Hydrogel burn dressing effectiveness in burn pain

Magnetic properties of polymeric acrylic acid hydrogel dosimeter for radiotherapy applications

The present study introduces the first magnetic characterization of a hydrogel dosimeter comprising acrylic acid synthesized within a polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The study aims to accurately assess ionizing radiation dose distributions, making it a valuable tool for radiotherapy treatment. The hydrogel was irradiated to a 1-60 Gy dose range using a medical linear accelerator with dose rates of 100-600 MU/min and radiation beam energies of 6, 10, and 15 MV. The developed dosimeter was synthesized by irradiation-triggered polymerization, and the polymerization degree was indirectly quantified by monitoring the positive alterations in the nuclear magnetic resonance spin‒spin relaxation rate. The polymeric hydrogel dosimeter demonstrated an exceptional dose response with an NMR sensitivity of 0.26 Gy⁻¹s⁻¹, which is 20 times more than the sensitivity of the same gel when measured optically in our previous study. Moreover, it exhibited consistent performance regardless of the beam energy or dose rate.

Advances in proteins, polysaccharides, and composite biomaterials for enhanced wound healing via microenvironment management: A review

Wound management is crucial yet imposes substantial social and economic burdens on patients and healthcare systems. The recent rapid advancements in biomaterials and manufacturing technology have created favorable conditions for expediting wound healing. This review examines the latest developments in biomacromolecule-based wound dressings, with a particular focus on proteins and polysaccharides, and their role in modulating the wound microenvironment. The importance of extracellular matrix (ECM)-inspired materials, such as hydrogels and biomimetic dressings, is emphasized. Additionally, this review explores the functionalization of wound dressings, emphasizing properties such as hemostatic capabilities, pain relief, antimicrobial activity, and innovative smart functions like electroceuticals and wound condition monitoring. The study integrates discussions on both the macroscopic healing outcomes and the microscopic pathophysiological mechanisms, highlighting recent advances in managing wound environments to expedite healing. Finally, the review critically assesses the challenges associated with the clinical translation of these wound-healing materials in the future.

Development of a Multifunctional Composite Hydrogel for Enhanced Wound Healing: Hemostasis, Sterilization, and Long-Term Moisturizing Properties

Meeting the diverse requirements of effective wound repair while surpassing the single-function limitations of traditional wound dressings is a significant challenge. In this study, we successfully synthesized an inclusion complex of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and iodine using the saturated aqueous solution method. Additionally, dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) was extracted from fat-free cotton through oxidation. To enhance wound healing, l-glutamine (l-glu) was utilized as a functional molecule, resulting in composite hydrogels with hemostatic, sterilizing, and wound-healing-promoting properties that were achieved by adsorbing the resulting inclusion complex. Through TG and SEM analysis, we confirmed that iodine was effectively accommodated by cyclodextrin and was uniformly attached to the hydrogel. The hydrogel exhibits exceptional long-term moisturizing and bactericidal properties, while also demonstrating excellent swelling, oxygen permeability, hemolytic, and mechanical properties, fully satisfying the requirements of wound treatment. External coagulation tests revealed that the hydrogel can rapidly coagulate 4.5 times its own weight of blood. Moreover, in a full-thickness scald mouse model, the hydrogel effectively promotes wound healing. The development of this multifunctional composite hydrogel presents a novel approach to advance wound dressing research, holding substantial potential for practical applications.