Psychiatric education in aerospace medicine.

In order to facilitate curriculum design for psychiatric education in aerospace medicine, three groups of physicians were surveyed: experienced flight surgeons, student flight surgeons, and psychiatrists trained in aerospace medicine. Two measures were obtained: 1) an assessment of the usefulness of particular psychiatric skills and knowledge in the practice of aerospace medicine, and 2) a rating of the clinician's abilities in these areas. Results support the primary importance of interviewing and diagnostic skills. Student flight surgeons show deficiencies in the areas of administrative knowledge and in knowledge of the impact of the flyer's environment upon his mental status. These findings link psychiatry in aerospace medicine with the emphasis on understanding the man/environment interface and on the flight surgeon's organizational function of boundary control through decisions on fitness to fly.     

Biomedical engineering in the early U.S. aerospace program

Much of the bioinstrumentation in the early U.S. aerospace program in the 1950's was undertaken by the U.S. Air Force, first at Randolph Field, TX, and then at Brooks AFB, TX. We document here some of the equipment and some of the experiences encountered by the early experimenters. This period coincided with the introduction of solid-state circuitry into biomedical instrumentation and also strongly influenced research into the electrochemical interface between metal electrodes and the ionic body environment. The author recalls much of his own early work, as well as his recollections of some of the other early researchers.     

Specialty competencies for residents in aerospace medicine.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), with sponsorship from the Health Resources Administration (HRSA), has published core competencies that are common to all preventive medicine residencies-aerospace medicine (ASM), occupational medicine (OM), and general preventive medicine/public health (GPM/PH). Further development of specialty area competencies for ASM residents was addressed by a working group comprised of representatives from each of the four ASM residency programs. METHODS: Representatives from the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright State University, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, and the Naval Operational Medicine Institute convened to develop a set of broad competency statements for ASM residents that would encompass the breadth of ASM residency training as it is currently provided in the U.S. RESULTS: A listing of six ASM resident competencies, with supporting skill sets, are presented. In combination with the ACPM core competencies, the ASM resident competencies represent a refocusing of educational objectives on skills attainment. CONCLUSIONS: The ASM resident competencies identify the capabilities of graduating ASM residents as distinct from OM and GPM/PH residents. At the same time, they are broad enough to permit specific areas of emphasis (e.g., military, civil, or space) to be pursued within the various ASM residencies. This represents the first successful attempt to draft a consolidated statement of educational objectives that has universal acceptance and applicability across all U.S. aerospace medicine residencies.     

Cases from the aerospace medicine residents' teaching file. Decompression sickness.

Decompression sickness is an uncommon but serious risk associated with flying and SCUBA diving with potential for significant morbidity and mortality. It can occur in both novice and experienced individuals. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of decompression sickness in an experienced amateur SCUBA diver. Clinical suspicion must be high, since the presenting symptoms can be nonspecific as in this case. Early recognition and treatment are important for maximum recovery.     

Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on maximal aerobic performance in a normobaric environment.

Eighteen female physical education students, randomly divided into three groups, inhaled 100% O2 for 60 minutes in a hyperbaric chamber. Pressure in the chamber amounted to 2.8 ATA. Three days before the hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) all the students were subjected to a treadmill test. The first group was retested after 30 minutes, the second after 3 hours and the third 6 hours after the HBO. The first and the second groups of subjects achieved statistically significant maximal oxygen consumption after the HBO (14.4 and 10% respectively) and were capable of sustaining considerably higher exertion on treadmill (12.8%, namely 18.1%, both values were significant on the level of p less than 0.05). The ventilation efficiency parameters (VEO2 and R) did not differ with any of the three groups of subject during the exertion before and after the HBO, although after the HBO the exertion was considerably higher.     

蛋白质组学技术在航空航天医学研究中的应用

目的 通过文献综合,分析蛋白质组学技术在航空航天医学研究中的应用现状和前景.资料来源与选择 国内外该领域及相关领域的研究论文和报告. 资料引用 国内外公开发表的文献34篇. 资料综合 蛋白质组学技术是一门从整体角度分析细胞内蛋白质组成、表达水平与修饰状态的新兴技术,是高通量研究生物体的一种方法.在航空医学研究中,蛋白质组学技术被尝试应用于筛选与心理应激相关的血清生物学指标,用以选拔具有良好飞行能力的飞行员,探讨航空性疾病的发病机制.蛋白质组学技术在航天医学中得到较广泛的应用,如火箭推进剂对睾丸蛋白质组的影响,微重力作用及离子辐射对组织细胞及环境微生物蛋白表达的影响等. 结论 由于蛋白质组学技术高通量、实时研究蛋白质动态表达等特点,使其已经广泛应用于疾病研究中.未来还将利用蛋白质组学技术阐明航空航天疾病的生理机制,建立诊断标准,探寻治疗靶点,为航空航天医学研究提供新的技术和思路.     

From the aerospace medicine residents' teaching file. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations

A USAF transport pilot was referred to the Aeromedical Consult Service for a cardiology work-up. During his evaluation for an abnormal treadmill, a chest X-ray showed a probable pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). A CT scan of his chest and a shunt study confirmed this diagnosis. The aviator was referred for treatment and later underwent successful balloon embolization therapy. A discussion of PAVM presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and aeromedical aspects follows.     

Spinal X-ray screening of high performance fighter pilots.

Neck pain and neck injury are common complaints among military aviators flying high performance (HPF) aircraft. Since all candidates for military flying training with the Royal Norwegian Air Force have to meet HPF medical standards, medical selection procedures include a radiological examination of the spine. Nine films of the vertebral column are made with emphasis put on cervical structures. Among 232 applicants, 527 deviations from normal conditions were described--anomalies, degenerative changes and deviations of posture--which average 2.27 diagnoses per spine X-rayed. Of the candidates, 80 were considered entirely within normal limits; 20 were rejected due to the roentgen findings; and five candidates were excluded on final evaluation, their radiological diagnoses contributing to the decision. Although most changes are slight, many significant conditions are demonstrated among young healthy individuals. Since the population is highly selected, the figures we present may be minimum numbers in a western industralized society.     

Case from the aerospace medicine residents' teaching file. Stingray injury

A case report is presented of an aviator with a stingray injury. The complicated diagnosis, treatment, delayed healing, and aeromedical disposition of this injury are discussed.     

Optimising training adaptations and performance in military environment

Objectives

Worldwide decreases in physical fitness and increases in body fat among youth have set challenges for armed forces to recruit physically capable soldiers. Therefore, knowledge of optimizing physical adaptation and performance through physical training is vital. In addition, maintaining or improving physical performance among professional soldiers in various military environments is crucial for overall military readiness. The present review focuses on the effects of military training on physical performance by searching for optimal methods to do it.

Challenges in aerospace medicine education

Aerospace medicine training and research represents a dream for many and a challenge for most. In Canada, although some opportunities exist for the pursuit of education and research in the aerospace medicine field, they are limited despite the importance of this field for enabling safe human space exploration. In this commentary, we aim to identify some of the challenges facing individuals wishing to get involved in the field as well as the causal factors for these challenges. We also explore strategies to mitigate against these.     

高温高湿环境下高强度军事训练对肾脏组织的损伤

目的 探讨高温高湿环境下高强度军事训练对肾脏组织的损伤作用,为高温高湿环境下训练致肾脏损伤的防治提供依据.方法 400名守礁官兵按入伍时间及训练环境分为4组(高温高湿新兵组、高温高湿老兵组、常温常湿新兵组、常温常湿老兵组),进行10 km武装越野训练,在训练前后留尿标本进行尿液常规检查.以酶联免疫吸附法( ELISA)检测尿N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷水解酶(NAG)和尿视黄醇结合蛋白(RBP);抽取静脉血检测血肌苷(Cr)及尿素氮(BUN),并对各项检验结果进行统计分析.结果 高温高湿新兵组训练后尿量为(25.2±8.5) ml,明显少于其他3组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);血尿阳性率13％,血红蛋白尿阳性率17％,蛋白尿阳性率68％,N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷水解酶/肌酐异常率84％,尿视黄醇结合蛋白异常率89％,均明显高于其他3组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).但各组训练前后Cr、BUN均无明显变化(P＞0.05).结论 高温高湿环境下训练对官兵肾脏的影响较大,对新兵的影响更明显,老兵表现出较好的热耐受力和适应性.     

Cases from the aerospace medicine residents' teaching file. Case #44. An aviator with high attitude pulmonary and cerebral edema presenting acute mountain sickness

An aviator with high altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema presenting with Acute Mountain Sickness. The clinical presentation, evaluation and diagnosis of an aviator with acute mountain sickness are discussed. The aeromedical disposition of this patient is also presented.