Higher concentrations of chemical elements in animal tissues may be associated with tumours and may explain cancerogenity. In this study, selected chemical elements were measured in the liver, kidneys, muscles and tissues affected by tumour in a dead female European badger (Meles meles) with a metastatic ovarian carcinoma. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for the assessment of concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc. AMA 254 analyser was used for the assessment of mercury concentration. Concentrations of heavy metals such as As, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and total Hg amounted to 0. 031, 0.16, 7.74, 44.54, 0.67, 0.67, and 0.36 mg·kg -1 in the tumour tissue. This is the first detection of ovarian tumour in a European badger (Meles meles) which was systematically examined for the presence of chemical elements.

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In a prospective study 38 patients (35 men, 3 women; median age 56 [37-71] years) with known coronary heart disease in whom conventional thallium-201 exercise-redistribution myocardial scintigraphy (ERMS) had demonstrated segments with diminished activity, thallium-201 was again injected ("reinjection scintigraphy"). Its purpose was to test whether in myocardial segments with persisting diminished radioactivity improved activity after reinjection provided evidence for still viable myocardium. Seven myocardial segments were evaluated in each patient, i.e. a total of 266 segments. Activity in the conventional ERMS was diminished in 94 of the 166 abnormal segments, but improved on reinjection in 21 of the 94 segments (22.3%). Nine of the 38 patients (23.7%) benefitted from the reinjection: only scar tissue without any viable myocardium would have been diagnosed by conventional ERMS in four patients, while extent and spread of ischaemic myocardium was better visualized in five.

Summary: Objective: Description of a case of newborn death after acute caesarean section in 31st week of pregnancy because of mother’s syphilitic infection. Results: Fifteen-years-old primigravid woman in 31st week of pregnancy was admitted to a secondary level hospital due to a high risk of preterm labor. The pregnancy was terminated with an acute caesarean section because of pathological cardiotocograph record. The newborn died after 35 min of resuscitation. Blood samples from the umbilical cord and mother’s blood taken by her gynecologist were positive for syphilis. In cooperation with a dermatologist, the treatment has been provided and reported to the National Referential Laboratory. The autopsy of the newborn had found severe pneumonia, necrotic lymphadenitis and pyocele. Conclusion: The diagnosis of congenital syphilis had been determined after the death of a preterm delivered newborn. Resuscitation had no chance to success because of syphilitic damage of the lungs.