Cutaneous Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammatory arthritis and periarticular structural damage. Available evidence suggests that RA results from complex interactions between genetic susceptibility (e.g., HLA-DRB1), environmental factors (e.g., smoking), and immune dysregulation. Alongside joint-related symptoms, individuals with RA may also experience a wide array of skin issues, including the development of nodules, neutrophilic dermatoses, vasculitis, and vasculopathy. Treatment strategies for these manifestations vary but routinely involve corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and biologics, with individualized approaches guided by disease severity. In this review, we provide comprehensive insights into the skin-related issues associated with RA, outlining their clinical characteristics and histopathological findings. Our aim is to facilitate early diagnosis and personalized treatment to improve the quality of life of affected individuals.

Successful Management of Angioinvasive Deep Fungal Infections of the Penis: A Multidisciplinary Approach with Intraoperative Frozen Margins.

BACKGROUND Mucormycosis, a cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, is rarely identified in the penis. The literature often describes drastic surgical interventions or rapid patient demise, with scant mention of surgical management specifics. The objective of this report is to detail our experience with this unique infection and highlight the utility of intraoperative frozen margins during surgical management. CASE REPORT Herein, we describe successful treatment of a 55-year-old man with biopsy-proven B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) undergoing Hyper-CVAD (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Adriamycin, and Dexamethasone) therapy who initially presented with an asymptomatic violaceous lesion of the penis. Differential diagnoses ranged from infectious, vasculogenic, and pharmacologic in nature. Ultimately, a punch biopsy tissue culture confirmed angioinvasive fungal infection with Rhizopus and Fusarium species. Initial debridement combined with intravenous antifungal therapy was unsuccessful. However, partial penectomy with use of intraoperative frozen margins, a 5-week course of antifungal therapy, and continued B-ALL treatment allowed effective and lasting resolution of the infection, with partial penile preservation. CONCLUSIONS This case supports a multidisciplinary approach as the primary treatment for penile angioinvasive fungal infections. This includes treatment of the underlying immunocompromising condition, appropriate intravenous antifungal therapy, and urgent operative debridement. This report highlights the importance of utilizing intraoperative frozen sections to ensure negative margins and to optimize overall tissue sparing in this anatomically sensitive area.

Chronic Ulcer on the Tongue as a Manifestation of Histoplasmosis During Anti-tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-⍺) Inhibitor Therapy for Psoriasis.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-⍺) inhibitors are commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis. However, these agents lead to increased susceptibility to infections. We report a patient with reactivation of latent histoplasmosis six months after starting an anti-TNF-⍺ inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis. Dermatologists should be aware of the risks associated with initiating therapy and maintain a low threshold of suspicion for this infection in patients on anti-TNF-⍺ inhibitors presenting with oral ulcers.

Evidence-Based Utility of Adjunct Antioxidant Supplementation for the Prevention and Treatment of Dermatologic Diseases: A Comprehensive Systematic Review.

Skin conditions are a significant cause of fatal and nonfatal disease burdens globally, ranging from mild irritations to debilitating diseases. Oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and the cells' ability to repair damage, is implicated in various skin diseases. Antioxidants have been studied for their potential benefits in dermatologic health, but the evidence is limited and conflicting. Herein, we conducted a systematic review of controlled trials, meta-analyses, and Cochrane review articles to evaluate the current evidence on the utility of antioxidant supplementation for adjunct prevention and treatment of skin disease and to provide a comprehensive assessment of their role in promoting dermatologic health. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Epistemonikos databases were queried. Eligibility criteria included (1) primary focus on nanoparticle utility for skin cancer; (2) includes measurable outcomes data with robust comparators; (3) includes a number of human subjects or cell-line types, where applicable; (4) English language; and (5) archived as full-text journal articles. A total of 55 articles met the eligibility criteria for the present review. Qualitative analysis revealed that topical and oral antioxidant supplementation has demonstrated preliminary efficacy in reducing sunburns, depigmentation, and photoaging. Dietary exogenous antioxidants (namely vitamins A, C, and E) have shown chemopreventive effects against skin cancer. Antioxidant supplementation has also shown efficacy in treating non-cancer dermatoses, including rosacea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and acne vulgaris. While further studies are needed to validate these findings on a larger scale, antioxidant supplementation holds promise for improving skin health and preventing skin diseases.

Regulatory miRNAs and lncRNAs in Skin Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have a significant regulatory role in the pathogenesis of skin cancer, despite the fact that protein-coding genes have generally been the focus of research efforts in the field. We comment on the actions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the current review with an eye toward potential therapeutic treatments. LncRNAs are remarkably adaptable, acting as scaffolding, guides, or decoys to modify key signaling pathways (i.e., the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway) and gene expression. As post-transcriptional gatekeepers, miRNAs control gene expression by attaching to messenger RNAs and causing their degradation or suppression during translation. Cell cycle regulation, cellular differentiation, and immunological responses are all affected by the dysregulation of miRNAs observed in skin cancer. NcRNAs also show promise as diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic indicators. Unraveling the complexity of the regulatory networks governed by ncRNAs in skin cancer offers unprecedented opportunities for groundbreaking targeted therapies, revolutionizing the landscape of dermatologic care.

Nanoparticle-Based Treatment Approaches for Skin Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Nanoparticles have shown marked promise as both antineoplastic agents and drug carriers. Despite strides made in immunomodulation, low success rates and toxicity remain limitations within the clinical oncology setting. In the present review, we assess advances in drug delivery nanoparticles, for systemic and topical use, in skin cancer treatment. A systematic review of controlled trials, meta-analyses, and Cochrane review articles was conducted. Eligibility criteria included: (1) a primary focus on nanoparticle utility for skin cancer; (2) available metrics on prevention and treatment outcomes; (3) detailed subject population; (4) English language; (5) archived as full-text journal articles. A total of 43 articles were selected for review. Qualitative analysis revealed that nanoscale systems demonstrate significant antineoplastic and anti-metastasis properties: increased drug bioavailability, reduced toxicity, enhanced permeability and retention effect, as well as tumor growth inhibition, among others. Nanoformulations for skin cancers have largely lagged behind those tested in other cancers-several of which have commercialized formulae. However, emerging evidence has indicated a powerful role for these carriers in targeting primary and metastatic skin cancers.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Molecular Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Management-A Systematic Review.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the hair follicles in areas of the body with apocrine glands. The condition is characterized by recurrent, painful nodules, abscesses, and draining sinuses that can lead to scarring and disfigurement. In this present study, we provide a focused evaluation of recent developments in hidradenitis suppurativa research, including novel therapeutics and promising biomarkers that may facilitate clinical diagnosis and treatment. We conducted a systematic review of controlled trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, case reports, and Cochrane Review articles in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Epistemonikos databases were queried via Title/Abstract screen. Eligibility criteria included the following: (1) has a primary focus on hidradenitis suppurativa, (2) includes measurable outcomes data with robust comparators, (3) details the sample population, (4) English language, and (5) archived as full-text journal articles. A total of 42 eligible articles were selected for review. Qualitative evaluation identified numerous developments in our understanding of the disease's multiple potential etiologies, pathophysiology, and treatment options. It is important for individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses their individual needs and goals. To meet this objective, providers must keep current with developments in the genetic, immunological, microbiological, and environmental factors contributing to the disease's development and progression.

Insurance delays in the approval of biologic medications for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Biologics are the most effective treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Insurance approval and need for prior authorization continue to be a barrier to care for many patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We sought to determine whether race/ethnicity, insurance type, and provider specialty affect biologic approval times. Records from the University of Miami Health System were reviewed, and 101 patients were included. Need for a prior authorization was significantly associated with long waits (p = 2.4 × 10-5). We did not identify a significant difference in wait times between non-Hispanic Whites and non-Whites. The average wait time for biologic approval for Whites was 29.7 days and for non-Whites was 27.2 days. Biologics were approved the same day for 23.7% of HMO carriers, 11.5% of PPO carriers, 63% of Medicare carriers, and 40% of Medicaid carriers (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the biologic type prescribed based on insurance type. Medicaid (p < 0.05) and the need for prior authorization (p = 2.4 × 10-5) significantly predicted approval wait time in our multilinear regression model. Patients with Medicare had the shortest wait time with a mean of 7.3 days. Medicaid patients waited a mean of 11.3 days. Private insurance patients waited the longest, regardless of whether they had a PPO (37 days) or HMO (41.3 days).

The Inflammasome Signaling Proteins ASC and IL-18 as Biomarkers of Psoriasis.

Inflammasome activation in the innate immune response plays a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis largely due to the increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the precise role of inflammasomes in psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is largely undefined. To establish the reliability of inflammasome signaling proteins as diagnostics and predictive biomarkers of clinical severity in this disease population, serum from healthy donors and patients with Ps/PsA were analyzed for the protein expression of caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC), interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 levels to determine cut-off points, positive and negative predictive values, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Our data revealed that ASC and IL-18 proteins were significantly higher in the Ps group when compared to healthy controls. The area under the curve (AUC) for ASC was 0.9224 with a cut-off point of 321.8 pg/ml, while IL-18 had an AUC of 0.7818 and a cut-off point of 232.1 pg/ml. In addition, levels of IL-18 had a statistically significant linear correlation with that of ASC with an adjusted R squared of 0.2566, indicating that approximately 25% of IL-18 levels could be explained by ASC levels in serum. Our findings indicate that ASC and IL-18 play a significant role in the inflammatory response associated with the pathology of Ps. These inflammasome proteins appear to be key biomarkers in determining diagnoses in this patient population.

Cutaneous vascular lesions in the pediatric population: a review of laser surgery applications and lesion-specific device parameters.

Laser surgery is becoming an increasingly efficacious and customizable treatment modality for the management of pediatric vascular lesions. Proper use requires a thorough understanding of the scientific principles of laser surgery and knowledge of the various lasers available. Moreover, each laser has a multitude of settings that can be employed to properly target the lesion at hand. Each patient will present with unique challenges and variations in the presentation of their vascular lesion. This requires understanding of the most effective laser to use for each lesion and the factors that may alter the desired device settings. Using key search terms, a literature search was conducted on laser surgery for pediatric vascular lesions using PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase for articles published in English or French. Ultimately, 52 articles met our search criteria. The laser indications, limitations, and settings utilized for each type of vascular lesion were compiled for the purposes of this summative review. Laser surgery is an effective and appropriate option for the treatment of certain pediatric vascular lesions. Knowledge of optimal device parameters in every setting is essential to good clinical practice.