Newport Beach, Calif. — The West Nile Virus outbreak in New York City in 1999 provided important lessons in prevention, abatement and repellent use. The New York area health departments quickly began public health programs, according to Tissa R. Hata, M.D., speaking at the Pacific Dermatology Meeting, here.
New Orleans — An emerging new class of organic, insoluble UV absorbers shows promise in providing improved broad-spectrum UVB and UVA sunscreen protection and meets the increasing demand of consumers and dermatologists, according to chemist Uli Osterwalder. He reports that the first representative of this UV absorber — bisoctrizole — has been used in sunscreens in European countries for five years and is now being submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.
Tokyo — Growth factors offer seemingly endless potential to skin wound repair and regeneration, yet there are several questions surrounding those that are exogenously applied to acute or chronic skin wounds, according to Xiaobing Fu, M.D., professor, Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Burns Institute, The General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.
PDT involves light-activated drugs, or photosensitizers, to treat cancer, ocular and dermatological conditions.
Nice, France — Results of a comparative, prospective, randomized study undertaken by French dermatologists indicate that topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1 percent (Protopic, Fujisawa) plus phototherapy with a 308-nm excimer laser can be a highly effective combination for the treatment of recalcitrant, localized vitiligo.
The fact that studies are frequently done at different locations, with different investigators and methodologies, further complicates matters.
New Orleans — Although some oral treatments for psoriasis have suffered setbacks, recent studies reveal encouraging news about biologic drugs' ability to battle this illness.
Making the appropriate choice ... requires having a clear understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of each drug.
New Orleans — Results of a multicenter phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a subantimicrobial-dose (SD) of doxycycline for the treatment of rosacea, said Diane M. Thiboutot, M.D., at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology here.
Efalizumab was probably best administered as chronic therapy to maintain control of this chronic inflammatory disease.
New Orleans — Scientific literature rarely portrays cutaneous manifestations of West Nile virus (WNV) because these manifestations are, by nature, transient. However, a recent case report contains what is only the second publication of these symptoms.
The recent influx of contact lenses containing ultraviolet (UV) filters has prompted some patients to inquire about using these as protection after PUVA therapy, rather than coated prescription glasses, sunglasses or UV opaque protective goggles. But as Suliman Otman, M.D., M.S., a clinical research fellow at the Welsh Institute of Dermatology at Cardiff University, England, discovered, UV-blocking contact lenses are not suitable eye protection for people receiving Psoralen in combination with UVA light.
National report — Does practice make perfect? A recent Harvard Medical School review suggests that as physicians age, the quality of care they provide decreases — the plethora of continuing medical education (CME) options available and the presumed benefits of wisdom notwithstanding.
New Orleans — Whether it is serious intraoperative bleeding, the presence of a life-threatening disease or a lethal drug reaction, the dermatologist's office should be prepared for the emergent crisis that can happen at any time and anywhere, Glenn D. Goldman, M.D., says.
Creating a photo-friendly environment in each room is simple; all that's needed is proper lighting and background.
The New Jersey legislature instituted a 6 percent sales tax on cosmetic procedures so quickly last fall that doctors say organized opposition had little time to form. The state has been collecting the levy for several months.
There is still a natural desire to get the same medications from a cheaper source. Dr. Sue turned to Canada. Other physicians have turned to Europe and South America. But whatever the source, Dr. Sue's actions are illegal.
As the Vioxx/Celebrex scandal lays waste to the American healthcare landscape as we know it, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finds itself under relentless pressure to get things right. Congress is demanding more stringent safety standards and even threatening to create a new federal agency to take safety approvals and monitoring out of the FDA's hands.
New Orleans — A pair of new studies sheds light on body art complications while linking tattoos and piercings to demographic and behavioral factors, ranging from age to sexual activity and mental health.
An investigational topical antifungal product containing miconazole nitrate 0.25 percent in a petrolatum/zinc oxide barrier ointment base (Zimycan, Barrier Therapeutics) has demonstrated positive efficacy and safety results in a phase 3 study of the treatment of Candida diaper dermatitis.
New Orleans - In today's global, transient and sometimes overcrowded society, the spread of superficial cutaneous infections and infestations in children appears to be even more common than previously thought. International travel, immigration and foreign adoption have altered the typical distribution of some pediatric infections and infestations.
There have been a number of important advances in pediatric dermatology, ranging from finding the optimal use for tissue adhesives to gaining a better understanding of general and local anesthetic use in the pediatric population and a greater appreciation for dermatologic surgeons' roles in treating vascular lesions and birthmarks.
New Orleans — Rare, life-threatening dermatoses are presenting in pediatric patients across the country, and some dermatologists are missing these critical diagnoses, according to Patricia Treadwell, M.D., professor of pediatrics, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis.
New Orleans — Initial clinical experience indicates injectable poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) can be used safely and effectively to achieve natural-appearing restoration of facial volume and contour in patients with age-related facial lipodystrophy, said Douglas Key, M.D., at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) here.
Boston — Although, for many patients, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have become the treatment of choice in the United States, Gary D. Monheit, M.D., says many questions remain: Can Hylaform (Inamed), Restylane (Q-Med) and Juvederm (LEA Derm) be improved to achieve more than a three- to six-month longevity? How will the fillers compare after more extensive head-to-head testing? And where will HA products ultimately fit in an armamentarium ranging from bovine collagen to polylactic acid?
New York — A limited population of abdominoplasty patients who also desire breast augmentation can have the procedures performed together without scars on or around the breast.
In terms of rejuvenation, the combination of Restylane for the lower face and Botox for the upper face is the gold standard.
Washington — Anidulafungin (Vicuron, Vicuron Pharmaceuticals Inc.), a new echinocandin presently being developed for the treatment of serious fungal infections, has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in a large majority of patients who have azole-refractory mucosal candidiasis (ARMC), said Jennifer A. Schranz, M.D., in a presentation at the 44th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy here.
Making the maximum allowable deposits into your 401(k) or IRA account as early in the year as possible can reduce your tax load.
New Orleans — Dermatologists who want to publish their research in peer-reviewed journals received many valuable tips in a focus session given at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) here. June K. Robinson, M.D., discussed reasons to publish, the writing process, submission and review of the manuscript, and the publishing process, while extending advice gained from her experience as editor of Archives of Dermatology. Dr. Robinson also serves as section chief of dermatology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
