ScienceDaily: Wounds and Healing News

Important genetic factors that could influence survival in sepsis patients

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:50:50 EDT

Scientists have made an important first step in establishing new therapeutic options targeting specific genetic areas that influence the occurrence and severity of sepsis – a life-threatening, whole-body response to infection.

Discovery of a novel medicine for the treatment of chronic wounds

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:50:50 EDT

Every 20 seconds, a limb is lost as a consequence of diabetic foot ulcer that does not heal. To date, medical solutions that can change this situation are very limited. A researchers has now presented a novel medicine for chronic wound treatment that may completely change the lives of millions of patients.

Endothelium, heal thyself

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:39:39 EDT

Investigators publish new findings showing that the endothelium's efficient barrier function relies on an enormous self-restorative capacity.

Decoded: Molecular messages that tell prostate and breast cancers to spread

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:16 EDT

Cancer cells are wily, well-traveled adversaries, constantly side-stepping treatments to stop their spread. But for the first time, scientists have decoded the molecular chatter that ramps certain cancer cells into overdrive and can cause tumors to metastasize throughout the body.

Discovery of wound-healing genes in flies could mitigate human skin ailments

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:52:52 EDT

Biologists have identified eight genes never before suspected to play a role in wound healing that are called into action near the areas where wounds occur.

Facial dog bites in children may require repeated plastic surgery

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:28:28 EDT

Dog bites to the face are a relatively common injury in young children, and often require repeated plastic surgery procedures to deal with persistent scarring, according to a new report.

The human immune system in space

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:25:25 EDT

When the space shuttle Atlantis touched down in the summer of 2011 at Cape Canaveral, closing the book on the U.S. shuttle program, a team of U.S. Army researchers stood at the ready, eager to get their gloved hands on a small device in the payload that housed a set of biological samples. Results from studying these samples shed light on how the human immune system responds to stress and assaults while in space – and maybe here on Earth.

Better skin grafting: Inspired by spiny-headed worms, scientists invent microneedle adhesive stronger than surgical staples

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:43:43 EDT

A parasitic worm may hold the answer to keeping skin grafts firmly in place over wounds.

Need your appendix out? How about scarless surgery through the navel

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:18:18 EDT

A new study suggests that surgery for appendicitis that uses a pinhole incision through the navel may be a feasible alternative to traditional appendectomies. The findings indicate that larger studies to test the potential of the procedure are warranted.

Skin deep: Fruit flies reveal clues to wound healing in humans

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:45:45 EDT

A new way to study wound healing in flies suggests new targets for wound-healing drugs.

What you eat before surgery may affect your recovery

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:10:10 EDT

According to a new study, the last few meals before surgery might make a difference in recovery after surgery.

Pre-clinical research shows promising treatment for diabetic wounds using stem cells

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:45:45 EDT

Pre-clinical research has generated some very promising findings using adult stem cells for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

'Switch' critical to wound healing identified

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:13:13 EST

Patients with diseases such as diabetes suffer from painful wounds that take a long time to heal making them more susceptible to infections that could even lead to amputations. A new discovery paves the way for therapeutics to improve healing of such chronic wounds, which are a significant burden to patients.

Cell movement explained by molecular recycling

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:40:40 EST

Scientists have identified the method by which cells control the recycling of molecules, a process that is essential for them to move. The discovery provides researchers with a better understanding of how our bodies heal wounds.

Bariatric surgery restores pancreatic function by targeting belly fat

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:12:12 EST

Researchers have found that gastric bypass surgery reverses diabetes by uniquely restoring pancreatic function in moderately obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

New therapeutics could accelerate wound healing

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:07:07 EST

Chemistry and biochemistry professors report a discovery to exploit our body's ability to heal itself, that could lead to new bio-mimicking therapeutics to treat skin wounds.

Stem cell-based bioartificial tissues and organs

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:30:30 EST

Surgeons have successfully transplanting bioengineered stem cell-based trachea, composed of both artificial and biological material. Now they plan to use the technique to recreate more complex tissues, such as the esophagus and diaphragm or organs such as the heart and lungs. Researchers have also made an experimental attempt to regenerate brain tissue in mice and rats.

Calcium is initial trigger in our immune response to healing

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:16:16 EST

For the first time, scientists studying the cellular processes underlying the body's response to healing have revealed how a flash of calcium is the very first step in repairing damaged tissue. The findings could lead to new therapies that speed up the healing process following injury or surgery.

Stem cell therapy to repair damaged knee cartilage

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:32:32 EST

Medical researchers are conducting the first clinical study in the U.S. of an innovative stem cell drug, Cartistem, to repair knee cartilage damaged by aging, trauma or degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Complex spinal surgeries with two attending physicians, instead of one, benefit patients

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:53:53 EST

Two heads are better than one, as the saying goes -- and a new study demonstrates how having two attending surgeons in the operating room during spinal surgeries can benefit patients in multiple ways.

U.K. hospital infection surveillance system flawed, say experts

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:26:26 EST

Patients recovering from surgery get infections far more often than is being reported, a new study has found. Infection prevention specialists are now calling for a clear and standardized system for hospitals to try to identify the true scale of surgical infections.

Mussels inspire innovative new adhesive for surgery

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:59:59 EST

Mussels can be a mouthwatering meal, but the chemistry that lets mussels stick to underwater surfaces may also provide a highly adhesive wound closure and more effective healing from surgery.

Genetic variation that could help predict mortality in patients suffering sepsis identified

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:20:20 EST

A new study offers evidence that variations in what is called the NFKB gene could play an important role in helping to determine the survival rate of patients who acquire sepsis.

Surviving sepsis with LECT2

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:16:16 EST

Failure to launch an adequate immune response may be at the root of septic shock, according to a new study.

New IDSA guidelines aim to reduce death, disability, and cost of prosthetic joint infections

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:07:07 EST

Of the one million people each year who get hips and knees replaced, as many as 20,000 will get an infection in the new joint, a number that is expected to skyrocket in the next 20 years. Multispecialty physician teams need to work together to reduce disability, death and costs associated with the ever-growing number of these prosthetic joint infections, note the first guidelines on the topic being released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

New practices reduce surgical site infections after colorectal surgery

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:23:23 EST

Surgeons have reduced surgical site infections by more than 60 percent for patients who undergo colorectal procedures by introducing evidence-based protocols that are easy to follow and relatively low in cost.

Topical simvastatin shown to accelerate wound healing in diabetes

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:01:01 EST

Delayed wound healing is a major complication of diabetes because the physiological changes in tissues and cells impair the wound healing process. This can result in additional disease outcomes such as diabetic foot ulcer, a significant cause of morbidity in the growing population of diabetic patients. A new study has found that topically applied simvastatin accelerates wound healing in diabetic mice, suggesting important implications for humans with diabetes.

Sweat glands play major role in healing human wounds

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:04:04 EST

Researchers have discovered one of the body's most powerful secret weapons in healing: sweat glands.

Arginine and proline enriched diet may speed wound healing in diabetes

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:21:21 EST

A diet enriched with arginine and proline could speed diabetes-related wound healing, a new study suggests.

Plant derivative, tanshinones, protects against sepsis, study suggests

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:33:33 EST

Researchers have discovered that tanshinones, which come from the plant Danshen and are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine, protect against the life-threatening condition sepsis.

Aspirin effective in preventing clots following joint replacement surgery

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:58:58 EST

Researchers have shown aspirin to be just as effective as warfarin in preventing clots, specifically pulmonary emboli, life-threatening blood clots that can develop in the arteries of the lungs following joint replacement surgery.

Acute care model improves surgical care quality, lowers costs for two procedures

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:59:59 EST

An acute care surgery model led to improvement in the quality of surgical patient care and reduced the cost of emergency surgical care at a California medical center.

Repeated surgeries appear to extend life of patients with deadliest of brain cancers

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:31:31 EDT

People who undergo repeated surgeries to remove glioblastomas -- the most aggressive and deadliest type of brain tumors -- may survive longer than those who have just a one-time operation, new research suggests.

Bean used in Chinese food could protect against sepsis

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:51:51 EDT

Researchers have discovered that a bean commonly used in Chinese cuisine protects against the life-threatening condition sepsis.

New bio-adhesive polymer demonstrated

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:57:57 EDT

A new article details the use of a new laser-activated bio-adhesive polymer. The chitosan-based polymer, SurgiLux, is found in fungal cell walls or in exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects. This molecular component allows SurgiLux to form low energy bonds between the polymer and the desired tissue when it absorbs light. The technology may soon replace traditional sutures in the clinic.

Knee replacement not an 'easy solution' for obese patients

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:16:16 EDT

Obese patients have a greater risk of complications following total knee replacement surgery.

Study finds rise in maternal sepsis-related mortality

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:15:15 EDT

A new study reports that severity and death rates are increasing in pregnant and postpartum women with sepsis. More than 30 percent of mothers who develop sepsis will experience some type of organ dysfunction.

Wearing a knee brace following anterior cruciate ligament surgery has no effect on recovery

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:19:19 EDT

Wearing a knee brace following anterior cruciate ligament surgery has no effect on a person's recovery.

Antibiotics could replace surgery for appendicitis, research suggests

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:42:42 EDT

Although the standard approach to acute appendicitis is to remove the appendix, a study from Sweden reveals that treatment with antibiotics can be just as effective in many cases.

Nurses who treat minor burns face lack of evidence

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:53:53 EDT

Clinical guidance in the UK on treating minor burns can be contradictory. Some researchers argue blister fluid can help wound healing and blisters should be left intact while others say blisters need to be removed to avoid infection. A study has found non-burns specialist nurses, who treat minor burns patients in accident and emergency and urgent care units rely on on experience rather than evidence for treatment. The study authors call for a national audit and evidence-based guidelines.

Explosions are the main cause of spine injuries to wounded military personnel

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:53:53 EDT

Spinal injuries are among the most disabling conditions affecting wounded members of the US military. Yet until recently, the nature of those injuries had not been adequately explored.

Researchers call for early diagnosis of flesh-eating infections

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:42:42 EDT

Researchers stress that orthopedists should have a high index of suspicion for necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating bacterial infection, in every patient with pain or other symptoms that are out of proportion to the initial diagnosis.

Hyponatremia linked to increased risk of death, complications following surgery

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:15:15 EDT

An observational study of nearly one million patients who underwent surgery suggests that preoperative hyponatremia (an electrolyte disorder in which sodium levels in the blood are low) was associated with an increased risk of complications and death within 30 days of surgery.

Newly identified stem cell population in skin's epidermis responsible for tissue repair

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:29:29 EDT

Researchers have identified a new stem cell population in the skin epidermis responsible for tissue repair. The skin, which is an essential barrier that protects our body against the external environment, undergoes constant turnover throughout life to replace dead cells that are constantly sloughed off from the skin surface. During adult life, the number of cells produced must exactly compensate the number of cells lost. Different theories have been proposed to explain how this delicate balance is achieved. In a new study, researchers demonstrate the existence of a new population of stem cells that give rise to progenitor cells that ensure the daily maintenance of the epidermis and demonstrate the major contribution of epidermal stem cells during wound healing.

Study gives new insight on inflammation

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:59:59 EDT

Scientists' discovery of an important step in the body's process for healing wounds may lead to a new way of treating inflammation.

Scientists find an important molecular trigger for wound-healing

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:18:18 EDT

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding a class of cells that help wounds in skin and other epithelial tissues heal, uncovering a molecular mechanism that pushes the body into wound-repair mode.

Could Faststitch device be the future of suture?

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:07:07 EDT

To cut down postoperative complications, engineers have invented a disposable suturing tool to guide the placement of stitches and guard against accidental puncture of internal organs.

Drug successfully halts fibrosis in animal model of liver disease

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:23:23 EDT

A potential new NADPH oxidase inhibitor therapy for liver fibrosis, a scarring process associated with chronic liver disease that can lead to loss of liver function.

Higher healing rate using unique cell-based therapy in chronic venous leg ulcers

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:37:37 EDT

A new study finds that treating chronic venous leg ulcers with a topical spray containing a unique living human cell formula provides a 52 percent greater likelihood of wound closure than treatment with compression bandages only.

High blood sugar, obesity increase risk for surgical site infection

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:02:02 EDT

Two recent studies in the July issues of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) looked at surgical site infections and hyperglycemia, the technical term for high blood glucose, or high blood sugar.

New angioplasty procedure improves blood flow in blocked arteries to extremities

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:15:15 EDT

Patients with blocked arteries to their extremities, known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or critical limb ischemia (CLI), may now find relief from lower leg pain and wounds caused by impaired leg artery circulation with the previously unproven therapy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Wound care meta-review draws firm conclusions

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 09:25:25 EDT

Robust evidence exists for some wound care interventions, but there are still gaps in current knowledge requiring international consensus and further high-level clinical evidence, according to a paper published online by BJS, the British Journal of Surgery.

Possible treatment to reduce scarring discovered

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:44:44 EDT

Ugly scars can affect body and mind, and new research offers a new strategy to reduce or eliminate scars on the skin. Scientists describe how agents that block receptors for adenosine (a molecule generated from ATP which is used by the body to provide energy to muscles) can be applied topically to healing wounds to reduce scar size, yielding skin that feels more like the original, unscarred skin.

Protein may be key to psoriasis and wound care

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:49:49 EDT

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder in which skin cells proliferate out of control. For some hard-to-heal wounds, the problem is just the opposite: Restorative skin cells don’t grow well or fast enough. Researchers now describe a molecule that may lead to new treatments for both problems.

Light-induced delivery of nitric oxide eradicates drug-resistant bacteria

Wed, 30 May 2012 13:37:37 EDT

Researchers have developed a novel approach for eradicating drug-resistant bacteria from wounds and skin infections, using light to trigger the controlled release of nitric oxide. Medical researchers developed a photoactive compound that releases nitric oxide when exposed to light, and loaded it into a porous, biocompatible material that could be applied as a sprayable powder.

Discovery promises unique medicine for treatment of chronic and diabetic wounds

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:02:02 EDT

A unique new medicine that can start and accelerate healing of diabetic and other chronic wounds is now being developed. After several years of successful experimental research, it is now ready for clinical testing.

A boost in microRNA may protect against sepsis and other inflammatory diseases

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:32 EDT

Researchers have discovered that a microRNA called miR-181b can reduce the inflammatory response that is responsible for inflammatory diseases.

Sutureless aortic valve replacement a North American first

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:25:25 EDT

A surgical milestone was reached on May 1st with a sutureless aortic valve replacement through a thoracic incision just 5 centimeters long. The two patients in their seventies who underwent this innovative procedure were doing well only one week after their operations.

New hope for PAD sufferers

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:27:27 EDT

Research by vascular surgeons may offer new hope to sufferers of peripheral artery disease, the cause of nearly 60,000 lower-limb amputations annually, through the use of a patient's own stem cells.

Armpits, belly buttons and chronic wounds: The ABCs of our body bacteria

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:02:02 EDT

Minutes after you were born, bacteria moved in. Their populations have exploded, diversified and spread in and on your body, including your skin. Scientists are learning how and why bacteria colonize particular places, possibly pointing to ways of treating skin and other conditions. Researchers have discovered that each person's collection of bacteria is unique -- like fingerprints. But unlike your fingerprints, the bacterial communities can change depending on your diet, environment, health, age and many other factors. Swab samples from about 200 volunteers' belly buttons contained an astonishing variety of bacteria -- nearly 4,000 different strains, many of which are completely new to scientists.