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Background. Treatment of chronic wounds in patients suffering from diabetic foot syndrome is one of the serious problems of practical surgery. Despite the constant improvement of methods aimed at improving the results of treatment of purulent-necrotic complications in these patients and preventing their occurrence in general, their frequency remains at the same level. An important factor influencing the slowdown of reparative processes in patients with diabetes mellitus is the presence of oxidative stress in the cells of the wound defect area. In conditions of diabetic angiopathy, the effectiveness of systemic pharmacotherapy is due to the impossibility of adequate delivery of drugs directly to the purulent-necrotic focus, which leads to the search for new methods of local treatment. Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 20 patients suffering from the neuroischemic form of diabetic foot syndrome with long-term non-healing wounds of the foot and lower leg were analyzed. In addition to standard therapy, the patients of the main group underwent the application of collagen gel from a matrix impregnated with antioxidants. Patients in the comparison group were treated only with standard therapy. The rate of reduction of the wound surface area and the activity of the microcirculatory bed in the area of the wound defect were evaluated. Results and conclusions. In patients of the main groups, shorter wound healing times were noted than in patients of the comparison group, as well as improved tissue microcirculation against the background of restoring balance in the lipid peroxidation system.

Abstract Blood microcirculation is the site of control of tissue perfusion, blood-tissue exchange, and tissue blood volume. Despite the many irregularities, almost ubiquitously, one can recognize in microcirculation vessels a hierarchy of arterioles and venules, organized in tree-like structures, and capillary plexi, organized in net-like structures. Whilst for arterioles and venules it may be envisageable to obtain geometries needed for numerical simulations from imaging techniques, the size and numerosity of capillaries makes this task much more cumbersome. For this reason, it is interesting to study approaches to generate in silico-derived artifacts of capillary networks, even in view of machine-learning based approaches which require a large amount of samples for training. Artificial networks must correctly reflect proper metrics and topology, which in turn, will ensure with proper boundary conditions a physiological blood flux in the net and a sufficient nutrient distribution in the surrounding tissues. In this paper, we introduce the sequence of curves whose limit is the space filling Hilbert curve and we discuss its inherent properties and we obtain the backbone of the artificial capillary network from a suitable element of this sequence. The backbone represents a significant synthesis of basic metric features of the network and, in this context, its properties can be studied analytically. In this framework, the Hilbert curve is a malleable entity which allows to shape the backbone according to the physical indicators. In particular, two significant factors are shown to control the network topology and scaling: the iteration step of the Hilbert curve generation and the characteristic length of the REV, respectively. Based on the points we generate for a certain iteration step, we then obtain via spline interpolation a smoothed version of the curve, which fine–tunes the tortuosity. A volumetric construction is obtained building a tubular neighborhood of the backbone, whose metrics can be computed and tuned as well. Numerical simulations of the blood flow in the obtained geometry show the physical fields occurring in the artificial network.

Blood microcirculation is the site of control of tissue perfusion, blood-tissue exchange, and tissue blood volume. Despite the many irregularities, almost ubiquitously, one can recognize in microcirculation vessels a hierarchy of arterioles and venules, organized in tree-like structures, and capillary plexi, organized in net-like structures. Whilst for arterioles and venules it may be envisageable to obtain geometries needed for numerical simulations from imaging techniques, the size and numerosity of capillaries makes this task much more cumbersome. For this reason, it is interesting to study approaches to generate in silico-derived artifacts of capillary networks, even in view of machine-learning based approaches which require a large amount of samples for training. Artificial networks must correctly reflect proper metrics and topology, which in turn, will ensure with proper boundary conditions a physiological blood flux in the net and a sufficient nutrient distribution in the surrounding tissues. In this paper, we introduce the sequence of curves whose limit is the space filling Hilbert curve and we discuss its inherent properties and we obtain the backbone of the artificial capillary network from a suitable element of this sequence. The backbone represents a significant synthesis of basic metric features of the network and, in this context, its properties can be studied analytically. In this framework, the Hilbert curve is a malleable entity which allows to shape the backbone according to the physical indicators. In particular, two significant factors are shown to control the network topology and scaling: the iteration step of the Hilbert curve generation and the characteristic length of the REV, respectively. Based on the points we generate for a certain iteration step, we then obtain via spline interpolation a smoothed version of the curve, which fine–tunes the tortuosity. A volumetric construction is obtained building a tubular neighborhood of the backbone, whose metrics can be computed and tuned as well. Numerical simulations of the blood flow in the obtained geometry show the physical fields occurring in the artificial network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSci) is a non-scanning optical imaging technique with wide field of view for monitoring blood flow velocity. LSci technology has advantages of high temporal-spatial resolution, fast real-time imaging, non-contact, simple structure, and no contrast agent. Here we briefly introduced the basic principles of LSci, structures of reflective-detected LSci and transmissive-detected LSci. in addition, this paper reviewed the latest research progress of LSci in biomedical applications such as skin blood flow, cerebral cortex and retinal blood flow, and makes further prospects for its development, provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for blood flow monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assessed the possibility of using portable laser Doppler flowmeters for determining the state of the blood microcirculatory system in upper and lower limbs of diabetic patients during the treatment course with intravenous α-lipoic acid infusions. A series of experimental studies were conducted in a cohort of ten inpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The state of peripheral blood flow of patients was assessed during 5 days on which they received daily doses of intravenous α-lipoic acid infusions. The values of the microcirculation and nutritive blood flow indices, as well as the bypass index, were assessed. To obtain a more extensive analysis, the patients' measurement results were compared with those of the control group composed of ten conditionally healthy volunteers of similar age. To determine changes in the regulatory mechanisms for the microcirculatory bed, we applied the amplitude-spectrum analysis of microvascular blood flow oscillations, using the mathematical tool of wavelet transform. We determined the changes in the index of blood microcirculation and the parameters of microcirculatory blood flow distribution into nutritive and shunt pathways, as well as the differences between these changes in upper and lower limbs. This approach is believed to become prospective as a pharmacotherapy efficacy assessment method based on responses of the system of blood microcirculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a multiparametric approach to the assessment of cutaneous microcirculation in dermatological patients (using the example of psoriasis patients). The multiparametric diagnostic approach consisted of three stages of successive measurements performed according to the methodology of laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and videocapillaroscopy (VCS). Experimental studies on hemodynamic parameters were conducted in psoriatic patients with a course of conservative treatment. A combined application of optical noninvasive diagnostic methods allowed physicians to record changes taking place in the microcirculatory bed during treatment. It has been found that microcirculatory disorders observed before the start of treatment in the field of psoriatic plaques (an increase in the density of the capillary network, an increase in the indicator of microcirculation, nutritive blood flow and the amplitudes of myogenic and cardiac oscillations) were normalized due to the applied treatment, on which the assessment of its efficacy may be based. The suggested approach may be used for diagnosing microcirculatory disorders emerging in psoriasis in its preclinical stage, as well as for developing and testing new pharmacological means for its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern clinical practice, the assessment of the state of blood microcirculation and the diagnosis of microcirculatory disorders are extremely relevant in a variety of diseases: in cardiology, diabetology, oncology, dermatology, dentistry, surgery and resuscitation. Microcirculatory disorders are very diverse both in their pathogenesis and in clinical manifestations. Therefore, in the pattern of various diseases and extreme conditions, as well as in the correction of microcirculatory disorders the methods are needed for both operative assessment of the state of blood flow at tissue level and for its long-term monitoring. The interest in the study of the microvascular bed of the circulatory system is sparked by the significant role of capillaries in the implementation of the basic processes of the body's vital activity, in the trophic support of organs and their direct participation in tissue and cellular respiration. The health and life expectancy of a person depend on the coordinated work of the heart, large blood lines, and microcirculation vessels. The authors have studied modern optical methods for diagnosing microcirculation. The feasibility of using the speckle imaging method for noninvasive rapid assessment of the state of the microvasculature of human surface biological tissues has been substantiated. To implement the speckle-visualization method, methodological and software have been developed. The processing parameters that are most optimal from the point of view of the ratio of spatiotemporal resolution and computation time have been experimentally substantiated. The purpose of this work is the experimental testing of the developed methodological and hardware speckle imaging for the diagnosis of microcirculation of human surface biological tissues. The authors have carried out the studies of the state of microcirculation in the superficial blood vessels of the skin during physiotherapeutic procedures and in the imitation of pathology. The results of the studies have proved the feasibility of using the developed software for a high-quality diagnosis of the state of microcirculation of human surface biological tissues: primary changes in microcirculation are revealed, further changes to occur during physiotherapeutic procedures are visualized.

Methodical and software has designed to implement the method of speckle visualization. The treatment options has experimentally grounded. They are the most optimal from the point of view of compliance with the space-time resolution and computation time.

The subject of the study in the article is to study the method of excitation of human body tissues using an electric current. The purpose of the work is to develop a method for exciting local current in a human body affecting the microcirculation of blood and excitability of local areas of muscle tissue during the treatment process. The article solves the following tasks: the creation of a model pattern of fabric, the rationale for the generation of electric current inside the sample, the development of the design of the current generation system and measuring the electrical response of the model sample of the tissue on the occurrence of electric current, determining the size and spatial current distribution in the model sample of the fabric, comparison The obtained current values with known and admissible in medical practice its values, determination of the advantages of the proposed method of excitation of current compared to the traditional used in medicine. The following methods were used: analysis of scientific publications for the subject of the study, the calculation of the expected current parameters in the model sample, the method of designing the nodes of the current generation and measurement system of the electrical response, the experimental method of excitation of the current and measuring the sample response to it. The following results were obtained: a new acoustic-magnetic method of exciting electric current in local areas of muscle tissue is justified, which allows determining for them the optimal values of the therapeutic current and the value of its threshold value. model samples of muscle tissue are created, a magnetohydrodynamic method of generating electric current inside the patient's body is justified, design of a system for generating current and measuring the electrical response of a model fabric sample to the occurrence of electric current in it; determining the magnitude and spatial distribution of the current in the model fabric sample; comparison of obtained current values with known and permissible values in medical practice and proved their safety for a person. Calculated ratios are obtained, which connect value of excited local current with parameters of ultrasonic radiation, external permanent magnetic field and biological medium. The materials have been found that the current density excited in the local area of the biological medium is independent of the ultrasound frequency and is determined mainly by the intensity of the ultrasound and the constant magnetic field. The advantages of the current excitation method according to the present invention over the conventional galvanic method of passing current through the patient's skin are the ability to generate current in any desired local area of the patient's tissue and its complete safety. Conclusions: The scientific foundations of the new method of excitation of local current inside the human body have been developed and experimentally tested on model samples. Using this method can significantly increase the effectiveness of the treatment process based on the effect of current on blood microcirculation in predetermined areas of muscle tissue and for the first time will allow distinguishing and determining with high accuracy thresholds of their excitability by electric current.

Intraoperative evaluation of blood perfusion in the brain cortex is an important but hitherto unresolved problem. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of cerebral microcirculation assessment during open brain surgery by using camera-based photoplethysmography (cbPPG) synchronized with an electrocardiograph. Cortical blood flow was monitored in five patients with different diagnoses. Two cases (tumor resection and extra-intracranial bypass grafting) are presented in detail. Blood-flow parameters were visualized after processing cortex images recorded under green-light illumination before and after surgical intervention. In all cases, blood flow was successfully visualized in >95% of open brain. Distributions of blood pulsation amplitude, a parameter related to cortical blood perfusion; pulse arrival time; and blood-pressure-pulse shape were calculated with high spatial resolution (in every pixel). Changes in cerebral blood supply caused by surgical intervention were clearly revealed. We have shown that the temporal spread of pulse arrival time and the spatiotemporal variability of pulse shape are very sensitive markers of brain circulatory disturbances. The green-light cbPPG system offers a new approach to objective assessment of blood-flow changes in the brain during surgical intervention. The proposed system allows for contactless monitoring of cortex blood flow in real time with high resolution, thus providing useful information for surgery optimization and minimization of brain tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Spectral analysis of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) signals has been widely used in studies of physiological vascular function regulation. An alternative to LDF is the laser speckle contrast imaging method (LSCI), which is based on the same physical principle. In contrast to LDF, LSCI provides non-scanning full-field imaging of a relatively wide skin area and offers high spatial and temporal resolutions, which allows visualization of microvascular structure. This circumstance, together with a large number of works which had shown the effectiveness of temporal LSCI analysis, gave impetus to experimental studies of the relation between LDF and LSCI used to monitor the temporal dynamics of blood flow. Methods: Continuous wavelet transform was applied to construct a time-frequency representation of a signal. Results: Analysis of 10 minute LDF and LSCI output signals recorded simultaneously revealed rather high correlation between oscillating components. It was demonstrated for the first time that the spectral energy of oscillations in the 0.01–2 Hz frequency range of temporal LSCI recordings carries the same information as the conventional LDF recordings and hence it reflects the same physiological vascular tone regulation mechanisms. Conclusion: The approach proposed can be used to investigate speckle pattern dynamics by LSCI in both normal and pathological conditions. Significance: The results of research on the influence of spatial binning and averaging on the spectral characteristics of perfusion monitored by LSCI are of considerable interest for the development of LSCI systems optimized to evaluate temporal dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Management of avulsion injuries remains a challenge due to necrosis. The aim of the present study is to create an experimental model reproducing an avulsion injury and investigate the effects of hyperoxygenated solution (HOS), a method of oxygen delivery that has been widely used in the therapy of ischaemia-hypoxia diseases, on avulsion injury flap survival in rats. Forty male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10 each). Dorsal random pattern flaps measuring 3 × 9 cm, including the panniculus carnosus, were elevated and run over by the skin avulsion model machine, and the flaps were then sutured into their original places. The sham+HOS and avulsion+HOS groups received intravenous HOS (20 ml/kg) each day for 7 days after the operation. The sham+saline and avulsion+saline groups received intravenous saline solution (20 ml/kg) each day for 7 days after the operation. Percutaneous O 2 pressure (TcpO 2) measurement , serial examinations of skin flap blood perfusion, skin flap survival evaluation and histopathology were performed to assess the efficacy of HOS on avulsion injury. Compared to the avulsion+saline groups, TcpO 2 was significantly higher in the avulsion+HOS groups at 15, 30 and 60 min after infusion (P < 0.05). The blood perfusion of flaps in the avulsion+HOS group was higher than in the avulsion+saline group (P < 0.05). The survival rate was higher in the avulsion+HOS group than in the avulsion+saline group (P < 0.05), and the histopathology assays supported the data. We succeeded in developing an avulsion injury model and demonstrated that HOS could improve the survival of the avulsion injury flaps in rats by effectively increasing the local oxygen content and blood perfusion and ameliorating inflammatory damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To reveal the features of microcirculatory parameters in compensated and decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subjects and methods. A total of 196 patients with T2DM were examined and divided into 2 groups: 1) 52 patients (40.4% of men) aged 52.8±8.7 years with compensated T2DM (glycated hemoglobin (HbA1с), 6.3±0.5%); 2) 68 patients (38.2% of men) aged 52.8±8.1 years with decompensated T2DM (HbA1с, 9.4±1.7%). Both patient groups had concomitant hypertension (its prevalence, degree, stage of hypertension were comparable). A control group consisted of 76 volunteers (40.8% of men) aged 52.2±8.7 years with normal carbohydrate metabolism and without signs of cardiovascular disease (HbA1с, 5.3±0.49%). Capillary blood flow in the finger nail-fold area was investigated in all the participants. A digital optical capillaroscope with image-processing software was used to obtain quantitative blood microcirculatory parameters. The diameters of arterial and venous capillary segments were measured, by calculating the remodeling rate. The degree of capillary tortuosity, network density, and polymorphism and the size of the perivascular zone (PZ) were estimated. Blood rheological properties and capillary blood flow velocity were also investigated. Results. The decompensated T2DM group compared to the compensated T2DM group was found to have a narrowing of the arterial capillary segment diameter (8.4±2.0 µm; p=0.009) and an increase in remodeling rates (1.47±0.22; p=0.000). The tendency of the PZ size to be larger in patients with decompensated T2DM compared to those with compensated T2DM (p=0.080) and the increase in this indicator compared to the control group (p=0.001) reflect the presence of edema syndrome in Group 2, as laboratory confirmed by a statistically significantly elevated sodium level (p=0.000; p=0.006). The enlarged venous capillary segment demonstrates involvement of the venous component in microcirculatory disorders in T2DM. The reduction in the density of the capillary network and the increase in capillary tortuosity and polymorphism, which were also observed in the patients of both groups versus the control group, are referred to as disorders that are characteristic of T2DM. Conclusion. In decompensated T2DM, capillary bed structural and functional changes are found as a narrowing of the arterial capillary segment, an increase in the rate of remodeling, and enlargement of the PZ. Digital capillaroscopy opens up new possibilities for assessing the magnitude of changes in the microcirculatory system in DM and can simultaneously evaluate the efficiency of treatment, by monitoring the status of the microvasculature.

Featured Application: The study of blood vessel reactivity to local thermal impact could be used for assessment of the endothelial function in patients with increased cardio-metabolic risk (hypertension disease, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia). Moreover, it can be applied for revealing the subclinical impairments of blood flow in patients with rheumatologic pathology. Imaging photoplethysmography is a basis for the development of medical equipment capable of contactless assessment of the endothelial function in various skin regions. Assessment of skin blood flow is an important clinical task which is required to study mechanisms of microcirculation regulation including thermoregulation. Contactless assessment of vasomotor reactivity in response to thermal exposure is currently not available. The aim of this study is to show the applicability of the imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) method to measure quantitatively the vasomotor response to local thermal exposure. Seventeen healthy subjects aged 23 ± 7 years participated in the study. A warm transparent compress applied to subject's forehead served as a thermal impact. A custom-made IPPG system operating at green polarized light was used to monitor the subject's face continuously and simultaneously with skin temperature and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. We found that the thermal impact leads to an increase in the amplitude of blood pulsations (BPA) simultaneously with the skin temperature increase. However, a multiple increase in BPA remained after the compress was removed, whereas the skin temperature returned to the baseline. Moreover, the BPA increase and duration of the vasomotor response was associated with the degree of external heating. Therefore, the IPPG method allows us to quantify the parameters of capillary blood flow during local thermal exposure to the skin. This proposed technique of assessing the thermal reactivity of microcirculation can be applied for both clinical use and for biomedical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood rheology is a challenging subject owing to the fact that blood is a mixture of a fluid (plasma) and of cells, among which red blood cells make about 50% of the total volume. It is precisely this circumstance that originates the peculiar behavior of blood flow in small vessels (i.e., roughly speaking, vessel with a diameter less than half a millimeter). In this class we find arterioles, venules, and capillaries. The phenomena taking place in microcirculation are very important in supporting life. Everybody knows the importance of blood filtration in kidneys, but other phenomena, of not less importance, are known only to a small class of physicians. Overviewing such subjects reveals the fascinating complexity of microcirculation.

Optical, molecule diffusion, and mechanical properties of skin and blood microcirculation in the underlying tissues at topical application of 40%-glucose solution in rats were investigated. Optical clearing of ex vivo and in vivo skin was measured within the wavelength range of 400–900 nm using standard spectrometer, and blood microcirculation alterations was measured with laser speckle contrast imaging. Increase of skin collimated transmittance, transverse, and along skin shrinkage and weight loss was observed for the first 20–60 min of immersion, for the longer time, tissue swelling was found. The glucose diffusion coefficients in ex vivo and in vivo rat skin were evaluated as (1.11 ± 0.78) × 10−6 and (1.54 ± 0.28) × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively. The decrease of average rate of microcirculation in 2.2 fold was observed. The results received allow one to evaluate glucose impact on skin tissue optical and mechanical properties and blood microcirculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Timely diagnostics of microcirculatory system abnormalities, which are the most severe diabetic complications, is one of the major problems facing modern health care. Functional abnormalities manifest themselves earlier than the structural ones, and therefore their assessment is the issue of primary importance. In this study Laser Doppler flowmetry, a noninvasive technique for the cutaneous blood flow monitoring, was utilized together with local temperature tests and wavelet analysis. The study of the blood flow in the microvascular bed of toes was carried out in the control group of 40 healthy subjects and in two groups of 17 type 1 and 23 type 2 diabetic patients. The local temperature tests demonstrated that the diabetic patients have impaired vasodilation in response to local heating. The tendency for impaired low frequency pulsations of the blood flow associated with endothelial and neurogenic activities in both diabetes groups was observed. Local thermal tests induced variations in perfusion and its spectral characteristics, which were different in the groups under study. In our opinion, the obtained preliminary results can be a basis for further research and provide a deeper understanding of pathological processes that drive microvascular abnormalities caused by diabetes mellitus. Highlights • Local thermal test affects averaged and spectral components of cutaneous blood flow. • Spectral pattern of blood flow oscillation caused by local heating differs in controls and DM. • DM is accompanied by impaired vasodilation and lower response of myogenic vascular tone. • The results give deeper insight into the development of vascular abnormalities in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was found that during the experiments on rats assisted by the Doppler flowmetering method the benzofurocainum (BF) lowers the erythrocyte flow and its fluctuation in the capillary race of the attached gum (AG) of the lower incisors by the intraperitoneal introduction in the dosage of 10 mg/kg in conditions of sound parodentium during 40 min (most evidently on the 10th min). In addition the vasomotor activity remains stable in comparison with the initial one, that can be conditioned by the increase of the general peripheric vessel resistance. In conditions of experimental periodontitis (EP) the blood microcirculation (BMC) in AG undergoes essential changes to lowering. The use of the traditional medicamental therapy (TMT) against the background of EP causes the increment in BMC in the chosen area after 12 days of treatment; one month later BMC decreases. The combination ТМТ + BF in taken conditions of the experiment induces the increment in BMC immediately after the treatment as well as one month after the use, besides BMC reaches the initial level.

Intraoperative evaluation of blood perfusion in the brain cortex is an important but hitherto unresolved problem. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of cerebral microcirculation assessment during open brain surgery by using camera-based photoplethysmography (cbPPG) synchronized with an electrocardiograph. Cortical blood flow was monitored in five patients with different diagnoses. Two cases (tumor resection and extra-intracranial bypass grafting) are presented in detail. Blood-flow parameters were visualized after processing cortex images recorded under green-light illumination before and after surgical intervention. In all cases, blood flow was successfully visualized in >95% of open brain. Distributions of blood pulsation amplitude, a parameter related to cortical blood perfusion; pulse arrival time; and blood-pressure-pulse shape were calculated with high spatial resolution (in every pixel). Changes in cerebral blood supply caused by surgical intervention were clearly revealed. We have shown that the temporal spread of pulse arrival time and the spatiotemporal variability of pulse shape are very sensitive markers of brain circulatory disturbances. The green-light cbPPG system offers a new approach to objective assessment of blood-flow changes in the brain during surgical intervention. The proposed system allows for contactless monitoring of cortex blood flow in real time with high resolution, thus providing useful information for surgery optimization and minimization of brain tissue damage.

Assessment of skin blood flow is an important clinical task which is required to study mechanisms of microcirculation regulation including thermoregulation. Contactless assessment of vasomotor reactivity in response to thermal exposure is currently not available. The aim of this study is to show the applicability of the imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) method to measure quantitatively the vasomotor response to local thermal exposure. Seventeen healthy subjects aged 23 ± 7 years participated in the study. A warm transparent compress applied to subject’s forehead served as a thermal impact. A custom-made IPPG system operating at green polarized light was used to monitor the subject’s face continuously and simultaneously with skin temperature and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. We found that the thermal impact leads to an increase in the amplitude of blood pulsations (BPA) simultaneously with the skin temperature increase. However, a multiple increase in BPA remained after the compress was removed, whereas the skin temperature returned to the baseline. Moreover, the BPA increase and duration of the vasomotor response was associated with the degree of external heating. Therefore, the IPPG method allows us to quantify the parameters of capillary blood flow during local thermal exposure to the skin. This proposed technique of assessing the thermal reactivity of microcirculation can be applied for both clinical use and for biomedical research.

The paper shows the possibility of using the laser Doppler flowmetry method for the assessment of system of blood microcirculation in the lower limbs of patients with diabetes mellitus. A series of experimental studies involving 76 patients with diabetes mellitus and 46 healthy volunteers was carried out. The state of peripheral blood flow was assessed during the local heating tests with different temperature regimes. The wavelet analysis of LDF-grams was used to evaluate the adaptive changes of microcirculation during the temperature tests. The data show that the proposed methodology in the form of heating tests and the use of the wavelet transform in the analysis of LDF-grams allows the evaluation of adaptation processes in the microcirculatory bed during thermal tests and the detection of the preclinical stage of trophic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical techniques are one of the most promising non-invasive technologies for the diagnosis of medical conditions. This work is devoted to the current state of the optical non-invasive diagnostics (OND), especially about instrumentation as well as methodological and metrological provision for this technology. In some details Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and Fluorescence Spectroscopy (FS) diagnostics methods are considered. The main conclusion is that it is necessary to solve the problems of metrological support OND devices of these types. It is also important to develop a methodology based on diagnostic criteria obtained from a relationship between a number of OND methods and others.

In daily life, human skin often rubs against external surfaces, causing irritations and friction injuries. Cutaneous irritation is linked to the wear of the Stratum Corneum (SC). The aim of the study is to evaluate the degradation of the SC after repeated friction with two tissues of different softnesses. An in vivo tribometer has been developed to subject the skin's surface to controlled damage. In order to observe and evaluate the skin irritation induced by repeated friction, skin redness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and blood microcirculation were evaluated. Finally, the mechanical properties of the skin were quantified with an innovative contactless indentation device to evaluate the degradation of SC. The results revealed that the skin's Young's modulus decreased as the wear of SC increased with both tissues whereas blood flow, TEWL and the redness increased. The softness of the tissues had a direct influence on the degree of irritation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a noninvasive diagnostic approach for functional monitoring of blood microflows in capillaries and thermoregulatory vessels within the skin. The measuring system is based on the combined use of laser Doppler flowmetry and skin contact thermometry. The obtained results suggest that monitoring of blood microcirculation during the occlusion, performed in conjunction with the skin temperature measurements in the thermally stabilized medium, has a great potential for quantitative assessment of angiospatic dysfunctions of the peripheral blood vessels. The indices of blood flow reserve and temperature response were measured and used as the primarily parameters of the functional diagnostics of the peripheral vessels of skin. Utilizing these parameters, a simple phenomenological model has been suggested to identify patients with angiospastic violations in the vascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinetics of optical tweezers (OT)-induced spontaneous aggregation and disaggregation of red blood cells (RBCs) were studied at the level of cell doublets to assess RBC interaction mechanics. Measurements were performed under in vitro conditions in plasma and fibrinogen and fibrinogen + albumin solutions. The RBC spontaneous aggregation kinetics was found to exhibit different behavior depending on the cell environment. In contrast, the RBC disaggregation kinetics was similar in all solutions qualitatively and quantitatively, demonstrating a significant contribution of the studied proteins to the process. The impact of the study on assessing RBC interaction mechanics and the protein contribution to the reversible RBC aggregation process is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of low‐intensity laser radiation (LLR) on the rheological characteristics of human blood has been investigated. The results of the investigation of the blood velocity in the human skin capillaries, the erythrocyte aggregation time, and the spectral width of scattering intensity fluctuations depending on the irradiation time are presented. It has been shown that laser irradiation leads to a decrease in the degree of aggregation of erythrocytes and, accordingly, to an increase in the velocity of blood microcirculation, which can be used for laser therapy and diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To explain the results obtained, a method of the LLR–biotissue interaction is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood rheology is a challenging subject owing to the fact that blood is a mixture of a fluid (plasma) and of cells, among which red blood cells make about 50% of the total volume. It is precisely this circumstance that originates the peculiar behavior of blood flow in small vessels (i.e., roughly speaking, vessel with a diameter less than half a millimeter). In this class we find arterioles, venules, and capillaries. The phenomena taking place in microcirculation are very important in supporting life. Everybody knows the importance of blood filtration in kidneys, but other phenomena, of not less importance, are known only to a small class of physicians. Overviewing such subjects reveals the fascinating complexity of microcirculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]