Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Times Research Articles

Probing pore characteristics of deformed chalk by NMR relaxation

1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation time was applied to investigate pores characteristic of chalk cores which were subjected to prior mechanical loading. The NMR relaxation responses of the cores loaded in elastic region (before yield) and in plastic region (after yield) were compared. T1,2 relaxation measurements performed on fully water saturated cores resolved a typical pore size corresponding to large pore body, which is affected by stress application particularly beyond the yield point. The 1/T1,2 relaxation rate also appeared to correlate with the volumetric strain. The NMR signal from the partially saturated cores (Sw<13%), however, showed no respectable change despite being loaded beyond the yield point. The T2 signal was dominated by two relaxation rates, which we argue corresponds to the surface water film (∼10nm) and micropores (∼0.1μm). The point that T1,2 NMR relaxation showed no significant change on partially saturated cores loaded beyond the yield point may indicate that the structure of water film remains unchanged despite progressive decay of pores structure during pore collapse failures.

Lithium, Gray Matter, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal

Magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported that lithium can increase the volume of gray matter in the human brain, a finding that has been ascribed to the established neurotrophic or neuroprotective effects of the drug. Lithium, however, might directly influence the intensity of the magnetic resonance signal so it is possible that the volumetric findings are artifactual, essentially a consequence of altered image contrast. Anatomical and quantitative magnetic resonance scans were acquired on 31 healthy young men before and after taking either lithium or placebo for 11 days. Brain volume change was derived with two established techniques: voxel-based morphometry (a statistical approach using signal intensity to segment images into tissue types), and Structural Image Evaluation, using Normalization, of Atrophy (a technique that operates by detecting changes in the position of the boundaries of the brain). In a subgroup (n = 12), tissue-specific magnetic resonance relaxation times were compared before and after lithium with quantitative T1-mapping techniques. Voxel-based morphometry revealed that gray matter volume was increased by lithium but not placebo (p = .001), whereas Structural Image Evaluation, using Normalization, of Atrophy showed no difference between lithium and placebo (p = .23). Taking lithium reduced the T1 relaxation of the gray matter only (p = .008). Magnetic resonance images of the brain differ before and after lithium, but this difference might derive from a change in the characteristics of the signal rather than a tangible increase in volume.

Synthesis of pseudopolyrotaxanes-coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as new MRI contrast agent

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesized and coated with pseudopolyrotaxanes (PPRs) and proposed as a novel hybrid nanostructure for medical imaging and drug delivery. PPRs were prepared by addition of α-cyclodextrin rings to functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain with hydrophobic triazine end-groups. Non-covalent interactions between SPIONs and PPRs led to the assembly of SPIONs@PRs hybrid nanomaterials. Measurements of the 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation times T1 and T2 allowed us to determine the NMR dispersion profiles. Comparison between our SPIONs@PRs hybrid nano-compound and the commercial SPION compound, Endorem®, showed a higher transverse relaxivity for SPIONs@PRs. In vitro MRI experiments showed that our SPIONs@PRs produces better negative contrast compared to Endorem® and can be considered as a novel MRI contrast agent.

Moisture in softwoods: fiber saturation point, hydroxyl site content, and the amount of micropores as determined from NMR relaxation time distributions

Abstract Distributions of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation times provide detailed information about the moisture absorbed in wood. In this work, T 2*, T 2, and T 1 distributions were recorded from fresh sapwood and heartwood samples of pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea abies) at various temperatures. Below the melting point of bulk water, free water is frozen and its signal disappears from the distributions. Then, the low-temperature distributions of the unfrozen bound water contain more information about its components, because the large free water peaks hiding some smaller bound water peaks are absent and the exchange between free and bound water is prevented. Comparison of the total moisture signal integrals above and below the bulk melting point enables the determination of fiber saturation point (FSP), which, in this context, denotes the total water capacity of cell wall. T 2*, T 2, and T 1 distributions offer different kinds of information about moisture components. All the peaks in the distributions were assigned, and it was demonstrated that the accessible hydroxyl site content and the amount of micropores can be estimated based on the peak integrals.

In Vitro MR Imaging of Renal Stones with an Ultra-short Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequence

To characterize the magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation times (ie, T1 and T2 relaxation times) of a variety of kidney stone specimens using an ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequence and to correlate these values to their size and composition based on chemical analysis. This was an institutional review board-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study with waiver of informed consent. Between April 2009 and September 2009, stones from 36 patients underwent 1.5T MR imaging with two UTE pulse sequences to measure: 1) T2 relaxation times (repetition time [TR] = 1 second and multiple echo times [TEs] ranging from 0.1ms up to 2 ms); 2) T1 relaxation times (TE = 0.1 ms and multiple TRs ranging from 500 ms to 2.5 seconds). A tube containing a solution of water and hydroxyapatite crystals near the stones served as reference standard. Results were compared to previous data obtained from experiments measuring the T1 and T2 of pure calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite crystals suspended in water. Stones were submitted for chemical analysis. The stone size and composition was correlated to the relaxation time, and signal intensity. The average stone size was 0.86 cm (range 0.1-3.3 cm). Twenty-one stones were visible by MR. The average size of MR-visible stones was 1.1 cm (range 0.15-3.3 cm) compared to 0.46 cm (range 0.1-0.9) for nonvisible stones. The mean T1 and T2 of MR-visible stones were 950 ms (range 138-3000 ms) and 3.12 ms (range 0.27-12 ms), respectively. The T1 (mean 1143, range 740-1583) andT1 (mean 8.31, range 4.6-12) values of calcium phosphate were longer than that for other stone compositions T1 (mean 953, range 138-3000) and T2 (mean 2.58, range 0.27-5.8; P < .05). The T1- and T2-relaxation times of kidney stones are variable and depend on their composition and the size of the stones. UTE MR allows for visualization of renal stones invitro.

Part 1

Development of a dual-tuned proton/sodium radiofrequency (RF) coil for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the rabbit spine and quantification of sodium concentration in intervertebral discs. To develop the dual-tuned proton/sodium MRI of rabbit lumbar spine to investigate proteoglycan matrix content and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD is a common chronic condition that may lead to back pain, limited activity, and disability. Early-stage IDD involves the loss of proteoglycan matrix and water content in the disc. Sodium MRI is a promising noninvasive technique for quantitative measurement of proteoglycan changes associated with IDD. The combined structural (proton) and biochemical (sodium) MRI facilitates the investigation of morphological and molecular changes associated with degeneration of discs. Multichannel dual-tuned proton/sodium transceiver RF coil of the rabbit spine was developed and optimized at 3T human scanner-8 channels allocated for the sodium coil and 4 channels for the proton coil. High-resolution anatomy proton images of the discs were acquired using turbo spin echo and dual echo steady state sequence. Sodium concentration of the discs was quantified from sodium magnetic resonance (MR) images that were calibrated for signal attenuation because of RF field inhomogeneity, sodium MR relaxation times, and disc thickness. Twelve rabbits (~1-yr old, female, 5.2 ± 0.4 kg) were used for measuring disc sodium concentration. High-resolution in vivo proton and sodium MR images of rabbit discs (≤2-mm thickness) were successfully obtained using an in-house dual-tuned proton/sodium RF coil at 3T. The total acquisition time for each set of images was approximately 40 minutes. Sodium concentration of normal rabbit lumbar discs was measured at 269.7 ± 6.3 mM, and this measurement was highly reproducible, with 5.3% of coefficient of variation. Sodium concentrations of rabbit lumbar discs were reliably measured using our newly developed dual-tuned multichannel proton/sodium RF coil at 3T.

Effect of Hyperoxia and Hypercapnia on Tissue Oxygen and Perfusion Response in the Normal Liver and Kidney

ObjectiveInhalation of air with altered levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide to manipulate tissue oxygenation and perfusion has both therapeutic and diagnostic value. These physiological responses can be measured non-invasively with magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation times. However, interpreting MR measurements is not straight-forward in extra-cranial organs where gas challenge studies have only begun to emerge. Inconsistent results have been reported on MR, likely because different organs respond differently. The objective of this study was to elucidate organ-specific physiological responses to gas challenge underlying MR measurements by investigating oxygenation and perfusion changes in the normal liver and kidney cortex.Materials and MethodsGas challenges (100% O2, 10% CO2, and carbogen [90% O2+10% CO2]) interleaved with room air was delivered to rabbits to investigate their effect on tissue oxygenation and perfusion. Real-time fiber-optic measurements of absolute oxygen and relative blood flow were made in the liver and kidney cortex.ResultsOnly the liver demonstrated a vasodilatory response to CO2. Perfusion changes to other gases were minimal in both organs. Tissue oxygenation measurements showed the liver responding only when CO2 was present and the kidney only when O2 was present.ConclusionThis study reveals distinct physiological response mechanisms to gas challenge in the liver and kidney. The detailed characterization of organ-specific responses is critical to improving our understanding and interpretation of MR measurements in various body organs, and will help broaden the application of MR for non-invasive studies of gas challenges.

The Acute Effect of Running on Knee Articular Cartilage and Meniscus Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Times in Young Healthy Adults

Background: Understanding the acute response of healthy knee cartilage to running may provide valuable insight into functional properties. In recent years, quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques (T1ρ and T2 relaxation measurement) have shown tremendous potential and unique ability to noninvasively and quantitatively determine cartilage response to physiologic levels of loading occurring with physiologic levels of exercise. Purpose: To measure the short-term changes in MR T1ρ and T2 relaxation times of knee articular cartilage and meniscus in healthy individuals immediately after 30 minutes of running. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Twenty young healthy volunteers, aged 22 to 35 years, underwent 3T MR imaging of the knee before and immediately after 30 minutes of running. Quantitative assessment of the cartilage and menisci was performed using MR images with a T1ρ and T2 mapping technique. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the effects of running on MR relaxation times. Results: The post-run T1ρ and T2 measurement showed significant reduction in all regions of cartilage except the lateral tibia when compared with the pre-run condition. The medial tibiofemoral (T1ρ: 9.4%, P < .0001; T2: 5.4%, P = .0049) and patellofemoral (T1ρ: 12.5%, P < .0001; T2: 5.7%, P = .0007) compartments experienced the greatest reduction after running. The superficial layer of the articular cartilage showed significantly higher change in relaxation times than the deep layer (∆T1ρ: 9.6% vs 8.2%, P = .050; ∆T2: 6.0% vs 3.5%, P = .069). The anterior and posterior horns of the medial meniscus (9.7%, P = .016 and 11.4%, P = .001) were the only meniscal subregions with significant changes in T1ρ after running. Conclusion: Shorter T1ρ and T2 values after running suggest alteration in the water content and collagen fiber orientation of the articular cartilage. Greater changes in relaxation times of the medial compartment and patellofemoral joint cartilage indicate greater load sharing by these areas during running.

Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of the Physical Stability of Electrospun Drug and Polymer Solid Solutions

A major challenge in utilizing the amorphous form of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a final oral dosage form is preventing crystallization over time and ensuring stability. One method to improve stability is lowering the mobility of an API by formulating as a solid solution with an excipient. In this work, we use electrospinning to prepare solid solutions of API, aliskiren (SPP) or indomethacin (IND), and a polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The stability of the solid solutions over 6-month storage in a desiccator at 40 °C was investigated. Using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, it was determined that no crystals were present in the four formulations tested--1:1 SPP-PVP, 4:1 SPP-PVP, 1:1 IND-PVP, and 2:1 IND-PVP at any time. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time measurements were used to determine whether phase separation of the API and polymer occurred during the study period. It was found that all formulations remained homogeneous down to at least a 2-10 nm length scale, indicating that for these APIs, electrospinning is an acceptable method for forming stable amorphous solid solutions.

Quantitative characterization of the microstructure and transport properties of biopolymer networks

Biopolymer networks are of fundamental importance to many biological processes in normal and tumorous tissues. In this paper, we employ the panoply of theoretical and simulation techniques developed for characterizing heterogeneous materials to quantify the microstructure and effective diffusive transport properties (diffusion coefficient De and mean survival time τ) of collagen type I networks at various collagen concentrations. In particular, we compute the pore-size probability density function P(δ) for the networks and present a variety of analytical estimates of the effective diffusion coefficient De for finite-sized diffusing particles, including the low-density approximation, the Ogston approximation and the Torquato approximation. The Hashin–Strikman upper bound on the effective diffusion coefficient De and the pore-size lower bound on the mean survival time τ are used as benchmarks to test our analytical approximations and numerical results. Moreover, we generalize the efficient first-passage-time techniques for Brownian-motion simulations in suspensions of spheres to the case of fiber networks and compute the associated effective diffusion coefficient De as well as the mean survival time τ, which is related to nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation times. Our numerical results for De are in excellent agreement with analytical results for simple network microstructures, such as periodic arrays of parallel cylinders. Specifically, the Torquato approximation provides the most accurate estimates of De for all collagen concentrations among all of the analytical approximations we consider. We formulate a universal curve for τ for the networks at different collagen concentrations, extending the work of Torquato and Yeong (1997 J. Chem. Phys. 106 8814). We apply rigorous cross-property relations to estimate the effective bulk modulus of collagen networks from a knowledge of the effective diffusion coefficient computed here. The use of cross-property relations to link other physical properties to the transport properties of collagen networks is also discussed.

Rapid Method to Screen Unopened Bottles to Detect Concealed Drugs

A bottle screening method to detect smuggling drugs was developed based on a series of rapid and automated magnetic resonance measurements. Liquid alteration is detected by evaluating chemical and physical properties of the liquid, scanning the bottle with a compact, non-contact magnetic resonance probe. Chemical and molecular diffusion changes are detected by means of the magnetic resonance relaxation time. The inspection device automatically detects the presence of concealed powders dissolved in liquids in a second timescale. The non-ionizing, non-contact method effectively screens bottles, regardless of their shape, size, and color. The proposed system configuration does not require a large magnet generating uniform magnetic fields; rather it inspects the liquid using a compact probe positioned on the wall of the bottle. For a variety of samples tested, the screening does not require detailed information on the expected content of the bottle.

Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Labeling with Positive Contrast Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles for Cellular Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla

Positive T₁ contrast using gadolinium (Gd) contrast agents can potentially improve detection of labeled cells on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recently, gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) nanoparticles have shown promise as a sensitive T₁ agent for cell labeling at clinical field strengths compared to conventional Gd chelates. The objective of this study was to investigate Gado CELLTrack, a commercially available Gd₂O₃ nanoparticle, for cell labeling and MRI at 7 T. Relaxivity measurements yielded r1 = 4.7 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹ and r₂/r₁ = 6.2. Human aortic endothelial cells were labeled with Gd₂O₃ at various concentrations and underwent MRI from 1 to 7 days postlabeling. The magnetic resonance relaxation times T₁ and T₂ of labeled cell pellets were measured. Cellular contrast agent uptake was quantified by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, which showed very high uptake compared to conventional Gd compounds. MRI demonstrated significant positive T₁ contrast and stable labeling on cells. Enhancement was optimal at low Gd concentrations, attained in the 0.02 to 0.1 mM incubation concentration range (corresponding cell uptake was 7.26 to 34.1 pg Gd/cell). Cell viability and proliferation were unaffected at the concentrations tested and up to at least 3 days postlabeling. Gd₂O₃ is a promising sensitive and stable positive contrast agent for cellular MRI at 7 T.

Detection of biological uranium reduction using magnetic resonance

The conversion of soluble uranyl ions (UO₂²⁺) by bacterial reduction to sparingly soluble uraninite (UO₂(s)) is being studied as a way of immobilizing subsurface uranium contamination. Under anaerobic conditions, several known types of bacteria including iron and sulfate reducing bacteria have been shown to reduce U (VI) to U (IV). Experiments using a suspension of uraninite (UO₂(s)) particles produced by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 bacteria show a dependence of both longitudinal (T₁) and transverse (T₂) magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation times on the oxidation state and solubility of the uranium. Gradient echo and spin echo MR images were compared to quantify the effect caused by the magnetic field fluctuations (T*₂) of the uraninite particles and soluble uranyl ions. Since the precipitate studied was suspended in liquid water, the effects of concentration and particle aggregation were explored. A suspension of uraninite particles was injected into a polysaccharide gel, which simulates the precipitation environment of uraninite in the extracellular biofilm matrix. A reduction in the T₂ of the gel surrounding the particles was observed. Tests done in situ using three bioreactors under different mixing conditions, continuously stirred, intermittently stirred, and not stirred, showed a quantifiable T₂ magnetic relaxation effect over the extent of the reaction.

Contrast agent derived determination of the total circulating blood volume using magnetic resonance

Knowledge of the total circulating blood volume (TCBV) is essential for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions and blood disorders. To date, blood volume analysis is rarely carried out due to the disadvantages of available methods. Our aim was to develop a widely available, simple, fast, yet accurate method for the determination of the total circulating blood volume. Magnetic resonance (MR) is a well-established, non-invasive technique. In this article, we present a method that uses MR contrast agents for the determination of the blood volume. The dependence of MR relaxation times on the concentration of MR contrast agents allows the calculation of the volume the contrast agent has been diluted in. In phantom and in vivo experiments we could demonstrate that TCBV can be determined with high accuracy and precision. This work introduces a novel method for the determination of the total circulating blood volume using magnetic resonance contrast agents as tracers.

Studying Blended Cement Paste with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Time

The pore structure of cement paste has a relationship with its strength and durability. An appropriate method of measurement is a prerequisite to study the pore structure of cement paste. Among many test methods, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation time is a novel testing methods to study pore structure of cement paste. Different from previous research object is limited to white cement, the test sample in this paper is the blended cement paste containing mineral admixture and has been widely used in practical engineering applications. The factors of pore structure are water to cementitious material ratio, kind of mineral admixture, and mineral admixture content. Measure the same sample at four different ages to obtain the relaxation time distribution to reflect the pore structure. The test results show that, in most cases, the distribution curves of the same kind of paste are in good agreement, and the change of relaxation time distribution of the blended cement paste with different ages can be interpreted as the characteristic of the mineral admixtures in cement paste. So the NMR relaxation time is suitable for study on the blended cement paste. However due to side effects caused by iron content and unsaturated water in gel pore, this method needs further improvement.

Normal Tissue Quantitative T1 and T2∗ MRI Relaxation Time Responses to Hypercapnic and Hyperoxic Gases

Longitudinal (T(1)) and effective transverse (T(2)*) magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation times provide noninvasive measures of tissue oxygenation. The objective for this study was to quantify independent effects of inhaled O(2) and CO(2) on normal tissue T(1) and T(2)* in rabbit liver, kidney, and paraspinal muscle. Three gas challenges (100% O(2), 10% CO(2) [balance air], and carbogen [90% O(2) + 10% CO(2)]) were delivered to the rabbits in random order to isolate the effects of inspired O(2) and CO(2). During each challenge, quantitative T(1) and T(2)* maps were collected on a 1.5 Tesla MR imaging. Mean changes in T(1) (ΔT(1)) and T(2)* (ΔT(2)*) were calculated from regions of interest in each organ. Greatest ΔT(1) and ΔT(2)* changes were observed in liver for 10% CO(2) and in kidney for 100% O(2). ΔT(1) and ΔT(2)* generally followed predicted patterns when transitioning from air breathing: lower T(1)/higher T(2)* with inspired O(2), higher T(1)/lower T(2)* with inspired CO(2), and variable T(1)/T(2)* changes in the presence of both (ie, carbogen). New observations also emerged: 1) between-gas-challenge transitions revealed the greatest significance in ΔT(2)* for the liver and kidney resulting from the isolation of independent O(2) and CO(2) effects; 2) ΔT(2)* provided the best sensitivity and detected both tissue oxygenation and blood volume modulation; and 3) ΔT(1) sensitivity was restricted mainly to tissue oxygenation in the absence of counteracting vasodilatation. Robust use of MR relaxation times as noninvasive biomarkers requires an understanding of their relative sensitivity to organ-specific physiological responses.

Effects of pulmonary inhalation on hyperpolarized krypton-83 magnetic resonance T1 relaxation

The 83Kr magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation time T1 of krypton gas in contact with model surfaces was previously found to be highly sensitive to surface composition, surface-to-volume ratio, and surface temperature. The work presented here explored aspects of pulmonary 83Kr T1 relaxation measurements in excised lungs from healthy rats using hyperpolarized (hp) 83Kr with approximately 4.4% spin polarization. MR spectroscopy without spatial resolution was applied to the ex vivo lungs that actively inhale hp 83Kr through a custom designed ventilation system. Various inhalation schemes were devised to study the influence of anatomical dead space upon the measured 83Kr T1 relaxation times. The longitudinal 83Kr relaxation times in the distal airways and the respiratory zones were independent of the lung inhalation volume, with T1 = 1.3 s and T1 = 1.0 s, depending only on the applied inhalation scheme. The obtained data were highly reproducible between different specimens. Further, the 83Kr T1 relaxation times in excised lungs were unaffected by the presence of up to 40% oxygen in the hp gas mixture. The results support the possible importance of 83Kr as a biomarker for evaluating lung function.

The effects of pre-salting methods on water distribution and protein denaturation of dry salted and rehydrated cod – A low-field NMR study

Low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) relaxation time measurements were used to evaluate the effect of different pre-salting methods (brine injection of salt and/or phosphates followed by brining, solely brining, pickling and kench salting) on the protein denaturation and change in muscle properties during the production steps of dry salted cod fillets followed by rehydration. The NMR relaxation curves were affected by the salting method and represented well the structural differences between the salting methods at each processing step. Significant correlations were observed between the NMR relaxation parameters and all physicochemical quality properties measured, except the cooking yield, when samples from all processing stages were analyzed together. The longitudinal relaxation time T1, and the faster relaxing transverse relaxation time T21 were shown to be especially sensitive to protein denaturation in the fillets. The water distribution indicated that the salting and rehydration processes changed the cells irreversibly. The study indicated that pre-brining by brine injection followed by brining, with low salt concentrations, led to the least protein denaturation during the dry salting and rehydration process.

Geophysics at the interface: Response of geophysical properties to solid-fluid, fluid-fluid, and solid-solid interfaces

Laboratory studies reveal the sensitivity of measured geophysical properties to solid-fluid, fluid-fluid, and solid-solid interfaces in granular and fractured materials. In granular materials, electrical properties and nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation times exhibit a strong dependence on the size and properties of the solid-fluid interface. The electrical and seismic properties of granular materials and the seismic properties of fractured materials reveal a dependence on the size or geometry of fluid-fluid interfaces. Seismic properties of granular and fractured materials are affected by the effective stress and cementing material at solid-solid interfaces. There have been some recent studies demonstrating the use of field-scale measurements to obtain information about pore-scale interfaces. In addition, a new approach to geophysical field measurements focuses on the geophysical response of the field-scale interface itself, with successful applications in imaging the water table and a redox front. The observed sensitivity of geophysical data to interfaces highlights new ways in which geophysical measurements could be used to obtain information about subsurface properties and processes.

Physico-Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Apple Disks Subjected to Osmotic Dehydration and Different Drying Methods

The effect of sucrose infusion (SI) pretreatment and dehydration methods (freeze and air drying) on physical and textural properties of apple disks were analyzed. Dried samples were humidified between 11% and 43% relative humidity (RH) at 20 °C. Control samples (air- and freeze-dried) behaved similarly regarding water sorption and glass transition temperature. SI process caused important changes in the water sorption behavior of air-dried samples. Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation times values (T2) for freeze-dried apples were higher than those for air-dried samples. Samples subjected to previous SI always presented lower T2 values because they had lower water contents. The dehydration method also affected the mechanic behavior. Air-dried samples exhibited higher Fmax values during puncture assay than those obtained for freeze-dried samples. SI samples showed higher Fmax values for both drying methods. The crust formed during air drying generated crispier materials along the whole RH range, while freeze-dried matrices were more deformable with the increase in RH. SI pretreatment also allowed diminishing browning development. The results obtained are useful in the choice of processing technologies of organoleptically acceptable dehydrated fruits for direct consumption or for their incorporation into compound foods.