Military medicine
-
Retracted Publication
Novel Approach for Detecting the Neurological or Behavioral Impact of Physiological Episodes (PEs) in Military Aircraft Crews.
Military and civil aviation have documented physiological episodes among aircrews. Therefore, continued efforts are being made to improve the internal environment. Studies have shown that exposures to many organic compounds present in emissions are known to cause a variety of physiological symptoms. We hypothesize that these compounds may reversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which may disrupt synaptic signaling. As a result, neural proteins leak through the damaged blood-brain barrier into the blood and in some, elicit an autoimmune response. ⋯ Repetitive physiological episodes may initiate cellular injury, leading to neuronal degeneration in selected individuals. Diagnosis and intervention should occur at early postinjury periods. Use of blood-based biomarkers to assess subclinical brain injury would help in both diagnosis and treatment.
-
We examined antibiotic management of combat-related extremity wound infections (CEWI) among wounded U.S. military personnel (2009-2012). ⋯ Substantial variation in antibiotic prescribing patterns related to CEWIs warrants development of combat-related clinical practice guidelines beyond infection prevention, to include strategies to reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics and improve stewardship.
-
the effects of obesity on health are a concern for the military as they affect the fitness to serve of active service members, increase costs to the Military Health System, and reduce quality of life for veterans and beneficiaries. Although obesity can be influenced by behavioral and environmental factors, it has also been shown to be associated with genetic risk factors that are not fully understood. ⋯ the finding of an association between rs11670527 and BMI adds to the growing body of literature characterizing the complex genetics of obesity. These efforts may eventually inform personalized interventions aimed at achieving and maintaining healthy weight.
-
Musculoskeletal overuse injuries are a serious problem in the military, particularly in basic combat training, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars lost because of limited duty days, medical treatment, and high rates of reinjury. Injury risk models have been developed using peripheral computed tomography (pQCT)-based injury correlates. However, pQCT image capture on large number of recruits is not practical for military settings. Thus, this article presents a method to derive spatial density pQCT images from much lower resolution but more accessible dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). ⋯ High potential exists to create a practical protocol using DXA in place of pQCT to assess stress fracture risk and aid in mitigating musculoskeletal injuries seen in military recruits.