen on body organs. METHODS: In this randomized study, we used neonatal transgenic NF-κB reporter mice that were preconditioned with nicotine or vector only prior to hypoxia, and then subjected to resuscitation with room-air or 100% oxygen. RESULTS: We did not find any differences in NF-κB activity in whole body or in the brain of animals resuscitated with room-air or 100% oxygen. Resuscitation with 100% oxygen attenuated NF-kB activity when compared with resuscitation with room-air. However, when bioluminescence was properly corrected for body weight, the difference between room-air and 100% reoxygenation was no longer evident. CONCLUSIONS: Preconditioning with nicotine does not have any effect on NF-κB activity in body organs or in the brain of neonatal mice after hypoxia and resuscitation with either room-air or 100% oxygen. 100% oxygen did not alter NF-κB activity when compared to room-air resuscitation alone.