Susceptibility Signal Research Articles

Ex Vivo and In Vivo Imaging of the Inner Ear at 7 Tesla MRI

The implementation of 7.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for human use has the potential to further advance spatial resolution beyond that of 1.5T and 3T. This could result in potential advantages in the depiction of the membranous structures of the inner ear. The inner ear is particularly challenging to visualize at 7T. Where the signal-to-noise ratio will scale linear with the field strength, the proximity of the inner ear to the cerebrospinal fluid, nerves, and bone can lead to susceptibility banding artifacts and signal loss at the interface between the inner ear and its surroundings. A human head specimen as well as 2 healthy volunteers underwent MRI at a 7 Tesla scanner. First aim was to scan with ultrahigh resolution, independent of scan duration. Second aim was to reduce scan duration. The final step was to develop a scanning protocol suitable for clinical practice, based on previous information from ex vivo imaging. Both in and ex vivo, large objects like the cochlear basal turn, vestibule, and semicircular canals were visualized clearly. The nerves were depicted in more detail in vivo. The interscalar septum was visible in all images. A prolonged acquisition time ex vivo showed more detail of the scala tympani and vestibuli. However, the scala media was never visible, even with maximal resolution. Although inhomogeneities remain present, maximum resolution scanning ex vivo as well as scanning in vivo at 7T MRI resulted in clear depiction of the major membranous structures of the inner ear.

Magma flow directions in the sheeted dike complex at superfast spreading mid-ocean ridges: Insights from IODP Hole 1256D, Eastern Pacific

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Hole 1256D successfully sampled a complete section of an intact oceanic crustal sheeted dike complex (SDC) (from 1061 to 1320 meters below seafloor; mbsf) on a 15 Ma old Cocos Plate. A series of rock magnetic measurements were carried out to understand the magmatic processes that accreted this end-member, superfast-spread (200 mm/yr full rate) oceanic crust. Results indicate that main ferromagnetic minerals are predominantly pseudo single-domain (titano)magnetite crystals, responsible for both anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and magnetic remanence signals. AMS fabrics were reoriented into a geographic reference frame using magnetic remanence data, and corrected for a counterclockwise rotation of the Cocos Plate relative to the East Pacific Rise (EPR) ca. 15 Ma. Corrected AMS fabrics were then compared with the orientations of chilled margins previously obtained from Formation MicroScanner (FMS) images of the SDC at Hole 1256D. For some samples taken from close to dike margins, a dike-normal orientation of the minimum AMS axes (Kmin) of prolate AMS ellipsoids mean that the long axis (Kmax) can be used to infer magma flow directions. Subvertical Kmin orientations in the interior of the dikes, however, may have required settling or compaction of the magma shortly after intrusion, thus rearranging the AMS fabric. Despite this orientation of Kmin axes, orientation of Kmax axes indicate a rather constant subhorizontal paleo-flow direction, suggesting that magmas most probably traveled to the surface considerable distances from source regions within the EPR system.

Prediction of nuclear grade of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with MRI: intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity versus necrosis

End-stage renal disease and dialysis patients have a higher incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) than the general population. Preoperatively evaluating the biological behavior of RCC plays an important role in treatment decision-making. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) can visualize the distribution of microvenous structures and hemorrhage without contrast materials. To evaluate the feasibility of SWI in grading clear cell RCCs (CRCC) and compare the ability of SWI and necrosis for grading CRCCs. Retrospective reviews of 35 patients with pathologically-proven CRCCs were performed. All patients underwent both conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and SWI examinations. The morphology of the intratumoral susceptibility signal intensities (ITSS) was classified into hemorrhage and microvessels. The differences of ITSSs on SWI and necrosis between low- and high-grade CRCCs were assessed. The diagnostic values of ITSSs and necrosis in differentiating low- from high-grade CRCCs were compared by receiver-operating characteristics. ITSSs were seen in 31 of 35 patients. No ITSSs were seen in four patients with low-grade CRCCs. Mean scores of ITSSs on SWI were significantly lower for low-grade CRCCs (1.24 ± 0.72) than that for the high-grade CRCCs (2.70 ± 0.48). No significant necrosis was seen in 10 patients with low-grade CRCCs. There was a significant difference of the presence of intratumoral necrosis between low- and high-grade CRCCs. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were for ITSSs: 70%, 100%, 100%, and 89.3%, respectively; for necrosis: 100%, 40%, 40%, and 100%. SWI can evaluate ITSSs without contrast materials and can be an alternative to grading CRCCs preoperatively for some special patients.

Tetranuclear Lanthanide(III) Complexes with a Zigzag Topology from the Use of Pyridine-2,6-dimethanol: Synthetic, Structural, Spectroscopic, Magnetic and Photoluminescence Studies

Reaction between Ln(NO3)3·xH2O (x = 5 or 6) and the potentially tridentate (N,O,O) chelating/bridging ligand pyridine-2,6-dimethanol (pdmH2), in the presence of base NEt3, affords a family of isostructural tetranuclear [Ln(III)4(NO3)2(pdmH)6(pdmH2)2](NO3)4 (Ln(III) = Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Yb(III)) complexes with a rare zigzag topology. All complexes contain a [Ln4(μ-OR)6](6+) core with bridging ligation provided by the alkoxido arms of six η(1):η(1):η(2):μ pdmH(-) groups. The Ln(III) ions are eight coordinate with distorted geometries. Direct current magnetic susceptibility studies revealed predominant weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centers, which were quantified in the case of isotropic Gd(III)4 to give J = -0.09(1) cm(-1) and g = 2.00(1). The observation of out-of-phase (χ″M) ac susceptibility signals suggested that the Dy(III)4 analogue might be a molecular nanomagnet. Solid-state photoluminescence studies showed that the Eu(III)4 and Tb(III)4 compounds exhibit intense, sharp, and narrow emission bands in the red and green visible regions, respectively, which arise from the characteristic (5)D0 → (7)FJ and (5)D4 → (7)FJ transitions. The combined results demonstrate the ability of pdmH2 ligand to yield homometallic 4f clusters with interesting magnetic and optical properties.

Novel Genetic Markers Associate With Atrial Fibrillation Risk in Europeans and Japanese

This study sought to identify nonredundant atrial fibrillation (AF) genetic susceptibility signals and examine their cumulative relations with AF risk. AF-associated loci span broad genomic regions that may contain multiple susceptibility signals. Whether multiple signals exist at AF loci has not been systematically explored. We performed association testing conditioned on the most significant, independently associated genetic markers at 9 established AF loci using 2 complementary techniques in 64,683 individuals of European ancestry (3,869 incident and 3,302 prevalent AF cases). Genetic risk scores were created and tested for association with AF in Europeans and an independent sample of 11,309 individuals of Japanese ancestry (7,916 prevalent AF cases). We observed at least 4 distinct AF susceptibility signals on chromosome 4q25 upstream of PITX2, but not at the remaining 8 AF loci. A multilocus score comprised 12 genetic markers demonstrated an estimated 5-fold gradient in AF risk. We observed a similar spectrum of risk associated with these markers in Japanese. Regions containing AF signals on chromosome 4q25 displayed a greater degree of evolutionary conservation than the remainder of the locus, suggesting that they may tag regulatory elements. The chromosome 4q25 AF locus is architecturally complex and harbors at least 4 AF susceptibility signals in individuals of European ancestry. Similar polygenic AF susceptibility exists between Europeans and Japanese. Future work is necessary to identify causal variants, determine mechanisms by which associated loci predispose to AF, and explore whether AF susceptibility signals classify individuals at risk for AF and related morbidity.

Non-invasive assessment of intratumoral vascularity using arterial spin labeling: A comparison to susceptibility-weighted imaging for the differentiation of primary cerebral lymphoma and glioblastoma

Using conventional MRI methods, the differentiation of primary cerebral lymphomas (PCNSL) and other primary brain tumors, such as glioblastomas, is difficult due to overlapping imaging characteristics.This study was designed to discriminate tumor entities using normalized vascular intratumoral signal intensity values (nVITS) obtained from pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL), combined with intratumoral susceptibility signals (ITSS) from susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI).Thirty consecutive patients with glioblastoma (n=22) and PCNSL (n=8), histologically classified according to the WHO brain tumor classification, were included. MRIs were acquired on a 3T scanner, and included PASL and SWI sequences. nVITS was defined by the signal intensity ratio between the tumor and the contralateral normal brain tissue, as obtained by PASL images. ITSS was determined as intratumoral low signal intensity structures detected on SWI sequences and were divided into four different grades.Potential differences in the nVITS and ITSS between glioblastomas and PCNSLs were revealed using statistical testing. To determine sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, as well as an optimum cut-off value for the differentiation of PCNSL and glioblastoma, a receiver operating characteristic analysis was used.We found that nVITS (p=0.011) and ITSS (p=0.001) values were significantly higher in glioblastoma than in PCNSL. The optimal cut-off value for nVITS was 1.41 and 1.5 for ITSS, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of more than 95%. These findings indicate that nVITS values have a comparable diagnostic accuracy to ITSS values in differentiating glioblastoma and PCNSL, offering a completely non-invasive and fast assessment of tumoral vascularity in a clinical setting.

Susceptibility-Weighted MR Imaging: Added value of susceptibility signals in diagnosis of hemorrhagic lesions of the brain

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a relatively new high-spatial resolution 3D gradient-echo MR imaging technique that uses both magnitude and phase information. This technique exploits the magnetic susceptibility differences of various tissues or substances, such as blood products, iron, and calcification. It is particularly useful to visualize intravascular venous deoxygenated blood as well as extravascular blood products. Therefore, SWI provides additional diagnostic and prognostic data in the evaluation of a wide variety of neurologic disorders including various hemorrhagic lesions seen in traumatic brain injury, coagulopathic or other hemorrhagic disorders, occult vascular malformations, stroke, hypoxicanoxic injury, neoplasms, and neurodegenerative disorders. We present a review with selected cases to illustrate and discuss the clinical usefulness of SWI in hemorrhagic lesions of the brain.

Contribution of the Magnetic Susceptibility to the Characterization of the Babouri-Figuil Cretaceous Basin

Magnetic susceptibility data from marine rocks can be used for global correlation due to synchronous variations in global erosion. This work, aims to show that, the magnetic susceptibility signature which exists in the cretaceous sediments of the Babouri-Figuil basin, resides mainly in the detrital constituents. Variations of amplitudes are observed, which can be useful for regional correlation.This amplitude variation results in the transgressive and regressive movements that give way to a fluctuation of detrital deposits because of erosion. Considering the sedimentological study, carried out, different microfacies have been identified in the basin, namely, fluvial facies and lake facies that sometimes contain fossils. The combination of detailed sedimentological analysis and sequence stratigraphy is based on the modeling of vertical and lateral variations within the basin. Finally, the interpretation of the magnetic susceptibility signal suggests that in the detrital domain, this signal is mainly controlled by environmental parameters such as the agitation of the water and the rate of sedimentation, as well as diagenesis.

A rock magnetic study on red palaeosols in Yun-Gui Plateau (Southwestern China) and evidence for uplift of Plateau

Magnetic signals of red palaeosols from the Yun-Gui Plateau (YGP), southwestern China, are studied using rock magnetism, selective chemical dissolution, differential X-ray diffraction (DXRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in order to explore the potential of red palaeosol as a proxy indicator of paleogenesis and uplift of plateau. Red palaesols are characterized by highly magnetic signals and dark red color with a hue of 5 YR (yellow-red). The low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) of topsoils is shown to vary from 1500 × 10−8 to 2500 × 10−8m3 kg−1 in a decreasing pattern from the top to bottom of the profile. Magnetic profiles reveal that the red palaeosols contain significant amount of fine-grained superparamagnetic (SP) grains, which is attributed to the higher concentration of pedogenic SP maghemite. The dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB) procedure can selectively dissolve ultrafine pedogenic magnetic minerals in the red palaeosols, as evidenced by the highly correlation between mass-specific frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (χfd) and χlf loss of DCB treatment. The magnetic loss after DCB treatment accounts for 87–95 per cent of the original susceptibility. Rock magnetism and DXRD reveal that the main magnetic mineral in the red palaeosols is the pedogenic SP/stable single domain (SP/SSD) maghemite. These pedogenic maghemites account for about 1 per cent of free iron oxides. HRTEM observations show the evidence of pedogenic SP (<∼20–30 nm) and pure maghemite. These magnetic particles vary from several to tens of nanometres in size and exhibit typical crystallochemical characteristics of this mineral. Magnetic evidence suggests that the red palaeosols experience a strongly pedogenic processes. Pedogenic processes result in the neoformation of hematite and maghemite, and causes a substantial increase in the magnetic susceptibility and other magnetic signals. Therefore, the rock magnetism of red palaeosols potentially yields significant palaeopedogenic information and evidence on the neotectonic movement of plateau. Results of the present work suggest that the red palaeosols could be a good tool for understanding the amplitude and the age of uplift in the YGP.

Detection of Intratumoral Susceptibility Signals Using T2*-Weighted Gradient Echo MRI in Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo retrospectively evaluate whether T2*-weighted imaging can be used to grade clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) based on intratumoral susceptibility signals (ISSs).Materials and MethodsMR imaging from 37 patients with pathologically-proven ccRCCs was evaluated. ISSs on T2*WI were classified as linear or conglomerated linear structures (type I) and dot-like or patchy foci (type II). Two radiologists assessed the likelihood of the presence of ISS, dominant structure of ISS and ratio of ISS area to tumor area. Results were analyzed by nonparametric Mann-Whitney test.ResultsISSs were seen in all patients except for four patients with low-grade ccRCCs and two patients with high-grade ccRCCs. There was no significant difference of the likelihood of the presence of ISS between low- and high-grade ccRCCs. More type I ISSs and less type II ISSs were predictive of low-grade tumors, whereas more conspicuity type II ISSs correlated with higher occurrence of high-grade tumors (P<0.05). The ratio of ISS area to tumor area was also significantly higher for the high-grade group (1.27±0.79) than that for the low-grade group (0.81±0.40) (P<0.05).ConclusionISSs on T2*-weighted gradient-echo MR images can help grade ccRCCs before operations.

Combined value of susceptibility-weighted and perfusion-weighted imaging in assessing who grade for brain astrocytomas.

To assess the value of combining susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and dynamic susceptibility weighted contrast-enhanced (DSC) perfusion-weighted MRI (PWI) in assessing World Health Organization (WHO)grade for brain astrocytoma . A total of 94 patients with pathologically confirmed astrocytomas underwent SWI and DSC scans. The evaluation included intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity (ITSS) and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) max. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to assess the efficacy of combining two sequences in astrocytoma grading. ITSS within astrocytomas showed significant correlations with rCBV max (r ¼ 0.72; P < 0.01) and with tumor grades (r ¼ 0.92; P < 0.01), and there was also a significant correlation between rCBV and tumor grade (r= 0.77; P < 0.001). The area under the ROC, SWI, PWI,SWI, and PWI, in differentiation of the grades II and III astrocytomas were 0.995, 0.942, and 1.000, respectively;identifying grades III and IV were 0.773, 0.919, and 0.978, respectively; and identifying high and low-grade astrocytomas were 0.999, 0.992, 1.000, respectively. ITSS was useful for assessing the WHO tumor grade in this cohort of patients with astrocytoma.The combination of SWI and PWI may improve the diagnostic accuracy of astrocytoma grading.

Two-Dimensional Coordination Polymers Constructed by [NiIILnIII] Nodes and [WIV(bpy)(CN)6]2– Spacers: A Network of [NiIIDyIII] Single Molecule Magnets

Three isomorphous two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers of general formula {[Ni(II)(valpn)Ln(III)(NO3)(H2O)(μ-NC)4W(IV)(bipy)(CN)2]·xH2O·yCH3CN}n have been synthesized by reacting Ph4P[W(V)(CN)6(bipy)] with the heterodinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)(valpn)(O2NO)3] complexes [H2valpn = 1,3-propanediyl-bis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxyphenol), bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and Ln = Gd (1), Dy (2), and Tb (3) with x = 2 (1), 3.9 (2), and 3.35 (3) and y = 2.50 (1), 2 (2), and 1.8 (3)]. Their crystal structures consist of [Ni(II)Ln(III)] 3d-4f nodes which are connected by [W(IV)(bipy)(CN)6](2-) diamagnetic linkers resulting from the reduction of W(V) to W(IV) during the reaction process. The Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions occupy the inner and outer coordination sites of the dideprotonated valpn ligand, respectively, and they are doubly bridged by the phenoxo oxygen atoms of such a ligand. The value of Ni(II)···Ln(III) separation through this bridge is 3.4919(10) (1), 3.4760(10) (2), and 3.4799(9) (3) Å, and those of the angles at the bridgehead phenoxo atoms are 106.6(2) and 107.3(2) (1), 106.9(2), and 107.8(2) (2) and 106.5(2)-106.8(2)° (3). Each W(IV) is eight-coordinated with a bidentate bipy molecule and six cyanide-carbon atoms building a somewhat distorted square antiprism environment. The rare-earth cations are nine-coordinated, the donor atoms describing a monocapped square antiprism for 1 and 3 and a tricapped trigonal prism for 2. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 1.9-300 K show the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions in 1-3. Frequency-dependent alternating susceptibility signals were observed for the Dy(III) derivative below 8.0 K under an applied dc field of 2500 G indicating the presence of slow magnetic relaxation with values of the pre-exponential factor (τ0) and energy barrier (E(#)) of ca. 5.7 × 10(-8) s and 15.9 cm(-1), respectively. Complex 2 constitutes the first example of a 2D 3d-4f heterobimetallic single molecule magnet (SMM).

Benefits of contrast-enhanced SWI in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

SWI can help to identify high-grade gliomas (HGG). The objective of this study was to analyse SWI and CE-SWI characteristics, i.e. the relationship between contrast-induced phase shifts (CIPS) and intratumoral susceptibility signals (ITSS) and their association with tumour volume in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). MRI studies of 29 patients were performed to evaluate distinct susceptibility signals comparing SWI and CE-SWI characteristics. The relationship between these susceptibility signals and CE-T1w tumour volume was analysed by using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Kruskal-Wallis-test. Tumour biopsies of different susceptibility signals were performed in one patient. Comparison of SWI and CE-SWI demonstrated different susceptibility signals. Susceptibility signals visible on SWI images are consistent with ITSS; those only seen on CE-SWI were identified as CIPS. Correlation with CE-T1w tumour volume revealed that CIPS were especially present in small or medium-sized GBM (Spearman's rho r = 0.843, P < 0.001). Histology identified the area with CIPS as the tumour invasion zone, while the area with ITSS represented micro-haemorrhage, highly pathological vessels and necrosis. CE-SWI adds information to the evaluation of GBM before therapy. It might have the potential to non-invasively identify the tumour invasion zone as demonstrated by biopsies in one case. • MRI is used to help differentiate between low- and high-grade gliomas. • Contrast-enhanced susceptibility-weighted MRI (CE-SWI) helps to identify patients with glioblastoma multiforme. • CE-SWI delineates the susceptibility signal (CIPS and ITSS) more than the native SWI. • CE-SWI might have the potential to non-invasively identify the tumour invasion zone.

Slow Magnetization Relaxation in a 1-D Double-Chain Coordination Polymer Composed of {Dy&lt;sup&gt;III&lt;/sup&gt; &lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;} Repeating Units

The “unsuccessful” synthesis of the non-commercially available ‘Dy(O2CPh)3’ precursor from the stoichiometric reaction of Dy(NO3)3·5H2O with 3 equivalents of NaO2CPh in MeCN/H2O has led instead to the “successful” isolation and structural characterization of the 1-D coordination polymer [Dy4(O2CPh)12(H2O)8]n·2n(PhCO2H)·n(MeCN) (1·2n(PhCO2H)·n(MeCN)) in excellent yields (~90%). The one-dimensional double-chain structure of 1 was resulted from the linkage of two parallel chains by syn,anti-η1:η1:µ PhCO2 - groups. The lattice structure of 1 is further extended to a 2-D network through hydrogen bonding and Π-Π stacking interactions. The observation of out-of-phase (χ"M) ac susceptibility signals suggested that 1 might be a molecular nanomagnet, and this was confirmed by single-crystal magnetization vs. dc field sweeps that exhibited hysteresis, the diagnostic property of a magnet.

Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization of an MnIII Single Ion

A Mn(III)-salen-type complex with a diamagnetic [Co(III)(CN)6](3-) moiety, [Mn(III)(5-TMAM(R)-salmen)(H2O)Co(III)(CN)6]·7H2O·MeCN [1; 5-TMAM(R)-salmen = (R)-N,N'-(1-methylethylene)bis(5-trimethylammoniomethylsalicylideneiminate], was prepared. From direct-current magnetic susceptibilities, magnetization, and high-field and multifrequency electronic spin resonance measurements on powdered samples, 1 has a significant uniaxial anisotropy. Frequency-dependent alternating-current susceptibility signals were clearly observed, indicating slow magnetic relaxation. Thus, complex 1 behaves as a single-ion magnet.

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of discrete cyano-bridged heterodinuclear complexes composed of MnIII(salen)-type complex and MIII(CN)6 anion (MIII = Fe, Mn, and Cr)

Reacting [MnIII(5-TMAM(R)-salmen)(H2O)2](ClO4)3·H2O with [MIII(CN)6]3− moieties yields a series of discrete cyano-bridged heterodinuclear complexes, [MnIII(5-TMAM(R)-salmen)(H2O)MIII(CN)6]·7H2O·MeCN (where 5-TMAM(R)-salmen=(R)-N,N′-(1-methylethylene)bis(5-trimethylammoniomethylsalicylideneiminate; M=Fe (1), Mn (2), and Cr (3)). dc magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies on powdered samples showed that the MnIII(5-TMAM(R)-salmen) moiety had significant uniaxial anisotropy and that [MIII(CN)6]3− moieties of 1 and 2 had magnetic anisotropy due to unquenched orbital angular momenta, which significantly affects the magnetic behavior of this system. Frequency-dependent ac susceptibility signals indicated that slow magnetic relaxation was occurring, meaning that 1 and 2 behave as single-molecule magnets.

Assessment of Intratumoral Micromorphology for Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging

BackgroundMultiple treatment options exist for the management of renal cell carcinomas. Preoperative evaluation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) grades is important for deciding upon the appropriate method of therapy. We hypothesize that susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is sensitive enough to detect intratumoral microvessles and microbleeding in renal cell carcinoma, which can be used to grade CRCC.Material and MethodsRetrospective reviews of 37 patients with pathologically proven CRCCs were evaluated. All patients underwent SWI examinations. The characteristics of intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity (ITSS) includes the likelihood of the presence of ITSS, morphology of ITSS, dominant structure of ITSS and ratio of ITSS area to tumor area, which were all assessed on SWI. The results were compared using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test.ResultsITSS was seen in all patients except 4 patients with low-grade CRCCs. There was no significant difference between low and high-grade CRCCs when looking at the likelihood of the presence of ITSS. There was a significant difference in the mean score of dominant structures between low and high-grade CRCCs. Specifically, more dominant vascular structures and less hemorrhage were seen in low-grade tumors (2.15±1.05) compared to high-grade tumors (1.27±0.47) (P<0.005). The ratio of ITSS area to tumor area was also significantly higher for the high-grade group (1.55±0.52) than that for the low-grade group (0.88±0.43) on SWI (P<0.005).ConclusionSWI is useful for grading CRCCs.

Genetic susceptibility to atrial fibrillation: does heart failure change our perspective?

This editorial refers to 'Genetic polymorphisms confer risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure: a population-based study', by J.G. Smith et al., published in this issue on pages 250-257.

Supramolecular Organization and Magnetic Properties of Mesogen-Hybridized Mixed-Valent Manganese Single Molecule Magnets [MnIII8MnIV4O12(Lx,y,z-CB)16(H2O)4

Single molecule magnets (SMM) may be considered for the construction of future integrated nanodevices, provided however that some degree of ordering is imparted to these molecules (surfaces nanostructuration). Combining such nanoobjects with liquid-crystalline orderings to control their assembly and to potentially address them individually therefore appears as one promising strategy. Four mesomorphic, mixed-valent [Mn(III)(8)Mn(IV)(4)O(12)(L(x,y,z-CB))(16)(H(2)O)(4)] SMM, differing in the number of liquid-crystalline promoters, (L(x,y,z-CB)), were synthesized, and their self-organizing and magnetic properties were investigated. The influence of the peripheral modifications, and precisely how supramolecular ordering and magnetic properties may be affected by the evolution of the proto-mesogenic cyanobiphenyl-based ligands substitution pattern, was explored. Small-angle X-ray scattering studies revealed that all of the hybridized clusters self-organize into room-temperature bilayer smectic phases, mandated by the specific mesogenic functionalization and that the polymetallic cores are further organized according to a short-range pseudo-2D lattice with hexagonal and/or square symmetry. All mesomorphous hybridized dodecamanganese complexes still behave as SMM: they exhibit blocking of the magnetization at about 2.6 K as evidenced by the occurrence of frequency-dependent out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals as well as an opening of the hysteresis cycle with coercive fields varying between 0.13 and 0.6 T, depending on the surface ligands topology. Comparison of the magnetic properties within this series reveals intricate correlations between the structural features of the mesomorphous molecule magnet (i.e., symmetry of the ligands substitution patterns, molecular conformation, average intercluster distances, and respective inclination) with respect to the relative proportion of slow- and fast-relaxing species and the absolute values of the coercive fields.

Myocardial iron quantification using modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) T1 mapping at 3 Tesla

Background Quantification of myocardial iron overload is critical for the management of patients with hemochromatosis. The effects of excess iron on T1 and T2* relaxation times correlate directly with tissue iron concentration. T2* became the clinical standard at 1.5T as it can be easily obtained in a fast one breath-hold ECG gated multi-echo GRE sequence. At 3T, however, T2* quantification can be limited by pronounced susceptibility artifacts and signal sampling restraints due to shorter T2* times at higher iron concentrations . Since myocardial T1 time is up to thirty times longer than T2*, it can be quantified with short echo-time inversionrecovery sequences even at high iron concentrations, and is less sensitive to susceptibility artifacts. We aimed to validate a recently developed modified LookLocker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence to quantify myocardial T1 in healthy controls and patients with iron overload at 3T, comparing to standard GRE based multi-echo T2* times at 1.5T. Methods A total of 15 normal volunteers and 7 chronic anemia patients (with a myocardial T2* measure <20 ms at 1.5T in the last 2 years, five of these on iron chelating therapy) were prospectively enrolled. Myocardial T2* and T1 times were quantified in the same day, the former using a breath-hold multi-echo GRE sequence at 1.5T (Symphony, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the latter using the T1 mapping -MOLLI sequence at 3T (Verio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). All ROIs were placed at mid-interventricular septum, carefully avoiding the blood pool (Fig 1). All analyses were blinded. Results All patients had regular heart rhythm and all MRI exams showed diagnostic image quality. Volunteers and patients had significantly different mean myocardial T2* (27.2 ms +/- 3.9 vs. 15.4 ms +/- 6.3 p<0.05 respectively) and T1 times 1175.7 ms +/- 22.8 vs. 952.1 ms +/- 173.2 p<0.05 respectively). 3T T1 times strongly correlated with 1.5T T2* times (r=0.95 and Fig 2). Using the 3T T1 cut-off of 1130 ms, sensitivity and specificity for 3T