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 Tacrine was approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in 1993, but was withdrawn from clinical use in 2013 because of its hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal side effects.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 was an educational seminar from leading experts in immune thrombocytopenia and related disorders geared towards 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.

Automated method of bronchus and artery dimension measurement in an adult bronchiectasis population.

Aim: Bronchiectasis (BE) is a disease defined by irreversible dilatation of the airway. Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in the detection and quantification of BE. The aim of this study was three-fold: 1) to assess bronchus-artery (BA) dimensions using fully automated software in a cohort of BE disease patients; 2) to compare BA dimensions with semi-quantitative BEST-CT (Bronchiectasis Scoring Technique for CT) scores for BE and bronchial wall thickening; and 3) to explore the structure-function relationship between BA-method lumen dimensions and spirometry outcomes.

Methodology used to develop the minimum common data elements for surveillance and Reporting of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the MILitary (ROMMIL) statement.

Background: The objective was to summarize the methodology used to reach consensus for recommended minimum data elements that should be collected and reported when conducting injury surveillance research in military settings. This paper summarizes the methodology used to develop the international Minimum Data Elements for surveillance and Reporting of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the MILitary (ROMMIL) statement.

Methods: A Delphi methodology was employed to reach consensus for minimum reporting elements.

Immunostimulatory effects of isomalto/malto-polysaccharides via TLR2 and TLR4 in preventing doxycycline-induced cytokine loss.

Isomalto/malto-polysaccharides (IMMPs) are α-glucans with prebiotic potential used as food ingredients. However, their ability to exert direct cellular effects remains unknown. IMMPs may enhance immunity by activating toll-like receptors (TLRs), key for defense against pathogens.

The burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors by state in the USA, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides a comprehensive assessment of health and risk factor trends at global, regional, national, and subnational levels. This study aims to examine the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the USA and highlight the disparities in health outcomes across different states.

Methods: GBD 2021 analysed trends in mortality, morbidity, and disability for 371 diseases and injuries and 88 risk factors in the USA between 1990 and 2021.

Airway total bacterial density, microbiota community composition and relationship with clinical parameters in bronchiectasis.

Background And Objective: This study explored the relationship between total bacterial density, airway microbiota composition and clinical parameters in bronchiectasis. We determined changes with time during clinical stability and following antibiotic treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre longitudinal cohort study of UK participants with CT confirmed bronchiectasis.

CRISPR-Cas Systems in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Current Status, Potentials, and Future Directions.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health concern that threatens the efficacy of existing antibiotics and poses significant challenges to public health and the economy worldwide. This review explores the potential of CRISPR-Cas systems as a novel approach to combating AMR and examines current applications, limitations, and prospects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications published from 2014 to August 2024.

Associations between life-course FEV/FVC trajectories and respiratory symptoms up to middle age: analysis of data from two prospective cohort studies.

Background: Life-course lung function trajectories leading to airflow obstruction, as measured by impaired FEV/FVC (forced vital capacity), precede the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to investigate whether individuals on impaired FEV/FVC trajectories have an increased burden of respiratory symptoms, including those who do not meet the spirometric criteria for COPD.

Methods: We analysed serial life-course data from two population-based cohort studies separately, which included respiratory symptoms and spirometry: the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS, Australia) cohort was recruited at age 6-7 years and followed up until middle age (mean age 53 years; range 51-55); and the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA, USA) cohort was recruited at a mean age of 25 years (range 18-30) and followed up to a mean age of 55 years (range 47-64).