IntroductionTo determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among pregnant and postpartum women attended within the public healthcare system in Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro, and to detect possible exposure factors associated with T. gondii infection in this population.MethodsIgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were investigated in 276 pregnant and 124 postpartum women by using the indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) and immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) techniques. The participants were selected by convenience sampling. All these 400 patients filled out a free and informed consent statement, answered an epidemiological questionnaire and were informed about the disease.ResultsAmong the 400 samples analyzed, 234 (58.5%) were reactive to IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies, according to the IFAT and/or ELISA assay. One pregnant woman was found to be reactive to IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies, with an intermediate IgG avidity test. Risk factor analysis showed that seropositivity was significantly associated (p<0.05) with age, contact with cats and presence of rodents at home. Through a logistic regression model, these associations were confirmed for age and contact with cats, while education at least of the high school level was found to be a protective factor.ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in the City of Niterói was high and the risk factors for infection detected after multivariate analysis were: age over 30 years, contact with cats and education levels lower than university graduate level.

Os sedimentos possuem propriedades de acumulação de poluentes e a determinação de elementos tóxicos nessas amostras permite avaliar o seu ciclo geoquímico. Arsênio e mercúrio foram determinados em 28 amostras de sedimento da Bacia do Rio São Francisco, Minas Gerais, Brasil, por geração de hidretos acoplada à espectrometria de absorção atômica (HG AAS). Foram empregados procedimentos de digestão pseudo-total empregando HCl:HNO3 (3:1 v/v) e extração parcial com HCl 1 mol L-1. Realizou-se ainda a determinação de Hg nas amostras sólidas, utilizando-se um analisador direto de mercúrio. Observou-se que 46% das amostras apresentaram concentrações de As acima do limite de nível 1 estabelecido pela Resolução 344/2004 do CONAMA e que 14% excederam o limite de nível 1 para Hg. As amostras com altas concentrações de Hg foram também analisadas por termodessorção acoplada à espectrometria de absorção atômica (TDAAS) para especiação e os termogramas apontaram somente a presença da espécie Hg(II)

Sediments have metal accumulation properties, then, an evaluation of their geochemistry cycle is feasible via toxic element determination of these samples. Arsenic and mercury determinations were accomplished in 28 sediment samples from the São Francisco River Basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil. For sample pretreatment were employed a pseudo-total digestion procedure with HCl:HNO3 (3:1 v/v) and a partial extraction procedure with 1 mol L-1 HCl. Arsenic and mercury were analysed by hydride generator atomic absorption spectrometry (HG AAS). Mercury determination was realized in the solid samples by direct mercury analyzer (DMA). It was observed that 46% of the samples presented arsenic concentrations above Brazil's legal limits, and 14% of samples exceeded the established mercury limit. The samples with high mercury content were also analysed by thermodesorption coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry (TDAAS) and only Hg(II) was identified

A aplicação de fertilizantes pode promover mudanças na reação do solo e na disponibilidade de nutrientes importantes para as plantas. A produção de biofertilizantes a partir de rochas é um processo prático que reduz o consumo de energia e aumenta a disponibilidade de nutrientes no solo. Em experimento de campo foram avaliados os efeitos de biofertilizantes produzidos com rochas, além do enxofre elementar inoculado com Acidithiobacillus, em atributos químicos de um Argissolo do Vale do São Francisco após cultivo do melão, em comparação com fertilizantes minerais solúveis. Usou-se o fatorial 3²+2, em blocos casualizados, com biofertilizante fosfatado (PB) e potássico (KB), em quantidades correspondentes à adição de superfosfato simples (SS) e cloreto de potássio (KCl), o dobro e o triplo da recomendação. Foram usados tratamentos adicionais com SS+KCl na quantidade recomendada e o controle sem adição de P e K (P0K0). Os biofertilizantes reduziram o pH do solo, e os teores mais elevados de P e K disponíveis foram obtidos com aplicação de PB e KB nas doses mais elevadas. Os maiores teores de Mg foram obtidos com o biofertilizante KB na dose 240 kg ha-1, em função da liberação de Mg da biotita. Os biofertilizantes de rochas com P e K podem ser usados como alternativa a fertilizantes solúveis, devido ao maior efeito residual para P, Ca e Mg do solo, especialmente em solos alcalinos ou para solos ácidos após a calagem.

Fertilizer application may promote significant changes in soil reaction and on the availability of important nutrients for plants. The utilization of rock biofertilizers is a practical process that reduces energy consumption and increases nutrient availability in soils. In a field experiment, the effect of biofertilizers produced with phosphate and potash rocks plus Acidithiobacillus inoculation were evaluated on the chemical attributes of an Argisoil from the São Francisco Valley, Pernambuco State, Brazil, after melon cultivation. The experiment was arranged in a factorial 3²+2 scheme in randomized block design, with four replicates. Two sources of P biofertilizer (PB) and K biofertilizer (KB) were applied in the same doses recommended for simple superphosphate (SS) and potassium chloride (KCl), and in doses which corresponded to two and three times the recommended ones. Additional treatments were carried out (soluble fertilizers (SS) and potassium chloride KCl), applied in the recommended dose, and control treatment with no addition of P and K (P0+K0)). Biofertilizers reduced soil pH and higher available P and K values were obtained when higher doses of biofertilizers (PB and KB) were applied. Mg content increased when KB biofertilizers were applied in higher rates, probably due to the solubilization of Mg present in the biotite. The rock biofertilizers with Acidithiobacillus may be recommended as an alternative to soluble fertilizers by the residual effect in nutrient availability, especially in sodic soils or in limed acid soils.