Utility of Gram staining for diagnosis of Malassezia folliculitis.

Malassezia folliculitis (MalF) mimics acne vulgaris and bacterial folliculitis in clinical presentations. The role of Gram staining in rapid diagnosis of MalF has not been well studied. In our study, 32 patients were included to investigate the utility of Gram staining for MalF diagnosis.

Outcomes after Stroke in Patients with Previous Pressure Ulcer: A Nationwide Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Factors associated with poststroke adverse events were not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether stroke patients with previous pressure ulcers had more adverse events after stroke.

Methods: Using the claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we conducted a retrospective cohort study matched by propensity score.

CSE1L Links cAMP/PKA and Ras/ERK pathways and regulates the expressions and phosphorylations of ERK1/2, CREB, and MITF in melanoma cells.

The Ras/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) and cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) pathways are essential for the transcriptional activities of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) and MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) in melanogenesis and the progression of melanoma. However, the interaction between Ras/ERK and cAMP/PKA pathways in the melanogenesis and progression of melanoma is not fully known. Here, we report that CSE1L (chromosome segregation 1-like protein) regulates cAMP/PKA-induced CREB and MITF expressions as well as Ras-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

Early decline in serum phospho-CSE1L levels in vemurafenib/sunitinib-treated melanoma and sorafenib/lapatinib-treated colorectal tumor xenografts.

Background: Although targeted therapies have improved the clinical outcomes of cancer treatment, tumors resistance to targeted drug are often detected too late and cause mortality. CSE1L is secreted from tumor and its phosphorylation is regulated by ERK1/2. ERK1/2 is located downstream of various growth factor receptors and kinases, the targets of most targeted drugs.

Adverse outcomes after major surgery in patients with pressure ulcer: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Postoperative adverse outcomes in patients with pressure ulcer are not completely understood. This study evaluated the association between preoperative pressure ulcer and adverse events after major surgeries.

Methods: Using reimbursement claims from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 17391 patients with preoperative pressure ulcer receiving major surgery in 2008-2010.

Efficacy of pulsed dye laser plus topical tazarotene versus topical tazarotene alone in psoriatic nail disease: a single-blind, intrapatient left-to-right controlled study.

Background: Nail psoriasis is difficult to treat. The efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy for nail psoriasis has been reported in non-placebo controlled studies.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PDL with topical retinoid in the treatment of nail psoriasis.