Brackish habitat dictates cultivable Actinobacterial diversity from marine sponges.

Bacterial communities associated with marine invertebrates such as sponges and ascidians have demonstrated potential as sources of bio-medically relevant small molecules. Metagenomic analysis has shown that many of these invertebrates harbor populations of Actinobacteria, many of which are cultivable. While some populations within invertebrates are transmitted vertically, others are obtained from the environment.

Hypertrophic scarring of the neck following ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.

Background: Ablative fractional carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser treatments have gained popularity due to their efficacy, shortened downtime, and decreased potential for scarring in comparison to traditional ablative CO(2) resurfacing. To date, scarring with fractional CO(2) lasers has not been reported.

Objective: Five patients treated with the same fractional CO(2) laser technology for photodamage of the neck were referred to our practices 1-3 months after treatment.

Microepidermabrasion: an adjunct to medical skin care.

Microepidermabrasion has become a common modality in aesthetic skin care in doctor's offices as well as in the hands of skin care specialists. The basics of particle beam resurfacing are discussed, with an emphasis on patient selection, technique, and after care. Concerns about current technology are reviewed, and insight into the evolution of new technologies is given.

Facial bone wound healing. An overview.

Facial bone wound healing has practical importance not only in acute fracture repair, but also in head and neck surgery. Fundamental principles of fracture fixation are now understood, and the benefit of acute bone grafting has emerged. In the future, bone healing may be augmented with growth factors and implants incorporating cells grown in tissue culture.

Calvarial bone repair with porous D,L-polylactide.

Bone is a storehouse of biologic factors enabling it to regenerate without scar formation. Recombinant technology has made many of these factors available in significant quantity for therapeutic applications. However, a system to deliver recombinant bone-regenerating factors is needed.