Rapid quantitative magnetization transfer imaging: Utilizing the hybrid state and the generalized Bloch model.

Purpose: To explore efficient encoding schemes for quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) imaging with few constraints on model parameters.

Theory And Methods: We combine two recently proposed models in a Bloch-McConnell equation: the dynamics of the free spin pool are confined to the hybrid state, and the dynamics of the semi-solid spin pool are described by the generalized Bloch model. We numerically optimize the flip angles and durations of a train of radio frequency pulses to enhance the encoding of three qMT parameters while accounting for all eight parameters of the two-pool model.

Unconstrained quantitative magnetization transfer imaging: disentangling of the free and semi-solid spin pools.

Since the inception of magnetization transfer (MT) imaging, it has been widely assumed that Henkelman's two spin pools have similar longitudinal relaxation times, which motivated many researchers to constrain them to each other. However, several recent publications reported a of the that is much shorter than of the . While these studies tailored experiments for robust proofs-of-concept, we here aim to quantify the disentangled relaxation processes on a voxel-by-voxel basis in a clinical imaging setting, i.

Development and validation of a simple and practical method for differentiating MS from other neuroinflammatory disorders based on lesion distribution on brain MRI.

There is an unmet need to develop practical methods for differentiating multiple sclerosis (MS) from other neuroinflammatory disorders using standard brain MRI. To develop a practical approach for differentiating MS from neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOG antibody-associated disorder (MOGAD) with brain MRI, we first identified lesion locations in the brain that are suggestive of MS-associated demyelination ("MS Lesion Checklist") and compared frequencies of brain lesions in the "MS Lesion Checklist" locations in a development sample of patients (n = 82) with clinically definite MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD. Patients with MS were more likely than patients with non-MS to have lesions in 3 locations only: anterior temporal horn (p < 0.

COVID-19 outcomes in MS: Observational study of early experience from NYU Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center.

Objective: To report outcomes on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and related disorders with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness.

Methods: From March 16 to April 30, 2020, patients with MS or related disorders at NYU Langone MS Comprehensive Care Center were identified with laboratory-confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The diagnosis was established using a standardized questionnaire or by review of in-patient hospital records.

Progressive myelopathy associated with spinal epidural lipomatosis in three non-obese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare condition defined as pathological overgrowth of the normally present epidural fat within the spinal canal. SEL is associated with Cushing disease, obesity and chronic corticosteroid therapy. Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) has not known to be a risk factor for SEL.

Effectiveness of subcutaneous tocilizumab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Background: Tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor, is approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and several other immune-mediated disorders. Off-label use of the intravenous formulation of tocilizumab for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) decreased relapse rates in two small case series. However, treatment protocol that requires frequent intravenous infusions may adversely affect adherence to therapy, especially in the more disabled patients, thereby reducing effectiveness.

Nocturia in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

The prevalence of nocturia in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is high, ranging from 20.9% to 48.8% in this population.

>CME/CNE ARTICLE: Severity Grading in Multiple Sclerosis: A Proposal.

Currently used classification schemes for multiple sclerosis (MS) have not taken into account disease severity, instead focusing on disease phenotype (ie, relapsing vs. progressive). In this article, we argue that disease severity adds a crucial dimension to the clinical picture and may help guide treatment decisions.

Hemicrania continua.

In recent years, hemicrania continua has become a well-recognized primary headache disorder known for its chronicity and resulting disability in a subset of patients with headache. The core clinical features have been well described: unilateral, side-locked headaches that are continuous (although interrupted by frequent severe exacerbations), associated with autonomic symptoms and a response to indomethacin. However, areas of relative controversy remain in its classification and diagnosis.

A review of cognitive therapy in acute medical settings. Part II: strategies and complexities.

Objective: Cognitive therapy (CT) has considerable utility for psychosomatic medicine (PM) in acute medical settings but, to date, no such cohesive adaptation has been developed. Part I delineated a CT model for acute medical settings focusing on assessment and formulation. In Part II, we review how CT can be applied to common PM clinical challenges.

The Charlson comorbidity index is adapted to predict costs of chronic disease in primary care patients.

Objective: (1) To determine chronic illness costs for large cohort of primary care patients, (2) to develop prospective model predicting total costs over one year, using demographic and clinical information including widely used comorbidity index.

Study Design And Setting: Data including diagnostic, medication, and resource utilization were obtained for 5,861 patients from practice-based computer system over a 1-year period beginning December 1, 1993, for retrospective analysis. Hospital cost data were obtained from hospital cost accounting system.

Measurement of the lidar ratio for atmospheric aerosols with a 180 degrees backscatter nephelometer.

Laser radar (lidar) can be used to estimate atmospheric extinction coefficients that are due to aerosols if the ratio between optical extinction and 180 degrees backscatter (the lidar ratio) at the laser wavelength is known or if Raman or high spectral resolution data are available. Most lidar instruments, however, do not have Raman or high spectral resolution capability, which makes knowledge of the lidar ratio essential. We have modified an integrating nephelometer, which measures the scattering component of light extinction, by addition of a backward-pointing laser light source such that the detected light corresponds to integrated scattering over 176-178 degrees at a common lidar wavelength of 532 nm.

Can disease management target patients most likely to generate high costs? The impact of comorbidity.

Context: Disease management programs are increasingly used to manage costs of patients with chronic disease.

Objective: We sought to examine the clinical characteristics and measure the health care expenditures of patients most likely to be targeted by disease management programs.

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively obtained data.

Relationship between asymmetry parameter and hemispheric backscatter ratio: implications for climate forcing by aerosols.

Calculations of direct climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosols commonly use radiative transfer parameters, including asymmetry parameter g. One method of obtaining the asymmetry parameter of a particle population is to convert measured values of the hemispheric-to-total-scatter ratio (backscatter ratio b) into their corresponding g values. We compare a conversion derived from Mie calculations with one derived from the Henyey-Greenstein (HG) phase function to show that the HG method systematically overestimates g for typical size distributions of accumulation-mode aerosols.

Climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosols.

Although long considered to be of marginal importance to global climate change, tropospheric aerosol contributes substantially to radiative forcing, and anthropogenic sulfate aerosol in particular has imposed a major perturbation to this forcing. Both the direct scattering of shortwavelength solar radiation and the modification of the shortwave reflective properties of clouds by sulfate aerosol particles increase planetary albedo, thereby exerting a cooling influence on the planet. Current climate forcing due to anthropogenic sulfate is estimated to be -1 to -2 watts per square meter, globally averaged.

Internal mixture of sea salt, silicates, and excess sulfate in marine aerosols.

Individual aerosol particles from the remote marine atmosphere were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. A large fraction of the silicate mineral component of the aerosol was found to be internally mixed with sea-salt aerosol particles. This observation explains the unexpected similarity in the size distributions of silicates and sea salt that has been observed in remote marine aerosols.

Radiative properties of the background aerosol: absorption component of extinction.

The light-scattering and light-absorption coefficients of the global background aerosol define its single-scatter albedo. Continuous, simultaneous measurements of these optical coefficients were made on a daily basis for the remote marine mid-troposphere; such measurements are essential for assessment of the effects of aerosol on atmospheric radiative transfer. Measurements of light-absorption coefficients made at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii were higher than expected, and the single-scatter albedo was lower than the value often used in radiative transfer models.

Absorption of visible radiation by aerosols in the volcanic plume of mount st. Helens.

Samples of particles from Mount St. Helens were collected in both the stratosphere and troposphere for measurement of the light absorption coefficient. Results indicate that the stratospheric dust had a small but finite absorption coefficient ranging up to 2 x 10(-7) per meter at a wavelength of 0.