We report a challenging case of a man in his mid-70s diagnosed with a myxofibrosarcoma-like spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (ML-SCC) on the scalp. This rare tumor shares cytologic features with spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with myxoid characteristics but also exhibits architectural elements typical of myxofibrosarcoma, making it nearly indistinguishable by routine light microscopic evaluation. Myxoid spindle cell carcinomas are exceptionally rare, and only one case of ML-SCC has been previously documented in the peer-reviewed medical literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Perineum sunning/tanning is a potentially harmful yet popular new health trend cultivated by a viral social media post, famous public figures, and subsequent media coverage.
Objective: Our primary objective is to evaluate public interest in perineum sunning/tanning.
Methods: Using an observational study design, we extracted data from Google Trends for the terms "perineum sunning," "perineum tanning," "Metaphysical Meagan," and "Josh Brolin"; and Twitter (via SproutSocial) for "perineum sunning" and "perineum tanning" from November 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019.
Purpose: With the continued increase in skin cancer incidence rates, the population of skin cancer survivors continues to grow. Understanding skin cancer survivors' lifestyle behaviors, including ultraviolet radiation exposure, is important in reducing skin cancer recurrences and improving health outcomes. The objective of this study is to compare the differences in lifestyle behaviors among skin cancer survivors or individuals who currently have skin cancer versus individuals who have never had a skin cancer diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol
October 2020
Frequent and excessive tanning persists despite a growing understanding of its associated morbidity and mortality, suggesting that ultraviolet radiation may impart rewarding effects beyond the assumed cosmetic benefits. To empirically measure putative centrally rewarding properties of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), we assessed the effects of a commercially available tanning bed upon regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), a measure of brain activity, using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Seven frequent salon bed tanners were placed under a UVA/UVB tanning light during two sessions; one session with UVR and the other with filtered UVR (sham UVR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Exp Dermatol
January 2011
Background: Frequent, purposeful exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light may induce a compulsive desire to tan despite the negative consequences being known, suggesting a behavioural complex similar to addictive disorders.
Aim: To assess the presence of addictive-like behaviours in subjects using indoor tanning salons.
Methods: Subjects (n = 100) were surveyed by two questionnaires: a modified CAGE questionnaire to assess behaviours consistent with problem tanning and a modified Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) ('substance dependence' criteria) to assess behaviours consistent with a dependence-like disorder.
Cutaneous drug eruptions are to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used for seizure prophylaxis can range from a maculopapular eruption to severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. The aromatic drugs: phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, zonisamide and lamotrigine are the most common offenders. In contrast, the second generation AEDs like valproate, topiramate, gabapentin, tiagabine and levetiracetam are rarely associated with a rash.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Acad Dermatol
November 2008
Acquired cutis laxa (generalized acquired elastolysis) is a condition of unknown etiology characterized by a degeneration of elastic fibers in the skin, resulting in laxity with reduced elastic recoil. We describe a patient with acquired cutis laxa associated with an underlying heavy chain deposition disease. Direct immunofluorescence testing of lesional skin demonstrated immunoglobulin G deposition on elastic fibers, suggesting that in some cases, cutis laxa may have an immune-mediated etiopathogenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: In-treatment and post-treatment outcomes were compared for three detoxification procedures (lofexidine+naloxone, lofexidine+placebo naloxone, and methadone). SAMPLE AND DESIGN: The sample was 137 opiate dependent in-patients. Detoxification treatments were 6-day lofexidine+naloxone (n=45), lofexidine+placebo naloxone (n=46), or 10-day methadone reduction (n=46).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFS-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) is a pyruvoyl-dependent enzyme that catalyzes an essential step in polyamine biosynthesis. The polyamines are required for cell growth, and the biosynthetic enzymes are targets for antiproliferative drugs. The function of AdoMetDC is regulated by the polyamine-precursor putrescine in a species-specific manner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper presents the case of BB, an individual with an atypical posterior cortical presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The severity of BB's visuo-spatial impairment far outweighed impairment of other cognitive functions. BB's case is also unusual in that despite a long history of progressive impairment, his cognitive symptoms remain relatively circumscribed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe efficacy of lofexidine/naloxone was compared with lofexidine/placebo in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 89 opiate-dependent patients. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of patients completing detoxification or in the length of stay. Patients in the active naloxone group demonstrated gradual reductions in levels of withdrawal and craving over the detoxification period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSleep disturbance experienced during methadone or lofexidine opiate detoxification was investigated in 118 opiate-dependent patients receiving inpatient detoxification treatment. Sleep was assessed at four time-points during opiate detoxification using a self-report questionnaire. Maximum sleep disruption occurred at completion of detoxification and during the protracted withdrawal period, with patients in the methadone group reporting higher levels of withdrawal symptoms, lower overall sleep, longer sleep latencies and significantly longer periods of time awake than lofexidine patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Antimicrob Chemother
February 2003
This study set out to investigate whether there was an association between antibiotic susceptibility reporting from microbiology laboratories and antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infections in the community. Data were collected over a 3 month period using a prospective questionnaire survey of general practitioners, who submitted and received a mid-stream urine (MSU) result from selected microbiology laboratories in England and Wales. In addition, prescribing analyses and cost (PACT) data were requested from the Prescription Prescribing Authority.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Public Health Med
December 1995
Background: There is little evidence supporting the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing secondary cases of bacterial meningitis, and recent guidance extended the use of prophylactic antibiotics amongst children who attend pre-school groups.
Methods: We examined the volume of rifampicin prescribed, and that recommended to contacts of cases of meningococcal and Hib meningitis in Somerset over a three-year period using case note records of the Consultant for Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) and PACT data.
Results: There was evidence of excessive prescribing over and above that recommended by the CCDC.
The use of cell cultures has revolutionised virology over the past three decades. Antibiotics have played a key role in this revolution. However, it is curious that there appears to be very little published data on the fate of antibiotics added to cell cultures (as opposed to culture media).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe separation of haemopoietic bone-marrow cells by centrifugation through discontinuous density gradients of Percoll is described. This method was used to prepare fractions enriched in erythroblasts, myeloid blast cells or reticulocytes from bone marrow of anaemic and non-anaemic rabbits, from the marrow of other anaemic laboratory animals and from human samples. It is a simple, rapid, reproducible and inexpensive technique that can be readily adapted to suit individual requirements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracts of strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae var. mitis avirulent, C. hofmannii, C.
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