ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of operating time (t), current density (CD) and initial pH were investigated for soluble organic carbon (SOC) and total phosphorus (TP) removal from swine wastewater, pretreated in an UASB reactor, using an electrocoagulation process with aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes. For the optimal conditions, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Al removal, sludge production and energy consumption were evaluated. The removal efficiencies for the Al electrode were 78%, 96%, 84%, 99%, 65% and 84% for SOC, TP, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe, respectively. For the Fe electrode the removal efficiencies were 57%, 96%, 81%, 99 % and 61% for SOC, TP, Cu, Zn and Mn, respectively. The sludge generated, energy consumption, and theoretical hydrogen yields were 5 g/L, 1-18 kWh/L and 0.7-8.5 kWh, respectively. The electrocoagulation process can be used for soluble organic carbon, phosphorus and metals removal from swine wastewater.

27 pacientes com neurocisticercose foram tratados com praziquantel, utilizado em doses progressivamente crescentes até alcançar 50 mg/kg/dia, por período de 21 dias, associado a dexametasona. Os doentes foram avaliados clínica e laboratorialmente durante o tratamento e, aqueles que completaram um ano de evolução, repetiram os testes imunofluorescência e ELISA neste período. Cefaléia foi o sintoma encontrado mais freqüentemente durante o tratamento, ocorrendo em 37% dos pacientes; 18,5% dos doentes apresentaram hipertensão intracraniana, um deles evoluindo para o óbito; 25,9% dos enfermos tiveram que suspender o praziquantel antes de completar o tratamento, devido ao surgimento de complicações importantes. Nos exames laboratoriais realizados no sétimo dia de tratamento, 33,3% dos pacientes apresentaram anormalidades, sendo leucocitose a mais freqüente. No período de um ano, 72,2% dos enfermos tiveram melhora do quadro clínico, enquanto os testes imunológicos tornaram-se não-reagentes no soro em 45,4% dos doentes e no LCR em 42,8%. Entretanto, nem sempre houve coincidência da melhora clínica com a apresentação dos testes imunológicos não-reagentes. No presente trabalho, não é possível afirmar que os testes imunológicos não-reagentes, assim como a melhora clínica dos pacientes, sejam conseqüentes à eficácia do tratamento com o praziquantel. Devido à grande freqüência e gravidade das complicações deste tratamento, os pacientes devem ser avaliados individualmente quanto aos riscos versus os benefícios dele.

Twenty seven patients with neurocysticercosis were treated with praziquantel in progressive doses reaching 50 mg/kg/day associated with dexamethasone for 21 days. The patients were followed during and after treatment and those followed up for one year repeated their immunological tests (indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA) at this time. Headache was the most frequent symptom during the treatment, occurring on 37% of patients. During the treatment 18.5% of patients had intracranial hypertension and one died. One year after treatment 72.2% of patients who finished treatment improved. The immunological tests became negative in 45.4% of patients sera and 42.8% of cerebrospinal fluids. There was no correlation between the clinical evolution and immunological, testis. In this study it is not possible to afirm that both negative immunological tests and good clinical evolution were consequents to the efficacy of praziquantel treatment. Due to the great frequency and seriousness of this treatment complications, the patients with neurocysticercosis must be individually evaluated to know the risks and the benefits of the treatment with praziquantel.

A análise das folhas das plantas revelaram que a absorção de Mg e de K aumentaram com a concentração do elemento respectivo na solução. O Mg não interferiu na absorção do K nos tratamentos correspondentes à omissão e dose 2 deste nutriente; nos tratamentos correspondentes à dose 1, 48 p.p.m. de Mg nas, soluções nutritivas estimularam a absorção de K. O K inibiu a absprção de Mg nos tratamentos correspondentes às doses 0 e 2 deste elemento: quanto na presença da dose 1, 234, p.p.m. de K nas soluções nutritivas determinaram maior concentração de Mg nas folhas. O K teve ação antagônica sobre o Ca; o Mg teve efeito semelhante só quando na presença da dose mais elevada de K. Na ausência desse elemento ou na presença de 234 p.p.m. dele o efeito do Mg foi quadrático.

The present paper presents the results of a factorial experiment, Mg/K in hydroponic cultures in order to study the absorption on both elements by citrus trees. The treatments consisted of: Magnesium did not interfer with the content of K in the leaves when K was omitted or present in the nutrient solution at level 2 (704 p.p.m.). Magnesium in the nutrient solution (48 ppm) stimulated K absorption. Magnesium absorption was inhibited when K was present in the nutrient solution at levels 0 and 2. At level 1 (234 p.p.m. of K) there was an increase in Mg content in the leaves. Potassium-calcium antagonism was observed in all cases wheresas Mg-Ca antagonism was observed only the presence of higher levels of K. In the absence or presence 234 p.p.m. of K a quadratic effect of Mg was observed.