Racial differences in primary cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma: a multi-center study.

We examined four clinically assessed cytogenetic subtypes (t(11;14), t(4;14), monosomy 13/del13q and monosomy 17/del17p in 292 black patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) from four medical centers, who had fluorescent in situ hybridization testing results available in their medical records. We then compared the prevalence of these abnormalities with a previously characterized Mayo Clinic cohort of 471 patients with MM. We found a significant difference in the prevalence of the t(11;14) immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) translocation between blacks and whites, 6.5% versus 17.6%, respectively, P<0.0001. Blacks also had lower rates of the t(4;14) IgH translocation, (5.5% versus 10%); monosomy 13/del13q (29.1 versus 49.3%); and monosomy 17/del17p (7.9% versus 13%). Consequently, 63.4% of blacks versus 34.6% of whites did not have any of the four abnormalities that we studied, P<0.001. As almost all MM is associated with either an IgH translocation or trisomies, we hypothesize that MM in blacks is associated with either excess prevalence of either the trisomic (hyperdiploid) form of MM or an IgH translocation besides t(11;14) or t(4;14). We conclude that there are significant differences in the cytogenetic subtypes of MM that occur in blacks and whites.

Clinical evaluation of dentinal hypersensitivity treatment with 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice.

AIM: To evaluate the desensitizing effect of a Bulgarian-made dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate in a double-blind experiment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 clinically healthy individuals aged 23 to 60 years, who complained of increased sensitivity to thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli in 462 teeth. The recruited patients were allocated into two groups: 20 patients were treated with the Sensi I dentifrice, and the other 20--the Sensi II dentifrice. The outcome of treatment was evaluated by any alteration in pain sensitiveness in response to different stimuli and changes in the threshold of electrical excitability. RESULTS: The Sensi I toothpaste (containing 5% potassium nitrate) was found to have a better desensitizing effect than the Sensi II placebo toothpaste (P < 0.01). The Sensi I dentifrice caused a rise in the threshold of electrical excitability of sensitive teeth with clinically intact enamel (P < 0.01), teeth with erosions (P < 0.05) and teeth with exposed root surfaces (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Sensi toothpaste, containing 5% potassium nitrate, demonstrated a pronounced anesthetizing effect; it can be used successfully for treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity of teeth with clinically intact enamel, erosions and exposed root surfaces due to gingival recessions.