Gun Violence in the COVID-19 Era: Using Multiple Databases to Describe the Experience in Buffalo, NY.

Objectives: In 2020, the public health crises of gun violence and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) collided and interventions to decrease COVID-19 transmission displaced millions of Americans from normal activity. We analyzed the effects of COVID-19 and its resultant shutdowns on gun violence in Buffalo, NY.

Methods: We queried the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) and the hospital databases from the 2 level 1 trauma centers which serve Buffalo firearm victims between March 15th and June 24th, 2020 ("COVID") and the same time period for years 2013 (hospital data)/2014 (GVA data) through 2019 ("pre-COVID") and 2021 through 2022 ("post-COVID").

Bayesian factor selection in a hybrid approach to confirmatory factor analysis.

To investigate latent structures of measured variables, various factor structures are used for confirmatory factor analysis, including higher-order models and more flexible bifactor models. In practice, measured variables may also have relatively small or moderate non-zero loadings on multiple group factors, which form cross loadings. The selection of correct and 'identifiable' latent structures is important to evaluate an impact of constructs of interest in the confirmatory factor analysis model.

Plain Chest Film Versus Computed Tomography of the Chest as the Initial Imaging Modality for Blunt Thoracic Injury.

Background: While chest X-ray (CXR) is an efficient tool for expeditious detection of life-threatening injury, chest computed tomography (CCT) is more sensitive albeit with added time, cost, and radiation. Thus far, there is limited evidence and lack of consensus on the best imaging practices. We sought to determine the association between imaging modality and outcomes in isolated blunt thoracic trauma.

The Magic Number 63 - Redefining the Geriatric Age for Massive Transfusion in Trauma.

Introduction: The arbitrary geriatric age cutoff of 65 may not accurately define older adults at higher risk of mortality following massive transfusion (MT). We sought to redefine a new geriatric age threshold for MT and understand its association with outcomes.

Material And Methods: The 2013-2018 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all adults who received ≥10 units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) within 24 h of admission.

Trusted Information Sources About the COVID-19 Vaccine Vary in Underserved Communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the deadliest global public health events. In the United States, over 1.1 million individuals have died, and now COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death (CDC, 2023).

Validation of the predictive model for operative intervention after blunt abdominal trauma in children with equivocal computed tomography findings: a multi-institutional study.

Background: We recently developed a preliminary predictive model identifying clinical and radiologic factors associated with the need for surgery following blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) in children. Our aim in this study was to further validate the factors in this predictive model in a multi-institutional study.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients from five pediatric trauma centers who experienced BAT between 2011 and 2020 was performed.

Transfusion futility thresholds and mortality in geriatric trauma: Does frailty matter?

Background: Data on massive transfusion (MT) in geriatric trauma patients is lacking. This study aims to determine geriatric transfusion futility thresholds (TT) and TT variations based on frailty.

Methods: Patients from 2013 to 2018 TQIP database receiving MT were stratified by age and frailty.

Comparing Pediatric Physical Trauma Outcomes by Special Health Care Needs Status.

Background And Objectives: Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) have differing risk factors and injury characteristics compared with peers without special health care needs (SHCN). We examined the association between SHCN status and complications, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) after trauma hospitalization.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using 2018 data from the National Trauma Data Bank for patients aged 1 to 18 years (n = 108 062).

A novel network architecture combining central-peripheral deviation with image-based convolutional neural networks for diffusion tensor imaging studies.

Brain imaging research is a very challenging topic due to complex structure and lack of explicitly identifiable features in the image. With the advancement of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), developing classification methods to improve clinical diagnosis is crucial. This paper proposes a classification method for DTI data based on a novel neural network strategy that combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) with a multilayer neural network using central-peripheral deviation (CPD), which reflects diffusion dynamics in the white matter by spatially evaluating the deviation of diffusion coefficients between the inner and outer parts of the brain.

Elevated spermidine serum levels in mild cognitive impairment, a potential biomarker of progression to Alzheimer dementia, a pilot study.

Background/aims: There is a close link between iron and polyamine biosynthesis and metabolism. In a recent study, we reported alterations in the serum levels of hepcidin and other iron-related proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (Sternberg et al., 2017).

Characterizing physical trauma in children and youth with special health care needs.

Background: Children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) have or are at an increased risk for a chronic condition necessitating medical and related services beyond what children usually require. While evidence suggests that CYSHCN are at an increased risk of injury, little is known about this population within the trauma system. This study describes CYSHCN within the pediatric trauma system and examines patterns of injury risk (i.

Influence function methods to assess the effectiveness of influenza vaccine with survey data.

Objective: To examine a robust relative risk (RR) estimation for survey data analysis with ideal inferential properties under various model assumptions.

Data Sources: We employed secondary data from the Household Component of the 2000-2016 US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).

Study Design: We investigate a broad range of data-balancing techniques by implementing influence function (IF) methods, which allows us to easily estimate the variability for the RR estimates in the complex survey setting.

Investigation of sorption and diffusion of hydrocarbons into polydimethylsiloxane in the headspace-solid phase microextraction sampling process via inverse gas chromatography.

Inverse gas chromatography was employed to investigate the sorption and diffusion of hydrocarbons into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in the headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) sampling process. Six hydrocarbons as molecular probes and two types of non-cross-linked PDMS with different average molecular weights as stationary phases were used in this study. Experimental measurements with columns containing a PDMS stationary phase were carried out to obtain specific retention volumes, molar enthalpies of sorption, interaction parameters, diffusion coefficients, and activation energies of diffusion of hydrocarbon probes over temperatures ranging from 60 to 90°C.

Associations of dietary intakes and serum levels of folate and vitamin B-12 with methylation of inorganic arsenic in Uruguayan children: Comparison of findings and implications for future research.

Background: In the human body, inorganic arsenic (iAs) is methylated via the one-carbon cycle to form monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Lower proportions of iAs and MMA, and higher proportions of DMA in urine indicate efficient methylation; formation of DMA is thought to detoxify iAs and MMA. Studies on folate, vitamin B-12 and iAs methylation yield mixed findings, depending on whether folate and vitamin B-12 were assessed from diet, supplements, or using a blood biomarker.

Estimating model-based nonnegative population marginal means in application to medical expenditures covered by different health care policies - A study on Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

The medical care expenditure is historically an important public health issue, which greatly impacts the government's health policies as well as patients' financial and medical decisions. In population health research, we commonly discretize a numeric attribute to a few ordinal groups to examine population characteristics. Oftentimes, the population marginal mean estimation by the ANOVA approach is inflexible since it uses pre-defined grouping of the covariate.

Measurements of relative distribution constants of vaporized hydrocarbons between air and polydimethylsiloxane via capillary columns for the calculation of headspace hydrocarbon compositions.

This study focused on the measurements and validity of relative distribution constants of vaporized hydrocarbons between air and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using commercially available capillary columns. Capillary column gas chromatography (CCGC) measurements, using two columns containing a PDMS stationary phase with different film thicknesses, were conducted to determine the relative distribution constants of n-heptane, toluene, n-octane, p-xylene, n-nonane, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene between air and PDMS at 90 and 120 °C. To validate the accuracy of the relative distribution constants via CCGC, the compositions of three headspace samples containing different amounts of hydrocarbons were calculated using the relative distribution constants via CCGC and extracted amounts via PDMS solid phase microextraction (SPME) at 90 and 120 °C.

Executive functions in school children from Montevideo, Uruguay and their associations with concurrent low-level arsenic exposure.

Objective: Arsenic is a known childhood neurotoxicant, but its neurotoxicity at low exposure levels is still not well established. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to test the association between low-level arsenic exposure and executive functions (EF) among children in Montevideo. We also assessed effect modification by arsenic methylation capacity, a susceptibility factor for the health effects of arsenic, and by B-vitamin intake, which impacts arsenic methylation.

Estimation of the area under a curve via several B-spline-based regression methods and applications.

Estimating the area under a curve (AUC) is an important subject in many fields of medicine and science. The regression model using B-spline functions provides flexibility in curve fitting, making it suitable for AUC estimation with various types of nonlinear trends. Despite the versatility of the B-spline approach, comprehensive discussions regarding relevant AUC estimation techniques using B-spline functions and their comparison with existing methods cannot be found in extant literature.

Improving the performance of the Revised Trauma Score using Shock Index, Peripheral Oxygen Saturation, and Temperature-a National Trauma Database study 2011 to 2015.

Background: The Revised Trauma Score is the standard physiologic injury severity indicator used in trauma research and quality control. Shock index, peripheral oxygen saturation, and temperature have emerged as strong predictors for mortality and morbidity. We hypothesized that replacing systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate with age-adjusted shock index and peripheral oxygen saturation and adding temperature would generate a more accurate model, valid across all ages.

Vitamin B-6 Intake Is Modestly Associated with Arsenic Methylation in Uruguayan Children with Low-Level Arsenic Exposure.

Background: Detoxification of inorganic arsenic (iAs) occurs when it methylates to form monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Lower proportions of urinary iAs and MMA, and higher proportions of DMA indicate efficient methylation. The role of B-vitamins in iAs methylation in children with low-level arsenic exposure is understudied.

Low level arsenic exposure, B-vitamins, and achievement among Uruguayan school children.

Objectives: Millions of children globally, including the U.S., are exposed to low levels of arsenic from water and food.

Effect of an equipment-behavior change intervention on handwashing behavior among primary school children in Kenya: the Povu Poa school pilot study.

Background: Handwashing prevalence in schools in Kenya is low due to lack of access to water and soap and lack of drive for handwashing. Soapy water made from detergent powder is an inexpensive alternative to bar soap and disgust and social norms change can be powerful drivers of handwashing, but their effectiveness has not been assessed in school setting. In Kenyan public schools, we evaluated an equipment-behavior change intervention's effect on handwashing outcomes.

Increased free prostate specific antigen serum levels in Alzheimer's disease, correlation with Cognitive Decline.

Background/aims: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is regulated by steroid hormones, such as testosterone, the serum levels of which are altered in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).This pilot study compared serum levels of the free (f) PSA between AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and control subjects, and evaluated the relationship between fPSA serum levels and cognitive assessment tests and neuroimaging data. In addition, in a subgroup of AD patients, we correlated fPSA serum levels with the existing data on serum levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ), and iron-related proteins, including hepcidin and ferritin.

Adsorption of hydrocarbons commonly found in gasoline residues on household materials studied by inverse gas chromatography.

The adsorption of hydrocarbons present in gasoline residues on household materials was investigated via inverse gas chromatography (IGC). A series of hydrocarbons (n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, toluene, p-xylene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) and three household materials (carpet fibers, cotton fabric, and cardboard) were selected in this work. IGC measurements using columns packed with these household materials were conducted to obtain molar enthalpies of adsorption of the selected hydrocarbons over the temperature range of 40 to 70 °C.

A sequential density-based empirical likelihood ratio test for treatment effects.

In health-related experiments, treatment effects can be identified using paired data that consist of pre- and posttreatment measurements. In this framework, sequential testing strategies are widely accepted statistical tools in practice. Since performances of parametric sequential testing procedures vitally depend on the validity of the parametric assumptions regarding underlying data distributions, we focus on distribution-free mechanisms for sequentially evaluating treatment effects.