Vancomycin Dosing in Patients on Intermittent Hemodialysis-A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of therapeutic target attainment using a three-times per week protocol for vancomycin therapy given during the last hour of intermittent hemodialysis (HD).

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted of patient medical records in a remote dialysis center from January 2017 to July 2023. Adult patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on ≥3 months of intermittent HD who had received a course of vancomycin therapy with ≥1 serum vancomycin concentration recorded were included.

Intranasal oxytocin for apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia (FOXY): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, crossover, phase 2a/2b superiority trial.

Background: No treatments exist for apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia. Previously, in a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study, intranasal oxytocin administration in people with frontotemporal dementia improved apathy ratings on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory over 1 week and, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, a single dose of 72 IU oxytocin increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal in limbic brain regions. We aimed to determine whether longer treatment with oxytocin improves apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia.

A Silent Threat Unveiled: Mycobacterium gordonae Catheter-Related Peritonitis in a Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis.

Infectious complications in peritoneal dialysis (PD) remain a constant challenge, with atypical pathogens posing significant risks. This case from Thailand highlights the rare occurrence of , an often-overlooked non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), as the causative agent in a catheter-related exit-site infection that progressed to peritonitis. Initially misattributed to  from preceding exit-site infections, was ultimately identified as the primary pathogen through multiple effluent cultures and advance polymerase chain reaction sequencing.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic liver disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies.

Background: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic liver disease (CLD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess and compare the prevalence of SIBO among CLD patients (with and without with complications of end stage liver disease) and healthy controls.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched from inception up to July-2024 for case-control studies reporting SIBO in CLD.

Antimicrobial peptide glatiramer acetate targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides to breach membranes without altering lipopolysaccharide modification.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of innate immunity across all domains of life. Natural and synthetic AMPs are receiving renewed attention in efforts to combat the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis and the loss of antibiotic efficacy. The gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most concerning infecting bacteria in AMR, particularly in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) where respiratory infections are difficult to eradicate and associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters associated with an indicator of heart rate variability: The ADVANCE cohort study.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is governed by sympathetic and parasympathetic regulatory systems. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may influence these systems and consequently affect cardiovascular functioning.

Methods: The sample consisted of 860 UK male military personnel approximately half of whom had sustained physical combat injuries in Afghanistan.

Camel milk is a neglected source of brucellosis among rural Arab communities.

The World Health Organization describes brucellosis as one of the world's leading zoonotic diseases, with the Middle East a global hotspot. Brucella melitensis is endemic among livestock populations in the region, with zoonotic transmission occurring via consumption of raw milk, amongst other routes. Control is largely via vaccination of small ruminant and cattle populations.

Psilocybin-assisted massed cognitive processing therapy for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: Protocol for an open-label pilot feasibility trial.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 3.9% of the general population. While massed cognitive processing therapy (CPT) has demonstrated efficacy in treating chronic PTSD, a substantial proportion of patients still continue to meet PTSD criteria after treatment, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches.

Adaptation of clinical bacteriology techniques for remote polar research.

Unlabelled: Remote polar regions offer unique opportunities and significant challenges for antimicrobial resistance research in a near-pristine environment. While core microbiology techniques continue to have an important role in supporting environmental research, the severe cold climate presents considerable challenges to laboratory research. We explore adaptations required for core bacteriology investigations in polar regions on an unsupported remote expedition c.

Freeze-dried plasma: Hemostasis and biophysical analyses for damage control resuscitation.

Background: Effective hemorrhage protocols prioritize immediate hemostatic resuscitation to manage hemorrhagic shock. Prehospital resuscitation using blood products, such as whole blood or alternatively dried plasma in its absence, has the potential to improve outcomes in hemorrhagic shock patients. However, integrating blood products into prehospital care poses substantial logistical challenges due to issues with storage, transport, and administration in field environments.

Whole body vibrations and lower back pain: a systematic review of the current literature.

Introduction: Whole body vibration (WBV) is thought to be associated with low back pain (LBP). To mitigate against this the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) have created the ISO 2631 standard, recommending safe dose limits. The aim of this research is to conduct a systematic review of available literature addressing the question, is WBV associated with LBP?

Methods: A literature search was performed from January 1970 until April 2022, including studies focusing on LBP and sciatica in association with WBV, looking specifically for ones reporting on military populations.

Sepsis-induced NET formation requires MYD88 but is independent of GSDMD and PAD4.

Neutrophils are peripheral blood-circulating leukocytes that play a pivotal role in host defense against bacterial pathogens which upon activation, they release web-like chromatin structures called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Here, we analyzed and compared the importance of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), and gasdermin D (GSDMD) for NET formation in vivo following sepsis and neutrophilia challenge. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/E.

The Effect of Tacrine on Functional Response of the Lower Oesophageal Sphincter Assessed by Endoscopic Luminal Impedance Planimetry in Experimental Pigs.

Tacrine is a centrally active non-competitive reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It also exerts antagonising activity against -methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Tacrine was approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in 1993, but was withdrawn from clinical use in 2013 because of its hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal side effects.

Circulating Brain-Reactive Autoantibody Profiles in Military Breachers Exposed to Repetitive Occupational Blast.

Military breachers are routinely exposed to repetitive low-level blast overpressure, placing them at elevated risk for long-term neurological sequelae. Mounting evidence suggests that circulating brain-reactive autoantibodies, generated following CNS injury, may serve as both biomarkers of cumulative damage and drivers of secondary neuroinflammation. In this study, we compared circulating autoantibody profiles in military breachers ( = 18) with extensive blast exposure against unexposed military controls ( = 19).

Neurological Biomarker Profiles in Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Pilots and Aircrew.

Background/objectives: Military aviators can be exposed to extreme physiological stressors, including decompression stress, G-forces, as well as intermittent hypoxia and/or hyperoxia, which may contribute to neurobiological dysfunction/damage. This study aimed to investigate the levels of neurological biomarkers in military aviators to assess the potential risk of long-term brain injury and neurodegeneration.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 48 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aviators and 48 non-aviator CAF controls.

Addressing the emerging threat of Oropouche virus: implications and public health responses for healthcare systems.

Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact.

Role of exosomes in dental and craniofacial regeneration - A review.

Background: The treatment of congenital deformities, traumatic injuries, infectious diseases, and tumors in the craniomaxillofacial (CMF) region is complex due to the intricate nature of the tissues involved. Conventional treatments such as bone grafts and cell transplantation face limitations, including the need for multiple surgeries, complications, and safety concerns.

Objective: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of exosomes (EXOs) in CMF and dental tissue regeneration and to explore their potential applications in regenerative dental medicine.

The performance of a lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay and semi-autonomous SARS-CoV-2 antisense and sense RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization assay in a prospective cohort pilot study within a Dutch military population.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic testing was not accessible for mildly ill or asymptomatic individuals. Military operational circumstances exclude the usage of reference laboratory tests. For that reason, at the beginning of the pandemic alternative test methods were needed in order to gain insight into the SARS-CoV-2 status of military personnel.

Eating- and Weight-Related Disorders in the Armed Forces.

Background/objectives: Like in the general population, the prevalences of eating- and weight-related health issues in the armed forces are increasing. Relevant medical conditions include the eating disorders (EDs) anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), as well as body dysmorphic disorder, muscle dysmorphia, and the relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) syndrome.

Methods: We performed a narrative literature review on eating- and weight-related disorders in the armed forces.

Primary versus Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): A Meeting Report from the 2023 McMaster ITP Summit.

The McMaster Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Summit, held on October 27, 2023, was an educational seminar from leading experts in immune thrombocytopenia and related disorders geared toward hematologists, internists, immunologists, and clinical and translational scientists. The focus of the Summit was to review the mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of primary versus secondary ITP. Specific objectives were to describe the unique features of secondary ITP, and to review its mechanisms in the context of autoimmune disease and infection.

The effects of acute operational stress and passive heat stress on physiological and subjective stress responses in military personnel.

Military personnel often encounter situations that can trigger acute stress, which may affect operational performance. Therefore, it is important to examine stress responses in controlled environments to obtain more insights in performance-influencing effects of acute stress. This study investigated the impact of passive heat exposure combined with virtual combat scenarios on cardiovascular and psychophysiological parameters in a controlled setting.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in the Australian Defence Force: estimating prevalence from defence electronic health system records.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the year 2015-2016.

Methods: The electronic health records of serving members of the ADF were screened for the term PTSD over a 12-month period. A 10% sample of these records were examined alongside a randomised matched sample of records.

The Potential of Oncolytic Virotherapy in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) represents a challenging oncological entity with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Despite advances in conventional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, the overall survival rates for advanced HNC remain suboptimal. In recent years, the emerging field of oncolytic virotherapy has gained attention as a promising therapeutic approach for various malignancies, including HNC.

Dive medicine capability at Rothera Research Station (British Antarctic Survey), Adelaide Island, Antarctica.

Rothera is a British Antarctic Survey research station located on Adelaide Island adjacent, to the Antarctic Peninsula. Diving is vital to support a long-standing marine science programme but poses challenges due to the extreme and remote environment in which it is undertaken. We summarise the diving undertaken and describe the medical measures in place to mitigate the risk to divers.