Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruiqing Ni
Summary: Amyloid-beta (A beta) is crucial in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, with aberrant accumulation leading to neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular alterations, and cognitive impairments. High-field MRI technology has enabled non-invasive visualization of A beta-related alterations in animal models, offering translational value for clinical MRI applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Wenji Xu, Xiangru Sun, Haoru Jiang, Xiaochun Wang, Bin Wang, Qiao Niu, Huaxing Meng, Jiangfeng Du, Guoqiang Yang, Bo Liu, Hui Zhang, Yan Tan
Summary: This study investigates the use of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) to differentiate mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from normal controls (NC) in aluminum (Al)-exposed workers, and explores the association between DKI, cognitive performance, and plasma Al concentration. The results indicate that DKI can be a sensitive imaging biomarker for diagnosing MCI and assessing the severity of cognitive impairment. The right hippocampus shows the most significant correlation with cognitive performance. However, there is no correlation between DKI parameters and plasma Al levels.
ACADEMIC RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jiawei Zhang, Yaling Zheng, Yao Zhao, Yaxuan Zhang, Yu Liu, Fang Ma, Xiuzhe Wang, Jianliang Fu
Summary: Andrographolide can significantly alleviate cognitive impairments, reduce amyloid-β deposition, inhibit microglial activation, and decrease the secretion of proinflammatory factors in APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that Andro could significantly decrease the expression of various genes associated with inflammation in APP/PS1 mice, which was further validated by qRT-PCR. Our results suggest that Andro might be a potential therapeutic drug for AD by regulating neuroinflammation.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sumeet Kumar, Alberto De Luca, Alexander Leemans, Seyed Ehsan Saffari, Septian Hartono, Fatin Zahra Zailan, Kok Pin Ng, Nagaendran Kandiah
Summary: This study aimed to assess the white matter integrity in different segments of the corpus callosum in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using various imaging techniques and compare the findings with healthy controls. The results showed changes suggesting demyelination and axonal degeneration in the corpus callosum of AD patients, with the most significant alterations in the mid-anterior and mid-posterior segments. Reduced axial kurtosis was found to be the most significantly altered metric, and it correlated with poor cognition in the visuospatial, language, and attention domains in AD patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Min-Chien Tu, Sheng-Min Huang, Yen-Hsuan Hsu, Jir-Jei Yang, Chien-Yuan Lin, Li-Wei Kuo
Summary: The study found that DKI metrics may be more sensitive than DTI metrics in reflecting microstructural changes within the gray matter, providing complementary information for the pathogenesis of SIVD and AD.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Victoria Gomez-Murcia, Kevin Carvalho, Bryan Thiroux, Raphaelle Caillierez, Melanie Besegher, Nicolas Sergeant, Luc Buee, Emile Faivre, David Blum
Summary: Due to the complexity of Alzheimer's disease, it is of interest to find multitarget approaches that can mitigate multiple pathogenic mechanisms. In this study, the potential of Doxycycline (Dox), a second-generation tetracycline, in the APP/PS1 mouse model of amyloidogenesis was evaluated. The results showed that Dox moderately improved spatial memory in APP/PS1 mice without major effect on amyloid lesions. The study also found that Dox enhanced the amyloid-dependent upregulation of neuroinflammatory markers. Overall, chronic Dox delivery did not provide significant pathophysiological improvements in the APP/PS1 mouse model.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jurate Kemesiene, Alexander Ruhle, Ryszard Gomolka, Moritz C. Wurnig, Cristina Rossi, Andreas Boss
Summary: The diffusion parameters of kidneys remain stable regardless of hydration status, potentially due to kidney-specific compensatory mechanisms. However, the diffusion parameters of the liver, spleen, and psoas muscle are sensitive to changes in hydration, which should be considered when evaluating diffusion data of these organs.
Article
Neurosciences
Guohua Li, Yu Wang, Fang Cao, Dawei Wang, Limin Zhou, Yanwu Jin
Summary: The study revealed that SEVO exposure significantly impaired spatial reference memory, sensorimotor, and cognitive function in mice. Mechanistically, SEVO induced the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to neurodegeneration.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Xueyuan Wang, Xianglong Liu, Meiying Cheng, Desheng Xuan, Xin Zhao, Xiaoan Zhang
Summary: This study used diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) to explore the changing patterns of white matter and gray matter during neonatal brain development. The DKI metrics were measured and analyzed, showing positive correlations with the age at the time of brain MRI acquisition. The DKI parameters showed potential advantages in detecting changes in brain microstructure during neonatal brain development.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kai Lou, Shudong Liu, Fengxia Zhang, Wenxiu Sun, Xinhuan Su, Wenkai Bi, Qingqing Yin, Yaxin Qiu, Zhenyuan Zhang, Mengzhe Jing, Shizhan Ma
Summary: Our study reveals that GD hyperthyroidism exacerbates cognitive deficits in AD mice by inducing neuroinflammation and RIPK3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis, leading to Aβ deposition and neuronal loss.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yue Hou, Wei Zhao, Haiyang Yu, Fangfang Zhang, Han-Ting Zhang, Yanmeng Zhou
Summary: This study found that Biochanin A (BCA) treatment can improve learning and memory abilities and alleviate Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms in a postmenopausal AD model. BCA acts by reversing the mitochondrial damage caused by ovariectomy, including restoring mitochondrial biogenesis, balancing mitochondrial dynamics, and regulating abnormal mitophagy.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xuerui Wang, Zequn Yin, Peichang Cao, Shihong Zheng, Yuanli Chen, Maoyun Yu, Chenzhong Liao, Zhongyuan Zhang, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han, Shuang Zhang, Xiaoxiao Yang
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in aging population. The traditional Chinese medicine NaoXinTong Capsule (NXT) has been shown to improve spatial memory impairment and cognitive decline in AD mice by reducing p-Tau levels and A beta accumulation in the brain. This neuroprotective effect is achieved by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and mediators, thereby suggesting the potential application of NXT for AD treatment.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Philippos Koulousakis, Emily Willems, Melissa Schepers, Ben Rombaut, Jos Prickaerts, Tim Vanmierlo, Daniel van den Hove
Summary: This study found that exogenous oxytocin administration can improve memory deficits in female APPswePS1dE9 mice, suggesting its potential as a novel treatment option for Alzheimer's disease.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Lili Lang, Ying Wang
Summary: This study proposed the use of Markov model combined with magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MM + MR-DTI) as a method for predicting the onset of Alzheimer's disease. By evaluating white matter integrity and abnormalities using automated fiber quantification, the study showed a significant correlation between microstructural white matter alterations and cognitive performance in patient groups, suggesting it as a potential biomarker for AD. Combining structural MR with DTI demonstrated better performance than using DTI alone.
OPEN LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Loxlan W. Kasa, Roy A. M. Haast, Tristan K. Kuehn, Farah N. Mushtaha, Corey A. Baron, Terry Peters, Ali R. Khan
Summary: The study aimed to assess reproducibility of whole-brain high-resolution DKI at different b-values. Results showed that datasets with b-values of 1000 and 3000 s/mm² exhibited lower DKI reproducibility, higher fitting accuracy, and lower fitting residuals in regions of interest (ROIs).
JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Patricia Lopes, Paul Van Herck, Eefje Verhoelst, Roel Wirix-Speetjens, Jan Sijbers, Johan Bosmans, Jos Vander Sloten
Summary: In this study, the suitability of particle systems for segmenting the mitral valve from 3D TOE images was evaluated. The results showed accurate representation of the mitral valve and indicated a correlation between particle strength and leaflet thickness. This research contributes to the development of treatment strategies for mitral valve patients.
COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING-IMAGING AND VISUALIZATION
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Daniel Frenkel, Nathanael Six, Jan De Beenhouwer, Jan Sijbers
Summary: In X-ray computed tomography, we introduce an update strategy framework that allows for dynamic rules and increases control for divide-and-conquer methods for discrete tomography (DT). Through simulated and real data reconstruction experiments, we show that our approach yields similar or improved reconstruction quality compared to traditional methods, with substantially lower computational complexity.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Banafshe Shafieizargar, Ben Jeurissen, Dirk H. J. Poot, Stefan Klein, Johan Van Audekerke, Marleen Verhoye, Arnold J. den Dekker, Jan Sijbers
Summary: This article introduces a novel imaging and parameter estimation framework for accurate multi-shot diffusion MRI. The proposed framework, called ADEPT, enables fast diffusion MRI by allowing diffusion contrast settings to change between shots in a multi-shot EPI acquisition. ADEPT estimates diffusion parameter maps directly from the acquired k-space data and simultaneously accounts for shot-to-shot phase inconsistencies. Simulation and real-data experiments demonstrate that ADEPT provides more accurate and precise estimates of diffusion metrics compared to reference methods.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jan Morez, Filip Szczepankiewicz, Arnold J. den Dekker, Floris Vanhevel, Jan Sijbers, Ben Jeurissen
Summary: Tensor-valued diffusion encoding allows disentangling variations in diffusivity from microscopic anisotropy, orientation dispersion, and mixtures of multiple isotropic diffusivities. Two precision-optimized acquisition schemes are created to estimate the diffusion tensor distribution (DTD) parameters accurately and precisely. The weighted linear least squares (WLLS) estimator with the squared reciprocal of the predicted signal as weights outperforms conventional estimators in terms of accuracy and precision when appropriate constraints are used.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Tim Elberfeld, Bernhard Froehler, Christoph Heinzl, Jan Sijbers, Jan De Beenhouwer
Summary: A new framework is proposed for reconstructing curved fibres from X-ray computed tomography data of glass fibre-reinforced composites. It can detect fibres in a low-dose, low-resolution CT scan, and estimate their parameters directly from a few high-resolution 2D projection images. The framework is validated on both simulated and real data, showing robustness to noise and requiring less than 10 high-resolution projections for accurate estimates. It can also improve existing estimation frameworks based on full 3D scans.
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING AND EVALUATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Steven Jillings, Ekaterina Pechenkova, Elena Tomilovskaya, Ilya Rukavishnikov, Ben Jeurissen, Angelique Van Ombergen, Inna Nosikova, Alena Rumshiskaya, Liudmila Litvinova, Jitka Annen, Chloe De Laet, Catho Schoenmaekers, Jan Sijbers, Victor Petrovichev, Stefan Sunaert, Paul M. Parizel, Valentin Sinitsyn, Peter zu Eulenburg, Steven Laureys, Athena Demertzi, Floris L. Wuyts
Summary: This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the impact of prolonged microgravity on the human brain. The results showed changes in brain functional connectivity, providing insights into the adaptations and modifications occurring during spaceflight and upon return to Earth.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Lars-Paul Lumbeeck, Pavel Paramonov, Jan Sijbers, Jan De Beenhouwer
Summary: This paper proposes an efficient iterative reconstruction method that improves the resolution of THz imaging by incorporating the THz beam shape. A suitable preconditioner is also proposed to improve the convergence speed of the reconstruction.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Banafshe Shafieizargar, Riwaj Byanju, Jan Sijbers, Stefan Klein, Arnold J. den Dekker, Dirk H. J. Poot
Summary: This article systematically reviews the techniques for addressing undersampling artifacts in accelerated quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI). A literature search was conducted to identify studies proposing reconstruction techniques for accelerated qMRI published before July 2022. The reviewed studies are categorized based on methodology, and a technical overview of each category is provided. The increasing number of articles proposing new techniques for accelerated qMRI reconstruction indicates the importance of acceleration in qMRI.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maarten Swart, Joan van der Lubbe, Sonja Schmit-Tillemans, Ella van Huizen, Johan Verspuij, Ana Izquierdo Gil, Ying Choi, Chenandly Daal, Aditya Perkasa, Adriaan de Wilde, Erwin Claassen, Rineke de Jong, Katrin E. Wiese, Lisette Cornelissen, Marieke van Es, Marjolein van Heerden, Eleni Kourkouta, Issam Tahiri, Michel Mulders, Jessica Vreugdenhil, Karin Feddes de Boer, Leacky Muchene, Jeroen Tolboom, Liesbeth Dekking, Jarek Juraszek, Jort Vellinga, Jerome Custers, Rinke Bos, Hanneke Schuitemaker, Frank Wegmann, Ramon Roozendaal, Harmjan Kuipers, Roland Zahn
Summary: Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, several rapidly spreading variants of concern (VOC) have emerged. A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S has shown to protect against the Gamma and Delta variants in naive hamsters, supporting its efficacy in humans against these VOC. However, an Omicron BA.1-based booster does not improve immunogenicity and efficacy against Omicron BA.2 compared to an Ad26.COV2.S booster in hamsters with pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Marco Andrea Zampini, Jan Sijbers, Marleen Verhoye, Ruslan Garipov
Summary: This study investigates the design of a preparation module for B-1 mapping, and validates its features and robustness through simulations and experiments. The results show that the module has advantages in low flip angle and AFI sequences that sample the center of the k-space early, reducing scanner overhead time.
Article
Optics
Pieter-Jan Vanthienen, Jonathan Sanctorum, Ben Huyge, Nathanael Six, Jan Sijbers, Jan De Beenhouwer
Summary: This paper compares the effectiveness of three alternative grating designs with conventional gratings using numerical simulations, discussing improvements in flux and contrast and considering practical considerations for implementation.
Article
Polymer Science
Ben Huyge, Jonathan Sanctorum, Ben Jeurissen, Jan De Beenhouwer, Jan Sijbers
Summary: This article discusses the challenges of studying fiber reinforced polymer properties using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and proposes anisotropic dark field tomography via grating based interferometry (GBI) and edge illumination phase contrast imaging as solutions. It is shown through Monte Carlo simulation experiments that constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) outperforms the traditional Funk-Radon transform (FRT) in accurately estimating fiber orientations.
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
Sam Van-Wassenbergh, Peter Aerts, Falk Mielke, Van Nguyen, Jan Sijbers, Jan De-Beenhouwer, Joris Dirckx, Joaquim Sanctorum
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maarten Swart, Harmjan Kuipers, Fin Milder, Mandy Jongeneelen, Tina Ritschel, Jeroen Tolboom, Leacky Muchene, Joan van der Lubbe, Ana Izquierdo Gil, Daniel Veldman, Jeroen Huizingh, Johan Verspuij, Sonja Schmit-Tillemans, Sven Blokland, Martijn de Man, Ramon Roozendaal, Christopher B. Fox, Hanneke Schuitemaker, Martinus Capelle, Johannes P. M. Langedijk, Roland Zahn, Boerries Brandenburg
Summary: The stability and manufacturability of a subunit vaccine antigen were further optimized, and the potency with different adjuvants was evaluated. It was found that a vaccine formulation with aluminum hydroxide or specific ratio of SLA-LSQ induced broad neutralizing antibodies after the second immunization. The study provided insights into potential adjuvant formulations for an H1 stem-based vaccine.