Crime and Punishment: the Impact of Skin Color and Socioeconomic Status of Defendants and Victims in Jury Trials in Brazil.

Social judgments are often influenced by racism. Voluntary crimes against life, and in particular the crime of homicide, may be the most critical situations of the impact of racism in social judgments. We analyzed 114 homicide trials conducted by the 1st Jury Court, in a Brazilian judicial capital, concluded between 2003 and 2007, for the purpose of investigating the effects of skin color and the socioeconomic status of the defendant and the victim of homicides in the jury trial court's decision. The results indicate that the social and economic profile of defendants and victims of homicide is identical. They are almost all poor (more than 70%), with low education (more than 73%) and frequently non-Whites (more than 88%). We found that judges assign longer sentences to black (ß = .34, p = .01) and poor defendants (ß = .23, p < .05). We even verified that the poorer the defendant, the higher was the corresponding conviction rate (Wald's Test = 5.90, p < .05). The results are discussed based on theories of social psychology and criminological sociology, which consider the relationship between skin color and socioeconomic status in social judgments and in discrimination.

Apicectomia seguida de obturação retrógrada com cimento de Portland - Casos clínicos / Apicoectomy followed by retrograde filling with Portland cement - Clinical cases

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho do cimento de Portland em dois casos clínicos, em que os pacientes foram submetidos à apicectomia seguida de obturação retrógrada. O material utilizado se mostrou biocompatível, sugeriu ação sobre os microorganismose as lesões periapicais foram reparadas. Pelo exposto, o cimento de Portlandfoi eficiente, pois definiu um prognóstico favorável aos dentes e apresentou custo baixo para o paciente. Novas pesquisas utilizando esse material devem ser realizadas no sentidode melhorar sua propriedade de radiopacidade.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acting of the Portland cement in two clinical cases, in that the patients were submitted to the apicoectomy followed by retrograde filling. The used material if it showed biocompatible, suggested action on the microorganisms and the periapical lesions they were repaired. For the exposed, the Portland cement wasefficient, because it defined a favorable prognostic to the teeth and it presented low cost for the patient. New researches using that material should be accomplished in the sense of improving your contrast property.

Aspirin resistance: fact or fiction?

A meta-analysis of clinical studies of patients with cardiovascular disease demonstrated that the use of aspirin was associated with a 22% decrease in death rates and relevant ischemic vascular events. However, clinical studies demonstrated that patients that regularly took aspirin presented recurrence of cardiovascular events. Such observation led to the question whether, in some patients, the aspirin was not effective in blocking platelet aggregation and these patients were called unresponsive to aspirin or aspirin-resistant. The clinical aspirin resistance is characterized as the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients during treatment with aspirin, whereas the laboratory resistance is defined as the persistence of platelet aggregation, documented by laboratory test, in patients regularly taking aspirin. Patients that are aspirin-resistant presented, according to laboratory tests, on average 3.8 times more cardiovascular events when compared to non-resistant ones.

Resistência à aspirina: realidade ou ficção? / Aspirin resistance: fact or fiction? / Resistencia a la aspirina: realidad o ficción?

Uma metanálise de estudos clínicos de pacientes com doença cardiovascular demonstrou que o uso de aspirina estava associado à redução de 22 por cento de mortes e a eventos vasculares isquêmicos relevantes. Entretanto, estudos clínicos revelaram que pacientes tomando regularmente aspirina apresentavam recorrência de eventos cardiovasculares. Tal constatação levou a um questionamento: se, em alguns pacientes, a aspirina não era eficaz em bloquear a agregação plaquetária, sendo estes pacientes chamados de não responsivos ou resistentes à aspirina. Conceitua-se resistência clínica à aspirina pela ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes na vigência de tratamento com aspirina, enquanto a resistência laboratorial é definida como a persistência da agregação plaquetária, documentada por teste laboratorial, em pacientes tomando regularmente aspirina. Pacientes resistentes à aspirina tiveram, de acordo com testes laboratoriais, em média, 3,8 vezes mais eventos cardiovasculares quando comparados aos não resistentes.

Un metanálisis de estudios clínicos de pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular demostró que el uso de aspirina estaba asociado a la reducción de 22 por ciento de muertes y a eventos vasculares isquémicos relevantes. Entre tanto, estudios clínicos revelaron que pacientes tomando regularmente aspirina presentaban recurrencia de eventos cardiovasculares. Tal constatación llevó a un cuestionamiento: si, en algunos pacientes, la aspirina no era eficaz en bloquear la agregación plaquetaria, siendo estos pacientes llamados de no responsivos o resistentes a la aspirina. Se conceptúa resistencia clínica a la aspirina por la ocurrencia de eventos cardiovasculares en pacientes en la vigencia del tratamiento con aspirina, mientras que la resistencia de laboratorio es definida como la persistencia de la agregación plaquetaria, documentada por test de laboratorio, en pacientes tomando regularmente aspirina. Pacientes resistentes a la aspirina tuvieron, de acuerdo con tests de laboratorio, en media, 3,8 veces más eventos cardiovasculares cuando fueron comparados a los no resistentes.

A meta-analysis of clinical studies of patients with cardiovascular disease demonstrated that the use of aspirin was associated with a 22 percent decrease in death rates and relevant ischemic vascular events. However, clinical studies demonstrated that patients that regularly took aspirin presented recurrence of cardiovascular events. Such observation led to the question whether, in some patients, the aspirin was not effective in blocking platelet aggregation and these patients were called unresponsive to aspirin or aspirin-resistant. The clinical aspirin resistance is characterized as the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients during treatment with aspirin, whereas the laboratory resistance is defined as the persistence of platelet aggregation, documented by laboratory test, in patients regularly taking aspirin. Patients that are aspirin-resistant presented, according to laboratory tests, on average 3.8 times more cardiovascular events when compared to non-resistant ones.

Sepsis in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery: problem description.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the advances in sepsis diagnosis and treatment in the last years, the morbidity and mortality are still high. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, in-hospital evolution and prognosis of patients that presented sepsis in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. METHODS: This is a prospective study that included patients (n = 7,332) submitted to cardiac surgery (valvular or coronary) between January 1995 and December 2007. The classic criteria of sepsis diagnosis were used to identify the patients that developed such condition and the preoperative comorbidities, in-hospital evolution and prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Sepsis occurred in 29 patients (prevalence = 0.39%). There was a predominance of the male when compared to the female sex (79% vs. 21%). Mean age was 69 +/- 6.5 years. The main preoperative comorbidities were: systemic arterial hypertension (79%), dyslipidemia (48%) and family history of coronary artery disease (38%). The mean Apache score was 18 +/- 7, whereas the Sofa score was 14.2 +/- 3.8. The primary infectious focus was pulmonary in 19 patients (55%). There were 19 positive cultures and the mean IV hydration during the first 24 hours was 1,016 +/- 803 ml. The main complications were acute renal failure (65%), low cardiac output syndrome (55%) and malignant ventricular arrhythmia (55%). Mortality was 79% (23 patients). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of sepsis after cardiac surgery was a rare event; however, its occurrence showed catastrophic clinical outcomes. The high morbidity and mortality showed the need to improve treatment, aiming at patients' better clinical evolution.

Fibrilação atrial no pós-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio: da prevenção à morbimortalidade: registro de mundo real / Atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting: from prevention to morbidity and mortality: real world registry

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A prevalência de fibrilação atrial (FA) no pós-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) varia de 20% a 40%. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de FA sintomática após CRM e descrever o perfil clínico e a evolução hospitalar dos pacientes com essa arritmia.MÉTODO: Estudo de coorte, longitudinal, observacional, retrospectivo, descritivo realizado a partir de informações de um registro de mundo real de 5.330 pacientes, submetidos à CRM eletiva no período de janeiro de 1995 a abril de 2009. Avaliaram-se a prevalência de FA sintomática no pós-operatório de CRM, o perfil clínico e a evolução hospitalar dos pacientes.RESULTADOS: A prevalência de FA sintomática no pós-operatório foi 6,3% (493), sendo 78% do sexo masculino, e 22% do sexo feminino. A idade média foi 68 ± 9 anos. As principais comorbidades pré-operatórias foram: hipertensão arterial sistêmica (76%), dislipidemia (51%), infarto do miocárdio prévio (40%), tabagismo (35%), diabetes mellitus (32%), CRM prévia (18%), intervenção coronariana percutânea prévia (12%). As principais complicações hospitalares observadas foram: insuficiência cardíaca (13%), ventilação mecânica prolongada (12%), insuficiência renal aguda (11%), acidente vascular encefálico (9,3%), infarto agudo do miocárdio (5,5%), sangramento aumentado (4%). O tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva foi 16 ± 15 dias e a mortalidade hospitalar de 6%.CONCLUSÃO: Na população estudada a prevalência de FA foi menor do que a referida classicamente na literatura. Os pacientes com FA eram idosos, a maioria do sexo masculino, hipertensos e dislipidêmicos. A mortalidade hospitalar foi elevada, sugerindo ser esse um subgrupo de maior risco.(AU)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in postoperative period of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) ranges between 20% and 40%. AF increases morbidity and mortality after CABG. This objective of study to evaluate the prevalence of symptomatic AF in postoperative period of CABG, and describe the demographic data, morbidity and mortality of patients who presented this type of arrhythmia.METHOD: This is observational cohort study, which was made from information of our institutional registry of AF after CABG. This registry have enrolled 5,330 patients underwent CABG between January 1995 and April 2009. We evaluate the in-hospitalar prevalence of symptomatic AF, demographic data, morbidity and mortality of the patients.RESULTS: The inhospital prevalence of symptomatic atrial fibrillation was 6.3% (493 patients). There were more men (78%) than women (22%) and the mean age was 68 ± 9 years. The analysis of demographic data showed: high blood pressure (76%), dyslipidemia (51%), previous myocardium infarction (40%), smoking (35%), diabetes mellitus (32%), previous CABG (18%), previous percutaneous coronary intervention (12%). The most common adverse events were: heart failure (13%), prolonged mechanical ventilation (12%), acute renal failure (11%), stroke (9.3%), acute myocardial infarction (5.5%), and increased bleeding (4%). The mean time at intensive care unit was 16 ± 15 days. The inhospital mortality was 6%.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation inhospital period of CABG was low and less than the classical data of literature. Patients who presented AF were male, older, with systemic arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia.(AU)

Sepse no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca: descrição do problema / Sepsis in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery: problem description

FUNDAMENTOS: A despeito do avanço no diagnóstico e na terapêutica da sepse nos últimos anos, a morbidade e mortalidade são elevadas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência, a evolução hospitalar e o prognóstico de pacientes que apresentaram sepse no pós- operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um registro prospectivo que incluiu pacientes (n = 7.332) submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca (valvar ou coronariana) entre janeiro de 1995 e dezembro de 2007. Utilizamos os critérios clássicos de diagnóstico de sepse para identificar os pacientes que evoluíram com tal enfermidade e avaliamos as comorbidades pré-operatórias, a evolução hospitalar e o prognóstico. RESULTADOS: A sepse ocorreu em 29 pacientes (prevalência = 0,39 por cento). O sexo masculino predominou sobre o feminino (79 por cento vs. 21 por cento). A idade média foi de 69 ± 6,5 anos. As principais comorbidades pré-operatórias eram: hipertensão arterial sistêmica (79 por cento), dislipidemia (48 por cento) e antecedente familiar de doença arterial coronariana (38 por cento). O índice Apache médio foi de 18 ± 7, enquanto o Sofa indicou 14,2 ± 3,8. O foco infeccioso primário foi pulmonar em 19 pacientes (55 por cento). Houve 19 culturas positivas, e a média de hidratação endovenosa nas primeiras 24 horas foi de 1.016 ± 803 ml. As principais complicações foram: insuficiência renal aguda (65 por cento), síndrome de baixo débito cardíaco (55 por cento) e arritmia ventricular maligna (55 por cento). A mortalidade foi de 79 por cento (23 pacientes). CONCLUSÃO: A sepse após cirurgia cardíaca foi um evento raro, porém com desfechos clínicos catastróficos. O índice elevado de morbidade e mortalidade revelou a necessidade de um aprimoramento no tratamento, visando melhorar a evolução clínica dos pacientes.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the advances in sepsis diagnosis and treatment in the last years, the morbidity and mortality are still high. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, in-hospital evolution and prognosis of patients that presented sepsis in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. METHODS: This is a prospective study that included patients (n = 7,332) submitted to cardiac surgery (valvular or coronary) between January 1995 and December 2007. The classic criteria of sepsis diagnosis were used to identify the patients that developed such condition and the preoperative comorbidities, in-hospital evolution and prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Sepsis occurred in 29 patients (prevalence = 0.39 percent). There was a predominance of the male when compared to the female sex (79 percent vs. 21 percent). Mean age was 69 ± 6.5 years. The main preoperative comorbidities were: systemic arterial hypertension (79 percent), dyslipidemia (48 percent) and family history of coronary artery disease (38 percent). The mean Apache score was 18 ± 7, whereas the Sofa score was 14.2 ± 3.8. The primary infectious focus was pulmonary in 19 patients (55 percent). There were 19 positive cultures and the mean IV hydration during the first 24 hours was 1,016 ± 803 ml. The main complications were acute renal failure (65 percent), low cardiac output syndrome (55 percent) and malignant ventricular arrhythmia (55 percent). Mortality was 79 percent (23 patients). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of sepsis after cardiac surgery was a rare event; however, its occurrence showed catastrophic clinical outcomes. The high morbidity and mortality showed the need to improve treatment, aiming at patients' better clinical evolution.

Tratamento endovascular de dissecção da aorta tipo B: relato de caso / Endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Apresentar um caso atípico de dissecção tipo B da aorta, tratado com implante endovascular de stents. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 64 anos, havia sido submetido à ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) da artéria aorta, sendo diagnosticada dissecção da aorta tipo B. Estava em tratamento clínico e iniciou com disfagia atribuída à compressão extrínseca do esôfago. Foi submetido à nova RNM da aorta que demonstrou importante aumento das suas dimensões (primeira RNM - 5,2 x 4,9 cm e a segunda - 8,1 x 7,1 cm), que comprimia o esôfago. Foi realizada aortografia que confirmou a dissecção aórtica tipo B de Stanford, realizando-se então o implante de três stents: o primeiro de 36 x 150 mm, fluxo livre ao nível da artéria subclávia esquerda, o segundo de 36 x 130 mm no terço médio da aorta torácica descendente e o terceiro de 36 x 90 mm no terço distal da aorta descendente. O paciente evoluiu bem e teve alta hospitalar assintomático. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento com implante de endopróteses da dissecção aórtica tipo B, com apresentação atípica e com complicações, foi efetivo e seguro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Related the case of complicated aortic dissection treated with aortic endoprothesis. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 64 years-old, underwent to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of aortic artery that confirmed type B aortic dissection, have treated clinically, after one year of follow up, he presented symptoms of dysphagia due to extrinsic compression. He underwent to new MRI that showed an increase in aortic dimensions (first MRI 5.2 x 4.9 cm and second MRI 8.1 x 7.1 cm), with esophageal compression. The aortography was done and the diagnosis was confirmed. Three stents were delivered for treatment of dissection. The length and diameter of the first stent was 36 x 150 mm, the second 36 x 130 mm and the third 36 x 90 mm. The patient had a good evolution and was discharged. CONCLUSION: The treatment of complicated aortic dissection using stents was safe and reliable.

Arrythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.

Arritmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is characterized by the gradual replacement of myocytes by adipose and fibrous tissue. Described in 1977, is considered a potentially lethal cause of cardiac disease poorly understood. This disorder usually involves the right ventricle and has been associated with arrthymia, heart failure, and sudden death. In this paper, we report a case of a 25-year-old patient with syncope associated with ventricular extrasystoles. A magnetic resonance imaging was performed and showed findings that support ARVD diagnose.

Displasia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito / Arrythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

A displasia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (DAVD) é caracterizada pela substituição dos miócitos por tecido fibrogorduroso. Descrita em 1977, é considerada uma doença cardíaca potencialmente letal ainda pouco entendida. Afeta primariamente o ventrículo direito e tem sido associada a arritmias, insuficiência cardíaca e morte súbita. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever o caso clínico de um paciente de 25 anos com síncope associada a extra-sístoles ventriculares e achados de ressonância magnética do coração compatíveis com DAVD.

Arritmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is characterized by the gradual replacement of myocytes by adipose and fibrous tissue. Described in 1977, is considered a potentially lethal cause of cardiac disease poorly understood. This disorder usually involves the right ventricle and has been associated with arrthymia, heart failure, and sudden death. In this paper, we report a case of a 25-years-old patient with syncope associated with ventricular extrasystoles. A magnetic resonance imaging was performed and showed findings that support ARVD diagnose.

Action of trivalent chromium on rat liver structure. Histometric and haematological studies

RESUMEN: El cromo trivalente (Cr3+) es un nutriente esencial involucrado en la regulación del metabolismo de carbohidratos, lípidos y proteínas, a través de un estímulo a la acción de la insulina. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar histopatológicamente e histométricamente las alteraciones hepáticas de ratas Wistar hembras, provocadas por la administración de cromo III en agua potable. Ratas adultas recibieron ración y agua potable ad libitum, conteniendo 300 ó 500 mg/l de cromo III, durante 4 meses. Los animales control recibieron solo agua y ración. Todos los animales fueron sacrificados con dosis letal de anestésico. Muestras de hígado, fijadas en formol al 10% por 24 h, fueron cortadas a 6 µm y teñidas con hematoxilina y eosina o PAS. Además del examen histopatológico, fueron usadas técnicas histométricas. La sangue fue recolectada y procesada para estudio hematológico. El análisis histopatológico reveló, en la zonas periportal, intermediaria y pericentrolobular, células parenquimatosas con grados variables de vacuolización. Muchos hepatocitos mostraban degeneración baloniforme con núcleos lisados. La vena centrolobular estaba dilatada y congestionada. Se observaron sinusoides dilatados conteniendo eritrocitos. La zona porta mostró fibrosis y proliferación de ductos biliares con pequeñas células. La histometría mostró aumento de los volúmenes de citoplasma y celular, y valores menores para el número de hepatocitos por mm3. Linfopenia fue observada en los animales tratados con 500 mg/l de Cr3+. Estos resultados indican que el cromo III tiene una participación directa en las alteraciones de las estructuras hepáticas.

Populações de oligoquetos (Annelida: Oligochaeta) em um Latossolo Vermelho submetido a sistemas de uso do solo / Population of earthworm (Annelida: Oligochaeta) in a Hapludox under soil used systems

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a dinâmica da população de oligoquetos edáficos em sistemas de manejo agrícola e pecuário, tendo, como referência, uma área sob vegetação nativa. O trabalho foi conduzido no município de Dourados, MS, num solo classificado como Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico típico, sob sistema com preparo convencional (SC), plantio direto (SPD), integração lavoura/pecuária (SILP), pastagem contínua (PC) e sistema natural (SN). As amostragens foram realizadas nas safras de verão e inverno, no período de 2000 a 2003. Os sistemas SPD, SILP e PC favoreceram o desenvolvimento e estabelecimento da população dos oligoquetos edáficos. O sistema natural apresentou uma alta população de oligoquetos edáficos, sendo a grande maioria constituída pelos organismos da família Enchytraeidae. Dentre os sistemas produtivos, o SPD favoreceu a ocorrência dessa família.