# Evaluation of Keratin/Bacterial Cellulose Based Scaffolds as Potential Burned Wound Dressing
## 3 Results and Disscusion
### Histopathological Results Interpretation  
Inflammatory and regenerative processes for the main skin structures (hypoderm, dermis, and epidermis) were followed by histological examination. The samples were harvested from the periphery of the lesions, at the border with the unaffected tissue. The degree of proliferation and differentiation of local and migrated cells, neogenesis of connective fibers and blood capillaries, regeneration of the keratinized epidermal pavement epithelium where appreciated.  
At seven days post grafting the inflammatory process was similar to the three groups of experimental animals (Control, BC-\(\beta\)-keratose, BC-\(\beta\)-keratose-cells). No significant differences in the evolution of the inflammatory process and the healing process were observed.  
At 14 days post grafting the predominance of the inflammatory exudate was observed in Control group, unlike the other two batches, where the regeneration process was already initiated, well outlined. At the dermis level, vascular-conjunctives buds, constituted by fibroblast differentiation, young connective tissue and marked neoangiogenic were observed. It has also been noticed, in both experimental batches (BC-\(\beta\)-keratose, BC-\(\beta\)-keratose-cells), intensive detorsion process of necrotic areas.  
At 21 days post grafting evaluation dermis regeneration was more intense and rapid at (BC-\(\beta\)-keratose) and (BC-\(\beta\)-keratose-cells), comparing with extremely low levels in Control group. Dermal regeneration in the Control-group consisted of conjunctival-vascular papilla formation, fibroblast proliferation, collagen fibers synthesis, and angiogenesis. On the surface of the papilla was noted a cellular condensation suggesting the onset of epidermal regeneration, but without a proper basal lamina.  
Epidermis regeneration was quantified by evaluating the epithelialization, the formation of the basal lamina and the basal layer, with its proliferation and the restoration of the stratified keratinized pavements epithelium as shown in Table 3.  
The regeneration of the epidermis was much more evident in the BC-\(\beta\)-keratose-cells group compared to the BC-\(\beta\)-keratose one. Young, stratified epithelium, undergoing reshuffle and evolution towards keratinocytes, represented by basal lamina and 2-3 layers of epithelial cells were noticed.  
Following the results, we concluded that skin regeneration was much faster in BC-\(\beta\)-keratose and BC-\(\beta\)-keratose-cells batches, especially during the last two weeks of the experiment. The process of scarring, with the elimination of necrotic detriment and reconstruction of damaged structures by the action of the heat agent, was carried out much faster in experimental batches than at the control lot. This demonstrates the important role of keratin material and cellulose in the formation of a mechanical barrier with protection function.  
This barrier represents, also, a support for the cells involved in necrosis detersion and tissular regeneration. In addition, in BC-\(\beta\)-keratose-cells group the higher capacity of skin regeneration was justified by stem cells activity. Stem cells differentiation and proliferation contribute, alongside local and immigrant cells, to the restoring process of affected structures.