Theoretical basis of all-optical modulation of a probe laser beam due to photothermal modulation of the aggregation state in organic dyes, with experimental proof of the principle.

The inherent potential for self-assembly is a well-known attribute of organic dye molecules. This work takes advantage of the changes in dye photochemical and photophysical properties produced by the aggregation phenomenon, to investigate the behavior of all-optical modulation in molecular aggregates. The theoretical principles for a dual beam all-optical modulation, as well as the conception of an optical logic gate by exploring the aggregation phenomenon are discussed throughout the article.

Avalanche-assisted transient optical phenomenon in aggregated toluidine blue dye.

Pulse-modulated CW laser heat deposition modulates the darkness or the transparency of an aggregated medium in the high signal optical regimen. A recently reported work found that transient optical responses of molecular aggregates can be different depending on whether the sample is excited with a laser wavelength tuned within the absorption band of the monomer or within the absorption band of the aggregates. The different transient responses were attributed to different dynamic processes during the laser-induced disassembling of the molecular aggregates and may have implications in the field of organic electronics and optical devices, such as optical logical gates, optical power limiters and all-optical switching.

Antiedematous Effect Promoted by Occlusion of Legs with Compressive Socks Containing Infrared-Emitting Ceramic Particulates.

Published literature reports significant improvements in pathological conditions, such as pain, blood dyscrasias, and cellulite, after using topical occlusive accessories containing particulate ceramic materials. In this study, we investigated whether the use of a topical occluding garment made with synthetic fibers embedded with powdered ceramic materials could be beneficial to patients suffering from edema of lower limb extremities. The cohort comprised 30 volunteers of both genders who were divided into two study groups.

LED phototherapy in full-thickness burns induced by CO laser in rats skin.

Many studies have been conducted on the treatment of burns because they are important in morbidity and mortality. These studies are mainly focused on improving care and quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was evaluate the LED phototherapy effects in rats skin full-thickness burns induced by CO laser.

Application of phototherapy for the healing of the navels of neonatal dairy calves.

The present work evaluated the effects of LED light irradiation on the healing of the navels of neonatal dairy calves. Fifty-seven neonatal calves were divided into two groups. Animals had their umbilical stumps immersed in 10% iodine tincture for 60 s, and this process was repeated every 24 h for three consecutive days.

Analysis of experimental tendinitis in rats treated with laser and platelet-rich plasma therapies by Raman spectroscopy and histometry.

The objective of this controlled experimental study was to analyze the changes in the Achilles tendons of rats with experimentally induced tendinitis after treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and/or laser therapies by histometry to quantify fibroblasts and by Raman spectroscopy to determine the biochemical concentration of collagen types I and III. Fifty-four male Wistar rats were divided into six treatment groups: control (G1); PRP only (G2); irradiation with 660 nm laser (G3); irradiation with 830 nm laser (G4); PRP plus 660 nm laser irradiation (G5); and PRP plus 830 nm laser irradiation (G6). Injuries (partial tenotomy) were inflicted in the middle third of the Achilles tendon, with PRP added prior to suture in the appropriate experimental groups.

Experimental full-thickness burns induced by CO2 laser.

Many studies have been conducted on the treatment of burns because they are important in morbidity and mortality. These studies are mainly focused on improving care and quality of life of patients. The aim of this study is the induction of standardized full-thickness burns of the skin of rats using the CO2 laser.

Thermo-optical characterization of cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) quantum dots embedded in biocompatible materials.

Cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) core-shell quantum dots (QDs) embedded in biocompatible materials were thermally and optically characterized with a thermal lens (TL) technique. Transient TL measurements were performed with a mode-mismatched, dual-beam (excitation and probe) configuration. A thermo-optical study of the CdSe/ZnS QDs was performed for different core diameters (3.

Photodynamic inactivation of yeast and bacteria by extracts of Alternanthera brasiliana.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Alternathera brasiliana (Amaranthaceae) extracts as photosensitizing agents in photodynamic antimicrobial therapies (PACT) against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida dubliniensis. The crude hexane and ethanol extracts were obtained from A. brasiliana whole plant and showed absortion from 650 to 700 nm.

Reductions in body measurements promoted by a garment containing ceramic nanoparticles: a 4-month follow-up study.

Background: Published literature reports significant improvements in pathological conditions, such as pain, blood dyscrasias, and cellulite, after using topical occlusive accessories containing particulate ceramic materials. Recent work reported a reduction in body measurements after 30 days of daily use of high-waist undershorts made of synthetic fabrics with embedded ceramic particles.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether the use of a garment made with synthetic fibers embedded with powdered ceramic could lead to reductions in body measurements at a longer time span (120 day).

Influence of coffee and red wine on tooth color during and after bleaching.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of coffee and red wine staining on tooth color during and after bleaching.

Materials And Methods: Blocks obtained from human molars were divided into 11 groups (n = 5) in accordance with the bleaching treatment-peroxide carbamide 10%, 15% or 20%-and in accordance with the stain therapy-coffee, wine or without staining (control). Color change analysis was performed by photo-reflectance using a spectrophotometer, during (3-times/week) and after (7, 15 and 30 days) the bleaching treatment.

Low-level laser therapy ameliorates CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rats.

This study investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the liver function, structure and inflammation in a experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver cirrhosis. Wistar rats were divided into Control, LLLT, CCl(4) and CCl(4) +LLLT groups. CCl(4) groups received CCl(4) (0.

Evaluation of ultrasound and light sources as bleaching catalysts - an in vitro study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of tooth bleaching with high concentration agents, varying the catalyst sources and exposure times.

Materials And Methods: Stained human third molar fragments were randomized and placed into 8 groups (n = 5). G1: Whiteness HP Maxx (FGM, Joinville, SC, Brazil) 35% (HP)/5 min on enamel surface without external catalyst source; G2: HP/15 min without external catalyst association; G3: HP/5 min with Quartz Tungstein Halogen (QTH: Optilux 501C, Demetron/Kerr, Danbury, CT, USA) as a catalyst; G4: HP/15 min with QTH as a catalyst; G5: HP/5 min with LED/laser as a catalyst; G6: HP/15 min with LED/ laser as a catalyst; G7: HP/5 min with ultrasound as a catalyst; G8: HP/15 min with ultrasound as a catalyst.

Influence of chemical or physical catalysts on high concentration bleaching agents.

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the bleaching efficacy of high concentration bleaching agents activated by chemical or physical catalysts.

Materials And Methods: This study was divided into two parts. Part 1 evaluated the efficacy of tooth whitening after treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide (Whiteness HP Maxx) that was activated by different light-curing units: halogen lamp (conventional and bleach mode) (Optilux 501C, Demetron/Kerr), LED first generation (Ultrablue IV, DMC), LED/diode laser (Ultrablue IV, DMC), LED second generation (Bluephase 16i, Ivoclar Vivadent), and no light source (control group).

Photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli biofilms by malachite green and phenothiazine dyes: an in vitro study.

Objectives: The organization of biofilms in the oral cavity gives them added resistance to antimicrobial agents. The action of phenothiazinic photosensitizers on oral biofilms has already been reported. However, the action of the malachite green photosensitizer upon biofilm-organized microorganisms has not been described.

Effect of incoherent LED radiation on third-degree burning wounds in rats.

The main physiological characteristics in a burn process are the increase of the capillary permeability and the occurrence of edema and exudation. Light-emitting diode (LED) has been proposed as treatment of burning. This study investigated the effects of LED on the repair process of rat skin submitted to a third-degree burning.

Aloe vera extract reduces both growth and germ tube formation by Candida albicans.

Due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients, the infections associated with the pathogen of the genus Candida have significantly increased in recent years. To grow, Candida albicans may form a germ tube extension from the cells, which is essential for virulence. In this work, we studied the effect of crude glycolic extract of Aloe vera fresh leaves (20% w/v) on growth and germ tube formation by C.

Reduction in body measurements after use of a garment made with synthetic fibers embedded with ceramic nanoparticles.

Background: Therapeutic effects have been attributed to far-infrared (FIR) radiation emitted from different types of sources. One class of such infrared emitters consists of ceramics in a powdered form, which allows for its incorporation into creams and fabrics. Such ceramic materials emit in the FIR when subjected to body temperature.

Optical characterization in annatto and commercial colorific.

Nowadays, the synthetic dyes (as erythrosine, ponceau and tartrazina) and natural colourants (as annatto, paprika, curcuma and anthocyanin) are indispensable in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. However, the use of natural colourant has been considered safer for human consumption then synthetic dye. For practical applications of the coloring, optical properties are important for the understanding of the characteristics of them.

Comparative study of the topical application of Aloe vera gel, therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis on the tissue repair in collagenase-induced rat tendinitis.

The aim of our study was to compare topical use of Aloe vera gel, pulsed mode ultrasound (US) and Aloe vera phonophoresis on rat paw with collagenase-induced tendinitis. Edema size, tensile tendon strength, tendon elasticity, number of inflammatory cells and tissue histology were studied at 7 and 14 days after tendinitis induction. Pulse mode US parameters were: 1 MHz frequency, 100 Hz repetition rate, 10% duty cycle, and 0.

Extracts from Alternanthera maritima as natural photosensitizers in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT).

This study investigated the effect of photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) using extracts from Alternanthera maritima on the viability of Candida dubliniensis. Human infections constitute a great health problem. Several antifungal drugs are currently available, but their uses are limited by a number of factors, such as low potency, poor solubility, microbial resistance, and drug toxicity.

Core-shell quantum dots tailor the fluorescence of dental resin composites.

Objectives: We characterized the optical properties, such as absorbance and fluorescence, of dental resins containing quantum dots (QD). We also determined the doping level needed to obtain a broad and nearly flat emission spectrum that provides the perception of white color.

Methods: The samples studied were resin composites from Charisma (Heraeus Kulzer) prepared with CdSe/ZnS core-shell QD (0.

Effect of low-level laser therapy and calcitonin on bone repair in castrated rats: a densitometric study.

Objective: To investigate the healing of bone defects in male rats treated with salmon calcitonin, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or both.

Background: Healing of bone defects still represents a challenge to health professionals in several areas. In this article, the effect of calcitonin in combination with LLLT on bone repair was studied.

Comparison of the photodynamic fungicidal efficacy of methylene blue, toluidine blue, malachite green and low-power laser irradiation alone against Candida albicans.

This study was to evaluate specific effects of photodynamic therapy (energy density 15.8 J/cm(2), 26.3 J/cm(2) and 39.