Differential apicomplexan presence predicts thermal stress mortality in the Mediterranean coral Paramuricea clavata.

Paramuricea clavata is an ecosystem architect of the Mediterranean temperate reefs that is currently threatened by episodic mass mortality events related to global warming. The microbiome may play an active role in the thermal stress susceptibility of corals, potentially holding the answer as to why corals show differential sensitivity to heat stress. To investigate this, the prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiome of P. clavata collected from around the Mediterranean was characterised before experimental heat stress to determine if its microbial composition influences the thermal response of the holobiont. We found that members of P. clavata's microeukaryotic community were significantly correlated with thermal stress sensitivity. Syndiniales from the Dino-Group I Clade 1 were significantly enriched in thermally resistant corals, while the apicomplexan corallicolids were significantly enriched in thermally susceptible corals. We hypothesise that P. clavata mortality following heat stress may be caused by a shift from apparent commensalism to parasitism in the corallicolid-coral host relationship driven by the added stress. Our results show the potential importance of corallicolids and the rest of the microeukaryotic community of corals to understanding thermal stress response in corals and provide a useful tool to guide conservation efforts and future research into coral-associated microeukaryotes.

Quantitative T2 Mapping of Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of the T2 signal by means of T2 mapping in acute pancreatitis (AP) has the potential to quantify the parenchymal edema. Quantitative T2 mapping may overcome the limitations of previously reported scoring systems for reliable assessment of AP. PURPOSE: To evaluate MR-derived pancreatic T2 mapping values in AP and correlate them with markers of disease severity. STUDY TYPE: Prospective single-center study. POPULATION: 76 adults with AP (20-91 years, females/males: 39/37). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Fat suppressed multiecho spin-echo prototype sequence to quantify T2 signal at 3T MRI. ASSESSMENT: The severity of AP was assessed clinically, biologically, and by contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) performed 48-72 hours after symptom onset. MRI was then performed ≤24 hours after CT. Two readers blinded to any clinical information independently evaluated the T2 values by placing three regions of interest inside the pancreatic head, body, and tail on the T2 mapping MR sequence. Results were compared with corresponding CECT images as the standard and clinical severity parameters, using the length of hospital stay as our primary endpoint. STATISTICAL TESTS: Continuous variables were compared using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Student's t-test. RESULTS: T2 values significantly correlated with the length of hospital stay (rs (74) = 0.29), CT severity index (CTSI) (rs (73) = 0.61; CTSI 0-3: 72 ± 14 msec, CTSI 4-10: 88 ± 15), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (t(2.77) = -3.41) and presence of organ failure (t(6.72) = -3.42), whereas the CTSI and Ranson score were not significantly related with ICU admission (CTSI: P = 0.24; Ranson score: P = 0.24) and organ failure (CTSI: P = 0.11; Ranson score P = 0.11). CONCLUSION: T2 mapping correlates with AP severity parameters and is useful for assessing the severity of AP with higher sensitivity than the usual clinical and radiological scoring systems. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Creative thinking and brain network development in schoolchildren.

Fostering creative minds has always been a premise to ensure adaptation to new challenges of human civilization. While some alternative educational settings (i.e., Montessori) were shown to nurture creative skills, it is unknown how they impact underlying brain mechanisms across the school years. This study assessed creative thinking and resting-state functional connectivity via fMRI in 75 children (4-18 y.o.) enrolled either in Montessori or traditional schools. We found that pedagogy significantly influenced creative performance and underlying brain networks. Replicating past work, Montessori-schooled children showed higher scores on creative thinking tests. Using static functional connectivity analysis, we found that Montessori-schooled children showed decreased within-network functional connectivity of the salience network. Moreover, using dynamic functional connectivity, we found that traditionally-schooled children spent more time in a brain state characterized by high intra-default mode network connectivity. These findings suggest that pedagogy may influence brain networks relevant to creative thinking-particularly the default and salience networks. Further research is needed, like a longitudinal study, to verify these results given the implications for educational practitioners. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWV_5o8wB5g . RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Most executive jobs are prospected to be obsolete within several decades, so creative skills are seen as essential for the near future. School experience has been shown to play a role in creativity development, however, the underlying brain mechanisms remained under-investigated yet. Seventy-five 4-18 years-old children, from Montessori or traditional schools, performed a creativity task at the behavioral level, and a 6-min resting-state MR scan. We uniquely report preliminary evidence for the impact of pedagogy on functional brain networks.

Morphological assessment of cartilage and osteoarthritis in clinical practice and research: Intermediate-weighted fat-suppressed sequences and beyond.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely regarded as the primary modality for the morphological assessment of cartilage and all other joint tissues involved in osteoarthritis. 2D fast spin echo fat-suppressed intermediate-weighted (FSE FS IW) sequences with a TE between 30 and 40ms have stood the test of time and are considered the cornerstone of MRI protocols for clinical practice and trials. These sequences offer a good balance between sensitivity and specificity and provide appropriate contrast and signal within the cartilage as well as between cartilage, articular fluid, and subchondral bone. Additionally, FS IW sequences enable the evaluation of menisci, ligaments, synovitis/effusion, and bone marrow edema-like signal changes. This review article provides a rationale for the use of FSE FS IW sequences in the morphological assessment of cartilage and osteoarthritis, along with a brief overview of other clinically available sequences for this indication. Additionally, the article highlights ongoing research efforts aimed at improving FSE FS IW sequences through 3D acquisitions with enhanced resolution, shortened examination times, and exploring the potential benefits of different magnetic field strengths. While most of the literature on cartilage imaging focuses on the knee, the concepts presented here are applicable to all joints. KEY POINTS: 1. MRI is currently considered the modality of reference for a "whole-joint" morphological assessment of osteoarthritis. 2. Fat-suppressed intermediate-weighted sequences remain the keystone of MRI protocols for the assessment of cartilage morphology, as well as other structures involved in osteoarthritis. 3. Trends for further development in the field of cartilage and joint imaging include 3D FSE imaging, faster acquisition including AI-based acceleration, and synthetic imaging providing multi-contrast sequences.

Marine heatwaves drive recurrent mass mortalities in the Mediterranean Sea.

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and mass mortality events (MMEs) of marine organisms are one of their main ecological impacts. Here, we show that during the 2015-2019 period, the Mediterranean Sea has experienced exceptional thermal conditions resulting in the onset of five consecutive years of widespread MMEs across the basin. These MMEs affected thousands of kilometers of coastline from the surface to 45 m, across a range of marine habitats and taxa (50 taxa across 8 phyla). Significant relationships were found between the incidence of MMEs and the heat exposure associated with MHWs observed both at the surface and across depths. Our findings reveal that the Mediterranean Sea is experiencing an acceleration of the ecological impacts of MHWs which poses an unprecedented threat to its ecosystems' health and functioning. Overall, we show that increasing the resolution of empirical observation is critical to enhancing our ability to more effectively understand and manage the consequences of climate change.

Diagnosis of ulnar nerve entrapment anterior to the medial epicondyle by ultrasound elastography and diffusion tensor imaging with fiber tractography: a case report.

Ulnar/cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb. Permanent location of the ulnar nerve anterior to the medial epicondyle is extremely rare, with only five cases reported in the literature. Using ultrasound elastography and diffusion tensor imaging with fiber tractography, we diagnosed a case in which ulnar nerve entrapment was associated with anterior nerve location. Surgical release confirmed the diagnosis and the patient was symptom free 3 months after surgery.

Climate change transforms the functional identity of Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages.

Quantifying changes in functional community structure driven by disturbance is critical to anticipate potential shifts in ecosystem functioning. However, how marine heatwaves (MHWs) affect the functional structure of temperate coral-dominated communities is poorly understood. Here, we used five long-term (> 10 years) records of Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages in a multi-taxa, trait-based analysis to investigate MHW-driven changes in functional structure. We show that, despite stability in functional richness (i.e. the range of species functional traits), MHW-impacted assemblages experienced long-term directional changes in functional identity (i.e. their dominant trait values). Declining traits included large sizes, long lifespans, arborescent morphologies, filter-feeding strategies or calcified skeletons. These traits, which were mostly supported by few sensitive and irreplaceable species from a single functional group (habitat-forming octocorals), disproportionally influence certain ecosystem functions (e.g. 3D-habitat provision). Hence, MHWs are leading to assemblages that are deficient in key functional traits, with likely consequences for the ecosystem functioning.

The combination of hepatobiliary phase with Gd-EOB-DTPA and DWI is highly accurate for the detection and characterization of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumor.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced phases, hepatobiliary phase (HBP), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the detection of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumor (NET). METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with suspected NET liver metastases underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Three radiologists read four imaging sets separately and independently: DWI, T2W+dynamic, T2WI+HBP, and DWI+HBP. Reference standard included all imaging, histological findings, and clinical data. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared for each imaging set. Interreader agreement was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Univariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate lesion characteristics (size, ADC, and enhancing pattern) associated to false positive and negative lesions. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty-five lesions (545 metastases, 80 benign lesions) were identified. Detection rate was significantly higher combining DWI+HBP than the other imaging sets (sensitivity 86% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.845-0.878), specificity 94% (95% CI 0.901-0.961)). The sensitivity and specificity of the other sets were 82% and 65% for DWI, 88% and 69% for T2WI, and 90% and 82% for HBP+T2WI, respectively. The interreader agreement was statistically higher for both HBP sets (ICC = 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.97) for T2WI+HBP and ICC = 0.91 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) for DWI+HBP, respectively) compared with that for DWI (ICC = 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.83)) and T2+dynamic (ICC = 0.85 (95% CI 0.79-0.9)). High ADC values, large lesion size, and hypervascular pattern lowered the risk of false negative. CONCLUSION: Given the high diagnostic accuracy of combining DWI+HBP, gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is to be considered in NET patients with suspected liver metastases. Fast MRI protocol using T2WI, DWI, and HBP is of interest in this population. KEY POINTS: • The combined set of diffusion-weighted (DW) and hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images yields the highest sensitivity and specificity for neuroendocrine liver metastasis (NELM) detection. • Gadoxetic acid should be the contrast agent of choice for liver MRI in NET patients. • The combined set of HBP and DWI sequences could also be used as a tool of abbreviated MRI in follow-up or assessment of treatment such as somatostatin analogs.

Image acquisition for intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of kidneys should be triggered at the instant of maximum blood velocity: evidence obtained with simulations and in vivo experiments.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that diffusion-weighted images should be acquired at the instant of maximum blood velocity in kidneys to extract the perfusion fraction (PF) by the bi-exponential intravoxel incoherent motion model. METHODS: The PF values were measured in Monte-Carlo simulations corresponding to different blood velocities with a constant known PF. The distribution of the measured PF values (PF-distribution) was characterized quantitatively by 3 markers highlighting the deviation of the measurement from the true PF. Diffusion-weighted images of kidneys were acquired in 10 healthy volunteers at the instant of maximal respectively minimal blood velocity in the renal artery (Vmax versus Vmin acquisition). The PF-distributions measured from the Vmax and Vmin acquisitions were compared mutually and with simulated PF-distributions using the 3 markers. A radiologist evaluated the quality of the PF maps. RESULTS: The PF-distributions measured in the simulations were spread around the true PF value, and spreading was reduced as blood velocity increased. A comparison between simulated and in vivo PF-distributions suggests that a similar phenomenon is plausible in vivo. The quality of the PF maps of the Vmax -acquisition was scored higher by the radiologist than those of the Vmin -acquisition in 95% of cases (19 of 20). CONCLUSIONS: The PF maps are of better quality when the Vmax -acquisition is used. We show evidence supporting the hypothesis that the variation of PF along the cardiac cycle is due to oscillations between a poor estimation when the blood velocity is low, and a better estimation when blood velocity is higher.

Patient respiratory-triggered quantitative T2 mapping in the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Long acquisition times and motion sensitivity limit T2 mapping in the abdomen. Accelerated mapping at 3 T may allow for quantitative assessment of diffuse pancreatic disease in patients during free-breathing. PURPOSE: To test the feasibility of respiratory-triggered quantitative T2 analysis in the pancreas and correlate T2 -values with age, body mass index, pancreatic location, main pancreatic duct dilatation, and underlying pathology. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective single-center pilot study. POPULATION: Eighty-eight adults. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Ten-fold accelerated multiecho-spin-echo 3 T MRI sequence to quantify T2 at 3 T. ASSESSMENT: Two radiologists independently delineated three regions of interest inside the pancreatic head, body, and tail for each acquisition. Means and standard deviations for T2 values in these regions were determined. T2 -value variation with demographic data, intraparenchymal location, pancreatic duct dilation, and underlying pancreatic disease was assessed. STATISTICAL TESTS: Interreader reliability was determined by calculating the interclass coefficient (ICCs). T2 values were compared for different pancreatic locations by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Interpatient associations between T2 values and demographical, clinical, and radiological data were calculated (ANOVA). RESULTS: The accelerated T2 mapping sequence was successfully performed in all participants (mean acquisition time, 2:48 ± 0:43 min). Low T2 value variability was observed across all patients (intersubject) (head: 60.2 ± 8.3 msec, body: 63.9 ± 11.5 msec, tail: 66.8 ± 16.4 msec). Interreader agreement was good (ICC, 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.86). T2 -values differed significantly depending on age (P < 0.001), location (P < 0.001), main pancreatic duct dilatation (P < 0.001), and diffuse pancreatic disease (P < 0.03). DATA CONCLUSION: The feasibility of accelerated T2 mapping at 3 T in moving abdominal organs was demonstrated in the pancreas, since T2 values were stable and reproducible. In the pancreatic parenchyma, T2 -values were significantly dependent on demographic and clinical parameters. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:410-416.

Beyond the beaten path: improving natural products bioprospecting using an eco-evolutionary framework - the case of the octocorals.

Marine natural products (NPs) represent an impressive source of novel bioactive molecules with major biotechnological applications. Nevertheless, the usual chemical and applied perspective leading most of bioprospecting projects come along with various limitations blurring our understanding of the extensive marine chemical diversity. Here, we propose several guidelines: (i) to optimize bioprospecting and (ii) to refine our knowledge on marine chemical ecology focusing on octocorals, one of the most promising sources of marine NPs. We identified a significant phylogenetic bias in the octocoral bioprospecting, which calls for the development of a concerted discovery strategy. Given the gap existing between the number of isolated NPs and the knowledge regarding their functions, we provide an ecologically centered workflow prioritizing biological function ahead of chemical identification. Furthermore, we illustrate how -omic technologies should rapidly increase our knowledge on solving different aspects of the ecology and evolution of marine NPs.

Isotropic three-dimensional T2 mapping of knee cartilage: Development and validation.

PURPOSE: 1) To implement a higher-resolution isotropic 3D T2 mapping technique that uses sequential T2 -prepared segmented gradient-recalled echo (Iso3DGRE) images for knee cartilage evaluation, and 2) to validate it both in vitro and in vivo in healthy volunteers and patients with knee osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Iso3DGRE sequence with an isotropic 0.6 mm spatial resolution was developed on a clinical 3T MR scanner. Numerical simulations were performed to optimize the pulse sequence parameters. A phantom study was performed to validate the T2 estimation accuracy. The repeatability of the sequence was assessed in healthy volunteers (n = 7). T2 values were compared with those from a clinical standard 2D multislice multiecho (MSME) T2 mapping sequence in knees of healthy volunteers (n = 13) and in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA, n = 5). RESULTS: The numerical simulations resulted in 100 excitations per segment and an optimal radiofrequency (RF) excitation angle of 15°. The phantom study demonstrated a good correlation of the technique with the reference standard (slope 0.9 ± 0.05, intercept 0.2 ± 1.7 msec, R2 ≥ 0.99). Repeated measurements of cartilage T2 values in healthy volunteers showed a coefficient of variation of 5.6%. Both Iso3DGRE and MSME techniques found significantly higher cartilage T2 values (P < 0.03) in OA patients. Iso3DGRE precision was equal to that of the MSME T2 mapping in healthy volunteers, and significantly higher in OA (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study successfully demonstrated that high-resolution isotropic 3D T2 mapping for knee cartilage characterization is feasible, accurate, repeatable, and precise. The technique allows for multiplanar reformatting and thus T2 quantification in any plane of interest. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:362-371.

A multispecies approach reveals hot spots and cold spots of diversity and connectivity in invertebrate species with contrasting dispersal modes.

Genetic diversity is crucial for species' maintenance and persistence, yet is often overlooked in conservation studies. Species diversity is more often reported due to practical constraints, but it is unknown if these measures of diversity are correlated. In marine invertebrates, adults are often sessile or sedentary and populations exchange genes via dispersal of gametes and larvae. Species with a larval period are expected to have more connected populations than those without larval dispersal. We assessed the relationship between measures of species and genetic diversity, and between dispersal ability and connectivity. We compiled data on genetic patterns and life history traits in nine species across five phyla. Sampling sites spanned 600 km in the northwest Mediterranean Sea and focused on a 50-km area near Marseilles, France. Comparative population genetic approaches yielded three main results. (i) Species without larvae showed higher levels of genetic structure than species with free-living larvae, but the role of larval type (lecithotrophic or planktotrophic) was negligible. (ii) A narrow area around Marseilles, subject to offshore advection, limited genetic connectivity in most species. (iii) We identified sites with significant positive contributions to overall genetic diversity across all species, corresponding with areas near low human population densities. In contrast, high levels of human activity corresponded with a negative contribution to overall genetic diversity. Genetic diversity within species was positively and significantly linearly related to local species diversity. Our study suggests that local contribution to overall genetic diversity should be taken into account for future conservation strategies.

Application of intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion imaging to shoulder muscles after a lift-off test of varying duration.

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI is a method to extract microvascular blood flow information out of diffusion-weighted images acquired at multiple b-values. We hypothesized that IVIM can identify the muscles selectively involved in a specific task, by measuring changes in activity-induced local muscular perfusion after exercise. We tested this hypothesis using a widely used clinical maneuver, the lift-off test, which is known to assess specifically the subscapularis muscle functional integrity. Twelve shoulders from six healthy male volunteers were imaged at 3 T, at rest, as well as after a lift-off test hold against resistance for 30 s, 1 and 2 min respectively, in three independent sessions. IVIM parameters, consisting of perfusion fraction (f), diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient D* and blood flow-related fD*, were estimated within outlined muscles of the rotator cuff and the deltoid bundles. The mean values at rest and after the lift-off tests were compared in each muscle using a one-way ANOVA. A statistically significant increase in fD* was measured in the subscapularis, after a lift-off test of any duration, as well as in D. A fD* increase was the most marked (30 s, +103%; 1 min, +130%; 2 min, +156%) and was gradual with the duration of the test (in 10(-3) mm(2) /s: rest, 1.41 ± 0.50; 30 s, 2.86 ± 1.17; 1 min, 3.23 ± 1.22; 2 min, 3.60 ± 1.21). A significant increase in fD* and D was also visible in the posterior bundle of the deltoid. No significant change was consistently visible in the other investigated muscles of the rotator cuff and the other bundles of the deltoid. In conclusion, IVIM fD* allows the demonstration of a task-related microvascular perfusion increase after a specific task and suggests a direct relationship between microvascular perfusion and the duration of the effort. It is a promising method to investigate non-invasively skeletal muscle physiology and clinical perfusion-related muscular disorders.

Normative volumes and relaxation times at 3T during brain development.

While research has unveiled and quantified brain markers of abnormal neurodevelopment, clinicians still work with qualitative metrics for MRI brain investigation. The purpose of the current article is to bridge the knowledge gap between case-control cohort studies and individual patient care. Here, we provide a unique dataset of seventy-three 3-to-17 years-old healthy subjects acquired with a 6-minute MRI protocol encompassing T1 and T2 relaxation quantitative sequence that can be readily implemented in the clinical setting; MP2RAGE for T1 mapping and the prototype sequence GRAPPATINI for T2 mapping. White matter and grey matter volumes were automatically quantified. We further provide normative developmental curves based on these two imaging sequences; T1, T2 and volume normative ranges with respect to age were computed, for each ROI of a pediatric brain atlas. This open-source dataset provides normative values allowing to position individual patients acquired with the same protocol on the brain maturation curve and as such provides potentially useful quantitative biomarkers facilitating precise and personalized care.

Me, Myself, and I: Neural Activity for Self versus Other across Development.

Although adults and children differ in self-vs.-other perception, a developmental perspective on this discriminative ability at the brain level is missing. This study examined neural activation for self-vs.-other in a sample of 39 participants spanning four different age groups, from 4-year-olds to adults. Self-related stimuli elicited higher neural activity within two brain regions related to self-referential thinking, empathy, and social cognition processes. Second, stimuli related to 'others' (i.e., unknown peer) elicited activation within nine additional brain regions. These regions are associated with multisensory processing, somatosensory skills, language, complex visual stimuli, self-awareness, empathy, theory of mind, and social recognition. Overall, activation maps were gradually increasing with age. However, patterns of activity were non-linear within the medial cingulate cortex for 'self' stimuli and within the left middle temporal gyrus for 'other' stimuli in 7-10-year-old participants. In both cases, there were no self-vs.-other differences. It suggests a critical period where the perception of self and others are similarly processed. Furthermore, 11-19-year-old participants showed no differences between others and self within the left inferior orbital gyrus, suggesting less distinction between self and others in social learning. Understanding the neural bases of self-vs.-other discrimination during development can offer valuable insights into how social contexts can influence learning processes during development, such as when to introduce peer-to-peer teaching or group learning.

New Insights into Boxer's Knuckle Injury of the Little Finger.

BACKGROUND: The original description of boxer's knuckle injury of the fifth ray mentions that the injury occurs between the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and the extensor digiti minimi (EDM). Subsequent reports claim similar findings. Anatomical studies show that the EDC of the fifth ray is absent in most patients, while the EDM is generally composed of two slips. We present a modification of the current description of boxer's knuckle injury of the little finger based on the correlation between advanced preoperative 3D imaging and intraoperative findings. METHODS: Five patients were investigated preoperatively using high-resolution ultrasound and 3D tendon reconstruction-based MR arthrography. Surgical exploration identified the lesion site relative to the EDM and EDC. RESULTS: All patients had two slips of the EDM and no EDC to the fifth ray. The injury appeared as a longitudinal tear of the EDM between its two slips. The mean gap was 7.8 mm (range 4.5-10 mm) on the pathological side vs. 1.3 mm (range 1-2 mm) on the healthy contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that previous descriptions of boxer's knuckle of the fifth ray are inaccurate. High-resolution ultrasound and 3D reconstructions based on MR arthrography are reliable diagnostic tools allowing to locate the injury with precision.

Esophageal cancer T-staging on MRI: A preliminary study using cine and static MR sequences.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the added value of cine MR in addition to static MRI for T-Staging assessment of esophageal cancer (EC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective monocentric study included 54 patients (mean age 66.3 ± 9.4 years, 46 men) with histologically proven EC. They underwent MRI on a 3 T-scanner in addition to the standard workup. Acquisitions included static and cine sequences (steady-state-free-precession and real-time True-FISP during water ingestion). Three radiologists independently assessed T-staging and diagnosis confidence by reviewing (1) static sequences (S-MRI) and (2) adding cine sequences (SC-MRI). Inter-reader agreement was performed. MRI T-staging was correlated to reference standard T-staging (histopathology or consensus on endoscopic ultrasonography and imaging findings) and to clinical outcome by log-rank test. RESULTS: Both S-MRI and SC-MRI T-staging showed a significant correlation with reference T-staging (rs = 0.667, P < 0.001). SC-MRI showed a slightly better performance in distinguishing T1-T3 from T4 with a sensitivity, specificity and AUC of 76.5% (95% CI: 50.1-93.2), 83.8% (68-93.8) and 0.801 (0.681-0.921) vs 70.6% (44-89.7), 83% (68-93.8) and 0.772 (0.645-0.899) for S-MRI. Compared to S-MRI, SC-MRI increased inter-reader agreement for T4a and T4b (κ = 0.403 and 0.498) and T-staging confidence. CONCLUSION: MRI is accurate for T-staging of EC. The addition of cine sequences allows better differentiation between T1-T3 and T4 tumors with increased diagnostic confidence and inter-reader agreement.

Improved accuracy and precision of fat-suppressed isotropic 3D T2 mapping MRI of the knee with dictionary fitting and patch-based denoising.

PURPOSE: To develop an isotropic three-dimensional (3D) T2 mapping technique for the quantitative assessment of the composition of knee cartilage with high accuracy and precision. METHODS: A T2-prepared water-selective isotropic 3D gradient-echo pulse sequence was used to generate four images at 3 T. These were used for three T2 map reconstructions: standard images with an analytical T2 fit (AnT2Fit); standard images with a dictionary-based T2 fit (DictT2Fit); and patch-based-denoised images with a dictionary-based T2 fit (DenDictT2Fit). The accuracy of the three techniques was first optimized in a phantom study against spin-echo imaging, after which knee cartilage T2 values and coefficients of variation (CoV) were assessed in ten subjects in order to establish accuracy and precision in vivo. Data given as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: After optimization in the phantom, whole-knee cartilage T2 values of the healthy volunteers were 26.6 ± 1.6 ms (AnT2Fit), 42.8 ± 1.8 ms (DictT2Fit, p < 0.001 versus AnT2Fit), and 40.4 ± 1.7 ms (DenDictT2Fit, p = 0.009 versus DictT2Fit). The whole-knee T2 CoV reduced from 51.5% ± 5.6% to 30.5 ± 2.4 and finally to 13.1 ± 1.3%, respectively (p < 0.001 between all). The DictT2Fit improved the data reconstruction time: 48.7 ± 11.3 min (AnT2Fit) versus 7.3 ± 0.7 min (DictT2Fit, p < 0.001). Very small focal lesions were observed in maps generated with DenDictT2Fit. CONCLUSIONS: Improved accuracy and precision for isotropic 3D T2 mapping of knee cartilage were demonstrated by using patch-based image denoising and dictionary-based reconstruction. KEY POINTS: • Dictionary T2 fitting improves the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) knee T2 mapping. • Patch-based denoising results in high precision in 3D knee T2 mapping. • Isotropic 3D knee T2 mapping enables the visualization of small anatomical details.

Not out of the Mediterranean: Atlantic populations of the gorgonian Paramuricea clavata are a separate sister species under further lineage diversification.

The accurate delimitation of species boundaries in nonbilaterian marine taxa is notoriously difficult, with consequences for many studies in ecology and evolution. Anthozoans are a diverse group of key structural organisms worldwide, but the lack of reliable morphological characters and informative genetic markers hampers our ability to understand species diversification. We investigated population differentiation and species limits in Atlantic (Iberian Peninsula) and Mediterranean lineages of the octocoral genus Paramuricea previously identified as P. clavata. We used a diverse set of molecular markers (microsatellites, RNA-seq derived single-copy orthologues [SCO] and mt-mutS [mitochondrial barcode]) at 49 locations. Clear segregation of Atlantic and Mediterranean lineages was found with all markers. Species-tree estimations based on SCO strongly supported these two clades as distinct, recently diverged sister species with incomplete lineage sorting, P. cf. grayi and P. clavata, respectively. Furthermore, a second putative (or ongoing) speciation event was detected in the Atlantic between two P. cf. grayi color morphotypes (yellow and purple) using SCO and supported by microsatellites. While segregating P. cf. grayi lineages showed considerable geographic structure, dominating circalittoral communities in southern (yellow) and western (purple) Portugal, their occurrence in sympatry at some localities suggests a degree of reproductive isolation. Overall, our results show that previous molecular and morphological studies have underestimated species diversity in Paramuricea occurring in the Iberian Peninsula, which has important implications for conservation planning. Finally, our findings validate the usefulness of phylotranscriptomics for resolving evolutionary relationships in octocorals.