Evaluation of ISO CRS Envelopes Relative to U.S. Vehicles and Child Restraint Systems

<div><p><b>Objectives</b>: The objectives of this study are to use computer simulation to evaluate the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 13216-3:2006(E) child restraint system (CRS) envelopes relative to rear seat compartments from vehicles and CRSs in the U.S. market, investigate the potential compatibility issues of U.S. vehicles and CRSs, and demonstrate whether necessary modifications can be made to introduce such a system into compatibility evaluations between U.S. vehicles and CRSs.</p><p><b>Methods</b>: Three-dimensional geometry models for 26 vehicles and 16 convertible CRS designs developed previously were used. Geometry models of 3 forward-facing and 3 rear-facing CRS envelopes provided by the ISO were built in the current study. The virtual fit process closely followed the physical procedures described in the ISO standards.</p><p><b>Results</b>: The results showed that the current ISO rear-facing envelopes can provide reasonable classifications for CRSs and vehicles, but the forward-facing envelopes do not represent products currently in the U.S. market. In particular, all of the selected vehicles could accommodate the largest forward-facing CRS envelope at the second-row seat location behind the driver seat. In contrast, half of the selected CRSs could not fit within any of the forward-facing ISO CRS envelopes, mainly due to protrusion at the rear-top corner of the envelope. The results also indicate that the rear seat compartment in U.S. vehicles often cannot accommodate a large portion of convertible CRSs in the rear-facing position. The increased demand for vehicle fuel economy and the recommendation to keep children rear-facing longer may lead to smaller cars and larger CRSs, which may increase the potential for fit problems.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>: The virtual classifications indicated that contact between the forward-facing CRSs and the head restraints in the rear seats as well as that between the rear-facing CRSs and the back of the front seats is a main concern regarding the compatibility between the vehicles and the CRSs. Therefore, modification of the current ISO forward-facing CRS envelopes will likely to be necessary to ensure that they are useful for the U.S. market.</p></div

Predictive Value of XPD Polymorphisms on Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>The correlation between xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) polymorphisms (Lys751Gln and Asp312Asn) and clinical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, who received platinum-based chemotherapy (Pt-chemotherapy), is still inconclusive. This meta-analysis was aimed to systematically review published evidence and ascertain the exact role of XPD polymorphisms.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up to April 2013 to identify eligible studies. A rigorous quality assessment of eligible studies was conducted according the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scales. The relationship between XPD polymorphisms and response to Pt-chemotherapy and survival was analyzed.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 22 eligible studies were included and analyzed in this meta-analysis. The overall analysis suggested that the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism was not associated with response to Pt-chemotherapy or survival. However, the XPD 312Asn allele was significantly associated with poor response to Pt-chemotherapy compared with the Asp312 allele (Asn vs. Asp: OR = 0.435, 95% CI: 0.261–0.726). Additionally, the variant genotype of XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism was associated with favorable survival in Caucasian (AspAsn vs. AspAsp: HR = 0.781, 95% CI: 0.619–0.986) but unfavorable survival in Asian (AspAsn+AsnAsn vs. AspAsp: HR = 1.550, 95% CI: 1.038–2.315).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>These results suggest that XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism may function as a predictive biomarker on platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC and further studies are warranted.</p></div

A Simulation Study on the Efficacy of Advanced Belt Restraints to Mitigate the Effects of Obesity for Rear-Seat Occupant Protection in Frontal Crashes

<div><p><b>Objective:</b> Recent field data analyses have shown that the safety advantages of rear seats relative to the front seats have decreased in newer vehicles. Separately, the risks of certain injuries have been found to be higher for obese occupants. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of advanced belt features on the protection of rear-seat occupants with a range of body mass index (BMI) in frontal crashes.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> Whole-body finite element human models with 4 BMI levels (25, 30, 35, and 40 kg/m²) developed previously were used in this study. A total of 52 frontal crash simulations were conducted, including 4 simulations with a standard rear-seat, 3-point belt and 48 simulations with advanced belt features. The parameters varied in the simulations included BMI, load limit, anchor pretensioner, and lap belt routing relative to the pelvis. The injury measurements analyzed in this study included head and hip excursions, normalized chest deflection, and torso angle (defined as the angle between the hip–shoulder line and the vertical direction). Analyses of covariance were used to test the significance (<i>P</i> <.05) of the results.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Higher BMI was associated with greater head and hip excursions and larger normalized chest deflection. Higher belt routing increased the hip excursion and torso angle, which indicates a higher submarining risk, whereas the anchor pretensioner reduced hip excursion and torso angle. Lower load limits decreased the normalized chest deflection but increased the head excursion. Normalized chest deflection had a positive correlation with maximum torso angle. Occupants with higher BMI have to use higher load limits to reach head excursions similar to those in lower BMI occupants.</p><p><b>Discussion and Conclusion:</b> The simulation results suggest that optimizing load limiter and adding pretensioner(s) can reduce injury risks associated with obesity, but conflicting effects on head and chest injuries were observed. This study demonstrated the feasibility and importance of using human models to investigate protection for occupants with various BMI levels. A seat belt system capable of adapting to occupant size and body shape will improve protection for obese occupants in rear seats.</p></div

Meta-analysis results about XPD polymorphisms and response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

<p>OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence intervals; Phet, p value of heterogeneity; GP, gemcitabine-platinum based chemotherapy;</p>*<p>significant difference.</p

Baseline characteristics of included studies.

<p>Age is presented as median and range;</p>*<p>data were extracted from the training.</p

Association of XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism with response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

<p>This forest was estimated with allele comparison (Asn vs. Asp).</p

The influence of personal protection equipment, occupant body size, and restraint system on the frontal impact responses of Hybrid III ATDs in tactical vehicles

<p><b>Objective</b>: Although advanced restraint systems, such as seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, can provide improved occupant protection in crashes, such technologies are currently not utilized in military vehicles. The design and use of military vehicles presents unique challenges to occupant safety—including differences in compartment geometry and occupant clothing and gear—that make direct application of optimal civilian restraint systems to military vehicles inappropriate. For military vehicle environments, finite element (FE) modeling can be used to assess various configurations of restraint systems and determine the optimal configuration that minimizes injury risk to the occupant. The models must, however, be validated against physical tests before implementation. The objective of this study was therefore to provide the data necessary for FE model validation by conducting sled tests using anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs). A secondary objective of this test series was to examine the influence of occupant body size (5th percentile female, 50th percentile male, and 95th percentile male), military gear (helmet/vest/tactical assault panels), seat belt type (3-point and 5-point), and advanced seat belt technologies (pretensioner and load limiter) on occupant kinematics and injury risk in frontal crashes.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: In total, 20 frontal sled tests were conducted using a custom sled buck that was reconfigurable to represent both the driver and passenger compartments of a light tactical military vehicle. Tests were performed at a delta-V of 30 mph and a peak acceleration of 25 <i>g</i>. The sled tests used the Hybrid III 5th percentile female, 50th percentile male, and 95th percentile male ATDs outfitted with standard combat boots and advanced combat helmets. In some tests, the ATDs were outfitted with additional military gear, which included an improved outer tactical vest (IOTV), IOTV and squad automatic weapon (SAW) gunner with a tactical assault panel (TAP), or IOTV and rifleman with TAP. ATD kinematics and injury outcomes were determined for each test.</p> <p><b>Results</b>: Maximum excursions were generally greater in the 95th percentile male compared to the 50th percentile male ATD and in ATDs wearing TAP compared to ATDs without TAP. Pretensioners and load limiters were effective in decreasing excursions and injury measures, even when the ATD was outfitted in military gear.</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b>: ATD injury response and kinematics are influenced by the size of the ATD, military gear, and restraint system. This study has provided important data for validating FE models of military occupants, which can be used for design optimization of military vehicle restraint systems.</p

Additional file 1 of Genetic insights into the association of statin and newer nonstatin drug target genes with human longevity: a Mendelian randomization analysis

Additional file 1: Table S1. The STROBE statement guideline checklist of this study

XRCC3 Thr241Met Is Associated with Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy but Not Survival in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

<div><p>Background</p><p>A lot of studies have investigated the correlation between x-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) Thr241Met polymorphism and clinical outcomes in non-small cell cancer (NSCLC), while the conclusion is still conflicting.</p><p>Materials and Methods</p><p>We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the predictive value of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism on response and overall survival of patients with NSCLC. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to estimate the association strength.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 14 eligible studies with 2828 patients were identified according to our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis results showed that carriers of the variant 241Met allele were significantly associated with good response, compared with those harboring the wild 241Thr allele (Met vs. Thr, OR = 1.453, 95% CI: 1.116–1.892, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.968 and ThrMet+MetMet vs. ThrThr, OR = 1.476, 95% CI: 1.087–2.004, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.696). This significant association was observed in Caucasian population but not in Asian population. On the other hand, there was no significant association of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism with survival (ThrMet+MetMet vs. ThrThr, HR = 1.082, 95% CI: 0.929–1.261, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.564), and there was no difference between Asian and Caucasian population.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>These findings suggest a predictive role of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism on response to platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Additionally, we first report that the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism is associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy and highlights the prognostic value of the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism.</p></div

Forest plot of the comparison of Mer vs. Thr for response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

<p>OR = 1.453, 95% CI: 1.116–1.892, p = 0.968 for heterogeneity.</p