Examining dermatology residency applicant profiles for the 2023-2024 cycle: a cross-sectional analysis.

Dermatology remains highly competitive, with strong USMLE Step 1 scores traditionally crucial for securing residency positions. The 2023-2024 cycle introduced significant changes, including pass/fail USMLE Step 1 score reports and an expanded program signaling system. This study explores dermatology residency applicant profiles within this new context.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most Cited Papers in Mohs Surgery.

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized tissue-sparing technique used to treat skin cancers.

Objective: By understanding the attributes that make a research paper one of the top 100 cited papers on Mohs surgery, we hope to illuminate seminal research in this field.

Methods And Materials: The global literature about Mohs surgery published between 1900 and 2023 was searched on the Web of Science.

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Patients Older Than Age 85 Years Presenting for Mohs Surgery: A Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study.

Importance: It has been suggested that Mohs surgery for skin cancer among individuals with limited life expectancy may be associated with needless risk and discomfort, along with increased health care costs.

Objective: To investigate patient- and tumor-specific indications considered by clinicians for treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer in older individuals.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted using data from US private practice and academic centers.

Cutaneous Human Papillomaviruses and the Risk of Keratinocyte Carcinomas.

Cutaneous human papillomavirus (cuHPV) infections may be novel targets for skin cancer prevention and treatment, but critical information regarding the development of virus-positive skin cancers following cuHPV infection has been lacking. In this study, baseline cuHPV infection was measured by serology and viral DNA detection in eyebrow hairs (EBH) and forearm skin swabs (SSW) among 1,008 individuals undergoing routine skin cancer screening exams and followed for incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC). Baseline β-HPV detection, particularly in SSW, significantly predicted cuSCC (HR = 4.

Association between Human Polyomaviruses and Keratinocyte Carcinomas: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: A positive association between Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) has been observed in at least one previous case-control study. To evaluate this association in a prospective context, we investigated infections with human polyomaviruses (HPyV), including MCPyV, as predictors of keratinocyte carcinomas, including cuSCC and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), among a cohort of immunocompetent individuals enrolled in the Viruses in Skin Cancer (VIRUSCAN) Study.

Methods: Associations between markers of baseline HPyV infection (serum antibodies and viral DNA in eyebrow hairs and skin swabs) and incident keratinocyte carcinomas were modeled using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Cutaneous viral infections associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure.

The complex interplay between ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and cutaneous viral infections in the context of cancer etiology is challenging to unravel, given the limited information on the independent association between UVR and cutaneous viral infections. Using multiple biomarkers of infection with 24 types of cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) and 4 types of polyomaviruses (HPyV), we investigated cross-sectional associations with recent UVR exposure, using skin pigmentation measured by spectrophotometer. Age- and sex-adjusted associations between UVR and viral seropositivity, viral DNA present in eyebrow hairs (EBH) and skin swabs (SSW) were estimated using logistic regression.

Noninvasive Assessment of Epidermal Genomic Markers of UV Exposure in Skin.

The measurement of UV-induced DNA damage as a dosimeter of exposure and predictor of skin cancer risk has been proposed by multiple groups. Although UV-induced mutations and adducts are present in normal-appearing UV-exposed epidermis, sampling normal nonlesional skin requires noninvasive methods to extract epidermal DNA for analysis. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of such an approach, termed surfactant-based tissue acquisition for molecular profiling.

Viruses in Skin Cancer (VIRUSCAN): Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of a Prospective Clinic-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that cutaneous viral infections are risk factors for the development of keratinocyte carcinomas. The Viruses in Skin Cancer (VIRUSCAN) Study, a prospective cohort study, was established in 2014 to investigate the risk of keratinocyte carcinoma associated with cutaneous human papillomavirus and polyomavirus infection and the possible interaction with ultraviolet radiation exposure (UVR).

Methods/results: VIRUSCAN incorporates repeated measures of viral infection using multiple markers of infection and quantitative measures of UVR using a spectrophotometer.

T Regulatory Cell Subpopulations Associated with Recent Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure in a Skin Cancer Screening Cohort.

UV radiation (UVR) causing DNA damage is a well-documented risk factor for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Although poorly understood, UVR may also indirectly contribute to carcinogenesis by promoting immune evasion. To our knowledge, we report the first epidemiological study designed to investigate the association between quantitative measures of UVR, obtained using a spectrophotometer, and circulating T regulatory (Treg) cells.

Cutaneous Viral Infections Across 2 Anatomic Sites Among a Cohort of Patients Undergoing Skin Cancer Screening.

Background: Findings from previous studies of cutaneous human papillomavirus (cuHPV) infection and keratinocyte carcinomas have varied due to several factors, including use of different sample types for cuHPV DNA detection. Elucidating the relationship between cuHPV infection in eyebrow hairs (EBHs) and skin swabs (SSWs) is critical for advancing the design of future studies.

Methods: DNA corresponding to 46 β-HPV and 52 γ-HPV types was measured in EBHs and SSWs obtained from 370 individuals undergoing routine skin cancer screening examinations.

Isolation and characterization of a novel putative human polyomavirus.

The small double-stranded DNA polyomaviruses (PyVs) form a family of 73 species, whose natural hosts are primarily mammals and birds. So far, 13 PyVs have been isolated in humans, and some of them have clearly been associated with several diseases, including cancer. In this study, we describe the isolation of a novel PyV in human skin using a sensitive degenerate PCR protocol combined with next-generation sequencing.

Cutaneous Human Papillomavirus Infection and Development of Subsequent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin.

The role of cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the development of subsequent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is unknown. Pathologically confirmed cases of SCC ( = 150) enrolled in a previously conducted case-control study were included in a retrospective cohort study to examine the association of cutaneous HPV at the time of SCC diagnosis with the risk of subsequent SCC development. Data on HPV seropositivity, HPV DNA in eyebrow hairs (EB) and SCC tumors were available from the parent study.

Comparing the efficacies of alginate, foam, hydrocolloid, hydrofiber, and hydrogel dressings in the management of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis examining how to dress for success.

Diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers are chronic wounds frequently encountered by dermatologists. Choosing appropriate wound dressings can effectively promote wound healing and potentially reduce morbidity and financial burden experienced by patients. The objective of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate wound healing efficacies of synthetic active dressings in diabetic foot ulcer and venous leg ulcer management.

Oral therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with advanced disease and large tumor burden: a review of the literature with focus on a new generation of targeted therapies.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer in patients and includes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Treatments useful for SCC and BCC include surgical, topical, and in advanced cases systemic chemo-radiation. This review of the literature aims to describe previous and current treatment options for oral therapy in locally advanced and metastatic NMSC otherwise unamenable to standard treatment.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) T-antigen seroreactivity, MCV DNA in eyebrow hairs, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The role of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) infection in the etiology of non-melanoma skin cancers, other than Merkel cell carcinoma, is unclear. Previously, we reported a significant association between seropositivity to MCV capsid antigen and MCV DNA-positive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Here we present associations between SCC and seroreactivity to MCV T-antigen (T-Ag) oncoprotein, as well as MCV DNA detected in eyebrow hairs.

Topical antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of surgical wound infections from dermatologic procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Importance: Topical antibiotics are not indicated for postsurgical wound infection prophylaxis in clean and clean-contaminated dermatologic surgeries, yet many dermatologists continue to prescribe them. The objective of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to critically assess the efficacy of topical antibiotics in terms of preventing postsurgical wound infections in the dermatology outpatient setting.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, MD Consult, Science Direct, Springer Link, DynaMed and Cochrane online medical databases were searched from 1980 to 2013.

Case-control study of genus-beta human papillomaviruses in plucked eyebrow hairs and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been reported in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We conducted a clinic-based case-control study to investigate the association between genus-beta HPV DNA in eyebrow hairs (EBH) and SCC. EBH from 168 SCC cases and 290 controls were genotyped for genus-beta HPV DNA.

Obtaining rapid and effective hemostasis: Part II. Electrosurgery in patients with implantable cardiac devices.

Electrosurgery is an integral part of dermatology that is commonly used both to obtain hemostasis and to treat cutaneous lesions. However, it can cause many complications in patients with implantable devices. Because of the risk of electromagnetic interference, a variety of precautions are commonly used.

Obtaining rapid and effective hemostasis: Part I. Update and review of topical hemostatic agents.

Effective and rapid hemostasis is critical to optimize surgical outcomes. An advantageous adjunct in accelerating the clotting process during dermatologic surgery is the use of topical hemostatic agents, which allow dermatologic surgeons to quickly clear the surgical field while avoiding the adverse effects of systemic medications. The growing rate of patients with pacemakers and defibrillators limits the possibility of electrosurgery.

Spotlighting the role of photodynamic therapy in cutaneous malignancy: an update and expansion.

Background: Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an option for the treatment of cutaneous malignancy.

Objective: To present an update and expansion on a previous review of the use of PDT in the current literature in the treatment of actinic keratoses (AK), superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma (sBCC, nBCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Bowen's disease, cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), malignant melanoma, and its use in chemoprevention.

Methods: Extensive PubMed search January 2013.