Loneliness is receiving more and more attention for being an important psychosocial contributor to the deterioration of quality of life, psychological well-being, onset of mental health disorders, but also to the increased mortality and morbidity, through the mediation of general health problems and suicide. While studies on the impact of loneliness in the civilian population have been steadily increasing in number over the past decade, research on the same phenomenon in military settings has progressed at a comparatively slower pace. This article is a two-stage analysis of the perceived lack of social connectedness among active-duty and former military personnel, including (1) a conceptual exploration and literature review based on searches in three electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science/Clarivate), and (2) a pragmatical set of recommended strategies to reduce the impact of loneliness in these populations. Based on the review of 42 primary and secondary sources, the paper explores the prevalence, risk and protective factors, characteristics, and consequences of loneliness, with particular attention to various minorities, female military personnel experiencing motherhood during active duty, civilian spouses of deployed service members, and other significant subgroups. Recommended directions of interventions are threefold, i.e., screening for loneliness and its risk factors, initiation of prophylactic strategies and therapeutic interventions targeting this phenomenon in vulnerable categories. In conclusion, further research on loneliness in both active and former military personnel is strongly warranted, given its significant consequences for multiple dimensions of health and overall functioning.
Uncomplicated and small lesions (under 5cm) CE1,2 and 3 can be treated with oral albendazole (10- 15mg/kg/day) and close monitoring. However, large CE1 and CE3 cysts need treatment with both albendazole and PAIR (percutaneous aspiration, introduction of scolicide and reaspiration), performed after initiation of albendazole. Primary surgical treatment has been replaced with less invasive methods since the relapse rate can reach 20%. In patients with complicated cysts, surgery is the treatment of choice. CE4 and 5 only need to be monitored [1][3].
Periodontal disease is a chronic pathology, resulting from the action of microbial communities that become dysbiotic, accompanied by immune response impairment in periodontal tissues, leading to an inflammatory process that promotes progressive tissue destruction. Abnormal activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD-), leucine-rich repeat (LRR-), and pyrin domain (PYD)-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) promotes chronic inflammation. Research shows that leptin and oxidative stress (OS) are involved in the activation of the inflammatory pathways, including the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this context, the main objective of our study was to determine the levels of the NLRP3, leptin, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the saliva of patients with periodontal disease. The present cross-sectional study included 44 patients with periodontitis, while the control group was represented by 19 clinically and biologically healthy adults. Saliva samples were collected from all participants in the study, and salivary levels of NLRP3, leptin, and TAC were determined using the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and commercial kits. The results show that NLRP3 had statistically significantly increased levels in the study group versus the control group (p< 0.00001). Although TAC was also increased in the patients compared to the healthy subjects (p=0.491), no statistically significant differences were found. On the other hand, leptin levels were significantly lower in periodontitis patients compared to the control group (p< 0.00001). The results obtained in the present study are promising, but further studies are needed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying periodontal disease.
Background Medical rescue transfer and handover in manned spaceflight is a critical component of space rescue operations, directly impacting the safety and well-being of astronauts. Objective This study aims to develop a comprehensive checklist for the medical rescue transfer and handover processes associated with manned spaceflight, thereby enhancing the efficiency of these procedures. Methods The checklist was designed and implemented during practical training sessions focused on manned space medical rescue. Participants were divided into two groups: one utilizing the checklist for transfer handover and another relying on verbal communication. Key metrics such as transfer time, quality of handover, and satisfaction scores were collected and analyzed for both groups. Results The group employing the checklist demonstrated significantly improved outcomes compared to the verbal group in terms of transfer time, quality of handover, and overall satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion The implementation of checklist management has been shown to enhance both the efficiency and quality of transportation and handover processes, establishing a robust foundation for successfully executing manned space medical rescue missions.
Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) represent a significant global public health burden, particularly in highincome countries. The increasing incidence of head and neck NMSC contributes to rising morbidity and necessitates multi-disciplinary management. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the incidence, demographic distribution, histological subtypes, and seasonal variation of NMSC over a five-year period at a tertiary center in Romania. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2024, including 180 patients diagnosed and treated for malignant skin lesions. Data were extracted from clinical and histopathological records. Chi-square tests assessed seasonal distribution, and Mann-Whitney U tests compared lesion depth and surface area between demographic groups. Results: A total of 388 malignant lesions were recorded. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the most common subtype (n = 168), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 25). Most patients resided in urban areas, particularly Bucharest. Males presented with significantly deeper lesions (mean: 1.5 mm) compared to females (mean: 1.25 mm; p = 0.009). Seasonal analysis revealed a significant variation in incidence, with the lowest number of cases in spring (χ² = 10.31, p = 0.016). Conclusion: The incidence of malignant skin lesions increased from 2020 to 2023, followed by a decline in 2024. Seasonal and sex-related differences were observed, with the face being the most frequent site of involvement. While the sex distribution was relatively balanced, males exhibited significantly greater lesion depths compared to females.
Since February 24, 2022, military personnel of the Ukrainian Defense Forces have been resisting the military aggression of the Russian Federation. The fighting and the mobilization of men for military service complicated the well-being of Ukrainian families. The purpose of the article is to identify the relationship between the choice of coping strategies and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and maladaptation indicators in married and unmarried mobilized military personnel. Ukrainian Defense Forces military personnel (n=171 males, between 20 and 60 years of age) took part in this study. The “Strategic Approach to Coping Scale”, “Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder”, and “Disadaptation Express Questionnaire” were used. Correlation and exploratory factor analysis made it possible to identify the structure of coping strategies in mobilized servicemen with different family statuses and to determine the relationships between coping strategies, PTSD, and maladaptation indicators. The pre-war experience of using coping strategies by married and unmarried mobilized military personnel was not a sufficient barrier to the emergence of PTSD symptoms and maladaptation manifestations. Married and unmarried mobilized servicemen had a deficit structure of coping strategies characteristic of war.
Preventive medicine plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency of healthcare systems, and laboratory investigations represent one of its main pillars. However, achieving an optimal balance between the benefits and costs of testing remains a challenge. Caught between public expectations, appropriate test utilization, and the need for adequate physician training in test ordering, enhancing patients’ understanding and knowledge becomes essential. To explore this aspect, a general online survey was conducted, completed by 321 respondents. The results show that, while respondents generally followed physicians' recommendations, many also sought laboratory testing on their own initiative. Direct access to laboratory services - facilitated by the widespread availability of private laboratories - has become a common practice. This raises concerns about the potential overuse of laboratory testing and underscores the importance of further investigating the factors driving patient self-empowerment. Enhancing shared decision-making between patients and physicians is essential to optimize the benefits of testing, minimize unnecessary costs, and reducing the risk of health-related anxiety.
Due to the frequent occurrence of international military conflicts, there has been an increasing number of soldiers who have suffered injuries and disabilities. The soldiers' disability is a crucial factor influencing combat effectiveness. Objective: This study aims to investigate the current situation of military disability and its influencing factors to provide a basis for reducing the rate of military disability. A total of 430 Chinese military disability assessment materials from 2021 were collected retrospectively between April 2023 and September 2023. The data on injuries, illnesses, and disabilities of soldiers were subjected to statistical analysis with informed consent, and personal information was anonymized to ensure privacy. The occurrence of disability was analyzed based on gender, rank, and different disability systems using unifactor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical differences (P<0.05) were found in the degree of disability among soldiers of different ages, status categories, nature of disabilities, disability systems, and causes of disabilities. Age, status category, nature of disabilities, disability systems, and causes were identified as the main factors affecting the degree of soldiers' disabilities, with a total explanation rate of 58.3%. Injuries to the motor system during training were identified as the primary cause leading to soldier disabilities. In conclusion, this study shows that it is essential to prioritize protection against training injuries to minimize soldier disabilities.
Eggshell calcifications at thyroid ultrasound are connected to the challenging field of thyroid nodules and/or malignancy from a multidisciplinary perspective. Calcifications may be found in malignant and benign tumors; typically, micro-calcifications are identified in the papillary type of cancer, being equivalent to psammoma bodies in the pathological report. The risk of macro- calcifications, however, is more nuanced; recent data suggest a potential connection with a differentiated malignancy as well. Eggshell calcifications, a distinct type of macro-calcification, are generally considered benign findings, especially uninterrupted forms. Yet, the real incidence is not clear, which is why the topic remains open. In this narrative review, we analyzed eggshell calcifications in relationship with cytological diagnosis upon fine needle aspiration and post-thyroidectomy histological report. A PubMed-based search of the English-language papers using several
