Contents Vol. 21, 2016

Audiol Neurotol 2016;21:I-VI

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Efficacy of Nd:YAG laser therapy for the treatment of verrucae: a literature review

Abstract

Verrucae are benign epithelial proliferations, characteristically 1–20 mm in diameter, caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection occurring on the skin and mucosa (Photomed Laser Surg 33(6):338-42, 2015; Lasers Med Sci 29(3):1111-6, 2014). Prevalence of verrucae is 5–20% in children and young adults with peak incidence reported during teenage years (Lasers Med Sci 29(3):1111-6, 2014; J Am Acad Dermatol 22(4):547-66, 1990; J Korean Med Sci 24(5):889-93, 2009). Patients often express significant displeasure with quality of life due to this cosmetic insecurity, as well as functional problems and physical discomfort when they occur on palms of hands and soles of feet. Traditional therapeutic options for warts, such as topical salicyclic acid, topical imiquimod, bleomycin injections, cryotherapy, surgical excision, and electrocautery, have proven somewhat effective but often lead to high recurrence rates or scarring (Photomed Laser Surg 33(6):338-42, 2015). Laser therapy offers an alternative solution by employing selective tissue destruction with minimal risks. We performed a broad literature search in PubMed to obtain all available published articles that studied the treatment of verrucae on the skin with 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser. This laser is specifically suited for verruca treatment due to its deeply penetrating 1064-nm wavelength and relatively low risk of pigmentation changes in dark skin types (Photomed Laser Surg 33(6):338-42, 2015). Laser therapy is effective in the treatment of verrucae and has enabled clinicians to provide direct, targeted treatment of warts.

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Beneficial neurocognitive effects of transcranial laser in older adults

Abstract

Transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) at 1064 nm, 250 mW/cm² has been proven safe and effective for increasing neurocognitive functions in young adults in controlled studies using photobiomodulation of the right prefrontal cortex. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether there is any effect from TILS on neurocognitive function in older adults with subjective memory complaint at risk for cognitive decline (e.g., increased carotid artery intima-media thickness or mild traumatic brain injury). We investigated the cognitive effects of TILS in older adults (ages 49–90, n = 12) using prefrontal cortex measures of attention (psychomotor vigilance task (PVT)) and memory (delayed match to sample (DMS)), carotid artery intima-media thickness (measured by ultrasound), and evaluated the potential neural mechanisms mediating the cognitive effects of TILS using exploratory brain studies of electroencephalography (EEG, n = 6) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI, n = 6). Cognitive performance, age, and carotid artery intima-media thickness were highly correlated, but all participants improved in all cognitive measures after TILS treatments. Baseline vs. chronic (five weekly sessions, 8 min each) comparisons of mean cognitive scores all showed improvements, significant for PVT reaction time (p < 0.001), PVT lapses (p < 0.001), and DMS correct responses (p < 0.05). The neural studies also showed for the first time that TILS increases resting-state EEG alpha, beta, and gamma power and promotes more efficient prefrontal blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD)-fMRI response. Importantly, no adverse effects were found. These preliminary findings support the use of TILS for larger randomized clinical trials with this non-invasive approach to augment neurocognitive function in older people to combat aging-related and vascular disease-related cognitive decline.

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The role of laser power and pullback velocity in the endovenous laser ablation efficacy: an experimental study

Abstract

Endovenous laser ablation is an effective and minimally invasive alternative to surgical removal of incompetent veins. However, many controversies concerning optimal laser parameters usage in this procedure still remain. The purpose of this experimental study was to assess the adequate parameters required for vein wall destruction and to evaluate the role of fiber pullback velocity on vessel wall degradation. Varicose vein segments were treated with 1470-nm diode laser 3 to 9.5 W in power. The fiber moved through the vein at a velocity of 0.7 or 1.5 mm/s; the applied linear endovenous energy density (LEED) was 40–95 J/cm. The temperature of the vein surface in the course of laser irradiation was controlled by IR thermography. The intact collagen in treated vein specimens was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The increase in the surface temperature with applied energy was found to be about three times slower for the pullback velocity of 0.7 mm/s than that of 1.5 mm/s. The collagen in the tissue was totally denatured in the case of the surface temperature of about 91 °C. The critical values of LEED ensured complete degradation of vein wall were of 53 and 71.5 J/cm for velocities of 1.5 and 0.7 mm/s, respectively. Our experimental study supports the conception that it is laser power and pullback velocity rather than LEED value that determine the temperature as well the collagen framework degradation and therefore the thermal response of procedure.

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miRNA regulation is important for DNA damage repair and recognition in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Abstract

Platin-containing regimes are currently considered as state-of-the-art therapies in malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPM) but show dissatisfying response rates ranging from 6 to 16% only. Still, the reasons for the rather poor efficacy remain largely unknown. A clear stratification of patients based on new biomarkers seems to be a promising approach to enhance clinical management, which would be a long-needed improvement for MPM patients but does not seem likely soon unless new biomarkers can be validated. Twenty-four formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour specimens were subjected to a miRNA expression screening of 800 important miRNAs using digital quantification via the nCounter technique (NanoString). We defined a small subset of miRNAs regulating the key enzymes involved in the repair of platin-associated DNA damage. Particularly, the TP53 pathway network for DNA damage recognition as well as genes related to the term "BRCAness" are the main miRNA targets within this context. The TP53 pathway network for DNA damage recognition as well as genes related to the term "BRCAness" are the main players for risk stratification in patients suffering from this severe disease. Taking the specific molecular profile of the tumour into account can help to enhance the clinical management prospectively and to smooth the way to better response prediction.

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Large Intracavernous Carotid Artery Aneurysm.

No abstract available

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Symptom: Right-Sided Hearing Loss

No abstract available

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