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.
The rise of antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge to global health. This study investigates the antimicrobial properties of Taraxacum officinale and Chelidonium majus. Taraxacum officinale, commonly known as dandelion, has been utilized for centuries in traditional medicine for its various therapeutic benefits, including treating cholecystitis, enhancing hepatic function, regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and exhibiting diuretic effects. Additionally, research has indicated that infusions derived from this plant offer favorable outcomes in managing renal diseases. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial activity of extracts from Taraxacum officinale and Chelidonium majus employing qualitative screening, quantitative determination, and in vitro evaluation of anti-biofilm properties. In vitro evaluation of the antibiofilm activity of plant products revealed their ability to inhibit the development of biofilms on inert substrate; plant extracts of C. majus were found to inhibit biofilm formation in all bacterial strains tested, while tincture of T. officinale showed very good activity on gram-negative and fungal strains. The results obtained are promising, supporting further research into the biochemical characteristics of these extracts in order to formulate strategies for the control of bacterial and fungal infections in humans.
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.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain significant public health concerns worldwide. This review seeks to present an updated perspective on the spread, consequences, and control measures of HIV/AIDS, focusing on military personnel as a particular at-risk group. It starts by outlining general information about the transmission of the virus and summarizing recent global epidemiological trends. This review further explores the difficulties that HIV/AIDS presents in military settings, including policies regarding the management of service members living with the virus. Additionally, it examines several prevention strategies implemented by militaries around the world, such as educational programs, provision of condoms, and efforts to reduce the stigma associated with the infection.
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.
Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with certain high-risk populations—including elderly patients, neonates, immunocompromised individuals, those with chronic diseases, and pregnant women—experiencing worse outcomes. These groups exhibit distinct pathophysiological responses, which complicate diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Despite advancements in sepsis management, challenges persist in early risk stratification, individualized therapeutic strategies, and long-term recovery. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the impact of sepsis on high-risk populations, identify prognostic factors influencing clinical outcomes, and explore personalized treatment approaches to optimize patient management. Methodology: A systematic narrative review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, by analyzing peer-reviewed literature from 2015 to 2025. This study included the analysis of 80 scientific articles from eight international databases. Studies focusing on sepsis pathophysiology, microcirculatory dysfunction, diagnostic techniques, therapeutic interventions, and post-sepsis outcomes in high- risk populations were included. Results: Elderly patients demonstrated the highest sepsis-related mortality rates (>40%), while neonates and immunocompromised individuals exhibited delayed inflammatory responses, complicating diagnosis. Prognostic biomarkers such as IL-6 and IL-10 showed potential utility in these populations. Personalized fluid resuscitation, antimicrobial stewardship, and immune-modulating therapies were identified as critical to improving outcomes. Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS) was prevalent, particularly in survivors with chronic comorbidities and prolonged ICU stays. Conclusions: Optimizing sepsis management in high-risk populations requires a multidisciplinary, personalized approach, incorporating early biomarker-based diagnostics, precision-guided hemodynamic support, and tailored rehabilitation programs. Future research should focus on novel immunotherapies, antimicrobial resistance strategies, and long-term functional recovery in sepsis survivors.
Background: The deficit of medical staff in various health care systems points out the need for a more detailed strategic management toward sustainability in human resources. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships linking self-esteem, self-efficacy, general attitudes, and career preferences among medical students, aiming to provide insights that could support sustainable career development. Methods: We performed a monocentric observational study that included 157 students. The participants completed four standardized questionnaires evaluating the self-efficacy, the self-esteem, the general attitudes and beliefs, and the perception of medical career specialty. We assessed the relationships between the psychological variables and career preferences. Results: Significant correlations emerged between the students' year of study and the need for achievement, the importance of mentorship, and career decision-making. Clinical students, in particular, placed greater emphasis on gaining practical experience in their chosen field. Conclusions: Our results reaffirm the impact of occupational psychology in the health care system, providing more sustainability in career decisions. Further research involving larger and more diverse samples is recommended to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how the study of various psychological factors could impact human resources management in the field.
Acupuncture is one of the main components of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been applied as a therapeutical method for centuries. As a therapeutical system, it is based on the use of specific lines in the human body, called meridians, and specific acupuncture points, for choosing the locations where the needles will be applied, depending on the specific problem. In the last few decades, there have been increasing efforts to detect and document the existence of such meridians and points based on at least some of their electrical properties being different when compared to the surrounding skin. A number of researchers have designed experiments, which have had varying degrees of success. Since different researchers have used different experimental setups, and the sample size is usually low, there are issues of validity and comparison between different research results. On the other hand, the majority of available evidence is in favor of there being points and lines characterised by distinct electrical properties, corresponding to acupuncture points and meridians respectively. At the same time, several other theories have been proposed to explain the biological basis of acupuncture points and meridians, while their connection to specific cellular components or neural sequences is an intriguing possibility. While comprehensive research is required to fully document the electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians, a connection between such properties and their biological basis must also be established.
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) represents the accumulation and deposition of misfolded protein fibrils in the myocardium, resulting in progressive restrictive cardiomyopathy. Light chain (AL) and transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis are the most common types of CA. While endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis, its invasive nature and associated risk of complications have led to increased reliance on clinical suspicion and noninvasive imaging modalities as alternative diagnostic tools. Over the last decade, radionuclide imaging studies have become a widely accepted tool in diagnosing ATTR CA, whereas its diagnostic utility in AL CA detection remains limited. Recent advances in PET-CT radiopharmaceuticals have further expanded the potential of nuclear imaging as a comprehensive tool for diagnosis, prognostication, and therapy monitoring. This literature review appraises the current applications of nuclear imaging in the clinical management of cardiac amyloidosis.
