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Down syndrome (DS) is defined by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and confers an increased susceptibility to hematological disorders. Transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) and myeloid‐leukemia associated with Down syndrome (ML‐DS) are two conditions that need to be accurately diagnosed to provide appropriate management. Both TAM and ML‐DS are characterized by proliferation of megakaryoblasts carrying a mutation in the GATA1 gene. Here, we report four cases with educational significance, highlighting typical diagnostic features that facilitate the differentiation between these two conditions, thereby assisting clinicians and medical laboratory professionals in effectively managing and monitoring these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurring exclusively on striae distensae. GVHD is a complication that can occur after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, and it primarily affects the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. The patient in this case study was a 16-year-old male who developed skin lesions on his striae distensae after undergoing transplantation for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The lesions were characterized by erythematous papules and plaques, and the patient also experienced hepatic and gastrointestinal symptoms. Treatment with corticosteroids and other medications provided some relief, but the patient's condition did not fully improve. The article highlights the rarity of this manifestation of chronic GVHD and emphasizes the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of the disease. [Extracted from the article]

Nicardipine hydrochloride is an anti-hypertensive drug that is used off-label to treat hypertension in children. A previous oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride was developed using a commercial vehicle as an excipient. However, ready-to-use vehicles are prone to supply shortages, and their composition may undergo substantial modifications. The aim of this study was to propose a new oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL using simple excipients. The formulation included hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, simple syrup, polysorbate 80, sodium saccharin, citrate buffer, strawberry flavor and 0.2% potassium sorbate. The uniformity of content was maintained before and after agitation. Nicardipine hydrochloride concentration assessed by HPLC-MS/MS remained above 90% for 365 days before opening and for 28 days after opening. pH and osmolality were maintained throughout the study, and no microbial contamination was observed. The uniformity of mass of the delivered doses was evaluated using four different devices. A new oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL was developed using simple and safe excipients. Pharmacological and clinical parameters remain to be assessed and compared with those of the previous formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the vast majority of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is curable, the prognosis of early relapses and refractory diseases remains poor. Recently, the combination of gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (GVD) displayed encouraging results on adults with relapsed/refractory diseases. Here, we retrospectively report the results of the GVD salvage regimen on four pediatric patients of our ward with a heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory HL. Three of them had nodular sclerosis subtype. They achieved a complete remission after two, three, or four courses of GVD and received high-dose chemotherapy followed by a stem-cell transplantation (auto-auto, auto-allo, and auto). They have been in sustained remission respectively for almost 2, 4, and 5 years. The fourth patient had a lymphocyte-depleted subtype which was initially diagnosed as anaplastic large cell lymphoma. After four courses of GVD, his disease stabilized then progressed again. In total, 15 cycles of GVD were applied to the patients. The toxicity of each course of GVD was mainly hematologic. No cardiotoxicity occurred despite a prior exposure to anthracyclines and radiotherapy. Thus, the GVD combination seems to be an effective pre-transplant rescue treatment for pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]