scholarly journals Non-invasive diagnostics in fossils - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of pathological belemnites

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mietchen ◽  
H. Keupp ◽  
B. Manz ◽  
F. Volke

Abstract. For more than a decade, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been routinely employed in clinical diagnostics because it allows non-invasive studies of anatomical structures and physiological processes in vivo and to differentiate between healthy and pathological states, particularly of soft tissue. Here, we demonstrate that MRI can likewise be applied to fossilized biological samples and help in elucidating paleopathological and paleoecological questions: Five anomalous guards of Jurassic and Cretaceous belemnites are presented along with putative paleopathological diagnoses directly derived from 3D MR images with microscopic resolution. Syn vivo deformities of both the mineralized internal rostrum and the surrounding former soft tissue can be traced back in part to traumatic events of predator-prey-interactions, and partly to parasitism. Besides, evidence is presented that the frequently observed anomalous apical collar might be indicative of an inflammatory disease. These findings highlight the potential of Magnetic Resonance techniques for further paleontological applications.

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mietchen ◽  
H. Keupp ◽  
B. Manz ◽  
F. Volke

Abstract. For more than a decade, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been routinely employed in clinical diagnostics because it allows to non-invasively study anatomical structures and physiological processes in vivo and to differentiate between healthy and pathological states, particularly in soft tissue. Here, we demonstrate that MRI can likewise be applied to fossilized biological samples and help in elucidating paleopathological and paleoecological questions: Five anomalous guards of Jurassic and Cretaceous belemnites are presented along with putative paleopathological scenarios directly derived from 3D Magnetic Resonance images with microscopic resolution. These syn vivo deformities of both the mineralized internal rostrum and the surrounding former soft tissue can be traced back in part to traumatic events of predator-prey-interactions, and partly to parasitism. Evidence is presented that the frequently observed anomalous apical collar might be indicative of an inflammatory disease. Finally, the potential of Magnetic Resonance techniques for further paleontological applications is being discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 1000-1009
Author(s):  
Miao Qin ◽  
Yueyou Peng ◽  
Mengjie Xu ◽  
Hui Yan ◽  
Yizhu Cheng ◽  
...  

The multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has been extensively studied over the past few years since it offers complementary information that can increase diagnostic accuracy. Simple methods to synthesize contrast agents are necessary for the development of multimodal MRI. Herein, uniformly distributed Fe3O4/Gd2O3 nanocubes for T 1–T 2 dual-mode MRI contrast agents were successfully designed and synthesized. In order to increase hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, the nanocubes were coated with nontoxic 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid (DHCA). The results show that iron (Fe) and gadolinium (Gd) were homogeneously distributed throughout the Fe3O4/Gd2O3-DHCA (FGDA) nanocubes. Relaxation time analysis was performed on the images obtained from the 3.0 T scanner. The results demonstrated that r 1 and r 2 maximum values were 67.57 ± 6.2 and 24.2 ± 1.46 mM−1·s−1, respectively. In vivo T 1- and T 2-weighted images showed that FGDA nanocubes act as a dual-mode contrast agent enhancing MRI quality. Overall, these experimental results suggest that the FGDA nanocubes are interesting tools that can be used to increase MRI quality, enabling accurate clinical diagnostics.


Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Kang Song ◽  
Jing Ping ◽  
Jun Du ◽  
Yun Sun ◽  
...  

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with excellent contrast for soft tissue imaging is often used for the diagnosis of kidney disorders, but its resolution is not high and requires the assistance...


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 7631-7636 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Roose ◽  
S. D. Zemerov ◽  
I. J. Dmochowski

Genetically encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents enable non-invasive detection of specific biomarkersin vivo.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3626
Author(s):  
Hannah Hornby ◽  
Mar Collado-González ◽  
Xue Zhang ◽  
Nichola Abrehart ◽  
Meshari Alshammari ◽  
...  

Oral processing of food results in the formation of food boluses, which are then swallowed and reach the stomach for further digestion. The number, size and surface properties of the boluses will affect their processing and emptying from the stomach. Knowledge of these parameters, however, is incomplete due to limitations of the techniques used. In this work, non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for the first time to measure boluses in the stomach a few minutes after swallowing. Three groups of nine healthy participants were fed three different meals: chicken and roasted vegetables (Meal 1), bread and jam (Meal 2) and cheese and yogurt (Meal 3), and then, their stomach content was imaged. The median number of boluses within the stomach was 282, 106 and 9 for Meal 1, Meal 2 and Meal 3 (p < 0.0001) with an average volume of 0.47 mL, 2.4 mL and 13.6 mL, respectively (p < 0.0001). The cohesiveness as well as the meal composition seem to play a key role in the resulting boluses. These new in vivo data from undisturbed organ imaging can improve knowledge of the digestion process, which will, in turn, inform in vitro and in silico modelling of digestion, thus improving their in vitro/in vivo relevance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2461
Author(s):  
José María Mora-Gutiérrez ◽  
María A. Fernández-Seara ◽  
Rebeca Echeverria-Chasco ◽  
Nuria Garcia-Fernandez

Renal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are currently in vogue, as they provide in vivo information on renal volume, function, metabolism, perfusion, oxygenation, and microstructural alterations, without the need for exogenous contrast media. New imaging biomarkers can be identified using these tools, which represent a major advance in the understanding and study of the different pathologies affecting the kidney. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most important diseases worldwide due to its high prevalence and impact on public health. However, its multifactorial etiology poses a challenge for both basic and clinical research. Therefore, the use of novel renal MRI techniques is an attractive step forward in the comprehension of DKD, both in its pathogenesis and in its detection and surveillance in the clinical practice. This review article outlines the most promising MRI techniques in the study of DKD, with the purpose of stimulating their clinical translation as possible tools for the diagnosis, follow-up, and monitoring of the clinical impacts of new DKD treatments.


1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. NAKAMURA ◽  
Y. YABE ◽  
Y. HORIUCHI

In vivo dynamic changes in the interosseous membrane (IOM) during forearm rotation were studied using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The right forearms of 20 healthy volunteers were examined in five different rotational positions. Axial slices were obtained at the proximal quarter, the middle and the distal quarter of the forearm. The changes in shape of the IOM during rotation were observed in an axial MR plane. For each image, we measured the interosseous distance and the length of the interosseous membrane. Images of the tendinous and membranous parts of the IOM could be differentiated by thickness. There were minimal dynamic changes in the tendinous part on the MRI while the membranous part showed numerous changes during rotation. The interosseous distance and the length of the interosseous membrane were maximum from a neutral to a slightly supinated position. The tendinous part is considered to be taut during rotation to provide stability between the radius and the ulna, but the membranous part which is soft, thin and elastic, allows smooth rotation.


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