Gulf War Research Articles

Looking to the Past for LSCO Inspiration "Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War"

Looking to the Past for LSCO Inspiration "Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War"

Investigating a clinically informed sleep disturbance threshold for physical and mental health among Gulf War Illness veterans.

This study (1) assessed sleep quality and health in Gulf War veterans (GWV) meeting the Gulf War Illness (GWI) criteria and (2) compared health associations for both those meeting a "clinically disturbed sleep" threshold, and those below, as determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) cutoff for military populations (≥10) on measures of physical, mental, and cognitive health. Participant data consisted of questionnaires and assessments completed prior to group assignment in a clinical trial. The sample consisted of 147 GWV, where 81.0% were males, and the median age was 53.4 years. The mean (SD) PSQI global score was 12.34 (4.00) with 61% of the sample qualifying as clinically disturbed sleepers according to the cutoff (global PSQI ≥ 10). GWI veterans with PSQI scores ≥10 did not differ from others in age (p = 0.20), sex (p = 0.19), or years of education (p = 0.87), but showed worse GW-related symptomology on the Gulf War Kansas questionnaire (p < 0.01), and poorer mental health on the Veterans Rand-36 (p < 0.01). Disturbed sleep was associated with measures of pain, fatigue, and cognitive health. Our results suggest that a previously determined clinical threshold for clinically disturbed sleep is useful when examining the health status of the study population. Given that GWI is associated with elevated PSQI scores and a high frequency of disturbed sleep, cutoffs determining sleep health should be sensitive to population exposures and health history to improve interpretability.

TV News and People. The origin of Fininvest networks

In 1991, the first TV news of the Fininvest commercial networks, Studio Aperto, directed by Emilio Fede, was broadcast. Fede was the first to announce the start of the first Gulf War. Rai is defeated. With Studio Aperto, a profound change begins in Italian television information. It declines the institutional, didactic and pedagogical one. Information «on the side of the people» prevails: simple, emotional and with populist color.

Achieving the American Dream, Homeownership Wealth, and Voluntary Military Service: A Snapshot of Homeowners Who Transitioned to Adulthood During the First Gulf War

Achieving the American Dream, Homeownership Wealth, and Voluntary Military Service: A Snapshot of Homeowners Who Transitioned to Adulthood During the First Gulf War

Exposing the latent phenotype of Gulf War Illness: examination of the mechanistic mediators of cognitive dysfunction.

Though it has been over 30 years since the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW), the pathophysiology of Gulf War Illness (GWI), the complex, progressive illness affecting approximately 30% of GW Veterans, has not been fully characterized. While the symptomology of GWI is broad, many symptoms can be attributed to immune and endocrine dysfunction as these critical responses appear to be dysregulated in many GWI patients. Since such dysregulation emerges in response to immune threats or stressful situations, it is unsurprising that clinical studies suggest that GWI may present with a latent phenotype. This is most often observed in studies that include an exercise challenge during which many GWI patients experience an exacerbation of symptoms. Unfortunately, very few preclinical studies include such physiological stressors when assessing their experimental models of GWI, which creates variable results that hinder the elucidation of the mechanisms mediating GWI. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight the clinical and preclinical findings that investigate the inflammatory component of GWI and support the concept that GWI may be characterized as having a latent phenotype. We will mainly focus on studies assessing the progressive cognitive impairments associated with GWI and emphasize the need for physiological stressors in future work to create a more unified hypothesis that can identify potential therapeutics for this patient population.

Rivals in the Gulf: Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Abdullah Bin Bayyah, and the Qatar-UAE Contest over the Arab Spring and the Gulf Crisis, David H. Warren (2021)

Review of: Rivals in the Gulf: Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Abdullah Bin Bayyah, and the Qatar-UAE Contest over the Arab Spring and the Gulf Crisis, David H. Warren (2021) New York: Routledge, 136 pp., ISBN 978-0-42929-949-0, p/bk, £18.99

Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.

For neurotypical adults, a single bout of low-to-moderate intensity physical activity usually transiently improves feelings of energy. Similar bouts of exercise have the opposite effect of increased feelings of fatigue when performed by samples with chronic multisymptom illnesses (CMIs) such as Long-COVID, Gulf War Illness (GWI), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The short-term adoption of regular moderate intensity physical activity (typical experiments are 1 to 6months) among neurotypical adults results in small-to-moderate improvements in self-reported feelings of fatigue, energy, and vitality. Small improvements in these feelings, or no change at all, occur for CMIs, but limited data precludes strong conclusions. The mechanisms of exercise effects on fatigue, whether acute or chronic, are poorly understood but likely involve multiple neural circuits and associated transmitters. For CMIs, the mechanisms of acute worsening of fatigue with exercise may be driven by the yet unknown pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease (perhaps involving brain, immune and autonomic system dysfunction, and their interactions). Likewise, fatigue improvements may depend on whether chronic physical activity is a disease-modifying treatment.

Performance of Impulse Oscillometry in Identifying Restrictive Lung Defects in a Veteran Cohort.

Impulse oscillometry (IOs) is a technique used to evaluate lung function that uses sound waves imposed over tidal breathing to characterize the airways and lung parenchyma. IOs has been particularly useful in the identification of obstructive lung defects. The present analysis seeks to explore the use of IOs in the identification of restrictive lung physiology among a group of Gulf War I veterans exposed to depleted uranium (DU). A total of 36 out of a dynamic 85-veteran cohort attended in-person surveillance visits in 2019 and completed both IOs and PFTs. Performance on IOs was evaluated in a cross-sectional analysis of the group overall and in those identified as having restrictive lung defects defined by either spirometry (FEV1/FVC ≥ LLN and FVC < LLN) or lung volumes (TLC < LLN). A total of 6 individuals were identified as having restriction (4 based on spirometry alone and an additional 2 by lung volumes). When restriction was present, IOs values of both resistance and reactance were significantly more abnormal. In the assessment of lung function, IOs may be advantageous over PFTs because it is faster to perform and effort-independent. Although little is known about the utility of IOs in identifying restrictive lung physiology, our results support its use.

Exemplifying and Numeration as Ideological Discursive Devices in Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera's Gulf Crisis 2017 Reporting

Exemplifying and Numeration as Ideological Discursive Devices in Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera's Gulf Crisis 2017 Reporting

Targeting. Evolution through the Years

Joint targeting is the result of the need to translate the joint force commander’s (JFC) plan into tactical actions. Joint targeting involves the process of selecting and prioritizing targets (classified in NATO as Facility, Individual, Virtual Entity, Equipment, or Organization – FIVE-O), and determining the appropriate means to influence them, taking into account operational requirements and available capabilities, to produce desired effects consistent with the objectives of the operation. It links tactical actions to the strategic desired end state through operational objectives by influencing prioritized impact objectives. Its practical application began in the early 20th century, the First and the Second World Wars (Japanese Theatre), in the conflict between North Korea and the United States, the Vietnam War, being used during Operation Desert Storm, the Kosovo Conflict, the Iraq War, and continuing to be applied in modern warfare.

Angajarea țintei. Evoluție în timp

Joint targeting is the result of the need to translate the joint force commander’s (JFC) plan into tactical actions. Joint targeting involves the process of selecting and prioritizing targets (classified in NATO as Facility, Individual, Virtual Entity, Equipment, or Organization – FIVE-O), and determining the appropriate means to influence them, taking into account operational requirements and available capabilities, to produce desired effects consistent with the objectives of the operation. It links tactical actions to the strategic desired end state through operational objectives by influencing prioritized impact objectives. Its practical application began in the early 20th century, the First and the Second World Wars (Japanese Theatre), in the conflict between North Korea and the United States, the Vietnam War, being used during Operation Desert Storm, the Kosovo Conflict, the Iraq War, and continuing to be applied in modern warfare.

Sleep Apnea Among Gulf War Veterans: An Examination of VA Utilization Rates, Treatment Initiation, and Health Outcomes

ABSTRACT Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among veterans is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. The present study sought to: 1) characterize the prevalence and rate of treatment of OSA among VA users and non-users and 2) examine the associations between diagnosed or probable OSA and key physical and mental health outcomes. Methods Gulf-War I-era Veterans were recruited as part of a national survey assessing mental and physical health concerns, healthcare needs, and healthcare utilization. OSA diagnoses were self-reported while sleep apnea risk was assessed via the STOP-Bang. Veterans also completed questionnaires assessing overall health, pain, depression, PTSD, and psychosocial functioning. Results 1,153 veterans were included in the present analyses (Mean age = 58.81; 21.84% female). Compared to non-VA healthcare users, veterans receiving care at the VA were more likely to have been diagnosed with OSA (p < .001) and report receiving treatment for OSA (p = .005). Compared to veterans at low risk for OSA, veterans at elevated risk reported higher levels of pain (p = .001), depression (p = .02), and poorer psychosocial functioning (p < .001). Conclusions OSA diagnoses appear to be more common among VA healthcare users. Findings suggest that OSA remains underdiagnosed and associated with important physical and mental health consequences. Additional screening for OSA, especially among non-VA clinics, is warranted.

Gastro-Intestinal Cancer among Iraqi Patients

The incidence of gastro-intestinal cancers among Iraqis is reviewed from 1973-2021 in different Iraqi provinces. The incidence rates are also illustrated in relation to age, sex, site of cancer and year of registration. Incidence rate differs widely in relation to locality, age, sex and race. Many factors have been considered as Iraq exposed to the Iraq-Iran war, gulf war and the usage of uranium weapon in the south part of Iraq.

The Impact of Second Gulf Crisis on the Discourse Shifts of Sahwa Current in Saudi Arabia 1990 - 1994

This study presents an analytical observation of the history of the Islamic Awakening movement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: its formation, activity, and discourse transformations. It is a movement that resulted from the intellectual hybridization of Wahhabi-Brotherhood thought, and adopted the Wahhabi Salafism as its reference, after presenting its interpretations of Islam and its visions of how the contemporary Muslim should be. These are strict interpretations that limit the common cultural coexistence and focus on the limited and narrow in Islamic jurisprudence, with the aim of tightening the Saudi society to maintain the conservative values and used the social movements and motives to present a new discourse. And for subjective and objective reasons, its discourse increased its social influence during the eighties, which witnessed accelerated events that complicated the social scene and increased its contradictions. However, it did not think politically to the extent that it appeared after the invasion of the Iraqi forces to Kuwait on the second of August 1990; as the thinkers of the Awakening movement succeeded in exploiting that great event, and turned the readiness for change in the Saudi society into an effective change movement, because of the possession of the Awakening thinkers of the mobilizing resources and their employment of the legitimate resources; the political jurisprudence. As a result, the cultural and identity discourse of the Awakening movement turned into a political discourse that established the explicit protest with political projects and initiatives, such as the demands letter, the advice memorandum, and the committee for the defense of the legitimate rights, until the political authority arrested the symbols of the Islamic Awakening movement in 1994. After restructuring the religious institutions to ensure its authority and the effectiveness of the religious institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Prolonged Antibiotic Use in a Preclinical Model of Gulf War Chronic Multisymptom-Illness Causes Renal Fibrosis-like Pathology via Increased micro-RNA 21-Induced PTEN Inhibition That Is Correlated with Low Host Lachnospiraceae Abundance.

Gulf War (GW) veterans show gastrointestinal disturbances and gut dysbiosis. Prolonged antibiotic treatments commonly employed in veterans, especially the use of fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides, have also been associated with dysbiosis. This study investigates the effect of prolonged antibiotic exposure on risks of adverse renal pathology and its association with gut bacterial species abundance in underlying GWI and aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms leading to possible renal dysfunction with aging. Using a GWI mouse model, administration of a prolonged antibiotic regimen involving neomycin and enrofloxacin treatment for 5 months showed an exacerbated renal inflammation with increased NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Involvement of the high mobility group 1 (HMGB1)-mediated receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) activation triggered an inflammatory phenotype and increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) production. Mechanistically, TGF-β- induced microRNA-21 upregulation in the renal tissue leads to decreased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression. The above event led to the activation of protein kinase-B (AKT) signaling, resulting in increased fibronectin production and fibrosis-like pathology. Importantly, the increased miR-21 was associated with low levels of Lachnospiraceae in the host gut which is also a key to heightened HMGB1-mediated inflammation. Overall, though correlative, the study highlights the complex interplay between GWI, host gut dysbiosis, prolonged antibiotics usage, and renal pathology via miR-21/PTEN/AKT signaling.

COHORT DIFFERENCES IN PTSD SYMPTOMS AMONG VIETNAM, PERSIAN GULF, AND POST-9/11 COMBAT VETERANS

Abstract Research examining long-term effects of military service often focuses on help-seeking Veterans who served in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII. Less is known about Veterans from more recent conflicts or community-dwelling Veterans. We administered online surveys to community-dwelling combat Veterans (N=167; Mage=57.96; 31% women) to examine cohort differences in service appraisals, post-service experiences, and predictors of PTSD symptoms. Chi-square and hierarchical regression were used to test differences in demographics, appraisals of service, post-service experiences, and PTSD symptoms. Among Veterans from Vietnam (n=60), Persian Gulf (n=68), and Post-9/11 cohorts (n=39), only age and educational attainment varied. Vietnam Veterans were older, and Persian Gulf War Veterans more likely to have a college education compared with other eras. There were no cohort differences for military appraisals or post-service experiences. In step one of hierarchical regression, men and those with lower income reported more PTSD symptoms. In step two, including cohort, Vietnam Veterans had more PTSD symptoms than the two younger cohorts, despite age now being inversely correlated with symptoms. In step three, including military and post-service experiences, demographics and cohort were no longer significantly associated with PTSD symptoms. Combat severity, undesirable appraisals, and social support were positively associated with PTSD symptoms, while desirable appraisals were inversely associated with PTSD symptoms. Cohort and demographics may be less important for Veteran mental health than service-related experiences. As Veterans of all eras move through adulthood and into later life, the importance of their miliary experiences must be considered, as it might be a ‘hidden’ variable of aging.

In an Antique Land: Locating the Dislocated

Abstract: Amitav Ghosh's most significant historical novel In An Antique Land (1992) deals with three major themes, as a student of anthropology the novelist's search for the life of Ben Yiju, a Jewish merchant originally from Tunisia, and his Indian slave Bomma, a native of Tulunad; his deep and penetrating insight into the cultural and social development of Egypt from the Crusades to operation Desert Storm; the dreams and aspirations of ordinary human beings and the effect of historical and political changes on their lives. To deal with these themes the novelist has selected the form of a traveller's tale, but this form is only a part of the entire design. Actually, the novelist desires to study the effect of history on mankind through this form. He arranges all the three themes brilliantly and systematically and successfully creates a unified story

World Reaction and the Role of Turkiye, Iran and Asian Countries in Maintaining Qatar Sovereignty: A Case Study of Gulf Crisis

Abstract: This research examines how nations such as Turkeyi, Iran, and Asia responded to the Gulf of Qatar crisis and assisted Qatar in retaining its sovereignty. The United States became aware of the situation and collaborated with Middle Eastern countries. This study examines in chronological approach the roles played by the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ), which consists of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt. Countries providing Qatar with political, social, and economic support will be investigated to identify the consequences on Qatar and the nations who provide such support. The data gathered from this study will be analyzed qualitatively. Turkiye and Iran, according to the data, are already collaborating with Qatar to play a very effective and aggressive role. Despite their geographical distance, Asian countries assist Qatar in maintaining its independence. Asian countries would rather work with Qatar than support the ATQ. The conflict will be resolved if the ATQ countries take processional action against Qatar. These issues will continue to impede the Gulf region's progress unless they are resolved. Abstrak: Kajian ini mengkaji bagaimana negara seperti Turki, Iran, dan Asia bertindak balas terhadap krisis Teluk Qatar dan membantu Qatar dalam mengekalkan kedaulatannya. Amerika Syarikat menyedari keadaan itu dan bekerjasama dengan negara-negara Timur Tengah. Kajian ini mengkaji secara kronologi peranan yang dimainkan oleh Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ), yang terdiri daripada Kerajaan Arab Saudi, Bahrain, dan Mesir. Negara yang menyediakan sokongan politik, sosial dan ekonomi kepada Qatar akan disiasat untuk mengenal pasti akibat ke atas Qatar dan negara yang memberikan sokongan tersebut. Data yang diperoleh daripada kajian ini akan dianalisis secara kualitatif. Turkiye dan Iran, menurut data, sudah pun bekerjasama dengan Qatar untuk memainkan peranan yang sangat berkesan dan agresif. Walaupun jarak geografi mereka, negara-negara Asia membantu Qatar dalam mengekalkan kemerdekaannya. Negara-negara Asia lebih suka bekerjasama dengan Qatar daripada menyokong ATQ. Konflik akan diselesaikan jika negara-negara ATQ mengambil tindakan kerjasama terhadap Qatar. Isu-isu ini akan terus menghalang kemajuan rantau Teluk melainkan ia diselesaikan.

Living With Toxic Wounds: The Voices and Visual Self-Representations of Gulf War Veterans.

Operations Desert Shield and Storm occurred over 30years ago, yet many of those who were deployed continue to experience chronic and debilitating symptoms, now recognized as Gulf War Illness (GWI). While efforts have been made to explore clinical treatments for GWI, misperceptions and skepticism about its complex nature and a lack of consensus on its etiology impede progress in this area. A critical necessity remains to better understand the experiences, needs, and concerns of veterans with GWI. In this qualitative research study, 40 Gulf War veterans were interviewed about their perceptions regarding symptoms of physical health, cognitive functioning, quality of life, and the quality of care received. In addition, they depicted their experiences through an artistic elicitation collage. Through a grounded theory method, key findings indicated that there are remaining hurdles, such as challenging symptoms, persisting unknowns about the illness, and variations in treatment quality. Veterans have mostly managed and coped with GWI, but they voice the need for acknowledgment and support. The main implication from this study is the significance of both clinical and institutional validation and recognition of the GWI experience as well as the need for specific support systems.

Timing of Thrombosis with Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Diagnosis Among Veterans and Civilians

Rates of Arterial (AT) and Venous Thrombosis (VT) are increased in Veterans with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (Vet-MPN), including Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), Polycythemia Vera (PV), and Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF), compared to matched controls (J Clin Oncology 2023 41:16_suppl, 7011). The timing of first AT or VT episode in Vet-MPNs remains undefined when compared to Civilians with MPN (Civ-MPN). These findings could elucidate optimal timing for risk mitigation strategies to prevent thrombotic complications and should help to determine duration of thrombotic risk and need for systemic anticoagulation prophylaxis. The Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI) database was queried from January 1, 2006 to January 26, 2023 to identify Vet-MPNs, AT, and VT through ICD-9 and -10 codes. This process yielded 2,752 Vet-MPN and 583,803 Veterans without MPN from Illinois, the state most representative of the US population. These cohorts were compared to data derived from a retrospective chart review of Civ-MPN cared for between January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022, at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Service-Connected Exposures (SCE) to potential carcinogens among Veterans were verified through their duration and location of service. We subdivided time to first AT and VT from MPN diagnosis as follows: more than 3 months prior to MPN diagnosis, within 3 months of diagnosis, 3 months to 1 year post diagnosis, 1 to 5 years, and more than 5 years after MPN diagnosis. Mean data from various cohorts were analyzed utilizing Fisher's exact test. Vet-MPN experienced a statistically higher incidence of AT compared to Civ-MPN (p=.0019) and Civ-MPN experienced a statistically higher incidence of AT compared to Veterans without MPN (p=0.02) which served as a control. In contrast, there was a higher incidence of VT among both Vet- and Civ-MPN cohorts compared to Veterans without MPN (p&amp;lt;.0001) (Table 1). The mean ages at MPN diagnosis and onset of first AT were similar (≥63 years) in both Civ- and Vet-MPN. In contrast, the mean age of MPN diagnosis and age of first VT were considerably earlier for Civ-MPN (51 years) versus both Vet-MPN with VT and Veterans without MPN with VT (≥67 years). There was a higher prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, heart failure, and smoking among Veterans with or without MPN compared to Civ-MPN with either AT or VT (Table 1). A trend toward statistical significance was observed for the presence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia (p=0.049 and p=0.02, respectively) in Vet-MPN compared to Civ-MPN, while Veterans without MPN had a statistically higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia (p=0.02) and heart failure (p=0.001) in AT. Notably, a trend toward statistical significance in VT was observed for the presence of diabetes among all Veterans with or without MPN compared to Civ-MPN (p=0.01 and p=0.007, respectively). There was a biphasic distribution in time to onset of first AT and VT in all Vet- and Civ-MPN cohorts (Figure 1). There was a higher cumulative incidence of first AT and VT in Vet-MPN at more than 3 months prior to MPN diagnosis compared to Civ-MPN with AT and VT (Figure 1). On the other hand, the Civ-MPN cohort had a late surge of first VT more than 5 years after MPN diagnosis compared to the other MPN cohorts. A biphasic distribution in time to onset of first AT and VT was also observed among the Vet-MPN cohort when stratified by SCEs from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. The vast majority of both AT and VT in Vet-MPN from all SCE examined experienced onset of thrombotic events more than 3 months prior to MPN diagnosis. Most VT in Gulf War Vet-MPN occurred within 3 months of MPN diagnosis. In conclusion, the predominant risk for developing thrombotic complications in MPN, particularly in Vet-MPN, occurs in a biphasic pattern, beginning more than 3 months prior to MPN diagnosis and becoming apparent again at more than 5 years after MPN diagnosis. These findings suggest that the MPNs convey an enduring hypercoagulability potential throughout the natural history of the disease. There appears to be an accelerated onset of thrombotic complications earlier in the course of disease in Vet-MPN, perhaps reflecting their SCE with toxic carcinogens. More work is necessary to determine epigenetic influences on MPN natural history.