Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) techniques have shown potential to differentiate between benign and malignant neoplasms. However, the diagnostic significance of using DWI under routine conditions remains unclear. This study investigated the use of echo planar imaging (EPI) and half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE)-DWI with respect to the three parameters: lesion visibility, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, and size estimation. Following MRM (1.5 T), EPI- and HASTE-DWI were applied in 65 patients. Lesion visibility on DWI was compared with lesion visibility on subtracted contrast-enhanced T1w images (CE-T1w). Statistical tests were applied to diameter, visibility, and ADC value measurements. Seventy-four lesions were identified. ADC value measurements did not differ significantly between the two DWI sequences. The sensitivity and specificity of routine diagnostics (97.4% and 85.7%) were superior to EPI-DWI (87.2% and 82.9%) and HASTE-DWI (76.9% and 88.6%). Selecting only nonmass lesions, DWI did not prove to be of diagnostic value. Lesion demarcation by DWI was significantly lower compared with that by CE-T1w, with EPI-DWI showing the better performance (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found for size measurements between CE-T1w and DWI. Although clearly inferior compared with CE-T1w imaging, both DWI techniques are applicable for lesion assessment and size measurements.

Au@Fe3O4 Janus particles (JPs) are heteroparticles with discrete domains defined by different materials. Their tunable composition and morphology confer multimodal and versatile capabilities for use as contrast agents and drug carriers in future medicine. Au@Fe3O4 JPs have colloidal properties and surface characteristics leading to interactions with proteins in biological fluids. The resulting protein adsorption layer ("protein corona") critically affects their interaction with living matter. Although Au@Fe3O4 JPs displayed good biocompatibility in a standardized in vitro situation, an in-depth characterization of the protein corona is of prime importance to unravel underlying mechanisms affecting their pathophysiology and biodistribution in vitro and in vivo. Here, we comparatively analyzed the human plasma corona of Au-thiol@Fe3O4-SiO2-PEG JPs (NH2-functionalized and non-functionalized) and spherical magnetite (Fe3O4-SiO2-PEG) particles and investigated its effects on colloidal stability, biocompatibility and cellular uptake. Label-free quantitative proteomic analyses revealed that complex coronas including almost 180 different proteins were formed within only one minute. Remarkably, in contrast to spherical magnetite particles with surface NH2 groups, the Janus structure prevented aggregation and the adhesion of opsonins. This resulted in an enhanced biocompatibility of corona sheathed JPs compared to spherical magnetite particles and corona-free JPs.

Experimental studies in small rodents requiring high spatial resolution can be performed by using a clinical 3 T scanner with appropriate dedicated coils.