Effect of low-level laser therapy on condylar growth in children treated with functional appliance: a preliminary study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes achieved by combining low-level laser irradiation applied on the condyle area with twin-block therapy in growing class II malocclusion patients. Methods: Fourteen patients (9 males, 5 females; mean age, 11.4 ± 2 years) with skeletal class II mandibular deficiency were recruited. They were divided into two groups (G 1: twin-block + low-level laser therapy, G 2: twin-block only). A semiconductor diode laser with a wavelength of 940 nm was applied on the condyle area (100 mW, 2.5 J, 3.9 J/cm2). The laser was applied twice a week in the first month and once a week in the second and third months, totalizing 16 sessions. Skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue cephalometric parameters were measured and compared at different treatment points. Results: Mandibular length (Co-Gn) was significantly increased by 3.6 mm in the experiment group (3.16 SD) and 4.3 mm (4.4 SD) in the control group, with no significant difference between groups at every time point (P-value 0.949 at T2). Similarly, a statistically significant positive effect of treatment was found in both groups on ramus height (Co-Go), upper lip to E-Line, SNA angle, ANB angle, and U1/SN angle with no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Based on the results of this preliminary study, low-level laser irradiation with the used parameters seems to have no synergetic impact on the skeletal and dental outcomes of twin-block therapy over 9 months. However, more studies are needed to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on condylar growth during functional orthodontic treatment. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41547-022-00158-x.

Results of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of hair growth: An Egyptian experience.

Recently, low level laser therapy was evaluated as an effective stimulating hair growth. Hair loss is the most common complaint in dermatology (specially females). It causes a significant psychosocial distress and decreased quality of life in affected patients and exists in different types, but the most common types are androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium (TE). Although there are many treatments with highest levels of medical evidence, but patients who exhibit intolerance or poor response to these treatments need additional treatment modalities. To evaluate the efficacy and safety low level laser therapy for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and TE. A prospective interventional study included 20 female patients, 13 were diagnosed as FPHL, and 7 were diagnosed TE. Patients received two sessions per week with Hair Growth System (TOPHAT655) a bicycle-helmet type device. Treatment session of 20 minutes for 16 successive weeks (total of 32 treatments) with follow-up. Patients were evaluated by software-analyzed trichoscopic images, as the primary endpoint was the percent increase in hair counts from baseline to post-treatment. Global photography and patient satisfaction were determined as a secondary end point. Twenty patients completed the study (13 FPHL, 7 TE). FPHL patients baseline hair counts were 222.3 ± 33.5 (N = 13), in TE patients baseline hair counts were 271.2 ± 39.0 (N = 7). Post-treatment hair counts were 255.3 ± 30.4 (N = 13) In FPHL patients (P = .007), and 294.2 ± 38.1 (N = 7) in TE patients (P = .143). Low level laser therapy of the scalp at 655 nm significantly improved hair counts in FPHL, and there is no significance difference in TE patients with no serious adverse events. Additional studies should be considered to determine the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy treatment on hair growth and maintenance, and to optimize laser modality.

Renewable and tuneable bio-LPG blends derived from amino acids.

BACKGROUND: Microbial biorefinery approaches are beginning to define renewable and sustainable routes to clean-burning and non-fossil fuel-derived gaseous alkanes (known as 'bio-LPG'). The most promising strategies have used a terminal fatty acid photodecarboxylase, enabling light-driven propane production from externally fed waste butyric acid. Use of Halomonas (a robust extremophile microbial chassis) with these pathways has enabled bio-LPG production under non-sterile conditions and using waste biomass as the carbon source. Here, we describe new engineering approaches to produce next-generation pathways that use amino acids as fuel precursors for bio-LPG production (propane, butane and isobutane blends). RESULTS: Multiple pathways from the amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine were designed in E. coli for the production of propane, isobutane and butane, respectively. A branched-chain keto acid decarboxylase-dependent pathway utilising fatty acid photodecarboxylase was the most effective route, generating higher alkane gas titres over alternative routes requiring coenzyme A and/or aldehyde deformylating oxygenase. Isobutane was the major gas produced in standard (mixed amino acid) medium, however valine supplementation led to primarily propane production. Transitioning pathways into Halomonas strain TQ10 enabled fermentative production of mixed alkane gases under non-sterile conditions on simple carbon sources. Chromosomal integration of inducible (~ 180 mg/g cells/day) and constitutive (~ 30 mg/g cells/day) pathways into Halomonas generated production strains shown to be stable for up to 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights new microbial pathways for the production of clean-burning bio-LPG fuels from amino acids. The use of stable Halomonas production strains could lead to gas production in the field under non-sterile conditions following process optimisation.

Synthesis, docking, cytotoxicity, and LTA4H inhibitory activity of new gingerol derivatives as potential colorectal cancer therapy.

Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) is a proinflammatory enzyme that generates the inflammatory mediator leukotriene which may play an important role in chronic inflammation associated carcinogenesis. [6]-gingerol, the major bioactive compound of Zingiber officinale, is a potential inhibitor of LTA4H, a highly expressed enzyme in colorectal carcinoma. Eighteen compounds; seven of natural origin (including [4]-, [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-gingerol), five new and six known semi-synthesized [6]-gingerol derivatives were examined using docking, in vitro cytotoxicity against human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) and LTA4H aminopeptidase and epoxide hydrolase inhibitory studies. Methyl shogoal (D8) showed to be the most potent compound against HCT-116 cells (IC50; 1.54µM). Remarkably, D8 proved to be non-cytotoxic to normal cells; (TIG-1) and (HF-19) with high selective index (SI; 52.3). Furthermore [6]-gingerol derivatives showed potent LTA4H inhibitory activities in comparison to the universal positive controls (bestatin and 4BSA). Among the natural gingerols, [10]-gingerol (N3) exhibited the highest LTA4H aminopeptidase and epoxide hydrolase inhibitory activities with IC50; 21.59 and 15.24µM, respectively. Meanwhile, methyl shogoal (D8) and 4'-O-prenyl-[6]-gingerol (D10) retained the highest inhibition with IC50; 4.92 and 3.01µM, for aminopeptidase, and 11.27 and 7.25µM for epoxide hydrolase activities, respectively.

Cardioprotective and antioxidant effects of oleogum resin "Olibanum" from Bos Boswellia carteri Birdw. (Bursearceae).

One of the leading causes of death worldwide is cardiovascular disease, hence searching for a cure is an important endeavor. The totally safe, edible, and inexpensive Boswellia plant exudate, known as olibanum or frankincense, is considered to possess diverse medicinal values in traditional medicine and from recent biological studies. Investigating the cardioprotective and antioxidant activities of olibanum from a Boswellia species, family Bursearaceae, namely Boswellia carteri Birdw. was the aim of this study. Cardioprotective activity was evaluated using a model of myocardial infarction induced by isoprenaline (ISO), while antioxidant activity was tested adopting nitric oxide scavenging (NOS) and azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. The results revealed a mild cardioprotective effect and weak antioxidant activity.

Evidence-based medicinal value of Rudbeckia hirta L. flowers.

A phytochemical investigation on the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitory methanolic extract of Rudbeckia hirta L. flowers yielded 10 phenolic metabolites, including three phenolic acids, two phenolic acid esters, four flavonol glycosides and a trimethylated flavonol. The structures of the isolated metabolites were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature data. Seven of these metabolites were isolated for the first time from the genus Rudbeckia. The in vitro 5-LOX inhibitory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated, and the results provided a new scientific evidence for the ethnopharmacological use of the herb in inflammatory conditions.

Corncobs as a potential source of functional chemicals.

Phytochemical examination of corncob extracts led to the isolation of a new lignan identified as 7,7'-dihydroxy-3'-O-demethyl-4-methoxymatairesinol, together with seven known compounds, identified as ß-sitosterol, ß-sitosteryl-ß-D-glucoside, 6ß-hydroxy-campest-4-en-3-one, 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3ß-ol, tricin, kaempferol and p-coumaric acid. The isolated compounds were identified by one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry.

A new highly oxygenated pseudoguaianolide with 5-LOX inhibitory activity from Rudbeckia hirta L. flowers.

A new highly oxygenated pseudoguaianolide, rudbeckolide (1), was isolated from Rudbeckia hirta L. flowers. The structure of this terpenoid lactone was established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. The compound exhibited strong 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (84.9% inhibition at 10 µg/mL) in vitro and the result provided partial evidence for the usage of the plant as traditional medicine.

Assessment of anti-quorum sensing activity for some ornamental and medicinal plants native to egypt.

This study investigated the effects of some plant extracts on the bacterial communication system, expressed as quorum sensing (QS) activity. Quorum sensing has a directly proportional effect on the amount of certain compounds, such as pigments, produced by the bacteria. Alcohol extracts of 23 ornamental and medicinal plants were tested for anti-QS activity by the Chromobacterium violaceum assay using the agar cup diffusion method. The screening revealed the anti-QS activity of six plants; namely the leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees, Bauhinia purpurea L., Lantana camara L., Myoporum laetum G. Forst.; the fruits of Piper longum L.; and the aerial parts of Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.

A novel antioxidant phenanthrenoid dimer from Juncus acutus L.

A novel phenanthrenoid symmetrical dimer 8,8'-bidehydrojuncusol [1,1',6,6'-tetramethyl-5,5'-divinyl-8,8'-biphenanthrene-2,2',7,7'-tetraol], a related phenanthrenoid monomer, a phenolic chromone, and five flavonoids derivatives have been isolated from the halophyte Juncus acutus L., Juncaceae. The structure of the dimeric phenanthrenoid was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR spectroscopy, and by spectral correlations. The new dimer and the other isolated compounds bearing four phenolic hydroxy groups showed the significant in vitro antioxidant activity comparable with that of ascorbic acid using 2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate] (ABTS) radical cation decolourisation assay. On the basis of the results from an in vitro anti-inflammatory assay using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells linked with immunoblot analysis, it was found that dimerisation of dehydrojuncusol [1,6-dimethyl-5-vinyl-8-phenanthrene-2,7-diol] molecule nearly nullified its inhibitory effect on the expression of the pro-inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein.

Cosmeceuticals versus pharmaceuticals.

Four major categories of interest in the cosmeceutical market are nonbleaching agents, antioxidants, peptides, and growth factors. The trend toward introducing natural products considered to be safe is influenced by media hype and consumer interest. This is driving the cosmeceutical market to develop safer products that are naturally derived. Some of these naturally derived products have proven to be helpful, whereas more evidence is needed for other products before physicians can consider recommending their use.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory constituents of henna leaves.

The immunomodulatory bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.; syn. Lawsonia alba L.) leaves resulted in the isolation of seven compounds; three have been isolated for the first time from the genus, namely p-coumaric acid, 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and apiin, along with the previously isolated compounds: lawsone, apigenin, luteolin, and cosmosiin. Structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was based upon their physical, chemical as well as spectroscopic characters. Their immuomodulatory profile was studied using an in vitro immunoassay, the lymphocyte transformation assay. The ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)], free radical scavenging assay depicted that all isolated compounds exhibited antioxidant activity comparable to that of ascorbic acid.