Environmental Causes of Dermatitis.

Environmental, or exogenous, dermatitis is comprised of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, which account for 80% and 20% of cases of contact dermatitis, respectively. Contact dermatitis is extremely common, and failure to diagnose this entity may result in overlooking a potentially curable driver of disease. In this review, we describe how clinical features, such as morphology or history, can assist in distinguishing exogenous from endogenous causes of dermatitis, and allergic from irritant contact dermatitis.

Trichoscopic features of tinea capitis in a straight-haired Hispanic woman.

Comma and corkscrew hairs are trichoscopic markers of tinea capitis. Although comma hairs have been reported in both black and white patients with tinea capitis, corkscrew hairs were previously hypothesized to manifest exclusively in patients with curly or African hair types. However, we report a significant number of comma and corkscrew hairs in a Hispanic female patient with naturally straight hair and Trichophyton tonsurans tinea capitis.

Sphingolipids inhibit endosomal recycling of nutrient transporters by inactivating ARF6.

Endogenous sphingolipids (ceramide) and related synthetic molecules (FTY720, SH-BC-893) reduce nutrient access by decreasing cell surface expression of a subset of nutrient transporter proteins. Here, we report that these sphingolipids disrupt endocytic recycling by inactivating the small GTPase ARF6. Consistent with reported roles for ARF6 in maintaining the tubular recycling endosome, MICAL-L1-positive tubules were lost from sphingolipid-treated cells.

Student loan burden and its impact on career decisions in dermatology.

Dermatology departments in the United States face difficulties in recruiting dermatologists to academic positions, raising concerns for the future of dermatology education and research. This preliminary study aimed to explore the impact of student loan burden on career plans in dermatology and to determine if the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program can be used as a recruitment tool for academic positions in dermatology. Results from this electronic survey, which was distributed to dermatology residents and attending physicians, revealed that debt burden may influence career decisions in dermatology.

Melanoma in patients with GATA2 deficiency.

GATA2 deficiency is a recently described genetic disorder affecting hematopoietic stem cells and is associated with immunodeficiency, hematologic malignancy, and various cutaneous pathologies including cutaneous tumors. To explore the incidence and clinical course of melanoma in patients with germline GATA2 deficiencies, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 71 such patients and identified two with invasive melanoma. One melanoma was diagnosed early because it was associated with pruritus due to a graft-versus-tumor effect following bone marrow transplantation.

Laser treatment of cutaneous angiokeratomas: A systematic review.

Angiokeratomas can present therapeutic challenges, especially in cases of extensive lesions, where traditional surgical methods carry high risks of scarring and hemorrhage. Argon, pulsed dye (PDL), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), copper vapor, potassium titanyl phosphate, carbon dioxide, and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) lasers have emerged as alternative options. To review the use and efficacy of lasers in treating angiokeratomas.

Seeking Standards for the Detection of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus and its Clinical Significance.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare skin cancer associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus in most cases. Prior studies associating Merkel cell carcinoma viral status with prognosis have inconsistent findings. Moshiri et al.

Achille Civatte: A Master of the Microscope.

Achille Civatte (1877-1956) was one of the most highly regarded dermatologists of the 20th century. We provide a succinct account of Civatte's academic life and contributions to the field of dermatopathology, in addition to briefly discussing his son, Jean Civatte, who himself became a highly regarded dermatologist.

Use and interest in complementary and alternative medicine among college students seeking healthcare at a university campus student health center.

Background: There is growing data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) preferences among college students. While several studies have focused on undergraduate students, there is limited data on graduate students.

Materials And Methods: Cross sectional analysis of undergraduate and graduate students seeking medical care at the University of California Irvine's Student Health Center (SHC).

Laser Treatment of Nongenital Verrucae: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Although cutaneous warts are common lesions, full remission is not always achieved with conventional therapies. Laser modalities including carbon dioxide (CO2), erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG), pulsed dye (PDL), and Nd:YAG have been investigated as alternative treatments for warts.

Objective: To review the use and efficacy of lasers for treating nongenital cutaneous warts.

Longitudinal survey on integrative medicine education at an underserved health centre.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by adults in the USA. However, most physicians do not inquire about CAM use leading to missed opportunities to dialogue about wellness and detect harmful practices. In 2012, an integrative medicine (IM) consultation clinic alongside an optional IM Residency Track for family medicine residents was established at the University of California, Irvine Family Health Center in Santa Ana, CA.

Use of and interests in complementary and alternative medicine by Hispanic patients of a community health center.

Introduction: We evaluated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among a medically underserved, predominately Hispanic community at the University of California Irvine Family Health Center, a federally qualified health center.

Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous survey assessed patient use of, interest in, and communication preferences concerning CAM.

Results: The 150 respondents primarily self-identified as Hispanic (74%), were born outside the United States (55%), were medically insured (56%), and had a high school education or less (55%).