Changes in nail keratin observed by Raman spectroscopy after Nd:YAG laser treatment

Lasers and photodynamic therapy have been considered a convergence treatment for onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection on the nail bed and nail plate. Laser therapies have shown satisfactory results without significant complications for onychomycosis; however, the mechanism of clearing remains unknown. In this work, we investigated changes in the chemical structure of nail keratin induced by Nd:YAG laser using Raman spectroscopy. Toe nails with onychomycosis were treated with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. After laser treatment, the disulfide band (490–590 cm^?1) of nail keratin was rarely observed or was reduced in intensity. The amide I band (1500–1700 cm^?1) also showed changes induced by the laser. The α‐helical (1652 cm^?1) structures dominated the β‐sheet (1673 cm^?1) in nontreated nail, but the opposite phenomenon was observed after laser treatment.     

Measurement of radiation damage by electron energy-loss spectroscopy

Inner shell ionization edges in the energy-loss spectrum were used to measure the loss of gaseous elements from thin samples of nitrocellulose, polyvinyl formal, copper phthalocyanine, graphite bisulphate and sodium chloride during exposure to 80 keV electrons. The irradiation kinetics were measured for electron doses up to 10⁴ C m^?2 and for dose rates up to 10 mA m^?2. The energy-loss technique is discussed in relation to other methods for assessing radiation damage.     

Enamel alteration following tooth bleaching and remineralization

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of professional tooth whitening agents containing highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (with and without laser activation), on the enamel surface; and the potential of four different toothpastes to remineralize any alterations. The study was performed on 50 human molars, divided in two groups: treated with Opalescence^® Boost and Mirawhite^® Laser Bleaching. Furthermore, each group was divided into five subgroups, a control one and 4 subgroups remineralized with: Mirasensitive^® hap+, Mirawhite^® Gelle?, GC Tooth Mousse? and Mirafluor^® C. The samples were analysed by SEM/3D‐SEM‐micrographs, SEM/EDX‐qualitative analysis and SEM/EDX‐semiquantitative analysis. The microphotographs show that both types of bleaching cause alterations: emphasized perikymata, erosions, loss of interprizmatic substance; the laser treatment is more aggressive and loss of integrity of the enamel is determined by shearing off the enamel rods. In all samples undergoing remineralization deposits were observed, those of toothpastes based on calcium phosphate technologies seem to merge with each other and cover almost the entire surface of the enamel. Loss of integrity and minerals were detected only in the line‐scans of the sample remineralized with GC Tooth Mousse?. The semiquantitative EDX analysis of individual elements in the surface layer of the enamel indicates that during tooth‐bleaching with HP statistically significant loss of Na and Mg occurs, whereas the bleaching in combination with a laser leads to statistically significant loss of Ca and P. The results undoubtedly confirm that teeth whitening procedures lead to enamel alterations. In this context, it must be noted that laser bleaching is more aggressive for dental substances. However, these changes are reversible and can be repaired by application of remineralization toothpastes.     

Effects on mechanical properties in electron beam welding of TC4 alloy by laser shock processing

The surface of TC4 titanium alloy welding line by electron beam welding (EBW) was processed by high power Q-switched and repetition-rate Nd: glass laser. Effects of laser power and spot diameter on residual stress and microhardness of the TC4 alloy welding line by laser shock processing (LSP) have been analyzed. Results show that residual stresses almost do not change as laser power is 45.9 J, spot diameter is ϕ9 mm; While laser power is 45.9 J, spot diameter less than ϕ3 mm, the distribution of residual stress in welding line occurs obvious variation, which residual stress increase obviously with spot diameter decrease. When power density is bigger than 1.8 × 10¹⁰ W/cm², residual stresses of electron beam welding line occur change by LSP, which improve obviously residual stress distribution; while laser power is bigger than 1.2 × 10¹⁰ W/cm², the surface micro-hardness of electron beam welding line occurs change by LSP, which improve obviously micro-hardness distribution. Mechanical properties of TC4 titanium alloy welding line will be improved by LSP, which provides experimental foundation for further controlling the distributions of residual stress and micro-hardness during laser shock processing. __________ Translated from Journal of Jiangsu University (Natural Science), 2006, 27(3): 207–210 [译自: 江苏大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

A control strategy for electro-magneto-mechanical system based on virtual system model

A new approach to the control of electro-magneto-mechanical system is proposed in this paper. Conventionally, these systems are controlled based on the Maxwell system model via an on-off or PID control technique, which displays acceptable performance in the low frequency region, but not in the high frequency region where position control performance is greatly degraded. In order to improve the performance, a newly developed virtual 2^nd order system modeling technique, SSID, is adopted for a complex electro-magnetomechanical system in the study. This technique states that any unknown system exposed to a random disturbance with unknown intensity can be identified in terms of a virtual 2^nd order system model via the inverse process of a certain stochastic analysis. As a typical hybrid system, a solenoid valve is used as the target electro-magneto-mechanical system to study the modeling of the virtual 2^nd order system. In order to confirm the performance of the proposed control strategy, autotuning PID controller in PWM mode is utilized. Simulations based on the conventional Maxwell system model with control via the bang-bang, autotuning PID, and the proposed virtual 2^nd order system model approaches are conducted using MATLAB Simulink. Performance of these three systems in the low and high frequency bands is also compared. The simulation results reveal that the control performance of the virtual 2^nd order system model is much improved compared with that of the Maxwell system model under autotuning PID and bang-bang controls in both low and high frequency regions, where the error is drastically reduced to approximately 1/5 of the original value.     

IR780 loaded hollow MnO₂ nanoparticles for dual-mode imaging and enhanced photodynamic therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a novel therapeutic modality for cancer treatment, but its therapeutic efficacy is severely limited by the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME). Here we designed an innovative multifunctional nano-platform which consists of a hollow MnO₂ shell and internal photosensitizer IR780. It is not only used for multimodal imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but also for adjustment hypoxic TME to enhance cancer treatment. Hollow MnO₂ can promote decomposition of tumor endogenous H₂O₂ to relieve tumor hypoxia, thereby enhancing the effect of photodynamic therapy. Photosensitizer IR780 generates singlet oxygen under laser irradiation to kill tumor cells, playing photodynamic effect, can also act as the contrast agents for photoacoustic and fluorescence multiple imaging, providing potential imaging capability for cancer therapeutic guidance and monitoring. Our research results in this article show that HMnO₂-IR780 nanocomposite exhibits good biocompatibility and nontoxicity, strong PA/FL imaging contrast, excellent oxygen production capacity and outstanding photodynamic therapy effect. This finding provides a new idea for multimodal imaging-guided nanotherapy for OSCC.     

Jig-free laser welding of Eagle XG glasses by using a picosecond pulsed laser

We have performed the jig-free laser welding on the alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass (Eagle XG, Corning), which is commonly used in the display devices, by using a picosecond pulsed laser. Two sheets of Eagle XG glasses with 0.5 mm thickness each were placed one on top of the other. Due to the jig-free laser welding, there was a very thin air gap between the two glasses, and the experiment proceeded by line scanning. The welding performance was evaluated by observing the optical images from the top view and the bottom view and comparing the line images. We could bond the two glass surfaces on the laser spot, and achieve the successful welding of such glasses in the scanning speeds from 10 mm/s to 50 mm/s with the laser irradiance from 50 TW/cm²(500 J/cm²) to 83 TW/cm² (830 J/cm²). We demonstrated the feasibility of jig-free laser welding on the Eagle XG glass with the welding strength up to 50 MPa.

     

CO2 LASER PHOTOACOUSTIC SPECTROSCOPY AND ABSOLUTE ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS OF SHORT CHAIN SATURATED FATTY ACID VAPOURS

Abstract

A resonant photoacoustic cell, capable of contamination free operation at temperatures above that of the ambient, was constructed and used to determine absolute absorption coefficients of C6:0 (hexanoic) and C8:0 (octanoic) fatty acid vapours at CO₂ laser wavelengths. At atmospheric pressure, the maximum absorption coefficients at the 9R(32) line of the CO₂ laser (1085.77cm^?1) are 8.0 atm^?1 cm^?1 (C6:0 at 332K) and 8.9 atm^?1 cm^?1 (C8:0 at 342 K).

     

Light exposure and cell viability in fluorescence microscopy

Test systems for measuring cell viability in optical microscopy (based on colony formation ability or lysosomal integrity) were established and applied to native cells as well as to cells incubated with fluorescence markers or transfected with genes encoding for fluorescent proteins. Human glioblastoma and Chinese hamster ovary cells were irradiated by various light doses, and maximum doses where at least 90% of the cells survived were determined. These tolerable light doses were in the range between 25 J cm^?2 and about 300 J cm^?2 for native cells (corresponding to about 250?3000 s of solar irradiance and depending on the wavelength as well as on the mode of illumination, e.g. epi‐ or total internal reflection illumination) and decreased to values between 50 J cm^?2 and less than 1 J cm^?2 upon application of fluorescent markers, fluorescent proteins or photosensitizers. In high‐resolution wide field or laser scanning microscopy of single cells, typically 10?20 individual cell layers needed for reconstruction of a 3D image could be recorded with tolerable dose values. Tolerable light doses were also maintained in fluorescence microscopy of larger 3D samples, e.g. cell spheroids exposed to structured illumination, but may be exceeded in super‐resolution microscopy based on single molecule detection.     

Microhardness and SEM after CO2 laser irradiation or fluoride treatment in human and bovine enamel

Background: It remains uncertain as to whether or not CO₂ laser is able to hinder demineralization of enamel. The possibility to use bovine instead of human teeth on anticariogenic studies with laser has not yet been determined. Purpose: To compare the ability of CO₂ laser and fluoride to inhibit caries‐like lesions in human enamel and to test whether a similar pattern of response would hold for bovine enamel. Study Design: Ninety‐six enamel slabs (2 × 2 × 4 mm) (48 from bovine and 48 from human teeth) were randomly distributed according to surface treatment (n = 12): CO₂ laser, 5% sodium fluoride varnish (FV), 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel, or no treatment (control). Specimens were subjected to a 14‐day in vitro cariogenic challenge. Microhardness (SMH) was measured at 30 μm from the surface. For ultrastructural analysis, additional 20 slabs of each substrate (n = 5) received the same treatment described earlier and were analyzed by SEM. Results: ANOVA and Tukey test ascertained that CO₂ laser promoted the least mineral loss (SMH = 252^a). Treatment with FV resulted in the second highest values (207^b), which was followed by APF (172^c). Untreated specimens performed the worst (154^d). SEM showed no qualitative difference between human and bovine teeth. APF and control groups exhibited surfaces covered by the smear layer. A granulate precipitate were verified on FV group and fusion of enamel crystals were observed on lased‐specimens. Conclusions: CO₂ laser may control caries progression more efficiently than fluoride sources and bovine teeth may be a suitable substitute for human teeth in studies of this nature. Microsc. Res. Tech. 73:1030–1035, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

高平均功率腔内和频蓝光Nd:YAG激光器

高平均功率蓝光激光是当前固体激光技术研究热点之一。尽管通过Nd³⁺的⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2态谱线倍频可获得瓦级蓝光输出,然而其准三能级物理特性严重限制其更高功率输出。研究了Nd³⁺离子⁴F_3/2→⁴I_13/2态1.3 μm谱线腔内三倍频产生高平均功率蓝光激光,获得4.3 W蓝光激光输出,重复频率3.5 kHz,脉冲宽度150±10 ns,光束质量M²因子约为5±1。研究表明:Nd∶YAG晶体1.3 μm多谱线振荡是制约实验结果的重要因素,若克服多谱线振荡问题,有望获得10 W级蓝光激光输出。     

用于黑色素瘤治疗的新型光敏剂药物的研究

光动力治疗（photodynamic therapy,PDT）一直是黑色素瘤治疗领域的主要方法,而研发更为高效的光敏剂是改进治疗的关键所在。为了提高光动力治疗的效果,设计了一种新型的光敏剂药物,其以传统的光敏剂原卟啉IX（Protoporphyrin IX,PpIX）为基底材料,通过所合成的PMHC₁₈-mPEG将去甲基化药物SGI-1027和PpIX包裹起来形成SGI@ PpIX-mPEG复合体系。PpIX受到光照之后会导致细胞产生大量活性氧（reactive oxygen species, ROS）,从而使下游的Caspase-3蛋白含量增加,同时去甲基化药物会上调GSDME蛋白的含量。研究结果表明,所合成的新型光敏剂药物不仅能够产生活性氧杀死癌细胞,而且能够通过Caspase-3蛋白和GSDME蛋白的相互作用进一步导致细胞焦亡从而提升光动力治疗的效果。     

Parametric analysis and optimization of Nd:YAG laser micro-grooving of aluminum titanate (Al2TiO5) ceramics

Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser offers an excellent role for various micro-machining operations of a wide range of engineering materials such as ceramics, composites, diamond etc. The micro-machining of ceramics are highly demanded in the present industry because of its wide and potential uses in various field such as automobile, electronic, aero-space, and bio-medical engineering applications etc. Aluminum titanate (Al₂TiO₅) has tremendous application in automobile and aero engine industry due to its excellent thermal property. The present research paper deals with the response surface methodology based mathematical modeling and analysis on machining characteristics of pulsed Nd:YAG laser during micro-grooving operation on a work piece of aluminum titanate. In this present study, lamp current, pulse frequency, pulse width, assist air pressure and cutting speed of laser beam are considered as machining process parameters during pulsed Nd:YAG laser micro-grooving operation. The response criteria selected for analysis are deviation of taper and deviation of depth characteristics of micro-groove produced on a work piece made of aluminum titanate (Al₂TiO₅). The analysis of variance test has also been carried out to check the adequacy of the developed regression mathematical models. The optimal process parameter settings are assist air pressure of 1.3 kgf/cm², lamp current of 20.44 amp, pulse frequency of 1.0 kHz, pulse width of 10% of duty cycle, and cutting speed of 10 mm/s for achieving the predicted minimum deviation of taper and deviation of depth of laser micro-groove. From the analysis, it is evident that the deviation of taper angle and deviation of depth of the micro-groove can be reduced by a great extent by proper control of laser machining process parameters during micro-grooving on aluminum titanate (Al₂TiO₅).     

A capacitive storage for a tabletop X-ray laser for dense-plasma diagnostics

The results of investigation of a pulsed capacitive energy storage for a tabletop-type X-ray laser for dense-plasma (up to 3 × 10²² cm^?3) diagnostics are presented. It is assumed that plasma of Ne-like argon is the active medium of the X-ray laser and an electric discharge occurs inside a 150-mm-long ceramic capillary 3–4 mm in diameter. In previous experiments on the SIGNAL accelerator, the main initial conditions for generation of laser X rays were determined and X rays at a wavelength of 46.9 nm were obtained. The pulsed capacitive-energy storage unit is built in the form of a flat capacitor filled with deionized water. It has been revealed that deionized water as the dielectric filling the flat capacitor is not broken down in a 10-mm-wide gap at a pulsed voltage <130 kV and a charging-pulse duration of ～300 ns. In this case, the parameters of the pulsed capacitive-energy storage correspond to those required for generation of laser X rays: a current amplitude in the load of 50 ± 1 kA and a period of the current in the load of 196 ± 2 ns. The small jitter of the duration of the charging pulse (288 ± 6 ns) of the flat capacitor offers a hope for satisfactory synchronization of a laser X-ray pulse with a diagnosed plasma object.     

Measuring the lasing threshold of a passively Q-switched diode-pumped pulsed solid-state laser

A method for measuring the generation threshold of a passively Q-switched diode-pumped pulsed solid-state laser from the frequency-watt characteristic, which reflects the dependence of the laser-pulse repetition frequency on the absorbed pumping power, is proposed. The results of measuring the generation threshold of lasers based on Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Nd³⁺ and Ca₃Ga₂Ge₃O₁₂:Nd³⁺ crystals are presented.     

Particulate Matter Generation Properties from Sliding Parts Made of Various Carbonaceous Films

The purpose of this work is to reduce the particulate matter (PM) generation from sliding parts by applying carbonaceous films. We investigate particle generation properties of wear-resistant carbonaceous films in the form of a particle size distribution chart. Using a laser scattering type particle counter, we evaluated the particle generation properties of sliding parts coated with high crystallinity, N⁺-implanted high-crystallinity and low-crystallinity diamond films, diamond-like carbon films deposited by ion beam enhanced deposition using static and dynamic mixing methods, Si₃N₄ silicon nitride, and SUS340C stainless steel. The diamond films showed significantly lower particle generation, especially for large particles, than DLC, Si₃N₄, and SUS340C films owing to lower wear. Particle generation from N⁺-implanted diamond films was greater for small particles than for the other diamond films owing to the wear of the N⁺-implanted layer.     

Morphological changes produced by acid dissolution in Er:YAG laser irradiated dental enamel

Several scientific reports have shown the effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on enamel morphology. However, there is lack of information regarding the morphological alterations produced by the acid attack on the irradiated surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes produced by acid dissolution in Er:YAG laser irradiated dental enamel. Forty‐eight enamel samples were divided into four groups (n = 12). GI (control); Groups II, III, and IV were irradiated with Er:YAG at 100 mJ (12.7 J/cm²), 200 mJ (25.5 J/cm²), and 300 mJ (38.2 J/cm²), respectively, at 10 Hz without water irrigation. Enamel morphology was evaluated before‐irradiation, after‐irradiation, and after‐acid dissolution, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sample coating was avoided and SEM analysis was performed in a low‐vacuum mode. To facilitate the location of the assessment area, a reference point was marked. Morphological changes produced by acid dissolution of irradiated enamel were observed, specifically on laser‐induced undesired effects. These morphological changes were from mild to severe, depending on the presence of after‐irradiation undesired effects. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:410–414, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Multiphoton microscopy in life sciences

Near infrared (NIR) multiphoton microscopy is becoming a novel optical tool of choice for fluorescence imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution, diagnostics, photochemistry and nanoprocessing within living cells and tissues. Three‐dimensional fluorescence imaging based on non‐resonant two‐photon or three‐photon fluorophor excitation requires light intensities in the range of MW cm^?2 to GW cm^?2, which can be derived by diffraction limited focusing of continuous wave and pulsed NIR laser radiation. NIR lasers can be employed as the excitation source for multifluorophor multiphoton excitation and hence multicolour imaging. In combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), this novel approach can be used for multi‐gene detection (multiphoton multicolour FISH). Owing to the high NIR penetration depth, non‐invasive optical biopsies can be obtained from patients and ex vivo tissue by morphological and functional fluorescence imaging of endogenous fluorophores such as NAD(P)H, flavin, lipofuscin, porphyrins, collagen and elastin. Recent botanical applications of multiphoton microscopy include depth‐resolved imaging of pigments (chlorophyll) and green fluorescent proteins as well as non‐invasive fluorophore loading into single living plant cells. Non‐destructive fluorescence imaging with multiphoton microscopes is limited to an optical window. Above certain intensities, multiphoton laser microscopy leads to impaired cellular reproduction, formation of giant cells, oxidative stress and apoptosis‐like cell death. Major intracellular targets of photodamage in animal cells are mitochondria as well as the Golgi apparatus. The damage is most likely based on a two‐photon excitation process rather than a one‐photon or three‐photon event. Picosecond and femtosecond laser microscopes therefore provide approximately the same safe relative optical window for two‐photon vital cell studies. In labelled cells, additional phototoxic effects may occur via photodynamic action. This has been demonstrated for aminolevulinic acid‐induced protoporphyrin IX and other porphyrin sensitizers in cells. When the light intensity in NIR microscopes is increased to TW cm^?2 levels, highly localized optical breakdown and plasma formation do occur. These femtosecond NIR laser microscopes can also be used as novel ultraprecise nanosurgical tools with cut sizes between 100 nm and 300 nm. Using the versatile nanoscalpel, intracellular dissection of chromosomes within living cells can be performed without perturbing the outer cell membrane. Moreover, cells remain alive. Non‐invasive NIR laser surgery within a living cell or within an organelle is therefore possible.     

Field absolute ballistic laser gravimeter

This paper describes an absolute ballistic laser gravimeter of a new generation developed at the Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The device is intended for use under field conditions and has small dimensions and weight. The light source in the gravimeter interferometer is an optical standard with a wavelength λ = 532 nm consisting of a traveling-wave Nd: YAG laser with intracavity frequency doubling and with a stabilization system for the saturated absorption resonances in molecular iodine. The instrumental standard error in measuring the absolute gravity by the gravimeter does not exceed ±5 · 10⁻⁸ m/s² (or 5 μGal).     

Effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation on deciduous enamel roughness and bacterial adhesion: An in vitro study

Laser irradiation has been proposed as a preventive method against dental caries since it is capable to inhibit enamel demineralization by reducing carbonate and modifying organic matter, yet it can produce significant morphological changes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of Er:YAG laser irradiation on superficial roughness of deciduous dental enamel and bacterial adhesion. Fifty‐four samples of deciduous enamel were divided into three groups (n = 18 each). G1_control (nonirradiated); G2_100 (7.5 J/cm²) and G3_100 (12.7 J/cm²) were irradiated with Er:YAG laser at 7.5 and 12.7 J/cm², respectively, under water irrigation. Surface roughness was measured before and after irradiation using a profilometer. Afterwards, six samples per group were used to measure bacterial growth by XTT cell viability assay. Adhered bacteria were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Paired t‐, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal‐Wallis and pairwise Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to analyze statistical differences (p < .05). Before treatment, samples showed homogenous surface roughness, and after Er:YAG laser irradiation, the surfaces showed a significant increase in roughness values (p < .05). G3_100 (12.7 J/cm²) showed the highest amount of Streptococcus mutans adhered (p < .05). The increase in the roughness of the tooth enamel surfaces was proportional to the energy density used; the increase in surface roughness caused by laser irradiation did not augment the adhesion of Streptococcus sanguinis; only the use of the energy density of 12.7 J/cm² favored significantly the adhesion of S. mutans.