The first Monday in May each year is Melanoma Monday in honor of May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month. UMatter wants you to know the facts on skin cancer prevention.

Here are some steps you can take to help decrease the incidence of skin cancers for yourself, your loved ones and the UM community. For a list of free skin cancer screenings and events in May, check UM/Sylvester’s calendar at http://www.sylvester.org/communications/calendar.asp?calID=32. To perform a skin self-check, follow the instructions at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_Skin_Cancer_Detection_What_You_Can_Do.asp.

For more information, please check these web links:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin
http://skincancerprevention.org/
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/prevention.html

Tipper Gore was the first recipient of the award in 2001, and moments before the ceremony she learned her mother had passed away, but  still went on to give a heartfelt speech. In recognition of her courage, the award was named for Mrs. Gore’s mother, Margaret Ann Aitcheson, and is now presented as part of the Department of Psychiatry’s Science of the Mind Initiative.

In addition, UM Canterbury offers Camp Discovery on the Coral Gables Campus. Transportation is provided at no additional cost from the medical to the Gables campus. Camp Discovery is geared toward kindergarten and young elementary students. Two four-week sessions run from June 4 through July 27, including themes such as Animal Mania, Abracadabra, Lights, Camera Action, and Construction Production. Each week concludes with a theme-based show. Camp Discovery offers swimming lessons at the University Center Olympic pool under the supervision of Randy Abelman, coach of the men’s and women’s diving teams. Other activities include dance, volleyball and soccer, arts and crafts, music and more. Camp enrollment is available only to Canterbury families and members of the UM community. Visit our website at http://canterbury.miami.edu for more details and a camp application or e-mail pbochman@miami.edu for more information about our programs.

The free download is available in three versions by visiting www.miami-als.org or www.myspace.com/daldoromano.

Donations are welcome to support the ALS program's Ilva Romano Fund.

Jackson Memorial Hospital will send a letter of clarification to each University of Miami employee who received the demand letter in error. Persons who do not hear from Jackson within 30 days from the date of the demand letter should respond to that demand letter.

Any questions should be addressed to customer service at Jackson Memorial Hospital at 305-585-1430.

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

A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus May 24, and June 27 to answer financial questions about its retirement plans. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131.

A representative from Lincoln Financial Group will visit the medical campus May 22, June 19 and July 17 to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, contact Theresa Yong toll free at 866-772-4163 or e-mail tmyong@lnc.com.

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

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.

A request for grant applications is issued twice a year, with application deadlines of June 27th and October 3rd. Our next proposal deadline is September 15.The criteria for pilot projects include originality, feasibility, scientific merit and the likelihood that the pilot project can be developed into a larger investigation. Pilot project applications who have not received R01 or equivalent awards and/or new investigators are eligible to apply. For more information on pilot project submission requirements and guidelines visit http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA07-501.html.

For more information an application procedures, contact Chantell Torregrosa-Macias at 305-243-3981.

Contact Barry Lieber, Ph.D., in the Endovascular Research Center at 305-284-2330, or by e-mail at Blieber@miami.edu.

Monday, May 14 is the deadline to apply.

For application and additional information please call Cristina Llanos at 305-243-6292 or e-mail cllanos@med.miami.edu.

This three-day immersion course incorporates more than 20 hours of Spanish language training. With small, interactive classes, students are able to absorb and retain more information than in an ordinary class setting. Enjoy a relaxed, stimulating classroom setting. Learn from dedicated, professional instructors with years of teaching experience. Choose from one of two content areas; Spanish for business or Spanish for health professionals. This course is for beginning-level Spanish students. For more information, contact the Intensive Language Institute at 305-284-4727 or e-mail us at alc.cstudies@miami.edu.

Click on “create new office product order.” The webpage will say “shopping list” on the top. Click on the “UM envelopes and maps” link then scroll down to select the map for the medical campus. Each map costs one cent.

For more information please call 305-243-5682, or e-mail kdelrio@med.miami.edu.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to practice time management strategies to help manage their workload and personal lives, explain the importance of keeping a healthy work/life balance and reach personal and professional goals by clarifying values and setting priorities.

Please join us today from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the Max Orovitz Building, room 139, on the Coral Gables campus and Wednesday, May 9 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on the medical campus in the Medical Wellness Center Classroom, 1120 NW 14 Street.

To register for the Gables seminar, click on http://netlearning.miami.edu.
For help with registration call, 305-284-5110.

To reserve a place for the medical campus seminar
call the Medical Wellness Center: 305-243-7600.

One continuing medical education credit is available for physicians, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.

For more information, please call 305-355-9073 or e-mail cbou@med.miami.edu. 

The conference is designed for investigators, scholars, students, and clinicians interested in international research, and continuing medical education credits for physicians are available. For more information, call 305-243-3213 or e-mail rdiaz7@med.miami.edu.

For additional information please call 305-243-1078.

The event is scheduled for this Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, American Cancer Society building in the first floor conference room, 621 Clearwater Park Road in West Palm Beach. This lecture is sponsored by the SFCCC, the Florida Department of Health, the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, and the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. This free seminar is open to the public but reservations are required by calling 954-0571-0107 or 561-655-9655. Light refreshments will be provided.

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

For more information please contact Marisabel Davalos at mdavalos@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-9769.

If you wish to meet with the speaker please contact Sylka M. Pérez-García at 305-243-6265.

A free educational presentation, “Surgical Treatments for Melanoma,” will be held Monday, May 14, from noon to 1 p.m., at the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel and Suites in the Sawgrass Room, 1050 East Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach. The Best Western Hotel is one block north of UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach.

The presenter is Steven E. Rodgers, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology.

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

The seminar will be held Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at noon in the Bascolm Palmer Eye Institute Retter Auditorium. 

For further information please call 305 243-2811.

A light lunch will be served. This health presentation is offered free of charge through UM/Sylvester.

The presenter is Salahadin Abdi, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Pain Medicine and professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, and Pain Management at the Miller School of Medicine.

Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register.

For additional information, please contact Joanne Leahy at 954-571-0107 or jleahy@med.miami.edu.

To participate and to be included on the e-mail list of the MitoClub, please contact Antoni Barrientos abarrientos@med.miami.edu or Carlos Moraes cmoraes@med.miami.edu.

Dr. Horwitz has had a continuing interest in natural products as a source of new drugs for the treatment of cancer, including Taxol, a drug isolated from the yew plant, an important anti-tumor drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of ovarian, breast, and lung carcinomas.

The one-day poster session for cancer research projects will take place on the second floor of the Jackson DTC  from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 18. Prizes of $500, $250 and $100 will be awarded in two categories; 1) Fellows, residents, and medical students, and 2) Graduate students and post-doctoral students. Awards will be announced that day at 11:30 a.m.

The deadline for submission of poster abstracts is Friday, May 4, but you are encouraged to submit early due to limited space and the overwhelming response from participants last year.

For more information, contact Diane Dames at 305-243-2287, or e-mail ddames@med.miami.edu.

Robert Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D., professor and vice chair of the department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, will offer the screenings at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach on Monday, May 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., at 1192 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 100, Deerfield Beach.

Screenings are by appointment only. Please call 1-800-545-2292 for an appointment.

The seminar is being conducted by Stephen Russell, Ph.D., of Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops. Dr. Russell has held grant support from the National Institutes of Health as a principal investigator since the early 1970’s, including individual, group, center, and training grants.

The Office of Research is subsidizing the cost of the workshop, but participants will be responsible for purchasing the text, “Grant Application Writer’s Workbook.” which is required for the course. Registration for the workshop is through NetLearning at https://netlearning.miami.edu. For the agenda or more information about the seminar, please visit http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2425-1;53481-3,00.html. For questions, please contact saymerich@med.miami.edu.

 The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is recruiting patients for the following clinical studies:

• Cervical Dysplasia

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.

• 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.

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.

Do you experience food cravings? The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UM Miller School of Medicine is conducting a pilot study of food craving using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Interested volunteers can contact Karin Esposito, M.D., Ph.D., at 305-243-4710.

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.

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 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.