A rare case of lues maligna in an HIV-negative woman.

We describe an HIV-negative 43-year-old woman presenting with a diffuse ulceronodular eruption and positive serological tests for syphilis consistent with lues maligna. Lues maligna is a severe and rare variant of secondary syphilis characterized by prodromal constitutional symptoms followed by the formation of multiple well-circumscribed nodules with ulceration and crust. This case depicts a particularly rare presentation as lues maligna usually involves HIV-positive men.

Group clinic for chemoprevention of squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study.

Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a valuable treatment of actinic keratosis (AK), but its use is limited by bothersome side effects. To evaluate patient satisfaction with a regimen of 5-FU for AK in group clinics, we offered participation in shared medical appointments (SMAs) to dermatology clinic patients diagnosed with AK at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island. Approximately 3 to 4 patients attended each pair of sessions spaced 2 weeks apart.

Validation of the Three-Item Skindex-Mini Among Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients With Diverse Racial Backgrounds.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that severely impairs patients' quality of life (QoL). Instruments such as the 10-item Dermatology Life Quality Index and 16-item Skindex-16 have been used to assess QoL in HS; however, it is unknown whether the shorter 3-item Skindex-mini can also provide an accurate assessment of skin-related QoL in patients with HS.

Objectives: The aim was to assess how well the Skindex-16 correlates with its shorter adaptation, the Skindex-mini, in capturing QoL among patients with HS.

Comparing Topical Treatments for Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Superficial basal cell carcinoma is a type of keratinocyte carcinoma that has increasing incidence and substantial morbidity. Jansen et al. report on a randomized trial with 5 years of follow-up that found imiquimod to be more effective than 5-fluorouracil or methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy in preventing superficial basal cell carcinoma recurrence.

Chemoprevention of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma With a Single Course of Fluorouracil, 5%, Cream: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Keratinocyte carcinoma (ie, cutaneous basal and squamous cell carcinoma) is the most common cancer in the United States.

Objective: To determine whether topical fluorouracil could prevent surgically treated keratinocyte carcinoma.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Veterans Affairs Keratinocyte Carcinoma Chemoprevention Trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of topical fluorouracil for chemoprevention of keratinocyte carcinoma.

Racial disparities in the impact of chronic pruritus: A cross-sectional study on quality of life and resource utilization in United States veterans.

Background: Chronic pruritus has a lifetime prevalence of up to 26% in the worldwide population. Research has shown that the incidence and quality of life (QoL) impact of chronic pruritus varies by race.

Objective: We sought to explore the effects of race on specific pruritus-related QoL factors and resource utilization.

Phenformin Enhances the Efficacy of ERK Inhibition in NF1-Mutant Melanoma.

Inactivation of the tumor suppressor neurofibromin 1 (NF1) presents a newly characterized melanoma subtype, for which currently no targeted therapies are clinically available. Preclinical studies suggest that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors are likely to provide benefit, albeit with limited efficacy as a single agent; therefore, there is a need for rationally designed combination therapies. Here, we evaluate the combination of the ERK inhibitor SCH772984 and the biguanide phenformin.

Factors associated with returning to HIV care after a gap in care in New York State.

Background: Retention in HIV care has important implications. Few studies examining retention include comprehensive and heterogeneous populations, and few examine factors associated with returning to care after gaps in care. We identified reasons for gaps in care and factors associated with returning to care.