Intera achieva 3.0 mr scanner

X-ray and MRI were conducted 8 weeks after modeling. X-ray was taken for rat tails, and radiographs were measured to acquire disc height using ImageJ. The disc height was expressed as the DHI based on the method of Masuda et al. [75 (link)]. The average DHI was calculated by averaging the measured disc heights obtained from the anterior, middle, and posterior portions of the intervertebral disc degeneration and divided by the average of adjacent vertebral body heights. MRI was taken using a 3.0-T Intera Achieva 3.0 MR scanner (Philips) to acquire T2-weighted MR images. Imaging protocol is as follows: spin echo repetition time, 2,700 ms; echo time, 99 ms; number of excitations, 8; field of view, 5 cm; slice thickness, 1.5 mm. Three surgeons who were blinded to animal treatment history assessed degree of disc degeneration using the Pfirrmann scale [76 (link)], which is based on structure, signal intensity distribution, and height of the intervertebral disc (with grade I indicating least degeneration and grade V most severe degeneration)

The rat tails were imaged using a 3.0T Intera Achieva 3.0 MR scanner (Philips) to acquire T2-weighted MR images, which is the most common MR sequence used for clinical assessment of the intervertebral disc 40 (link). Imaging protocol: spin echo repetition time, 2700 ms; echo time, 99 ms; number of excitations, 8; field of view, 5 cm; slice thickness, 1.5 mm. A surgeon who is blinded to animal treatment history assessed the degree of disc degeneration using the Pfirrmann scale (Table S5), which is based on structure, signal intensity distribution, and height of the intervertebral disc (with grade I indicating least degeneration and grade V most severe degeneration) 40 (link).