碩士 / 國防醫學院 / 生物化學研究所 / 107 / Skin is one of the largest organs of human body. The primary function of the skin is not only to maintain body temperature and water equilibrium but also to act as a barrier. The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis or subcutaneous fatty tissue lies beneath the dermis. Matriptase, a member of the type II transmembrane serine protease, and prostasin, a GPI-anchored serine protease, are widely expressed in epidermis of the skin. In addition, HAI-1 and HAI-2, serine protease inhibitors are responsible for the regulation of protease activity. In inflammatory environment, the skin is exposed in acidic condition and the increase of reactive oxygen species and further trigger the activation of matriptase and prostasin in epidermis. Therefore this enviroment may regulate epidermal proliferation and differentiation. The skin diseases often accompany with immune and inflammation reaction, and the results of IHC staining also find the expression of activated matriptase in epidermis with lymphocytic infiltration in dermis. If inflammatory response is triggered continuesly, the environment may induce tumorgenesis and generate a neoplastic skin disease. In this study, the aim is to learn the expression of matriptase, prostasin, HAI-1 and HAI-2 in inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases. We have discovered the expression and the distribution of matriptase are increase; the expression position of prostasin is also extended downward to form a capping structure. Furthermore, it is found that matriptase is densely stained in some cells of epidermis, and the relative positions are similar with the marker of Langerhans cells. In the dermal lymphocytic infiltration area, matriptase is observed to be co-expressed with moderately glycosylated HAI-2. The lymphocyte marker CD4, CD8 and CD163 were used and confirmed that the co-expressed lymphocytes are mainly CD4 helper T cells. Taking cutaneous T cell lymphoma as an example to further study the pathogenesis of cancer-related pathways, it was also observed that the activated matriptase and the moderately glycosylated modified HAI-2 were co-expressed in the location of lymphoma but the expression disappeared after phototherapy. In this study, the expression of matriptase, prostasin, HAI-1 and HAI-2 were investigated in a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases. Increased expression and distribution of epidermal matriptase and prostasin, as well as co-expression of matriptase and HAI-2 in the dermis in inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases may play important roles in the regulation of the inflammatory mechanism, but the mechanism still needs to be further explored.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the discipline of Dermatology Johannesburg, 2017 / Introduction: Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder and has an estimated global prevalence of around one to two percent. Vitiligo can significantly affect patients’ Quality of life (QoL). It is cosmetically and psychologically devastating, and can affect anyone irrespective of race, skin type or ethnicity. There is a paucity of research evaluating the QoL amongst vitiligo patients in Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate how vitiligo has altered the QoL of vitiligo patients treated at the skin outpatients’ clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: Our research was a prospective cross-sectional study of all individuals who were diagnosed with vitiligo at the three dermatology outpatients’ clinics in three academic public hospitals, and the phototherapy daycare centre in Johannesburg. All patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were requested to take part in the study. Data was obtained from enrolled individuals using a data collection sheet and the Dermatology Life Quality index questionnaire. This information was analysed using statistical software (STATA version 12). Results: A total of ninety-five (n=95) respondents were included as per inclusion criteria in our study. Our cohort comprised of sixty-two females (n=62, 65.26%), thirty-three males (n=33, 34. 74%). DLQI scores were in the ranges of 0 to 28 and the mean was 10.06±6.52, which indicates a moderate Quality of life (QoL) impairment in our cohort. Conclusion: Our study has shown that vitiligo moderately affects the QOL life of adult South African vitiligo patients. Therefore, treatment measures should be directed towards medical and psychological aspects of our patients for better treatment outcomes and improved QoL. This would be an argument for establishment of psychodermatology clinics at our referral hospitals. / MT2017

碩士 / 崑山科技大學 / 電子工程研究所 / 92 / Jaundice is a newborn baby’s common illness. In the initial Jaundice’s give the effective to cure will to be conducive to avoid bilirubin too high to bring about Liver and Gall to occur a complication more than serious kernicterus and to go a step further to injure a cell of brain. If the serum bilirubin to reach 10~14mg/dl, that can to put into practice of phototherapy. Therefore, in the past, conventional Jaundice phototherapy device these are universal and often seen in Bilibed phototherapy, Wallaby Fiber optic Phototherapy, Warm Box of light to shine … etc. Even though there are very helpful to drop down of the newborn baby’s bilirubin, and to be aimed at cure Jaundice, but these original device also keep inconvenient to use and potential danger. In this thesis, “ The study and development of new type smart phototherapy device ” , we bring up an new device, hope by way of this device to build achieve more useful and safety on Jaundice phototherapy device. In this system, we according to system form of the “vest”. And than shine part is compose of LED. By the way to use, we provided that newborn baby to wear this vest than we can to precede Jaundice phototherapy as convention cure. Besides, in the systems outside, we will use “air change box” with inside air of vest to make the way of the cold and hot air to circulate change and produce the vest whole to keep warm and to distribute hot. The major in this thesis, we are going to probe into a “ The study and development of new type smart phototherapy device ” design and to realize, moreover, this device is next to the skin vest design, and this device itself can to distribute hot, so we also make interrelated experiment in device design、phototherapy cure device with temperature and illumination. These will very helpful to make high accuracy design in temperature control and illumination adjust.

碩士 / 崑山科技大學 / 電子工程研究所 / 97 / Neonatal jaundice is a common physiological change. This change can be divided into: Pathological Jaundice and Physiological Jaundice. Physiological Jaundice does not require treatment in most cases, but Pathological Jaundice if not treated on time, might have permanent damage of the nervous system for life. The "Light therapy" treatment is the most effective method against Neonatal Jaundice, it is simple but it might cause some light side effects such as: diarrhea, water loss, temperature instability, transient rash, and it possibly will harm the retina. The light emitted by a LED can be classified as cold light, unlike the traditional lamp used, which emits a lot of heat and a larger time under the irradiation treatment is needed. Longer exposure will not produce a lot of heat and heat injuries, so in this study we will use LED as a replacement of the traditional lamp, by simulating different types of clinical light source for the phototherapy treatment of the Jaundice disease. The evaluation studies will show whether the different types of light source are better and safer, for the further replacement of the traditional blue light lamp.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the Branch of Paediatrics Johannesburg 2015 / Background: Fluid-management in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI) with hypernatraemia is critical in reducing morbidity and mortality in these infants. Aim: To determine incidence, fluid-management and mortality-rate in VLBWI with hypernatraemia. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study. Hospital records of VLBWI diagnosed with hypernatraemia during the first 72 hours of life were reviewed. Data collected included maternal and infant characteristics, type and volume of fluid administered on admission and at diagnosis, environment in which infants were nursed, time to resolution of hypernatraemia and mortality-rate at 28 days of life. Results: Of the 443 VLBWI born during June-December 2012, 370 files were retrieved, of which 125 infants had hypernatraemia, an incidence of 33.8%. All were started on a sodium-containing fluid on admission, at a volume of 60-110 ml/kg/day. Fluid-increases in response to hypernatraemia were 45-90 ml/kg. Calculation of fluid-increases was based on a formula for water-deficit in 75% of VLBWI. Severity of hypernatraemia was not associated with birthweight (p=0.26), gestational age (p=0.31) or amount of sodium infants were receiving at diagnosis (p=0.58). Common fluid used for correction was 5% dextrose. The correction-rate was fast at >1mmol/hr in 8.4% of patients. The average-time to resolution was 44 hours. The average-time to resolution was longer for infants nursed in an incubator compared to a radiant warmer (49.7 vs. 37.7 hours, p=0.037) and in those nursed under phototherapy (45.6 vs. 40.8 hours, p =0.031). The mortality-rate at 28 days was 22.5%. Conclusion: The incidence of hypernatraemia in VLBWI at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital is high. Fluid-management to correct hypernatraemia was appropriate for most infants.

碩士 / 國立交通大學 / 材料科學與工程學系奈米科技碩博士班 / 107

INTRODUÇÃO: O conhecimento de valores de normalidade do fluxo sanguíneo da artéria mesentérica superior (AMS) em recém-nascidos prematuros (RNPT) saudáveis pode prevenir quadros de intolerância alimentar e a ocorrência da enterocolite necrosante. MÉTODOS: Com o objetivo de descrever a evolução dos índices de avaliação da dopplerfluxometria da AMS em RNPT saudáveis de idade gestacional entre 27 e 34 semanas completas, no primeiro, no terceiro, no sétimo e semanalmente (14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias de vida), foi realizado este estudo coorte prospectivo em RNPT de idade gestacional ao nascimento entre 27 e 34 semanas completas. O exame dopplerfluxométrico foi realizado, após o consentimento livre e esclarecido dos responsáveis pelos RNPT, através do aparelho Logic Book 8C-RS (General Eletric EUA); obtendo-se as seguintes medidas: pico de velocidade sistólica (PVS), pico de velocidade diastólica final (PVDF) e média de velocidade de fluxo; sendo, após, calculadas o Índice de Pourcelot, sendo: [pico de velocidade sistólico pico diastólico final] / pico de velocidade sistólico, que representa um índice de resistência (IR); e índice de pulsatilidade (IP). Foram excluídos: recém-nascidos com instabilidade hemodinâmica; em ventilação assistida com altos parâmetros; síndromes mal-formativas; intolerância alimentar ou enterocolite necrosante; fototerapia; presença de cateteres umbilicais, persistência de canal arterial e pequenos para a idade gestacional. O exame pré-prandial foi realizado antes da alimentação (até 30 minutos) e pós-prandial entre 15 e 60 minutos após a alimentação. Foram realizados no primeiro dia (entre 6 a 24 horas de vida), no terceiro, no sétimo, e após, semanalmente até 42 dias de vida. Os resultados foram expressos em médias e desvios-padrão e descritos de maneira evolutiva. RESULTADOS: Ao total, foram estudados 77 RNPT e realizados 125 exames. Os valores em média±desvio-padrão são descritos na seqüência do primeiro, terceiro, sétimo e, consecutivamente a cada semana, até 42 dias de vida; sendo: IR pré-prandial de 0,69±0,09; 0,67±0,15; 0,75±0,07; 0,74±0,07; 0,75±0,07; 0,76±0,07; 0,79±0,03; 0,78±0,05 e IR pós-prandial de 0,66±0,10; 0,70±0,21; 0,74±0,07; 0,73±0,08; 0,75±0,06; 0,76±0,06; 0,77±0,04; 0,77±0,03. Os resultados de IP pré-prandial foram: 1,45±0,30; 1,35±0,28; 1,68±0,29; 1,50±0,23; 1,47±0,22; 1,52±0,20; 1,62±0,09; 1,68±0,06 e IP pós-prandial: 1,38±0,39; 1,40±0,29; 1,58±0,26; 1,46±0,26; 1,45±0,24; 1,50±0,27; 1,58±0,10; 1,64±0,04. Obtivemos PVS pré-prandial: 60,51±22,24; 55,24±26,04; 90,61±12,74; 95,33±18,11; 92,89±15,40; 96,96±12,18; 63,18±14,08; 58,12±9,78 e pós-prandial: 59,60±24,14; 110,82±32,45; 118,10±20,15; 121,95±24,18; 124,15±25,16; 126,07±18,17; 96,68±11,12; 96,12±8,98. Quanto a PVDF pré-prandial, obtivemos: 18,85±6,09; 18,66±10,01; 20,99±8,12; 22,02±8,50; 23,04±7,89; 22,24±8,02; 11,99±6,15; 12,05±5,12 e PVDF pós-prandial: 20,63±6,89; 30,15±12,78; 27,98±9,72; 29,02±10,05; 34,56±9,00; 32,02±8,45; 19,02±4,95; 21,15±3,43. A partir dos resultados acima, demonstra-se que o fluxo sanguíneo da AMS em RNPT saudáveis apresenta uma evolução peculiar a partir do nascimento tanto dos valores basais quanto após a estimulação com a dieta, representados por uma evolução característica dos índices de resistência, melhora dos picos de velocidades sistólica e diastólica e melhora da resposta vasodilatadora após a alimentação enteral. CONCLUSÕES: RNPT saudáveis de idade gestacional ao nascimento de 27 a 34 semanas completas apresentam uma evolução do fluxo sanguíneo da artéria mesentérica superior de maneira peculiar, do nascimento até 42 dias de vida, tanto dos valores basais quanto em resposta à alimentação. O conhecimento destes valores pode indicar a dopplerfluxometria como um método preventivo de avaliação específico de cada RNPT para a introdução e progressão mais segura da alimentação, reduzindo a ocorrência de quadros gastrintestinais, melhorando os índices de morbi-mortalidade neonatal. / INTRODUCTION: The knowledge of the normal values of indices of Doppler velocimetry of the superior mesenteric artery in healthy premature neonates may help to prevent feeding intolerance situations and necrotizing enterocolitis. METHODS: In order to describe the indices for evaluation of Doppler velocimetry of the superior mesenteric artery in healthy premature neonates with gestational age between 27 and 34 weeks, on the first, third, seventh days, and then weekly, until six weeks of life; this is a prospective cohort study. The Doppler velocimetric examination was done by means of the Logic Book 8C-RS (General Electric USA), using a 8 MHz imaging transducer, with the pulsed color Doppler readings being obtained by sonographic waves at 4 MHz. The neonate was kept in a supine position, with the transducer positioned in the epigastric region, immediately below the xyphoid appendix, obtaining two-dimensional images of the celiac trunk and of the superior mesenteric artery, a few millimeters after its emergence from the aorta in the sagittal plane. The flux measurements were obtained in the longitudinal direction of the vessel and at an angle of insonation between 0 and 20 degrees. The blood flow curves were recorded after a sequence of five stable measurements, with respect to the quality of the waves, and with respect to their audible characteristics; thus obtaining the following measurements: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and average flow velocity; with the Pourcelot Index being calculated subsequently, that is: [peak of systolic velocity end diastolic velocity / peak of systolic velocity, which represents a resitance index (RI); and pulsatility index (PI). The values obtained were expressed as averages and standard deviations. The results were stored in an Excel database, with blind analysis after the conclusion of data gathering. Uncomplicated and appropriate for gestational age premature neonates with gestational age between 27 and 34 weeks at birth were included in the study. We adopted as criteria for exclusion from the study: neonates in unstable hemodynamic conditions; needing assisted ventilation with high parameters; large deformations or clinical syndromes; feeding intolerance or diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis; conditions that alter the mesenteric flow, such as: phototherapy, presence of umbilical catheters, patent ductus arteriosus and sepsis. The exams were done prior to feeding (up to 30 minutes) and after feeding (between 15 and 60 minutes). If the neonate was fasting, only one of the above parameters was measured, in order to establish behavior of the basal mesenteric flow at that moment. The exams were done on the first day (between the 6th and 24th hours of life), third, seventh days, and then weekly, until six weeks of life. Data are shown as the mean ± standard deviation and described for each postnatal age group. RESULTS: A total of 77 neonates were studied and realized 125 exams. The values of the resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI); peaks of systolic (PSV) and final diastolic velocity (EDV) on the first, third, seventh days, and then, on sequentially for each week until six weeks of postnatal life; as mean and standard deviations, was described: RI prior to feeding were 0,69±0,09; 0,67±0,15; 0,75±0,07; 0,74±0,07; 0,75±0,07; 0,76±0,07; 0,79±0,03; 0,78±0,05 and RI after feeding were 0,66±0,10; 0,70±0,21; 0,74±0,07; 0,73±0,08; 0,75±0,06; 0,76±0,06; 0,77±0,04; 0,77±0,03. The results of PI prior to feeding: 1,45±0,30; 1,35±0,28; 1,68±0,29; 1,50±0,23; 1,47±0,22; 1,52±0,20; 1,62±0,09; 1,68±0,06 and PI after feeding: 1,38±0,39; 1,40±0,29; 1,58±0,26; 1,46±0,26; 1,45±0,24; 1,50±0,27; 1,58±0,10; 1,64±0,04. The values of PSV prior to feeding were: 60,51±22,24; 55,24±26,04; 90,61±12,74; 95,33±18,11; 92,89±15,40; 96,96±12,18; 63,18±14,08; 58,12±9,78 and after feeding: 59,60±24,14; 110,82±32,45; 118,10±20,15; 121,95±24,18; 124,15±25,16; 126,07±18,17; 96,68±11,12; 96,12±8,98. And the results of EDV prior to feeding: 18,85±6,09; 18,66±10,01; 20,99±8,12; 22,02±8,50; 23,04±7,89; 22,24±8,02; 11,99±6,15; 12,05±5,12 and EDV after feeding: 20,63±6,89; 30,15±12,78; 27,98±9,72; 29,02±10,05; 34,56±9,00; 32,02±8,45; 19,02±4,95; 21,15±3,43. These results shows that healthy premature neonates with gestational age between 27 and 34 weeks presents a peculiar evolution in blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery after birth, represented by the resistance patterns caracteristics, improvement in peaks of systolic and diastolic velocity, and improvement in vasodilation in response to feeding. CONCLUSION: These results suggest for the Doppler velocimetry as specific and preventive evaluation method for each premature neonate, as a way to a safer introduction and progression of feeding, reducing the prevalence of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases in neonates, and improving the indices of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of blood-flow velocity in the superior mesenteric artery in uncomplicated preterm infants might provide a clue in investigating the maturation of intestinal circulation and the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases in newborn infants.

A terapia fotodinâmica, do inglês photodynamic therapy (PDT) é uma fototerapia baseada na utilização de um fotossensibilizador (FS) na presença da luz em baixa intensidade em comprimento de onda ressonante à absorção do FS e que podem sensibilizar sistemas biológicos, gerando espécies reativas de oxigênio. Estudos mostram que a PDT apresenta um efeito letal em Candida albicans. O biofilme formado por C. albicans é a causa mais freqüente de infecções associadas a cateteres, possuindo uma comprovada resistência a antifúngicos, sendo que a remoção do cateter colonizado é quase sempre necessária. No entanto, poucos trabalhos na literatura relatam o comportamento e a resposta de C. albicans organizado em biofilme frente à PDT. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram desenvolver uma metodologia para formação in vitro de biofilme de C. albicans, verificar a sensibilidade do biofilme de C. albicans frente à terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana utilizando como FS o azul de metileno (AM) e a hipocrelina B:La+3 e analisar o biofilme através da Tomografia de Coerência Óptica (OCT) antes e depois da PDT. Para a formação do biofilme, foram confeccionados discos de silicone elastomérico oriundos de cateteres. Os fotossensibilizadores foram diluídos em solução de PBS, sendo que o AM teve duas concentrações diferentes testadas no biofilme: 100M e 1mM e a HBLa+3 somente uma de 10M. A irradiação de ambos os corantes com os microrganismos foi feita através de dois LEDs diferentes, um vermelho com = 630nm ± 20nm e outro azul com = 460nm ± 30nm. Foi realizada uma curva de fração de sobrevivência em função do tempo de irradiação de cada amostra com biofilme e de suspensão do microrganismo em formato de leveduras para verificar a susceptibilidade destes frente à PDT. As leveduras apresentaram 100% de redução em ambos os fotossensibilizadores, porém em tempos de irradiação diferentes (30s para a HBLa+3 e 6 min para o AM na concentração de 100M). Quando a terapia foi aplicada em biofilme, o AM em 100M não apresentou nenhuma redução significativa, enquanto que em concentração de 1mM houve redução de 100% após 6 min de irradiação. Já a HBLa+3 mostrou pouca redução em biofilme na concentração de 10M (menos de 1 log de redução. Concluímos que o microrganismo C. albicans se organizou em biofilme padronizado nos discos elastoméricos oriundos de cateteres e através do OCT, o biofilme medido apresentou 110m de espessura, informando uma mudança óptica ao ser submetido pela PDT com o AM 1mM. / Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a phototherapy based on the use of a photosensitizer (PS) in the presence of low intensity light with resonant wavelength of absorption of the PS and biological systems that can raise awareness, generating reactive oxygen species. Studies show that PDT has a lethal effect on Candida albicans. The biofilm formed by C. albicans is the cause of infections associated with medical devices such as catheters, with a proven resistance to antifungal agents, and the removal of the catheter colonized almost always is necessary. However, few studies in literature report the behavior and response of biofilm organized by C. albicans against PDT. The aims of this study were to develop a methodology for in vitro biofilm formation of C. albicans, evaluate the sensitivity of the biofilm of C. albicans to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using PS as the methylene blue (MB) and hypocrellin B: La+3 (HBLa+3) and analyze the biofilm by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). For biofilm formation, discs were made from elastomeric silicone catheters. The PS were dissolved in solution of PBS, and the MB had two different concentrations tested in the biofilm: 100M and 1mM; HBLa+3 only one of 10M. The irradiation of both dyes with the microorganism was done by two different LEDs, one with red emission at = 630nm ± 20nm and the other one blue emission at = 460nm ± 30nm. We performed a curve of survival fraction versus time of irradiation of each sample with biofilm and suspension of the microorganism in the yeast form to verify the susceptibility of the front PDT. The yeast showed 100% reduction using both PS, but at different times of irradiation (30s to HBLa+3 and 6 min for the MB at 100M). When the therapy was applied in biofilm, the MB 100M did not show any significant reduction, while at concentration of 1mM was reduced by 100% after 6 min of irradiation. The HBLa+3 biofilm group showed a lower reduction in the concentration of 10M in biofilm (less than 1 log reduction). OCT was performed for visualization and measurement of the thickness of the biofilm formed. The composition of the extracellular matrix of the biofilm polymer hindered the diffusion of PS inside, requiring higher concentrations of MB to disseminate it and to obtain satisfactory reduction for PDT. HBLa+3 group, in higher concentration, formed aggregates difficulting its use for PDT. We conclude that the organism C. albicans was organized in biofilms in a standardized way using elastomeric discs from catheters and the OCT showed that the biofilm measured 110m at thickness, showing an optical change when subjected to the PDT with MB 1mM.

碩士 / 國立臺北護理健康大學 / 護理助產研究所 / 103 / Purpose This study investigates the impact of delayed cord clamping on neonatal jaundice and postpartum hemorrhage. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a regional teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. One hundred and five healthy, nulliparous women during their 36th week of pregnancy were included and randomly allocated to either the experiment group (n = 44) or the control group (n = 61). Participants in the experiment group received delayed cord clamping (DCC) at 3 minutes postpartum. Participants in the control group received early cord clamping (ECC) at around 1 minute postpartum. The level of infant transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and the presence of postpartum hemorrhaging at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum were used as the clinical outcome measures. Because neonatal jaundice is associated with multiple potential causes, the present study assessed the effect of relevant demographic factors, newborn sucking efficacy, and breastfeeding scale data on this condition. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-test, chi-square test, and the generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results / Conclusions Results found no significant difference between the two groups in terms of either neonatal jaundice or maternal postpartum hemorrhage. However, we found the rate of newborn weight loss to be significantly related to TcB level, with a 1% rise in weight loss associated with a 0.05mg/dl rise in TcB level (p<.05). Delayed cord clamping was not found to be associated with either bleeding during labor or presence of postpartum hemorrhaging at three days postpartum. Clinical Application The present study provides evidence that delayed cord clamping does not increase neonatal jaundice or maternal postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, this study sheds important new light onto the still controversial issue of delayed cord clamping. Our results support the continued practice of DCC. We suggest that the benefits of practicing DCC be incorporated into maternity education and, in most cases, that new mothers should be permitted to determine the method of cord clamping used. Finally, clinical nurses and midwives should monitor the food intake and the rate of bodyweight loss in newborn infants in order to insure they receive adequate nutrition, which is an important factor in reducing the need for phototherapy and the resulting maternal separation.

碩士 / 國立臺北藝術大學 / 文創產業國際藝術碩士學位學程(IMCCI) / 105 / Have you ever been emotionally tired? That type of weariness that comes from worrying too much, from over thinking to a point that your mind goes numb? Then after a whole day of fighting with yourself, you go to bed, close your eyes and the next minute your alarm is going off and you feel even more tired than before. When “yes, I am fine” becomes the words you tell everyone because if not, they might look at you in an awkward way. You feel alone and do not let anyone else know what is going on, because why would anyone want to know anyway? These are just a few things out of many that people with an anxiety disorder and depression go through on a daily basis. People that are mentally exhausted and can not talk about it because it is too hard for them, or because they are afraid of the stigma behind mental illness. People who feel they are lost in their own minds and need some type of outlet to let go of these overwhelming thoughts. This is where photography comes in, a medium that can be used to communicate thoughts, express feelings and discover oneself. Presented in the pages of this thesis is information about the possibility of using photography as self-therapy for coping with anxiety and depression. Starting out with literature gathered from experts in the field of phototherapy (photography in therapy), I describe ways this medium can help with mental healing, while also weaving in my own experiences with this topic. Also described are interviews and recounts of other people, that have successfully used therapeutic photography (photography as therapy) for coping with their own mental illnesses, giving their opinions of how photography has had a positive impact on their lives and how this art form has been beneficial for their internal healing. Photo-taking, viewing, planning, and posing, along with all photo-based activities are a part of therapeutic photography. In these modern times, we have become accustomed to being surrounded by images, and what better way to express and find ourselves than with the universal language of photography. Keywords: Therapeutic photography, phototherapy, photography, art therapy, anxiety disorder, depression, mental illness.