Automatic Segmentation for Analysis of Murine Cardiac Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Image Data Using Deep Learning.

Objective: Although there are methods to identify regions of interest (ROIs) from echocardiographic images of myocardial tissue, they are often time-consuming and difficult to create when image quality is poor. Further, while myocardial strain from ultrasound (US) images can be estimated, US alone cannot obtain functional information, such as oxygen saturation (sO). Photoacoustic (PA) imaging, however, can be used to quantify sO levels within tissue non-invasively.

Meta-analysis guided development of a standard artificial urine.

In this study, we present the first meta-analysis of human urine reported in the literature, drawing data from a total of 35 articles with a combined participant count of 14,021. Through this analysis, we have developed an artificial urine (AU) composition that can be adjusted within typical physiological parameters for in vitro applications. Our findings demonstrate the utility of this AU in determining the solubility of nitrofurantoin, particularly in the context of crystalluria.

Embedding cultural competency and cultural humility in undergraduate pharmacist initial education and training: a qualitative exploration of pharmacy student perspectives.

Background: Emphasis has been placed upon embedding equity, diversity and inclusion within the initial education and training of healthcare professionals, like pharmacists. Yet, there remains limited understanding of how best to integrate cultural competency and cultural humility into undergraduate pharmacy student training.

Aim: This qualitative study explored the views of pharmacy students to understand perspectives on, and identify recommendations for, embedding cultural competency and cultural humility within pharmacy education and training.

Proteomic Analysis of 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Treated with Insulin and TNF-α.

Insulin resistance is an indication of early stage Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Insulin resistant adipose tissues contain higher levels of insulin than the physiological level, as well as higher amounts of intracellular tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and other cytokines. However, the mechanism of insulin resistance remains poorly understood.

Two-Pore Channel 2 activity is required for slow muscle cell-generated Ca(2+) signaling during myogenesis in intact zebrafish.

We have recently characterized essential inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP 3R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR)-mediated Ca(2+) signals generated during the differentiation of slow muscle cells (SMCs) in intact zebrafish embryos. Here, we show that the lysosomal two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) also plays a crucial role in generating, and perhaps triggering, these essential Ca(2+) signals, and thus contributes to the regulation of skeletal muscle myogenesis. We used a transgenic line of zebrafish that expresses the bioluminescent Ca(2+) reporter, aequorin, specifically in skeletal muscle, in conjunction with morpholino (MO)-based and pharmacological inhibition of TPC2, in both intact embryos and isolated SMCs.

Is the length of time in acute burn surgery associated with poorer outcomes?

Background: Acute wound closure surgery improves outcomes, after burn particularly mortality, but also imposes physiological stress on the patient. The duration of surgery is associated with adverse outcomes in other populations. This study aimed to examine if extended acute burn surgery duration was associated with poorer in-hospital outcomes.