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EFFECTIVE FORWARDED SURGICAL CARE IN THE ARMY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE WORLDReview articleJan BrixiMMSL 2026, 95(1):22-32 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.001 This topic is probably the most important in the field of military healthcare in the long term, because care of this nature is the very reason why the whole sector was created. Effective forwarded surgical care is a crucial factor in reducing preventable battlefield casualties, known and developed since the historical beginnings of military healthcare. This highly demanding medical discipline is an absolutely essential component of the modern war effort, in which it takes on a whole new dimension thanks to unimaginable technological, medical and military-tactical progress. The changed character of the world's main battlefields seems to be crucial at present, with the return of conventional warfare accompanied by attacks on health workers. We stand before the next stage of challenges related primarily to the mobility and tactical capabilities of professionals providing this specific type of care. In the text, we have come out of the historical context that led to the evolution of this care into today's form, which we have analyzed in detail on the sample of the most advanced medical support of armies in the world. This example shows us the breadth and variability of these elements with regard to the various eventualities of their use. On this basis, we present the concept of systems providing this kind of care from both the global and the Czech Republic's point of view. At the same time, for understandable reasons, we pay close attention to the specifics of this type of care in Czech conditions. |
CONSIDERING THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND NATURAL PRODUCTS AND THEIR MECHANISMS OF ACTION FOR TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERSReview articleMohamad Hesam Shahrajabian, Wenli Sun[Ahead of Print]MMSL X:X | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.007 Background and Purpose: The application of medicinal plants and herbs to cure diverse animal and human ailments predates recorded history. Gastrointestinal disorders have a high prevalence in human societies.Methods: This research examined the scientific literature from 1990 to June 2025 by conducting a bibliometric analysis of the literature published on the Web of Science database, including more than one thousand articles. The information provided was obtained from randomized control experiments, analytical observations, review articles, and studies which were gathered from different literature sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed.Results: The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs in the human body, and it is vulnerable to great diversity of diseases such as infectious and parasitic disorders, constipation, gastroenteritis, reflux, diarrhea, and bloating. Some of the most important medicinal plants which have been used in different traditional medicinal sciences for the treatment of dyspepsia symptoms are chamomile (Matricaria recutita), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), ginger (Zingiber officinalis), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and guava (Psidium guajaba). The most notable herbs used to treat bloating are aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum), celery (Apium graveolens), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), ginger (Zingiber officinalis), parsley (Petrosilenum crispus), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), peppermint (Mentha spicata), star anise (Illicium verum), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Phytochemicals such as seaweed-derived polysaccharide, phytohemagglutinin, and allicin have been reported as important components to induce precocious gut maturation. Phytochemicals can also change the composition of gut microbiota, digest normally indigestible molecules into bioavailable molecules, and enhance nutrient availability. Ganoderma lucidum, Gegen Qinlian decoction, Huang-qin decoction, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. are important traditional Chinese medicine with significant effects on intestinal flora and different microbial communities.Conclusions: The review article aims to study and survey the importance of medicinal plants and herbs while considering their mechanisms of action for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. |
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIAOriginal articleDurrah Alsallal, Najla Alshabanat, Nourah Alwahhabi, Sireen ShilbayehMMSL 2023, 92(2):174-183 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.040 Background: During coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, workers in the healthcare sector are experiencing high workload, making them susceptible to psychological illness.Purpose: This study aimed to explore the influence of COVID-19 outbreak on the depressive symptoms and quality of life among health workers (HWs) in Saudi Arabia.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the psychological impact and quality of life were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q). Results: A total of 151 HWs participated in the study, from which 80 participants completed the survey (response rate: 53%). Females (85.5%) were predominantly higher than males (14.5%). Minimal to mild depressive symptoms were observed in about 47%, whereas only 11.25% of health workers had severe depressive symptoms. Females had lower PHQ-9 scores compared to males. The occurrence of moderately severe to severe depression in medical HWs was more than two folds compared to non-medical workers (26.5% and 12.9%, respectively). Around 73% of HWs had a Q-LES-Q score above 50%, which indicates moderate to high quality of life. The younger participants had a lower quality of life. Similar scores of Q-LES-Q were reported in both females and males.Conclusion: Throughout the pandemics, mental status and quality of life of workers in the healthcare sector can be affected. During COVID-19 outbreak, moderately severe to severe depressive symptoms were seen in 21.3% of HWs in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, 27.5% had lower quality of life. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine variable changes over time. Recognizing the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic can guide policymakers to tailor interventions that support the most vulnerable workers. |
VITAMIN E VERSUS PROPOLIS AS AN ADD-ON THERAPY TO SITAGLIPTIN/METFORMIN ON OXIDANT/ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND LIPID PROFILE IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTSOriginal articleSarraa Dhiaa, Imad A. Thanoon, Nabeel N. FadhilMMSL 2023, 92(1):14-21 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.015 The main health care challenges associated with diabetic patients are glycemic control. Insulin defection has been regarded as the mainstay which needs to be tackled to avoid glucose over presence in the circulatory system. These challenges have always been conjoined with the patient’s redox status, hence, oxidants/antioxidants determine the fate of pancreatic tissue status and they are reciprocally interrelated. Various remedies have been utilized by patients themselves and healthcare workers to control hyperglycemia if any. Herbal and pharmacological therapy were always being used hand in hand. Herein, we are demonstrating the antioxidant effect of propolis and its role in modulation of lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients using vitamin E for comparison in sequential mode i.e. vitamin E used for 8 weeks followed one-week washout period and then propolis therapy started in the same group of patients (n = 45). Thereby a sample of serum has been collected in the first visit (baseline and vitamin E started, followed by collecting serum after 8 weeks (second visit); followed by commencing of propolis after a washout week from the second visit, at the third visit another serum sample collected from all patients. Serum was analyzed for oxidant/antioxidant status represented by malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status (TAS). Additionally, lipid profile has been measured from the same samples. The results indicate that both propolis and vitamin E positively modulated the measured parameters with superiority of propolis over vitamin E in improving these measured biomolecules. To conclude, propolis is an overall safe natural product and is inducing such positive effects in the diabetic patient, we do advise these patients to start propolis therapy as an adjuvant medication to control these deleterious biomolecules. |
BLOOD DONOR MOTIVATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTIVATIONAL FACTORSOriginal articlePavlína Rabasová, Karel Pavlica, Roman Pospíšil, Hana Konečná, Zuzana ČermákováMMSL 2026, 95(1):9-21 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.004 Introduction: The motivation of donors to donate substances of human origin, such as blood and its components, bone marrow, gametes, and others, is influenced by various factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, motivational factors, and the level of social competence.Aim: To describe and analyse the motivation of donors to donate blood and blood components in relation to sociodemographic characteristics and motivational factors at the Blood Centre of the University Hospital Ostrava.Design and Methods: Quantitative research based on an anonymous questionnaire survey, followed by inferential analysis of bivariate data. The self-designed questionnaire included 13 questions focusing on motivation to donate, donation experience, anonymity in donation, and sociodemographic data (gender, age, education, size of place of residence, monthly household income, and type of profession).Results: Six of the nine motivational factors were found to be statistically associated with sociodemographic characteristics. Age influenced attitudes towards commemorative medals (p=0,013). Gender was significant for four factors: the publication of donor lists (p=0,050), special health insurance (p=0,003), media coverage of donor and recipient stories (p=0,000), and more targeted information campaigns (p=0,013). Education was associated with declared donor preference in the event of an organ shortage (p=0,010) and with the publicity of donor lists (p=0,048). Household income was significant in relation to commemorative medals (p=0,000) and declared donor preference in cases of organ shortage (p=0,003). The results of our research supported the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) research study No. TL05000144, which formulated, for example, basic principles of compensation for donation in the Czech Republic and fundamental recommendations for recruitment campaigns targeting living body part donors.Conclusions: Motivating donors to donate human substances plays a key role in sustaining the health system and saving lives. Understanding individual donor characteristics and preferences is important for developing motivational strategies to encourage new and existing donors to donate. Our research findings contribute to the targeted sustainability of blood and blood component donation programmes. |
MAPPING CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, AND PREPAREDNESS NEEDS OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND FUTURE VIRAL SERVICESOriginal articleVanda Bostik, Aneta Markova, Radka Prazdna, Adela Mojzisova, Petra Bendova, Ivana Havrankova, Zuzana Truhlarova, Pavel ZiklMMSL 2026, 95(2):48-56 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.005 This study is based on a detailed analysis of the challenges faced by various social services in the Czech Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study took into account a combination of several different data sources and included an analysis of recommendations issued during the pandemic, data from preliminary research conducted among social service providers, a questionnaire survey, and two-phase qualitative focus group interviews. Data on residential, outpatient, and field social services in the Czech Republic were collected. The main objective of the research was to map the difficulties these services faced, their working strategies and responses during the pandemic, and their requirements for possible future crises caused by viral diseases. Based on the results of the study, we proposed a number of recommendations regarding the approach of social service providers in the event that a similar situation was to recur in the future. |
A NEW AGE FOR OAK, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY AND THE MIRACULOUS HEALING PROPERTIESReview articleYuanyuan Lu, Mengyuan Zhang, Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian, Wenli SunMMSL 2026, 95(2):75-90 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2026.002 Background and Purpose: Different oak species (Quercus spp.) are widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The oak plant and its fruit hull have considerable antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects with important potential to be applied in wound healing products.Methods: The systematic review of documents and manuscripts from clinical trials, and scientific societies has been carried out. The surveys of interest were indexed in “PubMed”, “Web of Science”, “SciFinder”, and “Elsevier”. As a research strategy to carry out this review, two reviewers were responsible for searching the publications. Relevant literature has been obtained using the keywords “antimicrobial activity”, “antioxidant activity”, “flavonoids”, “oak”, “oak fruit”, “phytochemicals”, “tannins”, and “natural components”. The selection criterion was to include research papers on the most important topics, using in vitro or in vivo studies.Results: The most important Quercus species are Quercus infectoria, Quercus ilex, Quercus cerris, Quercus brantii, Quercus virgiliana, Quercus suber, Quercus rotundifolia, and Quercus robur. Important chemical com-ponents in lipophilic compounds are aliphatic alcohols such as octacosanol, hexacosanol, tetracosanol, and docosanol; fatty acids such as oleic acid and α linolenic acid; tannins such as castalagin, pedunculagin, and diagalloyl hexose; terpenoids such as cornin, agnuside, lamioside, and gibberellin A4 glucosylester; tocopherols such as α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol. The most important chemical constituents in its hydrophilic compounds are flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannin, amino acids, peptides, and analogues, carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates, and other phenolic compounds. Acorns are affordable and easily accessible raw material known in different cultures and regions which can be used in medicine, pharmacology, and food industry. Acorns are rich in many bioactive components with importance in food products with high health-promoting activities. Different parts of oak, especially its bark can be used as an antiseptic and hemostatic, which makes it appropriate to cure gastropathies, and toothache with beneficial activities as healing agents in burn.Conclusions: The general conclusion is that different parts of oak can be used more widely as an important ingredient in drugs, supplements, and functional foods. |
CORRELATION BETWEEN GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR GENE VARIATION AND RESPONSIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC BRONCHITIS TAKING ORAL PREDNISOLONEOriginal articleMohammed T. Yaseen, Dalia B. Hanna, Ali M. HadiMMSL 2025, 94(2):48-57 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2024.004 Chronic bronchitis is increasingly reported as a healthcare challenge in clinical settings partially due to the disease's bad prognosis and unresponsiveness to therapy, including the ineffectiveness of glucocorticoids. The ineffectiveness could have a link with genetic polymorphism of receptor genes resulting in inappropriate glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics. We sought to identify the role of gene polymorphism in the response of patients with chronic bronchitis to prednisolone therapy. To do so, a total of 60 newly diagnosed chronic bronchitis patients enrolled in the present study. Prednisolone at a dose of 30mg/day for two weeks was given and respiratory parameters [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC were measured before and after therapy. Blood samples were withdrawn for genetic profiling of genes involved in glucocorticoids pharmacodynamics, including BCII (rs41423247), N363S (rs56149945), and ER22/23EK (rs6189/rs6190) measured for their homozygous versus heterozygous gene splice variants.Results: Gene splice variants for BCII (rs41423247), N363S (rs56149945), and ER22/23EK (rs6189/rs6190) homozygous (73.3%, 98.7%, and 95%) represented a higher percentage than heterozygous (26.7%, 1.7%, and 5%). The respiratory parameters FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC have shown significantly (p<0.05) better values at baseline in homozygous versus heterozygous, correspondingly, the responsiveness to therapy has shown significantly (p<0.05) better values in homozygous versus heterozygous.Conclusion: The study has provided a good template for genetic behaviour toward individualised medicine in our locality providing that these genes could be a cornerstone for discovering issues related to the pharmacodynamics profiling of drugs in clinical settings. |
BEE VENOM – FRIEND OR ENEMYReview articleLudovit Pudelka, Sylva Janovska, Jiri Malis, Radek Sleha, Pavel BostikMMSL 2025, 94(2):79-93 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2024.006 Increasing resistance to antibiotics, adverse effects of standard anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory treatments, or tumour types resistant to these treatments are leading to a search for alternatives. One of these is the use of natural products, such as bee venom, which have the same or better effect than these standard products. Bee venom has been used to treat a number of diseases for thousands of years. However, a significant obstacle remains the risk of severe allergic reactions, which can be caused by some of the more than 100 substances contained in the venom. Therefore, intensive research is currently underway to investigate not only the actual use of bee venom or its components in the above areas, but also ways to prevent these adverse effects. |
THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CZECH SOCIAL WORKERS ON THE FRONTLINEOriginal articleAneta Marková, Radka Prázdná, Zuzana Truhlářová, Pavel Zikl, Petra Bendová, Ivana Havránková, Adéla Mojžíšová, Vanda BoštíkováMMSL 2024, 93(3):232-246 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2023.030 Many biological agents are epidemic or pandemic in nature (Ebola 2013, Spanish influenza 1918, Russian influenza 1989, SARS-CoV-2 2019). Recognising the onset of the spread of epidemics and pandemics remains a major challenge even in the 21st century despite the technologies and scientific knowledge at our disposal, as is the successful management of such situations. The reason concerns the existence of biological diversity and the laws that govern it, which are very difficult to predict and which are virtually uncontrollable. It is gradually becoming apparent that the current spread of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 (9 million deaths since the beginning of the pandemic according to WHO) is characterised by very different characteristics (e.g. the exposure, transmission and spread of the viral infectious agent) in different populations and risk groups.Social services workers in the Czech Republic have been on the frontline for the duration of the pandemic and have been required to work in a high-risk infectious environment. This has led to the need for changes in their established working practices and approaches. Considerable creativity had to be employed particularly in the first year of the pandemic due to the scarcity of information on the new viral agent, the availability of which increased only slowly as the scientific community studied and analysed the various factors involved. Globally, the scientific community released its experimental data as soon as it became available; however, unfortunately, due to the nature of biomedical research, the release of the outputs failed to match the time requirements for their necessity in practice.Based on qualitative and quantitative research, the following text provides an analysis of the specific measures and the related difficulties, and the struggle to find solutions, that providers of selected types of social services faced during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.The survey results revealed that the issues in question had a common thread across the various types of social services, as well as a number of common features and challenges. The analysis of the results showed a noticeable shift between the initial period, which was characterised by the rapid onset of the spread of the pandemic, and the situation after 18 months of life under pandemic conditions, which was characterised by the lower incidence of problems and difficulties. One of the major outcomes of the study concerns the identification of the need for social service providers to be provided with a unified, clear and centrally managed process that is able to provide individualised methodological support. The results are based on a study conducted as part of "The Changes in Selected Social Services for People with Disabilities during the State of Emergency Instigated by a Viral Disease" project. |
TRENDS IN ORAL ANTICOAGULANT PRESCRIPTION PATTERNS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF 2019–2024Original articleTomas Veleta, Jiri Vlcek, Jiri Cyrany, Radovan Maly, Tomas SoukupMMSL 2026, 95(1):2-8 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.002 Background: The patterns of oral anticoagulant (OAC) prescription have significantly changed in recent years, with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) gradually replacing warfarin. While this transition occurred earlier in some countries, limited data are available about its timeline in the Czech Republic.Objectives: This study aimed to analyse trends in OAC prescriptions in the Czech Republic from 2019 to 2024, focusing on the shift from warfarin to DOACs and the patterns of utilisation of individual DOACs.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using national electronic prescription data from the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL). Annual drug consumption is presented as defined daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day (DDD/TID).Results: Total OAC utilisation increased from 18.83 to 26.70 DDD/TID between 2019 and 2024 (p < 0.01), with an average of 22.99 ± 3.05 DDD/TID. DOACs surpassed warfarin in total prescriptions in 2021. Rivaroxaban (6.84 ± 3.00 DDD/TID) and apixaban (5.24 ± 2.43 DDD/TID) exhibited the highest growth, while dabigatran utilisation (3.00 ± 0.66 DDD/TID) showed a halt in increase after 2022.Conclusion: DOACs have progressively replaced warfarin in the Czech Republic, but this transition occurred later than in other developed countries. This shift was likely influenced by local changes in prescribing restrictions. Further research is warranted to evaluate prescription patterns based on specific indications. |
RESILIENT PLATFORM FOR MICROBIOME DATABASES: ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTESReview articleTomáš Ráčil, Petr Františ, Alexandr ŠtefekMMSL 2026, 95(1):33-46 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.003 The rapid growth of microbiome research is hindered by significant challenges in data management, including data fragmentation across disparate silos, a lack of methodological standardization, and barriers to advanced privacy-preserving analysis. To address these issues, this article proposes a conceptual architectural blueprint for a resilient, scalable, and integrated platform for microbiome data. Our proposed architecture is a modular, cloud-native system designed to support the entire research lifecycle. Key attributes include a multi-layered microservices framework to ensure scalability, adherence to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles, and native support for longitudinal data tracking. Crucially, the platform incorporates integrated services for advanced AI/ML analysis and a coordinator for federated learning, enabling collaborative model development without centralizing sensitive data. By providing a robust infrastructure that combines standardized data management with powerful, privacy-aware analytical tools, our proposed model aims to empower researchers, enhance reproducibility, and accelerate discoveries into the complex relationship between the microbiome and human health. |
MODULATION OF AUTISM SYMPTOMS IN A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY BY FOOD SUPPLEMENT JUVENILCase reportJela Hrnciarova, Anna Hanusova, Tereza Horakova, Josef Fusek, Klara Kubelkova, Ales MacelaMMSL 2026, 95(2):57-94 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2025.006 Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs, or sleeping pills are most often used to treat autism spectrum disorders. The treatment thus focuses on the manifestations accompanying autism, such as inattention, irritability, or sleep disorders, but does not address the essence of the social deficits of autistic children. In addition, drug treatment is often poorly tolerated. Since a certain association of autism with gut microbiota dysbiosis has been demonstrated, and given the existence of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, it can be assumed that modulation of the gut microbiota could contribute to the treatment of the essence of some Autism Spectrum Disorders category manifestations. Here, we present an example of the use of the nutritional supplement Juvenil to alleviate the manifestations of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a patient with Asperger’s syndrome. |
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS – HISTORY AND PRESENTReview articleAles Macela, Vanda Bostikova, Klara KubelkovaMMSL 2026, 95(2):65-74 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2026.001 In 2025, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention, BWC). By 2025, 189 countries had signed the treaty, including the four original signatory states. However, research on microorganisms or their products – toxins – that can be misused for military or terrorist purposes is still being carried out in military facilities in many countries. For this reason, constant attention should be paid to the issues related to the individual Articles of the convention. This article, taking advantage of this anniversary, seeks to provide a precise definition of biological weapons, a brief historical overview of the use of biological agents in armed conflict, and a brief description of the efforts to prohibit the use of microorganisms or their products as weapons of mass destruction, especially against human targets. In its concluding remarks, given the overlap between biomedical and military research on the use of biological agents. The text addresses the still not completely resolved issue of the misuse of biological agents, referring to the long and layered history of their use for nefarious purposes, contributes to distinguish between defensive and offensive biological research, and draws attention to the complexity of issues related to the biological security of world´s states. |
RIGHT-SIDED URETEROPELVIC JUNCTION OBSTRUCTION WITH SEVERE HYDRONEPHROSIS AND CORTICAL THINNING SECONDARY TO CROSSING VESSEL COMPRESSION SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED BY A VASCULAR HITCH PROCEDURE IN A PEDIATRIC PATIENTCase reportMaryam, Syed Arbaz Ali, Mohammed Hussain, Muhammad Abdullah[Ahead of Print]MMSL X:X | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2026.004 Background: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common cause of pediatric hydronephrosis and may lead to progressive renal parenchymal damage and functional impairment if left untreated. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are essential to preserve renal function. Vascular hitch procedures have emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to dismembered pyeloplasty in selected patients with extrinsic ureteropelvic junction compression. Case Presentation: A 12-year-old male presented with intermittent right flank pain, nausea, and vomiting. Clinical examination revealed mild right flank tenderness, while laboratory investigations showed preserved renal biochemical parameters. Ultrasonography demonstrated gross right hydroureteronephrosis with marked cortical thinning. Computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder confirmed severe hydronephrosis with significant dilatation of the renal pelvis and moderate thinning of the renal parenchyma, consistent with ureteropelvic junction obstruction. A 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal scan revealed gross right hydronephrosis with significantly impaired cortical function and an obstructive drainage pattern. Differential renal function was 30% in the right kidney and 70% in the left kidney. The patient underwent a vascular hitch procedure for relief of obstruction caused by a crossing vessel. Outcome: The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient received appropriate antimicrobial therapy, analgesics, hydration, and supportive pharmaceutical care. Follow-up ultrasonography performed three months after surgery demonstrated marked reduction in hydronephrosis and improvement in cortical thickness. Serum creatinine remained stable at 0.64 mg/dL, and the patient remained asymptomatic.Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic evaluation in pediatric UPJO and demonstrates that a vascular hitch procedure can be an effective treatment option in carefully selected patients with extrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Early intervention and multidisciplinary perioperative care are crucial for preserving renal function and optimizing clinical outcomes. |
THE ROLE OF THE MILITARY SECTOR DURING EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN WEST AFRICAReview articleVanda BoštíkováMMSL 2019, 88(1):11-18 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2018.031 The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was the 25th known epidemic of this highly dangerous viral agent since its first capture in 1976. The former Soviet Union explored the Ebola virus as a possible biological weapon during the Cold War. In the 1990s, the Japanese sect AumShinrikyo attempted to acquire and exploit this virus for bioterrorist purposes.The Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which took place between 2013 and 2016, has become a major burden on the world health system. The outbreak has again highlighted the possible role of specialized army components (as well as Haiti earthquake in 2010, disaster recovery after the typhoon in the Philippines in 2013). Ebola affected 28 616 inhabitants of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; 11 310 died. Other countries - Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the US had to deal with at least one case of disease and prevent the spread of the epidemic in their territories.Approximately ten to fifteen thousand cured people continue to face the consequences of the disease. These are, in particular, long-term problems of ophthalmological pain, abdominal pain, digestive tract, insomnia, very severe headaches. A very hot issue today is then recurrent infections in survivors. |
INTRODUCING IAMPS 2026Meeting abstractsDamian O’Keefe, Cindy Suurd-Ralph, Allister MacIntryre, Jordan SutcliffeMMSL 2025, 94(88):20 This presentation will introduce IAMPS 2026, which will be hosted by the Military Psychology and Leadership Department at the Royal Military College of Canda in Kingson, Ontario, Canada. .... |
THE CHALLENGES OF MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN EUROPE-NOW AND BEYONDMeeting abstractsMarek NovyMMSL 2025, 94(88):19 The war in Ukraine has significantly reshaped the strategic posture of NATO’s eastern members, including the Czech Republic, prompting a reexamination of both material and psychological preparedness. .... |
A THOUSAND AND ONE HEROES: PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE IN THE STUDY OF HEROISMMeeting abstractsRadim PekařMMSL 2025, 94(88):21 More than seventy years ago, a study entitled The Hero with a Thousand Faces was published, focusing on the hero archetype throught the ages. .... |
GRIEF-ORIENTED INTERVENTIONS IN OPERATIONAL SETTINGMeeting abstractsOleh HukovskyyMMSL 2025, 94(88):22 In modern warfare, military units face frequent losses under conditions that rarely allow space for conventional grief processing. …. |
HOW THE INFODEMIC HAS FUELLED STIGMATIZATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICReview articleThea Stensager Taule, Vanda BostikMMSL 2025, 94(2):72-78 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2024.007 At the same time as the world was shaken by the Covid-19 pandemic, another pandemic emerged, the “infodemic”. This article explores how the infodemic, through misinformation and disinformation, fueled the stigmatization of social groups during the pandemic and the consequences that followed. Stigmatization of individuals and groups in relation to infectious diseases has led to social exclusion, discrimination, and hate speech. This article highlights the history of stigmatization in connection to previous infectious disease outbreaks and calls attention to the role of the media and political leaders in fueling stigma. Consequences of stigmatization in relation to the infodemic have led to people not seeking timely medical care, an increase in mental health problems for the affected individuals, and a decrease in the well-being of healthcare workers. This article concludes by emphasizing the importance of accurate and clear information from the scientific community and public leaders to prevent exaggerating an already dangerous situation. |
THE IMPACT OF SIMULATION METHOD AND ENVIRONMENT ON STRESS LEVELS AND PERFORMANCE IN MILITARY PARAMEDICS: A PILOT STUDYOriginal articleJan Páleník, Michal Soták, Karel Roubík, Mikuláš Kosák, Martin Pochop, Adéla Bubeníková, Tomáš TyllMMSL 2025, 94(4):146-152 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2024.017 Background: Medical simulation is widely recognized as an essential component of healthcare professional training, including in military training programs around the world. Combat medicine presents unique challenges that can affect the quality of care provided. We aimed to analyze the benefits of medical simulation in the training of combat paramedics.Methods: Two groups of military medics underwent a simulation scenario. One group had previously completed a simulation training with a full-body mannequin, while the second group completed the same training under simulated battle conditions with using imitations of real injuries. The speed and precision of individual treatment procedures, as well as the physiological parameters of the participants, were analyzed during the simulation.Results: A total of 14 participants were included with comparable demographic backgrounds. Both groups had comparable results regarding vital functions and behavior during the evacuation of the wounded as well as the performance tests. The second group performed better in all measured parameters. The rise in salivary cortisol was modest in both groups and no correlation between the Beck anxiety inventory and cortisol rise was found.Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that conducting training in a realistic environment may be important. Participants who underwent realistic training successfully performed all necessary medical interventions. |
HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES OF PLACENTA IN WOMEN WITH COVID-19Original articleLuma Ibrahim Khalel Al-Allaf, Harith Ali Hasan Al-NauimiMMSL 2024, 93(1):49-59 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2023.005 Background: During pregnancy, COVID-19 viral infection may cause abnormal placental findings. The studies that have focused on the placental structure among infected women with such virus were few. Aim: This study aims to compare the placental histology of women affected by COVID-19 to that of non-infected women.Methods: A prospective case-control study that enrolled placentae of 20 pregnant women who delivered at Al-Khansaa Maternity Teaching Hospital in Ninevah Province /North of Iraq was accomplished. Ten women were positive for CoVID-19 in the antenatal period. Placental biopsies were obtained from the placental maternal side and placental fetal side and were prepared for histopathological examination after staining with (H&E) using a light microscope.Results: This study revealed that the microscopic assessment of placentas women who were diagnosed with COVID-19 exhibited several features in comparison with those of the control group. Among these findings were those of maternal vascular mal perfusion which are represented represented by accelerated villous maturation, thickening of the blood vessel wall, syncytial knots, incomplete villi growth, perivillous fibrin deposition, and congestion of the blood vessels. On the other hand, fetal vascular mal perfusion is represented by delayed villous maturation, increase numbers of large bullous villi with evidence of syncytial injury, reduced vasculosyncytial membrane formation, villous oedema, increase in the nucleated red blood cells' number, cholangitis with intervillous haemorrhage. Placental sections in COVID-19-infected women revealed inflammatory changes that were picked out in both maternal and fetal sides represented by chronic villitis, edematous villi with infiltration with inflammatory cells, and decidual oedema with infiltration with inflam-matory cells. Features of syncytial injury, decidual fibrinoid necrosis, surge in the nucleated red blood cells' counting, infarction, haemorrhage, and calcification were noticed in some sections.Conclusion: This study observed considerable histopathological lesions in the placentae of mothers infected by the COVID-19 virus against the non-infected group. |
HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOMORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE SYSTEMIC METFORMIN ADMINISTRATION ON BONE HEALING IN RABBITSOriginal articleRaad M. Hussein, Ghada A. TaqaMMSL 2024, 93(1):100-111 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2023.011 Background: After injuries, infections, or tumor removal, endogenous healing depends on bone repair. Disorders of bone healing are difficult to treat in clinical settings. There are numerous induced methods for correcting bone abnormalities, such as the induced membrane technique, allogenic bone grafting, synthetic bone grafting, artificial joint replacement, and autologous bone grafting. However, the delivery of the bone graft and bone filling materials necessitates surgical implantation at the fracture site, which could cause edema, infection, and the development of heterotopic bone locally. Therefore, systemically administered osteogenic drugs will provide an excellent method for bone lesion healing. Aim of the study: to evaluate the systemic effect of metformin on bone healing after surgical induction of bony defect and to determine the amount of newly formed bone using histological, histomorphometric analysis, and the surface area measurement of newly formed bone. Also to study the safety of metformin administration at the administered dose for this purpose. Materials and methods: Twenty mature male New Zealand rabbits were separated into two groups, each including ten rabbits for the study. The same surgical procedure was performed on all rabbits. Two holes were made at the femur (3 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth) and left empty. Metformin tablets were ground into a fine powder and the resultant powder was dissolved in 10ml of water to prepare a liquid dosage containing 50 mg /1ml of metformin. Metformin is administered orally to the rabbits through a feeding tube at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Animals were euthanized at two-time intervals, 14 and 28 days. The femur was separated, sectioned preserved, and sent for histological analysis and histomor-phometry. Results: The results revealed that there is an increase in new bone formation and bone-forming cells in the metformin-treated group. Conclusion: Metformin increases bone healing by increasing the number of bone-forming cells and the surface area of newly formed bone tissues and causes less inflammatory response at the site of a bone lesion. So it possesses an osteogenic effect. |
MANAGEMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A PILOT STUDY IN SAUDI PAEDIATRICSOriginal articleSireen Abdul Rahim Shilbayeh, Iman Sharaf AdeenMMSL 2024, 93(1):120-130 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2023.013 The aim of the current pilot study is to depict the pattern of management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the efficacy of risperidone in reducing the target symptoms of ASD compared to only behavioral therapy. A cross-sectional study was conducted at two main centers for 10 months. On a convenience basis, prospective visits were scheduled for children, who had received regular behavioral therapy and/or antipsychotics¬ (mainly risperidone), and their parents to assess the efficacy and side-effects of the treatment. The improvement of symptoms of ASD was assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Version (ABC-CV) including five subdomains: Irritability, Lethargy, Stereotypic behavior, Hyperactivity, and Inappropriate speech. Twenty-nine children (26 boys and 3 girls) with a mean age of 8.96 years (range: 5–15 years) were included in this study. The distribution of management strategy was: risperidone (11, 37.9%), behavioral therapy only (9, 31.0%), risperidone and behavioral therapy (9, 31.0%). The use of a combination of antipsychotics and psychostimulants (17.24%) was less common than in a previous American study (38%). Surprisingly, scores for all ABC subdomains were higher than those of previous studies, indicating less efficacy of risperidone in this group. Additionally, for the Lethargy subdomain, the score was 74.3±24.3. Interestingly, children who received behavioral therapy only, had lower scores compared to their counterparts who received risperidone only in all ABC subdomains and the total score. Consistent with other reports, this study highlighted the efficacy of risperidone alongside behavioral therapy on reducing hyperactivity symptoms and total ABC score. Despite the published data regarding the efficacy and safety of risperidone, supporting that it may have an important role in the management of ASD in children, further prospective design studies in Saudi Arabia are warranted to confirm the findings or encourage its continuous employment as long-term maintenance therapy. |
PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS’ IDENTITY : SERVICE, UNIT COHESION AND PROFESIONAL COMMITMENTMeeting abstractsEva PavlíkováMMSL 2025, 94(88):18 This paper presents findings from a representative quantitative survey of 800 professional soldiers across the Armed Forces, conducted in spring 2023 by a military research institution. .... |
DO YOU FEEL SOCIALIZED? BRIDGING MOTIVATION AND DISTAL ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES IN MILITARY AND POLICEMeeting abstractsMariateresa Loverre, Stefano Livi, Andrea ChiricoMMSL 2025, 94(88):10 Organizational socialization within the military and police personnel extends beyond internalizing institutional values. .... |
MANIFESTATIONS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS IN MILITARY PERSONNEL AFTER PARTICIPATING IN HOSTILITIES IN THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WARMeeting abstractsIhor Prykhodko, Yanina Matsehora, Nataliia KucherenkoMMSL 2025, 94(88):11 On February 24, 2022, the armed forces of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine and large-scale hostilities began, in which hundreds of thousands of military personnel from both sides took part. .... |
ATTITUDE TRAINING AS A PRECURSOR TO PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE IN THE MILITARY: A CASE STUDY FROM INDIAMeeting abstractsSamir RawatMMSL 2025, 94(88):12 How much more can the military raise its physical standards bar during training? .... |
RISK AND RESILIENCE FACTORS AS UNIQUE CORRELATES WITH OFFICER CADETS’ HEALTH AND WELL-BEINGMeeting abstractsIsabelle Richer, Carla SowinskiMMSL 2025, 94(88):13 Military colleges are challenging environments designed to build resilience and prepare future officers for their military careers. .... |


