Task-related electromyographic spectral changes in the human masseter and temporalis muscles.

The masticatory muscles differ in their fiber type composition. It can therefore be expected that their electromyographic (EMG) power spectra will differ during the performance of different bite force tasks. In the present study, surface EMG activity was picked up from the masseter and from the anterior and posterior temporalis muscles of nine adult subjects.

Identification of the highest dose of docetaxel associable with active doses of epirubicin. Results from a dose-finding study in advanced breast cancer patients.

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of docetaxel in combination with fixed doses of epirubicin.

Patients And Methods: Women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer were given docetaxel, 60 mg/m2 in escalated doses by steps of 10 mg/m2, in association with two fixed doses of epirubicin (90 mg/m2, and 75 mg/m2). Since neutropenia was foreseen to be the most likely DLT, a third group with prophylactic G-CSF support was planned to define the MTD of docetaxel with 90 mg/m2 of epirubicin.

[Epidemiologic study of patients with craniomandibular disorders. Report of data and clinical findings].

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify the subjective and objective characteristics of a population referred to a clinic for diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain and/or temporomandibular disorders.

Methods: Beginning in 1993, 825 patients, consecutively referred to the University of Naples Federico II , were examined and their records entered into a database. These data were collected by trained clinicians.

Effects of prolonged gum chewing on pain and fatigue in human jaw muscles.

Gum chewing has been accepted as an adjunct to oral hygiene, as salivary stimulant and vehicle for various agents, as well as for jaw muscle training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged gum chewing on pain, fatigue and pressure tenderness of the masticatory muscles. Fifteen women without temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were requested to perform one of the following chewing tasks in three separate sessions: chewing a very hard gum, chewing a soft gum, and empty-chewing with no bolus.

[Muscular physiotherapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Controlled clinical trial].

Background: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the short term effects of physiotherapy and counseling in the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles.

Methods: Forty consecutive myogenous TMD patients, were assigned to two treatment groups with a balanced-block randomization. The first group received only counseling, the second group received counseling supplemented by physiotherapy.

Changes in pressure-pain thresholds of the jaw muscles during a natural stressful condition in a group of symptom-free subjects.

Aims: To investigate the effects of a natural emotional stressor on pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masticatory muscles of symptom-free subjects.

Methods: Sixteen healthy dental students were selected before they undertook an academic examination. Sixteen gender-matched students who were not exposed to an examination served as controls.

Does the ovarian cycle influence the pressure-pain threshold of the masticatory muscles in symptom-free women?

Aims: To test the hypothesis that the ovarian cycle influences the pressure-pain threshold of the masticatory muscles.

Methods: Eighteen healthy women with a regular menstrual cycle (28 +/- 2 days), ranging in age from 18 to 35 years, participated in the study. For each subject, pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were assessed at 4 muscular sites by means of an electronic algometer.

Single agent epirubicin as first line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer patients.

In order to better explore the toxicity and the activity of high dose epirubicin (120 mg/m2, 3 weeks) we analyzed a population of 127 metastatic breast cancer patients, treated in a randomized clinical trial conducted to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane against epirubicin induced cardiotoxicity. All the patients had a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, an ECOG performance status < or = 2 and normal hematologic, renal, hepatic and cardiac function. No prior adjuvant chemotherapy including anthracycline was allowed.

[Occlusion and posture: is there evidence of correlation?].

The observation that the masticatory system and the postural body regulating system are anatomically and functionally related, has led to postulate several hypotheses of correlation between occlusal and postural disturbances. In the last decade, these arguments have gained a great social impact, also because they have been broadly spread by the mass-media. As a consequence, there has been a growing number of patients seeking concomitant occlusal and postural treatments.

The diagnostic value of pressure algometry in myofascial pain of the jaw muscles.

Recent evidence suggests that evaluation of muscle tenderness in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) patients might be improved by the use of pressure algometry; nevertheless, the evaluation of the diagnostic value of this tool has received little attention. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of pressure algometry in myofascial pain of the jaw muscles, by calculation of sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and positive predictive values (PPV). Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles were assessed in 40 female myogenous TMD patients and 40 age-matched female controls.

Cardiovascular responses in humans to experimental chewing of gums of different consistencies.

Although the cardiovascular effects of exercise have been extensively investigated in man, little attention has been paid to such responses to jaw muscle activity. The aim here was to investigate the general cardiovascular effects of chewing activity in a single-blind, cross-over design. Ten healthy individuals performed one of the following chewing tasks in four separate sessions: chewing a very hard gum, chewing a moderately hard gum, chewing a soft gum, and "empty chewing" without a bolus.

Sensory and motor changes of the human jaw muscles during induced orthodontic pain.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of orthodontic pain on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, and on their electromyographic (EMG) activity during clenching and chewing. Orthodontic pain was induced in 14 healthy subjects (mean age 26.6, SEM 1.

Personality characteristics of temporomandibular disorder patients using M.M.P.I.

It is generally recognized that psychological factors play an important role in chronic orofacial pain patients. This study analysed psychological profiles of chronic pain patients affected with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), by means of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test. Fifty consecutive TMD patients were examined and were then divided into two subgroups: 1.

Comparison of clinical and psychologic features of fibromyalgia and masticatory myofascial pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate common symptoms and divergent features in fibromyalgia (FS) and masticatory myofascial pain (MFP) in patients affected by craniomandibular disorders. Twenty-three women with MFP and 23 women with FS were studied. All patients were examined by a dentist and by a rheumatologist.

A dose-finding study of ifosfamide by three-day continuous infusion in pretreated, advanced breast cancer patients.

The purpose of the study was to establish the maximum tolerated dose of ifosfamide, administered over 72 hr, in metastatic breast cancer patients, pretreated with chemotherapy. Ifosfamide and mesna were given at the same dose, in the same solution, using a portable Pharmacia CADD-1 pump connected to a central venous access, at three dose levels: 7.5 g/m2 (6 patients), 9 g/m2 (8 patients), 10.

Mandibular rest position and electrical activity of the masticatory muscles.

Statement Of Problem: The determination of a correct vertical dimension of occlusion is a critical procedure in clinical dentistry.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to analyze the relation between mandibular rest position and electrical activity of masticatory muscles and to compare clinical and electromyographic rest position in subjects with different vertical facial morphologic features.

Material And Methods: Clinical rest position and electromyographic rest position were investigated in 40 subjects.

Dose-finding study and pharmacokinetics of epirubicin and paclitaxel over 3 hours: a regimen with high activity and low cardiotoxicity in advanced breast cancer.

Purpose: To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel over 3 hours with a fixed dose of epirubicin, to investigate the plasma pharmacokinetics of this combination, and to evaluate the toxicity and the activity in previously untreated metastatic breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: Fifty patients with metastatic breast cancer, measurable disease, and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were eligible. Epirubicin was administered as an intravenous (I.

Paclitaxel combinations as front-line and salvage chemotherapy regimens in advanced breast cancer.

Thirty-two patients with advanced breast cancer have been treated with epirubicin 90 mg/m2, immediately followed by paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) infused over 3 hours, every 21 days. The starting paclitaxel dose was 135 mg/m2, increased in subsequent triplets of patients until the maximum tolerated dose was reached at 200 mg/m2. One hundred seventy-six courses have been administered; dose-related grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 66% of the courses, with 12 episodes of febrile neutropenia.

Multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate cardioprotection of dexrazoxane versus no cardioprotection in women receiving epirubicin chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer.

Purpose: Dexrazoxane was found effective in reducing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity when given at a dose ratio (dexrazoxane: doxorubicin) of 20:1. Preclinical studies indicated that dexrazoxane at a dose ratio of 10 to 15:1 also protected against epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of dexrazoxane, given at a dose ratio of 10:1 against epirubicin cardiotoxicity.

Paclitaxel and vinorelbine in anthracycline-pretreated breast cancer: a phase II study.

Background: Paclitaxel and vinorelbine are active in advanced breast cancer pretreated with anthracyclines We therefore conducted a phase II study to define the toxicity and activity of paclitaxel and vinorelbine administered in combination.

Patients And Methods: Our patient population consisted of 37 patients with metastatic breast cancer, 35 of whom had received prior chemotherapy including anthracyclines. The treatment regimen included vinorelbine (25 mg/m2 i.

Paclitaxel in combination with vinorelbine in pretreated advanced breast cancer patients.

This phase II study combined paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) 135 mg/m2 by 3-hour infusion on day 1 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 (in the first 14 patients) or on days 1 and 3 (in the subsequent 20 patients). The courses were repeated every 3 weeks. The second vinorelbine dose (on days 3 or 8) was reduced or omitted according to the toxicities encountered.

A dose-finding study of epirubicin in combination with paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

We performed a dose escalation study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) given over 3 hours plus bolus epirubicin 90 mg/m2. The starting dose of paclitaxel, 135 mg/m2, was escalated by 20-mg/m2 increments in cohorts of three to six patients. Courses were repeated every 3 weeks.

Activity and safety of epirubicin plus paclitaxel in advanced breast cancer.

We performed a dose-escalation study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) plus a fixed dose of epirubicin. Epirubicin was administered as a 90 mg/m2 bolus immediately followed by a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel starting at 135 mg/m2 and escalating by 20mg/m2 for each triplet of patients as long as no dose-limiting toxicity had occurred; courses were repeated every 3 weeks. The MTD was defined as that at which any of the following toxicities occurred in at least two of six patients: absolute neutrophil count less than 500/microliter for more that 7 days or less than 100/microliter for more than 3 days; any episode of febrile neutropenia requiring intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization; grade 4 thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion; failure to recover absolute neutrophil count to > or = 1,500/microliter and/or platelets to > or = 100,000/microliter by day 28; and any grade > or = 3 nonhematologic toxicity.

Accelerated epirubicin-ifosfamide-dacarbazine regimen in patients with adult soft tissue sarcomas.

Background: Neutropenia and infections are the dose-limiting toxicities of the EID regimen and can cause dose reduction and/or delay in chemotherapy administration. The purpose of this study was to verify if EID + G-CSF is feasible with an acceptable toxicity in a day hospital setting and if G-CSF could allow an increase in the dose intensity of the EID regimen by shortening the intervals between the courses.

Patients And Methods: 20 patients with inoperable primary, metastatic or residual disease after surgery or at high risk of recurrence after complete resection, histologically confirmed adult soft tissue sarcoma, entered the study.

Interferon-alpha or beta potentiate platinum analogous in human glioblastoma cell lines.

The effect of interferon-alpha or beta on platinum analogues [cisplatin (CDDP) and carboplatin] cytotoxicity was studied in four glioblastoma cell lines (U373MG, T98G, A172 and U118Mg). All cell lines were strongly resistant to the cytotoxic effect of CDDP or carboplatin. Although both interferons were not cytotoxic in all cell lines, they were able to significantly increase the cell platinum-sensitivity.