Healing Benefits Research Articles

P-1114. Comparative in vitro Microbiologic Study of Two Plant-Based Wound Ointments

Abstract Background Plant-based wound ointments can provide antimicrobial prophylaxis without the inflammation and cytotoxicity associated with common antiseptic ointments that can inhibit closure of chronic wounds. Inula Viscosa (IV) is a plant with purported antimicrobial wound healing benefits. Polygalacturonic acid (PG) + caprylic acid (CAP) is a novel combination of compounds derived from plants (apple or citrus and coconut) which has been shown to be able to eradicate biofilms of bacteria and fungi. In this in vitro study, we compared the microbiologic efficacy of wound ointments containing extracts of IV and PG+CAP. 1% PG + 0.8% CAP vs. Inula Viscosa Wound Ointment- 48 Hour Matured Biofilm on Silicone Disks Eradication of mature biofilms of MRSA, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and C. albicans by 1% polygalacturonic acid + 0.8% caprylic acid (PG+CAP) wound ointment and Inula Viscosa (IV) ointment after 1 hour and 2 hours of exposures. Nontreated disks were used as controls. Data is presented as the median number of recovered viable colonies from six replicates; bars indicate the range. Methods A well-established in vitro model was used to quantify biofilm eradication. Mature biofilms of common wound pathogens isolated from cancer patients methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Escherichia coli (EC), and Candida albicans (CA) were formed on silicone disks and then exposed to PG+CAP or commercial IV wound ointment (Lavior Pharma, Miami, FL) for treatment durations of one or two hours. The treated silicone disks were sonicated in neutralizing broth, serially diluted, plated and counted to enumerate viable colonies (CFU/disk). Positive controls had no wound ointment treatment. Log10 Reduction of IV and 1% PG 0.8% CAP Wound Ointment vs Positive Control Log10 reduction of the median number of viable colonies recovered from six replicates following 1-hour and 2-hour exposure of mature biofilms of MRSA, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and C. albicans to 1% polygalacturonic acid + 0.8% caprylic acid (PG+CAP) or Inula Viscosa (IV) wound ointment. Results Figure 1 presents the median number of viable colonies with range bars indicating the highest and lowest number of viable colonies recovered from six replicates. Table 1 shows the median log reductions between positive control and treated samples with p-values comparing PG+CAP and IV wound ointments calculated by Wilcoxon rank sum test. Conclusion PG+CAP fully eradicated biofilms of MRSA, PA and EC after one hour exposure. PG+CAP fully eradicated CA biofilm after 2-hour exposure with greater than 6-log reduction from control after 1 hour. IV was unable to eradicate biofilms of any of the tested pathogens after 2-hour treatment times. PG+CAP was significantly superior to IV (p< 0.05) for all pathogens at both treatment times. PG+CAP ointment merits further in vivo testing as a promising antimicrobial wound ointment. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P0559 Endoscopic healing at 1-year and association with long-term quality of life in ulcerative colitis: A pooled clinical trial analysis adjusting for 1-year clinical remission status

Abstract Background Therapeutic goals and clinical guidelines in inflammatory bowel disease have evolved to include endoscopic outcomes being a key prognostic parameter in disease management. STRIDE-II guidelines are comprised of clinical and patient-reported outcome remission, along with biomarker normalization and endoscopic healing. While available publications have correlated achievement of endoscopic outcomes with long-term outcomes, few if any have adjusted for clinical remission status. The objective of this analysis was to assess the impact of endoscopic healing at the end of 1-year and 2-year quality of life while adjusting for clinical remission status at 1-year using clinical trial data. Methods Data from four randomized ulcerative colitis clinical trials (UNIFI:NCT02407236, PURSUIT:NCT01863771, ACT-1:NCT00036439, ACT-2:NCT00096655) were pooled to assess the impact of endoscopic healing at 1 year on patients’ quality of life as assessed by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). This post-hoc analysis assessed endoscopic healing at the end of maintenance (EOM) (~42 weeks) and IBDQ remission in the long-term (LTE) duration (~126 weeks). Endoscopic healing was based on endoscopy sub-score of the Mayo score = 0 or 1 and IBDQ remission was defined as IBDQ total score>=170. Patients without LTE IBDQ data and placebo treated patients were excluded. Multivariate analyses with trial as a random effect were conducted and adjusted for treatment arm during maintenance, clinical remission status at end of maintenance (EOM), and endoscopic healing at EOM. Results A total of 591 patients had available endoscopy and clinical remission status at EOM. The percentage of patients with endoscopic healing reaching LTE IBDQ remission was 80.7% whereas 56.2% of those without endoscopic healing reached IBDQ remission. Results of the multivariate analyses showed that endoscopic healing at EOM was significantly associated with higher odds of LTE IBDQ remission with an OR of 1.78 and a corresponding p value below 0.05. Conclusion This analysis used clinical data from robust trials and adjusted for patients’ clinical remission status at the end of maintenance to isolate the benefit of endoscopic healing in predicting long-term outcomes in UC. Endoscopic healing is significantly associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing a better quality of life.

Role of insulin in the management of diabetic foot

Despite insulin's well-documented benefits in wound healing over the last 70 years, challenges remain regarding the optimal method of administration. While systemic insulin therapy has significant side effects, topical insulin faces challenges with consistent delivery. This study aims to test the hypothesis that local insulin injections can provide sustained high concentrations in wounds, promoting healing with minimal systemic impact, combining the benefits of both systemic and topical insulin therapies.This study investigates the effect of local insulin injections on wound healing, focusing on enhancing the healing process in a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer. The objective is to determine whether insulin injections at the wound site can accelerate healing by promoting key processes like keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis.Conducted at a tertiary care center in South India, this study involved a 69-year-old male patient with a non-healing ulcer over the lateral aspect of the left foot due to Charcot's joint. The wound area was treated with a mixture of Insulin Isophane and Human Insulin (70/30) in a 4-unit to 10 ml saline ratio per 10 cm². The treatment was followed by a two-layer regenerative scaffold dressing and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) to support recovery.The insulin application significantly enhanced wound healing by promoting keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis. These effects led to a noticeable reduction in the time required for wound closure and improved tissue regeneration.The use of local insulin injections effectively improves wound healing by targeting key processes such as inflammation, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis. This study underscores the potential of insulin as a promising therapeutic agent for chronic wound management. Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore its application across diverse wound types.

Comparison of Dynamic Postural Stability in Autografts Versus Allografts Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Remnant Preservation: A Prospective Study With 1-Year Follow-up.

Graft selection is an important part of preoperative planning for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In addition, ACLR with the remnant preservation technique has recently gained attention due to potential benefit in bone-tendon healing, graft revascularization, and proprioceptive nerve remodeling. However, the ideal graft choice remains controversial, and there is limited research comparing autograft and allograft in ACLR with remnant preservation. To compare knee muscle strength, neuromuscular control, and patient-reported outcomes between hamstring (HS) tendon autografts and tibialis anterior (TA) allografts in patients undergoing ACLR with remnant preservation through posterior transseptal portal for >1 year. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. A total of 70 patients who underwent ACLR with remnant preservation between 2018 and 2021 using HS tendon autograft (n = 35) or TA allograft (n = 35) were analyzed at 3 different time points (preoperative, 6 months, and 12 months). Quadriceps and HS muscle strengths were measured with an isokinetic device. Proprioception was evaluated with reproduction of passive positioning for joint position sense and overall stability index (OSI) for dynamic postural stability. Patient-reported outcomes included the Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee score. There were no significant differences in demographic information including age, body mass index, concomitant meniscal injuries, and sports activities (P > .05) between HS tendon autograft and TA allograft groups. Quadriceps and HS strength in both groups, HS strength in deep knee flexion in both groups, and OSI in the HS tendon autograft group significantly improved at 12 months (P < .05). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant interactions between time and grafts for OSI (F[2, 136] = 5.08; P = .007). The subsequent independent t test demonstrated that the OSI was significantly higher in the TA allograft group (2.7 ± 1.0) than that of the HS tendon autograft group (2.1 ± 0.8) at 12 months (P = .009), indicating better dynamic postural stability in the HS tendon autograft group. No significant differences were found in knee muscle strength or patient-reported outcomes between HS tendon autograft and TA allograft after ACLR with remnant preservation for up to 1 year except for dynamic postural stability favoring HS tendon autograft.

Successful healing of chronic venous ulcer using zinc oxide nanoparticles and compression therapy in a 75-year-old Syrian female: a case report

Introduction: Chronic venous disease is a commonly underdiagnosed condition that gradually diminishes a patient’s quality of life and imposes a growing burden on healthcare resources. Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) arise as a complication of chronic venous insufficiency and represent the most prevalent type of slow-healing wound in the lower extremities. Case presentation: In this case report, we present the successful treatment of a 75-year-old woman with a chronic venous ulcer caused by chronic deep venous insufficiency. The patient had been struggling with an unresponsive venous leg ulcer for 7 years with no improvement from previous treatments. A three-layer Unna boot treatment, including (ZnO NPs) and a two-component compression system was applied, and significant ulcer reduction was observed. Discussion: ZnO NPs impregnated bandages, like those found in an Unna boot, offer compression by wrapping gauze dressing impregnated with ZnO NPs around the patient’s leg forming a semi-solid mold around the extremity. A more efficient treatment approach could lead to fewer clinic visits, thereby reducing healthcare expenses by enhancing the method of managing venous ulcers through a combination of compression and simple, cost-effective surface dressing materials. It’s worth noting that ZnO NPs have demonstrated significant benefits for wound healing. Conclusion: Utilizing ZnO NPs alongside compression therapy has proven highly effective, accelerating healing and offering a cost-effective solution. Further research is needed to study the safety of ZnO NPs.

Healing mechanism of rural tourism on urban employee unhappiness: a logotherapy theory perspective

This study evaluated the healing benefits of different holiday experiences on employee unhappiness. It developed a model of “Destination Experience–Psychological Recovery–Work Performance” based on liminality and logotherapy theories, which explain how tourism heals employee unhappiness. The researcher employed a weekly diary methodology to collect data from 596 participants, and then utilised partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) methods and multi-group analysis to test the theoretical model. The results indicated that tourism (vs home) and rural (vs urban) tourism destination experiences significantly healed urban employees’ unhappiness. Additionally, this study found that the healing effect of rural tourism destination experiences on urban employee unhappiness was mediated by mastery experiences and moderated by tour duration. To provide a deeper understanding of the hypotheses, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore urban employees’ rural tourism healing experiences and strategies. This study enhances our understanding of how tourism reduces employee unhappiness and contributes to the literature on the spillover effects of tourism on work. Finally, it presents a significant new paradigm for tourism healing theories and practices for future research.

TriHex 2.0-Advancing Skin Health Science and the TriHex Technology.

The original TriHex combination-Tripeptide-1 and Hexapeptide-12 (TriHex) encompasses a peptide combination selected for its ability to modulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) by progressively eliminating clumped collagen and elastin fragments and then stimulating replacement with new collagen and elastin. Incorporation of a proprietary, patent-pending Octapeptide-45 (Octa) to the TriHex original provides potential for added benefit based on the peptide's capacity to stimulate hyaluronic acid (HA) and its anticipated added benefit in wound healing. This is named TriHex 2.0 in the paper. A full-scale validation process was structured to assess Octa synergy with TriHex using an exvivo model, assessing ECM changes histologically in relation to elastin, HA and basement membrane components. In addition, gene expression studies were undertaken, including bulk and single cell sequencing analysis to assess the particular changes that occurred by adding Octa to the TriHex. Following the gene expression analysis, a further round of exvivo studies was conducted to assess protein expression of the defined differentially expressed genes using histological staining. Octa synergized with TriHex as demonstrated by significantly upregulated genes (p < 0.05) affecting the ECM and basement membrane. A histological assessment using the exvivo model demonstrated tropoelastin intensity significantly increasing with TriHex (43%) and 2.0 (42%) (p < 0.05 for both) compared to untreated explants. HA levels (CD44 intensity) significantly increased with TriHex (69%; p < 0.01), while TriHex 2.0 demonstrated HA levels 160% greater (p < 0.001) than the untreated tissue. Single cell sequencing identified a gene expression profile upregulation relating to ECM modulation and wound healing in both TriHex and 2.0, but TriHex 2.0 showed additional activities in basement membrane physiology, stem cell recruitment, and protection of fibroblasts against cellular senescence. The addition of Octapeptide-45 to TriHex technology in the form of TriHex 2.0 is a significant advance to TriHex technology science. Both forms demonstrate ECM remodeling and positive wound healing, but supplementary benefits are evident including increased elastin and hyaluronic acid stimulation, added effects on the basement membrane, additional wound healing capacity in basal keratinocytes and anti-senescent effects in fibroblasts. This is helpful for pre-conditioning of the skin prior to procedures and post procedure related to additional ECM remodeling, wound healing advantages, senescent cell targeting and DEJ strengthening. Clinical studies to follow.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DE ATIVOS NATURAIS NAS FORMULAÇÕES DE SKINCARE

INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the effectiveness of natural products in skincare beyond their aesthetic function, exploring their therapeutic properties for skin care. The analysis focuses on active ingredients such as Aloe Vera and essential oils from the Amazon, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing benefits for individualized treatments. GENERAL OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of natural active ingredients in cosmetics such as skincare, exploring their benefits beyond aesthetics. METHODOLOGY: This study presents an integrative bibliographic review on skincare and natural products, analyzing articles from 2020 to 2024 in databases such as BVS, PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Five relevant articles were selected to develop a review framework, focusing on the potential of cosmetics with natural products in adjuvant treatments in skincare. RESULTS: This study reviewed cosmetic formulations with natural products, focusing on their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties to enhance aesthetic and therapeutic benefits, especially in combating skin aging and treating acne. six articles were analyzed that highlighted active ingredients such as Aloe Vera and cocoa extract, proving their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing effects. CONCLUSION: The conclusion highlights that a skin care routine with natural cosmetics, such as Centella Asiatica and Aloe Vera, can prevent premature aging and treat conditions such as acnes, due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Topical Reconstituted High-Density Lipoproteins Elicit Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Diabetic Wounds.

Objective: Reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) improve wound healing in diabetes. We aimed to determine if rHDL elicit anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic wounds, as a mechanism to explain their wound healing benefits. Approach: Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin in C57Bl6/J mice. Two full-thickness wounds were placed on the subflanks of diabetic and nondiabetic (ND) mice. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or rHDL (50 µg/wound/day) were applied topically. Wound closure was assessed daily. Inflammatory gene transcripts were measured by qPCR and proteins by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in wounds collected at baseline, 24 h, and 3 days postwounding. Wound macrophages were assessed by flow cytometry 7 days postwounding. The fate of fluorescent 3,3-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine, perchlorate (DiO)-labeled rHDL was tracked by flow cytometry, fluorescent imaging, and microscopy. Results: In diabetic mice, rHDL increased wound closure rates at days 6 (+288%, p < 0.01) and 7 (+639%, p < 0.0001) postwounding, compared with PBS controls. After 3 days, rHDL-treated diabetic wounds had lower Rela (-65%) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2) (-59%) mRNA levels and CCL2 protein (29%) than PBS controls, p < 0.05 for all. Wound macrophage content was higher in diabetic than ND wounds, but rHDL did not change macrophage content or polarity. DiO-rHDL were taken up by key wound cells including fibroblasts, macrophages, keratinocytes and endothelial cells, and retained in wounds for at least 48 h. Innovation: rHDL exerts anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic wounds early postwounding, which may contribute to its wound healing properties. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory properties of rHDL in diabetic wounds present topical rHDL as a novel treatment option for improving healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Comparison of Short-Term Clinical Effects of Minimally Invasive Anterior Talofibular Ligament Reconstruction versus Suture Anchor Repair for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Objective: To compare the short-term clinical effects of minimally invasive anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction versus suture anchor repair in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 patients at the 960th Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force between January 2022 and June 2023, patients were divided into two groups based on surgical procedure: Group A (ATFL reconstruction, 35 cases) and Group B (suture anchor repair, 33 cases). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 months, assessing the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, VAS pain score, Tegner activity score, and patient satisfaction, while noting any recurrence of ankle instability or complications such as numbness or infection. Results: In Group A, the AOFAS score improved from 74.46 ± 2.96 preoperatively to 90.91 ± 2.79 at final follow-up, Tegner score from 2.40 ± 0.50 to 5.69 ± 0.76, and VAS from 3.14 ± 0.85 to 1.60 ± 0.50; patient satisfaction was 8.31 ± 0.72. In Group B, AOFAS improved from 74.48 ± 2.29 to 90.55 ± 3.12, Tegner from 2.48 ± 0.51 to 5.76 ± 0.79, and VAS from 3.45 ± 0.83 to 1.73 ± 0.50, with patient satisfaction at 8.27 ± 0.63. No significant statistical difference was found between groups in any score (P &gt; 0.05), with both groups showing significant postoperative improvement (P &lt; 0.05) and no serious complications within 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Both ATFL reconstruction and suture anchor repair yield favorable short-term outcomes in treating lateral ankle instability. Further research is needed to assess if anatomical reconstruction offers superior biomechanical benefits in scar healing over the suture anchor repair in long-term follow-up.

Unveiling the Latest Breakthroughs: A Comprehensive Review of the Therapeutic Activity and Safety Profile of Aloe vera.

The use of herbal drugs as alternative and complementary medicine has increased in popularity, raising concerns about their safety profile. Aloe vera, a plant with diverse therapeutic properties, has been extensively used for centuries. This review aims to assess the therapeutic activity and safety profile of Aloe vera. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather relevant information from various biomedical databases. The chemical composition, mechanism of action, and therapeutic activities of Aloe vera were analyzed. Aloe vera contains numerous active components such as vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, and anthraquinones. Its mechanisms of action involve collagen synthesis, anti-inflammatory effects, immune modulation, laxative properties, and antiviral activity. Aloe vera has demonstrated potential therapeutic benefits in wound healing, diabetes management, liver and kidney protection, and glycemic control. However, it is essential to consider potential side effects, such as skin irritation and allergic reactions. This review provides evidence-based information to improve patient safety and promote informed decisions regarding the use of Aloe vera as a therapeutic agent.

Thermal Comfort Simulation-Based Forest Management Scenarios for Forest Healing

Background and objectives: Forest environments provide various healing benefits for humans and have been widely studied. Nevertheless, the field of forest management for forest healing remains relatively understudied. The purpose of this study is to utilize thermal environmental simulation to derive forest management scenarios that are optimized for forest healing. Methods: This study focused on the Seogwipo Experimental Forest on Jeju Island, Korea. Three-dimensional forest models were generated based on field surveys. Thermal environment simulations were conducted using Grasshopper with the Ladybug and Honeybee plug-ins, and the thermal comfort levels of six forest management scenarios were evaluated using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Results: The simulation results showed that, among all the scenarios, only scenario (c), “10% thinning in the buffer zone”, led to an improvement in thermal comfort. Additionally, the study identified discrepancies in thermal comfort between different forest management scenarios. Conclusions: In the management of forests for healing forestry purposes, the distinction of forest zones by use and the application of different forest management scenarios have thermal comfort implications. Thus, the methodology could be employed in forest management for forest healing purposes.

Topical Application of Centella asiatica in Wound Healing: Recent Insights into Mechanisms and Clinical Efficacy.

Centella asiatica, widely known as Gotu kola, is a traditional herb celebrated for its benefits in skin health and wound healing. Recent research has provided new insights into its efficacy, particularly through topical applications. This review highlights the plant's mechanisms, focusing on its active compounds such as asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, which enhance collagen synthesis, modulate inflammation, and offer antioxidant protection. Clinical trials have been collected and summarized that innovative delivery systems, such as hydrogels, nanostructures or microneedles, can accelerate wound healing, reduce wound size, and improve recovery times in various wound types, including diabetic ulcers and burns. Future research will likely refine these technologies and explore new applications, reinforcing the role of C. asiatica in contemporary wound care. Advances in formulation and delivery will continue to enhance the plant's therapeutic potential, offering promising solutions for effective wound management.

Vanillic acid promotes keratinocyte migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis

Wound healing is a complex, multi-phase process involving the coordinated interaction of various cells and molecules. This study evaluates the effects of vanillic acid (VA) on wound healing using HaCaT cells. The results demonstrate that VA treatment increases the levels of phosphorylated AMPK protein, thereby activating the AMPK pathway. This activation leads to an upregulation of PNCA expression and enhances the proliferation of HaCaT cells. Additionally, VA treatment reduces the expression of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 while increasing Bcl2 expression, which inhibits apoptosis in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, VA treatment upregulates the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, promoting HaCaT cell migration. VA also induces the secretion of FGF, VEGF, and PDGF, which enhances tube formation in HUVECs. In conclusion, VA may have potential therapeutic benefits in wound healing by promoting keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis.

Comparative efficacy of autologous platelet rich plasma and conventional dressing in the management of chronic ulcers

Background: Chronic ulcers pose a major global healthcare challenge. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for treating these wounds has garnered interest because of its potential healing benefits. Objective were to determine the effect of autologous PRP therapy on the percentage of surface area reduction/healing in chronic ulcers. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the department of general surgery of M.M. institute of medical sciences and research (M.M.I.M.S.R.) Mullana, Ambala from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. Patients aged 18-80 years of either gender with chronic ulcers were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to the PRP group and control group. PRP group was administered autologous PRP once in two weeks for 6 weeks after debridement, while for the control group conventional saline dressings were done after debridement. Final assessment was done at 8 weeks. Results: Of the 60 patients, the mean age was 53.90±11.23 years. There were 49 (82%) males and 11 (18%) females. At 8 weeks, the PRP group achieved 83.78% (SD=2.99) reduction in surface area of ulcers, whereas the control group had a 57.78% (SD=1.32) reduction in surface area of ulcers, with a p=0.0000 indicating a significant difference. The small sample size and 56-day follow-up period are insufficient to assess long-term treatment effects. Conclusions: A better outcome of PRP was observed compared to conventional dressing in patients with chronic non-healing ulcers.

Blue Space: Extracting the Sensory Characteristics of Waterscapes as a Potential Tool for Anxiety Mitigation.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate if there is a physiological stress response to the visual and auditory characteristics of waterscapes. Background: Biophilic research suggests that the presence of water can reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, and increase circulation. However, water has largely been omitted from healthcare design due to concerns of cost, maintenance, waterborne pathogens, and contamination. Existing research has not yet provided a design methodology to incorporate the healing effects of water without the potential diseases, contamination, and maintenance issues associated with physical water. Given the current technological capabilities, the isolation of the auditory and visual sensory stimuli has potential to re-introduce the healing benefits of water into healthcare design. Methods: Participants were either exposed to a slow-moving or fast-moving waterscape for 20 minutes. Pre- and post-anxiety were measured using the State Trait Anxiety Scale in an online Qualtrics survey (118 participants) and through a salivary cortisol biomarker (in which 26 participants also partook). Results: The overall results demonstrate that the utilization of digital blue space was effective in reducing stress. There was no significant difference between the lake or waterfall environment in both salivary cortisol and state-trait anxiety measures. However, it is suggested that the slow and fast-moving waterscapes may be beneficial in different settings. Conclusion: Design recommendations are made regarding potential biophilic design in healthcare facilities. The utilization of sensory waterscapes can also provide a cost affordable, non-pharmacological, alternative for anxiety mitigation for patients and staff undergoing high-stress situations.

Comparison of The Effectiveness of Thymoquinone, St. John Wort Oil and Silver Sulfadiazine in Experimental Burn Wounds.

We aimed to compare the effectiveness of thymoquinone (TQ), most important bioactive component of black cumin, St. John wort (SJW) oil, a traditional medicinal plant used in burns, and silver sulfadiazine (AgSD), well-known anti-inflammatory agent used in modern medicine, in an experimental burn rat-model. 63 Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (n=7). TQ, SJW were administered topically and systemically but AgSD was applied topically. Epithelialization, inflammatory cell response, granulation tissue, vascularization, and fibrosis were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), vitamin E, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were analyzed in serum. Topical TQ accelerated theepithelialization, enabled granulation, vascularization and fibrosis in wounds (P=0.001). Topical and systemic TQ increased Vitamin-E levels (P=0.003) but reduced TOS and 8-OHdG levels (P=0.001). Topical SJW reduced granulation and vascularization. Topical and systemic SJW decreased TOS, MDA and 8-OHdG levels (P=0.001), but increased TAS (P=0.001), and Vitamin-E levels (P=0.003). Topical AgSD reduced TOS, 8-OHdG, MDA levels (P=0.001). Topical and systemic TQ demonstrated significant advantages in accelerating wound healing process, while also enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative damage. SJW oil, particularly in topical application, improved epithelialization and antioxidant status but showed less efficacy in systemic use. AgSD, while effective in reducing oxidative stress, was less successful in promoting wound healing and appeared to delay granulation and fibrosis. TQ offers superior protective and healing benefits, SJW is effective locally but less so systemically, and AgSD should be used cautiously, potentially combined with antioxidants to mitigate its negative impact on wound healing.

Therapeutic potential of cannabis for surgical wound healing in rats.

This study was conducted to evaluate the wound-healing activities of a Cannabis sativa L. plant extract and cannabidiol on incision wounds. An incision was created and sutured in rats under anaesthesia. Routine wound care procedures were applied for 10 days, followed by histological wound examinations. The cellular bioactivities of the hemp extract and CBD were assessed for MCP-1, EGF, BFGF, IL-8, and COL-1 using ELISA on the rat skin wound healing activity. A one-way ANOVA was used for the data analysis. The EGF values in the plasma were similar in the povidone-iodine, hemp seed oil, and hemp essential oil groups (P > 0.05). However, the EGF levels were lower in the CBD group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.005). The MCP-1 values in the hemp seed oil, hemp essential oil, and CBD were similar (P > 0.05), whereas povidone iodine exhibited lower MCP-1 levels compared to the other groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.005). It was determined that the plasma BFGF, IL-8, and COL 1 values of the groups were similar (P > 0.05). To our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the effects of CBD, seed oil, and hemp leaf extract on incision wound healing. It demonstrates that hemp extract holds greater potential benefits for wound healing compared to CBD.

Design and evaluation of composite films for in situ synthesis and antibacterial activity of allicin vapour

Although allicin has potent antibiotic properties, its low stability, which is responsible for its persistent biological activity, has posed a significant challenge to its practical application in modern medicine. To harness the healing benefits of this phytochemical, known by humans for thousands of years, we propose a controlled in situ synthesis of allicin vapour near the site of infection. Considering the critical need for novel approaches to prevent pandemic scenarios caused by MDR bacteria, we suggest encapsulating and physically separating allicin precursors (substrate alliin and enzyme alliinase) in alginate-based films and spray-dried chitosan microparticles. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel films of various compositions were evaluated, as well as their ability to protect the encapsulated alliinase against thermal stress and control the overall rate of allicin release upon hydration. Furthermore, the non-contact antibacterial efficacy of free alliin/alliinase reaction mixture (aqueous solution) and three compartmentalised configurations, i.e. film-solution, film-particles, and double-film, were tested against selected bacterial strains, i.e. E. coli, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus. The results indicate that the formation of allicin vapour using the proposed compartmentalised systems addresses allicin’s stability issues and provides better control over the rate of allicin production. The observed antibacterial effect was comparable with directly formed allicin using higher initial amounts of both substances, which is given by diffusion limitations associated with encapsulation. These findings illustrate the potential of compartmentalised systems in developing nature-based wound dressings for infection prevention and promoting healing.

Community environmental healing benefits: A systematic review comparing intervening variables, environments, and outcomes.

As the smallest spatial unit in the city, the community should be an important space for healing the urban population. This paper presents a systematic review summarizing studies on community healing environments. The study identified 75 publications. The research findings are as follows: the main intervening variables include restorativeness, emotions and mood, stress, and well-being. Little attention has been paid to the intervening variables including social support, environmental preferences and satisfaction, place attachment, behavior types that respond to personal will, self-fulfillment, and the spirit of personal culture. The various types of natural environments in communities have been given focused attention for a long time. However, the superiority of the natural environment should not be a reason to underestimate the healing benefits of community spaces. The mechanisms by which environmental characteristics are transformed into positive individual influences through intervening variables should be explored.