A randomized trial of the effectiveness of the neutropenic diet versus food safety guidelines on infection rate in pediatric oncology patients.

Background: The neutropenic diet (ND) is prescribed to avoid introduction of bacteria into a host's gastrointestinal tract and reduce infection. Due to a lack of evidence to support the ND, there continues to be debate among pediatric oncologists regarding its usefulness. This prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated the difference in neutropenic infection rates in pediatric oncology patients randomized to Food and Drug Administration approved food safety guidelines (FSGs) versus the ND plus FSGs during one cycle of chemotherapy.

Discontinuation of Folic Acid Supplementation in Young Patients With Sickle Cell Anemia.

Folic acid (FA) is commonly prescribed for patients with sickle cell anemia, but evidence for the efficacy of this practice is lacking. We stopped FA supplementation and measured red blood cell folate levels after discontinuation of FA in 72 patients with clinically severe forms of sickle cell disease. We compared hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts before and after FA discontinuation in 51 of those patients, the majority of whom were on hydroxyurea.

Wild type N-ras displays anti-malignant properties, in part by downregulating decorin.

Previously, we have shown that wild type N-ras (wt N-ras) harbors an anti-malignant effect against mutated Ras and in tumors without Ras mutations. To investigate the molecular bases of this anti-malignant activity, we have studied the potency of this anti-malignant effect in a model system against SV40 large T antigen (SV40T). We show that wild-type N-ras (wt N-ras) counteracts the effects of SV40T in NIH3T3 cells as seen by a decrease in proliferation, anchorage independence and changes in migration.

Splenic infarction due to concomitant hereditary spherocytosis and sickle cell trait.

Concomitant hereditary spherocytosis and sickle cell trait, although extremely rare, could potentially lead to splenic sequestration or infarction. We report here the first case of splenic infarction in a child with hereditary spherocytosis and sickle cell trait while flying on a commercial aircraft. The presence of hypoxia, hemoconcentrated erythrocytes, and sickle hemoglobin created the perfect environment for clinical sequelae.