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Recently, the cultivation of light Cannabis, with a total THC content less than 0.6%, has been encouraged due to its industrial and therapeutic potential. This has increased the consumption of hemp for both smoking purposes and food preparation. Even so, Cannabis inflorescences are not subject to EU regulations and standards provided for food and tobacco products. A study was carried out on thirty-one inflorescences samples, collected in different Italian regions, in order to determine cannabinoids, pesticides and metals and to evaluate the exposure of consumers to contaminants and ensure a safe consumption. Contents of THC were always below 0.5%, while CBD ranged between 0.3 and 8.64%. The determination of 154 pesticides showed that 87% of the samples contained fungicides and insecticides in the range 0.01–185 μg/g. The most found are spinosad and cyprodinil. The concentration of metals ranged from 1 to more than 100 μg/g and As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Cu, Mo, Ni and V exceeded the regulatory US limits for inhaled Cannabis products, while Pb exceeded them for both oral and inhaled products. These contaminants are intrinsically toxic and may affect public health. Actions are needed to establish regulatory measures and reduce the adverse effects caused by contaminants in Cannabis.

The recent application of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in plant protection products (PPPs) enhances stability of the active substance (a.s.), minimizes application losses, reduces the quantities of a.s., increases coverage on leaf surface, improves precise application, etc. Besides offering benefits, there is high concern about the potential risk for human and environment associated with the use of nanopesticides. In this study, a panel of complementary methodologies were used to determine size distribution and chemical identification of four different formulations of nanopesticides. Measurements were performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), asymmetric field flow fractionation-multi angle light scattering (AF4-FFF-MALS), gas/liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS) or diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results indicated average size values in the ranges: 27.4–148.7 nm by DLS; 39.1–82.0 nm by AF4-FFF-MALS; and 42–90 nm by TEM. Linked to these nanosized particles both organic active ingredients and inorganic ones were identified. In addition, the obtained data revealed that all the four PPPs contained more than 50% of particles with number size distribution between 1 and 100 nm and, according to the European Commission definition, they can be defined as nanopesticides.

We describe the interaction of the neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser energy with intraocular lenses using the laser in the Q-switched mode. Using this method, it is possible to treat opacities that eventually might occur at the level of the visual axis on the optic faces of polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses (IOLs) if safety parameters (perfect focusing, use of additional lenses, and slight and continuous movement of the focal point of the laser) are followed. However, it is not possible to treat the silicone IOLs with the Nd:YAG laser because the threshold values for damage to the IOL are lower than the energy values required for destroying the capsular opacities on the optic axis.

The authors report their experience over the past three years with a new surgical treatment for congenital cataract, namely pars plana lensectomy using the vitreotome. The clinical indications for and advantages of such a microsurgical technique are pointed out.

Until the beginning of the 1970’s, the types of treatment commonly used in soft cataract surgery were: optical iridectomy discission linear extracapsular extraction (various techniques) intracapsular extraction (particular cases).