Search Results (3,486)

Diabetic wound healing remains a challenge due to persistent oxidative stress, defective angiogenesis and bacterial infection. Herein, a multifunctional hydrogel Y/PDA@HAPLL was engineered via Schiff-base crosslinking between oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) and ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PLL) and incorporating Y-27632 (Y, R-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride) and polydopamine (PDA). The formulation was optimized using response surface methodology, thus achieving rapid gelation (3.8 s), strong tissue adhesion (10 kPa) and excellent stretchability. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, Y/PDA@HAPLL exhibited stable photothermal conversion and good antibacterial activity to effectively eradicate the bacterial biofilms and achieve >99% killing of S. aureus and E. coli. In vitro, skin re-epithelialization (keratinocyte proliferation and migration) and endothelial repair (tube formation) under high glucose were promoted by Y/PDA@HAPLL. In the diabetic mice with infected wounds, Y/PDA@HAPLL significantly accelerated wound closure and tissue regeneration by combining PTT antibacterial activity, ROS scavenging, endothelial repair, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization, while concurrently downregulating ROCK1 and p-DRP1, upregulating p-eNOS and CD31, reducing mtROS, and promoting collagen deposition and remodeling. In addition, no organ damage and hepatorenal toxicity were observed during treatment period. Taken together, Y/PDA@HAPLL provided a multifunctional paradigm for the combined therapy of infected diabetic wounds by integrating rapid gelation, PTT antibacterial activity, and regeneration promotion. Full article

Healing wounds and skin lesions has been practiced since ancient times, and various mechanisms have been used to treat them, ranging from bandages and herbs to ointments and modern alternatives such as dressings. This work aimed to develop bioactive dressings for wound healing. Dressings were prepared using the solution-drained plate technique and comprised 2% (w/v) sodium alginate with varying concentrations of Melipona beecheii honey, up to 5% (w/v). The dressings obtained showed suitable flexibility and elongation as the honey content increased, and had a suitable thickness for skin application, ranging from 0.03 to 0.21 mm. They were also evaluated for barrier, optical, structural, thermal, morphological, bioactive, and cytotoxic properties. The dressings demonstrated good moisture absorption and maintained antimicrobial activity for up to 12 months. Moreover, they retained bioactive compounds, demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, and showed biocompatibility in biological assays. The dressings did not induce cytotoxic effects in human keratinocytes. Dressing with a 2.5% honey concentration exhibited physicochemical and bioactive properties that could improve skin wound healing. Full article

Bacterial-infected skin wounds, especially those caused by drug-resistant pathogens accompanied by persistent inflammation, remain a major clinical therapeutic challenge. Rising antimicrobial resistance compromises the therapeutic effect of conventional single-agent antibiotics, creating an urgent demand for novel wound therapeutics that integrate bactericidal potency, immunomodulation and tissue regeneration capacity. In this work, an injectable multifunctional chitosan-based hydrogel (C@MC) was developed, which simultaneously incorporates metformin hydrochloride (as a potential antibiotic adjuvant) and cefazolin sodium (as a β-lactam class antibacterial drug). The optimized C@MC possesses interconnected three-dimensional pores with an initial storage modulus of ~0.83 kPa (C@MC₃₆₀), featuring desirable mechanical strength, injectability, tissue adhesion and dual pH/glucose-responsive sustained drug release. In vitro evaluations revealed the dose-dependent bactericidal activity of C@MC against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1-producing E. coli (NDM-1 E. coli, resistant bacteria). The highest drug-laden group nearly eliminated all wound bacteria in vitro. It scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) to lower cellular MDA levels and suppress pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In full-thickness mouse wounds infected with NDM-1 E. coli, C@MC₃₆₀ achieved nearly complete wound closure, with only a 4.2% residual wound area on day 14, accompanied by suppressed inflammatory infiltration and accelerated wound regeneration. This dual-drug hydrogel integrates antibiotic potentiation, anti-inflammation and antioxidation, providing an intervention regimen for skin wounds infected with drug-resistant bacteria. Full article

Background: Blue-light photobiomodulation (PBM) may support burn wound repair through modulation of early inflammatory responses, but comparative evidence in children remains limited. We examined associations between adjunctive PBM, early local inflammation, wound healing, and early scar quality in pediatric burns. Methods: This single-center retrospective historical cohort study included 84 children treated in 2024: 50 historical controls receiving standard care and 34 patients receiving standard care plus blue-light PBM after its introduction into routine practice. The primary outcome was the exploratory composite inflammation score at 72 h, adjusted for the pre-exposure 24 h score and clinical covariates. Secondary outcomes included time to complete re-epithelialization, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score approximately three months after complete re-epithelialization, unplanned dressing changes, and autologous skin grafting. Documented PBM-related adverse events were also reviewed. Results: PBM was associated with a lower adjusted 72 h inflammation score (mean difference −2.70 points, 95% CI −3.71 to −1.68), shorter healing time (−5.98 days, 95% CI −8.68 to −3.28), and lower VSS scores (−1.46 points, 95% CI −2.46 to −0.47). The adjusted odds of unplanned dressing changes were lower with PBM (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07–0.79), whereas the association with skin grafting was not statistically significant (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.17–2.16). No PBM-attributable adverse events were documented. Conclusions: These hypothesis-generating associations require prospective confirmation and do not establish a causal treatment effect. The sample size and retrospective recording limit conclusions about safety. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance complicates the management of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries where microbiological surveillance remains limited. We compared the microbiological spectrum and antimicrobial resistance patterns of wound-associated SSTIs between tertiary-care hospitals in Ghana and Germany. Methods: This retrospective bicentric cohort study analysed routine microbiological data from 309 patients in Ghana and 294 patients in Germany. 329 bacterial isolates from Ghana and 816 bacterial isolates from Germany were included. Pathogen distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility, and the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Enterobacterales, and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria were compared descriptively. Results: The microbiological spectrum differed markedly between the two cohorts. Gram-negative bacteria predominated in Ghana (83.9%), whereas Gram-positive organisms predominated in Germany (62.9%). Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella spp. were the leading pathogens in Ghana, while Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen in Germany. Compared with Germany, Ghanaian isolates exhibited substantially higher resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. 3GC-R Enterobacterales were identified in 52.8% and 15.6% of evaluable isolates in Ghana and Germany, respectively. Carbapenem resistance among evaluable Gram-negative isolates was detected in 15.2% and 11.2%, respectively. MRSA prevalence (45.2% vs. 4.1%) was also considerably higher in Ghana than in Germany. Conclusions: Wound-associated SSTIs in Ghana and Germany differ substantially in pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles. The predominance of Gram-negative pathogens and the high resistance burden observed in the Ghanaian cohort highlight the need for strengthened microbiological surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship. Institution-specific resistance data are essential to optimize empirical antimicrobial therapy across different healthcare settings. Full article

Background: Hajj is an international mass gathering in which infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship intersect. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was selected as the organism-specific focus because it is a clinically important antimicrobial-resistant pathogen associated with skin and soft-tissue infections, wound care, and transmission through close contact and sharing of personal items. Hajj studies have also documented MRSA-related carriage and broader antimicrobial-resistance concerns among pilgrims and other mass-gathering populations. However, the relation between general infection awareness, MRSA-specific knowledge, and self-reported antibiotic-use behaviour remains less well described. This study assessed these three domains among Hajj pilgrims arriving in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted during Hajj 1446H (2025). The study dataset comprised 342 completed questionnaires. Item-level descriptive analyses were used because no validated composite scoring algorithm was documented in the available study records. The primary exploratory outcome was an undated, self-reported history of taking antibiotics without consulting a doctor. Modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs), with sex, age group, education, healthcare employment, and MRSA awareness entered simultaneously as prespecified covariates. Results: Among 342 respondents, 213 (62.3%) were male, 155 (45.3%) were aged 46–60 years, 181 (52.9%) reported postgraduate education, and 51 (14.9%) worked in healthcare. General awareness of crowding-related bacterial-infection risk was high (256/342, 74.9%), whereas MRSA-specific knowledge was lower: 110 (32.2%) had heard of MRSA, 137 (40.1%) identified personal-item sharing as a transmission route, and 124 (36.3%) recognised that MRSA can cause serious or fatal infection. Handwashing ≥ 3 times/day was reported by 310 respondents (90.6%), and 327 (95.6%) reported not sharing personal items. However, 143 respondents (41.8%) reported taking antibiotics without consulting a doctor. In the adjusted model, the prevalence of this outcome was higher among participants aged > 60 years than among those aged < 46 years (aPR 1.86, 95% CI 1.35–2.56) and among those who had not heard of MRSA (aPR 3.60, 95% CI 2.10–6.18) or did not know whether they had heard of MRSA (aPR 3.40, 95% CI 1.84–6.30), compared with those who had heard of MRSA. Conclusions: Among pilgrims arriving in Madinah, general infection-prevention awareness and self-reported hygiene practices coexisted with limited MRSA-specific knowledge, and a substantial proportion of respondents reported taking antibiotics without consulting a doctor. The observed associations are cross-sectional and non-causal; they neither establish the timing or appropriateness of antibiotic use nor demonstrate that an education intervention would change behaviour. They identify a hypothesis for prospective evaluation of multilingual Hajj education linking MRSA transmission, wound care, and antibiotic stewardship. Full article

Melanoma remains one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, characterized by high metastatic potential and risks of tissue trauma and post-surgical recurrence, with limited therapeutic options currently available. While conventional monotherapies often fail to provide comprehensive and efficient treatment, nanoparticle-functionalized hydrogel platforms have emerged as promising multifunctional systems for localized combination cancer therapy, capable of integrating multiple therapeutic modalities, such as chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT), tissue recovery support, antibacterial activity, and image-guided treatment into a single biomaterial. This review examines stimulus-responsive hydrogels based on the anionic polysaccharides carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hyaluronic acid (HA), conjugated with nanoparticles for melanoma theranostic applications. It evaluates their design, synergistic mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. It considers how combining CMC and HA overcomes the limitations of individual polymers, such as poor mechanical integrity and rapid degradation, and enhances key functionalities, particularly cell targeting and specificity. It also analyzes how incorporating functional nanoparticles can enable on-demand drug release, diagnostic imaging, immune microenvironment remodeling, and combined phototherapy (PTT/PDT). While HA-based nanotheranostic systems are widely documented, the potential of CMC in melanoma treatment remains largely untapped, despite its proven success in tissue engineering and wound management. Most significantly, the literature currently lacks any bio-nanohybrid platform that integrates CMC and HA, driven by functional hybrid nanoparticles, for targeted melanoma therapy. By identifying this critical gap, this review proposes new research avenues for designing these unified, multifunctional platforms as a highly promising strategy for cutaneous melanoma management. Full article

Skin-derived extracellular nucleic acids—particularly non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as miRNAs and lncRNAs—are a rapidly evolving frontier in molecular diagnostics. These molecules are present in skin tissue, dermal interstitial fluid, and sweat, whilst ncRNAs regulate essential processes including epidermal differentiation, wound healing, immune regulation, and tumourigenesis, positioning them as promising candidates for minimally invasive biomarker development across a broad spectrum of dermatological diseases. This narrative review summarises their biological functions and potential clinical applications. The available evidence provides a conceptual basis for an emerging cutaneous “surface liquid biopsy” framework, whilst highlighting the need for standardised sampling, analytical validation, and clinical evaluation before such approaches can be translated into clinical practice. Although ample disease-associated ncRNA signatures have been uncovered, many remain at exploratory or early translational stages, and the concordance of these ncRNA signatures with corresponding blood and tissue biomarkers needs to be established. Continued advances in sampling strategies, analytical technologies, and clinical validation are needed to translate these findings into clinically deployable platforms for dermatological diseases and, potentially, systemic diseases in the future. Full article

The Black Sea offers underutilized marine bioresources with potential for the development of materials intended for wound healing and skin tissue repair. In this study, new composite biomaterials were created using collagen peptides extracted from the jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (JPC) and hydroalcoholic extracts from the seaweeds Ulva lactuca (ALGU) and Enteromorpha intestinalis (ALGE). The marine-derived ingredients and resulting biocomposites were physicochemically and rheologically characterized and evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and biological activities on cell cultures relevant to wound healing. Two hydrogel biocomposites, B1 (JPC–ALGU 20%) and B2 (JPC–ALGE 20%), exhibited antioxidant activity of 65.2% and 63.5%, respectively, in the DPPH assay at a concentration of 400 mg/mL, and values of 1.26 μg/mg AAE and 1.15 μg/mg AAE, respectively, in the reducing power assay at a concentration of 800 µg/mL. Antibacterial activity was investigated against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The strongest effects were observed against Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro tests conducted on fibroblast and keratinocyte cultures revealed concentration-dependent cellular responses, while scratch assays confirmed the formulations’ potential to promote cell migration. These results support further investigation of jellyfish collagen–green algae biocomposites for wound-healing and skin tissue-repair applications, although additional dose optimization and in vivo validation are required. Full article

The root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Ulmaceae), commonly known as yugeunpi, has long been used in traditional Korean medicine to treat gastroenteric and inflammatory disorders, as well as to promote blood circulation and tissue regeneration. As part of our ongoing efforts to discover bioactive natural products from resources with pharmacological potential, a phytochemical investigation of the root bark of U. davidiana var. japonica was conducted, and the wound-healing potential of the isolated compounds was evaluated. This study led to the isolation of one new catechin glycoside derivative, (–)-catechinulmusol (1) and two new neolignan derivatives, neolignulmusides A and B (2 and 3), along with ten known compounds (4–13), including lignans (4 and 5), flavonoids (6–10), and phenolic derivatives (11–13). The structures of the new compounds (1–3) were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and chemical derivatization. Results from in vitro assays revealed that compounds 1, 4, 6, and 13 significantly promoted the migration of human skin keratinocytes. These findings suggest that these active compounds may serve as promising candidates for skin wound-healing applications, including epidermal regeneration. Full article

Placental extracts are rich in bioactive molecules and exhibit broad reparative properties, yet the molecular constituents responsible for their effects on skin tissue repair remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we employed a cell-surface affinity-based screening approach using dermal fibroblasts (BJ) and microvascular endothelial (HMEC-1) cells as dual biological baits to capture bioactive peptides directly from placental extracts. Through liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis and background subtraction, a peptide with dual-cell targeting potential, GPPVSE, was identified. In vitro, GPPVSE significantly promoted the viability, proliferation and migration of both BJ and HMEC-1 cells and enhanced endothelial tube formation. In vivo, topical 20 μM GPPVSE in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model achieved an 84.7% wound closure rate by day 8, outperforming both phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) groups. Histological analysis revealed that GPPVSE promoted granulation tissue maturation, strengthened epidermal–dermal junction integrity, and enhanced regeneration of skin appendages, including hair follicles and sebaceous glands, during the remodeling phase. Collectively, GPPVSE provides valuable molecular insights into the reparative activity of placental extracts and establishes a potentially adaptable cell-based paradigm for mining functional peptides from complex natural sources. Full article

Nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel (HG) sensors have emerged as a transformative innovation in wearable healthcare monitoring systems. By incorporating carbon-based, metal-based, and polymer-based NCs, these sensors offer exceptional properties such as biocompatibility, flexibility, high water content, and stretchability—making them highly suitable for continuous, real-time physiological monitoring. Advanced fabrication techniques, including in situ polymerization, conformal coating, and dynamic crosslinking, significantly enhance their functional performance and scalability for practical deployment. The mechanical robustness and electrical responsiveness of these NC HGs, coupled with self-healing capabilities, strong adhesion to skin, and resistance to environmental stressors, ensure their reliability and durability in diverse healthcare applications. These HG sensors have shown great promise in monitoring vital signs, managing chronic conditions, supporting rehabilitation, enabling real-time glucose monitoring, and facilitating wound healing. Despite their considerable potential, several challenges remain—particularly in technical optimization, user comfort and integration, and regulatory approval—that must be addressed to enable their widespread adoption. This review highlights recent innovations, material properties, and healthcare applications of NC HG sensors and discusses the critical challenges that must be overcome to fully realize their impact as wearable textile materials in modern healthcare systems. Full article

Severe burn injuries are often associated with excessive and prolonged inflammation, resulting in delayed wound healing and poor tissue regeneration. Accordingly, the development of effective skin substitutes capable of modulating inflammation and promoting tissue repair remains a critical challenge in regenerative medicine. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) has emerged as a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering applications. Moreover, dihydrolipoic acid-modified gold nanoclusters (AuNC@DHLA) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and regenerative-promoting effects. In this study, we fabricated a bioactive tissue-engineered skin construct by incorporating AuNC@DHLA, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes into a 3D-bioprinted GelMA hydrogel scaffold. The therapeutic efficacy of the cell-laden AuNC@DHLA/GelMA scaffold was evaluated using a murine burn wound model. Furthermore, RNA sequencing was further conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying wound repair, and the findings were subsequently validated by immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that the scaffold significantly attenuated local inflammatory responses and accelerated burn wound closure compared with control treatments. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the modulation of inflammation-related and tissue regeneration-associated pathways, which was further confirmed by immunohistochemical analyses. Collectively, these findings indicate that the AuNC@DHLA/GelMA bioengineered skin substitute promotes burn wound healing by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment and enhancing tissue regeneration. This strategy represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of severe burn injuries. Full article

Chronic refractory wounds (CRWs), characterized by delayed healing due to disrupted phases of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, pose significant clinical challenges with diverse etiologies such as diabetic ulcers and radiation-induced ulcers. Traditional therapies like debridement and skin flap transplantation face limitations. Microneedle technology has emerged as a promising approach, enabling painless transdermal drug delivery to the dermis while enhancing bioavailability and enabling microenvironment-responsive interventions. In this context, this review highlights advancements in microneedle design, emphasizing material selection and structural innovations tailored for CRW management, and systematically elucidates the mechanisms of action and applications of microneedles for phased regulation of CRW healing in response to the pathologic characteristics of wounds—hemostatic, inflammation regulation, angiogenesis and remodeling stage—in terms of prevention, intervention, and wound monitoring, thereby providing significant reference value for the design and clinical application of microneedles in chronic refractory wounds. Full article

Background/Objectives: Medial thighplasty after massive weight loss is associated with wound dehiscence, seroma, prolonged edema, and potential alterations in lower-limb lymphatic drainage. Conventional refinements rely largely on the surgeon’s understanding of distorted lymphatic anatomy. We describe a simple adjunct using preoperative intradermal methylene blue injection to visualize linear structures morphologically consistent with superficial lymphatic pathways during medial thigh lift. Methods: After standard preoperative markings, dilute methylene blue was injected intradermally along the planned medial thigh resection pattern after induction of anesthesia and before skin preparation. During flap elevation, discrete blue linear channels were identified within the superficial adipose layer. Resection was performed down to, but not through, the plane of these channels, which were preserved on the residual bed and avoided during suspension suturing and liposuction. Between December 2021 and December 2022, the technique was applied in 10 non-consecutive female patients after massive weight loss. Results: Blue-stained linear channels were identified in all 10 selected cases. No patient required reoperation or readmission. Minor wound-healing complications occurred in 5 of 10 patients and were managed on an outpatient basis. Conclusions: Intradermal methylene blue injection permits intraoperative identification of stained linear channels during medial thighplasty and can be incorporated without specialized equipment. Their lymphatic identity and postoperative patency were not confirmed by histology or functional imaging. In the absence of a control group and inferential analysis, any lymphatic-sparing effect remains unproven and requires prospective controlled evaluation with objective lymphatic outcomes. Full article