The Molecular Twin artificial-intelligence platform integrates multi-omic data to predict outcomes for pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.

Contemporary analyses focused on a limited number of clinical and molecular biomarkers have been unable to accurately predict clinical outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Here we describe a precision medicine platform known as the Molecular Twin consisting of advanced machine-learning models and use it to analyze a dataset of 6,363 clinical and multi-omic molecular features from patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to accurately predict disease survival (DS). We show that a full multi-omic model predicts DS with the highest accuracy and that plasma protein is the top single-omic predictor of DS.

Comparative musculoskeletal anatomy of chameleon limbs, with implications for the evolution of arboreal locomotion in lizards and for teratology.

Chameleon species have recently been adopted as models for evo-devo and macroevolutionary processes. However, most anatomical and developmental studies of chameleons focus on the skeleton, and information about their soft tissues is scarce. Here, we provide a detailed morphological description based on contrast enhanced micro-CT scans and dissections of the adult phenotype of all the forelimb and hindlimb muscles of the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and compare these muscles with those of other chameleons and lizards.

A Nanoscale Tool for Photoacoustic-Based Measurements of Clotting Time and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Heparin.

Heparin anticoagulation therapy is an indispensable feature of clinical care yet has a narrow therapeutic window and is the second most common intensive care unit (ICU) medication error. The active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) monitors heparin but suffers from long turnaround times, a variable reference range, limited utility with low molecular weight heparin, and poor correlation to dose. Here, we describe a photoacoustic imaging technique to monitor heparin concentration using methylene blue as a simple and Federal Drug Administration-approved contrast agent.

Induced T regulatory cells suppress osteoclastogenesis and bone erosion in collagen-induced arthritis better than natural T regulatory cells.

Background: Although natural regulatory T cells (nTregs) can suppress osteoclastogenesis, the role of TGF-β-induced CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs (iTregs) in osteoclastogenesis remains unknown.

Objective: To determine the effects of iTregs on osteoclastogenesis in vitro and on bone erosion in vivo in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods: Osteoclastogenesis was induced in bone marrow CD11b+ cells with receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor.

β-adrenergic receptor inhibition affects cerebral glucose metabolism, motor performance, and inflammatory response after traumatic brain injury.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how β-adrenergic receptor inhibition after traumatic brain injury (TBI) alters changes in early cerebral glucose metabolism and motor performance, as well as cerebral cytokine and heat shock protein (HSP) expression.

Methods: Mouse cerebral glucose metabolism was measured by microPET fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and converted into standardized uptake values (SUV). Four groups of C57/Bl6 mice (wild type [WT]) were initially evaluated: sham or TBI, followed by tail vein injection of either saline or a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor inhibitor (propranolol, 4 mg/kg).

A DICOM-based 2nd generation Molecular Imaging Data Grid implementing the IHE XDS-i integration profile.

Purpose: A Molecular Imaging Data Grid (MIDG) was developed to address current informatics challenges in archival, sharing, search, and distribution of preclinical imaging studies between animal imaging facilities and investigator sites. This manuscript presents a 2nd generation MIDG replacing the Globus Toolkit with a new system architecture that implements the IHE XDS-i integration profile. Implementation and evaluation were conducted using a 3-site interdisciplinary test-bed at the University of Southern California.

In vivo effect of propranolol dose and timing on cerebral perfusion after traumatic brain injury.

Background: In vivo models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) demonstrate increased cerebral perfusion, decreased cerebral hypoxia, reduced cerebral edema, and improved neurologic recovery with propranolol administration. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different propranolol doses and timing on cerebral perfusion in a murine TBI model.

Methods: Fifteen minutes after TBI, three groups of mice (four mice per group) were randomized to receive intravenous injections of placebo, 4 mg/kg propranolol, or 1 mg/kg propranolol.

Blood velocity measurement in the posterior segment of the rabbit eye using combined spectral Doppler and power Doppler ultrasound.

Background: It is challenging for the current Doppler imaging to detect blood flow in small retinal vessels. Power Doppler, with its high sensitivity to detect minimal blood flow, can be used with spectral Doppler to measure blood velocity in small vessels of the eye and orbit.

Methods: Sixteen eyes of twelve normal pigmented rabbits were studied, using a dedicated small animal, high-resolution imaging unit (Vevo 770) and 17.

The in vivo effect of propranolol on cerebral perfusion and hypoxia after traumatic brain injury.

Background: Recent epidemiologic evidence has identified beta-blockade as independently associated with improved survival in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury (TBI). Reduced sympathetic discharge and catecholamine release may improve circulation in the injured areas and influence delayed demise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cerebral effect of beta-blockade in a murine TBI model using immunohistochemical and microPET analysis.