In vivo characterization of emerging white matter microstructure in the fetal brain in the third trimester

The third trimester of pregnancy is a period of rapid development of fiber bundles in the fetal white matter. Using a recently developed motion‐tracked slice‐to‐volume registration (MT‐SVR) method, we aimed to quantify tract‐specific developmental changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), and volume in third trimester healthy fetuses. To this end, we reconstructed diffusion tensor images from motion corrected fetal diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data. With an approved protocol, fetal MRI exams were performed on healthy pregnant women at 3 Tesla and included multiple (2–8) diffusion scans of the fetal head (1–2 b = 0 s/mm² images and 12 diffusion‐sensitized images at b = 500 s/mm²). Diffusion data from 32 fetuses (13 females) with median gestational age (GA) of 33 weeks 4 days were processed with MT‐SVR and deterministic tractography seeded by regions of interest corresponding to 12 major fiber tracts. Multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of GA with volume, FA, and ADC for each tract. For all tracts, the volume and FA increased, and the ADC decreased with GA. Associations reached statistical significance for: FA and ADC of the forceps major; volume and ADC for the forceps minor; FA, ADC, and volume for the cingulum; ADC, FA, and volume for the uncinate fasciculi; ADC of the inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculi, ADC of the inferior longitudinal fasciculi; and FA and ADC for the corticospinal tracts. These quantitative results demonstrate the complex pattern and rates of tract‐specific, GA‐related microstructural changes of the developing white matter in human fetal brain.     

Working memory training and brain structure and function in extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight children

This study in children born extremely preterm (EP; <28 weeks’ gestational age) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1,000 g) investigated whether adaptive working memory training using Cogmed® is associated with structural and/or functional brain changes compared with a placebo program. Ninety‐one EP/ELBW children were recruited at a mean (standard deviation) age of 7.8 (0.4) years. Children were randomly allocated to Cogmed or placebo (45‐min sessions, 5 days a week over 5–7 weeks). A subset had usable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data pretraining and 2 weeks posttraining (structural, n = 48; diffusion, n = 43; task‐based functional, n = 18). Statistical analyses examined whether cortical morphometry, white matter microstructure and blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal during an n‐back working memory task changed from pretraining to posttraining in the Cogmed and placebo groups separately. Interaction analyses between time point and group were then performed. There was a significant increase in neurite density in several white matter regions from pretraining to posttraining in both the Cogmed and placebo groups. BOLD signal in the posterior cingulate and precuneus cortices during the n‐back task increased from pretraining to posttraining in the Cogmed but not placebo group. Evidence for group‐by‐time interactions for the MRI measures was weak, suggesting that brain changes generally did not differ between Cogmed and placebo groups. Overall, while some structural and functional MRI changes between the pretraining and posttraining period in EP/ELBW children were observed, there was little evidence of training‐induced neuroplasticity, with changes generally identified in both groups. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, anzctr.org.au ; ACTRN12612000124831.     

Novel α + β Zr Alloys with Enhanced Strength

Low-alloyed zirconium alloys are widely used in nuclear applications due to their low neutron absorption cross-section. These alloys, however, suffer from limited strength. Well-established guidelines for the development of Ti alloys were applied to design new two-phase ternary Zr alloys with improved mechanical properties. Zr-4Sn-4Nb and Zr-8Sn-4Nb alloys have been manufactured by vacuum arc melting, thermo-mechanically processed by annealing, forging, and aging to various microstructural conditions and thoroughly characterized. Detailed Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the microstructural response of the alloys is rather similar to alpha + beta Ti alloys. Duplex microstructure containing primary alpha phase particles surrounded by lamellar alpha + beta microstructure can be achieved by thermal processing. Mechanical properties strongly depend on the previous treatment. Ultimate tensile strength exceeding 700 MPa was achieved exceeding the strength of commercial Zr alloys for nuclear applications by more than 50%. Such an improvement in strength more than compensates for the increased neutron absorption cross-section. This study aims to exploit the potential of alpha + beta Zr alloys for nuclear applications.     

Morphology of ejaculatory ducts: A systematic review

The morphology of human ejaculatory ducts has not been well established. The objective of this study was to describe macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of ejaculatory ducts. We conducted a systematic review using MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases. Search terms were: “ejaculatory ducts,” “seminal colliculus,” “prostatic utricle,” “anatomy,” “histology,” “radiology,” and “embryology.” We only included studies assessing adult (>18 years) humans published before November 1, 2019. We excluded studies describing pathological ducts and case reports. Independent authors extracted data using predefined criteria. Fourteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Usually, the ejaculatory ducts entered the prostate by piercing the central part of its base. Most studies identified an anteromedial curve of the ducts at the outset within the prostate, their subsequent course being a straight path towards the seminal colliculus, their terminal parts diverging immediately before joining the prostatic urethra. However, the morphology of the terminal part of the ducts was inconsistent. The mean length of the ducts ranged from 1.4 to 2.2 cm. In conclusion, the luminal diameter gradually decreased as the ducts traveled towards the seminal colliculus. Ejaculatory ducts angulate anteromedially at their onset within the prostate and travel straight towards the seminal colliculus. Their terminal parts diverge immediately before joining the prostatic urethra. However, the reported dimensions of the ducts differ among studies.     

Correlation between wing bone microstructure and different flight styles: The case of the griffon vulture (gyps fulvus) and greater flamingo (phoenicopterus roseus)

Flying is the main means of locomotion for most avian species, and it requires a series of adaptations of the skeleton and of feather distribution on the wing. Flight type is directly associated with the mechanical constraints during flight, which condition both the morphology and microscopic structure of the bones. Three primary flight styles are adopted by avian species: flapping, gliding, and soaring, with different loads among the main wing bones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional microstructure of the most important skeletal wing bones, humerus, radius, ulna, and carpometacarpus, in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus). These two species show a flapping and soaring flight style, respectively. Densitometry, morphology, and laminarity index were assessed from the main bones of the wing of 10 griffon vultures and 10 flamingos. Regarding bone mineral content, griffon vultures generally displayed a higher mineral density than flamingos. Regarding the morphology of the crucial wing bones involved in flight, while a very slightly longer humerus was observed in the radius and ulna of flamingos, the ulna in griffons was clearly longer than other bones. The laminarity index was significantly higher in griffons. The results of the present study highlight how the mechanics of different types of flight may affect the biomechanical properties of the wing bones most engaged during flight.     

基于MRI的认知相关的脑宏观-微观结构变化模式研究综述

阿尔茨海默病(AD)是伴有认知功能障碍的神经退行性疾病,其发病机制复杂且至今不明确,一直是国内外医学研究领域的巨大挑战。而结构和扩散磁共振成像技术的发展,为研究AD大脑宏观形态学-微观结构特性病变的机制研究提供重要技术手段。近年来,研究发现,这种宏观和微观结构的异常改变之间具有的内在联系,对于揭示AD等衰老相关疾病的结构病变机理有非常重要的意义。针对该问题,对近几年MRI的大脑宏-微观结构变化模式及相互关系的研究进行分析,对其重要的分析方法和研究结论进行综述,希望有助于今后对大脑宏-微观病变机理的深入开展。     

Chain Features and Their Influence on the Thermal Stability of Poly(propylene‐co‐1‐nonene) Copolymers

The thermal stability of several isotactic polypropylenes and propylene‐co‐1‐nonene copolymers is assessed under nitrogen by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The samples involve wide ranges of molecular weight, isotactic average length, and 1‐nonene content, in order to perform a comprehensive analysis of the effect that chain features exert on the apparent activation energy (E_a), in the initial stages of the molten state degradation. The degradation process correlates with chain mobility and, accordingly, with chain features that are linked to. Thus, microstructure and chain size are found to play a key role. In fact, isotactic average length of propylene sequences and molecular weight are driving factors in the E_a required for main chain thermal scission.     

不同干燥工艺对金钗石斛叶品质的影响

目的:研究不同干燥工艺对金钗石斛叶品质的影响,为改进该药材的初加工和扩大石斛药材的药用部位提供理论依据。方法:以金钗石斛叶为原材料,采用热风干燥、微波干燥、真空干燥和真空冷冻干燥4种不同干燥方式对金钗石斛叶进行干燥,探讨4种方式对金钗石斛叶色泽、微观结构、总多糖和石斛碱含量的影响。结果:真空冷冻干燥产品色泽保持最好,优于其他3种干燥方式。不同干燥方法对样品所呈现的微观结构有所区别。金钗石斛叶经真空冷冻干燥、真空干燥、热风干燥及微波干燥后总多糖质量分数分别为3.11%,3.02%,2.81%和2.74%。不同干燥工艺对金钗石斛叶总多糖含量的影响较大,而对石斛碱含量则影响很小。结论:从成本方面考虑,热风干燥方式下的金钗石斛叶色泽较好,有效成分含量较高,且所需设备简单、节能、处理量大,在企业加工中值得推广应用。     

铸道设计对贵金属烤瓷合金铸态组织影响的实验研究

目的 研究不同的铸道设计形式对贵金属烤瓷合金铸态组织的影响，为该类合金的临床规范化应用提供理论依据。方法 应用倒置式金相显微镜观察BioHeradorN金烤合金不同铸道设计形式下的铸态组织，通过观察铸件中缩孔缩松产生的数量和分布比较铸道设计形式（树型、环型、环型）对铸件的影响程度。结果 铸道设计形式对合金铸态组织有明显影响，随铸道设计形式不同缩孔缩松产生的数量及分布有异。除环型铸道设计外，其它形式的铸道设计会使铸件中产生明显的铸造缺陷，即缩孔缩松的数量分布增多增广。结论 BioHeradorN金烤瓷合金铸态组织以环型铸道设计组织最为致密，常见缩孔缩松缺陷不易产生。