Effects of insertion speed and trocar stiffness on the accuracy of needle position for brachytherapy

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135125/1/mp9812.pd

Precision grid and hand motion for accurate needle insertion in brachytherapy

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98741/1/MPH004749.pd

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Design, Construction, and Testing of a Folding-Wing, Tube-Launched Micro Air Vehicle

This paper documents the development and testing of a flexible, folding-wing micro air vehicle (MAV) prototype. The ultimate role of this concept is intended to be over-the-hill, real-time reconnaissance. Its folding wing design allows it to be stored in a compact tube of approximately 60mm in diameter and launched from the ground (from a handheld grenade launcher or mortar, for example). The proof-of-concept prototype constructed during this effort was not remotely piloted; it was designed to fly a controlled spiral glide back to the launch site after release. To demonstrate the release of the MAV, unfolding of the wings, and transition to stable descending flight, a model rocket was used as a carrier vehicle to provide altitude for test flights. Included in this paper is a description of the concept development, design, construction and testing of the MAV, along with an analysis of the results and a discussion of the lessons learned during the design of this vehicle

Effect of chamomile intake on blood coagulation tests in healthy volunteers: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

Abstract Background Chamomile is consumed worldwide for enjoyment and its potentially desirable properties. Widespread patient resource websites, however, discourage preoperative chamomile intake, lest bleeding could worsen. This precaution, though, stems largely from indirect evidence in one case report. To evaluate if chamomile ingestion impacts coagulation assays via coumarin-like substances, we designed a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Materials and methods Healthy volunteers were randomized to three interventions in a cross-over-design spanning 5 weeks per subject. Interventions included 7-day consumption of chamomile tea (3 tea bags × 3 times daily = 9 tea bags daily), a chamomile extract capsule (3 times daily), or a placebo capsule (3 times daily). A 7-day washout period elapsed between intervention periods. The primary outcome was the change in prothrombin time (PT) before vs. after each intervention. Secondary outcomes included changes in the international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), reptilase time (RT), and fibrinogen (FG) surrounding each intervention. Results All 12 enrolled subjects were randomized and completed the study. The primary outcome of PT change (mean ± SD) was similar across interventions (chamomile tea =  − 0.2 ± 0.4 s, extract capsule =  − 0.2 ± 0.4 s, and placebo capsule = 0.1 ± 0.5 s; p = 0.34). INR change was 0 s (p = 0.07) for each intervention. The aPTT, TT, RT, and FG, did not change significantly across interventions (p = 0.8, p = 0.08, p = 0.8, and p = 0.2 respectively). Conclusions Chamomile intake by tea or capsule does not prolong PT. These findings challenge the notion to avoid perioperative chamomile intake in patients not taking warfarin. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05006378; Principal Investigator: Jonathon Schwartz, M.D.; Registered August 16, 2021

Conditional Deletion of Focal Adhesion Kinase Leads to Defects in Ventricular Septation and Outflow Tract Alignment▿ †

To examine a role for focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in cardiac morphogenesis, we generated a line of mice with a conditional deletion of FAK in nkx2-5-expressing cells (herein termed FAKnk mice). FAKnk mice died shortly after birth, likely resulting from a profound subaortic ventricular septal defect and associated malalignment of the outflow tract. Additional less penetrant phenotypes included persistent truncus arteriosus and thickened valve leaflets. Thus, conditional inactivation of FAK in nkx2-5-expressing cells leads to the most common congenital heart defect that is also a subset of abnormalities associated with tetralogy of Fallot and the DiGeorge syndrome. No significant differences in proliferation or apoptosis between control and FAKnk hearts were observed. However, decreased myocardialization was observed for the conal ridges of the proximal outflow tract in FAKnk hearts. Interestingly, chemotaxis was significantly attenuated in isolated FAK-null cardiomyocytes in comparison to genetic controls, and these effects were concomitant with reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of Crk-associated substrate (CAS). Thus, it is possible that ventricular septation and appropriate outflow tract alignment is dependent, at least in part, upon FAK-dependent CAS activation and subsequent induction of polarized myocyte movement into the conal ridges. Future studies will be necessary to determine the precise contributions of the additional nkx2-5-derived lineages to the phenotypes observed