Human rod photoreceptor outer segments are supported by accessory inner segment structures.

The first steps in vision take place in photoreceptor cells, which are highly compartmentalized neurons exhibiting significant structural variation across species. The light-sensitive ciliary compartment, called the outer segment, is located atop of the cell soma, called the inner segment. In this study, we present an ultrastructural analysis of human photoreceptors, which reveals that, in contrast to this classic arrangement, the inner segment of human rods extends alongside the outer segment to form a structure hereby termed the "accessory inner segment".

A severe presentation of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis with non-infectious circulatory shock in an adolescent.

We present a severe case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) secondary to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole complicated by non-infectious circulatory shock in a 16-year-old boy. Hemodynamic instability has been reported as a complication of AGEP in adults, but is rarely observed in pediatric patients. The patient we present demonstrated characteristic cutaneous findings of AGEP including isolated non-follicular, sterile pustules on a background of erythema with involvement at intertriginous areas and subsequently developed non-infectious circulatory shock.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Psoriasis Are an Expanded Population Exhibiting Diverse T-Cell-Suppressor Mechanisms.

Psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disease caused by hyperactivated T cells regulated by positive and negative mechanisms; although the former have been much studied, the latter have not. We studied the regulatory mechanism mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and showed that MDSCs expanded in melanoma patients express dendritic cell-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan-dependent integrin ligand, a critical mediator of T-cell suppressor function. We examined expansion of DC-HIL(+) MDSCs in psoriasis and characterized their functional properties.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) associated with levamisole-adulterated cocaine: Clinical, serologic, and histopathologic findings in a cohort of patients.

Background: Recently, isolated reports of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) secondary to levamisole-contaminated cocaine have been described, with similar serologic findings to the vasculopathic presentation.

Objective: We sought to describe clinical, histopathological, and serologic findings in 8 patients with PG associated with levamisole-contaminated cocaine.

Methods: Eight consecutive patients presenting with this disease spanning the period from 2011 to 2015 were included for the cohort.

Psoriasis and cardiovascular risk factors: increased serum myeloperoxidase and corresponding immunocellular overexpression by Cd11b(+) CD68(+) macrophages in skin lesions.

Background: Recent studies report independent associations between psoriasis, cardiovascular (CV) events and risk factors. Blood Myeloperoxidase (MPO) from activated myeloid cells is associated with CV risk mainly through lipid oxidation, induction of endothelial dysfunction and release of IL-12 from macrophages.

Objectives: To elucidate associations between psoriasis and conventional CV risk factors.

Single administration of lesion-limited high-dose (TURBO) ultraviolet B using the excimer laser: clinical clearing in association with apoptosis of epidermal and dermal T cell subsets in psoriasis.

Background/purpose: Development of effective therapy for psoriasis is confounded by numerous factors contributing to disease pathogenesis, including pathogenic immunocytes which appear to drive epidermal keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Our objective was to study clinical and biomarker effects of a single dose of TURBO laser UVB (308 nm) applied directly to psoriatic plaques.

Methods: Eighteen patients with chronic plaque psoriasis received a single dose of 10 minimal erythema dose (MED) UVB and were followed for 8 weeks.

Physical and mental impact of psoriasis severity as measured by the compact Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) quality of life tool.

The Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) is used to assess the patient's quality of life (QoL) using the physical component score (PCS) and the mental component score (MCS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the SF-12 PCS and MCS are associated with psoriasis severity and to compare QoL between Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis (MFCP) patients and patients with other major chronic diseases included in the National Survey of Functional Health Status data. We used data from 429 adult patients enrolled in MFCP.

Psoriasis treatment patterns of dermatologists in northeast Ohio.

Aim: To describe the psoriasis treatment patterns of community-based dermatologists in northeast Ohio.

Materials And Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey was performed among dermatologists in northeast Ohio. The survey was initiated by the Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis and members of LIFEDERMNET (Leaders Initiative For Excellence In Dermatology Network).

Allergic contact dermatitis to synthetic rubber gloves: changing trends in patch test reactions to accelerators.

Background: Rubber gloves are one of the most frequent causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis, especially in health care workers.

Observations: We describe 23 patients with allergic contact dermatitis due to rubber accelerators in rubber gloves, some with disseminated dermatitis, treated during a 2-year period. Three had IgE-mediated latex allergies.

Patient safety in dermatology: a review of the literature.

Objective: We performed a literature review of patient safety topics pertinent to dermatology and related to outpatient settings for situations in which data from dermatology are lacking.

Methods: Searches in MEDLINE via PubMed interface, OVID and Google Scholar were carried out from October, 2008 through May, 2009 for English-language articles published between 1948 and 2009. Each search combined 2 or 3 of the following terms: patient safety, medical error, human error, preventable adverse event, dermatology, outpatient, ambulatory care, medication error, diagnostic error, laboratory error, pathology error, office-based surgery, wrong-site procedure, infections, falls, laser safety, scope of practice.

Hand/face/neck localized pattern: sticky problems--resins.

Plastic resin systems have an increasingly diverse array of applications but also induce health hazards, the most common of which are allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Contact urticaria, pigmentary changes, and photoallergic contact dermatitis may occasionally occur. Other health effects, especially respiratory and neurologic signs and symptoms, have also been reported.

Biologics in the management of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease for which there exist topical, ultraviolet, systemic, and biologic treatments. Biologic agents selectively interfere with the immune mechanisms responsible for psoriasis. Etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab target tumor necrosis factor-alpha and have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.