Electrical resistivity methods to characterize the moisture content in Brazilian sanitary landfill.

The moisture content of the municipal solid waste (MSW) is a physical characteristic that plays a fundamental role in the stability and settlement of landfills. However, this physical index is difficult to monitor within the mass of landfilled MSW because it undergoes great variation due, mainly, to the heterogeneity and biodegradation of the waste. Brazilian MSW generally has a large amount of organic matter, that when biodegraded, generates a considerable volume of gases and fluids, aggravated by climatic conditions, such as high rainfall and temperatures. Hence, the importance of obtaining and evaluating the distribution of moisture content in the MSW mass over time. Currently, the electrical resistivity properties have been presented as an interesting approach to obtain the moisture content in landfills indirectly. This study aimed to apply geoelectrical methods as a tool to obtain and evaluate the moisture content distribution in an experimental cell of a sanitary landfill using Archie's law, which correlates the volumetric moisture content and electrical resistivity. Moisture content values were obtained in laboratory tests with MSW samples collected in two vertical holes and electrical resistivity measurements by means of vertical electrical sounding. The moisture content and the resistivity values of the samples were used to calculate the parameters a and m of Archie's law. This allowed to convert the resistivity tomography to moisture content tomography. The good correlation achieved between the moisture content calculated by Archie's law and that obtained from samples indicates that the use of electrical resistivity methods is useful to assess and monitor quantitatively the moisture content in landfills using Archie's law.

Síndrome de Allgrove: reporte de un caso / Allgrove's syndrome: a case report

Introducción. El síndrome de Allgrove, también conocido como síndrome de triple A, es un trastorno autosómico recesivo caracterizado por alacrima, acalasia e insuficiencia adrenal. Allgrove describió la entidad en hermanos con insuficiencia adrenal, acalasia y deficiente producción de lágrima. Actualmente se han agregado al cuadro clínico diversas alteraciones neurológicas y existe una gran variabilidad fenotípica en los casos reportados. El gen responsable ha sido identificado por Tullio-Pullet y col., y es responsable de la producción de una proteína denominada ALADIN. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 7 años de edad con deficiencia de lágrima, atrofia óptica y antecedente de acalasia. Hasta el momento no se ha demostrado insuficiencia adrenal. Conclusión. Esta entidad es rara, algunos síntomas, principalmente los neurológicos y la insuficiencia adrenal, pueden ser tardíos, por lo que el oftalmólogo y el pediatra deben considerarla en pacientes con deficiente producción de lágrima o acalasia, además de datos sistémicos sugestivos de un síndrome.

Introduction. Allgrove syndrome, also known as Triple A syndrome, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-resistant adrenal insufficiency, achalasia and alacrima. Allgrove described siblings with isolated glucocorticoid failure, achalasia and defective tear production. It has also been associated with some neurologic abnormalities and there is a variable clinical presentation. The Triple A gene was identified by Tullio-Pullet et al and it is responsible for the production of a protein called ALADIN. Case report. We report a 7 years old patient with alacrima, optic atrophy and achalasia. Until now he has not had adrenal insufficiency. Conclusion. This entity is rare, some of the symptoms appear later in the development of the disease, including neurologic abnormalities and adrenal insufficiency. The ophtalmologist and the pediatrician must consider it in patients with alacrima or acalasia.

Triple A or Allgrove syndrome. A case report with ophthalmic abnormalities and a novel mutation in the AAAS gene.

PURPOSE: Triple A syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by achalasia, alacrima, adrenocorticotrophic hormone resistant adrenal failure and some neurologic abnormalities. We report a nine year old patient with alacrima, optic atrophy and achalasia with mutation in the AAAS gene. METHODS: PCR amplification of the complete coding sequence as well as the exon-intron junctions of AAAS gene was performed in DNA from the patient and his parents. RESULTS: AAAS gene analysis demonstrated a homozygous A to G mutation at nucleotide position 122 in exon 1 in DNA from the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The novel mutation described confirms the diagnosis.