Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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To explore the biological function of miR-21 in the formation of keloid. ⋯ miR-21 promoted collagen production in keloid by negatively regulating the expression of the Smad7.
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Many burn patients are needed to be referred to a tertiary burn hospital according to the American Burn Association (ABA) criteria. The purpose of this study was to verify the reasons for referring of the burn patients to the hospital. ⋯ A total of 45% of the referrals were by request of the family and patients. Tele-medicine may help to establish a direct contact between expert burn physicians and the patients and thus reduce unnecessary transfers. Approximately 9% of the referrals were because of lack of some diagnostic facilities.
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Pain Scrambler therapy is a patient-specific electrocutaneous nerve stimulation device. Burn pruritus is a common form of chronic and disabling neuropathic pain that is often difficult to treat effectively. Pruritus is mediated by histamines, which are effector molecules stored in mast cells and released locally during injury or inflammation. Burn pruritus may be accompanied by peripheral neuropathic pain, which may result from injury to sensory nerves that hampers conductance of neuronal messages along the large A and small C afferent fibers to the spinal cord. In this study, we investigated the effect of pain Scrambler therapy on burn scar pruritus. ⋯ Scrambler therapy is a non-invasive, non-medicinal modality that significantly reduced burn-associated pruritus. Scrambler therapy should be considered as a treatment option for burn survivors with severe pruritus.
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The vacuum assisted closure device (VAC) improves wound-healing when utilized as a bolster to secure split thickness skin grafts (STSG). Patients typically remain hospitalized for VAC therapy; however, home VACs (hVAC) are now available. Limited studies examine burns treated with hVAC as a STSG bolster. ⋯ The hVAC is a cost-effective STSG bolster in the burn population for appropriate candidates. Excellent graft-take and low morbidity rates imply that this is an efficacious alternative for STSG bolster.
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Case Reports
Canary in the coal mine-Initial reports of thermal injury secondary to electronic cigarettes.
The use of electronic cigarettes has become increasingly popular with claims suggesting healthier alternatives to tobacco cigarettes. However, research regarding the safety of such devices has been limited to an analysis of the inhaled vapor and the short and long-term effects on the body. ⋯ Such incidents have been reported in the media but with inconsistencies from a lack of focus on the injuries sustained and a cause of ignition. The cases presented here are among the first recognized thermal injuries sustained from electronic cigarette lithium-ion battery failure, the potential rationale for these failures, and a need for increased awareness of the safety hazards of these devices.