Tasers

Dyer, O.

doi:10.1136/bmj.h6070

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…The Zika virus (ZIKV), an enveloped virus of the flaviviridae family with a single stranded RNA genome [1,2] and about 90 nm of diameter, was first identified in 1947 in Uganda, [3] since then, the virus is no longer endemic to Africa but has produced a number of epidemics world wide, most recently in 2007 in Micronesia, [4] 2013 in the French Polynesia, [5] and 2016 in the Americas, affecting mainly the Caribbean nations and South America, but reaching as far north as the southern states of the United States (Florida and Texas). [6][7][8] The virus is transmitted to humans from bites of the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes [9][10][11] and produces Zika fever and neurodegenerative disorders such as the GuillainÀ Barre syndrome and microcephaly in newborn babies if the mothers are infected during gestation. [12,13] Despite the grave consequences of acquiring the virus, the long time elapsed since its identification, and the large number of reported cases during the epidemics, Zika fever and its associated syndromes have been classified as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and thus, sadly, no vaccines have been developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial Recognition and Attachment of the Zika Virus to Host Cells: A Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Interaction Approach

et al. 2022

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The zika virus (ZIKV), transmitted to humans from the bites of Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes produces Zika fever and neurodegenerative disorders that despite affecting millions of people, most recently in Africa and the Americas, has been declared a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. In this work, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations followed by rigorous analysis of the intermolecular interactions reveal crucial aspects of the initial virus⋯cell molecular recognition and attachment, events that trigger the infectious cycle. Previous experimental studies have shown that Dermatan Sulfate (DS) and Chondroitin Sulfate A (CSA), two glycosaminoglycans which are actually epimers to each other and that are structural constituents of receptors expressed in cell membranes, are the preferred anchorage sites, with a marked preference for DS. Our calculations rationalize this preference from a molecular perspective as follows: when free of the virus, DS has one sulfate group that does not participate in intramolecular strong hydrogen bonds, thus, it is readily available to interact with the envelope protein of the virus (Zika−E), then, after formation of the complexes, Zika−E⋯DS exhibits ten strong salt brides connecting the two fragments against only six salt bridges and two hydrogen bonds in Zika−E⋯CSA. Our results complement the current view of the interaction between the virus and the receptor glycosoaminoglycans revealing that the negatively charged carboxylate groups in CSA and DS are just as important as the sulfates because of the formation of equally strong salt bridges with the positively charged Arginine and Lysine aminoacids in the envelope protein of the virus.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial Recognition and Attachment of the Zika Virus to Host Cells: A Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Interaction Approach

et al. 2022

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“…1,4 The taser CEW was developed in the US and is currently, as in many other countries, part of basic police equipment. 4,5 Several types of taser CEWs exist (eTable 1 in the Supplement) as do different deployment methods. Such CEWs can be used in 2 ways: either by firing a barbed dart or by using the stun mode.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first option produces an electric current that causes muscle contraction, leading to a temporary incapacitation of the victim, and the second option provokes physical discomfort/pain. 1,4,5 Currently, CEWs are used broadly as a less-lethal force option for police, but their use has been controversial from the early stages of production and their safety has been a subject of debate in both the media 6,7 and scientific community. 8 Despite the increasing availability of CEWs within the police force internationally, there is no clear picture of possible adverse health outcomes on the basis of rigorously assessed scientific evidence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Swift electronic rifle) refers to a specific type of CEW, produced by Axon Enterprise Inc (formerly TASER International Inc) . The taser CEW was developed in the US and is currently, as in many other countries, part of basic police equipment . Several types of taser CEWs exist (eTable 1 in the Supplement) as do different deployment methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human Health Risks of Conducted Electrical Weapon Exposure

et al. 2021

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IMPORTANCE Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) are used broadly as a less-lethal force option for police officers. However, there is no clear picture of the possible health risks in humans on the basis of rigorously assessed scientific evidence from the international peer-reviewed literature. OBJECTIVE To synthesize and systematically evaluate the strength of published evidence for an association between exposure to different models of CEWs and adverse acute as well as chronic conditions. EVIDENCE REVIEW Following a preregistered review protocol, the literature search strategy was based on a search of reviews published between January 1, 2000, and April 24, 2020, of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library, as well as relevant online databases and bibliographic sources, such as reference sections of recent publications. The identified studies were independently assessed in terms of scope, relevance, methodologic bias, and quality. Peer-reviewed publications of human studies were included, using original data and with a focus on the use of taser CEWs in the context of law enforcement. Eligible studies examined clearly defined health outcomes as dependent variables following exposure to a CEW. The review followed the relevant sections of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline. A meta-analysis could not be conducted. FINDINGS Of the 1081 unique records screened, 33 relevant studies were identified, all of them of experimental design and conducted in the US. Eleven studies had a low risk of bias and 22 had a higher bias risk. Studies focused on outcomes such as physiologic stress responses, heart rate, blood pressure, arrhythmias, or cognitive performance. Independently of bias risk, the studies reported few or no acute health problems, apart from the wounds caused by the darts. Furthermore, no longterm outcomes were studied. Most of the studies were performed on healthy, physically fit individuals (eg, police officers) in a controlled setting, with short exposure duration (5 seconds). Half of the studies, mainly those with a higher risk of bias, were at least partly funded by the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Based on the findings of the reviewed studies, the risk for adverse health outcomes due to CEW exposure can be currently estimated as low. However, most of the reviewed studies had methodologic limitations. Considering that recruited participants were not representative of the population that usually encounters a CEW deployment, it is not possible to draw conclusions regarding exposure outcomes in potentially vulnerable populations or high-risk groups, such as those under the influence of substances.

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“…People who SH and are detained in this way therefore constitute a vulnerable group who may be at increased risk of injury and death (IPPC 2008). In recent years, a new technology has entered the detainment process, Tazers, which are hand held conducted electrical weapons (Dyer 2015) and in the rare instances where the police actually discharged Tazers, 67% of subjects were identified as mentally ill (The Justice Gap 2015).…”

Section: Role Of Police and Detention In The Care Of People Who Shmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paramedics’ perceptions of caring for those who self-harm: A Qualitative Study

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Tasers

Abstract: Tasers are increasingly being used by UK police yet recent studies suggest the health risks are greater than previously thought. Owen Dyer reports

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Initial Recognition and Attachment of the Zika Virus to Host Cells: A Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Interaction Approach

Initial Recognition and Attachment of the Zika Virus to Host Cells: A Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Interaction Approach

Human Health Risks of Conducted Electrical Weapon Exposure

Paramedics’ perceptions of caring for those who self-harm: A Qualitative Study

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