Registries,Databases and Repositories for Developing Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care

Modern artificial intelligence techniques have solved some previously intractable problems and produced impressive results in selected medical domains. One of their drawbacks is that they often need very large amounts of data. Pre-existing datasets in the form of national cancer registries, image/genetic depositories and clinical datasets already exist and have been used for research. In theory, the combination of healthcare Big Data with modern, data-hungry artificial intelligence techniques should offer significant opportunities for artificial intelligence development, but this has not yet happened. Here we discuss some of the structural reasons for this, barriers preventing artificial intelligence from making full use of existing datasets, and make suggestions as to enable progress. To do this, we use the framework of the 6Vs of Big Data and the FAIR criteria for data sharing and availability (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse). We share our experience in navigating these barriers through The Brain Tumour Data Accelerator, a Brain Tumour Charity-supported initiative to integrate fragmented patient data into an enriched dataset. We conclude with some comments as to the limits of such approaches.     

Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin: position paper from the special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI)

The special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch previously defined sensitive skin as a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. This additional paper focuses on the pathophysiology and the management of sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is not an immunological disorder but is related to alterations of the skin nervous system. Skin barrier abnormalities are frequently associated, but there is no cause and direct relationship. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of sensitive skin – as well as the inducing factors. Avoidance of possible triggering factors and the use of well-tolerated cosmetics, especially those containing inhibitors of unpleasant sensations, might be suggested for patients with sensitive skin. The role of psychosocial factors, such as stress or negative expectations, might be relevant for subgroups of patients. To date, there is no clinical trial supporting the use of topical or systemic drugs in sensitive skin. The published data are not sufficient to reach a consensus on sensitive skin management. In general, patients with sensitive skin require a personalized approach, taking into account various biomedical, neural and psychosocial factors affecting sensitive skin.     

Autoimmune bullous diseases in skin of color

Dermatologic health care disparities disproportionately affect patients with skin of color (SoC), defined as Fitzpatrick skin phototypes IV-VI (light brown, brown, and black skin tones), resulting in delayed treatment and increased morbidity and mortality.¹ Numerous studies predict that by 2060 the White race will be a minority in the United States. Despite the rising SoC population, there remains a scarcity of peer-reviewed literature depicting skin conditions in SoC. In 2006, autoimmune

Bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common AIBD, with a reported incidence of 2.4 to 23 cases/1,000,000.⁵ BP prevalence is an estimated 12/100,000.⁶ It affects patients 60 to 80 years old with a 1-year mortality of 20%.⁷BP is characterized by tissue-bound and circulating IgG autoantibodies against hemi-desmosomal anchoring proteins, BP180 and BP230.⁸ Diagnosis is confirmed via lesional biopsy, showing a subepidermal bulla with eosinophils in the infiltrate, and perilesional direct

Conclusions

AIBD in SoC patients have heterogeneous clinical presentations with features that may not be readily recognized. These can range from the color of erythema on darker skin types to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, sometimes being confused for other disorders, as commonly observed with BP and PV. In DH, erythema may not be as pronounced in darker skin types, but even when it is, varied histologic features may create confusion about the clinical diagnosis. There may be some genetic associations

     

他克莫司联合308nm准分子激光治疗面部白癜风

目的探讨他克莫司联合308nm准分子激光在面部白癜风治疗中的应用效果。方法选取2017年2月-2019年2月医院84例面部白癜风患者为研究对象,根据入院单双号将受试者进行分组,其中对照组42例患者接受308nm准分子激光治疗,研究组42例患者在对照组的基础上联合他克莫司软膏治疗,比较两组患者治疗后1个月、3个月时的治疗总有效率以及治疗前后白斑面积与皮损区IL-17水平变化。结果研究组患者在治疗后1个月、3个月时的治疗总有效率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),与治疗前相比,治疗后两组患者白斑面积及皮损区IL-17水平均显著减少,且研究组显著少于对照组(P<0.05)。结论他克莫司联合308nm准分子激光可有效缩小白斑面积,降低皮损区IL-17水平,疗效确切。