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Álvarez MGM, Madhuranthakam AJ, Udayakumar D. Quantitative non-contrast perfusion MRI in the body using arterial spin labeling. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024:10.1007/s10334-024-01188-1. [PMID: 39105949 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-024-01188-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method that enables the assessment and the quantification of perfusion without the need for an exogenous contrast agent. ASL was originally developed in the early 1990s to measure cerebral blood flow. The utility of ASL has since then broadened to encompass various organ systems, offering insights into physiological and pathological states. In this review article, we present a synopsis of ASL for quantitative non-contrast perfusion MRI, as a contribution to the special issue titled "Quantitative MRI-how to make it work in the body?" The article begins with an introduction to ASL principles, followed by different labeling strategies, such as pulsed, continuous, pseudo-continuous, and velocity-selective approaches, and their role in perfusion quantification. We proceed to address the technical challenges associated with ASL in the body and outline some of the innovative approaches devised to surmount these issues. Subsequently, we summarize potential clinical applications, challenges, and state-of-the-art ASL methods to quantify perfusion in some of the highly perfused organs in the thorax (lungs), abdomen (kidneys, liver, pancreas), and pelvis (placenta) of the human body. The article concludes by discussing future directions for successful translation of quantitative ASL in body imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ananth J Madhuranthakam
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Durga Udayakumar
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA.
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Melbourne A, Schabel MC, David AL, Roberts VHJ. Magnetic resonance imaging of placental intralobule structure and function in a preclinical nonhuman primate model†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1065-1076. [PMID: 38442734 PMCID: PMC11180614 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the central role of adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery is known, the lack of optimized imaging modalities to study placental structure has impeded our understanding of its vascular function. Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly being applied in this field, but gaps in knowledge remain, and further methodological developments are needed. In particular, the ability to distinguish maternal from fetal placental perfusion and the understanding of how individual placental lobules are functioning are lacking. The potential clinical benefits of developing noninvasive tools for the in vivo assessment of blood flow and oxygenation, two key determinants of placental function, are tremendous. Here, we summarize a number of structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques that have been developed and applied in animal models and studies of human pregnancy over the past decade. We discuss the potential applications and limitations of these approaches. Their combination provides a novel source of contrast to allow analysis of placental structure and function at the level of the lobule. We outline the physiological mechanisms of placental T2 and T2* decay and devise a model of how tissue composition affects the observed relaxation properties. We apply this modeling to longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data obtained from a preclinical pregnant nonhuman primate model to provide initial proof-of-concept data for this methodology, which quantifies oxygen transfer and placental structure across and between lobules. This method has the potential to improve our understanding and clinical management of placental insufficiency once validation in a larger nonhuman primate cohort is complete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Melbourne
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthias C Schabel
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Anna L David
- Department of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria H J Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Janzen C, Lei MYY, Lee BR, Vangala S, DelRosario I, Meng Q, Ritz B, Liu J, Jerrett M, Chanlaw T, Choi S, Aliabadi A, Fortes PA, Sullivan PS, Murphy A, Vecchio GD, Thamotharan S, Sung K, Devaskar SU. A Description of the Imaging Innovations for Placental Assessment in Response to Environmental Pollution Study. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:e853-e862. [PMID: 36241211 PMCID: PMC11111287 DOI: 10.1055/a-1961-2059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of Placental Assessment in Response to Environmental Pollution Study (PARENTs) was to determine whether imaging of the placenta by novel multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in early pregnancy could help predict adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) due to ischemic placental disease (IPD). Additionally, we sought to determine maternal characteristics and environmental risk factors that contribute to IPD and secondary APOs. STUDY DESIGN Potential patients in their first trimester of pregnancy, who agreed to MRI of the placenta and measures of assessment of environmental pollution, were recruited into PARENTs, a prospective population-based cohort study. Participants were seen at three study visits during pregnancy and again at their delivery from 2015 to 2019. We collected data from interviews, chart abstractions, and imaging. Maternal biospecimens (serum, plasma, and urine) at antepartum study visits and delivery specimens (placenta, cord, and maternal blood) were collected, processed, and stored. The primary outcome was a composite of IPD, which included any of the following: placental abruption, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, or a newborn of small for gestational age. RESULTS In this pilot cohort, of the 190 patients who completed pregnancy to viable delivery, 50 (26%) developed IPD. Among demographic characteristics, having a history of prior IPD in multiparous women was associated with the development of IPD. In the multiple novel perfusion measurements taken of the in vivo placenta using MRI, decreased high placental blood flow (mL/100 g/min) in early pregnancy (between 14 and 16 weeks) was found to be significantly associated with the later development of IPD. CONCLUSION Successful recruitment of the PARENTs prospective cohort demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the use of MRI in human pregnancy to study the placenta in vivo and at the same time collect environmental exposure data. Analysis is ongoing and we hope these methods will assist researchers in the design of prospective imaging studies of pregnancy. KEY POINTS · MRI was acceptable and feasible for the study of the human placenta in vivo.. · Functional imaging of the placenta by MRI showed a significant decrease in high placental blood flow.. · Measures of environmental exposures are further being analyzed to predict IPD..
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Margarida Y. Y. Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brian R. Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sitaram Vangala
- Department of Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Irish DelRosario
- Department of Epidemiology, Jonathan Fielding School of Public Health at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qi Meng
- Department of Epidemiology, Jonathan Fielding School of Public Health at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Jonathan Fielding School of Public Health at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jonathan Liu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Jonathan Fielding School of Public Health at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Jonathan Fielding School of Public Health at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Teresa Chanlaw
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sarah Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Arya Aliabadi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Precious Ann Fortes
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Peggy S. Sullivan
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aisling Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Giorgia Del Vecchio
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shanthie Thamotharan
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - KyungHyun Sung
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sherin U. Devaskar
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Seiter D, Chen R, Ludwig KD, Zhu A, Shah D, Wieben O, Johnson KM. Velocity-selective arterial spin labeling perfusion measurements in 2nd trimester human placenta with varying BMI. Placenta 2024; 150:72-79. [PMID: 38615536 PMCID: PMC11065564 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Proper placental development is crucial to fetal health but is challenging to functionally assess non-invasively and is thus poorly characterized in populations. Body mass index (BMI) has been linked with adverse outcomes, but the causative mechanism is uncertain. Velocity-selective arterial spin labeling (VS-ASL) MRI provides a method to non-invasively measure placental perfusion with robustness to confounding transit time delays. In this study, we report on the measurement of perfusion in the human placenta in early pregnancy using velocity-selective arterial spin labeling (VS-ASL) MRI, comparing non-obese and obese participants. METHODS Participants (N = 97) undergoing routine prenatal care were recruited and imaged with structural and VS-ASL perfusion MRI at 15 and 21 weeks gestation. Resulting perfusion images were analyzed with respect to obesity based on BMI, gestational age, and the presence of adverse outcomes. RESULTS At 15 weeks gestation BMI was not associated with placental perfusion or perfusion heterogeneity. However, at 21 weeks gestation BMI was associated with higher placental perfusion (p < 0.01) and a decrease in perfusion heterogeneity (p < 0.05). In alignment with past studies, perfusion values were also higher at 21 weeks compared to 15 weeks gestation. In a small cohort of participants with adverse outcomes, at 21 weeks lower perfusion was observed compared to participants with uncomplicated pregnancies. DISCUSSION These results suggest low placental perfusion in the early second trimester may not be the culpable factor driving associations of obesity with adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Seiter
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ruiming Chen
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kai D Ludwig
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ante Zhu
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Dinesh Shah
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Oliver Wieben
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kevin M Johnson
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
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Meng Q, Del Rosario I, Sung K, Janzen C, Devaskar SU, Carpenter CL, Ritz B. Maternal dietary patterns and placental outcomes among pregnant women in Los Angeles. Placenta 2024; 145:72-79. [PMID: 38100961 PMCID: PMC11419549 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidemiological studies have linked prenatal maternal diet to fetal growth, but whether diet affects placental outcomes is poorly understood. METHODS We collected past month dietary intake from 148 women in mid-pregnancy enrolled at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) antenatal clinics from 2016 to 2019. We employed the food frequency Diet History Questionnaire II and generated the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), the Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P), and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED). We conducted T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mid-pregnancy (1st during 14-17 and 2nd during 19-24 gestational weeks) to evaluate placental volume (cm3) and we measured placenta weight (g) at delivery. We estimated change and 95 % confidence interval (CI) in placental volume and associations of placenta weight with all dietary index scores and diet items using linear regression models. RESULTS Placental volume in mid-pregnancy was associated with an 18.9 cm3 (95 % CI 5.1, 32.8) increase per 100 gestational days in women with a higher HEI-2015 (≥median), with stronger results for placentas of male fetuses. We estimated positive associations between placental volume at the 1st and 2nd MRI and higher intake of vegetables, high-fat fish, dairy, and dietary intake of B vitamins. A higher aMED (≥median) score was associated with a 40.5 g (95 % CI 8.5, 72.5) increase in placenta weight at delivery, which was mainly related to protein intake. DISCUSSION Placental growth represented by volume in mid-pregnancy and weight at birth is influenced by the quality and content of the maternal diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Meng
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Irish Del Rosario
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Kyunghyun Sung
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sherin U Devaskar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Herrera CL, Wang Y, Udayakumar D, Xi Y, Do QN, Lewis MA, Owen DM, Fei B, Spong CY, Twickler DM, Madhuranthakam AJ. Longitudinal assessment of placental perfusion in normal and hypertensive pregnancies using pseudo-continuous arterial spin-labeled MRI: preliminary experience. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:9223-9232. [PMID: 37466705 PMCID: PMC10796849 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate longitudinal placental perfusion using pseudo-continuous arterial spin-labeled (pCASL) MRI in normal pregnancies and in pregnancies affected by chronic hypertension (cHTN), who are at the greatest risk for placental-mediated disease conditions. METHODS Eighteen normal and 23 pregnant subjects with cHTN requiring antihypertensive therapy were scanned at 3 T using free-breathing pCASL-MRI at 16-20 and 24-28 weeks of gestational age. RESULTS Mean placental perfusion was 103.1 ± 48.0 and 71.4 ± 18.3 mL/100 g/min at 16-20 and 24-28 weeks respectively in normal pregnancies and 79.4 ± 27.4 and 74.9 ± 26.6 mL/100 g/min in cHTN pregnancies. There was a significant decrease in perfusion between the first and second scans in normal pregnancies (p = 0.004), which was not observed in cHTN pregnancies (p = 0.36). The mean perfusion was not statistically different between normal and cHTN pregnancies at both scans, but the absolute change in perfusion per week was statistically different between these groups (p = 0.044). Furthermore, placental perfusion was significantly lower at both time points (p = 0.027 and 0.044 respectively) in the four pregnant subjects with cHTN who went on to have infants that were small for gestational age (52.7 ± 20.4 and 50.4 ± 20.9 mL/100 g/min) versus those who did not (85 ± 25.6 and 80.0 ± 25.1 mL/100 g/min). CONCLUSION pCASL-MRI enables longitudinal assessment of placental perfusion in pregnant subjects. Placental perfusion in the second trimester declined in normal pregnancies whereas it remained unchanged in cHTN pregnancies, consistent with alterations due to vascular disease pathology. Perfusion was significantly lower in those with small for gestational age infants, indicating that pCASL-MRI-measured perfusion may be an effective imaging biomarker for placental insufficiency. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT pCASL-MRI enables longitudinal assessment of placental perfusion without administering exogenous contrast agent and can identify placental insufficiency in pregnant subjects with chronic hypertension that can lead to earlier interventions. KEY POINTS • Arterial spin-labeled (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables longitudinal assessment of placental perfusion without administering exogenous contrast agent. • ASL-MRI-measured placental perfusion decreased significantly between 16-20 week and 24-28 week gestational age in normal pregnancies, while it remained relatively constant in hypertensive pregnancies, attributed to vascular disease pathology. • ASL-MRI-measured placental perfusion was significantly lower in subjects with hypertension who had a small for gestational age infant at 16-20-week gestation, indicating perfusion as an effective biomarker of placental insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Herrera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yiming Wang
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
| | - Durga Udayakumar
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yin Xi
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
- Department of Clinical Science, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Quyen N Do
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
| | - Matthew A Lewis
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
| | - David M Owen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Baowei Fei
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Y Spong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diane M Twickler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA
| | - Ananth J Madhuranthakam
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9061, USA.
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Herrera CL, Kim MJ, Do QN, Owen DM, Fei B, Twickler DM, Spong CY. The human placenta project: Funded studies, imaging technologies, and future directions. Placenta 2023; 142:27-35. [PMID: 37634371 PMCID: PMC11257151 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The placenta plays a critical role in fetal development. It serves as a multi-functional organ that protects and nurtures the fetus during pregnancy. However, despite its importance, the intricacies of placental structure and function in normal and diseased states have remained largely unexplored. Thus, in 2014, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development launched the Human Placenta Project (HPP). As of May 2023, the HPP has awarded over $101 million in research funds, resulting in 41 funded studies and 459 publications. We conducted a comprehensive review of these studies and publications to identify areas of funded research, advances in those areas, limitations of current research, and continued areas of need. This paper will specifically review the funded studies by the HPP, followed by an in-depth discussion on advances and gaps within placental-focused imaging. We highlight the progress within magnetic reasonance imaging and ultrasound, including development of tools for the assessment of placental function and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Herrera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Meredith J Kim
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Quyen N Do
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David M Owen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Baowei Fei
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diane M Twickler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Y Spong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA
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Lee B, Janzen C, Aliabadi AR, Lei MYY, Wu H, Liu D, Vangala SS, Devaskar SU, Sung K. Early pregnancy imaging predicts ischemic placental disease. Placenta 2023; 140:90-99. [PMID: 37549442 PMCID: PMC11090111 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.07.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To characterize early-gestation changes in placental structure, perfusion, and oxygenation in the context of ischemic placental disease (IPD) as a composite outcome and in individual sub-groups. METHODS In a single-center prospective cohort study, 199 women were recruited from antenatal clinics between February 2017 and February 2019. Maternal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the placenta were temporally conducted at two timepoints: 14-16 weeks gestational age (GA) and 19-24 weeks GA. The pregnancy was monitored via four additional study visits, including at delivery. Placental volume, perfusion, and oxygenation were assessed at both MRI timepoints. The primary outcome was defined as pregnancy complicated by IPD, with group assignment confirmed after delivery. RESULTS In early gestation, mothers with IPD who subsequently developed fetal growth restriction (FGR) and/or delivered small-for gestational age (SGA) infants showed significantly decreased MRI indices of placental volume, perfusion, and oxygenation compared to controls. The prediction of FGR or SGA by multiple logistic regression using placental volume, perfusion, and oxygenation revealed receiver operator characteristic curves with areas under the curve of 0.81 (Positive predictive value (PPV) = 0.84, negative predictive value (NPV) = 0.75) at 14-16 weeks GA and 0.66 (PPV = 0.78, NPV = 0.60) at 19-24 weeks GA. DISCUSSION MRI indices showing decreased placental volume, perfusion and oxygenation in early pregnancy were associated with subsequent onset of IPD, with the greatest deviation evident in subjects with FGR and/or SGA. These early-gestation MRI changes may be predictive of the subsequent development of FGR and/or SGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Arya R Aliabadi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Margarida Y Y Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Holden Wu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 300 Medical Plaza, B119, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Dapeng Liu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 300 Medical Plaza, B119, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Sitaram S Vangala
- Department of Medicine Statistical Core, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 1100 Glendon Ave Suite 1820, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Sherin U Devaskar
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Kyunghyun Sung
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 300 Medical Plaza, B119, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Clark A, Flouri D, Mufti N, James J, Clements E, Aughwane R, Aertsen M, David A, Melbourne A. Developments in functional imaging of the placenta. Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20211010. [PMID: 35234516 PMCID: PMC10321248 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20211010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is both the literal and metaphorical black box of pregnancy. Measurement of the function of the placenta has the potential to enhance our understanding of this enigmatic organ and serve to support obstetric decision making. Advanced imaging techniques are key to support these measurements. This review summarises emerging imaging technology being used to measure the function of the placenta and new developments in the computational analysis of these data. We address three important examples where functional imaging is supporting our understanding of these conditions: fetal growth restriction, placenta accreta, and twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alys Clark
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Joanna James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Eleanor Clements
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Rosalind Aughwane
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Aertsen
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna David
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
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Lee S, Meyer BP, Hernandez-Garcia L, Kurpad SN, Schmit BD, Budde MD. Comparison and optimization of pCASL and VSASL for rat thoracolumbar spinal cord MRI at 9.4 T. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:2305-2317. [PMID: 36744728 PMCID: PMC10050093 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) and velocity-selective arterial spin labeling (VSASL) for quantification of spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) in the rat thoracolumbar spinal cord. METHODS Labeling efficiency (LE) was compared between pCASL and three VSASL variants in simulations and both phantom and in vivo experiments at 9.4 T. For pCASL, the effects of label plane position and shimming were systematically evaluated. For VSASL, the effects of composite pulses and phase cycling were evaluated to reduce artifacts. Additionally, vessel suppression, respiratory, and cardiac gating were evaluated to reduce motion artifacts. pCASL and VSASL maps of spinal cord blood flow were acquired with the optimized protocols. RESULTS LE of the descending aorta was larger in pCASL compared to VSASL variants. In pCASL, LE off-isocenter was improved by local shimming positioned at the label plane and the anatomical level of labeling for the thoracic cord was only viable at the level of the T10 vertebra. Cardiac gating was essential to reduce motion artifacts. Both pCASL and VSASL successfully demonstrated comparable SCBF values in the thoracolumbar cord. CONCLUSION pCASL demonstrated high and consistent LE in the thoracic aorta, and VSASL was also feasible, but with reduced efficiency. A combination of cardiac gating and recording of actual post-label delays was important for accurate SCBF quantification. These results highlight the challenges and solutions to achieve sufficient ASL labeling and contrast at high field in organs prone to motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongtaek Lee
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University & Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Briana P Meyer
- Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Luis Hernandez-Garcia
- FMRI Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Shekar N Kurpad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Brian D Schmit
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University & Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Matthew D Budde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
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Taso M, Aramendía-Vidaurreta V, Englund EK, Francis S, Franklin S, Madhuranthakam AJ, Martirosian P, Nayak KS, Qin Q, Shao X, Thomas DL, Zun Z, Fernández-Seara MA. Update on state-of-the-art for arterial spin labeling (ASL) human perfusion imaging outside of the brain. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:1754-1776. [PMID: 36747380 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This review article provides an overview of developments for arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging in the body (i.e., outside of the brain). It is part of a series of review/recommendation papers from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Perfusion Study Group. In this review, we focus on specific challenges and developments tailored for ASL in a variety of body locations. After presenting common challenges, organ-specific reviews of challenges and developments are presented, including kidneys, lungs, heart (myocardium), placenta, eye (retina), liver, pancreas, and muscle, which are regions that have seen the most developments outside of the brain. Summaries and recommendations of acquisition parameters (when appropriate) are provided for each organ. We then explore the possibilities for wider adoption of body ASL based on large standardization efforts, as well as the potential opportunities based on recent advances in high/low-field systems and machine-learning. This review seeks to provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art of ASL for applications in the body, highlighting ongoing challenges and solutions that aim to enable more widespread use of the technique in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Taso
- Division of MRI Research, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Erin K Englund
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Susan Francis
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Suzanne Franklin
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ananth J Madhuranthakam
- Department of Radiology, Advanced Imaging Research Center, and Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Petros Martirosian
- Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Krishna S Nayak
- Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Qin Qin
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xingfeng Shao
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), Mark & Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David L Thomas
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Zungho Zun
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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12
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Lee B, Janzen C, Wu H, Vangala SS, Devaskar SU, Sung K. Utility of In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Predictive of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus During Early Pregnancy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:281-294. [PMID: 36251771 PMCID: PMC9844964 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Gestational diabetes (GDM) imposes long-term adverse health effects on the mother and fetus. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during early gestation in GDM has not been well-studied. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of quantitative MRI measurements of placental volume and perfusion, with distribution of maternal adiposity, during early gestation in GDM. METHODS At UCLA outpatient antenatal obstetrics clinics, ∼200 pregnant women recruited in the first trimester were followed temporally through pregnancy until parturition. Two placental MRI scans were prospectively performed at 14 to 16 weeks and 19 to 24 weeks gestational age (GA). Placental volume and blood flow (PBF) were calculated from placental regions of interest; maternal adiposity distribution was assessed by subcutaneous fat area ratio (SFAR) and visceral fat area ratio (VFAR). Statistical comparisons were performed using the two-tailed t test. Predictive logistic regression modeling was evaluated by area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS Of a total 186 subjects, 21 subjects (11.3%) developed GDM. VFAR was higher in GDM vs the control group, at both time points (P < 0.001 each). Placental volume was greater in GDM vs the control group at 19 to 24 weeks GA (P = 0.01). Combining VFAR, placental volume and perfusion, improved the AUC to 0.83 at 14 to 16 weeks (positive predictive value [PPV] = 0.77, negative predictive value [NPV] = 0.83), and 0.81 at 19 to 24 weeks GA (PPV = 0.73, NPV = 0.86). CONCLUSION A combination of MRI-based placental volume, perfusion, and visceral adiposity during early pregnancy demonstrates significant changes in GDM and provides a proof of concept for predicting the subsequent development of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology Maternal Fetal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Holden Wu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sitaram S Vangala
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sherin U Devaskar
- Correspondence: Sherin U. Devaskar, MD, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833, Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752, USA.
| | - Kyunghyun Sung
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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13
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Zhang H, Lu M, Liu S, Liu D, Shen X, Sheng F, Han C, Cai J. The value of 3D pseudo-continuousarterial spin labeling perfusion imaging in moyamoya disease—Comparison with dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:944246. [PMID: 35992916 PMCID: PMC9389231 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.944246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D pCASL) is commonly used to measure arterial cerebral blood flow (CBF). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical feasibility and accuracy of 3D pCASL in comparison with dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion imaging in moyamoya disease (MMD). Materials and methods A total of 174 MMD patients underwent 3D pCASL and DSC-MRI for evaluating cerebral blood perfusion. 3D-pCASL with two single post-labeling delay (PLD) times (1,500 and 2,500 ms) was used to measure CBF. The values of DSC-CBF and ASL-CBF were calculated for major arterial territories including the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries as well as the areas based on the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) template. The correlation between DSC-CBF and ASL-CBF was analyzed. The consistency and accuracy between the two methods in assessing the cerebral ischemic state before and after surgery were analyzed. Results The correlation between ASL (2,500 ms) and DSC-MRI was slightly better than the correlation between ASL (1,500 ms) and DSC-MRI in major vascular territories before revascularization. Significant correlations were observed between ASL (2,500 ms) and DSC-MRI and between ASL (1,500 ms) and DSC-MRI in major vascular territories after revascularization. For 44 surgically treated patients, the scores of ASPECTS for CBF on the operated side were significantly different before and after revascularization (p < 0.05) and showed good consistency on all the examination methods. A comparison of the scores of ASPECTS of the three parameters before and after revascularization showed that there was no statistical difference between them (p > 0.05). Conclusion Compared to DSC-MRI, 3D pCASL can assess the cerebral blood perfusion in MMD before and after revascularization effectively. 3D pCASL showed the feasibility and clinical utility value in patients with MMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingming Lu
- Department of Radiology, Pingjin Hospital, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Shitong Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dongqing Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuxuan Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fugeng Sheng
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fugeng Sheng,
| | - Cong Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Cong Han,
| | - Jianming Cai
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Jianming Cai,
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Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C. Emerging placental biomarkers of health and disease through advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Exp Neurol 2021; 347:113868. [PMID: 34562472 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Placental dysfunction is a major cause of fetal demise, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth, as well as significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Infant survivors of placental dysfunction are at elevatedrisk for lifelong neuropsychiatric morbidity. However, despite the significant consequences of placental disease, there are no clinical tools to directly and non-invasively assess and measure placental function in pregnancy. In this work, we will review advanced MRI techniques applied to the study of the in vivo human placenta in order to better detail placental structure, architecture, and function. We will discuss the potential of these measures to serve as optimal biomarkers of placental dysfunction and review the evidence of these tools in the discrimination of health and disease in pregnancy. Efforts to advance our understanding of in vivo placental development are necessary if we are to optimize healthy pregnancy outcomes and prevent brain injury in successive generations. Current management of many high-risk pregnancies cannot address placental maldevelopment or injury, given the standard tools available to clinicians. Once accurate biomarkers of placental development and function are constructed, the subsequent steps will be to introduce maternal and fetal therapeutics targeting at optimizing placental function. Applying these biomarkers in future studies will allow for real-time assessments of safety and efficacy of novel interventions aimed at improving maternal-fetal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickie Andescavage
- Developing Brain Institute, Department of Radiology, Children's National, Washington DC, USA; Department of Neonatology, Children's National, Washington DC, USA
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15
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Chen X, Wei X, Zhao S, Huang H, Wang W, Qiu J, Chen X, Cheng C, Tian Z, Rychik J. Characterization of Placental Microvascular Architecture by MV-Flow Imaging in Normal and Fetal Growth-Restricted Pregnancies. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2021; 40:1533-1542. [PMID: 33073868 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To observe the microvascular architecture in the placental bed and explore the feasibility and clinical utility of MV-Flow imaging (Samsung Medison Co, Ltd, Seoul, Korea) during normal pregnancy and fetal growth restriction (FGR). METHODS Placental microvascular structure ultrasound imaging by MV-Flow was performed on 227 unaffected and 17 FGR fetuses between 11 and 41 weeks' gestation. A placental vascular index (VIMV ) was acquired by application of various MV-Flow regions of interest (ellipse, rectangle, and manual trace). Unaffected control and FGR groups were assessed for umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and uterine artery pulsatility indices and the cerebroplacental ratio calculated by ultrasound. RESULTS No significant difference in the VIMV by varying regions of interest or placental regions was observed in the control group. The VIMV in the first trimester was lower than that in the second and third trimesters, with 5th through 95th percentile normal VIMV reference values of 18.39 to 63.79 for 13.6 weeks and earlier, 28.53 to 66.64 for 14 weeks to 27 weeks 6 days, and 21.95 to 67.45 for 28 weeks and later. The VIMV values in the FGR group were lower than those in the control group in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the placenta (mean ± SD, 24.9 ± 13.9 versus 45.0 ± 13.4; P < .01; 30.5 ± 16.1 versus 44.7 ± 14.3; P < .01; and 29.9 ± 17.4 versus 47.6 ± 12.2; P < .01, respectively). Higher umbilical artery and uterine artery pulsatility indices and a lower cerebroplacental ratio were found in the FGR group compared with the control group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS MV-Flow technology can display and quantify placental microvascular architecture at the level of the stem villi and villous leaves, and the VIMV provides for quantification of tissue vascularity. MV-Flow is a potentially powerful and promising tool to explore placental microvascular perfusion and provide new information on a host of pregnancy-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlin Chen
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Wei
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Sheng Zhao
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiyun Wang
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Junyu Qiu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- First People's Hospital of Jinzhong, Jingzhong, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiyun Tian
- Fetal Heart Program, Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jack Rychik
- Fetal Heart Program, Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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16
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Couper S, Clark A, Thompson JMD, Flouri D, Aughwane R, David AL, Melbourne A, Mirjalili A, Stone PR. The effects of maternal position, in late gestation pregnancy, on placental blood flow and oxygenation: an MRI study. J Physiol 2021; 599:1901-1915. [PMID: 33369732 DOI: 10.1113/jp280569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Maternal supine sleep position in late pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. Maternal supine position in late pregnancy reduces maternal cardiac output and uterine blood flow. Using MRI, this study shows that compared to the left lateral position, maternal supine position in late pregnancy is associated with reduced utero-placental blood flow and oxygen transfer across the placenta with an average 6.2% reduction in oxygen delivery to the fetus and an average 11% reduction in fetal umbilical venous blood flow. ABSTRACT Maternal sleep position in late gestation is associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, though the pathophysiological reasons for this are unclear. Studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that compared with lateral positions, lying supine causes a reduction in cardiac output, reduced abdominal aortic blood flow and reduced vena caval flow which is only partially compensated for by increased flow in the azygos venous system. Using functional MRI techniques, including an acquisition termed diffusion-relaxation combined imaging of the placenta (DECIDE), which combines diffusion weighted imaging and T2 relaxometry, blood flow and oxygen transfer were estimated in the maternal, fetal and placental compartments when subjects were scanned both supine and in left lateral positions. In late gestation pregnancy, lying supine caused a 23.7% (P < 0.0001) reduction in total internal iliac arterial blood flow to the uterus. In addition, lying in the supine position caused a 6.2% (P = 0.038) reduction in oxygen movement across the placenta. The reductions in oxygen transfer to the fetus, termed delivery flux, of 11.2% (P = 0.0597) and in fetal oxygen saturation of 4.4% (P = 0.0793) did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that even in healthy late gestation pregnancy, maternal position significantly affects oxygen transfer across the placenta and may in part provide an explanation for late stillbirth in vulnerable fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Couper
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alys Clark
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John M D Thompson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dimitra Flouri
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Rosalind Aughwane
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College, Huntley Street, London, UK
| | - Anna L David
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College, Huntley Street, London, UK
| | - Andrew Melbourne
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Ali Mirjalili
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R Stone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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The application of in utero magnetic resonance imaging in the study of the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of the developmental origins of health and disease. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2020; 12:193-202. [PMID: 33308364 PMCID: PMC8162788 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420001154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Observing fetal development in utero is vital to further the understanding of later-life diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a tool for obtaining a wealth of information about fetal growth, development, and programming not previously available using other methods. This review provides an overview of MRI techniques used to investigate the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. These methods add to the understanding of the developing fetus by examining fetal growth and organ development, adipose tissue and body composition, fetal oximetry, placental microstructure, diffusion, perfusion, flow, and metabolism. MRI assessment of fetal growth, organ development, metabolism, and the amount of fetal adipose tissue could give early indicators of abnormal fetal development. Noninvasive fetal oximetry can accurately measure placental and fetal oxygenation, which improves current knowledge on placental function. Additionally, measuring deficiencies in the placenta’s transport of nutrients and oxygen is critical for optimizing treatment. Overall, the detailed structural and functional information provided by MRI is valuable in guiding future investigations of DOHaD.
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18
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Characterization of Uterine Motion in Early Gestation Using MRI-Based Motion Tracking. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10100840. [PMID: 33086473 PMCID: PMC7603139 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10100840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising non-invasive imaging technique that can be safely used to study placental development and function. However, studies of the human placenta performed by MRI are limited by uterine motion and motion in the uterus during MRI remains one of the major limiting factors. Here, we aimed to investigate the characterization of uterine activity during MRI in the second trimester of pregnancy using MRI-based motion tracking. In total, 46 pregnant women were scanned twice (first scan between 14 and 18 weeks and second scan between 19 and 24 weeks), and 20 pregnant subjects underwent a single MRI between 14 and 18 weeks GA, resulting in 112 MRI scans. An MRI-based algorithm was used to track uterine motion in the superior-inferior and left-right directions. Uterine contraction and maternal motion cases were separated by the experts, and unpaired Wilcoxon tests were performed within the groups of gestational age (GA), fetal sex, and placental location in terms of the overall intensity measures of the uterine activity. In total, 22.3% of cases had uterine contraction during MRI, which increased from 18.6% at 14–18 weeks to 26.4% at 19–24 weeks GA. The dominant direction of the uterine contraction and maternal motion was the superior to the inferior direction during early gestation.
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19
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Del Vecchio G, Li Q, Li W, Thamotharan S, Tosevska A, Morselli M, Sung K, Janzen C, Zhou X, Pellegrini M, Devaskar SU. Cell-free DNA Methylation and Transcriptomic Signature Prediction of Pregnancies with Adverse Outcomes. Epigenetics 2020; 16:642-661. [PMID: 33045922 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1816774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although analysis of maternal plasma cell-free content has been employed for screening of genetic abnormalities within a pregnancy, limited attention has been paid to its use for the detection of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) based on placental function. Here we investigated cell-free DNA and RNA content of 102 maternal and 25 cord plasma samples. Employing a novel deconvolution methodology, we found that during the first trimester, placenta-specific DNA increased prior to the subsequent development of gestational diabetes with no change in patients with preeclampsia while decreasing with maternal obesity. Moreover, using cell-free RNA sequencing, APOs revealed 71 differentially expressed genes early in pregnancy. We noticed the upregulation of S100A8, MS4A3, and MMP8 that have been already associated with APOs but also the upregulation of BCL2L15 and the downregulation of ALPL that have never been associated with APOs. We constructed a classifier with a positive predictive ability (AUC) of 0.91 for APOs, 0.86 for preeclampsia alone and 0.64 for GDM. We conclude that placenta-specific cell-free nucleic acids during early gestation provide the possibility of predicting APOs prior to the emergence of characteristic clinical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Del Vecchio
- Departments of Pediatrics David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Qingjiao Li
- The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenyuan Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shanthie Thamotharan
- Departments of Pediatrics David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anela Tosevska
- Departments of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Marco Morselli
- Departments of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kyunghyun Sung
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xianghong Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Departments of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sherin U Devaskar
- Departments of Pediatrics David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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20
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Siegmund AS, Willems TP, Pieper PG, Bilardo CM, Gorter TM, Bouma BJ, Jongbloed MRM, Sieswerda GT, Roos-Hesselink JW, van Dijk APJ, van Veldhuisen DJ, Dickinson MG. Reduced right ventricular function on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging is associated with uteroplacental impairment in tetralogy of Fallot. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2020; 22:52. [PMID: 32669114 PMCID: PMC7364780 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-020-00645-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (measured by echocardiography) is associated with impaired uteroplacental circulation, however echocardiography has important limitations in the assessment of RV function. We therefore aimed to investigate the association of pre-pregnancy RV and left ventricular (LV) function measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance with uteroplacental Doppler flow parameters in pregnant women with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). METHODS Women with repaired ToF were examined, who had been enrolled in a prospective multicenter study of pregnant women with congenital heart disease. Clinical data and CMR evaluation before pregnancy were compared with uteroplacental Doppler parameters at 20 and 32 weeks gestation. In particular, pulsatility index (PI) of uterine and umbilical artery were studied. RESULTS We studied 31 women; mean age 30 years, operated at early age. Univariable analyses showed that reduced RV ejection fraction (RVEF; P = 0.037 and P = 0.001), higher RV end-systolic volume (P = 0.004) and higher LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) were associated with higher uterine or umbilical artery PI. With multivariable analyses (corrected for maternal age and body mass index), reduced RVEF before pregnancy remained associated with higher umbilical artery PI at 32 weeks (P = 0.002). RVEF was lower in women with high PI compared to women with normal PI during pregnancy (44% vs. 53%, p = 0.022). LV ejection fraction was not associated with uterine or umbilical artery PI. CONCLUSIONS Reduced RV function before pregnancy is associated with abnormal uteroplacental Doppler flow parameters. It could be postulated that reduced RV function on pre-pregnancy CMR (≤2 years) is a predisposing factor for impaired placental function in women with repaired ToF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S Siegmund
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tineke P Willems
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Petronella G Pieper
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Caterina M Bilardo
- Department of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas M Gorter
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Berto J Bouma
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Monique R M Jongbloed
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Tj Sieswerda
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jolien W Roos-Hesselink
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arie P J van Dijk
- Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk J van Veldhuisen
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Michael G Dickinson
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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21
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Dellschaft NS, Hutchinson G, Shah S, Jones NW, Bradley C, Leach L, Platt C, Bowtell R, Gowland PA. The haemodynamics of the human placenta in utero. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000676. [PMID: 32463837 PMCID: PMC7255609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide important new insights into the function of the human placenta in utero. We have measured slow net flow and high net oxygenation in the placenta in vivo, which are consistent with efficient delivery of oxygen from mother to fetus. Our experimental evidence substantiates previous hypotheses on the effects of spiral artery remodelling in utero and also indicates rapid venous drainage from the placenta, which is important because this outflow has been largely neglected in the past. Furthermore, beyond Braxton Hicks contractions, which involve the entire uterus, we have identified a new physiological phenomenon, the ‘utero-placental pump’, by which the placenta and underlying uterine wall contract independently of the rest of the uterus, expelling maternal blood from the intervillous space. MRI provides important new insights into the function of the human placenta, revealing slow net flow and high, uniform oxygenation in healthy pregnancies, detecting changes that will lead to compromised oxygen delivery to the fetus in preeclampsia, and identifying a new physiological phenomenon, the ‘utero-placental pump’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neele S. Dellschaft
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - George Hutchinson
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Shah
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nia W. Jones
- Department of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Bradley
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lopa Leach
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Platt
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Bowtell
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Penny A. Gowland
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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22
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Harteveld AA, Hutter J, Franklin SL, Jackson LH, Rutherford M, Hajnal JV, van Osch MJP, Bos C, De Vita E. Systematic evaluation of velocity-selective arterial spin labeling settings for placental perfusion measurement. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:1828-1843. [PMID: 32141655 PMCID: PMC7384055 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Placental function is key for successful human pregnancies. Perfusion may be a sensitive marker for the in vivo assessment of placental function. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI enables noninvasive measurement of tissue perfusion and it was recently suggested that ASL with velocity‐selective (VS) labeling could be advantageous in the placenta. We systematically evaluated essential VS‐ASL sequence parameters to determine optimal settings for efficient placental perfusion measurements. Methods Eleven pregnant women were scanned at 3T using VS‐ASL with 2D multislice echo planar imaging (EPI)‐readout. One reference VS‐ASL scan was acquired in all subjects; within subgroups the following parameters were systematically varied: cutoff velocity, velocity encoding direction, and inflow time. Visual evaluation and region of interest analyses were performed to compare perfusion signal differences between acquisitions. Results In all subjects, a perfusion pattern with clear hyperintense focal regions was observed. Perfusion signal decreased with inflow time and cutoff velocity. Subject‐specific dependence on velocity encoding direction was observed. High temporal signal‐to‐noise ratios with high contrast on the perfusion images between the hyperintense regions and placental tissue were seen at ~1.6 cm/s cutoff velocity and ~1000 ms inflow time. Evaluation of measurements at multiple inflow times revealed differences in blood flow dynamics between placental regions. Conclusion Placental perfusion measurements are feasible at 3T using VS‐ASL with 2D multislice EPI‐readout. A clear dependence of perfusion signal on VS labeling parameters and inflow time was demonstrated. Whereas multiple parameter combinations may advance the interpretation of placental circulation dynamics, this study provides a basis to select an effective set of parameters for the observation of placenta perfusion natural history and its potential pathological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita A Harteveld
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jana Hutter
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne L Franklin
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Laurence H Jackson
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Rutherford
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph V Hajnal
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias J P van Osch
- C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Clemens Bos
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Enrico De Vita
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Aughwane R, Ingram E, Johnstone ED, Salomon LJ, David AL, Melbourne A. Placental MRI and its application to fetal intervention. Prenat Diagn 2020; 40:38-48. [PMID: 31306507 PMCID: PMC7027916 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of placental invasion has been part of clinical practice for many years. The possibility of being better able to assess placental vascularization and function using MRI has multiple potential applications. This review summarises up-to-date research on placental function using different MRI modalities. METHOD We discuss how combinations of these MRI techniques have much to contribute to fetal conditions amenable for therapy such as singletons at high risk for fetal growth restriction (FGR) and monochorionic twin pregnancies for planning surgery and counselling for selective growth restriction and transfusion conditions. RESULTS The whole placenta can easily be visualized on MRI, with a clear boundary against the amniotic fluid, and a less clear placental-uterine boundary. Contrasts such as diffusion weighted imaging, relaxometry, blood oxygenation level dependent MRI and flow and metabolite measurement by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, arterial spin labeling, or spectroscopic techniques are contributing to our wider understanding of placental function. CONCLUSION The future of placental MRI is exciting, with the increasing availability of multiple contrasts and new models that will boost the capability of MRI to measure oxygen saturation and placental exchange, enabling examination of placental function in complicated pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Ingram
- Division of Developmental Biology & MedicineUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Edward D. Johnstone
- Division of Developmental Biology & MedicineUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Laurent J. Salomon
- Hôpital Necker‐Enfants Malades, AP‐HP, EHU PACT and LUMIERE PlatformUniversité Paris DescartesParisFrance
| | - Anna L. David
- Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Institute for Health ResearchUniversity College London Hospitals Biomedical Research CentreLondonUK
| | - Andrew Melbourne
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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24
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Hu HH, Branca RT, Hernando D, Karampinos DC, Machann J, McKenzie CA, Wu HH, Yokoo T, Velan SS. Magnetic resonance imaging of obesity and metabolic disorders: Summary from the 2019 ISMRM Workshop. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:1565-1576. [PMID: 31782551 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
More than 100 attendees from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States convened in Singapore for the 2019 ISMRM-sponsored workshop on MRI of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders. The scientific program brought together a multidisciplinary group of researchers, trainees, and clinicians and included sessions in diabetes and insulin resistance; an update on recent advances in water-fat MRI acquisition and reconstruction methods; with applications in skeletal muscle, bone marrow, and adipose tissue quantification; a summary of recent findings in brown adipose tissue; new developments in imaging fat in the fetus, placenta, and neonates; the utility of liver elastography in obesity studies; and the emerging role of radiomics in population-based "big data" studies. The workshop featured keynote presentations on nutrition, epidemiology, genetics, and exercise physiology. Forty-four proffered scientific abstracts were also presented, covering the topics of brown adipose tissue, quantitative liver analysis from multiparametric data, disease prevalence and population health, technical and methodological developments in data acquisition and reconstruction, newfound applications of machine learning and neural networks, standardization of proton density fat fraction measurements, and X-nuclei applications. The purpose of this article is to summarize the scientific highlights from the workshop and identify future directions of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houchun H Hu
- Department of Radiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Rosa Tamara Branca
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Diego Hernando
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.,Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Dimitrios C Karampinos
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Machann
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases, Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research, Tübingen, Germany.,Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Charles A McKenzie
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Holden H Wu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - S Sendhil Velan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore.,Singapore BioImaging Consortium, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore
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25
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Liu D, Shao X, Danyalov A, Chanlaw T, Masamed R, Wang DJJ, Janzen C, Devaskar SU, Sung K. Human Placenta Blood Flow During Early Gestation With Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 51:1247-1257. [PMID: 31680405 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive measurement of placental blood flow is the major technical challenge for predicting ischemic placenta (IPD). Pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI was recently shown to be promising, but the potential value in predicting the subsequence development of IPD is not known. PURPOSE To derive global and regional placental blood flow parameters from longitudinal measurements of pCASL MRI and to assess the associations between perfusion-related parameters and IPD. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Eighty-four women completed two pCASL MRI scans (first; 14-18 weeks and second; 19-24 weeks) from prospectively recruited 118 subjects. A total of 69 subjects were included for the analysis, of which 15 subjects developed IPD. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3T/T2 -weighted half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) and pCASL. ASSESSMENT Four perfusion-related parameters in the placenta were derived: placenta volume, placental blood flow (PBF), high PBF (hPBF), and relative hPBF. The longitudinal changes of the parameters and their association with IPD were tested after being normalizing to the 16th and 20th weeks of gestation. STATISTICAL TESTS Comparisons between two gestational ages within subjects were performed using the paired Wilcoxon tests, and comparisons between normal and IPD groups were performed using the unpaired Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS The difference between the first and second MRI scans was statistically significant for volume (156.6 cm3 vs. 269.7 cm3 , P < 0.001) and PBF (104.9 ml/100g/min vs. 111.3 ml/100g/min, P = 0.02) for normal subjects, indicating an increase in pregnancy with advancing gestation. Of the parameters tested, the difference between the normal and IPD subjects was most pronounced in hPBF (278.1 ml/100g/min vs. 180.7 ml/100g/min, P < 0.001) and relative hPBF (259.1% vs. 183.2%, P < 0.001) at 16 weeks. DATA CONCLUSION The high perfusion-related image parameters for IPD were significantly decreased from normal pregnancy at 14-18 weeks of gestation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1247-1257.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Liu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xingfeng Shao
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), Mark & Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California, USA
| | - Alibek Danyalov
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Teresa Chanlaw
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rinat Masamed
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Danny J J Wang
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), Mark & Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California, USA
| | - Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology Maternal Fetal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sherin U Devaskar
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kyunghyun Sung
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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26
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Greer JS, Wang X, Wang Y, Pinho MC, Maldjian JA, Pedrosa I, Madhuranthakam AJ. Robust pCASL perfusion imaging using a 3D Cartesian acquisition with spiral profile reordering (CASPR). Magn Reson Med 2019; 82:1713-1724. [PMID: 31231894 PMCID: PMC6743738 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To improve the robustness of arterial spin-labeled measured perfusion using a novel Cartesian acquisition with spiral profile reordering (CASPR) 3D turbo spin echo (TSE) in the brain and kidneys. METHODS The CASPR view ordering followed a pseudo-spiral trajectory on a Cartesian grid, by sampling the center of k-space at the beginning of each echo train of a segmented 3D TSE acquisition. With institutional review board approval and written informed consent, 14 normal subjects (9 brain and 5 kidneys) were scanned with pCASL perfusion imaging using 3D CASPR and compared against 3D linear TSE (brain and kidneys), the established 2D EPI and 3D gradient and spin echo perfusion (brain), and 2D single-shot turbo spin-echo perfusion (kidneys). The SNR and the quantitative perfusion values were compared among different acquisitions. RESULTS 3D CASPR TSE achieved robust perfusion across all slices compared to 3D linear TSE in the brain and kidneys. Compared to 2D EPI, 3D CASPR TSE showed higher SNR across the brain (P < 0.01), and exhibited good agreement (36.4 ± 4.7 and 36.9 ± 5.3 mL/100 g/min with 2D EPI and 3D CASPR, respectively), and with 3D gradient and spin echo (27.9 ± 7.2 mL/100 g/min). Compared to a single slice 2D single-shot turbo spin-echo acquisition, 3D CASPR TSE achieved robust perfusion across the entire kidneys in similar scan time with comparable quantified perfusion values (154.1 ± 74.6 and 151.7 ± 70.6 mL/100 g/min with 2D single-shot turbo spin-echo and 3D CASPR, respectively). CONCLUSION The CASPR view ordering with 3D TSE achieves robust arterial spin-labeled perfusion in the brain and kidneys because of the sampling of the center of k-space at the beginning of each echo train.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S. Greer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Xinzeng Wang
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Yiming Wang
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Marco C. Pinho
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Joseph A. Maldjian
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Ivan Pedrosa
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Ananth J. Madhuranthakam
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
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27
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Chu ML, Chien CP, Wu WC, Chung HW. Gradient- and spin-echo (GRASE) MR imaging: a long-existing technology that may find wide applications in modern era. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2019; 9:1477-1484. [PMID: 31667134 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.09.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Lan Chu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ping Chien
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Radiology, Taipei Beitou Health Management Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chau Wu
- Institute of Medical Device and Imaging, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wen Chung
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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28
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Hutter J, Harteveld AA, Jackson LH, Franklin S, Bos C, van Osch MJP, O'Muircheartaigh J, Ho A, Chappell L, Hajnal JV, Rutherford M, De Vita E. Perfusion and apparent oxygenation in the human placenta (PERFOX). Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:549-560. [PMID: 31433077 PMCID: PMC6825519 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study placental function-both perfusion and an oxygenation surrogate ( T 2 * )-simultaneously and quantitatively in-vivo. METHODS Fifteen pregnant women were scanned on a 3T MR scanner. For perfusion measurements, a velocity selective arterial spin labeling preparation module was placed before a multi-echo gradient echo EPI readout to integrate T 2 * and perfusion measurements in 1 joint perfusion-oxygenation (PERFOX) acquisition. Joint motion correction and quantification were performed to evaluate changes in T 2 * and perfusion over GA. RESULTS The optimized integrated PERFOX protocol and post-processing allowed successful visualization and quantification of perfusion and T 2 * in all subjects. Areas of high T 2 * and high perfusion appear to correspond to placental sub-units and show a systematic offset in location along the maternal-fetal axis. The areas of highest perfusion are consistently closer to the maternal basal plate and the areas of highest T 2 * closer to the fetal chorionic plate. Quantitative results show a strong negative correlation of gestational age with T 2 * and weak negative correlation with perfusion. CONCLUSIONS A strength of the joint sequence is that it provides truly simultaneous and co-registered estimates of local T 2 * and perfusion, however, to achieve this, the time per slice is prolonged compared to a perfusion only scan which can potentially limit coverage. The achieved interlocking can be particularly useful when quantifying transient physiological effects such as uterine contractions. PERFOX opens a new avenue to elucidate the relationship between maternal supply and oxygen uptake, both of which are central to placental function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Hutter
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Medical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Anita A. Harteveld
- Department of RadiologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Laurence H. Jackson
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Medical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Franklin
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRIDepartment of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Clemens Bos
- Department of RadiologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Matthias J. P. van Osch
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRIDepartment of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jonathan O'Muircheartaigh
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Medical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alison Ho
- Academic Women's Health DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucy Chappell
- Academic Women's Health DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Joseph V. Hajnal
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Medical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mary Rutherford
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Medical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Enrico De Vita
- School of Medical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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29
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Ludwig KD, Fain SB, Nguyen SM, Golos TG, Reeder SB, Bird IM, Shah DM, Wieben OE, Johnson KM. Perfusion of the placenta assessed using arterial spin labeling and ferumoxytol dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the rhesus macaque. Magn Reson Med 2019; 81:1964-1978. [PMID: 30357902 PMCID: PMC6715150 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the correspondence between arterial spin labeling (ASL) flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) and ferumoxytol DCE MRI for the assessment of placental intervillous perfusion. METHODS Ten pregnant macaques in late second trimester were imaged at 3 T using a 2D ASL FAIR, with and without outer-volume saturation pulses used to control the bolus width, and a 3D ferumoxytol DCE-MRI acquisition. The ASL tagged/control pairs were averaged, subtracted, and normalized to create perfusion ratio maps. Contrast arrival time and uptake slope were estimated by fitting the DCE data to a sigmoid function. Macaques (N = 4) received interleukin-1β to induce inflammation and disrupt perfusion. RESULTS The FAIR tag modification with outer-volume saturation reduced the median ASL ratio percentage compared with conventional FAIR (0.64% ± 1.42% versus 0.71% ± 2.00%; P < .05). Extended ferumoxytol arrival times (34 ± 25 seconds) were observed across the placenta. No significant DCE signal change was measured in fetal tissue ( - 0.6% ± 3.0%; P = .52) or amniotic fluid (1.9% ± 8.8%; P = .59). High ASL ratio was significantly correlated with early arrival time and high uptake slope (P < .05), but ASL signal was not above noise in late-DCE-enhancing regions. No significant differences were observed in perfusion measurements between the interleukin-1β and controls (P > .05). CONCLUSION The ASL-FAIR and ferumoxytol DCE-MRI methods are feasible to detect early blood delivery to the macaque placenta. Outer volume saturation reduced the high macrovascular ASL signal. Interleukin-1β exposure did not alter placental intervillous perfusion. An endogenous-labeling perfusion technique is limited due to extended transit times for flow within the placenta beyond the immediate vicinity of the maternal spiral arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai D. Ludwig
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53705
| | - Sean B. Fain
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53705
- Radiology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53792
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Dr, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53706
| | - Sydney M. Nguyen
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI, USA 53715
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, USA 53792
| | - Thaddeus G. Golos
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI, USA 53715
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, USA 53792
- Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Dr, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53706
| | - Scott B. Reeder
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53705
- Radiology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53792
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Dr, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53706
- Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53792
- Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53792
| | - Ian M. Bird
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, USA 53792
| | - Dinesh M. Shah
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, USA 53792
| | - Oliver E. Wieben
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53705
- Radiology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53792
| | - Kevin M. Johnson
- Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53705
- Radiology, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Madison, WI, USA 53792
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Non-invasive assessment of placental perfusion in vivo using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI: A preclinical study in rats. Placenta 2019; 77:39-45. [PMID: 30827354 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-invasive assessment of placental perfusion is of great interest to characterize placental function in clinical practice. This article proposes a strictly non-invasive MRI technique using ASL to quantify placental blood flow in vivo. The aim of this study was to develop a fMRI tool to quantify placental blood flow (PBF) in rat, by using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI at 4.7 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS MRI was performed with a dedicated magnet for small animals, in pregnant rats on day 20 of the 22-day gestation period. A Look-Locker flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery gradient echo sequence was developed as ASL technique (TE: 1.55 ms; TR: 3.5 ms, TI: 56 ms, deltaTI: 56 ms, FA: 20°, Matrix: 128 × 128, 8 segments, 4 Nex). Labeling was performed with global and slice-selective inversions, and T1 map was obtained for each mode of inversion. PBF was then derived from a compartmental model of the variation of T1 between global and slice-selective inversions. RESULTS The full protocol was completed and ASL image post-processing was successful in 18 rats. Forty-seven placentas were analyzed, with a mean PBF of 147 ± 70 ml/min/100 g of placenta, consistent with published values of placental perfusion using invasive techniques. CONCLUSION ASL MRI is feasible for the quantification of PBF in rats at 4.7 T. This technique, which requires no administration of contrast media, could have implications for non-invasive longitudinal and in vivo animal studies and may be useful for the management of human pregnancies.
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Nery F, De Vita E, Clark CA, Gordon I, Thomas DL. Robust kidney perfusion mapping in pediatric chronic kidney disease using single-shot 3D-GRASE ASL with optimized retrospective motion correction. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:2972-2984. [PMID: 30536817 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a robust renal arterial spin labeling (ASL) acquisition and processing strategy for mapping renal blood flow (RBF) in a pediatric cohort with severe kidney disease. METHODS A single-shot background-suppressed 3D gradient and spin-echo (GRASE) flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) ASL acquisition method was used to perform 2 studies. First, an evaluation of the feasibility of single-shot 3D-GRASE and retrospective noise reduction methods was performed in healthy volunteers. Second, a pediatric cohort with severe chronic kidney disease underwent single-shot 3D-GRASE FAIR ASL and RBF was quantified following several retrospective motion correction pipelines, including image registration and threshold-free weighted averaging. The effect of motion correction on the fit errors of saturation recovery (SR) images (required for RBF quantification) and on the perfusion-weighted image (PWI) temporal signal-to-noise ratio (tSNR) was evaluated, as well as the intra- and inter-session repeatability of renal longitudinal relaxation time (T1 ) and RBF. RESULTS The mean cortical and/or functional renal parenchyma RBF in healthy volunteers and CKD patients was 295 ± 97 and 95 ± 47 mL/100 g/min, respectively. Motion-correction reduced image artefacts in both T1 and RBF maps, significantly reduced SR fit errors, significantly increased the PWI tSNR and improved the improved the repeatability of T1 and RBF in the pediatric patient cohort. CONCLUSION Single-shot 3D-GRASE ASL combined with retrospective motion correction enabled repeatable non-invasive RBF mapping in the first pediatric cohort with severe kidney disease undergoing ASL scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Nery
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico De Vita
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, King's Health Partners, St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris A Clark
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isky Gordon
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - David L Thomas
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom.,Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
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Multi-phase 3D arterial spin labeling brain MRI in assessing cerebral blood perfusion and arterial transit times in children at 3T. Clin Imaging 2018; 53:210-220. [PMID: 30439588 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) with a single post-labeling delay time is commonly used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF). Multi-phase pCASL has been developed to simultaneously estimate CBF and arterial transit time (ATT). PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical feasibility of multi-phase 3D pCASL in pediatric patients, and to compare the estimation of ATT and CBF via linear weighted-delay and traditional non-linear iterative curve-fitting routines. MATERIAL & METHODS Forty patients (average age: 8.6 y, 5 d-22.4 y) referred for routine brain MRI underwent additional 5-7 min of pCASL scans at 3T using 5 PLDs between 300 and 2300 ms. Data were post-processed by two algorithms for estimating CBF and ATT. Average CBF and ATT values were computed for vascular territories including the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries as well as regions based on the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score template. Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression were used for statistical analysis. The clinical value of multi-phase CASL was evaluated by a neuroradiologist based on asymmetric CBF and ATT maps in patients. RESULTS All pCASL scans were successfully completed, generating diagnostic results. CBF computed from weighted-delay and curve-fitting methods agreed strongly, with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.97-0.99 across the measured regions (p < 0.05). Correlation coefficients for ATT ranged from 0.87-0.96 (p < 0.05). CBF and ATT maps were found to add valuable information to clinical diagnosis in 17 of 40 pediatric patients. CONCLUSION Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility and potential clinical utility of multi-phase pCASL for simultaneous CBF and ATT quantification in pediatric patients.
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Melbourne A, Aughwane R, Sokolska M, Owen D, Kendall G, Flouri D, Bainbridge A, Atkinson D, Deprest J, Vercauteren T, David A, Ourselin S. Separating fetal and maternal placenta circulations using multiparametric MRI. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:350-361. [PMID: 30239036 PMCID: PMC6282748 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The placenta is a vital organ for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between fetus and mother. The placenta may suffer from several pathologies, which affect this fetal-maternal exchange, thus the flow properties of the placenta are of interest in determining the course of pregnancy. In this work, we propose a new multiparametric model for placental tissue signal in MRI. METHODS We describe a method that separates fetal and maternal flow characteristics of the placenta using a 3-compartment model comprising fast and slowly circulating fluid pools, and a tissue pool is fitted to overlapping multiecho T2 relaxometry and diffusion MRI with low b-values. We implemented the combined model and acquisition on a standard 1.5 Tesla clinical system with acquisition taking less than 20 minutes. RESULTS We apply this combined acquisition in 6 control singleton placentas. Mean myometrial T2 relaxation time was 123.63 (±6.71) ms. Mean T2 relaxation time of maternal blood was 202.17 (±92.98) ms. In the placenta, mean T2 relaxation time of the fetal blood component was 144.89 (±54.42) ms. Mean ratio of maternal to fetal blood volume was 1.16 (±0.6), and mean fetal blood saturation was 72.93 (±20.11)% across all 6 cases. CONCLUSION The novel acquisition in this work allows the measurement of histologically relevant physical parameters, such as the relative proportions of vascular spaces. In the placenta, this may help us to better understand the physiological properties of the tissue in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Melbourne
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalind Aughwane
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Institute for Women's Health, University College Hospital,London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Owen
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giles Kendall
- Institute for Women's Health, University College Hospital,London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitra Flouri
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Bainbridge
- Medical Physics, University College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Atkinson
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Deprest
- Institute for Women's Health, University College Hospital,London, London, United Kingdom.,University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Vercauteren
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna David
- Institute for Women's Health, University College Hospital,London, London, United Kingdom.,University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastien Ourselin
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
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Armstrong T, Liu D, Martin T, Masamed R, Janzen C, Wong C, Chanlaw T, Devaskar SU, Sung K, Wu HH. 3D R 2 * mapping of the placenta during early gestation using free-breathing multiecho stack-of-radial MRI at 3T. J Magn Reson Imaging 2018; 49:291-303. [PMID: 30142239 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiecho gradient-echo Cartesian MRI characterizes placental oxygenation by quantifying R 2 * . Previous research was performed at 1.5T using breath-held 2D imaging during later gestational age (GA). PURPOSE To evaluate the accuracy and repeatability of a free-breathing (FB) 3D multiecho gradient-echo stack-of-radial technique (radial) for placental R 2 * mapping at 3T and report placental R 2 * during early GA. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Thirty subjects with normal pregnancies and three subjects with ischemic placental disease (IPD) were scanned twice: between 14-18 and 19-23 weeks GA. FIELD STRENGTH 3T. SEQUENCE FB radial. ASSESSMENT Linear correlation (concordance coefficient, ρc ) and Bland-Altman analyses (mean difference, MD) were performed to evaluate radial R 2 * mapping accuracy compared to Cartesian in a phantom. Radial R 2 * mapping repeatability was characterized using the coefficient of repeatability (CR) between back-to-back scans. The mean and spatial coefficient of variation (CV) of R 2 * was determined for all subjects, and separately for anterior and posterior placentas, at each GA range. STATISTICAL TESTS ρc was tested for significance. Differences in mean R 2 * and CV were tested using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and Rank-Sum tests. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Z-scores for the IPD subjects were determined. RESULTS FB radial demonstrated accurate (ρc ≥0.996; P < 0.001; |MD|<0.2s-1 ) and repeatable (CR<4s-1 ) R 2 * mapping in a phantom, and repeatable (CR≤4.6s-1 ) R 2 * mapping in normal subjects. At 3T, placental R 2 * mean ± standard deviation was 12.9s-1 ± 2.7s-1 for 14-18 and 13.2s-1 ± 1.9s-1 for 19-23 weeks GA. The CV was significantly greater (P = 0.043) at 14-18 (0.63 ± 0.12) than 19-23 (0.58 ± 0.13) weeks GA. At 19-23 weeks, the CV was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for anterior (0.49 ± 0.08) than posterior (0.67 ± 0.11) placentas. One IPD subject had a lower mean R 2 * than normal subjects at both GA ranges (Z<-2). DATA CONCLUSION FB radial provides accurate and repeatable 3D R 2 * mapping for the entire placenta at 3T during early GA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:291-303.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Armstrong
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Physics and Biology in Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dapeng Liu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thomas Martin
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Physics and Biology in Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rinat Masamed
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carla Janzen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cass Wong
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Teresa Chanlaw
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sherin U Devaskar
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kyunghyun Sung
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Physics and Biology in Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Holden H Wu
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Physics and Biology in Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Nye GA, Ingram E, Johnstone ED, Jensen OE, Schneider H, Lewis RM, Chernyavsky IL, Brownbill P. Human placental oxygenation in late gestation: experimental and theoretical approaches. J Physiol 2018; 596:5523-5534. [PMID: 29377190 PMCID: PMC6265570 DOI: 10.1113/jp275633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is crucial for life. It is an ephemeral but complex organ acting as the barrier interface between maternal and fetal circulations, providing exchange of gases, nutrients, hormones, waste products and immunoglobulins. Many gaps exist in our understanding of the detailed placental structure and function, particularly in relation to oxygen handling and transfer in healthy and pathological states in utero. Measurements to understand oxygen transfer in vivo in the human are limited, with no general agreement on the most appropriate methods. An invasive method for measuring partial pressure of oxygen in the intervillous space through needle electrode insertion at the time of Caesarean sections has been reported. This allows for direct measurements in vivo whilst maintaining near normal placental conditions; however, there are practical and ethical implications in using this method for determination of placental oxygenation. Furthermore, oxygen levels are likely to be highly heterogeneous within the placenta. Emerging non-invasive techniques, such as MRI, and ex vivo research are capable of enhancing and improving current imaging methodology for placental villous structure and increase the precision of oxygen measurement within placental compartments. These techniques, in combination with mathematical modelling, have stimulated novel cross-disciplinary approaches that could advance our understanding of placental oxygenation and its metabolism in normal and pathological pregnancies, improving clinical treatment options and ultimately outcomes for the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth A Nye
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.,St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Emma Ingram
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.,St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Edward D Johnstone
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.,St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Oliver E Jensen
- School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Henning Schneider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital, University of Bern, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Igor L Chernyavsky
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.,St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.,School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Paul Brownbill
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.,St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
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