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Arana Peña LM, Donato S, Bonazza D, Brombal L, Martellani F, Arfelli F, Tromba G, Longo R. Multiscale X-ray phase-contrast tomography: From breast CT to micro-CT for virtual histology. Phys Med 2023; 112:102640. [PMID: 37441823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase-contrast imaging techniques address the issue of poor soft-tissue contrast encountered in traditional X-ray imaging. This can be accomplished with the propagation-based phase-contrast technique by employing a coherent photon beam, which is available at synchrotron facilities, as well as long sample-to-detector distances. This study demonstrates the optimization of propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) techniques for multiscale X-ray imaging of the breast at the Elettra synchrotron facility (Trieste, Italy). Two whole breast mastectomy samples were acquired with propagation-based breast-CT using a monochromatic synchrotron beam at a pixel size of 60 µm. Paraffin-embedded blocks sampled from the same tissues were scanned with propagation-based micro-CT imaging using a polychromatic synchrotron beam at a pixel size of 4 µm. Images of both methodologies and of the same sample were spatially registered. The resulting images showed the transition from whole breast imaging with propagation-based breast-CT methodology to virtual histology with propagation-based micro-CT imaging of the same sample. Additionally, conventional histological images were matched to virtual histology images. Phase-contrast images offer a high resolution with low noise, which allows for a highly precise match between virtual and conventional histology. Furthermore, those techniques allow a clear discernment of breast structures, lesions, and microcalcifications, being a promising clinically-compatible tool for breast imaging in a multiscale approach, to either assist in the detection of cancer in full volume breast samples or to complement structure identification in paraffin-embedded breast tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Arana Peña
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14 Km 163,5, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, (Trieste), Italy
| | - S Donato
- Department of Physics and STAR Lab, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 31C, Rende, (CS), I-87036, Italy; INFN Division of Frascati, Via E. Fermi 54, Frascati I-00044, Italy.
| | - D Bonazza
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI), Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - L Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - F Martellani
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI), Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - F Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14 Km 163,5, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, (Trieste), Italy
| | - R Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Donato S, Brombal L, Arana Peña LM, Arfelli F, Contillo A, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Di Trapani V, Fanti V, Longo R, Oliva P, Rigon L, Stori L, Tromba G, Golosio B. Optimization of a customized simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique algorithm for phase-contrast breast computed tomography. Phys Med Biol 2022; 67. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac65d4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. To introduce the optimization of a customized GPU-based simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (cSART) in the field of phase-contrast breast computed tomography (bCT). The presented algorithm features a 3D bilateral regularization filter that can be tuned to yield optimal performance for clinical image visualization and tissues segmentation. Approach. Acquisitions of a dedicated test object and a breast specimen were performed at Elettra, the Italian synchrotron radiation (SR) facility (Trieste, Italy) using a large area CdTe single-photon counting detector. Tomographic images were obtained at 5 mGy of mean glandular dose, with a 32 keV monochromatic x-ray beam in the free-space propagation mode. Three independent algorithms parameters were optimized by using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), spatial resolution, and noise texture metrics. The results obtained with the cSART algorithm were compared with conventional SART and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstructions. Image segmentation was performed both with gray scale-based and supervised machine-learning approaches. Main results. Compared to conventional FBP reconstructions, results indicate that the proposed algorithm can yield images with a higher CNR (by 35% or more), retaining a high spatial resolution while preserving their textural properties. Alternatively, at the cost of an increased image ‘patchiness’, the cSART can be tuned to achieve a high-quality tissue segmentation, suggesting the possibility of performing an accurate glandularity estimation potentially of use in the realization of realistic 3D breast models starting from low radiation dose images. Significance. The study indicates that dedicated iterative reconstruction techniques could provide significant advantages in phase-contrast bCT imaging. The proposed algorithm offers great flexibility in terms of image reconstruction optimization, either toward diagnostic evaluation or image segmentation.
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Alloo SJ, Paganin DM, Morgan KS, Gureyev TE, Mayo SC, Mohammadi S, Lockie D, Menk RH, Arfelli F, Zanconati F, Tromba G, Pavlov KM. Tomographic phase and attenuation extraction for a sample composed of unknown materials using x-ray propagation-based phase-contrast imaging. Opt Lett 2022; 47:1945-1948. [PMID: 35427307 DOI: 10.1364/ol.445802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Propagation-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging (PB-PCXI) generates image contrast by utilizing sample-imposed phase-shifts. This has proven useful when imaging weakly attenuating samples, as conventional attenuation-based imaging does not always provide adequate contrast. We present a PB-PCXI algorithm capable of extracting the x-ray attenuation β and refraction δ, components of the complex refractive index of distinct materials within an unknown sample. The method involves curve fitting an error-function-based model to a phase-retrieved interface in a PB-PCXI tomographic reconstruction, which is obtained when Paganin-type phase retrieval is applied with incorrect values of δ and β. The fit parameters can then be used to calculate true δ and β values for composite materials. This approach requires no a priori sample information, making it broadly applicable. Our PB-PCXI reconstruction is single-distance, requiring only one exposure per tomographic angle, which is important for radiosensitive samples. We apply this approach to a breast-tissue sample, recovering the refraction component δ, with 0.6-2.4% accuracy compared with theoretical values.
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Fidalgo G, Paiva K, Mendes G, Barcellos R, Colaço G, Sena G, Pickler A, Mota CL, Tromba G, Nogueira LP, Braz D, Silva HR, Colaço MV, Barroso RC. Synchrotron microtomography applied to the volumetric analysis of internal structures of Thoropa miliaris tadpoles. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18934. [PMID: 33144603 PMCID: PMC7641268 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75993-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibians are models for studying applied ecological issues such as habitat loss, pollution, disease, and global climate change due to their sensitivity and vulnerability to changes in the environment. Developmental series of amphibians are informative about their biology, and X-ray based 3D reconstruction holds promise for quantifying morphological changes during growth—some with a direct impact on the possibility of an experimental investigation on several of the ecological topics listed above. However, 3D resolution and discrimination of their soft tissues have been difficult with traditional X-ray computed tomography, without time-consuming contrast staining. Tomographic data were initially performed (pre-processing and reconstruction) using the open-source software tool SYRMEP Tomo Project. Data processing and analysis of the reconstructed tomography volumes were conducted using the segmentation semi-automatic settings of the software Avizo Fire 8, which provide information about each investigated tissues, organs or bone elements. Hence, volumetric analyses were carried out to quantify the development of structures in different tadpole developmental stages. Our work shows that synchrotron X-ray microtomography using phase-contrast mode resolves the edges of the internal tissues (as well as overall tadpole morphology), facilitating the segmentation of the investigated tissues. Reconstruction algorithms and segmentation software played an important role in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of each target structure of the Thoropa miliaris tadpole at different stages of development, providing information on volume, shape and length. The use of the synchrotron X-ray microtomography setup of the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra Synchrotron, in phase-contrast mode, allows access to volumetric data for bone formation, eye development, nervous system and notochordal changes during the development (ontogeny) of tadpoles of a cycloramphid frog Thoropa miliaris. As key elements in the normal development of these and any other frog tadpole, the application of such a comparative ontogenetic study, may hold interest to researchers in experimental and environmental disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Fidalgo
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - K Paiva
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Mendes
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - R Barcellos
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Colaço
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Sena
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - A Pickler
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C L Mota
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra/Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.a., Trieste, Italy
| | - L P Nogueira
- Oral Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - D Braz
- Nuclear Engineering Program/COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - H R Silva
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M V Colaço
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - R C Barroso
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Gureyev TE, Nesterets YI, Baran PM, Taba ST, Mayo SC, Thompson D, Arhatari B, Mihocic A, Abbey B, Lockie D, Fox J, Kumar B, Prodanovic Z, Hausermann D, Maksimenko A, Hall C, Peele AG, Dimmock M, Pavlov KM, Cholewa M, Lewis S, Tromba G, Quiney HM, Brennan PC. Propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography of mastectomy samples using synchrotron radiation. Med Phys 2019; 46:5478-5487. [PMID: 31574166 DOI: 10.1002/mp.13842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PB-CT) is a method for three-dimensional x-ray imaging that utilizes refraction, as well as absorption, of x rays in the tissues to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the resultant images, in comparison with equivalent conventional absorption-only x-ray tomography (CT). Importantly, the higher SNR is achieved without sacrificing spatial resolution or increasing the radiation dose delivered to the imaged tissues. The present work has been carried out in the context of the current development of a breast CT imaging facility at the Australian Synchrotron. METHODS Seven unfixed complete mastectomy samples with and without breast cancer lesions have been imaged using absorption-only CT and PB-CT techniques under controlled experimental conditions. The radiation doses delivered to the mastectomy samples during the scans were comparable to those approved for mammographic screening. Physical characteristics of the reconstructed images, such as spatial resolution and SNR, have been measured and compared with the results of the radiological quality assessment of the complete absorption CT and PB-CT image stacks. RESULTS Despite the presence of some image artefacts, the PB-CT images have outperformed comparable absorption CT images collected at the same radiation dose, in terms of both the measured objective image characteristics and the radiological image scores. The outcomes of these experiments are shown to be consistent with predictions of the theory of PB-CT imaging and previous reported experimental studies of this imaging modality. CONCLUSIONS The results presented in this paper demonstrate that PB-CT holds a high potential for improving on the quality and diagnostic value of images obtained using existing medical x-ray technologies, such as mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). If implemented at suitable synchrotron imaging facilities, PB-CT can be used to complement existing imaging modalities, leading to more accurate breast cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Gureyev
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, 2141, Australia.,Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.,University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia
| | - Ya I Nesterets
- University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia.,Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - P M Baran
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - S T Taba
- The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, 2141, Australia
| | - S C Mayo
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - D Thompson
- University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia.,Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - B Arhatari
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.,La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Australia
| | - A Mihocic
- La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Australia
| | - B Abbey
- La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Australia
| | - D Lockie
- Maroondah BreastScreen, Ringwood East, 3135, Australia
| | - J Fox
- Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia
| | - B Kumar
- Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia
| | | | - D Hausermann
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - A Maksimenko
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - C Hall
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - A G Peele
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, 3168, Australia
| | - M Dimmock
- Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia
| | - K M Pavlov
- Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.,University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia.,University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand
| | - M Cholewa
- University of Rzeszow, 35-310, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - S Lewis
- The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, 2141, Australia
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - H M Quiney
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - P C Brennan
- The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, 2141, Australia
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Pacilè S, Dullin C, Baran P, Tonutti M, Perske C, Fischer U, Albers J, Arfelli F, Dreossi D, Pavlov K, Maksimenko A, Mayo SC, Nesterets YI, Taba ST, Lewis S, Brennan PC, Gureyev TE, Tromba G, Wienbeck S. Free propagation phase-contrast breast CT provides higher image quality than cone-beam breast-CT at low radiation doses: a feasibility study on human mastectomies. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13762. [PMID: 31551475 PMCID: PMC6760215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we demonstrate the first direct comparison between synchrotron x-ray propagation-based CT (PB-CT) and cone-beam breast-CT (CB-CT) on human mastectomy specimens (N = 12) including different benign and malignant lesions. The image quality and diagnostic power of the obtained data sets were compared and judged by two independent expert radiologists. Two cases are presented in detail in this paper including a comparison with the corresponding histological evaluation. Results indicate that with PB-CT it is possible to increase the level of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) keeping the same level of dose used for the CB-CT or achieve the same level of CNR reached by CB-CT at a lower level of dose. In other words, PB-CT can achieve a higher diagnostic potential compared to the commercial breast-CT system while also delivering a considerably lower mean glandular dose. Therefore, we believe that PB-CT technique, if translated to a clinical setting, could have a significant impact in improving breast cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pacilè
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Italy. .,Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - C Dullin
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Italy.,Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.,Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Plank-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, Germany
| | - P Baran
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - M Tonutti
- Department of Radiology, Academic Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Perske
- Institute for Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - U Fischer
- Diagnostic Breast Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - J Albers
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - F Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - D Dreossi
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Italy
| | - K Pavlov
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.,School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | | | - S C Mayo
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia
| | - Y I Nesterets
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia.,School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - S Tavakoli Taba
- The University of Sydney, BREAST, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S Lewis
- The University of Sydney, BREAST, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia
| | - P C Brennan
- The University of Sydney, BREAST, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia
| | - T E Gureyev
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.,School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,The University of Sydney, BREAST, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Italy
| | - S Wienbeck
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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Albers J, Pacilé S, Markus MA, Wiart M, Vande Velde G, Tromba G, Dullin C. X-ray-Based 3D Virtual Histology-Adding the Next Dimension to Histological Analysis. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:732-741. [PMID: 29968183 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-018-1246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Histology and immunohistochemistry of thin tissue sections have been the standard diagnostic procedure in many diseases for decades. This method is highly specific for particular tissue regions or cells, but mechanical sectioning of the specimens is required, which destroys the sample in the process and can lead to non-uniform tissue deformations. In addition, regions of interest cannot be located beforehand and the analysis is intrinsically two-dimensional. Micro X-ray computed tomography (μCT) on the other hand can provide 3D images at high resolution and allows for quantification of tissue structures, as well as the localization of small regions of interest. These advantages advocate the use of μCT for virtual histology tool with or without subsequent classical histology. This review summarizes the most recent examples of virtual histology and provides currently known possibilities of improving contrast and resolution of μCT. Following a background in μCT imaging, ex vivo staining procedures for contrast enhancement are presented as well as label-free virtual histology approaches and the technologies, which could rapidly advance it, such as phase-contrast CT. Novel approaches such as zoom tomography and nanoparticulate contrast agents will also be considered. The current evidence suggests that virtual histology may present a valuable addition to the workflow of histological analysis, potentially reducing the workload in pathology, refining tissue classification, and supporting the detection of small malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Albers
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Pacilé
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - M A Markus
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - M Wiart
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69500, Bron, France
| | - G Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy. .,Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
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Contillo A, Veronese A, Brombal L, Donato S, Rigon L, Taibi A, Tromba G, Longo R, Arfelli F. 73. Proposal of a quality control protocol for the SYRMA-3D project: Breast CT with synchrotron radiation. Phys Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.04.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Sarno A, Golosio B, Russo P, Arfelli F, Bellazzini R, Brez A, Brun F, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Dreossi D, Fedon C, Longo R, Mettivier G, Oliva P, Rigon L, Spandre G, Tromba G. A Framework for Iterative Reconstruction in Phase-Contrast Computed Tomography Dedicated to the Breast. IEEE Trans Radiat Plasma Med Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2017.2749059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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10
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Sinibaldi R, Conti A, Sinjari B, Spadone S, Pecci R, Palombo M, Komlev VS, Ortore MG, Tromba G, Capuani S, Guidotti R, De Luca F, Caputi S, Traini T, Della Penna S. Multimodal-3D imaging based on μMRI and μCT techniques bridges the gap with histology in visualization of the bone regeneration process. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017; 12:750-761. [PMID: 28593731 DOI: 10.1002/term.2494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bone repair/regeneration is usually investigated through X-ray computed microtomography (μCT) supported by histology of extracted samples, to analyse biomaterial structure and new bone formation processes. Magnetic resonance imaging (μMRI) shows a richer tissue contrast than μCT, despite at lower resolution, and could be combined with μCT in the perspective of conducting non-destructive 3D investigations of bone. A pipeline designed to combine μMRI and μCT images of bone samples is here described and applied on samples of extracted human jawbone core following bone graft. We optimized the coregistration procedure between μCT and μMRI images to avoid bias due to the different resolutions and contrasts. Furthermore, we used an Adaptive Multivariate Clustering, grouping homologous voxels in the coregistered images, to visualize different tissue types within a fused 3D metastructure. The tissue grouping matched the 2D histology applied only on 1 slice, thus extending the histology labelling in 3D. Specifically, in all samples, we could separate and map 2 types of regenerated bone, calcified tissue, soft tissues, and/or fat and marrow space. Remarkably, μMRI and μCT alone were not able to separate the 2 types of regenerated bone. Finally, we computed volumes of each tissue in the 3D metastructures, which might be exploited by quantitative simulation. The 3D metastructure obtained through our pipeline represents a first step to bridge the gap between the quality of information obtained from 2D optical microscopy and the 3D mapping of the bone tissue heterogeneity and could allow researchers and clinicians to non-destructively characterize and follow-up bone regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sinibaldi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Multimodal3D s.r.l., Rome, Italy
| | - A Conti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - B Sinjari
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - S Spadone
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - R Pecci
- Department of Technologies and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Palombo
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- CEA/DSV/I2BM, MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - V S Komlev
- A.A. Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - M G Ortore
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - S Capuani
- CNR (Institute for Complex Systems) c/o Physics Department Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - R Guidotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - F De Luca
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Caputi
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - T Traini
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - S Della Penna
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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11
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Parlanti P, Cappello V, Brun F, Tromba G, Rigolio R, Tonazzini I, Cecchini M, Piazza V, Gemmi M. Size and specimen-dependent strategy for x-ray micro-ct and tem correlative analysis of nervous system samples. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2858. [PMID: 28588216 PMCID: PMC5460131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02998-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Correlative approaches are a powerful tool in the investigation of biological samples, but require specific preparation procedures to maintain the strength of the employed methods. Here we report the optimization of the embedding protocol of nervous system samples for a correlative synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) approach. We demonstrate that it is possible to locate, with the micrometric resolution of micro-CT, specific volumes of interest for a further ultrastructural characterization to be performed with TEM. This approach can be applied to samples of different size and morphology up to several cm. Our optimized method represents an invaluable tool for investigating those pathologies in which microscopic alterations are localized in few confined regions, rather than diffused in entire tissues, organs or systems. We present a proof of concept of our method in a mouse model of Globoid Cells Leukodistrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Parlanti
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - V Cappello
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy.
| | - F Brun
- National Research Council - Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotech) c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Università Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via A. Valerio 10, I-34127, Trieste, Italy
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163.5 in Area Science Park, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163.5 in Area Science Park, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - R Rigolio
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Experimental Neurology Unit, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, I-20900, Monza, Italy
| | - I Tonazzini
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and Istituto di Nanoscienze - CNR, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Umberto Veronesi, Piazza Velasca, I-20122, Milano, Italy
| | - M Cecchini
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and Istituto di Nanoscienze - CNR, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - V Piazza
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Gemmi
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, I-56127, Pisa, Italy
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12
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Baran P, Pacile S, Nesterets YI, Mayo SC, Dullin C, Dreossi D, Arfelli F, Thompson D, Lockie D, McCormack M, Taba ST, Brun F, Pinamonti M, Nickson C, Hall C, Dimmock M, Zanconati F, Cholewa M, Quiney H, Brennan PC, Tromba G, Gureyev TE. Optimization of propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography for breast cancer imaging. Phys Med Biol 2017; 62:2315-2332. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aa5d3d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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13
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Dullin C, Markus MA, Larsson E, Tromba G, Hülsmann S, Alves F. X-Ray based Lung Function measurement-a sensitive technique to quantify lung function in allergic airway inflammation mouse models. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36297. [PMID: 27805632 PMCID: PMC5090985 DOI: 10.1038/srep36297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In mice, along with the assessment of eosinophils, lung function measurements, most commonly carried out by plethysmography, are essential to monitor the course of allergic airway inflammation, to examine therapy efficacy and to correlate animal with patient data. To date, plethysmography techniques either use intubation and/or restraining of the mice and are thus invasive, or are limited in their sensitivity. We present a novel unrestrained lung function method based on low-dose planar cinematic x-ray imaging (X-Ray Lung Function, XLF) and demonstrate its performance in monitoring OVA induced experimental allergic airway inflammation in mice and an improved assessment of the efficacy of the common treatment dexamethasone. We further show that XLF is more sensitive than unrestrained whole body plethysmography (UWBP) and that conventional broncho-alveolar lavage and histology provide only limited information of the efficacy of a treatment when compared to XLF. Our results highlight the fact that a multi-parametric imaging approach as delivered by XLF is needed to address the combined cellular, anatomical and functional effects that occur during the course of asthma and in response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany.,Italian Synchrotron Light Source 'Elettra' Trieste, Italy
| | - M A Markus
- Max-Plank-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Dept. of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Goettingen, Germany
| | - E Larsson
- Italian Synchrotron Light Source 'Elettra' Trieste, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Italian Synchrotron Light Source 'Elettra' Trieste, Italy
| | - S Hülsmann
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
| | - F Alves
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany.,Max-Plank-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Dept. of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Goettingen, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
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14
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Longo R, Arfelli F, Bellazzini R, Brez A, Brun F, Cova M, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Dreossi D, Fedon C, Golosio B, Mettivier G, Minuti M, Oliva P, Pichera M, Rigon L, Russo P, Sarno A, Spandre G, Tonutti M, Tromba G, Zanconati F. Phase-sensitive breast CT with monochromatic beam towards the clinical trial. Phys Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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15
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Mettivier G, Fedon C, Di Lillo F, Longo R, Sarno A, Tromba G, Russo P. Erratum of: ‘Glandular dose in breast computed tomography with synchrotron radiation’. Phys Med Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/61/7/2970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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16
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Longo R, Arfelli F, Bellazzini R, Bottigli U, Brez A, Brun F, Brunetti A, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Dreossi D, Fanti V, Fedon C, Golosio B, Lanconelli N, Mettivier G, Minuti M, Oliva P, Pinchera M, Rigon L, Russo P, Sarno A, Spandre G, Tromba G, Zanconati F. Towards breast tomography with synchrotron radiation at Elettra: first images. Phys Med Biol 2016; 61:1634-49. [PMID: 26836274 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/61/4/1634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the SYRMA-CT collaboration is to set-up the first clinical trial of phase-contrast breast CT with synchrotron radiation (SR). In order to combine high image quality and low delivered dose a number of innovative elements are merged: a CdTe single photon counting detector, state-of-the-art CT reconstruction and phase retrieval algorithms. To facilitate an accurate exam optimization, a Monte Carlo model was developed for dose calculation using GEANT4. In this study, high isotropic spatial resolution (120 μm)(3) CT scans of objects with dimensions and attenuation similar to a human breast were acquired, delivering mean glandular doses in the range of those delivered in clinical breast CT (5-25 mGy). Due to the spatial coherence of the SR beam and the long distance between sample and detector, the images contain, not only absorption, but also phase information from the samples. The application of a phase-retrieval procedure increases the contrast-to-noise ratio of the tomographic images, while the contrast remains almost constant. After applying the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique to low-dose phase-retrieved data sets (about 5 mGy) with a reduced number of projections, the spatial resolution was found to be equal to filtered back projection utilizing a four fold higher dose, while the contrast-to-noise ratio was reduced by 30%. These first results indicate the feasibility of clinical breast CT with SR.
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17
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Di Lillo F, Mettivier G, Sarno A, Tromba G, Tomic N, Devic S, Russo P. Energy dependent calibration of XR-QA2 radiochromic film with monochromatic and polychromatic x-ray beams. Med Phys 2016; 43:583. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4939063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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18
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Emiro F, Di Lillo F, Mettivier G, Fedon C, Longo R, Tromba G, Russo P. Energy response of GR-200A thermoluminescence dosemeters to 60Co and to monoenergetic synchrotron radiation in the energy range 28-40 keV. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2016; 168:40-45. [PMID: 25737582 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncv014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The response of LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescence dosemeters (type GR-200A) to monoenergetic radiation of energy 28, 35, 38 and 40 keV was evaluated with respect to irradiation with a calibrated (60)Co gamma-ray source. High-precision measurements of the relative air kerma response performed at the SYRMEP beamline of the ELETTRA synchrotron radiation facility (Trieste, Italy) showed a significant deviation of the average response to low-energy X-rays from that to (60)Co, with an over-response from 6 % (at 28 keV) to 22 % (at 40 keV). These data are not consistent with literature data for these dosemeters, where model predictions gave deviation from unity of the relative air kerma response of about 10 %. The authors conclude for the need of additional determinations of the low-energy relative response of GR-200A dosemeters, covering a wider range of monoenergetic energies sampled at a fine energy step, as planned in future experiments by their group at the ELETTRA facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Emiro
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - F Di Lillo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - G Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - C Fedon
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy
| | - R Longo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Strada Statale S.S. 14 km 163.5, Basovizza, Trieste I-34012, Italy
| | - P Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
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19
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Mettivier G, Fedon C, Di Lillo F, Longo R, Sarno A, Tromba G, Russo P. Glandular dose in breast computed tomography with synchrotron radiation. Phys Med Biol 2015; 61:569-87. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/61/2/569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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20
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Sena G, Almeida A, Braz D, Nogueira L, Soares J, Azambuja P, Gonzalez M, Tromba G, Barroso R. On the possibilities of polychromatic synchrotron radiation microtomography for visualization of internal structures of Rhodnius prolixus. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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21
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Campi G, Fratini M, Bukreeva I, Ciasca G, Burghammer M, Brun F, Tromba G, Mastrogiacomo M, Cedola A. Imaging collagen packing dynamics during mineralization of engineered bone tissue. Acta Biomater 2015; 23:309-316. [PMID: 26049151 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2015.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The structure and organization of the Type I collagen microfibrils during mineral nanoparticle formation appear as the key factor for a deeper understanding of the biomineralization mechanism and for governing the bone tissue physical properties. In this work we investigated the dynamics of collagen packing during ex-vivo mineralization of ceramic porous hydroxyapatite implant scaffolds using synchrotron high resolution X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography (XPCμT) and synchrotron scanning micro X-ray diffraction (SμXRD). While XPCμT provides the direct 3D image of the collagen fibers network organization with micrometer spatial resolution, SμXRD allows to probe the structural statistical fluctuations of the collagen fibrils at nanoscale. In particular we imaged the lateral spacing and orientation of collagen fibrils during the anisotropic growth of mineral nanocrystals. Beyond throwing light on the bone regeneration multiscale process, this approach can provide important information in the characterization of tissue in health, aging and degeneration conditions. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BONE grafts are the most common transplants after the blood transfusions. This makes the bone-tissue regeneration research of pressing scientific and social impact. Bone is a complex hierarchical structure, where the interplay of organic and inorganic mineral phases at different length scale (from micron to atomic scale) affect its functionality and health. Thus, the understanding of bone tissue regeneration requires to image its spatial-temporal evolution (i) with high spatial resolution and (ii) at different length scale. We exploited high spatial resolution X-ray Phase Contrast micro Tomography and Scanning micro X-ray Diffraction in order to get new insight on the engineered tissue formation mechanisms. This approach could open novel routes for the early detection of different degenerative conditions of tissue.
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22
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Pacilè S, Brun F, Dullin C, Nesterest YI, Dreossi D, Mohammadi S, Tonutti M, Stacul F, Lockie D, Zanconati F, Accardo A, Tromba G, Gureyev TE. Clinical application of low-dose phase contrast breast CT: methods for the optimization of the reconstruction workflow. Biomed Opt Express 2015; 6:3099-3112. [PMID: 26309770 PMCID: PMC4541534 DOI: 10.1364/boe.6.003099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Results are presented of a feasibility study of three-dimensional X-ray tomographic mammography utilising in-line phase contrast. Experiments were performed at SYRMEP beamline of Elettra synchrotron. A specially designed plastic phantom and a mastectomy sample containing a malignant lesion were used to study the reconstructed image quality as a function of different image processing operations. Detailed evaluation and optimization of image reconstruction workflows have been carried out using combinations of several advanced computed tomography algorithms with different pre-processing and post-processing steps. Special attention was paid to the effect of phase retrieval on the diagnostic value of the reconstructed images. A number of objective image quality indices have been applied for quantitative evaluation of the results, and these were compared with subjective assessments of the same images by three experienced radiologists and one pathologist. The outcomes of this study provide practical guidelines for the optimization of image processing workflows in synchrotron-based phase-contrast mammo-tomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Pacilè
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza (Trieste),
Italy
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste,
Italy
| | - F. Brun
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza (Trieste),
Italy
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste,
Italy
| | - C. Dullin
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Goettingen, Goettingen,
Germany
| | - Y. I. Nesterest
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Melbourne,
Australia
| | - D. Dreossi
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza (Trieste),
Italy
| | - S. Mohammadi
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza (Trieste),
Italy
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste,
Italy
- now at LAC+ USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA,
USA
| | - M. Tonutti
- AOU - Trieste Hospital, Department of Radiology, Trieste,
Italy
| | - F. Stacul
- AOU - Trieste Hospital, Department of Radiology, Trieste,
Italy
| | - D. Lockie
- Maroondah BreastScreen, Melbourne,
Australia
| | - F. Zanconati
- Department of Medical Science-Unit of Pathology, University of Trieste, Trieste,
Italy
| | - A. Accardo
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste,
Italy
| | - G. Tromba
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza (Trieste),
Italy
| | - T. E. Gureyev
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Melbourne,
Australia
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Clayton, VIC,
Australia
- School of Science and Engineering, University of New England, Armidale, NSW,
Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, The University of Melbourne, Parkville,
Australia
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23
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Ruiz-Gonzalez Y, Perez-Diaz M, Martínez-Aguila D, Diaz-Barreto M, Fleitas I, Mora-Machado R, Rigon L, Tromba G, Bregant P. Objective measurements of image quality in synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging versus digital mammography. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2015; 11:181-8. [PMID: 26092659 DOI: 10.1007/s11548-015-1237-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Phase-contrast mammography with synchrotron radiation is an innovative X-ray imaging practice that improves the identification of breast lesions. Previous studies have proven the superiority of the mammography images taken in the phase-contrast modality using synchrotron radiation beams as compared with images taken in conventional mammography by subjective analyses. However, to our knowledge, no previous study has compared different acquisition systems in order to quantify this improvement by means of objective robust indicators. In this research, we intend to quantify the superiority of phase-contrast imaging by means of objective metrics of image quality. METHODS Images from the American College of Radiology Mammographic Accreditation Phantom were obtained at hospitals, in two digital mammography equipment and at the Elettra synchrotron radiation facility (Trieste, Italy), using free space propagation phase-contrast modality. Regions of interest were selected to analyze image quality at the fibers (phase object) and masses (area object) simulated on the phantom by means of the signal-to-noise ratio, the figure of merit, the contrast and the edge visibility. RESULTS The image contrast and edge visibility were significantly higher at the phase-contrast modality as compared with digital mammography equipment. The figure of merit using phase-contrast modality was higher for the fibers and comparable for the masses. CONCLUSION The results showed an improvement of the contrast and edge visibility in phase-contrast images. These improvements may be important in the detection of small lesions and details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ruiz-Gonzalez
- Center for Studies on Electronics and Information Technologies, Central University of Las Villas, Villa Clara, Cuba.
| | - M Perez-Diaz
- Center for Studies on Electronics and Information Technologies, Central University of Las Villas, Villa Clara, Cuba
| | - D Martínez-Aguila
- Center for Studies on Electronics and Information Technologies, Central University of Las Villas, Villa Clara, Cuba
| | - M Diaz-Barreto
- Centro para el Control Estatal de Medicamentos, Equipos y Dispositivos Médicos, Habana, Cuba
| | - I Fleitas
- Centro para el Control Estatal de Medicamentos, Equipos y Dispositivos Médicos, Habana, Cuba
| | - R Mora-Machado
- Centro para el Control Estatal de Medicamentos, Equipos y Dispositivos Médicos, Habana, Cuba
| | - L Rigon
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste and INFN, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- ELETTRA, Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Trieste, Italy
| | - P Bregant
- Health Physics, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", Trieste, Italy
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24
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Manescu A, Giuliani A, Mohammadi S, Tromba G, Mazzoni S, Diomede F, Zini N, Piattelli A, Trubiani O. Osteogenic potential of dualblocks cultured with human periodontal ligament stem cells: in vitro and synchrotron microtomography study. J Periodontal Res 2015; 51:112-24. [PMID: 26094874 DOI: 10.1111/jre.12289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE In the present study, the early stages of in vitro bone formation in collagenated porcine scaffolds cultured with human periodontal ligament cells were investigated. The comparison between the osteogenic potential of this structure in basal and differentiating culture media was explored to predict the mechanism of its biological behavior as graft in human defect. Results were validated by synchrotron radiation X-Ray phase contrast computed microtomography (micro-CT). As the periodontal disease plays a key role in systemic and oral diseases, it is crucial to find advanced therapeutic clinical interventions to repair periodontal defects. This has been recently explored using cells and tissues developed in vitro that should ideally be immunologically, functionally, structurally and mechanically identical to the native tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS In vitro cultures of human periodontal ligament cells, easily obtained by scraping of alveolar crestal and horizontal fibers of the periodontal ligament, were seeded on to collagenated porcine blocks constituted by natural cancellous and cortical bone. 3D images were obtained by synchrotron radiation micro-CT and processed with a phase-retrieval algorithm based on the transport of intensity equation. RESULTS Starting from the second week of culture, newly formed mineralized bone was detected in all the scaffolds, both in basal and differentiating media. Bone mineralization was proved to occur preferentially in the trabecular portion and in differentiating media. CONCLUSION The chosen method, supported by phase contrast micro-CT analysis, successfully and quantitatively monitored the early stages of bone formation and the rate of the bioscaffold resorption in basal and differentiating culture media.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Manescu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche e Odontostomatologiche, Sezione di Biochimica, Biologia e Fisica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A Giuliani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche e Odontostomatologiche, Sezione di Biochimica, Biologia e Fisica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - S Mohammadi
- Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, Basovizza (Trieste), Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, Basovizza (Trieste), Italy
| | - S Mazzoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche e Odontostomatologiche, Sezione di Biochimica, Biologia e Fisica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - F Diomede
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - N Zini
- National Research Council of Italy, IGM and SC Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Cell Biology, IOR, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Piattelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - O Trubiani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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25
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Almeida A, Braz D, Nogueira L, Colaço M, Soares J, Cardoso S, Garcia E, Azambuja P, Gonzalez M, Mohammadi S, Tromba G, Barroso R. Phase contrast X-ray microtomography of the Rhodnius prolixus head: Comparison of direct reconstruction and phase retrieval approach. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2013.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Giuliani A, Mazzoni S, Manescu A, Mohammadi S, Tromba G, Diomede F, Piattelli A, Trubiani O. Osteoinductive properties study of collagenated Dual-Blocks by synchrotron radiation phase-contrast. Dent Mater 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2014.08.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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27
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Malliori A, Bliznakova K, Speller RD, Horrocks JA, Rigon L, Tromba G, Pallikarakis N. Image quality evaluation of breast tomosynthesis with synchrotron radiation. Med Phys 2012; 39:5621-34. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4747268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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28
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Quai E, Longo R, Zanconati F, Jaconelli G, Tonutti M, Abrami A, Arfelli F, Dreossi D, Tromba G, Cova MA. First application of computed radiology to mammography with synchrotron radiation. Radiol med 2012; 118:89-100. [DOI: 10.1007/s11547-012-0847-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Galiová M, Kaiser J, Novotný K, Ivanov M, Nývltová Fisáková M, Mancini L, Tromba G, Vaculovic T, Liska M, Kanický V. Investigation of the osteitis deformans phases in snake vertebrae by double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 2010; 398:1095-107. [PMID: 20628874 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-010-3976-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2010] [Revised: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (DP-LIBS) was optimized for microspatial analyses of fossil and recent snake vertebrae. As complimentary techniques, solution analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography was utilized in order to determine the overall concentration of the selected elements in the samples and to visualize nondestructively the fossil sample microstructure, respectively. Elemental mapping of pathological bony tissue by DP-LIBS has been proven as a powerful tool for considering the osteitis deformans phases in fossil vertebrae.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Galiová
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlárská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
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Bliznakova K, Kolitsi Z, Speller RD, Horrocks JA, Tromba G, Pallikarakis N. Evaluation of digital breast tomosynthesis reconstruction algorithms using synchrotron radiation in standard geometry. Med Phys 2010; 37:1893-903. [DOI: 10.1118/1.3371693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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31
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Rao DV, Swapna M, Cesareo R, Brunetti A, Akatsuka T, Yuasa T, Takeda T, Tromba G, Gigante GE. Investigation of the distribution of elements in snail shell with the use of synchrotron-based, micro-beam X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2009; 23:251-7. [PMID: 19747620 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2009.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2009] [Revised: 04/22/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this study, synchrotron-based micro-beam was utilized for elemental mapping of a small animal shell. A thin X-ray spot of the order of approximately 10microm was focused on the sample. With this spatial resolution and high flux throughput, the X-ray fluorescent intensities for Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cu were measured using a liquid-nitrogen-cooled 13-element energy-dispersive HpGe detector. The sample is scanned in a 'step-and-repeat' mode for fast elemental mapping and generated elemental maps at 8, 10 and 12keV. All images are of 10microm resolution and the measurement time was 1s per point. The accumulation of trace elements was investigated from the soft-tissue in small areas. Analysis of the small areas will be better suited to establish the physiology of metals in specific structures like small animal shell and the distribution of other trace elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- D V Rao
- Istituto di Matematica e Fisica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
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32
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Dreossi D, Abrami A, Arfelli F, Bregant P, Casarin K, Chenda V, Cova MA, Longo R, Menk RH, Quai E, Quaia E, Rigon L, Rokvic T, Sanabor D, Tonutti M, Tromba G, Vascotto A, Zanconati F, Castelli E. The mammography project at the SYRMEP beamline. Eur J Radiol 2008; 68:S58-62. [PMID: 18617344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2008.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2008] [Accepted: 04/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A clinical program for X-ray phase contrast (PhC) mammography with synchrotron radiation (SR) has been started in March 2006 at the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra, the SR facility in Trieste, Italy. The original beamline layout has been modified substantially and a clinical facility has been realized. In order to fulfill all security requirements, dedicated systems have been designed and implemented, following redundancy criteria and "fail safe" philosophy. Planar radiographic images are obtained by scanning simultaneously the patient and the detector through the stationary and laminar SR beam. In this first phase of the project a commercial screen-film system has been used as image receptor. Upon approval by the respective authorities, the mammography program is about half way to conclusion. Up to now about 50 patients have been examined. The patients are volunteers recruited by the radiologist after conventional examinations at the hospital resulted in an uncertain diagnosis. As an example one case of PhC SR mammography is shown and compared to conventional digital mammography. Preliminary analysis shows the high diagnostic quality of the PhC SR images that were acquired with equal or less delivered dose compared to the conventional ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Dreossi
- Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Trieste, Italy.
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33
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Hall CJ, Schültke E, Rigon L, Ataelmannan K, Rigley S, Menk R, Arfelli F, Tromba G, Pearson S, Wilkinson S, Round A, Crittell S, Griebel R, Juurlink BHJ. Synchrotron-based in vivo tracking of implanted mammalian cells. Eur J Radiol 2008; 68:S156-9. [PMID: 18606517 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2008.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2008] [Accepted: 04/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We have developed an X-ray imaging protocol that permits 3D visualisation of a small number of implanted cells within bulk tissue. The cells are marked using natural endocytosis of inert gold nano-particles. The resulting local increase in electron density allows high imaging contrast to be obtained from small clusters of these marked cells. Using this technique we have imaged C6 glioma cells within the brain of a model animal. The cells were marked by exposing them to colloidal gold incorporated in the growth media. Gold-loaded glioma cells were implanted into the brains of adult male Wistar rats. After tumours had been allowed to develop for up to 2 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and images of the intact cranium were acquired at the SYRMEP imaging station on the Elettra synchrotron in Italy. Computed tomography was performed using mixed absorption and phase contrast techniques at an X-ray energy of 24 keV. In the resulting volume datasets the tumour bulk is clearly visible and the infiltrating nature of the malignant growth is well demonstrated. Although the protocol was developed using this particular model of malignant brain tumour, it is believed that it will be possible to use it with other cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Hall
- Monash University, School of Physics, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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34
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Abstract
Analyser-based phase contrast imaging can provide radiographs of exceptional contrast at high resolution (<100 microm), whilst quantitative phase and attenuation information can be extracted using just two images when the approximations of geometrical optics are satisfied. Analytical phase retrieval can be performed by fitting the analyser rocking curve with a symmetric Pearson type VII function. The Pearson VII function provided at least a 10% better fit to experimentally measured rocking curves than linear or Gaussian functions. A test phantom, a hollow nylon cylinder, was imaged at 20 keV using a Si(1 1 1) analyser at the ELETTRA synchrotron radiation facility. Our phase retrieval method yielded a more accurate object reconstruction than methods based on a linear fit to the rocking curve. Where reconstructions failed to map expected values, calculations of the Takagi number permitted distinction between the violation of the geometrical optics conditions and the failure of curve fitting procedures. The need for synchronized object/detector translation stages was removed by using a large, divergent beam and imaging the object in segments. Our image acquisition and reconstruction procedure enables quantitative phase retrieval for systems with a divergent source and accounts for imperfections in the analyser.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Kitchen
- School of Physics, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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35
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Kaiser J, Samek O, Reale L, Liska M, Malina R, Ritucci A, Poma A, Tucci A, Flora F, Lai A, Mancini L, Tromba G, Zanini F, Faenov A, Pikuz T, Cinque G. Monitoring of the heavy-metal hyperaccumulation in vegetal tissues by X-ray radiography and by femto-second laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2007; 70:147-53. [PMID: 17131357 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This article reports on the utilization of X-ray microradiography and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) techniques for investigation of the metal accumulation in different part of leaf samples. The potential of the LIBS-analysis for finding the proper plant species for phytoremediation is compared with the results of microradiography measurements at the HERCULES source at ENEA, Rome (Italy) and X-ray microradiography experiments at the ELETTRA Synchrotron, Trieste (Italy).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kaiser
- Institute of Physical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.
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36
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Mancini L, Tromba G, Zanini F. Structural microanalysis with synchrotron radiation: archaeometric applications at Elettra. Journal of Neutron Research 2006. [DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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37
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Lewis RA, Hall CJ, Hufton AP, Evans S, Menk RH, Arfelli F, Rigon L, Tromba G, Dance DR, Ellis IO, Evans A, Jacobs E, Pinder SE, Rogers KD. X-ray refraction effects: application to the imaging of biological tissues. Br J Radiol 2003; 76:301-8. [PMID: 12763945 DOI: 10.1259/bjr/32889803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of refraction contrast X-ray imaging of biological tissues. Images of dissected mouse lungs, heart, liver and legs were produced using the medical beamline at the Elettra Synchrotron at Trieste, Italy. The technique used was diffraction enhanced imaging. This utilizes a silicon crystal positioned between the tissue sample and the detector to separate refracted X-rays from transmitted and scattered radiation by Bragg diffraction. The contrast in the images produced is related to changes in the X-ray refractive index of the tissues, resulting in remarkable clarity compared with conventional X-ray images based on absorption effects. These changes were greatest at the boundaries between different tissues, giving a marked edge enhancement effect and three-dimensional appearance to the images. The technique provides a way of imaging a property of biological tissues not yet exploited, and further studies are planned to identify specific applications in medical imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Lewis
- Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
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38
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Tromba G, Arfelli F, Castelli E, Dreossi D, Longo R, Mancini L, Menk RH, Montanari F, Olivo A, Pani S, Rigon L, Zanini F. Phase-sensitive X-ray imaging at the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra. Acta Crystallogr A 2002. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767302087184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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39
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Olivo A, Arfelli F, Cantatore G, Longo R, Menk RH, Pani S, Prest M, Poropat P, Rigon L, Tromba G, Vallazza E, Castelli E. An innovative digital imaging set-up allowing a low-dose approach to phase contrast applications in the medical field. Med Phys 2001; 28:1610-9. [PMID: 11548930 DOI: 10.1118/1.1388219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, new imaging modalities based on the detection of weak phase perturbations effects, among which are phase contrast and diffraction imaging, have been developed by several researchers. Due to their high sensitivity to weakly absorbing details, these techniques seem to be very promising for applications in the medical field. On the other hand, digital radiology is undergoing a wide diffusion, and its benefits are presently very well understood. Up to now, however, the strong pixel size constraints associated with phase contrast pattern detection limited the possibility of exploiting the advantages of phase contrast in digital radiology applications. In this paper, an innovative setup capable of removing the pixel size constraints, and thus opening the way to low dose digital phase contrast imaging, is described. Furthermore, we introduce an imaging technique based on the detection of radiation scattered at small angles: the information extracted from the sample is increased at no dose expense. We believe that several radiological fields, mammography being the first important example, may benefit from the herein described innovative imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Olivo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste e INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Italy.
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40
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Olivo A, Rigon L, Arfelli F, Cantatore G, Longo R, Menk RH, Pani S, Prest M, Poropat P, Tromba G, Vallazza E, Castelli E. Experimental evaluation of a simple algorithm to enhance the spatial resolution in scanned radiographic systems. Med Phys 2000; 27:2609-16. [PMID: 11128314 DOI: 10.1118/1.1318219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to ensure an early diagnosis of breast cancer, an imaging system must fulfil extremely stringent requirements in terms of dynamic range, contrast resolution and spatial resolution. Furthermore, in order to reduce the dose delivered to the patient, a high efficiency of the detector device should be provided. In this paper the SYRMEP/FRONTRAD (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics/FRONTier RADiology) mammography project, based on synchroton radiation and a novel solid state pixel detector, is briefly described. Particular relevance is given to the fact that the radiographic image is obtained by means of a scanning technique, which allows the possibility of utilizing a scanning step smaller than the pixel size. With this procedure, a convolution between the real image and the detector point spread function (PSF) is actually acquired: by carefully measuring the detector PSF, it is possible to apply a post-processing procedure (filtered deconvolution), which reconstructs images with enhanced spatial resolution. The image acquisition modality and the deconvolution algorithm are herein described, and some test object images, with spatial resolution enhanced by means of the filtered deconvolution procedure, are presented. As discussed in detail in this paper, this procedure allows us to obtain a spatial resolution determined by the scanning step, rather than by the pixel size.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Olivo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste e INFN, Italy
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41
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Arfelli F, Bonvicini V, Bravin A, Cantatore G, Castelli E, Palma LD, Michiel MD, Fabrizioli M, Longo R, Menk RH, Olivo A, Pani S, Pontoni D, Poropat P, Prest M, Rashevsky A, Ratti M, Rigon L, Tromba G, Vacchi A, Vallazza E, Zanconati F. Mammography with synchrotron radiation: phase-detection techniques. Radiology 2000; 215:286-93. [PMID: 10751500 DOI: 10.1148/radiology.215.1.r00ap10286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The authors evaluated the effect on mammographic examinations of the use of synchrotron radiation to detect phase-perturbation effects, which are higher than absorption effects for soft tissue in the energy range of 15-25 keV. Detection of phase-perturbation effects was possible because of the high degree of coherence of synchrotron radiation sources. Synchrotron radiation images were obtained of a mammographic phantom and in vitro breast tissue specimens and compared with conventional mammographic studies. On the basis of grades assigned by three reviewers, image quality of the former was considerably higher, and the delivered dose was fully compatible.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Arfelli
- Depart of Physics, Università di Trieste, Italy
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42
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Arfelli F, Bonvicini V, Bravin A, Cantatore G, Castelli E, Fabrizioli M, Longo R, Olivo A, Pani S, Pontoni D, Poropat P, Prest M, Rashevsky A, Rigon L, Tromba G, Vacchi A, Vallazza E. A multilayer edge-on silicon microstrip single photon counting detector for momography mammography. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0920-5632(99)00610-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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43
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Arfelli F, Assante M, Bonvicini V, Bravin A, Cantatore G, Castelli E, Dalla Palma L, Di Michiel M, Longo R, Olivo A, Pani S, Pontoni D, Poropat P, Prest M, Rashevsky A, Tromba G, Vacchi A, Vallazza E, Zanconati F. Low-dose phase contrast x-ray medical imaging. Phys Med Biol 1998; 43:2845-52. [PMID: 9814522 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/43/10/013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Phase contrast x-ray imaging is a powerful technique for the detection of low-contrast details in weakly absorbing objects. This method is of possible relevance in the field of diagnostic radiology. In fact, imaging low-contrast details within soft tissue does not give satisfactory results in conventional x-ray absorption radiology, mammography being a typical example. Nevertheless, up to now all applications of the phase contrast technique, carried out on thin samples, have required radiation doses substantially higher than those delivered in conventional radiological examinations. To demonstrate the applicability of the method to mammography we produced phase contrast images of objects a few centimetres thick while delivering radiation doses lower than or comparable to doses needed in standard mammographic examinations (typically approximately 1 mGy mean glandular dose (MGD)). We show images of a custom mammographic phantom and of two specimens of human breast tissue obtained at the SYRMEP bending magnet beamline at Elettra, the Trieste synchrotron radiation facility. The introduction of an intensifier screen enabled us to obtain phase contrast images of these thick samples with radiation doses comparable to those used in mammography. Low absorbing details such as 50 microm thick nylon wires or thin calcium deposits (approximately 50 microm) within breast tissue, invisible with conventional techniques, are detected by means of the proposed method. We also find that the use of a bending magnet radiation source relaxes the previously reported requirements on source size for phase contrast imaging. Finally, the consistency of the results has been checked by theoretical simulations carried out for the purposes of this experiment.
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44
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Arfelli F, Bonvicini V, Bravin A, Cantatore G, Castelli E, Dalla Palma L, Di Michiel M, Longo R, Olivo A, Pani S, Pontoni D, Poropat P, Prest M, Rashevsky A, Tromba G, Vacchi A. Mammography of a phantom and breast tissue with synchrotron radiation and a linear-array silicon detector. Radiology 1998; 208:709-15. [PMID: 9722850 DOI: 10.1148/radiology.208.3.9722850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A linear-array, silicon pixel detector, capable of counting single photons, was applied to mammography by using a synchrotron radiation beam. Images were obtained of both a mammographic phantom and a breast-tissue sample. The phantom image was acquired with a mean glandular dose of 0.32 mGy. This detector combined with a synchrotron radiation beam allows acquisition of high-contrast, low-dose images of soft tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Arfelli
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Trieste, Italy
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45
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Arfelli F, Bonvicini V, Bravin A, Cantatore G, Castelli E, Palma LD, Michiel MD, Longo R, Olivo A, Pani S, Pontoni D, Poropat P, Prest M, Rashevsky A, Tromba G, Vacchi A. A linear array silicon pixel detector: images of a mammographic test object and evaluation of delivered doses. Phys Med Biol 1997; 42:1565-73. [PMID: 9279906 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/42/8/007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We present images of a mammographic test object obtained using a linear array silicon pixel detector capable of single-photon counting. The detector pixel size was 200 x 300 microns2 and images were acquired by scanning the test object between the laminar detector and the x-ray source with a scanning step of 100 microns. A molybdenum anode tube was used with two different filtrations: 2 mm aluminium and 25 microns molybdenum. Conventional film-screen images were also obtained in order to compare spatial and contrast resolution. In our digital images it is possible to recognize low-contrast details having dimensions smaller than or equal to the dimensions of details visible by means of a clinical mammographic unit. The detection of microcalcifications smaller than 150 microns was possible only when using the Mo filtration. However a copper wire of 50 microns diameter was detectable when embedded in a simulated tissue. We discuss in detail the mean glandular doses (MGDs) delivered during the image acquisition. The MGDs necessary to obtain good-quality images are always smaller than at a conventional mammographic unit. Since MGDs depend on the x-ray spectrum, the dose reduction becomes larger when the applied spectrum is harder than in film-screen acquisition (Al filtration and 35 kVp).
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Affiliation(s)
- F Arfelli
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Trieste, Italy
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