Plantar fibromatosis may adopt the brain gyriform pattern of a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma

We report the case of a 42-year-old man with histologically proven plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose disease) demonstrating an uncommon brain gyriform pattern at MRI, so far exclusively described in the low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS). An acoustic posterior enhancement at ultrasound, a high intensity on T2w and post-contrast T1wMR images were unusual and related to a high tumor cellularity at histology with no myxoid tissue. The juxtaposition of areas of high and low cellularity (with more fibrous material) in a multilobulated mass built a brain gyriform pattern at MR, similar to what was so far described exclusively in LGFMS. This case demonstrates that the brain gyriform pattern may also be observed in other soft tissue fibrous tumors with no myxoid material but with high cellularity areas alternating with fibrous zones of low cellularity.     

Tibial hyperostosis: A diagnostic approach

Tibial hyperostosis may be encountered in musculoskeletal imaging, incidentally or during the investigation of a leg pain. Hyperostosis involves the exuberant production of osseous tissue and results in cortical, periosteal and/or endosteal thickening of the bone. As a long bone with thick cortices, the tibia has a significant probability of being affected by ubiquitous bone diseases. As a tubular long bone, the tibia is likely to be involved in extensive infectious conditions such as osteomyelitis. As a bone of the lower limb, the tibia undergoes high stresses and may be affected by decrease in bone strength or repetitive submaximal stress. The tibia is also particularly involved in some bone sclerosing dysplasias and Paget's disease. In this work, we aim at highlighting the main conditions leading to tibial hyperostosis and try to provide key elements to narrow down the several diagnostic possibilities. Osteoid osteomas, fatigue or insufficiency fractures, infectious conditions, vascular lesions, sclerosing bone dysplasias and Paget's disease represent the main challenging diagnoses to discuss.     

Cultural influence on directional tendencies in children’s drawing

The present study was aimed at investigating how print experience as a cultural factor influences directional tendencies in children’s drawing in the interplay with biomechanical (hand), syntactic (shape orientation) and semantic (shape meaning) factors. Eighty-eight right-handed children from three literacy/age groups (preliterate, first graders and third graders) had to copy a geometrical shape adapted from the Rey–Osterrieth complex figure. The shape was presented alternatively leftward and rightward, while using both dominant (right) and non-dominant (left) hands. Directional tendencies were assessed regarding directionality of drawing movements at global, intermediate and local levels and deviation error in centre line bisection. Results show a global improvement of drawing quality and strategies across groups and an advantage for the dominant right hand from 6 years onward. Regarding directional tendencies, a reinforcement of a congruency effect between conditions and writing direction was found from preliterates to third graders. These results are discussed as a cultural embodiment process and have implications for psychological testing.     

Toxicokinetics of fumonisin B1 in turkey poults and tissue persistence after exposure to a diet containing the maximum European tolerance for fumonisins in avian feeds

The kinetic of fumonisin B1 (FB1) after a single IV and oral dose, and FB1 persistence in tissue were investigated in turkey poults by HPLC after purification of samples on columns. After IV administration (single-dose: 10mg FB1/kg bw), serum concentration-time curves were best described by a three-compartment open model. Elimination half-life and mean residence time of FB1 were 85 and 52min, respectively. After oral administration (single-dose: 100mg FB1/kg bw) bioavailability was 3.2%; elimination half-life and mean residence time were 214 and 408min, respectively. Clearance of FB1 was 7.6 and 7.5ml/min/kg for IV and oral administration, respectively. Twenty-four hours after the administration of FB1 by the intravenous route, liver and kidney contained the highest levels of FB1 in tissues, level in muscle was low or below the limit of detection (LD, 13mug/kg). The persistence of FB1 in tissue was also studied after administration for 9 weeks of a feed that contained 5, 10 and 20mg FB1+FB2/kg diet. Eight hours after the last intake of 20mg FB1+FB2/kg feed (maximum recommended concentration of fumonisins established by the EU for avian feed), hepatic and renal FB1 concentrations were 119 and 22mug/kg, level in muscles was below the LD.     

Chromosomal aberrations induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in lymphocytes from patients with breast carcinoma

: Stable chromosomal aberrations (SCAs) have been found in circulating lymphocytes from patients treated for breast carcinoma. Therefore, we tried to define their incidence in such patients, to determine an in vitro dose-effect relationship, and to correlate these data with clinical parameters.

: This prospective study included 25 patients who, after surgery, underwent either radiotherapy (RT) alone (n = 15) or RT combined with chemotherapy (n = 10). SCAs were scored using the fluorescent in situ hybridization technique before RT and 4 and 12 months after RT. Dose-effect curves were established by in vitro irradiation of blood samples with 2 and 4 Gy, before and after treatment.

: In all patients, the rate of SCAs increased significantly after external irradiation. No significant decrease in SCAs was observed during the first year after RT. RT and chemotherapy had no effect on the lymphocyte in vitro dose-effect relationship. No relationship was found in the distribution of patients between the yield of SCAs scored after external irradiation and after in vitro irradiation. SCAs after RT or in vitro irradiation did not correlate with family history of breast carcinoma or acute toxicity of treatment. More significantly, the yield of SCA after external irradiation was strongly related to the irradiation of the internal mammary chain and the supraclavicular lymph node area, suggesting that the volume of irradiated blood vessels was an essential parameter in determining the rate of SCAs.

: A high and stable yield of SCAs persisted at least 1 year after external irradiation. The nature of the volume irradiated containing large blood vessels was the major determinant of the observed biologic dose.