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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315995
Title: Cottoning on

Author
item Edwards, Judson - Vince
item Condon, Brian
item GARY, LAWSON - T J Beall Company
item CARUS, EDMUND - T J Beall Company
item O'REGAN, JANET - Cotton, Inc
item YAGER, DORNE - Medical College Of Virginia
item DIEGELMANN, ROBERT - Medical College Of Virginia
item COHEN, KELMAN - Tissue Technologies Holdings, Llc
item MAO, NINGTAO - University Of Leeds
item RUSSELL, STEPHEN - University Of Leeds
item HALDANE, DAVE - Innovatech-Engineering

Submitted to: Review Article
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2015
Publication Date: 5/1/2015
Citation: Edwards, J.V., Condon, B.D., Gary, L., Carus, E., O'Regan, J., Yager, D., Diegelmann, R., Cohen, K., Mao, N., Russell, S., Haldane, D. 2015. Cottoning on. International Innovation. 180:44-46.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Non-healing or chronic wounds are an often unacknowledged burden to healthcare sectors worldwide. When left unresolved they can inflict untold suffering, result in high mortality and contribute to burgeoning health service expenditure. In the US, for example, more than 6 million people currently suffer from chronic wounds and the consequent cost of treatment has been estimated at US $25 billion per year. Significant strides have been made in the clinical healing of wounds and the rate of peer-reviewed publications relating to the science has increased exponentially in the last 20 years. Despite this progress, there are many unaddressed issues with regard to the treatment of chronic wounds. Wound repair in humans is a complex four-phase process that is still not completely understood. The body first reacts by stopping uncontrolled blood flow via the process of haemostasis. An inflammatory response follows, involving the recruitment of growth factors and immune cells to the wound site, which then instigates the proliferation of epithelial cells, blood vessels and connective tissue to cover the wound. Finally, the body remodels the new tissue. With problematic consequences for those affected, the chronic wound remains stuck in the inflammatory phase. To help individuals suffering the consequences of chronic wounds, more research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms halting the normal progression of wound healing.