Blood oxygen level-dependent and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging: detecting differences in oxygen bioavailability and blood flow in transplanted kidneys

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful tool for examining kidney function, including organ blood flow and oxygen bioavailability. We have used contrast enhanced perfusion and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI to assess kidney transplants with normal function, acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and acute rejection. BOLD and MR-perfusion imaging were performed on 17 subjects with recently transplanted kidneys. There was a significant difference between medullary R2? values in the group with acute rejection (R2?=16.2/s) compared to allografts with ATN (R2?=19.8/s; P=.047) and normal-functioning allografts (R2?=24.3/s;P=.0003). There was a significant difference between medullary perfusion measurements in the group with acute rejection (124.4±41.1 ml/100 g per minute) compared to those in patients with ATN (246.9±123.5 ml/100 g per minute; P=.02) and normal-functioning allografts (220.8±95.8 ml/100 g per minute; P=.02). This study highlights the utility of combining perfusion and BOLD MRI to assess renal function. We have demonstrated a decrease in medullary R2? (decrease deoxyhemoglobin) on BOLD MRI and a decrease in medullary blood flow by MR perfusion imaging in those allografts with acute rejection, which indicates an increase in medullary oxygen bioavailability in allografts with rejection, despite a decrease in blood flow.     

Tracking of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells labeled with fluorescent magnetic nanoparticle in liver cirrhosis rat model with 3-T MRI

In vivo visualization of transplanted stem cells with noninvasive technique is essential for the monitoring of cell implantation, homing and differentiation. At present, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) is most commonly used for cell labeling. However, stem cells lack phagocytic capacity and transfection agent is required for sufficient internalization of SPIO for cellular imaging. However, the potential hazards of transfection agents are not fully investigated. Instead of SPIO, we used commercially available new tagging material, fluorescent magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) containing rhodamine B isothiocyanate within a silica shell (Biterials, Seoul, Korea). This tagging material does not require transfection agents for the cell labeling. In addition to that, the core of this MNP is composed of ferrite and the inner portion of silica shell contains fluorescent materials, therefore, it has both magnetic and optical features. This study was designed to track intrasplenically injected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) labeled with fluorescent MNP in liver cirrhosis rat model with 3-T magnetic resonance equipment. We compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of livers in rats which were injected with non-labeled stem cells or labeled stem cells with MNP or SPIO. We found that the respective liver-to-muscle contrast-to-noise ratios at 3 and 5 h after MNP or SPIO-labeled stem cell injection was significantly lower than that of pre-injection and non-labeled group. There was no significant difference between MNP-labeled group and SPIO-labeled group. We can effectively detect intrasplenically injected MNP-labeled MSCs in an experimental rat model of liver cirrhosis with 3-T MRI.     

Detection of ammonium nitrate inside vehicles by nuclear quadrupole resonance

The development of a system for the detection of ammonium nitrate (AN) in vehicles by nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) is described. The results from studies of the penetration of radiofrequency (RF) magnetic fields inside certain metal enclosures, including full-scale vehicles, were critical in the design of a novel high-Q resonant probe. The probe was shaped not only for optimal penetration of RF magnetic fields into vehicles, but also for optimal rejection of RF interference and ease of shielding. A full-scale technical demonstrator was designed, built and successfully demonstrated, using novel pulse sequences to generate and detect NQR signals from AN concealed within the boot (trunk) of a car and in the loading bay of a (metal-sided) van. Among the key technical advances that made possible the effective operation of this system was the development of pulse sequences that generate detectable NQR responses for RF magnetic fields that are both very weak and very inhomogeneous.     

Morphological analysis of mouse lungs after treatment with magnetite-based magnetic fluid stabilized with DMSA

Mouse lungs injected with magnetic fluids based on magnetite nanoparticles stabilized by 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid were studied. We observed clusters of magnetic nanoparticles inside blood vessels, within the organ parenchyma and cells, as well as increased numbers of leukocytes in the organ. Both the particle concentration and organ inflammation diminished in a time-dependent manner.     

Quantitative 3D VUSE pulmonary MRA

The purposes of this study were to quantitatively evaluate a free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) variable angle uniform signal excitation (VUSE) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique in normal volunteers, to demonstrate breathold 3D VUSE MRA in a normal volunteer, and to investigate the ability of the free-breathing 3D VUSE MRA technique to quantify differential flow in lung transplant patients. A free-breathing 3D VUSE MRA pulse sequence was run on the right lungs of 15 normal volunteers and both lungs of eight single or double lung transplant patients. A breathold scan was also used on one volunteer. No contrast agents were used. Normal lung MRA images were analyzed for maximum level of branching observed and minimum distance between distal vessels seen and the pleura. In patients, differential flow was determined with a program that counted the number of MRA pixels over a threshold signal level in each lung. These values were compared to radionuclide perfusion (Q) scan results. Average observed branching order in normal lung images was 5.9 +/- 0.7. Average distance between the most peripheral vessels seen and the pleura was 0.9 cm. Differential blood flow measured by pulmonary MRA was well correlated with that measured by Q scan (R2 = 0.84, p < 0.005). In addition to providing good visualization of normal pulmonary vessels, this technique was demonstrated to provide accurate estimates of differential blood flow in lung transplant patients free of serious lung scarring.     

Synthesis of amino-group functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and applications as biomedical labeling probes

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation technique and further functionalized with amino-group to obtain amino-group functionalized (amino-SPIO) nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction results reveal the structure of amino-SPIO nanoparticles, from which the average iron core diameter is approximately 10 nm by calculation; while Zetasizer reveals their hydrodynamic diameter are mainly distributed in the range of 40?C60 nm. These nanoparticles can be taken up by liver tissue, resulting in dramatically darkening of liver tissue under T2-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The spin?Cspin relaxivity coefficient of these nanoparticles is 179.20 mM^?1 s^?1 in a 1.5 T magnetic resonance system. In addition, amino-SPIO nanoparticles were conjugated to Tat (FITC) peptide and incubated with neural stem cells in vitro, the authors can detect the positive-labeling (labeled) neural stem cells showing green fluorescence, which indicates Tat (FITC) peptide-derivated amino-SPIO nanoparticles are able to enter cells. Furthermore, it was also find significant negative T2 contrast enhancement when compared with the non-nanoparticles-labeled neural stem cells in T2-weighted MRI. The amino-SPIO nanoparticles show promising potential as a new type of labeling probes, which can be used in magnetic resonance-enhanced imaging and fluorescence diagnosis.     

Three-dimensional coronary artery MR imaging using prospective real-time respiratory navigator and linear phase shift processing: comparison with conventional coronary angiography.

Respiratory gating with navigator echo is a recent technique to detect diaphragm position in 3D magnetic resonance (MR) coronary angiography. The purpose of our study was to image proximal coronary arteries and to detect significant stenoses in patients with coronary artery diseases and to compare with contrast enhanced angiography results. Twenty patients with coronary artery diseases who were referred for conventional angiography underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Three-dimensional gradient echo volumes were acquired using cardiac and respiratory gating and fat suppression. Using reformatted oblique planes and maximum intensity projection technique, visualization coronary segments and detection of significant coronary stenoses were made. Eighty-three coronary segments were analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity were 65% and 93%, respectively. The corresponding positive and negative predictive values were 69% and 91%. This study shows the ability to image correctly coronary arteries and to identify proximal stenoses, but image quality need to be improved for an efficiency detection of coronary artery stenoses in clinical practice.     

Detection of nanoscale ESD effect on GMR head signal using the wavelet transform technique: HBM and CDM cases

An electrical signal anomaly is an undesired signal and is difficult to detect by a commercial instrument due to its short duration and unpredictable fault on a signal. Since a GMR recording head is a stack of nanometer thick multilayers, in particular, a magnetic layer and conductor layers, for magnetic insulating spacers, it is very sensitive to electron movements. Visible damage is understandable and protectable but latent failure cannot be measured. It is possibly observed by using frequency-domain apparatus but certainly it is not real-time detection. Therefore, in order to detect a latent failure head affected by ESD in the time domain, current conventional instruments are ineffective. In this study, the wavelet transform technique using the 4th order Daubechies is proposed to detect the glitches on a magnetic recording head signal in the time domain. It is found that the glitches occur when the ESD level of the charged device model (CDM) and human body model (HBM) on giant magnetoresistive (GMR) heads are in ranges of 6–15 V and 40–120 V, respectively. The electrical test parameters and scanning electron microscope (SEM) photo of the recording heads show no visible change in reader sensor. To ensure the results, the GMR damage is observed by SEM when the CDM-ESD and HBM-ESD are 10 V and 130 V, respectively. The glitches in the magnetic response signal of the GMR head are found to increase when the ESD level is increased. Thus, the Daubechies wavelet transform technique can be a novel approach to detect the pre-degradation of a GMR head due to an ESD effect.     

The accuracy of hair cell counts in determining distance and position along the organ of Corti

The relationship between the density of hair cells (cells/mm) and measured distance along the guinea pig organ of Corti was determined using light microscopy and the surface specimen technique. It was demonstrated that the density of inner hair cells (IHC; mean 92.0 +/- 2.4) and 1st row of outer hair cells (OHC1; mean 118.7 +/- 2.3) did not show significant variation along the organ of Corti except within 0.5-1.0 mm of the apex and base where there was considerable variation between animals in the density of cells. There was a close relationship between the accumulated number of either IHC or OHC1 and distance from the base along the organ of Corti. Distances estimated by hair cell counts were similar to those determined by direct measurement. It is concluded that hair cell counts can be used to reliably estimate distances along the organ of Corti where accurate direct measurement is not possible, such as in scanning electron microscopy.     

Magnetic Relaxometry with an Atomic Magnetometer and SQUID Sensors on Targeted Cancer Cells

Magnetic relaxometry methods have been shown to be very sensitive in detecting cancer cells and other targeted diseases. Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) sensors are one of the primary sensor systems used in this methodology because of their high sensitivity with demonstrated capabilities of detecting fewer than 100,000 magnetically-labeled cancer cells. The emerging technology of atomic magnetometers (AM) represents a new detection method for magnetic relaxometry with high sensitivity and without the requirement for cryogens. We report here on a study of magnetic relaxometry using both AM and SQUID sensors to detect cancer cells that are coated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles through antibody targeting. The AM studies conform closely to SQUID sensor results in the measurement of the magnetic decay characteristics following a magnetization pulse. The AM and SQUID sensor data are well described theoretically for superparamagnetic particles bound to cells and the results can be used to determine the number of cells in a cell culture or tumor. The observed fields and magnetic moments of cancer cells are linear with the number of cells over a very large range. The AM sensor demonstrates very high sensitivity for detecting magnetically labeled cells does not require cryogenic cooling and is relatively inexpensive.     

Assessing defect density and wear resistance of ultrathin diamond-like carbon films

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films serve the dual purpose of protecting the magnetic underlayer from both slider contact and environmental corrosion in computer disk drives. Steadily increasing storage densities necessitate thinner and thinner protective films. Continuous, pinhole-free coverage of the magnetic medium is more difficult to achieve with thinner layers. Due to their sub-nanometer size, conventional techniques (SEM and AFM) are generally unable to detect pinholes. Therefore, we have utilized a novel pinhole-decoration technique (based on electrodeposition of Cu) to assess the coverage of very thin dual ion beam deposited nitrogen-doped DLC (N-DLC) films. The results of the decoration technique are compared with nanoscratch wear-resistance data. This combination of techniques demonstrates that, below 2 nm, the layer continuity and nanoscratch wear resistance of N-DLC films are severely compromised. Received: 5 September 2001 / Accepted: 11 December 2001 / Published online: 20 March 2002     

Lorentz effect imaging

This paper presents a method that can detect minute electrical activity in a strong magnetic field. It uses displacement encoding to detect small spatial displacement induced by Lorentz force on the conducting materials, hence the term Lorentz effect imaging (LEI). With increased sensitivity from improved hardware capabilities or signal averaging, this technique may be used to detect spatial displacements induced by small currents comparable to neuronal electrical current. The initial results using the LEI technique may provide insight in assessing the feasibility of using MRI to non-invasively detect the neuronal electrical activities.     

Inverse design of an organ-oriented RF coil for open,vertical-field,MR-guided,focused ultrasound surgery

The advantages of open, vertical-field, magnetic resonance-guided, focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) are attractive. The inverse technique using the bi-boundary conditions is proposed to design a uterine-oriented intraoperative RF coil with an ultrasound aperture for the MRgFUS system. In the current proposed scheme, the desired magnetic field of the RF coil was set to completely overlap the target organ. The current density distribution on the RF coil surface, accounting for the expected magnetic field, was solved using the inverse technique. The stream function was available through the ‘discretization’ of the current density distribution on the RF coil surface. The coil windings were obtained from the contour plot of the stream function. As a modification of previous designs, the bi-boundary conditions are proposed in the inverse technique for the existence of the ultrasound aperture. Based on the obtained coil windings, a prototype coil was constructed. MR imaging of the phantom and the human body was performed to show the efficacy of the prototype coil. The results of temperature measurement using the prototype coil in a 0.4-T MR system were satisfactory. The performance of the prototype coil improved compared with the previously reported design.     

Characterization of magnetic colloids by means of magnetooptics

A new, efficient method for the characterization of magnetic colloids based on the Faraday effect is proposed. According to the main principles of this technique, it is possible to detect the stray magnetic field of the colloidal particles induced inside the magnetooptical layer. The magnetic properties of individual particles can be determined providing measurements in a wide range of magnetic fields. The magnetization curves of capped colloids and paramagnetic colloids were measured by means of the proposed approach. The registration of the magnetooptical signals from each colloidal particle in an ensemble permits the use of this technique for testing the magnetic monodispersity of colloidal suspensions.     

Single‐cell resolution in high‐resolution synchrotron X‐ray CT imaging with gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles are excellent intracellular markers in X‐ray imaging. Having shown previously the suitability of gold nanoparticles to detect small groups of cells with the synchrotron‐based computed tomography (CT) technique both ex vivo and in vivo, it is now demonstrated that even single‐cell resolution can be obtained in the brain at least ex vivo. Working in a small animal model of malignant brain tumour, the image quality obtained with different imaging modalities was compared. To generate the brain tumour, 1 × 10⁵ C6 glioma cells were loaded with gold nanoparticles and implanted in the right cerebral hemisphere of an adult rat. Raw data were acquired with absorption X‐ray CT followed by a local tomography technique based on synchrotron X‐ray absorption yielding single‐cell resolution. The reconstructed synchrotron X‐ray images were compared with images obtained by small animal magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of gold nanoparticles in the tumour tissue was verified in histological sections.     

High-efficiency detection of a single quantum of angular momentum by suppression of optical pumping

We propose and demonstrate experimentally the discrimination between two spin states of an atom purely on the basis of their angular momentum. The discrimination relies on angular momentum selection rules and does not require magnetic effects such as a magnetic dipole moment of the atom or an applied magnetic field. The central ingredient is to prevent by coherent population trapping an optical pumping process which would otherwise relax the spin state before a detectable signal could be obtained. We detected the presence or absence of a single quantum (h) of angular momentum in a trapped calcium ion in a single observation with success probability 0.86. As a practical technique, the method can be applied to read out some types of quantum computer.     

In vivo sodium-23 magnetic resonance surface coil imaging: Observing experimental cerebral ischemia in the rat

Sodium-23 magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect and assess experimental cerebral ischemia in the rat. An imaging technique utilizing a surface coil is described to produce sodium magnetic resonance images of good quality and resolution within 10 min. A novel method of hemispheric occlusion showed edema in the right brain of the rat head within 3 hr after injury. The edema was especially pronounced by 12 hr with effects in the right brain, eye and surrounding muscle evident.     

Preparation of cold ions in strong magnetic field and its application to gas-phase NMR spectroscopy

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique is widely used as a powerful tool to study the physical and chemical properties of materials. However, this technique is limited to the materials in condensed phases. To extend this technique to the gas-phase molecular ions, we are developing a gas-phase NMR apparatus. In this note, we describe the basic principle of the NMR detection for molecular ions in the gas phase based on a Stern-Gerlach type experiment in a Penning trap and outline the apparatus under development. We also present the experimental procedures and the results on the formation and the manipulation of cold ions under a strong magnetic field, which are the key techniques to detect the NMR by the present method.     

Method for intracellular magnetic labeling of human mononuclear cells using approved iron contrast agents

A method for intracellular iron labeling of human mononuclear cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using simple incubation of cells with approved MRI iron contrast agents is presented. Labeled cells can be detected by MRI in vitro, and this suggests the possibility that the technique could become a marker for in vivo lymphocyte and monocyte trafficking studies in acute inflammatory lesions such as those in Multiple Sclerosis.