A Virtual Functional Medicine-Based Interdisciplinary and Integrative Intervention for Gulf War Illness.

Introduction: The War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center at the VA New Jersey Health Care System (WRIISC-VANJ) serves as one of the three tertiary referral centers for combat deployed Veterans of all eras with medically unexplained or difficult-to-diagnose conditions that may be related to deployment-related exposures. Many of the Veterans seen at the WRIISC experience chronic multisymptom illness (CMI), also known as Gulf War Illness (GWI). Given the complexity and interconnectedness of symptoms, Veterans with GWI are often unlikely to produce meaningful results when addressing single symptoms.

Changes in polyphenol serum levels and cognitive performance after dietary supplementation with Concord grape juice in veterans with Gulf War Illness.

Aims: We investigated whether the consumption of Concord grape juice (CGJ) was associated with increased bioavailability of serum metabolites and their potential impact on cognitive performance in Veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI).

Main Methods: Twenty-six veterans were selected from a cohort of 36 enrolled in a 24-week randomized, double-blind, Phase I/IIA clinical trial exploring whether the consumption of Concord grape juice (CGJ) was tolerable and safe in Veterans with GWI and improved cognitive function and fatigue. These 26 veterans were selected based on their completion of the entire 24-week protocol and documented adherence to the study beverage ≥80%.

Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Dietary Supplementation with Concord Grape Juice in Gulf War Veterans with Gulf War Illness: A Phase I/IIA, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Approximately 30 percent of U.S. veterans deployed during the Gulf War (1990-1991) have been diagnosed with Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic multi-symptom disorder without widely available specific treatments.

Forced oscillation technique in veterans with preserved spirometry and chronic respiratory symptoms.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of the forced oscillation technique (FOT) among military veterans with preserved spirometry and chronic unexplained respiratory symptoms.

Methods: 178 veterans referred for evaluation of unexplained respiratory symptoms completed pulmonary function testing and FOT. Preserved spirometry was defined as FEV/FVC, FEV and FVC ≥ 5th percentile.

Dizziness, Vertigo, and Mental Health Comorbidity in Gulf War Veterans.

Background: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic condition involving symptoms across multiple body systems. Previous research has implicated the vestibular system as a potential underlying factor in the symptoms experienced by veterans with GWI, due in part to exposure to potentially ototoxic chemicals and events.

Purpose: To characterize the presence of vertigo and dizziness symptoms in a sample of veterans with GWI using validated self-report instruments, accounting for mental health comorbidities.

Autonomic Symptoms in Gulf War Veterans Evaluated at the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center.

Introduction: We characterized the presence of autonomic symptoms in a sample of Veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale (COMPASS-31). In addition, we examined the report of autonomic symptoms across comorbid mental health conditions in this sample.

Materials And Methods: Case-series follow-up of Gulf War veterans evaluated by the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) between 2011 and 2016 (n = 153).

Report of Autonomic Symptoms in a Clinical Sample of Veterans with Gulf War Illness.

Introduction: Previous studies suggest that autonomic dysfunction may be an underlying factor in Gulf War Illness. This study examined self-reported symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and their relationship with physical functioning among veterans with Gulf War Illness.

Materials And Methods: We abstracted medical records of Gulf War Veterans clinically evaluated at the New Jersey War Related Illness and Injury Study Center between 2010 and 2016.

Isolated diffusing capacity reduction is a common clinical presentation in deployed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with deployment-related environmental exposures.

Following deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan ("post-9/11"), a spectrum of respiratory conditions has been reported; however, there are few published reports of objective physiologic data or later experience of symptoms and function. To better understand the post-deployment clinical presentation, we conducted a retrospective review of pulmonary function testing in 143 veterans referred to our tertiary care clinic for post-deployment health concerns. More than 75% of our sample had normal lung volumes and spirometry on pulmonary function testing; however, an isolated reduction in lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) was observed in 30% of our sample of post-9/11 veterans.

Bronchodilator Responsiveness and Airflow Limitation Are Associated With Deployment Length in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between deployment length and indices of airflow obstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with airborne hazards exposure.

Methods: One hundred twenty-four post-9/11 veterans completed pulmonary function testing and questionnaires. We examined the association of airflow limitation [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)] and bronchodilator responsiveness (ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC) with deployment length, adjusting for smoking.

Airborne hazards exposure and respiratory health of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

More than 2.6 million military personnel have been deployed to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and were likely exposed to a variety of airborne hazards during deployment. Despite several epidemiologic reports of increased respiratory symptoms, whether or not these respiratory illnesses lead to reductions in lung function and/or specific pulmonary disease is unclear.

Organizational psychosocial factors and deployment-related exposure concerns in Afghanistan/Iraq War veterans.

Objective: Environmental exposure concerns are associated with adverse health outcomes in soldiers deployed to South West Asia. There is little data on factors associated with the reporting of exposure concerns. We explored the relationship between deployment-related preparedness/support and exposure concerns.

Environmental exposure and health of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

Objective: We characterized the prevalence of self-reported environmental exposures, concerns about exposures, and their relationships with somatic symptoms in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) (OIF) veterans seeking treatment at a specialty Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic. Concerns about environmental exposures were expected to lead to more reporting of somatic symptom burden.

Methods: We conducted a chart review of 469 OEF/OIF veterans seen at a VA tertiary care clinic.

The impact of environmental factors on nursing stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intention.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between environmental factors of odor, noise, light, and color and perceived stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intention.

Background: The physical work environment may positively or negatively influence nurses' stress, and stress may negatively impact their job satisfaction and intention to change jobs.

Methods: The research questions were answered using a descriptive, correlational design.

Enhanced life functioning: Initial efficacy of a theoretical approach to integrate multiple health behavior interventions in young adults.

Objectives: We propose a new theoretical model that integrates health interventions targeting multiple health behaviors around a common framework of enhancing life functioning. We then test an enhanced life functioning message against an enhanced physical health message in increasing participants' perceived importance of engaging in multiple health behaviors.

Methods: 94 undergraduate participants were exposed to either an enhanced life functioning message or an enhanced physical health message and then completed measures of health behavior importance and benefits associated with enhanced life functioning importance in the spring of 2008 at Rutgers University.

Organizational factors and office workers' health after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks: long-term physical symptoms, psychological distress, and work productivity.

Objective: To assess if organizational factors are predictors of workers' health and productivity after the World Trade Center attacks.

Methods: We conducted a survey of 750 workers and compared those who had direct exposures to the World Trade Center attacks (south of Canal Street workers; primary victims) with those less directly exposed (north of Canal Street workers; other victims and non-victims).

Results: South of Canal Street workers reported headache more frequently than north of Canal Street workers did (P = 0.

Use of adjuvant systemic therapy for early breast cancer among women 65 years of age and older.

Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus statement recommends adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer irrespective of age. However, the actual use of such therapy is not well documented among women over 65 years of age.

Methods: We studied the frequency of use of adjuvant therapy and report the receipt of this therapy among 200 women aged > or = 65 years diagnosed with early breast cancer who were identified from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry.

The impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke on hospitality workers.

Tobacco use has a substantial impact on hospitality industry employees because of the disproportionate prevalence of smoking among these workers and because of the high levels of secondhand smoke to which they are exposed. The severity of this impact is evidenced by the high mortality rates observed among hospitality industry workers from diseases related to tobacco smoke exposure. Several states and localities have begun to enact laws to protect these workers from secondhand smoke exposure.

Efficacy of tobacco dependence treatment in the context of a "smoke-free grounds" worksite policy: a case study.

Background: Smoking restrictions provide opportunities to modify smoking behavior. A large insurance company implemented a smoke-free grounds policy at two of their office complexes in January, 2000.

Methods: This cohort study evaluated the impact of the smoke-free grounds policy on abstinence among 128 employees who participated in a tobacco dependence treatment program.

Racial differences in the treatment of colorectal cancer: a comparison of surgical and radiation therapy between Whites and Blacks.

Purpose: To evaluate black to white differences in treatment for colorectal cancer.

Methods: Only whites or blacks diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer between 1988 and 1997 were identified from SEER database.

Results: A total of 106,377 (91.