Philips 3T Intera Magnetic Resonance Imaging System and Upgrade of existing MRI equipment

The objective of this proposal was twofold. First, upgrade existing MRI equipment, specifically a research 4.1T whole-body system. Second, purchase a clinical, state-of-the-art 3T MRI system tailored specifically to cardiovascular and neurological applications. This project was within the guidelines of ''Medical Applications and Measurement Science''. The goals were: [1] to develop beneficial applications of magnetic resonance imaging; [2] discover new applications of MR strategies for medical research; and [2] apply them for clinical diagnosis. Much of this proposal searched for breakthroughs in this noninvasive and nondestructive imaging technology. Finally, this proposal's activities focused on research in the basic science of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and engineering as applied to bioengineering. The centerpiece of this grant was our 4.1T ultra-high field whole-body nuclear magnetic resonance system and the newly acquired state-of-the-art, heart and head dedicated 3T clinical MRI system. We have successfully upgraded the equipment for the 4.1T system so that it is now state-of-the-art with new gradient and radio frequency amplifiers. We also purchase a unique In Vivo EKG monitoring unit that will permit tracking clinical quality EKG signals while the patient is in a high field MR scanner. Important upgrades of a peripheral vascular coil and a state-of-the-art clinical workstation for processing complex heart images were implemented. The most recent acquisition was the purchase of a state-of-the-art Philips 3T Intera clinical MRI system. This system is unique in that the magnet is only 5 1/2 feet long compare to over 12 feet long magnet of our 4.1T MRI system. The 3T MRI system is fully functional and its use and applications are already greatly benefiting the UAB with 200-300 micron resolution brain images and diagnostic quality MR angiography of coronary arteries in less than 5 minutes

NMR study of in vivo RIF-1 tumors: Analysis of perchloric acid extracts and identification of 1H, 31P and 13C resonances

Perchloric acid extracts of radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) tumors grown in mice have been analyzed by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and by various chromatographic methods. This analysis has permitted the unambiguous assignment of the 31P resonances observed in vivo to specific phosphorus-containing metabolites. The region of the in vivo spectra generally assigned to sugar phosphates has been found in RIF-1 tumors to contain primarily phosphorylethanolamine and phosphorylcholine rather than glycolytic intermediates. Phosphocreatine was observed in extracts of these tumor cells grown in culture as well as in the in vivo spectra, indicating that at least some of the phosphocreatine observed in vivo arises from the tumor itself and not from normal tissues. In the 31P-NMR spectra of the perchloric acid extract, resonances originating from purine and pyrimidine nucleoside di- and triphosphate were resolved. HPLC analyses of the nucleotide pool indicate that adenine derivatives were the most abundant components, but other nucleotides were present in significant amounts. The 1H and 13C resonance assignments of the majority of metabolites present in RIF-1 extracts have also been made. Of particular importance is the ability to observe lactate, the levels of which may provide a noninvasive measure of glycolysis in these cells in both the in vivo and in vitro states. In addition, the aminosulfonic acid, taurine, was found in high levels in the tumor extracts

X-ray angiography and magnetic resonance imaging to distinguish interarterial from septal courses of anomalous left coronary artery: an ex vivo heart model.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to demonstrate the distinguishing features between interarterial and intraseptal courses of an anomalous left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva (RSV) on X-ray angiography, using an ex vivo model. BACKGROUND: An anomalous left main coronary artery (LMCA) arising from the RSV can take prepulmonary, retro-aortic, interarterial (IA) or intraseptal (IS) courses, of which only the IA course is associated with sudden death. Anomalous LMCA is usually identified during catheter angiography. On Xray angiography, IA and IS courses have common characteristics that makes their distinction challenging. We hypothesized that the cranialcaudal orientation of the vessel on X-ray angiography allows these pathways to be distinguished, and tested this hypothesis using an ex vivo heart model. METHODS: Plastic tubing was inserted along the IA and IS courses in an ex vivo normal pig heart. X-ray imaging in standard views and MRI on a 3-T scanner were performed. RESULTS: In a normally formed heart, an anomalous LMCA with IA path must take a cephalad course, superior to the pulmonary valve. Conversely, an IS vessel will pass caudally, at or below the level of the infundibular septum. These findings were demonstrated in the X-ray angiograms and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: X-ray angiography can differentiate IA and IS courses of an anomalous LMCA in the normally formed heart. This may obviate the need for further cross-sectional imaging in many cases