Depression in military medicine cadets: a cross-sectional study

Background: Military medicine cadets undergo strenuous military training alongside demanding medical studies. This stressful and complex educational environment can lead to the emergence of depressive symptoms. We investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a cohort of military medicine cadets.Methods: We conducted a descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional study among Greek military medicine cadets in the undergraduate program of the Hellenic Military School of Combat Support Officers. The Greek translation of the Zung self-rating depression scale questionnaire was used to screen for the presence of depressive symptoms. In addition, demographic, academic and dietary information was collected. The Shapiro-Wilk test of normality, Pearson correlation test, Chi-square test, t-test and Mann Whitney U test were employed for statistical analysis.Results: We enrolled 55 female and 91 male military medicine cadets with a mean age of 19.84 years(SD=0.99). The mean Zung crude score was 43.32(SD=4.55): 42.8(SD=4.43) for female cadets and 43.64(SD=4.6) for male cadets. Cadets were further subdivided into low and high risk groups for the presence of depressive symptoms. We identified 57(39%) cadets with a total Zung crude score of 45 or above: 21 females and 36 males. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups based on gender, year of training, academic performance, alcohol consumption, smoking status, vitamin supplementation, dietary habits or BMI.Conclusion: We report a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in a cohort of military medicine cadets that underscores the need for effective screening and appropriate and timely interventions. We did not identify any related risk factors. Military medicine cadets are exposed to a challenging military and medical training environment, and thus represent a group at risk for development of depression.

Pushing the frontiers of military medical excellence:updates,progress and future needs

Since its establishment in 2014,Military Medical Research has come a long way in becoming a premier journal for scientific articles from various different specialties,with a special emphasis on topics with military relevance.The field of military medicine may be obscure,and may not be readily encountered by the typical clinician on a day-today basis.This journal aims not only to pursue excellence in military research,but also to keep current with the latest advancements on general medical topics from each and every specialty.This editorial serves to recap and synthesize the existing progress,updates and future needs of military medical excellence,discussing foremostly the unique traits of literature published in this journal,and subsequently presenting the discourse regarding wartime and peacetime medicine,the role of the military in a public health emergency,as well as wound healing and organ regeneration.Special attention has been devoted to military topics to shed light on the effects of Chemical,Biological,Radiological and Explosive warfare,environmental medicine and military psychiatry,topics which rarely have a chance to be discussed elsewhere.The interconnectedness between military combat and soldier physical and mental well-being is intricate,and has been distorted by pandemics such as coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).This journal has come a long way since its first article was published,steadily contributing to the existing knowledge pool on general medical topics with a military slant.Only with continuous research and sharing,can we build upon the work of the scientific community,with hopes for the betterment of patient care.

Military medical research on internal diseases in modern warfare:new concepts,demands,challenges,and opportunities

Battlefield internal medicine aims at the treatment of combatants and noncombatants with various internal diseases on the battlefield.The military medical research on battlefield internal diseases focuses on the pathogenesis,clinical management,and prevention of internal diseases under military war conditions.In both wartime and peacetime,the soldiers suffer from more internal diseases than surgical wounds.With the introduction of high-tech weapons,including chemical,physical,and biological agents,a large number of special internal illnesses and casualties will appear in future wars.The battles often occur in special environments,such as high or low temperatures,plateau or polar areas,and micro-or hyper-gravity.The current theories of battlefield internal medicine are mainly derived from wars decades ago and cannot meet the needs of military medical support under the conditions of modern warfare.Therefore,the military medical research on battlefield internal medicine should be based on contemporary military situations,focus on the purpose of treating battlefield internal diseases,and adhere to the actual needs of the troops in peacetime and wartime.We should investigate the pathogenesis of battlefield internal diseases and explore the threats that may arise in future wars to ensure the advancement of battlefield internal medicine.This review highlights new concepts,demands,challenges,and opportunities for the further development of military medical research on battlefield internal medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute radiation syndrome

Acute radiation syndrome affects military personnel and civilians following the uncontrolled dispersal of radiation,such as that caused by detonation of nuclear devices and inappropriate medical treatments.Therefore,there is a growing need for medical interventions that facilitate the improved recovery of victims and patients.One promising approach may be cell therapy,which,when appropriately implemented,may facilitate recovery from whole body injuries.This editorial highlights the current knowledge regarding the use of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome,the benefits and limitations of which are under investigation.Establishing successful therapies for acute radiation syndrome may require using such a therapeutic approach in addition to conventional approaches.

Must pilots permanently quit flying career after treatment for colorectal cancer?-Medical waiver for Air Force pilots with colorectal cancer: Three case reports

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)could seriously threaten the physical and mental health of pilots.Shall they end their flying after treatment of CRC?With this study,we investigated the possibility of a gradual medical waiver for such pilots to fly aircrafts again after treatment of CRC.CASE SUMMARY We analyzed the medical waiver and clinical data of 3 pilots with CRC,who had accepted the treatment at the Department of General Surgery,Air Force Medical Center(formerly,Air Force General Hospital)between 2013 and 2018.All 3 cases underwent a series of comprehensive treatment courses,including radical resection of CRC,sequential radiotherapy,and chemotherapy.The follow-up results were satisfactory.After passing through the high-risk period of recurrence and metastasis of CRC,they all were given a medical waiver for flying again.Medical observation showed that their flying operations were safe.CONCLUSION The CRC treatment shall follow the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment and should simultaneously protect the combating capabilities of pilots as much as possible.It is safe for pilots with CRC,who are continuously monitored under medical observation after passing through the high-risk period of recurrence and metastasis,to undertake military flight missions again.

Evaluation of Google Glass^(■) with Camera Adaptor and GoPro^(■) as Teaching Tools for Endotracheal Intubation in the Austere Medical Environment

Objective: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a life-saving emergency procedure, but it is a complex skill that is difficult to teach. Recent studies have shown that video laryngoscopy is effective in teaching ETI to learners at various levels of medical expertise;however, it has proven to be costly and provides images of inconsistent quality. In this educational proof of concept feasibility convenience sample pilot study, we aim to explore and compare the effectiveness of using modified Google Glass? (GG) and GoPro? (GP) technologies to visualize and teach ETI to critical care physicians in the austere medical environment of a low-income country. We propose, based on our findings, that this inexpensive technology could teach lifesaving ETI to pre-hospital providers in the austere medical environment, medical students, rural emergency physicians, critical care physicians in low-income countries, far forward military medical providers, and other learners. Methods: A case series of twenty-five patients, five in the United States (US) at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN and twenty at Saint Luc’s Hospital in Port Au Prince, Haiti, is presented. These patients were collected from November 1st 2015 through February 1st of 2016. The anesthesiologist and the emergency physicians in the United States utilized GG to intubate five patients in the US prior to the twenty patients intubated during two separate trips to Haiti. On the two separate trips to Haiti, the GG was trialed and modified to obtain better exposure. These adaptations resulted in the final collection of twenty patients studied with the adapted GG system and GP. Physicians graded airway visualization based on LEMON and Cormack-Lehane scores. Previously published parameters for the assessment of failed intubation risk and passage of the cords were used as data points for analysis using a Likert-Scale analysis for each parameter. The data were analyzed by averages of Likert-Scale scoring with their respective standard deviations. Results: The results show that the GP is superior to GG for assessing the LEMON scoring system until visualization of the oropharynx, while the GG is markedly superior for calculation of Cormack-Lehane score (cord visualization) and passing of the endotracheal tube. Conclusion: A review of the twenty-five cases demonstrates that while GP allows for better visualization for the parameters that require a wider view of the patient, the modified GG allows for superior visualization in the parameters that require a more focused view of the cords. GG can serve as an effective educational tool in the ICU for physicians and other providers in the austere medical environment who require effective ETI training. In addition, we propose that these techniques can serve as an inexpensive yet effective means of teaching hands on endotracheal intubation skills to learners of varying levels of clinical experience.