bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward an accurate MR measure of the axon radii by accounting for myelin-specific attenuation of the diffusion MRI signal in the brain
Authors: Oliviero Stefania , Gratta Cosimo Del , Traeba Andrada , Boccato Tommaso , Mainero Caterina , Toschi Nicola
Published: August 2024

An accurate, noninvasive measure of axonal radii could play a crucial role in the understanding of healthy and diseased neural processes. Several diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) methods report on the axon radii distribution or mean axon radii. However, these measurements systematically overestimate histologically derived values. In this preliminary study, we address this limitation by formulating a model which explicitly includes the myelin contribution to the cerebral dMR signal. In detail, we introduce a myelinic compartment in both the AxCaliber and ActiveAx models and demonstrate a significant improvement of axonal radius estimation using synthetic data simulation.
Fast and robust parallel imaging algorithm for Spiral MRI with Fat-Water separation
Authors: Chao Tzu Cheng , Peng Xi , Wang Dinghui , Pipe James
Published: August 2024

Three different models to reconstruct fat and water spiral images with parallel acquisition are compared in terms of computational efficiency and reconstruction quality. The best reconstruction is obtained with a full model requiring the most computational time, while the model with the fastest computational time results in some degradation of image quality. A third, preferred model preserves most of the image quality of the first model, with nearly the same speedup as the latter model.
Spatially Fourier Excited Acquisition and Reconstruction (SFEAR) for Improved Slice Acceleration
Authors: Yaghmaie Negin , Syeda Warda , Blunck Yasmin , Tahayori Bahman , Glarin Rebecca , Moffat Bradford , Johnston Leigh
Published: August 2024

A new 3D Spatially Fourier Excited Acquisition and Reconstruction method (SFEAR) is introduced, in which double-RF pulses are used to excite sinusoidally-modulated slice profiles across a slab. Target spatial frequencies are achieved by varying the time shift between the two pulses, to construct the slice-phase-encode dimension of 3D k-space from Fourier excited acquisitions. SFEAR outperforms conventional GRAPPA in the slice-phase encode dimension, given its inherent ability to undersample sine or cosine components rather than whole planes of 3D k-space. Superior reconstruction of undersampled data and lower g-factor values are demonstrated in both 7T phantom and in vivo data.
Water removal in MR spectroscopic imaging with Casorati Singular Value Decomposition
Authors: Shamaei Amirmohammad , Starcukova Jana , Burakiewicz Jedrek , Starcuk Zenon
Published: August 2024

Removing residual water from the MRSI datasets using the SVD-based algorithms is computationally demanding. We present a novel algorithm to reduce the computing time required for water removal in MRSI data. Our proposed method exploits low-rank structures that exist in MRSI data. It arranges the MRSI data in the Casorati matrix form, applies singular value decomposition, and removes residual water from the most prominent left-singular vectors. We compared our proposed method with the HLSVDPRO method, and we achieved 20x acceleration while improving effectiveness. Our proposed method is publicly available as a pip-installable Python tool.
In Vivo xSPEN Imaging with a Model-Based Reconstruction for Efficient Spatial Encoding in a Single-Sided Prostate MRI Scanner
Authors: De Matos Gomes Muller , Sadinski Meredith , Nacev Alek , Grissom William
Published: August 2024

Single-sided low-field MRI scanners can provide image guidance during interventions such as prostate biopsies without restricting surgical access, but efficient spatial encoding is a challenge. In this work we show how spatiotemporal encoding using the xSPEN method combined with a model-based image reconstruction enables swapping a conventionally phase encoded but large-matrix-size image dimension with a conventionally frequency encoded but small-matrix-size image dimension. The model-based reconstruction yields images free of distortions due to gradient non-linearity and shows overall improved in vivo male pelvic image quality.
Accelerated Calibrationless MR Parametric Mapping by a Space-Contrast-Coil-Domain Locally Low-Rank Tensor Constraint
Authors: Gao Juan , Hua Sha , Tang Xin , Chen Haiyang , Emu Yixin , Hu Chenxi
Published: August 2024

Parametric mapping is routinely used in cardiac MR, yet its resolution is relatively low due to the single-shot acquisition. Most existing acceleration methods exploit the space-contrast-domain and coil-domain information redundancy separately e.g. by combining LLR and SENSE. Here we propose a novel calibrationless parametric mapping acceleration technique based on a Locally Low-Rank Tensor (LLRT) modeling of the signal in the space-contrast-coil domain, which exploits the information redundancy over all 3 dimensions jointly. In vivo studies show that the method generates more accurate reconstructions than the LLR-based algorithm. Moreover, a nonuniform LLRT penalty further improves the reconstruction quality by reducing blurring.
Validation of a deep-learning-based method for accelerating susceptibility-weighted imaging in clinical subjects
Authors: Wu Xiao , Xu Shan , Zhang Yao , Sun Jianzhong , Huang Peiyu
Published: August 2024

In this study, we validated a deep-learning-based method for accelerating susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in 31 clinical subjects. Compared to the fully sampled images, the accelerated SWI images had less noise and imaging artifacts. Although the images had decreased sharpness, the anatomical details of the lesions were mostly kept, and we had not observed false negative\positive lesions. This method could be useful for clinical situations that need timely imaging results.
Application of CMR-FT technique in the assessment of cardiac function and prognosis in patients with myocardial amyloidosis
Authors: Cui Jianing , Li Tao , Yue Xiuzheng , Luo Chuncai
Published: August 2024

Early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and accurate assessment of cardiac function is important for CA patients. LV strain and strain rate obtained by cardiac magnetic resonance-featured tracking (CMR-FT) have been developed as sensitive indicators of myocardial function. This study aimed to evaluate myocardial function in patients with CA by strain and strain rate to assess their prognostic value in patients with CA. Our data showed that strain rate could be used to assess the degree of cardiac impairment in CA and the difference with HCM providing prognostic information for all-cause mortality in CA patients.
Myocardial strain and strain rate reveal changes on regional cardiac function shortly post chemotherapy
Authors: Ibrahim El-Sayed , Charlson John
Published: August 2024

Anthracycline chemotherapy is the mainstay of cancer treatment. While the most important late, potentially permanent, side effect of chemotherapy is cardiotoxicity, the short-term acute effects of chemotherapy on cardiac function are not well elucidated. In this study, we used advanced cardiac MRI to assess subclinical changes in cardiac function immediately post chemotherapy treatment. The results demonstrated that strain and strain rate are sensitive imaging parameters that allow for early detection of changes in systolic and diastolic myocardial contractility immediately post chemotherapy despite slight changes in global cardiac function and tissue characterization.
Diagnostic value of myocardial strain for evaluating pig model in ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease
Authors: Ren Zilong , Wen Didi , Lian Jianxiu , Liu Jiantao , Huang Zhe , Zheng Minwen
Published: August 2024

To explore whether myocardial strain can predict functional changes for ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) in animal models. Results showed pigs with INOCA had lower global circumferential strain (GCS) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (mean GCSnormal = -20.2 ± 2.0 %, mean GCSINOCA = -16.6 ± 1.4 %, P = 0.009; mean GLSnormal = -19.6 ± 1.9 %, mean GLSINOCA = -14.5 ± 3.0 %, P = 0.027). Therefore, the results showed that the myocardial deformation decreased in pigs with INOCA, which could provide information for the therapy of INOCA patients.
Three-dimensional left ventricular torsion after pulmonary valve replacement in repaired tetralogy of Fallot: motion tracking analysis
Authors: Shirai Yurie , Nagao Michinobu , Yamamoto Atsushi , Inai Kei , Shinkawa Takeshi , Shimizu Seiko , Sakai Shuji
Published: August 2024

In patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), pulmonary regurgitation is a frequent complication, resulting in right heart failure. Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) should be performed before irreversible heart failure occurs. Pulmonary regurgitation disappears and RV volume decreases with PVR. Interventricular interactions are expected to improve left ventricular (LV) function, but in some cases LV function is not restored. We analyzed pre- and post-PVR cine cardiac MRI (CMR) with a motion tracking technique to quantitatively assess LV deformity in three dimensions. As a result, a decrease in preoperative LV torsion was a useful predictor of postoperative worsening LV function.
The evaluation of short- and mid-term effects of sleeve gastrectomy on left ventricular function in obesity: a prospective CMR study
Authors: Tang Lu , Sun Jiayu
Published: August 2024

This study investigate left ventricular function of obese patients with no known heart disease who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in their short- and mid-term postoperative follow-up. We found that obese patients who underwent LSG had a significant decrease in body weight, left ventricular mass and left ventricular cavity in the short- and mid- term postoperative. In the mid-term postoperative, the left ventricular subclinical systolic dysfunction of left ventricle significantly improved.
A Multi-Sequence SSFP-SPGR One-Breath-Hold Cine-Tag MR – Extent of Hybrid Artifact Interference
Authors: Goes Jacob , Nguyen Vivian , Gorre Donovan , Carroll Timothy , Jang Jihye , Vaicik Marcella , Smink Jouke , Patel Amit , Silvnick Jeremy , Kawaji Keigo
Published: August 2024

A single-breath-held (BH) cine and tag MRI offers a hybrid SSFP-SPGR contrast approach with potential to provide quantitative measures of regional myocardial wall motion. Such approaches overcome the need for inter-BH misregistration during conventional, multi-sequence acquisition. In this study, we examine the extent of artifact interferences that manifest by means of the bypassed pre-scan calibration steps for the less sensitive SPGR-tag scan. A consecutive cohort of 25 subjects that yielded ~400 cine- and tag-volumes were retrospectively analyzed to examine the prevalence of artifact, interference with motion assessment, and the rate of yielding assessable wall motion via the hybrid one-breath-hold approach.
Differential diagnosis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease by layer-specific CMR strain analysis
Authors: Song Ningning , Dai Weibin , Liu Tingting , Peng Yueyou , Hu Qianyu , Liu Kunkun , Shi Tianfeng , Du Donglian , Li Xiaoqiong , Jiang Yueluan , Meng Yanfeng
Published: August 2024

This study evaluated the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) layer-specific (endocardium=Endo, epicardium=Epi, myocardium=Myo) strain of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertensive heart disease (HHD). We also evaluated the ability of left atrium (LA) to differentiate HCM and HHD. The strain and strain rate were calculated from CMR. The difference of LV between HCM and HHD was endocardium. The difference of RV was free wall epicardium. The difference of LA was LA strain at conduit phase (LAS-cd). Combining the LV global circumferential strain rate of endocardium (GCSR-Endo) and LASR-cd can better differentiate HCM and HHD.
The Evaluation of Treatment Effects on Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Primary Aldosteronism by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Tang Lu , Wetzl Jens , Zhou Xiaoyue , Ren Yan , Sun Jiayu
Published: August 2024

This study used routine cardiac function parameters and strain parameters based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the effects of specific treatments on left ventricular structure and function in patients with PA. We found that patients with PA had lower LV volumes and myocardial mass, as well as improved circumferential and longitudinal myocardial motion both after adrenalectomy and drug treatment. Specific treatment in patients of PA can not only effectively relieve the clinical symptoms, but also improve left ventricular structure and subclinical dysfunction.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings in Danon disease：A case series of a big family
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Sun Zhanguo , Zhai Ning , Yue Xiuzheng
Published: August 2024

Heart involvement is the leading cause of death of Danon disease (DD). However, the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) features of DD are not well understood. Hence, we present seven DD patients with from the same family with follow-up since 2017. In our cohort, the typically CMR features of DD were left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy, late gadolinium enhancement of LV, diminished strain, and preserved or reduced LV ejection fraction. Late gadolinium enhancement most commonly involves the LV free wall and the right ventricle insertion points. Moreover, these CMR changes in male patients appeared earlier and more significant, and progressed faster.
Accelerated Enhanced Simultaneous Single-Quantum and Triple-Quantum-Filtered Sodium MRI Using Compressed Sensing at 7T
Authors: Chen Qingping , Worthoff Wieland , Shah N. Jon
Published: August 2024

Enhanced simultaneous single-quantum and triple-quantum-filtered imaging of 23Na (SISTINA) enables images to be weighted towards restricted sodium, a promising biomarker for clinical practice, but suffers from long acquisition times and low image quality. However, this can be alleviated by applying compressed sensing (CS). This work establishes a novel enhanced SISTINA sequence using FLORET sampling at 7T and demonstrates that CS can accelerate SISTINA acquisitions with less noise and better structure preservation than non-uniform fast Fourier transform while maintaining proper weightings towards total, non-restricted, and restricted sodium. The reduced acquisition time facilitates the clinical transition of enhanced SISTINA.
Deep learning tools to aid the evaluation of isthmic spondylolysis
Authors: Malis Vadim , Achar Suraj , Hwang Dosik , Bae Won
Published: August 2024

Isthmic spondylolysis results in fracture of pars interarticularis of the lumbar spine in young athletes. UTE MRI provide good bone contrast, although CT is still the gold standard. To take UTE MRI further, we developed supervised deep-learning tools to generate CT-like images and saliency maps of fracture probability from UTE MRI and CT, using ex vivo preparation of cadaveric spines. The results demonstrate feasibility of CT-like images to provide easier interpretability for bone fractures, due to improved image contrast and CNR, and the saliency maps to aid in quick detection of pars fracture by providing visual cues to the reader.
Neuroimaging biomarkers for detecting schizophrenia: a resting-state functional MRI-based radiomics analysis
Authors: Shi Dafa , Zhang Haoran , Wang Guangsong , Yao Xiang , Li Yanfei , Wang Siyuan , Ren Ke
Published: August 2024

Quantifiable biomarkers are urgently required to explore the potential physiological mechanism of schizophrenia and improve its diagnostic accuracy. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI)-based radiomics analysis obtained great classification performance, and it could be generalized to different brain atlases. The regions that we identified as discriminative features mainly included bilateral dorsal caudate and front-parietal, somato-motor, limbic, and default mode networks. Our findings showed that radiomics-based machine learning method could facilitate us to understand the potential pathological mechanism of schizophrenia more comprehensively and contribute to the accurate diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia.
Improvement of CNN Denoising Performance Using Noise Control of Input Image and Application to Parallelized Image Denoising
Authors: ITO Satoshi , TAKAHASHI Keitaro
Published: August 2024

In noise reduction, the lower the amount of noise, the lower the image degradation associated with the noise reduction. Using this property, we propose a new denoising scheme that can improve denoising performance using trained CNN. Noise suppressed image by low-pass filter is inputted to denoising CNN and then output image is enhanced by high-pass filter. Experimental results show that noise suppression of the input image improves both image structure preservation and noise processing performance. The proposed method was applied to a parallel blind image denoising method. As a results, further improvement in performance was shown.
Fast spatio-temporal subspace reconstruction of 3D-MRF with B0 correction and deep-learning-initialized compressed sensing (Deli-CS)
Authors: Ruengchaijatuporn Natthanan , Iyer Siddharth , Schauman Sophie , Chen Quan , Cao Xiaozhi , Chatnuntawech Itthi , Setsompop Kawin
Published: August 2024

Recent advances in spatio-temporal subspace reconstruction has enabled accurate reconstruction from highly accelerated scans. Nevertheless, such methods suffer from being computationally intensive due to their iterative nature coupled with the large dimensionality of the problem, especially when imperfection correction is incorporated into the formulation. This abstract proposes deep-learning-initialized compressed sensing (Deli-CS) to accelerate such spatio-temporal reconstruction by providing it with a deep-learning-reconstructed initial solution, reducing the number of iterations required. Using MRF as an example, Deli-CS reconstructs data from a rapid 1-mm isotropic whole-brain TGAS-SPI-MRF with time-segmented B0 correction at 3x faster speed compared to FISTA.
Real-time MRI with Simultaneous Multi-slice and Compressed Sensing
Authors: Watson Isaac , Trefzer Martin , Mitchell David , Sebald Angelika , Kennerley Aneurin
Published: August 2024

Real time (rt) MRI is currently predominantly a single slice acquisition technique. We show that, by combining compressed sensing, simultaneous multi-slice acquisition and interleaved data ordering with a highly undersampled radial trajectory, multi-slice rtMRI images with a high temporal resolution can be acquired. This offers new opportunities, for example, the non-invasive monitoring of oral and maxillo facial dynamics.
Free-Breathing Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Hepatobiliary Phase Imaging Using Stack-of-Stars Radial Sampling and Compressed SENSE
Authors: Kaga Tetsuro , Noda Yoshifumi , Kawai Nobuyuki , Kajita Kimihiro , Ueda Yu , Honda Masatoshi , Hyodo Fuminori , Kato Hiroki , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: August 2024

The gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase imaging is an effective sequence for detecting hepatic lesions; however, degraded image quality is often observed due to poor breath holding. Free-breathing sequence using radial stack-of-stars acquisition (3D VANE) has been introduced and can provide diagnosable image quality. Recently, Compressed SENSE (CS), that is one of the acceleration techniques, has been applicable in 3D VANE. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of 3D VANE with CS in hepatobiliary phase imaging. Our results showed that 3D VANE with CS at section thickness of 2 mm had almost comparable image quality as conventional breath-holding cartesian sampling.
T1 Relaxation-Enhanced Steady-State (T1RESS) Imaging with Radial Sampling for Robust Brain Examination at 3T and 0.55T
Authors: Zi Ruoxun , Block Kai , Koktzoglou Ioannis , Keerthivasan Mahesh , Benkert Thomas , Asslaender Jakob , Sodickson Daniel , Edelman Robert
Published: August 2024

A new class of sequences, named T1 relaxation-enhanced steady-state (T1RESS), has been recently proposed and showed improved lesion conspicuity in contrast-enhanced exams. T1RESS sequences combine steady-state acquisition, either balanced or unbalanced with weak gradient spoiling, with periodic contrast-modifying preparation pulses to create T1 weighting of the contrast. Here, we present radial versions of T1RESS sequences using the stack-of-stars trajectory, which offer improved motion robustness and enable dynamic imaging through use of advanced reconstructions such as GRASP. Volunteer scans acquired at 3T are shown for both sequences. Moreover, the balanced version is demonstrated at 0.55T to highlight its SNR efficiency.
Identification of invasive adenocarcinoma in pulmonary ground-glass nodules using zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging (ZTE-MRI)
Authors: Zou Qiao , Wan Qi , Li Xinchun , Liu Weiyin Vivian , Xu Yongzhou
Published: August 2024

Intra-modality and inter-reader agreements of ground-glass opacity nodule (GGN) size were good between modalities (ZTE-MRI, T2WI-FS, CT). ZTE-MRI was susceptible to motion artifacts caused by breathing and vascular pulsation and had difficulty in displaying GGNs in specific lung locations, but was sensitive to GGNs with CT values of >-455 HU, highly possibly lung invasive adenocarcinomas, giving a hint to treatment strategies. In contrast, T2WI-FS can detect a smaller size of 6 mm for GGNs than ZTE-MRI. Overall, ZTE might play a unique role in differentiating invasive adenocarcinomas from precursor glandular lesions and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) in eligible GGNs.
Improved strategy for diagnosing incidental benign and malignant lung nodules during cardiac MR using volumetric multi-contrast dark blood SSFP
Authors: Edelman Robert , Leloudas Nondas , Pang Jianing , Koktzoglou Ioannis
Published: August 2024

Cardiovascular MR is an invaluable diagnostic tool for the heart and great vessels. As with cardiac CT, it is imperative to carefully evaluate areas outside of the heart to exclude the presence of clinically relevant lesions such as pulmonary infiltrates or lung cancer. Unfortunately, existing CMR techniques are grossly inadequate for detecting and characterizing extra-cardiac lesions. We hypothesized that prototype volumetric dark blood SSFP techniques could overcome these limitations and tested them in patients undergoing CMR. In this pilot study, dark blood SSFP outperformed standard CMR techniques for the evaluation of incidental pulmonary lesions, including benign nodules and cancer.
Follow-up non-contrast-enhanced MRA using balanced turbo field-echo sequence for visceral artery aneurysm after endovascular therapy
Authors: Kawai Nobuyuki , Noda Yoshifumi , Kaga Tetsuro , Kajita Kimihiro , Kawada Hiroshi , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: August 2024

Contrast-enhanced MRA has been shown to be a safe and effective way to provide posttreatment visceral artery aneurysm (VAA) follow-up. However, this study cannot be performed for those who have contraindications to MR contrast agents. Balanced turbo field-echo (bTFE) sequence enables static and moving fluids to be shown as high intensity without the use of gadolinium. We assessed the feasibility of follow-up non-contrast-enhanced MRA using bTFE sequence for posttreatment VAA. Combined bTFE and unenhanced fat-suppressed T1-wighted (FS-T1W) images demonstrated excellent performance for the diagnosis of aneurysm reperfusion comparable to combined dynamic contrast-enhanced and unenhanced FS-T1W images.
Do myocardial balanced steady-state free precession signal intensity curves allow to distinguish infarct patients from healthy subjects?
Authors: Dresselaers Tom , Berg Baptiste Vande , Tilborghs Sofie , Cernicanu Alexandru , Bogaert Jan
Published: August 2024

Pre-contrast balanced steady-state free precession (bssfp) cine images seem to contain sufficient information to identify patients with an acute or chronic myocardial infarction using radiomics or deep learning methods. The reason remains however to be elucidated. It is also unclear if the cardiac phase should be considered although radiomics features vary through the heart cycle. In this study we show that the known global myocardial bssfp signal intensity variations observed in healthy subject are in fact segment dependent and have a reproducible three peak profile. In patients with acute myocardial infarct these profiles shows segment dependent alterations vs. controls.
Strain may reflect cardiac segments with high coronary artery calcium score and the risk of myocadiac ischemia
Authors: Lu Xuefang , Liu Weiyin , Quan Guangnan , Liu Changsheng , Yan Yuchen , Gong Wei , Zhao Yilin , Peng Zhoufeng , Zha Yunfei
Published: August 2024

Preclinical disease is primarily assessed through the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and used for risk assessment. Our study demonstrated that the moderate correlation of the CACS and strain, suggesting atrial or ventricular myocardium and vascular changes influence each other. In addition, there were statistically different strain values between CAD and non-CAD patients. Strain analysis for cine CMR can add functional information such as chamber wall movement on early prediction of myocardium abnormities like myocadiac ischemia and be beneficial to patients who receive one-stop check-ups for less imaging time, no contrast, and radiation-free screening.
3D LGE MRI at 3T for the Detection of Chronic Scars after RF Ablation in the Right Atrium: Assessment of Precision in a Porcine Study
Authors: Reiss Simon , Chleilat Enaam , Lottner Thomas , Kohl Peter , Bock Michael
Published: August 2024

RF ablation is an established treatment option for cardiac arrhythmia. After RF ablation the scar can be assessed with LGE MRI. However, imaging of scars in the right atrium (RA) remains difficult due to the small geometry. In this animal study, we assessed the conspicuity of chronic RA scars by comparing scar extent on MRI to ex vivo anatomical dissected preparations. We show, the detection of chronic RF ablation scars in the RA is feasible but with limited precision. The presented comparison to gross histology provides and important evaluation of RF ablation scar conspicuity in LGE MRI.
Cine MRI-derived radiomics features of the blood pool in pulmonary hypertension–heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF)
Authors: Lin Kai , Sarnari Roberto , Gordon Daniel , Markl Michael , Carr James
Published: August 2024

Radiomics features acquired from the blood pool in different chambers (LV/RV/LA/RA) at various periods within a cardiac cycle present diverse property in characterizing PH-HFpEF. Multiple blood pool radiomics features were significantly related to PCWP and mPAP (r: 0.4 – 0.643). Compared to the LV wall, the blood pools provide more efficient features (individual AUC: 0.7 – 0.821) to discriminate PH-HFpEF from controls (p < 0.05). Cine MRI-derived radiomics features of the blood pool can be used to characterize PH-HFpEF. Radiomics features of the blood pool have the potential to become novel quantitative imaging biomarkers for presenting cardiovascular pathology.
Effect of Left Ventricular Myocardial Strain on Right Ventricle in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Liu Tingting , Dai Weibin , Peng Yueyou , Hu Qianyu , Liu Kunkun , Song Ningning , Shi Tianfeng , Du Donglian , Li Xiaoqiong , Jiang Yueluan , Meng Yanfeng
Published: August 2024

This study evaluated the right ventricular (RV) myocardial strain of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF) and without myocardial hypertrophy in RV based on Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking technique (CMR-FT), and further explored the effect of left ventricular (LV) myocardial mechanics on the RV. The results showed that the global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the RV has been impaired, although the structure and EF of the RV were normal, so myocardial strain can be more sensitive and earlier to identify cardiac impairment. The systole function of the LV has a great influence on the RV function.
Arbitrary Level Contrast Dose Simulation in Brain MRI Using Iterative Reconstruction with Transformer Models.
Authors: Wang Dayang , Pasumarthi Srivathsa , Chamberlain Ryan
Published: August 2024

In Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) assisted MRI scans, dose simulation is a significant task that enables understanding of the perfusion process. In this work, we propose a new transformer-based iterative model to generate MRI images with arbitrary contrast dosages. By using datasets where only 0%, 10%, and 100% dose images are available, the proposed model can synthesize quantitatively and qualitatively accurate MRI images of varying dosages. The simulated images can be used for other downstream tasks like developing reduced-dose acquisitions and finding the minimum dose needed for a given pathology.
Dependency of R2 and R2* on Gd-DTPA Concentration: From Whole-Blood to Realistic Brain Tumor Vasculature
Authors: van Dorth Daniëlle , Alafandi Ahmad , Venugopal Krishnapriya , Delphin Aurélien , Poot Dirk , Christen Thomas , Smits Marion , de Bresser Jeroen , Tamames Juan Hernandez , van Osch Matthias
Published: August 2024

In quantitative DSC-MRI, the concentration-time course is obtained from the MR signal changes following a bolus injection of contrast agent. The generally assumed linear relationship between ΔR2* and contrast agent concentration is not always valid. In this study a realistic 3D simulation model was used to establish the characteristics of this relationship in whole-blood and brain tumor tissue. The results show an improved performance of the 3D simulation model compared to its 2D version. In addition, the relationship between ΔR2* and contrast agent concentration appeared to be dependent on the B0 direction and MR sequence.
Towards cell-size and switchable magnetocaloric MRI contrast agents using micofabricated thin-film FeRh.
Authors: Dodd Stephen , Gudino Natalia , Zadorozhnii O , Staňo M , Hajduček J , Arregi J. A. , Uhlíř Vojtech , Morris H. Doug , Barbic Mladen , Koretsky Alan
Published: August 2024

We present progress towards smaller magnetocaloric samples, that drastically change magnetic moment and hence T2* contrast when switched with external magnetic field or temperature, with the eventual goal of achieving a size appropriate for cell tracking. To that end a FeRh sample was microfabricated with a thickness of 200 nm, and patterned with varying linear dimensions from 500 micron down to 1 micron square. We demonstrate that this sample may be switched with temperature and with external field through imaging at 4.7 and 11.7T and with the application of pulsed B0 insert coil.
Correction of macroscopic field variation confounding R2* maps in UK Biobank: simulations and preliminary results in phantom
Authors: Wang Chaoyue , Hess Aaron , Clarke William , Clare Stuart , Hernando Diego , Reeder Scott , Miller Karla , Tendler Benjamin
Published: August 2024

Our results suggest that R2* maps in UK Biobank are confounded by the macroscopic field variation which leads to spurious associations driven by field variations due to the air/tissue interfaces. This effect can be modeled as a signal modulation which can be removed through a voxel-wise correction.
Analysis of spin-lock techniques for the non-invasive detection of neuronal currents with magnetic resonance
Authors: Capiglioni Milena , Turco Federico , Kiefer Claus , Wiest Roland
Published: August 2024

Different SL techniques have been proposed to generate images based with a contrast based on neuronal activity. We analyzed the contrast of different SL techniques for the detection of oscillatory magnetic fields and their dependence with the duration of the SL and the initial phase of the target field.
Do deep learning-based qMRI parameter estimators improve clinical task performance?
Authors: Epstein Sean , Bray Timothy , Hall-Craggs Margaret , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2024

We compare modern deep learning (DL)-based parameter-estimation methods to their traditional maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) counterparts by evaluating each approach’s performance in two clinical classification tasks. This is motivated by recent work demonstrating the inherent bias-variance trade-off that differentiates different DL-based approaches. Results show how these trade-offs manifest in the ‘real world’ of tissue classification, and how they compare to the performance achievable with conventional iterative MLE.
Free water imaging parameter estimation by combination of synthetic q-space learning and conventional fitting: a hybrid approach
Authors: Yamazaki Keigo , Masutani Yoshitaka , Uchida Wataru , Kamagata Koji , Sasaki Koh , Aoki Shigeki
Published: August 2024

Free water imaging (FWl), among the diffusion MRI (dMRI) family, is an extended version of the single diffusion tensor model by adding the isotropic diffusion compartment. Generally, FWI parameters have been estimated by fitting of signal model to measured DWI signals. Recently, machine learning techniques have shown promising results also in dMRI parameter inference. In this study, we aimed at development of a hybrid approach for FWI parameter estimation based on synthetic q-space learning (synQSL) and conventional fitting. Our approach was validated by comparison with the conventional fitting method based on quantitative and visual evaluation and computation time.
Deep learning-based pipeline to improve sharpness in knee imaging at both 1.5T and 3T: a clinical evaluation
Authors: Prevost Valentin , Caruthers Shelton , Fleury Khadra , AlGhuraibawi Wissam , Shinoda Kensuke
Published: August 2024

In MRI, edge sharpness is one of the main criteria to allow structure’s delineation and relevant clinical diagnosis. One way to improve the sharpness is to artificially increase the reconstructed matrix size with methods such as zero-padding interpolation (ZIP). In a previous study, we created a deep learning reconstruction (DLR) pipeline, combining ZIP with two CNN’s: the first one trained to reduce image noise, and the second one to reduce ringing artifacts. The goal of this work was to evaluate the clinical impact of this DLR pipeline on pathological knee images performed at 1.5T and 3T, compared to standard reconstructions.
Prefrontal glutathione levels in major depressive disorder are linked to a loss of positive mood
Authors: Tuura Ruth , Buchmann Andreas , Ritter Christopher , Haynes Melanie , Noeske Ralph , Hasler Gregor
Published: August 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders, with symptoms including persistent sadness and low mood. MDD is associated with neurochemical alterations in GABA, glutamate, and glutamine levels, but to date few studies have examined changes in glutathione (GSH) in MDD. This study investigated changes in GSH in a medication naïve group of participants with current and past depression, and healthy controls, and the link between GSH, stress markers, depressive symptoms and mood. We observed elevated prefrontal GSH in participants with current but not remitted depression, which was associated with a decrease in positive mood.
Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Neuronal Activity Affected in PTSD Subjects
Authors: Susnjar Antonia , Nossa Gianna , Rispoli Joseph , Dydak Ulrike , Issac-Lam Meden
Published: August 2024

We are reporting neurometabolic imbalances in post-traumatic stress disorder using edited and unedited single voxel spectroscopy with optimized HERMES data acquisition at 3T. We have investigated five brain regions that play a significant role in PTSD including insula, hippocampus, amygdala, anterior, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Our findings report the largest metabolic concentration changes in amygdala which moderates flight or fight state. Moreover, we observe decrease of primary neurotransmitter GABA in hippocampus, antioxidant GSH in DLPFC, and membrane turnover marker tCho across all brain regions.
Locally high rank reconstruction through Partial Separability model (PS-LHR) with regional optimized temporal basis (ROT) of dynamic speech MRI
Authors: Jin Riwei , Li Yudu , Xing Fangxu , Gilbert Imani , Perry Jamie , Woo Jonghye , Liang Zhi-pei , Sutton Brad
Published: August 2024

To optimize the reconstruction quality of isotropic 3D dynamic speech magnetic resonance imaging with large scan volume, we applied two novel methods based on the Partial Separability model theory: 1. Locally High-Rank reconstruction through Partial Separability model (PS-LHR) which enables higher rank to be devoted to the dynamic speech region. 2. Implementation of Regional-Optimized Temporal basis (ROT) to focus the temporal navigator information on the speech region. The improvement in reconstruction quality was seen to decrease the noise of regions of the image outside the area of interest and increase dynamic smoothness in the speech region.
Fast continuous 3D catheter balloon tracking for MRI-guided cardiac catheterization using 1D slice projection imaging with GRE stack of slices.
Authors: Kowalik Grzegorz , Neji Radhouene , Moon Tracy , Mellor Nina , Razavi Reza , Pushparajah Kuberan , Roujol Sébastien
Published: August 2024

An automated catheter tracking approach was developed for real-time continuous catheter visualization during MR-guided cardiac catheterization. 1D projection images are acquired for each slice of a stack providing fast 3D volume screening. These images are first collected in the absence of catheter to create an atlas on background signal across the breathing cycle. During catheter navigation, incoming images are matched to the best images of the atlas, which are then subtracted to suppress background signal. Finally, automated peak detection is applied to extract the catheter balloon location. The technique is successfully demonstrated during in-vitro and in one patient.
Deep-learning-based Group-wise Motion Correction for Myocardial T1 Mapping
Authors: Hanania Eyal , Barkat Lilach , Cohen Israel , Azhari Haim , Freiman Moti
Published: August 2024

Diffuse myocardial diseases can be diagnosed using T1 mapping technique. The T1 relaxation parameter is computed through the pixel-wise model fitting. Hence, pixel misalignment resulted by cardiac motion leads to an inaccurate T1 mapping. Therefore, registration is needed. However, standard registration methods are computationally expensive. To overcome this challenge, we propose a new deep-learning-based group-wise registration approach that register all the different time points simultaneously. Our approach achieved the best median model-fitting R2 compared to baseline methods (0.9846, vs. 0.9651/0.9744/0.9756), and achieve reasonably close T1 value to the expected myocardial T1 value
M1-optimized Liver DWI using Tetrahedral Diffusion Gradients on Conventional Gradient Systems
Authors: Allen Timothy , Volety Srijyotsna , Simchick Greg , Hernando Diego
Published: August 2024

M1-optimized diffusion gradient waveforms allow for motion-robust liver DWI and ADC estimation. However, existing implementations have been limited to 3.0T scanners with high-performance gradient systems. This work introduces M1-optimized waveforms using a tetrahedral diffusion encoding to allow for high quality, motion-robust DWI on a 1.5T system with conventional gradient performance. Additionally, it addresses complications of this approach, namely increased concomitant gradients and eddy currents. Phantom experiments demonstrate a reduction in geometric distortion and bias of ADC maps generated with this approach compared to Stejskal–Tanner (monopolar) and non-tetrahedral gradient designs. Human subject imaging demonstrates increased motion-robustness.
SNR-Enhanced T2 and Diffusion-Weighted 3D Dual-Echo Steady-State MRI Using Random Matrix Theory-Based Denoising Reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Zhaohuan , Shih Shu-Fu , Wu Holden
Published: August 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) dual-echo steady-state (DESS) MRI can produce multi-contrast (MC)images with T2 and diffusion weighting (DW) for simultaneous T2 and D mapping in knee and prostate. A primary challenge of MC DESS is the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of DW DESS leads to less reliable diffusion mapping. In this work, we investigated a new random matrix theory-based denoising reconstruction to improve MC T2W/DW DESS by taking advantages of the inherent redundancy in noise statistics across multiple coil channel and contrasts dimensions. Our in-vivo knee and prostate experiments showed promising improvements in SNR and quality of T2 and D mapping.
Synthesized 7T MRI from 3T MRI using generative adversarial network: validation in clinical brain imaging
Authors: Duan Caohui , Bian Xiangbing , Cheng Kun , Lyu Jinhao , Xiong Yongqin , Qu Jianxun , Zhou Xin , Lou Xin
Published: August 2024

Ultra-high field 7T MRI provides exceptional tissue contrast and anatomical details but is often cost-prohibitive and not widely accessible in clinics. A generative adversarial network (SynGAN) was developed to generate synthetic 7T images from the widely used 3T images. The synthetic 7T images achieved improved tissue contrast and anatomical details compared to the 3T images. Meanwhile, the synthetic 7T images showed comparable diagnostic performance to the authentic 7T images for visualizing a wide range of pathology, including cerebral infarction, demyelination, and brain tumor.
Resilience of synthetic CT DL network to varying ZTE-MRI input SNR
Authors: Kaushik Sandeep , Cozzini Cristina , Bylund Mikael , Petit Steven , Menze Bjoern , Wiesinger Florian
Published: August 2024

Many recent works have proposed methods to convert MRI into synthetic CT (sCT). While they have demonstrated a certain level of accuracy, not many have studied the robustness of those methods. In this work, we study the robustness of a multi-task deep learning (DL) model that computes sCT images from fast ZTE MR images under different levels of image noise. We evaluate its impact on radiation therapy planning. The proposed method demonstrates resilience against input noise variations. It makes way for a clinically acceptable dose calculation with a fast input image acquisition.
Prediction of early response to antidepressant medication in MDD adolescents using radiomics analysis based on brain multiscale structural MRI
Authors: Ma Huan , Yang Jianzhong , Ding Yingying , Li Kun , Zhang Dafu , Zhang Zhongping , Zhang Xiaoyong
Published: August 2024

Based on the radiomics analysis framework and using machine learning, this study constructed a multiscale structural MRI prediction model to predict the early response of MDD patients to antidepressant medication, and determined the radiomics features with high weight for SSRIs/SNRIs selection. The results showed that the baseline radiomics model after normalization can effectively predict the early treatment response of ADM in adolescent MDD patients, and is superior to the model based on conventional imaging indicators and unnormalized radiomics features. The AUC, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of predicting SSRIs improvement and SNRIs improvement are 0.954, 89.2%, 87.4% and 88.5%, 0.942, 91.9%, 82.5% and 86.8%, respectively.
Helmet RF Applicator for Enhancing Focal RF Power Deposition in Thermal Magnetic Resonance of the Brain at 7T
Authors: Rahimi Faezeh , Eigentler Thomas , Millward Jason , Ghadjar Pirus , Niendorf Thoralf
Published: August 2024

Thermal Magnetic Resonance (ThermalMR) uses an RF-applicator to add a thermal intervention dimension to a diagnostic imaging device. Optimizing the performance of RF applicator configurations can eventually improve the performance of ThemalMR. This work examines the feasibility of multi-channel RF applicators using broadband Self-Grounded Bow-Tie (SGBT) antenna building blocks. The focus is on enhancing focal RF power deposition in a target volume by using a multi-channel helmet RF array configuration versus conventional annular RF arrays. Our preliminary findings obtained for the human head voxel model Duke show improved target coverage of high SAR10g and high temperature for the helmet configuration.
Reproducibility of diffusion kurtosis parameters for a quantitative phantom in a multi-system study
Authors: Malyarenko Dariya , Swanson Scott , Paudyal Ramesh , Konar Amaresh , Solomon Eddy , Sigmund Eric , Russek Stephen , Kim Sungheon , Shukla-Dave Amita , Chenevert Thomas
Published: August 2024

This work studied reproducibility of apparent diffusion (Da) and kurtosis (Ka) coefficients for three families of lamellar-vesicle materials in a quantitative phantom scanned at ambient temperature in a multi-site setting. Inter-system reproducibility of Ka was improved by maximum b-value fit-constraints for phantom materials with higher solid concentration, while temperature calibration improved Da parameter consistency predominantly for materials with low solid concentration and containing longer-chain alcohols. After correction for temperature-dependence, these materials exhibited apparent diffusion reproducibility comparable to that of standard Gaussian diffusion controls.
Repeatability of Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 4D Imaging
Authors: Hamedani Hooman , Kadlecek Stephen , Amzajerdian Faraz , Baron Ryan , Ruppert Kai , Ismail Mostafa , Loza Luis , Ian Duncan , Rizi Rahim
Published: August 2024

In order to image function in the free breathing lung with high temporal and special resolution, we have developed a methodology that can be used in combination with a non-rigid image registration technique to generate comprehensive quantitative maps of lung ventilation and gas exchange. For these HP MRI-derived regional parameters to produce meaningful information that can be used to characterize lung disorders, a reproducibility study that systematically assesses the variability of these parameters is needed. Here, we assess the reproducibility of our previously reported dynamic hyperpolarized imaging measurements between two sessions separated by minutes.
Direct Imaging and T1 and T2* Quantification of Semi-Solid Red Blood Cell Membrane Lipid via Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) Sequences
Authors: Shin Soo Hyun , Moazamian Dina , Suprana Arya , Chen Xiaojun , Athertya Jiyo , Zeng Chun , Carl Michael , Ma Yajun , Jang Hyungseok , Du Jiang
Published: August 2024

Direct imaging of semi-solid lipids, such as cell membranes and myelin, is of great interest. Yet, the short T2 of semi-solid lipid protons hampers direct detection through conventional pulse sequences. In this study, we examined whether an ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequence can directly acquire signals from membrane lipids. Cell membranes from red blood cells were subject to D2O exchange and freeze-drying for complete water removal. High MR signals were detected with the UTE sequence, which showed an ultrashort T2* of ~77-252 µs and a short T1 of 189 ms for semi-solid membrane lipids.
Progress toward a ZTE-based silent and motion-robust protocol for pediatric neuroimaging
Authors: Holmes James , Magnota Vincent , Jacob Mathews , Chen Yan , Hanson Joshua , DiCamillo Paul , Corum Curtis
Published: August 2024

In this work, we present progress in developing a ZTE-based silent and motion-robust neuroimaging protocol using intermittent magnetization preparation for generation of standard imaging contrasts including T1w and T2w.
Novel Reconstruction Method to Improve the Sharpness of Free Breathing Cardiac MR Late Gadolinium Enhancement Images on a Commercial 0.55T System
Authors: Ding Yu , Liu Yingmin , Chen Chong , Jin Ning , Ahmad Rizwan , Simonetti Orlando
Published: August 2024

Low-field cardiac MR imaging has intrinsically low SNR that degrades the image quality, especially for LGE imaging. Using multiple acquisitions and motion-corrected averaging is a well-established method to improve SNR. However, the ineffectiveness of MOCO at low field leads to blurring. We proposed a novel method that integrates motion correction into compressed sensing and reconstructs a single motion-corrected image. Quantitative sharpness measurements demonstrate that the proposed method improves boundary sharpness, independent of differences in SNR.