The elimination of magnetic susceptibility artifacts in the micro-image of liquid-solid interfaces: internal gradient modulation by the CPMG RF train

Distortions of magnetic resonance images near solid-liquid interface appear as the result of the restriction to spin self-diffusion in the proximity of impermeable boundary as well as of a susceptibility difference. The spectral analysis of spin echo enables to resolve, in a simple way, how various RF-gradient pulse sequences reduce the effect of the internal magnetic field induced by the susceptibility difference at interfaces. The 1D diffusion-weighted imaging of water in the narrow notch tested efficiency of some sequence. The notch was milled in a piece of Plexiglas. The method can be used to distinguish the susceptibility effect from the effects of applied gradients when investigating the transport of fluid through a porous structure.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of single rice kernels during cooking

The RARE imaging method was used to monitor the cooking of single rice kernels in real time and with high spatial resolution in three dimensions. The imaging sequence is optimized for rapid acquisition of signals with short relaxation times using centered out RARE. Short scan time and high spatial resolution are critical factors in the investigation of the cooking behavior of rice kernels since time and spatial averaging may lead to erroneous results. The results are confirming the general pattern of moisture ingress that has been suspected from previous (more limited) studies. Water uptake as determined by analysis of the MRI time series recorded during cooking compares well with gravimetric studies. This allows using these real-time MRI data for developing and validating models that describe the effect of kernel microstructure on its cooking behavior.     

Preparation and characterisation of ribonuclease monolithic bioreactor

In gene therapy and DNA vaccination, RNA removal from DNA preparations is vital and is typically achieved by the addition of ribonuclease into the sample. Removal of ribonuclease from DNA samples requires an additional purification step. An alternative is the implementation of immobilized ribonuclease. In our work, ribonuclease was covalently coupled onto the surface of methacrylate monoliths via epoxy or imidazole carbamate groups. Various immobilization conditions were tested by changing immobilization pH. Ribonuclease immobilized on the monolith via imidazole carbamate groups at pH 9 was found to be six times more active than the ribonuclease immobilized on the monolith via epoxy groups. Under optimal immobilization conditions the Michaelis-Menten constant, Km, for cytidine-2,3-cyclic monophosphate, and turnover number, k3 were 0.52 mM and 4.6s(-1), respectively, and mirrored properties of free enzyme. Enzyme reactor was found to efficiently eliminate RNA contaminants from DNA samples. It was active for several weeks of operation and processed 300 column volumes of sample. Required residence time to eliminate RNA was estimated to be around 0.5 min enabling flow rates above 1 column volume per min.     

Facile synthesis of optically active imidazole derivatives

Five optically active imidazole derivatives have been synthesized via a facile 4-step reaction sequence starting from commercially available and inexpensive N-Cbz amino acids. While microwave assisted condensation was unsuccessful, the condensation of the corresponding alpha-bromoketones with formamidine acetate in liquid ammonia was revealed to be a useful method for the synthesis of such imidazole derivatives. The derivatives thus prepared are structurally-related to histamine.     

Velocity autocorrelation spectra of fluid in porous media measured by the CPMG sequence and constant magnetic field gradient

Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) train of radiofrequency pulses applied to spins in the constant magnetic field gradient is an efficient variant of the modulated magnetic field gradient spin echo method, which provides information about molecular diffusion in the frequency domain instead of in the time domain as with the two-pulse gradient spin echo. The frequency range of this novel technique is broad enough to sample the power spectrum of displacement fluctuation in water-saturated pulverized silica (SiO2) and provides comprehensive information about the molecular restricted motion as well as about the structure of the medium.