Search

We aimed to demonstrate the applicability of Snyder’s arthroscopic classification of rotator cuff tears (RCT) in shoulder ultrasound (US) and to compare it with MR arthrography (MRA). Forty-six patients (34 males; mean age:34 ± 14 years) underwent shoulder US and MRA. Two radiologists (R1 = 25 years of experience; R2 = 2 years of experience) assigned A1–4, B1–4, or C1–4 values depending on the extent of RCT in both US and MRA. Inter-reader intra-modality and intra-reader inter-modality agreement were calculated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. US sensitivity and specificity of both readers were calculated using MRA as the gold standard. Patients were divided into intact cuff vs. tears, mild (A1/B1) vs. moderate (A2–3/B2–3) tears, mild-moderate (A2/B2) vs. high-moderate (A3/B3) cuff tears, moderate (A2–3/B2–3) vs. advanced (A4/B4) and full-thickness (C) tears. The highest agreement values in inter-reader US evaluation were observed for mild-moderate vs. high-moderate RCT (K = 0.745), in inter-reader MRA evaluation for mild vs. moderate RCT (K = 0.821), in R1 inter-modality (US-MRA) for mild-moderate vs. high-moderate and moderate vs. advanced/full-thickness RCT (K = 1.000), in R2 inter-modality (US-MRA) for moderate vs. advanced/full-thickness RCT (K = 1.000). US sensitivity ranged from 88.89%(R1)–84.62%(R2) to 100% (both readers), while specificity from 77.78%(R1)–90.00%(R2) to 100% (both readers). Snyder’s classification can be used in US to ensure the correct detection and characterization of RCT.

PI-RADS 3 prostate lesions clinical management is still debated, with high variability among different centers. Identifying clinically significant tumors among PI-RADS 3 is crucial. Radiomics applied to multiparametric MR (mpMR) seems promising. Nevertheless, reproducibility assessment by external validation is required. We retrospectively included all patients with at least one PI-RADS 3 lesion (PI-RADS v2.1) detected on a 3T prostate MRI scan at our Institution (June 2016–March 2021). An MRI-targeted biopsy was used as ground truth. We assessed reproducible mpMRI radiomic features found in the literature. Then, we proposed a new model combining PSA density and two radiomic features (texture regularity (T2) and size zone heterogeneity (ADC)). All models were trained/assessed through 100-repetitions 5-fold cross-validation. Eighty patients were included (26 with GS ≥ 7). In total, 9/20 T2 features (Hector’s model) and 1 T2 feature (Jin’s model) significantly correlated to biopsy on our dataset. PSA density alone predicted clinically significant tumors (sensitivity: 66%; specificity: 71%). Our model obtained a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 76%. Standard-compliant works with detailed methodologies achieve comparable radiomic feature sets. Therefore, efforts to facilitate reproducibility are needed, while complex models and imaging protocols seem not, since our model combining PSA density and two radiomic features from routinely performed sequences appeared to differentiate clinically significant cancers.

(1) Background: Despite progression in surgical techniques and immunological treatments, hepatic artery (HA) thrombosis and stenosis still develop as an early or late liver transplant (LT) complication. We aimed to compare superb microvascular imaging (SMI) with conventional Doppler imaging (CDI) in the assessment of HA in a cohort of pediatric patients undergoing follow-up ultrasound (US) for LT. (2) Methods: This prospective, observational study included 73 pediatric LT recipients (median age, 7 years; IQR, 5.8 years; 35 females) who underwent US during LT follow-up from March to December 2019. For each examination, CDI and SMI were separately assessed in terms of HA visibility and spectral waveform morphology (SWM). The former was scored based on HA discrimination from the blooming signal of the surrounding vessels, as follows: 0, not visible; 1, majority course hardly distinguishable; and 2, majority course clearly distinguishable. The latter was scored on a two-point scale: 0, combined venous and arterial SWM, and 1, pure arterial SWM. The patient’s overall score was finally calculated by adding the two individual scores. (3) Results: Both the absolute scores and frequency of overall scores equal to 3 (maximum global score) were higher using SMI compared with CDI. The median overall score was 3 for SMI and 2 for CDI (p = 0.011; IQR = 1). An overall score equal to 3 was obtained in 74% and 49.3% of the study population using SMI and CDI, respectively (p = 0.002). This was attributable to a better score in HA visibility (p = 0.007). (4) Conclusions: SMI has shown promise for assessing HA in pediatric LT recipients, possibly serving as a complementary non-invasive tool of CDI in everyday practice.

Sands for the nourishment of beaches along the Emilia-Romagna coast (northern Adriatic Sea) were dredged from an offshore area characterised by relict sands formed during the last Adriatic post-glacial transgression. The short-term effects of the sand extraction on macrozoobenthic communities were investigated before, during and 1, 6 and 12 months after dredging at three impacted stations and seven control stations. Sand extraction activities did not significantly influence the granulometry and %TOC in the sediment but caused almost complete defaunation at dredging stations. Yet, just 12 months after the extraction, the recolonisation of communities at the impacted stations was at an advanced stage. Unlike other studies on the effects of extraction of marine sand, no significant settlement of opportunistic species was observed. The limited impact of the sand extraction operation on the physical characteristics of the sediment and hydrological-sedimentary characteristics in the relict sand area should aid its rapid recovery and the restoration of the original community in a short period of time (2–4 years after dredging).

Sands for the nourishment of beaches along the Emilia-Romagna coast (northern Adriatic Sea) were dredged from an offshore area characterised by relict sands formed during the last Adriatic post-glacial transgression. The short-term effects of the sand extraction on macrozoobenthic communities were investigated before, during and 1, 6 and 12 months after dredging at three impacted stations and seven control stations. Sand extraction activities did not significantly influence the granulometry and %TOC in the sediment but caused almost complete defaunation at dredging stations. Yet, just 12 months after the extraction, the recolonisation of communities at the impacted stations was at an advanced stage. Unlike other studies on the effects of extraction of marine sand, no significant settlement of opportunistic species was observed. The limited impact of the sand extraction operation on the physical characteristics of the sediment and hydrological-sedimentary characteristics in the relict sand area should aid its rapid recovery and the restoration of the original community in a short period of time (2–4 years after dredging).

The life cycle of five species of polychaetes living in the Venice lagoon is analysed with the aim of finding out if some traits can be interpreted as an adaptation to brackish environments. The studied species are characterized by different sizes and reproductive strategies. Marphysa sanguinea is a large-sized, annual iteroparous species belonging to the Eunicidae family that reproduces without epitokal modification. Perinereis cultrifera and P. rullieri are large-sized semelparous species belonging to the Nereididae family: the first reproduce with epitokal metamorphosis, the second do not. Ophryotrocha labronica and Dinophilus gyrociliatus are small iteroparous species with semi-continuous reproduction belonging to the Dorvilleidae and Dinophilidae families, respectively. All the species are gonochoric. The larger species often have a sex ratio close to 1:1, while in the smaller ones the sex ratio is biased toward the female sex (2:1 in O. labronica and 3:1 in D. gyrociliatus). Moreover, D. gyrociliatus exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: the males are dwarf and short living. All the large-sized species have external fertilization, while the small-sized O. labronica and D. gyrociliatus exhibit external fertilization with pseudo-copulation and internal fertilization, respectively, that ensure a high reproductive success. All the species produce lecitotrophic eggs, protect young stages from at least some environmental stresses and reduce larval dispersion. The role of the suppression of epitoky and protection structure for developing eggs in limiting the dispersal phase is discussed. All species, independent of reproductive strategies, are characterized by high fecundity and reproductive effort. In the small-sized species, the marked bias of the sex ratio in favour of the female sex and, in D. gyrociliatus, the reduction in the size of the male eggs, are significant factors in the increasing rate of the populations, enabling them to tolerate sharp variation in densi, Le cycle de vie de cinq espèces de polychètes de la lagune de Venise est étudié de manière à analyser d'éventuelles adaptations au milieu saumâtre. Les espèces prises en compte sont caractérisées par des tailles et des stratégies de reproduction différentes. Marphysa sanguinea est une espèce de grande taille, itéropare annuelle, appartenant à la famille des Eunicidae qui se reproduit sans modification de l'épitoque. Perinereis cultrifera et P. rullieri, également de grande taille, sont des espèces hémipares appartenant aux Nereididae : la première se reproduit avec métamorphose de l'épitoque, la seconde sans métamorphose. Ophryotrocha labronica et Dinophilus gyrociliatus, qui appartiennent respectivement aux familles des Dorvilleidae et des Dinophilidae, sont de petites espèces itéropares avec une reproduction semi-continue. Toutes ces espèces sont gonochoriques. Les espèces les plus grandes présentent un sex-ratio voisin de 1:1 alors que, chez les plus petites, ce taux est biaisé vers le sexe femelle (2:1 chez O. labronica et 3:1 chez D. gyrociliatus). De plus, D. gyrociliatus présente un dimorphisme sexuel marqué avec des mâles nains à vie brève. Toutes les espèces de grande taille présentent une fécondation externe alors que celles de petite taille, O. labronica et D. gyrociliatus, présentent respectivement une fécondation externe avec pseudo-copulation et une fécondation interne, ce qui garantit un taux de reproduction élevé. Toutes les espèces élaborent des œufs riches en lécithine, protègent les juvéniles de certains stress environnementaux et réduisent la dispersion larvaire. Le rôle de la suppression de l'épitoquie et des structures de protection de l'œuf en limitant la dispersion est discuté. Toutes les espèces présentent une fécondité élevée et un effort de reproduction. Chez les espèces de petite taille, le sex-ratio favorable aux femelles et, chez D. gyrociliatus, la réduction de taille des œufs mâles, favorisent l'accroissement des populations leur perm

The life cycle of five species of polychaetes living in the Venice lagoon is analysed with the aim of finding out if some traits can be interpreted as an adaptation to brackish environments. The studied species are characterized by different sizes and reproductive strategies. Marphysa sanguinea is a large-sized, annual iteroparous species belonging to the Eunicidae family that reproduces without epitokal modification. Perinereis cultrifera and P. rullieri are large-sized semelparous species belonging to the Nereididae family: the first reproduce with epitokal metamorphosis, the second do not. Ophryotrocha labronica and Dinophilus gyrociliatus are small iteroparous species with semi-continuous reproduction belonging to the Dorvilleidae and Dinophilidae families, respectively. All the species are gonochoric. The larger species often have a sex ratio close to 1:1, while in the smaller ones the sex ratio is biased toward the female sex (2:1 in O. labronica and 3:1 in D. gyrociliatus). Moreover, D. gyrociliatus exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: the males are dwarf and short living. All the large-sized species have external fertilization, while the small-sized O. labronica and D. gyrociliatus exhibit external fertilization with pseudo-copulation and internal fertilization, respectively, that ensure a high reproductive success. All the species produce lecitotrophic eggs, protect young stages from at least some environmental stresses and reduce larval dispersion. The role of the suppression of epitoky and protection structure for developing eggs in limiting the dispersal phase is discussed. All species, independent of reproductive strategies, are characterized by high fecundity and reproductive effort. In the small-sized species, the marked bias of the sex ratio in favour of the female sex and, in D. gyrociliatus, the reduction in the size of the male eggs, are significant factors in the increasing rate of the populations, enabling them to tolerate sharp variation in densi, Le cycle de vie de cinq espèces de polychètes de la lagune de Venise est étudié de manière à analyser d'éventuelles adaptations au milieu saumâtre. Les espèces prises en compte sont caractérisées par des tailles et des stratégies de reproduction différentes. Marphysa sanguinea est une espèce de grande taille, itéropare annuelle, appartenant à la famille des Eunicidae qui se reproduit sans modification de l'épitoque. Perinereis cultrifera et P. rullieri, également de grande taille, sont des espèces hémipares appartenant aux Nereididae : la première se reproduit avec métamorphose de l'épitoque, la seconde sans métamorphose. Ophryotrocha labronica et Dinophilus gyrociliatus, qui appartiennent respectivement aux familles des Dorvilleidae et des Dinophilidae, sont de petites espèces itéropares avec une reproduction semi-continue. Toutes ces espèces sont gonochoriques. Les espèces les plus grandes présentent un sex-ratio voisin de 1:1 alors que, chez les plus petites, ce taux est biaisé vers le sexe femelle (2:1 chez O. labronica et 3:1 chez D. gyrociliatus). De plus, D. gyrociliatus présente un dimorphisme sexuel marqué avec des mâles nains à vie brève. Toutes les espèces de grande taille présentent une fécondation externe alors que celles de petite taille, O. labronica et D. gyrociliatus, présentent respectivement une fécondation externe avec pseudo-copulation et une fécondation interne, ce qui garantit un taux de reproduction élevé. Toutes les espèces élaborent des œufs riches en lécithine, protègent les juvéniles de certains stress environnementaux et réduisent la dispersion larvaire. Le rôle de la suppression de l'épitoquie et des structures de protection de l'œuf en limitant la dispersion est discuté. Toutes les espèces présentent une fécondité élevée et un effort de reproduction. Chez les espèces de petite taille, le sex-ratio favorable aux femelles et, chez D. gyrociliatus, la réduction de taille des œufs mâles, favorisent l'accroissement des populations leur perm

The life cycle of five species of polychaetes living in the Venice lagoon is analysed with the aim of finding out if some traits can be interpreted as an adaptation to brackish environments. The studied species are characterized by different sizes and reproductive strategies. Marphysa sanguinea is a large-sized, annual iteroparous species belonging to the Eunicidae family that reproduces without epitokal modification. Perinereis cultrifera and P. rullieri are large-sized semelparous species belonging to the Nereididae family: the first reproduce with epitokal metamorphosis, the second do not. Ophryotrocha labronica and Dinophilus gyrociliatus are small iteroparous species with semi-continuous reproduction belonging to the Dorvilleidae and Dinophilidae families, respectively. All the species are gonochoric. The larger species often have a sex ratio close to 1:1, while in the smaller ones the sex ratio is biased toward the female sex (2:1 in O. labronica and 3:1 in D. gyrociliatus). Moreover, D. gyrociliatus exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: the males are dwarf and short living. All the large-sized species have external fertilization, while the small-sized O. labronica and D. gyrociliatus exhibit external fertilization with pseudo-copulation and internal fertilization, respectively, that ensure a high reproductive success. All the species produce lecitotrophic eggs, protect young stages from at least some environmental stresses and reduce larval dispersion. The role of the suppression of epitoky and protection structure for developing eggs in limiting the dispersal phase is discussed. All species, independent of reproductive strategies, are characterized by high fecundity and reproductive effort. In the small-sized species, the marked bias of the sex ratio in favour of the female sex and, in D. gyrociliatus, the reduction in the size of the male eggs, are significant factors in the increasing rate of the populations, enabling them to tolerate sharp variation in densi, Le cycle de vie de cinq espèces de polychètes de la lagune de Venise est étudié de manière à analyser d'éventuelles adaptations au milieu saumâtre. Les espèces prises en compte sont caractérisées par des tailles et des stratégies de reproduction différentes. Marphysa sanguinea est une espèce de grande taille, itéropare annuelle, appartenant à la famille des Eunicidae qui se reproduit sans modification de l'épitoque. Perinereis cultrifera et P. rullieri, également de grande taille, sont des espèces hémipares appartenant aux Nereididae : la première se reproduit avec métamorphose de l'épitoque, la seconde sans métamorphose. Ophryotrocha labronica et Dinophilus gyrociliatus, qui appartiennent respectivement aux familles des Dorvilleidae et des Dinophilidae, sont de petites espèces itéropares avec une reproduction semi-continue. Toutes ces espèces sont gonochoriques. Les espèces les plus grandes présentent un sex-ratio voisin de 1:1 alors que, chez les plus petites, ce taux est biaisé vers le sexe femelle (2:1 chez O. labronica et 3:1 chez D. gyrociliatus). De plus, D. gyrociliatus présente un dimorphisme sexuel marqué avec des mâles nains à vie brève. Toutes les espèces de grande taille présentent une fécondation externe alors que celles de petite taille, O. labronica et D. gyrociliatus, présentent respectivement une fécondation externe avec pseudo-copulation et une fécondation interne, ce qui garantit un taux de reproduction élevé. Toutes les espèces élaborent des œufs riches en lécithine, protègent les juvéniles de certains stress environnementaux et réduisent la dispersion larvaire. Le rôle de la suppression de l'épitoquie et des structures de protection de l'œuf en limitant la dispersion est discuté. Toutes les espèces présentent une fécondité élevée et un effort de reproduction. Chez les espèces de petite taille, le sex-ratio favorable aux femelles et, chez D. gyrociliatus, la réduction de taille des œufs mâles, favorisent l'accroissement des populations leur perm