The use of photodynamic therapy in medical practice.

Cancer therapy, especially for tumors near sensitive areas, demands precise treatment. This review explores photodynamic therapy (PDT), a method leveraging photosensitizers (PS), specific wavelength light, and oxygen to target cancer effectively. Recent advancements affirm PDT's efficacy, utilizing ROS generation to induce cancer cell death. With a history spanning over decades, PDT's dynamic evolution has expanded its application across dermatology, oncology, and dentistry. This review aims to dissect PDT's principles, from its inception to contemporary medical applications, highlighting its role in modern cancer treatment strategies.

Introduction to Amniotic Membranes in Maxillofacial Surgery-A Scoping Review.

Background: Amniotic membrane (AM) holds significant promise in various medical fields due to its unique properties and minimal ethical concerns. This study aims to explore the diverse applications of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) in maxillofacial surgery. Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted on databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, from January 1985 to March 2024. Articles in English, Polish, and Spanish were included, focusing on keywords related to amniotic membrane and oral surgery. Results: Various preservation methods for HAM were identified, namely fresh, decellularized, cryopreserved, lyophilized, and air-dried formats. Clinical studies demonstrated the efficacy of HAM in repairing oral mucosal defects, vestibuloplasty, oronasal fistula closure, cleft palate treatment, bone defect repair, and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Surgeon evaluations highlighted the ease of handling but noted challenges in suturing and stability during application. Conclusions: Amniotic membranes offer a versatile and effective option in maxillofacial surgery, promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and providing a scaffold for tissue regeneration. Further research, including randomized trials and comparative studies, is warranted to validate the efficacy and optimize the utilization of HAM in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Selected Candida Strains to Ozonated Water-An In Vitro Study.

(1) Background and Objectives: Oral candidiasis has increased significantly in recent years. Increasingly, we encounter treatment difficulties related to drug resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to search for other therapies such as ozone therapy, which has antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of selected Candida strains to ozonated water based on concentration and contact time (2) Methods: The sensitivity of Candida strains to ozonated water with a concentration of 5 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, and 50 µg/mL was assessed using Mosmann's Tetrazolium Toxicity (MTT) assay. Statistical differences were assessed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Newman-Keuls post-hoc test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. (3) Results: In all the strains and research trials, the number of viable cells was reduced by ozonated water. The reduction depended on the exposure time and concentration of ozonated water. The highest percentage reduction (34.98%) for the tested samples was obtained for the C. albicans strain after 120 s of exposure at the highest concentration-50 µg/mL. (4) Conclusions: The selected strains of Candida spp. were sensitive to ozonated water at all tested concentrations (5 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, and 50 µg/mL). The sensitivity of strains to ozonated water increased with concentration and application time. Moreover, the sensitivity of Candida strains to ozonated water is comparable to that of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate.

Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Oral Mucositis-A Case Report.

In 2021, our group published a laboratory study on the impact of PBM on human gingival fibroblasts. The in vitro results confirmed the fact that the appropriately selected wavelength and properly selected parameters of the laser settings can increase cell proliferation, modulate inflammatory markers, and decrease the susceptibility of human gingival fibroblasts to apoptosis. Therefore, this case report was aimed at the clinical evaluation of the proposed settings and treatment regimen in a very difficult situation of an immunocompromised patient with extensive changes and stagnation of symptoms for many weeks. A 65-year-old man, during his oncological treatment, was diagnosed with oral mucositis grade 3 according to the World Health Organization and National Cancer Institute scales. Due to pain sensation, long-lasting and not healing oral lesions, and problems with solid food intake, he was qualified for laser photobiomodulation therapy. For the management of oral lesions, a diode laser 635 nm (SmartMPro, Lasotronix, Poland) was intraorally applied at an energy density of 4 J/cm2, the 20 s of irradiation, the output power of 100 mW, and in continuous wave mode. Seven treatment procedures were performed two times a week using the spot technique in contact and non-contact mode. Within 21 days of monotherapy, all ailments disappeared. The patient was also able to reuse dental dentures and return to a solid diet. The obtained results confirm the efficiency of at least 3 PBM protocols. Our case shows that the use of PMB therapy contributes to faster healing of painful oral lesions in oncological patients, and thus the treatment time and return to the appropriate quality of life is shorter.

Clinical Trials and Basic Research in Photodynamic Diagnostics and Therapies from the Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy in Poland.

The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the development of photodiagnostic and photodynamic therapy (PDD and PDT) techniques in Poland. The paper discusses the principles of PDD, including fluorescent techniques in determining precancerous conditions and cancers of the skin, digestive tract, bladder and respiratory tract. Methods of PDT of cancer will be discussed and the current state of knowledge as well as future trends in the development of photodynamic techniques will be presented, including the possibility of using photodynamic antimicrobial therapy. Research pioneers in photodynamic medicine such as Thomas Dougherty are an inspiration for the development of methods of PDD and PDT in our Clinic. The Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy in Bytom, Poland, promotes the propagation of PDD and PDT through the training of clinicians and raising awareness among students in training and the general public. Physicians at the Center are engaged in photomedical research aimed at clinical implementation and exploration of new avenues in photomedicine while optimizing existing modalities. The Center promotes dissemination of clinical results from a wide range of topics in PDD and PDT and serving as representative authorities of photodynamic medicine in Poland and Europe.

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oral squamous carcinoma-Clinical implications resulting from in vitro research.

BACKGROUND: Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma is a common cancer of the head and neck region. Due to the frequency of diagnoses, high rate of mortality, mutilating nature of classic therapy and numerous complications, new methods of treatment are being sought. One promising solution for treatment which is utilized in many fields of oncology is photodynamic therapy. The purpose of this article is to present a general overview of the use of photodynamic therapy in preclinical in vitro studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search for articles corresponding to the topic of this review was performed using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases using the following keywords: 'oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma,' 'photodynamic therapy,' 'photosensitizer(s),' 'in vitro,' 'cell culture(s),' 'spheroids,' 'CAM model', and 'in vivo.' RESULTS: Most of the previous work found in the literature search concerns research on the use of various photosensitizers and the determination of their level of phototoxicity against cell lines. CONCLUDING REMARKS: Research on the photodynamic effect in cell lines may be useful in establishing the mechanisms and effectiveness of the photodynamic method as a starting point for clinical trials. Studies on spheroidal models allows for testing photodynamic therapy under more clinical-like conditions. The Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay provides information about the vascular changes after treatment.

Ropivacaine has no advantage over bupivacaine in thoracic epidural analgesia for patients with pectus excavatum undergoing the Nuss procedure - a single blind randomized clinical trial comparing efficacy and safety.

INTRODUCTION: Pectus excavatum repair (Nuss procedure) is a painful procedure requiring effective postoperative analgesia. AIM: To establish whether thoracic epidural analgesia with ropivacaine is non-inferior to epidural analgesia with bupivacaine following the Nuss procedure in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective, randomized, controlled, single blind study included 81 children. Computer-generated random numbers were used to allocate treatment. All children received general anesthesia. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesia was achieved with either 0.5% and 0.1% ropivacaine (group R) or 0.375% and 0.0625% bupivacaine (group B). The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Prince Henry Hospital Pain Score (PHHPS) were used to assess postoperative pain directly after and 1, 8, 20 and 24 hours after awakening from general anesthesia. NRS scores of more than 2 and a PHHPS score of more than 1 were considered as pain requiring intervention. Hemodynamic stability and side effects were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: The durations of the procedure and extubation times in groups R and B were similar (59 ±7 vs. 56 ±10 minutes and 9 ±5 vs. 10 ±5 minutes, respectively). Pain scores requiring intervention were below 10% and were recorded with similar frequency in both groups, except for one difference in the PHHPS score in favor of group R after 24 hours (12% vs. 40%, p < 0.05). The frequency of side effects and hemodynamic stability were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: 0.1% epidural ropivacaine has no advantage over 0.0625% epidural bupivacaine for pectus excavatum repair in children.

Necrotizing sialometaplasia of the palatal mucosa in patient with history of anorexia: review and case report.

Necrotizing sialometaplasia is a self-limiting disorder affecting minor salivary glands resembling a malignant process both clinically and histopathologically. The etiology of this rare inflammatory` disorder is related to an ischemic event. Identified risk factors include alcohol abuse, smoking, drugs, denture wearing, injury and systemic diseases. Also reported are cases of necrotizing sialometaplasia associated with bulimia. This paper identifies the whole body incitement among additional risk factors by presenting a case of necrotizing sialometaplasia in an 18 year old patient with the history of anorexia nervosa. Furthermore it describes the effects of extreme cooling of palatal mucosa with ice chips resulting in constriction of blood vessels as the direct cause, reinforcing ischemic etiology of necrotizing sialometaplasia.