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There are notable sex differences in the gray matter of Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients' brains, but current evidence is insufficient to prove these differences aid diagnosis effectively. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed on the preprocessed gray matter of healthy female and healthy male groups to identify the gray matter clusters with significant intergroup differences. Subsequently, multiple machine learning models were employed to develop sex-specific diagnostic models for AD. We identified 11 brain regions showing sex differences, of which 8 were sex-specific in both female and male AD patients, exhibiting significant atrophy. Graph theory analysis demonstrated that the sex-specific gray matter structural brain networks in female and male AD patients exhibited distinct network alterations. We subsequently employed five advanced machine learning algorithms to develop diagnostic models for AD based on these sex-specific gray matter clusters, resulting in a notable improvement in performance. Sex-specific gray matter characteristics can facilitate more accurate diagnosis of AD.

The protracted nature of development makes the cerebellum vulnerable to a broad spectrum of pathologic conditions, especially during the early fetal period. This study aims to characterize normal cerebellar growth in human fetuses during the early second trimester. We manually segmented the fetal cerebellum using 7.0-T high-resolution MR images obtained in 35 specimens with gestational ages ranging from 15 to 22 weeks. Volume measurements and shape analysis were performed to quantitatively evaluate global and regional cerebellar growth. The absolute volume of the fetal cerebellum showed a quadratic growth with increasing gestational age, while the pattern of relative volume changes revealed that the cerebellum grew at a greater pace than the cerebrum after 17 gestational weeks. Shape analysis was used to examine the distinctive development of subregions of the cerebellum. The extreme lateral portions of both cerebellar hemispheres showed the lowest rate of growth. The anterior lobe grew faster than most of the posterior lobe. These findings expand our understanding of the early growth pattern of the human cerebellum and could be further used to assess the developmental conditions of the fetal brain. ●We manually segment the fetal cerebellum using 7.0-T MR images and specimens.●Quadratic increase of the absolute cerebellum volume.●Cerebellum with a greater pace of growth than cerebrum after 17 gestational weeks.●The extreme lateral portions of both hemispheres with the lowest rate of growth.●The anterior lobe of the cerebellum grows faster than most of the posterior lobe.

The ossification of the occipital bone begins in the basilar part and progresses anteriorly, which is vital for the normal development of both the cranial and facial skeleton. Abnormal ossification of the occipital bone is associated with congenital anomalies such as Chiari malformation and anencephaly. Despite this, morphometric data on the ossification centers of the occipital bone, particularly in the lateral and basilar parts, remain limited. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed morphometric analysis of the primary ossification centers in the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone in human fetuses using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 40 human fetuses (24 males and 16 females) aged 17 to 42 weeks of gestation were included in the study. These specimens were collected from spontaneous miscarriages and preterm deliveries, with all ethical standards followed. High-resolution MRI imaging was performed using a Siemens Magnetom Prisma 3T MRI scanner. 3D volumetric data of the ossification centers in the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone were acquired and analyzed using 3D Slicer software. Linear, planar, and volumetric parameters, including 3D maximum diameter, projection surface area, and volume, were measured for both parts of the occipital bone. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 23 software, with regression analyses to model growth dynamics. The analysis revealed that the ossification centers of both the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone exhibited proportional growth relative to gestational age, with significant correlations between age and the measured parameters. The mean 3D maximum diameters, projection surface areas, and volumes showed consistent growth patterns, with no significant differences based on sex or laterality. The developmental dynamics were best described by linear regression models, with high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.75) for all parameters. This study provides normative morphometric data for the primary ossification centers of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone in human fetuses, offering valuable insights into the normal growth patterns of these structures. The findings contribute to the understanding of cranial base development and provide a reference framework for the early detection of congenital cranial anomalies. The use of MRI in fetal imaging proves to be a reliable and non-invasive method for studying fetal skeletal development. Not applicable.

We developed a novel brain atlas template to facilitate computational brain studies of Chinese subjects and populations using high quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and well-validated image analysis techniques. To explore the ethnicity-based structural brain differences, we used the MRI scans of 35 Chinese male subjects (24.03±2.06 years) and compared them to an age-matched cohort of 35 Caucasian males (24.03±2.06 years). Global volumetric measures were used to identify significant group differences in the brain length, width, height and AC–PC line distance. Using the LONI BrainParser, 56 brain structures were automatically labeled and analyzed for all subjects. We identified significant ethnicity differences in brain structure volumes, suggesting that a population-specific brain atlas may be more appropriate for studies involving Chinese populations. To address this, we constructed a 3D Chinese brain atlas based on high resolution 3.0T MRI scans of 56 right-handed male Chinese volunteers (24.46±1.81 years). All Chinese brains were spatially normalized by using linear and nonlinear transformation via the “AIR Make Atlas” pipeline workflow within the LONI pipeline environment. This high-resolution Chinese brain atlas was compared to the ICBM152 template, which was constructed using Caucasian brains.

ObjectiveTo determine the performance of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters and the extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in distinguishing between different subtypes of lung cancer and predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) status in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsOne hundred sixteen patients with lung cancer were prospectively recruited. IVIM, native, and postcontrast T1 mapping examinations were performed, and the T1 values were measured to calculate the ECV. The differences in IVIM parameters and ECV were compared between NSCLC and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), adenocarcinoma (Adeno-Ca) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and NSCLC without and with LNM. The assessment of each parameter’s diagnostic performance was based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsThe apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), and ECV values in SCLC were considerably lower compared with NSCLC (all p < 0.001, AUC > 0.887). The D value in SCC was substantially lower compared with Adeno-Ca (p < 0.001, AUC = 0.735). The perfusion fraction (f) and ECV values in LNM patients were markedly higher compared with those without LNM patients (p < 0.01, < 0.001, AUC > 0.708).ConclusionIVIM parameters and ECV can serve as non-invasive biomarkers for assisting in the pathological classification and LNM status assessment of lung cancer patients.Critical relevance statementIVIM parameters and ECV demonstrated remarkable potential in distinguishing pulmonary carcinoma subtypes and predicting LNM status in NSCLC.Key PointsLung cancer is prevalent and differentiating subtype and invasiveness determine the treatment course.True diffusion coefficient and ECV showed promise for subtyping and determining lymph node status.These parameters could serve as non-invasive biomarkers to help determine personalized treatment strategies.

Few investigators have analyzed fetal ocular growth with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of high magnetic strength. Our purpose is to obtain normative biometrics for fetal ocular development in the second trimester of pregnancy. Sixty specimens with a gestational age (GA) of 12-23 weeks were scanned using a 7.0 T MRI scanner. The linear interocular and binocular distances (IOD and BOD, respectively), globe diameter (GD) and lens diameter (LD) were measured on the transverse section of the largest diameter of the eyeballs. The three dimensional (3D) visualization model of the eyeball was reconstructed with Amira software. Then, the globe and lens volumes (GV and LV, respectively) were obtained. All the measurements were plotted as a function of GA. The fetal ocular structures in the second trimester of pregnancy could be clearly delineated on 7.0 T postmortem MRI images. All the linear measurements logarithmically increased with GA, while, the volumetric measurements linearly increased with GA. Postmortem MRI of high magnetic strength can clearly document fetal ocular growth in the second trimester of pregnancy. These quantitative data may be a valuable reference for the assessment of normal fetal eyeball development in clinical settings and may be considered a supplement to anatomical investigations.

BackgroundTransverse ligament tubercles are unique structures that maintain the stability of the upper cervical spine. However, the density variations of tubercles in different clinical contexts or populations have not been carefully studied through multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the relationship between density variations in the transverse ligament tubercles, as measured through multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), with age, gender, or laterality.MethodsA cohort of 339 Chinese patients that underwent MDCT in the head or neck were recruited. The patients were divided into eight age groups. The densities of the bilateral transverse ligament tubercles were classified through MDCT, and the potential relationship between the density of the tubercles and the age, gender, or laterality was analyzed.ResultsBased on MDCT findings, four different density types of tubercles were identified (type 0–III). Our data suggest that the density of tubercles increased with age (χ2 = 637.7, p < 0.05). However, the density of tubercles did not correlate with laterality (male: t = 0.217, p > 0.05, female: t = 1.448, p > 0.05) or gender (χ2 = 5.706, p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe density of the transverse ligament tubercles, as measured through MDCT, shows a stereotyped dynamic pattern, i.e., it apparently increases with age, but neither gender nor laterality significantly contribute to these changes.

During the second trimester, the human fetal brain undergoes numerous changes that lead to substantial variation in the neonatal in terms of its morphology and tissue types. As fetal MRI is more and more widely used for studying the human brain development during this period, a spatiotemporal atlas becomes necessary for characterizing the dynamic structural changes. In this study, 34 postmortem human fetal brains with gestational ages ranging from 15 to 22weeks were scanned using 7.0T MR. We used automated morphometrics, tensor-based morphometry and surface modeling techniques to analyze the data. Spatiotemporal atlases of each week and the overall atlas covering the whole period with high resolution and contrast were created. These atlases were used for the analysis of age-specific shape changes during this period, including development of the cerebral wall, lateral ventricles, Sylvian fissure, and growth direction based on local surface measurements. Our findings indicate that growth of the subplate zone is especially striking and is the main cause for the lamination pattern changes. Changes in the cortex around Sylvian fissure demonstrate that cortical growth may be one of the mechanisms for gyration. Surface deformation mapping, revealed by local shape analysis, indicates that there is global anterior–posterior growth pattern, with frontal and temporal lobes developing relatively quickly during this period. Our results are valuable for understanding the normal brain development trajectories and anatomical characteristics. These week-by-week fetal brain atlases can be used as reference in in vivo studies, and may facilitate the quantification of fetal brain development across space and time. •We present week-by-week spatial-temporal brain atlases (15-22 gestational weeks).•The subplate zone is the main cause for the lamination pattern changes.•The cortex around Sylvian fissure has a higher growth rate than other area.•The brain undergoes a global anterior-posterior growth pattern during this period.

Background. Few studies focused on the region of interest- (ROI-) related heterogeneity of liver intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences of liver IVIM parameters among liver segments in cirrhotic livers (chronic viral hepatitis). Material and Methods. This was a retrospective study of 82 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease who underwent MRI examination at the Jinan Infectious Diseases Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016. IVIM DWI (seven different b values) was performed on a Siemens 3.0-T MRI scanner. Pure molecular diffusion (D), pseudodiffusion (D∗), and perfusion fraction (f) in different liver segments were evaluated. Results. f, D, and D∗ were different among the liver segments (all p<0.05), indicating heterogeneity in IVIM parameters among liver segments. f was consistently higher in Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A compared with CTP class B + C (p<0.01). D and D∗ were higher in CTP class A compared with CTP class B + C (p<0.05). In patients with mean f value of >0.29, the AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.96), with 86.8% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity for predicting CTP class A from CTP class B + C. Conclusion. Liver IVIM could be a promising method for classifying the severity of segmental liver dysfunction of chronic viral hepatitis as evaluated by the CTP class, which provides a noninvasive alternative for evaluating segmental liver dysfunction with accurate selection of ROIs. Potentially it can be used to monitor the progression of CLD and LC in the future.

Introduction This study aims to obtain the signal intensity changes and quantitative measurements of the subcortical brain structures of 12–22 weeks gestational age (GA). Methods Sixty-nine fetal specimens were selected and scanned by 7.0-T MR. The signal intensity changes of the subcortical brain structures were analyzed. The three-dimensional visualization models of the germinal matrix, caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus, and dorsal thalamus were rebuilt with Amira 4.1, and the developmental trends between the measurements and GA were analyzed. Results The germinal matrix was delineated on 7.0-T MR images at 12 weeks GA, with high signals on T1-weighted images (WI). While at 16 weeks GA, the caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus, and internal and external capsules could be distinguished. The caudate nucleus was high signal intensity on T1WI. The signal intensity of the putamen was high on T1WI during 15–17 weeks GA and was delineated as an area with uneven signal intensities. The signal intensity of the peripheral area of the putamen became higher after 18 weeks GA. The signal intensity of the globus pallidus was high on T1WI and low on T2WI after 20 weeks GA. At 18 weeks GA, the claustrum was delineated with low signals on T2WI. Measurements of the germinal matrix, caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus, and dorsal thalamus linearly increased with the GA. Conclusion Development of the subcortical brain structures during 12–22 weeks GA could be displayed with 7.0-T MRI. The measurement provides significant reference beneficial to the clinical evaluation of fetal brain development.