Estimating Community Disruption from Nighttime Gunshots in 6 U.S. Cities, 2015 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Gunshots affect those directly involved in an incident and those in the surrounding community. The community-level impact of nighttime gunshots, which may be particularly disruptive to the sleep of nearby community members, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to estimate the number of people potentially affected by nighttime gunshots and the relationship between nighttime gunshots and median household income in the USA. DESIGN: We collected publicly available data on the timing and location of gunshots in six U.S. cities (Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Washington, D.C.; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Portland, OR) from 2015 to 2021. We then analyzed the data by computing rate ratios (RRs) to compare the frequency of gunshots during nighttime hours (6:00 pm to 5:59 am) versus daytime hours (6:00 am to 5:59 pm). Additionally, we used geospatial mapping to create choropleth maps to visualize the variation in nighttime gunshot density across cities. We estimated, using city-wide population, person-nights potentially impacted by the sound of gunshots within areas of 0.2- (low) and 0.5-mile (high) radius. Finally, for five of six cities where data on median household income were available by census tract, we built nonlinear regression models to estimate the relationship between the number of nighttime gunshots and median household income. KEY RESULTS: We analyzed 72,236 gunshots. Gunshots were more common during the nighttime than daytime (overall RR = 2.5). Analyses demonstrated that the low estimates for the mean annual number of person-nights impacted by nighttime gunshots were 0.4 million in Baltimore and Portland, 1.3 million in Philadelphia, 1.6 million in Boston, 2.9 million in New York City, and 5.9 million in Washington. The number of nighttime gunshots was inversely related to median household income. CONCLUSIONS: Nighttime gunshots are prevalent, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, and may have under-recognized effects on the surrounding community.

Short-Term Entropy of Signal Energy Used for Effective Detecting of Weak Gunshots in Noisy Environments.

Conventional gunshot detection systems can quickly and reliably detect gunshots in the area where the acoustic sensors are placed. This paper presents the detection of weak hunting gunshots using the short-term entropy of signal energy computed from acoustic signals in an open natural environment. Our research in this field was primarily aimed at detecting gunshots fired at close range with the usual acoustic intensity to protect wild elephants from poachers. The detection of weak gunshots can extend existing detection systems to detect more distant gunshots. The developed algorithm was optimized for the detection of gunshots in two categories of the surrounding sounds, short impulsive events and continuous noise, and tested in acoustic scenes where the power ratios between the weak gunshots and louder surroundings range from 0 dB to -14 dB. The overall accuracy was evaluated in terms of recall and precision. Depending on impulsive or noise sounds, binary detection was successful down to -8 dB or -6 dB; then, the efficiency decreases, but some very weak gunshots can still be detected at -13 dB. Experiments show that the proposed method has the potential to improve the efficiency and reliability of gunshot detection systems.

[Pediatric traumatic brain injury due to civil gunshot wounds at a General Hospital in Cali, Colombia]. / Traumatismo craneoencefálico pediátrico secundario a heridas por arma de fuego en un Hospital General en Cali, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to gunshot-wounds (GSW) is a critical situation in the pediatric population. The aim of this study is to characterize TBI in this population since there are few reports that describe it especially in Colombia where its incidence is high, also to determine which were the main mortality predictor within our population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in which we reviewed pediatric medical records of patients that had consulted at the Fundacion Valle del Lili pediatric Emergency Room between January of 2011 and December of 2015 because of TBI due to GSW. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In our sample of 32 patients the average age was of 13.3 (SD ± 5.4) and with 75% male patients. In our sample the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at entry was less than 8 in 59.38%, a 15.6% needed craniotomy and 81.2% were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Death occurred in 43.75% of cases. The following mortality predictors were obtained: GCS at entry, pupillary exam and light reflexes, ISS, Marshal Score, absence of basal cisterns and presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage in CT scan, and APACHE II. CONCLUSIONS: TBI due to GSW is a devastating entity, especially in the pediatric population, they are responsible of high mortality and disability rates. There were no significant findings regarding infection rates and the use of surgery as a preventive method, therefore there's a chance it might not be indicated.

OBJETIVO: El traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) secundario a heridas por arma de fuego (HPAF) es una situación crítica, especialmente en la población pediátrica. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar el TCE en esta población dado que existen pocos reportes al respecto, especialmente en Colombia, y determinar cuáles fueron los principales predictores de mortalidad en nuestra población. MATERIALES Y METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en el cual se revisaron historias clínicas pediátricas de aquellos pacientes que consultaron al servicio de urgencias de la Fundación Valle del Lili entre enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2015 por TCE debido a HPAF. Se ejecutó un análisis estadístico descriptivo con las variables a considerar. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo una muestra de 32 pacientes con una edad promedio de 13,3 (SD ± 5,4) y de predominio masculino (75%). Se encontró que el Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) de ingreso < 8 se presentó en el 59,38% de los casos con un 15,6% que requirieron craniectomía y un 81,2% fue hospitalizado en Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo (UCI). El 43,75% fallecieron. Se obtuvieron los siguientes predictores de mortalidad: GCS de ingreso, examen y reflejos pupilares, ISS, Marshall Score, cisternas basales cerradas y presencia de hemorragia subaracnoidea en la tomografía axial computarizada y APACHE II. CONCLUSIONES: En la presente serie, no se encontró evidencia significativa entre los pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente o no, lo cual podría sugerir que un manejo conservador, individualizando cada caso, es una conducta aceptable y segura.

Characterizing Gun Violence by Time, Day of the Week, Holidays, and Month in 6 US Cities, 2015-2021.

Developing interventions to prevent firearm-related violence and to address its consequences requires an improved understanding of when these violent events are most likely to occur. We explored gunshot events in 6 of the most populated cities in the United States by time of day, day of week, holiday/non-holiday, and month using publicly available datasets. In some of these cities, gunshot events occurred most often at nighttime, on holidays and weekends, and during summer months, with significant interaction effects. There were also time-related changes in characteristics of the victims. Primary prevention efforts aimed at curbing firearm-related violence should consider these differential risks.

Penetrating abdominal injuries during the Syrian war: Patterns and factors affecting mortality rates.

BACKGROUND: A large number of innocent Syrians were injured or killed during the years of war. This retrospective study investigates the differences in patterns of injury and factors affecting the mortality rate in 324 patients coming to Damascus Hospital with penetrating abdominal trauma, and illustrates the difficulties of diagnosis and decision making in crisis situations. METHODS: A retrospective study was registered from patient's records between October 2012 and June 2013 in Damascus Hospital. All victims were injured either by explosions or gunshots. RESULTS: A total of 325 patients: 183 by explosion; 56.3%, 141 by gunshot; 43.3%, and one patient by other means; 0.3% were reviewed. The study focused on the two large groups with a total of 324 patients. Males were predominant (82.1%; n=266) and the majority of patients were between 19 and 35 years old. Patients suffering from multi abdominal organ injury were more common in gunshot group (n=72, 51.1%) compared to the explosion group (n=83, 45.3%). 264 patients (81.5%) underwent surgical operations and only 22 (8.3%) had normal laparotomy. The inpatient mortality rate was (17.0%; n=55), and there was no difference in mortality rate between the two groups. More than the half of deaths (n=42; 76.4%) had a P.A.T.I score≥25 where the death rate was 35.6% which is higher compared to 6.3% in those with a P.A.T.I<25. In the ICU 33 patients died, of these (87.9%; n=29) died after immediate admission to the ICU which is higher compared with a later admission (12.1%; n=4). The need for massive blood transfusion affected the mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Efforts must be directed toward training of medical staff to deal with crisis incidents. The need for massive blood transfusion and ICU admissions can affects mortality. P.A.T.I was found to be an effective predictor of mortality. Clinical experience in this field can produce better health care and faster judgments.

Coagulopathy and transfusion requirements in war related penetrating traumatic brain injury. A single centre study in a French role 3 medical treatment facility in Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury associated coagulopathy is frequent, either in isolated traumatic brain injury in civilian practice and in combat traumatic brain injury. In war zone, it is a matter of concern because head and neck are the second most frequent site of wartime casualty burden. Data focusing on transfusion requirements in patients with war related TBI coagulopathy are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis was conducted of 77 penetrating traumatic brain injuries referred to a French role 3 medical treatment facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, deployed on the Kabul International Airport (KaIA), over a 30 months period. RESULTS: On 77 patients, 23 died during the prehospital phase and were not included in the study. Severe traumatic brain injury represented 50% of patients. Explosions were the most common injury mechanism. Extracranial injuries were present in 72% of patients. Traumatic brain injury coagulopathy was diagnosed in 67% of patients at role 3 admission. Red blood cell units (RBCu) were transfused in 39 (72%) patients, French lyophilized plasma (FLYP) in 41 (76%), and fresh whole blood (FWB) in 17 (31%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study support previous observations of coagulopathy as a frequent complication of traumatic brain injury. The majority of patients with war related penetrating traumatic brain injury presented with extracranial lesions. Most of them required a high level of transfusion capacity.

Computer-assisted planning of distraction osteogenesis for lower face reconstruction in gunshot traumas.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of gunshot wounds of the lower face remains a challenge for the maxillofacial surgeon. We present our experience with the use of virtual surgery using Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing (CAM) techniques to create a custom-made distraction device and prefabricated cutting guides (for both fibula and jaw osteotomies) and for device positioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe two cases of lower face reconstruction after gunshot wounds by osteogenic distraction osteogenesis (DO) and computer-assisted surgery (SurgiCase CMF 5.0® software, Materialise). Surgical osteotomies and placement of the custom-made distraction device were performed intraoperatively based on prefabricated guides. RESULTS: This fully digital preoperative planning improves the precision of osteotomies sites and distraction vectors. It largely reduces the operative time, with a greater operative safety. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction by DO allows the bone and soft tissues to be simultaneously regenerated. However, the control of three-dimensional reconstruction of the lower face with distraction is difficult in facial gunshot patients because of the difficulties in locating anatomical landmarks. Surgical osteotomies are pre-planned and rapidly performed using a cutting guide. Precise placement of the distraction device is achieved without the need for subjective assessment of the sole surgeon. In our experience, the surgery has resulted in outcomes similar to those predicted by the computer-assisted planning.

Tratamiento de pacientes con fracturas por proyectil de arma de fuego de baja velocidad, Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl, Medellín, 2002-2003 / Management of the patient with grade 1 open fractures by low-velocity gunshots in San Vicente de Paul University Hospital, 2002-2003

El propósito del presente trabajo fue evaluar el resultado del manejo de fracturas grado I producidas por proyectil de arma de fuego de baja velocidad, sin lavado y desbridamiento quirúrgico en el momento del ingreso al hospital. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo evaluando las historias clínicas de los pacientes que ingresaban con este diagnóstico al servicio de urgencias adultos del HUSVP entre enero de 2002 y junio de 2003. Se hizoseguimiento de 77 fracturas en 74 pacientes, hasta lograr la consolidación clínica y radiológica de las fracturas. Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamientoantibiótico según los protocolos del servicio de ortopedia. Se encontró mayor frecuencia de fracturas de huesos largos: tibia (19 por ciento), fémur (18 por ciento) y húmero (17 por ciento). Ningún paciente requirió lavado quirúrgico durante el manejo. Del total de fracturas, 53,2 por ciento recibieron manejo no quirúrgico, 40,2 por ciento reducción abierta y fijación interna y 6,6 por ciento fijación externa; ninguno de los pacientes presentó signos de infección durante la evolución. Con este trabajo se puede recomendar el tratamiento sin lavado y desbridamiento quirúrgico para los pacientes con fracturas grado I producidas por proyectil de arma de fuego de baja velocidad.