Marlton, N.J. - Results from a national survey of dermatologic surgeons support the conclusion that liposuction performed with a conservative approach using local anesthesia and with removal of smaller volumes of fat is a very safe procedure, Naomi Lawrence, M.D., said.
Paris - There is compelling evidence with in vitro and animal studies that an increase in some antioxidants - especially those applied to the skin - helps protect the skin from cell-damaging oxidants, whether the aging is due to intrinsic or extrinsic stressors. Where the research falls short, one expert said, is in the lack of human studies.
Paris - A new ultrasound procedure, high-resolution sonography, is providing a new way to look deeper into the skin. With the method, physicians can analyze the in-depth penetration and growth of skin tumors, the healing of inflammatory diseases, and the effect of ointments on the skin.
Piscataway, N.J. - The topical application of caffeine or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibited tumor formation in mice that were at high risk of skin cancer following a period of UVB irradiation in a laboratory study conducted at Rutgers University, New Jersey.
Paris - Histopathologic studies that indicate early melanomas in the lateral growth phase have limited, if any, potential to metastasize present an interesting hypothetical question: Are reports of increased prevalence of melanoma exaggerated?
Paris - Capsaicin applied topically and naltrexone given orally provide effective, safe, and well tolerated therapy for pruritus, according to two studies conducted by Sonja Stander, M.D.
Ever since "The Doctor" and "City Hospital" made their debuts in 1952, medical dramas have been a staple of the television industry. "Ben Casey" and "Dr. Kildare" were contemporaries, as were "ER" and "Chicago Hope."
Dermatologists should be aware of new warnings from the federal government to drug manufacturers, cautioning against marketing practices that could be in violation of federal anti-kickback laws.
Boston - Organogenesis, which pioneered the engineered skin Apligraf, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.
Direct-to-consumer advertising in U.S. healthcare is at both a zenith and crossroads where capitalism meets the ethical practice of medicine. DTC spending has never been higher, rising steadily since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the tactic in 1997.
Only 10 percent of PSORS1 carriers affectedPhysician: James T. Elder, M.D., Ph.D.
Agents may find effectiveness by acting as nuclear hormone receptor ligandsPhysician: Kund Kragballe, M.D.
Etanercept inhibits TNF concentrationPhysician: Alice Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D.
Atlanta - A radiofrequency device for aesthetic and therapeutic applications has the potential to revolutionize cosmetic surgery, but pain control measures must be a high priority for the device to be used at an effective fluence, said Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., of Dermatology Associates/Cosmetic Laser Associates of San Diego County.
New Orleans - Restoring the primary structural arcs of the face through facial fat rebuilding is a more effective alternative to conventional cosmetic surgery of the aging face, Lisa M. Donofrio, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Paris - While prevention is the best strategy for managing bleeding complications of cutaneous reconstruction, when that fails, a favorable outcome is still likely given proper care, David Zloty, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.
Paris - Tincture of time can be better than any early intervention for optimizing scar appearance, but various surgical and nonsurgical techniques, when used at appropriate intervals, can be effective for hastening that process or addressing lesions that remain unacceptable after following a wait-and-see approach, Neil Swanson, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.
Paris - Refinements and advances in flap techniques used to repair nasal defects after skin cancer surgery have been valuable for improving flap survival and cosmetic outcomes, even of large defects, Marc D. Brown, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.
Los Angeles - Laser pretreatment dramatically increases the transdermal delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU, according to Dr. Kuo-Hsien Wang, M.D. who presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology annual meeting. "This method has potential for the treatment of cutaneous malignant diseases and precancerous lesions, such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and superficial basal cell carcinoma," he said.
Orlando - Cellular energy supplied through substrates of the creatine kinase system accelerates skin repair and healing, reduces sunburn, and protects skin from UV damage. The processes, in turn, can improve skin quality, moisture retention, and suppleness, according to Nadim Shaath, Ph.D., president of Alpha Research and Development Ltd., White Plains, N.Y.
Los Angeles - The use of lipid-lowering drugs may inhibit the development of melanoma, according to results of two separate studies presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.
Los Angeles - Cholesterol, in keratinocytes, has the capacity to prevent ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation-induced gene expression, according to results of research conducted by German researcher Jean Krutmann, M.D., and colleagues.
Ann Arbor, Mich. - An allogeneic melanoma vaccine - Melacine, made by Corixa Corp. - might provide a survival benefit in node-negative melanoma patients expressing specific HLA class I antigens, according to recent reports.
Los Angeles - Go ahead, let them see you sweat. In addition to regulating the body's temperature, sweat is antibacterial, Masamoto Murakami, M.D., Ph.D., said here at the annual meeting of the Society of Investigative Dermatology.
Paris - Topical 1 percent ciclopiroxolamine cream is a safe and effective treatment for mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis, according to research presented at the World Congress of Dermatology.
New York - Dermatologists would be called upon to provide differential diagnoses if someone had symptoms of what might be smallpox, according to colleagues versed in bioterrorism.
Paris - Combination topical treatment with urea 40 percent plus an antifungal offers an "a-peeling" approach for successful management of moccasin tinea pedis, Boni E. Elewski, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.
Q. Is mineral oil comedogenic? A. Mineral oil is one of the most common ingredients in skincare products and colored cosmetics. It is a lightweight inexpensive oil that is odorless and tasteless. One of the common concerns regarding the use of mineral oil is its presence on several lists of comedogenic substances.
Los Angeles - Cutaneous atrophy, the bane of topical corticosteroid treatment, may have met its match in a thyroid hormone analogue, according to Jan Faergemann, M.D., Ph.D.
Paris - Increased understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms involved in angiogenesis has suggested new targets for treating a number of dermatological and other diseases, and many compounds affecting angiogenesis are in clinical trials. However, questions remain to be answered about potential strategies for optimizing the efficacy of pro- and anti-angiogenic interventions and the safety of these novel treatments, Peter Carmeliet, Ph.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.
