IUPUI Imaging Research Initiative

poster abstractImaging has become an essential research tool in several scientific disciplines. The IUPUI Imaging Research Initiative (IRI) has been established within the IUPUI Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) to provide the environment, infrastructure, and resources necessary for facilitating the development of new, innovative imaging-related technologies, the utilization of imaging technologies as quantitative tools for scientific research, and the dissemination of imaging technologies into the broader research and applied imaging communities. The goals of the IUPUI Imaging Research Initiative include: To develop and implement a strategic plan that will enable IUPUI to become nationally and internationally recognized as a leading institution for imaging research and its applications. To encourage and coordinate collaboration among IUPUI researchers from different disciplines in the development of new, innovative imaging technologies and the utilization of imaging resources in support of research needs. To provide advice and guidance in the realization of highly competitive large grant proposals that will support and grow the IUPUI imaging efforts into major nationally and internationally recognized programs. To determine strategic areas of strength and growth, available and needed resources, and strategic external partnerships to foster imaging research and its implementation. Imaging Research Funding Programs: In order to facilitate imaging research and its application within IUPUI, the OVCR, through the Imaging Research Initiative, has established two new programs designed to aid in the development and implementation of new, innovative imaging-related technologies: the IUPUI Graduate Student Imaging Research Fellowship (GSIRF) program and the IUPUI Imaging Technology Development Program (ITDP). The objective of the GSIRF program is to provide a source of funding for IUPUI graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree focused on imaging technology development within an interdisciplinary, collaborative, research environment. It is anticipated that this program will serve as a means to enhance multidisciplinary research activities among investigators and provide the foundation for securing additional external funding to further the new imaging technology and its utilization. The aim of the ITDP is to fund pilot projects for the development of imaging-related technologies that enhance broader, multidisciplinary, research programs. It is anticipated that these pilot projects will provide the preliminary studies needed to demonstrate the feasibility of developing and implementing the new imaging-related technology and serve as the basis for securing additional external funding sources to further the new imaging technology and its utilization. For further information regarding the IUPUI Imaging Research Initiative and its programs please visit the IRI website at http://www.imaging.iupui.edu/ or contact the IRI Council Members at [email protected]

2016 Advances in Renal Imaging Symposium

The primary objective of the “Advances in Renal Imaging” symposium is to provide a forum for nephrology researchers and imaging scientists to come together and discuss needed kidney imaging biomarkers and explore the development of imaging technologies designed to address specific renal imaging needs. The Symposium includes three sessions of oral presentations with invited speakers addressing the following general themes: 1) Need for advances in renal imaging and the identification of potential imaging biomarker targets; 2) Advances in renal microscopy methods for basic science renal research; 3) Advances in molecular, perfusion, and structural renal imaging.International Society of Nephrology; Indiana CTSI; IUPU

Sensor, Signal, and Imaging Informatics in 2017.

Objective To summarize significant contributions to sensor, signal, and imaging informatics literature published in 2017.Methods PubMed® and Web of Science® were searched to identify the scientific publications published in 2017 that addressed sensors, signals, and imaging in medical informatics. Fifteen papers were selected by consensus as candidate best papers. Each candidate article was reviewed by section editors and at least two other external reviewers. The final selection of the four best papers was conducted by the editorial board of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook.Results The selected papers of 2017 demonstrate the important scientific advances in management and analysis of sensor, signal, and imaging information.ConclusionThe growth of signal and imaging data and the increasing power of machine learning techniques have engendered new opportunities for research in medical informatics. This synopsis highlights cutting-edge contributions to the science of Sensor, Signal, and Imaging Informatics

Research Center for Quantitative Renal Imaging

poster abstractMission: The overall mission of the Research Center for Quantitative Renal Imaging is to provide a focused research environment and resource for the development, implementation, and dissemination of innovative, quantitative imaging methods designed to assess the status of and mechanisms associated with acute and chronic kidney disease and evaluate efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Nature of the Center: IUPUI has several established research programs focused on understanding the fundamental mechanisms associated with kidney diseases along with established groups of investigators dedicated to the development of advanced imaging methods and quantitative analyses. This Research Center provides a formal mechanism to link these independently successful research efforts into a focused effort dedicated toward the development and implementation of quantitative renal imaging methods. The goals of the IUPUI Research Center for Quantitative Renal Imaging are to: Identify, develop, and implement innovative imaging methods that provide quantitative imaging biomarkers for assessing and inter-relating renal structure, function, hemodynamics and underlying tissue micro-environmental factors contributing to kidney disease. Establish an environment that facilitates and encourages interdisciplinary collaborations among investigators and offers research support to investigators focused on developing and utilizing innovative quantitative imaging methods in support of kidney disease research. Provide a resource to inform the greater research and healthcare communities of advances in quantitative renal imaging and its potential for enhanced patient management and care. Offer an imaging research resource to companies engaged in product development associated with the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. Further Information: For further information regarding the IUPUI Research Center for Quantitative Renal Imaging and its funding programs please visit http://www.renalimaging.iupui.edu/ or contact the Center at [email protected]. Acknowledgments: The IUPUI Research Center for Quantitative Renal Imaging is supported by contributions from the IUPUI Signature Center Initiative, the Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences; the Division of Nephrology, the IUPUI School of Science, the IUPUI School of Engineering & Technology, and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI)

Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Sensors, Signals, and Imaging Informatics.

ObjectiveTo identify research works that exemplify recent developments in the field of sensors, signals, and imaging informatics.MethodA broad literature search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science, supplemented with individual papers that were nominated by section editors. A predefined query made from a combination of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords were used to search both sources. Section editors then filtered the entire set of retrieved papers with each paper having been reviewed by two section editors. Papers were assessed on a three-point Likert scale by two section editors, rated from 0 (do not include) to 2 (should be included). Only papers with a combined score of 2 or above were considered.ResultsA search for papers was executed at the start of January 2019, resulting in a combined set of 1,459 records published in 2018 in 119 unique journals. Section editors jointly filtered the list of candidates down to 14 nominations. The 14 candidate best papers were then ranked by a group of eight external reviewers. Four papers, representing different international groups and journals, were selected as the best papers by consensus of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook editorial board.ConclusionsThe fields of sensors, signals, and imaging informatics have rapidly evolved with the application of novel artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques. Studies have been able to discover hidden patterns and integrate different types of data towards improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. However, the quality of papers varied widely without clear reporting standards for these types of models. Nevertheless, a number of papers have demonstrated useful techniques to improve the generalizability, interpretability, and reproducibility of increasingly sophisticated models

Indiana Institute for Biomedical Imaging Sciences

poster abstractThe Indiana Institute of Biomedical Imaging Sciences (IIBIS) In-vivo Imaging Core provides Cancer Center investigators with access to state-of-the-art in-vivo imaging resources. As an integral component of an institution-wide imaging center, the core was developed through funds provided by an NCI P20 ICMIC planning grant, the Indiana 21st Century Technology Development Fund, and the Indiana Genomics Initiative (INGEN: Funded in part by the Lilly Endowment). Matching funds to develop this program were provided by the Indiana University Radiology Associates and the Indiana University School of Medicine, and IU Health. In total, nearly $40M has been raised to develop this comprehensive imaging program. The IIBIS Core will utilize resources located in three research buildings on the Indiana University School of Medicine campus. The Research Institute II building houses a Siemens HR+ PET Scanner, a Siemens Biograph 64 PET/CT Scanner, a GE 1.5T Signa MRI systems and a Siemens 3T Tim Trio MRI for human studies. Small animal imaging resources include the IndyPET III scanner, an EVS RS-9 micro CT scanner, a ART MX3 optical imaging system, and a Berthold NightOWL optical imaging system. Goodman Hall houses recently installed Siemens 3T SKYRA MRI and mCT (PET/CT) imaging systems. In addition, the Tracer and Contrast Agent Development program of the IIBIS Core is located in the Biomedical Research and Training Center building. This building houses a CTI RDS Eclipse medical cyclotron, radiochemistry laboratories, synthetic chemistry laboratories, and molecular biology and cell culture laboratories. The core has recently developed a Tracer and Contrast Validation laboratory which is housed at Research 2, and is aimed at accelerating the development of new imaging tracers. Highly skilled Faculty and Staff are available to assist with research study design, collection of imaging data, and data analysis, and model and tracer validation

Intraspecific variation in M1 enamel development in modern humans: implications for human evolution

The timing and sequence of enamel development, as well as enamel thickness, was documented for individual cusps (protoconid, hypoconid,metaconid, entoconid) in 15 unworn permanent lower first molars (M1s) from a sample of modern human juveniles. These data were compared with previously published data for modern and fossil species reported in the literature. Crown formation in all teeth was initiated in the protoconid and completed in the hypoconid. These cusps had significantly longer formation times (2.91 and 2.96 yrs, respectively) than the metaconid and entoconid (2.52 and 2.38 yrs, respectively), as well as thicker enamel, and each represented between 92e95% of the total crown formation time. Rates of enamel secretion in all cusps increased significantly from 2.97 mm in the inner enamel to 4.47 mm in the outer enamel. Two cusps of one individual were studied in more detail and did not follow this typical trajectory. Rather, there was a sharp decrease in the middle of enamel formation and then a slow recovery of secretion rates from the mid to outer enamel. This anomalous trajectory of enamel formation is discussed in the context of other nondental tissue responses to illness. Neither secretion rates nor periodicity differed significantly when compared between the cusps of each molar. Differences in cusp formation times, initiation, and completion suggest a relationship between the rates of enamel formation and enamel thickness. This fits with expectations about the mechanics of the chewing cycle and general lower molar morphology. A comparison with similar data for some nonhuman primates and fossil hominoids suggests this relationship may hold true across several primate taxa. Other aspects of enamel growth differed between this human sample and certain fossil species. The lower molars formed slowly over a longer period of time, which may reflect the extended growth period of modern humans. The methodological approach adopted in this study is discussed in the context of that used in other studies

Combining [(11)C]-AnxA5 PET imaging with serum biomarkers for improved detection in live mice of modest cell death in human solid tumor xenografts

BACKGROUND: In vivo imaging using Annexin A5-based radioligands is a powerful technique for visualizing massive cell death, but has been less successful in monitoring the modest cell death typically seen in solid tumors after chemotherapy. Here we combined dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using Annexin A5 with a serum-based apoptosis marker, for improved sensitivity and specificity in assessment of chemotherapy-induced cell death in a solid tumor model. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Modest cell death was induced by doxorubicin in a mouse xenograft model with human FaDu head and neck cancer cells. PET imaging was based on (11)C-labeled Sel-tagged Annexin A5 ([(11)C]-AnxA5-ST) and a size-matched control. 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]-FDG) was utilized as a tracer of tissue metabolism. Serum biomarkers for cell death were ccK18 and K18 (M30 Apoptosense® and M65). Apoptosis in tissue sections was verified ex vivo for validation. Both PET imaging using [(11)C]-AnxA5-ST and serum ccK18/K18 levels revealed treatment-induced cell death, with ccK18 displaying the highest detection sensitivity. [(18)F]-FDG uptake was not affected by this treatment in this tumor model. [(11)C]-AnxA5-ST gave robust imaging readouts at one hour and its short half-life made it possible to perform paired scans in the same animal in one imaging session. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The combined use of dynamic PET with [(11)C]-AnxA5-ST, showing specific increases in tumor binding potential upon therapy, with ccK18/K18 serum measurements, as highly sensitive markers for cell death, enabled effective assessment of modest therapy-induced cell death in this mouse xenograft model of solid human tumors.VetenskapsrådetPublishe