Romanian Journal of Military Medicine Issue No.6 / 2024, Vol. CXXVII, November

Edition number: 6 | Volume: CXXVII | Month: November | Year: 2024

Investigation of Factors Influencing Soldiers’ Disabilities in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

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.

Body Composition Analysis in the Air Force: A Comparative Study of Medical Personnel and Mechanics

Given the rigorous demands of aerial operations on the human body, this study aims to investigate the body composition differences among aircrew specialties, specifically between medical personnel and mechanics within the Air Force. By examining key body composition metrics such as fat mass, lean mass, and body water, the study seeks to uncover how these variables correlate with aircrew members' distinct occupational duties and overall health. Initial findings indicate subtle but significant body composition variations between groups, suggesting occupational roles may influence physical attributes. There were small differences in body composition between mechanics and medical personnel, primarily based on a greater body mass index, weight, body water, skeletal muscle mass, soft lean mass, and fat-free mass of the mechanics. Body composition analysis by segments suggest a better muscle activation during their duties, but worse nutrition habits in mechanics when compared to medical personnel. This underscores the importance of designing occupation-specific training and nutrition programs to optimize the health and operational performance of aircrew members across specialties.

Extracting Data from Medical Records for Monitoring Diseases and Generating Medical Alerts

Background: Automated data processing is creating and implementing technology that automatically processes data. This computer tool is recommended for doctors because it supports their everyday work, assists in medical diagnosis, and enhances patient care. The aim of this paper is to propose an informatic tool that can extract the values of some parameters of interest from blood test sheets in order to get medical alerts and to monitor the chronic disease. Methods: An application, written in Python, was developed Results: The computer tool extracted automatically the values of glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol from medical sheets (text-based file or graphic file, respectively), and saved them in a database, accessed and represented in a graphic form the most recent values of these parameters; alerts according to metabolic syndrome criteria and Framingham risk score were generated. Conclusions: This tool contributes to the management of the medical process, saving precious time and helping the doctor in detecting current or future health problems.

Gestational Diabetes: From Mechanism to Therapy – A Short Review

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is characterized by the initial onset of elevated glucose levels while pregnant throughout the 24th week up until the 28th week of gestation affecting around 2

Comprehensive Review and Update on Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Burn Patients: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Management Strategies

Burn injuries are among the most severe forms of trauma, often leading to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in burn patients. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and management strategies associated with MODS in burn patients. Following a severe burn injury, the systemic inflammatory response and subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines precipitate dysfunction across various organ systems. Early recognition and aggressive management of MODS, including fluid resuscitation, infection control, and organ support, are crucial for improving survival outcomes. A comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial etiology and interrelated nature of organ dysfunction in burn patients is essential for developing targeted therapies and optimizing patient care. This review provides a current overview of the topic. In the coming years, new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms are expected to enhance our comprehension of the subject further.

Structural and Functional Imaging in Epilepsy – A Narrative Review

The primary objective of this narrative review is to evaluate the most frequently recommended structural and functional imaging methods in managing epilepsy cases as effectively as possible from a neurologist’s perspective. This review examines the background of current practice, from the beginnings of neuroimaging by computer tomography to the newly introduced methods and their combination, which helps diagnose and monitor these patients. The neuroimaging investigations required for the presurgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy are presented, and recommendations for specific MRI protocols are provided. The clinical use of functional imaging methods is also considered, and correlations between clinical aspects and specific imaging methods are explored, based on the retrieved data in the literature. In conclusion, this review emphasizes using functional and structural imaging methods, guided by clinical evidence, for better therapeutic management in patients with epilepsy.

Sculpting Hope: Advanced MEN 2 – Associated Tumors. A Narrative Review Starting from a Case Report

Multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN) represent a rare and intricate group of disorders with diverse endocrine and extra- endocrine manifestations. Among the five identified types of MEN syndromes, MEN 2 stands out due to its complexity, featuring medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MEN 2 is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, with nearly a 100% lifetime risk of developing MTC, which can be fatal if not detected early. Comprehensive diagnostic protocols and timely interventions significantly mitigate morbidity. To guide surgical decisions, management strategies include regular imaging and biomarker monitoring (calcitonin, CEA, metanephrines/normetanephrines, and parathyroid hormone). Genetic screening of at-risk families and prophylactic thyroidectomy remain cornerstone preventive measures. Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors are generally reserved for specific cases of MTC and are not first-line therapies for MEN2-associated tumors, they hold the potential for mitigating tumor progression and recurrence despite the risk of endocrine dysfunction. This paper presents a narrative review focusing on multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome, encompassing its genetic underpinnings, clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic approaches. A total of 48 articles were included in this review.

A Systematic Review of the Influence of Aquatic Exercises on the Physical and Psychological Health of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show significant motor deficits and behavioral dysfunctions, as part of their clinical manifestations. Also, these children are facing important difficulties in social learning, which negatively impacts their adjustment to society’s requirements. Apart from other modes of exercise, aquatic exercises may be more attractive to children. Aquatic exercises have been shown to have a beneficial effect on gross motor skills and executive functions in children with ASD. Aim: To study the influence of aquatic exercises on the physical and psychological health of children with ASD. Methods: Researchers used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Researchers looked for articles on PubMed, Google Scholar, and by manual search. Searched articles were screened for relevancy. Potential articles were selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Out of the 231 articles, four studies were included in the current systematic review. The age of participants ranged from 3−15 years. Overall, included studies found improvements in various aspects of gross motor and executive functions by aquatic exercise in children with ASD. Conclusion: Aquatic exercises can provide health benefits to children with ASD. Aquatic exercises can be useful as a part of therapy in children with ASD. There is wide scope for further studies to evaluate the beneficial effects of aquatic exercises.

Eggshell Calcifications at Thyroid Ultrasound: A Sample-focused Analysis of Cytological Findings and Post-thyroidectomy Pathological Correlates

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

From Controversy to Consensus: Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity

More and more research in recent years has focused on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. The hippocampus is a key location of adult neurogenesis. Because this part of the brain is regulated by environmental variables, it must be mentioned the therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative illnesses and brain injuries. Furthermore, this information challenges the historical concept of a static brain and tries to demonstrate its flexibility, adaptability, and possibility for regeneration. Those mechanisms which are found in a variety of mammalian species, including humans, are important when it comes to adaptive learning and memory, thus providing insights into cognitive well-being and mental health. The discovery of the brain's dynamic nature represented by new neurons, marks a shift in the field of neurology with far-reaching potentials. This paper highlights the significant potential of adult neurogenesis when it comes to clinical applications such as Alz-heimer’s disease.