The Art of Dermatology: Lessons Learned from Master Morphologist, Dr. Irwin Braverman.

In dermatology, the art and skill of morphologic assessment is key to generating logical differential diagnoses and understanding disease pathogenesis. Dr. Irwin M.

Efficacy of laser hair removal in hidradenitis suppurativa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by painful nodules, draining tunnels, and fibrotic scarring in intertriginous, hair-bearing areas. The pathogenesis involves follicular occlusion and subsequent rupture, leading to uncontrolled inflammation. Treatment options for HS are limited and lack universal effectiveness.

Integrating PROMIS Measures in a Treat-to-Target Approach to Standardize Patient-Centered Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a patient-centered rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treat-to-target (T2T) disease management approach on patient outcomes and patient satisfaction with care.

Methods: In this longitudinal, observational pilot study, rheumatologists implemented a modified T2T approach that integrated Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures for depression, fatigue, pain interference, physical function, and social function into RA care. Study participants selected 1 PROMIS domain to target treatment and completed quarterly follow-up assessments.

A Process Evaluation of Developing Older Adult Research Advisory Boards in Long-term Care Settings.

Background: Enhancing the capacity of researchers, providers and older adults to collaborate in research is critical for promoting relevant, useful research findings.

Objectives: The Sages in Every Setting project aimed to disseminate a flexible model for developing research advisory boards (RABs) comprised of older adults receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) via partnerships between academic researchers and LTSS providers.

Methods: Process evaluation assessed the feasibility of using resources to develop RABs.

Activation of the transcription factor NRF2 mediates the anti-inflammatory properties of a subset of over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and are ubiquitously used for their anti-inflammatory properties. However, COX inhibition alone fails to explain numerous clinical outcomes of NSAID usage. Screening commonly used NSAIDs in primary human and murine myeloid cells demonstrated that NSAIDs could be differentiated by their ability to induce growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), independent of COX specificity.

Food Allergy: Searching for the Modern Environmental Culprit.

Food allergy is a modern disease. Its exponential increase in prevalence in the last 70 years cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. In this review we discuss the hypotheses that have been suggested previously, and the evidence that supports them, to explain this rise in prevalence as well as the medical treatments that have developed as a result of basic exploration within these paradigms.

Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue Adenosine Receptors Effect on Osteogenesis and Adipogenesis.

Adenosine is an extracellular signaling molecule that is particularly relevant in times of cellular stress, inflammation and metabolic disturbances when the levels of the purine increase. Adenosine acts on two G-protein-coupled stimulatory and on two G-protein-coupled inhibitory receptors, which have varying expression profiles in different tissues and conditions, and have different affinities for the endogenous ligand. Studies point to significant roles of adenosine and its receptors in metabolic disease and bone health, implicating the receptors as potential therapeutic targets.

A Community-Engaged Stroke Preparedness Intervention in Chicago.

Background We evaluated a community-engaged stroke preparedness intervention that aimed to increase early hospital arrival and emergency medical services (EMS) utilization among patients with stroke in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Methods and Results We compared change in early hospital arrival (<3 hours from symptom onset) and EMS utilization before and after our intervention among patients with confirmed ischemic stroke at an intervention hospital on the South Side of Chicago with concurrent data from 6 hospitals in nonintervention communities on the North Side of Chicago and 17 hospitals in St Louis, Missouri. We assessed EMS utilization for suspected stroke secondarily, using geospatial information systems analysis of Chicago ambulance transports before and after our intervention.

Examination of Wechsler adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition short-form IQ estimations in an outpatient psychoeducational sample.

Objective: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th edition (WAIS-IV) is a commonly utilized cognitive battery across many clinical settings. However, due to various patient variables, an abbreviated assessment of intellectual abilities, may be clinically advantageous to allow for a more thorough assessment of other cognitive domains. The current study represents an attempt to propose additional short-form IQ estimations in an outpatient clinical sample.

Improving the Relationship of Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Home Care Aides and Clients Through Health Interviewing.

Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) care plans should be person-centered, yet there is little research on how to ascertain this information in practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a home care aide (HCA)-led health interview with clients during usual HCBS. We provided interview training, and HCAs ( = 21) conducted five interviews with one client each using a card sort methodology to elicit client care preferences.

Smartwatches Can Detect Walker and Cane Use in Older Adults.

Background And Objectives: Clinicians commonly prescribe assistive devices such as walkers or canes to reduce older adults' fall risk. However, older adults may not consistently use their assistive device, and measuring adherence can be challenging due to self-report bias or cognitive deficits. Because walking patterns can change while using an assistive device, we hypothesized that smartphones and smartwatches, combined with machine-learning algorithms, could detect whether an older adult was walking with an assistive device.

Emerging Biomarkers in Cutaneous Melanoma.

Earlier identification of aggressive melanoma remains a goal in the field of melanoma research. With new targeted and immune therapies that have revolutionized the care of patients with melanoma, the ability to predict progression and monitor or predict response to therapy has become the new focus of research into biomarkers in melanoma. In this review, promising biomarkers are highlighted.

A Community-Partnered Approach to Inform a Culturally Relevant Health Promotion Intervention for Stroke.

Background: The purpose of this study was to generate information from multiethnic, high-risk communities to inform the creation of culturally relevant health promotion intervention for increasing early hospital arrival after stroke.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative design, using focus groups with African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic adults in two Chicago community areas. The study relied heavily on stakeholder input in creating the focus group guide, recruiting participants, and interpreting the analysis.

Quantitative assessment of neuropilin-2 as a simple and sensitive diagnostic assay for spitzoid melanocytic lesions.

There is a significant need for the development of diagnostic tools that can precisely distinguish Spitz nevi and spitzoid melanomas. Here, we report the development of a PCR-based quantitative diagnostic assay for spitzoid melanocytic lesions utilizing the expression ratio of neuropilin-2 and melan-A genes in primary tumor specimens. We find that the expression ratio of neuropilin-2/melan-A is significantly increased in spitzoid melanomas compared with Spitz nevi.

A method to create a standardized generic and condition-specific patient-reported outcome measure for patient care and healthcare improvement.

Purpose: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which are generic or condition-specific, are used for a number of reasons, including clinical care, clinical trials, and in national-level efforts to monitor the quality of health care delivery. Creating PROMs that meet different purposes without overburdening patients, healthcare systems, providers, and data systems is paramount. The objective of this study was to test a generalizable method to incorporate condition-specific issues into generic PROM measures as a first step to producing PROMs that efficiently provide a standardized score.

Effect of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Intervention on Improving Dementia Family Caregiver Physical Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) affect more than five million Americans and their family caregivers. Caregiving creates challenges, may contribute to decreased caregiver health and is associated with $9.7 billion of caregiver health care costs.

Standardizing and personalizing the treat to target (T2T) approach for rheumatoid arthritis using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): baseline findings on patient-centered treatment priorities.

A treat to target (T2T) approach to management has become the standard of care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While consensus T2T recommendations call for patient involvement in the treatment process, the targets commonly used to drive therapeutic decisions involve limited patient input. A pilot study was developed to explore whether the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) could add value to the T2T approach by providing a way to bring patient goals into the process.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Needs of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Rural-Urban Comparison in Delaware, USA.

: Older adults in rural areas have unique transportation barriers to accessing medical care, which include a lack of mass transit options and considerable distances to health-related services. This study contrasts non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service utilization patterns and associated costs for Medicaid middle-aged and older adults in rural versus urban areas. : Data were analyzed from 39,194 NEMT users of LogistiCare-brokered services in Delaware residing in rural (68.

The Impact of Strong for Life on the Physical Functioning and Health of Older Adults Receiving Home and Community-Based Services.

Background/objectives: To test the effects of Strong for Life (SFL) on the physical performance and self-rated health of older adults receiving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

Design: Randomized, two-group trial with pre-post measures.

Setting: In-home exercise program.

Nurses' Pain Management for Hospitalized Elderly Patients With Postoperative Pain.

Using the theory of planned behavior, the study aim was to determine the relationships among nurses' beliefs, attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and behavior regarding pain management for hospitalized elderly patients with postoperative pain. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 140 nurses working in adult surgical units at three hospitals. Based on path analyses, nurses' behavioral, normative, and control beliefs, respectively, had direct effects on their attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding pain management.

Sustaining Chicago's Informal Caregivers: an Age-Friendly Approach.

The concept of age-friendliness has been globally coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to give value to the physical, social, and environmental factors that can promote or hinder older residents' ability to age in place in cities. The initiative has been very successful in raising awareness among public health policy makers about the generic needs of older adults and urban features that promote active aging. However, the movement has been less focused on highlighting divergent needs of different older adult populations and their informal caregivers.