Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers the promise of fabricating optical phantoms with arbitrary geometry, but commercially available thermoplastics provide only a small range of physiologically relevant absorption (µa) and reduced scattering (µs`) values. Here we demonstrate customizable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments for dual extrusion 3D printing of tissue mimicking optical phantoms. µa and µs` values were adjusted by incorporating nigrosin and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the filament extrusion process. A wide range of physiologically relevant optical properties was demonstrated with an average repeatability within 11.5% for µa and 7.71% for µs`. Additionally, a mouse-simulating phantom, which mimicked both the geometry and optical properties of a hairless mouse with an implanted xenograft tumor, was printed using dual extrusion methods. 3D printed tumor optical properties matched the live tumor with less than 3% error at a wavelength of 659 nm. 3D printing with user defined optical properties may provide a viable method for durable optically diffusive phantoms for instrument characterization and calibration.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) comprises of unstable angina (UA), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ACS is the consequence of a sudden rupture of the coronary artery plaque and the immediate formation of thrombosis around the plaque. The presence of coronary occlusion and thrombus might result in cardiac muscle damage and loss of effective cardiac output, leading to cardiac failure. Anticoagulants, therefore, play an important role in medical management for ACS. This article assesses the role of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in ACS based on current available data in clinical trials and clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy consensus guidelines. Overall, the use of enoxaparin is generally preferred over other LMWHs when LMWH is indicated, and there is strong support for its role across the continuum of treatment for ACS patients.

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Multispectral fluorescence cryoslice imaging has been previously used to measure drug distribution ex-vivo in standalone or retrofitted cryoslice imagers [1,2]. Such specificity in a single imaging system can result in high cost per scan. For high throughput and low cost, it would be valuable to construct a fluorescence imager with a corresponding software package that can work in tandem with common cryoslicing instruments which are already in place. The methods outlined here demonstrate a workflow of cryofluorescence imaging techniques for a versatile, transportable add-on to existing cryoslicing instruments.