The removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is variable and some of these compounds pass these plants almost intact and others presenting a removal efficiency close to 100%. Their incomplete removal results in a continuous discharge of pharmaceuticals into the environment. To assess the profile of contamination of influents and effluents over a day, a set of 83 pharmaceuticals were evaluated hourly in a WWTP in Leiria, Portugal. The composite samples of the influent and effluent were also collected. Concentrations varied from 1 in WWTP influents, and carbamazepine, fluoxetine, sertraline the pharmaceuticals with an RQ > 1 in WWTP effluents.

Many toxic effects of opioids have been reported; a toxic leukoencephalopathy resulting from heroin inhalation has been described, although the clinical and imaging findings are variable and the physiopathology remains unknown. 1Methadone is a synthetic opioid used for decades in the treatment of opioid addiction.2 After ingestion, the effects appear within 30 minutes to 4 hours, and the average half-life is 23 to 25 hours, although central nervous system depressor effects can last longer (up to 48 hours). 2 Renal excretion is largely affected by the urinary pH (clearance is lower with alkaline urine). 2 Methadone has a great affinity with the mu class of opioid receptors and binds weakly to the kappa and delta receptors (a binding profile similar to that of morphine). 1,2 We present one case of methadone intoxication and acute leukoencephalopathy with a predominant cerebellar lesion with total recovery. Case ReportA 3-year-old male child was referred to our hospital in a coma. Both parents were opioid addicted and under a treatment program with methadone. This child had no relevant history other than methadone exposure in utero and neonatal withdrawal syndrome. The child was found unconscious in bed. On arrival at the emergency department, the child was in a coma with irregular breathing and low blood pressure (48/28 mm Hg). The axillary temperature was 34.7uC. He had no signs of trauma. Blood glucose was 490 mg/dL and blood pH was 6.87 with 11 mEq/L bicarbonate (capillary blood). He was ventilated and volume expanded; bicarbonate, dopamine, and ceftriaxone were administered. After stabilization of vital signs, he was referred to our hospital's intensive care unit. By this time, the patient reacted only to pain, bilaterally, with a slow and generalized symmetric extensor posture. His pupils were myotic. Oculocephalic reflexes were absent. Capillary blood pH was 7.56 with 23.5 mEq/L bicarbonate. The urine test for methadone was negative, but naloxone was administered owing to a high clinical suspicion. The patient responded with eye opening and a few spontaneous movements of the limbs but returned quickly to his previous neurologic state. A computed tomographic (CT) scan (5 hours after arrival at hospital) revealed an extensive bilateral and symmetric hypodensity of 618

The total protein content and the (total and free) amino acid composition of nine edible species of red, brown and green seaweeds collected in the Portuguese North-Central coast were quantified to assess their potential contribution to the recommended dietary intake. Whenever possible, the protein and amino acid composition was compared with that of commercial European seaweeds. The protein content was the highest (P < 0.05) in red species (19.1-28.2 g/100 g dw), followed by the green seaweed Ulva spp. (20.5-23.3 g/100 g dw), with the lowest content found in brown seaweeds (6.90-19.5 g/100 g dw). Brown seaweeds presented the lowest mean contents of essential amino acids (EAAs) (41.0% protein) but significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of non-essential amino acids (36.1% protein) and free amino acids (6.47-24.0% protein). Tryptophan, methionine and leucine were the limiting EAAs in all species. In contrast, lysine was found in high concentrations, especially in red (2.71-3.85% protein) and green (2.84-4.24% protein) seaweeds.