scholarly journals 19F MRI Imaging Strategies to Reduce Isoflurane Artifacts in In Vivo Images

Author(s):  
Alexander H. J. Staal ◽  
Andor Veltien ◽  
Mangala Srinivas ◽  
Tom W. J. Scheenen

Abstract Purpose Isoflurane (ISO) is the most commonly used preclinical inhalation anesthetic. This is a problem in 19F MRI of fluorine contrast agents, as ISO signals cause artifacts that interfere with unambiguous image interpretation and quantification; the two most attractive properties of heteronuclear MRI. We aimed to avoid these artifacts using MRI strategies that can be applied by any pre-clinical researcher. Procedures Three strategies to avoid ISO chemical shift displacement artifacts (CSDA) in 19F MRI are described and demonstrated with measurements of 19F-containing agents in phantoms and in vivo (n = 3 for all strategies). The success of these strategies is compared to a standard Rapid Acquisition with Relaxation Enhancement (RARE) sequence, with phantom and in vivo validation. ISO artifacts can successfully be avoided by (1) shifting them outside the region of interest using a narrow signal acquisition bandwidth, (2) suppression of ISO by planning a frequency-selective suppression pulse before signal acquisition or by (3) preventing ISO excitation with a 3D sequence with a narrow excitation bandwidth. Results All three strategies result in complete ISO signal avoidance (p < 0.0001 for all methods). Using a narrow acquisition bandwidth can result in loss of signal to noise ratio and distortion of the image, and a frequency-selective suppression pulse can be incomplete when B1-inhomogeneities are present. Preventing ISO excitation with a narrow excitation pulse in a 3D sequence yields the most robust results (relative SNR 151 ± 28% compared to 2D multislice methods, p = 0.006). Conclusion We optimized three easily implementable methods to avoid ISO signal artifacts and validated their performance in phantoms and in vivo. We make recommendation on the parameters that pre-clinical studies should report in their method section to make the used approach insightful.

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2406
Author(s):  
Siyeon Kim ◽  
Sojung Lee ◽  
Wonyoung Jeong

The surface electromyography (SEMG) is one of the most popular bio-signals that can be applied in health monitoring systems, fitness training, and rehabilitation devices. Commercial clothing embedded with textile electrodes has already been released onto the market, but there is insufficient information on the performance of textile SEMG electrodes because the required configuration may differ according to the electrode material. The current study analyzed the influence of electrode size and pattern reduction rate (PRR), and hence the clothing pressure (Pc) based on in vivo SEMG signal acquisition. Bipolar SEMG electrodes were made in different electrode diameters Ø 5–30 mm, and the clothing pressure ranged from 6.1 to 12.6 mmHg. The results supported the larger electrodes, and Pc showed better SEMG signal quality by showing lower baseline noise and a gradual increase in the signal to noise ratio (SNR). In particular, electrodes, Ø ≥ 20 mm, and Pc ≥ 10 mmHg showed comparable performance to Ag-Ag/Cl electrodes in current textile-based electrodes. The current study emphasizes and discusses design factors that are particularly required in the designing and manufacturing process of smart clothing with SEMG electrodes, especially as an aspect of clothing design.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonios Stylogiannis ◽  
Ludwig Prade ◽  
Sarah Glasl ◽  
Qutaiba Mustafa ◽  
Christian Zakian ◽  
...  

Optoacoustics (OA) is overwhelmingly implemented in the Time Domain (TD) to achieve a high Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR). Implementations in the Frequency Domain (FD) have been proposed, but have not offered competitive advantages over TD methods to reach high dissemination. It is therefore commonly believed that the TD represents the optimal way of performing optoacoustics. Here, we introduce a novel optoacoustic concept based on frequency comb and theoretically demonstrate its superiority to the TD. Then, using recent advances in laser diode illumination, we launch Frequency Comb Optoacoustic Tomography (FCOT), at multiple wavelengths, and experimentally demonstrate its advantages over TD methods in phantoms and in-vivo. We demonstrate that FCOT optimizes the SNR of spectral measurements over TD methods by benefiting from signal acquisition in the TD and processing in the FD, and that it reaches the fastest multi-spectral operation ever demonstrated in optoacoustics while reducing performance compromises present in TD systems.


Author(s):  
R.J. Mount ◽  
R.V. Harrison

The sensory end organ of the ear, the organ of Corti, rests on a thin basilar membrane which lies between the bone of the central modiolus and the bony wall of the cochlea. In vivo, the organ of Corti is protected by the bony wall which totally surrounds it. In order to examine the sensory epithelium by scanning electron microscopy it is necessary to dissect away the protective bone and expose the region of interest (Fig. 1). This leaves the fragile organ of Corti susceptible to physical damage during subsequent handling. In our laboratory cochlear specimens, after dissection, are routinely prepared by the O-T- O-T-O technique, critical point dried and then lightly sputter coated with gold. This processing involves considerable specimen handling including several hours on a rotator during which the organ of Corti is at risk of being physically damaged. The following procedure uses low cost, readily available materials to hold the specimen during processing ,preventing physical damage while allowing an unhindered exchange of fluids.Following fixation, the cochlea is dehydrated to 70% ethanol then dissected under ethanol to prevent air drying. The holder is prepared by punching a hole in the flexible snap cap of a Wheaton vial with a paper hole punch. A small amount of two component epoxy putty is well mixed then pushed through the hole in the cap. The putty on the inner cap is formed into a “cup” to hold the specimen (Fig. 2), the putty on the outside is smoothed into a “button” to give good attachment even when the cap is flexed during handling (Fig. 3). The cap is submerged in the 70% ethanol, the bone at the base of the cochlea is seated into the cup and the sides of the cup squeezed with forceps to grip it (Fig.4). Several types of epoxy putty have been tried, most are either soluble in ethanol to some degree or do not set in ethanol. The only putty we find successful is “DUROtm MASTERMENDtm Epoxy Extra Strength Ribbon” (Loctite Corp., Cleveland, Ohio), this is a blue and yellow ribbon which is kneaded to form a green putty, it is available at many hardware stores.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 711-715
Author(s):  
Michael de Wild ◽  
Simon Zimmermann ◽  
Marcel Obrecht ◽  
Michel Dard

AbstractThin mechanically stable Ti-cages have been developed for the in-vivo application as X-ray and histology markers for the optimized evaluation of pre-clinical performance of bone graft materials. A metallic frame defines the region of interest during histological investigations and supports the identification of the defect site. This standardization of the procedure enhances the quality of pre-clinical experiments. Different models of thin metallic frameworks were designed and produced out of titanium by additive manufacturing (Selective Laser Melting). The productibility, the mechanical stability, the handling and suitability of several frame geometries were tested during surgery in artificial and in ex-vivo bone before a series of cages was preclinically investigated in the female Göttingen minipigs model. With our novel approach, a flexible process was established that can be adapted to the requirements of any specific animal model and bone graft testing.


2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Goga ◽  
Zeynep Firat ◽  
Klara Brinzaniuc ◽  
Is Florian

Abstract Objective: The ultimate anatomy of the Meyer’s loop continues to elude us. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) may be able to demonstrate, in vivo, the anatomy of the complex network of white matter fibers surrounding the Meyer’s loop and the optic radiations. This study aims at exploring the anatomy of the Meyer’s loop by using DTI and fiber tractography. Methods: Ten healthy subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with DTI at 3 T. Using a region-of-interest (ROI) based diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking software (Release 2.6, Achieva, Philips), sequential ROI were placed to reconstruct visual fibers and neighboring projection fibers involved in the formation of Meyer’s loop. The 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructed fibers were visualized by superimposition on 3-planar MRI brain images to enhance their precise anatomical localization and relationship with other anatomical structures. Results: Several projection fiber including the optic radiation, occipitopontine/parietopontine fibers and posterior thalamic peduncle participated in the formation of Meyer’s loop. Two patterns of angulation of the Meyer’s loop were found. Conclusions: DTI with DTT provides a complimentary, in vivo, method to study the details of the anatomy of the Meyer’s loop.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1235
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Nan ◽  
Wenjia Lai ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Jiesheng Tian ◽  
Zhiyuan Hu ◽  
...  

Derived from magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), magnetosomes consist of magnetite crystals enclosed within a lipid bilayer membrane and are known to possess advantages over artificially synthesized nanoparticles because of the narrow size distribution, uniform morphology, high purity and crystallinity, single magnetic domain, good biocompatibility, and easy surface modification. These unique properties have increasingly attracted researchers to apply bacterial magnetosomes (BMs) in the fields of biology and medicine as MRI imaging contrast agents. Due to the concern of biosafety, a long-term follow-up of the distribution and clearance of BMs after entering the body is necessary. In this study, we tracked changes of BMs in major organs of mice up to 135 days after intravenous injection using a combination of several techniques. We not only confirmed the liver as the well-known targeted organs of BMs, but also found that BMs accumulated in the spleen. Besides, two major elimination paths, as well as the approximate length of time for BMs to be cleared from the mice, were revealed. Together, the results not only confirm that BMs have high biocompatibility, but also provide a long-term in-vivo assessment which may further help to forward the clinical applications of BMs as an MRI contrast agent.


2021 ◽  
Vol 226 (4) ◽  
pp. 1155-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne C. Trutti ◽  
Laura Fontanesi ◽  
Martijn J. Mulder ◽  
Pierre-Louis Bazin ◽  
Bernhard Hommel ◽  
...  

AbstractFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) BOLD signal is commonly localized by using neuroanatomical atlases, which can also serve for region of interest analyses. Yet, the available MRI atlases have serious limitations when it comes to imaging subcortical structures: only 7% of the 455 subcortical nuclei are captured by current atlases. This highlights the general difficulty in mapping smaller nuclei deep in the brain, which can be addressed using ultra-high field 7 Tesla (T) MRI. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a subcortical structure that plays a pivotal role in reward processing, learning and memory. Despite the significant interest in this nucleus in cognitive neuroscience, there are currently no available, anatomically precise VTA atlases derived from 7 T MRI data that cover the full region of the VTA. Here, we first provide a protocol for multimodal VTA imaging and delineation. We then provide a data description of a probabilistic VTA atlas based on in vivo 7 T MRI data.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (15) ◽  
pp. 3128-3135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurpreet Kaur ◽  
Gauthami Jalagadugula ◽  
Guangfen Mao ◽  
A. Koneti Rao

Abstract Haploinsufficiency of RUNX1 (also known as CBFA2/AML1) is associated with familial thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, and predisposition to acute leukemia. We have reported on a patient with thrombocytopenia and impaired agonist-induced aggregation, secretion, and protein phosphorylation associated with a RUNX1 mutation. Expression profiling of platelets revealed approximately 5-fold decreased expression of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO, gene ALOX12), which catalyzes 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid production from arachidonic acid. We hypothesized that ALOX12 is a direct transcriptional target gene of RUNX1. In present studies, agonist-induced platelet 12-HETE production was decreased in the patient. Four RUNX1 consensus sites were identified in the 2-kb promoter region of ALOX12 (at −1498, −1491, −708, −526 from ATG). In luciferase reporter studies in human erythroleukemia cells, mutation of each site decreased activity; overexpression of RUNX1 up-regulated promoter activity, which was abolished by mutation of RUNX1 sites. Gel shift studies, including with recombinant protein, revealed RUNX1 binding to each site. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed in vivo RUNX1 binding in the region of interest. siRNA knockdown of RUNX1 decreased RUNX1 and 12-LO proteins. ALOX12 is a direct transcriptional target of RUNX1. Our studies provide further proof of principle that platelet expression profiling can elucidate novel alterations in platelets with inherited dysfunction.


Author(s):  
Xiufeng Li ◽  
Victor T C Tsang ◽  
Lei Kang ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Terence T W Wong

AbstractLaser diodes (LDs) have been considered as cost-effective and compact excitation sources to overcome the requirement of costly and bulky pulsed laser sources that are commonly used in photoacoustic microscopy (PAM). However, the spatial resolution and/or imaging speed of previously reported LD-based PAM systems have not been optimized simultaneously. In this paper, we developed a high-speed and high-resolution LD-based PAM system using a continuous wave LD, operating at a pulsed mode, with a repetition rate of 30 kHz, as an excitation source. A hybrid scanning mechanism that synchronizes a one-dimensional galvanometer mirror and a two-dimensional motorized stage is applied to achieve a fast imaging capability without signal averaging due to the high signal-to-noise ratio. By optimizing the optical system, a high lateral resolution of 4.8 μm has been achieved. In vivo microvasculature imaging of a mouse ear has been demonstrated to show the high performance of our LD-based PAM system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 107-113
Author(s):  
Charles Nnamdi Udekwe ◽  
Akinlolu Adediran Ponnle

The geometry of the imaged transverse cross-section of carotid arteries in in-vivo B-mode ultrasound images are most times irregular, unsymmetrical, full of speckles and usually non-uniform. We had earlier developed a technique of cardinal point symmetry landmark distribution model (CPS-LDM) to completely characterize the Region of Interest (ROI) of the geometric shape of thick-walled simulated B-mode ultrasound images of carotid artery imaged in the transverse plane, but this was based on the symmetric property of the image. In this paper, this developed technique was applied to completely characterize the region of interest of the geometric shape of in-vivo B-mode ultrasound images of non-uniform carotid artery imaged in the transverse plane. In order to adapt the CPS-LD Model to the in-vivo carotid artery images, the single VS-VS vertical symmetry line common to the four ROIs of the symmetric image is replaced with each ROI having its own VS-VS vertical symmetry line. This adjustment enables the in-vivo carotid artery images possess symmetric properties, hence, ensuring that all mathematical operations of the CPS-LD Model are conveniently applied to them. This adaptability was observed to work well in segmenting the in-vivo carotid artery images. This paper shows the adaptive ability of the developed CPS-LD Model to successfully annotate and segment in-vivo B-mode ultrasound images of carotid arteries in the transverse cross-sectional plane either they are symmetrical or unsymmetrical.


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