"Genetically Altered Cells Show Promise for Burn Patients"
"Acid Burn Victim Shares Story"
"Seven Years' Experience With Integra as a Reconstructive Tool"
"Stirling-Rawdon Helps Burn Unit Drive"
"Reports Summarize Burn Care Study Results From Kasturba Medical College"
"derma e Donates to Support National Burn Awareness Week"
"Home Safety Tips for a Safe and Healthy Winter"
"Research on Burn Care in Children Published by Scientists at Shanghai Second Medical University"
"Effects of Differences in Percent Total Body Surface Area Estimation on Fluid Resuscitation of Transferred Burn Patients"
"It's the Law: Cigarette Safety a Hot Issue"
"Burn Victims Escape Stares at Special Kids Camp"
"Understanding and Treating the Juvenile Firesetting: A Review"
"Burn Victims Face Skin Shortage"
"Keeping Families Safe as Energy Costs Rise"
"BP Settlement to Help Future Burn Victims: UTMB Will Use Its $12.5 Million Share to Improve Treatment, Study Effects on Tissue"
"Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury in Patients With Burns"

"Genetically Altered Cells Show Promise for Burn Patients"
Health Central (01/09/07)

A recent study on the infection susceptibility of skin grafts published in the Journal of Burn Care & Research indicated that use of gene therapy could decrease hospital infection rates for burn survivors. Researchers injected cultured skin, which grows from burn survivors' skin cells, with human beta defensin 4, a protein known to help cells fight infection. The cultured cells were then infected with a known hospital bacteria, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and initial study results indicated that the cells were more resistant to infection than unaltered cells. University of Cincinnati researcher Dorothy Supp stated, "If it proves effective in additional testing, this type of gene therapy could be a promising alternative infection control method for burn wounds."

"Acid Burn Victim Shares Story"
Mineral Wells Index (TX) (01/09/07) Bailey, Brianna

More than five years after suffering severe acid burns, Cindi Broaddus has found strength and courage on the road to recovery. Broaddus was riding on the passenger side of her car when a gallon-size jar of sulfuric acid crashed through the window onto her face, legs, arms and chest. Today she characterizes the ordeal, which has included dozens of reconstructive surgeries, as a "journey of pain and discovery." In the years since the accident, Broaddus has shared her testimony of pain and healing in churches, on television talk shows, and even at the United Nations. She says she is determined not to allow her burns to change her or make her bitter, and recalls making a conscious decision at the hospital to ensure that did not occur. "I still remember thinking very clearly that I had to go on with my life and forgive," she says. In 2005, Broaddus chronicled her story in a book titled, "A Random Act," which includes a foreword by her brother-in-law, Dr. Phil McGraw.

"Seven Years' Experience With Integra as a Reconstructive Tool"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (02/01/2007) Jeng, James C.; Fidler, Philip E.

Integra, the bilayered dermal substitute, was created and has been broadly utilized as a leading coverage for excised acute burns. In a Journal of Burn Care & Research study, several researchers say they have discovered Integra to be most helpful in handling the loss of complex soft tissue and at-risk extremities due to tendon, joint, or bone exposure. The researchers note that using Integra has created some unpredicted successes with saving distal limbs, and say that the substance is used along with adjacent tissue transfer, composite flaps, and vascular pedicle flaps in their reconstructive medical practice. The researchers explain that they followed 44 patients for the last seven years in regards to how well their complex soft-tissue wounds healed when treated with Integra grafts. Such wounds included fourth-degree burns, necrotizing fascitis, pit-viper envenomations, and complete abdominal wall avulsion. Patients were mostly pain-free from wounds in the maturation stage of the Integra application. Replacement of tissue contour was substantially improved when utilizing multiple layers for significant wounds. The reconstructive utilization of Integra also allowed many at-risk extremities to be saved by shielding exposed tendons, joints, and bones.

"Stirling-Rawdon Helps Burn Unit Drive"
Belleville Intelligencer (Ontario) (01/08/07) P. 3

Canada's Stirling-Rawdon Fire Department has donated $7,000 to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation for the treatment of patients with burns, for equipment, and for education about burn prevention. "The fire fighters chose to support burns care in the Kingston hospitals because it is close to home, both adults and kids from this area go to Kingston," said George Posthumus of the Stirling-Rawdon Fire Department. He added that fire fighters wanted to support the hospitals because they are "at the forefront of research."

"Reports Summarize Burn Care Study Results From Kasturba Medical College"
Hospital Business Week (01/07/07) P. 239

Rescuer burns are the focus of a new study in the journal Burns that was written by P. Kumar and colleagues at the Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. The report, "Clinical Forensic Evidence in Burns: Rescuer Burns," is a retrospective on nine patients who were treated at the hospital over a period of three and a half years. "In the literature no systematic study is available on rescuer burn for victims of burn injury," the researchers note. Five of the patients were admitted, and they suffered burns that covered 14.5 percent to 38 percent of their bodies. They ranged in age from 30 to 34, and the average was 32.6 years. The four outpatients had burns totaling 1 percent to 4 percent of their bodies, and they were between 44 and 52, with 47 being the average age. Another rescuer suffered a burn as a result of being hugged by the survivor. "Based on the study of patterns of burn, these patients were found to have three grades of burn injury: Grade 1--upper extremity involvement only, (A) only one upper extremity involvement, (B) both upper extremities involvement, Grade 2--upper extremity/extremities and face involvement, Grade 3--upper extremity/extremities, face-neck, adjacent chest and lower extremity involvement."

"derma e Donates to Support National Burn Awareness Week"
NPICenter (01/04/07)

derma e Natural Bodycare has agreed to donate four cases of its Scar Gel to the Orange County Burn Association. The local non-profit offers programs and services to enhance the recovery process for both burn survivors and their families. The company is making the contribution in observance of the upcoming National Burn Awareness Week, which takes place in the first week of February. The Scar Gel is made with a unique combination of cellular rejuvenators Allantoin and Panthenol, both renowned for their burn-healing properties.

"Home Safety Tips for a Safe and Healthy Winter"
Home Safety Council (01/01/07)

The Home Safety Council and Lowe's have released new recommendations to keep homeowners looking to stay warm safe from burn-related injuries during the winter. Homeowners should use space heaters that bear the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as UL or CSA. As a general rule, space heaters should be placed no less than three feet away from flammable material and should be shut off before leaving the house or going to bed. Also, wet items such as blankets or clothing should never be placed on space heaters. If revving up the fireplace or wood stove, homeowners should burn only seasoned hardwood and avoid using cardboard boxes, trash, or tree branches as kindling. Moreover, chimneys should be professionally cleaned and inspected for cracks and leaks, and flues should be opened before fireplaces are employed. Embers should be shielded by sturdy screens, and homeowners should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of their home. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, experts advise homeowners to install at least one CO detector near bedrooms and other sleeping areas and have them inspected by a trained professional. Homeowners should also pay attention to their central heating system, making sure to clean and repair any leaks or other breaches as necessary. Moreover, homeowners should never use an oven or range to heat their home and never use a gas or charcoal grill inside or in a closed garage. In case of a power outage, homeowners should always use flashlights for artificial light instead of candles to keep from starting a fire.

"Research on Burn Care in Children Published by Scientists at Shanghai Second Medical University"
Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week (12/31/06) P. 248

A study of acute pediatric burn patients 14 years of age or younger admitted to the Ruijin Hospital Burn Center in Shanghai, China, from January 1980 to December 2002 reveals that most survivors were from the migrant population. The recent issue of the journal Burns features the study, "Characteristics of 1,494 Pediatric Burn Patients in Shanghai," which was written by W. Xin and colleagues at Shanghai Second Medical University. Of the 1,494 admitted pediatric burn patients, 687,or 46 percent, were from the non-registered population of temporary workers from rural areas outside the city. The main cause of burns was scalding, although children 0-3 years old tended to also suffer chemical burns and contact burns. Domestic burns accounted for 1,293 injuries, or 86.5 percent, and were followed by incidents that occurred while playing in public. The median mild burn covered 4 percent of total body surface, while median moderate burns and extensive burns covered 10 percent and 18 percent, respectively, with the head, neck, anterior trunk, and right lower limb receiving most of the burn. There were 17 deaths, or 1.1 percent, and most resulted from sepsis (82.4 percent.)

"Effects of Differences in Percent Total Body Surface Area Estimation on Fluid Resuscitation of Transferred Burn Patients"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (02/01/2007) Freiburg, Carter; Igneri, Peter; Sartorelli, Kennith

Researchers focused on the impact that estimates of burn size and burn resuscitation have on transferred burn patients. Respective chart reviews were conducted for the patients with thermal injuries, the referring hospital's percent TBSA burn estimates were compared with regional burn center estimates, and the difference between the theoretical and actual resuscitation volumes was determined using the Parkland formula. There were 127 burn patients, and 82, or 65 percent, came from other hospitals. The mean estimate difference between outside hospitals and the burn center for small burns (<20 percent TBSA) was 4.3 +/- 6.9 percent, and for large burns (>=20 percent TBSA) -4.9 +/- 9.1 percent (P < .0002). Also, small burns had an excess of 554 +/- 1099 ml in the mean difference in intravenous fluid administered before admission to the burn center and the Parkland formula guideline, while there was a deficit of -414 +/- 2081 ml for larger burns (P = .03, Wilcoxon's rank-sum test). There was not much of a difference between burn estimation and deviation from the Parkland formula with regard to complication and death. Transferred patients with smaller burns tended to receive higher estimates and resuscitation, while the opposite was more commonplace for those with larger burns.

"It's the Law: Cigarette Safety a Hot Issue"
Sacramento Bee (CA) (12/28/06) P. A3; Sanders, Jim

A California law that took effect Jan. 1 intends to lower accidents resulting from cigarettes that are thrown away still lit. The state now mandates fire-safe cigarettes devised to burn out when dropped or left alone. The change is intended to make a cigarette's flame more likely to go out if let unattended for a few minutes. Merchants can continue selling their present inventories before stocking the new cigarettes, although the new offering of fire-safe cigarettes should inundate shelves in coming months. The new cigarettes have two or three miniscule paper bands, known as "speed bumps," through which a flame is not meant to burn without periodic inhalation. In June 2004, New York was the initial state to mandate such cigarettes, and Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont have enacted similar laws. Tobacco companies caution that fire-safe cigarettes are not perfect and can conceal the need for stringent fabric flammability regulations, smoke detector upkeep, and satisfactory fire education.

"Burn Victims Escape Stares at Special Kids Camp"
Vancouver Sun (BC, Canada) (12/22/06) P. B1; Bellett, Gerry

The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund works with companies, foundations, and other groups to host a week-long camp each summer for around 80 children who live with disfiguring burns. The camp in the Paradise Valley area of British Columbia permits child-age burn survivors to play in an environment free of the sometimes uncomfortable stares they experience in the wider world. Maxine Llewellyn, 17, who needed skin grafts on much of her legs from an injury when she was two-years old, says, "For me it's the highlight of my year." She says it has a "a big impact on our lives and I look forward to it every year." She calls herself and the other children there a family, and notes that some have burn traces much more visible than hers. Fire fighters also attend the camp and are really fun, Llewellyn says.

"Understanding and Treating the Juvenile Firesetting: A Review"
Forensic Examiner (12/22/2006) Vol. 15, No. 4, P. 11; Gilman, Tracy L.; Haden, Sarah C.

A cure-all for treating juvenile firesetters has yet to emerge, but the Trauma Burn Outreach Prevention Program (TBOPP) appears to be one of the more effective treatment programs. During the program, young firesetters and their parents visit burn survivors and the medical professionals who care for them, and they also participate in an educational seminar that teaches them more about the negative societal and economic toll of fires. Although TBOPP offers such activities over the course of just one day, it has a 99 percent rate of effectiveness from a follow-up period of 8 months to 2.5 years, compared to a 36 percent rate for the control group that did not participate in the program. Arson is the second-leading cause of deaths involving fire in the country, and half of the fires are started by juveniles, according to a U.S. Fire Administration report in 2001. Most research shows that young firesetters tend to come from dysfunctional homes, are underdeveloped socially, and have problems expressing their emotions. Treatment often focuses on improving their social and anger management skills, and sometimes their home environment. One of the first and most useful tactics taught to juvenile firesetters is realizing what situations cause them to set these fires, followed by the specific development of other ways to cope in these situations. Immediate triggers frequently stem from a juvenile misunderstanding another person's behavior and emotions during particular scenarios. To deal with this situation, treatments concentrate on studying each part of an interaction with others through visualization or role-playing. Home life and the family environment appear to be the most influential and negative element of all contributing elements. As such, family therapy is employed to show the parent correct parenting skills. Fire fighters are regarded as the individuals with the highest influence and best resources for helping juvenile firesetters. Certain fire fighters have legal positions that provide them with the power to mandate that noncompliant parents or juveniles get treatment.

"Burn Victims Face Skin Shortage"
CBC News (CAN) (12/19/06)

Ross Tilley Burn Centre in Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital was recently forced to fly skin in from Calgary to help burn patients recover more quickly from severe skin deterioration. The donated skin allows patients' bodies to more readily fight infections and maintain critical fluids, but donations have fallen off. Generally, patients are better able to regrow their own skin once donated skin has been applied over burns.

"Keeping Families Safe as Energy Costs Rise"
American Gas (12/06) Vol. 88, No. 18, P. 31; Considine, Dan

The rising cost of home heating fuels is leading low-income residents in Indianapolis to turn to non-grid solutions for their heating needs, increasing the risk of home fires and fire-related deaths. Last winter in Indiana 19 people died from 11 house fires, and many of these incidents sprang from home-based heating with space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves. Citizen Gas is stepping up its program of fire safety education in Indianapolis to help mitigate this rising risk, and Citizen Gas teamed with the Indianapolis Fire Department and Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance to create and broadcast a fire-risk education program. They will use door flyers, television spots in English and Spanish, media events, and outreach through schools and churches. Last winter, Citizen Gas contributed $2.5 million of the $7.6 million in energy financial assistance given to Indianapolis residents. Citizen Gas has urged legislators to increase financial-need energy assistance and to further open domestic natural gas sources to development in order to help lower both home heating prices and the risk of house fires.

"BP Settlement to Help Future Burn Victims: UTMB Will Use Its $12.5 Million Share to Improve Treatment, Study Effects on Tissue"
Houston Chronicle (12/15/07) Ustinova, Anastasia

The legal settlement resulting from a BP refinery blast in Texas will allocate $12.5 million to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. The money will be used to improve the treatment of burn survivors there, and UTMB director Dr. David Herndon says that there is "a shortage of doctors" for this field of healing. At the same time the UTMB unit has the highest U.S. survival rate for critical burn patients, says Herndon. The funds come from a settlement agreement between BP and the daughter of two deceased refinery workers who died in a BP refinery blast that killed 15 and sent many more to burn units, including to the UTMB burn unit in Galveston. BP has agreed to donate a total of $32 million to colleges and hospitals as part of its settlement.

"Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury in Patients With Burns"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (02/01/2007)

An attempt was made to identify transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) in burn patients during a retrospective review of mechanically ventilated and transfused burn patients at an adult regional burn center between Jan. 1, 2003, and Jan. 5, 2005. The review also attempted to characterize transfusion (TXN)-related pulmonary deterioration in burn patients with pre-existing acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Twenty-five patients received 124 TXNs. In four TXNs, new ALI developed within 6 hours. The authors of the review note that there must be an awareness of potential TRALI in burn patients. And the authors conclude that "for patients with existing ALI or ARDS, we suggest that worsening of the CXR and reduction in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio by 20 percent or more within 6 hours of transfusion should be investigated for possible TRALI with appropriate donor investigations."

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