Archives for January 2009
Skin Color Studies On Tadpoles Lead To Cancer Advance
The humble tadpole could provide the key to developing effective anti-skin cancer drugs, thanks to a groundbreaking discovery by researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA). The scientists have identified a compound which, when introduced into Xenopus Laevis tadpoles, blocks the movement of the pigment cells that give the tadpoles their [...]
Medline Physician Education Program On Pressure Ulcer Prevention To Help Hospitals Comply With New CMS Reimbursement Policy
In an effort to help hospitals comply with the recently enacted Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule, Medline Industries, Inc. today introduced a new educational CD to instruct physicians on assessing [...]
NICE Skin Cancer Guidance Causing Rise In GP Referrals To Dermatology Departments, UK
NICE’s contentious skin cancer guidance seems to be triggering a steep increase in hospital activity throughout the UK, according to an article published by Pulse. During the last nine months of 2008 GP dermatology referrals rose by 24% compared the same period in 2007 (figures gathered from 30 NHS acute trusts). This means [...]
UV Light-Enhanced Tooth Bleaching Is Not Only A Con, But Is Dangerous To Your Eyes And Skin
UV light-enhanced tooth bleaching is not only a con, but is dangerous to your eyes and skin, says a Royal Society of Chemistry journal. The light treatment gives absolutely no benefit over bleaching without UV, and damages skin and eyes up to four times as much as sunbathing, reports a study in [...]
Traditional Skin Branding Practice Leads To Fatal Injuries
Doctors in the West are being alerted to the potentially fatal side-effects of the fashion trend for tattooing the skin with a hot metal brand. A new report published in Journal of Medical Case Reports presents four cases of people who received branding on their skin and suffered severe medical side-effects. Two of [...]
FDA Grants IND Status To Clinuvel’s Photoprotective Afamelanotide
Melbourne-based Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: CUV; XETRA-DAX: UR9; ADR: CLVLY) today announced that it has obtained Investigational New Drug (IND) status for its photoprotective drug afamelanotide from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinuvel can now commence clinical trials in the US, the world’s largest pharmaceutical market. This extends Clinuvel’s [...]
“Tan Jab” Linked To Rapidly Changing Moles, Warn Experts
Melanotan (an unlicensed medicine dubbed the “tan jab”) can cause rapid changes in the appearance of moles, warn skin experts in this week’s BMJ. There are two types of Melanotan - Melanotan I and Melanotan II. They work by increasing the levels of melanin (the body’s natural pigment that protects us [...]
Promius Pharma, LLC Launches Scytera™ (Coal Tar) Foam 2% For Treatment Of Psoriasis
Promius Pharma, LLC, has launched Scytera™ (coal tar) Foam 2% for the treatment of chronic psoriasis, a skin disease that affects approximately 7.5 million Americans according to The National Psoriasis Foundation. Scytera Foam delivers coal tar in a cosmetically-elegant, patient-pleasing foam vehicle. Scytera Foam was launched at the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference in [...]
Cosmetic Procedures For Children Pose Ethical Dilemmas
More children than ever are undergoing medical procedures for nonmedical purposes-breast enhancement and liposuction, as well as “Westernizing” eye surgery for Asian children and cosmetic interventions to correct physical deformities. An essay set in the current issue of the Hastings Center Report examines what-if any-justifications there are for parents to consent to changing their child’s [...]
Trius Completes Enrollment In Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Torezolid (TR-701) In Patients With Complicated Skin And Skin Structure Infections
Trius Therapeutics, Inc. announced the completion of enrollment in its randomized, double-blind Phase 2 clinical trial testing the oral dosage form of torezolid (also known as TR-701) in patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). The trial, which was conducted in 12 clinical sites in the United States, examined the efficacy and safety [...]