[Problem-based learning (POL) in environmental medicine].

"Environmental medicine" is a new sub-discipline in the spectrum of medical specialization in Germany. The Berlin Academy of Occupational Medicine and Health Protection, now a branch of the Berlin Chamber of Physicians, developed a 200-lesson curriculum for physicians who want to specialize in this field. Coincidentally during the initial courses, the attendants were already highly qualified ("Facharzt"-level) and experts in various occupational fields, and hence the composition of the classes was highly heterogeneous on the levels of practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge.

[Distribution and form of the septa and islands in the placenta].

A human in situ placenta from the fourth lunar month of pregnancy has been cut in series and examined under the light microscope. The following results were found: Island-cells and septal cells above from Nitabuch's layer have identical histological characteristics. Placental septa and islands consist of trophocytes, fibrinoid and invaded portions of chorionic villi.