Pituitary fossa: chemical shift effect in MR imaging

The effect of chemical shift on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the pituitary fossa was studied. Healthy volunteers underwent conventional MR imaging of the pituitary fossa and then imaging with the frequency-encoding gradient reversed or with the phase- and frequency-encoding gradients interchanged. Comparison of the image pairs in each subject showed that the thin, black stripe evident at the water-fat interface within the pituitary fossa was altered when the gradients were changed. Therefore, the low-intensity signal within the pituitary fossa is a chemical shift misregistration effect.     

Anulus fibrosus in bulging intervertebral disks

In this investigation the association of radial tears of the anulus fibrosus and bulging of the intervertebral disk was studied. An index of disk bulging was measured in sagittal anatomic sections in 149 lumbar disks from 31 cadavers. The indexes of disk bulging were correlated with stages of disk development and the presence of an annular tear. The largest disk-bulging indexes were always associated with radial tears of the anulus. Eighty-four percent of the disks with radial tears had disk-bulging indexes greater than 2.5 mm. Most normal adult disks had an index of less than 2.5 mm. The results challenge the concept that the anulus fibrosus is intact in bulging disks, although ruptured in herniated disks.     

Osteopetrosis: MR characteristics at 1.5 T

Four patients with proved osteopetrosis (three with the infantile malignant form and one with the benign form) were examined with magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T. All patients were studied in the coronal and sagittal planes using both short and long repetition time/echo time sequences. The infantile malignant form was characterized by a complete lack of signal from the marrow alternating with a signal intensity equivalent to that of the intervertebral disks, resulting in a "stepladder" appearance. In the benign form or after successful marrow transplantation in the infantile malignant form, intermediate or high signal intensity in the vertebrae was noted, suggesting the presence of some marrow elements.     

Oral cadmium exposure during rat pregnancy: assessment of transplacental micronutrient transport and steroidogenesis at term

Diet is the main source of cadmium (Cd) exposure. Gastrointestinal absorption increases during pregnancy. Cadmium accumulated in the placenta may interfere with nutrient transport to the foetus. Data on the potential of Cd to act as a steroid disruptor of pregnancy are limited. We evaluated the effects of oral Cd exposure during pregnancy on placental function in micronutrient transfer to the foetus and steroidogenesis in Wistar rats (regular 4‐day cyclers) that mated with unexposed males. Pregnant rats were randomly assigned to a Cd group exposed orally to 50 mg Cd l^–1 (CdCl₂xH₂O dissolved in demineralized water), ≈7.5 mg Cd kg^–1 a day, during 20 days of gestation and control (supplied with demineralized water). Non‐pregnant rats were treated under the same experimental conditions. On day 20, all of the rats were killed and samples were taken for element analyses (by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry). Progesterone and testosterone were measured in serum and placenta‐derived samples (by immunoenzymometric assay and/or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay). In the exposed rats, Cd increased in blood and organs, more in pregnant rats, and in placenta and foetus whereas zinc increased in liver. Iron decreased in maternal organs and in foetus, whereas zinc decreased in maternal kidney and placenta. Liver copper was lower and kidney copper higher in all pregnant vs. non‐pregnant rats. Steroids in serum and placenta did not change. In conclusion, oral Cd exposure during rat pregnancy does not affect progesterone and testosterone at term. Transplacental iron and zinc handover are disrupted, which may put at risk the maintenance of foetal nutrition and viability. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low frequency of filaggrin null mutations in Croatia and their relation with allergic diseases

Filaggrin gene (FLG) null mutations are considered associated with atopic dermatitis. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of FLG null mutations R501X, 2282del4, R2447X and S3247X in the Croatian population and their role in the occurrence of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Study enrolled 440 freshmen with defined allergic diseases by means of both present symptoms in International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire (relevant respiratory and/or skin symptoms) and markers of allergic sensitization (positive skin prick and/or patch test). FLG null mutations were successfully genotyped in 423 students of which 11 (2.6%) were carriers of FLG null mutation: 1/423 (0.2%) was heterozygous for R501X and 10/423 (2.4%) were heterozygous for 2282del4. No carriers of R2447X and S3247X mutations were identified. In wild‐type FLG carriers (412 subjects), atopic dermatitis was present in 45 (11%), allergic rhinitis in 70 (17%) and allergic asthma in 29 (7%) students. Twenty‐five of 393 (7%) patch‐tested wild‐type FLG carriers had ACD. Among 11 FLG null mutation carriers, four had one or more allergic diseases, and five had reported skin symptoms without defined allergic sensitization (positive skin prick test and/or patch test). FLG null mutations were not confirmed as a predictor of analysed allergic diseases, but were confirmed as an independent predictor of skin symptoms (OR 17.19, 95% CI 3.41–86.6, P < 0.001). Our results in general indicate a low frequency of FLG null mutations in the studied Croatian population supporting a theory of a latitude‐dependent distribution of FGL null mutations in Europe, with a decreasing north–south gradient of R501X and 2282del4 mutation frequency. The relation between FLG null mutations and skin disorders was confirmed.