Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Bombs”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Age-related alteration in the composition of immunocompetent blood cells in atomic bomb survivors.

A total of 1328 atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima were studied to determine alterations in the number of blood lymphocytes belonging to T-cell subpopulations, the number of CD19 antigen-positive B cells and the number of Leu 7 and CD16 antigen-positive lymphocytes. Overall, with increasing age, significant decreasing trends in the numbers of some lymphocytes in T-cell subpopulations and of B cells were observed. Furthermore, the number of blood lymphocytes positive for CD5 antigen was significantly lower in the people exposed to radiation (greater than 1 Gy) in the older age group (more than 30 years old at the time of the bombing). A similar tendency for decreases in the numbers of CD4, CD8, and CD19 antigen-positive cells was observed in these older survivors, although the differences were not statistically significant. These results suggest that aging of the T-cell related immune system is accelerated in the irradiated people of advanced age. This may be explained by the age-related decrease in thymic function in those subjects who were older at the time of the bombing resulting in a decreased functional ability of the immune system after radiation injury. On the contrary, the number of Leu 7 or CD16 antigen-positive cells was found to be increased significantly in the older age group compared to the younger group, although there was little dependence on dose.

Age Factors↗

Early mortality rate of atomic bomb survivors based on House Reconstruction Survey.

This paper studies the mortality rate experienced by over 23,000 A-bomb survivors in Nagasaki between September 1945 and 1950 when the RERF-ABCC initiated the follow-up of the large LSS cohort. The study is based on the data of the 10-year House Reconstruction Survey. As expected, these data show an increasing mortality rate with increasing proximity to the hypocenter of the bomb. What was not anticipated was a higher mortality rate in the 1400-1699 m band than in the closer distance interval of 1200-1399 m. This suggests a possible selective survival among A-bomb survivors. Whether this affects the cancer risk estimates has not as yet been determined.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗

Neutron spectrum and yield of the Hiroshima A-bomb deduced from radionuclide measurements at one location.

In this paper measurements of the radionuclides of 36Cl, 41Ca, 60Co, 152Eu and 154Eu in samples from Hiroshima, which were exposed to neutrons of the A-bomb explosion, are interpreted. In order to calculate the neutron spectrum at the sample site, neutron transport calculations using Monte Carlo techniques were carried out. Activation profiles in a granite mock-up irradiated with reactor neutrons could be reproduced by this method using DS86 input parameters. The calculated neutron spectrum at the sample site for non-thermal neutrons is identical to that obtained in DS86, but contains some 50% more thermal neutrons. The influence of parameters like soil composition, source terms and air humidity on the activation of these radioisotopes is discussed. The granite-covered earth at the sample site, for example, hardens the spectrum in comparison with DS86 values. Even when using a fission spectrum pointing downward and neglecting air humidity one cannot explain our 36Cl measurements. If the effective thermal neutron fluences, that have a similar ratio of resonance integral to thermal neutron capture cross sections obtained from 36Cl, 41Ca and 152Eu, are averaged, a bomb yield of about 16 kt is deduced in agreement with a bomb yield of (15 +/- 3) kt estimated in DS86.

Calcium Radioisotopes↗

Analysis of cancer mortality among atomic bomb survivors registered at Hiroshima University.

The aim of this study was to investigate the late effect on cancer mortality risk of the radiation exposure of atomic bomb survivors who comprised a study population different from that previously studied by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF). We examined survivors residing in Hiroshima Prefecture, who were followed up between 1968 and 1989 by the Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (RIRBM) at Hiroshima University. We used the dose-evaluation system known as Atomic Bomb Survivors 1993 Dose (ABS93D), which was based on the Dosimetry System 1986 for the survivors registered with RERF. The dose estimation was applied in a total of 35,123 subjects. Among survivors who had been alive for > 20 years after the bombing, the relative mortality risk of leukaemia at 1 Gy of organ dose was 2.37 (90% confidence interval: 1.36-3.39), which was significantly higher than the zero dose control group. Similarly, significantly higher risks were observed for all cancers except leukaemia, including cancers of the lung, colon and female breast. Comparison is made with RERF results regarding temporal changes in the relative risk. Although we observed slightly lower relative risks than RERF values for the cancer of the stomach and lung, and for all cancer except leukaemia, no marked trends for any cancer were observed in this study. Though there were some differences in population between RERF and RIRBM, no marked discrepancies were observed.

Adolescent↗

A methodology for assessing blast protection in explosive ordnance disposal bomb suits.

To reduce human casualties associated with explosive ordnance disposal, a wide range of protective wear has been designed to shield against the blast effects of improvised explosive devices and munitions. In this study, 4 commercially available bomb suits, representing a range of materials and armor masses, were evaluated against 0.227 and 0.567 kg of spherical C-4 explosives to determine the level of protection offered to the head, neck, and thorax. A Hybrid III dummy, an instrumented human surrogate [1], was tested with and without protection from the 4 commercially available bomb suits. 20 tests with the dummy torso mounted to simulate a kneeling position were performed to confirm repeatability and robustness of the dummies, as well as to evaluate the 4 suits. Correlations between injury risk assessments based on past human or animal injury model data and various parameters such as bomb suit mass, projected area, and dummy coverage area were drawn.

Blast Injuries↗

Korean atomic bomb survivors' report on the present status and health of their children: a mail questionnaire survey.

A mail questionnaire survey on the present status and health of children of Korean survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Japan was conducted in 2004. In total, 1,115 Korean A-bomb survivors' reports on demographic factors and the health of their children (n = 4,079) were analysed. In 2004, 293 of their children were reported to have died and 3,786 children still living. Among the deceased children, the cause of death was unidentified in 64 per cent of cases. The most frequently reported cause of death was infectious disease (9.6%). Most of the deaths (51%) were reported to have occurred in children less than ten years old. The most frequently reported congenital disorders among living children were mental retardation (0.18%) and congenital bone disorders (0.18%). Further study and administrative support are needed to more accurately determine the status of Korean A-bomb survivors and their children.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗

Age-at-exposure effects on risk estimates for non-cancer mortality in the Japanese atomic bomb survivors.

Statistically significant increases in non-cancer disease mortality with radiation dose have been observed among survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The increasing trends arise particularly for diseases of the circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems. Rates for survivors exposed to a dose of 1 Sv are elevated by about 10%, a smaller relative increase than that for cancer. The aetiology of this increased risk is not yet understood. Neither animal nor human studies have found clear evidence for excess non-cancer mortality at the lower range of doses received by A-bomb survivors. In this paper, we examine the age and time patterns of excess risks in the A-bomb survivors. The results suggest that the excess relative risk of non-cancer disease mortality might be highest for exposure at ages 30-49 years, and that those exposed at ages 0-29 years might have a very low excess relative risk compared with those exposed at older ages. The differences in excess relative risk for different age-at-exposure groups imply that the dose response relationships for non-cancer disease mortality need to be modelled with adjustment for age-at-exposure.

Adolescent↗

Thermoluminescence dosimetry of gamma rays from the Hiroshima atomic bomb at distances of 1.27 to 1.46 kilometers from the hypocenter.

Sixteen ornamental tile samples were collected from 1982 to 1983 from the rooftops of two buildings at Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. Quartz grains 50-150 microns in size extracted from the samples were analyzed for their thermoluminescence (TL) intensities. Conversion of TL intensity to 60Co gamma exposure resulted in the following estimates: 40.5 to 27.6 mC kg-1 (157 to 107 R) for five samples (one each) collected from five sites at distances of 1.27 to 1.34 km from the hypocenter of the atomic bomb detonated in 1945; 23.7 +/- 1.4 mC kg-1 (92 +/- 5 R) for three samples from one site at a distance of 1.39 km; 21.4 to 17.0 mC kg-1 (83 to 66 R) for three samples (one sample per site) from three sites at distances of 1.40 to 1.43 km; 19.8 +/- 1.3 mC kg-1 (77 +/- 5 R) for four samples from one site at a distance of 1.45 km; and 13.2 mC kg-1 (51 R) for one sample at a distance of 1.46 km. At face value, these estimates are greater by a factor of about 2.5 than previous estimates based on the tentative 1965 radiation dose estimates for atomic bomb survivors (a tentative dosimetry model proposed in 1965), but agree within +32% to -13% (+15% on the average) with recent estimates using modern computational techniques using an improved model of the atomic bomb explosion.

Cobalt Radioisotopes↗

Monte Carlo calculations of doses to tiles irradiated by 60Co and 252Cf simulating atomic bomb gamma-ray fluences.

Dose calculations for tiles exposed to the Hiroshima atomic bomb radiations were undertaken. A Monte Carlo code, ABOMB, was developed which considers the characteristics of atomic bomb gamma-ray fluences and geometrical configurations. ABOMB was applied to tile dose calculations for the available photon sources with definite fluences. Its validity was tested by comparing the depth-dose curves calculated for 60Co and 252Cf beams with the equivalent experimental data obtained in the laboratory. Selection of parameters, contribution of backscattering, and computing time also were considered. Present calculations are considered to be accurate with uncertainties less than +/- 10%, and may be useful for correcting or reinforcing atomic bomb gamma-ray doses, together with tile dose measurements by thermoluminescent (TL) dosimetry.

Californium↗

A-bomb survivors: further evidence of late effects of early deaths.

Reanalysis of A-bomb survivor data has shown the following: a) in the high-dose (> 1 Gy) subgroups of the life span study cohort of 5-y survivors, there is a significant deficit of individuals who were < 10 y or > 50 y at the time of the bomb; and b) in the cohort on in utero children, there is a significant deficit of individuals who were < 8 wk of fetal age when exposed. This paper discusses how this selection bias has affected the perception of three effects of A-bomb radiation: marrow damage, carcinogenesis, and second-generation effects.

Age Factors↗

Radiation risks and dirty bombs.

For many, the thought of terrorists detonating a dirty bomb--a radiological dispersal device--is frightening. However, the radiation health risks from such an occurrence are small. For most people directly involved, the exposure would have an estimated lifetime health risk that is comparable to the health risk from smoking five packages of cigarettes or the accident risk from taking a hike. The actual impact of a dirty bomb would be economic and social (NCRP 2001). There would be an economic cost for clean-up as well as a decrease in economic activity in the affected area due to radiation fear. If such a bomb were detonated, those exposed as well as those not exposed would have great concern about potential health effects while seeking medical attention and avoiding the impacted area. This paper discusses the health risks from radiation exposure and compares them to risks from various activities of daily life and to exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Humans↗

The terrorist bomb explosion in Bologna, Italy, 1980: an analysis of the effects and injuries sustained.

In August 1980 a terrorist bomb attack was made on the central railway station of Bologna, Italy. Altogether 291 persons were injured, 73 of whom died at the scene. An analysis of the nature of the injuries and the mechanism by which they occurred showed that three types of bomb injuries could be distinguished: primary blast injuries (pulmonary injuries and flashburns), and secondary and tertiary injuries (concussions, lacerations, and fractures), the latter two types from flying debris set in motion by the blast wave or propulsion of the body. Chest X-ray should be included as a routine part of the examination of blast-injured patients on admission, since many of them develop respiratory insufficiency within 24 hours even when primary symptoms are mild. Because the secondary and tertiary effects of a bomb explosion often lead to multiple injuries, these patients require considerable therapeutic and medical care resources. By an evaluation of the degree of severity of the injuries with use of the AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale) and ISS (Injury Severity Score) systems, the injurious effects of different types of disasters can be estimated and the findings can serve as a basis for future planning of disaster preparedness.

Adolescent↗

Casualties from terrorist bombings.

The physical factors responsible for injury following an explosion in a room or building are: direct exposure to overpressure; blast-induced whole body displacement; impact of blast-energized debris; burns from flash and hot gases. The patterns of injury seen in the casualties from four terrorist bombings are described to illustrate the types and severity of particular wounds. The most common fatal injury is brain damage; 'blast lung' is uncommon in civilian terrorist bombings; flash burns, fractures, serious soft-tissue damage, and eardrum injuries are seen in people close to the bomb, who usually require hospital admission; many others taken to hospital can be treated for injury by debris and released. The environment and its internal structure and the position of the occupants of the space can influence the type and severity of injuries.

Barotrauma↗

Blast injuries: bus versus open-air bombings--a comparative study of injuries in survivors of open-air versus confined-space explosions.

OBJECTIVES: To compare injury patterns resulting from explosions in the open air versus within confined spaces. METHODS: Medical charts of 297 victims of four bombing events were analyzed. Two explosions occurred in the open air and two inside buses. Similar explosive devices were applied in all four incidents. The incidence of primary blast injuries, significant penetrating trauma (Abbreviated Injury Scale score > or = 2), burns, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, and mortality were compared between the two populations. RESULTS: A total of 204 casualties were involved in open-air bombings, 15 of whom died (7.8%). Ninety-three victims were involved in bus bombings, 46 of whom died (49%). The difference in mortality rate was highly significant, p < 0.00001. Primary blast injuries were observed in 25 and 31 victims (34.2% and 77.5% of admitted victims), respectively (p = 0.00003). Median Injury Severity Score was 4 versus 18, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Explosions in confined spaces are associated with a higher incidence of primary blast injuries, with more severe injuries and with a higher mortality rate in comparison with explosions in the open air.

Adolescent↗

Functions and principles in the management of bombing mass casualty incidents: lessons learned at the Tel-Aviv Souraski Medical Center.

Mass casualty incidents (MCI) resulting from terrorist bombings pose special problems and may overwhelm even the most experienced trauma centre. Although role assignments for MCI management and control are documented, we would like to share several aspects that we have found to be crucial for the management of terrorist bombing MCI. Twelve topics and possible answers were brought up and discussed extensively in MCI debriefing sessions in our institution. They were of two main categories: assignments and functions of key personnel, and principles and definitions. The first category includes the Triage Officer, the Medical Director, the Administrative Director, the Head Nurse, the Emergency Medical System Coordinator, the Blood Bank Liaison, and the trauma teams. The second category encompasses the concept of triage hospital, the unidirectional patient flow, ancillary evaluation during MCI, the consultancy, and tertiary survey. All were identified as critical for proper event handling. The integration and implementation of the topics discussed throughout the medical system may enable emergency departments to handle MCI resulting from terrorist bombings better.

Blast Injuries↗

Suicidal bus bombing of French Nationals in Pakistan: physical injuries and management of survivors.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal bombing is particularly devastating and an increasingly common form of terrorist violence. In this paper, we present an epidemiologic description of the physical injuries of patients who survived the suicidal bombing attack in the context of the limited medical resources of a developing nation. METHODS: The management of individual patients was reviewed from a preprinted trauma form. Information on the nature of injuries, operative management and hospital course was recorded and data analyzed using the Trauma Registry. RESULTS: Twelve survivors out of 36 bomb blast victims brought to the Aga Khan University Hospital were transferred from primary receiving hospitals. The average number of injuries per patient was eight. The mean Injury Severity Score was 10.8. The majority of patients had secondary and tertiary blast injuries. Most of the survivors had calcaneal injuries; these have not been reported in the literature in similar terrorist attacks. Twelve operative interventions were undertaken. All of the 12 patients were stabilized and evacuated within 24 h of admission. CONCLUSIONS: All of the 12 patients transferred to the Aga Khan University Hospital survived. Unlike the reported injuries, calcaneal fractures were most commonly encountered in the survivors.

Adult↗

Conventional terrorist bomb incidents and the intensive care unit.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A terror bombing creates a momentary stress on acute care services, including the emergency medical system, emergency departments, and intensive care units. A knowledge of the progression of events, the anticipated volume of injured survivors, and the pattern of injuries will enable the physician in the intensive care unit to prepare the unit quickly and efficiently for the expected rush of injured survivors. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past 2 years it has become apparent in the medical literature that terror bombing causes more complicated injuries than other types of trauma. The injuries are a combination of blast, penetrating, and blunt trauma, as well as burns. As a result, a significant number of patients will need care in the intensive care unit for a long time. Treating these injuries mandates an understanding of the combination of injury mechanisms because the ideal treatment for one mechanism might cause harm if another coexists. In addition, recent literature delineates the volume of admissions an intensive care unit should anticipate. This information should allow the preparation of sufficient vacant intensive care unit beds and facilitate the efficient use of equipment and personnel. SUMMARY: This review, based on recently published data, aims to provide the intensive care unit physician with crucial information about the anticipated progression of events, the possible numbers of patients, and the nature of their injuries after a terrorist bombing. This information should aid in rational crisis planning.

Adolescent↗

Suicide bombing injuries: the Jerusalem experience of exceptional tissue damage posing a new challenge for the reconstructive surgeon.

BACKGROUND: Suicide bomb injuries vary in form and magnitude. From the onset of the second Palestinian "intifada" in October of 2000 until January of 2004, 577 victims of suicide bombings were admitted to the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. A single bomber carrying a handbag or belt containing multiple metal objects and explosives carried out most of the attacks. As a result, many of the victims suffered massive tissue destruction in addition to conventional blast injuries. METHODS: This article describes the management of this trauma-related "syndrome" of combined primary and high-magnitude secondary blast injury. RESULTS: The management of the extensive soft-tissue damage is described and two representative cases presented. CONCLUSION: Suicide bombing-related injuries in their present form are a true challenge for the reconstructive surgeon.

Adolescent↗