Lage had previously been appointed to a one-year term to fill a vacancy on the board by former Governor Jeb Bush. This will be her first full term.

She is the only pediatrician and the only Hispanic female serving on the board. Lage also chairs the rules and legislative committee. “I’m happy to serve in this role and to be  a voice for not only the citizens of this state, but particularly for the children and adolescents of the state of Florida,” Lage says. Her new term started March 16 and will run through October 31, 2010.

The registration fee includes the race, two T-shirts, and an optional pre-race training program compliments of your Medical Wellness Center, a post-race party, raffle prizes and a Team UM awards ceremony. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the department with the most participants (family and friends are welcome) will win a pizza party!

Not a member of the Medical Wellness Center? If you register for the Corporate Walk/Run and become a member of the Medical Wellness Center you will receive a promotional 50% discount on your first month of membership. To sign up for a membership, please visit the Medical Wellness Center membership office Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 305-243-7604.

Already a member of the Medical Wellness Center? Members who participate in the Corporate Walk/Run will have access to the exclusive Corporate Walk/Run Group Training Classes led by your Medical Wellness Center coaches. These classes will be held at the Medical Wellness Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning and afternoon. Members who attend 9 of the 12 classes will be entered in a one-month membership raffle that will be announced at the Corporate Run.

In addition, each Monday we will offer a short seminar on a variety of topics. These will be free for members and non-members alike. Upon completion of each seminar the PowerPoint presentation will be available for download. Seminars include: March 26: Understand Heart Rate; April 2: Resistance Training for Endurance; April 9: Taking Care of Your Body; April 16: Environmental Factors; April 23: How to Pace Yourself using Heart Rate; April 30: Race Day - Overview/Last Minute Reminders (Final Questions).

To view the suggested full training program, log on to www.wellness.med.miami.edu. For more information about registering for the Corporate Walk/Run under Team UM, contact cjohnson7@med.miami.edu. For more information about the Corporate Walk/Run “pre-race training program,” contact jtorrens@med.miami.edu.

Emergency grants are available for equipment for up to $20,000, or bridge funding for ongoing research projects for up to $25,000. These applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis (due the 25th of each month). Criteria for a successful proposal include the strength of the research, the availability of cost sharing, in-kind support and/or matching funds, and the prospect for future extramural funding resulting from the SAC grant. 

The proposals for pilot and emergency funds (bridge and equipment), including appendix material, should be submitted electronically to Maria Valero-Martinez at mvalero@med.miami.edu and prepared according to standard guidelines found at www.miami.edu/research/SAC. The application form for the different categories can be downloaded from the web site.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, and they give you a chance to win a four-day, three-night stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, a two-night weekend stay at the Conrad Hotel and Residences, two eighth-row tickets to see the Miami Heat play the Toronto Raptors, including a parking pass, an all-day private boat charter on which you and two friends can choose your adventure on board a 25-foot Mako, four first-tier box seats to a piano recital from the Concert Association of Florida, and fifty other prizes, including discounts to numerous South Florida restaurants.

The drawing is March 26 and you do not need to be present to win. Every raffle ticket purchase comes with a complimentary copy of Making the Assist: Caring for Those with Cancer, by UM’s own Dr. J. David Pitcher, Jr. (a $17.99 value!). You can also contact Seth Miller at smiller1@med.miami.edu or 610-451-7982, or Bob Jeske at rjeske@med.miami.edu to purchase tickets at other times.

For more information or to sign up, please call 305-243-6256.

The University is introducing a new retirement plan, the Retirement Savings Plan, which will be the only plan available to faculty and staff whose date of employment is on or after June 1, 2007. Faculty and staff in existing retirement plans will be given a one-time opportunity to elect to stay in their current plan or begin earning benefits in the new RSP. The election is irrevocable and becomes effective June 1. Regardless of your election, you will not lose benefits you have already earned in your existing retirement plan.

Participants in the existing retirement plans must make their retirement plan election by midnight, April 6, at myum.miami.edu.

The University will be holding a series of information sessions on the new retirement plan. For a list of information sessions visit www.miami.edu/benefits/InformationalSessions.pdf. For a list of frequently asked questions concerning the plan, visit https://www6.miami.edu/benefits/RSP-FAQs.pdf. If you have further questions, contact Benefits Administration at newretplan@miami.edu.

A representative from TIAA-CREF will be at the University of Miami March 27 and 29. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-842-2003, ext. 3522.

A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus March 27 to answer financial questions about its retirement plans. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131.

And a representative from VALIC will be at the University of Miami on March 30, April 18 and May 16 to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appoint please call Brad at 786-205-5617 or 1-800-892-5558 ext. 89413, or e-mail brad_baumgartner@aigvalic.com.

All meetings will take place in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., Suite D.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have some tips for increasing your fruit and vegetable consumption. Start the day with whole fruits or vegetables. Slice bananas or strawberries on top of your cereal. Have a salad with lunch and carrot sticks for an afternoon snack. Include a vegetable with dinner and you already have about five cups of fruits and vegetables. Try adding a piece of fruit for a snack or an extra vegetable at dinner.

There are so many choices when selecting fruits and vegetables so try something new that helps you reach your goal. Keep things fresh and interesting by combining fruits and vegetables of different flavors and colors, like red grapes with pineapple chunks, or tomatoes and yellow peppers. When you keep fruits and vegetables visible and easily accessible you tend to eat them more; for instance, store cleaned produce at eye-level in the refrigerator, or keep a big bowl of fruit on the table. And look for fruits and vegetables at restaurants, too.

To start taking action for your health, utilize the preventive programs available to you here at UM, including the Coral Gables and Medical Wellness Centers and the Walking Canes Program. Humana members may call a personal nurse at 877-416-8773, ext. 8542 or ext. 8462, for health coaching and guidance.

For additional information, please check these web links:
• http://www6.miami.edu/wellness
• http://wellness.med.miami.edu
• http://www.eatright.org
• http://www.5aday.gov

For further help and information, please contact Travel Management at 305-284-1087.

To verify/update your information, log on to https://myum.miami.edu using your CANEID. Once you have logged on, select "Verify Address and Other Information" on the right side under the "Personal and Biographical Info" heading. Check the "Verify" box next to each item to confirm the information is correct or click the "Change your...." and change the information on the Update page, then click "Submit" to record your changes. Once all items are verified, click the "Submit" button on the bottom of the Verify/Update page to complete the verification process. Changes to your information will be made immediately, however, there may be a slight delay in processing work title and supervisor changes.

Routine physicals/labs, once a year after age 16; routine immunizations, visit www.miami.edu/benefits for vaccine guidelines; HPV vaccine, three doses for females age 9-26; well child care up to age 16; well woman exam, once a year after age 16; breast cancer screening, mammogram every one to two years beginning at age 40; cervical  cancer screening, Pap test after age 21 at the latest, then every three years after age 30 if you show three negative results in a row; prostate cancer screening, PSA and digital rectal examination annually after age 45; osteoporosis screening beginning at age 60, every two years; colorectal cancer screening at age 50 and over, annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, colonoscopy every ten years, and a double barium enema every five years.

These recommendations assume you have no symptoms or diagnosis of an illness or disease. If you have symptoms or a diagnosis of a disease or illness, your provider may make other recommendations.

In order to facilitate the zero co-pay and zero deductible for these services, please have your provider's office call the Humana customer service number on the back of your membership card and take your Summary of Benefits with you to your appointment. Your Summary of Benefits can be printed out from the MyHumana website. You may also want to print this page and take it to your preventive care visits.

A01 Staff - http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,13610-1;11502-3,00.html

A03 Staff - http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,13610-1;11354-3,00.html

A06 Staff - http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,13610-1;14437-3,00.html

If you have any questions about Human Resources policies, please contact Medical Human Resources at 305-243-6482.

Users who have previously saved Ovid searches need to transfer their saved searches and auto alerts. Once the new personal account is established, users need to ask the Library’s systems department to transfer all saved material into their newly created personal account. It is necessary to provide the systems department with the existing username and the newly-created username. Transfer normally takes twenty-four hours. For additional information or to request the transfer of saved searches or auto alerts, please e-mail caldersystems@med.miami.edu or contact the systems department at 305-243-5530.

Wednesday, March 21, workshop 1, 9 a.m. to noon: "Making Sense of DNA and Protein Sequences." We will find a gene within a eukaryotic DNA sequence, then predict the function of the implied protein product by seeking sequence similarities to proteins of documented function using BLAST and other tools.

Workshop 2, 1 to 4 p.m.: "Identification of Disease Genes." This mini-course deals with the identification of a disease gene using NCBI's human genome assembly.

Thursday, March 22, workshop 3, 9 a.m. to noon: "Correlating Disease Genes and Phenotypes." We will learn to determine what is known about a disease and the gene associated with it. We will then elucidate the biochemical and structural basis for the phenotype caused by the mutant protein.

Workshop 4, 1 to 4 p.m.: "Structure Analysis Quick Start." This course covers how to visualize and annotate 3D protein structures using NCBI's Cn3D, identify conserved domain(s) present in a protein, search for other proteins containing similar domain(s), explore a 3D modeling template for the query protein and find distant sequence homologs that may not be identified by BLAST.

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.

For further information please visit www.jayweisscenter.org, or call Maria Pieiga at 305-243-8893.

Two sessions are being offered today, from 3 to 4:15 p.m., and from 4:30  to 5:45 p.m., both in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium. No RSVP or registration is needed.

For further information, please contact mvalero@med.miami.edu.

Contact PDTO at 305-243-3090 for more information.

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.

This activity has been approved for 1.0 CME/CEUs for physicians, psychologists, and social workers.

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

Join us Thursday, March 22, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in room 155 of the Dominion Parking
Garage. This talk is also available on the Coral Gables campus on Tuesday, March 20, from 12:15  to 1:15 pm in the Max Orovitz Building, room 139.

For either seminar, register on-line at http://netlearning.miami.edu. For help with registration, call 305-284-5110.

For more information or to RSVP please call 305-326-6047 or jshum@med.miami.edu.

For additional information please contact Maria Penton at 305-243-6691 or e-mail mpenton@med.miami.edu.

Physicians, psychologists, and social workers can earn 1.0 CME/CEU.

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

Please RSVP by e-mailing eschy@humana.com or calling 305-626-5723 by the day before the talks, as space is limited.

Dr. Ghosh will speak on Thursday, March 29, at 4 p.m. in RMSB room 3109.

For more information or to RSVP please call 305-326-6047 or jshum@med.miami.edu.

You can purchase tickets online at http://www.coralgableswineandfood.com or by calling the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA.

The festival is presented by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

Prior to joining the USPSTF, Dr. Barton was on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on access to cancer screening for vulnerable populations within managed care systems, benefits and harms of prophylactic mastectomy in women at elevated risk for breast cancer, the impact of false positive mammography readings, and the decision-making process of stopping mammography and pap smear testing in the elderly. She is also a nationally-known expert on the clinical breast exam. This activity is eligible for one hour of CME credit and a light lunch will be served. For more information please call the Institute for Women's Health at 305-243-2576.

For more information or to RSVP please call 305-326-6047 or jshum@med.miami.edu.

The shotgun tee off will be at noon on Wednesday, May 16. It costs $350 for a players spot and $300 to be a tee/green sponsor. For reservations, please call the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at 954-964-4040 or 800-321-3437. All proceeds benefit the Diabetes Research Institute.

• Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Do you experience heavy menstrual bleeding on two to five days of your regular menstrual period? Does heavy menstrual bleeding keep you from your normal social and work activities? If you answered yes to these questions, you may qualify for a research study of an investigational drug for heavy menstrual bleeding. This investigational drug is not a hormone. You must be a generally healthy woman between ages 18 and 49, have regular menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding, and not have any other bleeding disorder.

Qualified participants will receive the study drug and study-related procedures including physical exams, electrocardiograms, eye exams and laboratory tests at no cost. They will also receive compensation for time and travel. For more information, please contact Marisol Sloane at 305-243-1616.

• Hot Flashes

Are hot flashes making you miserable? You’re not alone. As many as 85% of postmenopausal women experience the discomfort of hot flashes -- sudden sensations of heat, often accompanied by sweating, racing pulse, and anxiety. If you’re suffering from hot flashes, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is conducting a clinical research trial studying a non-hormonal investigational drug to see if it may relieve hot flashes. If you are a postmenopausal woman experiencing bothersome hot flashes with sweating every day you may be eligible to participate. Qualified participants will receive at no charge study-related medical examinations, laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, investigational medication and compensation for travel costs to doctors’ visits. For more information, please contact Marisol Sloane at 305-243-1616.

• HPV Vaccination

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is conducting a clinical research study comparing an investigational cervical cancer vaccine to the newly FDA-approved cervical cancer vaccine (Gardasil). The study requires 8 visits in a 2-year period. Please refer interested patients who are 18 to 45 years old, in good health and who have not previously been vaccinated against HPV/cervical cancer, to the OB/GYN Research Department at 305-243-5832 (Option 6).

Jay Skyler, M.D., and Jennifer Marks, M.D., from the Diabetes Research Institute, are currently recruiting patients 18 years of age and older with type 1 diabetes mellitus for participation in research studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of inhaled insulin. Patients must be taking multiple insulin injections daily, be non-smokers and in good health. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573 or rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

Robert Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D., vice chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, is looking for people with foot ulcers as a complication of diabetes or venous insufficiency. Please contact Carol Kittles at 305-243-8485 for additional information on these studies.

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.

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.