Impact of a new dosing regimen of epoetin alfa on quality of life and anemia in patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.

This study evaluated the impact of a new epoetin alfa dosing regimen on quality of life (QOL), transfusion requirements, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in 133 patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Hb < or =10 g/dl. Epoetin alfa 40,000 IU was given subcutaneously twice weekly; after 4 weeks, the dose could be reduced to 40,000 IU weekly in patients achieving erythroid response. QOL was assessed using the functional assessment of cancer therapy-anemia (FACT-An) questionnaire. FACT-An scores increased on average by 7.5 after 4 weeks and by 8.8 after 8 weeks compared with baseline. FACT-An scores were positively associated with Hb values (r=0.53, P<0.01). The mean FACT-An score increase at week 8 was 10.2 in responders and 5.6 in nonresponders. The overall erythroid response rate at week 8 was 68%: 74% in transfusion-independent patients and 59% in transfusion-dependent patients. Of all responders at week 8, response was maintained in 86% at week 12, 71% at week 16, 65% at week 20, and 54% at week 24. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Our data provide new and encouraging results regarding the benefits of 40,000 IU biweekly induction doses followed by 40,000 IU weekly in improving QOL, correcting anemia, and reducing transfusion requirements in low-risk MDS patients.

[Comparative evaluation of 2 antiplaque mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and sanguinarine]. / Valutazione comparativa di due collutori antiplacca contenenti clorexidina e sanguinarina.

The results obtained in a short-term longitudinal study suggest that sanguinarine mouthrinses are less effective in plaque control than those containing chlorhexidine. It is concluded that the real clinical effectiveness of sanguinarine mouthrinses has to be further studied in clinical trials.

[The sign of induced bleeding in the evaluation of individual susceptibility to periodontal disease. Experimental study in diabetic and non-diabetic patients]. / Il segno del sanguinamento provocato nella valutazione della suscettibilità individuale alla malattia parodontale. Indagine sperimentale su pazienti diabetici e non diabetici.

The most recent hypotheses on the pathogenesis of periodontal disease have underlined the great importance exerted by individual susceptibility to the disease. The ability of a high ratio between bleeding index and plaque index as a way of identifying subjects at risk has been investigated, the values of this ratio being compared in a group of diabetic patients and in a group of non-diabetics with periodontal lesions of similar extent. The results obtained confirmed those of other Authors, testifying to the good capability of the bleeding/plaque ratio to identify patients with a high risk of developing advanced forms of periodontal disease.

[Schwannoma of the infratemporal fossa]. / Schwannoma nella fossa infratemporale.

A rare case of infratemporal fossa Schwannoma is reported together with an outline description of Schwannoma and a discussion on the aetiology, macroscopic and histological aspects and therapy.