Project description:Contemporary accounts of battles are often incomplete or even erroneous because they reflect the-often biased-viewpoints of the authors. Battlefield archaeology faces the task of compiling an historical analysis of a battle and of gathering all the available facts. Besides cultural historical evidence and artefacts, the human remains of those who have fallen in battle also provide invaluable information. In studying mass graves from a military context, the injury types and patterns are significant. They allow us to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the soldiers' deaths and provide information on the hostilities that occurred on the battlefield. One such mass grave was discovered in 2011 at Lützen, Saxony-Anhalt (Germany). Based on its geographical location and on the results obtained from archaeological examinations carried out in the area, the grave could be dated to the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Further archaeological research confirmed that the dead had been soldiers from the Battle of Lützen (1632). The mass grave was block-lifted and then comprehensively examined at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale). As well as osteological examinations to determine age, sex, height, state of health, i.e. diseases or injuries, imaging methods were also employed and histological and isotopic analyses carried out. The focus of this study was on the injuries sustained by the soldiers both prior to and during the battle. The results revealed that the 47 deceased had been between the ages of 15 and 50 when they died. Numerous healed injuries showed that the men had often been involved in violent encounters. Approximately three in every four soldiers had injuries that could have been fatal. Wounds inflicted by handguns, particularly to the skull, were predominant. The integrative analysis of the archaeological and anthropological data allowed us to conclude that the majority had been killed during a cavalry attack.
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play an important role in immunosurveillance, acting alongside other immune cells in the response against various types of malignant tumors and the prevention of metastasis. Since their discovery in the 1970s, they have been thoroughly studied for their capacity to kill neoplastic cells without the need for previous sensitization, executing rapid and robust cytotoxic activity, but also helper functions. In agreement with this, NK cells are being exploited in many ways to treat cancer. The broad arsenal of NK-based therapies includes adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded and activated cells, genetically engineered cells to contain chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-NKs), in vivo stimulation of NK cells (by cytokine therapy, checkpoint blockade therapies, etc.), and tumor-specific antibody-guided NK cells, among others. In this article, we review pivotal aspects of NK cells' biology and their contribution to immune responses against tumors, as well as providing a wide perspective on the many antineoplastic strategies using NK cells. Finally, we also discuss those approaches that have the potential to control glioblastoma-a disease that, currently, causes inevitable death, usually in a short time after diagnosis.
Project description:Glutamine metabolism plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, immune cell function, and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Dysregulated glutamine metabolism has been implicated in cancer development and immune responses, supported by mounting evidence. Cancer cells heavily rely on glutamine as a critical nutrient for survival and proliferation, while immune cells require glutamine for activation and proliferation during immune reactions. This metabolic competition creates a dynamic tug-of-war between cancer and immune cells. Targeting glutamine transporters and downstream enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism holds significant promise in enhancing anti-tumor immunity. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying this interplay is crucial for developing innovative therapeutic approaches that improve anti-tumor immunity and patient outcomes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in unraveling the tug-of-war of glutamine metabolism between cancer and immune cells and explore potential applications of basic science discoveries in the clinical setting. Further investigations into the regulation of glutamine metabolism in cancer and immune cells are expected to yield valuable insights, paving the way for future therapeutic interventions.
Project description:At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world employed militaristic metaphors to draw attention to the dangers of the virus. But, do militaristic metaphors truly affect individuals' perceived threat of the COVID-19 virus and increase their support for corresponding restrictive policies? This study assessed the effects of fictitious newspaper articles that described COVID-19 policies using similarly negatively valenced metaphors but with differing militaristic connotations (e.g., "war" vs. "struggle"). Overall, data from three framing experiments (N = 1114) in Germany and the United States indicate limited evidence on the effectiveness of the tested militaristic metaphors. In the U.S. context, the non-militaristic concept of struggle was consistently more strongly associated with the desired outcomes than militaristic metaphors were. In Studies 2 and 3, we also tested whether reporting using a narrative or straightforward facts had additional influence on the framing effect. A congruency effect of the use of a narrative and of warfare metaphors was found in the German sample, but not in that of the United States. Results of post-experimental norming studies (N = 437) in both countries revealed that the metaphor of war is associated with people ascribing greater responsibility to their governments, whereas the concept of struggle triggers a sense of individual responsibility. These results are discussed in terms of the usefulness and appropriateness of militaristic metaphors in the context of a pandemic.
Project description:In 1939, the 75th anniversary program marking the founding of the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled (R & C), the oldest orthopaedic hospital in the nation, was held at the hospital site in New York City. Dr. Philip D. Wilson, Surgeon-in-Chief since 1935, used this event to mark the return of the hospital to its leadership role in the country. When the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled first opened its doors on May 1, 1863, the name of the hospital was not unusual; it described the type of patients treated. In 1940, the Board of Managers with guidance from Dr. Wilson changed the name to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). In 1941, with Britain engaged in a European war, Dr. Wilson felt there was a need for the Americans to support the British. He personally organized the American Hospital in Britain, a privately funded voluntary unit, to help care for the wounded. After the United States actually entered World War II in December 1941, HSS quickly organized support at all levels with a significant number of professional and auxiliary staff, eventually enlisting in the military. Even with such staff turnover, the hospital continued to function under Dr. Wilson's leadership. After the war ended in 1945, Wilson forged ahead to further restore HSS as a leader in musculoskeletal medicine and surgery.
Project description:Battle casualties treated as indoor patients at a military hospital between December 89 and December 94 were prospectively evaluated. Out of 3640 patients, 388 (10.7%) had chest injuries. Among the 388 patients 190 (48.9%) had haemothorax. Pleurocentesis was the fastest and the most reliable means of establishing the diagnosis of haemothorax. Thoracostomy with supportive care was adequate to manage 75 per cent of these cases which included more than 50 per cent of those with massive haemothorax. Twelve patients out of the 190 cases (6.3%) who presented with haemothorax needed thoracotomy. The overall mortality in this series was 7 per cent.
Project description:The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) report in Brazil occurs by the end of February, and 4 months later, there was more than 1 million infected patients and 54,971 deaths. The health-care system in Brazil is universal, meaning that all inhabitants are covered by the Unified Health Care System, and 20% of Brazilian citizens are covered by private health-care insurances. In this scenario, the government adopted some actions to combat the pandemics, including guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and management, allocation of funds to support primary care, extension of medical services in primary health units, increase in the number of health-care professionals, distribution of COVID-19 tests, use of telemedicine to monitor patients with flu-like symptoms, and teleconsulting with psychiatrist and psychologists. Since the pandemic offers a unique opportunity for research and management in Brazil, a coalition initiative conducted several therapeutic trials in search of safe treatments for patients with COVID-19. Other issue in this field was the organization of health system, both in private and public organizations.
Project description:PurposeTo describe the quality of life(QOL) of Syrian people with lower limb amputation after the war.MethodsA cross-sectional study conducted at the Military Hospital in Lattakia, from May to August 2019. A convenience sample of 65 adult males who had previously undergone amputation of a lower limb was included in this study. Participants' data were collected including age, marital status, employment, time since amputation, level of amputation, type of amputation and the use of assistive devices. The QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHO QOL-BREF). Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20.ResultsForty (61.5%) of subjects were between age of 40-60. Below knee and unilateral lower-limb amputees formed the highest number 52 (80.0%) and 51 (78.5%) respectively. The mean scores of environment, physical health, psychological, and social relationships domains of QOL were 15.86, 15.18, 14.66, and 6.64, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in various domains of QOL between groups with different status of employment, financial support, amputated lower limb, duration since amputation, and cause of amputation (P < 0.05).ConclusionThere is a need to pay attention to experiences and the quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related amputation.