Can osteoarthritis be treated with light?

Osteoarthritis is becoming more problematic as the population ages. Recent reports suggest that the benefit of anti-inflammatory drugs is unimpressive and the incidence of side effects is worrying. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) is an alternative approach with no known side effects and with reports of substantial therapeutic efficacy in osteoarthritis. In this issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy, Alves and colleagues used a rat model of osteoarthritis produced by intra-articular injection of the cartilage-degrading enzyme papain to test 810-nm LLLT. A single application of LLLT produced significant reductions in inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammatory cytokines 24 hours later. A lower laser power was more effective than a higher laser power. However, more work is necessary before the title question can be answered in the affirmative

Far infrared radiation (FIR): Its biological effects and medical applications

Far infrared (FIR) radiation (λ=3–100 μm) is a subdivision of the electromagnetic spectrum that has been investigated for biological effects. The goal of this review is to cover the use of a further sub-division (3–12 μm) of this waveband, that has been observed in both in vitro and in vivo studies, to stimulate cells and tissue, and is considered a promising treatment modality for certain medical conditions. Technological advances have provided new techniques for delivering FIR radiation to the human body. Specialty lamps and saunas, delivering pure FIR radiation (eliminating completely the near and mid infrared bands), have became safe, effective, and widely used sources to generate therapeutic effects. Fibers impregnated with FIR emitting ceramic nanoparticles and woven into fabrics, are being used as garments and wraps to generate FIR radiation, and attain health benefits from its effects.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01AI050875

Photobiomodulation : lasers vs. light emitting diodes?

Correction: Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Pages: 259-259 DOI: 10.1039/c8pp90049c Accession Number: WOS:000457260400025Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a treatment method based on research findings showing that irradiation with certain wavelengths of red or near-infrared light has been shown to produce a range of physiological effects in cells, tissues, animals and humans. Scientific research into PBM was initially started in the late 1960s by utilizing the newly invented (1960) lasers, and the therapy rapidly became known as low-level laser therapy. It was mainly used for wound healing and reduction of pain and inflammation. Despite other light sources being available during the first 40 years of PBM research, lasers remained by far the most commonly employed device, and in fact, some authors insisted that lasers were essential to the therapeutic benefit. Collimated, coherent, highly monochromatic beams with the possibility of high power densities were considered preferable. However in recent years, non-coherent light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and broad-band lamps have become common. Advantages of LEDs include no laser safety considerations, ease of home use, ability to irradiate a large area of tissue at once, possibility of wearable devices, and much lower cost per mW. LED photobiomodulation is here to stay.Peer reviewe

Inorganic salts and antimicrobial photodynamic Therapy : mechanistic conundrums?

Abstract: We have recently discovered that the photodynamic action of many different photosensitizers (PSs) can be dramatically potentiated by addition of a solution containing a range of different inorganic salts. Most of these studies have centered around antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation that kills Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in suspension. Addition of nontoxic water-soluble salts during illumination can kill up to six additional logs of bacterial cells (one million-fold improvement). The PSs investigated range from those that undergo mainly Type I photochemical mechanisms (electron transfer to produce superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals), such as phenothiazinium dyes, fullerenes, and titanium dioxide, to those that are mainly Type II (energy transfer to produce singlet oxygen), such as porphyrins, and Rose Bengal. At one extreme of the salts is sodium azide, that quenches singlet oxygen but can produce azide radicals (presumed to be highly reactive) via electron transfer from photoexcited phenothiazinium dyes. Potassium iodide is oxidized to molecular iodine by both Type I and Type II PSs, but may also form reactive iodine species. Potassium bromide is oxidized to hypobromite, but only by titanium dioxide photocatalysis (Type I). Potassium thiocyanate appears to require a mixture of Type I and Type II photochemistry to first produce sulfite, that can then form the sulfur trioxide radical anion. Potassium selenocyanate can react with either Type I or Type II (or indeed with other oxidizing agents) to produce the semi-stable selenocyanogen (SCN)2. Finally, sodium nitrite may react with either Type I or Type II PSs to produce peroxynitrate (again, semi-stable) that can kill bacteria and nitrate tyrosine. Many of these salts (except azide) are non-toxic, and may be clinically applicable

Effect of red and near-infrared wavelengths on low-level laser (light) therapy-induced healing of partial-thickness dermal abrasion in mice

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) promotes wound healing, reduces pain and inflammation, and prevents tissue death. Studies have explored the effects of various radiant exposures on the effect of LLLT; however, studies of wavelength dependency in in vivo models are less common. In the present study, the healing effects of LLLT mediated by different wavelengths of light in the red and near-infrared (NIR) wavelength regions (635, 730, 810, and 980 nm) delivered at constant fluence (4 J/cm2) and fluence rate (10 mW/cm2) were evaluated in a mouse model of partial-thickness dermal abrasion. Wavelengths of 635 and 810 nm were found to be effective in promoting the healing of dermal abrasions. However, treatment using 730- and 980-nm wavelengths showed no sign of stimulated healing. Healing was maximally augmented in mice treated with an 810-nm wavelength, as evidenced by significant wound area reduction (p < 0.05), enhanced collagen accumulation, and complete re-epithelialization as compared to other wavelengths and non-illuminated controls. Significant acceleration of re-epithelialization and cellular proliferation revealed by immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin-14 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (p < 0.05) was evident in the 810-nm wavelength compared with other groups. Photobiomodulation mediated by red (635 nm) and NIR (810 nm) light suggests that the biological response of the wound tissue depends on the wavelength employed. The effectiveness of 810-nm wavelength agrees with previous publications and, together with the partial effectiveness of 635 nm and the ineffectiveness of 730 and 980 nm wavelengths, can be explained by the absorption spectrum of cytochrome c oxidase, the candidate mitochondrial chromophore in LLLT.United States. National Institutes of Healt

Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer’s disease : translating basic research to clinical application

Abstract:One of the challenges in translating new therapeutic approaches to the patient bedside lies in bridging the gap between scientists who are conducting basic laboratory research and medical practitioners who are not exposed to highly specialized journals. This review covers the literature on photobiomodulation therapy as a novel approach to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to bridge that gap by gathering together the terms and technical specifications into a single concise suggestion for a treatment protocol. In light of the predicted doubling in the number of people affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease within the next 30 years, a treatment option which has already shown promising results in cell culture studies and animal models, and whose safety has already been proven in humans, must not be left in the dark. This review covers the mechanistic action of photobiomodulation therapy against Alzheimer’s disease at a cellular level. Safe and effective doses have been found in animal models, and the first human case studies have provided reasons to undertake large-scale clinical trials. A brief discussion of the minimally effective and maximum tolerated dose concludes this review, and provides the basis for a successful translation from bench to bedside

Situation aftermath management system and method

A system and method for assisting flight crew recovery in the aftermath of an unexpected event is provided. A processor is used to detect that an unexpected event has occurred in an aircraft and, in response to detecting that the unexpected event has occurred, state data are stored in memory. The processor is also used to detect that the unexpected event has been resolved and, in response to detecting that the unexpected event has been resolved, the processor retrieves the state data from the memory, generates an aftermath plan that includes prompts to guide the flight crew to complete the aftermath plan, and continuously updates the aftermath plan until the aftermath plan is completed

Aircraft situational awareness improvement system and method

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. In one embodiment, a method for improving aircraft pilot situational awareness includes receiving and processing datalink messages and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data in an aircraft. A spatial and temporal situational model for the aircraft is generated based on the processed datalink messages and the processed ADSB data. At least a portion of the spatial and temporal situational model is rendered on a display device within the aircraft. In another embodiment, an aircraft pilot situational awareness improvement system includes a display device and a processor. The display device is coupled to receive image rendering display commands and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to render one or more images. The processor is configured to receive datalink messages and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to process the received datalink messages and the received ADS-B data, generate a spatial and temporal situational model for the aircraft based on the processed datalink messages and the processed ADS-B data, and supply image rendering display commands to the display device that cause the display device to render at least a portion of the spatial and temporal situational model. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the aircraft pilot situational awareness improvement system and method will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the preceding background

Perceptual Grouping Effects on Cursor Movement Expectations

Objective: Two studies were conducted to develop an understanding of factors that drive user expectations when navigating between discrete elements on a display via a limited degree-of-freedom cursor control device. Background: For the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle spacecraft, a free-floating cursor with a graphical user interface (GUI) would require an unachievable level of accuracy due to expected acceleration and vibration conditions during dynamic phases of flight. Therefore, Orion program proposed using a caged cursor to jump from one controllable element (node) on the GUI to another. However, nodes are not likely to be arranged on a rectilinear grid, and so movements between nodes are not obvious. Method: Proximity between nodes, direction of nodes relative to each other, and context features may all contribute to user cursor movement expectations. In an initial study, we examined user expectations based on the nodes themselves. In a second study, we examined the effect of context features on user expectations. Results: The studies established that perceptual grouping effects influence expectations to varying degrees. Based on these results, a simple rule set was developed to support users in building a straightforward mental model that closely matches their natural expectations for cursor movement. Conclusion: The results will help designers of display formats take advantage of the natural context- driven cursor movement expectations of users to reduce navigation errors, increase usability, and decrease access time. Application: The rules set and guidelines tie theory to practice and can be applied in environments where vibration or acceleration are significant, including spacecraft, aircraft, and automobiles

Display system and method for generating a display

A display system and method for providing a display. A display system includes a computer processor, the computer processor being configured to receive information from a plurality of sensors. The computer processor is further configured to detect an abnormal situation, based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The display system further includes a database including abnormal situation response procedures in operable communication with the processor, wherein the database is configured to provide the processor with the abnormal situation response procedures upon the detection of an abnormal situation. The display system further includes a display device in operable communication with the processor, wherein the display device is configured to display information from the sensors regarding the abnormal situation and the abnormal situation response procedures