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OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antimicrobial activity of SAP-containing wound dressings in vitro over a prolonged period of time (7 days) and to assess their ability to sustain the antimicrobial effect.

METHOD

SAP dressings were tested according to the JIS L 1902:2002 against the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.Additionally, effect on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa growth was investigated after a prolonged incubation period of 7 days. Furthermore, both SAP dressings were repeatedly inoculated with P. aeruginosa suspension and, after 7 days, microbial growth under the dressings was evaluated.

RESULTS

Both SAP-containing wound dressings tested exhibited a significant to strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans in vitro. Moreover, it could be shown that they were able to sustain antibacterial efficacy over a prolonged period of time. Using a direct incubation method with repeated re-inoculation of the dressing samples, it could be shown that growth of P. aeruginosa was reduced after 4 days of treatment and completely inhibited after 7 days. No significant differences were observed between the two SAP-dressings tested.

CONCLUSION

These in vitro experiments impressively demonstrated the antimicrobial mechanism of SAP-containing wound dressings: rapid up-take of fluid, binding of microorganisms to the SAP-core, and retention of the bacteria inside the dressing. Moreover, it could be shown that they are able to exhibit their antimicrobial activity over a prolonged period of time unless the amount of fluid present exceeds their fluid-handling capacity.

The experimental study measured interface pressure and static stiffness index of four different compression systems in fifty-two healthy volunteers. For the study interface pressure (3 cm ø probe was placed at the anatomical B1 point) was recorded on application of the compression systems every 15 min for 4 h, in supine, standing, while sitting and during walking. For this purpose a portable Kikuhime (Harada Corp., Osaka, Japan) device was used. Further static stiffness index (SSI) was calculated. The evaluated systems were: short stretch bandage system (SSB) Rosidal sys (Lohmann & Rauscher, Rengsdorf, Germany), multi-layer bandaging (LSB) Profore (Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK), varistretch bandage (VSB) Proguide (Smith & Nephew) and tubular compression (CS) Rosidal mobil (Lohmann & Rauscher). The mean interface pressure of SSB, LSB and VSB was significantly higher (P<0.05) in each position measured over 4 h, compared to CS. In supine VSB showed high-pressure levels, up to 60 mmHg, which remained high. The other systems had more tolerable levels of about 30 mmHg. Interface pressure exerted on limbs is an indicator of their clinical effect. The experimental study results showed different patterns of interface pressure and SSI, which may enable clinicians to predict the frequency of bandage application, supporting an adequate and safe choice of bandage system.

This article aims to strike a balance between compression bandaging to treat oedema and a positive patient experience.Compression therapy is well recognised as a key component in the management of venous and lymphatic conditions. Science indicates that intermittent pressures provided by inelastic bandage systems rhythmically stimulate venous and lymphatic flow to reduce and contain oedema. However, sustained high pressures are not always tolerated by patients who wear bandages. This may be overcome by applying inelastic bandages with high working and tolerable lower resting pressures. As compression is vital to prevent prolonged suffering caused by ulceration and oedema, concordance and listening to patients is the key to successful treatment.

In the adult female, acne is a chronic condition with a substantial negative psychological, social and emotional impact. Based on time of onset, two subtypes of adult female acne are recognized: 'persistent acne' is a continuation of the disease from adolescence, while 'late-onset acne' first presents in adulthood. The morphological characteristics of adult female acne are often distinct from adolescent acne. In adults, inflammatory lesions (particularly papules, pustules and nodules) are generally more prominent on the lower chin, jawline and neck, and comedones are more often closed comedones (micro cysts). Adult acne is mainly mild-to-moderate in severity and may be refractory to treatment. A holistic approach to acne therapy should be taken in adult females, which combines standard treatments with adjunctive therapy and cosmetic use. A number of factors specific to the adult female influence choice of treatment, including the predisposition of older skin to irritation, a possible slow response to treatment, a high likelihood of good adherence, whether of child-bearing age, and the psychosocial impact of the disease. Adherence to therapy should be encouraged through further patient education and a simplified regimen that is tailored to suit the individual patient's needs and lifestyle. This article reviews the specific characteristics of adult female acne, and provides recommendations for acne therapy in this patient group.

observe higher Ca2+-concentrations especially at the border between SG and SC. Higher Ca2+concentrations are found extracellular as well as intracellular. The increase of extra- and intracellular Ca2+-concentration is more pronounced in triple provoked murine skin compared to single provoked skin. However, even though the number of provocations shows a significant correlation with epidermal thickness and IgE-serum concentration, there is no significant correlation to Ca2+concentration, neither in the overall gradient, nor in the intracellular/extracellular concentrations in the stratum granulosum. This the first description of the alteration of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+-levels in an atopic eczema mimicking model.

Routine care of non-healing acute and chronic wounds often comprises either cleaning or debridement. Consequently, debridement is a basic necessity to induce the functional process of tissue repair, which makes it a central medical intervention in the management of acute and chronic, non-healing wounds.