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In ancient times, relay systems and runners delivered official mail over many miles. In the United States, as the population and geographic size expanded and literacy became the norm, there was a need for a mail delivery system. The establishment of the Post Office and development of a delivery mechanism formalized and greatly expanded the scope and speed of mail delivery. The most recent quantum leap in mail delivery has occurred because of the Internet, which has revolutionized the ways we communicate. E-mail allows us to send and receive information, documents, and images often in a matter of seconds. Our time management is more efficient since we can answer queries and receive responses in a prompt, yet convenient manner.

Washington - The array of effective treatments for actinic keratoses is expanding, and the new and investigational therapeutic modalities were the focus of a number of posters presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Washington - Bexarotene gel appears to be an effective and well-tolerated monotherapy when used as first-line treatment for early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Madeleine Duvic, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Development shows promise in postsurgical milieu by allowing more timely therapeutic intervention

Palm Beach, Fla. - Paraphenylenediamine, or PPD, the main chemical used in permanent hair dye colors, is the third most common cosmetic allergen, preceded by preservatives (No. 1) and fragrances (No. 2), James S. Taylor, M.D., said at annual meeting of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society.

Specific occupations may lend workers to exposure of drugs and chemicals that lead to photodamage hazards

Washington - Among the most hotly debated topics facing dermatologists today is how to address the redistribution of adipose tissue that often occurs in patients with HIV infection. The syndrome, Donald Rudikoff, M.D., told the American Academy of Dermatology audience, is characterized by increased waist-to-hip ratio and central adiposity in 62 percent of patients (Dr. Rudikoff's findings are based on a review of previously published studies). Other manifestations include the appearance of dorsocervical fat pads and loss of fat in areas such as the face, hips, and buttocks, with men being more likely to report fat losses than women.

Geneva - To help dermatologists better understand how to manage melasma, Andreas D. Katsambas, M.D., presented information on the pathogenesis and treatment of the condition at the annual meeting of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Washington - The humanized monoclonal antibody efalizumab, given once weekly subcutaneously, produces profound clinical improvement in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, reported Craig Leonardi, M.D., at the American Academy of Dermatology's 59th annual meeting.

Washington - The results of Phase III clinical trials demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a low-dose oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg and levonorgestrel 100 mcg (Alesse) for the treatment of moderate acne, reported Diane M. Thiboutot, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Contraceptive failure, nonuse cited as primary causes. Meticulous follow-up and documentation is necessary monitoring by prescribing physician

Washington - Although physicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and hospital officials have met with the FDA to discuss shortages of several anesthetics and other drugs, the federal agency has no plans to have a public hearing on the situation, according to an FDA spokesperson.

Miami - The FDA last month issued a health warning concerning two popular anti-fungal drugs used to treat onychomycosis, requiring that labels for Sporanox (Janssen Pharmaceuticals) and Lamisil (Novartis) carry stronger warnings about potential liver damage. Sporanox also must warn against potential heart disease, the administration said.

Miami - At press time, a federal court here was waiting for briefs on closing arguments from lawyers representing the board of directors of the American Academy of Dermatology regarding its invalidation of the election of Sorrel S. Resnik, M.D., to the position of president-elect 2001.

Florida legislation takes first jab in what could be on-going legal battle among specialties across country

Washington - A glycoprotein vaccine has induced significant protection against genital herpes disease in women with no evidence of either herpes simplex virus 1 or HSV 2 infection, said Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., Ph.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Washington - The new 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 0.5 percent topical cream (Carac) indicated for the treatment of actinic keratoses offers more targeted drug delivery along with the potential for a more favorable safety profile than a previously available formulation containing a 10-fold higher concentration of active ingredient, according to results from comparative studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Could partaking of sugar, caffeine, and wine make one more attractive? Cosmetics companies think so - if they go on skin, not in the mouth. The latest skin care products are chock-full of these goodies that promise real benefits. Here's the news.

Washington - A resurgence of interest in the use of fillers as a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery technique has been accompanied by dramatic growth in the number of products available for soft tissue augmentation, Arnold W. Klein, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

New York - Combining biological vaccines with chemotherapy after surgery may increase life expectancies for patients in the most critical stages of melanoma, according to Steven O' Day, M.D., John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, Calif.

Washington - As methotrexate reaches the 50th anniversary of its first use as an antipsoriatic agent, it remains the gold standard for patients whose disease requires systemic treatment, Gerald D. Weinstein, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dapsone, hydroxychloroquine, other agents help stem complications such as bone loss, cataracts, infections

Maui, Hawaii - Rosacea patients and the dermatologists who treat them should be especially mindful of the ingredients found in topical products because they may be a source of significant cutaneous reactions, S. Manjula Jegasothy, M.D., said at the 25th annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar.

Lubbock, Texas - Results of a retrospective study evaluating recurrence rates following successful griseofulvin treatment for tinea capitis confirm what most dermatologists knew from their clinical experience - that the dose of griseofulvin used to treat this fungal infection should be at least 20 mg/kg/day.

Washington - In patients with severe toenail onychomycosis, combination topical and systemic antifungal therapy - consisting of locally applied amorolfine 5 percent nail lacquer plus oral terbinafine or itraconazole - improves response rates and is more cost-effective compared with oral treatment alone, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dear Editor: I am writing to express my concerns and disappointment about Dr. Norman Levine's editorial comments published in the March issue of Dermatology Times ("The elephant in our living room: What is happening to dermatology?"). As co-chairman of the section on communications for the American Academy of Dermatology, no one is more acutely aware of the changing trends in dermatology than I am. Each time we consider implementing a new communications program for the academy, we must consider the interest of the entire membership. This, of course, has become increasingly difficult over the years due to the fact that our specialty now encompasses medically, surgically, and cosmetically oriented dermatologists.

Dear Editor: I am writing in response to the front-page article in your February 2001 issue ("AAD upholds decision to invalidate election"), which reports on the decision of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) board of directors to set aside the results of the election for the position of president-elect for 2001.

Washington - Efforts to regulate office-based surgery and require surgeons who perform cosmetic surgery to have additional credentials will require dermatologists across the country to carefully monitor state legislatures and medical boards, several speakers said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Miami - Officials of the American Academy of Dermatology, underoath here in a U.S. District Court, shed light into the mindset of the boardthat voted to invalidate the president-elect victory of Sorrel S. Resnik,M.D., in November.

Genomic information key to vaccines, novel drugs