Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Engaging in healthy sexual activity and romantic relationships are important but often neglected areas of post-burn rehabilitation. The degree to which persons with burn injuries engage in sexual activity and romantic relationships is not well understood. This study examined demographic and clinical characteristics predicting engagement in sexual activity and romantic relationships in a sample of adult burn survivors compared to a general United States sample. ⋯ The likelihood of engaging in sexual activity and romantic relationships is similar among adult burn survivors and the comparison group representing a general United States sample of adults. Further research addressing sexual activity and romantic relationships after burn injuries will help to foster better patient-clinician dialogue, pinpoint barriers, design interventions, and allocate appropriate resources.
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Severe burns results in a prolonged hypermetabolic response. Brown adipose tissue (BAT), abundant in uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), plays a key role in non-shivering thermogenesis. We set out to determine if BAT is recruited in response to severe burns. ⋯ We show a time-dependent recruitment of rodent BAT in response to severe burns. Given recent reports that humans, including patients with severe burns, have functional BAT, these data support a role for BAT in the hypermetabolic response to severe burns.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of a topical surfactant and a topical antibiotic in the rat comb burn model.
Burn injury progression in the secondary zone of ischemia is common leading to delayed healing and increased scarring. We hypothesized that a topical surfactant, would reduce burn injury progression in a validated rat comb burn model compared with topical antibiotic ointment. ⋯ A topical surfactant did not reduce injury progression in the rat comb burn model when compared with antibiotic ointment. The surfactant was more durable than the antibiotic ointment.
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Burn disasters present a challenge not only to burn centers but the entire healthcare system. Most burn centers worldwide are unprepared to deal with a burn disaster as it is an uncommon event. We investigated the status of burn center preparedness in German-speaking countries to respond to a burn disaster. ⋯ Nevertheless, there are some gaps in the areas of planning and preparation, funding for disaster activities, and regular training of staff for burn disasters. We call for a unified burn disaster plan and increased cooperation between burn centers and civil defense regarding communication and training. We strongly recommend the implementation of a special disaster fund and telemedicine in disaster management to circumvent shortages in burn staff.