Purpose To develop a new wound dressing composed of alginate and Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc ions. Methods The aloe-alginate film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling profile, mechanical properties, polysaccharide content and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thirty Wistar rats were divided in two groups a) treated with aloe-alginate film and b) control (treated with sterile gauze). Wound contraction measurements and hystological analysis were performed on 7th, 14th and 21st days after wound surgery. Results The aloe-alginate film presented adequated mechanical resistance and malleability for application as wound dressing. There was no statistical difference in wound contraction between two groups. Histological assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film presented anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated angiogenesis on proliferative phase and a more significant increased in collagen type I fibers and decreased type III fibers which promoted a mature scar formation when compared to control. Conclusions The aloe-alginate film showed adequate physicochemical characteristics for wound dressing applications. The in vivo assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film enhanced the healing process of incisional skin wounds.

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Resumo: O presente artigo apresenta uma análise das dimensões latentes da competitividade nas micro e pequenas empresas da indústria de transformação no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Utiliza-se a análise fatorial com a extração das componentes principais a partir de dados primários e secundários como forma de determinar estas dimensões. Os principais resultados apontam para a grande importância da participação no comércio internacional, seja como exportador ou mesmo ao importar máquinas, equipamentos e insumos. O componente local também está presente ao serem identificadas dimensões ligadas à infraestrutura, qualidade da mão-de-obra básica e de nível superior. Um papel menor foi identificado nas dimensões ligadas às estratégias e gestão das empresas, o que pode também refletir um problema de seleção -empresas de melhor gestão crescem e saem do universo de análise.

Utilizing scope review methodology, it explores the theoretical foundations and challenges of the Strategic Health-Industrial Complex framework. The findings highlight the prioritization of high-value market products, resulting in potential social costs and limited access to essential therapies. Propose the social costs of drug shortages as a foundation for decision-making and sustainable production of low-value products in public health systems.