Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is a small and ‘vulnerable’ cetacean, which exhibits coastal marine habits according to the IUCN (2008). The aim of this work was to determine the ...presence of essential (Zn and Cu) and non-essential (Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni) heavy metals in skin (n=33) and muscle (n=36) tissues of franciscana dolphins from southern Buenos Aires, establishing the influence of biological parameters on the accumulation of these pollutants. Histological standardised methods were used to determine both age and sexual maturity of the dolphins. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Zn was 8-fold higher than Ni in the skin. Zn was significantly affected by the age of the specimens and might be influenced by the state of body condition. Ni showed a behaviour pattern similar to that of non-essential heavy metals. The relationship between Ni and Zn concentration determined in skin and muscle might provide a tool for studying the general condition of endangered marine mammal species such as franciscana dolphins.
The purpose of this prospective observational study was the evaluation of the usefulness of MPR reconstructions and virtual endoscopy in the study of the esophageal carcinoma. Thirty-nine patients ...with esophageal cancer proved by means of endoscopy, underwent preoperative TNM staging with dynamic CT of the chest and abdomen with the aid of 3D rendering. Twenty-six patients underwent surgery, and the CT results were compared with histopathologic findings. In staging the T parameter, the CT with 3D reconstructions and virtual endoscopy, showed a sensitivity of 92% and an accuracy of 88%. In staging lymph nodes, the sensitivity in our study was 85%, the specificity 58%, and the accuracy 69%. Our protocol of the study of the esophageal cancer with 3D CT and virtual endoscopy, demonstrated a high concordance with the surgical and pathologic findings. The 3D reconstructed images were very helpful to the surgeons regarding preoperative planning. We performed an observational enquiry, and although this was a small study, it has, however, confirmed that the 3D imaging of the esophagus represents a valuable advantage to conventional imaging. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to prove its superiority to traditional CT imaging of the esophagus.
PDF
