News

Greensboro, N.C. - Jack Britts, who was previously a pharmaceutical executive at Sepracor and AstraZeneca PLC, has been named President and CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals, according to dbusinessnews.com.

Bedford, Mass. - Anika Therapeutics has signed an agreement with Canderm Pharma, a skincare company in Canada, to distribute and market Elevess throughout Canada, BusinessWire reports.

Known for decades for his dedication to dermatology, Oswald Lightsey Mikell, M.D., was named 2008 Dermatologist of the Year by the South Carolina Dermatology Association.

In Part 1 of this article, published in Dermatology Times last month, we explained that physician families have substantially greater liability risk and retirement challenges than do so-called "average American" families. This segment will focus on tax, investment and insurance issues that affect physicians; mistakes that doctors make; and suggestions for avoiding pitfalls.

Inflation reminds me of termites: It gradually eats away from the inside of your financial portfolio - unnoticed and silent. Left alone, it can cause major structural damage, even total collapse.

Industry experts estimate that as many as 20 percent of all claims for services are returned to physicians without payment.

While the full promise of EHR systems has yet to become reality, an expert offers shopping tips for finding the best available system for your practice.

Artifacts in Mohs slide preparation typically stem from problems with microtome blades, microtome adjustments or cryostat temperatures, an expert says.

The development of non-melanoma skin cancer is a common sequela of the high doses of immunosuppressive medications that organ transplant recipients receive. A recent study shows that low-dose systemic retinoids can significantly decrease these patients' susceptibility to develop skin cancers (such as squamous cell carcinoma) in the long term.

In the absence of industrywide standards for electronic medical records, an expert advises carefully matching system costs, benefits and capabilities with the distinctive needs of one's practice.

There are several topical therapies that dermatologists can choose from for the treatment of actinic keratosis.

A recent study shows that a daily low-to-moderate dose of caffeine and regular exercise may very well prevent skin cancers before they occur, in part by promoting the death of sunlight-damaged precancerous cells.

Gene, molecular and cell-targeted therapies are under investigation for the treatment and prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancers, and some of these modalities may be available for clinical use soon. Recent and forthcoming advances in imaging are also enhancing tumor visualization and surgical planning.

An expert says dermatologists must be careful not to overlook or misdiagnose four aggressive skin cancers whose incidence rates are rising - lentigo maligna, atypical fibroxanthoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and high-risk squamous cell carcinoma.

When choosing among temporary, semipermanent and permanent dermal fillers, increased longevity may also mean increased risks, an expert says.

The abundant array of cosmetic creams on the market can be a source of confusion for consumers. Categorizing products by function provides a method for understanding their ingredients and benefits.

Many new techniques are being used to reshape the body. Fractional lasers require much less downtime than other lasers, and electromagnetic radiation has presented a new direction for treating varicose veins, making stripping and ligation a less popular treatment option.

Options for off-face resurfacing include ablative treatments, nonablative treatments, photo- dynamic therapy and fractional ablative treatments, an expert says.

Laser-assisted hair removal, photorejuvenation and laser treatment of acne and atrophic scars can now be offered to patients with skin of color. However, it is still important to proceed with caution because all risks are not eliminated with newer technologies.

Choosing appropriate treatments for nonablative facial rejuvenation requires that dermatologists understand the pathophysiology of photoaging, according to an expert.

Despite several manufacturers' claims that they have developed hair conditioners that replace 18-MEA after chemical processing, once that protective layer is damaged, it is permanently destroyed, an expert says.

Emerging therapies that treat onychomycosis are expected to help patients who do not respond to currently available therapies. Both systemic and topical, these new therapies also will have shorter treatment periods, which can possibly improve patient compliance.

Successfully adding head and neck rejuvenation treatments to one's practice requires starting with fillers, toxins, chemical peels and whatever devices one already owns, an expert says.

Hair restoration has been revolutionized by new techniques, such as follicular unit transplantation. Modern hair transplants are undetectable, an expert says.

Traditional teaching for nail surgery proposes complete nail removal, but there are a variety of options - not just for total nail avulsion techniques, including the lateral nail plate curl and the trap-door avulsion - but also for partial nail avulsion, according to Nathaniel Jellinek, M.D.

The current theory about brittle nails is that the condition is due to a decrease in water content and water retention of the nail plate, an expert says. Treatment includes educating patients and using inexpensive, over-the-counter products.

Several risk factors can impair the wound-healing process in the elderly, such as poor nutrition, depression and the inappropriate use of medications. A focal point in wound healing is the investigation of drugs with the potential to limit scarring. Researchers are identifying targets, such as Transforming Growth Factor-beta3, to develop therapies aimed at minimizing scarring.

The new Bikowski Acne Severity Index (BASI) effectively combines common medical jargon for describing acne lesions, which helps physicians grade these lesions more accurately.

Clinicians need to determine the underlying etiology when managing wounds that are the result of tropical infections. They can do this by culturing bacteria or taking a biopsy.

Untreated skin tears can become complex wounds and demand the care of a dermatologist. Up to 1.5 million skin tears occur annually in adults in healthcare facilities in the United States. Natural changes in the aging process, including diminished elasticity and decreased tensile strength, make the skin more susceptible to a tear.