Changes In Relaxation Times Research Articles

Molecular interaction and partitioning in α-keratin using 1H NMR spin-lattice (T1) relaxation times.

The interactions between small molecules and keratins are poorly understood. In this paper, a nuclear magnetic resonance method is presented to measure changes in the 1H T1 relaxation times of small molecules in human hair keratin to quantify their interaction with the fibre. Two populations of small-molecule compounds were identified with distinct relaxation times, demonstrating the partitioning of the compounds into different keratin environments. The changes in relaxation time for solvent in hair compared with bulk solvent were shown to be related to the molecular weight (MW) and the partition coefficient, LogP, of the solvent investigated. Compounds with low MWs and high hydrophilicities had greater reductions in their T1 relaxation times and therefore experienced increased interactions with the hair fibre. The relative population sizes were also calculated. This is a significant step towards modelling the behaviour of small molecules in keratinous materials and other large insoluble fibrous proteins.

Fano resonance of optical phonons in a multilayer graphene stack

We studied Fano interference between the Raman spectrum of G-band phonons and electron continuum in a multilayer graphene stack. The thickness and power dependencies of the Fano interference coefficient ∣1/q∣ in the G-mode, where q is the Fano asymmetry parameter, were spatially visualized and analyzed using the Gaussian-convoluted Breit–Wigner–Fano function. The estimated ∣1/q∣ decreases with an increase in the layer number and laser power in the low-power region at least for monolayer, bilayer, and trilayer graphene. In the higher-power region, ∣1/q∣ increases with power only for monolayer graphene. The observed behaviors of ∣1/q∣ reflect the phase difference of Raman signals from the electron continuum and G-band and possibly originate from changes in the electronic relaxation time and the Fermi level of graphene owing to the laser heating of the sample.

Subject-specific biomechanical analysis to estimate locations susceptible to osteoarthritis-Finite element modeling and MRI follow-up of ACL reconstructed patients.

The aims of this case-control study were to: (1) Identify cartilage locations and volumes at risk of osteoarthritis (OA) using subject-specific finite element (FE) models; (2) Quantify the relationships between the simulated biomechanical parameters and T2 and T1ρ relaxation times of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We created subject-specific FE models for seven patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and six controls based on a previous proof-of-concept study. We identified locations and cartilage volumes susceptible to OA, based on maximum principal stresses and absolute maximum shear strains in cartilage exceeding thresholds of 7 MPa and 32%, respectively. The locations and volumes susceptible to OA were compared qualitatively and quantitatively against 2-year longitudinal changes in T2 and T1ρ relaxation times. The degeneration volumes predicted by the FE models, based on excessive maximum principal stresses, were significantly correlated (r = 0.711, p < 0.001) with the degeneration volumes determined from T2 relaxation times. There was also a significant correlation between the predicted stress values and changes in T2 relaxation time (r = 0.649, p < 0.001). Absolute maximum shear strains and changes in T1ρ relaxation time were not significantly correlated. Five out of seven patients with ACL reconstruction showed excessive maximum principal stresses in either one or both tibial cartilage compartments, in agreement with follow-up information from MRI. Expectedly, for controls, the FE models and follow-up information showed no degenerative signs. Our results suggest that the presented modelling methodology could be applied to prospectively identify ACL reconstructed patients at risk of biomechanically driven OA, particularly by the analysis of maximum principal stresses of cartilage.

NCOG-41. HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN BRAIN CIRCUITRY IN CRANIAL RADIATION-INDUCED HYPERSOMNOLENCE (C-RIH) MOUSE MODEL

Abstract BACKGROUND Disrupted sleep, including daytime hypersomnolence, is a core symptom reported by primary brain tumor patients and often manifests after radiotherapy. The biological mechanisms driving cranial radiation-induced hypersomnolence (C-RIH) remain unclear but we hypothesize this may result from damage to neural circuits controlling sleep behavior. We developed a mouse model of C-RIH to explore the impact of radiation on the brain: examining region-specific differences in acute DNA damage response and neuroanatomic structure. METHODS Mice received whole brain radiation then behaviors were monitored using PhenoTyper® cages to determine optimal dose and long-term effects. To test short-term neurologic effects, brains were collected 1hr post-radiation then stained for γH2AX, a signal for DNA damage. Long-term effects were quantified 1-month post-treatment using neuroimaging to determine brain volume and T1 mapping changes in regions associated with sleep, circadian rhythms, and cognition. RESULTS Mice displayed decreased general activity and increased daytime sleep in a dose-dependent and sustained manner. Histologic staining demonstrated that DNA damage following radiation varies across the brain, with homeostatic sleep regions and cognitive regions expressing higher levels of γH2AX than the circadian suprachiasmatic nucleus. These findings were supported by in vitro studies comparing radiation effects in SCN and cortical astrocytes using both trypan blue (F(1,18)=235.937, p&amp;lt; 0.001) and clonogenic assays (F(1,24)=40.796, &amp;lt; 0.001). Brain volumes were significantly smaller in irradiated than sham animals in the hippocampus (t(4)=3.833, p=0.019) and the pontine central grey (t(4)=3.504, p=0.025). T1 maps also showed significant changes in relaxation times in many cognitive regions but not sleep or circadian areas. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the homeostatic sleep region and cognitive circuits are vulnerable to radiation and may be relevant to the development of treatment plans in patients. We plan to introduce intracranial tumor to the model to evaluate the impact of timing of treatment and C-RIH on survival.

3 T: the good, the bad and the ugly.

It is around 20 years since the first commercial 3 T MRI systems became available. The theoretical promise of twice the signal-to-noise ratio of a 1.5 T system together with a greater sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility-related contrast mechanisms, such as the blood oxygen level dependent effect that is the basis for functional MRI, drove the initial market in neuroradiology. However, the limitations of the increased field strength soon became apparent, including the increased radiofrequency power deposition, tissue-dependent changes in relaxation times, increased artifacts, and greater safety concerns. Many of these issues are dependent upon MR physics and workarounds have had to be developed to try and mitigate their effects. This article reviews the underlying principles of the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of 3 T, discusses some of the methods used to improve image quality and explains the remaining challenges and concerns.

Relaxation effect on crystal nucleation in a glass unveiled by experimental, numerical, and analytical approaches

In this work, we significantly extend our new approach for analyzing nucleation kinetics below the glass transition, Tg, which considers the structural relaxation effect. Using a 5BaO·8SiO2 (B5S8) glass, we showed a significant stepwise change in the nucleation relaxation time, τsr, with temperature in the Tg region, in contrast with the expected monotonous variation with temperature: τsr is four times shorter for the supercooled liquid than for the glass. Then, using a combination of new experimental data and theoretical (analytical and numerical) analyses, we advance an interpretation within the Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT) framework that brings together the nucleation rates in the T > Tg and T < Tg ranges. We show once more that the so-called “breakdown” of the CNT is merely the result of underestimated nucleation rates due to incomplete glass relaxation during limited experimental nucleation times, confirming our recent findings for Li2O·2SiO2 and 2Na2O·CaO·3SiO2. Finally, for the first time, we also show that due to the almost complete crystallization of the B5S8 glass, and likely of other glasses that exhibit sufficiently high nucleation and growth rates, the relaxation process cannot be finished in the low-temperature range and the ultimate steady-state nucleation regime cannot be reached. These combined results shed light on the complex nucleation behavior below Tg.

MCF-7, ACHN, and A549 Cancer Cells Characterized by Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Vitro

To work with cancer cell cultures in vitro at 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), it was necessary to develop dedicated receiver coils. This device allowed to adjust the shape of the tested objects and thus improve the quality of imaging. One of the conditions for this new device was to increase the recorded signal level and reduce the distance between the tested object and the receiving elements of the coil. MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma, Her-2 positive), ACHN (kidney cancer cells), and A549 (lung cancer cells) were characterized by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro. MRI measurements were performed using the clinical scanner with a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field. MCF-7, ACHN, and A549 cancer cells were characterized by T1 and T2 relaxation times. For MCF-7 cells, the relaxation times T1 and T2 were 2360 ± 12 ms and 116 ± 0.9 ms, respectively. For ACHN cells, the relaxation times T1 and T2 were 1354 ± 193 ms and 80 ± 9 ms, respectively. Values of T1 and T2 for A549 cancer cells cultures were 1527 ± 59 ms and 150 ± 8 ms, respectively. Once an accurate pulse protocol has been established and satisfactory reproducibility was obtained, the determination of relaxation times can be used as a tool to monitor cancer cell cultures using MRI in vitro based on the determination of changes in relaxation times.

Lattice Boltzmann modeling of the capillary rise of non‐Newtonian power‐law fluids

AbstractIn this work, a lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is proposed to study the capillary rise phenomena of two‐phase immiscible non‐Newtonian power‐law fluids. The main advantage of the LB model is that it not only allows us to solve the problems of two‐phase flow with a large density difference, but also can overcome the numerical instability caused by the change of relaxation time in the collision operator. In this model, two LB evolution equations are used to solve the conservative Allen–Cahn equation for capturing phase interface and incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid dynamics. Some benchmark examples, including a droplet spreading on a smooth wall and two‐phase power‐law fluid flows between parallel plates, are used to test present LB model, and the results show that the present model is efficient and accurate in the study of two‐phase power‐law fluid flows. Furthermore, we pay attention to the phenomena of capillary rise of non‐Newtonian fluids, and carry out a parametric study on the effects of the gravity, viscosity, contact angle, power‐law index, and displaced fluids. The results show that the factors mentioned above have some significant influences on the rising process of the absorbed fluids.

Quantitative T1 and T2 mapping by magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) of the placenta before and after maternal hyperoxia.

MR relaxometry has been used to assess placental exchange function, but methods to date are not sufficiently fast to be robust to placental motion. Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) permits rapid, voxel-wise, intrinsically co-registered T1 and T2 mapping. After characterizing measurement error, we scanned pregnant women during air and oxygen breathing to demonstrate MRF's ability to detect placental oxygenation changes. The accuracy of FISP-based, sliding-window reconstructed MRF was tested on phantoms. MRF scans in 9-s breath holds were acquired at 3T in 31 pregnant women during air and oxygen breathing. A mixed effects model was used to test for changes in placenta relaxation times between physiological states, to assess the dependency on gestational age (GA), and the impact of placental motion. MRF estimates of known phantom relaxation times resulted in mean absolute errors for T1 of 92ms (4.8%), but T2 was less accurate at 16ms (13.6%). During normoxia, placental T1=1825±141ms (avg±standard deviation) and T2=60±16ms (gestational age range 24.3-36.7, median 32.6 weeks). In the statistical model, placental T2 rose and T1 remained contant after hyperoxia, and no GA dependency was observed for T1 or T2. Well-characterized, motion-robust MRF was used to acquire T1 and T2 maps of the placenta. Changes with hyperoxia are consistent with a net increase in oxygen saturation. Toward the goal of whole-placenta quantitative oxygenation imaging over time, we aim to implement 3D MRF with integrated motion correction to improve T2 accuracy.

Changes in magnetic resonance imaging relaxation time on postmortem magnetic resonance imaging of formalin-fixed human normal heart tissue

BackgroundPostmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to investigate the cause of death, but due to time constraints, it is not widely applied to the heart. Therefore, MRI analysis of the heart after formalin fixation was previously performed. However, the changes in MRI signal values based on the fixation time of formalin were not investigated. The objective was to investigate changes over time in the T1- and T2-values of MRI signals in normal areas of hearts removed during autopsy, hearts subsequently fixed in formalin, and heart specimens sliced for the preparation of pathological specimens.MethodsThe study subjects were 21 autopsy cases in our hospital between May 26, 2019 and February 16, 2020 whose hearts were removed and scanned by MRI. The male:female ratio was 14:7, and their ages at death ranged from 9 to 92 years (mean age 65.0 ± 19.7 years). Postmortem (PM)-MRI was conducted with a 0.3-Tesla (0.3-T) scanner containing a permanent magnet. A 4-channel QD head coil was used as the receiver coil. Scans were performed immediately after removal, post-formalin fixation, and after slicing; 7 cases were scanned at all three time points.ResultsThe T1- and T2-values were calculated from the MRI signals of each sample organ at each scanning stage. Specimens were sliced from removed organs after formalin fixation, and the changes in T1- and T2-values over time were graphed to obtain an approximate curve. The median T1-values at each measurement time point tended to decrease from immediately after removal. The T2-values showed the same tendency to decrease, but this tendency was more pronounced for the T1-values.ConclusionMRI signal changes in images of heart specimens were investigated. Formalin fixation shortened both T1- and T2-values over time, and approximation formulae were derived to show these decreases over time. The shortening of T1- and T2-values can be understood as commensurate with the reduction in the water content (water molecules) of the formalin-fixed heart.

Precise Measurements of the Temperature Influence on the Complex Permittivity of Power Transformers Moistened Paper-Oil Insulation

The reference characteristics of complex permittivity of the transformers insulation solid component were determined for use in the precise diagnostics of the power transformers insulation state. The solid component is a composite of cellulose, insulating oil and water nanoparticles. Measurements were made in the frequency range from 10−4 Hz to 5000 Hz at temperatures from 293.15 to 333.15 K. Uncertainty of temperature measurements was less than ±0.01 K. Pressboard impregnated with insulating oil with a water content of (5.0 ± 0.2) by weight moistened in a manner maximally similar to the moistening process in power transformers was investigated. It was found that there are two stages of changes in permittivity and imaginary permittivity components, occurring for low and high frequency. As the temperature increases, the frequency dependencies of the permittivity and imaginary permittivity component shifts to the higher frequency region. This phenomenon is related to the change of relaxation time with the increase in temperature. The values of relaxation time activation energies of the permittivity ΔWτε′ ≈ (0.827 ± 0.0094) eV and the imaginary permittivity component ΔWτε″ = 0.883 eV were determined. It was found that Cole-Cole charts for the first stage are asymmetric and similar to those described by the Dawidson–Cole relaxation. For stage two, the charts are arc-shaped, corresponding to the Cole-Cole relaxation. It has been established that in the moistened pressboard impregnated with insulating oil, there is an additional polarization mechanism associated with the occurrence of water in the form of nanodrops and the tunneling of electrons between them.

Temperature dependence of the microwave dielectric properties of gamma-aminobutyric acid

The GABA molecule is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Through binding to post-synaptic neurons, GABA reduces the neuronal excitability by hyperpolarization. Correct binding between the GABA molecules and its receptors relies on molecular recognition. Earlier studies suggest that recognition is determined by the geometries of the molecule and its receptor. We employed dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) to study the conformation and dielectric properties of the GABA molecule under physiologically relevant laboratory conditions. The dielectric properties of GABA investigated have given us new insights about the GABA molecule, such as how they interact with each other and with water molecules at different temperatures (22°C and 37.5°C). Higher temperature leads to lower viscosity, thus lower relaxation time. The change in the GABA relaxation time due to concentration change is more associated with the solution viscosity than with the GABA dipole moment. A resonance behavior was observed with high GABA concentrations at physiological temperature, where there might be a phase transition at a certain temperature for a given GABA concentration that leads to a sudden change of the dielectric properties.

Graphene oxide synthesis using modified Tour method

Graphene oxide (GO) colloidal solution has been synthesised by the modified Tour method, in which the pH of the reaction medium has been increased to 2.0–2.2 at the final stage of graphite oxidation by adding NaOH solution. The solid-phase graphene oxide consists of multilayered graphene particles with a thickness of about 7.5 nm (9–10 layers of graphene) and an average size of about 7.7 nm. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been prepared by hydrazine and microwave reduction. A comparative study of the structure, morphology, and electrical transport properties of rGO samples obtained by various methods has been carried out using XRD, SAXS, Raman spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and impedance spectroscopy. Structural analysis has shown the presence of two fractions of plate-like rGO particles for each reduction method, which consist of 4–6 layers of graphene in stacks and have a lateral size in the range of 7.1–7.6 nm. The BET specific surface area of the microwave-reduced rGO was higher than that of the chemically reduced one (296 and 237 m2 g−1 respectively). The frequency dependence (10−2–105 Hz) of the AC conductivity of the GO and rGO samples has been analysed in the temperature range of 25 °C–175 °C. For the GO sample, the proton exchange conductivity mechanism dominates. A Drude-like response of electrical conductivity at frequencies above 103 Hz with transition to Johnscher’s law response at 175 °C has been observed for rGO samples obtained using both chemical and microwave routes. Changes in activation energies and relaxation times have been interpreted using a model of a thermally activated frequency-dependent electron hopping mechanism between randomly coupled conducting sp 2 rGO packages separated by disordered sp 3 rGO regions with correspondingly higher resistivity.

Regional Differences of Mechanical Properties in a Biceps Brachii Following Eccentric Exercise

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of eccentric exercise (ECC) on the indices of mechanical properties together with markers of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in different sites of the biceps brachii (BB) muscle.METHODS: ECC using an elbow joint was performed in 13 non-trained, college men. Global symptoms of EIMD were identified through changes in muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, including muscle function following ECC. To evaluate regional EIMD, muscle swelling and tenderness as well as muscular echo intensity were measured at distal (4 cm above the elbow joint) and middle (30% of the distance from the antecubital crease to the acromion) sites within the BB muscle. A handheld myotonometer was used to estimate changes in mechanical properties, that is, oscillation frequency (F), dynamic stiffness (S), and relaxation time (R), of BB muscles after ECC.RESULTS: A significant difference in the major markers of EIMD, such as muscle soreness and serum CK activity, along with parameters of muscle function, was observed after ECC compared to baseline. Although all indirect markers of regional muscle damage demonstrated meaningful differences between before and after ECC, no statistically significant interaction between the distal and middle sites was observed in any of the markers. After ECC, both distal and middle sites showed significant changes in F, S, and R, but no statistical differences in changes in muscle mechanical properties were observed between localized muscle sites within BB muscles.CONCLUSIONS: Changes in mechanical properties, including regional muscle damage, seem to be uniformly influenced by different anatomical locations within the BB muscle, such as elbow flexors, following ECC.

A Protein-Based Biosensor for Detecting Calcium by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Calcium-responsive contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offer a promising approach for noninvasive brain-wide monitoring of neural activity at any arbitrary depth. Current examples of MRI-based calcium probes involve synthetic molecules and nanoparticles, which cannot be used to examine calcium signaling in a genetically encoded form. Here, we describe a new MRI sensor for calcium, based entirely on a naturally occurring calcium-binding protein known as calprotectin. Calcium-binding causes calprotectin to sequester manganese ions, thereby limiting Mn2+ enhanced paramagnetic relaxation of nearby water molecules. We demonstrate that this mechanism allows calprotectin to alter T1 and T2 based MRI signals in response to biologically relevant calcium concentrations. The resulting response amplitude, i.e., change in relaxation time, is comparable to existing MRI-based calcium sensors as well as other reported protein-based MRI sensors. As a preliminary demonstration of its biological applicability, we used calprotectin to detect calcium in a lysed hippocampal cell preparation as well as in intact Chinese hamster ovary cells treated with a calcium ionophore. Calprotectin thus represents a promising path toward noninvasive imaging of calcium signaling by combining the molecular and cellular specificity of genetically encodable tools with the ability of MRI to image through scattering tissue of any size and depth.

Longitudinal neural connection detection using a ferritin‐encoding adeno‐associated virus vector and in vivo MRI method

The investigation of neural circuits is important for interpreting both healthy brain function and psychiatric disorders. Currently, the architecture of neural circuits is always investigated with fluorescent protein encoding neurotropic virus and ex vivo fluorescent imaging technology. However, it is difficult to obtain a whole‐brain neural circuit connection in living animals, due to the limited fluorescent imaging depth. Herein, the noninvasive, whole‐brain imaging technique of MRI and the hypotoxicity virus vector AAV (adeno‐associated virus) were combined to investigate the whole‐brain neural circuits in vivo. AAV2‐retro are an artificially‐evolved virus vector that permits access to the terminal of neurons and retrograde transport to their cell bodies. By expressing the ferritin protein which could accumulate iron ions and influence the MRI contrast, the neurotropic virus can cause MRI signal changes in the infected regions. For mice injected with the ferritin‐encoding virus vector (rAAV2‐retro‐CAG‐Ferritin) in the caudate putamen (CPu), several regions showed significant changes in MRI contrasts, such as PFC (prefrontal cortex), HIP (hippocampus), Ins (insular cortex) and BLA (basolateral amygdala). The expression of ferritin in those regions was also verified with ex vivo fluorescence imaging. In addition, we demonstrated that changes in T2 relaxation time could be used to identify the spread area of the virus in the brain over time. Thus, the neural connections could be longitudinally detected with the in vivo MRI method. This novel technique could be utilized to observe the viral infection process and detect the neural circuits in a living animal.

Sesame seed as an alternative plant protein source: A comprehensive physicochemical characterisation study for alkaline, salt and enzyme‐assisted extracted samples

SummarySesame seed is mostly utilised for its oil but also the waste of the oil processing; the seed meal has also significant potential to be used as an alternative protein source. In this study, the goal is to produce sesame seed protein by using three different techniques; alkaline, salt and enzyme‐assisted extraction. A comprehensive physicochemical characterisation of the extracts was performed. Total and soluble protein contents, emulsification activity &amp; emulsion stability, FTIR spectroscopy, hydration behaviour and gelling ability experiments by TD‐NMR were conducted for all extracted proteins. Also, SDS‐PAGE experiments were performed to observe the effect of extraction conditions on protein folding. Overall, the aqueous phase of enzyme‐assisted extracted proteins (E‐ACP) had the highest protein content and solubility, which resulted in other improved physicochemical properties. Salt extracted samples were ‘salted‐out’, therefore, had poor physicochemical properties. TD‐NMR experiments further confirmed the solubility and gelling ability results by measuring the change in the T2 spin relaxation times. Additionally, FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the most critical peaks for the proteins; Amide I (C=O stretching) and Amide II (N–H bending). In summary, depending on the physicochemical property of interest, different extraction methods yielded proteins with different properties.

Relaxation properties of the ice cover

The aim of this work was to generalize the known data and conduct experiments to determine the relaxation properties of ice in the ice cover under short-term (no more than 1 min.) loading. The problem lies in the fact that when one is solving applied problems of ice engineering, ice is often considered as an elastic isotropic material, and its stress-strain state (SSS) is studied in terms of the theory of bending of elastic plates. This does not allow performing theoretical calculations when resonant flexural gravity waves (IGW) are excited by moving loads, because under these conditions, the deflections of the ice increase to infinity and the known solutions become unusable. In fact, ice clearly manifests the properties of a quasi-isotropic medium, and the relationship between stresses and deformations is of a viscoelastic nature. It is noted in the work that, depending on the mode in which external loads act on the ice cover, its inelastic properties affect the nature of its behavior in different ways, while the viscoelastic properties of the ice cover are well described by the linear models of Maxwell or Kelvin-Voigt inelastic continuous media. The experimental material is duly processed and analysis is carried out of the results of experimental studies performed in the field by loading the ice cover with balanced loads using a specially made loading device, which was a frame with three supports. The design of the device made it possible to load the ice cover with balanced loads, which made it possible to exclude the influence of false elasticity of water on the results of experiments. For the rheological models of ice behavior indicated, the most probable ranges of changes in the relaxation times of stresses and deformations of the ice cover in the ice conditions considered are given. The results obtained can be used in theoretical studies of ice engineering problems.

MRI-based Glucose Assay Using Magnetic Nanoparticle Sensors.

Glucose sensors for NMR relaxometry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for the direct measurement of glucose in turbid biological specimens. Here, we proposed a magnetic glucose sensor based on superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles conjugated to a mannopyranoside derivative and concanavalin A (ConA). The binding of mannopyranoside groups to ConA produced a nanoparticle cluster that was dissociated by competitive binding of glucose to ConA, resulting in changes in the transverse relaxation time (T2) in a glucose-dependent manner. The sensor gave rise to significant T2 changes in physiological glucose levels of 3 - 8 mM at a nanoparticle concentration of 0.5 nM. Significant T2 responses were observed within 6 min of 5 mM glucose detection. Sensor-based MRI by a benchtop 1 tesla scanner permitted a measurement of multiple samples within 8 min. These results demonstrate that the relaxometric glucose sensor could lead to high throughput direct assay of blood samples by using a compact MRI scanner for point-of-care testing.

Water Behavior of Emulsions Stabilized by Modified Potato Starch.

Starch is a widely known and used emulsion stabilizer. In order to improve its properties, various types of modifications are made that change its ability to emulsify and stabilize. This paper describes the analysis of the molecular dynamics of water using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF NMR) in oil-in-water emulsions obtained with the use of physically or chemically modified potato starch. The analysis of changes in spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times depending on the temperature allowed the activation energy value of water molecules in the analyzed emulsions to be determined. It has been shown that the presence of starch influences the values of spin-lattice T1 and spin-spin T2 relaxation times, both in the water and the oil phase, and the observed changes largely depended on the type of starch modification. Both types of analyzed starches also differently influenced the energy of activation of rotational movements of water molecules. On the basis of the analyses carried out with the use of LF NMR, it can be concluded that physically modified starch acts not only as a stabilizer, but also as an emulsifier, while acetylated starch does not exhibit good emulsifying properties.