Inflammatory disorders

Skin grafts genetically engineered from a patient’s own cells can heal persistent wounds in people with an extremely painful dermatologic disease, a Stanford Medicine-led clinical trial has shown. The grafts treat severe dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, or EB, a genetic condition in which the skin is so fragile the slightest touch can cause blistering and wounds, eventually leading to large, open lesions that never heal and are immensely painful.

Women who work nightshifts are more likely to suffer with moderate or severe asthma compared to women who work in the daytime, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research.

Be it peanuts or other triggers, many families live with the day-to-day risk that their child might experience a sudden and scary allergic reaction. Pediatric emergency department visits in the United States to treat acute allergic reactions more than tripled from 2008 to 2016.

New findings from the Barwon Infant Study show the pattern of gene activity in babies’ noses is strongly linked to their risk of subsequent wheezing illnesses.

A new study conducted by researchers at National Jewish Health has found that early changes in the cheek skin barrier may predict the onset of eczema, or atopic dermatitis (AD), well before any clinical symptoms appear. AD can be linked to food allergies, with early skin reactions potentially increasing the risk of developing asthma later in life.

A study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil investigated the process of muscle pain chronification—that is, when it goes from acute to chronic—and identified one of the mechanisms by which physical exercise prevents this transition, protecting the body from inflammation and persistent pain.

Nasal decongestant sprays are a popular remedy for relieving nasal congestion caused by colds, allergies and sinus infections. These sprays provide quick relief allowing for easier breathing. However, while they can be effective in the short term, overusing nasal decongestant sprays can lead to serious health issues.

Trinity College Dublin researchers have found that the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine may offer protection beyond its intended primary target. In a study recently published in the Clinical Immunology journal, researchers found that the vaccine not only targeted the COVID-19 virus, it also unexpectedly helped to reduce and control innate inflammation of other bacterial and fungal pathogens not related to the vaccine target.

The intestine is home to a complex ecosystem of microorganisms. This so-called gut microbiome plays an important role in health, disease, and aging. Various studies suggest that the microbiome “ages” and drives the host’s aging processes. It was previously unclear which mechanisms the microbiome uses to control aging in the host.

Countless ads and companies promote products they claim will improve metabolic health. But do they actually work? Possibly, according to a new study at UC Davis Health, in which researchers have identified two compounds that could potentially help.