scholarly journals Novel Application of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy in the Treatment of Eyebrow Loss in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 5981
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gerkowicz ◽  
Joanna Bartosińska ◽  
Dorota Raczkiewicz ◽  
Mirosław Kwaśny ◽  
Dorota Krasowska
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Standardized Treatment ◽  
Led Therapy ◽  
First Time

Background: Eyebrow loss in the course of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is becoming a growing issue among older females. It has a considerable negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Since there is no standardized treatment, photobiomodulation with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could be an option. Here we assess, for the first time, the efficacy of LED therapy in the treatment of eyebrow loss in females with FFA. Methods: 16 female patients with FFA aged 60–74 years were enrolled in the study. LED therapy was performed once a week for a 10-week session. The LEDs’ effectiveness was assessed at the baseline, after 10 irradiations, and 6 months after the end of treatment during a follow-up visit. Results: The therapy was well tolerated. After 10 irradiations, the total eyebrow hair count increased significantly, as did the number of thick hairs and mid-thick hairs (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, and p = 0.044, respectively). During the follow-up visit, the total number of eyebrow hairs remained significantly higher than before treatment (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The study revealed that LED therapy seems to be a novel and promising therapeutic option for eyebrow loss in patients with FFA. It is safe and well tolerated and leads to clinically and cosmetically acceptable improvement.

scholarly journals Factor Structure of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in a Sample of Postpartum Slovak Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6298
Author(s):  
Zuzana Škodová ◽  
Ľubica Bánovčinová ◽  
Eva Urbanová ◽  
Marián Grendár ◽  
Martina Bašková
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Three Dimensional Model

Background: Postpartum depression has a negative impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Methods: A paper and pencil version of the 10-item EPDS questionnaire was administered personally to 577 women at baseline during their stay in hospital on the second to fourth day postpartum (age, 30.6 ± 4.9 years; 73.5% vaginal births vs. 26.5% operative births; 59.4% primiparas). A total of 198 women participated in the online follow-up 6–8 weeks postpartum (questionnaire sent via e-mail). Results: The Slovak version of the EPDS had Cronbach’s coefficients of 0.84 and 0.88 at baseline (T1) and follow-up, respectively. The three-dimensional model of the scale offered good fit for both the baseline (χ2(df = 28) = 1339.38, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.02, and TLI = 0.99) and follow-up (χ2(df = 45) = 908.06, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.09, and TL = 0.90). A risk of major depression (EPDS score ≥ 13) was identified in 6.1% in T1 and 11.6% in the follow-up. Elevated levels of depression symptoms (EPDS score ≥ 10) were identified in 16.7% and 22.7% of the respondents at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: The Slovak translation of the EPDS showed good consistency, convergent validity, and model characteristics. The routine use of EPDS can contribute to improving the quality of postnatal health care.

scholarly journals Increased Plant Quality, Greenhouse Productivity and Energy Efficiency with Broad-Spectrum LED Systems: A Case Study for Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 960
Author(s):  
Jenny Manuela Tabbert ◽  
Hartwig Schulz ◽  
Andrea Krähmer
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Thymus Vulgaris ◽  
Light Spectrum ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Biomass Yields ◽  
Lighting Systems

A light-emitting diode (LED) system covering plant-receptive wavebands from ultraviolet to far-red radiation (360 to 760 nm, “white” light spectrum) was investigated for greenhouse productions of Thymus vulgaris L. Biomass yields and amounts of terpenoids were examined, and the lights’ productivity and electrical efficiency were determined. All results were compared to two conventionally used light fixture types (high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) and fluorescent lights (FL)) under naturally low irradiation conditions during fall and winter in Berlin, Germany. Under LED, development of Thymus vulgaris L. was highly accelerated resulting in distinct fresh yield increases per square meter by 43% and 82.4% compared to HPS and FL, respectively. Dry yields per square meter also increased by 43.1% and 88.6% under LED compared to the HPS and FL lighting systems. While composition of terpenoids remained unaffected, their quantity per gram of leaf dry matter significantly increased under LED and HPS as compared to FL. Further, the power consumption calculations revealed energy savings of 31.3% and 20.1% for LED and FL, respectively, compared to HPS. In conclusion, the implementation of a broad-spectrum LED system has tremendous potential for increasing quantity and quality of Thymus vulgaris L. during naturally insufficient light conditions while significantly reducing energy consumption.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional audit of distress in patients undergoing adjuvant therapy or follow-up in central nervous system malignancies

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-310
Author(s):  
Vijay M Patil ◽  
Mridul Malhotra ◽  
Raees Tonse ◽  
Jayita Deodhar ◽  
Arun Chandrasekharan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Distress Score ◽  
High Distress ◽  
Cancer Network

Abstract Background Unaddressed high distress leads to noncompliance with treatment, negatively affects quality of life, and may also have a negative impact on the prognosis of cancer patients. Patients with brain tumors have higher levels of distress than the general population and hence we hypothesize that even routine visits during adjuvant treatment or follow-up are likely to be stressful. This analysis was performed to identify the incidence of distress and factors affecting it. Methods This was an audit of 84 consecutive patients seen in an adult neuro-medical oncology outpatient department who were either receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or were on follow-up. Distress screening with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) distress thermometer was performed. Patients in whom distress was scored as 4 or above were considered as having high distress. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors affecting distress. Results The median age of the cohort was 40 years (interquartile range, 28.3 to 50 years). Actionable distress defined as a distress score of 4 or more was seen in 52 patients (61.9%, 95% CI 51.2% to 71.5%). Presence of physical deficit (odds ratio [OR] = 3.412, P = .020) and treatment under the private category (OR = 5.273, P = .003) had higher odds of having high distress. Conclusion A high proportion of brain tumor patients either on adjuvant chemotherapy or on follow-up have high distress levels that need to be addressed even during follow-up.

Image quality of a novel light-emitting diode (LED)-illuminated colonoscope

Endoscopy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 934-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sho Sasaki ◽  
Jun Nishikawa ◽  
Hideo Yanai ◽  
Munetaka Nakamura ◽  
Junichi Nishimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Light Emitting

scholarly journals Psychosocial Aspects and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients undergoing Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 78-84
Author(s):  
M. Bakos ◽  
T. Jankovic ◽  
M. Vidiscak ◽  
S. Durdik
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Physical Relationship ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Eortc Qlq

Introduction:Quality of life in cancer patients and probably also long term survival is negatively affected with fear of the recurrence of cancer and consequences of aggressive therapy. This is the reason for anxiety, depressions, and frustration which are accompanied by cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders in their physical, relationship, sexual and social func- tioning. The aim of our study is to analyze the dynamics of evolution of the psychosocial loads and qualitative changes its symptomatology in cancer patients who survival 1-4 years after surgery. Material and methods:For assessment of psychosocial mor- bidity ́s in measure in surgery patients standardized question- naires of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer- questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30.3 (Quality of Life- C.30.3) and its module EORTC QLQ- BR23 were used. Results:The degree of psychosocial mortality in survival pa- tients one year after MRM in our group clearly demonstrated that these patients suffered because of consequences of psy- chosocial loads. It results from fear of recurrence of cancer and next functional, emotional, cognitive and social disorders with- out regard for surgery range. The degree of psychosocial loads in patients after MRM is still more than 4 years after end of treatment. Results show, that after the end of treatment there are many changes in their lives - anxiety and depressions can lead to psychical lability because of higher doubts, nervous- ness, irritability, helplessness and loneliness in their sufferers. Conclusion:Out-patient psychosocial interventions and pre- ventions because of negative impact of ongoing and changing psychosocial loads becomes necessary. It means that there is negative impact on quality of life; of long term cancer remis- sion and survival of patients after surgery.

scholarly journals Stability of Drinking Reductions and Long-term Functioning Among Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Witkiewitz ◽  
Henry R. Kranzler ◽  
Kevin A. Hallgren ◽  
Deborah S. Hasin ◽  
Arnie P. Aldridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
World Health ◽  
End Of Treatment

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes alcohol consumption according to grams consumed into low-, medium-, high-, and very-high-risk drinking levels (RDLs). Although abstinence has been considered the ideal outcome of alcohol treatment, reductions in WHO RDLs have been proposed as primary outcomes for alcohol use disorder (AUD) trials. Objective The current study examines the stability of WHO RDL reductions and the association between RDL reductions and long-term functioning for up to 3 years following treatment. Design and Participants Secondary data analysis of patients with AUD enrolled in the COMBINE Study and Project MATCH, two multi-site, randomized AUD clinical trials, who were followed for up to 3 years post-treatment (COMBINE: n = 694; MATCH: n = 806). Measures Alcohol use was measured via calendar-based methods. We estimated all models in the total sample and among participants who did not achieve abstinence during treatment. Key Results One-level RDL reductions were achieved by 84% of patients at the end of treatment, with 84.9% of those individuals maintaining that reduction at a 3-year follow-up. Two-level RDL reductions were achieved by 68% of patients at the end of treatment, with 77.7% of those individuals maintaining that reduction at a 3-year follow-up. One- and two-level RDL reductions at the end of treatment were associated with significantly better mental health, quality of life (including physical quality of life), and fewer drinking consequences 3 years after treatment (p < 0.05), as compared to no change or increased drinking. Conclusion AUD patients can maintain WHO RDL reductions for up to 3 years after treatment. Patients who had WHO RDL reductions functioned significantly better than those who did not reduce their drinking. These findings are consistent with prior reports suggesting that drinking reductions, short of abstinence, yield meaningful improvements in patient health, well-being, and functioning.

scholarly journals Post-operative hypothalamic lesions and obesity in childhood craniopharyngioma: results of the multinational prospective trial KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000 after 3-year follow-up

2011 ◽  
Vol 165 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermann L Müller ◽  
Ursel Gebhardt ◽  
Carmen Teske ◽  
Andreas Faldum ◽  
Isabella Zwiener ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Hypothalamic Obesity ◽  
Surgical Strategies ◽  
Hypothalamic Lesions ◽  
Patient Load

BackgroundHypothalamic obesity has major impact on prognosis and quality of life (QoL) in childhood craniopharyngioma.Patients and methodsFor this study, 120 patients were prospectively recruited during 2001 and 2007 and evaluated after 3 years of follow-up (KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000). Body mass index (BMI) and QoL at diagnosis and 36 months after diagnosis were analysed based on the reference assessment of tumour localisation and post-surgical hypothalamic lesions. Treatment was analysed based on the neurosurgical strategy of 50 participating neurosurgical centres, the centre size based on the patient load.ResultsBMI SDS at diagnosis was similar in patients with or without hypothalamic involvement. Surgical lesions of anterior and posterior hypothalamic areas were associated with higher increase in BMI SDS during 36 months post-diagnosis compared with patients without or only anterior lesion (+1.8 BMISD, P=0.033, +2.1 BMISD; P=0.011), negative impact on QoL in patients with posterior hypothalamic lesions. Surgical strategies varied among the 50 neurosurgical centres (three large-sized, 24 middle-sized and 23 small-sized centres). Patients treated in small-sized centres presented with a higher rate of hypothalamic involvement compared with those treated in the middle- and large-sized centres. Treatment in large-sized centres was less radical, and the rates of complete resection and hypothalamic surgical lesions were lower in large-sized centres than those of the middle- and small-sized centres. However, a multivariable analysis showed that pre-operative hypothalamic involvement was the only independent risk factor for severe obesity (P=0.002).ConclusionsRadical neurosurgical strategies leading to posterior hypothalamic lesions are not recommended due to the potential to exacerbate hypothalamic obesity and impaired QoL. Treatment should be confined to experienced multidisciplinary teams.

scholarly journals ZnO Microcrystals for Light Emitting Diode and Photovoltaic Applications with Integration on Flexible Substrates

2009 ◽  
Vol 1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse J Cole ◽  
Heiko Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Flexible Substrate ◽  
Oxygen Plasma Treatment ◽  
Near Band Edge ◽  
Transfer Printing ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Integration Approach ◽  
Photovoltaic Applications

AbstractWe report a new integration approach to produce arrays of ZnO microcrystals for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. Demonstrated applications are n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunction LEDs and photovoltaic cells. The integration process uses an oxygen plasma treatment in combination with a photoresist pattern on Magnesium doped GaN substrates to define a narrow sub-100nm width nucleation region. ZnO is synthesized in the defined areas by a hydrothermal technique using zinc acetate and hexamethylenetetramine precursors. Nucleation is followed by lateral epitaxial overgrowth producing single crystal disks of ZnO. The process provides control over the dimension and location of the ZnO crystals. The quality of the patterned ZnO is high; the commonly observed defect related emission in the electroluminescence spectra is suppressed and a single near-band-edge UV peak is observed. Transfer printing of the ZnO microcrystals onto a flexible substrate is also demonstrated in the context of transparent flexible electronics.

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