Temperature-dependent structure of liquid water investigated by means of energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulations.

X-ray diffraction is investigated in the supercooled region (263-273 K) and, for comparison, at ambient conditions. By means of an energy-dispersive set-up coherent x-ray scattering cross sections within a wide range of momentum transfer values are monitored simultaneously using in-house laboratory equipment. The data are corrected for the energy-dependent detector response, geometric broadening effects, sample absorption and Compton scattering. The corrected diffraction curves are in good agreement with results from the Advanced Light Source (ALS). Additional comparisons with available literature data and with computer simulation results of different rigid water models are presented, relating the scattering intensities to the microscopic H-bond structure and dynamics.

Sensitivity enhancement in whole-body natural abundance 13C spectroscopy using 13C/1H double-resonance techniques at 4 tesla.

In vivo 13C spectroscopy experiments were performed using a whole-body MR system at a static field of 4 T. The main goal of the investigations was to evaluate the sensitivity increase achievable by means of 13C/1H double-resonance techniques at 4 T. Spectra from subcutaneous fat as well as muscle glycogen from the lower leg were acquired using frequency selective proton decoupling and the polarization transfer method SINEPT. With respect to measurements on subcutaneous fat, polarization transfer turned out to be more efficient than selective decoupling. About a fourfold enhancement in spectral peak intensity for the C = C line doublet of the unsaturated fatty acid chain was obtained. Combining polarization transfer with decoupling yielded a factor of 6 in signal amplitude. In contrast to that, the signal enhancement observed in measurements on the glycogen C-1 resonance was only around twofold. The lower efficiency is explained by fast T2 relaxation of the proton transition. A T2 value of about 3 ms was derived from the experimental data. Acquisition times as low as 3 min were realized for normal level glycogen in human calf muscle, enabling a time resolution adequate for dynamic studies on muscle glycogen depletion. Aspects of RF power absorption in tissue and the generally higher efficiency make polarization transfer methods preferable to selective decoupling in whole-body 13C spectroscopy at 4 T.

Pre-operative localized in vivo proton spectroscopy in cerebral tumors at 4.0 Tesla--first results.

Sixteen patients with prediagnosed cerebral lesions were studied with stimulated echo localized 1H-spectroscopy at 4 Tesla. Initially, CT cerebral angiography and MR investigation at 1.5 Tesla were performed. After selecting a patient and receiving his agreement the high field examination started with the acquisition of an MR image of the known tumor at 4 Tesla using head or surface coil. 1H-spectroscopy was performed by selectively exciting a cubic volume between 8 to 20 cubic centimeters in the center of the tumor, in one case below 4 ccm (pinealoma). If possible, in a second examination the corresponding opposite side of the brain was studied. The extirpation of the tumor followed during the next days. Macroscopic aspects, histology and grading of the investigated lesions were determined. In some cases, specimens of the tumors were cooled in cooking salt solution and in liquid nitrogen, respectively, in order to perform in vitro proton MRS at 8.4 Tesla. The evaluable in vivo spectra showed good resolution and significant differences between corresponding cerebral areas with and without tumor as well as between different types of tumor histologies like medulloblastoma, astrocytoma and meningeomas. Often a good correspondence between in vivo and in vitro spectroscopy was seen. No clinically relevant side effects or complications were observed during the in vivo high field examination.

Spectroscopy and imaging with a 4 tesla whole-body MR system.

Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and imaging experiments on humans were performed with a whole-body MR system at a static field of 4 tesla. Spectroscopic studies focussed on 1H, 13C, and 31P. Imaging of humans turned out to be possible, although below the optimum at this field. This holds especially for body imaging, since RF penetration effects and dielectric resonances influence the RF field homogeneity. Excellent volume selective proton spectra of the human cerebrum and cerebellum were obtained using the stimulated echo method. Natural abundance carbon spectra of the human calf were acquired both undecoupled and with narrowband decoupling, resolving the various triglyceride resonances. Broadband decoupling, however, would have violated SAR guidelines. Liver glycogen was detected on natural abundance 13C spectra.

MR imaging using stimulated echoes (STEAM).

The introduction of STEAM (stimulated echo acquisition mode) magnetic resonance (MR) sequences provides access to a variety of MR parameters. T1-weighted and calculated T1 proton MR images of the head of healthy volunteers and a patient with an astrocytoma are presented. MR examinations were performed with a 2.0-T whole-body system. The STEAM T1 method can be used to characterize multiexponential relaxation behavior, to evaluate T1 relaxation times, and to improve the T1 contrast within MR images. Both the measuring time and the spatial resolution are the same as for a conventional image.

Multiple chemical shift selective (CHESS) MR imaging using stimulated echoes.

Recently, stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been demonstrated as a new tool for multiparametric MR imaging studies. Applications of the chemical shift selective (CHESS) STEAM technique using a 2.0-T whole-body MR imaging system are reported in which a series of contiguous cross-sectional images of the head and the pelvis were acquired. Because selective excitation of the desired component is employed rather than elimination of the unwanted component, this method yields an improved degree of spectral resolution which is dependent only on the homogeneity of the static magnetic field. For routine medical applications, no sophisticated adjustment of the CHESS pulse is needed, as reported in previous methods.

Chemical shift selective MR imaging using a whole-body magnet.

We have applied a new method for separating water and fat resonances in proton magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to human studies using a whole-body MR imaging system at 2.0 T. Chemical shift selective (CHESS) MR imaging provides either a water or fat image in a single experimental run within the same time needed for a conventional composite image. Although the technique requires a spectral resolution of about 1 ppm over the entire imaging region, first images of the human head and hip indicated that CHESS MR imaging is extremely promising for use in clinical investigations. Moreover, CHESS MR imaging can be combined arbitrarily with other imaging modalities and is easy to implement in any high-field MR imaging system.

Chemical-shift-selective magnetic-resonance imaging of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Chemical-shift-selective (CHESS) nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) imaging is a new method for separating "water" and "fat" (CH2) resonances in proton NMR imaging. Its major advantage over conventional composite NMR imaging is the contrast enhancement, which in particular allows the detection of small water-containing structures, such as vessels or joint surfaces, normally obscured by fat signals. First clinical findings in the femoral head with avascular necrosis are reported.