The development of a method to measure head acceleration and motion in high-impact crashes.

Objective: To establish a mechanism to obtain precise measurements of the accelerations of the head in the high-speed racing environment and during crash impacts. The long-term goal is to apply this system to the assessment of head injury in automobile racing drivers and then in participants in other helmeted sports.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team conceptualized, designed, and successfully tested a triaxial accelerometer system capable of measuring head acceleration and motion in high-impact crashes.

Unexpected findings in trauma patients dying in the intensive care unit: results of 153 consecutive autopsies.

Background: The true incidence of missed injuries in trauma-related deaths is unknown, because in only about 60% of injury-related deaths nationwide is an autopsy performed. Few studies have documented the frequency of missed diagnoses leading to deaths specifically in the trauma ICU population. We attempted to evaluate the incidence and nature of missed injuries and complications in trauma- and burn-related deaths in our ICU given an autopsy rate of close to 100%.

Oral creatine supplementation enhances upper extremity work capacity in persons with cervical-level spinal cord injury.

Objective: To examine the effects of short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation on the upper extremity work capacity of persons with cervical-level spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design study. Consists of 2 treatment phases lasting for 7 days, separated by a 21-day washout period.