Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The use of in-vitro and ex-vivo models for the study of burn wound injuries is encouraged to reduce the animal burden in experimental burn research. However, few existing platforms enable the production of reproducible, locally confined thermal injuries at short durations in a high-throughput manner for both in-vitro and ex-vivo models. To address this gap, we established an automated high-throughput burn platform (HTBP) that provided accurate control over burn temperature, exposure time, and pressure application. ⋯ Moreover, we found that even a short exposure time of 200 msec caused a severe burn wound at 75 °C in a cell monolayer. In addition, we used the HTBP to generate burn injuries at different burn durations in ex-vivo porcine skin and showed that dermis discoloration was present in histologic sections after exposure to 100 °C for a short duration of 500 msec. Our work demonstrates that the HTBP can constitute an important tool for both in-vitro and ex-vivo research of mild and severe burn injuries in a tightly controlled setting and high-throughput manner.
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Review
Potential of Curcumin nanoemulsion as antimicrobial and wound healing agent in burn wound infection.
The review article concentrates on the potential uses of curcumin nanoemulsion in treatment and management of burn wound. Poor solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin limits the efficient and effective use of curcumin in management of bacterial infection related to burn wound. ⋯ Among this nanoemulsion is most favourable system due to its simplicity and low manufacturing cost. Nanoemulsion also enhances the skin permeation ability of curcumin and thus enhances its pharmacological efficacy specially as a potential antimicrobial agent, which can have applicability as a topical therapeutic agent in burn wound infection.
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Electrical injuries follow a specific pathophysiology and may progressively damage both skin and deeper tissues, frequently ending in amputations. Type and timing of soft tissue reconstruction after electrical burns is crucial for proper outcome. The aim of this study was to assess surgical management and outcome of patients with electrical injuries treated at the Zurich Burn Center over the last 15 years, with emphasis on risk factors for amputation and reconstructive strategy. ⋯ Electrical injuries are still cause of elevated morbidity and mortality, with high amputation rate. Predictors for amputation can support physicians in the surgical care and decision-making. Reconstruction remains challenging in this type of injury: the surgical management with early decompression, serial necrectomies and delayed early reconstruction remains the procedure of choice at our unit.
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Patients with severe burns (≥20 % total body surface area [TBSA]) have specific and time sensitive needs on arrival to the burn centre. Burn care systems in Australia and New Zealand are organised differently during weekday business hours compared to overnight and weekends. The aims of this study were to compare the profile of adult patients with severe burns admitted during business hours with patients admitted out of hours and to quantify the association between time of admission and in-hospital outcomes in the Australian and New Zealand context. ⋯ These findings support current models of care in Australian and New Zealand burn centres, however further investigation is required. Nonetheless, given most severe burns patients arrive out of hours to burn the centre, it is plausible that out of hours availability of senior burn clinicians will improve patient care and safety resilience within burn care systems.
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Observational Study
Epidemiology and outcome analysis of 1359 intensive care burn patients: A 14-year retrospective study in a major burn center.
Globally, burn-related morbidity and mortality still remain high. In order to identify regional high-risk populations and to suggest appropriate prevention measure allocation, we aimed at analyzing epidemiological characteristics, etiology and outcomes of our 14-year experience with an intensive care unit (ICU) burn patient population. ⋯ Despite consistent burn severity presentations of annual ICU admissions, burn injury mortality showed a decreasing trend, which was in part attributed to substantial progress in burn care and treatment and improved burn prevention awareness. Statistically significant age and gender differences could be detected with regard to burn etiology and seasonality, as well as outcomes, which highlight the importance of individualized primary prevention programs.