Integration of quantitative DCE-MRI and ADC mapping to monitor treatment response in human breast cancer: initial results

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess changes in the water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and in pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the fast-exchange regime (FXR) modeling of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with locally advanced breast cancer underwent MRI examination prior to and after chemotherapy but prior to surgery. A 1.5-T scanner was used to obtain T1, ADC and DCE-MRI data. DCE-MRI data were analyzed by the FXR model returning estimates of K(trans) (volume transfer constant), v(e) (extravascular extracellular volume fraction) and tau(i) (average intracellular water lifetime). Histogram and correlation analyses assessed parameter changes post-treatment. RESULTS: Significant (P < .05) changes or trends towards significance (P < .10) were seen in all parameters except tau(i), although there was qualitative reduction in tau(i) values post-treatment. In particular, there was reduction (P < .035) in voxels with K(trans) values in the range 0.2-0.5 min(-1) and a decrease (P < .05) in voxels with ADC values in the range 0.99 x 10(-3) to 1.35 x 10(-3) mm2/s. ADC and v(e) were negatively correlated (r = -.60, P < .02). Parameters sensitive to water distribution and geometry (T(1), v(e), tau(i) and ADC) correlated with a multivariable linear regression model. CONCLUSION: The analysis presented here is sensitive to longitudinal changes in breast tumor status; K(trans) and ADC are most sensitive to these changes. Relationships between parameters provide information on water distribution and geometry in the tumor environment.     

Structurally Tunable 3‐Cyanoformazanate Boron Difluoride Dyes

The straightforward synthesis of a series of 3‐cyanoformazanate boron difluoride dyes is reported. Phenyl, 4‐methoxyphenyl and 4‐cyanophenyl N‐substituted derivatives were isolated and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The compounds were demonstrated to possess tunable, substituent‐dependent absorption, emission, and electrochemical properties, which were rationalized through electronic structure calculations.     

Perturbation of Spin Crossover Behavior by Covalent Post‐Synthetic Modification of a Porous Metal–Organic Framework

Covalent post‐synthetic modification is a versatile method for gaining high‐level synthetic control over functionality within porous metal–organic frameworks and for generating new materials not accessible through one‐step framework syntheses. Here we apply this topotactic synthetic approach to a porous spin crossover framework and show through detailed comparison of the structures and properties of the as‐synthesised and covalently modified phases that the modification reaction proceeds quantitatively by a thermally activated single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation to yield a material with lowered spin‐switching temperature, decreased lattice cooperativity, and altered color. Structure–function relationships to emerge from this comparison show that the approach provides a new route for tuning spin crossover through control over both outer‐sphere and steric interactions.     

Aerodynamic levitation and laser heating:

Aerodynamic levitation is an effective way to suspend samples which can be heated with CO₂ lasers. The advantages of this containerless technique are the simplicity and compactness of the device, making it possible to integrate it easily in different kinds of experiments. In addition, all types of materials can be used, including metals and oxides. The integration of aerodynamic levitation at synchrotron and neutron sources provides powerful tools to study the structure and dynamics of molten materials. We present here an overview of the existing techniques and of the developments made at the CEMHTI in Orléans, as well as a few examples of experimental results already obtained.     

A chronological test of ocean-bottom spreading in the North Atlantic

Fission-track and K-Ar dating of basaltic glass from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge gives results which are consistent with the proposal of ocean-floor spreading. Correlation exists between the magnetic anomaly patterns over the Crest Mountains at 45°N and the age of the outcropping basalts. The observed sequences of ages progressing outward from the Median Valley 11,000, 230,000, 310,000, 750.000, 8,000,000, and 16,000,000 years constitute strong, direct support for the idea of ocean-bottom spreading.     

Applications of inverse gas chromatography in the study of liquid crystalline stationary phases

We describe measurements on a number of low-molar-mass and polymeric liquid crystals that contain the same mesogenic groups. Transition temperatures for the mesophases have been measured and the supercooled region of hexyloxycyanobiphenyl studied, revealing some differences from the stable mesophase. Activity coefficients and interaction parameters for a range of probes have been measured and allow us to determine the nature and origin of the thermodynamic interactions in the systems. A discussion of how this fundamental information can be used in designing more efficient stationary phases for analytical gas chromatography is also presented.     

Evidence for static magnetism in the vortex cores of ortho-II YBa2Cu3O6.50

Evidence for static alternating magnetic fields in the vortex cores of underdoped YBa2Cu3O6+x is reported. Muon spin rotation measurements of the internal magnetic field distribution of the vortex state of YBa2Cu3O6.50 in applied fields of H = 1 T and H = 4 T reveal a feature in the high-field tail of the field distribution which is not present in optimally doped YBa2Cu3O6.95 and which fits well to a model with static magnetic fields in the vortex cores. The magnitude of the fields is estimated to be 18(2) G and decreases above T = 10 K. We discuss possible origins of the additional vortex core magnetism within the context of existing theories.