Military medicine
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To assess the self-perceived mental health of soldiers and officers in the submarine force in the South China Sea, the result of this investigation was compared to the Chinese military male norms, and the factors that influence their mental health was further explored. ⋯ This study demonstrates for the first time that soldiers and officers in the submarine force in the South China Sea are exposed to a number of mental health risks and are suffering from serious psychological problems. These findings provide a basis for military departments to effectively address these psychological problems.
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Hemorrhage is a major cause of preventable death worldwide, and early identification can be lifesaving. Pulse wave contour analysis has previously been used to infer hemodynamic variables in a variety of settings. We hypothesized that pulse arrival time (PAT), a form of pulse wave contour analysis which is assessed via electrocardiography (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG), is associated with hemorrhage volume. ⋯ Findings from this pilot study suggest that PAT and PAT_I may be used to detect blood loss. Because of the simple design of a single-lead ECG and PPG, the technology could be packaged into a very small form factor device for use in austere or resource-constrained environments. Significant inter-subject variability in the relationship between blood loss and PAT highlights the importance of individualized hemodynamic monitoring.
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Extremity injuries have comprised the majority of battlefield injuries in modern U.S. conflicts since World War II. Most reports have focused on serious injuries only and, to date, no reports have described the full extent of combat extremity injuries, from mild to severe, resulting from post-9/11 conflicts. This study aims to identify and characterize the full spectrum of non-amputation combat-related extremity injury and extend the findings of previous reports. ⋯ This study is the first publication to capture, review, and characterize the full range, from mild to severe, of non-amputation combat-related extremity injuries resulting from post-9/11 conflicts. The high prevalence of extremity injury, particularly in such a young population, and associated short- and long-term health outcomes, will impact military health care systems for decades to come.
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Training combat personnel in combat first-aid skills has faced many challenges over time, such as the need to combine tactics with medicine and to overcome combat personnel's lack of medical background knowledge. Therefore, many simulation methods are currently being developed, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. In this study, a combined simulation method involving live-actor patients using a wearable training apparatus was developed, and the effects of this method were observed. ⋯ The method using wearable training apparatus-based live-actor patients was satisfying and effective for teaching life-saving combat first-aid skills, especially for nonmedical students.
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Patients with sarcoidosis have an indolent course in which the disease is not detected unless seemingly benign symptoms appear. Such was the case in a 42-year-old man who was referred to the orthopedic service for evaluation of a slowly enlarging mass over the left wrist without prior history of trauma. In this article, we will review the symptoms and histopathology of sarcoidosis with a particular focus on orthopedic manifestations of the disease. We believe that clinicians should be aware of these associations so that patients can be diagnosed and treated accordingly.