Evaluation of Detection and Efficacy of Decontamination of Respiratory Pathogens Including SARS-CoV-2 on Basic Military Trainee Gas Masks.

Introduction: Basic military trainee (BMT) gas mask training poses a potential mechanism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. After training, gas masks are decontaminated. Insufficient decontamination can lead to viral transmission in the next training class.

Evaluating sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme Franklin™ three9 real-time PCR device and SARS-CoV-2 go-strips assay using clinical samples.

We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme Franklin™ three9 Real-Time PCR Thermocycler and Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips in the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The Biomeme Franklin™ three9 platform is a portable, battery-operated system that could be used in remote settings. We assessed performance of the Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 detection system at a wide range of viral concentrations, examined cross-reactivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips against several near-neighbor respiratory pathogens, and evaluated agreement against the BioFire® Respiratory Panel 2.

Exploration of Epigenetic State Hyperdopaminergia (Surfeit) and Genetic Trait Hypodopaminergia (Deficit) During Adolescent Brain Development.

Background: The risk for all addictive drug and non-drug behaviors, especially, in the unmyelinated Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) of adolescents, is important and complex. Many animal and human studies show the epigenetic impact on the developing brain in adolescents, compared to adults. Some reveal an underlying hyperdopaminergia that seems to set our youth up for risky behaviors by inducing high quanta pre-synaptic dopamine release at reward site neurons.

Cannabis-Induced Hypodopaminergic Anhedonia and Cognitive Decline in Humans: Embracing Putative Induction of Dopamine Homeostasis.

Over years, the regular use of cannabis has substantially increased among young adults, as indicated by the rise in cannabis use disorder (CUD), with an estimated prevalence of 8. 3% in the United States. Research shows that exposure to cannabis is associated with hypodopaminergic anhedonia (depression), cognitive decline, poor memory, inattention, impaired learning performance, reduced dopamine brain response-associated emotionality, and increased addiction severity in young adults.

High Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) in Chronically Prescribed Severe Chronic Opioid Probands Attending Multi-pain Clinics: an Open Clinical Pilot Trial.

Millions of Americans experience pain daily. In 2017, opioid overdose claimed 64,000 lives increasing to 84,000 lives in 2020, resulting in a decrease in national life expectancy. Chronic opioid use results in dependency, drug tolerance, neuroadaptation, hyperalgesia, potential addictive behaviors, or Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) caused by a hypodopaminergia.

Improving naltrexone compliance and outcomes with putative pro- dopamine regulator KB220, compared to treatment as usual.

A recent analysis from Stanford University suggested that without any changes in currently available treatment, prevention, and public health approaches, we should expect to have 510,000 deaths from prescription opioids and street heroin from 2016 to 2025 in the US. In a recent review, Mayo Clinic Proceedings (October 2019), Gold and colleagues at Mayo Clinic reviewed the available medications used in opioid use disorders and concluded that in private and community practice adherence is more important as a limiting factor to retention, relapse, and repeat overdose. It is agreed that the primary utilization of known opioid agonists like methadone, buprenorphine and naloxone combinations, while useful as a way of reducing societal harm, is limited by 50% of more discontinuing treatment within 6 months, their diversion, and addiction liability.

In Search of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)-free Controls: The "Holy Grail" in Genetic Addiction Risk Testing.

Background: The search for an accurate, gene-based test to identify heritable risk factors for Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) was conducted based on hundreds of published studies about the role of dopamine in addictive behaviors, including risk for drug dependence and compulsive/impulsive behavior disorders. The term RDS was first coined by Blum's group in 1995 to identify a group of behaviors with a common neurobiological mechanism associated with a polymorphic allelic propensity for hypodopaminergia.

Objectives: To outline the process used to select risk alleles of reward genes for the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test.

Death by Opioids: Are there non-addictive scientific solutions?

In the face of the current Opioid crisis in America killing close to 800,000 people since 2004, we are proposing a novel approach to assist in at least attenuating these unwanted premature deaths. While we applaud the wonderful efforts of our governmental institutes and professional societies (NIDA, NIAAA, ASAM, ABAM ) in their extraordinary efforts in combating this continued dilemma, the current approach is failing, and other alternative approaches should at least be tested. These truths present a serious ethical dilemma to scientists, clinicians and counselors in the Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) treatment community.

Hypodopaminergia and "Precision Behavioral Management" (PBM): It is a Generational Family Affair.

Background/aims: This case series presents the novel Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS®) coupled with a customized pro-dopamine regulator matched to polymorphic reward genes having a hypodopaminergic risk.

Methods: The proband is a female with a history of drug abuse and alcoholism. She experienced a car accident under the influence and voluntarily entered treatment.

Pro-Dopamine Regulator (KB220) A Fifty Year Sojourn to Combat Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Evidence Based Bibliography (Annotated).

Background: We are facing a significant challenge in combatting the current opioid and drug epidemic worldwide. In the USA, although there has been notable progress, in 2017 alone 72,000 people died from a narcotic overdose. The NIAAA & NIDA continue to struggle with innovation to curb or eliminate this unwanted epidemic.

Adenovirus-Associated Acute Appendicitis: An Under-Recognized Relationship?

Objective: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common causes of a surgical abdomen worldwide, occurring most frequently in those age 10 to 29 years. Adenovirus (ADV) is a rare but reported cause of AA in children and a well-recognized cause of intussusception in infants and young children. Annually, about 36,000 basic military trainees (BMTs) undergo initial training at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas.

Comparison of Clinical Features in a Population of Basic Military Trainees Versus the General Department of Defense Beneficiary Population Presenting With Influenza.

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a well-documented cause of morbidity, extra expense, and lost training time among basic military trainees (BMTs). The goal of this study was to characterize the clinical presentation of influenza in the BMT population and to better understand how this presentation differs from that of the general Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiary population (non-BMTs).

Materials And Methods: Clinical and demographic data were collected in a prospective study that enrolled DoD beneficiaries presenting to medical treatment facilities in San Antonio, Texas, with URI symptoms between January 2005 and March 2011.

Changes in Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens Associated With Acute Respiratory Illness in Military Trainees After Reintroduction of Adenovirus Vaccine.

Background.  Adenovirus (Ad) has long been the predominant cause of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in military trainees. In 2011, live oral Ad vaccines for serotypes 4 and 7 were reintroduced into US basic military training populations.

Comparison of diagnostic test performance in a population of high risk young adults versus a general population presenting with influenza.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a well-documented cause of morbidity, extra expense and lost training time among basic military trainees (BMTs).

Objectives: The goal of this study is to better understand how influenza diagnostic tests perform in the BMT population, and how this performance differs from the general population.

Study Design: Laboratory test data was collected in a prospective study that enrolled Department of Defense beneficiaries presenting to medical facilities in San Antonio, TX with URI symptoms between January 2005 and March 2011.

Pandemic influenza virus 2009 H1N1 and adenovirus in a high risk population of young adults: epidemiology, comparison of clinical presentations, and coinfection.

Background: In 2009, pandemic H1N1 influenza virus (2009 H1N1) emerged worldwide, causing morbidity and mortality that disproportionately affected young adults. Upper respiratory infection (URI), largely due to adenovirus, is an endemic cause of morbidity in military training. Whether clinical presentations differ or excess morbidity results from coinfection is unclear.

Quantitative real-time PCR assay panel for detection and type-specific identification of epidemic respiratory human adenoviruses.

Outbreaks of human adenovirus (HAdV) acute respiratory illness (ARI) have been well documented among civilians and unvaccinated military recruits. Among the 7 recognized HAdV species (A to G), species B (particularly serotypes 3, 7, 11, 14, and 21) and E (serotype 4) have more often been associated with epidemic ARI. Rapid detection and type-specific identification of these viruses would enhance outbreak response and help guide prevention and control measures.

Clinical validation of multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection of bacterial meningitis pathogens.

Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are important causes of meningitis and other infections, and rapid, sensitive, and specific laboratory assays are critical for effective public health interventions. Singleplex real-time PCR assays have been developed to detect N. meningitidis ctrA, H.

Genome sequences of human adenovirus 14 isolates from mild respiratory cases and a fatal pneumonia, isolated during 2006-2007 epidemics in North America.

Background: Human adenovirus 14 (HAdV-14) is a recognized causative agent of epidemic febrile respiratory illness (FRI). Last reported in Eurasia in 1963, this virus has since been conspicuously absent in broad surveys, and was never isolated in North America despite inclusion of specific tests for this serotype in surveillance methods. In 2006 and 2007, this virus suddenly emerged in North America, causing high attack rate epidemics of FRI and, in some cases, severe pneumonias and occasional fatalities.

A genomics study of type 2 diabetes mellitus in U.S. Air Force personnel.

The military community is at high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially as it relates to military beneficiaries, although preventive measures can be implemented to reduce disease onset. This study evaluates the prevalence of risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients diagnosed with T2D within active duty, retired military, and military-dependent populations on Lackland Air Force Base compared to nondiabetic controls. Results will be used as a basis of comparison to analyze risk-conferring genotypes in the young, healthy active duty population to generate the prevalence of T2D risk-associated factors in our current and future war fighters.

Health care transmission of a newly emergent adenovirus serotype in health care personnel at a military hospital in Texas, 2007.

Background: Adenoviruses can cause outbreaks of febrile respiratory illness in military trainees, but until 2007, adenovirus serotype 14 (Ad14) was never associated with such outbreaks. From April through June 2007, 15 trainees at one base were hospitalized for pneumonia due to Ad14. Subsequent reports of febrile respiratory illness among health care personnel suggested nosocomial transmission.

Evaluation and validation of a real-time PCR assay for detection and quantitation of human adenovirus 14 from clinical samples.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that Human adenovirus type 14 (HAdV-14) infected 106 military personnel and was responsible for the death of one U.S. soldier at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

Adenovirus microsatellite reveals dynamics of transmission during a recent epidemic of human adenovirus serotype 14 infection.

This study reveals diverse-length polymorphisms in long mononucleotide repeats (microsatellites) in several serotypes of epidemic human respiratory adenovirus. The length of one of these microsatellites, a homopolymeric thymidine [poly(T)] repeat, is measured in 68 isolates of adenovirus serotype 14. These isolates were collected during a series of sudden and sometimes fatal outbreaks among both military recruits and civilians as the virus emerged for the first time in the United States in 2006 and 2007.

Outbreak of severe respiratory disease associated with emergent human adenovirus serotype 14 at a US air force training facility in 2007.

Background: In 2007, a US Air Force training facility reported a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses associated with a rare human adenovirus (Ad) serotype, Ad14. We investigated this outbreak to better understand its epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and associated risk factors.

Methods: Data were collected from ongoing febrile respiratory illness (FRI) surveillance and from a retrospective cohort investigation.