Multiple Cutaneous Cancers in an Interventional Cardiologist: Predominance in Unprotected Skin Nearest the Radiation Source.

A 70 year-old interventional cardiologist, who worked in the cardiac catheterization laboratory for >35 years, developed multiple skin cancers in regions not conventionally covered by protective lead apparel. The majority of lesions were left-sided, representing cutaneous regions in closest proximity to the radiation source. Although skin not covered by lead apparel often receives frequent sun exposure, a known risk factor for skin cancer, malignancies resulting exclusively from sun exposure would not in most cases be expected to have a left-sided predominance.

Output-feedback lag-synchronization of time-delayed chaotic systems in the presence of external disturbances subjected to input nonlinearity.

In this paper, an adaptive output error feedback control scheme is proposed for the lag-synchronization of two time-delayed chaotic systems in the presence of channel time-delay, external disturbances and input nonlinearity. Using the Lyapunov theory, stability of the proposed adaptive controller is proved. Lyapunov-Krasovskii approach is used to deal with the existence of time-delay in the system dynamics.

Intraepidermal erbium:YAG laser resurfacing: impact on the dermal matrix.

Background: Various minimally invasive treatments enhance the skin's appearance. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms whereby treatments working at the epidermal level might alter the dermis.

Objective: We sought to quantify the molecular changes that result from erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser microablative resurfacing.

Microdermabrasion: an evidence-based review.

Microdermabrasion is a popular technique used in the treatment of several skin problems, including acne, acne scarring, striae distensae, and photoaging. This article will review the relevant literature and use an evidence-based approach to evaluate the clinical efficacy of microdermabrasion in skin care. In summary, microdermabrasion appears to be a procedure that can produce changes in dermal matrix constituents and result in improvement in skin contour irregularities.

Molecular analysis of aggressive microdermabrasion in photoaged skin.

Objective: To investigate dermal remodeling effects of crystal-free microdermabrasion on photodamaged skin.

Design: Biochemical analyses of human skin biopsy specimens following microdermabrasion treatment in vivo.

Setting: Academic referral center.

Topical fluorouracil for actinic keratoses and photoaging: a clinical and molecular analysis.

Objective: To examine clinical and molecular changes after topical fluorouracil treatment of photodamaged human facial skin for actinic keratoses.

Design: Nonrandomized, open-label 2-week treatment with fluorouracil cream, 5%, followed by clinical and molecular evaluation.

Setting: Academic referral center.

A randomized, controlled, split-face clinical trial of 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Background: There is a need for additional effective treatments for acne vulgaris. Laser therapy has been explored as a therapeutic option for acne, but rigorously designed studies in this area have been limited.

Objective: We sought to examine the efficacy of an infrared laser in the treatment of acne.

Microdermabrasion with and without aluminum oxide crystal abrasion: a comparative molecular analysis of dermal remodeling.

Background: Microdermabrasion is a popular method of superficial skin resurfacing with effects on dermal remodeling.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of the two components of microdermabrasion, negative pressure and abrasion, in stimulating expression of key genes involved in dermal remodeling.

Methods: Ten subjects were treated with a microdermabrasion machine using focal crystal abrasion and negative pressure or negative pressure alone for 3 seconds.

Dermal matrix remodeling after nonablative laser therapy.

Objective: Nonablative laser therapy is widely practiced for cutaneous rejuvenation. We sought to quantify dermal molecular changes after exposure of photodamaged skin to nonablative laser energy.

Methods: Nonablative laser therapy of forearm skin using either a 585-nm wavelength pulsed dye laser or a 1320-nm wavelength neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was performed.

The effects of a professionally produced videotape on education and anxiety/distress levels for patients with newly diagnosed melanoma: a randomized, prospective clinical trial.

Objective: Little is known about the effects of videotape-based education on knowledge and anxiety levels among patients with melanoma. We sought to evaluate effects of a professionally produced videotape on the knowledge and distress levels among patients with newly diagnosed melanoma. Secondarily, we sought to compare these effects with those of a traditional clinic visit.

Microstaging accuracy after subtotal incisional biopsy of cutaneous melanoma.

Background: A significant portion of cutaneous melanoma may remain after subtotal incisional biopsy. The accuracy of microstaging and impact on clinical practice in this scenario are unknown.

Objective: Our purpose was to examine microstaging accuracy of an initial incisional biopsy with a significant portion of the clinical lesion remaining (> or =50%).

Patterns of Internet use and impact on patients with melanoma.

Background: Patients with cancer and their families frequently, and increasingly, turn to outside sources for information, particularly the World Wide Web. Our objective was to examine the use of the Internet and its impact among patients with melanoma.

Methods: A prospective survey was obtained from 1613 consecutive patients with cutaneous melanoma seen at our institution between August 2001 and February 2003.

Microdermabrasion: a molecular analysis following a single treatment.

Background: Microdermabrasion is a popular method of superficial skin resurfacing. It is unclear if dermal remodeling actually occurs.

Objective: To rigorously investigate the molecular alterations observed following a single microdermabrasion treatment.

Tretinoin treatment before carbon-dioxide laser resurfacing: a clinical and biochemical analysis.

Background: Tretinoin is often prescribed before laser resurfacing in an attempt to enhance results.

Objective: We sought to assess the clinical and biochemical effects of preoperative tretinoin use before laser resurfacing.

Methods: Patients were randomized to apply tretinoin to one forearm and placebo to the other for 3 weeks.

An education theory-based method to teach a procedural skill.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of an education theory-based method to teach students to place and tie a simple interrupted stitch.

Design: A teaching intervention before-after trial.

Setting: Dermatology department, academic university.

Connective tissue remodeling induced by carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of photodamaged human skin.

Objective: To quantitatively examine the dynamics of molecular alterations involved in dermal remodeling after carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser resurfacing of photodamaged human skin.

Design: Serial in vivo biochemical analyses after laser therapy.

Setting: Academic referral center, Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Effect of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing on epidermal p53 immunostaining in photodamaged skin.

Objective: To quantitatively examine changes in p53 tumor suppressor gene immunostaining after carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser resurfacing of photodamaged skin to assess the potential value of this treatment in reducing the risk of progression to cutaneous carcinoma.

Design: Serial in vivo immunohistochemical analyses after laser therapy.

Setting: Academic referral center, Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Treatment of acne vulgaris with a pulsed dye laser: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: The high prevalence of acne vulgaris and its significant morbidity underscore the need for convenient, low-risk, and efficacious therapy. Treatment with various lasers has been reported to improve acne.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of pulsed dye laser therapy in the treatment of acne.

Standard immunostains for melanoma in sentinel lymph node specimens: which ones are most useful?

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in melanoma is an increasingly used procedure. Pathologic evaluation of SLNs using immunohistochemistry improves diagnostic accuracy, yet no universally accepted standard protocol for pathologic processing of SLNs exists.

Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with the sensitivity of the immunostains S-100, HMB-45, and Melan-A for SLN biopsy.

Lafora disease: diagnosis by skin biopsy.

Lafora disease is a fatal neurometabolic disorder characterized by progressive myoclonic epilepsy. Diagnosis relies upon the discovery of specific inclusion bodies in any of several organs. Dermatologists and dermatopathologists should be familiar with this condition because axillary skin biopsy is useful to diagnose this disorder.

Mucinous carcinoma of the skin.

Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin is a rare adnexal neoplasm with sweat gland differentiation. We describe a case of primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin and characterize its clinical and histologic features. Mucinous carcinoma can occur in noncutaneous visceral sites and may metastasize to the skin.