Injury Analysis of Vehicle-Pedestrian Collision Based on Orthogonal Experiments

This paper studies the influence of different factors on pedestrian head injury in vehicle-pedestrian collisions. PC-Crash software is used to construct simulation experiments under ten factors. The research shows that the injury to pedestrians in reverse impact is greater than that to pedestrians in forward impact. With the acceleration of vehicle speed, the HIC value of pedestrians will increase with the increase of the height of the front hood from the ground. When the vehicle speed is less than 40 km/h, the injury to pedestrians in a forward-leaning emergency posture is smaller, and the injury to a standing emergency posture is the highest.     

Gelation properties of goose liver protein recovered by isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation process

Isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation (ISP) process was applied to goose liver (GL) for protein extraction. The gelation properties of proteins extracted by acid processes (ACP, pH 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0) and alkaline processes (ALP, pH 11.0, 11.5 and 12.0) were estimated, where the unextracted ground GL was set as the control. Nearly 58.39~79.00% of GL proteins were recovered by ISP treatments. High molecular weight (100~250 kDa) proteins were found to be partially hydrolysed by ACP, while few changes in proteins occurred during ALP. As evidenced by rheological and textural measurements, ALP proteins formed gels with high elasticity and superior texture, whereas ACP proteins had inferior gelation properties. Moreover, ALP proteins were able to form a highly interconnected and homogeneous three‐dimensional microstructure. Predominantly, gels produced by 11.0 had optimal texture and the lowest cooking loss (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the ISP process (ALP) is a potential method to improve the economic value of GL.     

In Silico Analysis and Experimental Validation of Active Compounds from Cichorium intybus L. Ameliorating Liver Injury

This study aimed at investigating the possible mechanisms of hepatic protective activity of Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) in acute liver injury. Pathological observation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and measurements of biochemical indexes on mouse models proved hepatic protective effect of Cichorium intybus L. Identification of active compounds in Cichorium intybus L. was executed through several methods including ultra performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). Similarity ensemble approach (SEA) docking, molecular modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were applied in this study to explore possible mechanisms of the hepato-protective potential of Cichorium intybus L. We then analyzed the chemical composition of Cichorium intybus L., and found their key targets. Furthermore, in vitro cytological examination and western blot were used for validating the efficacy of the selected compounds. In silico analysis and western blot together demonstrated that selected compound 10 in Cichorium intybus L. targeted Akt-1 in hepatocytes. Besides, compound 13 targeted both caspase-1 and Akt-1. These small compounds may ameliorate liver injury by acting on their targets, which are related to apoptosis or autophagy. The conclusions above may shed light on the complex molecular mechanisms of Cichorium intybus L. acting on hepatocytes and ameliorating liver injury.     

Nature and etiology of hollow-organ abdominal injuries in frontal crashes

Injuries to the hollow organs of the lower digestive system carry substantial risk of complication due to infection and blood loss, and commonly require invasive abdominal surgery to diagnose and treat. The causes of, and risk factors for, lower abdomen injury in automobile collisions are poorly understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the risk factors and potential mechanisms of hollow-organ, lower abdomen injury in belted automobile occupants in frontal collisions.     

Acute kidney injury in China

China has a large population and bears a heavy burden of kidney diseases. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly prevalent in China and is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The inadequacies of early diagnosis and management remain the major challenges to Chinese nephrologists. There is an urgent need for a nationwide, or even a global effort to increase an awareness of the devastating effects of AKI, to develop professional preventive strategies, as well as to achieve early diagnosis and early intervention. In this article, we review the increasing incidence of AKI and complexity behind prevention and management, focusing on differences in various clinical settings in China.     

NIOSH national survey of long-haul truck drivers: Injury and safety

Approximately 1,701,500 people were employed as heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the United States in 2012. The majority of them were long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs). There are limited data on occupational injury and safety in LHTDs, which prompted a targeted national survey. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health conducted a nationally representative survey of 1265 LHTDs at 32 truck stops across the contiguous United States in 2010. Data were collected on truck crashes, near misses, moving violations, work-related injuries, work environment, safety climate, driver training, job satisfaction, and driving behaviors. Results suggested that an estimated 2.6% of LHTDs reported a truck crash in 2010, 35% reported at least one crash while working as an LHTD, 24% reported at least one near miss in the previous 7 days, 17% reported at least one moving violation ticket and 4.7% reported a non-crash injury involving days away from work in the previous 12 months. The majority (68%) of non-crash injuries among company drivers were not reported to employers. An estimate of 73% of LHTDs (16% often and 58% sometimes) perceived their delivery schedules unrealistically tight; 24% often continued driving despite fatigue, bad weather, or heavy traffic because they needed to deliver or pick up a load at a given time; 4.5% often drove 10 miles per hours or more over the speed limit; 6.0% never wore a seatbelt; 36% were often frustrated by other drivers on the road; 35% often had to wait for access to a loading dock; 37% reported being noncompliant with hours-of-service rules (10% often and 27% sometimes); 38% of LHTDs perceived their entry-level training inadequate; and 15% did not feel that safety of workers was a high priority with their management. This survey brings to light a number of important safety issues for further research and interventions, e.g., high prevalence of truck crashes, injury underreporting, unrealistically tight delivery schedules, noncompliance with hours-of-service rules, and inadequate entry-level training.     

Incidence and costs of bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries in the Netherlands

The main cause of death and serious disability in bicycle accidents is traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this population-based study was to assess the incidence and costs of bicycle-related TBI across various age groups, and in comparison to all bicycle-related injuries, to identify main risk groups for the development of preventive strategies.Data from the National Injury Surveillance System and National Medical Registration were used for all patients with bicycle-related injuries and TBI who visited a Dutch emergency department (ED) between 1998 and 2012. Demographics and national, weighted estimates of injury mechanism, injury severity and costs were analysed per age group. Direct healthcare costs and indirect costs were determined using the incidence-based Dutch Burden of Injury Model.Between 1998 and 2012, the incidence of ED treatments due to bicycle-related TBI strongly increased with 54%, to 43 per 100,000 persons in 2012. However, the incidence of all bicycle-related injuries remained stable, from 444 in 1998 to 456/100,000 in 2012. Incidence of hospital admission increased in both TBI (92%) and all injuries from cycling (71%). Highest increase in incidence of both ED treatments and hospital admissions was seen in adults aged 55+. The injury rate of TBI per kilometre travelled increased (44%) except in children, but decreased (−4%) for all injuries, showing a strong decrease in children (−36%) but an increase in men aged 25+, and women aged 15+. Total costs of bicycle-related TBI were €74.5 million annually. Although bicycle-related TBI accounted for 9% of the incidence of all ED treatments due to cycling, it accounted for 18% of the total costs due to all bicycle-related injuries (€410.7 million). Children and adolescents (aged 0–24) had highest incidence of ED treatments due to bicycle-related injuries. Men in the working population (aged 15–64) had highest indirect costs following injuries from cycling, including TBI. Older cyclists (aged 55+) were identified as main risk group for TBI, as they had highest ED attendance, injury rate, injury severity, admission to hospital or intensive care unit, and costs.Incidence of ED treatments due to cycling are high and often involve TBI, imposing a high burden on individuals and society. Older cyclists aged 55+ were identified as main risk group for TBI to be targeted in preventive strategies, due to their high risk for (serious) injuries and ever-increasing share of ED visits and hospital admissions.     

Traumatic brain injury,driver aggression and motor vehicle collisions in Canadian adults

ObjectiveThis study examines the associations between lifetime traumatic brain injury (TBI), driver aggression, and motor vehicle collisions among a population sample of adults who reside in the province of Ontario, Canada.MethodA cross-sectional sample of 3993 Ontario adults, aged 18–97 were surveyed by telephone in 2011 and 2012 as part of Center for Addiction and Mental Health’s ongoing representative survey of adult mental health and substance use in Canada. TBI was defined as trauma to the head that resulted in loss of consciousness for at least five minutes or overnight hospitalization.ResultsAn estimated 91% (95% CI: 90.0, 91.9) of individuals in this sample held a valid Ontario driver’s license at the time of testing. Among those, 16.7% reported a history of lifetime TBI and 83.3% reported no TBI. The prevalence of TBI was higher among men than women. Relative to licensed adults without TBI, adults with a history of TBI had significantly higher odds of engaging in serious driver aggression in the past 12 months, such as making threats to hurt another driver, passenger or their vehicle (AOR = 4.39). These individuals also reported significantly higher odds (AOR = 1.74) of being involved in a motor vehicle collision that resulted in hurting themselves, their passenger(s) or their vehicle.ConclusionThis is the first population-based study to demonstrate a relationship between a history of TBI and higher rates of serious driver aggression and collision involvement. Given the large proportion of adult drivers with a history of TBI, these individuals may account for a disproportion burden of all traffic safety problems. Whether the increased road safety risk of adults with a history of TBI is reflective of neurocognitive deficits or is merely evidence of a cluster of unsafe activities produced by a higher risk lifestyles requires further research attention.