Sensitivity of Four Various Candida Species to Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Indocyanine Green, an in vitro Study

Statement of the Problem: Various species of candida contribute to oral candidiasis. It is the time to shift from conventional rigid antimicrobial therapies to more patient specific and safer ones. Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate antifungal effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Indocyanine green as photosensitizer and low-power laser irradiation on the viability of candida albicans, candida tropicalis, candida glabrata and candida krusei, and to compare it with Nystatin as the conventional treatment. Materials and Method: In this in vitro study, 0.5 McFarland suspensions of candida's species were prepared (n=50, each). Each strain was then divided into five groups of 10 samples each, according to the following experimental interventions: (1) Nystatin, (2) photodynamic therapy: laser irradiation (wavelength= 808 nm, power= 100 mW, energy density= 10 J/cm2, exposure duration= 100 s) in the presence of the photosensitizer, (3) laser irradiation alone, (4) treatment with the PS alone and (5-control: no exposure to laser light or photosensitizer. Next, serial dilutions were prepared and seeded onto Sabouraud dextrose agar. The colonies were counted, and the values of log (CFU/ml) were analyzed by variance and the Tamhan test (p< 0.05). Results: Photodynamic therapy mediated indocyanine green is significantly effective in reducing the number of CFU/ml of all species of candida tested, compared to control group (p< .001). Nystatin, laser irradiation and photodynamic therapy, with respectively decreasing potency, have considerably reduced the number of candida's colonies in all four bacterial strains (p<. 05). Photosensitizer alone, showed impressive antimicrobial potency against all species of candida except candida albicans, in comparison to control group. Conclusion: It seems that laser therapy alone is more powerful than photodynamic therapy mediated indocyanine green; however, conventional treatment has still the top antimicrobial efficacy towards all candida species

The Serum and salivary level of malondialdehyde, vitamins A, E, and C in patient with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Background: Oral recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affected oral mucosa which has afflicted about 20% of the society. Etiology of this disease is unknown. Three main factors influencing aphthous stomatitis are genetic, hematologic, and immunologic factors. Another proposed factor that may be considered in etiology of aphthous ulcer is oxidant, anti-oxidant imbalance in the body. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of lipid peroxide enzyme as an important oxidant agent and anti-oxidant vitamins in the saliva and serum of the patients suffering from RAS and compare it to healthy people. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive - analytical study, 25 patients suffering from RAS were compared to 24 healthy individuals. Applying enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as Vitamins A, E, and C were measured in the saliva and serum of two groups. The results were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version (11.5), t-test and χ2 . Results: No significant difference was detected between salivary and serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, and C) and MDA in both experimental groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, RAS is not associated with oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the body. However, it seems quite necessary to carry out more studies in this area

Evaluation of the Effects of Photodynamic Therapy With Methylene Blue on Different Candida Species In Vitro: Evaluation of photodynamic therapy on different Candida species

Introduction: Oral candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic infection of the oral cavity. The most common cause of this infection is Candida albicans. Considering the side effects of conventional antifungal therapies, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with new methylene blue (a photosensitizer) in inhibiting the growth of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, and C. krusei in vitro.Methods: In this experimental study, 200 samples of standard suspension (0.5 McFarland) were prepared from C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, and C. krusei (50 samples from each species). The samples of each species were divided into five groups (n=10), including photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer, with or without laser irradiation, nystatin treatment, laser therapy, and control. Next, cultivation of samples was performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar, and the colonyforming units were determined after 24 hours of incubation at 37 °C. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 22 by means of the Kruskal-Wallis test (P&lt;0.05).Results: The most sensitive and resistant species to nystatin therapy were C. glabrata and C. krusei, respectively. On the other hand, C. krusei was the most sensitive species to photodynamic therapy, and C. glabrata was the most resistant type to this treatment. The highest therapeutic effectiveness was attributed to nystatin therapy, although photodynamic therapy was also effective. Laser therapy was recognized as the least effective method.Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy with new methylene blue, as a suitable adjunct therapy, can be effective in the management of candidiasis. It may also be a potential novel treatment for immunocompromised patients with oral candidiasis

The efficacy of Punica granatum extract in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Objective: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common, painful ulcerative disorder of the oral cavity with unknown etiology. No documented cure exists and topical application of medications aims to reduce pain associated with this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Punica granatum (PG) extract on the clinical management of RAS. Methods: A total of 40 patients with RAS participated in this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. During three episodes of RAS, the efficacy of topical PG gel (10%) was evaluated. Patients were randomly assigned to use placebo gel or PG gel daily. The time of pain elimination and the time of complete healing were recorded and the pain degree was assessed and recorded by each patients in different time intervals including: Before using the oral gel (day 0), and on days 1, 3, 5, 7 after using the product. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA, paired and independent t-test. Findings: Mean time of pain elimination showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between PG group (3.4 ± 1.09) and placebo group (5.9 ± 0.6). The mean duration of complete healing also showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between PG group (5.3 ± 0.81) and placebo group (8.6 ± 0.99). The visual analog scale score in PG group was significantly less than the placebo group in all time intervals (day 1 to day 7) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that PG extract in the form of oral gel (10%) may be beneficial in reducing RAS pain and has a positive effect in reducing the overall time period of complete healing. It was concluded that PG is an effective herbal medicine for the management of RAS

Association between the clinical severity of oral lichen planus and anti-TPO level in thyroid patients

Abstract This study considered a possible relationship between the severity of oral lichen planus (OLP), serum anti-TPO autoantibodies (TPOAb) titer and thyroid disease in OLP patients. Forty-six OLP patients with positive TPOAb results (> 35 IU/ml) who had also been diagnosed with thyroid disease were included in the study group. The control group consisted of 46OLP patients with no thyroid disease. The study and control groups (92) were divided to two subgroups of erosive OLP (EOLP) and non-erosive OLP (NEOLP). Serum TPOAb levels and IL-8 (to measure OLP severity) were evaluated using the independent t-test, chi-square and conditional logistic regression analysis (α = 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between serum IL-8 and TPOAb levels in the study group (r = 0.783; p = 0.001). The positive blood levels of TPOAb were significantly associated with an increased risk of EOLP (OR = 4.02 at 95%CI; 1.21–13.4; p = 0.023). It is possible to used positive serum TPOAb levels in patients with OLP as in indicator of possible undetected thyroid disorders in those patients. Because erosive OLP has been associated with TPOAb in thyroid patients, it may be useful to determine TPOAb levels of such patients to diagnose a possible undetected thyroid disorders and follow-up for malignancy

Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care: From Diagnosis to Prevention and Beyond

&lt;p&gt;Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in revolutionizing cancer care, encompassing various aspects from diagnosis to prevention and beyond. With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make accurate predictions, AI has emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. This article explores the applications of AI in cancer care, highlighting its role in diagnosis, treatment decision-making, prevention, and ongoing management. In the realm of cancer diagnosis, AI has demonstrated remarkable potential. By processing patient data, including medical imaging, pathology reports, and genetic profiles, AI algorithms can assist in early detection and accurate diagnosis. Image recognition algorithms can analyze radiological images, such as mammograms or CT scans, to detect subtle abnormalities and assist radiologists in identifying potential tumors. AI can also aid pathologists in analyzing tissue samples, leading to more precise and efficient cancer diagnoses. AI's impact extends beyond diagnosis into treatment decision-making. The integration of AI algorithms with clinical data allows for personalized treatment approaches. By analyzing patient characteristics, disease stage, genetic markers, and treatment outcomes, AI can provide valuable insights to oncologists, aiding in treatment planning and predicting response to specific therapies. This can lead to more targeted and effective treatment strategies, improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary treatments and side effects. Furthermore, AI plays a crucial role in cancer prevention. By analyzing genetic and environmental risk factors, AI algorithms can identify individuals at higher risk of developing certain cancers. This enables targeted screening programs and early interventions, allowing for timely detection and prevention of cancer. Additionally, AI can analyze population-level data to identify trends and patterns, contributing to the development of public health strategies for cancer prevention and control. AI's involvement in cancer care goes beyond diagnosis and treatment, encompassing ongoing management and survivorship. AI-powered systems can monitor treatment response, track disease progression, and detect recurrence at an early stage. By continuously analyzing patient data, including imaging, laboratory results, and clinical assessments, AI algorithms can provide real-time insights, facilitating timely interventions and adjustments to treatment plans. This proactive approach to disease management improves patient outcomes and enhances quality of life.&lt;/p&gt