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.

[Comparative evaluation of 2 antiplaque mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and sanguinarine].

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].

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].

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.