Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Appropriate and timely first aid reduces morbidity in burns. This study aims to assess the knowledge of first aid in burns among healthcare workers (HCW) and nonhealthcare workers. (NHCW). ⋯ We find a clear need for adequate training in burns first aid due to low awareness among healthcare workers (HCW) and non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Factors such as participation in burn first aid courses and gaining firsthand experience in treating burns were found to be linked to improved knowledge of burns prevention and first aid. Utilizing various media channels could be a valuable strategy to reach a broader audience, especially in remote and inaccessible areas.
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In South Africa, fire-related deaths are common, particularly within dense informal housing settlements. Published data on deaths from fire incidents in Cape Town is sparse. Additionally, little emphasis has been placed on the role of toxicological investigations in these deaths, despite the known risk of alcohol and drug impairment to burn injury. ⋯ This article provides an updated description of fire deaths in the west metropole of Cape Town. The importance of BAC and COHb testing in these cases was noted, and the authors call for an investigation of the role of drug impairment (specifically frequently misused drugs methamphetamine and methaqualone) as a risk factor in these deaths. Areas of high-density informal settlements, where open flames are used to heat, light, and cook, were noted as high risk.
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Severe burns are devastating injuries with significant immune dysfunction and result in substantial mortality and morbidity due to sepsis induced organ failure. Acute lung injury is the most common type of organ injury in sepsis, however, the mechanisms of which are poorly understood and effective therapeutic measures are limited. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of a small Guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase), Adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), on burn sepsis induced lung injury, and discuss the possible mechanisms. ⋯ ARF6 inhibition preserved vascular integrity by restoring expression of VE-cadherin and suppressed the spread of inflammation by affecting phagocytosis of ASC specks, thus protected against sepsis induced lung injury and improve survival of burn septic animals. The findings of this study implied potential therapeutics by which ARF6 inhibition can protect lung function from septic induced lung injury and improve outcomes in burn sepsis.
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Autologous split thickness skin grafting using meshing technique remains the preferred option for the management of deep dermal and full thickness burns. The limited donor site availability seen in patients with extensive burns, however, restricts use of the mesh grafting technique for skin expansion. Meek micrografting was developed to allow for greater expansion, and, therefore, more reliable treatment of extensive burns. This study aimed to present our outcomes using the Meek micrografting technique and identify risk factors for graft failure. ⋯ By examining the outcomes of the Meek micrografting technique in extensive burn wounds we identified that preconditioning of the wound bed, through allograft or negative pressure wound therapy application, positively correlates with improved outcomes, including higher graft take. At the same time, older age was seen to negatively correlate with graft take. Overall, Meek transplantation displays a favorable safety profile with promising outcomes. Future prospective studies and clinical trials can optimize the procedure and help establish it as the golden standard for extensive and complex burns.