Clinical and dermoscopic stability and volatility of melanocytic nevi in a population-based cohort of children in Framingham school system.

Nevi are important risk markers of melanoma. The study aim was to describe changes in nevi of children using longitudinal data from a population-based cohort. Overview back photography and dermoscopic imaging of up to 4 index back nevi was performed at age 11 years (baseline) and repeated at age 14 years (follow-up).

Defining the patient at high risk for melanoma.

In this practical review, we aim to help clinicians identify patients who are at significant risk of developing malignant melanoma. Universal screening is challenging, thus it is important to effectively single out patients who have a high risk of developing the disease. We provide a summary of pertinent questions to review when taking the patient's history, point out the phenotypic features to note during skin examination, and suggest risk stratification as a means to plan initial and long-term surveillance strategy.

Estimated equivalency of vitamin D production from natural sun exposure versus oral vitamin D supplementation across seasons at two US latitudes.

Background: The relationship between oral vitamin D supplementation and cutaneous photosynthesis is not well understood.

Objective: We sought to provide estimates of the equivalency of vitamin D production from natural sun exposure versus oral supplementation.

Methods: Using the FastRT simulation tool, we determined sun exposure times needed to achieve serum vitamin D(3) concentrations equivalent to 400 or 1000 IU vitamin D for individuals of various Fitzpatrick skin types living in Miami, FL, and Boston, MA, during the months of January, April, July, and October.

Joint activation of the supplementary motor area and presupplementary motor area during simultaneous motor and language functional MRI.

Recent research showed that the supplementary motor area (SMA) can be divided into a rostral pre-SMA, involved in higher-level processing and a caudal SMA proper, involved with motor execution. As surgical insults to the medial frontal lobes may cause variable neurological deficits and an incomplete understanding of structure-function relationships of the SMA exists, we sought to determine whether a common locus of functionality can be established using functional MRI. Results reveal a commonly activated region between these two areas, using simultaneous motor and language tasks.

Current and emerging technologies in melanoma diagnosis: the state of the art.

Relative to other specialties, dermatologists have been slow to adopt advanced technologic diagnostic aids. Most skin disease can be diagnosed by simple visual inspection, and the skin is readily accessible for a diagnostic biopsy. Diagnostic aids, such as total body photography and dermoscopy, improve the clinician's ability to diagnose melanoma beyond unaided visual inspection, however, and are now considered mainstream methods for early detection.

An unusual cause of overdose after baclofen pump implantation: case report.

Objective And Importance: Intrathecal baclofen delivery for the treatment of spasticity has been used for almost 20 years with a great deal of success. A wide variety of complications and pitfalls have been described. This report details a novel complication involving inadvertent and initially unrecognized canalization of the subdural space with the spinal catheter, which ultimately resulted in an overdose.