Quantitative multi-parametric mapping of human subcortex at ultrahigh field

Ultra-high resolution quantitative MRI offers a unique opportunity to characterize multiple small nuclei in the human subcortex (Forstmann 2017, Keuken 2018). Particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease it offers the possibility for early detection of neurodegeneration of small subcortical structures where neurodegeneration starts. However, in order to be able to detect the subtle changes in small structures on a longitudinal basis high quality reproducible ultra-high resolution quantitative data are necessary, along with dedicated processing pipelines. Moreover, since MR contrast mechanisms in the subcortex are complex and far from understood, multi-contrast approaches are needed in order to visualize and quantify different nuclei. Here we present an ultra-high resolution multi-parametric qMRI protocol optimized for the cartography of the human subcortex. We assessed the performance of this acquisition in test–retest experiments across two imaging sites. We present data quality and test–retest reproducibility of subcortical morphometry and microstructure

Disconnection Mechanism and Regional Cortical Atrophy Contribute to Impaired Processing of Facial Expressions and Theory of Mind in Multiple Sclerosis: A Structural MRI Study

Successful socialization requires the ability of understanding of others' mental states. This ability called as mentalization (Theory of Mind) may become deficient and contribute to everyday life difficulties in multiple sclerosis. We aimed to explore the impact of brain pathology on mentalization performance in multiple sclerosis. Mentalization performance of 49 patients with multiple sclerosis was compared to 24 age- and gender matched healthy controls. T1- and T2-weighted three-dimensional brain MRI images were acquired at 3Tesla from patients with multiple sclerosis and 18 gender- and age matched healthy controls. We assessed overall brain cortical thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis and the scanned healthy controls, and measured the total and regional T1 and T2 white matter lesion volumes in patients with multiple sclerosis. Performances in tests of recognition of mental states and emotions from facial expressions and eye gazes correlated with both total T1-lesion load and regional T1-lesion load of association fiber tracts interconnecting cortical regions related to visual and emotion processing (genu and splenium of corpus callosum, right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus). Both of these tests showed correlations with specific cortical areas involved in emotion recognition from facial expressions (right and left fusiform face area, frontal eye filed), processing of emotions (right entorhinal cortex) and socially relevant information (left temporal pole). Thus, both disconnection mechanism due to white matter lesions and cortical thinning of specific brain areas may result in cognitive deficit in multiple sclerosis affecting emotion and mental state processing from facial expressions and contributing to everyday and social life difficulties of these patients

Relationship of colour and other quality parameters of sweet cherry during development and ripening

Sweet cherry fruits ( Prunus avium cv. Vera, Carmen, Linda and Krupnoplodnaja) were harvested in different ripeness stages after anthesis 39, 42, 49, 56 days (Carmen); 37, 40, 47, 52, 59 days (Krupnoplodnaja); 32, 36, 44, 53, 58 days (Linda); 38, 42, 50, 52, 57 days (Vera). The colour, total soluble solids, dry matter content, β-galactosidase and polygalacturonase activity were determined. The dry matter content and total soluble solids content (Brixo) increased during development. The L* values significantly decreased as a function of ripening while a* values increased up to 3 rd harvest, then they decreased, b* values continuously decreased as a function of development. The a*/b* values linearly increased as a function of development, indicating reddening of fruits. Hue angle (ho) increased rapidly between harvest one and two. The measured (a*, b*, L*) and calculated parameters (ho, a*/b*, chroma) well represented the colour development of sweet cherries. Linear and strong correlation was found between a*/b*, L* values and the Brixo, exponential correlation was found between ho, chroma and Brixo. Activity of β-galactosidase was different among cultivars and as a function of development. The two maximums might β-galactosidase isoenzymes. The role of PG (polygalacturonase) could not be explained clearly enough, further investigations are needed to find the exact role of the enzyme in the cell wall metabolism of sweet cherry