Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Nov 1999
ReviewSelective loss of inner hair cells and type-I ganglion neurons in carboplatin-treated chinchillas. Mechanisms of damage and protection.
Carboplatin preferentially destroys inner hair cells (IHCs) and type-I spiral ganglion neurons while sparing outer hair cells (OHCs). Loss of IHCs and type-I ganglion cells is associated with a significant reduction of the compound action potential (CAP). However, the cochlear microphonic (CM) potential and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) remain normal, indicating that the OHCs are functionally intact. ⋯ Intracochlear infusion of L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (BSO), which depletes intracellular glutathione (GSH), increases IHC and OHC loss. Previous in vitro studies have shown that neurotrophin 4/5 (NT-4/5) promotes the survival of spiral ganglion neurons from cisplatin ototoxicity. In vivo perfusion of NT-4/5 promoted the survival of spiral ganglion neurons, but did not protect the hair cells.
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Oct 1999
Life after electrical injury. Risk factors for psychiatric sequelae.
Long-term cognitive and emotional deficits have been commonly reported in electrical injury (EI) survivors. However, it remains undetermined what factors may lead to the development of such effects in some patients and not in others. ⋯ Statistical associations were examined between major psychiatric diagnoses (posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression) and such EI descriptors as having experienced "no-let-go" or having been knocked away on contact, as well as loss of consciousness or altered states of consciousness at the scene of the accident (including amnesia for the event). The study results will help physicians determine which patients may be at increased risk of developing psychiatric symptoms and address these issues as part of their total rehabilitation plan.
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Oct 1999
Study on the distribution pattern of skin temperature in normal Chinese and detection of the depth of early burn wound by infrared thermography.
Conduct basic research of the distribution pattern of skin temperature and estimate the wound depth in normal Chinese in the early stage of burn injury by using technical thermography. ⋯ The depth of early burn wound can be detected by using infrared thermography, which is an objective, fast, non-touching, and noninvasive method.
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Although there have been great advances in the treatment of electrical injuries in the last 20 years, the extremity loss ratio in electrical injuries remains at an unacceptably high level. The primary reason for this is the progressive tissue necrosis and enlargement of the necrosis in the wound. The goal in this study is to examine possible ways to break the necrotic malignancy circle and save the form and function of damaged extremities. ⋯ This paper summarizes our experience of using this method in the treatment of 105 electrical injury patients (a total of 309 wounds) in the time period from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1996. Satisfying results were obtained, with the extremity loss ratio decreasing to 7% as compared to 41.5% during the 10 years preceding 1984 at the same hospital. Thus, the urgent comprehensive reconstruction alternative presented here is an effective and workable method to manage electrical injuries.
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A total of 211 patients were admitted at the UP-PGH Burn Unit in 1995. Sixty-eight (32.2%) patients suffered burn injuries secondary to electrical injury. In the period from July to December 1995, a total of 28 patients were admitted because of burns caused by electricity. ⋯ A total of 22 operations were performed on 28 patients, including 7 extremity amputations, which makes an amputation rate of 25%. There were 5 deaths secondary to overwhelming wound sepsis, making an overall mortality rate of 21.7% and an operative mortality rate of 22.7%. The average length of hospital stay was 17.2 days.