Metastatic adult neuroblastoma with spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a solid tumor of the sympathetic nervous system, most commonly found in childhood, standing for 7% of all pediatric malignancies. The incidence in adults is markedly smaller: 1 case per 10 million adults per year. We report the case of a previously healthy 27-year-old woman who started with lumbar pain, asthenia, and abdominal distension over the last month.

Systematic review about etiologic association to the leukoerythroblastic reaction.

Background And Purpose: Leukoerythroblastic reaction (LER) is characterized by the presence of immature erythroid cells and myeloid precursors (metamyelocytes, myelocytes, promyelocytes, myeloblasts, and blasts) as well as, exclusively in myelofibrotic disorders, teardrop cells in the peripheral blood (J Pathol Bacteriol, 42, 1936, 541; Semaine Med, 22, 1902, 373). Research on how to interpret LER and its meaning in clinical practice is scarce, and there is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria. We summarize the current evidence with the aim of clarifying the knowledge on this subject.

Quality control in veterinary blood banks: evaluation of canine platelet concentrates stored for five days.

Background: Platelets undergo structural, biochemical and functional alterations when stored, and platelet storage lesions reduce platelet function and half-life after transfusion. The objective of this study was to evaluate stored canine platelet concentrates with platelet aggregation, flow cytometry and biochemistry assays. Twenty-two bags of canine platelet concentrates were obtained by the platelet-rich plasma method and were assessed on days 1, 3 and 5 after collection.

Is red blood cell distribution width a marker of severity in patients discharged from the ICU?

We have read the study about the association between high red blood cell distribution width and higher ward mortality after intensive care unit discharge. The study increases the evidence that RDW may be a marker of severity for patients discharged from the ICU. However, in this letter, we comment on issues that need further discussion.

Expression of neutrophil surface markers in icteric neonates before and after phototherapy.

Background: Jaundice due to indirect hyperbilirubinemia affects more than 60% of neonates and phototherapy is the treatment for severe types. There are no previous studies evaluating the effect of phototherapy on the function of neonates neutrophils. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the function of neutrophils by measuring the expression of neutrophils main surface markers in icteric neonates before and after phototherapy.

Comparison of JC-1 and MitoTracker probes for mitochondrial viability assessment in stored canine platelet concentrates: A flow cytometry study.

Mitochondria perform crucial roles in many biochemical processes, and mitochondrial depolarization is an early sign of platelet apoptosis. The mitochondrial membrane potential is usually evaluated through JC-1 probe, but it can also be assessed with MitoTracker probes. Our aim was to evaluate mitochondrial viability in stored canine platelet concentrates (PCs) with the fluorescent probes JC-1 and MitoTracker.

Polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis: Report of three cases.

Background: Persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) is a rare benign condition characterized by a polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis with binucleated lymphocytes. We hereby report three cases of PPBL.

Methods: Flow cytometry immunophenotyping was performed in peripheral blood samples from three patients with clinical suspicion of lymphoproliferative disease.

Elevated red blood cell distribution width at ICU discharge is associated with readmission to the intensive care unit.

Background: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. Our objective was to investigate the association between the RDW at ICU discharge and the risk of ICU readmission or unexpected death in the ward.

Methods: A secondary analysis of prospectively collected data study was conducted including patients discharged alive from the ICU to the ward.

Quantitative flow cytometric evaluation of CD200, CD123, CD43 and CD52 as a tool for the differential diagnosis of mature B-cell neoplasms.

Background: Distinction between mature B-cell neoplasms can be difficult due to overlapping of immunologic features and clinical manifestations. This study investigated whether quantifying mean fluorescence intensity of four monoclonal antibodies in a flow cytometry panel is useful for the differential diagnosis and characterization of these disorders.

Methods: The expressions of CD52, CD200, CD123 and CD43 were analyzed in samples from 124 patients with mature B-cell neoplasms.

Nutritional status and hyperglycemia in the peritransplant period: a review of associations with parenteral nutrition and clinical outcomes.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an established treatment option for various hematological diseases. This therapy involves complex procedures and is associated with several systemic complications. Due to the toxic effects of the conditioning regimen used in allogeneic transplantations, patients frequently suffer from severe gastrointestinal complications and are unable to feed themselves properly.

Expression of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in B-cell neoplasms evaluated by flow cytometry.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a cytoplasmatic protein that is part of the B-cell antigen receptor signaling pathway. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of BTK in B-cell neoplasms and compare it to normal B-cell lymphocytes. After surface staining with CD19 and CD45, flow cytometry staining for intracellular BTK was performed in leukemic or mature B-cells from bone marrow or peripheral blood samples.

Lonomia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): hemostasis implications.

In southern Brazil, since 1989, several cases of accidents produced by unwilling contact with the body of poisonous caterpillars of the moth species Lonomia obliqua Walker, 1855 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), were described. L. obliqua caterpillars have gregarious behavior and feed on leaves of host trees during the night, staying grouped in the trunk during the day, which favors the occurrence of accidents with the species.

Effect of fat on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels after a single oral dose of vitamin D in young healthy adults: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.

Purpose: This double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels after the oral intake of a single dose of cholecalciferol during one of the three meals, containing different amounts of fat or placebo.

Methods And Results: Sixty-four healthy medical residents or students of a university hospital in Porto Alegre, latitude 30° S, Brazil, were divided into four groups. Three groups received a single 50,000 IU oral dose of cholecalciferol during a meal containing 0 g (Group 1), 15 g (Group 2) or 30 g (Group 3) of fat, and one group received placebo (Group 4), according to randomization.

Hypovitaminosis D in patients with cystic fibrosis: a cross-section study in South Brazil.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have a susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency because of nutrient malabsorption.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in CF patients and the factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.

Methods: We evaluated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D <30 ng/mL, as suggested recently by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and factors associated with its serum levels.

Serum magnesium and proton-pump inhibitors use: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of serum magnesium levels with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) use and other factors.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 151 patients admitted with acute diseases in the Internal Medicine Division of the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, after the exclusion of conditions that are commonly associated with hypomagnesemia: diarrhea; vomiting; chronic alcohol use; severely uncompensated diabetes mellitus; and chronic use of laxatives, diuretics or other drugs causing magnesium deficiency.

Results: All patients had normal serum magnesium levels.

Effect of High- versus Low-Fat Meal on Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels after a Single Oral Dose of Vitamin D: A Single-Blind, Parallel, Randomized Trial.

Background/Aims. Vitamin D(3) is liposoluble, so dietary fat could increase its oral absorption. Our aim was to compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] after the oral intake of cholecalciferol with a high- or low-fat meal.

Hypomagnesemia and proton pump inhibitors: below the tip of the iceberg.

Severe magnesium deficiency associated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been described recently with clinical presentations varying from life-threatening conditions to muscle cramps and paresthesias. Probably milder cases go undetected. We report an asymptomatic case of hypomagnesemia associated with chronic use of PPIs in a 67-year-old woman.

Adrenal Failure due to Adrenal Metastasis of Lung Cancer: A Case Report.

We report a case of a patient with adrenal failure due to bilateral adrenal metastasis of lung cancer. This is a rare presentation of lung cancer. We review the differential diagnosis of weight loss and how to make diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency.