Application Of Phototherapy Research Articles

Recent advances of AIE dots in NIR imaging and phototherapy.

Nanomaterials are indispensable tools for imaging and therapy. Organic dots with aggregation-induced emission characteristics (AIE dots) have emerged as a new nanolight for their ultra-brightness, excellent photostability and biocompatibility. Due to the rotor structures, most of the reported AIE luminogens show short wavelength absorption and emission, an intrinsic disadvantage for their biomedical applications. Recently, more exciting examples reveal that properly designed AIE dots can easily reach NIR emission, excitable by near-infrared (NIR) light via multiphoton processes, which also have great potentials in photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and phototherapy. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of AIE nanomaterials for NIR fluorescence imaging, PAI, image-guided photodynamic and photothermal therapy (PDT and PTT). We highlight various strategies to improve the energy conversion efficiency of AIE dots through controlling different energy decay pathways. With this review, we hope to encourage more precise design of organic nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

COMBINED DIFFERENTIATED THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH URTICARIA

Introduction: The necessity of the study of urticaria is called for by its high specific gravity in the structure of dermatoses, lack of effective therapies and, consequently, negative impact on the quality of life of patients and members of their families. Among the factors that initiate clinical manifestations of urticaria are autoimmune disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, bacterial and viral infections, helminth infestation. However, the state of the internal secretion glands in such patients is understudied. Although, it is recognised that thyroid gland plays an important role in the development of allergic dermatitis, but its role in the formation of autoimmune processes at urticaria is still unclear. Such diversity of mechanisms of urticaria development considerably complicates the choice of rational ways of effective therapy. In particular, traditional agents (antihistamine and other hyposensitizing ones) often do not have the desired effect. Due to such complicated current condition of treatment of patients with urticaria, non-medicated methods of treatment seem to be getting more and more prospective. The aim:To develop differentiated treatment of urticaria patients, taking into account the functional state of the thyroid gland and its participation in the formation of autoimmune processes. Materials and methods: We had been supervising 127 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (49 men and 78 women) of the age range from 15 to 67 years old with the disease duration from 5 months to 29 years. The control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals. The mild degree of severity of dermatosis was diagnosed in 43 (33.9%) patients, the average degree of the disease severity - in 41 (32.2%), and severe form of the disease was observed in 43 (33.9%) patients. The functional state of thyroid gland was evaluated by determining the level of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyroglobulin, and autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin in serum. Results: It was discovered that in patients with urticaria, dysfunctional state of thyroid gland is observed, which is manifested by a probable increase in thyroxine content up to 107.52±4.20 nmol/l (in healthy individuals - 78.13±3.65 nmol/l; p<0.05) and thyroglobulin - up to 29.73±2.51 ng/ml (in healthy individuals - 20.16±1.34 ng/ml; p<0.05), which is associated with a decrease in the level of triiodothyronine - up to 1.33±0.06 nmol/l (in healthy individuals - 1.52±0.04 nmol/l; p<0.05). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, all patients were divided into 4 groups. The first group, with the total amount of 32 patients were prescribed only traditional standard treatment, according to the guidelines. The pations of second group (31 patients) were prescribed specific phototherapy (once a week, 6-8 sessions) after traditional medication and afterward absence of clinical manifestations of pathological process. 31 рatients of the third group were prescribed balneo- and halotherapy after traditional medication and no afterward clinical manifestations of urticaria. The fourth group (33 patients) prescribed combined treatment in the way of combined application of specific therapy, phototherapy, balneotherapy and halotherapy, after the elimination of clinical manifestations of dermatosis by means of 2 month traditional medication. It was established that patients with mild dermatosis were exposed to a probable correction of the functional state of the thyroid gland, improved clinical course and quality of life after medication, balneo- and halomethods of treatment, patients with moderate and severe degree - after combined application of medication, specific photo-, balneoand halotherapy. Conclusions: Thus, the therapy of patients with urticaria requires a differentiated approach. Patients with mild dermatosis, after traditional medication, should be prescribed balneo- and halomethods of treatment. Patients with moderate to severe degree of the disease require more intensive medical intervention. They should be prescribed a combined application of specific photo-, balneo- and halotherapy. This approach allows eliminating the pathological process.

Our experience of phototherapy application for the prevention of the inconsistency of seams of intestinal anastomoses

Introduction. The problem of destructive complications from the side of the intestinal wall with a violation of its integrity is still far from being resolved. With the destruction of the intestine, complicated by peritonitis, the possibility of simultaneous restoration of the continuity of the intestinal tube is questioned due to the threat of the development of failure of the sutures. Suture failure is caused by a purulent-inflammatory process and the disturbances of intramural blood flow and microcirculation that accompany it or precede it (with strangulation). The aim of the work is to develop methods for preventing the development of insolvency of sutures of the intestinal anastomoses. Materials and methods. The paper presents a methodology developed by the authors for treating patients who underwent resection of segments of the small intestine using local phototherapy. The study is based on comparing the treatment results of 15 patients, of which 8 made up the comparison group (group 1) and 7 patients (group 2) of the main group. Phototherapy was carried out through an additionally installed drainage with a quartz-polymer light guide with a diameter of 400 μm, with a radiation wavelength of 660 nm, and a radiation power of 50 mW. Clinical, laboratory and instrumental indicators (electrogastroenterography), as well as the number of postoperative complications, were evaluated. Results. In patients of group 2, at an earlier date, the general condition and clinical and biochemical parameters returned to normal; on the 2nd–3rd day of the postoperative period, restoration of peristalsis was noted, on the 4th–5th day, the passage along the gastrointestinal tract was restored. In one group, in one observation, an intestinal anastomosis was insolvent, which required relaparotomy, in two cases the postoperative period was complicated by the development of suppuration of postoperative wounds, and in group 2 there were no purulent-inflammatory complications. Findings. The use of phototherapy of intestinal anastomoses indicates its effectiveness, which, in our opinion, can be explained by such effects of light exposure as bacteriostatic, immunomodulating, as well as improved microcirculation. This technique is simple, minimally invasive and has a significant economic effect.

Mini Review of TiO2 -Based Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Phototherapy.

Phototherapy with the properties of specific spatial/temporal selectivity and minimal invasiveness has been acknowledged as one of the most promising cancer therapy types. Among all the photoactive substance for phototherapy, titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanomaterials are paid more and more attention due to their outstanding photocatalytic properties, prominent biocompatibility, and excellent chemical stability. However, the wide bandgap (3.0-3.2 eV) of TiO2 limits its absorption only to the ultraviolet (UV) light region. For a long time, UV light-stimulated TiO2 was applied in the phototherapy researches of tumors located in the skin layer, while it is unsatisfactory for most deep-tissue tumors. Due to the maximum penetration into tissue existing in the near-infrared (NIR) region, how to use NIR light to trigger photochemical reaction of TiO2 remains a big challenge. In this review, two strategies to develop and construct NIR-triggered TiO2 -based nanocomposites (NCs) for phototherapy are summarized, and the relevant mechanism and background knowledge of TiO2 -based phototherapy are also given in order to better understand the application value and current situation of TiO2 in phototherapy. Finally, the challenges and research directions of TiO2 in the future clinic phototherapy application are also discussed.

Effect of phototherapy on shear bond strength of resin cements to zirconia ceramics: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in-vitro studies.

The present study systematically reviewed the literature to investigate the effect of phototherapy on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to zirconia ceramic. Electronic databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), ISI Web of Science, Scopus, ScIELO, LILACS and EMBASE until April 2018. The addressed focused question was: Does phototherapy increase the SBS of resin cement to zirconia ceramics?" A total of 8 in-vitro studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis. The mean SBS for phototherapy ranged from 4.1 to 18.95 MPa while mean SBS for sandblasted zirconia-composite specimens ranged from 3.98 to 23.35 MPa in the included studies. Qualitative analysis showed 3 studies favoured application of phototherapy in significantly increasing SBS, while 4 studies indicated sandblasting showed significantly greater SBS of resin cement to zirconia ceramics. Considering the effects of phototherapy, significant heterogeneity for SBS (Q value = 136.37, p<0.0001, I2 = 94.87%) was noticed among both the groups. The overall mean difference for SBS (SMD = -0.59, 95% CI = -1.99 to -0.80, p = 0.402) was not significant between phototherapy and sandblast (control) groups. Whether the effect of phototherapy on increasing the SBS of resin cement to zirconia ceramic is debatable. Further in-vitro studies should be performed in order to obtain strong conclusions.

Targeting Photoinduced DNA Destruction by Ru(II) Tetraazaphenanthrene in Live Cells by Signal Peptide.

Exploiting NF-κB transcription factor peptide conjugation, a Ru(II)-bis-tap complex (tap = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene) was targeted specifically to the nuclei of live HeLa and CHO cells for the first time. DNA binding of the complex within the nucleus of live cells was evident from gradual extinction of the metal complex luminescence after it had crossed the nuclear envelope, attributed to guanine quenching of the ruthenium emission via photoinduced electron transfer. Resonance Raman imaging confirmed that the complex remained in the nucleus after emission is extinguished. In the dark and under imaging conditions the cells remain viable, but efficient cellular destruction was induced with precise spatiotemporal control by applying higher irradiation intensities to selected cells. Solution studies indicate that the peptide conjugated complex associates strongly with calf thymus DNA ex-cellulo and gel electrophoresis confirmed that the peptide conjugate is capable of singlet oxygen independent photodamage to plasmid DNA. This indicates that the observed efficient cellular destruction likely operates via direct DNA oxidation by photoinduced electron transfer between guanine and the precision targeted Ru(II)-tap probe. The discrete targeting of polyazaaromatic complexes to the cell nucleus and confirmation that they are photocytotoxic after nuclear delivery is an important step toward their application in cellular phototherapy.

TREATMENT OF CHRONIC GENERALIZED PERIODONTITIS WITH THE USE OF BACTERIOTOXIC PHOTOTHERAPY AND SUBSEQUENT SURGICAL TREATMENT WITH THE USE OF OSTEOPLASTIC MATERIAL BIO-GENE

Aim. To increase the effectiveness of treatment of patients with chronic generalized periodontitis by using bacteriotoxic phototherapy with subsequent surgical treatment with the use of osteoplastic material bio-gene. Materials and methods. 60 people were observed: 30 people in the main group, and 30 people in the control group. All patients of the main group before the surgical treatment underwent bacteriotoxic phototherapy with photosensitizer "fotolon", diluted according to the instruction. Then followed a surgical treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis with the use of an osteoplastic material Bio-Gen. Patients of the control group were treated with a well-known conservative method. The state of microcirculation of periodontal tissue was studied in all patients applying the method of laser Doppler flowmetry. The composition of microflora of the contents of periodontal pockets was determined before and after the treatment. Results. As a result of our comprehensive treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis (the main group) with the use of bacteriotoxic phototherapy with ‘fotolon’ with subsequent surgical treatment with the use of osteoplastic material bio-gene after 12 months, the data of laser Doppler flowmetry showed an improvement in the microcirculation of periodontal tissues. After the treatment, a significant decrease in the number of microorganisms was observed. There was no significant improvement in the microcirculation of periodontal tissue in the control group of patients, as well as any decrease in the number of basic parodontopathogenic species of microorganisms. Conclusion. Combined application of bacteriotoxic phototherapy and surgical treatment with the use of osteoplastic drug bio-gene in the treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis demonstrates a pronounced therapeutic effect, which consists in improvement of microcirculation of periodontal tissues. Microbiological research in all patients after the treatment showed high efficiency of this method in relation to the main types of parodontopathogenic microorganisms.

Remediation of adult black dental stains by phototherapy

Introduction and aimsThis study investigates the effects of the application of antimicrobial phototherapy on black-stained tooth surfaces. Key variables were area, color and time taken to reappearance of black stain following dental prophylaxis with and without antimicrobial phototherapy. Differences in bacterial composition of black stain (specifically Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis) were analyzed.Material and methodsThe phototherapy device used was GLO™ Science LLC, New York, America, emitting light at 475 nm and a power of 3 W. Light was applied in 2 cycles of 8 min on 31 volunteers. Microbial identification was carried out on DNA extracted from black plaque. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03309748.ResultsFollowing antimicrobial phototherapy, 64.5% of patients displayed reduced pigmentation area. Plaque color was lighter in 48.4% of subjects. Pigmentation area and depth of color returned to normal levels during the course of the study. Colonization by the three bacterial species decreased, although the changes were not statistically significant. We report a key novel finding showing elevated levels of colonization by Tannerella forsythia (83.9%) in adult black stain.ConclusionsApplication of phototherapy results in a reduction in area, color and bacterial colonization of black plaque in adults. The changes were not found to be statistically significant, perhaps owing to the low illumination power of the home-whitening device. For the first time, we document the elevated presence of Tannerella forsythia in adult black stain. We also demonstrate the potential application of a commercially available home-whitening device for black plaque treatment.

Design of Protein-Coated Carbon Nanotubes Loaded with Hydrophobic Drugs through Sacrificial Templating of Mesoporous Silica Shells.

One key challenge in the fields of nanomedicine and tissue engineering is the design of theranostic nanoplatforms able to monitor their therapeutic effect by imaging. Among current developed nano-objects, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were found suitable to combine imaging, photothermal therapy, and to be loaded with hydrophobic drugs. However, a main problem is their resulting low hydrophilicity. To face this problem, an innovative method is developed here, which consists in loading the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with drugs followed by a protein coating around them. The originality of this method relies on first covering CNTs with a sacrificial template mesoporous silica (MS) shell grafted with isobutyramide (IBAM) binders on which a protein nanofilm is strongly adhered through IBAM-mediated physical cross-linking. This concept is first demonstrated without drugs, and is further improved with the suitable loading of hydrophobic drugs, curcumin (CUR) and camptothecin (CPT), which are retained between the CNTs and human serum albumin (HSA) layer. Such novel nanocomposites with favorable photothermal properties are very promising for theranostic systems, drug delivery, and phototherapy applications.

The effects of exercise training associated with low-level laser therapy on biomarkers of adipose tissue transdifferentiation in obese women

Investigations suggest the benefits of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to improve noninvasive body contouring treatments, inflammation, insulin resistance and to reduce body fat. However, the mechanism for such potential effects in association with exercise training (ET) and possible implications in browning adiposity processes remains unclear. Forty-nine obese women were involved, aged between 20 and 40years with a body mass index (BMI) of 30-40kg/m2. The volunteers were divided into Phototherapy (808nm) and SHAM groups. Interventions consisted of exercise training and phototherapy applications post exercise for 4months, with three sessions/week. Body composition, lipid profile, insulin resistance, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), WNT5 signaling, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) were measured. Improvements in body mass, BMI, body fat mass, lean mass, visceral fat, waist circumference, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and ANP in both groups were demonstrated. Only the Phototherapy group showed a reduction in interleukin-6 and an increase in WNT5 signaling. In addition, it was possible to observe a higher magnitude change for the fat mass, insulin, HOMA-IR, and FGF-21 variables in the Phototherapy group. In the present investigation, it was demonstrated that exercise training associated with LLLT promotes an improvement in body composition and inflammatory processes as previously demonstrated. The Phototherapy group especially presented positive modifications of WNT5 signaling, FGF-21, and ANP, possible biomarkers associated with browning adiposity processes. This suggests that this kind of intervention promotes results applicable in clinical practice to control obesity and related comorbidities.

Recent progress in the development of near-infrared organic photothermal and photodynamic nanotherapeutics.

Phototherapies including photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) have gained considerable attention due to their high tumor ablation efficiency, excellent spatial resolution and minimal side effects on normal tissue. In contrast to inorganic nanoparticles, near-infrared (NIR) absorbing organic nanoparticles bypass the issue of metal-ion induced toxicity and thus are generally considered to be more biocompatible. Moreover, with the guidance of different kinds of imaging methods, the efficacy of cancer phototherapy based on organic nanoparticles has shown to be optimizable. In this review, we summarize the synthesis and application of NIR-absorbing organic nanoparticles as phototherapeutic nanoagents for cancer phototherapy. The chemistry, optical properties and therapeutic efficacies of organic nanoparticles are firstly described. Their phototherapy applications are then surveyed in terms of therapeutic modalities, which include PTT, PDT and PTT/PDT combined therapy. Finally, the present challenges and potential of imaging guided PTT/PDT are discussed.

Accents of the human body electromagnetic balance regulation system

The presented analytical review includes data about the current state of knowledge on the electromagnetic ecological background influencing all living organisms. It is demonstrated that a non-specific morbidity can result from an electromagnetic imbalance and free-radical overloading resulting from disturbed ecology. We postulate the existence of a separate functional system of the electromag-netic regulation in the organism, and a working concept of phototherapy application is formulated. It is based on the possibility of using acupuncture points for energy compensation from electromagnetic waves of a biologically necessary range in the system of their conductors in the organism. This system can be considered as a tool for transmitting polarized electro- magnetic waves in a visible light range. Organs subjected to an electromagnetic imbalance because of an excess of the biologically inadequate irradiations and serving as targets for peroxidation-induced infl nces, i.e., neurohormonal and immune regulatory systems of the organism, are qualified as recipient zones. Subsequent electromagnetic stimulation or modification of the functions of the recipient zones result in positive curative effects; combination of the latter with local reparative processes allows one to provide positive clinical shifts in persons subjected to the respective treatment. Natural possibilities allowing one to compensate deficiency in electromagnetic waves of the “solar” range are limited. Applications of PILER-light generated by BIOPTRON-type devices can be considered an adequate alternative. Combined application of local and systemic electromagnetic influences of the waves of a biologi- cally necessary (visible light) range with the use of the principles of light therapy concepts constitutes a crucial feature of the modern approach. At present, problems of judicial and medical legalization of light- and color therapy, questions of the main mechanisms of the effects of PILER-light, a field of the medical reasons for its application, first generations of the curative modes, and color therapy curative programs can be considered settled. Among outstanding questions, in general directed toward the expansion of application of the PILER-light therapy technologies, the first place is occupied by a necessity for the development of new experimentally grounded curative programs and antipain techniques provided by color therapy.

Photoluminescence mechanism and applications of Zn-doped carbon dots.

Heteroatom-doped carbon dots (CDs) with excellent optical characteristics and negligible toxicity have emerged in many applications including bioimaging, biosensing, photocatalysis, and photothermal therapy. The metal-doping of CDs using various heteroatoms results in an enhancement of the photophysics but also imparts them with multifunctionality. However, unlike nonmetal doping, typical metal doping results in low fluorescence quantum yields (QYs), and an unclear photoluminescence mechanism. In this contribution, we detail results concerning zinc doped CDs (Zn-CDs) with QYs of up to 35%. The zinc ion charges serve as a surface passivating agent and prevent the aggregation of graphene π–π stacking, leading to an increase in the QY of the Zn-CDs. Structural and chemical investigations using spectroscopic and first principle simulations further revealed the effects of zinc doping on the CDs. The robust Zn-CDs were used for the ultra-trace detection of Hg2+ with a detection limit of 0.1 μM, and a quench mechanism was proposed. The unique optical properties of the Zn-CDs have promise for use in applications such as in vivo sensing and future phototherapy applications.

Controllable synthesis of hierarchical MgMoO4 nanosheet-arrays and nano-flowers assembled with mesoporous ultrathin nanosheets

Self-standing hierarchical mesoporous MgMoO4 nanosheet-arrays and nano-flowers have been built via the self-assembly of ultrathin mesoporous nanosheets. The arrays and flower nanostructures can be facilely controlled by tuning the surfactant dosage. The formation mechanism of such special nanostructures has also been proposed. The flower structure has larger surface area than the arrays, owing to the more mesoporous nature of the former. Additionally, the as-prepared MgMoO4 nanomaterials not doped by any other ion have important optical properties, that enable the generation of strong red light with excitation wavelengths of 369 and 534 nm and emission of bright green light under irradiation by blue light (423 and 451 nm), demonstrating their potential applications in blue phototherapy and fluorescence labeling.

Direct Observation of Photoinduced Ultrafast Generation of Singlet and Triplet Quinone Methides in Aqueous Solutions and Insight into the Roles of Acidic and Basic Sites in Quinone Methide Formation.

Femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy experiments and density functional theory computations were done for a mechanistic investigation of 3-(1-phenylvinyl)phenol (1) and 3-hydroxybenzophenone (2) in selected solvents. Both compounds went through an intersystem crossing (ISC) to form the triplet excited states Tππ* and Tnπ* in acetonitrile but behave differently in neutral aqueous solutions, in which a triplet excited state proton transfer (ESPT) induced by the ISC process is also proposed for 2 but a singlet ESPT without ISC is proposed for 1, leading to the production of the triplet quinone methide (QM) and the singlet excited QM species respectively in these two systems. The triplet QM then underwent an ISC process to form an unstable ground state intermediate which soon returned to its starting material 2. However, the singlet excited state QM went through an internal conversion process to the ground state QM followed by the formation of its final product in an irreversible manner. These differences are thought to be derived from the slow vinyl C-C rotation and the moderate basicity of the vinyl C atom in 1 as compared with the fast C-O rotation and the greater basicity of the carbonyl O atom of 2 after photoexcitation. This can account for the experimental results in the literature that the aromatic vinyl compounds undergo efficient singlet excited state photochemical reactions while the aromatic carbonyl compounds prefer triplet photochemical reactions under aqueous conditions. These results have fundamental and significant implications for understanding of the ESPT reactivity in general, as well as for the design of molecules for efficient QM formation in aqueous media with potential applications in cancer phototherapy.

Uniform national guidelines do not prevent wide variations in the clinical application of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.

This study compared the use of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice in all 21 Norwegian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from 2013-2014 to improve practice. Information on all types of phototherapy devices was collected, and irradiance was measured from random units at 20 cm and 50 cm from the light source. We gathered information on local practice rules, including the use of single, double or triple phototherapy, how infants were positioned, the frequency of blood sampling, rules for using reflective surfaces and interrupting phototherapy. In every NICU, we asked one nurse with more than five years of experience and one with less than one year to set up phototherapy equipment, then measured the irradiance and distance. Photodiodes were the most common of the eight types of phototherapy devices used. Rules for the distance from the device to the infant varied from 10 to 40 cm and in practice they varied from 15 to 48 cm, with irradiance ranging from 11.1-56.1 W/m2 . There were significant variations between NICUs with regard to the overall treatment duration and duration in most birthweight categories. There were considerable variations in phototherapy practices among Norwegian NICUs. In particular, the significant variations in duration need to be addressed.

Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue associated with exercise in healthy people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Researches have been performed to investigate the effects of phototherapy on improving performance and reduction of muscular fatigue. However, a great variability in the light parameters and protocols of the trials are a concern to establish the efficacy of this therapy to be used in sports or clinic. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness, moment of application of phototherapy within an exercise protocol, and which are the parameters optimally effective for the improvement of muscular performance and the reduction of muscular fatigue in healthy people. Systematic searches of PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were conducted for randomized clinical trials to March 2017. Analyses of risk of bias and quality of evidence of the included trials were performed, and authors were contacted to obtain any missing or unclear information. We included 39 trials (861 participants). Data were reported descriptively through tables, and 28 trials were included in meta-analysis comparing outcomes to placebo. Meta-analysis was performed for the variables: time until reach exhaustion, number of repetitions, isometric peak torque, and blood lactate levels showing a very low to moderate quality of evidence and some effect in favor to phototherapy. Further investigation is required due the lack of methodological quality, small sample size, great variability of exercise protocols, and phototherapy parameters. In general, positive results were found using both low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy or combination of both in a wavelength range from 655 to 950nm. Most of positive results were observed with an energy dose range from 20 to 60J for small muscular groups and 60 to 300J for large muscular groups and maximal power output of 200mW per diode.

COMBINED PHOTOTHERAPY METHOD FOR VITILIGO

The results of combined phototherapy using UVB 311 nm and excimer laser 308 nm in 30 vitiligo patients over 18 years old (main group) are presented. As a comparison group, 30 patients with vitiligo (control group) received only narrow-band UVB therapy at 311 nm. The distribution of the clinical forms of vitiligo in both groups was uniform. Phototherapy with UVB rays was performed according to the procedure of 4-times irradiation per week, excimer laser - 2 times a week. As a result of the treatment in the main group, a clinical cure (repigmentation of more than 96%) was observed in 18 (60%) patients, a significant improvement (repigmentation 51-95%) in 8 (26.7%), improvement in 4 (13.3%). For this purpose it took from 16 to 48 (on average 32) the procedures of an excimer laser (the maximum single dose varied from 0.5 to 2.4 J/cm2 (mean 1.45 J/cm2), the course dose from 2.2 Up to 32 J/cm2 (14.7 J/cm2 on average) and from 24 to 82 procedures of UVB therapy at 311 nm (an average of 52), with a maximum radiation dose ranging from 1.3 to 3.7 J/cm2 ( the mean value of 2.45 J/cm2); the course dose was from the exchange rate of 26.8 to 80.2 J/cm2 (an average of 53.5 J/cm2). In the control group, as a result of 311 nm UVB therapy, clinical recovery was achieved in 7 (23.3%) patients, a significant improvement in 15 (50%), improvement in 8 patients (26.7%). In total patients received from 44 to 94 (an average of 69) procedures for treatment. The maximum radiation dose varied from 2.6 to 5.8 J/cm2 (mean 4.2 J/cm2); the course dose was from 44.4 to 98.7 J/cm2 (an average of 71.6 J/cm2). Portability of phototherapy with UVB rays of 311 nm in combination with an excimer laser of 308 nm and in the form of monotherapy was good in patients of both groups. Side effects from the action of UV rays were reduced to the manifestation of photodermatitis (without blisters) in 5 (8.3%) patients and dry skin in 7 (11.7%) patients. When comparing the obtained results, it was found that the efficiency of the phototherapy was significantly higher with a combination of narrow-band UVB therapy of 311 nm and an excimer laser of 308 nm (60% of patients with clinical cure) than with only one narrow-band phototherapy (clinical cure in 23.3% patients). Using the Cutometer 580 MPA CK electronic device (Germany) with a Mexameter MX 18nozzle before and after treatment melanin levels were determined in the vitiligo foci. After application of combined phototherapy with UVB rays of 311 nm and excimer laser of 308 nm, an increase in the melanin level by 2-2.5 times was revealed, which was clinically expressed in the repigmentation of lesions and was an objective evidence of the effectiveness of combined phototherapy.

Photoactivation of Anticancer Ru Complexes in Deep Tissue: How Deep Can We Go?

Activation of anticancer therapeutics such as ruthenium (Ru) complexes is currently a topic of intense investigation. The success of phototherapy relies on photoactivation of therapeutics after the light passes through skin and tissue. In this paper, the photoactivation of anticancer Ru complexes with 671-nm red light through tissue of different thicknesses was studied. Four photoactivatable Ru complexes with different absorption wavelengths were synthesized. Two of them (Ru3 and Ru4) were responsive to wavelengths in the "therapeutic window" (650-900 nm) and could be activated using 671-nm red light after passing through tissue up to 16-mm-thick. The other two (Ru1 and Ru2) could not be activated using red light. Additionally, activated Ru4 caused inhibition of cancer cells. These results suggest that photoactivatable Ru complexes are promising for applications in deep-tissue phototherapy.

Application of phototherapy for the healing of the navels of neonatal dairy calves.

The present work evaluated the effects of LED light irradiation on the healing of the navels of neonatal dairy calves. Fifty-seven neonatal calves were divided into two groups. Animals had their umbilical stumps immersed in 10% iodine tincture for 60s, and this process was repeated every 24h for three consecutive days. The 29 animals in the first group did not receive LED therapy. The 28 animals in the second group received LED light irradiation at 640nm with 300mW power, 46.8J/cm2 energy density, 60s irradiation time, and 0.385cm2 spot size. The animals were irradiated at four points (46.8J/cm2 per point) evenly distributed around the insertion site of the umbilical stump every 24h for three consecutive days. Irradiation with LED light was applied before the umbilical stumps were immersed in the iodine solution. The time after birth at which the umbilical stump fell off of each calf was noted. The umbilical stumps of all animals fell off by the 25th day of age. After the umbilical stump fell off, the healing of the remnant wound was followed up to the 30th day after birth. The area of the wound was measured on the 15th, 20th, and 25th day after birth using digital photographs and computer-assisted area measurements. A two-tailed unpaired t test was applied to analyze the falling off the umbilical stump, whereas a Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA test with a Dunn's multiple comparison test was used for the wound size evolution. GraphPad Prisma 5.0® and GraphPad StatMate 2.00® were used for the statistical analysis. The results revealed that phototherapy hastened the falling off the umbilical stump, accelerated navel healing, and reduced the mortality rate in newborn calves. Therefore, this study introduced a preventive and adjuvant after birth treatment that proved to be effective in reducing the incidences of omphalitis and newborn mortality.