Accumulation of elements by edible mushroom species II. A comparison of aluminium,barium and nutritional element contents

The aim of the study was to compare accumulation efficiency of Al, Ba and nutritional elements (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na) exhibited by six edible mushrooms collected in particular regions of Poland during the last 20 years. The studied mushroom species were Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius deliciosus, Leccinum aurantiacum, Suillus luteus and Xerocomus badius. The highest and the lowest concentrations of the elements in tested mushroom species were 11 – 410, 34 – 337, 16785 – 34600, 140 – 607, 12 – 75 and 16 – 143 mg kg^?1d.m., respectively. The highest average concentrations of Al, Mg and Mn were observed in Suillus luteus fruiting bodies, while for Ba, Ca, K and Na it was in Lactarius deliciosus. BCF >1 was found for K and Mg in all tested mushroom species and additionally for the highest Ca and Na concentrations of all tested mushroom species except for C. cibarius and S. luteus, respectively. For the other tested elements (Al, Ba, Fe and Mn) BCF values < 1 were recorded.     

Meconium peritonitis: Extrusion of meconium and different sonographical appearances in relation to the stage of the disease

By chance, we had the opportunity to make serial sonographic observations of the extrusion of meconium in a case of meconium peritonitis. Inflammation leads to exudative processes and production of fluid (ascites) in the fetal abdomen. Sonography at that stage of the disease may lead to a misdiagnosis such as ‘fetal ascites’ or ‘non-immune hydrops’. After bowel perforation and extrusion of meconium, the latter appears as a solitary mass inside fetal ascites or as disseminated echogenic masses distributed subdiaphragmatically or perihepatically. Within a couple of days, in most cases the echogenicity of the masses increases. Calcifications lead to distinct shadowing. These calcifications are often the only visible signs of a previous meconium peritonitis. Serial sonograms are essential for the management of pregnancies with meconium peritonitis. If the amount of fetal ascites does not increase and no signs of cardiovascular stagnation appear, no invasive intrauterine diagnostic and therapeutic steps are required. In none out of the nine cases was a cause found.