基于高夹角分辨率扩散磁振造影神经径路追踪的人脑语言机率路径图谱

大脑皮质内部的联系神经束,对于大脑皮质之间的信息传递担任非常重要的角色.传统的语言模型理论提出人类的2个主要语言中枢分别位于大脑皮质的左侧额下回的布罗卡区域(Broca’s area,BA44andBA45)以及颞上回处的维尼基区域(Wernicke’s area,BA22),而联系这2个区域的纤维束,也就是弓状束(arcuate fasciculus).另外,近期研究也发现下顶叶(inferior parietal cortex,BA39and BA40)在语音处理历程具重要性.扩散磁振造影(Diffu-sionMRI)可以提供大脑白质精细的组织结构,配合神经径路追踪(tractography)便能撷取出复杂的神经纤维连结路径.该研究利用扩散磁振影像中的高夹角分辨率扩散磁振造影(high angular resolution diffusion imaging)与神经径路追踪技术,呈现与语言相关的大脑机率神经连结路径(probabilistic language pathway).     

基于大脑模板的MRI扫描自动定位方法

在大脑磁共振成像(MRI)影像学的数据采集中,通常先扫描一幅定位图像,并根据解剖学先验知识手动调整合适的扫描定位参数,再进行后续的正式扫描.该文实现了一种直接以大脑模板为参照的自动定位的方法:首先采集一幅中等分辨率的快速三维定位图像,然后通过与模板的配准确定定位参数,并应用到后续序列的扫描,以保证不同被试在图像采集时采用与模板一致的空间定位.该方法一方面便于不同被试的图像数据之间进行系统性比较与参照,帮助诊断者快速定位病灶,也可在后续常用的基于体素分析过程最大化数据的利用效率.另一方面,针对单个体多次扫描之间的自动定位,该文进一步使用迭代方法,通过多次"扫描、配准、自动定位"步骤,逐步减小图像配准算法的误差.实验证明,该文基于大脑模板的自动定位方法能够确保不同被试之间和同一被试之内在图像数据采集时的空间定位高度一致性,其中同一被试内多次扫描的空间定位误差1.0 mm和1.0o.     

Sr/Si界面沉积SrTiO3初始生长阶段的扫描遂道显微术研究

本文工作利用脉冲激光沉积术(PLD)和超高真空扫描隧道显微术(UHV-STM),研究了在Sr/Si(001)-(2×1)衬底表面上真空室温沉积几个单层SrTiO₃薄膜的初始生长过程.经660 ℃退火处理后,Sr/Si衬底表面上形成了纳米岛状结构.经分析,这些纳米小岛为C49-TiSi₂和 C54-TiSi₂.实验结果表明,在没有氧气的情况下退火,Sr/Si界面无法有效阻止SrTiO₃薄膜与Si衬底之间的相互作用. 关键词： 脉冲激光沉积术(PLD) 扫描隧道显微镜(STM) 3')" href="#">SrTiO₃ 2')" href="#">C54-TiSi₂     

压缩感知同步扫描重建及其采样方案的研究

压缩感知(compressed sensing,CS)-磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)技术使用随机欠采样的k空间数据来重建图像,大大提高了成像速度.但典型的CS重建很费时,这也是CS-MRI临床应用的主要障碍之一.针对这一问题,该文提出了在扫描时同步进行CS图像重建的方案.在同步重建的过程中,可以实时显示重建图像的结果,用户可以根据图像质量来决定何时终止扫描,这样可以在节约扫描和重建时间的同时,更好地控制图像质量.由于预先无法确定最终的采样率,因此传统的变密度随机采样方法并不完全适用.该文设计了适用于同步重建过程的采样模式生成方案,同时提出了分段采样方法,把采样过程分为两个阶段,不同阶段使用不同的概率密度函数(probability density function,PDF)确定待采样的相位编码行.模拟实验的结果表明,与使用单一密度函数的采样方案相比,分段采样方案能够在整个同步扫描重建过程中始终获得更好的图像.     

小动物高分辨扩散加权成像在临床 MRI 上的实现

在临床用MRI系统上对小动物扩散加权成像一般采用回波平面成像序列,但是回波平面成像易受偏共振效应的影响,得到的图像伪影大、几何变形严重、图像分辨率低,无法探究微小的生物组织结构. 该文报道了在临床用3 T MRI系统上采用自旋回波序列实现了高分辨扩散加权成像. 为减少运动伪影,序列中整合了导航回波矫正技术. 对脑缺血模型大鼠脑部的扫描结果显示,自旋回波扩散加权序列获得的图像基本没有发生形变,并且具有较高的分辨率和较好的信噪比.     

误差扩散法设计用于惯性约束聚变驱动器的色分离光栅-光束采样光栅集成元件

针对多次曝光法制作集成衍射光学元件时存在的加工制作复杂,会引入较大的对位误差等问题,基于计算全息中的误差扩散编码原理及部分相干光成像理论,提出采用误差扩散编码方法来设计用于制作浮雕结构集成元件的编码掩模的新方法。给出了利用误差扩散法设计的色分离光栅-光束采样光栅(CSG-BSG)集成元件编码掩模,模拟计算了经部分相干成像系统后的空间像光强分布,并与理想的集成元件面形进行了比较。结果表明,校正后均方差为7.5%,体积偏差为10.2%。     

磁共振碳谱研究:应用分子子图指数估计与预测卤代烃化学位移

系统研究了核磁共振碳谱(¹³C NMR)与化学位移规律及其定量构谱关系(QSSR).本文提出了一组含多元素组成的分子子图指数矢量(VMSG),并发现它与卤代烃化学位移(CSRX)有很好线性相关性.采用多元线性回归(MVLR)进行准确估计与预测,结果良好.     

复方乙酰水杨酸片中有效成分的DOSY技术分析

复方乙酰水杨酸片是临床常用的解热镇痛消炎药物,目前其有效成分的分析方法存在操作繁琐而分析速度慢等不足.该文利用二甲基硅油(PDMS)辅助的扩散排序(DOSY)技术以及扩散排序-同核相关(DOSY-COSY)联用技术,成功地对复方乙酰水杨酸片中三种有效成分的分子结构进行了快速定性分析,并且利用核磁共振氢谱(~1H NMR)技术进行了相对定量分析.该方法具有方便、快捷等特点,可作为借鉴和参考用于药物的质量评价.     

增强低场下脑功能磁共振成像显著性的研究

实现了基于低场0.35 T磁共振成像系统的大脑功能磁共振成像（functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging,fMRI）的研究. 基于质子密度加权的快速自旋回波(Turbo Spin Echo,TSE)图像,重点研究增强低场fMRI显著性的方法,目的在于提高低场fMRI的可用性. 结果表明：健康受试者在执行手动任务期间,大脑运动区的信号强度变化可以由基于血管外质子信号增强 (Signal Enhancement by Extravascular water Protons,EEP)的对比机制探测. 优化TSE序列参数能提高图像SNR和扫描速度,并在统计分析中增加外在屏蔽图像,可以有效地提高低场下fMRI研究结果的显著性.     

链脲佐菌素影响大鼠脂肪酸代谢的NMR研究

脂代谢紊乱是心血管疾病等糖尿病并发症的公认危险因素,其早期检测是有效预防这些疾病的基础. 该文使用中等剂量链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的1型糖尿病大鼠模型,通过分析诱导后第5天和第12天的扩散加权¹H NMR谱, 研究了血浆脂肪酸组成的动态变化规律. 结果表明,STZ作用早期主要特异性损伤胰岛β-细胞,使机体产生1型糖尿病表型. 伴随病程的发展,血浆总不饱和脂肪酸与单不饱和脂肪酸含量增高,而多不饱和脂肪酸与单不饱和脂肪酸的比值降低. 这些说明STZ对机体脂肪酸代谢有显著影响,且血浆不饱和脂肪酸含量很可能是比甘油三酯与脂蛋白等更为灵敏的糖尿病发生发展筛查指标.     

尼古丁易感的脑结构特征的磁共振成像研究

本文旨在利用磁共振成像手段探究尼古丁易感个体的脑结构特征，即脑结构特性对尼古丁依赖程度的预测.选用成年雄性SD大鼠进行纵向研究，利用基于微型渗透压泵的间歇性给药方式对大鼠进行腹腔注射尼古丁14天，随后强制戒断14天.于第0、15、29天进行躯体戒断行为测试以量化其尼古丁依赖严重程度.对第1天的脑结构图像与戒断行为评分进行回归分析，结果发现尼古丁依赖严重程度与双侧前边缘皮层、左侧颗粒状岛叶皮层灰质体积和双侧丘脑白质体积呈负相关，与右侧海马CA1脑区和左侧丘脑灰质体积呈正相关.以上脑区的结构特征，能够作为尼古丁易感的生物标志物，在个体接触尼古丁之前预测其尼古丁依赖风险，对易感人群进行有针对性的早期干预.     

An algorithm to estimate anatomical connectivity between brain regions using diffusion MRI

The study of anatomical connectivity is essential for interpreting functional MRI data and for establishing how brain areas are linked together into networks to support higher-order functions. Diffusion-weighted MR images (DWI) and tractography provide a unique noninvasive tool to explore the connectional architecture of the brain. The identification of anatomical circuits associated with a specific function can be better accomplished by the joint application of diffusion and functional MRI. In this article, we propose a simple algorithm to identify the set of pathways between two regions of interest. The method is based upon running deterministic tractography from all possible starting positions in the brain and selecting trajectories that intersect both regions. We compare results from single-fiber tractography using diffusion tensor imaging and from multi-fiber tractography using reduced-encoding persistent angular structure (PAS) MRI on standard DWI datasets from healthy human volunteers. Our results show that, in comparison with single-fiber tractography, the multi-fiber technique reveals additional putative routes of connection. We demonstrate highly consistent results of the proposed technique over a cohort of 16 healthy subjects.     

A Monte Carlo simulation of image misalignment effects in diffusion tensor imaging

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography are noninvasive MRI methods, providing an insight on microscopic structural information of anisotropic tissues in vivo. The success of this technique stems on a watchful choice of imaging parameters and post-acquisition reconstruction. In the present work, we have focused on the problem of residual linear image misalignment in the DTI data and its effects on the parameters of the diffusion tensor and fiber tracking in human brain. We demonstrate substantial sensitivity of the reconstructed diffusion tensor and fiber tractography on increasing amplitude of artificially induced random image misalignment in the DTI. We show that already a submillimeter image misalignment in the DTI is an important source of error, which may potentially mask pathological presentations of the diseases and may partially explain variations in the results obtained from the DTI. Finally, we evaluated four implementations of image registrations and demonstrate their variable performance. This further supports the fact that a robust image registration must be performed to ensure reliable and reproducible diffusion tensor mapping and reconstruction of white matter (WM) fibers.     

A practical approach to in vivo high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging of rhesus monkeys on a 3-T human scanner

The nonhuman primate brain study provides important supplemental means for human brain exploration since the two species share close anatomical and functional similarities. MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in human brain has revealed exquisite details of brain structures especially in the brain white matter. However, most previous monkey brain DTI results lack the spatial resolution in comparison to the conventional tracing and postmortem imaging methods, especially when it is acquired in commonly available human MRI scanners of field strength of 3 T or lower. To meet the increasing demands for nonhuman primate DTI studies, we proposed an in vivo high-resolution monkey DTI acquisition protocol that is practically feasible and combined it with an improved postprocessing procedure for a 3-T human scanner. The acquisition protocol, susceptibility distortion correction method with phase reversal acquisition, and postprocessing steps were proved to be effective in our study of rhesus monkeys. Results from diffusion tensor estimations and fiber tractography at 1 x 1 x 1 mm(3) resolution were found to be comparable to previous ex vivo DTI studies with much longer acquisition times. Effects of image resolution were evaluated and it was confirmed that the partial volume effect due to the larger voxel size in low-resolution data biased the diffusion tensor estimation and produced erroneous fiber tractography. Our results suggest that in vivo high-resolution monkey brain DTI can be achieved within practical time, which allows accurate diffusion tensor estimation and fiber tractography in monkey brains, so that the complex anatomical structures within many small but important anatomic structures can be delineated.     

Perisylvian white matter connectivity in the human right hemisphere

Background  

By using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) and subsequent tractography, a perisylvian language network in the human left hemisphere recently has been identified connecting Brocas's and Wernicke's areas directly (arcuate fasciculus) and indirectly by a pathway through the inferior parietal cortex.     

Aberrant default mode network in subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment using resting-state functional MRI

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a syndrome associated with faster memory decline than normal aging and frequently represents the prodromal phase of Alzheimer's disease. When a person is not actively engaged in a goal-directed task, spontaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals can reveal functionally connected brain networks, including the so-called default mode network (DMN). To date, only a few studies have investigated DMN functions in aMCI populations. In this study, group-independent component analysis was conducted for resting-state fMRI data, with slices acquired perpendicular to the long axis of the hippocampus, from eight subjects with aMCI and eight normal control subjects. Subjects with aMCI showed an increased DMN activity in middle cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal cortex compared to the normal control group. Decreased DMN activity for the aMCI group compared to the normal control group was noted in lateral prefrontal cortex, left medial temporal lobe (MTL), left medial temporal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex/retrosplenial cortex/precuneus and right angular gyrus. Although MTL volume difference between the two groups was not statistically significant, a decreased activity in left MTL was observed for the aMCI group. Positive correlations between the DMN activity and memory scores were noted for left lateral prefrontal cortex, left medial temporal gyrus and right angular gyrus. These findings support the premise that alterations of the DMN occur in aMCI and may indicate deficiencies in functional, intrinsic brain architecture that correlate with memory function, even before significant MTL atrophy is detectable by structural MRI.     

Distinguishing and quantification of the human visual pathways using high-spatial-resolution diffusion tensor tractography

Quantification of the living human visual system using MRI methods has been challenging, but several applications demand a reliable and time-efficient data acquisition protocol. In this study, we demonstrate the utility of high-spatial-resolution diffusion tensor fiber tractography (DTT) in reconstructing and quantifying the human visual pathways. Five healthy males, age range 24–37 years, were studied after approval of the institutional review board (IRB) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. We acquired diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data with 1-mm slice thickness on a 3.0-Tesla clinical MRI scanner and analyzed the data using DTT with the fiber assignment by continuous tractography (FACT) algorithm. By utilizing the high-spatial-resolution DTI protocol with FACT algorithm, we were able to reconstruct and quantify bilateral optic pathways including the optic chiasm, optic tract, optic radiations free of contamination from neighboring white matter tracts.     

Correlation between nucleus zone migration within scoliotic intervertebral discs and mechanical properties distribution within scoliotic vertebrae

Correlations between intervertebral disc degeneration and bone mass were investigated previously, but never on scoliotic patients. Using MRI measurements of intervertebral discs behavior and vertebral bone tomodensitometry, correlations between nucleus zone displacement within intervertebral discs and mechanical center migration within vertebral bodies were investigated in vivo on scoliotic patients.The protocol, performed on eleven scoliotic girls, was composed of a CT scan acquisition of apical and adjacent vertebrae followed by a MRI acquisition of the thoracolumbar spine. The displacement between the vertebral body centroid and inertia center was computed from the CT images and called the mechanical migration. The displacement between nucleus zones and vertebral body centroids was quantified from MRI and called the nucleus zone migration.For apical vertebrae, a significant correlation was found in the coronal plane (r = 0.766, p < 0.01), but not in the sagittal plane (r = -0.349, p > 0.05). For adjacent vertebrae, significant correlations were found in both coronal (r = -0.633, p < 0.05) and sagittal (r = -0.797, p < 0.01) planes. The nucleus zone migration occurred in the convexity of the curvature whereas the mechanical migration occurred in the concavity.Known secondary mechanical phenomenon of scoliosis was quantified using new parameters describing intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies. Further investigations should be performed to explain the mechanical evolution of scoliosis and to use these parameters in predictive criteria of scoliosis.     

In-vivo diffusion MRI protocol optimization for the chimpanzee brain and examination of aging effects on the primate optic nerve at 3T

BackgroundDiffusion MRI (dMRI) data acquisition protocols are well-established on modern high-field clinical scanners for human studies. However, these protocols are not suitable for the chimpanzee (or other large-brained mammals) because of its substantial difference in head geometry and brain volume compared with humans. Therefore, an optimal dMRI data acquisition protocol dedicated to chimpanzee neuroimaging is needed.MethodsA multi-shot (4 segments) double spin-echo echo-planar imaging (MS-EPI) sequence and a single-shot double spin-echo EPI (SS-EPI) sequence were optimized separately for in vivo dMRI data acquisition of chimpanzees using a clinical 3T scanner. Correction for severe susceptibility-induced image distortion and signal drop-off of the chimpanzee brain was performed and evaluated using FSL software. DTI indices in different brain regions and probabilistic tractography were compared. A separate DTI data set from n=34 chimpanzees (13 to 56 years old) was collected using the optimal protocol. Age-related changes in diffusivity indices of optic nerve fibers were evaluated.ResultsThe SS-EPI sequence acquired dMRI data of the chimpanzee brain with approximately doubled the SNR as the MS-EPI sequence given the same scan time. The quality of white matter fiber tracking from the SS-EPI data was much higher than that from MS-EPI data. However, quantitative analysis of DTI indices showed no difference in most ROIs between the SS-EPI and MS-EPI sequences. The progressive evolution of diffusivity indices of optic nerves indicated mild changes in fiber bundles of chimpanzees aged 40 years and above.ConclusionThe single-shot EPI-based acquisition protocol provided better image quality of dMRI for chimpanzee brains and is recommended for in vivo dMRI study or clinical diagnosis of chimpanzees (or other large animals) using a clinical scanner. Also, the tendency of FA decrease or diffusivity increase in the optic nerve of aged chimpanzees was seen but did not show significant age-related changes, suggesting aging may have less impact on optic nerve fiber integrity of chimpanzees, in contrast to previous results for both macaque monkeys and humans.