Triatominae biochemistry goes to school: evaluation of a novel tool for teaching basic biochemical concepts of Chagas disease vectors.

We evaluate a new approach to teaching the basic biochemistry mechanisms that regulate the biology of Triatominae, major vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. We have designed and used a comic book, "Carlos Chagas: 100 years after a hero's discovery" containing scientific information obtained by seven distinguished contemporary Brazilian researchers working with Triatominaes. Students (22) in the seventh grade of a public elementary school received the comic book.

Transthoracic biopsy with core cutting needle (Trucut) for the diagnosis of mediastinal tumors.

Aim: To determine the contribution of percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle (Trucut) in the diagnosis of mediastinal tumours.

Method: Retrospective review of 56 patients with mediastinal lesions who underwent percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy, oriented but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax, 1999 - 2008.

Results: Percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle provided adequate material in 49/56, with a total positive sample rate of 88%.

Giant cell tumor of the rib occupying the entire hemithorax.

The authors report the case of a 28-year-old female patient with a giant cell tumor originating from the rib. The tumor, measuring 25 x 17 cm, occupied the entire hemithorax and caused atelectasis of the left lung. This tumor was a benign mesenchymal neoplasm, which rarely affects the ribs.

[Transbronchial needle aspiration of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes].

Background: Besides clarifying the etiology of unidentified lymphadenomegaly, puncturing hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes by a flexible bronchoscopic needle is an aid in diagnosing and staging broncho- genic cancer or other metastatic cancers.

Objective: Our study had the principal objective to evaluate the positivity of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA).

Method: We evaluated retrospectively the effectiveness of all TBNA done in 74 consecutive patients.

[Pulmonary blastoma].

Pulmonary blastoma is a rare primary lung tumor with poor prognosis that commonly presents at a younger age than the non-small cell lung cancer. Classically they are large, symptomatic tumors with lymph nodal metastasis and carry poor prognosis. Pathological examination revealed features suggesting a biphasic tumor with mesenchymal and epithelial components.