ABSTRACT Most Brazilian soils have restrictions on agricultural use related to acidity and nutrient availability. This study aims to evaluate a zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) mining by-product (Zincal™), regarding its capacity to correct soil acidity, and to serve as a source of Zn. For evaluation of its efficacy, a comparison with dolomite + Zn sulfate was conducted. The experiment was set up in two soils, a Quartzarenic Neosol and a Red Latosol, and conducted under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Treatments consisted in the application of two doses, aiming at 75 and 95% base saturation of both liming materials, as well as in a control treatment without acidity correction. The effect of said treatments on pH, base saturation, Al3+, H+Al, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn, Mn and Pb contents were evaluated over 120 days. Similar responses were obtained from both liming materials, regarding their capacity to increase the pH of the soil, reduce Al3+ and potential acidity (H+Al), and increase base saturation. Differences observed in these attributes were dose-related. In regard to Ca and Mg, the content released in soil correlates with the content present in the liming materials. Zincal™ released more Mg and less Ca than dolomite, hence proving to be efficient in releasing Zinc.

OBJETIVO: analisar os resultados obtidos em programa de rastreamento e diagnóstico de arritmias e cardiopatias congênitas centrado em uma unidade terciária e determinar a importância do diagnóstico precoce na evolução fetal e neonatal. MÉTODOS: foram analisados os resultados da avaliação cardíaca fetal efetuada em 1159 gestantes em dois níveis diferentes. Nível I: uso da ultra-sonografia morfológica com o objetivo de rastrear a presença de alteração cardíaca, sem estabelecer um diagnóstico diferencial. Nível II: por ecocardiograma fetal com o objetivo de diagnosticar as cardiopatias fetais existentes. Os resultados da detecção de arritmias bem como da avaliação das alterações estruturais foram comparados, sendo estabelecidas a sensibilidade e a especificidade para ambos os níveis no pré-natal, ao exame pós-natal ou à necropsia. A concordância entre ambos os níveis foi calculada pelo índice kappa. RESULTADOS: as arritmias detectadas no nível I foram confirmadas em todos os casos e não houve falso-negativos, sendo que em cinco pacientes houve necessidade de tratamento intra-útero. A detecção das alterações estruturais obtidas no nível I teve sensibilidade de 72% e especificidade de 98%, com 28% de falso-positivos. No nível II estes parâmetros foram, respectivamente, de 100 e 99%. De acordo com o coeficiente kappa de 57%, um grau de concordância de categoria moderada foi observado entre ambos os níveis. Das cardiopatias congênitas da nossa série 51% necessitaram intervenção farmacológica ou invasiva no período neonatal. CONCLUSÃO: o estudo ultra-sonográfico obstétrico é fundamental no rastreamento das alterações cardíacas fetais. O ecocardiograma fetal apresentou alto índice de sensibilidade e especificidade no diagnóstico das arritmias e cardiopatias congênitas, possibilitando o tratamento precoce das alterações graves.

PURPOSE: to analyze the results of a screening and diagnostic program of arrhythmias and congenital heart disease in a reference hospital and the relevance of early diagnosis in the fetal and neonate evolution. METHODS: cardiac evaluation of 1159 fetuses was done in two different levels. Level I: by morphological ultrasound examination with the objective to detect the existence of either arrhythmias or structural cardiac malformations. Level II: by fetal echocardiography to establish the differential diagnosis. The results of level I in the arrhythmia group were compared with those of level II, and in the group with malformations the results of both levels were confronted with the neonate echocardiogram or necropsy. The kappa index was calculated to evaluate the concordance between the two levels. RESULTS: all detected arrhythmias in level I were confirmed in level II, there were no false negative cases and five patients with severe arrhythmia required pharmacological therapy. The diagnosis of structural malformation by level I had sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 98% and there were 28% of false-positive cases. In level II, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of congenital heart disease were 100 and 99%, respectively. The kappa index was 57% and indicated a moderate degree of concordance between the two levels. Fifty-one percent of the fetuses with diagnosis of cardiac malformations required pharmacological or invasive intervention immediately after birth. CONCLUSION: morphological ultrasound examination is a important tool in the screening of arrhythmias and congenital heart defects during fetal life. The sensitivity and specificity of the fetal echocardiogram were very high and the early diagnosis made it possible to treat the fetus with severe cardiac disease either during pregnancy or immediately after birth.