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 (CCl₄)‐induced liver cirrhosis. Wistar rats were divided into Control, LLLT, CCl₄ and CCl₄+LLLT groups. CCl₄ groups received CCl₄ (0.4 g kg^?1; i.p.), three times a week, for 12 weeks. A 830 nm LLLT was performed with a continuous wave, 35 mW, 2.5 J cm^?2 per point, applied to four points of the liver (right and left upper and lower extremities, in the four lobes of the liver) for 2 weeks. Liver structure and inflammation (cirrhotic areas, collagen deposition, inflammation, density of Kupffer and hepatic stellate cells) and function (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total proteins and globulins) were evaluated. LLLT significantly reduced CCl₄‐increased aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (P < 0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.01) activity, as well as total proteins (P < 0.05) and globulins (P < 0.01). LLLT also reduced the number of cirrhotic areas, the collagen accumulation and the hepatic inflammatory infiltrate. Of note, LLLT reduced CCl₄‐increased number of Kupffer cells (P < 0.05) and hepatic stellate cells (P < 0.05). We conclude that LLLT presents beneficial effects on liver function and structure in an experimental model of CCl₄‐induced cirrhosis.     

Radiative quantum efficiency of CdSe/ZnS core-shell colloidal solutions: Size-dependence

Thermo-optical parameters of CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles suspended in toluene were measured using a thermal lens (TL) technique. TL transient measurements were performed using the mode-mismatched dual-beam (excitation and probe) configuration. A He-Ne laser at λ_p = 632.8 nm was used as the probe beam and an Ar⁺ laser (at λ_e = 514.5 nm) was used as the excitation beam for studies as a function of both core size and concentration of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. The fraction thermal load (φ) and radiative quantum efficiencies (η) of the CdSe/ZnS were determined. Dependence on core size (∼2-5 nm) and concentration (∼0.01-0.62 mg/ml) was observed for both φ and η parameters.     

Radiative quantum efficiency of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots suspended in different solvents

The radiative quantum efficiencies η of the CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles embedded into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and suspended in three different solvents: chloroform (CHCl₃), toluene (C₆H₅CH₃) and tetrahydrofuran (C₄H₈O) were measured using thermal lens (TL) technique. The mode-mismatched pump-probe TL measurements were accomplished in function of the CdSe/ZnS quantum-dot concentration (12-60 mg/ml) at λ_e = 594 nm (pump) and λ_p = 632.8 nm (probe). The values obtained for η were higher for CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles suspended in tetrahydrofuran and chloroform, as compared to the values for toluene. Thermal diffusivity (D) and the absolute nonradiative quantum efficiency (φ) were determined.     

Low power laser radiation at 685 nm stimulates stem-cell proliferation rate in Dugesia tigrina during regeneration

Today’s scientific interest in tissue engineering for organ transplantations and regeneration from stem cells, allied with recent observations on biostimulation of tissues and cells by laser radiation, stands as a strong motivation for the present work, in which we examine the effects of the low power laser radiation onto planarians under regenerative process. To investigate those effects, a number of 60 amputated worms were divided in three study groups: a control group and two other groups submitted to daily 1 and 3 min long laser treatment sections at 910 W/m² power density. A 685 nm diode laser with 35 mW optical power was used. Samples were sent to histological analysis at the 4th, the 7th and the 15th days after amputation. A remarkable increase in stem cells counts for the fourth day of regeneration was observed when the regenerating worms was stimulated by the laser radiation. Our findings encourage further research works on the influence of optical radiation onto stem cells and tissue regeneration.     

Modeling of an intense-noise-generating flow

The possibility of creating a model flow generating noise spectra characteristic of an internal combustion engine exhaust without combustion processes is demonstrated. Some data on the spectra of acoustic disturbances produced by changes introduced into the gas flow behind the cylinder exit are presented. Possible ways of acting on the large-scale hydrodynamic structures in the flow in order to attenuate the induced acoustic oscillations are discussed.Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 2, pp. 83–91, March–April, 1995.     

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. In this work, we presented the absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic characterizations of annatto extracts obtained from the seeds of the tropical shrub Bixa orellana L. solutions and commercial colourant. The measurements were performed in annatto extracts with acetone and chloroform in different concentrations range (3.5-52.5) μg/mL. The main carotenoids detected in annatto seeds is bixin. The numerical calculus of the absorbance spectra for cis- and trans-bixin conformation is presented. In addition, for commercial colourant, the measurements were performed for six different brands and five lots each one. Modifications in the shape of the colorific fluorescence spectra were observed and it can be an indicative of differences in the industrial methods applied for obtaining annatto pigments powders and/or the possibility of the presence of other impurities added in the commercial powders.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with two different red wavelengths (660 nm and 684 nm) in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema

It has been suggested that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can modulate inflammatory processes. The aim of this experiment was to investigate what effects red laser irradiation with two different wavelengths (660 nm and 684 nm) on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and histology. Thirty two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. One group received a sterile saline injection, while inflammation was induced by a sub-plantar injection of carrageenan (1 mg/paw) in the three other groups. After 1 h, LLLT was administered to the paw in two of the carrageenan-injected groups. Continuous wave 660 nm and 684 nm red lasers respectively with mean optical outputs of 30 mW and doses of 7.5 J/cm(2) were used. The 660 nm and 684 nm laser groups developed significantly (p<0.01) less edema (0.58 ml [SE+/-0.17] ml and 0.76 ml [SE+/-0.10] respectively) than the control group (1.67 ml [SE+/-0.19]) at 4h after injections. Similarly, both laser groups showed a significantly lower number of inflammatory cells in the muscular and conjunctive sub-plantar tissues than the control group. We conclude that both 660 nm and 684 nm red wavelengths of LLLT are effective in reducing edema formation and inflammatory cell migration when a dose of 7.5 J/cm(2) is used.     

On the connection between the aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of coaxial jets

The results are given of experimental investigations into the distributions of the mean and pulsation velocities in the mixing region of isothermal coaxial jets with ordinary velocity profile and “inverted” velocity profile (velocity of the outer flow greater than that of the inner flow). These results are used in a comparative estimate of the noise of coaxial jets with different initial velocity profiles, and a comparison is made with the data of experimental investigations of the noise.