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Dates: February 3rd to 6th, 2015
Organized by the SeRMN of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
This course c
ombines a comprehensive series of lectures on the technology of Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging (MRS/MRI) with hands-on laboratory sessions to provide practical demonstrations of key concepts and procedures for preclinical studies. Continue reading 9th Workshop on Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging (MRI/MRS) Applied to Laboratory Animals
“Real-time assessment of 13C metabolism reveals an early lactate increase in the brain of rats with acute liver failure” by Laia Chavarria, Jordi Romero-Giménez, Eva Monteagudo, Silvia Lope-Piedrafita, Juan Cordoba. NMR in Biomedicine (2014) 28:17-23. DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3226
Intracranial hypertension is a severe complication of acute liver failure (ALF) secondary to brain edema. The pathogenesis of cerebral edema in ALF is not clear, but seems to be related to energy metabolism in which lactate may have an important role. The aim of this study was to follow the synthesis of brain lactate using a novel in vivo metabolic technology in a rat model of ALF. Continue reading Hyperpolarized 13C Magnetic Resonance in Acute Liver Failure Rats
“A 
new ex vivo method to evaluate the performance of candidate MRI contrast agents: a proof-of-concept study” by Candiota A.P., Acosta M., Simões R.V., Delgado-Goñi T., Lope-Piedrafita S., Irure A., Marradi M., Bomatí-Miguel O., Miguel-Sancho N., Abasolo I., Schwartz S. Jr., Santamaría J., Penadés S., Arús C. J Nanobiotechnology 2014 12:12. DOI: 10.1186/1477-3155-12-12.
A new method has been developed for selecting MRI contrast agents with better expected in vivo performance. This method requires only a very small amount of contrast agent (e.g. 5 nmols/animal, 800 times less than the quantity necessary for in vivo administration) and allows to carry out a more rationally informed candidate selection, avoiding unnecessary in vivo and toxicology tests for the ex vivo poorly performing substances, consequently reducing animal needs, material consumption and overall costs. Continue reading Ex vivo method to evaluate MRI contrast agents
Next week several SeRMN members will present our research work at the Joint Annual meeting ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014 that will take place in Milan (Italy) from 10th to 16th May. Find below a summary of our contributions.
Continue reading Presentations at the Joint Annual Meeting ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014
“Factors Secreted by Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enhance Neurorepair Responses after Cerebral Ischemia in Mice” by Rosell, A., Morancho, A., Navarro-Sobrino, M., Martínez-Saez, E., Hernández-Guillamon, M., Lope-Piedrafita, S., Barceló, V., Borrás, F., Penalba, A., García-Bonilla, L., Montaner, J. PLoS ONE 8 (2013), e73244. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073244
Cell therapy with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has emerged as a promising strategy to regenerate the brain after stroke. Continue reading Stroke Therapy in Mice
Dates: 10th to 13th June 2013
Organized by the SeRMN of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
This workshop combines a comprehensive series of lectures on the technology of Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging (MRS/MRI) with hands-on laboratory sessions to provide practical demonstrations of key concepts and procedures for preclinical studies.
Whether you are considering MRI as a research tool in your lab or just would like to learn more about MRI, this workshop addresses practical aspects of experimental MRI with laboratory animals and provide valuable hands-on experience on a 7 Tesla Bruker BioSpec spectrometer.
Number of participants will be limited to 4.
For the registration, please fill the Registration Form and email it to (registration deadline ends May 27st)
See Workshop Brochure for more information or contact Dra. Silvia Lope.
“Brain magnetic resonance in experimental acute-on-chronic liver failure” by L. Chavarria, M. Oria, J. Romero-Giménez, J. Alonso, S. Lope-Piedrafita, and J. Cordoba.
Liver International 33 (2013) 294-300. DOI: 10.1111/liv.12032
Liver failure causes brain edema that can lead to intracranial hypertension and death. It is currently uncertain whether this water accumulation is predominantly intracellular or extracellular, something important to determine in order to apply the most adequate therapeutic measures. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the neurological manifestations occurring in an experimental acute-on-chronic liver failure rat model that combines sustained liver injury with a factor inducing an inflammatory response.
Continue reading Brain magnetic resonance in liver failure
“Dilated cardiomyopathy and mitochondrial dysfunction in Sirt1-deficient mice: A role for Sirt1-Mef2 in adult heart”
by A. Planavila, E. Dominguez, M. Navarro, M. Vinciguerra, R. Iglesias, M. Giralt, S. Lope-Piedrafita, J. Ruberte, F. Villarroya. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 53 (2012) 521-531. DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2012.07.019
The protein deacetylase Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) is involved in the cardiac hypertrophic responses and cardiac embryo morphogenesis. However, the physiological function of Sirt1 deficiency in the postnatal development of the heart remains to be characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of Sirt1 in the development and function of the myocardium by using complementary techniques, such as gene expression, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, histological and electron microscopy examinations, and in vivo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Continue reading Cardiac MRI of the Sirt1-deficient mouse heart
“Dimeth
yl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a potential contrast agent for brain tumors”, by Delgado-Goñi T, Martín-Sitjar J, Simões RV, Acosta M, Lope-Piedrafita S, Arús C.; NMR in Biomedicine. 2012.DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2832.
Identifying the type of brain tumor helps doctors determine the most appropriate course of treatment. Brain tumor diagnosis usually involves a neurological examination, brain scans, and/or an analysis of the brain tissue. Nowadays, the biopsy, although it is a very invasive procedure, is the most accurate method of obtaining a diagnosis. Continue reading DMSO as a magnetic resonance contrast agent for brain tumors
“Efficient γ-amino-proline-derived cell penetrating peptide-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle conjugates via aniline-catalyzed oxime chemistry as bimodal imaging nanoagents”, by Cavalli S, Carbajo D, Acosta M, Lope-Piedrafita S, Candiota AP, Arús C, Royo M, Albericio F; Chem. Commun 48 (2012) p. 5322. DOI: 10.1039/C2CC17937G
Recent advances in nanotechnology have offered new opportunities for detection, prevention, and treatment of different diseases. In this respect engineered superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) represent an advanced tool in nanomedicine because they can be loaded in a multiple and orthogonal way with drugs and probes in order to simultaneously act as molecular imaging agents and drug carriers. Continue reading Novel MRI contrast agents: peptide-SPION conjugates