Yakai Feng

Hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of trauma-related mortality worldwide and poses a major challenge in surgery, emergency medicine, and battlefield rescue. Conventional hemostatic materials, such as gauze and gelatin sponges, mainly rely on passive blood absorption and compression, which often exhibit limited efficacy in irregular wounds and severe bleeding environments. In recent years, advances in biomaterials and tissue engineering have promoted the development of hemostatic sponges with enhanced absorption capacity, bioactivity, tissue adhesion, antibacterial performance, and wound healing ability. Compared with other hemostatic platforms, sponge-based systems offer unique advantages derived from their interconnected porous architectures, enabling rapid blood transport, coagulation component enrichment, mechanical wound filling, and structural adaptation in complex bleeding scenarios. In this review, we discuss the development of hemostatic sponges from the integrated perspectives of material systems, biofabrication strategies, structural regulation, and biomedical applications. Different classes of materials, including polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers, are systematically discussed with emphasis on their intrinsic hemostatic mechanisms, functional modifications, and design limitations. The relationship between sponge structures and hemostatic performance, including pore architecture, interconnected channels, shape-memory behavior, and surface functionality, is highlighted. Representative fabrication strategies and multifunctional applications, including antibacterial activity, wound healing, and non-compressible hemorrhage control, are summarized. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives regarding intelligent design, standardized evaluation, and clinical translation of next-generation hemostatic sponges are discussed. This review provides design principles and translational insights for developing advanced hemostatic sponge systems.

The optimal timing for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with both gallbladder and common bile duct stones remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes based on the timing interval of sequential LC performed within two weeks post-ERCP. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 241 patients with concomitant cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP followed by LC at our institution between January 2018 and December 2023. Patients were stratified into three cohorts based on the ERCP-to-LC interval: Group A (≤ 24 h, n = 78), Group B (24-72 h, n = 83), and Group C (72 h-2 weeks, n = 80). Comparative analyses were performed regarding baseline demographics, perioperative laboratory and imaging data, surgical findings, and postoperative recovery. Logistic regression was employed to determine risk factors associated with delayed surgery (72 h-2 weeks). Compared to Groups A and B, Group C exhibited a significantly prolonged total hospital stay (P < 0.001) and increased overall medical expenses (P < 0.001). Furthermore, Group C demonstrated higher incidences of post-ERCP acute cholecystitis (P = 0.005) and total postoperative adverse events (P = 0.042). Multivariate analysis identified preoperative total bilirubin exceeding three times the upper limit of normal, post-ERCP pancreatitis, and post-ERCP bleeding as independent predictors for delayed LC. In the absence of serious complications or high-risk factors, performing LC within 72 h after ERCP is recommended to reduce hospital stay, lower healthcare costs, and minimize complication rates. However, for patients presenting with severe preoperative hyperbilirubinemia or post-ERCP adverse events, a delayed surgical approach following comprehensive individual assessment is recommended.

Melamine–formaldehyde (MF) resin, a thermosetting polymer synthesized through the condensation reaction of melamine and formaldehyde, has gained significant applications and research interest owing to its unique properties. This review systematically introduces the synthesis, application and modification progresses of MF resin. The effects of raw material ratios and reaction conditions on the chemical structure and properties of MF resin are discussed. Recently developed MF resin has specialized performances for applications such as wood impregnation, coatings, adhesives and flame retardants. Additionally, MF foam exhibits microstructural and macroscopic functional properties, especially for applications in thermal insulation, sound absorption and oil–water separation. Addressing inherent limitations such as brittleness and free formaldehyde release, this paper comprehensively reviews modification approaches including chemical modifications, physical blending and composite modification techniques, along with their effectiveness in enhancing MF resin toughness. This paper provides systematic theoretical knowledge and practical guidance for improving MF resin performance, expanding application scopes and driving innovative development to meet evolving industrial demands and technological challenges. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.