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Oak-Hill GeorgicPatch-Work Laboratory


The study of life is watching theDance of Water Molecules.

Carlton F. Hazlewood, Ph. D.,

a great researcher of water
in living systems, told us.



‚­‚Ê‚¬ŽRŒuጤ‹†Š




@”­•\ƒŠƒXƒg@@i2000”NˆÈ~j@                                                                                       @@@@@@@@

Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2018) Uptake and Transport of Manganese Ion in Relation to the Positions of a Root for Pea Plant Observed by Micro-
magnetic Resonance Imaging.
American Journal of Biology and Life Sciences 6(1), 8-13.

Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2016) Water status in differently watered gelatinized rice (ƒ¿-rice), dried rice grains after boiling and steaming, observed
by micro-magnetic resonance imaging.  
American Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Research 3(6), 154-161.

Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2016)  Water entry for the black locust (Robinia pseudoacaciaL.) seeds observed by dedicated micro-
magneticresonance imaging.Journal of Plant Research Springer: Online First  DOI: 10.1007/s10265-016-0823-2


Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2015) Tracking manganese ion uptake and transport by the root system of broad bean plants by micro-
magneticresonance imaging.  
American Journal of Biology and Life Sciences 3(4), 102-107.

Kano H.  & Koizumi M. (2014) Seasonal changes in the dynamic state of water for excised cherry branches (Prunus lannesiana) observed using
dedicated micro-magnetic resonance imaging.  Plant  2(6), 60-67.

Kano H.  & Koizumi M. (2014) Dynamic state of water in excised Ligustrum lucidum branches observed by dedicated micro-magnetic
resonanceimaging.  
Plant  2(3), 33-40.

Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2014) Lens: Water channel for dry broad bean seeds at germination observed by micro-magnetic resonance imaging.  
American Journal of Biology and Life Sciences 2(2), 37-40.

Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2014) Water entry in dry soybeans at imbibition observed by dedicated micro-magnetic resonance imaging.  
AmericanJournal of Biology and Life Sciences 2(1), 6-11.

¬ò”ü, Žë–ìL”ü (2012)  ‰i‹vŽ¥Î‚̬Œ^MRI‚Æ‘š~‚è‹“÷. H•iH‹Æ  55(12), 63-75.

Haishi T., Koizumi H., Arai T., Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2011) Rapid detection of infestation of apple fruits by the peach fruit moth,Carposina  
sasakiiMatsumura, larvae using a 0.2-T dedicated magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.  Applied Magnetic Resonance  (online first)

Koizumi M., Ihara F., Yaginuma K., KanoH. & Haishi T. (2010) Observation of the peach fruit moth,  Carolina sasakii, larvae in young apple fruit  
by dedicated micro-magnetic resonance imaging.  Journal of Insect Science  10:145, available online: DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1673/031.010.
14105

”qŽt’q”V, ¬ò”Ž, Vˆä•ü“¿, ¬ò”ü, Žë–ìL”ü (2009)  0.2T¬Œ^Ž¥‹C‹¤–ƒCƒ[ƒWƒ“ƒO‘•’u(MRI)‚É‚æ‚郊ƒ“ƒS‰ÊŽÀ‚É‚¨‚¯‚郂ƒ‚ƒVƒ“ƒNƒCƒKH
“üŠQ‚ÌŠÏ‘ª.  
“ú–{¶‘ÔŠw‰ïŽ  59, 249-257.

¬ò”ü, “à“¡¬O, Žë–ìL”ü, ”qŽt’q”V (2009) H•iŒ¤‹†—p¬Œ^MRI‚É‚æ‚éƒLƒ…ƒEƒŠ‚̊ɘaŽžŠÔ‹­’²ƒCƒ[ƒW.  “ú–{H•i‰ÈŠwHŠw‰ïŽ  56,  
146-154.


•yŠ~””n, ”qŽt’q”V, ˆäŒ´Žj—Y, Vˆä•ü“¿, –öÀŸ•F, ¬ò”ü, Žë–ìL”ü (2009)  0.2TƒRƒ“ƒpƒNƒgMRI‚ƃŠƒ“ƒS. H•iH‹Æ  52(16), 66-76.

ˆäŒ´Žj—Y, –öÀŸ•F, ΓcMº, ¬ò”ü (2008 ) ¬Œ^Ž¥‹C‹¤–ƒCƒ[ƒWƒ“ƒO‘•’u(MRI)‚É‚æ‚郊ƒ“ƒS—c‰Ê‚ÉH“ü‚µ‚½ƒ‚ƒ‚ƒVƒ“ƒNƒCƒK—c’Ž‚ÌŒŸo.  
“ú–{‰ž—p“®•¨©’ŽŠw‰ïŽ  52, 123-128.

Koizumi M., Kikuchi K., Isobe S., Ishida N., Naito S.& Kano H. (2008) Role of seed coat in imbibing soybean seeds observed by micro-magnetic  
resonance imaging.  
Annals of Botany  102, 343-352.

Koizumi M., Naito S., Ishida N., Haishi T. & Kano H. (2008) A dedicated MRI for food science and agriculture.  Food Science and Technology  
Research  
14, 74-82.


¬ò”ü, ŒÜ\•”½ˆê˜Y, Žë–ìL”ü, ”qŽt’q”V ( 2008)  ƒRƒ“ƒpƒNƒgMRI‚É‚æ‚é—â“€H•i‚̉𓀉ߒö -—â“€“Ø“÷‚Æ—â“€‹“÷-. H•iH‹Æ51(24),  
62-74.


¬ò”ü, “à“¡¬O, ΓcMº, ”qŽt’q”V, Žë–ìL”ü  (2008)  ƒRƒ“ƒpƒNƒgMRI‚Æ…•ª‚Ì­‚È‚¢H•i -ƒpƒ“‚Ɖَq—Þ-.  H•iH‹Æ  54(4),39-49.

¬ò”ü, ŒÜ\•”½ˆê˜Y, “à“¡¬O, ΓcMº, ‹e’nˆè, Žë–ìL”ü (2007)  ‘哤‚Ì‹z…‚É‚¨‚¯‚é‚ ‚é–â‘è(1) ’·Šú•Û‘¶‘哤‚Ì“à—e•¨˜Ro, ‹z…•s
—Ç‹y‚Ñ–c•s—ǂ̉ðŒˆ.  “ú–{ø‘¢‹¦‰ïŽ  102(7), 533-546.


¬ò”ü, ŒÜ\•”½ˆê˜Y, “à“¡¬O, ΓcMº, ‹e’nˆè, Žë–ìL”ü  (2007)  ‘哤‚Ì‹z…‚É‚¨‚¯‚é‚ ‚é–â‘è(2) ’·Šú•Û‘¶‘哤‚Ì“à—e•¨˜Ro, ‹z…
•s—Ç‹y‚Ñ–c•s—ǂ̉ðŒˆ.  “ú–{ø‘¢‹¦‰ïŽ  102(8),594-603.


Koizumi M., Naito S., Haishi T., Utsuzawa S., Ishida N. & Kano H. (2006) Thawing of frozen vegetables observed by a small dedicated MRI for  
food research.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging  24, 1111-1119.


Kikuchi K., Koizumi M., Ishida N. & Kano H. (2006)  Water uptake by dry beans observed by micro-magnetic resonance imaging.  Annals of  
Botany  
98,545-553.


¬ò”ü, Žë–ìL”ü, “à“¡¬O, ΓcMº, “c’†Œhˆê  (2006)  ‰ÊŽÀ‚Ì•Û‘¶‚ÆŽ¥‹C‹¤–‰摜–@.  “ú–{H•i‰ÈŠwHŠw‰ïŽ  53, 237-247.

¬ò”ü, “à“¡¬O, Žë–ìL”ü, ΓcMº, ”qŽt’q”V (2006) ƒRƒ“ƒpƒNƒgMRI‚Æ”[“¤. H•iH‹Æ  49(8),57-71.

Naito S., Fukami S., Mizokami Y., Hirose R., KawashimaK., Takano H., Ishida N., Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2005) The effect of gelatinized starch on
baking bread.  Food Science and Technology Research  11, 194-201.

¬ò”ü, Žë–ìL”ü, “à“¡¬O, ΓcMº, ”qŽt’q”V (2005)  ƒRƒ“ƒpƒNƒgMRI‚É‚æ‚é—â“€H•i‚̉𓀉ߒö -–ìØ-. H•iH‹Æ  48(22), 56-72.

Naito S., Fukami S., Mizokami Y., Ishida N., Takano H.,Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2004)  Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the gluten fibrils and  
crumb  grain structures on breads made from frozen doughs.  Cereal Chemistry  81, 80-86.

Ishida N., Naito S. & Kano H. (2004) Loss of moisture from harvested rice seeds on MRI.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging  22, 871-875.

“à“¡¬O, [ŠCV“ñ, aã‘×”V, Žë–ìL”ü, ΓcMº, ‚–씎K (2004) ƒpƒ“‚Ì‹C–AEŒ„‚ðŽx‚¦‚é”÷׃Oƒ‹ƒeƒ“–Ô‚ÌSEM‚É‚æ‚éŠÏŽ@. H•iH‹Æ47
(4).

Naito S., Ishida N., Takano H., Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2003) Routine evaluation of the grain structures of baked breads by MRI.  Food Science  
and Technology Research  9(2),155-161.

Takano H., Naito S., Ishida N., Koizumi M. & KanoH. (2002)  Fermentation process and grain structure of baked breads from frozen dough  using
freeze-tolerant yeasts.  Journal of Food Science  67(7), 2725-2733.

Takano H., Ishida N., Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2002)  Imaging of the fermentation process of bread dough and the grain structure of baked  breads
by magnetic resonance imaging..Journal of Food Science  67(1), 244-250.

‚–씎K, “à“¡¬O, Žë–ìL”ü, ΓcMº (2002) MRI‚ÅŒ©‚½ƒpƒ““à‘Š‚Ì–Ô–Ú\‘¢. H•iH‹Æ  45(8), 55-76.

Ishida N., Takano H., Naito S., Isobe S., Uemura K.,Haishi T., Kose K., Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2001) Architecture of baked breads depicted by a  
magnetic resonance imaging.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging  19, 867-874.

Ishida N., Isobe S., Ogawa H., Koizumi M., Kano H. &Hazlewood C.F. (2001)  Ontogenetic changes of water states and structural organization  in  
growing kidney beans; parameter-imaging based on the diffusion measurements.Cellular and Molecular Biology  47(5), 935-946.

ΓcMº, Žë–ìL”ü (2001) NMRƒCƒ[ƒWƒ“ƒO‚É‚æ‚éH•i¬•ª‚Ì•ªÍ. ‚Ô‚ñ‚¹‚«  2001. 2,78-82.

Koizumi M., Ishida N. & Kano H. (2000)  Postharvest fruits and MRI.Current Topics in Plant Biology  2, 1-20.

Ishida N., Koizumi M. & Kano H. (2000) The NMR microscope: a unique and promising tool for plant science.  Annals of Botany  86, 259-278.

Kobayashi M., Oh-oka H., Akutsu S., Akiyama M., Tominaga K., Kise H., Nishida F., WatanabeT., Amesz J., Koizumi M, Ishida N. & Kano H.(2000)  
The primary electron acceptor of green sulfur bacteria, bacteriochlorophyll 663, is chlorophyll  aesterified with  Δ2, 6- phytadienol.  
Photosynthesis Research63,269-280.

ΓcMº, ¬ò”ü, ¬ìGŽŸ˜Y, Žë–ìL”ü (2000)  ƒ~ƒNƒMRI‚ÆH•i‰ÈŠw.  “ú–{H•i‰ÈŠwHŠw‰ïŽ  47(6), 407-423.

Isobe S., Ishida N., Koizumi M., Kano H. & Hazlewood C.F. (1999)  Effect of electricfield on physical states of cell-associated water in  
germinating morning glory seeds observed by1H-NMR.  Biochimica et Biophysica Acta1426, 17-31.





The study of life is watching theDance of Water Molecules@@@@@@@@

  Water is the most abundant compound in living systems, and can be accounts for more than 85% of the fresh  
weight of plant tissues. The water content is closely related to cell activity as it is the primary matrix for metabolic  
reactions. Cell-associated water is necessary for transport of substances and O2to reaction sites, and for the  
removal of  CO2and products from reaction sites. Moreover, dispersal of heat generated by metabolism is also  
mediated by water movement. Thus movement of cell-associated water controls the metabolic rate. However, since  
heat generated by metabolism accelerate water motion, metabolic activity affects the water transport rate through  a  
feed-back mechanism. Cell-associated water moves within an area surrounded by cell membranes and interacts  with
cell-constituents, and cell-organisation. Macro-molecules in cells regulate the movement of water while  functional
actions of cell structures promote it. Hence, all physiological events are integrated on the physical state  of cell-
associated water.
   Dr. Hazlewood, a prominent researcher of water in living systems, told us that the study of life is watching the  
gDance of Water Moleculesh, which he at a young age, heard from Dr. Szent-GyÖrgyi.

    Since the properties of solution in tissues are rarely maintained when the structures are disrupted for analysis,  
non-destructive observation is essential for investigation of cell-associated water. Magnetic resonance imaging  
(MRI) non-destructively detects mobile compounds such as water, oils and solutes in tissues and measures the  
physical conditions of the nuclear spins of an objective atom (usually proton) in a defined small picture element  
(PIXEL) and aligns the signals along the order of the picture elements to create an image on a computer, which  
presents anatomy of a living system. Therefore, it is a powerful means of studying water in living systems.

    Since all cellular events relate to the physical states of cell-associated water, we can map the fluctuating  
conditionin cells by means of characterising the physical states of cell-associated water by MRI. Cultured cells in  
which the movement of water is fast, grow fast, and the cells in which the movement of water is slow show  
suppressed growth (Damadian, 1971; Hazlewood et al., 1972). This fact is used for the detection of cancer cells by  
MRI in medical diagnosis.

   This is the case in plants. The mobility of water molecules in the leaves of living plants is regulated by  
physiological conditions and is affected by temperature when tissue is damaged (Kaku and Iwaya-Inoue, 1987). A  
fraction of liquid water, sometimes called vital water, is associated with the living condition and if this fraction is  
either withdrawn from the protoplasm or frozen, the tissue is damaged (Burke et al.,1974). Free water appears at  the  
breaking of dormancy in the leaf buds of apple tree (Faust et al., 1991; Liu et al., 1993). These are results  obtainedby
nuclear magnetic resonance which is the base of MRI signal, and also by MRI.

   In the similar way, our researches have been focused on finding interrelation between the physical states of cell-
associated water and physiological conditions of tissues for agricultural plants. Besides, we are intending to  introduce
an MRI apparatus equipped with a small permanent magnet, the operation system of which is written by  Windows for
personal computer, to plant science. The device is maintenance-free, energy-saving and easy operable  for personal
use, therefore, it will be a help to explore new application of MRI for life science. Our works are listed   above.

     References
      Damadian R., 1971. Tumor detection by nuclear magnetic resonance.Science171: 1151-1153.
      Hazlewood CF,Chang DC,Medina D,Cleveland G, Nichols BI. 1972. Distinction between the preneoplastic and neoplastic state of murin
          mammary glands.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA  69: 1478-1480.
      Kaku S, Iwaya-Inoue M. 1987. Estimation of chilling sensitivity and injury in gloxinia leaves by the thermal hysteresis of NMR relaxation
          times of water protons.Plant and Cell Physiology28: 509-516.
      Burke MJ, Bryant RG, Weiser CJ. 1974.Nuclear magnetic resonance of water in cold acclimating red osier dogwood stem.Plant  
          Physiology54: 392-398.
      Faust M, Liu D, Millard MM, Stutte GW.1991. Bound versus free water in dormant apple buds - thory for endo-dormancy.  
         HortScience  26: 887-890.
      Liu D, Faust M, Millard MM,Line MJ, Stutte GW. 1993. State of water in summer-dormant apple buds determined by proton magnetic
          resonance imaging.Journal of theAmerican Society for Horticultural Science118: 632-637.





@Dedicated MRI@@@@@@

 First, we will state about lightly equipped MRI apparatuses. The small size and the orientation for personal use are  
trends in modern science and technology similar to notebook computers or mobile phone. Easy operation and low-
maintenance are other trends in modern society. In this context, we devised small dedicated MRI apparatuses. We  
hope that the devices are useful for agricultural research and plant science, and also exploring new applications of  
MRI in many research fields.
  Our works of MRI were initiated at 1987 by using an imaging attachment for a high resolution NMR spectrometer  
consisting of a superconducting magnet operating at 270 MHz for proton (devised by Mr. Ogawa of JEOL). We were  
intending to apply NMR and MRI for agricultural technology and plant science. In the progression of the research,  we  
had a chance to read a paper describing a small dedicated MRI using 0.1-T resistive magnets by  Constantinesco et
al. (1997; Strasbourg, France), who are now active for developing dedicated MRI apparatuses with  very low-field  
magnets for molecular imaging of small animals. The paper introduced us to the world of small MRI.



1.  1.0-T MRI apparatus

  Research of dedicated MRI apparatuses started at 2003 in the project of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and  
Fisheries for their support in constructing a small MRI through the Technological Development Program for gMaking  
agribusiness in the form of utilizing concentrated know-how from private sectorh. A small MRI apparatus was  
constructed based on the MRI system devised by Haishi et al. (2001) (MRTechnology, Tsukuba), which was a small  
proton MRI spectrometer. A permanent magnet of 1.0-T field strength made of Nd-Fe-B magnetic metals (NEOMAX  
Engineering Co., Ltd., Gunma) was used, and solenoid coil detector and gradient circuits were equipped. The  concept  
of the device was not mobile, compact or specialized apparatus but one which can be used in a clean,  cosy  and
casual space just by the desk, such as personal computers.
  The followings were introduced to overcome the defects associated with common small MRI apparatuses and to  
make the apparatus usable for various materials employed in food and agricultural products. The magnet used was  
stronger than similar small MRI system using a 0.1-T resistive magnet devised by Dr. Constantinesco above  
mentioned. A stronger magnetic field was advantageous for detecting weak signals and for obtaining good quality  
images with adequate spatial resolution. For the current development of the small MRI, NMR lock system was  
employed and besides NEOMAX Co., Ltd. provided newly devised temperature stabilizer for suppressing drifts in the  
magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet due to fluctuations in the ambient temperature. Another point  was  
that the second order shim apparatus was equipped, although, ordinarily, the offset current supplied for the  gradient
circuits in the detector could be used as an effective shim for minimizing inhomogeneity in the magnetic  field. Such
improvements in accessories for imaging enabled us to configure small, light-weight and easily operable  MRI
apparatus.


Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus made; it is composed of a  small permanent magnet of 60~40 cm2and 40 cm high  with  a 60-mm pole gap (approximately 300 kg in weight) (Left), an  MRI spectrometer with dimensions of 60 cm  square and  80cm high (100 kg in weight) (Centre), and  console display  consisting of liquid-crystal screen with a  keyboard and a  mouse (Right). A detachable, high-frequency  sweeper for  adjusting the resonating frequency  is used to operate the  apparatus. The resonance  frequency  for proton is 42.58  MHz. The apparatus is  located in a lightly air-conditioned  research room at 25Ž.
   The operating system was built on a personal computer  using Microsoft Windows 98 (MicrosoftJapan,Tokyo). A  pulse  sequence is written as a text file and complied.   Floatingpoint(4 byte, Windows) image data are acquired and  Fouriertransformed to 16 bit-unsigned, little endian  byte  orderformat for display.


Figure 2 shows the layout around the magnet (A) and a  detector (B) with a solenoid coil of 30 mm in inner diameter  (C) and with a sample holder of disposable plastic test tube.The temperature of the magnet is usually kept at 28Ž, 3  degrees higher than the room temperature.Therefore, the  temperature of the measurement cell is maintained at the  same temperature. The system depicts the inside  organization of agricultural crops and food materials of less  size than 30-mm cubic (gradient magnetic field strengths; Gx=40 mT/M; Gy=35 mT/m; and Gz=52 mT/m) (Koizumi et al.,  2006).
 In addition, a detector with 20-mm solenoid coil was made.
Figure 3 is the images of a small onion before (top; C) and  after (bottom; F) shooting measured by using the 30-mm  probe. A and D areT1-value images calculated based on  series of several  T1-weighted 2D images, and B and E are  MIP images from 3D morphological image data.  T1-value  images and MIP images were constructed using the facility  ofImageJ program [public domain Java image processing  program (ver. 1.33); available on the Internet at http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/].
   TheT1-value images indicate that the shoot was small,  scale leaves were tight, vascular bundles were thin and  T1-values of the scale leaves were high before shooting, while  the shoot grew, scale leaves shrunk, vascular bundles  became bold and  T1-values in parts of scale leaves declined  after shooting. Such physiological changes in the bulb were  well drawn by MIP images; signals of small shoot and roots  were weak before shooting while they were intensified, in  consequence, the architecture of vasculature were clearly  visualized after shooting.

Figure 4 shows the micrographs of vasculature of a  cucumber fruit (top; A and B), and aT1-weighted (bottom; C)  and  T2-weighted (bottom; D) images. There are several  layers of phloem cells in both inner and outer sides of large  apoplastic xylem vessels on the optical micrographs. The  morphology of vasculature corresponds to the facts thatT1-weighted image intensified xylem vessels at the center of  thevasculature, whileT2-weighted images showed phloem  cellsaligned in dual rows (Koizumi et al., 2009). Water  mobilityinphloem cells was high and that in xylem vessels  was low.Physical state of cell-associated water  discriminatedphysiologically differentiated cells in the  vasculature.

Figure 5 presents the slice images (top) of packed silica gels  (A type), mean pore size of which is 24ð with various  watercontents. Measurements of the images were carried  out bythe 3D gradient-echo method using the 20-mm  probe.Signals were detected if the water content exceeded  15%ofdry weight by single transient acquisition. Intensity  of  FIDsignals of wet gels showed almost linear relation  with  watercontent. The apparatus of low magnetic field  can  detectsignals from the materials containing small   amount ofwater,since in the low magnetic fields,T2decay  of signal isslowerthan in the high magnetic fields (Koizumi   et al., 2009).Thismay have positive effect in obtaining   intense signals by 1.0-T small MRI.



The 1.0-T small MRI apparatus is stable and suitable for the  measurement of physical state of water in plant cells.  Hence,  it may be a good tool for watching the dance,  dynamic changes of water molecules in living systems.


 References
   Constantinesco A, Choquet P,Cauffet G, Fournier JM, Ravier S, Drillon
      JM, Aubert G. 1997. Low-field dedicated and desktop magnetic
      resonance imaging systems for agricultural and food applications.
     Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry35: S69-S75.
   Haishi T, Uematsu T, Matsuda Y,Kose K. 2001. Development of a 1.0 T
      microscope using a Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet.  Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging  19: 875-880.
   Koizumi M, Naito S, Haishi T,Utsuzawa S, Ishida N, Kano H. 2006
      Thawing of frozen vegetables observed by a small dedicated MRI for
      food research.Magnetic Resonance Imaging24: 1111-1119.
   Koizumi M, Naito S, Ishida N, Haishi T, Kano H. 2009. Examination of
      the tissue water in cucumber fruit by small dedicated magnetic
      resonance imaging with a 1-T permanent magnet.Nippon Shokuhiun
     Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi56: 146-154(in Japanese with English
      abstract).



2. Other MRI apparatuses with wide gaps

  The field of view (FOV) of the 1.0-T apparatus is restricted within 30 mm, though it has high resolution. The  apparatuses that could be used for larger materials had been required from the beginning of the project. Hence, we  constructed another MRI apparatus equipped with a 0.2-T permanent magnet. This enabled us to examine  agriculturalproducts and foods 100-mm in size. The device has benefits as well as the 1.0-Tapparatus; it is small,  light,maintenance-free, required little electric power (e.g., 100 V at 15 A), easy to operate, and can be placed  anywhereresearchers desired.


Figure 1 is the apparatus equipped with a magnet of  50~50  cm2and 75 cm high (500 kg in weight), which has a 160-mmpole gap (Left). The resonating frequency is 8.9 MHz for  proton. The magnet of Nd-Fe-B blocks (NEOMAX  Engineering Co., Ltd., Gunma), was also specially designed  forthe apparatus. The magnet is equipped with gradient  coils  which functions as the first-order SHIM (a system  shimmingthe magnetic field), though the second order  SHIMwasadditionally designed.
  The MRI spectrometer (MRTechnology, Inc., Tsukuba) is  a  new model, and is 60 cm square and 80 cm high (100 kg in  weight) (Right) with a rack-mounted PC running the  WindowsXP-SP3 operating system (Microsoft Japan,Tokyo).Theconsole display, mouse, and keyboard are placed on the  spectrometer, making the apparatus compact enough to be  set in a space of  2 m2.

Figure 2 presents the layout of the magnet (A) and  detectors(B|E). Poles of the magnet (b and c) are  sustained by iron-yokes (d), which are joined by two iron  bridges (f) atthebottom. Therefore, the direction of the  magnetic fieldishorizontal (denoted as the Z-axis). The  temperaturearoundthe whole magnetis maintained at 29Ž  with acontroller toprevent any shift of resonating radio  frequencyand tostabilise the signal. There is a wide gap (h; 160-mm)betweenthe poles exposed to ambient air,  therefore, thetemperatureof the measurement cell is near  roomtemperature.
  Four detectors are built. A 110-mm diameter solenoid  coildetector (B) and a 165 mm~90 mm oval solenoid coil  detector (C) are used for 3D measurements; these have  specific housings to shield them from external radio-frequency energy. The FOV is 110 mm cubic and the  maximum magnitudes of the gradient magnetic field are Gx=4.9 mT/m, Gy=8.4 mT/m, and Gz=8.4 mT/m.
  A short solenoid coil detector that is 94 mm in diameter  and 35 mm in length which is composed of four turns (D),  as  well as a surface coil detector of four loops with 75 mm  innerdiameter and 5 mm thickness (E) are prepared. These  arespecially designed for improving sensitivity around the  imaging slice by narrowing the diameter and shortening the  length of the coils based on the results of Hoult and  Richards (1976). These detectors are placed in a common  oval housing and shielded from external radio-frequency  energy. The former has a Q of 170 (at|3 dB), and the  latter  has a Q of 155 (at|3dB) when conductance is  adjusted to50ƒ¶.

Figure 3 is the images of an apple fruit infested by peach  fruit moth larvae measured by the 3D spin-echo method  using the 110-mm probe (Haishi et al., 2009). The fruits  size  was approximately 100 mm in diameter (A). Spin-echo  method provided clear images in contour and with many  gradein gray scale although it took long measurement  times  (B). Amature larva just leaving the fruit was  detected  inlargelyinfested holes and accumulated excreta  with strongsignalswere detected (C).

Figure 4 illustrates the freezing system for materials during  measurements designed by Mr. Masaki (Akitsu Keisoku Ltd.,Tokyo) (A). Temperature of nitrogen gas was lowered by  passing through a radiator chilled by solid carbon-dioxide in  ablue box, then accurately controlled temperature in the  regulation box attached below and sent to the  measurement  cell in the oval probe (B). Temperature of  gas  stream was  lowered down to|50Ž at entrance into  the cell.

Figure 5 indicates the changes in images of a freezing  mandarin orange exposed to thin stream of cold nitrogen  gas.Measurements were carried out underT2-weighted  conditionby the 2D spine-echo method and it took for 9  min  a image.Juice vesicles inside fruits disappeared at the  position wherecold gas stream was passing, in accordance  with time.

Figure 6 compares theT1-values of a Kinki or Kichiji fish of  raw (A) and freeze-thawed (B) conditions. Since this fish is  said to be tolerant to freezing, there seemed no obvious  difference onT1images between the two conditions,  however,discrepancies were detected on the distributions  of  T1values. The histograms of  T1value showed skewed  distribution at the longer ends. The averageT1value shifted  longer side and the shape of histogram more skewed after  freeze-thawing.


The 0.2-T MRI apparatus has not been fully characterized,  orthere are several subjects to be solved in stability, while,  thedevice was confirmed to be rather sensitive in  acquisitionofsignals and to provide clear morphological  images formanyagricultural materials.
   There was a restriction of the load-bearing limit in  weightin construction of the apparatus; therefore, magneticfieldstrengths had to belowered in trade with   widening of  air-gapof the magnet. Therefore, the  orientation of the  smalldedicated MRI apparatuses equipped  with permanent  magnets are not agree with the concept of  micro-imaging  apparatuses that high magnetic field is  advantageous for  obtaining intense signals from small voxels and thus can  obtain good quality images. The limited  sensitivity from low  magnetic field is  intended to  overcome  by highly  stabilizing  magnetic field to lower noise  level  where slowerT2-decay  of  signals in the low magnetic  fields  (Donker et al., 1996;  Koizumi et al., 2009) may be a  help for  attaining  high signal  to noise ratio. In this context,  a  main  subject  is  minimizing  the change in the magnetic field  strength  duetothe  fluctuation of room temperature, for  which new  approach  have to be considered.
  We hope this type of apparatus will be successfully developed as a means for studying water state of living  systems.


 References
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     Magn. Reson. Imaging14: 1205-1215.
    Haishi T, Koizumi H, Arai T, Koizumi M, Kano H. 2009. Non-invasive observations of an infestation by the peach fruit moth,  Carposina
     sasakii  Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae) in apples using a 0.2-T compact MRI system.Japanese Journal of Ecology59: 249-257
       (in Japanese with English abstract).
    Hoult DI, Richards RE. 1976.Journal of Magnetic Resonance  24: 71-85.
    Koizumi M, Isobe S, Haishi T, Kano H. Thawing of frozen fishes observed by 0.2-T MRI. Annual meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience,
       Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry, Fukuoka, pp. 78, 2009. 3. (in Japanese)
    Koizumi M, Naito S, Kano H, Haishi T. 2009. Examination of the tissue water in cucumber fruit by small dedicated magnetic resonance
       imaging with a 1-T permanent magnet.Nippon Shokuhin Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi  56: 146-154 (in Japanese with English abstract).