Efficacy of Intense Pulse Light with Triple Combination Cream Versus Triple Combination Cream alone in the Treatment of Melasma

Introduction: Various studies explored the use of intense pulse light (IPL) therapy in treating melasma, but only a few randomized clinical trials have evaluated the combination of triple combination cream (TCC) with IPL so far. Objective: This study compared the efficacy and safety of the combination of IPL and triple combination cream with triple combination cream alone in treating melasma. Material and Methods: Sixty patients with melasma were enrolled in this assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled study. Thirty patients were treated with IPL (15J/cm2, two sessions at 2-week intervals) and TCC (Hydroquinone 2%, tretinoin 0.025%, fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%) at night and broad-spectrum sunscreen during day time whereas other groups received only TCC and broad-spectrum sunscreen. The median percentage reduction in melasma area and severity index (MASI) and physician’s global assessment scale was assessed at 12-week to determine the efficacy of the treatment. The incidence of adverse effects at each follow-up and relapse at 16-week were also noted during the study period as the secondary outcome measure. Results: The median reduction in MASI achieved at 12 weeks was 48% in the IPL+TCC group and 13.1% in the TCC group from the baseline. The incidence of relapse was seen in 7.14% and 13.04% patients in the IPL+TCC group and TCC alone group respectively at 16 weeks however, this difference was not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study supports that IPL and TCC are more effective than TCC therapy alone in treating melasma.

Treatment of thread veins with intense pulsed light

This article will explore the treatment of thread veins using the well-established and common modality of intense pulsed light. The diagnosis of these veins and a variety of treatment options will also be detailed, and the mechanism of action of intense pulsed light will be analysed, explaining how it delivers satisfactory clinical and cosmetic outcomes. Transdermal laser and intense pulse light will also be compared.

Esthetic dermatology set up in a hill station in North East India

Esthetic dermatology till recently was considered a domain of only the metro cities and for those of the celluloid world. Setting up an esthetic dermatology practice is a difficult task in Northeast India. Our set up is located in Shillong, capital of Meghalaya, also known as “Scotland of the East,” just adjacent to Malki Forest in neighborhood, next to Lady Hydari Park, Barik, Shillong. Since patients had to travel long distances, we tried to provide all facilities under one roof which included an in-house cafeteria, laboratory, pharmacy, counseling, minor OT and laser rooms, recovery room, and reception totaling up to approximately 12 rooms. We are two dermatologists handling an average of fifty patients daily along with procedures. Over the years, we have found the following lasers and lights to be helpful to our patients QS pigment laser, diode hair removal laser, excimer lamp, CO2 laser, intense pulse light, iclearxl and NBUVB also procedures as microdermabrasion, microneedling, microblading, micro needling radiofrequency, monopolar radiofrequency, regenera active, platelet rich plasma, chemical peels, cryotherapy, injectables as neurotoxins, dermal fillers, skin boosters, lipolytics and thread lift in no particular order. Esthetic dermatology makes up about 35% of my practice.

Enhanced Conductivity in Highly Stretchable Silver and Polymer Nanocomposite Conductors

In stretchable conductors, there is a trade-off relationship between the stretchability and conductivity which makes it difficult to increase both properties simultaneously. From a practical point of view, however, high conductivity is a more important parameter for real-world applications of wearable and mobile electronics. To obtain a highly conductive stretchable conductor, we developed a stretchable conductor composed of silver (Ag) flat-type microparticles, Ag nanoparticles and a polyester binder. The printed stretchable conductor was then sintered using the intense pulse light sintering technique. The effects of different mixing ratios of Ag flat-type particles and nanoparticles on dispersibility, printability, surface properties, conductivity, and stretchability were examined. Increasing the content of Ag-flat type particles in the composite improved dispersibility, printability, and conductivity. The stretchable conductor exhibited the outstanding conductivity of 5.5×106 S/m. Increasing the Ag nanoparticles content increased the stretchability of the conductor. As the nanoparticle content increased to 30%, the stretchable conductor showed the excellent stretchability of 210%, and withstood 2,600 repeated stretching cycles at a fixed tensile strain of 50%. The conductors also exhibited superb foldability during 10,000 repeated folding tests, up to a radius of 1 mm, without any failures.

Correlation Between Ion Contents in Acupuncture Points and Propagated Sensation a long with Channel

Background: Propagated sensation along with channels are phenomena that occur because of stimulations during acupuncture therapies and tend to transmit the stimulating signals along the meridians. From the Western medicine aspect, researchers consider the phenomena as neurotransmissions initiated by nerves, and various ions regulate the physiological functions of the nervous systems.Objective: The object of this research is to investigate the key characteristics of ions at acupoints and the mechanism of propagated sensation along with channels, which are crossing meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).Methods: This research first conduct experiments by applying intense pulse light beams, which replace the traditional acupuncture treatments, on designated acupoints of studied human subjects, and employ a thermal infrared imager to monitor the temperature responses, which are induced by post sensation, in adjacent regions of the acupoints. Meanwhile, the research applies a synchrotron radiation technique on adult SD (Sprague Dawley) rats, and the study analyses the output responses with an X-ray Absorption Fine Spectroscopy (XAFS) to investigate the ion distributions in the relevant acupoints, which might trigger the propagated sensation crossing meridians.Results: Experimental results demonstrate that significant temperature increases simultaneously at the stimulated acupoints and certain other acupoints, whether in the same meridians. Moreover, XAFS experimental results indicate significantly high levels of calcium, potassium, and sulfide ions at the stimulated acupoint regions. On the contrary, the measured chloride ions level at the regions is correspondingly lower.Conclusions: The thermal infrared imager monitoring show significant temperature variations of crossing-meridian acupoints after implementing the intense pulse light beams on designated acupoints, and it implies the occurring of prolonged sensation along with channels using acupuncture therapies. The x-ray absorption spectrum demonstrates significant differences in ion amounts and distributions between the acupoints and non-acupoints, and acupuncture therapies result in ion concentrations in the correlated regions inducing propagated sensation crossing meridians in TCM. Hence, the stimulated acupoints operate as ion reservoirs to provide high-concentration of specific ions to trigger the crossing-meridian post sensation.

Comparative Study of Radiative Heating Techniques for Fast Processing of Functional Coatings for Sustainable Energy Applications

This study assesses the use of short wavelength radiative heating techniques such as near infrared, intense pulse light and ultraviolet heating for processing coatings in energy applications. Concentrating on the importance of investigating different radiative wavelengths to advance these technologies as scalable processes via reduced heating times. It illustrates the mechanisms by which these techniques can transform thin film materials: sintering, binder removal, drying and chemical reactions. It focuses on successful research applications and the methods used to apply these radiative mechanisms in solar energy, battery storage and fuel cells, whilst considering the materials suitable for such intentions. The purpose of this paper is to highlight to academics as well as industrialists some of the potential advantages and applications of radiative heating technologies.