Changes in gut microbiota predict neutropenia after induction treatment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Delayed neutrophil recovery during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment increases risk of infection and causes delay in chemotherapy. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in neutrophil reconstitution after chemotherapy. We explored the interplay between the gut microbiota and neutrophil dynamics, including neutrophil chemoattractants, in 51 children with newly-diagnosed ALL.

Upregulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in Response to Chemotherapy in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The treatment of childhood cancer is challenged by toxic side effects mainly due to chemotherapy-induced organ damage and infections, which are accompanied by severe systemic inflammation. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a key regulating factor in tissue repair. This study investigated associations between the circulating IGF-I levels and chemotherapy-related toxicity in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Intestinal mucositis, systemic inflammation and bloodstream infections following high-dose methotrexate treatment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Comparison between the NOPHO ALL 2008 protocol and the ALLTogether1 protocol.

Severe intestinal mucositis (IM) increases the risk of bloodstream infections (BSI) and inflammatory toxicity during acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) induction treatment. However, the implications of IM in subsequent ALL therapy phases after achieving remission remain unknown. This study investigated the relationship between IM (measured by plasma citrulline and the chemokine CCL20) and the development of BSI and systemic inflammation (reflected by C-reactive protein, CRP) in children with ALL during high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) treatment, an important part of ALL consolidation therapy.

A new approach for deducing rms proton radii from charge-changing reactions of neutron-rich nuclei and the reaction-target dependence.

We report the charge-changing cross sections (σ) of 24 p-shell nuclides on both hydrogen and carbon at about 900A MeV, of which Li, Be, B, N and O on hydrogen and Li on carbon are for the first time. Benefiting from the data set, we found a new and robust relationship between the scaling factor of the Glauber model calculations and the separation energies of the nuclei of interest on both targets. This allows us to deduce proton radii (R) for the first time from the cross sections on hydrogen.

Quasi-real-time range monitoring by in-beam PET: a case for O.

A fast and reliable range monitoring method is required to take full advantage of the high linear energy transfer provided by therapeutic ion beams like carbon and oxygen while minimizing damage to healthy tissue due to range uncertainties. Quasi-real-time range monitoring using in-beam positron emission tomography (PET) with therapeutic beams of positron-emitters of carbon and oxygen is a promising approach. The number of implanted ions and the time required for an unambiguous range verification are decisive factors for choosing a candidate isotope.