Resonance Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Resonance and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Nuclear Magnetic Resonance The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy technique that was developed by LipoScience (LipoScience, Inc., Raleigh, NC), exploits specific magnetic properties of lipoproteins. This technology does not require separation of lipoproteins; serum or plasma can be run through the NMR sensor probe and all lipoproteins can be measured directly and homogeneously. The NMR platform works by subjecting the patient sample to a pulse of radio energy within a strong magnetic field. The energy that is given off by the lipids in the sample results is a signal that can be analyzed by the instrument to determine the number and size of lipoproteins present. Lipids associated with larger lipoproteins produce a signal that is distinct from those of smaller lipoproteins. A computer algorithm developed by LipoScience deconvolutes the signals into lipoprotein subclasses and then quantifies the number of particles in each class.NMR provides a useful and novel way to quantitate lipoprotein particles. However it is currently a proprietary technology and NMR analyzers are not yet readily-available for purchase and use in smaller clinical laboratories. | View Page |
| Assessing Lipoprotein Particle Number and Size The ideal measurement of lipoproteins would entail enumerating the number of particles and describing their relative sizes. Since the amount of cholesterol varies within lipoprotein particles, simple cholesterol levels typically underestimate the number of lipoprotein particles. Technology has now been developed that utilizes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to assess lipoprotein particle number and size. The NMR instrumentation provides a direct measurement of the number and relative sizes of LDL particles. An alternative means of measuring LDL particle number is to measure apoB in LDL isolated by ultracentrifugation but this method is a more tedious process. | View Page |
| Definitive Tests for Iron Overload Measuring the amount of iron deposited in the liver is considered definitive for iron overload. This may be done by liver biopsy, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Demonstrating iron in parenchymal liver cells helps determine disease severity. Liver sections obtained by biopsy are stained with Perls Prussian blue which stains iron present in parenchymal cells. A photomicrograph of this reaction is shown.Although liver biopsy may not be necessary for diagnosing hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), it offers the advantage of detecting liver fibrosis if present. Molecular tests for mutations associated with HH are considered the gold standard of current HH testing. Liver biopsy is not needed for diagnosing all patients suspected of having HH, but may be ordered in some cases. | View Page |