Poaching of endangered species in Mediterranean Sea: Alopias vulpinus

A thresher shark poached by fishermen in the stretch of sea between the island of Ponza and the coast of Terracina (Lazio, Central Italy, Mediterranean Sea) and confiscated by the Italian health authorities was evaluated for the presence of chemical contaminants. Hg mean concentration of 2.1 mg kg^-1 was found in muscle; speciation analysis confirmed it was almost in the toxic organic form of MeHg (2.0 mg kg^-1). The Se:Hg molar ratio was <1 not protective against the toxic effect of Hg. ¹³⁷Cs was detected at a mean concentration of 0.53 Bq kg^-1, and ⁴⁰K, radioisotope of natural origin was found at 91 Bq kg^-1. Dioxins and PCBs were found in the common thresher shark at mean concentrations of 0.012 and 0.088 pg TEQ-WHO g^-1 w.w. while NDL PCBs at 4.5 ng g^-1 w.w., lower than limits set by European Regulation. The major concern is constituted by the presence of Hg twice the maximum limit set by EU Regulation, then the consumption of thresher shark flesh should be strongly discouraged.

Detection of Sulfites in Fresh Meat Preparation Commercialised at Retail in Lazio Region

In Europe sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sulfites in foods and beverages at concentrations of more than 10 mg kg^–1 or 10 mg L^–1 expressed as SO₂ equivalents are subject to mandatory labelling. In fresh meats the addition of sulfites is not admitted because of their unlawful use to give the product a more attractive appearance. Aim of the study was to detect sulfites in meat product sampled in 19 commercial shops of Lazio Region. In n=12 samples, sulfites were present at different concentrations and no indication for them was reported on the label. Sulfites concentrations ranged from 13.3 to 1278.9 mg kg^–1. The results of the present investigation underline the need for better controls by operators, not only under the food information but also in the consumers’ health perspective.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Residues in Gentile Di Maiale, a Smoked Meat Product Typical of Some Mountain Areas in Latina Province (Central Italy)

Gentile di maiale is a typical meat product prepared in some traditional plants of Latina Province (Central Italy). It is obtained from dehydration, salting, smoking and ripening of swine rectum. Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the traditional smoking process on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content by means of high-performance liquid chromatographic/fluorescence detection. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in 8 samples of raw material (swine rectum) and samples of smoked gentile were: benzo[a]anthracene, chrisene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a] pyrene, benzo[a,h]anthracene. Their residues were detected in all samples of finished product. European Regulation 835/2011 established two levels of PAHs content in meat products. According to first levels, in force until September 2014, only 2 out of 8 samples exceeded legal limit. According to the subsequent, more restrictive, limits all samples would be non-compliant. An improvement and a standardisation of traditional smoking procedures are recommended.

Ipsilateral motor symptoms caused by a right pterional meningioma

The case is reported of a patient bearing a pterional meningioma on the right (non-dominant) side manifesting with ipsilateral motor symptoms, completely recovered after tumor removal. The occurrence of ipsilateral sensory and/or motor symptoms, probably due to direct or indirect involvement of the sensory/motor secondary areas of the insula of Reil, may be misleading in diagnosis because of apparent incongruity between clinical presentation and radiological findings. Only seven cases of such a condition, all localized on the left (dominant) side, have been previously reported.

Accuracy of the analysis of multiple small fragments of glial tumors obtained by stereotactic biopsy

To examine the reliability of the diagnoses reached on multiple small fragments of cerebral glial tumors obtained via stereotactic biopsy, samples obtained from 100 consecutive glial tumors (during real or simulated biopsy) were studied by cytology and histology. In comparison to the definitive diagnosis made on the whole tumor, a correct positive diagnosis on the biopsy sample was made by histology in 96% of cases and by cytology in 93% of the cases (with 96% correct results when combining both methods). A correct identification of the tumor type and grade was achieved by histology in 82% of cases and by cytology in 80% of the cases (with 85% correct results when combining both methods). The limits of stereotactic biopsy are related to the difficulty of identifying all of the typical tumor features on tiny tissue fragments of a pleomorphic neoplasm, such as a glioma. This study demonstrates that better results may be obtained by using both cytology and histology to study multiple stereotactic biopsy samples from glial tumors.