Antibacterial and deodorizing effects of cold atmospheric plasma-applied electronic deodorant.

Axillary odor is a malodor produced by bacterial metabolism near the apocrine glands, which often causes discomfort in an individual's daily life and social interactions. A deodorant is a personal care product designed to alleviate or mask body odor. Currently, most deodorants contain antimicrobial chemicals and fragrances for odor management; however, direct application to the underarm skin can result in irritation or sensitivity. Therefore, there is a growing interest in technologies that enable disinfection and odor control without the antiperspirants or perfumes. The cold atmospheric plasma temporally generates reactive radicals that can eliminate bacteria and surrounding odors. In this study, cultured Staphylococcus hominis and Corynebacterium xerosis, the causative bacteria of axillary bromhidrosis, were killed after 90% plasma exposure for 3 min. Moreover, the electronic nose system indicated a significant reduction of approximately 51% in 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid and approximately 34% in 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, the primary components of axillary odor, following a 5-min plasma exposure. These results support the dual function of our deodorant in eliminating bacteria and axillary odors without the chemical agents. Therefore, cold atmospheric plasma-applied deodorant devices have great potential for the treatment and management of axillary odors as a non-contact approach without chemical use in daily life.

Human Trial for the Effect of Plasma-Activated Water Spray on Vaginal Cleaning in Patients with Bacterial Vaginosis.

Underwater plasma discharge temporally produces several reactive radicals and/or free chlorine molecules in water, which is responsible for antimicrobial activity. Hence, it can simply sanitize tap water without disinfectant treatment. Additionally, the spraying technique using cleaning water exploits deep application in the narrow and curved vaginal tract of patients. Herein, we attempted a clinical trial to evaluate the vaginal cleaning effect of spraying plasma-activated water (PAW) to patients with vaginitis (46 patients). The efficacy was compared with treatment with betadine antiseptics used to treat bacterial vaginosis (40 patients). To evaluate the cleaning effect, Gram staining of the vaginal secretions was conducted before and after spraying PAW or betadine treatment (BT). Consequently, PAW-sprayed (PAWS) patients (22.3%) showed a better vaginal cleaning effect against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria than BT patients (14.4%). Moreover, 18 patients in the BT group showed worsened vaginal contamination, whereas five patients in the PAWS group showed worsened vaginal contamination. Taken together, the noncontact method of spraying cleaning water to the vagina exhibited a reliable vaginal cleaning effect without further bacterial infection compared with BT. Therefore, we suggest a clinical application of the spraying method using PAW for vaginal cleaning to patients with vaginitis without disinfectants and antibiotics.

Disease-Modifying Effects of Non-Invasive Electroceuticals on ß-Amyloid Plaques and Tau Tangles for Alzheimer's Disease.

Electroceuticals refer to various forms of electronic neurostimulators used for therapy. Interdisciplinary advances in medical engineering and science have led to the development of the electroceutical approach, which involves therapeutic agents that specifically target neural circuits, to realize precision therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, extensive studies have attempted to elucidate the disease-modifying effects of electroceuticals on areas in the brain of a patient with AD by the use of various physical stimuli, including electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic waves as well as ultrasound. Herein, we review non-invasive stimulatory systems and their effects on ß-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are pathological molecular markers of AD. Therefore, this review will aid in better understanding the recent technological developments, applicable methods, and therapeutic effects of electronic stimulatory systems, including transcranial direct current stimulation, 40-Hz gamma oscillations, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromagnetic field stimulation, infrared light stimulation and ionizing radiation therapy, and focused ultrasound for AD.