A Critical Review and Perspective of Honey in Tissue Engineering and Clinical Wound Healing.

Significance: Historically, honey has been regarded as a potent agent in bacterial inhibition and wound healing. An increased prevalence of antibiotic resistant pathogens spurred an initial resurgence in honey's clinical popularity, with it quickly finding a place in wound care and regenerative medicine. However, this renewed usage demanded a need for improved delivery and overall research of its bioactive properties. This review provides an overview of the antibacterial properties and clinical use of honey. Recent Advances: The past and present clinical use of honey is noted, focusing specifically on burns and ulcers, as these are the most common applications of the natural agent. While honey is often used without modification clinically, there are also commercially available products ranging from dressings to gels, which are discussed. Critical Issues: Despite these products growing in popularity, the need for improved delivery and a structure to support wound healing could improve the treatment method. Future Directions: Tissue engineering scaffolds can provide an alternative method of honey delivery with research focusing primarily on electrospun scaffolds, hydrogels, and cryogels. Current studies on these scaffolds are discussed with respect to their advantages and potential for future clinical work. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the properties of honey, its current use in wound healing, and the potential for future incorporation into tissue-engineered scaffolds to provide an innovative wound healing agent.

Controlling formaldehyde exposures in an academic gross anatomy laboratory.

This report describes efforts over a more than a 15-year period to improve air quality and reduce exposures to formaldehyde during anatomical dissections at the Yale University School of Medicine, including first-year medical student gross anatomy classes. During this time, a number of steps were taken to improve general ventilation system efficiency and work practices in the original facility. Subsequently, during the design phase for a new research and teaching building, a new anatomical laboratory was planned to incorporate 42 individually ventilated dissection tables. The tables were customized from a commercially available design to operate at lower volumetric airflow rates while still providing a high degree of formaldehyde containment. Air monitoring performed throughout this time period showed progressive reductions in formaldehyde exposure as ventilation modifications were made. However, significant reductions only occurred after the installation of the ventilated tables. Personal and area exposure monitoring during thoracic and abdominal dissections now show a five- to tenfold reduction in formaldehyde exposure compared to previous operations, with exposures consistently below 0.1 ppm.

Fire safety recommendations for administration of isoflurane anesthesia in oxygen.

A researcher at the author's facility was carrying out a routine surgical procedure in a mouse that was anesthetized with vaporized isoflurane. When the researcher brought an active cauterizer close to the mouse, a flame erupted from the anesthesia nosecone. An investigation concluded that the fire was ignited when the cauterizer came into contact with the oxygen-enriched atmosphere that was streaming from the anesthetic equipment. The author presents recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.

Containment capabilities of animal transfer stations.

Animal-transfer and cage-changing stations are portable downdraft-filtered clean benches that have been specifically modified for small-rodent handling and cage changing from two or more sides, and that are advertised by their manufacturers as providing improved laboratory animal allergen control. The authors evaluated the dust containment capability of three such devices under exaggerated challenge conditions, compared design features, and conclude that animal-transfer stations can be a useful addition to an institutional laboratory animal allergy control program.

An Exhaust Hood for Animal Perfusions.

Animal perfusion is a common technique in the physiology research laboratory and typically involves the use of aqueous formaldehyde. Depending on the specific procedure conducted, the animal studied, and availability and efficiency of local ventilation systems, these procedures may create occupational over-exposure to formaldehyde, a regulated carcinogen. We report the design and performance of a local exhaust hood specifically developed for primate and small mammal perfusion. The hood facilitates this and other related procedures, while providing laboratory workers with a high degree of protection against exposure to formaldehyde and an inherent barrier against spills or splashes of potentially infectious material.