The affect heuristic in occupational safety.

Background: The affect heuristic is a rule of thumb according to which, in the process of making a judgment or decision, people use affect as a cue. If a stimulus elicits positive affect then risks associated to that stimulus are viewed as low and benefits as high; conversely, if the stimulus elicits negative affect, then risks are perceived as high and benefits as low.

Objectives: The basic tenet of this study is that affect heuristic guides worker's judgment and decision making in a risk situation.

Sepsis in the intensive care unit: etiologies, prognostic factors and mortality.

Background And Objectives: Sepsis is the main cause of death in patients treated in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate etiology, prognostic factors and mortality of septic patients treated in ICU of Passo Fundo, Brazil.

Methods: Out of 971 consecutive patients prospectively evaluated from August 2005 to February 2006, 560 were selected due to presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and followed for 28 days or until discharge or death.

Efficacy of two different doses of antilonomic serum in the resolution of hemorrhagic syndrome resulting from envenoming by Lonomia obliqua caterpillars: a randomized controlled trial.

The hemorrhagic syndrome caused by contact with Lonomia obliqua caterpillars has reached epidemic proportions in southern Brazil. This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of two different dosages of an antilonomic serum (SALon) in the treatment of patients who had accidental contact with L. obliqua caterpillars.