Diffuse Signal Research Articles

Brain and Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Characteristics of a Pediatric Cohort With MOGAD.

Myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently defined demyelinating disorder with an age-related phenotypic spectrum. At disease onset, there is considerable clinical overlap between MOGAD and other demyelinating conditions, and it remains difficult to identify MOGAD radiographically. This study aims to further describe neuroimaging findings in the brain and the spine at presentation and throughout relapses in children with MOGAD. We present a retrospective cohort study including all children presenting to a single center between 2010 and 2020 with acute demyelination who were positive for serum MOG-IgG antibodies and negative for serum aquaporin-4 antibodies. For each patient, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain and spine at presentation and on each relapse were reviewed and categorized in a blinded fashion by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists. Sixteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Four had diffuse and bilateral fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal in the white matter, but only on initial presentation. The area postrema was never affected. All 5 patients with optic neuritis had pre-chiasmatic (but not chiasmatic) involvement on presentation. The brachium pontis was involved in 3 patients on initial presentation, and in 8 patients at any time. Eleven patients demonstrated spinal cord involvement, and the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions were involved at similar frequencies. The radiographic features of MOGAD in children appear to reflect their presenting demyelinating syndromes. However, certain features, such as diffuse fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities and expansile fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal in the brachium pontis, may be more frequent in MOGAD compared with other demyelinating disorders.

Hydroxycinnamic Acids Activate RpfB-Dependent Quorum Sensing Signal Turnover in Phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris.

Phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris (Xcc) uses various mechanisms, including the quorum sensing (QS) system, to regulate infection and colonize cruciferous host plants. Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, but their effect on the diffusible signaling factor family QS signal of Xcc remains unknown. In this study, we report that HCAs activate RpfB-dependent QS signal turnover via the sensor protein HepR, which in turn activates the HepABCD resistance-nodulation-division efflux pump to remove HCAs in Xcc. Exogenous addition of three HCAs induced DSF signal turnover during the late growth phase of Xcc in XYS medium. Furthermore, HCAs-induced DSF turnover was dependent on the DSF-degrading enzyme RpfB and the sensor HepR. Additionally, Xcc pumps HCAs through the HepABCD efflux pump. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that HCAs interfere with the binding of HepR to the Phep promoter. This work provides insight into the molecular interactions between Xcc and cruciferous plants.

Metagenomic insight into the diffusion signal factor mediated social traits of anammox consortia after starvation.

Biomass starvation is common in biological wastewater treatment. As a social trait of microbial community, how quorum sensing (QS) regulated bacterial trade-off through interactions after starvation remains unclear. This study deciphered the mechanism of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) consortia in response to starvation, including reducing extracellular electron transfer (EET), adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) content and amino acid metabolism. Metagenomic analysis has shown that the addition of the diffusion signal factor (DSF) resulted in a high abundance of antioxidant genes, which contributed to achieving redox balance in anammox bacteria. There was an enrichment of Geobacter and Methanosarcina, which were QS-responsive direct interspecific electron transfer participants. Furthermore, DSF stimulated the nitrogen and carbon metabolism of Ca. Kuenenia_stuttgartiensis, promoting syntrophy of metabolic intermediates within microbial community. This study highlighted the effect of DSF on the microbial interaction patterns and deciphered the QS-based social traits of anammox consortia after starvation, facilitating the stable operation of the anammox process.

Deciphering the code of temperature rise on aerobic granular sludge stability: A DSF-c-di-GMP mediated regulatory mechanism.

Diffusible signal factor (DSF)-c-di-GMP-mediated strategies have been proposed as an effective regulatory approach for signal molecules in aerobic granular sludge (AGS). The increase in temperature from low to normal levels had a significant impact on AGS stability. In this study, two reactors were established to investigate the effects of different temperature rise modes (abrupt or gradual) on AGS stability. Following the temperature rise, the DSF concentration in Reactor 1 (R1, abrupt) rose nearly fourfold by day 125, while LB-EPS levels decreased by 70%. In contrast, in Reactor 2 (R2, gradual), the DSF concentration increased by only twofold, and TB-EPS levels decreased by 25%. Flavobacterium (R1: 3.64%→0.41%, R2: 3.70%→1.97%) and Thauera (R1: 28.62%→4.01%, R2: 27.56%→13.10%), which are associated with EPS and signal molecule production, exhibited significantly different trends in response to the different temperature rise modes. Batch experiments exhibited that the exogenous addition of DSF and the DSF inhibitor, salicylic acid (SA), can regulate EPS content by altering the concentration of signaling molecules, particularly the LB-EPS, thereby reducing the risk of sludge collapse. These findings offer novel insights into the role of DSF in bacterial communication during AGS formation under temperature rise, providing a basis for regulating AGS formation and stability.

Shock-driven amorphization and melting in Fe2O3

We present measurements on Fe2O3 amorphization and melt under laser-driven shock compression up to 209(10) GPa via time-resolved x-ray diffraction. At 122(3) GPa, a diffuse signal is observed indicating the presence of a noncrystalline phase. Structure factors have been extracted up to 182(6) GPa showing the presence of two well-defined peaks. A rapid change in the intensity ratio of the two peaks is identified between 145(12) and 151(12) GPa, indicative of a phase change. The noncrystalline diffuse scattering is consistent with shock amorphization of Fe2O3 between 122(3) and 145(12) GPa, followed by an amorphous-to-liquid transition above 151(12) GPa. Upon release, a noncrystalline phase is observed alongside crystalline α−Fe2O3. The extracted structure factor and pair distribution function of this release phase resemble those reported for Fe2O3 melt at ambient pressure. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Diffusible Signal Factor-Mediated Quorum Sensing Modulates Swarming in Xanthomonas albilineans.

Xanthomonas spp. are plant pathogens known for significantly impacting crop yields. Among them, Xanthomonas albilineans (Xal) is notable for colonizing the xylem and causing sugarcane leaf scald disease. This study employed homologous recombination to mutate quorum sensing regulatory genes (rpf) to investigate their role in Xal pathogenicity. Deletions of rpfF (ΔrpfF), rpfC (ΔrpfC), and rpfG (ΔrpfG) led to reduced swarming, growth, and virulence. However, diffusible signal factor (DSF) supplementation restored swarming and growth in the ΔrpfF mutant. Deleting rpfC, rpfG, and rpfF also reduced twitching motility and affected type IV pilus expression. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ΔrpfF positively regulates flagellar genes. DSF supplementation in ΔrpfF (ΔrpfF-DSF) modulated the expression of flagellar, chemotaxis, and type IV pilus genes. These findings elucidate the DSF-mediated swarming pathway in Xal and provide valuable insights into its regulatory mechanisms.

Capillary connections between sensory circumventricular organs and adjacent parenchyma enable local volume transmission.

Among contributors to diffusible signaling are portal systems which join two capillary beds through connecting veins. Portal systems allow diffusible signals to be transported in high concentrations directly from one capillary bed to the other without dilution in the systemic circulation. Two portal systems have been identified in the brain. The first was discovered almost a century ago and connects the median eminence to the anterior pituitary gland. The second was discovered a few years ago and links the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, a sensory circumventricular organ (CVO). Sensory CVOs bear neuronal receptors for sensing signals in the fluid milieu. They line the surface of brain ventricles and bear fenestrated capillaries thereby lacking blood-brain barriers. It is not known whether the other sensory CVOs, namely the subfornical organ (SFO), and area postrema (AP) form portal neurovascular connections with nearby parenchymal tissue. To preserve the integrity of the vasculature of CVOs and their adjacent neuropil, we combined iDISCO clearing and light-sheet microscopy to acquire volumetric images of blood vessels and traced the vasculature in two experiments. In the first, the whole brain vasculature was registered to the Allen Brain Atlas in order to identify the nuclei to which the SFO and AP are attached. In the second study, regionally specified immunolabeling was used to identify the attachment sites and vascular connections between the AP, and the SFO to their respective parenchymal attachment sites. There are venous portal pathways linking the capillary vessels of the SFO and the posterior septal nuclei, namely the septofimbrial nucleus and the triangular nucleus of the septum. Unlike the arrangement of portal vessels, the AP and the nucleus of the solitary tract share a common capillary bed. Taken together, the results reveal that all three sensory CVOs bear direct capillary connections to adjacent neuropil, providing a direct route for diffusible signals to travel from their source to their targets.

Boundedness in the 3D Keller–Segel–Stokes system with nonlinear diffusion and indirect signal production

Boundedness in the 3D Keller–Segel–Stokes system with nonlinear diffusion and indirect signal production

Identification of manufacturers and determination of active ingredients in medicinal products using a colorimetric method in the near-IR range with a smartphone

A non-destructive method for analyzing medicinal products (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fluoroquinolones, acetylsalicylic acid, vinpocetine, tetracyclines) based on diffuse reflection of IR radiation using a smartphone and a device printed on a 3D printer is proposed. It was established that the diffuse reflection of IR radiation (850 nm) from tabletized medicinal products can be recorded using a smartphone camera. Blister packaging and tablet coating slightly reduce the intensity of the diffuse light reflection signal at a wavelength of 850 nm, as confirmed by a comparative analysis of colorimetric measurement results in medicinal product samples inside the packaging, outside the packaging, and on tablet fractures. A correlation between the analytical signal and the concentration of the active substance is observed regardless of the study variant. The data array was processed using principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), partial least squares regression (PLS), and least squares methods using PhotoMetrix PRO® software for smartphones. It is shown that these algorithms can identify drugs by their manufacturer and determine the concentration of active ingredients. The colorimetric signals from tablets of a single manufacturer form separate clusters on dendrograms created using the HCA algorithm. Data obtained using PCA indicate the location of signals from tablets of different manufacturers in separate quadrants, facilitating the identification of the pharmaceutical company. The use of chemometric analysis methods for determining the concentration of the active substance is considered.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Bacterial Platform for Biopharmaceutical Production

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a metabolically versatile opportunistic pathogen capable of surviving in a range of environments. The major contribution to these abilities relies on virulence factor production, e.g., exotoxins, phenazines, and rhamnolipids, regulated through a hierarchical system of communication, named quorum sensing (QS). QS involves the production, release, and recognition of two classes of diffusible signal molecules: N-acyl-homoserine lactones and alkyl-quinolones. These present a central role during P. aeruginosa infection, regulating bacterial virulence and the modulation of the host immune system. The influence of this arsenal of virulence factors on bacterial–host interaction makes P. aeruginosa a highly potential platform for the development of biopharmaceuticals. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the therapeutical applications of P. aeruginosa virulence factors and quorum sensing signaling molecules on pathological conditions, ranging from infections and inflammation to cancer disease.

Seismic clusters and fluids diffusion: a lesson from the 2018 Molise (Southern Italy) earthquake sequence

The identification of seismic clusters is essential for many applications of statistical analysis and seismicity forecasting: uncertainties in cluster identification leads to uncertainties in results. However, there are several methods to identify clusters, and their results are not always compatible. We tested different approaches to analyze the clustering: a traditional window-based approach, a complex network-based technique (nearest neighbor—NN), and a novel approach based on fractal analysis. The case study is the increase in seismicity observed in Molise, Southern Italy, from April to November 2018. To analyze the seismicity in detail with the above-mentioned methods, an improved template-matching catalog was created. A stochastic declustering method based on the Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model was also applied to add probabilistic information. We explored how the significant discrepancies in these methods’ results affect the result of NExt STrOng Related Earthquake (NESTORE) algorithm—a method to forecast strong aftershocks during an ongoing cluster—previously successfully applied to the whole Italian territory. We performed a further analysis of the spatio-temporal pattern of seismicity in Molise, using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the ETAS algorithm, as well as other analyses, aimed at detecting possible migration and diffusion signals. We found a relative quiescence of several months between the main events of April and August, the tendency of the events to propagate upwards, and a migration of the seismicity consistent with a fluid-driven mechanism. We hypothesize that these features indicate the presence of fluids, which are also responsible for the long duration of the sequence and the discrepancies in cluster identification methods’ results. Such results add to the other pieces of evidence of the importance of the fluid presence in controlling the seismicity in the Apennines. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of refined methods to identify clusters and encourages further detailed analyses when different methods supply very different results.Graphical

BDSF Analogues Inhibit Quorum Sensing-Regulated Biofilm Production in Xylella fastidiosa

Xylella fastidiosa is an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium that is responsible for many plant diseases. The bacterium is the causal agent of Pierce’s disease in grapes and is also responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis, peach phony disease, olive quick decline syndrome and leaf scorches of various species. The production of biofilm is intrinsically linked with persistence and transmission in X. fastidiosa. Biofilm formation is regulated by members of the Diffusible Signal Factor (DSF) quorum sensing signalling family which are comprised of a series of long chain cis-unsaturated fatty acids. This article describes the evaluation of a library of N-acyl sulfonamide bioisosteric analogues of BDSF, XfDSF1 and XfDSF2 for their ability to control biofilm production in X. fastidiosa. The compounds were screened against both the wild-type strain Temecula and an rpfF* mutant which can perceive but not produce XfDSF. Planktonic cell abundance was measured via OD600 while standard crystal violet assays were used to determine biofilm biomass. Several compounds were found to be effective biofilm inhibitors depending on the nature of the sulfonamide substituent. The findings reported here may provide future opportunities for biocontrol of this important plant pathogen.

DiffSph: a Python tool to compute diffuse signals from dwarf spheroidal galaxies

So far no diffuse emissions in dwarf spheroidal satellites of the Milky Way have ever been observed. Given that dwarf galaxies are predominantly composed of Dark Matter, the discovery of these signals could offer valuable insights into understanding the nature of Dark Matter. We present “diffSph”, a Python tool which in its present version provides fast predictions of such diffuse signals in radio frequencies. It also features a very comprehensive module for the computation of “J” and “D” factors that are relevant for indirect Dark Matter detection using gamma rays. Routines are coupled to parton-shower algorithms and Dark Matter halo mass functions from state-of-the-art kinematic fits. This code is also useful for testing generic hypotheses (not necessarily associated with any Dark Matter candidate) about the cosmic-ray electron/positron sources in the dwarf galaxies. The diffSph tool has already been employed in searches for diffuse signals from dwarf spheroidal galaxies using the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR).

Intrinsic Gene Expression Correlates of the Biophysically Modeled Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool to identify the structural and functional correlates of neurological illness but provides limited insight into molecular neurobiology. Using rat genetic models of autism spectrum disorder, we show that image texture-processed neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) diffusion MRI possesses an intrinsic relationship with gene expression that corresponds to the biophysically modeled cellular compartments of the NODDI diffusion signal. Specifically, we demonstrate that neurite density index and orientation dispersion index signals are correlated with intracellular and extracellular gene expression, respectively. Moreover, we further demonstrate that these imaging signals correlate with genes specifically relevant to the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. In sum, our data suggest fundamental relationships between gene expression and diffusion MRI, implicating the potential of diffusion MRI to probe causal neurobiological mechanisms in neuroimaging phenotypes in autism spectrum disorder.

Peroxynitrite-Responsive Near-Infrared Fluorescent Imaging Guided Synergistic Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy via Biomimetic Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and regulating diffusive processes, cellular transport, and signal transduction. Extensive studies have revealed that increased ONOO- levels during tumor progression are associated with heightened levels of oxidative stress. However, current methods lack noninvasive visualization, immediate reporting, and highly sensitive fluorescence sensing. In light of this, we have designed a biomimetic fluorescent nanoplatform, named Z-C-T@CM, for peroxynitrite-responsive near-infrared fluorescent imaging guided cancer treatment. The nanoplatform comprises tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) and curcumin (CCM) encapsulated within a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), which is coated with a mouse breast cancer cell membrane for enhanced biocompatibility and targeting, while evading immune clearance. In vitro experimental results demonstrate that the as-prepared nanoplatform exhibits enhanced near-infrared fluorescence emission upon exposure to ONOO-, indicating a significant potential for noninvasive in vivo imaging of ONOO- during tumor progression. Additionally, Z-C-T@CM readily degrades in the tumor microenvironment, releasing TCPP and CCM, enabling a synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy with near-infrared illumination. Further investigations indicate that Z-C-T@CM efficiently stimulates a tumor immune response and facilitates therapeutic efficiency. Collectively, this work introduces a novel noninvasive strategy for ONOO- detection, shedding new light on the integration of cancer diagnosis and efficient treatment.

Classification of surface microdefects based on cluster analysis of diffuse light reflection sensor signal

Early detection of operational microdefects of protective coatings and corrosion damage is important for reliable and long-term operation of materials and structures. Corrosion damage in the early stages is almost impossible to detect by visual testing methods, given the microscopic size of such damage. Laboratory microscopes are unsuitable for field conditions. Flash meters provide an estimate of surface roughness, but do not provide a surface concentration of microdefects, especially when these defects are heterogeneous or polydisperse. A compact prismatic sensor of the angular characteristic of diffuse light reflection is proposed for the detection of microdefects and express diagnostics of surface quality. To increase the informativity of the sensor signal during measurements, the useful signal was calculated as the difference between the base values of the diffuse reflected signal for a surface without defects and the measured values for a surface with defects. The dependence of the signal distribution on the photoline on the geometry of the sensor was taken into account. The article considers the problem of classification by the average size of surface microdefects collected in submillimeter clusters, randomly placed on the surface of materials. The use of numerical methods for solving inverse problems requires large computing power and time, which is not always acceptable for field measurements. The dependence of solution stability on signal measurement errors and random locations of clusters of microdefects on the illuminated area of the investigated surface is important. An effective set of informative signal features is selected. The study explored the possibility of using alternative sets of informative parameters derived from the base set. It was proposed to determine the size of the defects based on the smoothness criteria of the contour signal of the diffuse light reflection sensor. To evaluate the characteristics of the spatial configuration of defects, the positions of the peaks of the signal distribution along the photoline, determined with subpixel accuracy, were used. The classification is made for the selected information features of the signals of the diffuse light reflection sensor. In particular, the number of local signal extrema together with the subpixel position of the global signal maximum produces well-separated clusters, even for randomly located defect aggregations.

Are background breast parenchymal features on preoperative breast MRI associated with disease-free survival in patients with invasive breast cancer?

To evaluate whether breast parenchymal features of the contralateral breast on preoperative MRI are associated with primary breast cancer characteristics and disease-free survival (DFS) in women with invasive breast cancer. Women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer who underwent preoperative breast MRI followed by surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and background diffusion signal (BDS) on diffusion-weighted MRI of the contralateral breast were qualitatively assessed using a four-category scale: minimal, mild, moderate, or marked. Primary breast cancer characteristics were compared based on the degree of BPE or BDS. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between MRI parenchymal features and DFS after adjusting for clinicopathologic features. A total of 515 women (mean age, 54years) were included. Of whom, 46 (8.9%) patients who developed disease recurrence at a median follow-up of 60months were observed. A high level (moderate/marked) of BPE or BDS was associated with younger age (≤ 45) and premenopausal status (all P < 0.05) compared to a low level (minimal/mild), but it was not associated with primary cancer characteristics such as tumor stage, grade, or subtype. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that larger tumor size (> 2cm) (hazard ratio [HR], 3.877; P < . 001), triple-negative subtype (HR, 2.440; P = .013), and axillary node metastasis (HR, 1.823; P = .049) were associated with worse DFS. No associations were observed between background parenchymal features and disease outcomes. MRI parenchymal features, including BPE and BDS, of the contralateral breast showed no associations with primary breast cancer characteristics or DFS in women with invasive breast cancer.

Light‐Based Juxtacrine Signaling Between Synthetic Cells

Cell signaling through direct physical cell–cell contacts plays vital roles in biology during development, angiogenesis, and immune response. Intercellular communication mechanisms between synthetic cells constructed from the bottom up are majorly reliant on diffusible chemical signals, thus limiting the range of responses in receiver cells. Engineering contact‐dependent signaling between synthetic cells promises to unlock more complicated signaling schemes with spatial responses. Herein, a light‐activated contact‐dependent communication scheme for synthetic cells is designed and demonstrated. A split luminescent protein is utilized to limit signal generation exclusively to contact interfaces of synthetic cells, driving the recruitment of a photoswitchable protein in receiver cells, akin to juxtacrine signaling in living cells. The modular design not only demonstrates contact‐dependent communication between synthetic cells but also provides a platform for engineering orthogonal contact‐dependent signaling mechanisms.

Reconstruction of intra- and extra-neurite conductivity tensors via conductivity at Larmor frequency and DWI data patterns

The developed magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) techniques visualize the internal conductivity distribution at Larmor frequency by measuring the B1 transceive phase data. In biological tissues, electrical conductivity is influenced by ion concentrations and mobility. To visualize the anisotropic conductivity tensor of biological tissues, we use the Einstein–Smoluchowski equation, which links the diffusion coefficient to particle mobility. By assuming a correlation between ion mobility and water diffusivity, we aim to decompose the internal isotropic conductivity at Larmor frequency into anisotropic conductivity tensors within the intra- and extra-neurite compartments. The multi-compartment spherical mean technique (MC-SMT), utilizing both high and low b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data, characterizes the diffusion of water molecules within and across the intra- and extra-neurite compartments by analyzing the microstructural intricacies and the foundational architectural arrangement of the brain’s tissues. By analyzing the relationships between the measured DWI data, the microscopic diffusion signal, and the fiber orientation distribution function, we predict the DWI data for the intra- and extra-neurite compartments using spherical harmonic decomposition. Using the predicted DWI data for the intra- and extra-neurite compartments, we develop a conductivity tensor imaging method that operates specifically within the separated compartments. Human brain experiments, involving four healthy volunteers and a brain tumor patient, were performed to assess and confirm the reliability of the proposed method.

Neonatal Brain MRI: Periventricular Germinal Matrix Mimicking Hypoxic-ischemic White Matter Injuries.

As pregnancy progresses, the germinal matrix volume decreases. Residual periventricular germinal matrix may be mistaken for hypoxic-ischemic white matter injury. This study aims to determine the prevalence and imaging characteristics of these findings. This retrospective study analyzed brain MRIs of newborns from 2012-2023, performed within the first week of life. MRIs were done for suspected hypoxic-ischemic injuries, post-natal neurological symptoms, and evaluation of prenatally diagnosed structural anomalies. Image analysis targeted the remnants of the frontal periventricular germinal matrix, assessing its imaging characteristics, including diffusion, T1, and T2 signal characteristics, and laterality. Frontal migrating cell bands were also assessed. Seventy newborns were included (mean gestational age at delivery was 38.3 ± 2.1 weeks, mean scan age 5.1 ± 1.9 days). Frontal periventricular gray matter was detected in 39 newborns (90% bilateral) on T2-weighted images, negatively correlated with gestational age (r = -0.31, p = 0.013); none showed decreased ADC or shortened T1 signal compared with the basal ganglia. Frontal periventricular bands were found in 37 newborns (97.3% bilateral), strongly correlating with periventricular gray matter (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between clinical hypoxic-ischemic injuries and these features. The presence of frontal periventricular gray matter observed in early neonatal MRIs, without decreased ADC values or shortened T1 signal, is developmental, reflecting a late maturation phase. Careful interpretation of MRI characteristics, including diffusion, T1, and T2 signal intensities, is necessary before attributing these findings to hypoxic-ischemic white matter injury.