• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2010

Purpose: Heterotopic calcification is a pathological event in which deposits of calcium salts build up, usually in the joint area or soft tissues. It can occur under many conditions and in some rare cases may develop in burn scars. In particular, ulcerations in burn scars accompanied by heterotopic calcification are difficult to treat through conservative treatment. This study reports methods for accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment of ulceration in burn scars accompanied by heterotopic calcification. Methods: Fourteen patients who visited our hospital from March 2008 to January 2010 were subjected to this study. Their sex, age, modes of burn, degree, TBSA (%), ulcerated area, the time of occurrence of the ulcerations in the burn scars were investigated. In addition, radiological examination and biopsy was performed to diagnose heterotopic calcification. Results: Among the 14 cases, 6 were male and 8 were female. The average age of the patients was 48.2 (27 - 69 yrs). As for the mode of burn, 11 were flame burns and 3 were scalding burns. The average time of occurrence of the ulcerations in the burn scars was 4.5 months. The ulcerated areas were situated in the legs in 12 cases, arms in 1 case, and torso in 1 case. The diagnosis was confirmed through X-ray and biopsy, and skin graft was performed after wide excision. Conclusion: Diagnosis of the ulceration in burn scars accompanied by heterotopic calcification is possible through radiological and pathologic studies. Surgical treatment is the most reliable method of treatment, and we chose to perform skin graft after wide excision. Also, we learned that the complete removal of the calcified tissue and the inflammatory fibrotic tissues is crucial in preventing recurrence. Also, in contrast to Marjolin's ulcer, heterotopic calcification had a small size, little or no granulation tissue, and lacked fungating type ulceration. Therefore, favorable prognosis could be achieved through adequate treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1529-1534
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• 2015

Introduction: Overexposure to sun radiation and particularly its accumulation during childhood and adolescence is a significant risk factor for skin cancer development. The sun burn is particularly important. Aim: To estimate sun burn incidence in young pupils in a coastal area of Greece. Materials and Methods: Two surveys were conducted in a school population in the same district in Greece, over different periods of time, in young people 9 to 18 years old (n=2 977). Anonymous questionnaires were completed. Levels of significance were two-tailed and statistical significance was set at p=0.05. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: From the individual characteristics of the participants it was shown that the majority of them had dark hair and fair skin, whereas a significant percentage reported the existence of moles on face and their body (83.4% vs 68.1%). The sun burn incidence was high in adolescents and the younger pupils (41.9% vs 55.6%). The younger aged children who were living in an urban area had significantly higher rates of sun burn than those living in semi-urban areas (33.8% vs 24.8%, p=0.020). As far as the knowledge of pupils about the risks of sun radiation it was shown that the elementary school pupils had better knowledge than those at high school. Finally, those with better knowledge had the fewer sun burns (Mean 2.83 SD 0.87, p<0.001). Conclusions: The contribution of knowledge to the decrease of sun burn incidence is important as long as this is continuous. Therefore, the education should concern not only children but also teachers and parents in the context of continuous and systematic programs of health education.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.227-232
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• 2009

Purpose: Numerous experimental studies have shown the benefits of treating thermal burns by cooling. Nevertheless, few studies have shown the clinical effect of cooling therapy on thermal burns. This study aimed to identify the clinical effect of immediate cooling therapy. Methods: The research was conducted as a retrospective, case-control study. All patients had thermal injuries characterized as a superficial second-degree burn. In the cooling group, 14 patients had first-aid cooling therapy delivered by either parents, caregivers, general practitioners, local hospitals, and/or Myongji hospital. Included in the study were 22 control patients who were not treated with any cooling therapies. Other clinical factors, such as age, sex, cause of burn injury, and burn area (Total Body Surface Area %), were taken into consideration. The duration of treatment was defined as the time from the occurrence of the injury to the presence of complete re-epithelialization, as confirmed by two surgeons. Results: The duration of treatment in the cooling group was significantly less than that the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cooling therapy as an initial emergent treatment is clinically effective for superficial second-degree burn injuries.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2016

Any types of burn injury that involve more than deep dermis often require reconstructive treatment. In gluteal region, V-Y fasciocutaneous advancement flap is frequently used to cover the defect. However, in case of large burn wounds, this kind of flap cannot provide adequate coverage because of the lack of normal surrounding tissues. We suggest V-Y adipofascial flap using the surrounding superficially damaged tissue. We present the case of a patient who was referred for full-thickness burn on gluteal region. We performed serial debridement and applied vacuum-assisted closure device to defective area as wound preparation for coverage. When healthy granulation tissue grew adequately, we covered the defect with surrounding V-Y adipofascial flap and the raw surface of the flap was then covered with split-thickness skin graft. We think the use of subcutaneous fat as an adipofascial flap to cover the deeper defect adjacent to the flap is an excellent alternative especially in huge defect with uneven depth varying from subcutaneous fat to bone exposure in terms of minimal donor site morbidity and reliability of the flap. Even if the flap was not intact, it was reuse of the adjacent tissue of the injured area, so it is relatively safe and applicable.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2002

To investigate an effect of bum on the cardiac function, we studied some biochemical assay, ultrastructural changes and stereological analysis in heart tissue. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced a 15% total body surface area scald burn. 5 and 24 hours later, the heart was excised. Burned rats showed the decrease of heart weight per body weight (%) compared with control. The activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased at 5 (p＜0.001) and 24 hours (p＜0.01) after burn compared with control. And the activity of serum LDH was decreased at 5 hours after burn but increased at 24 hours compared with control. Ultrastructurally, enlargement of interstitium and destruction of sarcolemma were observed at 5 and 24 hours after burn. Especially at 5 hours postburn, hypercontraction band was noted and at 24 hours, wavy fiber and muscle fraying were noted. In stereological changes, volume density of mitochondria and myofibril was significantly decreased at postburn 5 and 24 hours. But volume density of sarcoplasmic reticulum was significantly increased at postburn 5 hours. Our data suggest that dermal scald bum causes myocardial dysfunction.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.208-217
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of stress, resilience, focusing manner, and quality of life among burn rehabilitation patients. Furthermore, it seeks to identify factors affecting the quality of life in this patient group. Methods: The participants of this study were 129 burn patients, aged 19 or older, who received treatment at the rehabilitation of a university hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from June 22 to August 31, 2022 through self-report questionnaires covering stress, resilience, focusing manner and quality of life.The data were analyzed using the SPSS 29.0 program. Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that education level, cause of burn, area of burn, pain, stress, and focusing manner significantly affected the quality of life, explaining 74.5% of the variance. Conclusion: In particular, focusing manner was a major factor affecting the quality of life in burn rehabilitation patients. Therefore, there is a need to develop intervention programs aimed at increasing focusing manner in this patient group.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.170-175
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• 2017

Objective: The anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser in burn wound model in rats were investigated. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The rats were assigned to three experimental groups. Group I received second-degree burn wounds; Group II received dressing film and low-level laser ($1.2J/cm^2$) treatment after a burn wound; Group III received dressing film and low-level laser ($2.3J/cm^2$) treatment after a burn wound. After inducing a deep second-degree burn wound, the wound was observed every day and the burn area diameter and retraction quantification at 1, 7, and 14 days were evaluated. Low-level laser was investigated on hematological parameters after 14 days. Effects of low-level laser on the inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ [$TNF-{\alpha}$] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) concentrations in the serum were evaluated using immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Group III showed a significant difference in wound size on days 7 and 14 compared to Group I (p<0.05). Group II showed a significant difference in wound size on day 14 compared to Group I (p<0.05). For wound contraction percentage, both laser therapy treatment groups showed a significant difference compared with Group I (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference in wound contraction percentage in Group III compared to Group II (p<0.05). Compared with the model control group, decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 levels in the serum was observed at 14 days after burn wound induction. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that low-level laser therapy can assist in burn wound healing, which might be associated with decreased concentrations of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 related proinflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.11
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• 2021

Background: Scalding burn injuries can occur in everyday life but occur more frequently in young children. Therefore, it is important to develop more effective burn treatments. Objectives: This study examined the effects of bee venom (BV) stimulation on scalding burn injury-induced nociception in mice as a new treatment for burn pain. Methods: To develop a burn injury model, the right hind paw was immersed temporarily in hot water (65℃, 3 seconds). Immediately after the burn, BV (0.01, 0.02, or 0.1 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously into the ipsilateral knee area once daily for 14 days. A von Frey test was performed to assess the nociceptive response, and the altered walking parameters were evaluated using an automated gait analysis system. In addition, the peripheral and central expression changes in substance P (Sub P) were measured in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord by immunofluorescence. Results: Repeated BV treatment at the 2 higher doses used in this study (0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg) alleviated the pain responses remarkably and recovered the gait performances to the level of acetaminophen (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, once daily), which used as the positive control group. Moreover, BV stimulation had an inhibitory effect on the increased expression of Sub P in the peripheral and central nervous systems by a burn injury. Conclusions: These results suggest that a peripheral BV treatment may have positive potency in treating burn-induced pain.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.42-53
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• 2020

Purpose: It is important to consider both clinical factors and epidemiological factors in treating burn patients in emergency rooms. However, many emergency medical staffs happen to miss their chances of treating burns based on these considerations. This study is designed to find a better treatment for burn patients in emergency rooms along this approach. Methods: This study was conducted based on the data of the burn patients visiting the emergency room of a single general hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. The epidemiological and clinical factors were extracted out of the data, then the relationship between the prognosis and these factors were analyzed. Results: Most of burn accidents occurred at home, and were caused by hot water, soup, drinks, oil, etc. Especially, flame burns showed high hospitalization rate, surgical rate and mortality. In addition, their prognosis was poor when the affected area included facial, limb and perineal areas etc., or any inhalation burn co-existed. Also, the hospitalization rate and period increased when the treatment time was delayed or the pre-treatment was taken. There was a strong relationship between prognosis and the period of follow-up when patients were admitted during the period. Conclusion: It is difficult for medical staffs to evaluate prognosis of burns in emergency rooms due to progressive damages. Precise treatment and disposition are essential for patients' good prognosis. Therefore, medical staffs should establish treatment plans by identifying the patient's epidemiological and clinical factors, rather than giving prescriptions based on fragmentary and superficial symptoms.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.589-603
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burn-induced inflammation and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS: Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.