Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Feb 2010
Exertional heat illness among overweight U.S. Army recruits in basic training.
Heat illness has not declined in the U.S. military despite preventive measures. The increase in overweight recruits entering the U.S. military may lead to an increase in heat-related events. This study compares the risk of heat illness among U.S. Army recruits who exceeded body fat standards at accession to those who met standards. ⋯ Although there were few heat illness events, the results indicate a significantly increased risk of heat illness and outpatient utilization among male recruits with excess body fat. It was estimated that approximately 70% of the relative risk for heat illnesses in men with excess body fat during basic training was associated with exceeding body fat standards. These findings may have implications for military accession and training.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jan 2010
Endothelial function and stress response after simulated dives to 18 msw breathing air or oxygen.
Decompression sickness is caused by gas bubbles released upon decompression. These bubbles have the potential to occlude blood vessels and damage the vascular endothelium. The aim of this study was to quantify damage to the vascular endothelium resulting from decompression by measuring endothelial microparticles (MP) and endothelial function. ⋯ From the data, at least in the time frame involved, there appears to be no detectable physiological/stress response to decompression, rather decompression from breathing air probably caused mechanical damage to the endothelium, resulting in both MP release and a reduction in endothelial function.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jan 2010
Decompression from saturation using oxygen: its effect on DCS and RNA in large swine.
The use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) to expedite decompression from saturation has not been proven and may increase risk of toxicity to the pulmonary system. To evaluate any benefit of HBO during decompression, we used a 70-kg swine model of saturation and examined lung tissue by microarray analysis for evidence of RNA regulation. ⋯ HBO during decompression from saturation did not reduce the incidence of DCS. Gene regulation was apparent and similar in both the AirD and HBOD groups, particularly in genes related to immune function and cell signaling.