Concentration and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soil near a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill.

Due to a continuous demand of land for infrastructural and residential development there is a public concern about the condition of surface soil near municipal solid waste landfills. A total of 12 surface (0-20 cm) soil samples from a territory near a landfill were collected and the concentration of 16 PAHs and 7 PCB congeners were investigated in these samples. Limits of detection were in the range of 0.038-1.2 µg/kg for PAHs and 0.025-0.041 µg/kg for PCBs. The total concentration of ∑ PAHs ranged from 892 to 3514 µg/kg with a mean of 1974 µg/kg. The total concentration of ∑ PCBs ranged from 2.5 to 12 µg/kg with a mean of 4.5 µg/kg. Data analyses allowed to state that the PAHs in surface soils near a landfill were principally from pyrogenic sources. Due to air transport, PAHs forming at the landfill are transported outside the landfill. PCB origin is not connected with the landfill. Aroclor 1242 can be the source of PCBs in several samples.

Chemical pollution and toxicity of water samples from stream receiving leachate from controlled municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill.

The present study was aimed to determine the impact of municipal waste landfill on the pollution level of surface waters, and to investigate whether the choice and number of physical and chemical parameters monitored are sufficient for determining the actual risk related to bioavailability and mobility of contaminants. In 2007-2012, water samples were collected from the stream flowing through the site at two sampling locations, i.e. before the stream׳s entry to the landfill, and at the stream outlet from the landfill. The impact of leachate on the quality of stream water was observed in all samples. In 2007-2010, high values of TOC and conductivity in samples collected down the stream from the landfill were observed; the toxicity of these samples was much greater than that of samples collected up the stream from the landfill. In 2010-2012, a significant decrease of conductivity and TOC was observed, which may be related to the modernization of the landfill. Three tests were used to evaluate the toxicity of sampled water. As a novelty the application of Phytotoxkit F™ for determining water toxicity should be considered. Microtox(®) showed the lowest sensitivity of evaluating the toxicity of water samples, while Phytotoxkit F™ showed the highest. High mortality rates of Thamnocephalus platyurus in Thamnotoxkit F™ test can be caused by high conductivity, high concentration of TOC or the presence of compounds which are not accounted for in the water quality monitoring program.

Joachim Oelhaf and the first public autopsy in Gdansk in 1613.

The first both in Gdansk and in Central Europe alleged public autopsy was performed by Joachim Oelhaf in February 1613. It was an evidence for Gdansk status as one of the leading anatomical centres in Europe. The aim of the article is to present the history of teaching medicine in Gdansk in early modern era and the eminent anatomists working in Academic Gymnasium of Gdansk. The preserved report of the autopsy of a new-born child with congenital defects is analysed as one of the very first texts in pathological anatomy. The described by Oelhaf case is identified as limb-body wall complex.

Fungaemia due to Cryptococcus laurentii as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy--a case report.

Recently, infections caused by cryptococci non-neoformans have been increasingly recognized. Cryptococcus laurentii was previously considered saprophyte and thought to be non-pathogenic to humans. However, in favorable circumstances like diminished immunity, it seems to be an important pathogen. We present a case of fungaemia caused by Cryptococcus laurentii in a young man with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis on aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. We also considered a tick-borne infection because of the endemic area of ticks' occurrence. Most cases of fungaemia caused by Cryptococcus laurentii were successfully treated with fluconazole. We still observed septic fever and positive microbiological blood tests after 3 weeks of treatment with fluconazole in our patient. Therefore, among the others, a computer tomography of abdomen was done, which revealed an inflammatory (presumably mycotic) focus near right lobe of the liver. Accordingly, we started treatment with itraconazole. Controlled microbiological blood tests after 5 weeks of itraconazole therapy were negative. Until now, only one case of fungaemia caused by Cryptococcus laurentii with use of itraconazole was reported. Such an unusual fungal infection needs guidelines dealing with earlier diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis to protect immunocompromised hosts.