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As chairman of the American Academy of Dermatology pamphlets committee, one of my first responsibilities was to rework the pamphlet "You and Your Dermatologist."

Dear Editor: I read with interest John Jesitus' December article, "M.D., D.O. Disparity," which highlighted osteopathic and allopathic dermatology education, and how differences between the two groups have become less obvious since the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) first recognized the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) as a subspecialty college in 1957.

National report -- For dermatologists interested in posting online videos, experts offer these do's and don'ts.

Much about it is still somewhat of a mystery, but early findings on a topical form of botulinum toxin have been compelling enough to earn a $20 million show of support from Medicis and catapult the research onto the cosmetic medicine radar.

In The Know 2008 Media Kit

Dermatology Times Expert Insight Entry Form

Philadelphia - A recent study suggests a continued lack of awareness in the United States regarding the best steps to take to minimize overexposure to the sun, news source Cosmeticsdesign.com reports.

Washington - More than 1 million Americans contract shingles every year, and nearly 1 million are seeking treatment for the condition, according to recently released government statistics, Reuters reports.

Philadelphia - A recent study suggests a continued lack of awareness in the United States regarding the best steps to take to minimize overexposure to the sun, news source Cosmeticsdesign.com reports.

London - Results of a British meta-analysis suggest that there is no evidence to support the concept that clinicians should use a combination of biological therapies and chemotherapy instead of the commonly used single-agent chemotherapy regimen for patients with metastatic melanoma, news source MedicalNewsToday.com reports.

Exton, Pa. - Biotech company Isolagen announced recently that injections have been completed in the phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the Isolagen Therapy for the treatment of nasolabial folds, and that trial subjects are now in the follow-up period, PRNewswire reports.

Barrington, Ill. - The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has awarded funding to four new studies aimed at learning more about the causes and management of rosacea.

Cambridge, Mass. - Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a population of cells capable of initiating human melanomas, which could be targeted in cases of resistance to systemic therapy, HealthDay News reports.

Chicago - Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) are taking part in a multicenter trial to determine the safety and effectiveness of Allovectin-7 (Vical) for treating advanced melanoma.

Los Angeles - The findings of a University of Southern California (USC) stem cell research team may lead to new ways to regulate hair and, ultimately, organ regeneration, Newswise.com reports.

However effective Mohs surgery may be, its significant benefits are not inexpensive.

There is growing evidence that vitamin D "protects" us against colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. According to a recent study in patients with multiple primary and primary single melanomas, chronic daily sun exposure may be more beneficial than harmful in that it contributes to a great extent to vitamin D synthesis.

Boston - Any face transplant performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital, based here, will be the culmination of carefully designed consent procedures for both the recipient and the donor's family, says the project's leader.

Special to Dermatology Times - Spurred by consumer complaints, the state of Kansas has restricted the use of Lipodissolve to scientific studies, while the state of Nebraska might ban the procedure.

St. Louis - Facing consumer complaints and investors' exit, lipotherapy chain Fig announced in late 2007 it probably would file for bankruptcy protection.

Patients suffering from atopic dermatitis seem to be at an increased risk of developing malignancies, including lymphoma and cutaneous melanoma, as well as nonmelanoma skin cancers, when compared with patients who do not suffer from the disease, according to a recent large database-controlled study

Early detection of melanoma in older groups, particularly men, has the potential to markedly reduce the death rate of melanoma.

Botulinum neurotoxins are commonly used for a variety of diseases as well as numerous cosmetic interventions. Though effective in each of its uses, the technique of administering the neurotoxin into the skin is by injection, which can be a source of trepidation for the most weathered cosmetic patient. A recent Italian study has proven that botulinum toxin type A can be effectively administered into the skin using pulsed current iontophoresis, giving hope for needle-wary patients.