Reliable Detection of Eczema Areas for Fully Automated Assessment of Eczema Severity from Digital Camera Images.

Assessing the severity of eczema in clinical research requires face-to-face skin examination by trained staff. Such approaches are resource-intensive for participants and staff, challenging during pandemics, and prone to inter- and intra-observer variation. Computer vision algorithms have been proposed to automate the assessment of eczema severity using digital camera images. However, they often require human intervention to detect eczema lesions and cannot automatically assess eczema severity from real-world images in an end-to-end pipeline. We developed a model to detect eczema lesions from images using data augmentation and pixel-level segmentation of eczema lesions on 1,345 images provided by dermatologists. We evaluated the quality of the obtained segmentation compared with that of the clinicians, the robustness to varying imaging conditions encountered in real-life images, such as lighting, focus, and blur, and the performance of downstream severity prediction when using the detected eczema lesions. The quality and robustness of eczema lesion detection increased by approximately 25% and 40%, respectively, compared with that of our previous eczema detection model. The performance of the downstream severity prediction remained unchanged. Use of skin segmentation as an alternative to eczema segmentation that requires specialist labeling showed the performance on par with when eczema segmentation is used.

Disseminated Mucocutaneous Histoplasmosis Diagnosed in the United Kingdom, Presumably as a Result of Recrudescence Decades After Primary Infection Following Immunosuppressive Treatment of Its Mimic, Sarcoidosis: A Multidisciplinary Cautionary Tale.

ABSTRACT: Histoplasmosis is a dimorphic fungal infection, which is rare outside endemic pockets in North, Central, and South America, Asia, and Africa. Herein, we describe a woman in her 80s living in the Scottish Borders region of the United Kingdom with a recent diagnosis of granulomatous rosacea, who on receiving escalating immunosuppression for suspected sarcoidosis, and long-standing rheumatoid arthritis developed a striking eruption involving her eyelids along with painful ulceration of the oral and nasal mucosa. Histopathologic examination of the skin and mucosal lesions demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with numerous yeast forms of fungal organisms with morphological characteristics of Histoplasma species. This was confirmed to be H. capsulatum on fungal culture and direct panfungal polymerase chain reaction assay. Although the patient had not left the United Kingdom for more than 20 years, she gave a travel history involving multiple trips to countries where histoplasmosis is known to occur, before that. This case exemplifies the challenges involved in making a diagnosis of histoplasmosis in nonendemic regions for both clinicians and pathologists alike. In this particular patient, the diagnostic difficulties were compounded by the clinicopathological overlap with other cutaneous and systemic granulomatous disorders like granulomatous rosacea and suspected sarcoidosis and also the exceptionally long latency period between the purported historical primary infection and recent recrudescence. We highlight this unusual case to increase an awareness of histoplasmosis, which is very rare in nonendemic regions like the United Kingdom and involves cases acquired during residence in or travel to endemic areas, to ensure its prompt recognition and treatment.

Detecting Eczema Areas in Digital Images: An Impossible Task?

Assessing the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD, or eczema) traditionally relies on a face-to-face assessment by healthcare professionals and may suffer from inter- and intra-rater variability. With the expanding role of telemedicine, several machine learning algorithms have been proposed to automatically assess AD severity from digital images. Those algorithms usually detect and then delineate (segment) AD lesions before assessing lesional severity and are trained using the data of AD areas detected by healthcare professionals. To evaluate the reliability of such data, we estimated the inter-rater reliability of AD segmentation in digital images. Four dermatologists independently segmented AD lesions in 80 digital images collected in a published clinical trial. We estimated the inter-rater reliability of the AD segmentation using the intraclass correlation coefficient at the pixel and the area levels for different resolutions of the images. The average intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.45 ( standard error = 0.04 ) corresponding to a poor agreement between raters, whereas the degree of agreement for AD segmentation varied from image to image. The AD segmentation in digital images is highly rater dependent even among dermatologists. Such limitations need to be taken into consideration when AD segmentation data are used to train machine learning algorithms that assess eczema severity.

A review of the evidence for Mohs micrographic surgery. Part 2: basal cell carcinoma.

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is considered the gold-standard treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) particularly for sites with a high-risk of incomplete excision such as the central face, for tumours with an aggressive growth pattern and consequent unpredictable subclinical extension and for recurrent tumours. However, the process is more time-consuming than for standard excision (SE), and the magnitude of benefit is uncertain. This article aims to provide a more complete picture of current evidence, including a review of cosmetic outcomes, tissue-sparing ability and cost-effectiveness of MMS. Although robust evidence is lacking, there is a large volume of observational data supporting a low recurrence rate after MMS. The risk of incomplete excision and higher recurrence rate of standard excision favours the use of MMS at high-risk sites. There is some low-certainty evidence that MMS results in a smaller defect size compared with SE, and that incomplete excision with SE results in larger defects. Larger defects may affect cosmetic outcome but there is no direct evidence that MMS improves cosmetic outcome compared with SE. There is conflicting evidence regarding the cost of MMS compared with SE, as some studies consider MMS less expensive than SE and others consider it more expensive, which may reflect the healthcare setting. A multicentre 10-year randomized controlled trial comparing MMS and SE in the treatment of high-risk BCC would be desirable, but is unlikely to be feasible or ethical. Collection of robust registry data capturing both MMS and SE outcomes would provide additional long-term outcomes.

A review of Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer. Part 3: Squamous cell carcinoma.

This review presents and discusses the evidence for MMS to treat cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched; 39 papers were identified for recurrence and 2 papers for cost-effectiveness. We included all clinical trials and observational studies, including retrospective reports, and excluded editorials and systematic reviews or meta-analyses. We categorized the evidence under the following headings: tumour recurrence, specific site outcomes (ear, lip, scalp and periocular), cSCC with perineural invasion, and cost-effectiveness. Although there are many observational studies indicating the potential benefits of MMS in the management of certain cSCCs, no randomized controlled trials (RCT) were identified. The evidence from comparitor studies suggests that MMS has a lower recurrence rate than that of other treatments for cSCC, including standard excision. Many studies identified were single-armed, but did demonstrate a low to very low recurrence rate of cSCC following MMS. A single recent study suggests MMS for intermediate cSCC is highly cost-effective compared with wide local excision when all-in costs are considered. Since the overall quality of included studies was mixed and highly heterogeneous, further methodologically robust studies with comparator arms or comprehensive long-term registry data would be valuable. It would be ideal to employ a definitive multicentre RCT but given the evidence to date and multiple advantages to MMS, the lack of clinical equipoise makes this difficult to justify. Comparison with current modalities would likely not be ethical/achievable on a like-for-like basis given MMS provides 100% margin assessment, enables histological clearance prior to reconstruction, and minimizes the removal of uninvolved tissue.

Selection of Oncogenic Mutant Clones in Normal Human Skin Varies with Body Site.

Skin cancer risk varies substantially across the body, yet how this relates to the mutations found in normal skin is unknown. Here we mapped mutant clones in skin from high- and low-risk sites. The density of mutations varied by location. The prevalence of NOTCH1 and FAT1 mutations in forearm, trunk, and leg skin was similar to that in keratinocyte cancers. Most mutations were caused by ultraviolet light, but mutational signature analysis suggested differences in DNA-repair processes between sites. Eleven mutant genes were under positive selection, with TP53 preferentially selected in the head and FAT1 in the leg. Fine-scale mapping revealed 10% of clones had copy-number alterations. Analysis of hair follicles showed mutations in the upper follicle resembled adjacent skin, but the lower follicle was sparsely mutated. Normal skin is a dense patchwork of mutant clones arising from competitive selection that varies by location. SIGNIFICANCE: Mapping mutant clones across the body reveals normal skin is a dense patchwork of mutant cells. The variation in cancer risk between sites substantially exceeds that in mutant clone density. More generally, mutant genes cannot be assigned as cancer drivers until their prevalence in normal tissue is known.See related commentary by De Dominici and DeGregori, p. 227.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 211.

Mbd3/NuRD controls lymphoid cell fate and inhibits tumorigenesis by repressing a B cell transcriptional program.

Differentiation of lineage-committed cells from multipotent progenitors requires the establishment of accessible chromatin at lineage-specific transcriptional enhancers and promoters, which is mediated by pioneer transcription factors that recruit activating chromatin remodeling complexes. Here we show that the Mbd3/nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) chromatin remodeling complex opposes this transcriptional pioneering during B cell programming of multipotent lymphoid progenitors by restricting chromatin accessibility at B cell enhancers and promoters. Mbd3/NuRD-deficient lymphoid progenitors therefore prematurely activate a B cell transcriptional program and are biased toward overproduction of pro-B cells at the expense of T cell progenitors. The striking reduction in early thymic T cell progenitors results in compensatory hyperproliferation of immature thymocytes and development of T cell lymphoma. Our results reveal that Mbd3/NuRD can regulate multilineage differentiation by constraining the activation of dormant lineage-specific enhancers and promoters. In this way, Mbd3/NuRD protects the multipotency of lymphoid progenitors, preventing B cell-programming transcription factors from prematurely enacting lineage commitment. Mbd3/NuRD therefore controls the fate of lymphoid progenitors, ensuring appropriate production of lineage-committed progeny and suppressing tumor formation.

Functional characterisation of a novel ovarian cancer cell line, NUOC-1.

BACKGROUND: Cell lines provide a powerful model to study cancer and here we describe a new spontaneously immortalised epithelial ovarian cancer cell line (NUOC-1) derived from the ascites collected at a time of primary debulking surgery for a mixed endometrioid / clear cell / High Grade Serous (HGS) histology. RESULTS: This spontaneously immortalised cell line was found to maintain morphology and epithelial markers throughout long-term culture. NUOC-1 cells grow as an adherent monolayer with a doubling time of 58 hours. The cells are TP53 wildtype, positive for PTEN, HER2 and HER3 expression but negative for oestrogen, progesterone and androgen receptor expression. NUOC-1 cells are competent in homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining, but base excision repair defective. Karyotype analysis demonstrated a complex tetraploid karyotype. SNP array analysis of parent and derived subpopulations (NUOC-1-A1 and NUOC-1-A2) cells demonstrated heterogeneous cell populations with numerous copy number alterations and a pro-amplification phenotype. The characteristics of this new cell line lends it to be an excellent model for investigation of a number of the identified targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell line has been characterised for growth, drug sensitivity, expression of common ovarian markers and mutations, clonogenic potential and ability to form xenografts in SCID mice. Copy number changes and clonal evolution were assessed by SNP arrays.

Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Is a Potential Target for Ovarian Cancer Sensitization to Cytotoxic Agents.

OBJECTIVES: The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor protein has been found to be inactivated or mutated in various human malignancies and to play a role in cisplatin and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor sensitivity. In this study, we assessed the association of PTEN loss with homologous recombination (HR) deficiency and increased chemosensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PTEN knockdown models were created using MISSION shRNA lentiviral transduction particles in cell lines derived from normal ovarian surface epithelium and a mixed endometrioid/clear-cell carcinoma. Sensitivity to common therapeutics was assessed using sulforhodamine B assay. Twenty-eight unselected primary epithelial ovarian cancer cultures derived from ascitic fluid collected at the time of surgery and matched genomic DNA were assessed for PTEN mutations using polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing and for mRNA expression using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; HR was determined using γH2AX/RAD51 assay. The Cancer Genome Atlas data were analyzed using cBioPortal. RESULTS: In the carcinoma cell line, the PTEN knockdown enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin, rucaparib, doxorubicin, camptothecin, paclitaxel, and irradiation. In the primary ovarian cancer cultures, 2 point mutations were found (1105T>TG, 25L>L in 6 cultures and 1508G>GA, 159R>R in 4 cultures). The PTEN mRNA expression varied over 40-fold between the cultures, but did not correlate with HR status or in vitro sensitivity to cisplatin or rucaparib. The Cancer Genome Atlas data showed a rate of 8% alteration in PTEN and a trend toward improved survival in PTEN-mutated cases. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that although PTEN mutations in ovarian cancer are rare, PTEN inhibition results in therapeutic sensitization. Therefore, PTEN may be an important therapeutic target, in at least some cancers.

Saphenous vein graft percutaneous coronary intervention via radial artery access: safe and effective with reduced hospital length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via radial artery access confers many advantages over the femoral artery, PCI to saphenous vein grafts (SVG) is commonly performed via the femoral route. We compared outcomes in patients undergoing SVG PCI from the radial and femoral routes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent SVG PCI between January 2006 and December 2010 in 2 large interventional centers in the United Kingdom. All radial and femoral operators selected for this analysis performed high-volume (>200 PCIs per year) procedures via either vascular route. RESULTS: Of 305 patients (260 males) who underwent SVG PCI, 208 (68.2%) had the procedure completed from the femoral route and 97 (32.8%) radially. There was no difference between groups in fluoroscopy time (femoral vs radial 1095 vs 1125 seconds, P nonsgnificant), but radiation doses were greater (43.87 ± 2.83 Gy/cm(2) vs 56.92 ± 4.52 Gy/cm(2), P = .012) as was body mass index in the radial group (27.99 ± 0.33 vs 29.05 ± 0.42, P = .048). Three femoral access patients had vascular access complications, whereas the radial route group had none. There were no differences in no flow/slow flow (femoral 3.86% vs radial 2.54%, P nonsignificant). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the radial access cohort (1.09 vs 2.09 days, P < .001). Three patients converted from radial to femoral artery, whereas one converted from femoral to radial after technical failure to complete the procedure. CONCLUSION: Saphenous vein graft PCI can be safely and effectively performed via radial artery access with comparable fluoroscopy times but not radiation doses. Of clinical significance, use of the radial artery access was associated with decreased hospital stay and arterial complications. These data suggest that a routine radial approach for SVG PCI is feasible and could offer clinical and economic benefits.