Ultrasonic actuation of a fine-needle improves biopsy yield

Despite the ubiquitous use over the past 150 years, the functions of the current medical needle are facilitated only by mechanical shear and cutting by the needle tip, i.e. the lancet. In this study, we demonstrate how nonlinear ultrasonics (NLU) extends the functionality of the medical needle far beyond its present capability. The NLU actions were found to be localized to the proximity of the needle tip, the SonoLancet, but the effects extend to several millimeters from the physical needle boundary. The observed nonlinear phenomena, transient cavitation, fluid streams, translation of micro- and nanoparticles and atomization, were quantitatively characterized. In the fine-needle biopsy application, the SonoLancet contributed to obtaining tissue cores with an increase in tissue yield by 3-6x in different tissue types compared to conventional needle biopsy technique using the same 21G needle. In conclusion, the SonoLancet could be of interest to several other medical applications, including drug or gene delivery, cell modulation, and minimally invasive surgical procedures.Peer reviewe

Design & control of precision surgical device for otitis media with effusion

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Innovations in cryoconservation of animal genetic resources: SECTION 4 The economics of gene banking:Animal Production and Health Guideline

The livestock sector faces a range of challenges, including climate change, emerging diseases, competition for natural resources and evolving demand for animal-source foods, which is increasing globally, especially in developing countries. Genetic diversity of livestock is a key resource for allowing livestock keepers to address these challenges, but this diversity has been in a state of decline. The diminishing genetic diversity thus represents yet another obstacle for sustainable livestock production. Cryoconservation (i.e. ex situ – in vitro conservation) of genetic resources through gene banking provides one of the most powerful tools governments and other stakeholders have to manage genetic diversity in both the short and long term and thereby provide future generations with the tools to meet the challenges ahead.Gene banking genetic resources fits within the context of the Global Plan of Action forAnimal Genetic Resources, which was developed and adopted by FAO Member Nations.Specifically, Strategic Priority 9 of the Global Plan of Action is “Establish or strengthen ex situ conservation programmes” and Strategic Priority 11 urges countries to “Develop approaches and technical standards for conservation. To assist countries in the implementation the Global Plan of Action, FAO worked with experts from around the world to prepare technical guidelines. In 2012 FAO published FAO Guidelines on Cryoconservation of animal genetic resources.Gene banking is a long-term effort that needs to be viewed in terms of decades rather than years, as demonstrated by similar systems for agricultural crops. The responsibility for establishing such resources lies squarely within governments’ roles of providing public goods and food security. Gene banking of animal genetic resources is a technology-intense undertaking and the associated technologies are in a continual state of research and development. The livestock sector also continues to evolve rapidly. Since the development and release of the previous guidelines, numerous changes have taken place. Critical among these is a greater appreciation of the opportunities for actively utilizing cryopreserved material to enhance management of in vivo populations, rather than as simply an “insurance policy” to protect breeds against extinction.This key development has led to further changes in gene bank management. First, interaction with users of the stored material has increased. This in turn has created a need to involve stakeholders more closely in the management of genetic collections and to better monitor and document the processes of gene banking to ensure quality management.Measures have been developed to help ensure high health and sanitary standards. New models and methods have been proposed for utilization of collections in the management of genetic diversity in vivo. Greater potential demand for stored material has also increased the need for expanded procedures and legal instruments, in some instances, to ensur

Director\u27s report of research in Kansas 2003

This report contains the title, author, and publication information for manuscripts published by station scientists. It also contains a list of the research projects that were active during that period and a financial statement for the fiscal year

A longitudinal study of the experiences and psychological well-being of Indian surrogates

Study question: What is the psychological well-being of Indian surrogates during and after the surrogacy pregnancy? Summary answer: Surrogates were similar to a matched group of expectant mothers on anxiety and stress. However, they scored higher on depression during and after pregnancy. What is known already: The recent ban on trans-national commercial surrogacy in India has led to urgent policy discussions regarding surrogacy. Whilst previous studies have reported the motivations and experiences of Indian surrogates no studies have systematically examined the psychological well-being of Indian surrogates, especially from a longitudinal perspective. Previous research has shown that Indian surrogates are motivated by financial payment and may face criticism from their family and community due to negative social stigma attached to surrogacy. Indian surrogates often recruited by agencies and mainly live together in a “surrogacy house.” Study design, size, duration: A longitudinal study was conducted comparing surrogates to a matched group of expectant mothers over two time points: (a) during pregnancy (Phase1: 50 surrogates, 70 expectant mothers) and (b) 4–6 months after delivery (Phase 2: 45 surrogates, 49 expectant mothers). The Surrogates were recruited from a fertility clinic in Mumbai and the matched comparison group was recruited from four public hospitals in Mumbai and Delhi. Data collection was completed over 2 years. Participants/materials, setting, methods: Surrogates and expectant mothers were aged between 23 and 36 years. All participants were from a low socio-economic background and had left school before 12–13 years of age. In-depth faceto-face semi-structured interviews and a psychological questionnaire assessing anxiety, stress and depression were administered in Hindi to both groups. Interviews took place in a private setting. Audio recordings of surrogate interviews were later translated and transcribed into English. Main results and the role of chance: Stress and anxiety levels did not significantly differ between the two groups for both phases of the study. For depression, surrogates were found to be significantly more depressed than expectant mothers at phase 1 (p = 0.012) and phase 2 (p = 0.017). Within the surrogacy group, stress and depression did not change during and after pregnancy. However, a non-significant trend was found showing that anxiety decreased after delivery (p = 0.086). No participants reported being coerced into surrogacy, however nearly all kept it a secret from their wider family and community and hence did not face criticism. Surrogates lived at the surrogate house for different durations. During pregnancy, 66% (N = 33/50) reported their experiences of the surrogate house as positive, 24% (N = 12/50) as negative and 10% (N = 5/50) as neutral. After delivery, most surrogates (66%, N = 30/45) reported their experiences of surrogacy to be positive, with the remainder viewing it as neutral (28%) or negative (4%). In addition, most (66%, N = 30/45) reported that they had felt “socially supported and loved” during the surrogacy arrangement by friends in the surrogate hostel, clinic staff or family. Most surrogates did not meet the intending parents (49%, N = 22/45) or the resultant child (75%, N = 34/45). Limitations, reasons for caution: Since the surrogates were recruited from only one clinic, the findings may not be representative of all Indian surrogates. Some were lost to follow-up which may have produced sampling bias. Wider implications of the findings: This is the first study to examine the psychological well-being of surrogates in India. This research is of relevance to current policy discussions in India regarding legislation on surrogacy. Moreover, the findings are of relevance to clinicians, counselors and other professionals involved in surrogacy. Trial registration number: N/A

Disseksjon av vitellogenins molekylære egenskaper : et protein med funksjoner i grenseflaten mellom sosial adferd og aldring

Vitellogenin is a central honey bee (Apis mellifera) life-history regulator. This thesis represents an initiative to study this protein, which affects aging and task-division of the bees, at the molecular level. I have used, among others, molecular modeling, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance techniques to understand the structure and properties of vitellogenin. In addition to the three experimental papers of this thesis, vitellogenin is discussed from the molecular viewpoint in two invited publications (Papers II-III). The studies have resulted in more detailed understanding of the structural organization of the protein and its modifications: the novel findings include the cleavage of honey bee vitellogenin at a phosphorylated polyserine linker site, and the ability of the protein to bind to membranes and to interact with Escherichia coli. Thus, this vitellogenin study exceeds its primary molecular scope, and provides a new perspective on the protein as a membrane-active factor in bee physiology. Since little is known of the detailed molecular properties of insect vitellogenins in general and honey bee vitellogenin in particular, the thesis also contributes towards expanding vitellogenin molecular biology beyond the more studied vertebrate vitellogenins.Vitellogenin er et sentralt protein i reguleringen av livsutviklingen hos honningbie (Apis mellifera). Dette proteinet påvirker aldring og oppgavefordeling hos bier, og avhandlingen er en studie av proteinet på molekylært nivå. Jeg har blant annet brukt molekylær modellering, kjernemagnetisk resonans spektroskopi og en teknikk for å måle overflateplasmonresonans (surface plasmon resonance) for å forstå strukturen og egenskapene til vitellogenin. I tillegg til de tre eksperimentelle artiklene i denne avhandlingen er vitellogenin diskutert fra et molekylært synspunkt i to inviterte publikasjoner (Papers II-III). Studiene har resultert i en økt forståelse av den strukturelle oppbygning av proteinet og dets modifikasjoner. Blant viktige funn i avhandlingen kan det nevnes at vitellogenin blir spaltet på et fosforylert polyserin-linker sted, at det binder seg til membraner og at det interagerer med Escherichia coli. Denne studiens omfang dekker dermed mer enn det primært molekylære, og gir nye perspektiv på proteiner som en membran-aktiv faktor i biefysiologi. Detaljert kjennskap om de molekylære egenskapene til vitellogenin hos insekter, og hos honningbie spesielt, er mangelfull, og denne avhandlingen gir derfor et bidrag til å utvide kunnskapen om molekylærbiologien til vitellogenin utover de mer studerte vitellogeninene hos vertebrater

Patterns of injury and violence in Yaoundé Cameroon: an analysis of hospital data.

BackgroundInjuries are quickly becoming a leading cause of death globally, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where reports on the epidemiology of injuries are extremely limited. Reports on the patterns and frequency of injuries are available from Cameroon are also scarce. This study explores the patterns of trauma seen at the emergency ward of the busiest trauma center in Cameroon's capital city.Materials and methodsAdministrative records from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed; information on age, gender, mechanism of injury, and outcome was abstracted for all trauma patients presenting to the emergency ward. Univariate analysis was performed to assess patterns of injuries in terms of mechanism, date, age, and gender. Bivariate analysis was used to explore potential relationships between demographic variables and mechanism of injury.ResultsA total of 6,234 injured people were seen at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé's emergency ward during the year 2007. Males comprised 71% of those injured, and the mean age of injured patients was 29 years (SD = 14.9). Nearly 60% of the injuries were due to road traffic accidents, 46% of which involved a pedestrian. Intentional injuries were the second most common mechanism of injury (22.5%), 55% of which involved unarmed assault. Patients injured in falls were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (p < 0.001), whereas patients suffering intentional injuries and bites were less likely to be hospitalized (p < 0.001). Males were significantly more likely to be admitted than females (p < 0.001)DiscussionPatterns in terms of age, gender, and mechanism of injury are similar to reports from other countries from the same geographic region, but the magnitude of cases reported is high for a single institution in an African city the size of Yaoundé. As the burden of disease is predicted to increase dramatically in sub-Saharan Africa, immediate efforts in prevention and treatment in Cameroon are strongly warranted

The 26th Annual Boston University Undergraduate Research (UROP) Abstracts

The file is available to be viewed by anyone in the BU community. To view the file, click on "Login" or the Person icon top-right with your BU Kerberos password. You will then be able to see an option to View.Abstracts for the 2023 UROP Symposium, held at Boston University on October 20, 2023 at GSU Metcalf Ballroom. Cover and logo design by Morgan Danna. Booklet compiled by Molly Power

Life Sciences Program Tasks and Bibliography for FY 1997

This document includes information on all peer reviewed projects funded by the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, Life Sciences Division during fiscal year 1997. This document will be published annually and made available to scientists in the space life sciences field both as a hard copy and as an interactive internet web page