The impact of first-aid dressing design on healing of porcine partial thickness wounds.

Literature describes that a well-maintained moist wound healing environment leads to faster healing by preventing scabbing and drying of the wound. A moist wound speeds healing by allowing for unimpeded movement of newly dividing epidermal cells in the wound. Contrary to what is described in literature and practiced by clinicians, first-aid dressings used at home by consumers advertise breathability and absorptivity as benefits.

In vivo methods to evaluate a new skin protectant for loss of skin integrity.

A new skin protectant was developed for use on conditions involving partial-thickness skin loss such as severe incontinence-associated dermatitis. This new formulation is based on a cyanoacrylate chemistry designed to polymerize in situ and create a breathable film able to protect the skin surface from external irritants. This film provides an environment favorable for healing to occur beneath the film.

A mucosal model to study microbial biofilm development and anti-biofilm therapeutics.

Biofilms are a sessile colony of bacteria which adhere to and persist on surfaces. The ability of bacteria to form biofilms is considered a virulence factor, and in fact is central to the pathogenesis of some organisms. Biofilms are inherently resistant to chemotherapy and host immune responses.

3M Coban 2 Layer Compression Therapy: Intelligent Compression Dynamics to Suit Different Patient Needs.

Problem: Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to recalcitrant leg ulcers. Compression has been shown to be effective in healing these ulcers, but most products are difficult to apply and uncomfortable for patients, leading to inconsistent/ineffective clinical application and poor compliance. In addition, compression presents risks for patients with an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) <0.

Alpha-toxin promotes Staphylococcus aureus mucosal biofilm formation.

Staphylococcus aureus causes many diseases in humans, ranging from mild skin infections to serious, life-threatening, superantigen-mediated Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). S. aureus may be asymptomatically carried in the anterior nares or vagina or on the skin, serving as a reservoir for infection.

Efficacy of concurrent application of chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone iodine against six nosocomial pathogens.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and povidone iodine (PI) are rarely used concurrently despite a lack of evidence regarding functional incompatibility of these agents.

Methods: CHG and PI, alone and combined, were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible S aureus [MSSA] and methicillin-resistant S aureus [MRSA]), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli using checkerboard microbroth dilution techniques. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was the concentration (percent wt/vol) that reduced bacterial burden ≥ 5-log(10) colony-forming units/mL at 2 hours when compared with bacterial densities in growth controls.

Resistance of antimicrobial skin preparations to saline rinse using a seeded bacteria model.

Objective: We describe a randomized blinded study to evaluate the antimicrobial persistence following saline exposure of 2 commercially available skin antiseptic agents. One agent contained iodine povacrylex in alcohol and the second contained chlorhexidine gluconate in alcohol.

Method: Both agents were applied to the forearms of 36 healthy subjects according to manufacturers' instructions and allowed to dry.

An implantable ligation device that achieves male sterilization without cutting the vas deferens.

Objectives: To determine whether the Vasclip implant procedure would (a) be equivalent to vasectomy in producing azoospermia, (b) produce greater patient satisfaction postoperatively, and (c) result in lower complication rates, postoperative pain, hematoma formation, spermatic granuloma, and surgical site infection when compared with historical controls.

Methods: Sterilization and complications were studied in 124 consecutive patients.

Results: Successful sterilization, defined by azoospermia at 10 to 14 months, was observed in 116 of 119 subjects.