PEG-modified gadolinium nanoparticles as contrast agents for in vivo micro-CT.

Vascular research is largely performed in rodents with the goal of developing treatments for human disease. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provides non-destructive three-dimensional imaging that can be used to study the vasculature of rodents. However, to distinguish vasculature from other soft tissues, long-circulating contrast agents are required.

3D vessel-wall virtual histology of whole-body perfused mice using a novel heavy element stain.

Virtual histology - utilizing high-resolution three-dimensional imaging - is becoming readily available. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is widely available and is often coupled with x-ray attenuating histological stains that mark specific tissue components for 3D virtual histology. In this study we describe a new tri-element x-ray attenuating stain and perfusion protocol that provides micro-CT contrast of the entire vasculature of an intact mouse.

Corrigendum to "Erbium-Based Perfusion Contrast Agent for Small-Animal Microvessel Imaging".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2017/7368384.].

Erbium-Based Perfusion Contrast Agent for Small-Animal Microvessel Imaging.

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) facilitates the visualization and quantification of contrast-enhanced microvessels within intact tissue specimens, but conventional preclinical vascular contrast agents may be inadequate near dense tissue (such as bone). Typical lead-based contrast agents do not exhibit optimal X-ray absorption properties when used with X-ray tube potentials below 90 kilo-electron volts (keV). We have developed a high-atomic number lanthanide (erbium) contrast agent, with a K-edge at 57.

Three-dimensional imaging of the mouse heart and vasculature using micro-CT and whole-body perfusion of iodine or phosphotungstic acid.

Recent studies have investigated histological staining compounds as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) contrast agents, delivered by soaking tissue specimens in stain and relying on passive diffusion for agent uptake. This study describes a perfusion approach using iodine or phosphotungstic acid (PTA) stains, delivered to an intact mouse, to capitalize on the microvasculature as a delivery conduit for parenchymal staining and direct contact for staining artery walls. Twelve C57BL/6 mice, arterially perfused with either 25% Lugol's solution or 5% PTA solution were scanned intact and reconstructed with 26 µm isotropic voxels.

In vitro investigation of calcium distribution and tissue thickness in the human thoracic aorta.

Atherosclerosis represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Manifestations of atherosclerotic disease among the elderly include the development of raised lesions that often include calcified regions with material properties similar to bone. There is little information available about the amount and distribution of these calcified plaques within the human aorta, partly due to the difficulty in obtaining this information during in vivo studies.

X-ray imaging technique for in vitro tissue composition measurements using saline/iodine displacement: experimental verification.

A novel in vitro radiographic technique using saline/iodine displacement, which can be used to study the bone-equivalent and soft-tissue-equivalent thicknesses within vessel walls, was applied to imaging of arterial specimens. Results concerning the accuracy and precision of the bone-equivalent and soft-tissue-equivalent thickness measurements obtained with this technique are reported and discussed. Planar radiographs of a phantom were obtained under two different conditions: (1) when it is immersed in an isotonic saline solution using a 45-kVp spectrum with no added filtration, and (2) when it is immersed in a concentrated iodine solution using a 100-kVp spectrum with 12.