Using solid-state MRI and a double-tuned RF coil to quantify bone matrix and mineral densities in rat bones.

Quantitative information on the composition of bone, specifically the content of calcium phosphate mineral and organic matrix, is essential for accurate diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and renal osteodystrophy, as well as for differentiating among these conditions. Conventional MRI fails to provide this information because these substances are solid and, therefore, yield no signal in conventional MRI scans, which typically employ spin or gradient echoes. In this report, we show how phosphorus and proton solid-state MRI yield the desired compositional information in bone specimens with ZTE and WASPI pulse sequences, respectively, coupled with the use of a two-port double-tuned solenoidal RF coil.

Surface dielectric resonator for in vivo EPR measurements.

This research report describes a novel surface dielectric resonator (SDR) with a flexible connector for in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Contrary to the conventional cavity or surface loop-gap resonators, the newly developed SDR is constructed from a ceramic dielectric material, and it is tuned to operate at the L-band frequency band (1.15 GHz) in continuous-wave mode.

Quantitative H Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Normal and Pathologic Rat Bones by Solid-State H ZTE Sequence with Water and Fat Suppression.

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) and osteomalacia (OM) are metabolic bone diseases characterized by mineral and matrix density changes. Quantitative bone matrix density differentiates OM from OP. MRI is a noninvasive and nonionizing imaging technique that can measure bone matrix density quantitatively in ex vivo and in vivo.

Quantitative P magnetic resonance imaging on pathologic rat bones by ZTE at 7T.

Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), which predisposes individuals to frequent fragility fractures. Quantitative BMD measurements can potentially help distinguish bone pathologies and allow clinicians to provide disease-relieving therapies. Our group has developed non-invasive and non-ionizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure bone mineral density quantitatively.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging of human knee cartilage at 3 T and 7 T.

The sensitivity of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in human knee cartilage (gagCEST) in vivo was evaluated at 3 and 7 T field strengths. Calculated gagCEST values without accounting for B(0) inhomogeneity (~0.6 ppm) were >20%.

Quantitative cartilage degeneration associated with spontaneous osteoarthritis in a guinea pig model.

Purpose: To determine (i) the feasibility and intra- and inter-scan reproducibility of T(1ρ) MRI in assessing cartilage degeneration in a guinea pig model with naturally occurring joint disease that closely mimics human osteoarthritis (OA), (ii) demonstrate the sensitivity of T(1ρ) MRI in assessing the age dependent cartilage degeneration in OA progression as compared to histopathological changes.

Materials And Methods: Duncan-Hartley guinea pigs were obtained at various ages and maintained under an IACUC approved protocol. The left hind stifle joint was imaged using T(1ρ) MRI on a 9.

Immobilized cell reactors in mineralization of dicarboxylic acid solid waste.

Dicarboxylic acid solid waste containing phthalic acid, malic acid, quinone, saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic esters etc., are discharged in huge quantities during the crackdown of benzene over the catalyst vanadium at temperatures greater than 500 degrees C in a dicarboxylic acid manufacturing industry. Concern over the biological effects of these compounds underlines the necessity to treat this solid waste.