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Washington - Certain variants in the interleukin 10 (IL-10) promoter region can predict poor outcomes in patients with malignant melanoma, including tumor ulceration and recurrence, suggests research presented at the recent 60th annual meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, here.

South San Francisco, Calif. - Israel’s Ministry of Health has granted approval for biopharmaceutical firm Pain Therapeutics Inc., based here, to begin human testing of a new treatment for metastatic melanoma.

Washington - The child of a soldier just back from Iraq has been hospitalized after developing a reaction to his father’s smallpox vaccination, reports Reuters Health. At press time, the 2-year-old boy was in critical condition, but doctors expressed cautious optimism that he was improving.

Sheffield, England - British researchers report they have identified a means by which to quickly detect the presence of bacteria by using a light device activated by polymer molecules. According to a BBC news report, the technology could have significant application in wound healing.

Alexandria, Va. - There has been a 69 percent increase in the number of women and a 91 increase in the number of men having nonsurgical facial plastic surgery since 2000, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) reports in its annual membership survey.

Washington - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to ban scientists from serving on agency advisory panels if those scientists receive more than $50,000 from drug and medical-device companies.

Dublin, Ireland - The concept that rosacea evolves in stages from flushing (pre-rosacea) to rhinophyma (end-stage disease) is erroneous, as it implies a pathogenic process not yet established by research, according to Frank C. Powell, M.D., in practice at the Regional Center Dermatology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Dublin, Ireland - The concept that rosacea evolves in stages from flushing (pre-rosacea) to rhinophyma (end-stage disease) is erroneous, as it implies a pathogenic process not yet established by research, according to Frank C. Powell, M.D., in practice at the Regional Center Dermatology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

National report - Dermatologists and other trained medical professionals should oversee use of topical numbing creams, and should use only low concentrations for only short periods of time to ensure the safety of patients, say experts in the field and officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dallas - While toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) ranks among the most serious conditions that may present in an emergency room, it's far from the only emergent issue a dermatologist may be asked to treat.

Washington - One year after iPLEDGE's inception, dermatologists applaud the program's elimination of a 23-day lockout period for male and nonchildbearing female patients who fail to fill isotretinoin prescriptions on time.

National report - Although pharmaceutical giant Merck has suspended its lobbying campaign to make its newly approved vaccine Gardasil mandatory for young girls, many dermatologists firmly believe inoculation should be compulsory - for several reasons.

Some business sales are structured in a way that provides for the former owner to remain a consultant for periods as long as several years.

Was this transaction done to save taxes or did it have another economic purpose? If there was such a purpose, the transaction stands; if it was only tax-motivated, it fails.

In addition to learning to say 'no' to extra commitments, Dr. Woodall also recommends exercising routinely, eating right and not indulging in drugs, alcohol and other unhealthy habits.

Dr. Witman has prescribed the agents as second-line therapy after a first-line therapy attempt with topical corticosteroids failed, or if potential side effects of topical steroids would make their use contraindicated.