No abstract

3.0T MR hysterosalpingography is a feasible, simple, fast, safe, and well-tolerated examination, which allows evaluation of tubal patency and other pelvic causes of female infertility in a single session, and it may thus represent a "one-stop-shop" solution in female infertility diagnostic work-up.

Background: Hypoxia is a potent molecular signal for cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, and migration. Conditions of low oxygen tension trigger regulatory cascades mediated via the highly conserved HIF-1α post-translational modification system. In the adaptive immune response, B cells (Bc) are activated and differentiate under hypoxic conditions within lymph node germinal centers, and subsequently migrate to other compartments. During migration, they traverse through changing oxygen levels, ranging from 1-5% in the lymph node to 5-13% in the peripheral blood. Interestingly, the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A is known to stimulate prolyl hydroxylase activity, resulting in HIF-1α destabilization and may alter Bc responses directly. Over 60% of patients taking calcineurin immunosuppressant medications have hypo-gammaglobulinemia and poor vaccine responses, putting them at high risk of infection with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Results: We demonstrate that O 2 tension is a previously unrecognized Bc regulatory switch, altering CXCR4 and CXCR5 chemokine receptor signaling in activated Bc through HIF-1α expression, and controlling critical aspects of Bc migration. Our data demonstrate that calcineurin inhibition hinders this O 2 regulatory switch in primary human Bc. Conclusion: This previously unrecognized effect of calcineurin inhibition directly on human Bc has significant and direct clinical implications.

3 T MRI protocol based on T2-weighted IDEAL FSE sequences was used. T2-hyperintensity and elongated morphology are common features of PTAs. 3 T MRI could be used in the preoperative detection of PTAs.

Background The effect of gadolinium-based contrast agents on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) measurements of breast lesions is still not clear. Purpose To investigate gadolinium effects on DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in breast lesions and normal parenchyma with 3 Tesla contrast-enhanced MRI. Material and Methods Pre- and post-contrast DWI (b = 0 and b = 1000 s/mm) were acquired in 47 patients. Measured ADC values, pre- and post-contrast T2 signal intensity (T2 SI) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank and rank-sum test ( P < 0.05). Results Post-contrast ADC was reduced only in malignant lesions (-34%), T2 SI was reduced both in malignant (-50%) and benign (-36%) lesions. Post-contrast CNR was reduced in all groups except for benign lesions. Conclusion Gadolinium-based contrast agent causes a significant reduction in ADC values of malignant breast lesions.