Conventional and advanced MR imaging findings in a cohort of pathology-proven dermoid cysts of the pediatric scalp and skull

Background In the pediatric population, dermoid cysts are among the most frequent lesions of the scalp and skull. Imaging plays a key role in characterizing scalp and skull lesions in order to narrow the differential diagnoses. In general, dermoids are described as heterogeneous T1-/T2-hypo- to hyperintense lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. Methods The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the diffusion weighted imaging findings while reviewing the conventional T1-/T2-/T1+C-weighted MR characteristics in a pathology-proven series of 14 dermoids of the pediatric scalp and skull. Results In our pediatric cohort (eight boys, six girls, age range 3–95 months), half of the dermoids were homogeneous T1-hypointense and homogeneous T2-hyperintense. We found a mixture of restricted (45.5%) and increased diffusion (54.5%) in dermoids. The vast majority of dermoids (91.7%) showed rim enhancement. Most dermoids (57.1%) were located at the midline and adjacent to one of its sutures. Conclusions This study suggests that dermoids may have more variable imaging appearances than hitherto assumed and are frequently seen in close proximity or adjacent to the anterior fontanelle.

Production, deformation and magnetorheological characteristics of the alginate/chitosan hydrogel magnetic microspheres

To improve dispersion stability and magnetorheological (MR) characteristics of carbonyl iron (CI) particles, we proposed novel hydrogel magnetic microspheres (MPs) dual-coated with alginate (AL) and chitosan (CTS) for the first time. The double-network structures formed by biological crosslinking and chelation reactions are capable to enhance its own structural stability and mechanical properties. The structural characterization, MR properties, and dispersion stability for different MPs were investigated. Additionally, the swelling behaviors were studied by swelling the dried MPs in the deionized water and sodium chloride solution, respectively. The results showed that the AL/CTS hydrogel core/shell MPs displayed the advantages of simple manufacturing, superior MR properties and deformability compared to pure micron-sized CI particles, indicating the improved dispersion stability of the MR fluids compared to that of the pure CI particles-based MR fluids. The introduction of double network structures with natural biopolymers will provide a new thought for the development of MR materials.

Enhanced Magnetorheological Performance of Carbonyl Iron Suspension Added With Barium Ferrite Nanoparticle

Hard-magnetic barium ferrite (BF) nanoparticles with a hexagonal plate-like structure were used as an additive to a carbonyl iron (CI) microparticle-based magnetorheological (MR) fluid. The morphology of the pristine CI and CI/BF mixture particles was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The saturation magnetization and coercivity values of each particle were measured in the powder state by vibrating sample magnetometry. The MR characteristics of the CI/BF MR fluid measured using a rotation rheometer under a range of magnetic field strengths were compared with those of the CI-based MR fluid. The flow behavior of both MR fluids was fitted using a Herschel–Bulkley model, and their stress relaxation phenomenon was examined using the Schwarzl equation. The MR fluid with the BF additive showed higher dynamic and elastic yield stresses than the MR fluid without the BF additive as the magnetic field strength increased. Furthermore, the BF nanoparticles embedded in the space between the CI microparticles improved the dispersion stability and the MR performance of the MR fluid.

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phenotypes Predict Overall Survival Benefit From Bevacizumab or Surgery in Recurrent Glioblastoma With Large Tumor Burden

Background Diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics are a predictive imaging biomarker for survival benefit in recurrent glioblastoma treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy; however, its use in large volume recurrence has not been evaluated. Objective To determine if diffusion MR characteristics can predict survival outcomes in patients with large volume recurrent glioblastoma treated with bevacizumab or repeat resection. Methods A total of 32 patients with large volume (>20 cc or > 3.4 cm diameter) recurrent glioblastoma treated with bevacizumab and 35 patients treated with repeat surgery were included. Pretreatment tumor volume and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis were used to phenotype patients as having high (>1.24 μm2/ms) or low (<1.24 μm2/ms) ADCL, the mean value of the lower peak in a double Gaussian model of the ADC histogram within the contrast enhancing tumor. Results In bevacizumab and surgical cohorts, volume was correlated with overall survival (Bevacizumab: P = .009, HR = 1.02; Surgical: P = .006, HR = 0.96). ADCL was an independent predictor of survival in the bevacizumab cohort (P = .049, HR = 0.44), but not the surgical cohort (P = .273, HR = 0.67). There was a survival advantage of surgery over bevacizumab in patients with low ADCL (P = .036, HR = 0.43) but not in patients with high ADCL (P = .284, HR = 0.69). Conclusion Pretreatment diffusion MR imaging is an independent predictive biomarker for overall survival in recurrent glioblastoma with a large tumor burden. Large tumors with low ADCL have a survival benefit when treated with surgical resection, whereas large tumors with high ADCL may be best managed with bevacizumab.

Nanoparticles Functionalized by Conducting Polymers and Their Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Applications

Conducting polymer-coated nanoparticles used in electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids are reviewed along with their fabrication methods, morphologies, thermal properties, sedimentation stabilities, dielectric properties, and ER and MR characteristics under applied electric or magnetic fields. After functionalization of the conducting polymers, the nanoparticles exhibited properties suitable for use as ER materials, and materials in which magnetic particles are used as a core could also be applied as MR materials. The conducting polymers covered in this study included polyaniline and its derivatives, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3-octylthiophene), polypyrrole, and poly(diphenylamine). The modified nanoparticles included polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), silica, titanium dioxide, maghemite, magnetite, and nanoclay. This article reviews many core-shell structured conducting polymer-coated nanoparticles used in ER and MR fluids and is expected to contribute to the understanding and development of ER and MR materials.

Decorin Expression Is Associated With Diffusion MR Phenotypes in Glioblastoma

INTRODUCTION Significant evidence from multiple phase II trials have suggested diffusion-weighted imaging estimates of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) are a predictive imaging biomarker for survival benefit for recurrent glioblastoma when treated with anti-VEGF therapies, including bevacizumab, cediranib, and cabozantinib. Despite this observation, the underlying mechanism linking anti-VEGF therapeutic efficacy with diffusion MR characteristics remains unknown. We hypothesized that a high expression of decorin, a small proteoglycan that has been associated with sequestration of pro-angiogenic signaling as well as reduction in the viscosity of the extracellular environment, may be associated with elevated ADC. METHODS A differential gene expression analysis was carried out in human glioblastoma samples in whom preoperative diffusion imaging was obtained. ADC histogram analysis was carried out to calculate preoperative ADCL values, the average ADC in the lower distribution using a double Gaussian mixed model. The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were queried to identify diffusion imaging and levels of decorin protein expression. Patients with recurrent glioblastoma who undergo resection prospectively had targeted biopsies based on the ADC analysis collected. These samples were stained for decorin and quantified using whole-slide image analysis software. RESULTS Differential gene expression analysis between tumors associated with high and low preoperative ADCL showed that patients with high ADCL had increased decorin gene expression. Patients from the TCGA database with elevated ADCL had a significantly higher level of decorin gene expression (P = .01). These patients had a survival advantage with a log-rank analysis (P = .002). Patients with preoperative diffusion imaging had multiple targeted intraoperative biopsies stained for decorin. Patients with high ADCL had increased decorin expression on immunohistochemistry (P = .002). CONCLUSION Increased ADCL on diffusion MR imaging is associated with high decorin expression as well as increased survival in glioblastoma. Decorin may play an important role the imaging features on diffusion MR and anti-VEGF treatment efficacy. Decorin expression may serve as a future therapeutic target in patients with favorable diffusion MR characteristics.