Alternative Wound Research Articles

Comparison Of Wound Healing Process Between Hepar Sulph With Aloe Vera Wound Care Dressing Treatment Among Diabetic Foot Ulcers : A Pilot Study

This pilot study examines the effectiveness of Hepar Sulph and Aloe Vera in diabetic foot ulcer management. Key findings indicate superior outcomes with Hepar Sulph in wound size reduction and closure time. Implications for alternative wound care strategies are discussed. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a significant challenge in diabetic patient management. This pilot study aims to compare the effectiveness of Hepar Sulph and Aloe Vera in promoting wound healing among diabetic foot ulcer patients. A total of 60 participants were divided into three groups: 20 in the control group treated with normal saline (NaCl), 20 in the Aloe Vera group, and 20 in the Hepar Sulph group. The study found that both Hepar Sulph and Aloe Vera were effective in wound healing, with Hepar Sulph demonstrating superior results. This study highlights the potential of Hepar Sulph as a more effective treatment option for DFUs compared to Aloe Vera.

Honey as a wound dressing on superficial partial-thickness burn injury in a resource-limited setting: An EBCR at Ende General Hospital

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of honey and conventional SSD cream in accelerating burn wound healing, specifically in resource-limited healthcare settings. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane databases. Following systematic screening of titles and abstracts based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles were selected for analysis, comprising four systematic reviews, one randomized controlled trial (RCT), and one cross-sectional study. The methodological quality of the selected studies was critically appraised using validated tools from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, University of Oxford. The analysis included six studies: four systematic reviews, one randomized controlled trial (RCT), and one cross-sectional study. six studies: four systematic reviews, one randomized controlled trial (RCT), and one cross-sectional study. Quality assessment indicated that the systematic reviews and cross-sectional study demonstrated robust methodological quality. These high-quality studies consistently reported significant reductions in burn wound healing time when honey dressings were utilized. However, the included RCT failed to report effect measurements, limiting the interpretation and clinical significance of its findings. Honey has a faster healing effect on superficial thickness burns than SSD cream and is affordable. Therefore, honey can be used as an alternative wound dressing in areas with limited facilities.

Development of new gallic acid loaded films for wound dressings: In vitro and in vivo evaluations

Wounds that cannot be treated and become chronic remain among the most challenging health problems with financial burdens worldwide. Herein, gallic acid (GA) loaded polymeric films were developed using HPMC (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) or sodium alginate as the main polymer, and characterizations were examined. Weights were found between 681.25 ± 29.77 and 329.25 ± 4.21 mg and the thickness was in between 1.40 ± 0.09 and 0.70 ± 0.01 mm range. pH values were quite close to neutral. Moisture uptake and loss results were in harmony with plasticizer concentration that was also observed with texture profile analysis such as elongation at break 74.45 ± 2.70 % which corresponds to tensile strength 0.034 ± 0.005 N/mm2 for H4 that is suitable for wound application. Swelling of the films was found higher with sodium alginate-containing formulations compared to HPMC-based films due to lower molecular weight. In vitro release study exhibited that the release of GA from both HPMC and sodium alginate-based films reached 100 % in 3 h. Ex vivo permeation and penetration were found to be low which is preferred for wound treatment. In vitro biological assays were assessed in terms of in vitro antioxidant capacity, in vitro wound healing assays, and in vitro anti-inflammatory evaluations. H4 indicated the highest free radical scavenging activity and the highest dose-dependent wound healing potential with 1 mg/ml (96 % on the 24th hour). Finally, in vivo studies were performed on mice with control, market product, blank, and GA-loaded films and histopathological assessment. All findings revealed that the film containing GA, HPMC, PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone), and propylene glycol is an outstanding alternative wound therapy.

Biochemical, immunological markers, histology and ultrastructural changes of open wound healing in rats treated with ethyl acetate extract of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes

Research on plant-based wound healing agents has been one of the current developing areas in modern biomedical science. This study aimed to assess the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome (ZZRE) on open wound healing activity in Wistar rats. Ninety male Wistar rats (220–320 g) were divided into three groups treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (negative control), Solcoseryl gel (positive control), and 10 % ZZRE (treatment group), respectively. Six circular full-skin thickness wounds of 6.0 mm in diameter were induced bilaterally on the dorsal surface of each rat. Six rats were sacrificed on Day-1, Day-3, Day-6, Day-10 and Day-14 respectively from each group after wound induction. All data obtained are considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Macroscopic observations showed that the 10 % ZZRE treated wounds healed faster compared to other groups. The wound closure percentage showed that the wound treated with 10 % ZZRE is significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the PBS group on Day-6, Day-10 and Day-14. Protein levels of the 10 % ZZRE group decreased significantly at Day-1 compared to the PBS group and significantly (p < 0.05) higher at Day-14 compared to both control groups. The hexosamine and uronic acid levels of the 10 % ZZRE group showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease on Day-14. Conversely, hydroxyproline levels showed significant (p < 0.05) increase starting from Day-3 until Day-14. As for the immunological markers, the level of total TGF-β1 of the 10 % ZZRE group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the PBS group on Day-14, whereas the level of IL-10 on the wound tissue of the 10 % ZZRE group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the PBS group on Day-1 but significantly (p < 0.05) higher on Day-10 and Day-14 compared to both control groups. Histological observation showed that the wounds treated with 10 % ZZRE infiltrated with lesser inflammatory cells while collagen deposition was denser as compared to both control groups. Based on the result obtained, it is clearly proven that treatment of 10 % ZZRE on open wound healing in rats, showed that the extract was effective in healing the wound and accelerated the healing process. Therefore, the 10 % ZZRE tested has the potential to be developed as an alternative wound healing agent in the future.

Outcomes of a honey and olive oil-based dressing material on wounds of women that have had a caesarean section in south-western Uganda.

Postpartum sepsis following caesarean sections among women in Uganda remains a risk. However, erratic supplies of standard dressing material make the risk a reality. Alternative wound dressing materials, therefore, remain a viable option. This study examined the outcome of a honey and olive oil-based dressing material on caesarean section wound healing. Using the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), the study team created I-Dress, a wound dressing made of honey and olive oil. A case-series study was conducted on 25 women who received I-Dress following caesarean births at three health facilities in south-west Uganda. Vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate) were measured, along with wound induration, dehiscence, and discharge. The primary outcome was the length of time it took for the wound to heal. The average age of the women who received I-Dress was 27.5 (±4.8) years. Following the application of I-Dress, all of the women (100%) had no wound induration or dehiscence, with only two (13%) experiencing wound discharge. The vast majority of the women (88%) had never had a Caesarean section before. The mean time required for wound healing was 2.2 (±0.7) days. The findings indicate that honey and olive oil-based dressings improve Caesarean section wound healing in terms of wound induration, dehiscence, and time to healing. These dressing materials can therefore supplement the standard dressing materials, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Characterization, Biocompatibility and Antioxidant Activity of Hydrogels Containing Propolis Extract as an Alternative Treatment in Wound Healing.

Hydrogels consist of a network of highly porous polymeric chains with the potential for use as a wound dressing. Propolis is a natural product with several biological properties including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. This study was aimed at synthesizing and characterizing a polyacrylamide/methylcellulose hydrogel containing propolis as an active ingredient, to serve as a wound dressing alternative, for the treatment of skin lesions. The hydrogels were prepared using free radical polymerization, and were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, swelling capacity, mechanical and rheological properties, UV-Vis spectroscopy, antioxidant activity by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays and biocompatibility determined in Vero cells and J774 macrophages by the MTT assay. Hydrogels showed a porous and foliaceous structure with a well-defined network, a good ability to absorb water and aqueous solutions simulating body fluids as well as desirable mechanical properties and pseudoplastic behavior. In hydrogels containing 1.0 and 2.5% propolis, the contents of total polyphenols were 24.74 ± 1.71 mg GAE/g and 32.10 ± 1.01 mg GAE/g and those of total flavonoids 8.01 ± 0.99 mg QE/g and 13.81 ± 0.71 mg QE/g, respectively, in addition to good antioxidant activity determined with all three methods used. Therefore, hydrogels containing propolis extract, may serve as a promising alternative wound dressing for the treatment of skin lesions, due to their anti-oxidant properties, low cost and availability.

Exploring the Wound Healing Potential of a Cuscuta chinensis Extract-Loaded Nanoemulsion-Based Gel.

Cuscuta chinensis (C. chinensis) presents many pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic effects, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. However, the wound care properties of this plant have not yet been reported. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of ethanol and ethyl acetate C. chinensis extracts. The phytochemical markers in the extracts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Then, the selected C. chinensis extract was developed into a nanoemulsion-based gel for wound care testing in rats. The results showed that both of the C. chinensis extracts exhibited antioxidant activity when tested using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. They reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The ethyl acetate extract also had antibacterial properties. Kaempferol was found in both extracts, whereas hyperoside was found only in the ethanol extract. These compounds were found to be related to the biological activities of the extracts, confirmed via molecular docking. The C. chinensis extract-loaded nanoemulsions had a small particle size, a narrow polydispersity index (PDI), and good stability. Furthermore, the C. chinensis extract-loaded nanoemulsion-based gel had a positive effect on wound healing, presenting a better percentage wound contraction Fucidin cream. In conclusion, this formulation has the potential for use as an alternative wound treatment and warrants further study in clinical trials.

Management of canine wounds using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) biomaterial. A case series report.

The increasing interest in platelet-based therapies has underwritten the development of novel veterinary regenerative treatments. The haemoderivative platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) comprises abundant concentrations of platelets and leucocytes, above the physiologic baseline, which are considered essential elements for wound regeneration, stimulating local angiogenesis, cellular migration, proliferation and differentiation, considered essential for skin repair. This study aimed to describe the treatment of eight dogs with naturally occurring cutaneous wounds, where autologous PRF therapy was applied, using a protocol developed by our group. Eight dogs, aged between 7-month and 9-year old, from different breeds and sexes, were enrolled in this study. Four of these wounds were clinically infected. In three cases, two PRF treatments were performed during the first week of treatment, followed by single weekly treatments from the second week onwards, until exophytic granulation tissues were present. In each case, the treatment was finalized only when complete wound closure was achieved. Wounds did not receive topical antiseptics, antibiotics or topical drugs to promote wound healing during the treatment. PRF-grafting treatments were well tolerated in all treated wounds, inducing significant granulation tissue formation. PRF clots acted as a natural tissue filler, promoting epithelization and wound closure, without the requirement of topical antimicrobial/antiseptics application, or additional surgical debridement. Evident skin contraction was recorded in larger injuries and all the treatments resulted in vestigial aesthetic scars where hair growth was also observed. PRF-therapy obtained promising results, as an alternative wound treatment, revealing a biological regenerative action, prompting the natural skin healing process.

Patient With Sitosterolemia With Slow Healing Sternal Wound From Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Sitosterolemia, also known as phytosterolemia, is a rare recessive genetic disorder characterized by accumulation of sitosterol from vegetable oils, nuts, and other plant-based foods in the body. In those with sitosterolemia, there is an increase of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis), which may occur in early childhood, impeding blood flow and increasing the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death at a very early age. Visual signs of sitosterolemia may include small yellowish xanthomas beginning in early childhood. Xanthomas are accumulated lipids that develop in the heels, elbows, and buttocks. A clinical case study of a patient with sitosterolemia with slow healing surgical wound from coronary artery bypass surgery is described. Treatment of sitosterolemia is aimed at lowering plasma plant sterol levels with dietary restriction intake of both animal- and plant-based sterols. However, plant-based products (collagen, chitosan, etc) are also used for wound dressings, so alternative wound dressings were selected to decrease the possibility of systemic absorption. This case study describes a young adult male with sitosterolemia who presented with a slow healing surgical incision following coronary artery bypass surgery. Sitosterolemia is often characterized by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that occurs in children and early adulthood, especially affecting men. Treatment is aimed at lowering plasma sterol levels with the restriction of animal and plant sterols. There is considerable interest today in natural versus synthetic wound care products. Dressings containing chitosan, cellulose, collagen, etc, to be avoided to decrease the chance of systemic absorption.

Three-dimensional macro/micro-porous curcumin releasing polycaprolactone/chitosan nanofiber scaffolds as wound dressing

In this study, three-dimensional (3D) polycaprolactone (PCL)-chitosan (Chi)-curcumin (Cur) nanofibrous wound dressings were fabricated with a dispersion shaping method. After conventional electrospinning of PCL-Chi and PCL-Chi-Cur mixture, bead-free and smooth nanofibers with the mean diameters between 90 – 160 nm were successfully obtained. Then, 3D nanofibrous PCL-Chi and PCL-Chi-Cur wound dressings with mean diameters of 235 ± 50 nm and 226 ± 47 nm, respectively, were fabricated in macro/micro-porous structure. According to the micro-computerized tomography analysis, 3D nanofibrous PCL-Chi and PCL-Chi-Cur materials had the mean pore sizes of 97 µm and 208 µm with the total porosity of 90%. When chitosan was added to the structure, the hydrophilicity and water uptake capacity of the developed materials were significantly improved. Furthermore, curcumin was successfully loaded into 3D nanofibrous structures with 61% encapsulation efficiency and 3% drug loading capacity. When the curcumin release was analysed, it was observed that 55% of the loaded curcumin was released within the first 3 h, and the release was completed at the end of 10 h with the released amount of 64%. Kinetic analyzes revealed that the release profile was diffusion controlled in accordance with the Higuchi model. Cell culture studies were performed with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and cell metabolic activity and morphology were monitored by MTT and SEM analyses, respectively. The presence of curcumin in 3D nanofibrous wound dressings had a positive effect on the viability and proliferation of HDF cells, albeit decreasing, especially in the first 7 days of culture, but this effect almost disappeared on day 14. In SEM analyses, it was observed that HDFs in all groups migrated to the depths of the material through macropores, but it can be said that cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions were much better in the PCL-Chi-Cur group. Hence, curcumin-incorporated 3D nanofibrous material containing macro/micro pores within the structure have potential to be a good alternative wound dressing in the future when curcumin release is further extended.

Banana fibre-chitosan-guar gum composite as an alternative wound healing material

Bio-composites, which can be obtained from the renewable natural resources, are fascinating material for use as sustainable biomaterials with essential properties like biodegradable, bio-compatibility as well cyto-compatibility etc. These properties are useful for bio-medical including wound healing applications. In this study, fibre obtained banana pseudo stem of banana plant, which is otherwise wasted, was used as a material along with chitosan and guar gum to fabricate a banana fibre-biopolymer composite patch. The physiochemical properties of the patches were examined using Fourier Transformed Infra-red spectrophotometer (FT-IR), tensile tester, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), contact angle tester, swelling and degradation studies. We further demonstrated that a herbal drug, Nirgundi could be loaded to the patch showed controlled its release at different pHs. The patch had good antibacterial property and supported proliferation of mouse fibroblast cells. The study thus indicates that banana fibre-chitosan-guar gum composite can be developed into an alternative wound healing material.

Low-laser action analysis associated with Himatanthus drasticus extract in wound healing.

The aim of this study was to analyze the healing action of low-intensity laser therapy associated with Himatanthus drasticus in wound healing in mice. The study was experimental, analytical, controlled, randomized, and prospective. Twenty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control with injury, injury + laser, wound + Himatanthus drasticus, and wound + laser + Himatanthus drasticus. The animals underwent surgical skin wounds on their backs, and different treatments were applied based on the group. The healing process was evaluated histologically through the analysis of collagen fibers, neovascularization, and inflammatory reaction. The results showed that low-intensity laser therapy and Himatanthus drasticus treatment improved the healing process in terms of collagen synthesis, decreased inflammatory cell migration, fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, wound size reduction, and edema reduction. However, the combination of laser and Himatanthus drasticus did not show significant improvement compared to individual treatments. There were no statistical differences in polymorphonuclear cells between the treatment groups. Low-intensity laser therapy and Himatanthus drasticus have demonstrated positive properties in improving the healing process. Further research is needed to better understand their individual and combined effects. The study contributes to the exploration of alternative wound healing methods and encourages further investigation in this field.

АНАЛИЗ СОВРЕМЕННЫХ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИ ЦЕЛЕСООБРАЗНЫХ ПОДХОДОВ В ПРОЕКТИРОВАНИИ СИСТЕМ ТЕПЛОСНАБЖЕНИЯ

The work is devoted to modern, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, economically feasible methods used in the design of heat supply systems. The purpose of this article is to analyze new technologies and approaches that can significantly improve the efficiency of the heat supply system, reduce energy costs and minimize the negative impact on the environment. This goal was achieved through an extensive analysis of modern approaches in the design of heat supply systems through the use of alternative energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal energy. The most important result is the consideration of the use of smart technologies and control systems to optimize the operation of the heating system. Smart meters, monitoring and control systems allow you to effectively control energy consumption, prevent leaks and emergency situations, and optimize heat distribution in the network. The significance of the results obtained lies in determining the possibility of implementing an energy efficiency program, as well as reducing costs and minimizing harm to the environment. The practical implementation of these approaches will make it possible to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly heat supply system for our cities and settlements.

Alternative energy as a driver of transformation processes in the energy sector

Renewable energy is actively developing both on the global market and within individual regions and countries. Alternative energy sources, particularly solar and wind, guarantee a stable and safe energy supply. Such systems ensure a reliable supply of energy in everyday life and in extreme situations, such as natural disasters or breakdowns in the operation of the energy infrastructure. The transition to alternative energy sources generally contributes to creating a stable, ecologically clean and environmentally friendly energy system, which has many advantages for society. The article aims to study the prerequisites and dynamics of the development of alternative energy. The article found out that the use and introduction of alternative energy sources is an important factor for restoring the ecological balance during the decarbonization of the economy. As of the end of 2022, wind power plants, solar power plants, home solar power plants, and small hydroelectric power plants are gaining popularity. The leaders in the number of new facilities installed from renewable energy sources in Ukraine are the Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions. The analysis carried out in the article proved that the most common alternative sources in Ukraine and Europe are solar panels, wind power plants and smart energy. The authors systematized the advantages of solar panels, which define them as sustainable and stable energy sources for the future. The work concludes that wind power plants have more limitations due to the nature of the conditions, but with the development of technology, they have become more and more efficient. In addition, a promising direction for developing the modern energy system is using smart energy, which includes artificial intelligence, data analytics, and a system for collecting energy resources. Modern smart energy allows you to provide energy planning effectively and to warn of power outages.

Сравнительный анализ энергетических стратегий Казахстана и Европейского союза

Kazakhstan strives to meet the growing energy consumption and ensure sustainable economic development through the efficient use of energy resources and the development of renewable energy sources. Achieving energy security is possible through the creation of diverse and sustainable systems with an emphasis on clean environmental energy sources. The orientation of the European Union's energy strategy is to ensure a sustainable, safe and environmentally friendly energy sector capable of providing energy supply and supporting economic growth in the long term. The main problem is the need to match the implementation of the energy policy to the existing needs of an individual state or regional association. A comparison of the energy strategies of Kazakhstan and the European Union indicates that they have similar goals, but the difference lies in the peculiarities of their geographical location, the level of the economy and the policy pursued. At the same time, the main similarity of the analyzed energy strategies is the preference for alternative energy sources, for example, wind and hydrogen energy, taking into account current trends in the development of Kazakhstan and the European Union. At the same time, the exchange of relevant experience, advanced technologies and successful practices of the member states of the European Union can stimulate dynamic development in this direction. The possibilities of practical application of biogas technology are also considered. The author concludes that it is advisable for Kazakhstan and the European Union to cooperate in the process of transition to renewable energy sources. The analysis of the strategic, economic and environmental features of the transition of the regional association of European countries and a separate state of the Central Asian region to alternative energy, which may be interesting for countries with similar aspirations in the global energy sector.

Wound Healing and Acute Dermal Toxicity Studies of Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P. H. Raven (Onagraceae) in Sprague–Dawley Rats

Introduction. The aerial part of Ludwigia octovalvis has been used traditionally in some parts of Asia for the management of wounds owing to the presence of phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids among others. The incidence of wounds, their associated complications, and the cost of wound care are on the increase globally, therefore, the need to develop alternative wound care agents. The aim of this study was to scientifically investigate the wound healing potential of the ethanolic extract of L. octovalvis using the excision wound healing model in rats and also carry out an acute dermal toxicity investigation of the plant extract. Method. A 70% ethanol extract of L. octovalvis was prepared for the wound healing activity using the excision wound healing model in Sprague–Dawley rats. Aqueous creams (1, 3, and 10%) were prepared and topically applied to the wounds once daily according to the groups of animals. The wounds were assessed for rates of wound closure on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Re‐epithelialization periods were also determined. Sections of wound tissues obtained on day 13 were subjected to histological investigations. An acute dermal toxicity of the plant extract was investigated. Results. L. octovalvis treatment (1, 3, and 10%) exhibited a mean percentage wound contraction range of 85.36 ± 7.22–94.14 ± 2.23 on day 11. The extract exhibited re‐epithelialization periods of 17.3 ± 1.2, 19.8 ± 2.6, and 16.0 ± 1.7 days for the 1, 3, and 10% extract creams, respectively, whereas the cream‐only and 1% silver sulfadiazine treatments resulted in a re‐epithelialization period of greater than 28 days. Histopathological investigation revealed enhanced fibroblast infiltration and collagen deposition in the treatment groups. No adverse reaction was observed in the acute dermal toxicity study. Conclusions. Extract of L. octovalvis exhibited wound healing by enhancing wound contraction, re‐epithelialization, fibroblast infiltration, and collagen deposition at the wound site. The extract did not exhibit any toxic reaction in the acute dermal toxicity study.

Ukraine’s energy supply in the defense sector: The first lessons of war

The terrible consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which continues on the territory of the Ukrainian land, and the consequences of natural disasters indicate the need to create alternative (reserve or emergency) sources of energy supply for enterprises, institutions, and individual households, and objects of small forms of management, especially outside the points of permanent deployment. Ensuring an uninterrupted and stable electricity supply to all these forms is an extremely important problem for Ukraine as the country faced a large number of challenges regarding energy independence due to numerous missile strikes. The purpose of the study was to analyze the energy system and the level of damage to Ukraine after the Russian missile attacks, the impact on the state of energy supply of individual facilities and consumers of military camps, examine the possibilities of using emergency and backup energy sources and alternative energy, in particular, solar and wind. The study analyses the destruction of the energy system of Ukraine as a result of missile attacks and the possibilities of using emergency and backup energy sources and alternative energy, in particular, solar and wind, and the investigation of the potential and opportunities to attract investment in the field of alternative energy. Special attention is paid to small business facilities, including military camps. In the course of the study, it was determined that Ukraine has a geographical location that provides space for the installation of various alternative energy systems and the possibility of combining them to diversify and improve the stability and reliability of the Ukrainian energy system. The practical importance of the study lies in the ability to make more informed decisions regarding the implementation of programs aimed at switching to alternative and decentralized energy sources. This will make the country’s energy infrastructure more stable and allow better meeting the energy needs of small forms of management, individual farms, military units, formations, and infrastructure facilities.

Multi-functional fibrous dressings for infectious injury treatment with anti-adhesion wound healing

Skin regeneration is hindered by poor vascularization, bacterial infection, prolonged inflammation, and oxidative wound microenvironment, which necessitate the fabrication of alternative wound dressings with anti-adhesion, anti-infection, and angiogenic functions. Prominin-1-derived peptide (PR1P, herein named as BP) may sequester vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by interacting with VEGF receptors and promote wound healing. Oregano essential oil (OEO, herein named as O), is a natural plant extract mainly containing carvacrol and thymol, which manifests low cytotoxicity and cost-effectiveness as well as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-oxidative properties. Herein, we fabricated anti-adhesion, anti-infection, and angiogenic wound dressings by simultaneously exploiting BP and O in electrospun poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/gelatin (PG)-based fibrous dressings. Different types of in vitro assays manifested anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, and angiogenic characteristics of dressings. The PG@BPO dressings further enabled good wound healing 14 days post-implantation alongside anti-adhesion, and anti-infection properties. The tensile strength of the repaired skin was almost similar to the normal skin (repaired skin, 1.70 MPa and normal skin, 1.78 MPa). These multifunctional dressings may hold great promise for skin repair and related disciplines.

Aerodynamic Study of Chord Length Effect in Low Speed Wind Turbine Using 6 DoF CFD Method

The dependencies on fossil energy as a basic energy source has many negative impacts, therefore alternative energy is needed to overcome the problem, one of which is the alternative green energy wind turbines. However, wind turbines in Indonesia are difficult to implement because the wind speed in Indonesia is low, which is around 4-8 m/s, therefore it is necessary to do research to improve the ability of wind turbines applied in Indonesia. The analysis method using the 6 DoF CFD method and the experimental carried out using the wind tunnel. The blade used in this study is a custom combination airfoil with the chord lengths of 0.1 m, 0.15 m and 0.2 m. The results shows that, at wind speed of 8 m/s the blade with a chord length of 0.2 m has the greatest pressure of 47 Pa and rotational speed per minute of 76.1 rpm, this variation can be applied to low rpm generators. Whereas blades with a chord length of 0.1 m and a twist angle of 15o have a pressure of 47 Pa, and rotational speed of 97.24 rpm per minute, this variation can be applied to high rpm generators.

Development of a Stretchable and Water-Resistant Hydrogel with Antibacterial and Antioxidant Dual Functions for Wound Healing in Movable Parts.

The treatment of wounds that develop on moving parts of the body, such as joints, is considered a challenge due to poor mechanical matching and secondary injury caused by continuous motion and inflammation. Herein, a stretchable, multifunctional hydrogel dressing utilizing the dual cross-linking of chitosan (CS) and acrylic acid (AA) and modified with caffeic acid (CA) and aloin (Alo) was developed. Mechanical testing demonstrated that the hydrogel possessed excellent stretching capability (of approximately 869%) combined with outstanding adhesion (about 56 kPa), contributing to its compatibility with moving parts and allowing complete coverage of wound sites without limiting joint and organ motion. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that use of the hydrogel resulted in upregulated expression of multiple genes related to angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Furthermore, antibacterial testing indicated that the dressing suppressed the growth of Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), providing a better microenvironment for wound healing. An in vivo wound defect model on movable skin verified that the wound healing observed with the hydrogel dressing was superior to that observed with a commercially available dressing. Taken together, the results suggest that a stretchable multifunctional hydrogel dressing represents a promising alternative wound dressing with therapeutic potential for superior healing, especially for moving parts of the body.