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.

Scedosporium apiospermum skeletal infection in an immunocompetent child.

Abstract This is a case of Scedosporium apiospermum skeletal infection in a 10-year-old immunocompetent girl whose chief complaint was left knee swelling and pain. The child had a history of a bicycle accident two months before with a resultant deep penetrating trauma. Systematic administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics for 10 days was used, with no clinical improvement.

An assessment of serum leptin levels in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: a prospective study.

Background: The role of leptin in the course of liver disease due to chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) remains controversial. Our aims were to investigate the relationship between serum leptin concentrations and the severity of liver disease in a cohort of subjects with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC) and to analyze the effect of body composition, the leptin system and insulin resistance together with viral factors on virologic response to antiviral treatment.

Methods: We studied 50 (36 men) consecutive patients suffering from biopsy-proven CVH due to HBV (n = 25) or HCV (n = 25) infection.

R2 relaxometry with MRI for the quantification of tissue iron overload in beta-thalassemic patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of a time-efficient MRI method for the quantitative determination of tissue iron in the liver and heart of beta-thalassemic patients using spin-spin relaxation rate, R2, measurements.

Materials And Methods: Images were obtained at 1.5 T from aqueous Gd-DTPA solutions (0.