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Parents of children with atopic dermatitis often believe that dietary factors influence the course of a child's eczema. This is not a new phenomenon. In this paper, we examine two old documents that explore the relationships between diet and health. The first document is 125‐years‐old and real; the second document is a fictional one that we composed in the style of Mark Twain's Extracts from Adam's Diary, which Twain humorously suggested was from the time of Genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the early cases of AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) in the U.S. The topics discussed include how the perception on KS changed since 1981, the results of the investigations on the preserved serums collected from identified and infected HIV patients from central Africa since 1959, and the methods used in locating tissue specimens.

Motivation: A key component in many RNA-Seq-based studies is contrasting multiple replicates from different experimental conditions. In this setup, replicates play a key role as they allow to capture underlying biological variability inherent to the compared conditions, as well as experimental variability. However, what constitutes a 'bad' replicate is not necessarily well defined. Consequently, researchers might discard valuable data or downstream analysis may be hampered by failed experiments. Results: Here we develop a probability model to weigh a given RNA-Seq sample as a representative of an experimental condition when performing alternative splicing analysis. We demonstrate that this model detects outlier samples which are consistently and significantly different compared with other samples from the same condition. Moreover, we show that instead of discarding such samples the proposed weighting scheme can be used to downweight samples and specific splicing variations suspected as outliers, gaining statistical power. These weights can then be used for differential splicing (DS) analysis, where the resulting algorithm offers a generalization of the MAJIQ algorithm. Using both synthetic and real-life data, we perform an extensive evaluation of the improved MAJIQ algorithm in different scenarios involving perturbed samples, mislabeled samples, same condition groups, and different levels of coverage, showing it compares favorably to other tools. Overall, this work offers an outlier detection algorithm that can be combined with any splicing pipeline, a generalized and improved version of MAJIQ for DS detection, and evaluation metrics with matching code and data for DS algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the history of tokelau, one of the vernacular names of the skin disease Tinea imbricata, which is a dermatophyte infection caused by Trichophyton concentricum. Topics discussed include an examination of the primary sources on Pacific exploration from the 16th to 19th centuries, the possible reference of the name to the Tokelau Islands, an archipelago in central Polynesia, and the conclusion that the name most likely came from a northerly source.

Phrenology is the pseudoscience in which practitioners claim that they can discern one's character and personality traits by studying the structure of the skull. Long before "head bumps" were viewed as determinants of character, skin lines were analyzed to provide similar information and to divine one's future. Palmistry, also called chiromancy, is the interpretation of the lines of the palms and is one of the oldest forms of divination. A similar pseudoscience, metoposcopy, suggests that facial lines and marks, mainly forehead lines, can reveal one's personality and foretell events in one's future. Metoposcopy was first practiced by the ancient Chinese and was popularized during the Renaissance by Girolamo Cardano and later by Richard Saunders. Metoposcopy is a largely forgotten form of skin-based pseudoscience that is no longer practiced today, unlike palmistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is the most exposed organ of the body, and military personnel face many external skin threats. As a result, skin disease is an important source of morbidity among military personnel deployed on combat or peacekeeping operations. This article reviews the most common conditions seen by deployed military dermatologists. A PubMed search was used to identify articles in English, written between 1965 and 2014, using medical subject headings "military medicine" AND "skin disease" or "military personnel" AND "skin disease." The five most common reasons for physician consultation for skin conditions in wartime since the Vietnam War were warts (10.7%), fungal infections (10.4%), acne (9.0%), nonspecific eczematous conditions (7.1%), and sexually transmitted diseases (6.1%). There was a significant difference in the skin conditions seen in the hot and humid climates of Vietnam and East Timor, where bacterial and fungal infections were more common reasons for consultation, and the dry climates of Bosnia and Iraq, where eczematous conditions made up a larger part of the dermatologic caseload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue is the world's fastest‐growing vector borne disease and has significant epidemic potential in suitable climates. Recent disease models incorporating climate change scenarios predict geographic expansion across the globe, including parts of the United States and Europe. It will be increasingly important in the next decade for dermatologists to become familiar with dengue, as it commonly manifests with rashes, which can be used to aid diagnosis. In this review, we discuss dengue for general dermatologists, specifically focusing on its cutaneous manifestations, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. As dengue continues to spread in both endemic and new locations, dermatologists may have a larger role in the timely diagnosis and management of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxofibrosarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas occurring in older adults. It can arise de novo or can be radiation induced, and the term myxofibrosarcoma was originally devised to encompass a spectrum of myxoid tumors with characteristics similar to malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Confusion exists, however, regarding the distinction between microscopic grade and characteristics of myxofibrosarcoma and MFH. Correct classification is vital to prognosis, as the degree of myxoid change is inversely related to the incidence of metastasis. We present a case of a 76-year-old man with a history of high-grade MFH of the left lower extremity, status post excision and radiation therapy, who presented 2 years later with a regional metastatic recurrence of high-grade MFH to the left groin as well as new nodules adjacent to and within his prior excision and radiation site. These new nodules were determined to represent low-grade myxofibrosarcoma. These new low-grade lesions either represent a low-grade recurrence of high-grade sarcoma or a new, radiation-induced soft tissue sarcoma occurring at the same site. Radiotherapy, however, is an unlikely cause; specific postradiation sarcoma criteria have not been fulfilled. This article discusses both the nosology and histopathological spectrum of these important soft tissue sarcomas, their aggressive and recurrent nature and their association with radiation therapy. Bandino JP, Norton SA, Aldrich SL, Wisco OJ, Hodson DS, Murchland MR, Grande DJ. Low-grade myxofibrosarcoma presenting at the site of prior high-grade disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of dermatitis linearis caused by Paederus iliensis (Coiffait) and Paederus ilsae (Bernhauer) occurred at Joint Base Balad in north central Iraq during 2007. It was the first reported incident of P iliensis in Iraq. Some Paederus species contain the vesicating chemical, pederin, which causes painful lesions when crushed on the skin. At this location, 20 Soldiers and Airmen sought medical treatment for skin blistering, most commonly affecting the neck and hands. All cases presented during May and June. Sampling for Paederus began in June after beetles were collected in an area where Soldiers had developed dermatitis and continued until October when no further beetles were collected. Paederus beetles were most likely flying in from areas surrounding the base, and were most common near the base's perimeter in close proximity to bright lights. Nighttime sampling showed that Paederus beetles were most active from one hour after sunset until midnight. Most of the military personnel affected were Soldiers who worked night shifts near bright lights. The occurrence of dermatitis linearis can largely be prevented by modifying the light sources that attract Paederus beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about the evidence of Prion disease in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth."

Recent efforts on the development of production planning systems for sawmills have focused on combined optimization type solutions in a steady-state market environment. This paper describes a linear programming-based multiple period production planning system which responds to expected changes in product value or market demand by changing policies with regard to sawing patterns and log consumption. Log and lumber inventories tie production periods together. The model was tested on a large log mill in British Columbia producing export products. It is shown that the model responds to market changes using sawing pattern selection and altered log consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the detection and identification of striped metallic particles using optical microscopy. Discussion of accurate particle identification; Analysis of synthesis reproducibility; Limitations of optical microscope.

Reports the status of the programs for prospective school administrators. Initiation of the collaborative study by the UCEA Program Center; Examination of specific collaborative activities; Presentation of house educational administration.

Focuses on the education of learning disabled children. General categories of disabled/gifted children; Display of strength in one area and several weaknesses in others; Cognitive characteristics of learning disabled/gifted children; Disruptive behavior; Encountering of various major problems in dealing with learning disabled/gifted children.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article on the recognition and management of anthrax, published in the November 29, 2001 issue.

"Slime" is the colloquial name for a non‐Newtonian viscoelastic putty‐like substance that is currently a popular plaything among pre‐teens and adolescents. Several ingredients in homemade slime recipes may cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. We report two children who developed slime‐associated chronic hand dermatitis, more prominently on their dominant hand. We review the potential for irritant and allergic contact dermatoses as the causes of dermatitis associated with homemade slime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 10 years, the environmental and veterinary communities have sounded alarms over an insidious keratinophilous fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that has decimated populations of bats (yes, bats, chiropterans) throughout North America and, most recently, Northern China and Siberia. We as dermatologists may find this invasive keratinophilous fungus of particular interest, as its method of destruction is disruption of the homeostatic mechanism of the bat wing integument. Although it is unlikely that this pathogen will become an infectious threat to humans, its environmental impact will likely affect us all, especially as recent data have shown upregulation of naturally occurring coronaviruses in coinfected bats. Dermatologists are familiar with keratinophilous dermatophyte infections, but these rarely cause serious morbidity in individual patients and never cause crisis on a population basis. This contribution describes the effects of P destructans on both the individual and the population basis. Bringing the white-nose syndrome to the attention of human dermatologists and skin scientists may invite transfer of expertise in understanding the disease, its pathophysiology, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "A 4-Day-Old Neonate With a Widespread Vesicular Rash" by B. Ladizinski and colleagues published in the journal in 2013.

The article discusses zinc deficiency in three extremely premature infants with cholestatic dermatitis in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a Washington D.C. hospital. The infants' parenteral nutrition (PN) included zinc-containing enteral supplements, which resulted in improved zinc levels and the healing of their skin lesions. Similar cases that other NICUs caring for premature babies in such conditions might face due to a nationwide shortage of injectable zinc are also cited.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Does this patient have erythema migrans?" by C.D. Tibbles and J.A. Edlow.

Presents an article about the irrelevance of the discipline of Botany in the field of Medicine. Assessment of the affiliation of professor William Osler and Albert Schweitzer in Botany; Comments on the obsession of Osler in studying natural history; Discussion of the educational and career background of the professors.

Presents a humorous hypothesis that Jar Jar Binks, a fictional Gungan character from the planet of Naboo in the motion picture 'Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace' suffers from tinea imbricata, a tropical skin disease. Description of the disease; Humorous extrapolation about the intergalactic spread of the disease.

Regulation of gene expression through enhancers is one of the major processes shaping the structure and function of the human brain during development. High-throughput assays have predicted thousands of enhancers involved in neurodevelopment, and confirming their activity through orthogonal functional assays is crucial. Here, we utilized Massively Parallel Reporter Assays (MPRAs) in stem cells and forebrain organoids to evaluate the activity of ~ 7000 gene-linked enhancers previously identified in human fetal tissues and brain organoids. We used a Gaussian mixture model to evaluate the contribution of background noise in the measured activity signal to confirm the activity of ~ 35% of the tested enhancers, with most showing temporal-specific activity, suggesting their evolving role in neurodevelopment. The temporal specificity was further supported by the correlation of activity with gene expression. Our findings provide a valuable gene regulatory resource to the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two American‐born children with vitiligo, each of whom travelled to their family's ancestral home (India and Ethiopia), where their skin conditions were treated with PUVAsol, which involves the use of topical or oral psoralens followed by exposure to natural sunlight. Both children experienced modest repigmentation and were subsequently seen in our dermatology clinics. PUVAsol may be an attractive treatment option for some families, but there are potentially serious side effects including phototoxicity and cutaneous malignancy. Dermatologists should be aware of the existence of this treatment modality as well as its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of contact urticaria and prolonged dysesthesia caused by the poisonous wood nettle, Dendrocnide meyeniana. The authors describe how four men, including a dermatologist, experienced severe stinging sensations on their legs while hiking in the rainforests of the Philippines. The pain was accompanied by erythematous wheals, and dermoscopy revealed white spicules resembling trichomes on the skin. Treatment with topical cream and oral medication provided some relief, but the stinging sensation persisted for about a month. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding the dermatologic effects of this plant, particularly for dermatologists and visitors to Philippine rainforests. [Extracted from the article]

Reports on the instances of nose-biting among cultures in Micronesia and the history of the practice. How jealous wives and husbands bite or cut their spouses noses off in cases of adultery; History of the practice in many cultures; Efforts of the victims to reconstruct their noses.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Etymologia: Pseudoterranova azarasi" published in the March 2011 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Health and philantrophy—the tobacco connection," by S. Chapman in the January 1, 2011 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Diagnosis and Management of Smallpox," by J.G. Breman and D.A. Henderson in the April 25, 2002 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses issues related to raw animal tissues and dietary supplements.

Meteorological data show that disastrous floods are increasingly frequent and more severe in recent years, perhaps due to climatic changes such as global warming. During and after a flood disaster, traumatic injuries, communicable diseases, chemical exposures, malnutrition, decreased access to care, and even mental health disorders dramatically increase, and many of these have dermatological manifestations. Numerous case reports document typical and atypical cutaneous infections, percutaneous trauma, immersion injuries, noninfectious contact exposures, exposure to wildlife, and exacerbation of underlying skin diseases after such disasters as the 2004 Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the 2010 Pakistan floods. This review attempts to provide a basic field manual of sorts to providers who are engaged in care after a flooding event, with particular focus on the infectious consequences. Bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are still common causes of skin infections after floods, with atypical bacteria also greatly increased. Vibrio vulnificus is classically associated with exposure to saltwater or brackish water. It may present as necrotizing fasciitis with hemorrhagic bullae, and treatment consists of doxycycline or a quinolone, plus a third-generation cephalosporin and surgical debridement. Atypical mycobacterial infections typically produce indolent cutaneous infections, possibly showing sporotrichoid spread. A unique nontuberculous infection called spam has recently been identified in Satowan Pacific Islanders; combination antibiotic therapy is recommended. Aeromonas infection is typically associated with freshwater exposure and, like Vibrio infections, immunocompromised or cirrhotic patients are at highest risk for severe disease, such as necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. Various antibiotics can be used to treat Aeromonas infections. Melioidosis is seen mainly in Southeast Asia and Australia, particularly in rice farmers, and can remain latent for many years before presenting as the host's immunocompetence wanes. It can present with a variety of skin findings or as a nonspecific febrile illness, and preferred treatment consists of ceftazidime or a carbapenem with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) for 2 weeks, then continuing TMP/SMX for at least 3 months. Leptospirosis is a waterborne zoonosis that is often prevalent after heavy rains or flooding. Different forms exist, including Fort Bragg fever, which produces a distinctive erythematous papular rash on the shins. Doxycycline is often sufficient; however, volume and potassium repletion may be necessary if renal involvement exists. Chromobacterium violaceum infection may occur after open skin is exposed to stagnant or muddy water. Cultured colonies produce a unique violacein pigment, and treatment typically consists of a carbapenem. Both typical and atypical fungal infections are increased in the flooding disaster scenario, such as dermatophytosis, chromoblastomycosis, blastomycosis, and mucormycosis. Appropriate antifungals should be used. In addition, land inundated with water expands the habitat for parasites and/or vectors, thus increased vigilance for regional parasitic infections is necessary after a flood. Lastly, noninfectious consequences of a flooding disaster are also common and include miliaria, immersion foot syndromes, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, traumatic wounds and animal bites, and arthropod assault, as well as exacerbation of existing skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and alopecia areata due to increased stress or nonavailability of daily medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed 131 human brains (44 neurotypical, 19 with Tourette syndrome, 9 with schizophrenia, and 59 with autism) for somatic mutations after whole genome sequencing to a depth of more than 200×. Typically, brains had 20 to 60 detectable single-nucleotide mutations, but ~6% of brains harbored hundreds of somatic mutations. Hypermutability was associated with age and damaging mutations in genes implicated in cancers and, in some brains, reflected in vivo clonal expansions. Somatic duplications, likely arising during development, were found in ~5% of normal and diseased brains, reflecting background mutagenesis. Brains with autism were associated with mutations creating putative transcription factor binding motifs in enhancer-like regions in the developing brain. The top-ranked affected motifs corresponded to MEIS (myeloid ectopic viral integration site) transcription factors, suggesting a potential link between their involvement in gene regulation and autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lyngbya dermatitis is an irritant contact dermatitis caused by the blue-green alga (or cyanobacterium), Lyngbya majuscula, commonly found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Lesions generally appear in a bathing suit distribution minutes to hours after exposure, initially with itching or burning, evolving into a blistering eruption which eventually desquamates leaving bright red, tender erosions that resolve spontaneously in about a week. Our case is of a 13-year-old female that presented with haphazard clusters of reddish-brown vesicles and papules on her abdomen one day after swimming in rough surf conditions on the shores of Oahu, Hawaii. Histopathological examination revealed an acute irritant contact dermatitis consistent with Lyngbya dermatitis. L. majuscule, with its wealth of biologically active compounds, should be a consideration in any patient presenting with an acute irritant contact dermatitis following temperate saltwater exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wetting plant foliage with saline irrigation increases the uptake of toxic ions Na+ and Cl−. Over three consecutive seasons, Colombard vines grafted on Ramsey rootstock were irrigated with saline water (EC 3.5dS/m) by over-canopy sprinklers during any one of the first three of the four annual growth stages: bud burst to full bloom (treatment BB–FB), full bloom to veraison (treatment FB–V), and veraison to harvest (treatment V–H). At other times, vines received non-saline water (EC 0.5dS/m) as did the control. Seasonal average soil salinities remained relatively constant over the trial. In contrast, the concentrations of Na+ and Cl− in one-year old wood and grape juice more than doubled. In treatments FB–V and V–H the average yield over the three seasons was reduced by up to 15%. Results were compared with those obtained in an earlier study which was undertaken in the same vineyard with the same treatments applied via dripper. With drippers, the maximum reduction in the average yield over three seasons was 2%. Saline sprinkling caused rises in Na+ and Cl− concentrations of fruit, leaf lamina and one-year-old wood that were at least 7-fold, 5-fold and 2-fold greater, respectively, than the rises caused by application of the same treatments with drip. Progressive seasonal rises in the concentrations of Na+ and Cl− in these tissues were due in part to carryover of salt added in previous seasons; with saline sprinkling the magnitude of these carryovers was 4-fold greater than those with saline drip irrigation. With saline water, vignerons can reduce losses by using irrigation systems which do not wet the foliage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are the most common form of sequence variation in the human genome. Large-scale studies demand high-throughput SNP genotyping platforms. Here we demonstrate the potential of encoded nanowires for use in a particles-based universal array for high-throughput SNP genotyping. The particles are encoded sub-micron metallic nanorods manufactured by electroplating inert metals such as gold and silver into templates and releasing the resulting striped nanoparticles. The power of this technology is that the particles are intrinsically encoded by virtue of the different reflectivity of adjacent metal stripes, enabling the generation of many thousands of unique encoded substrates. Using SNP found within the cytochrome P450 gene family, and a universal short oligonucleotide ligation strategy, we have demonstrated the simultaneous genotyping of 15 SNP; a format requiring discrimination of 30 encoded nanowires (one per allele). To demonstrate applicability to real-world applications, 160 genotypes were determined from multiplex PCR products from 20 genomic DNA samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injectable zinc, a vital component of parenteral nutrition (PN) formulations, has been in short supply in the United States since late 2012. In December 2012, three premature infants with cholestasis hospitalized in Washington, DC, experienced erosive dermatitis in the diaper area and blisters on their extremities, a condition that can be associated with zinc deficiency. All three infants were receiving PN because they had extreme cholestasis and were unable to be fed by mouth or tube. The PN administered to each infant was zinc deficient. Injectable zinc normally is added to PN for premature or medically compromised infants (e.g., those with cholestasis) by the hospital pharmacy because the amount of zinc needed by each patient differs; however, the pharmacy had run out of injectable zinc. No alternatives were available; other preparations of parenteral trace elements either contained insufficient zinc to meet infants' requirements or had the potential to cause trace element toxicity in infants with cholestasis (2). The dermatitis of one infant resolved after the patient was able to take nutrition by mouth. The other two infants were found to have low serum zinc levels. In January 2013, CDC was notified of four additional cases of zinc deficiency among infants with cholestasis who received zinc-deficient PN in a hospital in Houston, Texas. In collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the two hospitals obtained emergency shipments of injectable zinc. No additional cases were reported. Current injectable zinc supplies have been increasing as FDA collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to import emergency supplies. FDA is working to establish temporary backup sources should future shortages occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the shortage of injectable zinc in the U.S. since late 2012, which is seen as the cause with the spread of zinc deficiency-associated dermatitis. The three cases of premature infants reported with zinc-deficiency disorder in Washington, D.C. are explored, which includes their medical history and the treatments they received. The importance of the zinc on the human body is discussed, as well as actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration in addressing zinc deficiency.

The article discusses a study conducted by the U.S. Children's National Medical Center in Salvadorean neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. and neighboring suburbs between 2012-2013 regarding Baczol products in the area. It mentions those which included the sulfonamide-containing antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), a common cause of fixed drug eruption. A Safety Alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 20, 2013 advised consumers to stop taking it.

Eczema herpeticum can clinically resemble smallpox. On the basis of the algorithm for rapid evaluation of patients with an acute generalized vesiculopustular rash illness, a patient met criteria for high risk for smallpox. The Tzanck preparation was critical for rapid diagnosis of herpetic infection and exclusion of smallpox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on using lentivirus-based massively parallel reporter assays (lentiMPRAs) combined with deep learning to evaluate candidate gene regulatory elements. Topics include the identification of sequences exhibiting enhancer activity; the discovery of variants associated with psychiatric disorders showing differential enhancer activity; and the training of a deep learning model to predict nucleotide changes' effects on enhancer function.

Genome-wide association studies have identified multiple novel genomic loci associated with vascular diseases. Many of these loci are common non-coding variants that affect the expression of disease-relevant genes within coronary vascular cells. To identify such genes on a genome-wide level, we performed deep transcriptomic analysis of genotyped primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) and coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs) from the same subjects, including splicing Quantitative Trait Loci (sQTL), allele-specific expression (ASE), and colocalization analyses. We identified sQTLs for TARS2, YAP1, CFDP1, and STAT6 in HCASMCs and HCAECs, and 233 ASE genes, a subset of which are also GTEx eGenes in arterial tissues. Colocalization of GWAS association signals for coronary artery disease (CAD), migraine, stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm with GTEx eGenes in aorta, coronary artery and tibial artery discovered novel candidate risk genes for these diseases. At the CAD and stroke locus tagged by rs2107595 we demonstrate colocalization with expression of the proximal gene TWIST1. We show that disrupting the rs2107595 locus alters TWIST1 expression and that the risk allele has increased binding of the NOTCH signaling protein RBPJ. Finally, we provide data that TWIST1 expression influences vascular SMC phenotypes, including proliferation and calcification, as a potential mechanism supporting a role for TWIST1 in CAD. Author summary: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of genetic variants that are associated with human vascular disease including coronary artery disease. These are predominantly common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in non-coding regions, which makes the identification of the causal genes and their underlying connection to pathophysiology challenging. Mapping of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) has been performed to associate GWAS SNPs with risk genes in vascular cells and tissues. However, atherosclerotic vascular tissues contain multiple cell types. We perform deep transcriptomic profiling of genotyped human-derived vascular cells–endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells–and use splicing quantitative trait locus, allele-specific expression, and colocalization analyses to annotate genetic variants associated with vascular diseases and gain insight into their potential function in a cell-type specific manner. Based on these analyses, we identified computationally and then validate experimentally an association between the CAD risk locus rs2107595 and the gene TWIST1. We propose that the minor allele for this locus can affect transcription factor binding and provide data supporting a role for TWIST1 in modulating smooth muscle cell phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When children present with features of bed bug bites, many parents are reluctant to accept the diagnosis. Furthermore, standard methods to detect arthropods in or around one's home can be expensive, time‐consuming, and frustrating. We developed a simple, inexpensive way to provide evidence that the lesions are in fact due to arthropod bites. The Modified Onesie Biting Bug Assessment (MOBBA) suit utilizes simple alterations to a full‐body onesie‐type footed pajama, exposing some body surfaces to insect predators while protecting other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is an asymptomatic dermatosis caused by prolonged exposure to localized heat. Affected areas have net-like hyperpigmentation that may resemble more serious conditions such as livedo racemosa or vasculitis. We report three cases of EAI in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) patients who were initially suspected of having a more severe, life-threatening disorder before Dermatology was consulted. Clinicians caring for pediatric SCD patients who regularly use heating pads/devices for pain relief should consider EAI in the differential diagnosis of large areas of net-like hyperpigmentation. This paper aims to increase recognition of EAI and patient education on safe practices while using heating pads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whorled eyebrows are an unusual and rarely described finding of unknown clinical significance. We present such a case in a 6-year-old healthy girl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current laboratory methods for comprehensive thrombophilia status require large blood volumes and long turn-around times. We demonstrate the feasibility of performing thrombophilia panel testing of enzymatic functional assays on a microfluidic cartridge using low sample volume. Functional assays for Antithrombin III, Protein C, Factor VIII, and plasminogen were adapted on the digital microfluidic platform by developing novel fluorogenic substrates and establishing on-cartridge fluorescence (360/460 nm) detection. Cartridge vs. microtiter plate results were compared using samples obtained from pediatric patients. Linear regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to establish correlations. Results were not significantly different when performed on-cartridge compared to microtiter plates. Importantly, the sample volume required is significantly lower for all on-cartridge compared to microtiter plate assays (25 µL vs. 2 ml). This study demonstrates the feasibility of thrombophilia panel testing with high-fidelity using small plasma volume. The efficacy of this near-patient technology in clinical settings needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous population-based studies have documented high prevalence of scabies in overcrowded settings, particularly among children and in tropical regions. We provide an estimate of the global burden of scabies using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2015.Methods: We identified scabies epidemiological data sources from an extensive literature search and hospital insurance data and analysed data sources with a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2·1, to yield prevalence estimates. We combined prevalence estimates with a disability weight, measuring disfigurement, itch, and pain caused by scabies, to produce years lived with disability (YLDs). With an assumed zero mortality from scabies, YLDs were equivalent to disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). We estimated DALYs for 195 countries divided into 21 world regions, in both sexes and 20 age groups, between 1990 and 2015.Findings: Scabies was responsible for 0·21% of DALYs from all conditions studied by GBD 2015 worldwide. The world regions of east Asia (age-standardised DALYs 136·32), southeast Asia (134·57), Oceania (120·34), tropical Latin America (99·94), and south Asia (69·41) had the greatest burden of DALYs from scabies. Mean percent change of DALY rate from 1990 to 2015 was less than 8% in all world regions, except North America, which had a 23·9% increase. The five individual countries with greatest scabies burden were Indonesia (age-standardised DALYs 153·86), China (138·25), Timor-Leste (136·67), Vanuatu (131·59), and Fiji (130·91). The largest standard deviations of age-standardised DALYs between the 20 age groups were observed in southeast Asia (60·1), Oceania (58·3), and east Asia (56·5), with the greatest DALY burdens in children, adolescents, and the elderly.Interpretation: The burden of scabies is greater in tropical regions, especially in children, adolescents, and elderly people. As a worldwide epidemiological assessment, GBD 2015 provides broad and frequently updated measures of scabies burden in terms of skin effects. These global data might help guide research protocols and prioritisation efforts and focus scabies treatment and control measures.Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 12-year-old boy with a history of diabetes insipidus since age 10 and diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with nail involvement. Multiple finger- and toenails showed varying degrees of onycholysis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's head showed thickening of the pituitary stalk without mass lesions. Recognizing the clinical signs of nail LCH can lead to early and definitive diagnosis of LCH.