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.

The growing competition in Brazilian science: rites of passage, stress and burnout.

Brazil's scientific community is under pressure. Each year there is an increase in its contribution to international science and in the number of students who are trained to do research and teach at an advanced level. Most of these activities are carried out in state and federal universities, but with government funding that has decreased by more than 70% since 1996.

Possible association between poor metabolism of mephenytoin and hepatotoxicity caused by Atrium, a fixed combination preparation containing phenobarbital, febarbamate and difebarbamate.

Drug hepatotoxicity is partially determined by genetic factors involved in drug metabolism, which may involve the debrisoquine oxidation polymorphism mediated by cytochrome (CYP) 2D6. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between drug hepatotoxicity and another genetic polymorphism of drug oxidation, namely that of S-mephenytoin metabolism mediated by CYP2CMP. Mephenytoin hydroxylation capacity was assessed by a hydroxylation index in 24 patients with drug-induced hepatitis and in 23 healthy controls.

Productivity versus promised results: one of the dilemmas of biotechnology in Brazil.

In 1983 a new funding program--PADCT ("Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico")--was created in Brazil to stimulate the development of research projects related to what was established as technological priorities. In this paper 3 features of the Biotechnology/Health subprogram of PADCT were studied: a) to what extent productivity of the leaders of the research projects affected the way they were evaluated by the award panel, b) the conflict of interests that might result from the composition of the award panel, and c) the final impact of the program on science and technology. In our sample of 210 submitted projects, 62 were funded.

Nilutamide inhibits mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation in untreated male rats and in human liver microsomes.

1. The effects of nilutamide (an anti-androgen with a hydantoin moiety) on the 4-hydroxylation of mephenytoin were studied in rat liver microsomes. Nilutamide, at a concentration expected in human liver (100 microM) during prolonged administration of nilutamide, inhibited by 40% mephenytoin (0.