Iron overload is a relatively common clinical condition resulting from disorders such as hereditary hemochromatosis, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and myelodysplasia that can lead to progressive fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the disease process at the earliest stage. Liver biopsy is the reference test for the assessment of liver fibrosis. It also allows for quantifying liver iron concentration (LIC) in patients. However, this is an invasive method with significant limitations and possible risks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluation of the R2* relaxation rate can be an alternative to biopsy for assessing LIC. However, it causes a need for accurate R2* data corresponding to standard value for further comparison with examined patients. This study aimed to assess the normative values of liver R2* in healthy individuals. A total of 100 volunteers that met established criteria were enrolled in the study: 36 (36%) men and 64 (64%) women. The mean age was 22.9 years (range 20 to 32 years). R2* was estimated by an MRI exam with a 1.5 T clinical magnetic resonance scanner. Images for measuring the LIC and liver fat concentration were obtained using the IDEAL-IQ technique for liver imaging. The Mean (SD) liver R2* was 28.34 (2.25) s−1 (95% CI, 27.78–28.90, range 23.67–33.00 s−1) in females, 29.57 (3.20) s−1 (95% CI, 28.49–30.66, range 23.93–37.77 s−1) in males, and 28.72 (2.69) s−1 (range 23.67–37.77 s−1) in the whole group. R2* value in this particular population with a high proportion of young women did not exceed 38 s−1. In the absence of fibrosis or steatosis, liver stiffness and fat fraction did not show any relationship with R2*.

Magnetic fields have a great impact on processes within plants. In our experiment, radish seeds (Raphanus sativus) were exposed to a stationary magnetic field (with an intensity of 8 mT and 20 mT) and variable magnetic fields (with an intensity of 6 mT and a frequency of 50 Hz). Two time intervals of exposure were selected: 3 min and 12 min. After exposure, treated seeds were compared with the control seeds (without magnetic field exposure) in the following categories: seedling length, germination rate index (GRI), vigour index, and seed germination. The results revealed that magnetic fields increased the rate of germination, vigour index, and GRI for all samples treated with stationary magnetic field. It is difficult to distinguish a specific form of dependence between the measured parameters and the intensity of the magnetic fields and the selected time intervals. The most promising results were obtained from the sample that was exposed to a stationary magnetic field intensity of 20 mT at 12 min. All measured values decreased when the seeds were exposed to variable magnetic fields at the exposure time of 12 min.

Intravenous propranolol prevents tilt-induced syncope in a significant percentage of patients. The results of the tilt tests combined with the administration of propranolol predict the efficacy of a continuous propranolol treatment. Both complete and partial propranolol efficacy at tilt test can successfully identify those patients who will benefit from continuous beta blockade.

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