The influence of poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate on the structural, physical, and biological properties of collagen fibers.

Various chemical, natural, or synthetic in origin, crosslinking methods have been proposed over the years to stabilise collagen fibers. However, an optimal method has yet to be identified. Herein, we ventured to assess the potential of 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate, as opposed to glutaraldehyde (GTA), genipin and carbodiimide, on the structural, physical and biological properties of collagen fibers. The 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate induced an intermedium surface smoothness, denaturation temperature and swelling. The 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate fibers had significantly higher stress at break values than the carbodiimide fibers, but significantly lower than the GTA and genipin fibers. With respect to strain at break, no significant difference was observed among the crosslinking treatments. The 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate fibers exhibited significantly higher cell metabolic activity and DNA concentration that all other crosslinking treatments, promoted consistently cellular elongation along the longitudinal fiber axis and by day 7 they were completely covered by cells. Collectively, this work clearly demonstrates the potential of 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate as collagen crosslinker. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 914-922, 2016.

A critical review of modern and emerging absorbent dressings used to treat exuding wounds.

Wound management has progressed significantly over the last five decades. This emanates from a greater understanding of wound healing, technological progression and improved clinical and scientific research. There are currently a plethora of absorbent dressings on the wound care market which claim to have the ability to manage exudates whilst encouraging healing. However, it is becoming clear, from analysing randomised controlled trials, that some of these absorbent dressings are not meeting their expectations when applied in a clinical setting. Many clinicians now feel that there should be more focus, not only on a dressing's ability to manage exudate efficiently, but on a dressing's ability to proactively encourage healing and thus exudate reduction will ensue. This paper proposes to critically review modern and emerging absorbent wound care dressings used to manage exuding wounds and discuses some advances in this area.