August 2007 Briefing - Dermatology
Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for August 2007. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Hand Eczema Extent is a Long-Term Prognostic Factor
FRIDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- The extent of hand eczema is a strong negative long-term prognostic factor, confirming a previous study, while morphology does not add any significant prognostic information, according to study findings published in the September issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Dramatic Healing of Ulcers Achieved in Diabetic Mice
FRIDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Skin ulcers in diabetic mice demonstrated dramatic improvement with applications of antibodies aimed at neutralizing tumor necrosis factor (TNF), according to a German study published in the September issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
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Staphylococcus aureus Infections on the Rise
THURSDAY, Aug. 30 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is rising, researchers report in a study published in the August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Most of these cases are due to the USA300 clone, and researchers postulate that the clone's growing virulence is to blame.
Natural Compound in Broccoli May Combat Skin Disease
TUESDAY, Aug. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Sulforaphane, a natural compound found in broccoli, dramatically reduced skin blistering in a mouse model of the rare genetic disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex, according to a report published online Aug. 27 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Rats Given Clopidogrel Show Improved Skin Flap Survival
TUESDAY, Aug. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Administering the platelet inhibitor clopidogrel after surgical raising of epigastric island flaps in rats was associated with significantly better flap survival, according to study results published in the August issue of the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
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FDA Sunscreen Proposal Gives Consumers More Information
FRIDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed a new regulation to change the way sunscreens are labeled, tested and created. These new standards would particularly address these products' ability to protect consumers against ultraviolet A (UVA) light.
Magnetic Field Speeds Cutaneous Healing in Animal Study
THURSDAY, Aug. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Exposing rats to pulses of a low-amplitude magnetic field speeds wound healing, researchers report in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma Follows Embryonic Fusion Planes
THURSDAY, Aug. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Basal cell carcinomas are more than four times more likely to occur at an embryonic fusion plane than at any other region of the midface area, according to a report in the August issue of Dermatologic Surgery.
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Variables Identified in Congenital Melanocytic Nevi
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with congenital melanocytic nevi, the major dermoscopic patterns vary by age and lesion site, according to a report published in the August issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
Stem Cell Population Improves Healing in Diabetic Mice
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- A population of bone marrow stem cells improves wound closure in diabetic mice, researchers report in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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Newer Skin Tightening Method Rates High with Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Newer methods of non-surgical skin tightening using monopolar radiofrequency with lower-energy probes and multiple passes reduce heat pain and increase patient satisfaction with treatment expectations, according to a report published in the August issue of Dermatologic Surgery.
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Resident Duty-Hour Cuts Curb Surgeon Job Satisfaction
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Reforms limiting resident duty hours are increasing surgeons' workloads and may be negatively affecting patient care, researchers report in the August issue of the Archives of Surgery.
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Port-Wine Stains Respond Best to Variable-Pulse Laser
TUESDAY, Aug. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Variable-pulse pulsed dye laser treatment is more effective than conventional pulse dye laser therapy for the treatment of port-wine stains, but neither treatment can effectively treat vessels less than 30 μm in diameter, according to study findings published in the August issue of Dermatologic Surgery.
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Risky Tanning Behaviors More Common in Hispanic Teens
MONDAY, Aug. 20 (HealthDay News) -- White Hispanic high school students are more than twice as likely to use tanning beds as non-Hispanic white students, and they are also significantly less likely to protect themselves against skin cancer, according to a report in the August issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
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Editorial
Greater Distance to Doctor Linked to Thicker Melanoma
MONDAY, Aug. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The thickness of a patient's melanoma is associated with the distance that a patient must travel to see the health care provider who diagnoses it, researchers report in the August issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
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Study Sheds Light on Penile Melanoma
FRIDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Primary mucosal penile melanoma has a similar prognosis as cutaneous melanoma when the tumors are of comparable thickness, according to a report in the August issue of Urology. Wide local excision and sentinal node biopsy for clinically negative lymph nodes is the recommended treatment.
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Skin Lesions Common in Type 1 Diabetics
FRIDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Cutaneous manifestations, including lesions, are common in younger people with type 1 diabetes and their timing and duration could help determine intervention strategies, according to the results of a study published in the August issue of Diabetes Care.
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SOX9 Protein is Key Regulator of Melanin in Skin Cells
THURSDAY, Aug. 16 (HealthDay News) -- The SOX9 protein, previously known for its role in sexual determinism and skeletal disorders, may play an important role in skin-cell development and melanin production, according to a report published online Aug. 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Eye Cancer Risk Elevated in Kidney-Transplant Patients
THURSDAY, Aug. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Kidney-transplant patients have an increased risk of ocular squamous cell carcinoma, according to the results of a study published online Aug. 14 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Because HIV patients also have an increased risk, the finding suggests that this malignancy is an immune deficiency-associated cancer.
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Vulvar Melanoma Survival Better in Those Under Age 69
TUESDAY, Aug. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Vulvar melanoma patients have a better five-year survival if they are younger, have localized disease and do not have lymph node involvement, according to a report in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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High Costs Associated with Treating Shingles Pain
MONDAY, Aug. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Undiagnosed progression of herpes zoster results in millions of dollars in additional health care expenditures to treat patients with persistent pain, suggesting the need for early interventions, according to the results of a study in the August issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Rituximab Effective to Treat Severe Pemphigus
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8 (HealthDay News) -- A single cycle of rituximab can be effective for treating patients with severe pemphigus who are not responding to corticosteroids, according to a report in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. However, its use should be limited due to the drug's potentially life-threatening side effects.
Many Workers Suffer from Hand Contact Dermatitis
FRIDAY, Aug. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Health care workers and machine operators are among the most likely to be exposed to allergens that cause hand contact dermatitis, largely due to their use of rubber gloves, researchers report in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Nutrition May Influence Facial Acne in Young Men
FRIDAY, Aug. 3 (HealthDay News) -- A low-glycemic-load diet with sufficient protein may be effective in reducing lesions in mild to moderate facial acne in young men, according to the results of a dietary intervention study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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With Eye Protection, Psoriasis Therapy Poses Little Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 2 (HealthDay News) -- There appears to be little increased risk of visual impairment or cataracts from the long-term use of psoralen plus ultraviolet A to treat psoriasis and other skin disorders in middle-aged patients who wear appropriate eye protection, according to a study in the August issue of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Irradiated Curcumin Inhibits Rapid Skin Cell Growth
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Combining low doses of the dietary pigment curcumin with ultraviolet light (UVA) or visible light can activate apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, in rapidly-growing epidermal cells, suggesting a therapeutic approach to treating hyperproliferative skin diseases, according to a study published in the August issue of Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
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