Infections in Children With Cancer: The Role of the Presence or Absence of Neutropenia.

Background: Infections in patients with cancer are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In most cases, the presence of neutropenia renders them prone to infections to either common or opportunistic pathogens. A wide spectrum of bacterial, viral, or fungal agents is encountered in these patients.

Post-transfusion changes in serum hepcidin and iron parameters in preterm infants.

Background: Packed red blood cell transfusion is common in preterm neonates. Hepcidin acts as a negative feedback iron regulator. Iron parameters such as immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) and high-light-scatter reticulocytes (HLR) are used to clarify iron metabolism.

Plasma biomarkers for the identification of women at risk for early-onset preeclampsia.

Background: To identify potential biomarkers in the 1st trimester of pregnancy for the identification of women destined to develop early onset preeclampsia (EOPE).

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from pregnant women at 11-13 weeks of gestation. Women were followed up until delivery.

Diagnostic value of cardiac troponin I in postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

Troponin I (cTnI) is a very sensitive biochemical marker for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac troponin (cTnI or cTnT) has nearly absolute myocardial tissue specificity, thereby reflecting even microscopic zones of myocardial necrosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pericardial fluid levels of cTnI in medicolegal autopsy cases where patients died of MI and compare them with cases where patients died of other causes.

Variation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) over time in pediatric cancer patients with febrile illness and its relevance to identified pathogen.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of serum CRP with clinical and laboratory parameters proven to be related to the cause of infection in pediatric cancer patients.

Methods: We studied prospectively for a 12-month period, 37 pediatric cancer patients, who presented with 70 episodes of febrile illness (38 bacterial and 13 viral infections). At fever's onset and 48 h later, infection indices, such as CRP, WBC, ANC were measured in the peripheral blood.

The effectiveness of a 9-month regimen of isoniazid alone versus 3- and 4-month regimens of isoniazid plus rifampin for treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in children: results of an 11-year randomized study.

Background: A 9-month course of isoniazid monotherapy is currently recommended for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and has been shown to be effective in both children and adults. Reduced compliance with this regimen has forced physicians to explore shorter regimens. The aim of this study was to compare 3- and 4-month combination regimens of isoniazid plus rifampin with a 9-month regimen of isoniazid monotherapy for the treatment of LTBI in children.

Interleukin-6 in preterm premature rupture of membranes as an indicator of neonatal outcome.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) can be used as markers of adverse outcome in preterm neonates born after preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Methods: This study involved 109 preterm neonates and their mothers. The PPROM group consisted of 58 neonates who were born after PPROM, and the control group consisted of 51 neonates.

Urinary excretion of endothelin-1 in children with absorptive idiopathic hypercalciuria.

Urinary excretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and plasma ET-1 were measured in 21 children with absorptive idiopathic hypercalciuria (AIH) and 22 controls. The absorptive type of idiopathic hypercalciuria was determined by a calcium loading test. Daily urinary excretion of ET-1 and urinary ET-1/creatinine ratio were significantly increased ( P=0.

Endothelin-1 in children with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and hypertension.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1), the most potent vasoconstrictor peptide, is known to play a role in arterial hypertension. In patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) an increase in the production of ET-1 is suspected due to damaged endothelium, platelet activation and increased thrombin production in the glomeruli. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the levels of plasma ET-1 are elevated in children with APSGN.