Modern In Vitro Techniques for Modeling Hearing Loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a prevalent and growing global health concern, especially within operational medicine, with limited therapeutic options available. This review article explores the emerging field of in vitro otic organoids as a promising platform for modeling hearing loss and developing novel therapeutic strategies. SNHL primarily results from the irreversible loss or dysfunction of cochlear mechanosensory hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), emphasizing the need for innovative solutions.

Knee Joint Preservation in Tactical Athletes: A Comprehensive Approach Based upon Lesion Location and Restoration of the Osteochondral Unit.

The unique physical demands of tactical athletes put immense stress on the knee joint, making these individuals susceptible to injury. In order to ensure operational readiness, management options must restore and preserve the native architecture and minimize downtime, while optimizing functionality. Osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the knee have long been acknowledged as significant sources of knee pain and functional deficits.

Treatment of Tendon Injuries in the Servicemember Population across the Spectrum of Pathology: From Exosomes to Bioinductive Scaffolds.

Tendon injuries in military servicemembers are one of the most commonly treated nonbattle musculoskeletal injuries (NBMSKIs). Commonly the result of demanding physical training, repetitive loading, and frequent exposures to austere conditions, tendon injuries represent a conspicuous threat to operational readiness. Tendon healing involves a complex sequence between stages of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling cycles, but the regenerated tissue can be biomechanically inferior to the native tendon.

Leveraging Technology for Vestibular Assessment and Rehabilitation in the Operational Environment: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: The vestibular system, essential for gaze and postural stability, can be damaged by threats on the battlefield. Technology can aid in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation; however, not all devices are conducive to the delivery of healthcare in an austere setting. This scoping review aimed to examine the literature for technologies that can be utilized for vestibular assessment and rehabilitation in operational environments.

Understanding Primary Blast Injury: High Frequency Pressure Acutely Disrupts Neuronal Network Dynamics in Cerebral Organoids.

Blast exposure represents a common occupational risk capable of generating mild to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). During blast exposure, a pressure shockwave passes through the skull and exposes brain tissue to complex pressure waveforms. The primary neurophysiological response to blast-induced pressure waveforms remains poorly understood.

Effective Access to Care in a Crisis Period: Hypertension Control During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Telemedicine.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of telemedicine video visits in the management of hypertensive patients at home during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A quantitative analysis was performed of all home video visits coded with a diagnosis of essential hypertension during the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 through February 2021). A total of 10,634 patients with 16,194 hypertension visits were present in our national telemedicine practice database during this time.

Comparative in vitro study of commercially available products for alveolar ridge preservation.

Background: Ridge preservation is performed by placing a biocompatible product, following tooth extraction, to maintain bone volume. However, current ridge preservation therapies do not always maintain the volume required for future implant placement. Variations in surgical technique and material selection contribute to determining clinical outcomes.

Where Virtual Care Was Already a Reality: Experiences of a Nationwide Telehealth Service Provider During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the use of and demand for telehealth services.

Objective: Here, we describe the utilization of telehealth services provided by Doctor On Demand, Inc., a well-known telehealth company in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk of Preterm Birth and Newborn Low Birthweight in Military Women with Increased Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety.

Introduction: Prenatal maternal anxiety and depression have been implicated as possible risk factors for preterm birth (PTB) and other poor birth outcomes. Within the military, maternal conditions account for 15.3% of all hospital bed days, and it is the most common diagnostic code for active duty females after mental disorders.

Development of Electrospun Chitosan-Polyethylene Oxide/Fibrinogen Biocomposite for Potential Wound Healing Applications.

Normal wound healing is a highly complex process that requires the interplay of various growth factors and cell types. Despite advancements in biomaterials, only a few bioactive wound dressings reach the clinical setting. The purpose of this research was to explore the feasibility of electrospinning a novel nanofibrous chitosan (CS)-fibrinogen (Fb) scaffold capable of sustained release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) for the promotion of fibroblast migration and wound healing.

Disparate Antibiotic Resistance Gene Quantities Revealed across 4 Major Cities in California: A Survey in Drinking Water, Air, and Soil at 24 Public Parks.

Widespread prevalence of multidrug and pandrug-resistant bacteria has prompted substantial concern over the global dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Environmental compartments can behave as genetic reservoirs and hotspots, wherein resistance genes can accumulate and be laterally transferred to clinically relevant pathogens. In this work, we explore the ARG copy quantities in three environmental media distributed across four cities in California and demonstrate that there exist city-to-city disparities in soil and drinking water ARGs.