An Evaluation of High-Risk HPV in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Lip in a South African Cohort.

Background: To determine the prevalence of HR-HPV in a series of lip SCC from South African patients, using currently accepted HPV-testing methodologies and to define the clinical and histomorphologic features of HPV-associated lip SCC.

Methods: Fifty SCC of lip and 50 control cases were tested for HR-HPV using p16 and HR-HPV DNA PCR. p16-equivocal/positive and HPV DNA PCR-positive SCC were further evaluated for the expression of HPV-16 and HPV-18 mRNA transcripts using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to confirm transcriptionally active HPV.

The complete Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus genome induces early-onset, metastatic angiosarcoma in transgenic mice.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most common cancer in persons living with HIV. It is caused by KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). There exists no animal model for KS.

Incorporating functional genomics into the pathology-supported genetic testing framework implemented in South Africa: A future view of precision medicine for breast carcinomas.

A pathology-supported genetic testing (PSGT) framework was established in South Africa to improve access to precision medicine for patients with breast carcinomas. Nevertheless, the frequent identification of variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) with the use of genome-scale next-generation sequencing has created a bottleneck in the return of results to patients. This review highlights the importance of incorporating functional genomics into the PSGT framework as a proposed initiative.

The clinicopathological spectrum of preclinical folliculitis keloidalis with correlation to its dermoscopic features: a cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Folliculitis keloidalis (FK) is a chronic hair disorder commonly affecting males with afro-textured hair. It typically affects the nuchal area, but disease may also occur at extra-nuchal sites. Few studies have investigated the histopathological aspects of preclinical FK.

Staged Excision of Lentigo Maligna of the Head and Neck: Assessing Surgical Excision Margins With Melan A, SOX10, and PRAME Immunohistochemistry.

Background: Staged excision has emerged as a superior treatment option for lentigo maligna (LM) of the head and neck when compared with conventional wide local excision. Assessing surgical excision margins for remaining LM poses a diagnostic challenge.

Objectives: To determine whether immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with SOX10 and preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) aids in diagnosing LM on excision margins compared with conventional hematoxylin and eosin and Melan A IHC staining.

Superficial CD34 Positive Fibroblastic Tumour with Myxoid Stroma.

Superficial CD34 positive fibroblastic tumor is a rare low-grade neoplasm of the skin and subcutis with indolent behavior. This entity has been included in the current World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of soft tissue tumors. Pathological diagnosis can be challenging due to significant morphological overlap with other entities and the large spectrum of CD34 positive tumors.

The Prevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Plasma Cell Neoplasms is Higher in HIV-Positive Individuals.

Aims: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is causally associated with many hematolymphoid malignancies. This laboratory-based study aimed to establish the prevalence of EBV in plasma cell neoplasms in a large South African cohort and to determine whether there is any correlation between EBV-positivity and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status in patients with plasma cell neoplasms, including plasma cell myeloma and plasmacytoma (solitary plasmacytoma of bone and extraosseous plasmacytoma).

Methods: This single-institution retrospective study included all patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of plasma cell neoplasm between 2003 and 2020.

Solid-Phase Reference Baths for Fiber-Optic Distributed Sensing.

Observations from Raman backscatter-based Fiber-Optic Distributed Sensing (FODS) require reference sections of the fiber-optic cable sensor of known temperature to translate the primary measured intensities of Stokes and anti-Stokes photons to the secondary desired temperature signal, which also commonly forms the basis for other derived quantities. Here, we present the design and the results from laboratory and field evaluations of a novel Solid-Phase Bath (SoPhaB) using ultrafine copper instead of the traditional mechanically stirred liquid-phase water bath. This novel type is suitable for all FODS applications in geosciences and industry when high accuracy and precision are needed.

Health locus of control in a pandemic situation: cross-cultural differences between European and Asian respondents.

Background: The present cross-cultural study examined the health locus of control construct during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific purpose of the study was to determine whether, during the pandemic situation, cultural and sex differences influence the health locus of control construct and change the internal health locus of control (IHLC), powerful others health locus of control (PHLC), and chance health locus of control (CHLC).

Participants And Procedure: A total of 2617 recipients aged 18-70 years from Asia (China, India, and Indonesia), and Europe (Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary) completed a questionnaire about their health.

Lentigo Maligna of the head and neck: A retrospective study assessing surgical excision margins in a South African population.

Background: Lentigo maligna (LM) is a subtype of melanoma in situ that occurs on sun-damaged skin and is associated with significant subclinical extension beyond the clinical margins of the lesion.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine if the standard recommended tumor excision margins for LM are adequate to achieve a 97% clearance rate and if any patient or tumor characteristics warranted wider margins.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of all patients who were diagnosed with LM of the head and neck and treated with staged excision.

The Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at One of the Largest Tertiary Care Centers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Context.—: Limited data exist on the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective.

Workaholism across European and Asian cultures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current cross-cultural study examined the construct of workaholism across European and Asian cultures during the pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 2,617 recipients, aged 18-80 years from three Asian countries (China, India, and Indonesia) with higher levels of collectivistic values, and three European countries (Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary) supposing to have higher individualistic values. The participants completed the online version of the two-dimensional measure, dubbed the Dutch Workaholism Scale (DUWAS).

The development of active binocular vision under normal and alternate rearing conditions.

The development of binocular vision is an active learning process comprising the development of disparity tuned neurons in visual cortex and the establishment of precise vergence control of the eyes. We present a computational model for the learning and self-calibration of active binocular vision based on the Active Efficient Coding framework, an extension of classic efficient coding ideas to active perception. Under normal rearing conditions with naturalistic input, the model develops disparity tuned neurons and precise vergence control, allowing it to correctly interpret random dot stereograms.

The tumor genetics of acral melanoma: What should a dermatologist know?

Dermatologists stand at the gateway of individualization of classification, treatment, and outcomes of acral melanoma patients. The acral melanoma genetic landscape differs in vital ways from that of other cutaneous melanomas. These differences have important implications in understanding pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis.

Impact of Psychic Traumatization on the Development of Musicians' Dystonia: Six Exploratory Case Studies.

Objective: Musician's dystonia represents a special case of focal dystonia. It is described as a task-specific movement disorder which presents itself as muscular incoordination or loss of voluntary fine-motor control of extensively trained movements while a musician is playing the instrument. Several triggering factors have been identified, such as overuse, chronic pain, perfectionism, and anxiety disorders.

Rosai-Dorfman disease: an overview.

Context: Rosai-Dorfman disease is an uncommon histiocytic disorder most frequently presenting as bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy in children and young adults. Extranodal disease occurs in a significant proportion of patients. It has been recently classified as part of the 'R group' of histiocytoses by the Histiocyte Society in 2016.

Clinicopathological Features of Seborrheic-Like Dermatitis in HIV-Infected Adults: A Single Institutional Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Atypical and severe clinical presentations of seborrheic-like dermatitis (SLD) are associated with HIV infection, correlating with advanced disease or low CD4 counts. Previous studies documented histological findings characteristic of seborrheic dermatitis in HIV-positive patients.

Objective: To expand current knowledge of the clinicopathological characteristics of SLD in South African HIV-seropositive individuals.

AIDS-Related Endemic Mycoses in Western Cape, South Africa, and Clinical Mimics: A Cross-Sectional Study of Adults With Advanced HIV and Recent-Onset, Widespread Skin Lesions.

Background: Skin lesions are common in advanced HIV infection and are sometimes caused by serious diseases like systemic mycoses (SM). AIDS-related SM endemic to Western Cape, South Africa, include emergomycosis (formerly disseminated emmonsiosis), histoplasmosis, and sporotrichosis. We previously reported that 95% of patients with AIDS-related emergomycosis had skin lesions, although these were frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed clinically.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most common neoplasm of people living with HIV today. In Sub-Saharan Africa, KS is among the most common cancers in men, overall. Not only HIV-positive individuals present with KS; any immune compromised person infected with KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 is at risk: the elderly, children in KSHV-endemic areas, and transplant recipients.