K-space trajectory mapping and its application for ultrashort Echo time imaging.

MR images are affected by system delays and gradient field imperfections which induce discrepancies between prescribed and actual k-space trajectories. This could be even more critical for non-Cartesian data acquisitions where even a small deviation from the assumed k-space trajectory results in severe image degradation and artifacts. Knowledge of the actual k-space trajectories is therefore crucial and can be incorporated in the reconstruction of high quality non-Cartesian images.

Symmetry of the fornix using diffusion tensor imaging.

Purpose: To: 1) Present fornix tractography in its entirety for 20 healthy individuals to assess variability. 2) Provide individual and groupwise whole tract diffusion parameter symmetry assessments prior to clinical application. 3) Compare whole tract diffusion parameter assessments with tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS).

Tractography of Meyer's Loop asymmetries.

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to conduct tractography of the optic radiations (OR) and its component bundles and to assess both the degree of hemispheric asymmetry and the inter-subject variability of Meyer's Loop (ML). We hypothesized that there are significant left versus right differences in the anterior extent of ML to the temporal pole (TP) in healthy subjects.

Materials And Methods: DTI data were acquired on a 3T Siemens MRI system using a single-shot Spin Echo EPI sequence.

Magnetic resonance microscopy for assessment of morphological changes in hydrating hydroxypropylmethylcellulose matrix tablets in situ-is it possible to detect phenomena related to drug dissolution within the hydrated matrices?

Purpose: So far, the hydrated part of the HPMC matrix has commonly been denoted as a "gel" or "pseudogel" layer. No MRI-based results have been published regarding observation of internal phenomena related to drug dissolution inside swelling polymeric matrices during hydration. The purpose of the study was to detect such phenomena.

A modified protocol for retrograde cerebral perfusion: magnetic resonance spectroscopy in pigs.

Objectives: Retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) has been employed to protect the brain during cardiovascular surgery, requiring temporary hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA). However, the protocol used for RCP remains to be modified if prolonged HCA is expected. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a modified protocol for this purpose.

Magnetic resonance microscopy for assessment of morphological changes in hydrating hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose matrix tablets in situ.

Purpose: To resolve contradictions found in morphology of hydrating hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) matrix as studied using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques. Until now, two approaches were used in the literature: either two or three regions that differ in physicochemical properties were identified.

Methods: Multiparametric, spatially and temporally resolved T(2) MR relaxometry in situ was applied to study the hydration progress in HPMC matrix tablets using a 11.

Dynamic manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can detect chronic cryoinjury-induced infarction in pig hearts in vivo.

The purpose was to investigate whether MnCl(2) can serve as an MRI contrast agent to detect chronic cryoinjury infarction in pigs in vivo and whether MnCl(2) causes significant hemodynamic disturbances. Hearts were subjected to a topical 2 min cryothermia to establish myocardial infarction (MI). Thereafter GdDTPA-enhanced MRI was performed at 0, 1, 2 and 3 weeks using a 3 T scanner.

Convertible pneumatic actuator for magnetic resonance elastography of the brain.

Here we present a novel pneumatic actuator design for brain magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Magnetic resonance elastography is a phase contrast technique capable of tracing strain wave propagation and utilizing this information for the calculation of mechanical properties of materials and living tissues. In MRE experiments, the acoustic waves are generated in a synchronized way with respect to image acquisition, using various types of mechanical actuators.

Characterization of cryoinjury-induced infarction with manganese-and gadolinium-enhanced MRI and optical spectroscopy in pig hearts.

Purpose: To investigate progression of cryoinjury in pigs using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as optical spectroscopy and imaging.

Methods: Cryoinjury was produced in 16 pigs in vivo and investigated using Gd-and Mn-enhanced MRI, optical imaging/spectroscopy and histology in acute and chronic setting up to 4 weeks after the injury.

Results: (1) Acute cryoinjury resulted in formation of a lesion with a severely reduced rate of sub-epicardial indocyanine green (intravascular optical flow tracer) passage.

Bloch simulations with intra-voxel spin dephasing.

A common problem in simulations of MRI-experiments based on the numerical solution of the Bloch equations is the finite number of isochromats used in the calculations. This usually results in false or spurious signals and is a source of various differences between calculated and experimentally obtained data. In this paper, we are proposing a technique representing each sample voxel by a central and three additional isochromats, slightly shifted in orthogonal directions from center, thus providing a linear approximation of intra-voxel dephasing.

Mass spectrometric study of N-glycans from serum of woodchucks with liver cancer.

Woodchucks have been a preferred lab animal model of chronic hepatitis B viral infection. The model recapitulates the disease progression of HBV infection to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has documented similarities in protein glycosylation with human HCC. This study examined N-glycans in serum of animals with(out) HCC.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord during sensory stimulation in diabetic rats.

Purpose: To determine if differences exist between control and diabetic rats in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity of the spinal cord and if fMRI can provide a means of early detection of diabetic neuropathy.

Materials And Methods: fMRI of the spinal cord, using noxious electrical stimulation (15 V ( approximately 8 mA), 0.3 msec, 3 Hz) of the hind paw, was performed in groups of control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats.

Magnetic resonance imaging tracking of alginate beads used for drug delivery of growth factors at sites of cardiac damage.

Alginate-based beads labeled with contrast agent and loaded with vascular growth hormones were used for site-specific chronic delivery of hormones at the site of myocardial damage in a porcine model. Position of the beads within the pericardium could be monitored by MRI for optimal hormone delivery due to the presence of contrast agent. The beads facilitate the slow release of cytochrome c, myoglobin and methemoglobin used as protein models of growth factors.

On the diffusion constant of water in wheat.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to obtain diffusion constants for water in the embryo and endosperm of wheat. Our experiments showed a significant difference between the diffusion constant for the two components. It was also shown that water diffusion in both the endosperm and embryo deviates from the typically observed Gaussian behavior in bulk fluids, showing a time-dependent diffusion constant.

Single-point imaging with a variable phase encoding interval.

A modified single-point imaging (SPI) technique using a variable phase encoding interval is proposed. This method is based on the minimization of the phase encoding interval for further signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) optimization. This is particularly beneficial when the maximum gradient amplitude limits an optimal phase encoding interval, and the resulting SNR suffers from T(2)-related signal attenuation.

Simple phase method for measurement of magnetic field gradient waveforms.

Magnetic field gradients play a fundamental role in MR imaging and localized spectroscopy. The MRI experiment, in particular fast MRI, relies on precise gradient switching, which has become more demanding with the constantly growing number of fast imaging techniques. Here we present a simple MR method to measure the behavior of a magnetic field gradient waveform in an MR scanner.

Monitoring the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in woodchucks using 31P-MRS.

The woodchuck is one of the only lab animal models of chronic viral hepatitis infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Using this model, changes in tissue energetics in the liver due to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma can be monitored by repeated magnetic resonance imaging and localized phosphorus spectroscopy. Age- and sex-matched control (n=5) and chronically infected (n=5) adult woodchucks were imaged four times in a six-month period in a 7-T horizontal-bore magnet.

Rubidium-87 magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging for analysis of mammalian K+ transport.

This review summarizes results 87Rb MRS/I studies of K+ transport in mammalian cells, organs and in vivo. It provides a brief description of K+ transport systems, their interactions with Rb+ and evidence that Rb+ is a best K+ congener. 87Rb MR studies have focused mostly on isolated perfused rat and pig hearts and to a lesser extent on kidney, skeletal muscle, salivary gland and red blood cells.

Single point imaging with suppressed sound pressure levels through gradient-shape adjustment.

Acoustic noise produced during single point imaging (SPI) experiments was modulated by changes in the spatial encoding gradients. Parameters of both linear and sine-shaped gradient ramps were modified to minimize the acoustic noise levels. Acoustic noise measurements during SPI were measured on three different gradient systems and revealed that for small gradient-bore systems a considerable acoustic noise reduction of more than 20 dB can easily be achieved.

Magnetic resonance imaging of seeds by use of single point acquisition.

In general, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to obtain a spatial representation of the water distribution in an object. Water in soft materials (living matter) often shows a high degree of translational mobility, giving rise to relatively long magnetic relaxation times. This allows the use of conventional MRI techniques such as the spin-echo, to acquire an image.

Barley viability during storage: use of magnetic resonance as a potential tool to study viability loss.

Malting-quality barley samples of the varieties Harrington, Manley, and TR118, each from two locations in Saskatchewan, were collected directly from the producers and sent to China for storage. At regular intervals samples were shipped back to Canada for analysis consisting of germination studies, alpha-amylase tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic relaxation (NMR) studies. Samples showing a decrease in germinative energy and elevated levels of alpha-amylase also showed a rapid uptake of water in the area between the embryo and the endosperm as observed by MRI.