Heavy metals in edible specimens around Tagarades landfill after a big fire

The aim of this study was to provide information on the levels of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in ed­ible specimens around the Tagarades landfill after a big fire.A total of 49 fruit, vegetable and milk samples were collected, according to the Directive 2001/22/EC. The sampling areas were: < 2.5, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 km around landfill, as well as, 35-40 km away which served as a blank area that was not affected by the landfill. Care was taken to get samples of the same varieties from different selected sites. The samples were wet digested using concentrated nitric and perchloric acid. Cadmium was analyzed using a Flame Atomic Spectrometer and lead an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with graphite furnace atomization. Our results indicate that there was no apparent effect from the landfill fire on lead and cadmium levels found in the tested food samples. These specimens were safe for consumption according to the Draft Commission Regulation on Setting Maximum Limits for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs

Duplicated gallbladder: surgical application and review of the literature

Duplicated gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly, usually asymptomatic and occurring as incidental radiographic or surgical finding during upper abdomen, liver and extrahepatic biliary tract surgery. We report on a case of two separate gallbladders, one main and one accessory, each one with its own cystic duct. The main cystic duct drained into the common bile duct while the accessory bile duct extruded into the left side of common bile duct just inferior to the main cystic duct termination. Imaging advances such as computerized tomography, intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may aid in the establishment of accurate diagnosis. The anomaly is of great importance because the surgeon may miss the main or the accessory gallbladder and the patient may need to be re-operated in case of cholelithiasis

Unilateral elongated styloid process: a case report

An unusual case of a unilaterally elongated styloid process with a length of 5.8 cm was found on a dry skull of a male cadaver. During his life the subject was complaining for reported ipsilateral otalgia presumably due to nerve compression from the elongated styloid process. The symptomatology appeared by such an anatomical variant as well as relative literature is discussed in this paper

Sternalis muscle: an underestimated anterior chest wall anatomical variant

Over the recent years, an increased alertness for thorough knowledge of anatomical variants with clinical significance has been recorded in order to minimize the risks of surgical complications. We report a rare case of bilateral strap-like sternalis muscle of the anterior chest wall in a female cadaver. Its presence may evoke alterations in the electrocardiogram or confuse a routine mammography. The incidental finding of a sternalis muscle in mammography, CT, and MRI studies must be documented in a patient's medical records as it can be used as a pedicle flap or flap microvascular anastomosis during reconstructive surgery of the anterior chest wall, head and neck, and breast. Moreover, its presence may be misdiagnosed as a wide range of benign and malignant anterior chest wall lesions and tumors

High origin of a testicular artery: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Although variations in the origin of the testicular artery are not uncommon, few reports about a high origin from the abdominal aorta exist in the literature. We discuss the case of a high origin of the testicular artery, its embryology, classification systems, and its clinical significance.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a very rare case of high origin of the left testicular artery in a 68-year-old Caucasian male cadaver. The artery originated from the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta, 2 cm cranially to the ipsilateral renal artery. Approximately 1 cm after its origin, it branched off into the inferior suprarenal artery. During its course, the artery crossed anterior to the left renal artery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A knowledge of the variant origin of the testicular artery is important during renal and testicular surgery. The origin and course must be carefully identified in order to preserve normal blood circulation and prevent testicular atrophy. A reduction in gonadal blood flow may lead to varicocele under circumstances. A knowledge of this variant anatomy may be of interest to radiologists and helpful in avoiding diagnostic errors.</p

Morphoanatomical study of the human inner ear development

Die Morphogenese des Innenohrs ist für Entwicklungswissenschaftler und für HNO-Ärzte von grosser Bedeutung bei der Begutachtung von Gehör- und Gleichgewichtstörungen. Ausgewählte Schnitte von humanen Embryonen zwischen dem 11. Carnegie Stadium und der 16. Gestationswoche wurden unter dem Lichtmikroskop untersucht bezüglich Entwicklungsmerkmalen von Vestibulum, Utriculus, Sacculus, Canalis semicircularis, Ampullae, Ganglion spirale, Corti-Organ, Ductus cochlearis, Scala tympani und vestibuli. Die repräsentativsten Schnitte wurden zu einem histoanatomischen Atlas zusammengefasst. Beschriftete Photomikrographien verschiedener Ebenen u. die Beschreibung von Entwicklungsmerkmalen des Innenohres können Studenten der HNO helfen, die Grundlagen der Morphogenese zu verstehen. Zudem können Entwicklungsbiologen, die an experimentellen $\textit {in vivo}$ Modellen arbeiten, davon profitieren, die Entwicklung des menschlichen Innenohres des ersten und frühen zweiten Trimenons mit der von Tieren zu vergleichen.The morphogenesis of the inner ear is of utmost importance in developmental sciences and otolaryngologists when studying hearing and balance syndromes. Selected histological sections of human embryos, from Carnegie stage 11 to 16$^{th}$ gestational week, were examined under light microscopy considering the developmental features of the vestibule, utricle, saccule, semicircular canals and ampullae, spiral ganglion, Corti organ, cochlear duct, scala tympani and vestibuli. The most representative sections were presented in terms of a histoanatomical atlas. The provided labeled photomicrographs in various planes and the description of inner ears developmental features can aid the students of otology to understand the fundamentals of its morphogenesis. Developmental biologists, working in experimental $\textit {in vivo}$ models may be benefited when comparing the first and early second trimester of normal human inner ear development with those of animals