Combined laser and photodynamic treatment in extensive purulent wounds

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for the treatment of festering wounds and trophic ulcers. An important advantage of PDT is its ability to affect bacterial cultures that are resistant to antibiotics. However the use of PDT alone does not usually guarantee a stable antiseptic effect and cannot prevent an external infection of wounds and burns. In this work attention is focused on the healing of the extensive soft tissues wounds with combined laser therapy (LT) and PDT treatment. At the first stage of this process festering tissues (for example spacious purulent wounds with area more than 100 cm²) were illuminated with high-energy laser beam (with power 20 W) in continues routine. The second stage involves “softer” PDT affect, which along with the completion stages of destruction pathological cells, stimulating the process of wound granulation and epithelization. Also, according to our previous results, photosensitizer (photoditazin) is introduced inside the wound with different amphiphilic polymers for increasing the PDT efficacy.     

The biomechanical behavior on the interface of tumor arthrosis/allograft prosthetic composite by finite element analysis

The biomechanical behavior of the uniting interface between the allograft bone and the autogenetic bone plays an important role in the treatment of the proximal femur massive defects with artificial tumor arthrosis/allograft prosthetic composite (TAAPC). According to the CT data of a patient, a 3D medical treatment model of TAAPC was established. Under the loads of 1.5 and 2.5 times standard body weight (70 kg), the mechanical behavior of the treatment model was analyzed by finite element analysis (FEA) for three typical healing periods. The results show that there are significant differences in the stress values and distribution in different healing periods. With healing of osteotomy, the hardness of the tissue of the uniting interface increases, the stress in uniting area was increased greatly and the stress concentration decreased. After cured the stress almost reached the level of normal bone. In the initial stage of healing, the healing training is not encouraged because there is an obvious risk of fracture of prosthesis and bone cement. In addition, porous hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic used as bone tissue scaffold for this case, not only facilitates the generation of new bone, but also can avoid this risk caused by the non-uniting interface.     

Visualization of collagen regeneration in mouse dorsal skin using second harmonic generation microscopy

The purpose of this study is to highlight a clearer understanding of the process of collagen regeneration during wound healing. By means of second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, the changes of collagen arrangement at the wound margin were analyzed at 0, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 13 days post injury. The degree of collagen disorders associated with the healing process was quantitatively obtained using the aspect ratio of polar plot image of collagen azimuthal angles and the healing status of collagen could be estimated by arithmetical mean deviation (Ra) of the collagen SHG images. Our results suggest that SHG microscopy has potential advances in the collagen studies during wound healing and the arrangement of collagen fibers gradually transformed from disorder to order so as to contract the wound. It is capable of promoting clinical application of the noninvasive imaging tool and the analysis methods of collagen disorder as an effective scar management for prevention and treatment about aberrant healing. Original Text ? Astro, Ltd., 2009. The article is published in the original.     

Three-dimensional finite element modeling of guided ultrasound wave propagation in intact and healing long bones

The use of guided waves has recently drawn significant interest in the ultrasonic characterization of bone aiming at supplementing the information provided by traditional velocity measurements. This work presents a three-dimensional finite element study of guided wave propagation in intact and healing bones. A model of the fracture callus was constructed and the healing course was simulated as a three-stage process. The dispersion of guided modes generated by a broadband 1-MHz excitation was represented in the time-frequency domain. Wave propagation in the intact bone model was first investigated and comparisons were then made with a simplified geometry using analytical dispersion curves of the tube modes. Then, the effect of callus consolidation on the propagation characteristics was examined. It was shown that the dispersion of guided waves was significantly influenced by the irregularity and anisotropy of the bone. Also, guided waves were sensitive to material and geometrical changes that take place during healing. Conversely, when the first-arriving signal at the receiver corresponded to a nondispersive lateral wave, its propagation velocity was almost unaffected by the elastic symmetry and geometry of the bone and also could not characterize the callus tissue throughout its thickness. In conclusion, guided waves can enhance the capabilities of ultrasonic evaluation.     

Application of an effective medium theory for modeling ultrasound wave propagation in healing long bones

Quantitative ultrasound has recently drawn significant interest in the monitoring of the bone healing process. Several research groups have studied ultrasound propagation in healing bones numerically, assuming callus to be a homogeneous and isotropic medium, thus neglecting the multiple scattering phenomena that occur due to the porous nature of callus. In this study, we model ultrasound wave propagation in healing long bones using an iterative effective medium approximation (IEMA), which has been shown to be significantly accurate for highly concentrated elastic mixtures. First, the effectiveness of IEMA in bone characterization is examined: (a) by comparing the theoretical phase velocities with experimental measurements in cancellous bone mimicking phantoms, and (b) by simulating wave propagation in complex healing bone geometries by using IEMA. The original material properties of cortical bone and callus were derived using serial scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) images from previous animal studies. Guided wave analysis is performed for different healing stages and the results clearly indicate that IEMA predictions could provide supplementary information for bone assessment during the healing process. This methodology could potentially be applied in numerical studies dealing with wave propagation in composite media such as healing or osteoporotic bones in order to reduce the simulation time and simplify the study of complicated geometries with a significant porous nature.     

Preparation of Self-healing Natural Rubber/Polycaprolactone (NR/PCL) Blends

Abstract

The preparation of self-healing polymers for use following mechanical failure using commercial, bio-based polymers without complex synthesis and expensive healing reagents has been very rare. In this study two commercial, bio-based polymers, natural rubber (NR) and polycaprolactone (PCL), were melt-blended to form NR/PCL blends. To increase the healing efficiency via supramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, various amounts of acrylic acid were grafted onto the PCL. The results showed that the healing efficiency of the blends in the self-healing test at 80°Cwas higher than for blends at 60?°C due to higher molecular mobility/diffusion resulting from the molecular motions above the melting temperature of PCL which was near 55?°C in all cases. The highest healing efficiency, 62.8%, was attained for the NR/PCL-g-4AA (40/60) blend containing 4 phr PCL of AA. In addition, with the application of the shape memory-assisted self-healing (SMASH) mechanism, the healing efficiency increased further, up to 79.9%. The high shape recovery ratio (>90%) helped the crack to close faster when the sample was heated to trigger the shape memory process, leading to the increased healing efficiency in comparison with the sample without the shape memory process triggered by heating. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there have been no similar works in the preparation of self-healing, bio-based polymer blends through the current approach so far. We suggest the synergistic effects of both the physical and chemical processes applied to commercial, bio-based polymers provide the chance of expanding the applications of these green polymers with additional functionality.     

Investigation of Anti-Hyaluronidase Treatment on Vocal Fold Wound Healing

SUMMARY: Phytochemical constituents of medicinal plants demonstrate inhibition of tissue and bacterial hyaluronidase. Echinacoside is a caffeoyl conjugate of Echinacea with known anti-hyaluronidase properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the wound healing effects of Echinacea on vocal fold wound healing and functional voice outcomes. Pig animal model. Methods: Vocal fold injury was induced in 18 pigs by unilateral vocal fold stripping. The uninjured vocal fold served as control. Three groups of six pigs randomly received a topical application of 300, 600, or 1,200 mg of standardized Echinacea on the injured side. Animals were euthanized after 3, 10, and 15 days of wound healing. Phonation threshold pressure and vocal economy measurements were obtained from excised larynges. Treatment outcomes were examined by comparing the animals receiving treatment with a set of 19 untreated and 5 historical controls. Treatment effects on wound healing were evaluated by histologic staining for hyaluronan and collagen. Treated larynges revealed improved vocal economy and phonation threshold pressure compared with untreated larynges. Histologically, treated vocal folds revealed stable hyaluronan content and no significant accumulation of collagen compared with control. Findings provide a favorable outcome of anti-hyaluronidase treatment on acute vocal fold wound healing and functional measures of voice.     

The effect of boundary conditions on guided wave propagation in two-dimensional models of healing bone

Guided wave propagation has recently drawn significant interest in the ultrasonic characterization of bone. In this work, we present a two-dimensional computational study of ultrasound propagation in healing bones aiming at monitoring the fracture healing process. In particular, we address the effect of fluid loading boundary conditions on the characteristics of guided wave propagation, using both time and time-frequency (t-f) signal analysis techniques, for three study cases. In the first case, the bone was assumed immersed in blood which occupied the semi-infinite spaces of the upper and lower surfaces of the plate. In the second case, the bone model was assumed to have the upper surface loaded by a 2mm thick layer of blood and the lower surface loaded by a semi-infinite fluid with properties close to those of bone marrow. The third case, involves a three-layer model in which the upper surface of the plate was again loaded by a layer of blood, whereas the lower surface was loaded by a 2mm layer of a fluid which simulated bone marrow. The callus tissue was modeled as an inhomogeneous material and fracture healing was simulated as a three-stage process. The results clearly indicate that the application of realistic boundary conditions has a significant effect on the dispersion of guided waves when compared to simplified models in which the bone's surfaces are assumed free.     

Effect of static and dynamic compression on the healing of pores in copper

The distinctive features of the healing of pores in copper (with an initial porosity of 12%) by various types of static and shock-wave-induced stresses are discussed. It is shown for static loading that the process of healing is determined by the maximum shear stress at the surface of a pore and the character of the distribution of shear stresses near the pore. The observed increase in the efficiency of healing of the porosity when dynamic methods of compression are used as compared to static methods is attributed to an increase in temperature due to local heating near the pore. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 125–127 (November 1998)     

邻苯二甲酸二酯系玻璃材料中裂纹愈合效应研究

用最近发明的一种能够实时检测玻璃材料中应力诱导裂纹(stress cracking)和裂纹愈合(crack-healing)的新方法(RMS-L-CH)对邻苯二甲酸二甲酯、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸二辛酯的系列玻璃材料中应力诱导裂纹和裂纹愈合效应进行了测量,对裂纹愈合效应的现象及其与玻璃化转变的关系进行了深入的研究与讨论.结果进一步验证了RMS-L-CH方法的有效性,并且表明该方法可能提供一种表征玻璃化转变过程和研究玻璃化转变机理的新手段.     

UV照射大肠杆菌对其吸收光谱的影响

探讨了样品池溶液及分光光度计内置紫外光对大肠杆菌吸收光谱测定的影响。发现样品池溶液(2.8 mL双蒸水+0.1 mL生理盐水+0.1 mL LB培养基)较为合理,既给细菌提供了有利的生存环境,又对细胞的紫外吸收影响较小;研究同时发现在257 nm波段150 s内细胞吸收强度基本没有变化,说明内置的紫外光不会影响试验测定结果。在此基础上,研究了UV照射0,20,40,60,80,120 s大肠杆菌吸收光谱的变化情况。结果显示随着UV照射剂量的增加,大肠杆菌吸收光谱存在一个先降后升再降的现象。该现象反映了辐射中细胞损伤死亡和修复存活的生物学效应。该研究从光谱学角度探讨了UV对大肠杆菌细胞的损伤作用,对利用光谱技术研究细胞的辐射损伤、死亡和修复具有一定参考意义。     

Development and evaluation of an optical fibre-based helium-neon laser irradiation system for tissue regeneration: A pilot study

Low level laser therapy is being extensively used to treat various medical ailments including wound healing. In the present study, an optical fibre-based helium-neon (He-Ne) laser irradiation system was designed, developed and evaluated for optimum tissue repair on mice excision wounds. Circular wounds of 15 mm diameter were created on the dorsum of animals and single exposure of uniformly distributed laser beam was administered at 1, 2 and 3 J/cm² to the respective test groups with suitable controls. Progression of healing was monitored by measuring wound contraction and mean healing time. Significant reduction in wound size and mean healing time (p <0.001) were observed in the test groups for the laser dose of 2 J/cm² compared to the unilluminated controls, suggesting the suitability of this dose.     

Padé approximations of quantized-vortex solutions of the Gross–Pitaevskii equation

Quantized vortices are important topological excitations in Bose–Einstein condensates. The Gross–Pitaevskii equation is a widely accepted theoretical tool. High accuracy quantized-vortex solutions are desirable in many numerical and analytical studies. We successfully derive the Padéapproximate solutions for quantized vortices with winding numbers ω = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in the context of the Gross–Pitaevskii equation for a uniform condensate. Compared with the numerical solutions, we find that(1) they approximate the entire solutions quite well from the core to infinity;(2) higher-order Padé approximate solutions have higher accuracy;(3) Padé approximate solutions for larger winding numbers have lower accuracy. The healing lengths of the quantized vortices are calculated and found to increase almost linearly with the winding number. Based on experiments performed with ~(87)Rb cold atoms, the healing lengths of quantized vortices and the number of particles within the healing lengths are calculated, and they may be checked by experiment. Our results show that the Gross–Pitaevskii equation is capable of describing the structure of quantized vortices and physics at length scales smaller than the healing length.     

Vocal Fold Wound Healing: A Review for Clinicians

SUMMARY: The basic science of wound healing is largely omitted from the curriculum of many voice clinicians. This fact is relatively disheartening as most therapeutic manipulation in the realm of laryngology and voice disorders deals with injured tissue. Therefore, the selection of therapeutic tasks for persons with vocal injury should ideally be informed by basic science in wound healing. Recently, several investigators have initiated lines of research to determine the course of vocal fold wound healing and the potential role of therapeutic agents, including behavioral agents. The current review seeks to provide a foundation of basic wound healing science and present the most current data regarding the wound healing process in the vocal folds.     

Comparative study of laser and LED systems of low intensity applied to tendon healing

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Low-intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) and Light Emitting Diode Therapy (LEDT) of low intensity on the treatment of lesioned Achilles tendon of rats. The experimental model consisted of a partial mechanical lesion on the right Achilles tendon deep portion of 90 rats. One hour after the lesion, the injured animals received applications of laser/LED (685, 830/630, 880 nm), and the same procedure was repeated at 24-h intervals, for 10 days. The healing process and deposition of collagen were evaluated based on a polarization microscopy analysis of the alignment and organization of collagen bundles, through the birefringence (optical retardation-OR). The results showed a real efficiency of treatments based on LEDT and confirmed that LILT seems to be effective on healing process. Although absence of coherence of LED light, tendon healing treatment with this feature was satisfactory and can certainly replace treatments based on laser light applications. Applications of infrared laser at 830 nm and LED 880 nm were more efficient when the aim is a good organization, aggregation, and alignment of the collagen bundles on tendon healing. However, more research is needed for a safety and more efficient determination of a protocol with LED.     

Monoolein and chitosan gels as potential carriers of the rhBMP-2, using decortication surgical technique in Wistar rats as experimental model

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the new bone tissue, comparing two different carriers for rhBMP-2, monoolein and chitosan gels, using the decortication and nondecorticatication surgical technique in rat mandibles, evaluated by histomorphometrical method. It was used 56 male Wistar rats (300g), divided into 8 groups according to the rhBMP-2 carrier used, monoolein or chitosan gels; surgical technique, bone decortication or nondecortication; and period of time, 3 or 6 weeks until the sacrifice by perfusion. Results obtained in this study showed that the rhBMP-2/monoolein and rhBMP-2/chitosan used in this experimental model was able to induce osteogenesis, contributing to the bone healing process. The bone repair process was time dependent, so that at 6 weeks there was an improved amount of new bone in relation to 3 weeks, considered each analyzed group, and the decortication was able to expose the bone marrow and speed up the bone healing process, which was showed by histomorphometrical methods. Both of carriers were capable to adapt to the bone surgical area, according to the clinical observations, and had favorable properties in relation to protein releasing, revealed by the amount of new bone tissue found in the histological analysis.     

Characteristics of water veil and verification of its healing effect by visualization of mind

A very thin water veil like a thin transparent sheet of vinyl has been produced by shaping a double-disk nozzle in such a way to accelerate the water flow inside the nozzle. Comparison of the simulated shape of the water veil with that of the experiment shows that they are almost identical. Human mind can be refreshed and relaxed by being inside of this water veil. In this paper, the application of water veil to healing mind and body is examined. The analysis of the brain wave data using the emotion spectrum analysis method (ESAM) elicited that the water veil is very useful to recover freshness and effective in healing mind and body.     

Effects and mechanisms of cold atmospheric plasma on skin wound healing of rats

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been reported as a novel potential way to promote skin wound healing. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of an atmospheric‐pressure plasma generated in helium gas through dielectric barrier discharge on skin wound healing in rats and its mechanism. A total of 44 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the CAP group and the control group after a full‐thickness skin wound model was established. The animals in the CAP group received CAP treatment (driving frequency 17 kHz, root‐mean‐square [rms] values of the discharge voltage 1.33 kV, rms values of the discharge current 10.7 mA, helium flow rate 11 slpm [standard litres per minute]) for 1 min. After that, the size of the healed area of the wound, morphological changes in the wound, wound neovascularization, collagen deposition, and the level of inflammatory factors were recorded. The results showed that compared to that of the control group, the size of the wound area in the CAP group significantly decreased, the contraction and re‐epithelialization of the wounds were obviously speeded up, and the protein level of smooth muscle actin markedly increased. However, the levels of collagen type I A2, collagen type III, and the deposition of collagen bundles did not change. In addition, it was found that the level of inflammatory factors (such as tumour necrosis factor and interleukin‐1β) significantly increased at 24 hr after the creation of the wound. These results suggest that CAP treatment in this condition could promote skin wound healing by accelerating the contraction, re‐epithelialization, neovascularization, and inflammatory response.     

烧结型金刚石聚晶抗氧化性研究

 本文测量了烧结型金刚石聚晶氧化温度。提出烧结型金刚石聚晶德抗氧化性能，主要取决于晶界中结合剂以及形成中间过渡层物相德抗氧化性质。     

Healing of cracks in alkali halide crystals

The healing of micro-and macrocracks under local heating and x-ray irradiation of LiF single crystals is studied. The main features revealed in crack healing due to local actions are described. The contribution of the plastic zone formed upon the arrest and healing of a crack to the strength of the crystal is estimated.