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• Usnic acid is a lichenic secondary metabolite useful for the treatment of burn wounds. • The poor solubility limits the use of usnic acid in health care products. • Usnic acid was formulated in adhesive polymeric films to improve wounds treatment. • Film F2 is the most effective against usnic acid sensitive bacteria. • Film F2 is safe towards human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Usnic acid (UA) is a lichenic secondary metabolite useful for the treatment of burn wounds thanks to its antimicrobial activity, particularly toward strains responsible for their infections. However, the poor solubility is the main factor limiting the activity and thus its use in health care products. Adhesive polymeric films were designed to improve UA use by enhancing its bioavailability in the wounded tissues. Three different NaCMC hydrogel films, NaCMC 2% alone (F1), mixed to PVP K90 0.1% (F2) or to Carbopol 971 P 0.1% (F3), were prepared by casting method. Ex vivo experiments performed on pig skin samples showed their suitable adhesion capacity. in vitro release test, performed using the extraction cell, showed that film F2 provides the highest UA concentrations. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray analyses performed on the three films highlighted that UA is present in a more soluble form in F2. The in vitro antibacterial activity studies demonstrated that F2 is the most effective film against UA sensitive bacteria S. Epidermidis , E. Faecalis , B. Cereus and S. Pyogenes. In vitro cytotoxicity assays on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts showed that cells viability is not compromised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic value of many known plants are underexploited for medicinal application besides their proven traditional qualities. One such plant known for wound healing is Tridax procumbens. This plant has wound healing property and is commercially unexploited. Silver nanoparticle (Ag‐NP) were synthesized using this plant extracts using different solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous), which exhibit resonance at 426, 424 and 418 nm, respectively. This plant‐mediated Ag‐NPs have strong anti‐bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus subtilis with methanol extract. Further instance, elemental composition was confirmed by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and particle size ranges were observed at 80–200 nm with spherical shape nanoparticles by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The biocompatibility of Ag‐NPs was assessed using fibroblast cell line (L929) by MTT assay with 109.35 µg IC50 value. The oxygen plasma treated and non‐treated bamboo spunlaced nonwoven fabrics were coated with the Ag‐NPs by exhaust method. Contact angle and water retention revealed significant difference in absorption ability of plasma treated fabric. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of Ag‐NPs in plasma coated fabrics. The fabricated cloth was studied for anti‐microbial and microbial penetration ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the development of microsurgery, the cross-leg flap has not been a preferred method of lower extremity reconstruction. However, it is being used in several centers and has shown favorable results. This report presents our experience in treating lower extremity injuries using the cross-leg flap. We studied three patients with lower extremity defect who underwent cross-leg flap surgery. As there was no proper perforator for local flap or recipient vessel for free flap in the ipsilateral leg, two underwent the posterior tibial artery island cross-leg flap and one had the latissimus dorsi free flap, wherein the recipient vessels comprised the contralateral posterior tibial vessels. All procedures were successful without any severe complications. We recommend that cross-leg flaps be considered not only in cases of multiple vessel injuries or when no other options are available but also in cases of broad trauma or where scar tissue is present around the defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with their unique chemical and physical properties are proving as a new therapeutical agent. In the present study, the AgNPs synthesised from an aqueous extract of a macrofungus, Earliella scabrosa, were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and further evaluate for its in vitro antibacterial and wound healing efficacy. The mycosynthesised AgNPs exhibited the surface plasmon resonance peak at 410 nm with good stability over a period of a month. The FESEM and EDX analyses revealed the spherical‐shaped AgNPs of an average size of 20 nm and the presence of elemental Ag, respectively. The XRD pattern showed the crystalline nature of AgNPs. The FTIR spectra confirmed the conversion of Ag+ ions to AgNPs due to reduction by biomolecules of macrofungus extract. The mycosynthesised AgNPs showed effective antibacterial activity against two Gram‐positive bacteria, namely Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pathogens were highly sensitive to AgNPs, whereas less sensitive to AgNO3. The mycosynthesised AgNPs showed significant wound healing potential with 68.58% of wound closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on fabrication and characterisation of porous composite scaffold containing hydroxyapatite (HAP), chitosan, and gelatin with an average pore size of 250–1010 nm for improving wound repair and regeneration by Electrospinning method. From the results of X ‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) study, the peaks correspond to crystallographic structure of HAP powder. The presence of functional group bonds of HAP powder, Chitosan and scaffold was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface morphology of the scaffold was observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The Bioactivity of the Nano composite scaffolds was studied using simulated body fluid solution at 37 ± 1°C. The biodegradability test was studied using Tris‐Buffer solution for the prepared nanocomposites [nano Chitosan, nano Chitosan gelatin, Nano based Hydroxyapatite Chitosan gelatin]. The cell migration and potential biocompatibility of nHAP‐chitosan‐gelatin scaffold was assessed via wound scratch assay and were compared to povedeen as control. Cytocompatibility evaluation for Vero Cells using wound scratch assay showed that the fabricated porous nanocomposite scaffold possess higher cell proliferation and growth than that of povedeen. Thus, the study showed that the developed nanocomposite scaffolds are potential candidates for regenerating damaged cell tissue in wound healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wounds have a serious negative impact on the health-care economy of a country, especially on the economy of developing countries where resources are poor and funding is very limited. It is presumed that about 80% of people living in developing countries use traditional medicines which are majorly prepared from medicinal plants to meet their primary health-care needs. Due to the large reservoir of medicinal plants and adequate traditional knowledge on wound healing, many people in Africa and other developing countries use medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetic wounds and related complications. Wound healing in the external and internal biological organs involves a series of complex overlapping processes which demand excellent communication between cells. It is an orderly and highly controlled process characterized by hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Diabetes is a global health problem predicted to rise to over 642 million by 2040. The propelling factor responsible for the increase in morbidity and mortality of diabetes is linked to vascular complications as well as the failure of the wound healing processes in diabetic state. Different approaches have been adopted in the treatment of diabetic wounds, and medicinal plants are certainly one of those approaches that have drawn global attention. In this review paper, the effects of medical plants on wound healing in diabetic state as well as factors affecting wound healing and the mechanism of action of medicinal plants are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea and archetype of the Wounded Healer is informative for depth psychotherapy and Jungian analysis. In this enterview, three seasoned Jungian analysts share what it has meant to them in their work and life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article makes a journey through history of wound healing to see how people have used their knowledge, imagination, and intuition to solve these health problems and it highlights how much they have evolved medicine today. We present the people who contributed to the development of the wound care system over time through their scientific contribution and ingenuity, in the order in which these people appeared in history - the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Indians, the Chinese and the Africans. Along with these, some historical data and aspects will be presented on what Romanians have practiced in this context. In the native medical history, it was not necessary to acquire a long-term diploma or training to be a physician, i.e. to apply treatment or to execute surgical interventions or to give medical recommendations to a patient. In Romania, centuries ago, besides law-recognized physicians, medicine was practiced by several categories of professionals, the most representative of which were: barber, midwife, confessor, witches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: Skin rejuvenation procedures have become common with sophisticated technologies with reduced downtime and related risks. Recently, microneedling has been paired with radiofrequency to create Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling (FRFM) to induce neocollagenesis. Frequently, topical products are applied immediately after the needling. This procedure is known as percutaneous collagen induction therapy (PCIT). Postoperative topical wound care is critical for prompt rapid and safe healing, with moist wound healing deemed of primary importance for fast and correct scarring process. An ideal dressing enables a moist environment while reducing postprocedural inflammatory responses in the first stages of wound healing. Objective: To evaluate whether an innovative silicone‐based wound dressing is superior than standard of care therapy in decreasing severity and duration of treatment‐site acute inflammatory reactions post PCIT. Materials and Methods: Endymed PRO Intensif Handpiece (Endymed, Israel) was used for the full‐face FRFM procedure. Subjects (n = 20) applied treatment (Stratacel®—Stratpharma SG, Switzerland) and control (Aquaphor®—Beiersdorf Inc, USA) immediately after the procedure and daily; they were evaluated immediately postprocedure (baseline assessment), at 2, 3 and 7 days postprocedure. Digital and 3D pictures (Antera 3D Camera for Skin Analysis—Miravex, Ireland) were taken at each assessment. Results: All patients healed properly without reporting adverse reactions to any of the studied products. Erythema at each study visit was significantly reduced with the use of the novel wound dressing (P < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in favor of the innovative wound dressing also emerged with respect to the patient‐rated product properties (P = 0.008), such as feel on skin, drying time and stickiness. Conclusions: The novel wound dressing reduced signs of acute inflammation following PCIT when compared to standard of care, without reporting adverse events and resulting in a more favorable outcome from a patient perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used to treat many different types of wounds, but there is still a lack of large studies describing its effectiveness in breast surgery. Enhanced recovery, reduction of complications, and good scar quality might be improved by the application of NPWT. Existing data show that vacuumassisted closure (VAC) application after expander-based breast reconstruction may be beneficial because of decreasing overall complications in comparison with standard wound treatment. There are few cases in which the use of negative pressure resulted in healing of complicated breast wounds after implant insertion - most breasts achieved healing, wherein duration of NPWT ranged from seven to 21 days. The use of NPWT leads to a decrease of seroma formation (from 70% to 15%), the mean percutaneous aspirated volume (from 193 ml to 26 ml) and the numbers of percutaneous aspirations (from three to one) in latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. Furthermore, a prospective, within-patient, randomised study with 200 participants showed that treating closed incisional wounds after reduction mammoplasty with a VAC system resulted in a decrease of overall complications and protected against wound dehiscence. In the literature, there are cases showing that NPWT may be useful for the successful treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds, included non-puerperal mastitis and surgical sites affected by radiation therapy due to breast cancer. There is still a need for evidence confirming the effectiveness of NPWT in breast surgery because of the deficiency of large prospective studies that compare NPWT with standard treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It's visible that, on the violence rates, most situations involve firearms. It's use is extremely explored to commit homicides, according to the statistics. The firearms are responsible for causing several injuries that can lead to sequels, which can be reversible or not, and compromise the social, professional and psychological life of the victim. Some studies show that there is a preference for the maxillofacial region, due to the capacity of disfigure a visible area that has a huge importance for the individual coexistence. Besides that, this region is considered unprotected and exposed. The most common sequels caused on this region are neurological, phonoaudiological, ophthalmological and orthopedic. The trauma can, basically, rush any anatomical area of the head: soft tissues, dent alveolar tissue, and cranioencephalic region. Besides the physical traumas suffered by the victims, the psychological traumas are also important, since the researches show that the quality of life post injury is a quite considerable factor. On cases that involve drilling by firearm, the approaches are the most complex, requiring emergency care and demanding multidisciplinary action. Thus, the knowledge about the topic and the principles of treatment are extremely important, so satisfactory results can be obtained on the patient's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of cancer are nowadays a serious medical and social problem and a great challenge for modern medicine. The majority of anticancer therapy is based on traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Both of these highly non-specific types of treatment have a number of serious side effects including wound healing complications. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy mostly affect rapidly dividing skin cells (e.g. keratinocytes), as well as fibroblasts, melanocytes, endothelial and immune cells. Currently, there are many strategies to improve wound healing in oncological patients, including various types of dressings, biomaterials, growth factors, and cell therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the molecular epidemiology and to georeference Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wounds and nares of patients seen at Basic Health Units (BHUs) of a Brazilian city.Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study conducted from 2010 to 2013. A total of 119 S. aureus strains isolated from the wounds and nares of 88 patients were studied. The isolates were characterised by identifying virulence genes encoding enterotoxins A-E, haemolysins α, β and δ, exfoliatins A, B and D, biofilm production, Panton-Valentine Leukocidin and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence and spa typing.Results: Eighteen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (6 SCCmec type II and 12 SCCmec type IV) and 101 (85%) MSSA were identified. PFGE typing resulted in the formation of eight clusters, with STs 1, 5, 8, 30, 188, 1176 and 1635 and spa type t002 being the predominant types among MSSA. The 18 MRSA belonged to STs 5, 8 and 1176 and spa types t002 and t062.Conclusion: The results demonstrate widespread dissemination of MSSA and MRSA clones carrying haemolysin, biofilm and toxin genes. Kernel density estimation revealed the highest density of S. aureus in the 4, 5 and 8 BHUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the systematic approach used to develop a viable clinical prototype of a therapeutic ultrasound applicator and discusses the rationale and deliberations that led to the design strategy. The applicator was specifically devised to treat chronic wounds and—to the best of the author’s knowledge—is the first truly wearable device with a proven record of reducing healing time, directly translating to a reduction of healthcare costs. The prototype operates in the kHz (20–100) range of frequencies and uses noncavitational and nonthermal levels of ultrasound energy. Hence, in the absence of inertial cavitation and temperature elevation, the tissue-ultrasound interaction is considered to be dependent on stable cavitation (if any) and radiation force. The peak acoustic output pressure amplitude is limited to 55 kPa, corresponding to a spatial peak–temporal peak intensity of 100 mW/cm2. This level of intensity is considered to be safe to apply for extended (up to 4 h) periods of time. The patch-like applicator design is suitable to be embedded in wound dressing. With its lightweight (<20 g) and circular (40 mm dia) disk-shape architecture, the applicator is well suited for chronic wound treatment. A small ($n = 8$) pilot study on the effects of the applicator on diabetic ulcers (DUs) healing time is presented. The average time to wound closure was 4.7 weeks for subjects treated with the active ultrasound applicator, compared to 12 weeks for subjects treated with a sham applicator, suggesting that patients with DUs may benefit from the proposed treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the treatment of facial wounds in early modern Britain through a close study of the casebook of St Bartholomew's Hospital surgeon Joseph Binns (d. 1664). It explores surgeons' and related practitioners' special attention to the care and infliction of facial wounds and scarring in their practice, including impairments to facial movement and expression, the use of specific suturing techniques and the reduced use of stitches, and the development of agglutinative medicaments. The face was recognised as a site of immense vulnerability and exposure, requiring particular care, and this vulnerability was mirrored in the capacity for facial scarring to detrimentally advertise a practitioner's skill. This essay reads Binns' unpublished notes against the cases and theoretical ideals set out in published texts from surgeons such as the Scottish Alexander Read, the East India Company surgeon John Woodall, and the London surgeon and physician Daniel Turner. I argue that both the textbooks and Binns' practice demonstrate awareness of the special role of the face in the early modern period, and that this guided the medical approach to disfiguring injuries and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The treatment of wounds accounts for a considerable fraction of health expenses as well as serious socioeconomic problems. The use of natural substances stands out as a source of new therapeutic discoveries for the wound healing. Thus, this review compiled scientific findings on the applicability of carvacrol and thymol, or essential oils containing at least one of these compounds, for the treatment of wounds. Methods: This review was performed at PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science databases using keywords as wound healing, thymol/carvacrol and essential oils. Thirteen studies were selected for discussion. Key findings: Thymol/carvacrol was able to act in the three phases of wound healing. In the first phase, they showed modulatory effect of the inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and antimicrobial power. In the second phase, they promoted re‐epithelialization, angiogenesis and development of granulation tissue. Finally, in the third phase, they improve the collagen deposition and modulated the growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Conclusions: These compounds present a high potential for the development of new therapeutic for wound repair. However, dose, efficacy and safety of these compounds for the treatment of wounds, as well as the mechanisms by which those effects can be observed, are challenges for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resistance of macroalgae to damage by hydrodynamic forces depends on the mechanical properties of their tissues. Although factors such as water-flow environment, algal growth rate, and damage by herbivores have been shown to influence various material properties of macroalgal tissues, the interplay of these factors as they change seasonally and affect algal mechanical performance has not been worked out. We used the perennial kelp, Egregia menziesii, to study how the material properties of the rachis supporting a frond changed seasonally over a two-year period, and how those changes correlated with seasonal patterns of the environment, growth rate, and herbivore load. Rachis tissue became stiffer, stronger, and less extensible with age (distance from the meristem). Thus, slowly-growing rachises were stiffer, stronger, and tougher than rapidly-growing ones. Growth rates were highest in spring and summer when upwelling and long periods of daylight occurred. Therefore, rachis tissue was most resistant to damage in the winter, when waves were large due to seasonal storms. Herbivory was greatest during summer, when rachis growth rates were high. Unlike other macroalgae, E. menziesii, did not respond to herbivore damage by increasing rachis tissue strength, but rather by growing in width so that the cross-sectional area of the wounded rachis was increased. The relative timing of environmental factors that affect growth rates (e.g., upwelling supply of nutrients, daylight duration) and of those that can damage macroalgae (e.g. winter storms, summer herbivore outbreaks), can influence the material properties and thus the mechanical performance of macroalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performing interrupted intradermal suture during bi-layered skin closure is time consuming. The oblique intradermal suture is hypothesized to be a faster choice for intradermal closure while yielding similar wound cosmetic outcomes. This study aims to demonstrate the equivalence of wound outcomes between the interrupted oblique intradermal suture (OIS) and conventional interrupted intradermal suture (IS) methods. This prospective, multicenter, double-blind randomized equivalence trial included patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery with a linear incision wound. A split-wound model was used. One half of the wound was sutured using IS method and the other using OIS method. Wounds were evaluated at 1 week and 2 months after surgery. Of the 120 patients, OIS was found to be equivalent to IS for all clinical outcome parameters. OIS was associated with 50% reduction in suture time and the number of stitches required, and a 40% reduction in suture material used (p < .001). Rates of wound dehiscence and infection were not different between methods. Wound outcomes using OIS were equivalent to those observed when using IS, except that OIS yielded reductions in suturing time, number of stitches and suturing material used. OIS is a cost and clinically effective wound closure method. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT03001856 Meeting presentation: 7th Bozner Symposium of Plastic Surgery, Bozen, Italy, January 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this experiment is to enhance selected species in atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) that might be helpful for the wound healing purpose and to test the performance using basic diagnosis in plasma-treated liquid. A homemade APPJ device is driven by sinusoidal voltage with a excitation frequency of 25 kHz. Argon with admixture of small percentage of nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor was selected to be carrier gas as the main sources of reactive species. Discharge power consumption is calculated by two approaches. Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in the excited states are characterized by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Excitation temperature $T_{\mathrm {exc}}$ in argon plasmas is calculated to estimate the electron energy distribution. The results show that argon plasmas with small addition of nitrogen and oxygen in this jet configuration are more efficient to generate desired reactive species in terms of OES diagnosis and liquid acidification. Moreover, the distinct efficiency of liquid acidification between direct and indirect plasma treatment of liquid has also been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the results of clinical application of nickel-titanium materials (threads, straps, bars) in children's maxillofacial surgery. The main properties of nickel-titanium alloy, comparative characteristics of "Prolene" and "Ti-Ni" threads in the treatment of wounds are given. The clinical cases and observations of using of nickel-titanium in the removal of tissue defects in the cranio-maxillofacial area in children are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the occurrence of occupational exposure to biological fluids in sharps injuries in the hospital nursing team. Methods: A total of 747 professionals were interviewed, based on questionnaires for work accidents. Results: Of the 747 interviewees, 53.9% suffered accidents by sharp instruments. The increased risk of accidents was related to the female sex, daytime work hours and nursing technician and assistant professions. A large part of the accidents occurred due to needle recapping and inadequate disposal of materials, due to lack of attention. More than a third of the victims did not report the accident. Conclusion: The studied professionals have attitudes of risk that must be tackled with policies of health education, reinforcing the importance of the communication of occurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of topical antimicrobials is beneficial for infection control in wound care because wound infection is the major cause of delayed healing. The advantages of topical over systemic antimicrobials include a higher concentration at the target site, fewer systemic adverse effects, and a lower incidence of antimicrobial resistance. Nowadays, topical antimicrobials are divided into three groups: disinfectants, antiseptics, and antibiotics. Only antiseptics and antibiotics can be applied to living skin; therefore, this review will focus only on these groups. The advantages of each topical antimicrobial are well established; however, their disadvantages remain prominent. It is widely known that antiseptics show higher cytotoxicity and a broader spectrum of activity than antibiotics, whereas antibiotics show a higher probability of bacterial resistance development. However, there are still many adverse effects, resulting from each topical antimicrobial. This review aims to summarize the possible adverse effects of commonly used antiseptics (biguanide, silver, iodine, chlorine compounds, and other antiseptics), antibiotics (bacitracin, mafenide, mupirocin, neomycin, and silver sulfadiazine), and natural antimicrobials (curcumin and honey). Moreover, the antimicrobials that should be avoided in particular populations are also summarized in this review in order to increase awareness for antimicrobial selection in those populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of prominent mass shootings in the United States (US) has prompted renewed interest in revising gun policy. One proposal that has gained political traction is raising the minimum age for purchase and possession of guns to 21. While some commentators have suggested that the public mood may be shifting on gun policy, proposals to raise the minimum age have nevertheless provoked controversy. In this manuscript, we examine the ethical acceptability of raising the minimum age of purchase and possession of guns to 21. First, we examine the nature of the rights claim at issue. Second, we examine liberty-based objections to minimum age laws, and offer counter-arguments to these claims. Then, we examine the nature of the harm to be prevented via minimum age laws. We conclude that gun ownership is an important right, but one that nevertheless is ethical to regulate. We argue that liberty-based objections to minimum age laws are not as strong as critics of these laws claim. While we acknowledge the data limitations on assessing their likely success in reducing gun-related harms, we argue that minimum age laws are an ethically permissible policy strategy. We conclude with several recommendations for further research and policy responses to addressing the toll of gun-related morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a scant biomechanical literature that tests, in a laboratory setting, whether or not determinants of helmet fit affect biomechanical parameters associated with injury. Using conventional cycling helmets and repeatable models of the human head and neck, integrated into a guided drop impact experiment at speeds up to 6 m/s, this study tests the hypothesis that fit affects head kinematics, neck kinetics, and the extent to which the helmet moves relative to the underlying head (an indicator of helmet positional stability). While there were a small subset of cases where head kinematics were statistically significantly altered by fit, when viewed as a whole our measures of head kinematics suggest that fit does not systematically alter kinematics of the head secondary to impact. Similarly, when viewed as a whole, our data suggest that fit does not systematically alter resultant neck compression and resultant moment and associated biomechanical measures. Our data suggest that backward fit helmets exhibit the worst dynamic stability, in particular when the torso is impacted before the helmeted head is impacted, suggesting that the typical certification method of dynamical loading of a helmet to quantify retention may not be representative of highly plausible cycling incident scenarios where impact forces are first applied to the torso leading to loading of the neck prior to the head. Further study is warranted so that factors of fit that affect injury outcome are uncovered in both laboratory and real-world settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While scholars have mined Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy to understand the form and development of the novel as a literary genre, a central narrative element that has garnered significant scholarly attention is Tristram's troubled Uncle Toby - a veteran of the Nine Years War who bears a mysterious wound in the groin and who is obsessed with understanding war through the construction and use of miniature battle re-enactments. By recognizing Uncle Toby as a central character of Tristram Shandy and by contextualizing the novel as war literature, this essay demonstrates that Uncle Toby's struggles to express his ambiguous trauma suffered as a soldier become a critical commentary on the social structures and circumstances that lead to the experiences of wounded veterans. Situating Tristram Shandy in the context of war literature, this article reveals how Toby's character plays on Enlightenment conceptions of honour and valour as motivators for soldiers. Furthermore, the article argues that applying the theory of Moral Injury (long present but largely unnamed in war literature), rather than the tempting diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), allows for a more holistic understanding of Toby's critical commentary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the use of 'green' synthesised nanoparticles with environmentally friendly properties is considered a novel therapeutic approach in medicine. Here, the authors evaluated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugated with Tragopogon dubius leaf extract and their antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo. Colour changes from yellow to dark brown and a peak at 560 nm on ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation of nanoparticles. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were performed to determine particle sizes and functional groups involved in gold reduction. Moreover, using standard micro‐dilution and disc‐diffusion assays against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, the antimicrobial properties of synthesised AuNPs were investigated. To confirm antibacterial activity, synthesised AuNPs were applied in a rat model on burn wounds infected with S. aureus, and the nanoparticles were as effective as tetracycline in bacterial reduction and wound healing. In conclusion, the synthesis of AuNPs with aqueous T. dubius extract was rapid, simple, and inexpensive, and the synthesised nanoparticles had significant antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article dwells on three of Hemingway's canonical short stories, set in Italy. While not entirely autobiographical, they deal with Hemingway's inner turmoil caused by his experience during World War I. From its inarticulate nature, pain half emerges into conversations between patients and physicians in A Very Short Story and In Another Country, but disappears into silence in A Way You'll Never Be. The paper argues that the nature of physical and mental wounds, whether visible or concealed, fails objectification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esca is a widespread and damaging grapevine trunk disease in France. A survey was undertaken to identify relevant cultural factors that may influence symptom severity. Preliminary observations in the Aquitaine region confirmed the complex interactions among cultivar, vine training system, and climate, so the study was expanded to the national level to help account for esca in different wine growing regions. Twenty-five vineyard plots were examined. The plots were comparable by pairs, with the same cultivar (or cultivar with similar levels of susceptibility in a few cases), with the same age and similar soil and climatic environments, but with different training or pruning systems. Esca was the predominant trunk disease and prevalence was assessed by visible symptoms on leaves and on wood. Training systems with long arms (or cordons) were generally less affected by the disease than those with short or no arms. Pruning also played a major role, with a trend of less severe symptoms associated with less pruning. The study confirmed that foliar symptoms reveal the presence of the disease, but cannot be considered a reliable indicator of the disease impact in all situations. This study also confirmed: i) that vine training and pruning options may greatly influence the severity of esca, ii) that increasing the length of cordons may minimize the consequences of the wood necroses, and, iii) that simplifications of the woody vine structure (resulting from adoption of modern training and pruning options) may have favoured the development of esca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Defects of the extremities due to high-energy trauma are common and it is necessary to repair these defects. Reconstruction is possible with simple surgeries using skin grafts and negative pressure therapy (NPT). In this study, we present our results of the reconstruction of extremity defects caused by high-energy trauma with a simple surgical procedure using NPT Methods: Patients with soft tissue defects of the upper and lower extremities caused by high energy trauma, who were treated with NPT between November 2009 and June 2015, were included in the study. Results: NPT was performed in 63 patients. The average defect size was 60 cm². The patients underwent an average of nine sessions. The average length of hospital stay was 26 days. The defects were reconstructed using skin grafts and local flaps in 58 and two patients, respectively. None of the patients required free flaps. Conclusion: Extremity defects occurring due to high energy trauma can be closed by simple surgical techniques using NPT, patients can be protected from the complications of free tissue transfer, and also treatment is possible at much lower costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The skin wounds cause serious burden to healthcare systems. The lack of sterility of the innate barrier function of the skin facilitates the development of microbial communities within the wound environment especially in biofilm form. Since biofilm is difficult to eradicate, new treatments have been established, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties have been studied, nevertheless, their toxic effects are known too. Different concentrations of AgNPs stabilized with a biocompatible and thermo-reversible vehicle as hydrogel Pluronic F-127 were synthesized, those formulations presented interesting thermo-reversibility which could be used to apply on wounds. The formulations (Gel 62.5, 125, and 250 ppm of AgNPs) proposed in this study showed in vitro a total inhibition of clinical strains ( Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) in planktonic form, as well as, anti-biofilm activity was archived with the formulation of Gel 250 ppm, a total inhibition of biofilm formation with mixed culture was registered in the first 30 min of biofilm growth; even more, the viability of human fibroblasts with all gels formulations was >95%, in contrast to silver sulfadiazine cream 1% which showed the highest cytotoxic effect. PF-127 gel with AgNPs could be a prophylactic treatment for skin wounds, because its activity in critical steps on biofilm formation. Highlights • The formulations of the hydrogels designed showed engaging features with potential like prophylactic treatment • PF-127 – AgNPs gel had significant antibacterial effect against planktonic form and anti-biofilm activity in critical steps • PF-127 – AgNPs gel was less toxic to human fibroblasts than Silver sulfadiazine cream 1 % • PF-127 – AgNPs gel has outstanding features: thermo-reversibility, antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicity to wound healing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. The liver is one of the most commonly injured solid organ in patients with abdominal gunshot wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate correlation between aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels as well as correlation between liver enzymes and Injury Severity Score (ISS) among patients sustained a gunshot liver injury. Methods. The study included 30 patients with a gunshot liver injury. Patients were divided into three groups, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma injury grade. We included only patients with first (I), second (II) and third degree (III) injury. AST and ALT levels were also initially measured, and then consecutively each day, up to the fifth post-traumatic day, in order to determine which of them is better and more stable predictor of severity of gunshot liver injury. Results. ALT had significant positive correlation with a low-degree gunshot liver injury, on the day zero, post-traumatic day one and day two. Nevertheless, AST/ALT relation throughout post-traumatic five day period regarding an injury grade correlates best in II grade injury. At the end, strong positive correlation between ALT and ISS was observed (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Presented data clearly shows that ALT is better gunshot liver injury predictor than AST, with strong predictive value regarding injury severity, in first days after liver trauma. Therefore, it could be easily available, cheap and reliable prognostic tool for complexity of liver trauma. ALT prediction value is more significant for I and II injury, grade. Correlation between AST and ALT exists only for specific injury grade (II), but not in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, in order to make a clear principal cause in increasing iron loss of amorphous wound cores in processing, effects of bending stress on magnetic characteristics of a Fe-based amorphous wound core are clarified. The amorphous magnetic materials have been widely used as a core material of power transformers to reduce iron loss due to their excellent soft magnetic characteristics. However, the amorphous magnetic material has an issue that the building factor (B.F.) is very large in comparison with that of grain-oriented electrical steel sheets. The amorphous transformers usually use a wound core formed by stacking plural amorphous sheets in different lengths. Bending stress is, therefore, generated at each corner of the wound core in processing. Due to this bending stress, the magnetic characteristics of the wound core deteriorate. The deterioration of magnetic characteristics of the wound amorphous core is so large because of the large magnetostriction constant. As a result, the B.F. of this material becomes larger. In order to remove the residual stress, which is generated in the wound core including the bending stress, the amorphous wound core is usually annealed in a magnetic field, which is called “a magnetic annealing.” In this paper, the effect of the magnetic annealing on the magnetic properties is studied experimentally by evaluating some wound amorphous model cores. As a result, a suitable magnetic annealing condition is clarified and the iron loss of the wound amorphous model core is reduced by 65.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is the most commonly used technique in the treatment of traumatic, post-burn, and post-operative wounds, when direct wound edge closure is unavailable. There is currently no general agreement on the optimal thickness of skin grafts. We aimed to analyze the early results of recipient wound healing after STSG, using grafts of different thicknesses.Methods: This randomized, controlled, and parallel-group pilot clinical trial included 98 adult patients who underwent STSG transplantation surgery for post-burn, post-traumatic, or post-operative skin defects. Patients were randomized into three groups to receive a skin graft of 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4-mm thickness. After skin transplantation, the healing parameters of the recipient wounds were evaluated after 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month. At each time, epithelialization and pain parameters were evaluated.Results: Our study showed that thinner split-thickness skin grafts had better epithelialization scores at the second post-operative week. However, thinner split-thickness skin grafts caused greater pain to the patients.Conclusions: Thickness of the skin graft is a significant factor affecting recipient wound healing parameters. It is necessary to evaluate healing of the donor wound, as well as distant treatment outcomes, such as scarring, pigmentation, and esthetic results of skin grafting with different thickness grafts.Level of Evidence: Level I, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wounds have been very difficult interdisciplinary medical problem. Their prevalence increases with age and becomes increasingly common due to population aging. The problem has become more serious because of many local and systemic factors impairing wound healing. The effective and contemporary local treatment, optimized for the condition of a certain wound, fulfils a crucial role. The role, features, effect and application to include polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) in wound treatment are discussed in this paper. Polyhexanide is a broad-spectrum antiseptic for MRSA, VRE, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is a certain, non-toxic antiseptic with an inferior threshold of irradiation (1.3-1.6) and a high index of biocompatibility; it does not cause cross-resistance to antibiotics but selectively affects the cytoplasmic membrane of microorganisms without damaging proteins in human cells. Despite preceding controversies, polyhexanide has been currently recommended as the first choice antiseptic in treatment of infected wounds, burns, as well as in surgical site infections surveillance. It has been proven to have a positive effect on the formation of granulation tissue in chronic wounds, contributing to the accelerated healing and to the reduction, wholly or in part, of patients' pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many years esthetic medicine has successfully used botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) for wrinkle reduction, as it weakens the action of neurotransmitters in the neuromuscular junction. Thanks to its other properties it can also be used in treatment of scars. In vitro studies showed that BTXA inhibits fibroblast proliferation, viability and modulates the expression of genes responsible for the formation of the extracellular matrix, thus reducing hypertrophic scars and keloids. The Authors present the many uses of botulinum toxin in treatment of scars. Numerous cases and research proved the efficacy of botulinum toxin both in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Research proves that the use of small doses of BTXA in the perioperative period reduces scars and increases their overall esthetics. Botulinum toxin, is effective in treating already existing abnormal scars, especially when used as an element of a more complex treatment schemes. The available evidence proves the efficacy of BTXA in the treatment of scars, although further research is needed in order to establish optimal treatment indications and protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the migration of fibroblasts are key processes involved in wound healing. In this study, the ability of aqueous ethnomedicinal plant extracts prepared from Aspilia africana CD Adams, Boerhavia diffusa L. and Erythrina senegalensis DC. to mediate fibroblast migration and ROS release was determined. Phytochemical composition was assessed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), whereas phytochemical markers were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). Sulforhodamine B staining and morphological examination via microscopy was conducted to determine cytotoxic effects on SC-1 fibroblasts. The effect on AAPH-induced oxidative stress was assessed by measuring ROS release using dichlorofluorescein diacetate activation. The scratch wound assay was used to estimate the rate of cellular migration. Alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols were detected in all three extracts using TLC, whilst UPLC-TOF-MS revealed the presence of neobavaisoflavone in E. senegalensis. None of the extracts was cytotoxic to the SC-1 cells at the highest in-well concentration tested (100 μg/mL). E. senegalensis extract reduced intracellular ROS and cellular migration by 35% and 32.5%, respectively. Although these plant extracts have the potential to minimise oxidation, they do not facilitate fibroblast migration. Further investigation into their mechanism of wound healing is required. Highlights • UPLC-TOF-MS revealed presence of neobavaisoflavone in Erythrina senegalensis. • Extracts were not cytotoxic to SC-1 fibroblasts. • Aspilia africana and Erythrina senegalensis extracts reduced ROS release. • All extracts showed the tendency to hinder fibroblast migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (ɛ‐caprolactone)–chitosan–poly (vinyl alcohol) (PCL: Cs: PVA) nanofibrous blend scaffolds were known as useful materials for skin wound healing and would help the healing process about 50% faster at the final time point. From the previous studies by the authors, PCL: Cs: PVA (in 2: 1: 1.5 mass ratio) nanofibres showed high efficacy in healing on rat models. In this study, the scaffolds were examined in burn and excision wounds healing on dogs as bigger models. The scaffolds were applied on dorsum skin wounds (n = 5) then macroscopic and microscopic investigations were carried out to measure the wounds areas and to track healing rate, respectively. Macroscopic results showed good aspect healing effect of scaffolds compared with control wounds especially after 21 days post‐operating for both cutting and burn wounds. Pathological studies showed that the healing rates of the wounds covered with PCL: Cs: PVA nanofibrous scaffolds were much rapid compared to untreated wounds in control group. The immunogenicity of the scaffolds in canine model was also investigated. The findings showed that nanofibrous blend scaffolds was not immunogenic in humoural immune responses. All these results indicated that PCL: Cs: PVA nanofibrous web could be considered as promising materials for wounds healings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among non-communicable diseases, diabetes represents a growing public health problem in Africa, where diabetes-related needs remain mostly unmet and the disabling features of foot are worsened by hygienic, cultural, and healthcare issues. We aimed to review clinical characteristics, prevalence, and outcomes of patients with diabetic foot ulcer in Africa.Methods: We searched the literature for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies reporting the characteristics of patients with diabetic foot in African countries, with a particular focus on ulcer prevalence, amputation rate, and mortality.Findings: Fifty-five full-text papers and ten abstracts were retrieved, reporting data from 19 African countries on 56,173 diabetic patients. According to the data collected, the overall prevalence of foot ulcers was 13% and increased over time, especially since 2001. Approximately 15% of patients with foot lesions underwent major amputation and 14.2% died during hospitalization. In patients with diabetic ulcers, insulin therapy was uncommon and neuropathy was the most common predisposing factor, but the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease correlated with amputation rates. Amputation and mortality decreased over time, probably as result of the implementation of screening programs in the last ten years. Mortality was directly related to previous amputation.Interpretation: The diabetic foot disease in Africa is a growing problem and is burden by high rate of in-hospital mortality. Educational interventions and screening programs including evaluation of the vascular status may play a crucial role to counter diabetic foot disease in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess two methods of mass abdominal closure with the fishing line as an alternative suture material for abdominal wall closure. Eighteen healthy male white rabbits weighing approximately 2.5 kg were used in this study. Animals were separated into three groups: control group (CG) (n = 06), interrupted pattern suture experimental group (IEG) (n = 06), and continuous pattern suture experimental group (CEG) (n = 06). Incisional wounds (4 cm) were performed in the right flank of abdominal wall. In control group (CG), the abdominal muscles and peritoneum were sutured in one layer with simple interrupted pattern using PGA resorbable suture and the skin with commercial synthetic suture (nylon). Then, in experimental groups, closure of peritoneum, abdominal muscles, and skin was performed with one-layer pattern using translucent nylon fishing line. Daily scores were allocated for signs of infection, wound healing, and wound adhesion. A faster wound closure time was recorded in control group (9 days) compared to experimental groups (13 days). All study animals showed low adhesion scores that were very important in the muscular wall. Almost similar histopathology profiles were observed in all groups. This study has demonstrated that fishing line, as suture material, is suitable for mass abdominal closure in rabbit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Chronic wounds occur for several reasons, such as trauma, accidents, and diseases. Diabetes has been one of the primary causes of non-healing wounds, and the number of people with diabetes is increasing in most countries. Wounds in diabetic people have a complex and prolonged treatment process, with high treatment costs to both healthcare providers and patients. They often have severe consequences, such as pain, wound infection, tissue necrosis, and even limb amputation. Various methods have been used to treat chronic wounds, but clinical success has been limited due to inefficient delivery to the wound bed. Microneedles (MNs), as new platforms, can offer an effective treatment, easy to use and non-invasive with less tissue damage, capable of delivering a wide range of drugs to accelerate the wound healing process. Different methods and materials can be used for this technique, and there are different geometric parameters such as needle length, tip angle, shape and radius, together with needle array density to optimize for the most effective treatment. This review paper will investigate the role of MNs in healing chronic wounds and discuss the most recent development in MN-based devices in the field and their effectiveness. The manuscript will also discuss the various types of MNs and their potential applications for delivering therapeutic agents. Finally, the challenges associated with using MNs to heal chronic wounds and future directions in this field are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct and effective management of wounds still remains challenging in modern day-by-day practice despite the fact that much effort and attention has been directed toward novel technologies and advanced approaches. As wound healing takes place in four stages, the selection of the appropriate treatment, depending on the respective stage of the patient's wound, is crucial. This article discusses single product wound management by means of case studies, in an attempt to describe a simplified and effective way to manage wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the potential of plants used in secular traditional medicine and considers this an important source of evidence to assess their effectiveness and safety. Brazil is rich in biodiversity and traditional uses based on the Amerindian culture. However, many processes started with the arrival of the Portuguese in the year 1500. The successive economic cycles, for example, led to destruction of native vegetation and an intense cultural erosion. As a consequence, the information about the use of plants in the past centuries are dispersed and without interpretation. In this study a methodology to evidence the traditionality of Brazilian plants was demonstrated using data about barbatimão barks ( Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville - Fabaceae) and Copaiba oleoresin ( Copaifera spp. - Fabaceae) in wound healing, was established. Material and methods Data about use of the plants were recovered from bibliography published between 1576 and 2011. The books (101) were classified using weights, considering the date of publication and the source of Information. Older books that describe primary information received weight 10, while books written more recently and with secondary information received weight 0.4. A score for each category of medicinal use was calculated based on the books weights and the frequency of citation. A review about the current use of both plants was also performed from ethnobotanical studies published in journals. Results and discussion The traditional secular use of barks of barbatimão and oleoresin of copaiba to treat wounds was confirmed based on the historic bibliographic research. The most frequent use of barbatimão in a timeline of 500 years of Brazil’s history, was as astringent, whereas for copaíba was as healing of skin and mucosal lesions. The continuous and current use of these plants to treat wounds, confirmed by recent ethnobotanical studies, is an indicative of the resilience of these remedies and their effectiveness. Conclusion The use of preparations containing barbatimão barks and copaiba oleoresin can be considered effective in the treatment of wounds. Nonetheless, it is necessary to improve the quality of the formulas as established by WHO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VSC-HVDC power transmission systems based on extruded cables are being commissioned with higher rated voltages and longer distances in recent years. In China, the rated voltage of commissioned VSC-HVDC cable projects has been increased from 160 to 200 kV, and then to 320 kV in the past 5 years. To investigate the feasibility of discovering insulation defects of an XLPE HVDC cable system using partial discharge detection under DC voltage, a test cable loop was built using the same batch of 320 kV HVDC XLPE cable used to construct the Xiamen ± 320 kV VSC-HVDC project. Artificial defects of insulation wound and semi-conductive layer tips were designed and constructed at the joint. The two types of defects were effectively detected by the HVDC partial discharge test, and the measured results show distinguished discharge characteristics. Suggestions for determining trigger level and partial discharge inception voltage under DC voltage for partial discharge detection of extruded HVDC cables are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, silver (Ag) and Ag–zinc oxide (ZnO) composite nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised and studied their wound‐healing efficacy on rat model. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy of AgNPs displayed an intense surface plasmon (SP) resonance absorption at 450 nm. After the addition of aqueous Zn acetate solution, SP resonance band has shown at 413.2 nm indicating a distinct blue shift of about 37 nm. X‐ray diffraction analysis Ag–ZnO composite NPs displayed existence of two mixed sets of diffraction peaks, i.e. both Ag and ZnO, whereas AgNPs exhibited face‐centred cubic structures of metallic Ag. Scanning electron microscope (EM) and transmission EM analyses of Ag–ZnO composite NPs revealed the morphology to be monodispersed hexagonal and quasi‐hexagonal NPs with distribution of particle size of 20–40 nm. Furthermore, the authors investigated the wound‐healing properties of Ag–ZnO composite NPs in an animal model and found that rapid healing within 10 days when compared with pure AgNPs and standard drug dermazin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moderators reflect on the structure and dynamics of the conference panel, the disrupted effort to talk “about” trigger warnings, and the re-enactment of social problematics that left the group with open wounds. They ask what derailed the dialogue, and consider the effects of the panelists’ race and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its lipopolysaccharides play a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot infection, for which, currently no effective therapeutic agents are available. Hence, newer forms of therapeutic agents are required for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. In this present study, nanocrystalline silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using culture filtrate of Brevibacillus brevis KN8(2) followed by an investigation of its in vivo anti-pseudomonal and anti-endotoxic properties. Biosynthesized AgNPs was predominantly cubical in shape with an average particle size of 15.40 nm as observed through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis indicates the presence of surfactin in culture filtrate of B. brevis KN8(2). The MIC of surfactin-stabilized AgNPs against P. aeruginosa was 10 μg ml−1 and its wound repair activity was observed in P. aeruginosa-infected wounds of diabetic mice by measuring wound area closure, bacterial counts, mRNA expressions, and histopathology. Further, surfactin-stabilized AgNPs suppressed the transcription of LPS-triggered expression of the TNF-α in wounds that LPS-assisted extension of wound repair in diabetes mellitus conditions was circumvented quite well. Results gathered in this study established that surfactin-stabilized AgNPs could effectively offer to the novel treatment of Gram-negative bacilli infection in diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The nanocrystalline silver (NCS) dressing Acticoat is commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of burns and other open wounds as a topical antimicrobial. The dressing may dry resulting in traumatic dressing changes; hence the variety of contact layer dressings used in conjunction with it. Dressing combinations that do not permit NCS penetration are not cost effective and deprives the wound of the needed anti-microbial.Methods: Common wound pathogens were subjected to a variety of contact layer dressings underlying the NCS dressings. The zone of inhibition (ZOI) obtained was measured and compared to a control.Results: Intrasite gel demonstrated a synergistic effect with Acticoat. Iruxol exhibits antagonism by preventing penetration and is known to be partially deactivated by NCS. Intrasite conformable and Adaptic allowed partial penetration while the discs of Biobrane, unstretched/non-fenestrated Pelnac and Telfa transparent film did not allow for sufficient penetration to inhibit the underlying bacteria in this study. The cadaver skin from the South African skin bank (Tshwane university of Technology) displayed a greater antimicrobial effect than even the Acticoat control.Conclusion: Our results illustrate that we should perhaps reconsider dressing combination choices with Acticoat in view of their redundancy or synergistic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical stimulation for delivery of biochemical agents such as genes, proteins and RNA molecules amongst others, holds great potential for controlled therapeutic delivery and in promoting tissue regeneration. Electroactive biomaterials have the capability of delivering these agents in a localized, controlled, responsive and efficient manner. These systems have also been combined for the delivery of both physical and biochemical cues and can be programmed to achieve enhanced effects on healing by establishing control over the microenvironment. This review focuses on current state-of-the-art research in electroactive-based materials towards the delivery of drugs and other therapeutic signalling agents for wound care treatment. Future directions and current challenges for developing effective electroactive approach based therapies for wound care are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new family of overhead traveling cranes based on variable radius drums (VRDs), called cable-based robotic cranes (CBRCs). A VRD is characterized by the variation of the spool radius along its profile. This kind of device is used, in this context, for the development of a cable-robot, which can support and move a load through a planar working area with just two degrees of freedom. First we present the kinematic analysis and the synthesis of the geometry of a VRD profile. Then, the schema of a bidimensional horizontal moving mechanism, based on the VRD theory, and an experimental prototype of a three-dimensional CBRC are presented. The features of this wire-based overhead crane and an analysis of cables tensions are discussed. Finally, the performance of this mechanism is evaluated, demonstrating a deviation between the end-effector and the nominal planar surface of less than $1 \%$ throughout the whole working area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]