This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 6535, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction (if any), and the Conference Committee listing.

A non-invasive optical method based on resonance Raman spectroscopy was used for the in vivo detection of the concentration of the carotenoid antioxidant substance lycopene in the human skin. The physiological variation of the level of lycopene in the skin during a 6 month period was measured daily in 7 volunteers. It was shown that all volunteers had a different individual level of lycopene in the skin, depending on the lifestyle of volunteers. It was shown that the supplementation of the foodstuffs containing lycopene, such as tomato products and some fruits, increases the level of lycopene in the skin. The increase in the lycopene level can be usually observed on the next day after the supplementation. The present results demonstrate that a diet rich in products containing a high amount of carotenoids, such as lycopene, can be an efficient strategy to increase the carotenoid level of the skin.

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a novel easy to use, tissue viability imaging system (TiVi). The system is based on the methods of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and polarization spectroscopy. The technique has been developed as an alternative to current imaging technology in the area of microcirculation imaging, most notably optical coherence tomography (OCT) and laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI). The system is based on standard digital camera technology, and is sensitive to red blood cells (RBCs) in the microcirculation. Lack of clinical acceptance of both OCT and LDPI fuels the need for an objective, simple, reproducible and portable imaging method that can provide accurate measurements related to stimulus vasoactivity in the microvasculature. The limitations of these technologies are discussed in this paper. Uses of the Tissue Viability system include skin care products, drug development, and assessment spatial and temporal aspects of vasodilation (erythema) and vasoconstriction (blanching).

Endothelial cells that comprise vessels and line the heart are known to respond to mechanical forces imparted by fluid flow. It is also known that blood flow is required for vascular remodeling and that abnormal heart contractions lead to the failure of the vasculature to remodel properly. Although there is considerable evidence to indicate that flow is necessary, little is known about how mechanical signals are transduced in endothelial cells in the embryo. This project is focused on understanding the role mechanical forces play in the development of the cardiovascular system using recently generated FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) reporter that can detect real-time Src-kinase activity in cells using fluorescence microscopy. Src kinase regulates integrin-cytoskeleton interactions that are essential for mechanotransduction, and its activity is upregulated in cultured endothelial cells exposed to flow. Experiments reported here were focused on testing potential feasibility of the proposed technique to sense Src changes in vivo. Successful implementation of this project will reveal previously unknown signaling events involved in the mechanism of vascular remodeling and their relation to the blood flow, thus providing a unique tool for in vivo sub-cellular imaging of mechanotransduction in the vasculature and other organs.

Detailed investigation of ultrashort pulse propagation in biotissue-like media is of high interest currently due to development of biomedical diagnostics tools based on IR femtosecond radiation, such as optical coherence tomography or multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. Applying these techniques for subsurface imaging at depths exceeding 1 mm is significantly restricted by dispersion of probing pulse due to scattering in biotissue and, consequently, by loss of axial resolution and decrease of peak power. In present work we report on a study of femtosecond pulse modification at propagation in biotissue-like media with highly anisotropic scattering (g = 0.9). We have proposed original analytical approach for calculating the pulse structure based on expanding the light field in Neumann series over scattering orders with account of multiple scattering. Small-angle approximation of radiative transfer equation accounting for photon multiple passage effect was employed for calculation of contributions of least scattering orders. The proposed model was applied for study of ultrashort pulse propagation through a plain layer of biotissue-like media. Optical thickness of the sample and scattering anisotropy factor were varied in the range of values typical for biotissues and biotissue-like phantoms. The influence of phase function shape on structure of scattered pulse was investigated. The analysis of the contributions of different scattering orders into pulse profile was performed for various scattering parameters of the medium. Results of analytical study are in good agreement with those obtained by Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed theoretical method reveals new approach for solving the inverse problem in biomedical diagnostics.

In this paper we estimate isoplanatic patch size of human eye using experimental results of human eye aberrations measurements. For examined subjects it was found to be in the range 1.1° to 2.5°. The size of isoplanatic patch for Gulistrand-Navarro model was calculated, it was found to be close to values obtained experimentally. We also measured contribution of corneal surface and internal optics into total aberrations of the eye. We modified Gullstrand-Navarro eye model to reproduce on-axis and off-axis performance of the eyes of each measured subject. The distribution of aberrations between optical elements of the eye was taken into account when modeling. We also investigated isoplanatic patch size widening methods such as average phase correction using 2 beacons and immersion method based on compensation of external corneal surface refraction with immersion liquid. Immersion method was found to be the most appropriate for isoplanatic patch widening as it allows us to increase isoplanatic patch size almost twice without loss of image quality at the center of the image.

A calculation scheme and an algorithm to simultaneously diagnose several structural and biophysical parameters of skin by reflected light are constructed in the paper. The procedure is based the fact that, after absorption and scattering, light reflected by tissue contains information on its optically active chromophores and structure. The problem on isolating the desired parameters is a spectroscopic one under multiple scattering conditions. The latter considerably complicates the solution of the problem and requires the elaboration of an approach that is specific to the object studied. The procedure presented in the paper is based on spectral tissue model properties proposed earlier and engineering methods for solving the radiative transfer equation. The desired parameters are melanin and blood volume fractions, f and c, epidermis thickness d, mean diameter D of capillaries, and blood oxygenation degree S. Spectral diffuse reflectance R(λ) of skin over the range of 400 to 850 nm was calculated as a first stage. Then the sensitivity of R(λ) to the above parameters was studied to optimize the algorithm by wavelengths and to propose an experimental scheme for diagnostics. It is shown that blood volume fraction and f*d product can be rather surely determined by the reflected green -- red light. One can find f and d separately as well as D by the blue reflectance. The last stage is the derivation of S at about 600 nm.

An experimental setup for multicolor frequency-domain optical diffuse tomography was designed to visualize soft biological tissue inhomogeneities at the distance of up to 6 cm. Scanning is performed by independent electronically controlled shift of source and detector placed in transmission mode. Employing illumination at three wavelengths (684, 794, and 1060 nm) which correspond to predominating absorption of oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin and water provides determination of component composition of an inhomogeneity. Source power modulation at 140 MHz increases spatial resolution (compared to CW imaging) and improves quality of reconstruction procedure. Studies on model media and preliminary in vivo experiments were performed.

Strong light scattering and absorption limit visualization of the internal structure of biological tissue. Only special tools for turbid media imaging, such as optical diffuse tomography, enable noninvasive investigation of the internal biological tissues, including visualization and intravital monitoring of deep tumors. In this work the preliminary results of fluorescence diffuse tomography (FDT) of small animals are presented. Using of exogenous fluorophores, targeted specifically at tumor cells, and fluorescent proteins expressed endogenously can significantly increase the contrast of obtained images. Fluorescent compounds of different nature, such as sulphonated aluminium phthalocyanine (Photosens), red fluorescing proteins and CdTe/CdSe-core/shell nanocrystals (quantum dots) were applied. The animal was scanned in the transilluminative configuration by low-frequency modulated light (1 kHz) from Nd:YAG laser with second harmonic generation at the wavelength of 532 nm or semiconductor laser at the wavelength of 655 nm. Photosens was injected intravenously into linear mice with metastazing Lewis lung carcinoma in dose 4 mg/kg. Quantum dots (5x10^-11 M) or protein DsRed2 (1-5x10^-6 M) in glass capsules (inner diameter 2-3 mm) were placed inside the esophagus of 7-day-old hairless rats (18-20 g) to simulate marked tumors. Cells of HEK-293 Phoenix line, transitory transfected with Turbo-RFP protein gene, were injected hypodermically to immunodeficient mice. This work demonstrates potential capabilities of FDT method for detection and monitoring of deep fluorescent-labeled tumors in animal models. Strong advantages of fluorescent proteins and quantum dots over the traditional photosensitizer for FDT imaging are shown.

One of the goals of the contemporary dentistry is differentiation between carious stages that must be fast, non-invasive procedure, which will allow to the dentists to make reliable judgments. One suitable candidate for such method is reflectance spectroscopy. The objectives of current study are to determine the feasibility of applying the light reflectance spectroscopy technique for detection of different carious stages; therefore reflectance spectra of teeth illuminated at 450- 900 nm light were recorded. There are obtained reflectance signals from the healthy enamel, dentine and different lesion stages of the investigated teeth. These spectra are compared to that, obtained by non-carious tooth lesions - fluorosa and odontolithiasis, resembling on initial carious stages. There is observed a significant decrease of the intensity of the reflected light in blue region in the case of caries. Reflectance signals, obtained from non-carious lesions also have significantly different character and could be used for differentiation between them and initial carious stages. An algorithm for differentiation between carious stages is proposed with diagnostic accuracy achieved up to 86,1% between precarious stage and sound tooth and 100% for determination of deep cavitation. Some comments about role of teeth enamel structure and anisotropy factor of dental layers on the results obtained are also made.

A non-invasive glucose monitoring technique would make evaluation of blood glucose values easier and more convenient. This would help diabetic patients to control their blood glucose values more regularly. A few years ago optical coherence tomography (OCT) was proposed as a non-invasive sensor for monitoring changes in blood glucose concentration. The method is based on monitoring glucose-induced changes in the scattering properties of the target. This article describes how OCT was used to monitor changes in the scattering properties of mouse skin during an in vivo glucose tolerance test. The results show that OCT has the potential to register glucose-induced changes in the optical properties of the sample. However, a commercial OCT device with a probe designed for imaging is not very suitable for non-invasive monitoring of glucose-induced changes in scattering. The problems confronted in this study, possibly originating from the small size of the animals, are discussed in the article.

In this paper we summarize the experience gained at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS), Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy and associated companies Imalux Corporation (USA) and BioMedTech (Russia) in the development and clinical adoption of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging modality. The Nizhny Novgorod team holds priority in developing and creating a portable fiber optic OCT device with removable miniprobes compatible with standard endoscopes. As a result, an endoscopic variant of the OCT technology was used for the first time and multidisciplinary clinical trials were started. The endoscopic OCT was tested on over 4000 patients in Russian and foreign clinics. Indications for clinical use, limitations and ways for improvement of the OCT technology are discussed.

Comparative analysis for dispersion of photon density waves has been carried out in various approximations: diffusion equation, P₁ - approximation of transfer equation, L.T. Perelman's approximation, and P₃ -P₇ - approximations of radiation transfer. For the last case we discovered a frequency range where at calculation of damping of photon density waves it is necessary to consider the width of the scattering indicatrix besides transport scattering coefficient. Obtained results allow us to make clear forming of the ballistic component and define its velocity of propagation and damping.

Seeing through a turbid medium such as fog, mist or clouds is a fascinating idea that would find applications in a large range of fields from research to industry. The main difficulty of this challenging task is related to the complexity of multiple scattering of optical radiation propagated through an ensemble of scattering particles and/or droplets randomly distributed in a medium. To deal with this challenging problem we develop a new Monte Carlo based computational technique able to simulate image transfer through the complex inhomogeneous turbid media. The model is able to identify the contribution of the scattering orders in the detected images for a particular medium. With the presented approach the simulation of laser beam propagation and image transfer of an object hidden within a turbid scattering medium has been performed. The results of simulation demonstrate a good agreement with the experimental results. The validation of the technique has been done by using several modeling samples of water polystyrene spheres solutions.

We propose a new method for BOLD signal calculation that is more meaningful for comparison with NIRS data. We provide evidence that BOLD signal can be highly localized within the region of activation not only in terms of the amplitude of activation but also for the nuances of the temporal trend. Therefore, in order to take into account of the spatial dependence of BOLD signal we propose to introduce a weighting function given by a photon hitting density function calculated for a given optical source-detector pair. In one case study, after we define this new method of BOLD calculation and extract a BOLD trend for each optical source-detector pairs we show that there is an high correlation between this BOLD signal and the changes of oxy and deoxy hemoglobin calculated at the same source-detector pair; however the correlation becomes poorer when the newly defined BOLD signal is compared with the changes of oxy and deoxy hemoglobin occurring in different channels. This results is consistent with the fact that for this experiment (which used a 3T MRI machine) the BOLD and NIRS signals were sensitive to changes occurring in the same locations and in similar vascular compartments.

A study is carried out to understand better the effect of apertures towards spatial and angular/directional dynamics of light scattered from a scattering medium at different planes of observations. Several types of aperture such as circular, semi-circular and annular aperture are considered. The investigation is done within the context of a reflectance mode confocal microscope based on a 4-f optical system. A Monte Carlo simulation method to describe the focusing and propagation of light in a turbid medium is adopted. A mechanism based on direction cosines is applied to simulate photon propagation through different planes within the microscope system. The spatial distribution and spatial frequency distribution (directional cosine) profile coupled with scattering statistics from such photonic simulations are observed and discussed.

A challenge is accepted to identify depth resolved optical birefringence of turbid media, particularly human skin using polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography under external environmental perturbations, e.g. under application conditions in clinics and hospitals. A novel concept is advanced and respective design is elaborated for a system which comprises a source of low-coherence light, a tandem of a readout interferometer and a sensing interferometer with reference and sample arms, and a handheld probe integrated into the sensing interferometer through polarization-maintaining fibers. The system provides fast electro-optic switching over orthogonal polarization components of a measurand light beam at the same output from the sensing interferometer. At said output either of the aforementioned components remains perpendicular to the polarization plane of light in the reference arm. For either of the components the readout interferometer compensates optical path length differences in the sensing interferometer within a given interval of depth in the sample, and evolves spatial fringes which are read out by optoelectronic means without any mechanical scanning in depth. The fringes are devoid of cross-correlation artifacts inasmuch as the readout interferometer recombines coherently the measurand beam and the reference beam having mutually orthogonal polarizations only.

The determination of the optical parameters is of importance to the analysis of turbid media. In combination with mathematical modelling, these data are a starting point for optical diagnosis methods in medicine, for quality assurance in the food industry as well as in environmental monitoring. Turbidimetry, 90°-light scattering measurement and light scattering goniophotometry have, meanwhile, become well-established methods. Usually, goniophotometry methods are used for determination of the scattering phase function in media with low concentrations of the suspended particles. By means of our experimental arrangement we show that the optical parameters of media with high concentrations of the suspended particles can be measured using the goniophotometer, too. The mathematical analysis of our data is based on a data base which was generated by means of extensive Monte Carlo simulations. An adapted least square method allows an on-line analysis. For demonstration of the effectiveness of the arrangement, homogenized whole milk and milk diluted with water in several concentrations was analysed. Optical parameters of milk were calculated and compared with the literature data.

Polarization properties of any optical system are completely described by a sixteen-element (4 x 4) matrix called Mueller matrix, which transform the Stokes vector describing the polarization properties of incident light to the stokes vector of scattered light. Measurement of all the elements of the matrix requires a minimum of sixteen measurements involving both linear and circularly polarized light. However, for many diagnostic applications, it would be useful if all the polarization parameters of the medium (depolarization (Δ), differential attenuation of two orthogonal polarizations, that is, diattenuation (d), and differential phase retardance of two orthogonal polarizations, i.e., retardance (δ )) can be quantified with linear polarization measurements alone. In this paper we show that for a turbid medium, like biological tissue, where the depolarization of linearly polarized light arises primarily due to the randomization of the field vector's direction by multiple scattering, the polarization parameters of the medium can be obtained from the nine Mueller matrix elements involving linear polarization measurements only. Use of the approach for measurement of polarization parameters (Δ, d and δ) of normal and malignant (squamous cell carcinoma) tissues resected from human oral cavity are presented.

Integration of photoacoustic and photothermal techniques with high-speed, high-resolution transmission and fluorescence microscopy shows great potential for in vivo flow cytometry and indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared (IR) angiography of blood and lymph microvessels. In particular, the capabilities of in vivo flow cytometry using rat mesentery and nude mouse ear models are demonstrated for real-time quantitative detection of circulating and migrating individual blood and cancer cells in skin, mesentery, lymph nodes, liver, kidney; studying vascular dynamics with a focus on lymphatics; monitoring cell traffic between blood and lymph systems; high-speed imaging of cell deformability in flow; and label-free real-time monitoring of single cell extravasation from blood vessel lumen into tissue. As presented, the advantages of ICG IR-angiography include estimation of time resolved dye dynamics (appearance and clearance) in blood and lymph microvessels using fluorescent and photoacoustic modules of the integrated technique. These new approaches are important for monitoring and quantifying metastatic and apoptotic cells; comparative measurements of plasma and cell velocities; analysis of immune responses; monitoring of circulating macromolecules, chylomicrons, bacteria, viruses and nanoparticles; molecular imaging. In the future, we believe that the integrated technique presented will have great potential for translation to early disease diagnoses (e.g. cancer) or assessment of innovative therapeutic interventions in humans.

I discuss a non-diffusion linear model relating changes in the optical properties of tissues to the changes in the observed signals. It expresses measurements in terms of the moments of statistical distributions characterizing light scattering. The inverse form of the model can be used for quantitative imaging in situations when the diffusion approximation is invalid, such as imaging of low-scattering tissues and small animal imaging.

Deep inspiration leads to sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction at the fingertip. This so-called inspiratory gasp response (IGR) is usually assessed by laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) and provides interesting information on the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. In this study we investigated if simple maneuvers which affect microcirculation have an effect on the IGR. For this we detected IGR with LDF in rest, after elevation of the arm to lower capillary filling, after venous congestion to increase capillary filling, and after heating up in warm water to induce vasodilation. Capillary filling was monitored with the Erlangen Microlightguide Spectrophotometer (EMPHO) by determination of the relative hemoglobin concentration. We found that IGR was not affected by microcirculatory starting conditions. Therefore, we conclude that diagnostic results of the IGR are not influenced by different capillary filling levels.

This investigation studies the influence of cations on photosensitizer uptake by Enterococcus faecalis (gram positive) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (gram negative). Methods- The uptake of Methylene blue (MB) and Indocyanine Green (ICG), by bacteria were studied under the influence of divalent cations (CaCl₂ & MgCl₂) and EDTA. Further, E. faecalis cells subjected to trypsinisation and calcium channel blocker (verapamil) were also analysed for MB and ICG uptake inorder to understand the mechanism of photosensitizer uptake. Results- Uptake of ICG was enhanced in the presence of divalent cations in E. faecalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Treating cells with EDTA had no significant effect on the photosensitizer uptake, although the highest concentration tested showed an enhancement of uptake. In contrast to ICG, MB showed a decreased uptake by bacterial cells on subjecting them to divalent cations and EDTA. Calcium channel blocker had no significant inhibitory effect on photosensitizers uptake. However, trypsin treatment resulted in significant reduction of ICG uptake. The result suggested that ICG uptake by bacteria is mediated through specific transporter protein while MB is associated with the outer surface structures of bacterial cells.

A computer model of the dynamics of temperature field in multilayer biological structure, containing a blood vessel, as a result of the action of pulse laser radiation was worked out. The calculations were done with regard to the diffraction of radiation and the heat exchange at the vessel boundary with the surroundings. The possibility of use of pulse modulated laser radiation for the increase of the homogeneity of vessel walls coagulation and the decrease of the risk of tissue injury, determined by phase transition, was considered.

Optical clearing technique of tissue most goes to qualitative analysis, it is more important to get the quantitative optical properties of tissue. A self-developed local measuring system had been used to monitor the dynamics of optical properties of rat skin under 30mins treatment with 40% glucose, and then 30 min recovery with saline. The thickness of native, and the end of two different administration stages were measured. The results show that, in 30 minutes' treatment of 40% glucose, tissue optical properties decreased. This change was very big in the first minute and reached a plateau after 25 minutes. The absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient and the sample thickness reduced to 88.6%, 71%, 85% of the original value, respectively. It may be that the glucose solution induced a dehydration process of skin. After the saline treatment, the three parameters of the tissue recovered to 96%, 94%, 90% of the original value, respectively. This result proved that the 40% glucose administration stage on the tissue properties is reversible.

The light scattering properties of the corneal stroma outside of the central region do not appear to have been studied in the literature. This is curious given variations in ultrastructure which are known to occur as a function of position in the central and peripheral cornea. Human and bovine corneas with limiting cell layers removed were equilibriated by dialysis close to physiological hydration. Spectral transmittance was then measured in the 400-700nm wavelength range. Readings were taken at 1mm intervals radiating out from the corneal centre, in one meridional plane. Results show transmittance gradually decreasing within the central 4mm portion of the cornea, which were modelled by the known tissue thickness increase. Outside this region an extra contributory term to extinction is observed; we briefly investigate possible ultrastructural contributors to this.

We use a focused ultrasound beam to load a region of interest (ROI) in a tissue-mimicking phantom and read out the vibration amplitude of phantom particles from the modulation depth in the intensity autocorrelation of a coherent light beam that intercepted the ROI. The modulation depth, which is also affected by the local light absorption coefficient, which is employed in ultrasound assisted optical tomography, to read out absorption coefficient is greatly influenced by the vibration amplitude, depends to a great extend on local elasticity. We scan a plane in an elastography phantom with an inhomogeneous inclusion, in elasticity with the focused ultrasound and from the measured modulation depth variation create a qualitative map of the elasticity variation in the interrogated plane.

Precision farming in arable agriculture and horticulture allows conservative use of resources that are applied according to plant needs. The growing concern for sustainability in crop production has accentuated the significance of our work to develop a rapid, sensitive and non-destructive spectroscopic method for real-time monitoring of plant water stress. Elucidation of crop water status before the onset of irreversible cellular damage is critical for effective water management to ensure maximum crop yield and profit margin. A two-component bio-sensing system comprising transgenic 'Indicator Plants' and a spectrometer-linked stereoscopic microscope was developed to detect early signs of water stress before the permanent wilting point is reached. The 'Indicator Plants' are transgenic Petunia hybrida genetically engineered with a drought-responsive promoter-linked enhanced green fluorescent protein marker gene (EGFP). No EGFP fluorescence was detected prior to induction of dehydration stress. Fluorescence emission intensity increased with dehydration period and was found mainly in the stems, leaf veins and leaf tips. While fluorescence emission above endogenous background was detectable after 2 hours of water stress treatment, the plants reached permanent wilting point after 6 hours, showing that our system was able to detect water stress prior to plant entry into the stage of irreversible damage. Future work will be geared towards overcoming biological and instrument-related difficulties encountered in our initial detection system.

This article represents an initial step in the development of a research methodology that will be applied later to study open source innovation practices in company projects where the released technology or asset is other than software code. A brief review of four possible analytical approaches is presented based on the research literature on open innovation, horizontal user innovation networks, business ecosystems and value creation and appropriation. The OpenAccess project of the Silicon Integration Initiative (Si2) is considered as a potential case study of non-software open source project.

Polarized light imaging has been used in the past for skin-cancer edge detection from skin lesions. In the standard imaging modality, the source, detector, and sample are usually aligned in the same plane, and the effect of the air-skin boundary is minimized using a glass slide with an index matching fluid. In this study, we investigate polarized light imaging of skin surfaces using a novel instrument that enables out-of-plane illumination. Stokes vector images are acquired for any one of sixteen different illumination directions and used to study the effect of skin roughness as well as surface and subsurface scattering. We show that the effect of skin roughness can be minimized or enhanced, depending upon the incident direction and polarization. In the former case, the need for a glass slide with an index matching fluid can be reduced. In the latter, surface topography can be more clearly discerned.

We investigated the relationship between transmitted intensity in the 4000-5000cm^-1(2.5-2νm) region of the near infrared spectrum along with the hydration state of the corneal stroma. During the process of oedema, as the hydration level of the cornea is increased, the tissue thickness increases in a linear fashion. The infrared transmittivity of the cornea is known to be very similar to that of an equivalent path length of water, therefore there should exist a correlation between transmitted intensity and hydration state of the cornea. We investigated this relation theoretically using a simple model and experimentally using FTIR and a simple swelling experiment on full thicknes (800νm) bovine cornea, with physiological hydration as a start point. It is found that the relationship between intensity and hydration is linear; we compare this with our theoretical observations.

We report three-dimensional trapping of charge stabilized colloidal particles near a charged surface (glass boundary), using a low numerical aperture objective. The trapping arises due to balancing action between optical forces and electrostatic repulsions. The observation of 3-d colloidal clusters and a linear array of colloidal microspheres along the trap beam and the possible reasons thereof are also discussed.

In ultrasound assisted optical elastography (UAOE) the amplitude of vibration inside the object introduced by an ultrasound (US) beam is read out by a coherent light beam. The measurement is the depth of modulation in the intensity autocorrelation of light that intercepted the insonified region and detected at the boundary. It is observed that the measured depth of modulation is owing to refractive index modulation and scattering coefficient modulation, in addition to the tissue-particle vibration. Since elasticity is measured from the amplitude of vibration it is essential to characterize and separate the contribution to the modulation from refractive index and scattering coefficient modulations. In this work we report the contribution of the scattering coefficient modulation in the insonified region to the measured modulation in the autocorrelation. We found through simulation studies that the contribution from scattering coefficient is small compared to the vibration. In addition, this contribution becomes smaller as the stiffness in the region increases. We also provide a means of quantifying this contribution so that the effect of vibration amplitude can be separated from the overall measured modulation depth.

In this paper, we present a wavelet-based approach to solve the reconstruction problem encountered in diffuse optical tomography (DOT). The DOT reconstruction problem using model based iterative image reconstruction (MoBIIR) procedure involves repeated implementation of the three steps: (i) solution to the diffusion equation (DE) to generate the simulated data from the current optical properties, (ii) estimation of the Jacobian for the current optical property values and (iii) inversion of the perturbation equation leading to the update vectors for the optical properties. Consequently, there are three approaches to a wavelet based solution to the DOT problem: (i) waveletization of the perturbation equation, (ii) application of wavelets for computation of the Jacobian for use in the perturbation equation and (iii) the solution to the DE in the wavelet domain. While the first of these approaches has been addressed earlier, the other two have not been attempted to the best of our knowledge. In this work, we have attempted the second approach, i.e., waveletization of the perturbation equation for each measurement, which requires computing the Jacobian in the wavelet domain. Our results show that this method outperforms the earlier method. With each measurement appropriately represented in wavelet domain, the localization and de-noising property of wavelets are exploited. Our simulation results show that the mean-square-error at convergence is not affected by the increase in noise in data (up to 4% additive Gaussian noise). In addition, the usual V-cycle strategy of wavelets is attempted.

A high-resolution optical imaging system was designed and developed to obtain the serial transverse section images of the biologic tissue, such as the mouse brain, in which new knife-edge imaging technology, high-speed and high-sensitive line-scan CCD and linear air bearing stages were adopted and incorporated with an OLYMPUS microscope. The section images on the tip of the knife-edge were synchronously captured by the reflection imaging in the microscope while cutting the biologic tissue. The biologic tissue can be sectioned at interval of 250 nm with the same resolution of the transverse section images obtained in x and y plane. And the cutting job can be automatically finished based on the control program wrote specially in advance, so we save the mass labor of the registration of the vast images data. In addition, by using this system a larger sample can be cut than conventional ultramicrotome so as to avoid the loss of the tissue structure information because of splitting the tissue sample to meet the size request of the ultramicrotome.

Benzisothiazdone, a kind of safe and effective ketone containing heterocycle, was introduced as an enhancer to investigate the effect on optical clearing of the piglet skin with and without stratum corneum in vitro. The skin samples were treated with different agents, such as, pure polyethyleneglycol 400, mixed solution (benzisothiazdone combining with polyethyleneglycol 400) and isotonic saline. The total transmittance of samples was monitored by a single integrating sphere system. The results show that the saline does not affect the rate of optical clearing obviously. For the sample with stratum corneum, single optical clearing agent such as PEG400 penetrates slowly because of the barrier function of SC. The stratum corneum makes the effect of optical clearing on the sample inconspicuous. In contrast, the mixed solution can damage the barrier function of SC to some extent. For the sample without stratum corneum, an obvious increase in the rate of optical clearing is in the single PEG400 administration stage, this effect will be more remarkable if the Benzisothiazdone was used as an enhancer. We can conclude that SC can prevent skin from effecting of single OCA, but the barrier will become weaker if right immersion agent is adopted as the enhancer.

We intended to characterize and compare the dependence between the concentration of two optical clearing agents and the effects created by them in muscle from rat. Using Ethylene glycol and Glycerol in three distinct concentrations, we expected to measure time evolution of the optical transmittance and variations created in tissue samples regarding mass, pH, thickness and histological parameters. Measuring natural state properties of tissue, we establish reference parameters to quantify variations in samples due to osmotic immersion treatment. Such variations were correlated with the optical clearing effect created in tissue and identified with time evolution of sample transmission. We observed for all the samples and agents studied that tissue transmission rises in time during the treatment with the osmotic solutions. Also, tissue thickness and refractive index show an increase, while the sample's pH lowers due to water loss inside tissue samples. Muscle fibres become more spatially separated after treatment due to osmotic impregnation inside the interstitial space. The variations described are stronger as the solution's concentration becomes higher. By comparing between results obtained with solutions of Ethylene glycol and Glycerol in the same concentration, we could verify similar effects but stronger when the Glycerol solution was applied.

It is shown that exposure of the human skin by a laser radiation increases the degree of its oxygenation and that an increase in the skin temperature enhances this effect. The results obtained were coordinated with the data of earlier theoretical investigations on the mechanism of oxygenation of tissues in the process of laser-induced dissociation of oxyhemoglobin. The data obtained by independed methods for measuring SaO₂ were in good qualitative and quantitative agreement.

The optical properties of human stomach wall mucosa were measured in the wavelength range 400-2000 nm. The measurements were carried out using the commercially available spectrophotometer CARY-2415 with an integrating sphere. The combined method includes inverse adding-doubling method and inverse Monte Carlo method was used to determine the absorption and scattering coefficients and anisotropy factor from the measurements.

Result of Monte Carlo simulations of skin optical clearing is presented. The model calculations were carried out with the aim of studying of spectral response of skin under immersion liquids action and calculation of enhancement of light penetration depth. In summary, we have shown that: 1) application of glucose, propylene glycol and glycerol produced significant decreasing of light scattering in different skin layers; 2) maximal clearing effect will be obtained in case of optical clearing of skin dermis, however, absorbed light fraction in skin dermis changed insignificantly, independently from clearing agent and place it administration; 4) in contrast to it, the light absorbed fraction in skin adipose layer increased significantly in case of optical clearing of skin dermis. It is very important because it can be used for development of optical methods of obesity treatment.

We present experimental results of investigation of the optical properties of the human eye sclera controlled by administration of osmotically active chemical, such as 40%-glucose solution. Administration of the chemical agent induces diffusion of matter and as a result equalization of the refractive indices of collagen and ground material. Results of the experimental study of influence of the glucose solution on the absorption and scattering properties of human sclera are presented. In vitro reflectance and transmittance spectra of the human sclera samples were measured by commercially available spectrophotometer CARY-2415 in the spectral range from 400 to 1800 nm. The reduced scattering coefficient of human sclera samples is significantly decreased under action of the osmotical solution were demonstrated.

Phase contrast and interference microscopes are widely used for microbiological and biomedical research. However most of them can't give high precision quantitative estimation of cell volume and morphology due to modest resolution. We propose scheme based on a modified laser Linnik microinterferometer providing high both phase and spatial resolutions. Red blood cell volume is calculated using integration of phase height distribution; limits of integration are determined by Canny edge detection procedure. Experimental volume estimation fits well to volume data obtained with other methods.

In this paper the problem of signal propagation in nerve fiber is considered. Ohm losses and heat processes were taken into account. These permit to combine the two stages (metabolic and non-metabolic) of propagation and Na⁺ and K⁺ ions transmission through cell membrane due propagation. Electrodynamics of nerve fiber with losses is described by telegraph equations. Heat processes in fiber are described by an equation of entropy transfer. Ion motion at metabolic stage against the electro-chemical potential is described by negative conductance, responsible for the escape flow. The running- wave-type solutions of these equations are studied. An integral and an explicit solution of the given system are obtained. The solution represented by a series of quasi-harmonic pulses is investigated numerically. This proves the applicability of telegraph equation to the problem considered. Different types of solitary waves corresponding to various types of conductivity are also investigated.

In this article we examine how (i) company type and (ii) the competitive intelligence information used by small technology-based companies affect their innovation performance. The focus is on the specific information types used and not on the information sources. Information topics are classified in four groups - customers (10), company (9), competitor (11) and industry (12). The sample consists of 45 small new technology-based companies, specialized suppliers, and service companies from a variety of sectors - software, photonics, telecommunications, biomedical engineering and biotech, traditional manufacturing etc. The results suggest that the total number of intelligence information topics companies use to make decisions about innovation is not associated with the number of their new products, processes, services and patents. Therefore the companies in our sample do not seem to have the resources, processes or value systems required to use different competitive intelligence information when making decisions on innovation or may rely more on their own internal logic than on external information. Companies are classified using a Pavitt-like taxonomy. Service companies are considered as a separate company type. This allows for explicitly studying both, the innovative role of new services in product driven companies, and the role of new product development in service companies.

One of the most complex problems of emergency surgery is the choice of surgical tactics to deal with bleeding peptic ulcer. Endoscopic hemostasis is prescribed to patients with continuing bleedings and prerelapse syndrome. But till nowdays the objective verification of the prerelapse condition had not been worked out. What is more there are no objective criteria to judge the effectiveness of the carried endohemostasis. The aim of the study was to work out a new objective diagnostic method of pre-recurrence syndrome that can be able to make prognosis for possible gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding recurrence more precise. Laser Doppler flowmetry was the method of studies the regional perfusion. The device used in this work was made at the Optics and Biophysics Department of Saratov State University.

In this paper we show a new class of photonic crystal fiber with hollow core, with various modification of a space lattice. We display effect of amount of layers and their locating on control of photonic band gaps in a visible band of wavelengths. We shown influence change of refractive index of a core at filling hollow cores to various fluids on width and a locating of photonic band gap. Such fibers unclose new opportunities for application in the capacity of biological and chemical sensor.

LASCA has been combined with cross-correlation technique; as a result, quality of LASCA images has been rather enhanced. Cerebral blood microcirculation has been investigated using modified LASCA technique. Blood microvessels, lying on the deep layers of brain, have been studied. Changes of blood microcirculation in brain, caused by toxic influence of prototypes of new vaccines against extremely dangerous infections, have been analyzed.

In this study, the refractive index of glucose-hemoglobin solutions at different glucose concentrations was measured. Measurements were performed using Abbe refractometer at 589 nm and OCT system at 1300 nm. The different amount of glucose was added to hemoglobin solution. Theoretical values of refractive index of the glucose-hemoglobin solutions were calculated in assumption that hemoglobin and glucose molecules do not interact. The difference between the measured and calculated values of refractive index can be connected with glucose binding to hemoglobin. It is shown that the refractive index measurements can be applied to the evaluation of glycated hemoglobin amount.

In order to investigate the formalin influence over fluorescence properties of hard and soft biological tissues during conservation, emission spectra have been registered. Nitrogen laser at 337 nm and light-emitting diode with maximum at 405 nm have been used as excitation sources. For investigation of formalin influence over hard tissues, an experiment was made on teeth samples. Sound teeth were demineralized with a phosphoric acid for 10 seconds to obtain enamel structure near to the tooth lesion, and were fixed in formalin. Before and after teeth treatment spectra from the areas of interest were detected. There were not observed changes in the shape of the teeth spectra, related to the introduction of formalin fluorescence. Samples from mucosa of esophagus and stomach, where initially an ALA/Protoporphyrin IX diagnosis was applied, were used as soft tissue specimens. After fluorescent diagnosis in vivo biopsy samples were obtained from normal and cancerous areas and were conserved in formalin. Initially, spectrum observed has one autofluorescence maximum from the mucous tissue at 500-600 nm and secondary maxima from the protoporphyrin fluorescence at 635 nm and 720 nm, as well as pronounced minima at 540 and 575 nm related to hemoglobin absorption. After formalin conservation hemoglobin absorption was strongly reduced that increases mucous emission signal in green-yellow spectral region. Simultaneously the maxima at 635 nm and 720 nm were reduced. As conclusion we could say that formalin has negligible influence over fluorescence spectra of conserved hard tissues and has more pronounced influence over fluorescence spectra obtained in the case of soft tissue conservation, which has to be taking into account in measurements in vitro.

This paper focuses on the simulation of propagation of radiation in UV and visible wavelength regions within a superficial skin layer (stratum corneum, SC) partially filled with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. Volume concentrations of the particles (0.67% - 2.25%) correspond to the maximal concentrations of the considered particles in the frames of independent scattering. Transmittance of 307-, 400-, and 500-nm light through a 20-μm thick SC is calculated. The effect of the TiO₂ nanoparticles on the contribution of photons undergone different numbers of scattering acts into transmittance is considered. It is shown that administration of the nanoparticles results in the broadening of the distribution of transmitted photons over undergone scattering acts. It also results in the shift of the maximum location of this distribution to larger number of scattering acts for the wavelengths of 400 and 500 nm being the latter the most pronounced. The increase of undergone scattering acts leads to the elongation of photon trajectories within the medium and results in the increase of the diffuse reflected light and the transmittance decrease.

The study of thermoinduced changes of optical properties of adipose tissue is very actual problem. We made the optical model of thermo-sensitive heterophase medium (adipose tissue). Here the elementary adipose cell will consist of a cube which basic volume will contain a adipose ball, everything else- water. The adipose ball will contain liquid and crystal phases. Has been created the experimental scheme for research of angular distribution of the light passed through the adipose tissue sample. The same model has been created in program Tracepro - General Raytracing. It is presented the good coordination of calculated and experimental curves for temperatures 5, 26 and 40 °C. We have made a calculated curve of dependence of intensity transmitted through the multyphase medium (adipose tissue) from a ratio of volume of liquid phase to total volume. Experimentally knowing also, that intensity of transmitted light depends on temperature, we have made the dependence of a ratio of volume of a liquid phase to total volume of a cell from temperature. Also we have put the experiment. We have keep the sample of adipose tissue at temperature 20, 30 and 39 °C in drying box. And we have received a ratio of hard and liquid phases in the sample. Thus the dependence of observed in experiment intensity on temperature can be caused by dependence of a ratio of volume of liquid and hard phases in the medium on temperature.

Investigation of skin water loss and clearing agent delivery through stratum corneum is presented. Effectiveness of the method "lattice of islets of damage" for enhancement of stratum corneum permeability for water and 71% glycerol solution providing the skin clearing was investigated. Dehydration induced by both stimuli evaporation and osmotic agent action was studied by weight measurements. Measurements of refractive index dynamics of glycerol and water during its interaction with skin samples were carried out. The results have shown that proposed method allows effective transepidermal water loss and delivery of optical clearing agents.

Absorption properties of Indocyanine Green (ICG) dissolved in both water and 40%-ethanol for potential using in laser selective thermolysis have been researched. Correlation between magnitudes and positions of absorption bands of ICG in dependence on the kind of solvent and concentration of ICG has been studied. Interaction between ICG solutions and rat skin in vitro has been investigated. Shift of the main absorption peaks of ICG solutions in skin has been defined. Such shift is caused by ICG interaction with protein molecules of the stratum corneum and dermis. Diffusion coefficients of ICG in skin have been estimated at diffusion of aqueous solutions through dermis and at diffusion of alcohol solutions through both dermis and epidermis as (7.70±2.51)×10^-7, (18.79±3.35)×10^-7 and (6.85±3.75)×10^-7, respectively.

This study is focused on the determination of the absorption coefficients for calculating the imaginary part of the complex refractive index of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin solutions (1.6g/l) at different concentrations of glucose (from 0 to 1000 mg/dl with a step 100 mg/dl) from a few hours to over two week of incubation. The absorption coefficients were determined using transmittance measurements at the wavelength range from 500 nm to 1000 nm.

Experimental absorption spectrum in THz frequency range of fat, sugar, hemoglobin and water are presented. Characteristic features for some of those substances where found in absorption and refraction spectrum. Changing laser wavelength and nonlinear crystal thickness THz generation and detection was optimized for certain frequency, allowing one to increase spectrometer sensitivity for biological samples.

With the help of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT-II) optic disc parameters in 211 eyes of 115 healthy patients with refraction Em ± 3,0 D and 96 eyes of 72 patients with myopia 3,5-14,0 D without any signs of glaucoma were studied. Analysis of optic disc parameters were carried out in 5 groups of patients according to disc area: less than 1,5 mm², 1,5- 2,5 mm², 2,5-3,0 mm², 3,0-3,5 mm² and more than 3,5 mm². An accurate depending on disc area was revealed for all optic disc parameters in all sectors, which was manifested by increasing cup disc and rim disc (area and volume) and other parameters. We consider it is necessary to use the proper tables for right interpretation of received data for early diagnosis of glaucoma.

Universal algorithm for mathematical simulation of biological objects structure visualization is presented. Monte Carlo algorithm was chosen as a basic simulation method. The mathematical model is implemented in TracePro Expert virtual environment. Developed scheme and mathematical model allow to calculate absorbed and scattered laser radiation spatial distribution in arbitrary structure and configuration of multilayer biological media. The purpose of analytic scheme is to improve optical surface inhomogeneous registration and spatial localization method that will result in noninvasive and contactless in vivo diagnostics of different nature anomalous formations.

The opportunity of identification of a pathology of a cervical tissue on the reference interrelation of contributions of the basic endogenic fluorophors in fluorescence spectrum is researched. The mathematical model and results of calculations of contributions of fluorophors at norm and at some pathologies is submitted. The experimental fluorescence spectrum of a cervical tissue has been decomposed on the fluorophor spectrums calculated beforehand. Contributions of fluorophors are received on method of least squares.

In vivo experiment results and mathematical simulation of plant optical properties are presented. The changes and modification of plant optical parameters are investigated in conditions of external factor action, which results in regenerations of the internal structures of the leaf. It is shown that differential backscattering method may serve as effective method of plant physiological status determination.

In recent years, lasers for optical trapping and micromanipulation of microscopic particles or cells and subcellular structures, both in vivo and in vitro, have gained remarkable interest in biomedical research and applications. On the other hand, a highly focused pulsed laser allows ablation and microdissection of biological material with high spatial resolution. In 1989 the microbeam field and the optical trapping field were merged by the first combination of laser microbeams and optical tweezers. Several laser sources are employed for the combination of a laser scalpel with an optical trapping device, under microscopic control. For example a pulsed laser microbeam that emits in the ultraviolet or the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used to form submicrometer cuts in biological material or to ablate parts specific cells. However, although the principles and the mechanisms of pulsed laser ablation have been well described for macroscopic interventions, the microbeam operation under microscopic guidance necessitates further investigation. In this work, we present the research and development efforts towards a pulsed UV microbeam laser system, the design and realization efforts towards a visible laser trapping system and the first results obtained on yeast cells by the combined system. The nitrogen laser microbeam setup, with special UV mirrors, lenses and a microscope in which ablation and the He-Ne optical tweezers are combined, performs the microsurgery and micromanipulation. This Uv laser based setup provides good spatial resolution for microdissection. The beam quality delivered by the laser is of great importance in microscopy controlled ablating operations and therefore was extensively studied.

The possibility of improving image resolution in comparison with value which determined by <> width was analyzed using photon average trajectories method. The limit of resolution determined by Nyquist's consequence ofthe Kotel'nikov-Shannon theorem and the ratio <> is achieved using image reconstruction methods. According to these facts it was demonstrated that the resolution of the PAT method can be increase only two-three times more.

The photooxygenation of tetracene and 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran was shown to occur in air-saturated carbon tetrachloride upon laser irradiation at 765 nm. The action spectrum of the photoreaction is represented by the narrow band with the halfwidth less than or equal to 20 nm and the maximum at 765 nm. The data indicate that photoreaction is due to direct laser excitation of the ¹Σ_g ⁺(ν=0) <- ³Σ_g ^- (ν=0) transition in oxygen molecules. The molar absorption coefficient corresponding to the spectral maximum of this transition was estimated from the observed photoreaction rates.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) inhibited and irreversibly abolished firing, caused necrosis of neurons, necrosis, apoptosis and proliferation of glial cells in the isolated crayfish stretch receptor. The role in these processes of the central components of Ca²⁺-mediated signaling pathway: phospholipase C, calmodulin, calmodulin-dependent kinase II, and protein kinase C was studied using their inhibitors: ET-18, fluphenazine, KN-93, or staurosporine, respectively. ET-18 reduced functional inactivation of neurons, necrosis and apoptosis of glial cells. Fluphenazine and KN-93 reduced PDT-induced necrosis of neurons and glial cells. Staurosporine enhanced PDT-induced glial apoptosis. PDTinduced gliosis was prevented by KN-93 and staurosporine. Therefore, phospholipase C participated in neuron inactivation and glial necrosis and apoptosis. Calmodulin and calmodulin-dependent kinase II were involved in PDT-induced necrosis of neurons and glial cells but not in glial apoptosis. Protein kinase C protected glia from apoptosis and participated in PDT-induced gliosis and loss of neuronal activity. These data may be used for modulation of PDT of brain tumors.

The role of JNK and p38 MAP kinases in functional inactivation and necrosis of mechanoreceptor neurons as well as necrosis, apoptosis and proliferation of satellite glial cells induced by photodynamic treatment (10^-7 M Photosens, 30 min incubation, 670 nm laser irradiation at 0.4 W/cm²) in the isolated crayfish stretch receptor was studied using specific inhibitors SP600125 and SB202190, respectively. SP600125 enhanced PDT-induced apoptosis of photosensitized glial cells but did not influence PDT-induced changes in neuronal activity, density of glial nuclei around neuron body, and necrosis of receptor neurons and glial cells. SB202190 did not influence neuron activity and survival as well but reduced PDT-induced necrosis but not apoptosis of glial cells. Therefore, both MAP kinases influenced glial cells but not neurons. JNK protected glial cells from PDT-induced apoptosis but did not influence necrosis and proliferation of these cells. In contrast, p38 did not influence apoptosis but contributed into PDT-induced necrosis of glial cells and PDT-induced gliosis. These MAP kinase inhibitors may be used for modulation of photodynamic therapy of brain tumors.

In this work, by means of molecular dynamics we continue our research devoted to study of liquid water structure and transfer properties. The system under study is a "water drop" consisting of 1000 water molecules. By using SPC, TIP3P, TIP4P and TIP5P models for water a temperature dependence of selfdiffusion of liquid water is investigated. By means of radial distribution functions analysis an investigation of liquid water structure is performed for SPC, TIP3P, TIP4P and TIP5P models for water. The results obtained are compared with experiment.

A computer model of the dynamics of temperature field in multilayer biological structure, containing a blood vessel, as a result of the action of pulse laser radiation was worked out. The calculations were done with regard to the diffraction of radiation and the heat exchange at the vessel boundary with the surroundings. The possibility of use of pulse modulated laser radiation for the increase of the homogeneity of vessel walls coagulation and the decrease of the risk of tissue injury, determined by phase transition, was considered.

Blood flow structure was studied by PC integrated video camera with following slide by slide analysis. Volumetric blood flow velocity was supporting on constant level (1 ml/h). Silicone tube of diameter comparable with coronary arteries diameter was used as vessel model. Cell-cell interactions were studied under glucose and anticoagulants influence. Increased adhesiveness of blood cells to tube walls was revealed in patient with coronary heart disease (CHD) compare to practically healthy persons (PHP). In patients with stable angina pectoris of high functional class and patients with AMI shear stress resistant erythrocyte aggregates were predominating in blood flow structure up to microclots formation. Clotting and erythrocytes aggregation increase as response to glucose solution injection, sharply defined in patients with CHD. Heparin injection (10 000 ED) increased linear blood flow velocity both in patients with CHD and PHP. After compare our results with other author's data we can consider that method used in our study is sensible enough to investigate blood flow structure violations in patients with CHD and PHP. Several differences of cell-cell interaction in flow under glucose and anticoagulant influence were found out in patients with CHD and PHP.

Blood plasma pattern formation is a process sensitive to environment and carrier properties, and plasma biochemical content. 96 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were involved in the study. Control group include 12 practically health persons (PHP). Platelets poor plasma and serum were used to study functional morphology. Plasma and serum samples of equal volume were placed on degreased glass carrier with after going wedge dehydration. The result of wedge dehydration is a formation of a special structure called facia. To the samples of compare albumin solution was added. Morphology of prepared facies was studied by means of light microscopy ("Lomo Biolam P2-1") with 10 times magnification. All received facies were of the same principle structure with central, intermediate and edge zones. Zone index was increasing in samples with albumin adding. Special structures obligatory to atherosclerosis, vessels stiffness increase and hypoxia were found in facies of plasma and serum of patients with CHD. Quantity of these structures correlated to protein concentration (p = 0.021). Samples' drying period was also increasing in samples of compare, and differed significantly in patients with CHD and PHP. In our study gross proteins concentration increase modified plasma and serum morphology. Albumin solution can be proposed as a probe to elucidate differences of facies of patients with CHD and PHP.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) now is widespread for treatment of the various skin infections caused by Propionibacterium acnes or Staphylococcii spp. We used PDT for influence on opportunistic microflora of human skin presented by Staphylococcus hominis, S. warnery, S. epidermidis S. aureus 209 P, S. aureus 69. Species S. epidermidis, S. aureus 209 P, S. hominis to some extent reduced colonies forming ability under action of dual wavelength LED-light (442 nm and 597 nm). For species S. warnery, S. aureus 69 the increase in CFU number under action of light relative to control was characteristic. Our experiments have shown, that phototherapy can be used for treatment of diseases associated with S. aureus 209 P. The doze 8 J/cm² caused reduction in CFU of this species on 40% relative to control.

Spectral measurements of sclera reflectance during its interaction with aqueous solutions of both Cortexin and Retinalamin have been carried out. Twenty three samples included in the study were human sclera and rabbit sclera in vitro. The results of the experiments have shown that penetration of Cortexin as well as Retinalamin into sclera tissue leads to the decrease of sclera reflection due to optical immersion. Estimation of diffusion coefficients of studied solutions was made on the basis of analysis of reflectance change dynamics of the sclera samples. Diffusion coefficients of Cortexin and Retinalamin in sclera tissue were estimated as (4.4±2.7)x10^-6 and (1.82±0.14)x10^-6 cm²/sec, respectively. Obtained values of diffusion coefficient allowed estimating time needed for total penetration of both agents through scleral membrane at subtenon's injection of studied agents. The results are important for treatment of partial optic atrophy observed at primary open-angle glaucoma and others eye diseases.

The mathematical model of clearing agent diffusion after intradermal injection has been developed. Skin was presented as multilayer medium, but one layer with proper boundary conditions is considered. Analytical solution of the boundary problem for small and large time intervals is obtained.

The mathematical model of clearing agent penetration at topical administration of the agent on skin surface has been developed. Two-dimensional plane case has been considered. Skin was presented as multilayer medium with different diffusion coefficients in each layer and boundary conditions between adjacent layers. Analytical solution of the boundary problem has been obtained and approximation for large time interval has been derived.

Based on the presented two-layer eye iris model, the iris diffuse reflectance has been calculated by Monte Carlo technique in the spectral range 400-800 nm. The diffuse reflectance spectra have been recalculated in L*a*b* color coordinate system. Obtained results demonstrated that the iris color coordinates (hue and chroma) can be used for estimation of melanin content in the range of small melanin concentrations, i.e. for estimation of melanin content in blue and green eyes.

Offered algorithm of the automated choice of points of the acupuncture for EHF-therapy. The recipe formed by algorithm of an automated choice of points for acupunctural actions has a recommendational character. Clinical investigations showed that application of the developed algorithm in EHF-therapy allows to normalize energetic state of the meridians and to effectively solve many problems of an organism functioning.

The importance of vocal cords for the interaction with the world around is obviously known. Vocal cords disorders can be divided mainly into three categories: difficulty of movement of one or both vocal folds, lesion formation on them, and difficulty or lack of mucosal wave movement. In this last case, a laser heating treatment can be useful in order to improve tissue vibration. However, thermal damage should be considered to adjust laser parameters and so to prevent irreversible harmful effects to the patient. in this work, an analysis of thermal damage in vocal folds is proposed. Firstly thermo-optical laser-tissue interaction is studied, by means of a RTT (Radiation Transfer Theory) model solved with a Monte Carlo approach for the optical propagation of radiation, and a bio-heat equation, with a finite difference numerical method based solution, taking into account blood perfusion and boundary effects, for the thermal distribution. The spatial-temporal temperature distributions are obtained for two widely used lasers, Nd:YAG (1064 nm) and KTP (532 nm). From these data, an Arrhenius thermal damage analysis allows a prediction of possible laser treatment harmful effects on vocal cords that could cause scar formation or tissue burn. Different source powers and exposition times are considered, in such a way that an approximation of adequate wavelength, power and duration is achieved, in order to implement an efficient and safe laser treatment.

Ablation rates measurements with free-running Er:YAG laser (λ=2.94 μm) were performed in hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses. We studied the role of water in the laser ablation mechanisms by using hydrophilic lenses with different concentrations of H₂0 and D₂0. A mathematical model simulated the experimental results.

This is a brief content of the optional course "Physicists in the Modern Social Environment" which is read to improve adaptation potential of Physics Department graduates.

The new approach to training doctors which specialty means skill to distinguish various images - for example, doctors of beam diagnostics, pathologists, hematologists is possible. Telemedicine by means of opportunities of the Internet and video-conference is capable to create expert databases in the several world centers. Neural Networks (the Programs, being a part of the Artificial Intellect) - are trained to give out variants of possible interpretations of the set image on the basis of these expert databases. And the doctors trained the above-named specialties, spend not years and not tens years for achievement of an expert level of professionalism, saving time and greater means and societies for training. Having an opportunity diagnostics at the highest level, the medicine improves quality of a life of the patient, also saving its means.