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Vaccine, antibody combo effective for melanoma
March 4th 2008Boston - A study conducted by researchers at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute suggests that combining periodic infusions of antibodies with a commonly used cancer vaccine is more effective and less harsh for cancer patients, including those with melanoma, than using either treatment alone, HealthDay News reports.
Researchers call Th17 immune cells primary regulators of psoriasis
March 4th 2008New York - Researchers at Rockefeller University here say that Th17, a recently discovered immune cell, may play a key role in psoriasis - and that it occurs in psoriasis patients in significantly higher concentrations than it does in healthy people, news source PhysOrg.com reports.
Rejuvenation: Ablative, nonablative fractional options expanding
March 1st 2008Key developments in facial rejuvenation techniques that promote new collagen induction include the introduction of fractional ablative lasers, as well as the advent of adjunctive treatments including LEDs, fillers and topical agents, an expert says.
Herbal topicals: 'Natural' products can be useful, but term can be misleading
March 1st 2008Today more dermatologists are using herbal topicals to treat dermatitis as well as other dermatological conditions. However, herbs are graded by the term "herbal actions" and there are 47 different types of herbal actions, and it can get complicated, according to Helen M. Torok, M.D., Medical Director, of Trillium Creek Dermatology & Surgery, Medina, Ohio.
Investigators find new triggers for contact dermatitis
March 1st 2008Recent research into contact dermatitis is providing new information about the causes of the disease-and new hope for more effective treatment. The ever-increasing amount of synthetics being developed, however, makes such research a daunting task indeed.
Study supports safety of TCIs for tx of atopic dermatitis
March 1st 2008Ongoing research, in particular case-controlled studies, supports the safety of using topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), particular as long-term intermittent therapy for either mild to moderate or moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
Medical malpractice commentary: Litigation vs. mediation
March 1st 2008Dr. Stress has lost three medical malpractice cases in 10 years. All have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments, mandatory reporting of his losses to the National Practitioner's Data Bank, increases in his insurance premiums, and significant loss of time away from his family and patients while trying to defend these cases.
Probiotics gain favor for woundcare
March 1st 2008Probiotics will likely play a role in woundcare one day. Modulation of immunity via the gut following oral ingestion of probiotics could reduce the risk of wound infection. They may also aid wounds in the presence of biofilms, which are very difficult to eradicate. Since antibiotics are designed to kill single organisms and not clumps, they do not have great efficacy in eradicating biofilms. Dr. Reid has shown that some probiotic organisms can penetrate these biofilms and potentially pave the way for easier eradication.
CA-MRSA contention: Prevalence, transmission study sparks controversy
March 1st 2008A population and genotypic study of the USA300 strain of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) among gay men strongly suggests that the bacteria can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
Commentary: Welcoming the online world of 21st-century banking
March 1st 2008Change doesn't come easy for most of us, especially when it involves money. If you're like me, you still remember the first time you walked into a bank to open an account - the fortress-like building, the prim and proper employees, tellers behind their glassed and barred cages. It was an intimidating experience, but somehow you knew that your money would be safe behind that imposing brass door to the bank vault.
Dispelling the No.1 myth of asset protection
March 1st 2008Certainly, asset protection planning is a crucial part of a client's wealth planning today - especially for physicians. Everyone acknowledges that there is some risk of a beyond-insurance limits lawsuit for any doctor. If this is true, and proper asset protection may actually help you BUILD wealth, then such planning cannot be ignored.
Q & A: Demystifying 529 Savings Plans
March 1st 2008The basic premise is that anyone can contribute to a 529 plan, regardless of age or income. This includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a trust, a guardian, a committee, a trustee, an executor, an administrator or any person acting in a fiduciary capacity. Local governments and some nonprofit organizations may also participate.