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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multidimensional exercise intervention on improving fall risk deterrent factors, such as overall strength and flexibility in nursing home residents., Methods: A multi-centre, randomized controlled trial was finally utilized in 40 older adults (>65 years) who were randomly allocated to the intervention or the control group (20 subjects in each). The intervention group attended an exercise program twice a week for eight weeks, to improve functional mobility. The control group did not receive any intervention. Measurements before and after intervention included the Hand Grip Strength (HGS) testing, the Sit-to-Stand test (SST), the Back Scratch Test (BST), and the Sit-and-Reach test (SRT)., Results: MANOVA revealed significant time effects, V = 0.336, F (6, 33) = 2.78, p = 0.027, partial η 2 = 0.336; group effects, V = 0.599, F (6, 33) = 8.22, p < 0.001, partial η 2 = 0.599; and group*time interaction, V = 0.908, F (6, 33) = 54.52, p < 0.001, partial η 2 = 0.908. A subsequent univariate analysis did not reveal a significant time effect for any variable ( p > 0.05). Significant group effects were observed only for SRT ( p < 0.05). Significant group*time interactions were observed for all the examined variables ( p < 0.05). Dependent t-tests showed that the older adults in the exercise group were significantly improved in all the examined parameters ( p < 0.05). Except for SRT ( p > 0.05), all the other parameters significantly deteriorated in the control group ( p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Significant improvements were demonstrated in strength and flexibility among nursing home residents following an eight-week group exercise training program.

Introduction: Chronic urinary retention (CUR) is a major problem in elderly patients and leads to high levels of morbidity. CUR can be treated surgically with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but surgery is frequently avoided in elderly patients due to increased perioperative risks and the presence of detrusor underactivity, which can lead to surgical failure. We report on contemporary outcomes for catheterized elderly patients undergoing TURP from a high-volume university teaching hospital. Patients and Methods: Catheterized patients 80 years of age and older undergoing TURP for CUR at a university teaching hospital between 2012 and 2020 (9 years) were eligible. Those with neurogenic bladder, urethral stricture, or prior TURP were excluded. Surgical success was defined as being catheter free at 3- and 12-month follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test for grouped data and logistic regression modeling for continuous data. Results: A total of 147 patients were included and underwent TURP. Of these, 118 (80.3%) were completely catheter free or using intermittent self-catheterization at initial 3-month follow-up. One hundred seventeen (79.6%) remained catheter free at 1-year follow-up. Postvoid residual >1500 mL before TURP ( p  = 0.017); age ≥90 ( p  = 0.0067); and World Health Organization performance status ≥3 ( p  < 0.00001) were all identified as independent risk factors for surgical failure. A selected subset of patients excluding these risk factors showed overall catheter-free rates of 88.8% at 3-month follow-up. Early and late complications were noted in 6.8% and 2.7% of patients. Conclusion: Our contemporary series demonstrate high rates of successful postoperative voiding for selected elderly patients after TURP, with catheter-free rates at 12 months of 88.8%. Overall complication rate was 9.5%, which may be justified given the alternative morbidity of long-term catheterization. TURP remains an efficacious and cost-effective treatment for selected elderly patients who are catheterized for CUR.

Background: Ureteroscopy (URS) in patients with urinary diversion is technically challenging. Common difficulties include anastomotic strictures, tortuosity, and failure to cannulate the ureteric orifice. There are few studies reporting outcomes in this special population., Objective: Our aim was to report outcomes at two tertiary centres in Europe., Design Setting and Participants: A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2010 and 2022., Intervention: URS (antegrade and retrograde) procedures carried out in patients with urinary diversions., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Outcomes of interest included success at cannulating the ureteric orifice, stone-free rate (SFR), and complications. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictors for success at cannulating the ureteric orifice and success at completing the intended procedure in a single session., Results and Limitations: Fifty patients underwent 72 URS procedures, with most (86%) undergoing a retrograde approach. The majority (82%) of patients had undergone ileal conduit. Wallace was the commonest anastomosis type (64%). Ureteric anastomosis was cannulated successfully in 81% of cases. The most common reason for cannulation failure was the inability to identify the ureteric orifice (11%). A multivariable analysis revealed that an endourologist performing the case was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of cannulation success compared with consultants (odds ratio 25.9, p  < 0.001). The mean operative time and hospital stay were 49 min (range: 11-126) and 1 d (range: 0-10), respectively. SFRs were 75% (zero fragments) and 81% (residual fragments ≤2 mm). No intraoperative complications were recorded. The overall postoperative complication rate was 6%. This study is limited by its retrospective status., Conclusions: Endourological experience increases the likelihood of successful ureteric cannulation and procedural success. A low complication rate can be achieved despite this being a population with often multiple comorbidities., Patient Summary: Patients with previous bladder reconstructive surgery can undergo ureteroscopy with good outcomes. Surgeon experience increases the likelihood of treatment success., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) describes the non-malignant enlargement of the prostate. It is both common and growing in incidence. Treatment is multimodal, involving conservative, medical, and surgical interventions. This review aims to examine the evidence base for phytotherapies, specifically analyzing their role in treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attributable to BPH. A literature search was completed, specifically looking for randomized control trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews involving phytotherapy treating BPH. Specific emphasis was placed on exploring substance origin, the proposed mechanism of action, evidence of efficacy, and the side-effect profile. Several phytotherapeutic agents were evaluated. These included serenoa repens, cucurbita pepo, and pygeum Africanum, among others. For most of the reviewed substances, only modest effectiveness was reported. Generally, though, all treatments were tolerated well with minimal side effects. None of the treatments discussed in this paper form part of the recommended treatment algorithm in either European or American guidelines. We, therefore, conclude that phytotherapies, in the treatment of LUTS attributable to BPH, do provide a convenient option for patients, with minimal side effects. At present, however, the evidence for the usage of phytotherapy in BPH is inconclusive, with some agents having more backing than others. This remains an expansive field of urology whereby there is still more research to be done.

Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a secondary prevention intervention proven to improve quality of life, yet with low participation. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS) was developed to assess multi-level barriers to participation. This study aimed at the translation, and cross-cultural adaptation of the CRBS into the Greek language (CRBS-GR), followed by psychometric validation. Some 110 post-angioplasty patients with coronary artery disease (88.2% men, age 65.3 ± 10.2 years) answered the CRBS-GR. Factor analysis was performed to obtain the CRBS-GR subscales/factors. The internal consistency and 3-week test-retest reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha (α) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Construct validity was tested via convergent and divergent validity. Concurrent validity was assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Translation and adaptation resulted in 21 items similar to the original version. Face validity and acceptability were supported. Construct validity assessment revealed four subscales/factors, with acceptable overall reliability (α = 0.70) and subscale internal consistency for all but one factor (α range = 0.56-0.74). The 3-week test-retest reliability was 0.96. Concurrent validity assessment demonstrated a small to moderate correlation of the CRBS-GR with the HADS. The greatest barriers were the distance from the rehabilitation center, the costs, the lack of information about CR, and already exercising at home. The CRBS-GR is a reliable and valid tool for identifying CR barriers among Greek-speaking patients.

A tele-assessed 6MWT (TL 6MWT) could be an alternative method of evaluating functional capacity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a TL 6MWT. The functional capacity of 28 patients with DM2 (75% men) aged 61 ± 13 years was evaluated twice via an indoor, center-based 6MWT (CB 6MWT) and twice outside each patient's home via a web-based platform TL 6MWT. The study showed a high statistically significant correlation between the CB and TL 6MWT (Pearson's r = 0.76, p < 0.001). Reliability testing showed no statistically significant differences in the distance covered (CB1: 492 ± 84 m and CB2: 506 ± 86 m versus TL1: 534 ± 87 m and TL2: 542 ± 93 m, respectively) and in the best distance of the TL 6MWT (545 ± 93 m) compared to the best CB distance (521 ± 83 m). Strong internal reliability for both the CB (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.93) and the TL 6MWT (ICC = 0.98) was found. The results indicate that a TL 6MWT performed outdoors can be a highly valid and reliable tool to assess functional capacity in patients with DM2. No learning effect between the TL and CB assessment was found, minimizing the need for repetition.

Context: Urinary tract infection (UTI) represents a significant disease for women, with 20-40% suffering from recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) across their lifetime., Objective: This review aims to provide evidence for current European Association of Urology (EAU) guidance that topical, but not oral, oestrogen is a worthwhile preventative therapy for rUTIs in postmenopausal women. We also aim to establish whether a relationship exists between oestrogen dosage and treatment efficacy., Evidence Acquisition: A literature search was performed across databases for this review. All studies that included oral or topical oestrogen in females with urinary tract infections were selected. Studies were inspected to establish treatment and follow-up duration, average weekly oestrogen dosage, efficacy of treatment, and reasons for dropout., Evidence Synthesis: Clinical resolution and reduction of UTIs were evaluated. Six studies (seven treatment groups) using topical oestrogen as a treatment arm (258 patients total) and four studies using oral oestrogen as the treatment arm were included (1376 patients total). Topical oestrogen was administered as creams, pessaries, or per-vaginal tablets with follow-up spanning 2-12 mo. Of the patients, 51-100% remained UTI free throughout the duration of follow-up with minimal dropouts. Patients enrolled and treated with oral oestrogen were generally given higher weekly doses and had follow-up between 3 mo and 4.1 yr. All included studies agreed that topical oestrogen is an effective prophylaxis for rUTIs in women, with higher efficacy associated with weekly doses of ≥850 µg. Conversely, only one study arrived at the same conclusion for oral oestrogen., Conclusions: Our review concurs with current EAU guidance that topical but not oral oestrogen therapy can be a valid treatment for women suffering from rUTIs. Administration weekly topical doses of ≥850 µg is associated with the best outcomes., Patient Summary: In this study, we look at the role of oral and topical oestrogens for the treatment of urinary tract infections and their adherence to European Association of Urology guidelines. We found that administration of weekly topical doses of ≥850 µg is associated with the best outcomes., (Copyright © 2022 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based intervention that aims to improve health outcomes in cardiovascular disease patients, but it is largely underutilized. One strategy for improving utilization is home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR). Previous research has shown that HBCR programs are feasible and effective. However, there is a lack of evidence on safety issues in different cardiac populations. This systematic review aimed to provide an evidence-based overview of the safety of HBCR., Objectives: To examine the incidence and severity of adverse events of HBCR., Methods: The following databases were searched: CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database for randomized controlled trials. The included trials were written in English and analyzed the incidence of adverse events (AEs) as a primary or secondary intervention outcome., Results: Five studies showed AEs incidence, of which only one study reported severe AE associated with HBCR exercise. The incidence rate of severe AEs from the sample (n = 808) was estimated as 1 per 23,823 patient-hour of HBCR exercise. More than half patients included were stratified into a high-risk group. In the studies were found no deaths or hospitalizations related to HBCR exercise., Conclusion: The risk of AEs during HBCR seems very low. Our results concerning the safety of HBCR should induce cardiac patients to be more active in their environment and practice physical exercise regularly., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Batalik Ladislav reports administrative support and article publishing charges were provided by University Hospital Brno., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is the mainstay of surgery for renal calculi>2 cm or complex multiple calculi and is a technique that has been around since 1976. We review recent literature surrounding novel lithotripsy devices and technology used in PNL., Recent Findings: At present, the Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is widely accepted as the gold standard laser lithotripsy for PNL. SwissLithoClast Trilogy offers a range of probes with a trifecta of electromagnetic, ultrasonic energy with surgeon-controlled suction. The Olympus Shockpulse-SE is a similar lithotripter that relies on continuous ultrasonic energy with pulsed ballistic energy to break stones. Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL) offers an alternative laser energy source to the Holmium laser, which has been shown to be very effective at producing small stone fragments and dust. The Moses technology is another addition in a long list of improvements to the Ho:YAG laser, forming vaporization bubble through which more effective energy can be applied to stones., Summary: Trilogy, Shockpulse, TFL and Moses pulse modulation technology for the Holmium laser all provide improvements compared with older lithotripsy devices. In particular, they convey a safer, efficient and more effective way to manage and clear stones., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is a highly recommended intervention towards the advancement of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients' health profile; though with low participation rates. Although home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) with the use of wearable sensors is proposed as a feasible alternative rehabilitation model, further investigation is needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable sensors-assisted HBCR in improving the CVD patients' cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health profile. PubMed, Scopus, Cinahl, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO were searched from 2010 to January 2022, using relevant keywords. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials, written in English, comparing wearable sensors-assisted HBCR to center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) or usual care (UC), were included. Wearable sensors-assisted HBCR significantly improved CRF when compared to CBCR (Hedges' g = 0.22, 95% CI 0.06, 0.39; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.01), whilst comparison of HBCR to UC revealed a nonsignificant effect (Hedges' g = 0.87, 95% CI -0.87, 1.85; I 2 = 96.41%; p = 0.08). Effects on physical activity, quality of life, depression levels, modification of cardiovascular risk factors/laboratory parameters, and adherence were synthesized narratively. No significant differences were noted. Technology tools are growing fast in the cardiac rehabilitation era and promote exercise-based interventions into a more home-based setting. Wearable-assisted HBCR presents the potential to act as an adjunct or an alternative to CBCR.

Introduction: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a beneficial tool for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases with, however, low participation rates. Telerehabilitation, intergrading mobile technologies and wireless sensors may advance the cardiac patients' adherence. This study will investigate the efficacy, efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of a telerehabilitation programme based on objective exercise telemonitoring and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness., Methods and Analysis: A supervised, parallel-group, single-blind randomised controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 124 patients with coronary disease will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio into two groups: intervention telerehabilitation group (TELE-CR) (n=62) and control centre-based cardiac rehabilitation group (CB-CR) (n=62). Participants will receive a 12-week exercise-based rehabilitation programme, remotely monitored for the TELE-CR group and standard supervised for the CB-CR group. All participants will perform aerobic training at 70% of their maximal heart rate, as obtained from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for 20 min plus 20 min for strengthening and balance training, three times per week. The primary outcomes will be the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, expressed as peak oxygen uptake assessed by the CPET test and the 6 min walk test. Secondary outcomes will be the physical activity, the safety of the exercise intervention (number of adverse events that may occur during the exercise), the quality of life, the training adherence, the anxiety and depression levels, the nicotine dependence and cost-effectiveness. Assessments will be held at baseline, end of intervention (12 weeks) and follow-up (36 weeks)., Ethics and Dissemination: The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Thessaly (1108/1-12-2021) and by the Ethics Committee of the General University Hospital of Larissa (3780/31-01-2022). The results of this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and conference presentations., Trial Registration Number: NCT05019157., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increased rates of morbidity and mortality have led to the increased need for the implementation of secondary prevention interventions. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) represents a multifactorial intervention, including elements of physical exercise and activity, education regarding healthy lifestyle habits (smoking cessation, nutritional habits), to improve the physical capacity and psychological status of cardiac patients. However, participation rates in CR programs remain low due to socioeconomic, geographical and personal barriers. Recently the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have added another barrier to CR programs. Therefore there is an emerging need to further improve the types and methods of implementing CR. Cardiac telerehabilitation, integrating advanced technology for both monitoring and communicating with the cardiac population, appears to be an innovative CR alternative that can overcome some of the barriers preventing CR participation. This review paper aims to describe the background and core components of center-based CR and cardiac telerehabilitation, and discuss their implications for present day clinical practice and their future perspectives., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Introduction: Improper consent is a failure of clinical care and also a major cause of litigation within health care authorities. 4% of surgical negligence claims are attributed to improper consenting in the NHS, with an average settlement fee of approximately £40,000 per claim. Improving quality of consenting therefore not only improves patient care but could also reduce healthcare cost., Method: A retrospective analysis of 100 elective hip and knee arthroplasties at a district general hospital in the South of England. Clinic letters and consent forms were reviewed, using the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) consent proforma as a comparison standard. Quality of consent was reviewed based upon inclusion of BOA suggested risks., Results: 40% of hip arthroplasty clinic letters and 20% of knee arthroplasty clinic letters did not include a risk discussion. Common risks on consent forms when compared to BOA standards were 84.8% compliant in knees and 88.8% in hips. Less common risks on consent forms were 100% compliant in knees and 96% in hips. Rare risks on consent forms were 74.8% compliant in knees and 57.7% in hips. Notably blood clots and infection were consented for in almost all patients. Risk of death meanwhile, was only consented for 62% of the time, across both procedures., Conclusion: Standard of consenting in this audit falls short of BOA standards. Improvement is needed to improve patient care and avoid medical litigation. An integrated electronic form linking consent process of both outpatient and pre-operative review could be a beneficial intervention., Competing Interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in any material discussed in this article., (© 2021 Delhi Orthopedic Association. All rights reserved.)

The flossing method is an emerging therapeutic intervention based on the use of a floss-band that is circumnavigated at the various points of the body being treated. It is optimally combined with an appropriate exercise program to induce ischemia and release the fascia by applying pressure and movement to functional models. The Pilates method teaches the person to focus on the muscles, especially those responsible for the correct posture. It also helps the individual to become aware of the way he/she breathes. Both methods have positive effects on exercise and rehabilitation. However, medical flossing has not been as well researched as the Pilates method. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of both methods on the strength, endurance, and functionality of healthy individuals. A review of the literature on medical flossing and Pilates was conducted. A systematic research took place from 2014 to 2019. Publications in non-English or non-Greek language were excluded. The articles were retrieved from not only PubMed, Scielo, and Elsevier databases, but also Google Scholar. Both methods are understudied in relation to their effectiveness on the strength, endurance, and functionality of healthy individuals. More studies are required to estimate the effects of both methods on healthy individuals., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2021, Quiles-Sanchez et al.)

The globalization of the Western lifestyle has resulted in increase of diabetes mellitus, a complex, multifactorial disease. Diabetes mellitus is a condition often related to the disorders of the cardiovascular system. It is well established that three quarters of diabetics, aged over 40, will die from cardiovascular disease and are more likely than non-diabetics to die from their first cardiovascular event. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to individualize treatment via risk stratification. Conditions that increase cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes include age more than 40 years, male gender, history of relative suffering from premature CHD, blood pressure and high LDL levels, presence of microalbuminuria, obstructive sleepapnea, erectile dysfunction and other conditions. Several models have been developed in order to assess cardiovascular risk in people with and without diabetes. Some of them have been proven to be inadequate while others are widely used for years. An emerging way of risk assessment in patients with diabetes mellitus is the use of biomarkers but a lot of research needs to be done in this field in order to have solid conclusions., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Cancelled operations represent a significant burden on the National Health Service in terms of theatre efficiency, financial implications and lost training opportunities. Moreover, they carry considerable physical and psychological effects to patients and their relatives. Evidence has shown that up to 93% of cancelled operations are due to patient-related factors. An analysis at our District General Hospital revealed that approximately 18 operations are cancelled on the day of surgery each month. This equates to 27 hours of allocated operating time valued by the trust as £67 500, not being used effectively. This retrospective quality improvement report aims to reduce unused theatre time due to cancelled elective operations in general surgery theatres-thereby improving theatre efficiency and patient care. To ascertain the baseline number of cancelled operations, an initial review of theatre cases was undertaken. Further review was then completed after implementation of two improvements-a short notice surgical waiting list and fast track pre-assessment clinics. The results showed that implementation of the reserve surgical waiting list reduced unused operating time by an average of 2.25 hours per month. By further adding in the fast track preassessment clinic, these figures increased to an average of 11.5 hours over the next 3 months. This precipitated a reutilisation of otherwise wasted theatre time. Economic impact of this time amounts around £28 750 a month, after implementation of both improvements. Simple protocol changes can lead to large improvements in the efficient running of theatres. The resultant change has improved patient satisfaction, led to greater training opportunities and improved theatre efficiency. Extrapolation of our results show better usage of previously underused theatre time, to the equivalent worth of £345 000. Further implementation of these improvements in other surgical specialities and hospitals would be beneficial., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

The present work aimed to investigate the phosphorylation and hence activation of stress activated protein kinases, p38 MAPK and JNKs in the tissues of the snail Helix lucorum during seasonal hibernation. Snails were put in large glass boxes, which were placed outdoors so that they were exposed to natural conditions of light and temperature. Phosphorylation and hence activation of JNKs and p38 MAPK was determined in both heart and ganglia. Deep hibernation caused significant increases in the levels of the phosphorylated form of JNK and p38-MAPK in both heart and ganglia. Phosphorylation of JNK remained elevated in the ganglia or increased after a transient drop in the heart, when the snails were prepared for arousal. In addition, phosphorylation of p38-MAPK was further increased in the heart during this period. These data support the conclusion that MAPK signalling cascade might contribute in the physiological and biochemical remodelling in the tissues of land snails during hibernation and upon preparation for arousal.

Fatal animal poisonings in northern Greece from 1990 to 1995 are recorded. A total of 926 specimens have been analyzed by chromatographic techniques. Pesticides caused 78% of the poisoning cases and all other toxic substances caused 22%. The animals affected were mainly cats, dogs, sheep, birds and bees.

Copper liver and kidney concentrations were evaluated from sheep grazing at 2 areas: A (sampling points A1, A2, A3) and B. One hundred forty specimens were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy after wet digestion for the February through April 1995 sampling period. Mean liver concentrations were: Area A (A1 = 99.48, A2 = 62.28, A3 = 23.02 mg/kg ww) and Area B 74.07 mg/kg ww. Copper concentrations in kidneys from all areas were in the normal range.

Poisoning of rare birds of prey (7 Aegipius monachus and 1 Aquila chrysaetus) and 11 foxes by carbofuran is reported. The poisoning is an ecological disaster because of the death of A monachus, which is a rare species. Identification, confirmation and distribution of the toxic substance was performed by TLC and HPLC techniques.

Concentrations of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in liver and kidney of goats was determined. Goats were intended for human consumption and bred in the rural area of Arnea and in the metal contaminated area of Olympias. A total of 104 specimens were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Zinc and lead concentrations were within acceptable limits. Copper levels were deficient in animals from the Olympias area. Cadmium levels from Olympias were higher than those from Arnea. Liver and particularly kidney specimens from Olympias had cadmium levels exceeding tolerance limits and should be avoided for human consumption.