Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Severe burn injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Well-implemented scoring systems for patients with major burns exist in the literature. A major disadvantage of these scores is the partial non-consideration of patient-related comorbidities. Published data on this matter is limited to small study cohorts and/or single center studies. Further, the effect of comorbidities on clinical outcome of patients with severe burn injuries has not yet been examined nationwide in a large cohort in Germany. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of comorbidities on clinical outcome of these patients based on data from the national registry. ⋯ Preexisting comorbidities have a significant impact on the clinical outcome of patients with severe burn injuries. Further investigation is warranted in order to supplement existing prognostic scores with new mortality-associated parameters.
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To investigate the protective effect of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment on the intestinal mucosa in scalded rats. ⋯ bFGF ameliorates permeability of intestinal mucosa after burns. The possible mechanism may be relate to bFGF could increase the expression level of tight junction proteins (TJPs).
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Race and socioeconomic status influence outcomes for adult and pediatric burn patients, yet the impact of these factors on elderly patients (Medicare eligible, 65 years of age) remains unknown. ⋯ In this elderly cohort, race did not predict standard markers of burn outcome (mortality and discharge to SNF). Socioeconomic status independently predicted LOS and discharge to SNF, suggesting a relationship between socioeconomic status and recovery from a burn injury. Better understanding of racial and socioeconomic disparities is necessary to provide equitable treatment of all patients.
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Recently, self-heating consumer pressure cookers have found reinvigorated use with consumers wanting faster, more convenient, and healthier cooking. With the increased popularity, injury reports have also increased. Hazards associated with dispersion from pressurized vessels, although qualitatively understood through elementary scientific principles, have not been experimentally characterized in the literature, nor has the human ability to respond to a sudden dispersion of contents been directly reviewed. ⋯ This study found that both pressure and volume level influence the dispersion of contents after lid opening as well as the lid departure speed. Results also indicate that the speed of both the departing lid and the dispersing liquid occurred quicker than a bystander, within arm's reach, can consciously react to avoid or to shield themselves from the hot contents. The results confirmed analytical analyses found in the literature that a single layer cotton shirt (e.g., a t-shirt) saturated with water is more likely to trap hot liquid, increasing the likelihood of a more severe burn in that area due to prolonged skin contact.
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Observational Study
Physiotherapeutic and dietetic parameters in burns patients modelling a multidisciplinary approach to burns practice: A bi-disciplinary illustration of interrelated factors.
Early mobilisation and early enteral feeding after burn injury are two of the most important treatment therapies for optimal recovery. These factors form a part of a team approach, but research has historically focused on one discipline at a time and its effects in isolation; integrated inter-disciplinary influences are not typically studied. This observational study combines strategies and outcomes from the disciplines of nutrition and physiotherapy in an attempt to part-way exemplify the team approach. ⋯ This study illustrates the combined approach of two disciplines and their interrelated factors. Mobilisation appears to interrelate with nutrition factors, and this includes diarrhoea (which is likely a manifestation of gut effects due to the nature and timing of substrate delivery). A few factors were revealed in this interrelation that have not been documented previously in burns, namely the associations between mobilisation, diarrhoea, and serum albumin. Team members need to ensure inclusion of key recommendations from other disciplines when a particular, crucial factor from one discipline cannot be applied. Results in this study need to be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, the use of statistical applications with sample size, and the retrospective nature of the study. A larger, more rigorous prospective research study is required to confirm these results.