Adjuncts to preparing wounds for closure: hyperbaric oxygen, growth factors, skin substitutes, negative pressure wound therapy (vacuum-assisted closure).

Achieving closure in a chronic wound requires provision of adequate oxygen delivery to the tissue, adequate protein and other nutritional factors, a moist environment, an appropriate inflammatory milieu, dèbridement, and correction of contributing medical diagnoses. In some patients, these conditions are achieved easily, whereas in others, greater effort is required. Adjunctive treatments, including HBO2, growth factors, skin substitutes, and negative-pressure wound therapy (e.g., V.A.C.) can provide the proper conditions for healing in appropriately selected patients.

Phytochemical screening of some Rocky Mountain plants.

Fifty-four species of plants from 36 genera and 21 families were collected in the mountains and high plains of northern Colorado. Extracts were tested for alkaloids, cytotoxicity, antitumor activity and IP toxicity in mice. A few were tested for insect attractant or deterrent properties. Alkaloids were found in 23 species, 15 showed cytotoxicity, and 27 exhibited IP toxicity. Four extracts showed insect deterrent properties, and three proved to attractant. None of the extracts showed useful antitumor activity. High alkaloid content and/or activity in several of the screens can be used to identify species and genera worthy of detailed phytochemical investigation.