Presence of trace metals in aquaculture marine ecosystems of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea (Italy).

Information regarding chemical pollutant levels in farmed fish and shellfish, along with the risks associated with their consumption is still scarce. This study was designed to assess levels of exposure to 21 trace elements in fish (Dicentrarchus labrax), mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) collected from aquaculture marine ecosystems of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Metal concentrations showed great variability in the three species; the highest values of the nonessential elements As and Cd were found in oysters while the highest levels of Al, Pb and V were found in mussels. The essential elements Cu, Mn and Zn were highest in oysters, but Fe, Cr, Ni, Se, Co and Mo levels were highest in mussels. Fish had the lowest concentrations for all trace elements, which were at least one order of magnitude lower than in bivalves. The rare earth elements cerium and lanthanum were found at higher levels in mussels than in oysters, but undetectable in fish. The maximum values set by European regulations for Hg, Cd and Pb were never exceeded in the examined samples. However, comparing the estimated human daily intakes (EHDIs) with the suggested tolerable copper and zinc intakes suggested a potential risk for frequent consumers of oysters. Similarly, people who consume high quantities of mussels could be exposed to concentrations of Al that exceed the proposed TWI (tolerable weekly intake).

[Orthostatic hypotension disclosing an autonomic deficit in a case of Horton's temporal arteritis]. / Ipotensione ortostatica espressiva di deficit autonomico in un caso di arterite temporale di Horton.

A 68 year-old hypertensive woman carried out, linked with the featuring complaints of temporal arteritis-polymyalgia rheumatica complex, an orthostatic hypotension caused, probably, by a spread immunocomplex damage. The presence of depression in Horton's Arteritis and its improvement with the complete recovery would show, perhaps, a central catecholaminergic failure.

[Polyneuropathy in lithium therapy]. / Polineuropatia in corso di terapia con litio.

We hereby report a case of manic depressive psychosis. The patient had been treated for years with lithium carbonate (600 mg/die, lithium serum concentration equal to 0.7 mEq/l) and came to us under observation for a sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy with mostly axonal degeneration. The central nervous system had not been involved. Excluding any possible causes of peripheral neuropathy and since no precipitating circumstances were ascertained, a clinical improvement was noticed after suspending the therapy.

[Electromyographic study of sciatica caused by lumbosacral disk hernia. Apropos of 40 cases with operative findings]. / Studio elettromiografico delle sciatalgie da ernia discale lombosacrale. A proposito di 40 casi con riscontro operatorio.

The Authors present the electromyographic study of 40 cases of low-back and sciatic pain due to lumbar herniation of the intervertebral disk after surgical checking. The E.M.G. parameters, which are thought to be more valid in order to make a diagnosis of the motor nerve-root pain and choose the test muscles to be examined, are shown here. Following the data of scientific publications, a special emphasis is put on the usefulness of the this check-up in order to supply important elements for the evaluation of the degree and position of the nerve-root damage.

[Controlled double-blind study (SAMe-imipramine) in depressive syndromes]. / Studio controllato in doppio cieco (SAMe-Imipramina) nelle sindromi depressive

Thirty one patients were treated with either S-Adenosylmethionine or Imipramine in a double-blind clinical trial comparing S-Adenosylmethionine (25 mg i.m. three times daily) with Imipramine (25 mg i.m. three times daily) administered for a period of three weeks. Hamilton Rating scores showed no significant differences between treatments, but such slight differences as were observed favoured S-Adenosylmethionine.