Direct electrospinning of poly(vinyl butyral) onto human dermal fibroblasts using a portable device

Stretchable skin hydrating PVB patches with controlled pores' size and shape for deliberate evening primrose oil spreading, transport and release

With the increasing number of skin problems such as atopic dermatitis and the number of affected people, scientists are looking for alternative treatments to standard ointment or cream applications. Electrospun membranes are known for their high porosity and surface to volume area, which leads to a great loading capacity and their applications as skin patches. Polymer fibers are widely used for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems or regenerative medicine. Importantly, fibrous meshes are used as oil reservoirs due to their excellent absorption properties. In our study, nano- and microfibers of poly (vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVB) were electrospun. The biocompatibility of PVB fibers was confirmed with the keratinocytes culture studies, including cells' proliferation and replication tests. To verify the usability and stretchability of electrospun membranes, they were tested in two forms as-spun and elongated after uniaxially stretched. We examine oil transport through the patches for as-spun fibers and compare it with the numerical simulation of oil flow in the 3D reconstruction of nano- and microfiber networks. Evening primrose oil spreading and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) tests were performed too. Finally, for skin hydration tests, manufactured materials loaded with evening primrose oil were applied to the forearm of volunteers for 6 h, showing increased skin moisture after using patches. This study clearly demonstrates that pore size and shape, together with fiber diameter, influence oil transport in the electrospun patches allowing to understand the key driving process of electrospun PVB patches for skin hydration applications. The oil release improves skin moisture and can be designed regarding the needs, by manufacturing different fibers' sizes and arrangements. The fibrous based patches loaded with oils are easy to handle and could remain on the altered skin for a long time and deliver the oil, therefore they are an ideal material for overnight bandages for skin treatment.

Efficacy of a fine fiber film applied with a water-based lotion to improve dry skin

BACKGROUND

Dry skin can trigger eczema that affects >10% of the US population. Dressing films have been developed to improve diseased skin, but there is limited knowledge about their effects, especially for dry skin-related symptoms. We developed an electrospinning method that creates a coating film, called a fine fiber (FF) film, characterized by the production of a transparent, thin, flexible, and adherent membrane on the skin surface.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of the FF film on dry skin.

METHODS

Three treatments (lotion only, lotion with the FF film, and lotion with an alternative film) were designed to treat subjects with rough skin on their lower legs. Twenty-four females were enrolled and used either a water-based lotion U or a petrolatum-based lotion P and the FF film for 2 weeks followed by a regression phase for 1 week. Skin hydration and roughness scores were assessed as were the subjects' perceptions of the effects.

RESULTS

When the FF film was applied with lotion U, skin hydration was significantly improved even after 1 week, accompanied by a significant improvement of skin roughness and an increase in skin hydration by the end of the regression phase. An evaluation of moisture permeability suggested that the FF film, especially with lotion U, performed as a semipermeable membrane with optimal moisture healing effects on dry skin.

CONCLUSION

The FF film together with a water-based lotion is a promising treatment to quickly improve dry skin conditions.

In-situ electrospinning of thymol-loaded polyurethane fibrous membranes for waterproof, breathable, and antibacterial wound dressing application

Skin-like flexible membrane with excellent water resistance and moisture permeability is an urgent need in the wound dressing field to provide comfort and protection for the wound site. Despite efforts that have been made in the development of waterproof and breathable (W&B) membranes, the in-situ electrospinning of W&B membranes suitable for irregular wound surfaces as wound dressings still faces huge challenges. In the current work, a portable electrospinning device with multi-functions, including adjustable perfusion speed for a large range from 0.05 mL/h to 10 mL/h and high voltage up to 11 kV, was designed. The thymol-loaded ethanol-soluble polyurethane (EPU) skin-like W&B nanofibrous membranes with antibacterial activity were fabricated via the custom-designed device. Ultimately, the resultant nanofibrous membranes composed of EPU, fluorinated polyurethane (FPU), and thymol presented uniform structure, robust waterproofness with the hydrostatic pressure of 17.6 cm H₂O, excellent breathability of 3.56 kg m^-2 d^-1, the high tensile stress of 1.83 MPa and tensile strain of 453%, as well as high antibacterial activity. These results demonstrate that the new-type device has potential as a portable electrospinning apparatus for the fabrication of antibacterial membranes directly on the wound surface and puts a new way for the development of portable electrospinning devices.

Curcumin-loaded polyvinyl butyral film with antibacterial activity

Antibacterial materials have found widespread interest in different fields nowadays. In this study, curcumin (Cur) was incorporated into the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix by dissolving in ethanol for improving the functional properties of a pure PVB film. We found that Cur was uniformly dispersed in the PVB matrix, which showed good compatibility. Moreover, the incorporation of Cur could also improve thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and mechanical property. The UV-vis spectra of the PVB–Cur film demonstrated that the film could block ultraviolet radiation. Subsequently, the antibacterial activity of the PVB–Cur film was measured by the colony-counting method against S. aureus and E. coli. The results showed that the PVB–Cur film exhibited good antibacterial activity. Therefore, the PVB–Cur film was considered as a promising material for food and medical packaging applications.

Nano- and Microfiber PVB Patches as Natural Oil Carriers for Atopic Skin Treatment

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a widespread disorder, with researchers constantly looking for more efficacious treatments. Natural oils are reported to be an effective therapy for dry skin, and medical textiles can be used as an alternative or supporting therapy. In this study, fibrous membranes from poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVB) with low and high molecular weights were manufactured to obtain nano- and micrometer fibers via electrospinning for the designed patches used as oil carriers for atopic skin treatment. The biocompatibility of PVB patches was analyzed using proliferation tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which combined with a focused ion beam (FIB) allowed for the 3D visualization of patches. The oil spreading tests with evening primrose, black cumin seed, and borage were verified with cryo-SEM, which showed the advantage nanofibers have over microfibers as carriers for low-viscosity oils. The skin tests expressed the usability and the enhanced oil delivery performance for electrospun patches. We demonstrate that through the material nano- and microstructure, commercially available polymers such as PVB have great potential to be deployed as a biomaterial in medical applications, such as topical treatments for chronic skin conditions.

Bioactive Sambong oil-loaded electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers: Preparation, characterization, and in-vitro biocompatibility

Blumea balsamifera oil loaded cellulose acetate nanofiber mats were prepared by electrospinning. The inclusion of blumea oil increased the nanofiber diameter. FTIR spectra confirm the addition of blumea oil in the nanofiber mats. The XRD pattern suggests that the inclusion of blumea oil has caused a misalignment in the polymer chains of the cellulose acetate. Thus, a decrease in the tensile strength was observed for the blumea oil loaded nanofibers. The increase in fiber diameter causes a reduction in the porosity of the nanofiber mats. The blumea oil loaded nanofiber mats showed antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The blumea oil showed antioxidant abilities against the DPPH solution. MVTR of the neat and blumea oil loaded nanofiber mats was in the range of 2450-1750 g/m²/day, which is adequate for the transport of air and moisture from the wound surface. Blumea oil loaded mats showed good cell viability ~92% for NIH 3T3 cells in more extended periods of incubation. A biphasic release profile was obtained, and the release followed the first-order kinetics depending upon the highest value of the coefficient of correlation R 2 (88.6%).

Electrospun Fibres with Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanoparticles Produced by a Portable Device

Electrospinning is a versatile technique to produce nano/microscale fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. This research aims to demonstrate that hyaluronic acid-chitosan (HA-CS) nanoparticles can be electrospun together with polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatine (Ge) fibres using a portable device to create scaffolds for tissue repair. A range of polymer solutions of PCL-gelatine at different weight/volume concentrations and ratios were electrospun and characterised. Fibre–cell interaction (F11 cells) was evaluated based on cell viability and proliferation and, from here, a few polymer blends were electrospun into random or aligned fibre arrangements. HA-CS nanoparticles were synthesised, characterised, and used to functionalise electrospun fibres (8% w/v at 70 PCL:30 Ge), which were chosen based on cell viability. Different concentrations of HA-CS nanoparticles were tested to determine cytotoxicity. A single dosage (1 × 10⁻² mg/mL) was associated with higher cell proliferation compared with the cell-only control. This nanoparticle concentration was embedded into the electrospun fibres as either surface modification or blend. Fibres with blended NPs delivered a higher cell viability than unmodified fibres, while NP-coated fibres resulted in a higher cell proliferation (72 h) than the NP-blended ones. These biocompatible scaffolds allow cell attachment, maintain fibre arrangement, promote directional growth and yield higher cell viability.

Manuka honey incorporated cellulose acetate nanofibrous mats: Fabrication and in vitro evaluation as a potential wound dressing

Wound dressings are the primary barrier between the wound surface and the outer environment. Here we report the fabrication of cellulose acetate (CA)-Manuka honey (MH) composite nanofibrous mats as a biocompatible and antimicrobial wound dressing. CA mats with different quantities of MH were developed by electrospinning. The ATR-FTIR spectra confirm the inclusion of MH in the composite CA-MH nanofibrous mats. The fibers were continuous and bead-free with acceptable mechanical properties. The fiber diameter increased with an increase in MH content. Inclusion of MH in the electrospun composite CA-MH nanofibrous mats shows high efficacy to prevent bacterial growth on the wound surface. The MH loaded CA nanofiber mats showed good antioxidant abilities, while the ability to free radicalize the DPPH was dependent upon the factors of MH content in the fiber and the time of immersion in the DPPH solution. Besides, the nanofibrous mat's high porosity (85-90%) and WVTR values of 2600 to 1950 g/m²/day, suitable for wound breathability and the mats show high cytocompatibility to NIH 3T3 cell line in in vitro testing, proving to be effective for promoting wound healing.

Advances in portable electrospinning devices for in situ delivery of personalized wound care

Electrospinning and electrospun fibrous assemblies have attracted interest in a variety of biomedical fields including woundcare, tissue engineering and drug delivery, due to the large surface-area-to-volume ratio and high porosity of nanofibrous webs. Normally, wound dressings are manufactured well before the point of care, and then packaged and distributed for use at a later stage. More recently, in situ electrospinning of fibers directly onto wound sites has been proposed as a route to personalized wound dressing manufacture, tailored to the needs of individual patients. Practically, in situ deposition of nanofibers on to a wound could be envisaged using a portable or hand-held electrospinning device that is safe and easy to operate. This review focuses on recent advances in portable electrospinning technology and potential applications in woundcare and regenerative medicine. The main research challenges and future trends are also considered.

In Situ Electrospinning Iodine-Based Fibrous Meshes for Antibacterial Wound Dressing

For effective application of electrospinning and electrospun fibrous meshes in wound dressing, we have in situ electrospun poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/iodine (PVP/I), PVP/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-iodine (PVPI) complex, and poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/PVPI solutions into fibrous membranes by a handheld electrospinning apparatus. The morphologies of the electrospun fibers were examined by SEM, and the hydrophobicity, gas permeability, and antibacterial properties of the as-spun meshes were also investigated. The flexibility and feasibility of in situ electrospinning PVP/I, PVP/PVPI, and PVB/PVPI membranes, as well as the excellent gas permeabilities and antibacterial properties of the as-spun meshes, promised their potential applications in wound healing.