Motor activity and depression severity in adolescent outpatients.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the association between motor activity and severity of depression in 6 depressed adolescent outpatients. METHOD: Motor activity was assessed by actigraphy and the severity of depression was assessed weekly using the CDRS-R. The levels of motor activity were analyzed by considering activity parameters. RESULTS: Among the parameters of motor activity studied, the mean total activity, the mean 24-hour activity levels, the mean waking activity, and the mean activity level between 12:00 and 18:00 h were inversely correlated with severity of depression. The means of the 10 most active hours tended toward a negative correlation with the depressive severity score. CONCLUSION: The results seem to suggest an association between motor activity level and severity of depression in adolescents. Nevertheless, in order to reach a more conclusive understanding, it would be necessary to replicate this study using a larger number of individuals as well as a longer observation period.

Effect of dissolved organic matter on copper-zinc competitive adsorption by a sandy soil at different pH values.

The effect of dissolved organic carbon from sewage sludge on copper and zinc adsorption and interaction on samples from the surface layer (0 - 10 cm) of a sandy soil (Gleyic Podzol) were studied at two pH levels (4 and 7). This soil presented acidification hazards and sewage sludge with a high content of Cu and Zn was used as a fertilizer. Soil samples were treated by solutions of Cu and Zn as nitrate salts with concentration levels up to 30 mg l(-1) in a Ca(NO3)2 background at a constant level (180 mg l(-1)) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Copper and zinc sorption capacity decreased in the presence of DOC. As the pH increased, the decrease in Cu adsorption due to interaction with DOC was more obvious. Conversely, without addition of DOC, Cu and Zn adsorption increased with pH. More Cu than Zn was adsorbed. Soil sorption of these cations was described by equilibrium isotherms that fitted both Langmuir and Freundlich type equations, presenting however a better fit to the Freundlich equation (R2>98%). Adsorption dependence on DOC was more noticeable at pH 7.

Influence of pH on copper-zinc competitive adsorption by a sandy soil.

Copper and zinc adsorption and interaction were studied at different pH levels in a sandy soil (Gleyic Podzol) to understand heavy metal behaviour in soils with acidification hazards, polluted by the use of sewage sludge with high content of Cu and Zn. Soil samples were treated by solutions of Cu and Zn as nitrate salts with concentration levels up to 30 mg l(-1) in a Ca(NO3)2 background. More Cu than Zn was adsorbed, mainly specifically adsorbed. Copper and Zn in the exchange complex varied with soil solution pH. Adsorbed Cu and Zn increased with pH and as pH increased, more Cu than Zn was specifically adsorbed. Soil sorption of these cations was described by equilibrium isotherms that fitted either Freundlich or Langmuir type equations. The competitive Langmuir and extended Freundlich equations predicted for Cu and Zn values are in good agreement with the experimental data. Adsorption dependence on pH was more marked above pH 5 with a sharp increase of the distribution ratio D. Values for pH50 offering a relative measure of the selectivity of the adsorbent for the metal cations, were higher for Zn than for Cu increasing with the amount of heavy metal added to the soil sample.

Estruturacao de um grupo de medicosresidentes no atendimento de alcoolatras. / Structuration of a medical residency group in the care of alcoholics

O artigo descreve a formacao de um grupo de trabalho com funcoes especificas no tratamento de alcoolatras, em pesquisa cientifica na area especifica, bem como no ensino medico a nivel de graduacao e residencia medica