Bostonia. Volume 12

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

Combination of complex-based and magnitude-based multiecho water-fat separation for accurate quantification of fat-fraction

Multipoint water-fat separation techniques rely on different water-fat phase shifts generated at multiple echo times to decompose water and fat. Therefore, these methods require complex source images and allow unambiguous separation of water and fat signals. However, complex-based water-fat separation methods are sensitive to phase errors in the source images, which may lead to clinically important errors. An alternative approach to quantify fat is through magnitude-based methods that acquire multiecho magnitude images. Magnitude-based methods are insensitive to phase errors, but cannot estimate fat-fraction greater than 50%. In this work, we introduce a water-fat separation approach that combines the strengths of both complex and magnitude reconstruction algorithms. A magnitude-based reconstruction is applied after complex-based water-fat separation to removes the effect of phase errors. The results from the two reconstructions are then combined. We demonstrate that using this hybrid method, 0-100% fat-fraction can be estimated with improved accuracy at low fat-fractions. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc

The erythromycin breath test as a predictor of cyclosporine blood levels

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109915/1/cptclpt1990126.pd

Predictors of Depression Among Older African American Cancer Patients

Depression is becoming an increasing concern in cancer patients because of its impact on quality of life. Although risk factors of having depression have been examined in the literature, there has been no research examining these factors in older African American cancer patients

T1 independent, T2* corrected chemical shift based fat-water separation with multi-peak fat spectral modeling is an accurate and precise measure of hepatic steatosis

Purpose: To determine the precision and accuracy of hepatic fat-fraction measured with a chemical shift-based MRI fat-water separation method, using single-voxel MR spectroscopy (MRS) as a reference standard. Materials and Methods: In 42 patients, two repeated measurements were made using a T 1-independent, T2 *-corrected chemical shift-based fat-water separation method with multi-peak spectral modeling of fat, and T 2-corrected single voxel MR spectroscopy. Precision was assessed through calculation of Bland-Altman plots and concordance correlation intervals. Accuracy was assessed through linear regression between MRI and MRS. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI fat-fractions for diagnosis of steatosis using MRS as a reference standard were also calculated. Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated excellent precision of MRI and MRS fat-fractions, indicated by 95% confidence intervals (units of absolute percent) of [-2.66%,2.64%] for single MRI ROI measurements, [-0.81%,0.80%] for averaged MRI ROI, and [-2.70%,2.87%] for single-voxel MRS. Linear regression between MRI and MRS indicated that the MRI method is highly accurate. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of steatosis using averaged MRI ROI were 100% and 94%, respectively. The relationship between hepatic fat-fraction and body mass index was examined. Conclusion: Fat-fraction measured with T1-independent T 2*-corrected MRI and multi-peak spectral modeling of fat is a highly precise and accurate method of quantifying hepatic steatosis. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Perceptions of Support Among Older African American Cancer Survivors

To explore the perceived social support needs among older adult African American cancer survivors

Baker Center Journal of Applied Public Policy - Vol. IV, No.II

This special edition includes articles from speakers at a 2010 conference - Howard H. Baker, Jr: A Life in Public Service and a special addendum including photographs and cartoons from Sen. Baker\u27s career