Fernando de Souza Barros

Dry matter production and nutrient accumulation after successive crops of lettuce, tomato, rice, and andropogongrass in a substrate with zeolite

SUMMARY Zeolites are hydrated crystalline aluminosilicate minerals of natural occurrence, structured in rigid third dimension net that can be used as slow release plant-nutrient source. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant growth substrate under zeolite application, enriched with N, P and K, on dry matter yield and on nutrient contents in consecutive crops of lettuce, tomato, rice, and andropogon grass. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with 3 kg pots with an inert substrate, evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of four types of enrichment of concentrated natural zeolite: concentrated zeolite (Z) only, zeolite + KNO3 (ZNK), zeolite + K2HPO4 (ZPK) and zeolite + H3PO4 + apatite (ZP), and a control grown in substrate fertilized with a zeolite-free nutrient solution. Four levels of enriched zeolite were tested: 20, 40, 80, and 160 g/pot. Four successive crops were grown on the same substrate in each pot: lettuce, tomato, rice, and andropogon grass. Results indicated that N, P and K enriched zeolite was an adequate slow-release nutrient source for plants. The total dry matter production of above-ground biomass of four successive crops followed a descending order: ZP > ZPK > ZNK > Z.

Tympanic paragangliomas: case reports

Glomus tumors, also called paragangliomas, originate from nonchromaffin cells. The tumor is typically vascular and grows from capillary and pre-capillary vessels in-between epithelial cells. It is worth mentioning that the most common symptoms are pulsating tinnitus and hearing loss. Imaging studies (CT and MRI) are necessary for diagnosis. This paper shows five patients seen at the Hospital between 1995 and 2001 presenting glomus tympanicum. Women were most commonly affected, and the age ranged from 48 to 60 years (mean age of 50 years). The most common complaints were pulsating tinnitus and hearing loss. All patients were treated surgically.

Brazil's nuclear shakeup: military still in control

Despite four years of civilian rule and a recent reorganization, democracy has not reached Brazils expensive, dangerous nuclear programs.

Nitrogen, Potassium, and Nitrate Concentrations of Lettuce Grown in a Substrate with KNO3-Enriched Zeolite

Zeolite minerals improve the efficiency of nutrient use by plants by helping to regulate the release of nitrogen and nitrate accumulation in tissues. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate effects of the addition of zeolite enriched with potassium nitrate (KNO3) on the nitrate (NO3-N) and potassium (K) levels of lettuce shoot. Treatments arranged in a completely randomized block design with three replications comprised two types of the natural zeolite: concentrated zeolite, zeolite + KNO3, and a control grown in substrate fertilized with a nutrient solution without zeolite supply. Four levels of enriched zeolite were tested (20, 40, 80, and 160 g per pot). Nitrogen, K, and NO3-N data were evaluated and response equations were fitted. The results indicated that zeolite enriched with KNO3 released the macronutrients N and K to lettuce plants. The concentrations of total N, total K, and NO3-N increased with zeolite levels, and there was a positive correlation between total N and NO3-N forms. To keep levels of NO3-N− in shoots within the safe limit for human consumption, based upon the regression equation for NO3-N the recommended dose of KNO3-enriched zeolite should be up to 78 g per plant.

Avaliação de alteração gustatória em pacientes com otite média crônica

Many studies have shown the consequent gustatory alteration caused by ear surgeries. However, few have reported this alteration in patients with chronic otit...

Paragangliomas timpânicos: relato de casos

Os tumores glomicos, tambem chamados de paragangliomas, sao formados por celulas nao cromafins. O tumor e tipicamente vascular formado por vasos capilares e pre-capilares, interposto por celulas epiteliais. Para a sua abordagem inicial, deve-se ressaltar que os sintomas mais comumentes encontrados sao o zumbido pulsatil e hipoacusia. A investigacao atraves de imagem (tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnetica) se faz necessaria. Apresentaremos neste trabalho 5 pacientes portadores de paragangliomas timpânicos atendidos no Hospital (de 1995 a 2001). O sexo predominante foi o feminino, a idade variou de 48 a 60 anos, com media de 50 anos. A queixa predominante foi o zumbido pulsatil e a hipoacusia. A conduta foi cirurgica em todos os casos.