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Ten halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons (carbon tetrachloride, 1-chlorohexane, 2,3-dichlorobutane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,3-dichloropropane, hexachloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2,3-trichloropropane and 1,1,3-trichloropropene), previously assayed in genetic assays in fungi, were evaluated in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test in order to assess their genotoxicity in vivo. All chemicals were administered once i.p. at 40 and 70–80% of their respective LD50 to male and female CD-1 mice, 24 and 48 h before killing. All treatments produced evident clinical symptoms, but no marked depression of bone marrow proliferation. No statistically significant increases in the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes over the control values were observed at any sampling time with any of the 10 halogenated hydrocarbons assayed. The comparison of the results obtained in this study with the findings provided by in vitro micronucleus assays on the same chemicals, reported by other authors, indicate that mouse bone marrow is weakly sensitive to the genotoxic effects induced by halogenated hydrocarbons in other test systems. This suggests that the role of such an assay in carcinogen screening may be questionable for this chemical class. An examination of mouse bone marrow micronucleus test results with the halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons classified as carcinogens by IARC supports this conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A previous study showed that a tolerogenic gene vaccine based on a IgG1Fc-pCons chimera (here named GX101) protects NZB/NZW mice from SLE development. The present study was aimed at identifying the most effective schedule of immunization and the possible involvement of CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Treg in the mechanism of action, in view of its eventual translation to the human studies. NZB/NZW mice were vaccinated with B lymphocytes made transgenic by spontaneous transgenesis with a gene coding for a chimeric IgG1Fc-pCons construct. Different schedules of vaccination were set in relation to the timing and number of administrations. Survival, proteinuria levels, and CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Treg frequency were monitored during the full experiments. GX101-treated mice showed delayed disease onset and delayed mortality than controls. GX101 effects were implemented by early as well as repeated vaccine administrations. GX101 vaccination was associated with increased frequencies of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg with respect to controls. This study demonstrates that early and repeated immunizations with GX101 vaccine provide a better outcome than late or single vaccine administration regarding onset/development in SLE-prone mice, acting as a possible disease-modifying approach. Vaccine effects are likely related to CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cell expansion.

Rationale and Objectives: To study the effects of four different rigid alignment approaches on both time-concentration curves (TCCs) and perfusion maps in computed tomography perfusion (CTp) studies of liver and lung tumors., Materials and Methods: Eleven data sets in patients who were subjected to axial CTp after contrast agent administration were assessed. Each data set consists of four different sequences, according to the different rigid alignment configurations considered to compute blood flow perfusion maps: no alignment, translational, craniocaudal, and three dimensional (3D). The color maps were built on TCCs according to the maximum slope method. The effects of motion correction procedures on the reliability of TCCs and perfusion maps were assessed both quantitatively and visually., Results: TCCs built after 3D alignments show the best indices as well as producing the most reliable maps. We show examinations in which the translational alignment only yields more accurate TCCs, but less reliable perfusion maps, than those achieved with no alignment. Furthermore, we show color maps with two different perfusion patterns, both considered reliable by radiologists, achieved with different motion correction approaches., Conclusions: The quantitative index we conceived allows relating quality of 3D alignment and reliability of perfusion maps. A better alignment does not necessarily yield more reliable perfusion values: color maps resulting from either alignment procedure must be critically assessed by radiologists. This achievement will hopefully represent a step forward for the clinical use of CTp studies for staging, prognosis, and monitoring values of therapeutic regimens., (Copyright © 2014 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article describes the main characteristics of ultrasound contrast media, their pharmacodynamic properties and their effect on various ultrasound imaging techniques. Contrast-enhanced TRUS is useful for improving the detection of prostatic cancer.

CT and MR imaging of the prostate. Both CT and MR imaging are employed in staging adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This article reviews the current status of these imaging modalities and describes emerging imaging technologies that may improve the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.

The present paper represents an overview of the imaging methods which could integrate the first ultrasonographic approach to nephrologic diagnosis. It summarizes the clinical indications and the appropriate imaging protocols including conventional radiology, CT, MR and Nuclear Medicine in five different clinical scenarios: reno-vascular hypertension, hematuria, acute pyelonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure, and acute urinary colic.