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Continued expansion of an artificial space-occupying lesion produced further increases in mean supratentorial and infratentorial pressures associated with increases in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and systemic vascular resistance—the `Cushing' or systemic hypertensive response. These primary changes resulted in an increase in transtentorial pressure gradient and a decrease in arrhythmia index. Immediately before the onset of the systemic hypertensive response, supratentorial perfusion pressure was low, and the period of systemic hypertension did not appear to produce any worthwhile improvement in the perfusion pressure or in the blood flow in the supratentorial compartment. The studies demonstrated also that the systemic hypertensive response was a pre-terminal event and was followed rapidly by circulatory failure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper details the results of experimental studies, on 16 dogs with artificially-induced intracranial space-occupying lesions, of the systemic vascular responses and the intracranial pressure changes (both in the supratentorial and infratentorial compartments) induced by increasing intracranial pressure. The changes produced were divided into two phases such that phase 1 detailed the alterations observed from the start of the balloon inflation up to the initiation of the systemic pressor response. Phase 2 recorded those alterations which occurred during, and immediately after, the period of systemic hypertension (see Fitch et al., 1977). The changes observed during phase 1, and presented in this communication, were those of increasing intracranial pressures and decreasing mean arterial pressure and heart rate. These alterations were associated with decreases in supratentorial perfusion pressure and increases in transtentorial pressure gradient and arrhythmia index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the consistency of estimates of the number of justifiable homicides committed by US police officers and identified sources of underreporting. METHODS: The number of justifiable homicides committed by police officers between 1976 and 1998 was estimated from supplementary homicide report (SHR) and National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) mortality data. RESULTS: Nationally, the SHR estimate was 29% larger than the NVSS estimate. However, in most states this pattern was reversed, with more deaths reported in the NVSS. CONCLUSIONS: Both systems underreport, but for different reasons. The NVSS misclassifies cases as homicides, rather than justifiable homicides committed by police officers, because certifiers fail to mention police involvement. The SHR misses cases because some jurisdictions fail to file reports or omit justifiable homicides committed by police officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an evaluation of the effect of implementing a law adopted in 1976 in the District of Columbia on the frequency of homicides and suicides. The law banned the sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians. Methods; Statistics; Results; Discussion.