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Helicobacterpylori is one of the most prevalent pathogens colonizing 50% of the world’s population and causing gastritis and gastric cancer. Even with triple and quadruple antibiotic therapies, H. pylori shows increased prevalence of resistance to conventional antibiotics and treatment failure. Due to their pore-forming activity, antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are considered as a good alternative to conventional antibiotics, particularly in the case of resistant bacteria. In this study, temporin-SHa (a frog AMP) and its analogs obtained by Gly to Ala substitutions were tested against H. pylori. Results showed differences in the antibacterial activity and toxicity of the peptides in relation to the number and position of D-Ala substitution. Temporin-SHa and its analog NST1 were identified as the best molecules, both peptides being active on clinical resistant strains, killing 90–100% of bacteria in less than 1 h and showing low to no toxicity against human gastric cells and tissue. Importantly, the presence of gastric mucins did not prevent the antibacterial effect of temporin-SHa and NST1, NST1 being in addition resistant to pepsin. Taken together, our results demonstrated that temporin-SHa and its analog NST1 could be considered as potential candidates to treat H. pylori, particularly in the case of resistant strains.

Introduction Today, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is, respectively, 49% and 17% among French adults. This research investigates their existence in the French Armed Forces, in terms of the impact on military operative response and military readiness. As no previous studies have evaluated the weight status of the whole French Armed Forces, this work assesses the situation for the first time in France. Material and Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out between September 2016 and April 2017. A single anonymous questionnaire gathered the sociodemographic variables and usual care medical data. The source population was active duty members serving in units reporting to the South-Eastern French Regional Military Health Department. Results Among 1,589 respondents, prevalence of overweight and obesity was, respectively, 38.7% and 10%. Mean waist circumference was 78.2 ± 9.1 cm for women and 89.1 ± 10.5 cm for men. A third of female military and one-fifth of male military had a measure bigger than the standard International Diabetes Federation. Age, sex, weekly fitness activity, and rank were significant independent predictors of body weight excess. Less than 5% of the study population reported a diagnosis of comorbidity: diabetes 2%, high blood pressure 1%, and dyslipidemia 1.5%. Conclusions As all armies, the French Armed Forces are affected by obesity. Nevertheless, the prevalence of obesity seems lower than in other Western armies. In the French army, as in the general population, obesity is correlated with socioeconomic status and level of education. However, compared to the general French population, there is less obesity and overweight in the French Armed Forces. Moreover, overweight and obese military members have a lower cardiovascular risk than their civilian counterparts. Enlistment standards, military occupational activity, and a mandatory high level of physical fitness could explain these different proportions of overweight and obesity. This raises the question of the protective effect of regular physical activity. Is this a serious way to fight against the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity in Western countries? Indeed, this is a significant public health issue, which also affects the military’s quick response force capacity and strategic capabilities. Therefore, the identification of specific demographic characteristics should be considered in developing prevention programs.

ObjectivesThe Seventh Airborne Forward Surgical Team (FST) has been deployed in Gao, Mali, and in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), for two 3-month periods in 2014. The initial role of the FST was to provide emergent care to French and coalition soldiers but it was expanded to include humanitarian assistance. The aim of the present study was to describe and compare injuries and surgical activity of the Seventh Airborne FST during these two conflicts.MethodsAll surgical patients treated by the FST between January and December 2014 have been included. Patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, surgical management including triage categories and types of surgery performed and evacuation modalities were recorded.ResultsDuring the 6-month deployment period in 2014, the FST performed 129 operations on 134 patients, 61 of which were trauma patients (45 battle injuries (BI)). The remaining 73 patients were treated as part of the humanitarian mission. Thirty of the BI were managed during the Malian conflict and 15 in CAR; 29 patients (64%) were military. The median Injury Severity Score (range) was 20 (10–34) in Mali and 8 (5–21) in CAR with median (range) evacuation time of 390 min (240–947) in Mali and 120 min (60–120) in CAR (p<0.0001). The most frequent mechanisms of injury were gunshot wounds in Mali (15/30) and road traffic accident in CAR (7/15). Extremity injuries were most common (58%) with head, face and neck injuries and thoracic injuries in 15% of cases each and 12% had suffered abdominopelvic injuries. Ten patients were categorised as T1 and underwent urgent surgery, five had damage control surgery and four received transfusion. The average length of stay was 2 days (1–2), with most patients being transferred to another hospital.ConclusionsCasualties from Mali and CAR presented with a wide variety of injury patterns, and there were some instances where damage control surgery and whole blood transfusion were necessary. Surgical equipment scales must allow treatment of a large variety of injuries including all body regions and extreme emergency procedures. These two conflicts differ in terms of scope, one being an urban guerrilla and the other an open conflict in a large desertic area. Long distances in the Malian desert increase significantly the evacuation time. It has to be taken into account in the FST location when coalition forces are deployed in such places.

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