A case of the successful kidney transplantation among two homozygous twins is presented here. Prior to the familial kidney transplantation from the identical twins, the patient underwent peritoneal and haemodialyses as well as cadaveric kidney transplant from an unrelated donor. In this patient, vascular accessibility was poor and the second familial transplantation was performed urgently. Transplanted kidney function proved excellent; however, the issues of the best immunosuppressant to be selected are under consideration. Decision on the use or withdrawal of immunosuppressant drugs requires careful review of the disease status, concomitant disease and other factors influencing the final outcome.

BackgroundAsthma and COPD are common diseases of the respiratory system. An important element in the medical treatment of these patients is physiotherapy, focused on the reduction of symptoms and improvement of quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the response of patients with asthma and COPD on a three-week sanatorium rehabilitation in terms of exercise capacity and perception of health. Material/MethodsCOPD group (n = 17; age 52 ±3 years); asthma group (n = 20; age 55 ±5 years). During the three-week rehabilitation, patients used breathing and group exercises, inhalation, magnetic therapy, crenotherapy, Sollux lamp irradiation, massage. Exercise capacity was evaluated by 6-minute walk test, while health status by VAS. ResultsAfter rehabilitation, patients with COPD and asthma much better (p ≤ 0.05) evaluated their health. Distance covered in the walk test in patients with COPD increased by 9 m, and in patients with asthma by 17.5 m (p ≤ 0.05). Blood pressure after test was lower in both groups (p ≤ 0.05). There was observed a decrease in heart rate, both at rest and exercise--induced, in patients with COPD and asthma (p ≤ 0.05). ConclusionsThe three-week comprehensive rehabilitation led to an increase in exercise capacity and health self-assessment of patients with both COPD and asthma.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action in the Brazilian system of higher education, which is aimed at benefitting Afro- Brazilians suffering from the legacy of structural racism and economic inequality. The authors will highlight some of the problems linked to the racial quota system, and demonstrate that its implementation is deeply hindered by several factors, such as traditional denial of existing racial prejudice in Brazilian society, a lack of precise, normative definitions of eligibility for programs, failure of pre-university public education to properly prepare students for university-level academics, and – last but not least – a lack of sufficient support from academic institutions. The article will present both quantitative and qualitative data that show the expectations, doubts, and fears of the Brazilian academic environment with regard to the racial quota system. After a review of Brazil’s racial history and an analysis of students’ and professors’ opinions, the authors will argue that, in order for colored citizens to become fully integrated into Brazilian society, they must first be legally enabled to overcome social, educational, and economic obstacles and handicap.

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