Purpose: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a rapid diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for evaluation of the female urinary sphincter function based on differentiation between rest and muscle contraction. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower pelvis was performed at 3 Tesla in 10 healthy female volunteers (21–36 years; body mass index, 20.8±3.6 kg/m2) between June and July 2019. High-resolution T1- and T2-weighted images were acquired for anatomical reference, and following DTI performed in 4 experiment phases: twice during rest (denoted rest-1, rest-2) and contraction (contraction-1, contraction-2). Manual segmentation of the urinary sphincter and the levator ani muscles were performed by 2 independent readers. Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values derived from DTI volumes were compared in search for significant differences between the experiment phases. Interreader agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences between MD values among all the experiment phases, by both independent readers (1st: X2 [3,76]=17.16, P<0.001 and 2nd: X2 [3,76]=15.88, P<0.01). Post hoc analysis revealed differences in MD values by both readers between: rest-1 vs. contraction-1 (least P<0.05), rest-1 vs. contraction-2 (P<0.01), rest-2 vs. contraction-1 (P<0.03), rest-2 vs. contraction-2 (P=0.02) with overall mean ‘rest’ to ‘contraction’ ΔMD=20.6%. No MD or FA differences were found between rest-1 vs. rest-2 and contraction-1 vs. contraction-2 among all the experiment phases, and interreader agreement was ICC=0.85 (MD) and ICC=0.79 (FA). Conclusions Rapid DTI might prospectively act as a supporting tool for the evaluation of female pelvic floor muscle function, and incontinence assessment.

No abstract available.

Background: Generic formulations of imatinib mesylate have been introduced in Western Europe since 2017 to treat patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, results on the safety and efficacy of generic formulations are contrasting. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of generic imatinib in CML patients treated in 12 Italian institutes. Methods: This is an observational, retro-prospective analysis of patients with CML for whom the treatment was switched from brand to generic imatinib. We analyzed and compared the variation in quantitative PCR values before and after the switch, and the proportion of patients who maintained molecular response after changing from brand to generic imatinib. Adverse events (AEs) were also evaluated. Results: Two hundred patients were enrolled. The median PCR value after the switch was reduced by 0.25 compared to the values before the switch. A significant difference was found between median PCR values before and after the switch in favor of generic imatinib (P = 0 .0 0 3 ). Molecular responses remained stable in 69.0%, improved in 25.5%, and worsened in 5.5% of patients. AEs were similar in the pre- and post-switch periods; however, a significant difference was found in favor of generic imatinib for muscular cramps (P ＜ 0.0001), periorbital edema (P =0.0028), edema of the limbs (P ＜0.0001), fatigue (P=0.0482), and diarrhea (P =0.0027). Conclusion Our data indicate that generic imatinib does not have deleterious effects on CML control and present an acceptable safety profile, similar or better than brand imatinib.