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Volume 3 ， Issue 3 ， 2016
- Abstract：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.Keywords：Acute radiation syndrome;Mesenchymal stem cell;Cell therapy;Hematopoietic syndrome;Gastrointestinal syndrome;Military medicine6|7|1Updated：2026-03-12
EDITORIAL
- Abstract：Through the experience of being stationed on the USS Mercy hospital ship (T-AH19) and a preliminary comprehension of the personnel and material arrangements, processing and functional formats, and the multi-platform contributions of US Navy hospital ships, we briefly introduce the characteristics of US hospital ships regarding medical support, emergency rescue exercises, communications and training, international humanitarian aid, etc. We discuss the function and responsibility of Chinese hospital ships, focusing on the investigation of the construction mode and positioning in the navy.Keywords：Medical support;International humanitarian assistance;Navy hospital ship4|8|2Updated：2026-03-12
PERSPECTIVE
- Abstract：Background:Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are group of chronic inflammatory illnesses with a remitting and relapsing course that may result in appreciable morbidity and high medical costs secondary to repeated hospitalizations. The study’s objectives were to identify the reasons for hospitalization among patients with IBDs, and compare inpatient courses and readmission rates for IBD-related admissions versus non-IBD-related admissions.Methods:A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with IBD admitted to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center between September 2010 and September 2012.Results:A total of 111 patients with IBD were admitted during the 2-year study period. IBD flares/complications accounted for 36.9% of the index admissions. Atherothrombotic events comprised the second most common cause of admissions (14.4%) in IBD patients. Patients with an index admission directly related to IBD were significantly younger and had developed IBD more recently. Unsurprisingly, the IBD admission group had significantly more gastrointestinal endoscopies and abdominal surgeries, and was more likely to be started on medication for IBD during the index stay. The median length of stay (LOS) for the index hospitalization for an IBD flare or complication was 4(2–8) days compared with 2(1–4) days for the other patients (P=0.001). A smaller percentage of the group admitted for an IBD flare/complication had a shorter ICU stay compared with the other patients (9.8% vs. 15.7%, respectively); however, their ICU LOSs tended to be longer (4.5 vs. 2.0 days, respectively, P=0.17). Compared to the other admission types, an insignificantly greater percentage of the group whose index admission was related to an IBD flare or complication had at least one readmission within 6 months of discharge (29% versus 21%; P=0.35). The rate of admission was approximately 80% greater in the group whose index admission was related to an IBD flare or complication compared to the other types of admission (rate ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 3.4), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.07).Conclusion:Identifying the reasons for the patients' index admission, IBD flares versus all other causes, may provide valuable information concerning admission care and the subsequent admission history.Keywords：Inflammatory bowel diseases;Veteran affairs;Readmission rate0|0|0Updated：2026-03-12
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Abstract：Background:Cardiac troponin assays have improved the ability to detect myocardial damage. However, ascertaining whether troponin elevation is due to myocardial infarction (MI) or secondary to another process can be challenging. Our aim is to evaluate provider-level variation in the diagnosis of MI and the use of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) among patients with undifferentiated elevations in cardiac troponin.Methods:We analyzed data from all patients with elevated troponin levels in a single Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center between 2006 and 2007. One of several cardiologists prospectively evaluated each patient’s presentation and course of care. We compared the frequency of MI diagnosis and ICA use between physicians using univariate odds ratios (OR).Results:Among 761 patients, 34.0% were diagnosed with MI and 25.9% underwent ICA. The unadjusted rates of MI (23.9% to 56.7%, P=0.02) and ICA (17.3% to 73.3%, P<0.001) differed between physicians. Comparing the patient cohorts for each physician, baseline characteristics were similar except for chest pain. In multivariate regression, factors associated with the use of cardiac ICA included an abnormal electrocardiograph (ECG) (OR=1.89, P=0.014), level of troponin (OR=1.71, P=0.004), chest pain (OR=8.60, P<0.001), and care by non-VA physicians (OR=4.45, P=0.006). One physician had a lower ICA use (OR=0.56, P=0.017). In multivariate regression of MI, no physician-level variation was observed.Conclusion:Among patients with elevated troponin, the likelihood of being diagnosed with MI and undergoing ICA is dependent on their clinical presentation. After adjustment, physician-level variation in care was observed for the use of ICA, but not for the diagnosis of MI.Keywords：Acute coronary syndrome;Coronary angiography;Variation in care;Cardiac troponin4|5|2Updated：2026-03-12 -
Abstract：Background:Physical fitness tests are widely used to assess endurance, sprint ability, coordination and/or strength. The objective of the present study was to analyze the degree to which the results of the Bundeswehr Basis Fitness Test (BFT)–a physical fitness test comprising a sprint test (11×10-m shuttle test), a flexed-arm hang test and a 1000-m run–are consistent with the output measured during a bicycle ergometer test. The number of false-positive and false-negative results with regard to the assessment of physical fitness were also examined.Methods:As part of a retrospective study, health assessments from 323 reenlistment examinations were evaluated regarding the output measured during a bicycle ergometer test and compared with the BFT results of the candidates.Results:Overall, a good correlation was shown between the bicycle ergometer test results and the results achieved in the BFT disciplines. All three disciplines of the BFT showed a highly significant correlation with the relative output achieved during the bicycle ergometer test (P<0.001), and also, the overall BFT score was highly significantly correlated (P<0.001). The overall rate of false-positive and false-negative results was 4.0%.Conclusion:The BFT results measured in the three physical fitness test items were highly correlated with the output measured during the bicycle ergometer tests. The rate of false-positive and false-negative results was low. The test items thus represent an appropriate measurement instrument because the test items require few equipment and less time. Additionally, a large number of subjects can be assessed. We suggest that it would be more useful to assess the physical fitness of this special group exclusively on the basis of the BFT instead of using the bicycle ergometer test.Keywords：Physical fitness;Military;Ergometer test;Bicycle;Treadmill0|0|0Updated：2026-03-12
RESEARCH
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Abstract：Regenerative medicine (RM) is an emerging interdisciplinary field of research and China has developed the research quickly and impressed the world with numerous research findings in stem cells, tissue engineering, active molecules and gene therapy. Important directions are induced differentiation of induced pluripotent stem and embryo stem cells as well as somatic stem cell differentiation potential and their application in trauma, burns, diseases of aging and nerve regeneration. The products ActivSkin and bone repair scaffolds have been approved and are applied in the clinic, and similar products are being studied. About 10 engineered growth-factor drugs for repair and regeneration have been approved and are used in the clinic. Gene therapy, therapeutic cloning and xenotransplantation are some of the strategies being studied. However, China needs to develop standards, regulations and management practices suitable for the healthy development of RM. Aspects that should be strengthened include sound administrative systems, laws, and technical specifications and guidelines; conservation of stem cell resources; emphasis on training and retention of talented stem cell researchers; and reasonable allocation of resources, diversification of investment and breakthroughs in key areas. Finally, broad and deep international cooperation is necessary.Keywords：Regenerative medicine;Stem cells;Tissue engineering;China0|0|0Updated：2026-03-12 - Abstract：The objectives of this review were to 1) summarize the available evidence on the impact of hearing loss on quality of life (QOL) among U.S. active-duty service members, 2) describe the QOL instruments that have been used to quantify the impact of hearing loss on quality of life, 3) examine national population-level secondary databases and report on their utility for studying the impact of hearing loss on QOL among active-duty service members, and 4) provide recommendations for future studies that seek to quantify the impact of hearing loss in this population. There is a lack of literature that addresses the intersection of hearing impairment, the military population, and quality of life measures. For audiological research, U.S. military personnel offer a unique research population, as they are exposed to noise levels and blast environments that are highly unusual in civilian work settings and can serve as a model population for studying the impact on QOL associated with these conditions. This review recommends conducting a study on the active-duty service member population using a measurement instrument suitable for determining decreases in QOL specifically due to hearing loss.Keywords：Quality of life (QOL);Hearing impairment;Noise-induced hearing injury;Hearing loss;Tinnitus;Hearing impairment and noise-induced hearing injury (HINIHI);Military;Service members0|0|0Updated：2026-03-12
- Abstract：Recently, studies on the extent to which spaceflight affects the psychology of individuals has received attention. In order to reveal the mental challenges that humans face in space, we need practical viewpoints to integrate the psychological effects, behavior, performance and the environment itself for space exploration. The present review discusses the individual variables related to space psychology and manned spaceflight, in addition to their growing trends. These items include patterns of emotional changes in extreme environments and the approaches to evaluating emotions. Moreover, the review concludes with suggested future research on emotion during spaceflight and its analogs. These data and information are needed to plan for the exploration of the Moon and Mars, along with contributions to the construction of the international space station (ISS) and astronaut training.Keywords：Space flight;Weightlessness;Emotion;Physiology0|0|0Updated：2026-03-12
REVIEW
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Abstract：Background:Asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic appendicitis are rare and challenging diagnoses that should not be missed.Case presentation:A young female patient presented with mild to moderate pain in the middle and lower abdomen, and the results of physical examination, including digital rectal examination, were otherwise non-contributory. Ultrasonography demonstrated a marked increase of the outer appendiceal diameter up to 12.0mm and a trace of free liquid around the terminal ileum. Subsequent surgical exploration and histological examination allowed for a final diagnosis of putrid, ulcero-phlegmonous, hemorrhagic appendicitis and periappendicitis.Conclusion:Ultrasonography is increasingly used for the diagnosis of appendiceal inflammation, particularly in military medical settings. Increases in the outer appendiceal diameter up to >6.0mm under compression have recently been demonstrated to be indicative of acute appendicitis. At a minimum, in cases with doubtful physical examination results, ultrasonography should be considered as an element in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.Keywords：Acute appendicitis;Ultrasound;Oligosymptomatic;surgery1|0|0Updated：2026-03-12 -
Abstract：Background:Bell’s palsy is a common condition seen in clinical practice. The aetiology of this condition is not clearly defined and neuroimaging is essential to exclude intracranial causes of infra-nuclear facial palsy.Case presentation:We report a young soldier, who presented with Bell’s palsy and neuroimaging revealed an unsuspected finding of multiple intracranial calcifications. Detailed evaluation revealed the additional diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism due to lack of sun exposure at high altitude area.Conclusion:The health care practitioners, looking after the soldiers at high altitude areas should be aware of the measures to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Intracranial calcifications are uncommon in hyperparathyroidism and Bell’s palsy.Keywords：Bell’s palsy;Hyperparathyroidism;Vitamin D deficiency;Intracranial calcification0|0|0Updated：2026-03-12
CASE REPORT
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