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Input Function (input + function)
Kinds of Input Function Selected AbstractsPreparation of 4-[11C]methylmetaraminol, a potential PET tracer for assessment of myocardial sympathetic innervationJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 1 2003Oliver Langer Abstract The false adrenergic neurotransmitter [11C]meta -hydroxyephedrine ([11C]HED) is currently the PET tracer of choice for assessment of myocardial sympathetic innervation. The molecule is metabolised in the 4-position of the aromatic ring. The resulting radiolabelled metabolites need to be measured in order to obtain an arterial input function. Our aim was the development of a PET tracer with an increased metabolic stability relative to [11C]HED. We selected 4-methylmetaraminol as a candidate molecule for radiolabelling with 11C (t1/2 20.4 min). Our radiosynthetic approach towards 4-[11C]methylmetaraminol involved a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of a protected 4-trimethylstannyl derivative of metaraminol with [11C]methyl iodide followed by removal of the protective groups. 4-[11C]methylmetaraminol was obtained in a final decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 20,25% within a synthesis time of 60,80 min. The specific radioactivity at the end of the synthesis ranged from 18,37 to GBq/,mol. The unlabelled reference molecule, 4-methylmetaraminol, was prepared in a 5-step synthesis starting from metaraminol. A biological evaluation of 4-[11C]methylmetaraminol is in progress and the results will be reported elsewhere. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparison of dual to single contrast bolus magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging for detection of significant coronary artery diseaseJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2010Jan G.J. Groothuis MD Abstract Purpose: To investigate the incremental diagnostic value of dual-bolus over single-contrast-bolus first pass magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (MR-MPI) for detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: Patients (n = 49) with suspected CAD underwent first pass adenosine stress and rest MR-MPI and invasive coronary angiography (CA). Gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) was injected with a prebolus (1 mL) and a large bolus (0.1 mmol/kg). For the single-bolus technique, the arterial input function (AIF) was obtained from the large-contrast bolus. For the dual-bolus technique, the AIF was reconstructed from the prebolus. Absolute myocardial perfusion was calculated by Fermi-model constrained deconvolution. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to investigate diagnostic accuracy of MR myocardial perfusion imaging for detection of significant CAD on CA at vessel-based analysis. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of the minimal stress perfusion value for the detection of significant CAD using the single-bolus and dual-bolus technique was 0.85 ± 0.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77,0.93) and 0.77 ± 0.05 (95% CI, 0.67,0.86), respectively. Conclusion: In this study the dual-bolus technique had no incremental diagnostic value over single-bolus technique for detection of significant CAD with the used contrast concentrations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:88,93. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Perfusion parameters derived from bolus-tracking perfusion imaging are immune to tracer recirculation,JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2010Jayme Cameron Kosior PhD Abstract Purpose: To investigate the impact of tracer recirculation on estimates of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT). Materials and Methods: The theoretical model used to derive CBF, CBV, and MTT was examined. CBF and CBV estimates with and without tracer recirculation were compared in computer simulations to examine the effects of tracer recirculation. Results: The equations used to derive CBF, CBV, and MTT assume that the arterial input function and tissue tracer signals define the input and output signals, respectively, of a linear time-invariant system. As a result of the principle of superposition, these perfusion parameters are immune to tracer recirculation, which was confirmed by computer simulation. However, limited acquisition durations can lead to CBV and CBF errors of up to 50%. Conclusion: Tracer recirculation does not impact estimation of CBF, CBV, or MTT. However, previous approaches used to remove recirculation effects may be beneficial when used to compensate for limited acquisition durations in which the passage of the bolus is not adequately captured. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:753,756. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Use of cardiac output to improve measurement of input function in quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRIJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2009Jeff L. Zhang PhD Abstract Purpose To validate a new method for converting MR arterial signal intensity versus time curves to arterial input functions (AIFs). Materials and Methods The method constrains AIF with patient's cardiac output (Q). Monte Carlo simulations of MR renography and tumor perfusion protocols were carried out for comparison with two alternative methods: direct measurement and population-averaged input function. MR renography was performed to assess the method's inter- and intraday reproducibility for renal parameters. Results In simulations of tumor perfusion, the precision of the parameters (Ktrans and ve) computed using the proposed method was improved by at least a factor of three compared to direct measurement. Similar improvements were obtained in simulations of MR renography. Volunteer study for testing interday reproducibility confirmed the improvement of precision in renal parameters when using the proposed method compared to conventional methods. In another patient study (two injections within one session), the proposed method significantly increased the correlation coefficient (R) between GFR of the two exams (0.92 vs. 0.83) compared to direct measurement. Conclusion A new method significantly improves the precision of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) parameters. The method may be especially useful for analyzing repeated DCE examinations, such as monitoring tumor therapy or angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor renography. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:656,665. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quantitative contrast-enhanced perfusion measurements of the human lung using the prebolus approachJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2009Markus Oechsner MS Abstract Purpose To investigate dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) for quantification of pulmonary blood flow (PBF) and blood volume (PBV) using the prebolus approach and to compare the results to the global lung perfusion (GLP). Materials and Methods Eleven volunteers were examined by applying different contrast agent doses (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mL gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid [Gd-DTPA]), using a saturation-recovery (SR) true fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) sequence. PBF and PBV were determined for single bolus and prebolus. Region of interest (ROI) evaluation was performed and parameter maps were calculated. Additionally, cardiac output (CO) and lung volume were determined and GLP was calculated as a contrast agent,independent reference value. Results The prebolus results showed good agreement with low-dose single-bolus and GLP: PBF (mean ± SD in units of mL/minute/100 mL) = single bolus 190 ± 73 (0.5-mL dose) and 193 ± 63 (1.0-mL dose); prebolus 192 ± 70 (1.0,2.0-mL dose) and 165 ± 52 (1.0,3.0-mL dose); GLP (mL/minute/100 mL) = 187 ± 34. Higher single-bolus resulted in overestimated values due to arterial input function (AIF) saturation. Conclusion The prebolus approach enables independent determination of appropriate doses for AIF and tissue signal. Using this technique, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from lung parenchyma can be increased, resulting in improved PBF and PBV quantification, which is especially useful for the generation of parameter maps. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:104,111. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Improved bolus arrival time and arterial input function estimation for tracer kinetic analysis in DCE-MRIJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2009Anup Singh PhD Abstract Purpose To develop a methodology for improved estimation of bolus arrival time (BAT) and arterial input function (AIF) which are prerequisites for tracer kinetic analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) data and to verify the applicability of the same in the case of intracranial lesions (brain tumor and tuberculoma). Materials and Methods A continuous piecewise linear (PL) model (with BAT as one of the free parameters) is proposed for concentration time curve C(t) in T1 -weighted DCE-MRI. The resulting improved procedure suggested for automatic extraction of AIF is compared with earlier methods. The accuracy of BAT and other estimated parameters is tested over simulated as well as experimental data. Results The proposed PL model provides a good approximation of C(t) trends of interest and fit parameters show their significance in a better understanding and classification of different tissues. BAT was correctly estimated. The automatic and robust estimation of AIF obtained using the proposed methodology also corrects for partial volume effects. The accuracy of tracer kinetic analysis is improved and the proposed methodology also reduces the time complexity of the computations. Conclusion The PL model parameters along with AIF measured by the proposed procedure can be used for an improved tracer kinetic analysis of DCE-MRI data. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:166,176. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Reexamining the quantification of perfusion MRI data in the presence of bolus dispersion,JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2007Linda Ko BSc Abstract Purpose To determine the true impact of dispersion upon cerebral blood flow (CBF) quantification by removing an algorithm implementation-induced systematic error. Materials and Methods The impact of dispersion on the arterial input function (AIF) between measurement and entry into the tissue of interest on CBF estimates was simulated assuming: 1) contralateral circulation flow that introduces a true arterial tissue delay (ATD)-related dispersive component; and 2) the presence of an arterial stenosis that disperses and shifts the AIF peak entering the tissue; increasing the apparent ATD relative to the original AIF. Results Previously reported CBF estimates for the stenosis dispersion model were found to be a mixture of true dispersive effects and an algorithm implementation-induced systematic error. The true CBFMEASURED/CBFNO-DISPERSION ratios for short mean transit times (MTT) (normal) and long MTT (infarcted) tissue were similar for both dispersion models evaluated; this was an unanticipated result. The CBF quantification inaccuracies induced through the dispersion model truly related to ATD were lower than for the local stenosis-based dispersion for small ATD values. Conclusion Correcting the systematic error present in a previous deconvolution study removes the reported ATD-related impact on CBF quantification. The impact of dispersion was smaller than half that reported in previous simulation studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:639,643. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Calculation of cerebral perfusion parameters using regional arterial input functions identified by factor analysisJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2006Linda Knutsson MS Abstract Purpose To calculate regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and regional mean transit time (rMTT) accurately, an arterial input function (AIF) is required. In this study we identified a number of AIFs using factor analysis of dynamic studies (FADS), and performed the cerebral perfusion calculation pixel by pixel using the AIF that was located geometrically closest to a certain voxel. Materials and Methods To verify the robustness of the method, simulated images were generated in which dispersion or delay was added in some arteries and in the corresponding cerebral gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and ischemic tissue. Thereafter, AIFs were determined using the FADS method and simulations were performed using different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Simulations were also carried out using an AIF from a single pixel that was manually selected. In vivo results were obtained from normal volunteers and patients. Results The FADS method reduced the underestimation of rCBF due to dispersion or delay that often occurs when only one AIF represents the entire brain. Conclusion This study indicates that the use of FADS and the nearest-AIF method is preferable to manual selection of one single AIF. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Influence of the Non-Perfect Step Input Concentration at the Feed Side of the Membrane Surface on the Diffusion Coefficient EvaluationMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 3 2006Jirina Cermakova Abstract Summary: Vapor diffusion coefficients in polymeric membranes were evaluated from dynamic permeation experiments. A membrane separated the diffusion cell into two parts , upstream and downstream. At the start of the experiment the concentration change in the upstream part (feed side) was made by substituting the input stream of pure nitrogen by the stream of permeant vapors. The solution of the Fick's second law with the step input concentration function is used for the evaluation of diffusion coefficients. The realization of the step input function can be difficult and its imperfection can negatively influence the evaluation process. This contribution deals with the description of the experimentally obtained input function and the study of its influence on evaluated values of diffusion coefficients. The mathematical model, which includes the non-perfect step input concentration function and the transport through a polymer was developed. The results of this study enable the estimation of diffusion coefficient evaluation errors as dependence on the experimental arrangements and on the membrane transport properties. Diffusion apparatus for measurement of the steady-state permeation process. [source] The MRI-measured arterial input function resulting from a bolus injection of Gd-DTPA in a rat model of stroke slightly underestimates that of Gd-[14C]DTPA and marginally overestimates the blood-to-brain influx rate constant determined by Patlak plotsMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Tavarekere N. Nagaraja Abstract The hypothesis that the arterial input function (AIF) of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid injected by intravenous bolus and measured by the change in the T1 -relaxation rate (,R1; R1 = 1/T1) of superior sagittal sinus blood (AIF-I) approximates the AIF of 14C-labeled gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid measured in arterial blood (reference AIF) was tested in a rat stroke model (n = 13). Contrary to the hypothesis, the initial part of the ,R1 -time curve was underestimated, and the area under the normalized curve for AIF-I was about 15% lower than that for the reference AIF. Hypothetical AIFs for gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid were derived from the reference AIF values and averaged to obtain a cohort-averaged AIF. Influx rate constants (Ki) and proton distribution volumes at zero time (Vp + Vo) were estimated with Patlak plots of AIF-I, hypothetical AIFs, and cohort-averaged AIFs and tissue ,R1 data. For the regions of interest, the Kis estimated with AIF-I were slightly but not significantly higher than those obtained with hypothetical AIFs and cohort-averaged AIF. In contrast, Vp + Vo was significantly higher when calculated with AIF-I. Similar estimates of Ki and Vp + Vo were obtained with hypothetical AIFs and cohort-averaged AIF. In summary, AIF-I underestimated the reference AIF; this shortcoming had little effect on the Ki calculated by Patlak plot but produced a significant overestimation of Vp + Vo. Magn Reson Med 63:1502,1509, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quantitative analysis of first-pass contrast-enhanced myocardial perfusion MRI using a patlak plot method and blood saturation correctionMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009Takashi Ichihara Abstract The objectives of this study were to develop a method for quantifying myocardial K1 and blood flow (MBF) with minimal operator interaction by using a Patlak plot method and to compare the MBF obtained by perfusion MRI with that from coronary sinus blood flow in the resting state. A method that can correct for the nonlinearity of the blood time,signal intensity curve on perfusion MR images was developed. Myocardial perfusion MR images were acquired with a saturation-recovery balanced turbo field-echo sequence in 10 patients. Coronary sinus blood flow was determined by phase-contrast cine MRI, and the average MBF was calculated as coronary sinus blood flow divided by left ventricular (LV) mass obtained by cine MRI. Patlak plot analysis was performed using the saturation-corrected blood time,signal intensity curve as an input function and the regional myocardial time,signal intensity curve as an output function. The mean MBF obtained by perfusion MRI was 86 ± 25 ml/min/100 g, showing good agreement with MBF calculated from coronary sinus blood flow (89 ± 30 ml/min/100 g, r = 0.74). The mean coefficient of variation for measuring regional MBF in 16 LV myocardial segments was 0.11. The current method using Patlak plot permits quantification of MBF with operator interaction limited to tracing the LV wall contours, registration, and time delays. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of an AIF correction algorithm for dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion MRIMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008Peter Brunecker Abstract For longitudinal studies in patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases the poor reproducibility of perfusion measurements via dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI (DSC-MRI) is a relevant concern. We evaluate a novel algorithm capable of overcoming limitations in DSC-MRI caused by partial volume and saturation issues in the arterial input function (AIF) by a blood flow stimulation-study. In 21 subjects, perfusion parameters before and after administration of blood flow stimulating L -arginine were calculated utilizing a block-circulant singular value decomposition (cSVD). A total of two different raters and three different rater conditions were employed to select AIFs: Besides 1) an AIF selection by an experienced rater, a beginner rater applied a steady state-oriented strategy, returning; 2) raw; and 3) corrected AIFs. Highly significant changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by 9.0% (P < 0.01) could only be found when the AIF correction was performed. To further test for improved reproducibility, in a subgroup of seven subjects the baseline measurement was repeated 6 weeks after the first examination. In this group as well, using the correction algorithm decreased the SD of the difference between the two baseline measurements by 42%. Magn Reson Med 60:102,110, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Perfusion MRI with radial acquisition for arterial input function assessment,MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007Eugene G. Kholmovski Abstract Quantification of myocardial perfusion critically depends on accurate arterial input function (AIF) and tissue enhancement curves (TECs). Except at low doses, the AIF is inaccurate because of the long saturation recovery time (SRT) of the pulse sequence. The choice of dose and SRT involves a trade-off between the accuracy of the AIF and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the TEC. Recent methods to resolve this trade-off are based on the acquisition of two data sets: one to accurately estimate the AIF, and one to find the high-SNR TEC. With radial k -space sampling, a set of images with varied SRTs can be reconstructed from the same data set, allowing an accurate assessment of the AIF and TECs, and their conversion to contrast agent (CA) concentration. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a radial acquisition for quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging. Magn Reson Med 57:821,827, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Measuring the arterial input function with gradient echo sequencesMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2003Matthias J.P. van Osch Abstract The measurement of the arterial input function by use of gradient echo sequences was investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. First, calibration curves representing the influence of the concentration of Gd-DTPA on both the phase and the amplitude of the MR signal were measured in human blood by means of a slow-infusion experiment. The results showed a linear increase in the phase velocity and a quadratic increase in ,R as a function of the Gd-DTPA concentration. Next, the resultant calibration curves were incorporated in a partial volume correction algorithm for the arterial input function determination. The algorithm was tested in a phantom experiment and was found to substantially improve the accuracy of the concentration measurement. Finally, the reproducibility of the arterial input function measurement was estimated in 16 patients by considering the input function of the left and the right sides as replicate measurements. This in vivo study showed that the reproducibility of the arterial input function determination using gradient echo sequences is improved by employing a partial volume correction algorithm based on the calibration curve for the contrast agent used. Magn Reson Med 49:1067,1076, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using Gd-DTPA: Interindividual variability of the arterial input function and consequences for the assessment of kinetics in tumors ,MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2001Ruediger E. Port Abstract Gd-DTPA kinetics in arterial blood was investigated by dynamic MRI in 47 patients with malignant and benign mammary tumors. Signal enhancement was monitored for 10 min after the beginning of a 1-min infusion of 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA. Kinetics in blood was biexponential with median half-lives of 21 sec and 11.1 min, respectively. Peak signal enhancement and the area under the signal enhancement,time curve varied 2.5- and 3.7-fold between patients. The shortest mean residence time in one of up to three tumor compartments, MRT*, was estimated using either the individual (reference) or a mean population (surrogate) arterial input function (AIF). MRT* (reference estimate) was 1.0 (0,1.5), 1.9 (1.5,2.3), and 2.5 (2.3,2.8) min in carcinomas, fibroadenomas, and mastopathies, respectively (median and interquartile distance). Surrogate estimates were unbiased but differed from the reference estimates 1.5-fold or more in 23% of cases. AIFs should be monitored individually if accurate estimates of individual MRT* are desired. Magn Reson Med 45:1030,1038, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Study of onset time-shift and injection duration in DCE-MRI: a comparison of a reference region model with the general kinetic modelNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Ing-Tsung Hsiao Abstract In dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI), sampling of the arterial input function (AIF) is required for analysis using the general kinetic model (GKM). Alternatively, the recently proposed reference region model (RRM) may be employed to avoid the need of acquiring the AIF. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the AIF onset-time shift and the injection duration, under various sampling intervals, on physiological parameter estimation in DCE-MRI using the GKM, and to compare the performance between GKM and RRM. Computer simulations were performed to assess the mean error (ME) and coefficient of variation (CoV) of Ktrans,TOI and ve,TOI from shifted and dispersed AIF with temporal resolution of 1, 5 and 10,s. With 5-s sampling, the maximal ME of Ktrans,TOI was roughly 22% for the GKM and 0.5% for the RRM. With 10-s sampling, they increased to around 28% and 0.7%, respectively. The maximal MEs of ve,TOI for all cases were under 5%. However, owing to the lower SNR in the reference region, the CoV obtained by the RRM were all higher than those by the GKM. The results suggested that with compromised temporal resolution, the RRM was relatively less sensitive to the AIF onset-time shift and the injection duration compared with the GKM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A method for interleaved acquisition of a vascular input function for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in experimental rat tumoursNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2004Dominick J. O. McIntyre Abstract Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is widely used for the evaluation of the response of experimental rodent tumours to antitumour therapy, particularly for the newly developing antiangiogenic and antivascular agents. However, standard models require a time-course for the plasma concentration of contrast agent (usually referred to as the arterial input function) to calculate the transfer constant Ktrans from the dynamic time-course data. Ideally, the plasma concentration time-course should be measured during each experiment to obtain the most accurate measure of Ktrans. This is technically difficult in rodents, so assumed values are generally used. A method is presented here using interleaved acquisitions from a tail coil to obtain the plasma concentration simultaneously with DCE-MRI data obtained from a solenoid coil around the tumour. The SNR of the resulting vascular input function data is high compared with methods using a volume coil to acquire plasma concentrations from the aorta and vena cava. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of the anti-vascular effects of combretastatin in rodent tumours by dynamic contrast enhanced MRINMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2002Ross J. Maxwell The anti-vascular effects of the tubulin binding agent, disodium combretastatin A-4 3- O -phosphate (CA-4-P), have been investigated in the rat P22 carcinosarcoma by measurements of radiolabelled iodoantipyrine uptake and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. The iodoantipyrine estimates of absolute tumour blood flow showed a reduction from 0.35 to 0.04,ml g,1 min,1 6,h after 10,mg kg,1 CA-4-P and to <0.01,ml g,1 min,1 after 100,mg kg,1. Tumour blood flow recovered to control values 24,h after 10,mg kg,1 CA-4-P, but there was no recovery by 24,h after the higher dose. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images were obtained at 4.7 T, following injection of 0.1,mmol kg,1 Gd-DTPA and analysed assuming a model arterial input function. A parameter, Ktrans, which is related to blood flow rate and permeability of the tumour vasculature to Gd-DTPA, was calculated from the uptake data. Ktrans showed a reduction from 0.34 to 0.11 min,1 6,h after 10,mg kg,1 CA-4-P and to 0.07 min,1 after 100,mg kg,1. Although the magnitude of changes in Ktrans was smaller than that in tumour blood flow, the time course and dose-dependency patterns were very similar. The apparent extravascular extracellular volume fraction, ,e, showed a four-fold reduction 6,h after 100,mg kg,1 CA-4-P, possibly associated with vascular shutdown within large regions of the tumour. These results suggest that Ktrans values for Gd-DTPA uptake into tumours could be a useful non-invasive indicator of blood flow changes induced by anti-vascular agents such as combretastatin. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Widespread decrease of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in Parkinson's diseaseANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2006Masahiro Fujita MD Objective Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have close interactions with the dopaminergic system and play critical roles in cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to compare these receptors between living PD patients and healthy subjects. Methods Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were imaged in 10 nondemented Parkinson's disease patients and 15 age-matched healthy subjects using a single-photon emission computed tomography ligand [123I]5-iodo-3-[2(S)-2-azetidinylmethoxy]pyridine. Using an arterial input function, we measured the total distribution volume (V; specific plus nondisplaceable), as well as the delivery (K1). Results Parkinson's disease showed a widespread significant decrease (approximately 10%) of V in both cortical and subcortical regions without a significant change in K1. Interpretation These results indicate the importance of extending the study to demented patients. Ann Neurol 2006;59:174,177 [source] Cerebral perfusion information obtained by dynamic contrast-enhanced phase-shift magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with model-free arterial spin labellingCLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 5 2010Ronnie Wirestam Summary Phase-shift time curves following a bolus injection of gadolinium contrast agent were registered for grey-matter regions and large vessels in 14 subjects. Deconvolving a tissue phase-shift curve with a phase-based arterial input function resulted in a tissue residue function R(t). The peak value of R(t) provided a relative cerebral blood flow (CBF) index, while the area-to-height ratio of R(t) provided quantitative mean transit time (MTT). For comparison, quantitative CBF values in grey matter were acquired using model-free arterial spin labelling (ASL). The phase-based relative CBF estimates showed good linear correlation with ASL-based CBF (r = 0·82). Grey-matter MTT was 4·9 ± 1·1 s (mean ± SD). [source] Interactive Web-based package for computer-aided learning of structural behaviorCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 3 2002X. F. Yuan Abstract This paper presents an innovative Web-based package named CALSB for computer-aided learning of structural behavior. The package was designed to be widely accessible through the Internet, user-friendly by the automation of many input functions and the extensive use of cursor movements, and dynamically interactive by linking all input and output data to a single graphical display on the screen. The package includes an analysis engine based on the matrix stiffness method, so the response of any two-dimensional skeletal structure can be predicted and graphically displayed. The package thus provides a virtual laboratory environment in which the user can "build and test" two-dimensional skeletal structures of unlimited choices to enhance his understanding of structural behavior. In addition, the package includes two other innovative features, structural games and paradoxes. The structural games in the package represent perhaps the first attempt at intentionally combining the learning of structural behavior with joy and excitement, while the structural paradoxes provide a stimulating environment conducive for the development of creative problem solving skills of the user. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 121,136, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.10020 [source] Use of cardiac output to improve measurement of input function in quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRIJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2009Jeff L. Zhang PhD Abstract Purpose To validate a new method for converting MR arterial signal intensity versus time curves to arterial input functions (AIFs). Materials and Methods The method constrains AIF with patient's cardiac output (Q). Monte Carlo simulations of MR renography and tumor perfusion protocols were carried out for comparison with two alternative methods: direct measurement and population-averaged input function. MR renography was performed to assess the method's inter- and intraday reproducibility for renal parameters. Results In simulations of tumor perfusion, the precision of the parameters (Ktrans and ve) computed using the proposed method was improved by at least a factor of three compared to direct measurement. Similar improvements were obtained in simulations of MR renography. Volunteer study for testing interday reproducibility confirmed the improvement of precision in renal parameters when using the proposed method compared to conventional methods. In another patient study (two injections within one session), the proposed method significantly increased the correlation coefficient (R) between GFR of the two exams (0.92 vs. 0.83) compared to direct measurement. Conclusion A new method significantly improves the precision of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) parameters. The method may be especially useful for analyzing repeated DCE examinations, such as monitoring tumor therapy or angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor renography. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:656,665. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Absolute quantification of cerebral blood flow in normal volunteers: Correlation between Xe-133 SPECT and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRIJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2007Linda Knutsson PhD Abstract Purpose To compare absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimates obtained by dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI) and Xe-133 SPECT. Materials and Methods CBF was measured in 20 healthy volunteers using DSC-MRI at 3T and Xe-133 SPECT. DSC-MRI was accomplished by gradient-echo EPI and CBF was calculated using a time-shift-insensitive deconvolution algorithm and regional arterial input functions (AIFs). To improve the reproducibility of AIF registration the time integral was rescaled by use of a venous output function. In the Xe-133 SPECT experiment, Xe-133 gas was inhaled over 8 minutes and CBF was calculated using a biexponential analysis. Results The average whole-brain CBF estimates obtained by DSC-MRI and Xe-133 SPECT were 85 ± 23 mL/(min 100 g) and 40 ± 8 mL/(min 100 g), respectively (mean ± SD, n = 20). The linear CBF relationship between the two modalities showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.76 and was described by the equation CBF(MRI) = 2.4 · CBF(Xe),7.9 (CBF in units of mL/(min 100 g)). Conclusion A reasonable positive linear correlation between MRI-based and SPECT-based CBF estimates was observed after AIF time-integral correction. The use of DSC-MRI typically results in overestimated absolute perfusion estimates and the present study indicates that this trend is further enhanced by the use of high magnetic field strength (3T). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:913,920. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Calculation of cerebral perfusion parameters using regional arterial input functions identified by factor analysisJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2006Linda Knutsson MS Abstract Purpose To calculate regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and regional mean transit time (rMTT) accurately, an arterial input function (AIF) is required. In this study we identified a number of AIFs using factor analysis of dynamic studies (FADS), and performed the cerebral perfusion calculation pixel by pixel using the AIF that was located geometrically closest to a certain voxel. Materials and Methods To verify the robustness of the method, simulated images were generated in which dispersion or delay was added in some arteries and in the corresponding cerebral gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and ischemic tissue. Thereafter, AIFs were determined using the FADS method and simulations were performed using different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Simulations were also carried out using an AIF from a single pixel that was manually selected. In vivo results were obtained from normal volunteers and patients. Results The FADS method reduced the underestimation of rCBF due to dispersion or delay that often occurs when only one AIF represents the entire brain. Conclusion This study indicates that the use of FADS and the nearest-AIF method is preferable to manual selection of one single AIF. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Magnetic resonance brain perfusion imaging with voxel-specific arterial input functionsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2006Renate Grüner MSc Abstract Purpose To propose an automatic method for estimating voxel-specific arterial input functions (AIFs) in dynamic contrast brain perfusion imaging. Materials and Methods Voxel-specific AIFs were estimated blindly using the theory of homomorphic transformations and complex cepstrum analysis. Wiener filtering was used in the subsequent deconvolution. The method was verified using simulated data and evaluated in 10 healthy adults. Results Computer simulations accurately estimated differently shaped, normalized AIFs. Simple Wiener filtering resulted in underestimation of flow values. Preliminary in vivo results showed comparable cerebral flow value ratios between gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) when using blindly estimated voxel-specific AIFs or a single manually selected AIF. Significant differences (P , 0.0125) in mean transit time (MTT) and time-to-peak (TTP) in GM compared to WM was seen with the new method. Conclusion Initial results suggest that the proposed method can replace the tedious and difficult task of manually selecting an AIF, while simultaneously providing better differentiation between time-dependent hemodynamic parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||