Heavy Metal Presence in Two Different Types of Ice Cream: Artisanal Ice Cream (Italian Gelato) and Industrial Ice Cream

none5noIce cream, a popular product worldwide, is usually a milk-based product with other types of ingredients (fruit, eggs, cocoa, dried fruit, additives, and others). Different materials are used to obtain the desired taste, texture, consistency, and appearance of the final product. This study surveyed ice cream products available in Italy for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, tin, and arsenic). The differences between artisanal and industrial ice cream were also investigated because of the importance in the Italian diet and the diffusion of this ready-to-eat food. Ice cream sampling was performed between October 2010 and February 2011 in the northeast of Italy. A total of 100 samples were randomly collected from different sources: 50 industrial samples produced by 19 different brands were collected in coffee bars and supermarkets; 50 artisanal ice cream samples were gathered at nine different artisanal ice cream shops. Ten wooden sticks of industrial ice cream were analyzed in parallel to the ice cream. All samples were negative for arsenic and mercury. None of the artisanal ice cream samples were positive for lead and tin; 18% of the industrial ice cream samples were positive. All positive lead samples were higher than the legal limit stated for milk (0.02 mg/kg). All industrial ice cream samples were negative for cadmium, but cadmium was present in 10% of the artisanal ice cream samples. Chromium was found in 26% of the artisanal and in 58% of the industrial ice cream samples. The heavy metals found in the wooden sticks were different from the corresponding ice cream, pointing out the lack of cross-contamination between the products. Considering the results and the amount of ice cream consumed during the year, contamination through ice cream is a low risk for the Italian population, even though there is need for further analysis.noneConficoni, D; Alberghini, L; Bissacco, E; Ferioli, M; Giaccone, VConficoni, Daniele; Alberghini, Leonardo; Bissacco, E; Ferioli, M; Giaccone, Valeri

[Rescue thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction after unsuccessful primary percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with coronary artery aneurysm]

The recommended treatment for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). However, in a non-negligible proportion of patients, pPCI is ineffective and the cardiologist must face the decision of how to achieve optimal myocardial reperfusion. Although the possibility of a rescue fibrinolytic strategy has not been evaluated yet in this clinical setting, it is a viable alternative to emergency cardiac surgery. We here report the case of a 60-year-old STEMI patient presenting with a coronary anatomy unsuitable for percutaneous mechanical revascularization, characterized by marked dilation and tortuosity of the proximal and middle epicardial segments. After pPCI failure, the administration of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator allowed us to obtain reperfusion as shown by clinical outcome, ST-segment resolution and subsequent angiographic study. No indication was given to further percutaneous or surgical revascularization. The long-term pharmacological management of these patients represents a challenge for the clinician, also considering the available data on the use of new antiplatelet and anticoagulant molecules and their possible association

Early Resolution of Heyde's Syndrome following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

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Skeletal survey in multiple myeloma: Role of imaging

Bone disease is the hallmark of multiple myeloma. Skeletal lesions are evaluated to establish the diagnosis, to choose the therapies and also to assess the response to treatments. Due to this, imaging procedures play a key role in the management of multiple myeloma. For decades, conventional radiography has been the standard imaging modality. Subsequently, advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma have increased the need for an accurate evaluation of skeletal disease. The introduction of new high performant imaging tools, such as whole-body low-dose computed tomography, different types of magnetic resonance imaging studies, and 18F-fluo-rodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, replaced the conventional radiography. In this review, we analyze the diagnostic potentials, indications of use, and applications of the imaging tools nowadays available. Whole-body low-dose CT should be considered as the imaging modality of choice for the initial assessment of multiple myeloma lytic bone lesions. MRI is the gold-standard for the detection of bone marrow involvement, while PET/CT is the preferred technique in the assessment of response to therapy. Both MRI and PET/CT are able to provide prognostic information