UNASSIGNED: The risk of skin injuries in space is increasing with longer space missions and a growing astronaut population. This highlights the importance of understanding the adverse effects of weightlessness on wound healing. The objective of this research was to examine the therapeutic potential of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on skin healing processes under simulated microgravity (SMG) conditions and uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms, thus providing innovative solutions and a sound theoretical basis for space skin injuries.
UNASSIGNED: Hindlimb unloading (HU) mice models were used to simulate weightlessness conditions, with or without a complete management of LLLT for 14 days. A systematic testing consisting of HE, Masson and immunohistochemical staining was performed against the standardized mouse tissue specimens. In vitro assessment of cellular biological functions under SMG conditions was carried out in the rotation system of culture (RSOC) using HaCaT and NIH3T3 cell-lines.
UNASSIGNED: Under SMG conditions, LLLT significantly reduced skin wound area in HU mice, especially on Days 10 (p < 0.001), accompanied by increased collagen deposition and elevated levels of Ki67 and CD31. Moreover, LLLT showed impressive anti-inflammatory effects represented by the reduced in pro-inflammatory markers including LY6G, F4/80 and CD86, as well as the decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Conversely, an elevation in the anti-inflammatory marker CD206 was observed. By employing bioinformatics technology, we further found the PI3K/AKT signaling was prominent in the KEGG pathway analysis and CCR2 acted as a hub gene in the interaction network. Therefore, we demonstrated that LLLT could enhance the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT and reduce CCR2 expression under SMG conditions, while CCR2 knockdown promoted the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, suggesting an important role of CCR2/PI3K/AKT signal axis in LLLT-accelerated wound healing under SMG conditions.
UNASSIGNED: LLLT induced activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through suppression of CCR2 expression, which significantly enhanced skin wound healing under SMG conditions.s.

Introduction: High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with exercise therapy (ET) have emerged as effective treatment options for musculoskeletal pain. However, there have remained uncertainties regarding the magnitude of their effects in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Hence, we performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of available evidence in the literature to answer this query. Methods: A literature search was carried out in Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases without any language restrictions from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2023. We examined randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies that investigated the efficiency of HILT or LLLT plus knee osteoarthritis ET in pain and functional improvement of the knee. We performed a network meta-analysis and provided the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by pooling the continuous data on the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score using a random-effects model. Results: In total, 11 eligible RCTs were included. Our analysis revealed significant improvements in the VAS pain and WOMAC function scores on weeks 4 and 8 after interventions in groups treated with LLLT+ET and HILT+ET compared with placebo+ET. Moreover, HILT+ET showed a greater reduction in the VAS pain score (SMD=-1.41; 95% CI: -2.05 to -0.76) and improvement in the WOMAC function score (SMD=-2.20; 95% CI: -3.21 to -1.19) than LLLT+ET in week 8. Conclusion: Based on our findings, both HILT+ET and LLLT+ET treatments effectively reduced pain and improved function, but HILT+ET showed a more significant improvement in both outcomes compared to LLLT+ET.

Introduction: The management of chronic groin and scrotal content pain (orchialgia) is a complex condition after varicocelectomy that is encountered by most practicing clinicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in orchialgia after varicocelectomy surgery. Methods: This study was performed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in which sixty patients with orchialgia after varicocelectomy were randomly divided into three groups of 20 as follows: (1) low-level laser group with red (650 nm, 50 mW), (2) low-level laser group with infrared (IR) (820 nm, 100 mW), and (3) laser placebo group. The treatment protocol consisted of 15 minutes, three times a week, for only 12 sessions. Then, the patients were evaluated for pain and sexual satisfaction during the 12-week follow-up. Results: The pain score in the two groups of low-level laser with red light and IR spectra showed a significant relief (P<0.05) 6 and 12 weeks after starting the treatment, In addition, a significant increase was observed in the level of sexual satisfaction in the red and infrared spectra LLLT groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that the use of LLLT with red light (650 nm, 50 mW)/IR (820 nm, 100 mW) spectra with power of 6-25 J/cm2/day in 15 minutes, three times a week, for 12 sessions can significantly reduce pain and increase sexual satisfaction in these patients.

UNASSIGNED: Mucormycosis is a rare, life-threatening, invasive fungal infection often referred to as black fungus. It has gained significant attention due to its increasing incidence during the coronavirus pandemic of 2019.
UNASSIGNED: An 8-month-old child, whose identity is being withheld, arrived at our clinic with her parents with the chief complaint of swelling in the upper lip and cheek.
UNASSIGNED: Various laboratory procedures, including blood cultures and imaging scans were performed to determine the presence of mucormycosis.
UNASSIGNED: Under general anaesthesia, decortication and resection was done surgically, followed by an intraoral elastomeric impression made over the resected region. Soft silicone splints as oral seals for the suckling reflex were made postoperatively within a week. Immediate post-operative therapeutic low-level laser therapy was done.
UNASSIGNED: Wound healing has been achieved.
UNASSIGNED: Multidisciplinary intervention provides the best outcomes for the successful treatment and rehabilitation of paediatric patients with mucormycosis of the facial region.

Introduction: This study was carried out to assess and compare the efficacies of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to sciatic Valleix points to reduce sciatica in patients with chronic lumbar radiculopathy. Methods: The study population consisted of 164 patients with chronic radicular pain caused by LDH. The remaining 75 patients were studied in three groups. TENS and hotpack were applied to the lower back region of all patients. In addition, group 1 (n=24), group 2 (n=25), and group 3 (n=26) received LLLT (4 J/cm2 for each point), TENS, and sham LLLT, respectively, on sciatic Valleix points five days a week, for three weeks (15 sessions). Outcomes were assessed at the beginning of the treatment, after completion of 3 weeks of treatment, and after three months (follow-up). Results: Post-treatment assessments indicated that all parameters investigated within the scope of the study improved in all three groups, except for the VAS leg pain (VASLP) score in group 3. Post-treatment VASLP and DN4 scores of group 1 were significantly superior to those of group 2 (P˂0.001). Follow-up assessments revealed an improvement only in the VASLP score and in group 1. The VASLP, DN-4, and ODI scores of groups 1 and 2 were significantly superior to those of group 3. There was no significant difference between the groups in the PSQI score and lumbar ROM value. Conclusion: Both LLLT and TENS were found to be effective in treating the sciatic nerve associated with lumbar disk herniation with radiculopathy. LLLT was found to be more effective than TENS in reducing leg and neuropathic pains. Follow-up assessments revealed that the only lasting effect of the treatments, which continued into the third month, was the improvement in leg pain.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common chronic inflammatory oral disease that negatively impacts the quality of life. Current therapies aim to reduce pain and healing process yet challenges such as rapid loss due to salivary flushing in topical drugs and adverse effects due to prolonged use of systemic medications require further notice. Low-level laser therapy is reported with immediate pain relief and faster healing thus preserving the potential for optimal treatment modalities. This review critically analyses and summarizes the effectiveness of LLLT in reducing pain scores and healing time of RAS.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus using keywords of low-level laser therapy, photo-biomodulation therapy, and recurrent aphthous stomatitis. RCTs between 1967 to June 2022, presenting characteristics of the laser and reporting pain score and/or healing time of RAS after irradiation were included. Animal studies and recurrent aphthous ulcers with a history of systemic conditions were excluded. Studies were critically appraised using the RoB 2 tool. A meta-analysis was performed using inverse variance random effects.
RESULTS: Fourteen trials with a total of 664 patients were included. Reduced pain was reported in 13 studies, while shortened healing time was presented in 4. The pooling of two studies after CO2 irradiation demonstrated faster healing time compared to placebo (MD - 3.72; 95% CI - 4.18, - 3.25).
CONCLUSIONS: Pain score and healing time of RAS were reduced after irradiation with LLLT. RoB resulted in \"some concerns\" urging well-designed RCTs with larger samples to further assess each laser application for comparison.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO CRD42022355737.

In small clinical studies, the application of transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM), which typically delivers low-intensity near-infrared (NIR) to treat the brain, has led to some remarkable results in the treatment of dementia and several neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite the extensive literature detailing the mechanisms of action underlying PBM outcomes, the specific mechanisms affecting neurodegenerative diseases are not entirely clear. While large clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings, evidence of the mechanisms can explain and thus provide credible support for PBM as a potential treatment for these diseases. Tubulin and its polymerized state of microtubules have been known to play important roles in the pathology of Alzheimer\'s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we investigated the effects of PBM on these cellular structures in the quest for insights into the underlying therapeutic mechanisms. In this study, we employed a Raman spectroscopic analysis of the amide I band of polymerized samples of tubulin exposed to pulsed low-intensity NIR radiation (810 nm, 10 Hz, 22.5 J/cm2 dose). Peaks in the Raman fingerprint region (300-1900 cm-1)-in particular, in the amide I band (1600-1700 cm-1)-were used to quantify the percentage of protein secondary structures. Under this band, hidden signals of C=O stretching, belonging to different structures, are superimposed, producing a complex signal as a result. An accurate decomposition of the amide I band is therefore required for the reliable analysis of the conformation of proteins, which we achieved through a straightforward method employing a Voigt profile. This approach was validated through secondary structure analyses of unexposed control samples, for which comparisons with other values available in the literature could be conducted. Subsequently, using this validated method, we present novel findings of statistically significant alterations in the secondary structures of polymerized NIR-exposed tubulin, characterized by a notable decrease in α-helix content and a concurrent increase in β-sheets compared to the control samples. This PBM-induced α-helix to β-sheet transition connects to reduced microtubule stability and the introduction of dynamism to allow for the remodeling and, consequently, refreshing of microtubule structures. This newly discovered mechanism could have implications for reducing the risks associated with brain aging, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer\'s disease, through the introduction of an intervention following this transition.

Second molars are more susceptible to periodontitis when present adjacent to periodontally hopeless third molars. It is crucial to restore the health of the second molar and to prevent a dry socket after third molar extraction. To ensure complete eradication of infection along with regeneration, mere nonsurgical periodontal therapy might be inadequate. Thus, in this case report, high-level laser therapy (HLLT), advanced-platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF), and low-level laser therapy (photobiomodulation [PBM]) were adapted to obtain a synergistic effect. HLLT was accomplished for decontamination and clot stabilization following the third molar extraction. Further, A-PRF was placed and irradiated with PBM on 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 21st days, postoperatively. There was reduced clinical probing depth and gain in clinical attachment level with a significant radiographic bone fill distal to second molar at 3 months follow-up. This combined use of HLLT, and PBM along with PRF could be a reliable treatment approach for regeneration, particularly in acute infections.

OBJECTIVE: Use of numerous medications such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib), monoclonal antibodies (bevacizumab), fusion proteins (aflibercept), mTOR inhibitors (everolimus), radiopharmaceuticals (radium 223), selective estrogen receptor modulators (raloxifene), and immunosuppressants (methotrexate and corticosteroids) has been reported to be a risk factor for development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws till date. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and gaseous ozone on the onset of MRONJ following tooth extraction.
METHODS: A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 10 rats each. The groups laser (L), ozone (O), and control (C) received weekly intraperitoneal injections of zoledronic acid (0.06 mg/kg), while group sham (S) received saline solution for 4 weeks. After the 4th injection, all subjects underwent mandibular first molar extraction and adjunctive laser or ozone was applied according to the groups. All the rats were sacrificed at 4 postoperative weeks for comparative histomorphometric evaluation of bone healing in extraction sites.
RESULTS: Laser and ozone groups demonstrated significantly higher bone formation compared to control group (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between laser and ozone groups (p = 1.00). Furthermore, the greatest bone formation was observed with the sham group (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the current study support that adjunctive LLLT and ozone therapy following tooth extraction may help prevent MRONJ and improve bone healing in subjects under zoledronic acid therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Since the introduction in 2003, great effort has been devoted to developing a certain management protocol for MRONJ. Several publications have appeared in recent years documenting promising results of adjunctive LLLT and ozone application in treatment of MRONJ. However, experimental data are limited on this regard and the present study, for the first time, aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of LLLT and ozone in prevention of MRONJ.

UNASSIGNED: Orthodontic treatment often spans several months or even years, which can be burdensome for patients. Biomodulation techniques have emerged as potential strategies to expedite orthodontic tooth movement.
UNASSIGNED: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with a sample of 60 orthodontic patients, aged 12-30 years, requiring fixed appliance therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to either the biomodulation group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). The biomodulation group received low-level laser therapy (LLLT) along with traditional orthodontic treatment, while the control group received conventional orthodontic treatment without LLLT. Treatment duration, pain perception, and orthodontic tooth movement were assessed during the study period.
UNASSIGNED: The results demonstrated a significant reduction in treatment duration in the biomodulation group compared to the control group. The biomodulation group exhibited a 30% reduction in overall treatment time, with an average treatment duration of 8.4 months, while the control group required an average of 12 months (P < 0.001). Pain perception during orthodontic adjustments was lower in the biomodulation group. Additionally, biomodulation was associated with a statistically significant increase in the rate of tooth movement, as evidenced by a 20% reduction in the time required to achieve desired tooth alignment (P < 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: Biomodulation through low-level laser therapy represents a promising adjunct to traditional orthodontic treatment, significantly accelerating tooth movement and reducing treatment duration.