Covering of large scalp defects prior to postoperative irradiation.

Background And Objective: After R0 resection of extensive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with indication for postoperative radiotherapy, closure techniques should be chosen that allow rapid initiation of radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate defect coverage by transverse transposition flap and split skin grafting of the donor site in such a scenario with regard to oncologic safety (recurrence rate) and permanence of wound closure.

Patients And Methods: Eleven patients were identified who had histologic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated by microscopically controlled excision and defect coverage using a transverse transposition flap and split skin grafting of the donor site and who received postoperative radiotherapy.

The long-run effects of religious persecution: Evidence from the Spanish Inquisition.

Religious persecution is common in many countries around the globe. There is little evidence on its long-term effects. We collect data from all across Spain, using information from more than 67,000 trials held by the Spanish Inquisition between 1480 and 1820.

Impact of COVID-19 and intensive care unit capacity on vaccination support: Evidence from a two-leg representative survey in the United Kingdom.

Background: Overcoming coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will likely require mass vaccination. With vaccination scepticism rising in many countries, assessing the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 is of crucial global health importance.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine how personal and family COVID-19 risk and ICU (intensive care unit) availability just before the pandemics influence the acceptance of future COVID-19 vaccines.

Alterations of the Human Skin - and -Glycome in Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The glycome of one of the largest and most exposed human organs, the skin, as well as glycan changes associated with non-melanoma skin cancers have not been studied in detail to date. Skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are among the most frequent types of cancers with rising incidence rates in the aging population. We investigated the healthy human skin - and -glycome and its changes associated with BCC and SCC.

Nazi indoctrination and anti-Semitic beliefs in Germany.

Attempts at modifying public opinions, attitudes, and beliefs range from advertising and schooling to "brainwashing." Their effectiveness is highly controversial. In this paper, we use survey data on anti-Semitic beliefs and attitudes in a representative sample of Germans surveyed in 1996 and 2006 to show that Nazi indoctrination--with its singular focus on fostering racial hatred--was highly effective.

Role of high-resolution ultrasound and PET/CT imaging for preoperative characterization of sentinel lymph nodes in cutaneous melanoma.

The purpose of our study was the comparison of high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) and positron emission tomography combined with computerised tomography (PET/CT) in the preoperative characterization and identification of subclinical nodal metastases focusing on sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in melanoma patients. Patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM) who received sentinel lymph node biopsy at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, between January 2009 and January 2011 had been evaluated with a retrospective computer-aided search concerning preoperative staging procedures. A combination of PET/CT and HRUS had been performed preoperatively in 20 of 123 patients.

Assessment of tumor thickness in melanocytic skin lesions: comparison of optical coherence tomography, 20-MHz ultrasound and histopathology.

Background: Accurate assessment of vertical tumor size is important for surgical treatment planning of melanocytic skin lesions. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is frequently used for this purpose, but overestimation of tumor thickness is known as a problem especially in thin melanocytic lesions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a new imaging technique might be a promising alternative.

Preoperative characterization of basal cell carcinoma comparing tumour thickness measurement by optical coherence tomography, 20-MHz ultrasound and histopathology.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging method with promising results for several dermatological indications, including preoperative skin tumour characterization. While high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is frequently used for this purpose, overestimation of tumour thickness is a problem, due to subtumoral inflammatory infiltration that cannot be differentiated from tumour tissue. The aim of this single-centre study was to describe OCT features of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and to determine vertical tumour thickness accurately, including a comparison with HFUS and histopathology.

Management of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with fibrosarcomatous transformation: an evidence-based review of the literature.

Fibrosarcomatous transformation represents a rare event in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) with unpredictable biological behaviour. No guidelines for the adequate treatment of patients with this rare neoplasm have been published. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of the literature comprising 157 patients with transformed DFSP focussing on surgical and adjuvant treatment modalities for this tumour.

Efficacy of ablative laser treatment in Galli-Galli disease.

Background: Galli-Galli disease (GGD) represents a rare genodermatosis that is clinically characterized by progressive reticulate hyperpigmentation of the flexures accompanied by itching and pain. To date, no convincing treatment options are known for GGD. We sought to examine the therapeutic potential of ablative laser treatment in a patient with genetically confirmed GGD.

Periocular milia en plaque successfully treated by erbium:YAG laser ablation.

Milia en plaque in the periocular region represent a cosmetically disturbing skin condition of unknown origin characterized by numerous tiny milia grouped around the inner canthus and the medial aspect of both eyelids. While conservative treatment and manual expression often result in local recurrence, invasive approaches harbor the risk of mechanical or thermal injury of periocular skin and lid margins. A 32-year-old female patient with refractory periocular milia was treated with the erbium:YAG laser and followed-up for 12 months.

Co-regulated expression of HAND2 and DEIN by a bidirectional promoter with asymmetrical activity in neuroblastoma.

Background: HAND2, a key regulator for the development of the sympathetic nervous system, is located on chromosome 4q33 in a head-to-head orientation with DEIN, a recently identified novel gene with stage specific expression in primary neuroblastoma (NB). Both genes are expressed in primary NB as well as most NB cell lines and are separated by a genomic sequence of 228 bp. The similar expression profile of both genes suggests a common transcriptional regulation mediated by a bidirectional promoter.