Skeletal muscle wasting after burn is regulated by a decrease in anabolic signaling in the early flow phase.

Following burns a sustained catabolic stress response is activated, resulting in skeletal muscle wasting. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of postburn skeletal muscle wasting is essential for the development of preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. Six weeks old female rats underwent a sham, 10% or 40% total body surface area scald burn.

Effects of exercise training on muscle wasting, muscle strength and quality of life in adults with acute burn injury.

Objectives: Exercise training during the acute phase of burns is difficult to implement but offers potential benefits. This multicenter trial explored the effects of an exercise program on muscular changes and quality of life during burn center stay.

Methods: Fifty-seven adults with burns ranging between 10% and 70% TBSA were allocated to receive either standard of care (n = 29), or additionally exercise (n = 28), consisting of resistance and aerobic training, commenced as early as possible according to safety criteria.

Molecular mechanisms of post-burn muscle wasting and the therapeutic potential of physical exercise.

After a severe burn injury, a systemic stress response activates metabolic and inflammatory derangements that, among other, leads to muscle mass loss (muscle wasting). These negative effects on skeletal muscle continue for several months or years and are aggravated by short-term and long-term disuse. The dynamic balance between muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein breakdown (proteolysis) is regulated by complex signalling pathways that leads to an overall negative protein balance in skeletal muscle after a burn injury.

Reliability and feasibility of skeletal muscle ultrasound in the acute burn setting.

Objectives: Despite the impact of muscle wasting after burn, tools to quantify muscle wasting are lacking. This multi-centre study examined the utility of ultrasound to measure muscle mass in acute burn patients comparing different methodologies.

Methods: B-mode ultrasound was used by two raters to determine feasibility and inter-rater reliability in twenty burned adults following admission.

Breast edema, from diagnosis to treatment: state of the art.

Introduction: Breast edema can arise from different etiologies; however, it is mostly seen after breast conserving surgery and/or radiotherapy. Combining breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy can cause damage to the lymphatic system and reactions to surrounding tissues, which can lead to breast edema; hereby, the breast size can increase by more than one cup size. Swelling of the breast is not the only criterion associated with breast edema.