Citizen Death Research Articles

Probing into clinical anatomy teaching of abdominal surgery by organ procurement and back-table operation

The understanding of anatomical structures and their adjacent relationship is the foundation and key to the development of surgical skills and clinical thinking. In clinical teaching for residents and graduate students, we took the advantage of donor operations in organ transplantation and showed abdominal anal operations anatomical features and relationships through different view angles and compre-hensive ways. This new teaching approach was designed in accordance with processes of organ donation, procurement and back-table operation. The main contents included anatomy of abdominal wall layers, rela-tionships among abdominal organs, locations and courses of important structure, as well as medical humanistic education. In the context of organ donation becoming more and more popular and standardized after the cardiac death of Chinese citizens, this teaching approach is worth exploring. Key words: Abdominal surgery; Anatomy; Donation after cardiac death; Organ procurement and back-table operation

The Black Lives Matter Movement and Why the Response of All Lives Matter is Misleading

This paper discusses the Black Lives Matter movement, it9s brief history and relevance, and the problem with the response of All Lives Matter and how it is misleading. It discusses incidents leading up to the initial Social Media hashtag and how the statement took off as a rallying cry in response to any incident which seemed to be racially motivated, especially in situations where police officers were involved resulting in the death of African American citizens. This article examines how the organization was first developed in response to the killing of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman and his acquittal of murder charges in the resulting court case in 2013. Additionally, I discuss the media and conservative backlash in response to the group9s activities, and examine the criticisms of their actions, even trying to claim the Black Lives Matter organization itself should be considered a hate group. My paper comes from the perspective of a white male disgusted with modern racism having been a lifelong student of the Civil Rights and Black Liberation Movements while growing up in the diverse and politically charged atmosphere of Berkeley, CA and its surrounding Bay Area. Having been influenced and inspired by the powerful and socially conscious lyrics of Hip Hop of the late 80s through the 90s, I bring a unique voice to the conversation of current race relations.

Health impact is the invisible side of terrorism.

Since 201 4, there is a shift in terror targets, with a 1 72% increase in the deaths of common citizens. India ranks fourth in the global terrorism index. Intelligence, security and counter-terrorism conjointly form the contours of priority for governance and public engagement but the attendant aspects of health system remain neglected. Recurring acts of global terrorism have given rise to unique medical requirements that can be termed as 'terror medicine', geared towards managing health impacts of terrorism and not just a single patient. Health impacts of terrorism that affect vulnerable and non-combative citizens will need a well-developed healthcare delivery mechanism consisting of four components: medical preparedness, incident management, care of injuries and body functions, and intervention for psychological consequences. Terror medicine should not be considered a 'dangerous territory', as it can provide opportunities for healthcare to gain new strengths of knowledge and research, similar to the medical outcomes from the two world wars.

Neoconservatives and the Demise of a Humane Juvenile Justice Program: A Conversation About Social Science and Racism

Institutional racism often results in events such as an unjustifiable death of an African American citizen at the hands of the police. These events induce the leaders of the dominant white society to call for “a conversation about racism,” which results in no meaningful change. This article suggests that a meaningful conversation could be had about the influence of social science on U.S. criminal justice policy—especially juvenile justice. The focus of that conversation should be on neoconservative social science, which has had a major impact on the criminal justice system as it exists today. The author briefly highlights the leading neoconservatives of the last half of the twentieth century. The demise of the Achievement Place/Teaching‐Family model—a rehabilitative, nonpunitive, community‐based treatment program for youthful offenders—is discussed as an example of neoconservative utilization of inadequate science in their claim that “nothing works” in rehabilitation programs. It is argued that perceived inherent deficiencies in African Americans—as a “race”—were a fixation of leading neoconservative scholars.

RACE, JUSTICE, POLICING, AND THE 2016 AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

AbstractScholars have long been interested in the intersection of race, crime, justice, and presidential politics, focusing particularly on the “southern strategy” and the “war on crime.” A recent string of highly-publicized citizen deaths at the hands of police and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement have brought renewed visibility to this racially-driven intersection, and in particular to issues involving contact with and attitudes toward the police. Using data from the 2016 Pilot Study of the American National Election Studies, this study explores how contact with the criminal justice system and perceptions of police injustice shape political behavior in the modern era, with a specific emphasis on prospective participation and candidate choice in the 2016 presidential election. The results indicate that being stopped by the police—an experience that can feel invasive and unjust—may motivate political participation, while spending time in jail or prison—an experience associated with a marginalization from mainstream civic life—appears to discourage political participation. Perceiving the police as discriminatory also seems to motivate political engagement and participation, though in opposite directions for conservative versus liberal voters. In addition, perceptions of police injustice were related to candidate choice, driving voters away from Donald Trump. Affective feelings about the police were not associated with candidate choice. Perceptions of the police appear to act in part as a proxy for racial resentments, at least among potential voters in the Republican primary. In sum, the intersection of race, justice, and policing remains highly relevant in U.S. politics.

Policing and Violence in the United States: A Comparative Analysis of Protest Against Police Violence in Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore, Maryland, and Cleveland, Ohio (2012-2015)

Policing and violence are two central forces that shape our understanding of government from a national security paradox. Yet, they emerge as two contentious issues in our pursuit of effective policing and ending violence across our communities. Increase violent policing that caused the deaths of unarmed citizens of mainly African American background has left us with so many unanswered questions. On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed in Ferguson Missouri by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. On 22 November, 2014, Tamir Rice was shot in the abdomen by rookie patrolman Timothy Loehmann, Cleveland, Ohio. The boy was holding an airsoft gun. And on April 19, 2015, 25-year-old Freddie Gray died shortly after taking into police custody. These deadly policing activities against predominantly African Americans sparked riots in Ferguson, Cleveland and Baltimore. The paper argues that protest against the police in Ferguson, Cleveland and Baltimore are entrenched in grievances for targeting mainly African Americans and the available opportunities to protest police action. Using a clearly defined comparative framework, the paper looks at the grievances and opportunities, examines the strategy (violent and non-violent nature) of the protests across the three major cities, and examines how policing can be more effective.

An improved surgical technique for combined abdominal organ harvesting in organ donation after citizen death of children: a study of 76 cases

Objective To study an improved surgical technique for combined abdominal organ harvesting from cadaveric donors in DCD of children. Methods The technique of combined abdominal organ harvesting has been refined using liver perfusion via the trunk of the superior mesentery vein (SMV), and this technique was used 76 times in harvesting. Results The mean time to establish hypothermia flushing was 1.5 minutes, and the mean hot ischemia time was 3 minutes. Organ harvesting resulted in 65 livers and 130 kidneys. Kidney transplantation was performed in our hospital on 121 patients, and liver transplantation was performed in other centers with the organs being distributed by CORTS. Primary liver dysfunction was found in 3 patients, and DGF which recovered well with hemodialysis was found in 24 patients. No injuries of hepatic and renal arteries occurred. Conclusions This improved technique shortened hot ischemic time, and improved quality of the harvested organs. The cadaveric organs functioned well after transplantation. This technique can be used more widely in clinical practice. Key words: Liver transplantation; Kidney transplantation; Abdomen organ harvest

Race, Ethnicty and Death Due to Law Enforcement in US Men

Citizen deaths from law enforcement activities have drawn intense interest in recent years. Nationwide statistics may provide a useful perspective on this issue but have seldom been widely reported.To assess race, ethnicity and death from legal intervention in the U.S., an analysis examined U.S. vital statistics for the United States, 1999-2012. Decedents of interest were U.S. residents with underlying cause of death coded as legal intervention.Results: In the period 1999-2012, 5071 persons (age-adjusted rate 1.22 per million) died from legal intervention including 1357 blacks (2.36) and 3487 whites (1.06). Among men aged 15-54, there were 954 deaths in Hispanic whites (5.44, 95% confidence interval 4.78-5.45). Among non-Hispanics there were 1230 deaths in blacks (8.16, 7.70-8.62) and 2056 in whites (2.75, 2.63-2.87). Rates peaked at age 25-34. Rates were generally highest in the West but black/white ratio was highest in the Middle Atlantic and in large and fringe metro areas.Conclusions: Death resulting from interpersonal violence is a major public health concern. As for homicide, marked racial, ethnic and geographic disparities exist in deaths from legal intervention.

A political theory of progressive individualism? Western Australia and the America’s Cup, 30 years on

This paper considers Western Australia (WA) as a sign, comparing what it meant during the America’s Cup campaign of 1986–7, when world media attention was focused on the state, with what it represents 30 years later. In the 1980s, it is argued (Part I), WA was hard to represent at all, with natural, governmental and social horrors bespeaking a place unable to signify itself. These realities had to be ‘forgotten’ if a ‘politics of euphoria’ suitable to the Cup festival – and to the mood of credit-fuelled capitalist deregulation – was to prevail. The media, popular culture and tourism were on hand for that task. They far outstripped official efforts to represent WA as a symbol of mobility, globalization and the progressive development of state and capital, arm in arm. Returning after a generation (Part II), it seems clear that the state apparatus is motivated by a will to control, but that the same horrors attend the lives and deaths of first-nation citizens. What has changed is that policy has shifted from deregulation to privatization, which means an authoritarian state leaves both development and social justice to individuals. The progressive individualism of the ‘WA Inc.’ era has given way to what might be called ‘tradie individualism’ – signalling sociality with a boat of one’s own, a funny car rego or a coin in the charity donation box. Now, if you want to express euphoria, then you must paddle your own canoe.

The effect of donor/recipient body surface area ratio on the selection of potential recipient after DCD renal transplantation

Objective To evaluate the effect of donor/recipient(D/R)body surface area(BSA)ratio on the recovery of renal transplantation from donation after cardiac death(DCD) and guidance of potential recipients. Methods The clinical data of 127 recipients with the functioned graft and 69 donors of DCD kidney transplantation performed in our hospital from July 2012 to March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.69 donors contained 58 males and 11 females, with the mean age of (41.9±13.5) years(ranged from 18 to 66 years) and the mean BSA of (1.77±0.15) m2(ranged from 1.25 to 2.05 m2); 127 recipients contained 100 males and 27 females, with the mean age of (37.7±9.3) years(ranged from 18 to 58 years) and the mean BSA of (1.70±0.16) m2(ranged from 1.34 to 2.21 m2). According to D/R BSA ratio, recipients were divided into D/R BSA ratio≤1.0 group(39 recipients)and D/R BSA ratio>1.0 group(88 recipients). According to donor eGFR, recipients were divided into four subgroups further: Group A [D/R BSA ratio≤1.0 group, eGFR≤40 ml/(min·1.73 m2)]with 5 recipients, group B [D/R BSA ratio ≤1.0, eGFR >40 ml/(min·1.73 m2)]with 34 recipients, group C[D/R BSA ratio> 1.0 group, eGFR≤40 ml/(min·1.73 m2)]with 16 recipients, Group D[D/R BSA ratio> 1.0 group, eGFR> 40 ml/(min·1.73 m2)]with 72 recipients; In addition, two recipients who received the kidneys from the same donor and whose D/R BSA ratio difference was more than 10% were divided into high BSA ratio group (27 recipients)and low BSA ratio group(27 recipients). The serum creatinine(SCr) and graft eGFR of the recipients were recorded at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-operation respectively. Results Recipients in D/R BSA ratio>1.0 group showed lower SCr and higher graft eGFR at each time point post-transplantation as compared to D/R BSA ratio≤1.0 group, and the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05); Recipients in high BSA ratio group showed slightly lower SCr as compared to low BSA ratio group within 3 months post-operation, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); 3 months later, Scr in high BSA ratio group was lower than low BSA ratio group, and the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05); 1 month later, eGFR in high BSA ratio group was higher than low BSA ratio group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions D/R BSA ratio should be used as an important reference index to choose potential recipients. To potential marginal donors with older age or inferior renal function, the recovery of renal function after operation is relatively better when the D/R BSA ratio is higher than 1.0. When kidneys of the same donor are accepted, recipients with higher D/R BSA ratio show a more ideal long-term recovery of renal function and achieve a better postoperative effect. Key words: Donation after citizen death; Body surface area; Renal transplantation

Body-Worn Cameras and Citizen Interactions with Police Officers: Estimating Plausible Effects Given Varying Compliance Levels

Recent citizen deaths involving police use of force have increased discussion surrounding police accountability and community relations. One piece of this discussion is the use of body worn cameras (BWCs) by officers. Unfortunately, little rigorous research has been conducted to estimate the effectiveness of BWCs in reducing problematic police-citizen interactions. In this paper, we estimate two measures of effectiveness of BWCs by comparing incidents that occur in a squad assigned cameras to incidents that occur in a squad assigned control. First, we estimate the effect of being assigned a BWC (but not necessarily using the camera) on reducing complaints and resistance associated with incidents. Second, we employ data on BWC use to estimate the effect of cameras if they were used with full compliance. Together, these two estimates provide a plausible range of effectiveness that policymakers can expect from BWCs. We find that BWCs have no effect on the rate of arrest or resistance, but can substantially reduce complaints.

Cops on Film: Hollywood’s Depiction of Law Enforcement in Popular Films, 1984–2014

ABSTRACTWith numerous recent incidents in which law-enforcement officers played a role in the deaths of citizens, there is a renewed focus on cops and their actions. Part of that discussion is related to the nation’s preconceived notions of cops and where those ideas might originate. Popular culture contributes to those images; this study explores one source of those images: film. More specifically, it investigates the image of law enforcement on the silver screen from 1984 through 2014. With a sample of 34 films and more than 200 cop characters, this study finds a mixed general depiction of law enforcement in movies but a positive depiction of individual cop characters. The prevalent descriptor of those characters was good, hard-working, and competent law-enforcement officers. This exploratory study informs broader discussions about the images of cops found in popular culture.

Prophylaxis of fungal infections in liver transplantation from donation after citizen's death

As one of the commonest postoperative complications after liver transplantation, fungal infection has a high incidence and mortality. Nowadays, the development of the organ transplantation technique in China has already entered into the era of donation after citizen's death (DCD). Donors of DCD are mainly derived from the patients after brain death, cardiac death or death of both brain and cardiac. These donors usually suffer from long-term hypotension, ischemia, anoxia and secon-dary recessive or dominant infections during emergency treatment. Hence, preventing the fungal infections in donor organs and recipients after transplantation plays an important role in improving the success rate of liver transplantation. This review focuses on the clinical significance of preventing fungal infection in DCD of liver transplantation. Key words: Fungal infection; Liver transplantation; Risk factors; Prophylaxis

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY CALLS LITVINENKO CASE DECISION A FARCE

(By Tatyana Baidakova. Izvestia, Jan. 22, 2016, p. 3. Condensed text:) Great Britain wants to tarnish and its leadership. That is what Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during her weekly briefing on Jan. 21 regarding the death of former FSB [Federal Security Service] officer Aleksandr Litvinenko [see Current Digest, Vol. 58, No. 48, pp. 1 - 3]. ... It is obvious that there are some behind-the-scenes machinations going on. was the logical conclusion to the quasi-judicial process instigated by the British court and the executive branch, which is in and of itself controversial, to put it mildly. ‘Criminal' would be a better word for it. There was just one goal here, and it was obvious from the beginning: to tarnish Russia, its official representatives and leadership, Maria Zakharova said. Russia has stated several times that it is interested in an objective and unbiased investigation regarding the death of not just Litvinenko, but Russian citizens overall who often have died in Great Britain under various circumstances, including suspicious ones. ... [Zakharova] also stated that Moscow intends to share its views the British side. ... Earlier, Aleksandr Yakovenko, the Russian ambassador in London, was summoned to the British Foreign Office in order to discuss additional information that came to light in the [Litvinenko] case. ... I am sure that Aleksandr Yakovenko will find the right words to let our colleagues know exactly what we think of this farce. We also intend to share our views British diplomats in the near future - Moscow will also hold the necessary meetings, Maria Zakharova said. ... Russian side has every reason to state that it will not accept any reached by such an ‘investigation.' Moreover, according to media leaks, the ruling in the ‘public inquiry' was based on prima facie evidence - that is, evidence that seems credible and sufficient to a criminal case, as well as ‘sufficient in the absence of any evidence to the contrary.' In other words, the principle of the presumption of innocence has been violated - and at the level of international relations, no less, a [Russian] Foreign Ministry source told Izvestia. ... On Jan. 21, British investigative agencies released the results of a into the death of Russian citizen [Aleksandr Litvinenko]. According to the document, London found that Litvinenko's former colleagues Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi were complicit in his death. At the same time, the investigation states that they were acting on behalf of others. The document maintains that the Russian leadership approved Litvinenko's killing. ... At the same time, Moscow is certain that the British public is based on the hysterical rhetoric of hand-picked witnesses, including anonymous professional Russophobes and defectors. ... The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed out that two key witnesses died under suspicious circumstances by the time a decision to conduct the public inquiry was made. The first [witness] is David West, owner of a London restaurant called Abracadabra [sic; Hey Jo - Trans.], which was often frequented by Aleksandr Litvinenko and Boris Berezovsky, and where traces of polonium were discovered two days before Litvinenko met Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun. The second is Berezovsky himself. The investigation [into his death; see Current Digest, Vol. 65, No. 13, pp. 3 - 7 - Trans.] was limited to an open verdict at the insistence of his relatives, who refused to consider any other explanations besides suicide or accidental causes. ... Moscow is certain that the investigation into Berezovsky's death was also accompanied by a biased hand selection of witnesses and a refusal to examine any evidence to the contrary, including information on Berezovsky's letters to the Russian leadership asking to allow him to return to Russia. ... According to Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, the conclusions of the British investigation regarding [Litvinenko's] death are a provocation prepared by the British authorities together the late Berezovsky: ... This is a well thought-out provocation in a series of nasty surprises that Berezovsky had once planned against Russia. But I met him two months before his death, and he told me that if he could get Russian citizenship and be allowed to return to Moscow, he was prepared to call off [the Litvinenko case] and would even convince Litvinenko's wife to finally tell the truth. ... According to an informed Izvestia source in the Russian Foreign Ministry, we are seeing a pattern emerge: Russian citizens who worked with British special services are dying in England under suspicious circumstances. ... We can only guess what the purpose of such ‘work' is. It is possible that it has something to do a general deterioration in relations after we disagreed the US and Great Britain on the issue of the Iraq war in spring 2003, the source said.

Can the health of a nation be correlated to its state of internal peace?

The Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked 162 territories within the United Nations according to how they score on a scale of 1.0 (most peaceful) to 5.0 (least peaceful) in a ‘Global Peace Index’ (GPI). The GPI 2015 values range from 1.148 (Iceland) to 3.645 (Syria). In this pilot study, we report significant correlations (Spearman rank coefficients) between each country’s GPI and indicators of the health of its citizens (life expectancies, death rates and health expenditures): these significances are marginally enhanced when Sub-Saharan African countries are excluded. Our findings may indicate avenues for promoting a healthy global society, but more detailed and comprehensive analyses should be conducted in order for the factors behind the correlations to be identified and applied with more certainty.

Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma Arisen after the Renal Allograft from Donation after Citizen Death: A Case Report and Literature Review

The aim of this study was to discuss the causes and preventions of sacromatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) after renal allograft from donation after citizens death (DCD). It was reported on a 45-year-old male patient had undergone renal transplantation in other hospital because of chronic renal insufficiency uraemia in August of 2014. Two months later, lesions found in the renal parenchyma in the right iliac fossa via the color doppler ultrasound. The area of renal transplantation was bulged with tenderness. The renal dysfunction and microscopic haematuria were found. The review color doppler ultrasound and CT showed that the allograft kidney is enlarged rapidly. On 22^nd December 2014, a surgical exploration was performed. An irregular and hard mass within the parenchyma of engrafted kidney was found, which was considered as malignant. The nephrectomy of the renal allograft was performed in the operation. First postoperative day, his condition was deteriorating rapidly. Finally, the patient died of cardiac functional failure. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as sacromatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC). SRCC found in the donor allograft kidney is highly malignant and poorly prognosis. The repeated imaging investigations are necessary to exclude the hidden trouble of tumors, such as SRCC. Postoperative immunosuppressive regimens should be modified and the screening program of renal tumor for the early control and prevention should be strengthen.

Quality of donated liver from citizen passed away

International norms of organ transplantation mainly depends on the organ donation after the death of citizens. Numbers of studies on the quality of donated livers were conducted to reduce the early postoperative primary dysfunctions and relevant complications. The donations is based on donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after cardiac death (DCD). Hence, the differences in the quality of liver from DBD and DCD are the focus.

All Along the Watchtower: Forum Non Conveniens in International Aviation

Before filing suit, plaintiffs’ attorneys engage in a Conflicts of Laws analysis to find the jurisdiction with the most sympathetic law, and most likely to result in the largest possible judgment for their clients. Juries in the United States are perceived to be the most generous in awarding judgments; hence, aviation suits often are filed in U.S. courts, even when they involve injuries and death of foreign citizens on an aircraft flown by a foreign air carrier and crew that crashed into foreign soil. The concept of forum non conveniens remains among the most useful tools for defendants seeking to remove the case to a less generous jurisdiction.

BLOOD ON ITS HANDS

The actions of the Australian Federal Police, in providing to the Indonesian National Police the identity of eight Australian citizens, comprising eight of the Bali Nine, and the details of their intended crime, exposing them to the death penalty, can never be justified. This paper will argue that inferences and implications arising from Australian legislation and guidelines impose restrictions on cooperation with foreign nations, where such cooperation could lead to the death of an Australia citizen. Furthermore, it will be argued that the Australian Federal Police possessed more than sufficient evidence to justify the apprehension of those eight Australian citizens. The Australian Federal Police continue to contend that they would act, in similar circumstances, in the same way. Therefore, immediate steps must be taken to ensure that no Australian citizen is ever again exposed to the risk of the death penalty in similar circumstances.

Prevalence and prognosis of Brugada electrocardiogram patterns in an elderly Han Chinese population: a nation-wide community-based study (HALST cohort).

The exact world-wide prevalence of Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern is still unclear, especially in adults aged 55 years and older. The study was conducted as part of the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study in Taiwan (HALST). Using a stratified random sampled method, a sample of community-dwelling subjects was recruited from seven community-based regions across Taiwan. All enrolled subjects were follow-up annually and cause of death was documented by citizen death records. A total of 5214 subjects were enrolled (male/female: 2530/2684) with a mean age of 69 ± 8 years. The overall prevalence of Brugada ECG patterns was 3.32%. Four subjects carried spontaneous Type 1 Brugada ECG pattern, 68 carried Type 2, and 101 carried Type 3. Compared with the world-wide average prevalence of Brugada ECG patterns, the prevalence of spontaneous Type 1 Brugada ECG pattern in subjects from the HALST cohort was similar (0.077 vs. 0.07%) and the combined prevalence of Types 2 and 3 Brugada ECG pattern was 10 times higher (3.24 vs. 0.28%) even the mean age of study subjects was significantly higher (69 ± 8 vs. 35 ± 8, P < 0.001). However, all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality rates were not significantly different between subjects with and without Brugada ECG patterns during the 4-year follow-up (log-rank test, P = 0.21, 0.32, respectively). The prevalence of Brugada ECG pattern in adults aged 55 years and older in Taiwan was higher than the average world-wide prevalence but was not associated with increased mortality.