Objective: to select optimal parameters of two-wave near-infrared laser irradiation for the arthroscopic treatment of chondromalacia foci  in the articular cartilage.  

Material and methods. Bull articular cartilages were treated with laser light delivered by a fifi ber and having various parameters. Human articular  cartilages with chondromalacia foci taken during the total knee replacement were also treated with laser light delivered by a fifi ber and having  various parameters. The processed cartilage samples were examined macroscopically and then histologically. Changes in the structure of ar[1] ticular cartilage after laser irradiation were assessed.  

Results. A two-second irradiation with two-wave laser light (λ = 0.97 μm / 30 W and λ = 1.55 μm / 15 W) causes a rapid “melting” of lesion margins  without macroscopically visible carbonization with a wide thermally affected zone in the irradiated area. Histologically, cartilage preparations  irradiated with two-wave laser light (wavelengths λ = 1.55 μm / 5 W and λ = 0.97 μm / 3 W) for 2 sec demonstrated slight changes in the cartilage  structure without thermal destruction of chondrocytes.

Conclusion. The optimal combination for laser irradiation of the cartilage tissue in the saline solution environment which restores articular cartilage  shape is two-wave laser light λ = 0.97 μm at power of 3 W and λ = 1.55 μm at power of 5 W from the distance of 1–2 mm under 2 sec exposure.   

The problem of athletes’ body resistance to effects of extreme loadings which lead to decreased adaptive capabilities of the body and over training is particularly relevant in modern sports. In order to improve the physical performance of athletes, there is a constant search for new  tools and methods.  

Aim: to study the effect of dietary supplements at the microcirculation system, both in isolated use and in combination with low-level laser therapy.  

Material and methods. The study included 28 highly qualififi ed male all-around athletes of the CMC and MS levels. To study the parameters  of skin microcirculation, laser Doppler flfl owmetry (LDF) was used, device “LAKK-02” (NPP “LAZMA”). The following parameter was calculated:  microcirculation index (MI) proportional to the number of red blood cells in the diagnosed volume and their average velocity. The received  signal give the information about endothelial, neurogenic and myogenic active mechanisms of vascular tone regulation and passive mechanisms – respiratory and cardiac flfl uctuations in blood flfl ow; flfl ax index, specififi c oxygen consumption index by tissues, erythrocyte concentration  index in the probed blood volume and the ratio of coenzymes of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flfl avinadenine  dinucleotide (FAD) (NADH/FAD).  

Results. After isolated use of dietary supplements, the level of perfusion increases signififi cantly by 48 % (p < 0.05), and the value of the flfl ax  increases by 78 % (p < 0.05). More red blood cells by 22 % (p < 0.05) are released from blood depots into the microcirculatory bed. The tone  of arterioles decreases by 48 % (p < 0.05), of precapillary sphincters – by 59 % (p < 0.05). In mitochondria, ratio of NADH/FAD coenzymes  increases by 55 % (p < 0.05).  

Conclusion. Laser radiation in combination with dietary supplements optimizes recovery processes in the body of athletes who are subjected  to heavy physical exertion. Under the combined effect, the intensity of microcirculation increases, oxygen output of erythrocytes by hemoglobin  improves as well as its active diffusion from blood into tissues and participation in the ATP synthesis at the level of cell mitochondrial. It is worth  noting that there is similarity in the isolated use of dietary supplements and in combination with low-energy laser radiation which enhances  the mechanism of action of dietary supplements.  

Purpose: to assess the effects of combined application of high-level laser photocoagulation and simultaneous cryodestruction at pathological scars on the skin.

Material and methods. Two groups included patients of both genders aged 18 and older. Patients from the fi rst (main) group (n = 60) had simultaneous high-level laser irradiation and cryodestruction on scar tissue; patients from the second (control) group (n = 30) were treated separately with laser irradiation and cryodestruction. For laser irradiation, laser devise CO2-laser AKHIL with wavelength 10.6 μm, pulsed frequency 10–20 Hz and power 5–15 W was used. For cryodestruction, apparatus “KRIO-RM-01” was used: tip cooling speed of 220 °C/min, the temperature of 180 °C on the tip working part, exposure time – 15–20 sec. The treated patients had hypertrophic and keloid scars. Etiologically, scars were of post-traumatic, postoperative, post-eruptive types. Evaluation criteria were histological examination of biopsy material with eosinhematoxylin, patients’ quality of life, examination of scar zone.

Results. The obtained results demonstrate that the combined application of two physical factors (laser + cryo) at scar tissue increases satisfactory outcomes in patients with hypertrophic scars by 75 % and by 53.4 % in the control group. Relapses were seen in both groups: 25 % in the main group and 46 % in the control group. Morphologically, one can see positive changes in degradation of rough fi brous tissue.

Conclusion. A combined application of high-intensity laser photocoagulation and simultaneous cryodestruction has been proven to be effective in patients with pathological skin scars.

An analysis of the effectiveness of laser vaporization in 67 patients (23 men, 44 women) with the syndrome of the “adjacent level” of the lumbarspine, who had previously undergone decompressive-stabilizing operations, is presented. The mean age of the patients was 48.3 years (from37 to 54 years).

The most common cause of pain syndrome recurrence was protrusion of the intervertebral discs (60 people, 90 %). A positive result of laservaporization in the early postoperative period was achieved in 62 patients (92.5 %). Analysis of the results of treatment in 32 patients in the interimperiod revealed excellent results in 5 (15.5 %) patients, good results – in 12 (37.5 %) patients, and satisfactory results – in 15 (47 %) patients.

Introduction. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is one of the highly effective techniques for treating infectious lesions of the skin and soft tissues. However, the search for safe photosensitizers remains relevant.

Purpose: to study the application of aqueous dispersion of gold nanoparticles as a potential photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in experimental purulent wounds.

Material and methods. Photosensitizing ability of aqueous dispersion of gold nanoparticles stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol was studied on experimental full-thickness purulent wounds in rats. Semiconductor laser (Alcom Medica, St. Petersburg) with wavelength 405 nm was used.

Results. It has been found out that pretreatment of wounds with nanostructures followed by photodynamic exposure gives a 1.6-fold reduction of healing process of wound defects in laboratory animals compared to the control group. in experimental animals, an effective cleansing of wounds from purulent contents was observed as well.

Conclusion. An aqueous dispersion of gold nanoparticles stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol can be considered as an effective photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

The increasing morbidity and mortality rate in inflammatory and oncological diseases requires determining the public health strategies for early  detection of such disorders and improving the quality of medical care. For this goal, high-tech modalities with high sensitivity, specificity and  accuracy are to be worked out. Rаman fluorescent medical technologies (RFMT) can be successfully applied in the diagnostics of inflammatory  and tumor diseases if to develop a specific algorithm for express analysis of histological, physiological, microbiological and other components  of biological tissues. The given article presents a brief overview on the application of Raman fluorescence spectrometry in the diagnostics  of diseases. This medical technology, which utilizes the phenomenon of tissue autoflorescence and Raman light scattering, is a promising  tool for early diagnostics of different inflammatory and oncological pathologies. The described nоn-invasive method allows to make an express  assessment of metabolic, morphometric and functional tissue parameters in intact and in pathological tissue. The present discussion is aimed  to find out points for the application of Rаman fluorescence spectrometry and its various modifications; to assess its potentials for screening;  to develop a specific algorithm for the diagnostics of inflammatory and tumor pathologies. RFMT is a promising modality for future applications  so as to improve the quality of medical care by early detection of inflammatory and tumor diseases and early prescription of rational therapy.

The authors discuss perspectives for applying photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN); they also  analyze domestic and foreign literature sources. Up to now, some experience on the treatment of background, precancerous conditions and  vulvar cancer with PDT has been obtained. The authors describe application of various photosensitizers (5-aminolevulinic acid, hematoporphyrin, E6 chloride and others) as well as several techniques for photosensitizer administration and various parameters of photodynamic effect.  PDT is a non-invasive modern curative option. This type of therapy has proven to be effective in many directions of medicine; it demonstrates  a wide range of its potentials in antitumor, antimicrobial, antimycotic, antiviral, immunostimulating and many other effects. With PDT technique,  one can preserve not only the function, but also the integrity of the organ; it gives an excellent cosmetic result as well as rapid recovery after  the treatment. However, despite the low traumatic complication rate and low level of adverse reactions, data on PDT effectiveness are contradictory. In literature, there is a signififi cant range of set parameters for treatment and exposure modes from 50 to 350 J/cm2. Literature data  demonstrate that PDT effectiveness in VIN treatment ranges from 30 to 95 %, while in some cases it reaches 100 %. So as to reliably assert  PDT effectiveness in the discussed pathology, further research work is needed. This review analyzes other curative options, their advantages  and disadvantages. The authors underline that effectiveness of other curative modalities is still low with a high rate of relapses.