High Resolution T1ρ Mapping of In Vivo Human Knee Cartilage at 7T

Purpose

Spin lattice relaxation time in rotating frame (T1ρ) mapping of human knee cartilage has shown promise in detecting biochemical changes during osteoarthritis. Due to higher field strength, MRI at 7T has advantages in term of SNR compared to clinical MR scanners and this can be used to increase in image resolution. Objective of current study was to evaluate the feasibility of high resolution T1ρ mapping of in vivo human knee cartilage at 7T MR scanner.

Materials and Methods

In this study we have used a T1ρ prepared GRE pulse sequence for obtaining high resolution (in plan resolution  = 0.2 mm²) T1ρ MRI of human knee cartilage at 7T. The effect of a global and localized reference frequency and reference voltage setting on B₀, B₁ and T1ρ maps in cartilage was evaluated. Test-retest reliability results of T1ρ values from asymptomatic subjects as well as T1ρ maps from abnormal cartilage of two human subjects are presented. These results are compared with T1ρ MRI data obtained from 3T.

Results

Our approach enabled acquisition of 3D-T1ρ data within allowed SAR limits at 7T. SNR of cartilage on T1ρ weighted images was greater than 90. Off-resonance effects present in the cartilage B₀, B₁ and T1ρ maps obtained using global shim and reference frequency and voltage setting, were reduced by the proposed localized reference frequency and voltage setting. T1ρ values of cartilage obtained with the localized approach were reproducible. Abnormal knee cartilage showed elevated T1ρ values in affected regions. T1ρ values at 7T were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to those obtained at 3T.

Conclusion

In summary, by using proposed localized frequency and voltage setting approach, high-resolution 3D-T1ρ maps of in vivo human knee cartilage can be obtained in clinically acceptable scan times (<30 min) and SAR constraints, which provides the ability to characterize cartilage molecular integrity.     

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields prime mesenchymal stem cells to peptide ghrelin and enhance chondrogenesis and osteochondral defect repair in vivo

Science China Life Sciences - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important cell sources in cartilage tissue development and homeostasis, and multiple strategies have been developed to improve MSCs...     

美国黄松、班克松和油松的抗寒性比较

通过人工冰冻和电导率的测定,对黄土丘陵沟壑区引种载培的美国黄松、班克松和乡土树种油松的抗寒性进行了鉴定,并探讨其抗寒机理.结果表明,班克松的抗寒性比油松强,而美国黄松的抗寒性比油松稍弱.班克松的束缚水/自由水比值高达7.0,组织中ABA含量高达164.3 μg·g^-1 FW;但可溶性糖和K⁺含量较低,分别为12.0%和2 450 μg·g^-1 DW.油松则是可溶性糖、K⁺和ABA含量都较高,分别为18.68%、4 538 μg·g^-1 DW和95.8 μg·g^-1 FW;束缚水/自由水比值较低,为2.58.美国黄松的可溶性糖含量较高,18.05％;但束缚水/自由水比值、K⁺和ABA含量都较低,分别为2.18、2 275 μg·g^-1 DW和63.3 μg·g^-1 FW,可能是其抗寒性较弱的内在原因.班克松较低的叶绿素含量和较高的类胡萝卜素/叶绿素比值对其抗寒性也有贡献.说明3种树种虽然都是抗寒树种,但其内在机理仍有差异.     

来自美国河流保护的启示 找出需求的平衡点

<正>在美国,已没人否认河流的真正价值人们相信只有自由流动的河水才能保持多种物种和谐的自然生态系统而人类也是这个系统中的一个环节大约50年前,美国人发现两百多年的大坝建筑史不再是辉煌和成就的标志。许多河流上的大坝使下游干涸,河口三角洲变成荒漠;河流中很多物种一个接一个地消失,不断有鱼类濒临灭绝的报告……     

Comparative Analysis of Genome-Wide Chromosomal Histone Modification Patterns in Maize Cultivars and Their Wild Relatives

Recent advances demonstrate that epigenome changes can also cause phenotypic diversity and can be heritable across generations, indicating that they may play an important role in evolutionary processes. In this study, we analyzed the chromosomal distribution of several histone modifications in five elite maize cultivars (B73, Mo17, Chang7-2, Zheng58, ZD958) and their two wild relatives (Zea mays L. ssp. parviglumis and Zea nicaraguensis) using a three-dimensional (3D) epigenome karyotyping approach by combining immunostaining and 3D reconstruction with deconvolution techniques. The distribution of these histone modifications along chromosomes demonstrated that the histone modification patterns are conserved at the chromosomal level and have not changed significantly following domestication. The comparison of histone modification patterns between metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei showed that some of the histone modifications were retained as the cell progressed from interphase into metaphase, although remodelling existed. This study will increase comprehension of the function of epigenetic modifications in the structure and evolution of the maize genome.