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    Present and novel biologic drugs in primary Sjogren's syndrome

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    Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by xerostomia and xerophthalmia. In at least one-third of patients, the disease may be complicated by extraglandular involvement. Due to the lack of evidence-based recommendations, current therapeutic options for pSS are mainly empirical, often reflecting their use in other autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, recent advances in the understanding of pathogenic pathways in pSS encourage the belief that blocking them may be of value in the treatment of the disease. Despite failing to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials, because of the well-established role of B-lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of pSS, rituximab has been the most frequently used to date, but with much less success than in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis and lupus. However, in the last few years a number of other biologics have been developed and are under investigation. The aim of this article is to review the use of biologic therapies in pSS

    GENETICA GENERALE

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    Genetica formale Metodo e prove sperimentali di Mendel Caratteri singoli e segregazione, Caratteri e assortimento indipendente, Esperienze mendeliane "ieri ed oggi", I Leggi di Mendel, I Caratteri mendeliani e reincrocio IGenetica "oltre" Mendel Dominanza incompleta Codominanza Significato e valore della dominanza e della recessività Alleila multipla Pleiotropia Interazione tra geni Alleli letali Linkage: esperienze di Morgan e associazione genica Associazione completa e associazione incompleta Basi biologiche della ricombinazione Complesso sinaptonemale, rotture a doppio filamento e crossing over Mappe fisiche e mappe genetiche Ambiente e geni L'ambiente e l'espressione dei geni: penetranza ed espressività Poligenia ed ereditarietà quantitativa Sesso e geni Determinazione del sesso nelle specie animali Cromosomi sessuali, X e

    Biologic treatments for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

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    The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of acquired, heterogeneous, systemic diseases of skeletal muscle. As these conditions are uncommon, current treatment of myositis is based mainly on case reports and few randomised studies with small numbers of patients enrolled. Therefore, the current treatment paradigm is still relies primarily on clinical experience. High dose corticosteroids continue to be the first line therapy. In order to avoid side effects, the prednisolone dose should be reduced based on patient’s clinical response. Other immunosuppressive drugs are used in refractory cases, as well as steroid-sparing agents. Nevertheless, a Cochrane review concluded that there was insufficient evidence from the available studies to confirm the value of immunosuppressive agents in myositis. In patients with myositis resistant to conventional treatment, rituximab is a potential treatment option. Several agents could be of interest for future studies of myositis treatment; however more randomised controlled trials are needed to identify eligibility criteria, outcome predictors and the adequate regimen. The identification of responsive patients and specific therapies targeting the correct myositis subset may be cost-effective and potentially prevent incorrect use of biologics
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