Next-generation self-adhesive dressings: Highly stretchable, antibacterial, and UV-shielding properties enabled by tannic acid-coated cellulose nanocrystals.

Hydrogels with excellent high-water uptake and flexibility have great potential for wound dressing. However, pure hydrogels without fiber skeleton faced poor water retention, weak fatigue resistance, and mechanical strength to hinder the development of the dressing as next-generation functional dressings. We prepared an ultrafast gelation (6 s) Fe3+/TA-CNC hydrogel (CTFG hydrogel) based on a self-catalytic system and bilayer self-assembled composites. The CTFG hydrogel has excellent flexibility (800% of strain), fatigue resistance (support 60% compression cycles), antibacterial, and self-adhesive properties (no residue or allergy after peeling off the skin). CTFG@S bilayer composites were formed after electrospun silk fibroin (SF) membranes were prepared and adhesive with CTFG hydrogels. The CTFG@S bilayer composites had significant UV-shielding (99.95%), tensile strain (210.9 KPa), and sensitive humidity-sensing properties. Moreover, the integrated structure improved the mechanical properties of electrospun SF membranes. This study would provide a promising strategy for rapidly preparing multifunctional hydrogels for wound dressing.

All-naturally structured tough, ultrathin, and washable dual-use composite for fruits preservation with high biosafety evaluation.

This work develops a sustainable and global strategy to enhance fruit preservation efficacy. The dual-use composite coating or film comprises silk fibroin/cellulose nanocrystals (SF/CNC) with superior ductility through a synergistic plasticizing effect of glycerol and natural aloe-emodin powder (AE) as antimicrobial agents. To confirm our strategy, two common fruit preservation materials (edible surface coating-SCA-CS; packaging film-SCA-PF) and five different fruits (strawberries, bananas, apples, blueberries, and guavas) have been used. Moreover, SCA-CS coating with antibacterial and antioxidant activities formed an ultrathin layer on the fruit's surfaces with a thickness of 7.7 µm and could be easily washable. Therefore, bananas and strawberries' shelf-life with SCA-CS coating can be extended for 9 days and 6 days, respectively. The discharge water of SCA-CS has excellent biosafety in an indoor environment with no threat to plant health (microgreens bean sprouts germination as a case study). The plant exhibited positive results within 15 days, and leaves maintained their green color with a germination rate of 97.6 %. The toughness of SCA-PF film increased by 14,685.7 % with a water vapor transmission rate (WPTR) of 17 g mm m-2 day-1, which confirms that the concept of SCA-PF film and SCA-CS coating are feasible to be used for fruit preservation/packaging.

[Treatment of type C3 distal femoral fractures with double-plating fixation via anteriormiddle approach].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical efficacy and feasibility of double-plating fixation via anteriormiddle approach in treating type C3 distal femoral fractures. METHODS: From August 2008 to August 2011, 12 cases with type C3 distal femoral fractures were treated, including 5 open fractures and 7 closed fractures. Among them, there were 8 males, 4 females with an average of 40 years (ranged, 25 to 55 years). There were 7 in left side, 5 in right side. Nine cases were caused by car accident, 3 cases by falling down. The duration from injury to hospital was form 20 minutes to 5 days (mean 135 min). After tibia bone traction for 5 to 8 days, the operation were performed by double-plating fixation via anteriormiddle approach, and autograft of iliac bone or allograft bone grafting were given to bone defect. Knee joint function was evaluated according to Merchanetal criteria. RESULTS: The operation time was from 110 to 160 min, with an average of 135 min, the blood loss was from 300 ml to 500 ml,with an average of 400 ml. Post-operative wound were stage I healing. All patients were followed up from 16 to 36 months (mean 24 months). No infection, reduction loss, nonunion, deep vein thrombosis occurred. Bone healing time was for 18 to 24 weeks with an average of 21 weeks. According to the Merchanetal criteria, 4 cases got excellent results, 6 good, 1 fair and 1 poor. CONCLUSION: Double-plating fixation via anteriormiddle approach for type C3 distal femoral fractures is an effective way, which has advantages of obvious exposure, simple manipulation, anatomical reduction, stable fixation. However,operation indications and operating instructions should be strictly followed.