Enhancing Research Through Image Analysis Workshops: Experiences and Best Practices.

Modern microscopy systems allow researchers to generate large volumes of image data with relative ease. However, the challenge of analyzing these data effectively is often hindered by a lack of computational skills. This bottleneck negatively impacts both research reproducibility and efficiency, as researchers frequently rely on manual or semi-automated analysis methods.

Epi-microRNA mediated metabolic reprogramming counteracts hypoxia to preserve affinity maturation.

To increase antibody affinity against pathogens, positively selected GC-B cells initiate cell division in the light zone (LZ) of germinal centers (GCs). Among these, higher-affinity clones migrate to the dark zone (DZ) and vigorously proliferate by utilizing energy provided by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, it remains unknown how positively selected GC-B cells adapt their metabolism for cell division in the glycolysis-dominant, cell cycle arrest-inducing, hypoxic LZ microenvironment.

Zebrafish reveal new roles for Fam83f in hatching and the DNA damage-mediated autophagic response.

The FAM83 (ily with sequence similarity ) family is highly conserved in vertebrates, but little is known of the functions of these proteins beyond their association with oncogenesis. Of the family, FAM83F is of particular interest because it is the only membrane-targeted FAM83 protein. When overexpressed, FAM83F activates the canonical Wnt signalling pathway and binds to and stabilizes p53; it therefore interacts with two pathways often dysregulated in disease.

Strong bottom currents in large, deep Lake Geneva generated by higher vertical-mode Poincaré waves.

Although internal seiches are ubiquitous in large, deep lakes, little is known about the effect of higher vertical-mode seiches on deepwater dynamics. Here, by combining entire summer season current and temperature observations and 3D numerical modeling, we demonstrate that previously undetected vertical mode-two and mode-three Poincaré waves in 309-meter deep Lake Geneva (Switzerland/France) generate bottom-boundary layer currents up to 4 cm s. Poincaré wave amphidromic patterns revealed three strong cells excited simultaneously.

Natural Burial: An Exploratory Study of Attitudes and Practices Among Funeral Directors in the US.

The market for natural burial has increased for a variety of reasons including positions on environmental and sustainability issues, religious and spiritual considerations, and cost. While there is growing research on popular perceptions from potential consumers, very little is known about the industry actors, institutions, and structures that support natural burial practices. This study examines the knowledge, impressions, attitudes, and practices pertaining to natural burial among funeral directors through a multi-state, anonymous survey ( = 346).

Investigating the effects of synbiotic supplementation on functional movement, strength and muscle health in older Australians: a study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Aging has been associated with a progressive loss of skeletal muscle quality, quantity and strength, which may result in a condition known as sarcopenia, leading to a decline in physical performance, loss of independence and reduced quality of life. While the cause of impaired physical functioning observed in elderly populations appears to be multifactorial, recent evidence suggests that age-associated alterations in gut microbiota could be a contributing factor. The primary objective will be to assess the effects of a dietary synbiotic formulation on sarcopenia-related functional outcomes such as handgrip strength, gait speed and physical performance within older individuals living independently.

Automated staging of zebrafish embryos with deep learning.

The zebrafish () is an important biomedical model organism used in many disciplines. The phenomenon of developmental delay in zebrafish embryos has been widely reported as part of a mutant or treatment-induced phenotype. However, the detection and quantification of these delays is often achieved through manual observation, which is both time-consuming and subjective.

Bridging imaging users to imaging analysis - A community survey.

The 'Bridging Imaging Users to Imaging Analysis' survey was conducted in 2022 by the Center for Open Bioimage Analysis (COBA), BioImaging North America (BINA) and the Royal Microscopical Society Data Analysis in Imaging Section (RMS DAIM) to understand the needs of the imaging community. Through multichoice and open-ended questions, the survey inquired about demographics, image analysis experiences, future needs and suggestions on the role of tool developers and users. Participants of the survey were from diverse roles and domains of the life and physical sciences.

Automated staging of zebrafish embryos using machine learning.

The zebrafish ( ), is an important biomedical model organism used in many disciplines, including development, disease modeling and toxicology, to better understand vertebrate biology. The phenomenon of developmental delay in zebrafish embryos has been widely reported as part of a mutant or treatment-induced phenotype, and accurate characterization of such delays is imperative. Despite this, the only way at present to identify and quantify these delays is through manual observation, which is both time-consuming and subjective.

Epi-microRNA mediated metabolic reprogramming ensures affinity maturation.

To increase antibody affinity against pathogens, positively selected GC-B cells initiate cell division in the light zone (LZ) of germinal centres (GCs). Among those, higher-affinity clones migrate to the dark zone (DZ) and vigorously proliferate by relying on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, it remains unknown how positively selected GC-B cells adapt their metabolism for cell division in the glycolysis-dominant, cell cycle arrest-inducing, hypoxic LZ microenvironment.

Bridging Imaging Users to Imaging Analysis - A community survey.

The "Bridging Imaging Users to Imaging Analysis" survey was conducted in 2022 by the Center for Open Bioimage Analysis (COBA), Bioimaging North America (BINA), and the Royal Microscopical Society Data Analysis in Imaging Section (RMS DAIM) to understand the needs of the imaging community. Through multi-choice and open-ended questions, the survey inquired about demographics, image analysis experiences, future needs, and suggestions on the role of tool developers and users. Participants of the survey were from diverse roles and domains of the life and physical sciences.

WNK1 collaborates with TGF-β in endothelial cell junction turnover and angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is essential for growth of new blood vessels, remodeling existing vessels, and repair of damaged vessels, and these require reorganization of endothelial cell-cell junctions through a partial endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Homozygous disruption of the gene encoding the protein kinase WNK1 results in lethality in mice near embryonic day (E) 12 due to impaired angiogenesis. This angiogenesis defect can be rescued by endothelial-specific expression of an activated form of the WNK1 substrate kinase OSR1.

American Board of Emergency Medicine Report on Residency and Fellowship Training Information (2021-2022).

The American Board of Emergency Medicine gathers extensive background information on the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited emergency medicine residency and fellowship programs, as well as the residents and fellows training in those programs. We present the 2022 annual report on the status of physicians training in Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited emergency medicine training programs in the United States.

GIANI - open-source software for automated analysis of 3D microscopy images.

The study of cellular and developmental processes in physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) systems facilitates an understanding of mechanisms underlying cell fate, disease and injury. While cutting-edge microscopy technologies permit the routine acquisition of 3D datasets, there is currently a limited number of open-source software packages to analyse such images. Here, we describe General Image Analysis of Nuclei-based Images (GIANI; https://djpbarry.

CD33 Expression on Peripheral Blood Monocytes Predicts Efficacy of Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has transformed cancer medicine, with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy now well-utilized for treating NSCLC. Still, not all patients with NSCLC respond positively to anti-PD-1 therapy, and some patients acquire resistance to treatment.

RASSF8-mediated transport of Echinoid via the exocyst promotes Drosophila wing elongation and epithelial ordering.

Cell-cell junctions are dynamic structures that maintain cell cohesion and shape in epithelial tissues. During development, junctions undergo extensive rearrangements to drive the epithelial remodelling required for morphogenesis. This is particularly evident during axis elongation, where neighbour exchanges, cell-cell rearrangements and oriented cell divisions lead to large-scale alterations in tissue shape.

MICAL2 enhances branched actin network disassembly by oxidizing Arp3B-containing Arp2/3 complexes.

The mechanisms regulating the disassembly of branched actin networks formed by the Arp2/3 complex still remain to be fully elucidated. In addition, the impact of Arp3 isoforms on the properties of Arp2/3 are also unexplored. We now demonstrate that Arp3 and Arp3B isocomplexes promote actin assembly equally efficiently but generate branched actin networks with different disassembly rates.

A FIJI macro for quantifying pattern in extracellular matrix.

Diverse extracellular matrix patterns are observed in both normal and pathological tissue. However, most current tools for quantitative analysis focus on a single aspect of matrix patterning. Thus, an automated pipeline that simultaneously quantifies a broad range of metrics and enables a comprehensive description of varied matrix patterns is needed.

Fission yeast condensin contributes to interphase chromatin organization and prevents transcription-coupled DNA damage.

Background: Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes are central organizers of chromatin architecture throughout the cell cycle. The SMC family member condensin is best known for establishing long-range chromatin interactions in mitosis. These compact chromatin and create mechanically stable chromosomes.

Creating a Practice-Based Implementation Network: Facilitating Practice Change Across Health Care Systems.

A proof-of-concept practice-based implementation network was developed in the US Departments of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Defense to increase the speed of implementation of mental health practices, derive lessons learned prior to larger-scale implementation, and facilitate organizational learning. One hundred thirty-four clinicians in 18 VA clinics received brief training in the use of the PTSD checklist (PCL) in clinical care. Two implementation strategies, external facilitation and technical assistance, were used to encourage the use of outcomes data to inform treatment decisions and increase discussion of results with patients.

Mitigation of impact of a major benzene spill into a river through flow control and in-situ activated carbon absorption.

Benzene is a toxic contaminant and can harm many aquatic species and cause serious damages to the river eco-system, if released to rivers. In 2012, a major spill accident occurred on the Huaihe River in Eastern China with 3 tons of benzene released to the river section 70 km upstream of a natural reserve. Two emergency measures were taken to minimize the impact of the accident on the natural reserve: 1) flow control by adjusting upstream sluices to delay the arrival of the contaminant plume at the reserve and 2) in-situ treatment using activated carbons to reduce the contaminant concentration.

Performance Enhancement Assessment and Coaching in US Army Special Operations: Rapidly Enhancing Performance Through Targeted, Tailored Feedback.

Background: Performance enhancement coaching poses significant benefits to individuals and organizations, such as improved job satisfaction and goal achievement. Given their training and experience in assessment and feedback, operational psychologists assigned to Special Operations units are uniquely positioned to provide performance enhancement coaching tailored to Operators and enablers. A preliminary program evaluation was conducted of the Performance Enhancement Assessment and Coaching (PEAC) Program.

Molecular determinants of nephron vascular specialization in the kidney.

Although kidney parenchymal tissue can be generated in vitro, reconstructing the complex vasculature of the kidney remains a daunting task. The molecular pathways that specify and sustain functional, phenotypic and structural heterogeneity of the kidney vasculature are unknown. Here, we employ high-throughput bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing of the non-lymphatic endothelial cells (ECs) of the kidney to identify the molecular pathways that dictate vascular zonation from embryos to adulthood.