This 1-mile walk benefits the Humane Society of Greater Miami and Adopt-a-Pet. Come out and join other UM animal lovers and bring your dog to share in the fun, fellowship and food. To sign up or for more information, contact the Office of Community Relations, 305-243-3453 or communityrelations@med.miami.edu.

In April 2006, New York Yankees pitcher Scott Proctor and his wife Carrie had to endure one of the worst fears a parent can face - their youngest child Mary Elizabeth (lovingly known as M.E.), who was only weeks old, needed emergency heart surgery to fix a narrowing in her aorta. After M.E.’s diagnosis, Scott and Carrie sought the best physicians specializing in children’s heart disease and they found them at the Miller School of Medicine where M.E. was treated and cured by the Department of Pediatrics’ Children’s Heart Center. M.E.’s Team, founded by the Proctor Family in September 2006, is dedicated to improving the lives of children with heart disease. Funds from M.E.’s Team will support the Children’s Heart Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

On Sunday, join the team and enjoy the opportunity to meet Scott Proctor and bid on fabulous New York Yankees Sports Memorabilia from Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, Ron Guidry, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Don Mattingly, Alex Rodriguez, and others. You can also enter a raffle for four spring training tickets to a game of your choice while you enjoy complimentary refreshments and giveaways.

All proceeds will benefit M.E.’s Team at the Children’s Heart Center in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. For more information about this event and/or M.E.’s Team, please call the Department of Pediatrics Office of Advancement at 305-243-3956 or e-mail at pedschairman@med.miami.edu.

CME Transcripts
Did you know you can view and download your CME transcripts online?  Visit the Continuing Medical Education web page at www.cme.med.miami.edu and click on the CME transcript link. 

CME Listings
See which UM Miller School of Medicine-sponsored CME activities are being held on or off campus by visiting the CME webpage at www.cme.med.miami.edu.  View a listing of upcoming CME activities that outline the conference topics, speakers, objectives, target audience and credits offered.

Online Registration
Go to www.cme.med.miami.edu and click on the conferences link.  Find the event, register, and pay online. A confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail address upon successful processing of your registration. 

The classes will begin when enough people have enrolled. Prices range from $26 for students to $34 for non-members for Salsa and Latin dance, and from $74 to $99 for belly dance. Call 305-243-7606 to be placed on a waiting list or for more information.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Peter Raposo at 305-243-6783 or visit our website at http://calder.med.miami.edu/biomed/.

UM Ethics Programs expect to award from three to six Arsht Ethics Research Grants for as much as $50,000 each. A university-wide ethics review board has been formed to review applications. Faculty-student teams are requested to submit proposals.
 
For more information, including the full Call for Proposals and a list of ethics advisory board members, visit www.miami.edu/ethics and follow links for "Arsht Initiatives" and "Research," or e-mail ethics@miami.edu. The deadline for applications is Feb. 21.

Deadline for receipt of applications is February 28. For guidelines and application forms please contact Zulema Rivero at 305-243-9528 or by e-mail at zrivero@med.miami.edu.

The Miller School of Medicine designates this for a maximum of 18.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits. View the brochure online at http://www.med.miami.edu/med/education/cme/documents/OBGYNbrochure-FINAL.pdf. For more information, call 305-585-5131 or e-mail dscott2@med.miami.edu.

A directory of BPECN optometrists can be found at http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/Optometrists.pdf. A referral is not required to see a BPECN optometrist and you may call the BPECN optometrist directly to schedule a visit. Please note that eye wear (contacts, glasses) is not covered under this benefit. In order to see an ophthalmologist, please review your health care plan.

For more information on the vision care benefit, contact the BPECN at 305-243-9999.

The deadline to apply is March 30. For an application and additional information, please contact Cristina Llanos at 305-243-6292 or via e-mail at: cllanos@med.miami.edu.

Liz is already teaching "Pilates with Reformer" classes Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Medical Wellness Center. Classes are limited to nine participants and daily enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Members should report to our membership office no more than 30 minutes prior to the start of each class to pay for that day's session and these classes are open only to Wellness Center members. As an introductory offer, you can join for $12 per class, although prices are subject to change.

Liz Caravia has appeared on Oprah, 60 Minutes and Despierta America as a trainer to the stars. For more information call 305-243-7600 or e-mail medwellness@med.miami.edu.

Join us this Thursday at noon in the Coral Gables Professional Development Training Room in the Max Orovitz building to learn more about this campaign from Elizabeth Schy, R.N., B.S.N., and Yvette Bueno, M.A., with Humana.

Please RSVP by tomorrow to eschy@humana.com or by calling 305-626-5723.

Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register. A light lunch will be provided.  Seating is limited. 

The sciences of assisted reproduction and solid organ transplantation – both traditional sources of ethical and political controversy –  intersect in recent animal research exploring the feasibility of human uterus transplantation. There is only one reported case of the procedure in humans, in Saudi Arabia in 2002. Now a number of medical centers, including the University of Miami’s, are considering programs to provide uterus transplants, fostering intense interest and debate.

Tzakis will speak on "Research and Reproduction: The Case of Uterus Transplants" at noon in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, fifth-floor auditorium. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call 305-243-5723 or e-mail ethics@miami.edu.

Continuing medical education credits are available for this lecture, with 1.5 CMEs or CEUs for practicing physicians, psychologists, and social workers.

For more information, please contact Carmen Bou-Crick, 305-355-9073 or cbou@med.miami.edu.

General admission tickets are $100 pre-order and $125 at the door. Reserve a VIP table for 10 for $2,000. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.transplantfoundation.org or call 305-817-5645.

For information, please call Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard at 305-243-4656 or e-mail at saagaard@miami.edu.

Dr. Manoharan will also provide free prostate cancer screenings to include PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams on from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Friday. Screenings are by appointment only.  Please call 1-800-545-2292 for an appointment.

Continuing medical education credits are available for this lecture, with 1.5 CMEs or CEUs for practicing physicians, psychologists, and social workers.

For more information, please contact Carmen Bou-Crick, 305-355-9073 or cbou@med.miami.edu.

The day’s events are focused on the next generation of scientists and the faculty who are currently training them. To register, send an e-mail to ScienceAlliance@nyas.org with Miami in the subject line and include your name and affiliation in the body of the e-mail.

For more information visit www.nyas.org/events/eventDetail.asp?eventID=7593&date=2/16/2007%208:30:00%20AM.

If any faculty members have interest in judging oral or poster presentations for both clinical and basic science research conducted by M.D. and Ph.D. students, contact Isabel Perez at 305-575-7000 ext. 3722 or via e-mail at iperez4@med.miami.edu.

Since 1992, the sentinel node technique has been performed in a wide range of solid malignancies. This third meeting will have a special emphasis on sentinel node biopsy for cancer of the oral cavity and head and neck melanoma and other cutaneous lesions, including discussion of cutting edge technical innovations as well as sessions on radioguided parathyroid surgery, PET probe-guided surgery, rapid PCR analysis of sentinel nodes, and biologic predictors of early metastases.

A poster session, proffered papers, and exhibits will provide an opportunity for networking and scientific exchange. In addition, an optional hands-on laboratory involving injection and sentinel node biopsy of the head and neck is offered.

Tuition remission is available for UM faculty and staff. You can register online at http://www.thirdsnb.com or for more information contact Kathy Salce at 305-243-1046 or ksalce@med.miami.edu.

Please RSVP by March 1 to mcoombs@law.miami.edu if you wish to attend.

To learn more visit http://peds2.med.miami.edu/mailman/mailman.htm and click on Medical Issues and the Growing Child Conference – Part B. For more details please call Wanda Denise Castro at 305-243-4466 or wcastro@med.miami.edu.

 The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is conducting a federally funded HIV behavioral intervention research study for women and their partners, the New Opportunities for Women 2 (NOW 2) Project. The project will address topics related to safer sex, sexual risk reduction, STDs and communication skills. The NOW 2 Project is currently recruiting English-speaking couples, in which one or both individuals must be HIV positive. Participants must be 18 years or older, willing to be tested for STDs, and answer personal questions in a confidential interview. Women and men who participate may each receive compensation of up to $360 for an entire year of participation (this includes attendance at all interviews, examinations and sessions). If interested, please contact Arnetta Phillips or Jackie Gomez, at 305-243-2103, or (aphillips@yahoo.com / jgomez4@med.miami.edu).

The Center for Liver Diseases is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• Patients with chronic liver disease
This studies the correlation between liver histology and elasticity measured in patients with chronic liver disease using a device known as Fibroscan. This is a painless, non-invasive test. Qualifying patient must have received a laparoscopic liver biopsy within the past two months or scheduled a laparoscopic liver biopsy within the next two months by their PCP at Cedars Medical Center-Miami. This is a one time visit. Liver cancer patients are excluded. Contact: Zvi Leibovici at 305-243-2330 or zleibovici@med.miami.edu.

• Determining the relation of an elevated HBV DNA in hepatitis B patients
This is a chart review on hepatitis B subjects to determine the relation of an elevated HBV DNA and normal liver function tests to the histological findings of the liver biopsy. The study requires the subject has a previous liver biopsy between 2003-2006. They must also see the research team to obtain a hepatitis B serology panel, liver function tests (ALT and AST), and HBV viral load. Subjects must be more than 18 years old, have a documented laboratory diagnosis of HBV infection of at least six months, treatment naïve patient, and a documented HBV DNA. For further information, contact Zvi Leibovici at 305-243-2330, or e-mail at zleibovici@med.miami.edu.

• Patients with cirrhosis of the liver as a result of hepatitis B 
This is a phase III b protocol comparing entecavir vs. adefovir in chronic hepatitis B subjects with evidence of hepatic decompensation. Subjects must have cirrhosis because of hepatitis B infection, never been treated for hepatitis B or treated with lamivudine (epivir) only, and do not have HIV, hepatitis C or D. For further information please call: 305)-243-6939, or e-mail the study  coordinator, Connie Higgins at: chiggins@med.miami.edu.

• Patients with hepatic encephalopathy
This study will compare Lactulose and Rifaximin to determine the benefit of either drug, or a combination of both. We will be enrolling patients with cirrhosis of the liver and a history of a previous hospitalization for hepatic encephalopathy. Patients will be followed for six months and a one-month post-treatment. Contact Macy Ho, CRC 305-243-4648 or e-mail Mho@med.miami.edu.

• Vaccine test in patients with chronic hepatitis C
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a phase I, double-blind, placebo controlled, dose escalation, multi-center trial of a therapeutic vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Subject must be > 18, have no hypersensitivity to baker's yeast, non-cirrhotic, compensated liver disease, and must have received a liver biopsy within the past two years or be willing to have one performed. Subjects can be naïve to previous treatment, or a relapser or partial responder to an interferon-based treatment. Must meet other criteria as well. Contact Macy Ho at 305-243-4648 or mho@med.miami.edu.

• Study of three treatments
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a phase 2, double-blind, multi-center, randomized research study in HBV decompensated subjects. Adult subjects with CPT score of 7-12 and no history of HCC will be assigned to one of the three treatment arms: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), emtricitabine plus tenofovir disprocil fumarate (FTC/TDF) or entecavir (ETV). Patients can be on lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil. Must meet other criteria. Contact clinical research coordinator Karina Herrera at 305-243-2148 or at kherrera@med.miami.edu.

• Study of liver diseases
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a Phase II study for men and women, investigational oral medication for liver scarring caused by chronic hepatitis C. Subjects must be between 40 and 70 years old, have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, have failed prior hepatitis C therapy with interferon and ribavirin treatments, which must have been discontinued at least 12 months ago. Study staff will review additional criteria if you are interested in learning more. The study should last approximately 56 weeks with 14 clinic visits. Contact Macy Ho, CRC 305-243-4648 or Mho@med.miami.edu

Do you or does someone you know experience pain related to spinal cord injury? Eva Widerström-Noga, Ph.D., and her colleagues are conducting research into the nature and treatment of pain associated with spinal cord injury. Studies are enrolling now.  Eligible participants will be 18 to 70 years of age and at least two years post-injury.  If you are interested in enrolling, please call The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at 305-243-8132 for information.

Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology, is looking for people between the ages of 18 and 39 who have mild to severe acne to participate in a research study to determine whether use of an investigational topical treatment will improve acne.  If you are interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788.

The Department of Psychology is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• A schizophrenia family study 
Have you or one of your relatives been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Are you in regular contact with this person? If so, you and your family may be eligible to participate in a free family-focused treatment research study. During the treatment, clinicians will provide factual information about schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. In addition, techniques to assist the family in coping with mental illness will be presented. Treatment is available in English and Spanish. If interested, please contact the Schizophrenia Family Project at 305-284-5455.

• A family factors and autism study
The aim of this project is to better understand families’ emotional reactions to autism spectrum disorders. We seek the participation of adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s and one of his or her parents. Participation will involve one hour-long telephone call. If you would like to help with this study or if you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Wasserman at 305-284-2307.

Researchers at the MRI Center need healthy subjects for a magnetic resonance imaging study. For more information, please visit http://midas.med.miami.edu/Research/MRStudies.htm.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are being recruited for a study of effects of sildenafil on exercise and breathlessness. Participants must have a firm clinical diagnosis of IPF, be 40 to 85 years of age, and not be on medication for IPF. Interested patients or physicians wishing to refer patients should call 305-575-3548, fax 305-575-3126, or e-mail rjackson2@med.miami.edu.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is testing experimental medications and therapies for the treatment of cervical dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition that can lead to cancer if left untreated. Current treatments are surgical or invasive. This study is testing an investigational gene therapy to see if it safely and effectively treats HPV medicated cervical lesions as a result of dysplasia. If you are between 18 and 25 and have had an abnormal PAP test, you may be able to take part in this research study. Qualified participants will receive all study-related care and study therapy. To find out more, call Iliana Rivas at (305) 243-5832 or i.rivas@miami.edu

The Department of Psychology and the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is conducting a quality of life research intervention with advanced prostate cancer patients. Participants should have Stage III or IV prostate cancer and have recently or currently been treated with hormone therapy. Eligible participants will take part in a ten-week cognitive behavioral stress and affect management program or a health promotions program. Three psychosocial/medical assessments are also required. If you are interested in this study or would like more information, please contact Frank Penedo, Ph.D., at 305-243-3329, or fpenedo@miami.edu.

Daniel Santisteban, Ph.D., of the Center for Family Studies in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is currently conducting a research program that would provide adolescents and/or their family treatment for free. Participants must be 14 to 17 years old, have a parent or legal guardian willing to participate, meet DSM criteria for both substance abuse disorder and borderline personality disorder, and be willing to participate in four separate but paid evaluations. If interested, please contact Maite Mena, Psy., at 305-243-3658, or mmena@med.miami.edu for details. 

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is seeking patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for phase III protocol that will assess the impact of pirfenidone on IPF. Subjects must be between 40 and 80, and have a confirmed diagnosis of IPF within 48 months of randomization. For more information please call: 305-243-3728, or e-mail Emmanuelle Simonet at esimonet@med.miami.edu.

The Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement is conducting research with family caregivers of dementia patients who speak English and are 50 years of age or older. If you are not a caregiver but are interested in participating, you may be able to help as well. Participants will receive basic training on how to use the Internet and will be asked to look for information about care-giving and dementia. If you are interested in being a part of this research study, please call 305-355-9200. You will be paid for your time and effort.

Jennifer B. Marks, M.D., is currently recruiting patients ages 18 through 40 with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a recent diagnosis for participation in a research study to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication. Patients must be taking multiple insulin injections daily and in good health. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573 or rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, directed by Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• A phase I IL-7 study (IL-7 is a cytokine that aids T-cell development and improves T-cell survival). Participants must be 18 to 50 years of age, receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months, have an HIV-1 RNA level less than or equal to 50,000 copies/ml, and have a CD4 cell count of 100 cells/ccm or higher. Participants must be willing to do 12-hour IL-7 blood level monitoring. Up to $200 in food certificates provided.

• An investigational CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) entry inhibitor for patients with HIV. The study will look at single dose, dose escalations of a study drug (0.5 mg, 2.0 mg and 5.0 mg) and a placebo. The study will determine how well the study drug blocks CCR5 receptors and is tolerated. Participants must be 18 and older, not taking antiretroviral therapy for at least three months and have a viral load greater than 5,000 and a CD4 count greater than 250. Must be willing to do six-hour drug level monitoring. Up to $250 provided.

For more information on studies conducted by the AIDS Clinical Research Unit, contact Juan at 305-243-3838 or Leslie at L.Thompson@miami.edu.

The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently recruiting women 45 to 60 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test, and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330 or via e-mail at aherrin@med.miami.edu.

The University of Miami Skin Research Group, directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., is looking for people with acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and keloids. Participants should be 18 or older for the acne and keloid studies and ages 2 to 17 for the atopic dermatitis studies. If interested, please contact the research staff at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at http://www.skininvestigation.com/.

Bruce Rubin, M.D., is currently performing a study on trigeminal neuralgia (TN) treatment with subcutaneous injections of BOTOX® to evaluate the effectiveness of treating facial pain associated with TN. Patients must have a diagnosis of TN for more than three months and be at least 18 years of age.
 
Dr. Rubin is also seeking patients for a research study on the treatment of tightness/spasticity in the wrist, fingers, and elbow caused by a stroke while evaluating the effect of BOTOX® on pulmonary functioning. Patients must be 18 years of age, have had a stroke six months ago or longer, have a pulmonary/breathing problem and cannot have used BOTOX® or any other botulinum toxin previously for any condition. Please contact Amy L. Kaye, ARNP, at 305-243-6223 for additional information on either of these studies.