Partial-body cryostimulation procured performance and perceptual improvements in amateur middle-distance runners.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of partial-body cryostimulation on middle-distance runners before two 3000-m tests at the speed of the first and second ventilatory threshold, and before a time to exhaustion test at 110% of the maximal aerobic speed. Twelve amateur runners (age: 46 ± 9 years; VO2max: 51.7 ± 4.

Logistic Red Flags in Mass-Casualty Incidents and Disasters: A Problem-Based Approach.

Background: Mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) and disasters are characterized by a high heterogeneity of effects and may pose important logistic challenges that could hamper the emergency rescue operations.The main objective of this study was to establish the most frequent logistic challenges (red flags) observed in a series of Italian disasters with a problem-based approach and to verify if the 80-20 rule of the Pareto principle is respected.

Methods: A series of 138 major events from 1944 through 2020 with a Disaster Severity Score (DSS) ≥ four and five or more victims were analyzed for the presence of twelve pre-determined red flags.

Sepsis Management with a Blood Purification Membrane: European Experience.

Background: Septic shock is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Endotoxins and cytokine levels are associated with the occurrence and severity of AKI, and different blood purification devices are available to remove them from circulation. One such device, oXiris, is a hollow-fibre purification filter that clears both endotoxins and cytokines.

Nationwide program of education for undergraduates in the field of disaster medicine: development of a core curriculum centered on blended learning and simulation tools.

In recent years, effective models of disaster medicine curricula for medical schools have been established. However, only a small percentage of medical schools worldwide have considered at least basic disaster medicine teaching in their study program. In Italy, disaster medicine has not yet been included in the medical school curriculum.

Lung ultrasound predicts well extravascular lung water but is of limited usefulness in the prediction of wedge pressure.

Background: Pulmonary congestion is indicated at lung ultrasound by detection of B-lines, but correlation of these ultrasound signs with pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) and extravascular lung water (EVLW) still remains to be further explored. The aim of the study was to assess whether B-lines, and eventually a combination with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment, are useful to differentiate low/high PAOP and EVLW in critically ill patients.

Methods: The authors enrolled 73 patients requiring invasive monitoring from the intensive care unit of four university-affiliated hospitals.

Italian medical students and disaster medicine: awareness and formative needs.

Objective: Over the last century, the number of disasters has increased. Many governments and scientific institutions agree that disaster medicine education should be included in the standard medical curriculum. Italian medical students' perceptions of mass casualty incidents and disasters and whether-and if so to what extent-such topics are part of their academic program were investigated.

Data collection in a live mass casualty incident simulation: automated RFID technology versus manually recorded system.

Objectives: To demonstrate the applicability and the reliability of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system to collect data during a live exercise.

Methods: A rooftop collapse of a crowded building was simulated. Fifty-three volunteers were trained to perform as smart victims, simulating clinical conditions, using dynamic data cards, and capturing delay times and triage codes.

Evaluation of medical management during a mass casualty incident exercise: an objective assessment tool to enhance direct observation.

Background: Functional exercises represent an important link between disaster planning and disaster response. Although these exercises are widely performed, no standardized method exists for their evaluation.

Study Objectives: To describe a simple and objective method to assess medical performance during functional exercise events.