Use of low-level laser therapy on children aged 1 to 5 years with energy-protein malnutrition: A clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Episodes of malnutrition in early childhood can produces alterations in the salivary glands. The investigation of mechanisms that can reduce the impact of malnutrition on the defenses of the organism is of the utmost important and interest to public health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of low-level laser on the saliva of children aged 1 to 5 years with energy-protein malnutrition. METHODS: Mandatory inclusion criteria are diagnosis of malnutrition. The sample will consist of 50 men and women malnourished children aged 12 to 71 months. Saliva will be collected and the volume of saliva will be measured and the salivary flow rate will be determined (mL/min). Concentrations of salivary IgA in all samples will be measured using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Low-level laser (laser diode) will be administered in the region of the parotid glands bilaterally as well as in the regions of the submandibular and sublingual glands. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first that investigate the effects of local laser therapy on the salivary glands of malnourished children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical.trials.gov as NCT03355313, first received in 21 November 2017.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of irradiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Irradiation-induced xerostomia seriously reduces quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Anecdotal evidence suggests that acupuncture may be beneficial. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review evidence on clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in irradiation-induced xerostomia in patients with HNC. METHODS: A detailed search was performed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of RCTs on acupuncture in irradiation-induced xerostomia, using AMED, BNIA, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, HPSI, PsycInfo and Medline. Grey literature was explored and 11 journals hand searched. Search terms included: acupuncture, xerostomia, salivary hypofunction, hyposalivation, dry mouth, radiotherapy, irradiation, brachytherapy, external beam. Two authors independently extracted data for analysis using predefined selection criteria and quality indicators. RESULTS: 43 of the 61 articles identified were excluded on title/abstract. 18 articles underwent full-text review; three were deemed eligible for inclusion. Two trials had moderate risk of bias; one had high risk. Two trials compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture; one control arm received 'usual care'. Outcome measurements included salivary flow rates (SFRs) in two trials and subjective questionnaires in three. All three trials reported significant reduction in xerostomia versus baseline SFR (p<0.05); one reported greater effect in the intervention group for stimulated SFR (p<0.01). Subjective assessment reported significant differences between real acupuncture and control in two trials (p<0.02-0.05). Insufficient evidence was presented to undertake risk/benefit assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for irradiation-induced xerostomia. Although current evidence is insufficient to recommend this intervention, it is sufficient to justify further studies. Highlighted methodological limitations must be dealt with.

Investigation on ultrasound-assisted extraction of salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza root.

It is reported that salvianolic acid B, a bioactive phenolic compound contained in the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, exhibits a much stronger activity in free radical scavenging and antioxidance than those of vitamin E. When a conventional refluxing method is adopted to extract salvianolic acid B from the root, in which the materials are subjected to higher temperature and longer time, the yield of this phenolic compound is lower due to the possibility of its hydrolysis to tanshinol. However, a higher extraction yield can be achieved over a shorter time period and lower temperature when an ultrasound-assisted extraction method is used. This paper investigated the parameters influencing the extraction of salvianolic acid B. Factors such as extraction time, frequency of the ultrasound, the ratio of solvent to material, and types of extraction solvent were examined. A comparison was also conducted between conventional refluxing and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Results showed that the optimal parameters to extract salvianolic acid B from the root of S. miltiorrhiza were as follows: ultrasonic frequency: 45 Hz; solvent: 60% aqueous ethanol; extraction temperature: 30 degrees C; extraction time duration: 25 min.; ratio of solvent to material: 20:1 (v/w, ml/g). Under these conditions, the yield of salvianolic acid B was 5.17 mg/g (33.93 mg/g) higher than those with conventional refluxing method (28.76 mg/g), indicating that the efficiency and the yield of ultrasound-assisted extraction method are higher than reflux method, and the hydrolysis of salvianolic acid B to tanshinol is effectively avoided.

Group acupuncture to relieve radiation induced xerostomia: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: a distressing complication of radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer is xerostomia (chronic oral dryness). Xerostomia is difficult to treat conventionally but there are reports that acupuncture can help. We conducted a feasibility study to examine the acceptability of a standardised group acupuncture technique and adherence to group sessions, together with acceptability of the objective and subjective measurements of xerostomia. METHODS: 12 males with established radiation induced xerostomia were treated in three groups of four. Each received eight weekly sessions of acupuncture using four bilateral acupuncture points (Salivary Gland 2; Modified Point Zero; Shen Men and one point in the distal radial aspect of each index finger (LI1)). Sialometry and quality of life assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of treatment. A semi-structured interview was conducted a week after completing the intervention. RESULTS: adherence to and acceptability of the treatment and assessments was 100%. There were objective increases in the amounts of saliva produced for 6/12 patients post intervention and the majority also reported subjective improvements. Mean quality of life scores for domains related to salivation and xerostomia also showed improvement. At baseline 92% (11/12) patients reported experiencing a dry mouth "quite a bit/very much" as compared to 42% (5/12) after the treatment. Qualitative data revealed that the patients enjoyed the sessions. CONCLUSION: the pilot study shows that a standardised group technique is deliverable and effective. The tools for objective and subjective assessment are appropriate and acceptable. Further examination in a randomised trial is now warranted.

Effects of radiation and alpha-tocopherol on saliva flow rate, amylase activity, total protein and electrolyte levels in oral cavity cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate early and late effects of radiation and a-tocopherol on the secretion rate of saliva and on selected saliva salivary parameters in oral cavity cancer patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: Eighty-nine histologically confirmed oral cavity cancer patients (OCC) were enrolled in the study. Resting whole saliva was collected before, during and at the end of the radiation therapy (RT) and simultaneous supplementation with alpha - tocopherol to the radiation treated patients (RT + AT). RESULTS: Salivary flow rate, pH, amylase activity, total protein, sodium and potassium were analyzed. Increased pH, potassium and decreased flow rate, amylase activity, protein content and sodium were observed in 6 weeks of radiation treated patients when compared to OCC patients. A significant improvement of those parameters was observed on alpha - tocopherol supplementation in RT + AT patients. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with alpha - tocopherol improves the salivary flow rate thereby, maintains salivary parameters.

Manual acupuncture improved quality of life in cancer patients with radiation-induced xerostomia.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy-induced xerostomia seriously reduces the quality of life (QOL) for patients with head and neck cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of manual acupuncture on objective and subjective assessment of symptom changes in patients with cancer who have with radiation-induced xerostomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve (12) patients with radiation-induced xerostomia were randomized into 2 groups (real or sham acupuncture). Acupuncture was conducted twice weekly for 6 weeks in a single-blind setting. The effect was evaluated by measuring whole salivary flow rates (stimulated and unstimulated) and questionnaire-based assessment of subjective symptoms pre- and post-treatment (3 and 6 weeks after acupuncture treatment). RESULTS: Both groups showed a slight increase in whole salivary flow rates, with no significant difference between them. However, real acupuncture markedly increased unstimulated salivary flow rates, and improved the score for dry mouth according to the xerostomia questionnaire, by 2.33 points versus 0.33 in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the significantly meaningful amelioration of the subjective sensation of xerostomia closely associated with QOL in patients with head and neck cancer treated with irradiation.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on quality of life in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is used in the setting of curative treatment for head and neck cancer. Xerostomia and related problems occur when major salivary glands are included in the irradiation fields. This reduces quality of life (QOL). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a well accepted treatment or prevention modality for osteoradionecrosis of the jawbones and soft-tissue necrosis. It is unknown if and to what extent HBOT influences xerostomia and xerostomia-related QOL. To address this, a prospective study was conducted. Twenty-one patients who underwent radiotherapy for an oral or oropharyngeal carcinoma completed a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL questionnaire before HBOT, as part of the treatment/prevention of osteoradionecrosis, and 1 and 2 years after HBOT. Swallowing-related problems significantly decreased in time, and there was a reported subjective increase in saliva quantity and an improvement in sense of taste. The results suggest that HBOT may positively influence these long-term radiotherapy sequelae.

Effect of defocused infrared diode laser on salivary flow rate and some salivary parameters of rats.

This study aims to investigate whether infrared diode low-level laser therapy (LLLT) increased salivary flow rate and altered pH value, protein concentration, and peroxidase and amylase activities in saliva of rats. Wistar rats were used and divided into three groups. Experimental groups (A and B) had their parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands submitted to diode laser, 808-nm wavelength, on two consecutive days. The dose results were 4 and 8 J/cm(2), respectively. A red guide light was used to visualize the irradiated area. Group C was irradiated only with red pilot beam and served as control. The saliva samples were collected after each irradiation step (first and second collection days) and 1 week after the first irradiation (seventh day). Statistical analysis was performed, and differences were observed according to different days of salivary collection. The results showed that salivary flow rate for groups A and B was higher on the seventh day if it is compared to data obtained for the first day (p < 0.05). LLLT applications on salivary glands are a therapy procedure that requires further studies.

[The impact of treatment by extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the electropotentials in an oral cavity and some chemical elements content in saliva]. / Wplyw zabiegów magnetostymulacji na elektropotencjaly w jamie ustnej i zawartosc niektórych pierwiastków w slinie.

INTRODUCTION: Introducing new methods of treatment in dentistry cause various alloys to appear in oral cavities. These alloys present in the oral cavity may generate an electrolytic cell, while saliva serves as a fine electrolytic conductor. Hence, the electropotentials that occur may initiate different illnesses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 25 patients. All of them have undergone treatment with the Viofor JPS system. The electropotentials in the oral cavity have been checked, as saliva's pH and selected levels of chemical elements have been estimated. RESULTS: After having applied a series of treatments with the JPS system it was found that the electropotentials decreased, pH level of saliva increased, the content of copper in the non stimulated saliva fell, no alterations in the remaining elements before and after the treatments were observed.

[Alternative methods for prevention and treatment of dental caries using laser and magnetic laser exposure]. / Al'ternativnye sposoby profilaktiki i lecheniia kariesa zubov s primeneniem lazernogo i magnitno-lasernogo izlucheniia.

Alternative methods for prevention and treatment of dental caries are presented, based on the use of laser and magnetic laser exposure (patent No. 2053818, in Russia) with a new generation laser device with Optodan microprocessor monitoring (patent No. 2014107, Russia). The methods are intended for wide clinical application in children and adolescents in pedodontic departments and outpatient centers and particularly for group and individual use in dental rooms at school.

An audit of oral and dental health regimens practised in the management of oropharyngeal cancer.

The purpose of the present study was to find out what preventive care was offered to patients after radiotherapy, particularly if they were dentate. As the mean age of the population increases and the number of people who retain at least some of their teeth into old age also rises, it is likely that more and more people with a diagnosis of oral cancer will be dentate. The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has also started to increase recently and is affecting more young and dentate people. It is of paramount importance to provide comprehensive management for these patients, not only to remove the disease and reconstruct the defect, but also to provide the patient with the opportunity of experiencing a good quality of life by having a comfortable mouth after treatment. A questionnaire was sent to all senior fellows of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) and the results analyzed. The results of this survey show that improvements could be made if some simple preventive measures were instigated in the early stages of treatment.

Acute radiation effects on saliva composition in rats with different vitamin A levels in serum.

Irradiation of the head and neck often causes loss of salivary gland function which may lead to severe oral discomfort. The effects of a single dose of 25 Gy given to rats with different serum levels of vitamin A were studied. The salivary secretion rate as well as concentrations of protein, hexosamine, amylase and electrolytes, and the activities of two antibacterial glycoproteins were measured. At an adequate level of vitamin A in the diet, irradiation significantly reduced whole saliva secretion rate, and decreased the concentration of salivary sodium, calcium and hexosamine as well as the activity of a glycoprotein agglutinating a serotype c strain of S. mutans. Peroxidase, amylase and potassium were not significantly affected. The reductions seen at an adequate level of vitamin A were not reduced by supplementation of excess dietary retinol. The damage caused by irradiation was enhanced by vitamin A deficiency as seen in the reduced protein and hexosamine concentrations.

[The effect of the light from a helium-neon laser on normal dental enamel solubility and in caries]. / Vliianie sveta gelii-neonovogo lazera na rastvorimost' émali zubov v norme i pri kariese.

Effects of He-Ne laser radiation at a wavelength 0.63 micron for 90 sec on dental enamel mineral metabolism were studied from Ca, P levels and Ca/P ratio in 67 children aged 3 to 7. Ca and P solubility in surface enamel layers was found reduced after He-Ne laser irradiation in both healthy children and those with caries. Laser was found to normalize the oral fluid mineral composition.