First-Aid Hydrogel Wound Dressing with Reliable Hemostatic and Antibacterial Capability for Traumatic Injuries

A preliminary study on the promotion of wound healing by paeoniflorin carbon dots loaded in chitosan hydrogel

Due to poor angiogenesis under the wound bed, wound treatment remains a clinical challenge. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new dressings to combat bacterial infections, accelerate angiogenesis, and accelerate wound healing. In this study, we prepared carbon dots nanomaterial (PF-CDs) derived from traditional Chinese medicine paeoniflorin using a simple green one pot hydrothermal method. The average particle size of the CSs we prepared was 4 nm, and a concentration of 200 μg ml-1was ultimately selected for experiments. Subsequently, PF-CDs were loaded into the chitosan hydrogel to form a new type of wound dressing CSMA@PF-CDs hydrogel. CSMA@PF-CDs demonstrated positive biocompatibility by promoting a 20% increase in cell proliferation and strong antibacterial activity. In comparison to the control group, CSMA@PF-CDs enhanced the expression level of anti-inflammatory factors by at least 2.5 times and reduces the expression level of pro-inflammatory factors by at least 3 times. Furthermore, CSMA@PF-CDs promoted the migration of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression by 5 times. The results ofin vivoexperiments indicate that CSMA@PF-CDs significantly promoted the healing of back wounds in rats. These characteristics make it a promising material for repairing infected wounds and a potential candidate for clinical skin regeneration applications.

Mussel-inspired multifunctional gelatin microgel for accelerating full-thickness wound healing

The complete wound healing is challenging in clinical practice originating from bleeding, inflammation or infection, leading to poor healing process. Here, inspired by the mussel's adhesion, we successfully developed a polydopamine functionalized gelatin microgel (PGM) using a simple emulsification-chemical crosslinking technique, which method enables the controllable and facile generation of PGM, allowing for the facile production of PGM with different sizes (15-100 μm). PGM demonstrates remarkable adaptability to complex wound shapes and depths, ensuring stable tissue adhesion even in dynamic and moist microenvironment, the optimal adhesive strengths of PGM adhering to porcine skin is 10.3 kPa. Particularly, its multifunctional performance integrates cell migration, hemostatic activity, and reactive oxygen species scavenging. In addition, skin wound healing in a full-thickness skin defect model was achieved by down regulating TNF-a expression while promoting collagen regeneration and CD31 expression. Altogether, a new strategy of injectable microgel is developed for drug-free, efficient full-thickness wound healing, offering significant potential for clinical applications.

Endoscopic Delivery of a Double-Umbrella-Shaped Hydrogel Occluder with Instant Mechanical Interlock and Robust Wet Adhesion for Gastric Perforation Repair

Achieving robust adhesion of bioadhesives on wet tissues to block gastric perforation remains a challenge due to the gradually deteriorated adhesive-tissue interactions by interfacial acidity and multienzyme gastric fluids, thus accompanying failure shedding and life-threatening risks. Here, we report a biocompatible double-umbrella-shaped endoscopy-deliverable hydrogel occluder (EHO) made of caffeic acid (CA)-grafted chitosan (CS) and polyacrylamide (PAM) by molding technique, which is capable of the customizable, rapid, robust, and long-term sealing of large gastric perforations. In addition to interfacial physiochemical interactions (e.g., H-bonding, chelation) between the tissues and polymers, efficient sealing also integrates the advantages of fast mechanical interlocking in space and gradual self-expansion over time to tolerant acidic and mechanically dynamic environments. The EHO exhibits favorable biodegradability due to the reducible disulfide cross-linkers and remarkable protective barrier functions to impede the infiltration of gastric acid and digestive pepsin into the wound. To validate EHO's therapeutic efficacy, we further demonstrate the robust in vivo sealing to large gastric tissues via endoscopic delivery to the porcine stomach and monitor of healing process with improved retention of endogenous growth factors. Besides, in views of simple hydrogel fabrication using molding technique, the biodegradable EHO can be facilely tailored with various topologies according to application scenarios in surgical and minimally invasive endoscopic delivery, thus offering a promising alternative for clinical repair of gastrointestinal perforations and other organs.

Adhesive and Antioxidant Hydrogel with Glucose/ROS Dual-Responsive Drug Release for Diabetic Oral Mucosal Wound Healing

Diabetes mellitus is a global health threat, with chronic wounds, including oral mucosal wounds, being a severe complication. These wounds are characterized by delayed healing and increased inflammation due to hyperglycemia, affecting patients' quality of life. Current treatments for oral mucosal wounds cannot offer sustained management of these injuries in diabetic patients. Here, a glucose/ROS dual-responsive hydrogel incorporating sitagliptin was developed for the treatment of diabetic oral mucosal wounds. After chemical modification of tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) succinimidyl glutarate (tetra-PEG-SG) by dopamine (DA) and tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) amine (tetra-PEG-NH2) by phenylboronic acid (PBA), the resulting hydrogel was capable of rapid gelation, robust tissue adhesion, self-healing, antioxidant capacity, and dual response to glucose and reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling the feasible injection and stable adherence in the moist oral environment while ensuring sustained therapeutic sitagliptin release. In vivo experiments on oral mucosal defects in diabetic mice revealed that the sitagliptin-loaded hydrogel could effectively reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. Collectively, this finding identifies a potential wound dressing as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic oral mucosal wounds.

Bioactive hemostatic materials: a new strategy for promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration

Wound healing remains a critical global healthcare challenge, with an annual treatment cost exceeding $50 billion worldwide. Over the past decade, significant advances in wound care have focused on developing sophisticated biomaterials that promote tissue regeneration and prevent complications. Despite these developments, there remains a crucial need for multifunctional wound healing materials that can effectively address the complex, multiphase nature of wound repair while being cost effective and easily applicable in various clinical settings. This review systematically analyzes the latest developments in wound healing materials, examining their chemical composition, structural design, and therapeutic mechanisms. We comprehensively evaluate various bioactive components, including natural polymers, synthetic matrices, and hybrid composites, along with their different forms, such as hydrogels, powders, and smart dressings. Special attention is given to emerging strategies in material design that integrate multiple therapeutic functions, including sustained drug delivery, infection prevention, and tissue regeneration promotion. The insights provided in this review illuminate the path toward next-generation wound healing materials, highlighting opportunities for developing more effective therapeutic solutions that can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare burden.

Multifunctional self-healing and pH-responsive hydrogel dressing based on cationic guar gum and hyaluronic acid for on-demand drug release

Pathogen invasion and persistent inflammatory storms caused by bacterial infections are the main challenges to the healing of infected wounds. Herein, this study proposed a pH-responsive polysaccharide hydrogel dressing (CG-HA) composed of cationic guar gum (CG) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Additionally, Zn2+ and ferulic acid (FA)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes (FA/β-CD) were co-introduced into the CG-HA hydrogel to form the desired FA/β-CD@CG-HA-Zn hydrogel. The FA/β-CD@CG-HA-Zn hydrogel was constructed based on multiple non-covalent interactions, including electrostatic interactions, coordination bonds and hydrogen bonds, allowing it to conform to irregular wound shapes. Notably, the release rates of FA and Zn2+ at pH 7.5 were faster than those at pH 5.5, indicating that the FA/β-CD@CG-HA-Zn hydrogel exhibited excellent pH responsiveness and enabled intelligent drug release. Moreover, the inclusion of FA and Zn2+ endowed the hydrogel with robust antibacterial activity against S. aureus (97 %), MRSA (94 %), and E. coli (95 %). Finally, the FA/β-CD@CG-HA-Zn hydrogel demonstrated efficacy in promoting wound healing by modulating the immune microenvironment and accelerating vascularization. Thus, the developed self-healing FA/β-CD@CG-HA-Zn hydrogel with pH-triggered on-demand drug release is a promising wound dressing for the management of infected wounds.

Fabrication of amino-capped Pluronic F127 with aldehyde dextran chains: A strategy improving extensibility, compressibility and self-healing hydrogel for wound healing

It is meaningful to develop polysaccharide hydrogel dressing with good mechanical and sustained-release properties, which can adapt to irregular wounds healing. To overcome defects of some polymers with amino groups, such as chitosan (more brittle), Poly(ethylenimine) (more toxic), and gelatin (less strength), a novel hydrogel (ODEX/APF) based on amino-capped Pluronic F127 (APF) as flexible crosslinking graft between aldehyde dextran (ODEX) chains was prepared in this study. The prepared ODEX/APF hydrogel exhibited rapid gelation under physiological conditions, endurable ductility and compressibility, excellent self-repairing ability based on Schiff base, and satisfied biocompatibility. Furthermore, amphiphilic APF can self-assemble into micelles that can be loaded with curcumin (Cur) and form drug-loaded composite hydrogels (ODEX/APF@Cur) with ODEX. The hydrogel has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and allows for long-term controlled release. In a full-thickness skin wound model, ODEX/APF@Cur hydrogel presented faster healing, less scaring, milder inflammation, better collagen distribution, downregulation of TNF-α, and upregulation of VEGF, promising applications in promoting wound healing.

Mussel-Inspired Hydrogel Applied to Wound Healing: A Review and Future Prospects

The application background of mussel-inspired materials is based on the unique underwater adhesive ability of marine mussels, which has inspired researchers to develop bionic materials with strong adhesion, self-healing ability, biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness. Specifically, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in mussel byssus is able to form non-covalent forces on a variety of surfaces, which are critical for the mussel's underwater adhesion and enable the mussel-inspired material to dissipate energy and repair itself under external forces. Mussel-inspired hydrogels are ideal medical adhesive materials due to their unique physical and chemical properties, such as excellent tissue adhesion, hemostasis and bacteriostasis, biosafety, and plasticity. This paper reviewed chitosan, cellulose, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, alginate, and other biomedical materials and discussed the advanced functions of mussel-inspired hydrogels as wound dressings, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, adhesion and hemostasis, material transport, self-healing, stimulating response, and so on. At the same time, the technical challenges and limitations of the biomimetic mussel hydrogel in biomedical applications were further discussed, and its potential solutions and future research developments in the field of biomedicine were highlighted.

Material Design, Fabrication Strategies, and the Development of Multifunctional Hydrogel Composites Dressings for Skin Wound Management

The skin is fragile, making it very vulnerable to damage and injury. Untreated skin wounds can pose a serious threat to human health. Three-dimensional polymer network hydrogels have broad application prospects in skin wound dressings due to their unique properties and structure. The therapeutic effect of traditional hydrogels is limited, while multifunctional composite hydrogels show greater potential. Multifunctional hydrogels can regulate wound moisture through formula adjustment. Moreover, hydrogels can be combined with bioactive ingredients to improve their performance in wound healing applications. Stimulus-responsive hydrogels can respond specifically to the wound environment and meet the needs of different wound healing stages. This review summarizes the material types, structure, properties, design considerations, and formulation strategies for multifunctional hydrogel composite dressings used in wound healing. We discuss various types of recently developed hydrogel dressings, highlights the importance of tailoring their physicochemical properties, and addresses potential challenges in preparing multifunctional hydrogel wound dressings.

Rapidly in situ forming antibiotic-free injectable hydrogel wound dressing for eradicating drug-resistant bacterial infections in human skin organoids

The rising prevalence of global antibiotic resistance evokes the urgent requirement to explore the alternative antimicrobial candidates. It is of great significance to overcome these serious threats of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and difficult-to-heal cutaneous wounds to human health. Herein, we proposed a rapidly in situ forming innovative antibiotic-free hydrogel dressing with excellent biocompatibility, easy injectability, strong tissue adhesion and superior antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria. An octa-armed poly(ethylene glycol) amine (Octa-PEG-NH2) was quickly crosslinked with a green industrial microbicide tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) to form an antibacterial hydrogel (OPTH) by simple mixing without any other initiators or crosslinkers. A significant broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy was demonstrated against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Significantly, benefiting from its flexible injectability and reliable tissue adhesion, the excellent antibacterial performances were further evidenced by employing human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived skin organoids in a 3D culture system and rat animal wound models in vivo with MRSA infection, thus allowing for reepithelization promotion and wound healing. Collectively, the findings not only propose a facile gelatinization strategy for readily accessible antibiotic-free hydrogel dressings for effective MRSA therapy but also hold great clinical translation potential in obliterating multi-pathogenic bacteria and accelerating wound healing.

Engineering Robust Silver-Decorated calcium peroxide Nano-Antibacterial Platforms for chemodynamic enhanced sterilization

Calcium peroxide (CaO2) is commonly used as a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) donor to eliminate bacterial infections. However, the rapid dissociation of CaO2 and the explosive release of H2O2 have limited the development of CaO2 in the antibacterial field. Therefore, a series of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized bacteria-triggered smart hydrogels (CSA-H) that integrate sustained release of nanoparticles and localized chemodynamic sterilization were constructed. The pH-responsive hydrogel formed through the Schiff base reaction enables the responsive release of CaO2 nanoparticles while simultaneously regulating the concentration of H2O2 within the bacterial infection microenvironment. AgNPs are capable of reacting with H2O2 under mildly acidic conditions to produce hydroxyl radicals with enhanced antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial results demonstrated that AgNPs functionalized silicon dioxide-coated calcium peroxide (CaO2@SiO2/AgNPs) nanoparticles exhibited enhanced bactericidal activity compared to AgNPs or CaO2 alone. Furthermore, CSA-H hydrogels exhibited significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli under the dual effect of AgNPs and pH-driven Fenton-like reactions. This chemodynamic antibacterial platform is environmentally responsive and provides a promising strategy for creating multifunctional hydrogels loaded with nano-enzymes, thus advancing the development of AgNPs in chemodynamic-antibacterial related applications.

Research trends and hot topics of wearable sensors in wound care over past 18 years: A bibliometric analysis

Objective

This study determined the development trends, analyzed collaboration networks, and identified research hotspots in the field of wearable sensors for wound care from 2007 to 2024 using a rigorous bibliometric analysis approach.

Methods

Bibliometric and scientometric analyses were performed utilizing data sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection database. This study examined publication trends, contributions from various countries and institutions, author productivity, keyword prevalence, and citation patterns to discern research hotspots and potential future avenues in the application of wearable sensors for wound care.

Results

This study included 1177 articles, which demonstrated a marked increase in publications since 2016 and underscores the burgeoning interest in wearable sensors for wound care. China and the United States have emerged as prominent contributors to the research field, exhibiting numerous international collaborations. An analysis of keywords and citation bursts highlighted wound healing, hydrogels, and sensors as the key research foci with recent trends shifting towards the integration of wearable technology with advanced materials and artificial intelligence for advanced wound management. The research landscape is characterized by a diverse network of international collaborations and an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches that integrate materials science, sensor technology, and clinical applications.

Conclusion

The utilization of wearable sensors in wound care constitutes a rapidly progressing area of research, garnering significant interest and promising avenues for future advances. The integration of wearable sensors with advanced materials and AI technologies presents a frontier of opportunity for innovating wound care methodologies, enhancing patient outcomes, and optimizing the allocation of healthcare resources.

Polymeric Dural Biomaterials in Spinal Surgery: A Review

Laminectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure by orthopedic and neurosurgeons, aimed at alleviating nerve compression and reducing pain. However, in some cases, excessive proliferation of fibrous scar tissue in the epidural space post-surgery can lead to persistent and intractable lower back pain, a condition known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). The persistent fibrous tissue causes both physical and emotional distress for patients and also makes follow-up surgeries more challenging due to reduced visibility and greater technical difficulty. It has been established that the application of biomaterials to prevent epidural fibrosis post-lumbar surgery is more beneficial than revision surgeries to relieve dural fibrosis. Hydrogel-based biomaterials, with their excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and injectability and tunable mechanical properties, have been increasingly introduced by clinicians and researchers. This paper, building on the foundation of epidural fibrosis, primarily discusses the strategies for the preparation of natural and polymeric biomaterials to prevent epidural fibrosis, their physicochemical properties, and their ability to mitigate the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts. It also emphasizes the challenges that need to be addressed to translate laboratory research into clinical practice and the latest advancements in this field.

Hydrogel Wound Dressings Accelerating Healing Process of Wounds in Movable Parts

Skin is the largest organ in the human body and requires proper dressing to facilitate healing after an injury. Wounds on movable parts, such as the elbow, knee, wrist, and neck, usually undergo delayed and inefficient healing due to frequent movements. To better accommodate movable wounds, a variety of functional hydrogels have been successfully developed and used as flexible wound dressings. On the one hand, the mechanical properties, such as adhesion, stretchability, and self-healing, make these hydrogels suitable for mobile wounds and promote the healing process; on the other hand, the bioactivities, such as antibacterial and antioxidant performance, could further accelerate the wound healing process. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in hydrogel-based movable wound dressings and propose the challenges and perspectives of such dressings.

All-in-One Self-Powered Microneedle Device for Accelerating Infected Diabetic Wound Repair

Diabetic wound healing remains a significant clinical challenge due to the complex microenvironment and attenuated endogenous electric field. Herein, a novel all-in-one self-powered microneedle device (termed TZ@mMN-TENG) is developed by combining the multifunctional microneedle carried tannin@ZnO microparticles (TZ@mMN) with the self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). In addition to the delivery of tannin and Zn2+, TZ@mMN also effectively conducts electrical stimulation (ES) to infected diabetic wounds. As a self-powered device, the TENG can convert biomechanical motion into exogenous ES to accelerate the infected diabetic wound healing. In vitro experiment demonstrated that TZ@mMN shows excellent conductive, high antioxidant ability, and effective antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (>99% antibacterial rates). Besides, the TZ@mMN-TENG can effectively promote cell proliferation and migration. In the diabetic rat full-thickness skin wound model infected with Staphylococcus aureus, the TZ@mMN-TENG can eliminate bacteria, accelerate epidermal growth (regenerative epidermis: ≈303.3 ± 19.1 µm), enhance collagen deposition, inhibit inflammation (lower TNF-α and IL-6 expression), and promote angiogenesis (higher CD31 and VEGF expression) to accelerate infected wound repair. Overall, the TZ@mMN-TENG provides a promising strategy for clinical application in diabetic wound repair.

Hemostatic and Ultrasound-Controlled Bactericidal Silk Fibroin Hydrogel via Integrating a Perfluorocarbon Nanoemulsion

Excessive blood loss and infections are the prominent risks accounting for mortality and disability associated with acute wounds. Consequently, wound dressings should encompass adequate adhesive, hemostatic, and bactericidal attributes, yet their development remains challenging. This investigation presented the benefits of incorporating a perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PPP NE) into a silk-fibroin (SF)-based hydrogel. By stimulating the β-sheet conformation of the SF chains, PPP NEs drastically shortened the gelation time while augmenting the elasticity, mechanical stability, and viscosity of the hydrogel. Furthermore, the integration of PPP NEs improved hemostatic competence by boosting the affinity between cells and biomacromolecules. It also endowed the hydrogel with ultrasound-controlled bactericidal ability through the inducement of inner cavitation by perfluorocarbon and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the sonosensitizer protoporphyrin. Ultimately, we employed a laparotomy bleeding model and a Staphylococcus aureus-infected trauma wound to demonstrate the first-aid efficacy. Thus, our research suggested an emulsion-incorporating strategy for managing emergency wounds.

PAA-PU Janus Hydrogels Stabilized by Janus Particles and its Interfacial Performance During Hemostatic Processing

Hydrogel is a very promising dressing for hemostasis and wound healing due to its good adhesion and long-term moist environment. However, secondary injury caused by tissue adhesion due to homogeneous hydrogel cannot be ignored. The obvious interface existing in Janus hydrogel will weaken its asymmetric function. Here, a hierarchical adhesive polyacrylic acid-polyurushiol water-oil Janus hydrogel (JPs@PAA-PU) without adhesive layer is fabricated by one-pot method in the stabilization of polystyrene@silica-siliver Janus particles (JPs). The morphological structure, mechanical properties, anisotropic chemical composition, and adhesion performance, in vivo, and in vitro hemostatic properties of Janus hydrogel are investigated. Result shows that the obtained Janus hydrogel possesses obvious compartmentalization in microstructure, functional groups, and chemical elements. Janus hydrogel is provided with asymmetric interfacial toughness with top 52.45 ± 2.29 Kpa and bottom 7.04 ± 0.88 Kpa on porcine liver. The adhesion properties of PAA side to tissue, red blood cells and platelets, promoting effect of PU side on coagulation cascade reaction and its physical battier endow Janus hydrogel with shorter hemostatic time and less blood loss than control group. It also exhibits excellent antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (>90%). Janus hydrogel possesses biosafety, providing safety guarantee for clinical applications in the future.

Collagen Scaffolds Functionalized by Cu2+-Chelated EGCG Nanoparticles with Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidation, Vascularization, and Anti-Bacterial Activities for Accelerating Wound Healing

Skin injury is a common health problem worldwide, and the highly complex healing process poses critical challenges for its management. Therefore, wound dressings with salutary effects are urgently needed for wound care. However, traditional wound dressing with a single function often fails to meet the needs of wound repair, and the integration of multiple functions has been required for wound repair. Herein, Cu2+-chelated epigallocatechin gallate nanoparticles (EAC NPs), with radical scavenging, inflammation relieving, bacteria restraining, and vascularization accelerating capacities, are adopted to functionalize collagen scaffold, aiming to promote wound healing. Radical scavenging experiments verify that EAC NPs could efficiently scavenge radicals. Additionally, EAC NPs could effectively remove Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. H2O2 stimuli-responsive EAC NPs show slow and sustained release properties of Cu2+. Furthermore, EAC NPs exhibit protective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative-stress damage and anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Physicochemical characterizations show that the introduction of EAC NPs does not disrupt the gelation behavior of collagen, and the composite scaffolds (CS) remain porous structure similar to collagen scaffold. Animal experiments demonstrate that CS could promote wound healing through improving the thickness of renascent epidermis and number of new vessels. CS with multiple salutary functions is a promising dressing for wound care.

Enhanced Hemostatic and Procoagulant Efficacy of PEG/ZnO Hydrogels: A Novel Approach in Traumatic Hemorrhage Management

Managing severe bleeding, particularly in soft tissues and visceral injuries, remains a significant challenge in trauma and surgical care. Traditional hemostatic methods often fall short in wet and dynamic environments. This study addresses the critical issue of severe bleeding in soft tissues, proposing an innovative solution using a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel combined with zinc oxide (ZnO). The developed hydrogel forms a dual-network structure through amide bonds and metal ion chelation, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties and adhesion strength. The hydrogel, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, is designed to release zinc ions, promoting coagulation and accelerating hemostasis. Comprehensive characterization, including gelation time, rheological properties, microstructure analysis, and swelling behavior, demonstrates the superior performance of the PEG/ZnO hydrogel compared to traditional PEG hydrogels. Mechanical tests confirm increased compression strength and adhesive properties, which are crucial for withstanding tissue dynamics. In vitro assessments reveal excellent biocompatibility and enhanced procoagulant ability attributed to ZnO. Moreover, in vivo experiments using rat liver and tail bleeding models demonstrate the remarkable hemostatic performance of the PEG/ZnO hydrogel, showcasing its potential for acute bleeding treatment in both visceral and peripheral scenarios.

Diphylleia Grayi-Inspired Intelligent Temperature-Responsive Transparent Nanofiber Membranes

Nanofiber membranes (NFMs) have become attractive candidates for next-generation flexible transparent materials due to their exceptional flexibility and breathability. However, improving the transmittance of NFMs is a great challenge due to the enormous reflection and incredibly poor transmission generated by the nanofiber-air interface. In this research, we report a general strategy for the preparation of flexible temperature-responsive transparent (TRT) membranes, which achieves a rapid transformation of NFMs from opaque to highly transparent under a narrow temperature window. In this process, the phase change material eicosane is coated on the surface of the polyurethane nanofibers by electrospray technology. When the temperature rises to 37 °C, eicosane rapidly completes the phase transition and establishes the light transmission path between the nanofibers, preventing light loss from reflection at the nanofiber-air interface. The resulting TRT membrane exhibits high transmittance (> 90%), and fast response (5 s). This study achieves the first TRT transition of NFMs, offering a general strategy for building highly transparent nanofiber materials, shaping the future of next-generation intelligent temperature monitoring, anti-counterfeiting measures, and other high-performance devices.

Versatile and User-Friendly Anti-infective Hydrogel for Effective Wound Healing

Wound dressings play a crucial role in facilitating optimal wound healing and protecting against microbial infections. However, existing commercial options often fall short in addressing chronic infections due to antibiotic resistance and the limited spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria frequently encountered at wound sites. Additionally, complex fabrication processes and cumbersome administration strategies pose challenges for cost-effective wound dressing development. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore easily engineered biocompatible biomaterials as alternative solutions to combat these challenging wound infections. In this study, we present the development of an anti-infective hydrogel, P-BAC (polymeric bactericidal hydrogel), which exhibits simple administration and promotes efficient wound healing. P-BAC is synthesized via a one-step fabrication method that involves the noncovalent cross-linking of poly(vinyl alcohol), N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride-AgCl nanocomposite, and proline. Remarkably, P-BAC demonstrates broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both planktonic and stationary cells of clinically isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, resulting in a significant reduction of bacterial load (5-7 log reduction). Moreover, P-BAC exhibits excellent efficacy in eradicating bacterial cells within biofilm matrices (>95% reduction). In vivo experiments reveal that P-BAC accelerates wound healing by stimulating rapid collagen deposition at the wound site and effectively inactivates ∼95% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells. Importantly, the shear-thinning property of P-BAC simplifies the administration process, enhancing its practicality and usability. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the potential of this easily administrable hydrogel as a versatile solution for effective wound healing with potent anti-infective properties. The developed hydrogel holds promise for applications in diverse healthcare settings, addressing the critical need for improved wound dressing materials.