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INTRODUCTION The demonstrative pronouns and adjectives--zeh/zo (masc.), zo't (fem.) and their plurals, eileh, heim/heimah, and heinah (fem.)--are a recurring category in the biblical lexicon, and, in most instances, do no [...]

An increasing number of non-physician clinicians (NPCs) are providing dermatologic care. We compared the cost-effectiveness of skin biopsies performed by dermatologists and dermatology NPCs using publicly-available Medicare claims data and numbers needed to biopsy (NNBs) published in the literature. We estimated that dermatology NPCs performed slightly greater mean numbers of skin biopsies per beneficiary (0.51 versus 0.47) at a lower payment per biopsy ($44.93 versus $55.10) as compared to dermatologists. However, we estimated a higher mean cost per malignancy diagnosed by dermatology NPCs relative to dermatologists (range based on literature NNB values, $39.08 to $190.23). This translated to a $16.7M-$43.3M aggregate cost of additional, benign biopsies performed by NPCs on Medicare beneficiaries. Although this preliminary analysis has several limitations, including the reliance on NNB values for calculations, it likely highlights the importance of training, education, and supervision to promote diagnostic accuracy. Further investigation is needed so that the potential cost of additional skin biopsies performed by NPCs can be appropriately weighed against the improvement in dermatologic access by including NPCs in the dermatology workforce.

Exodus 30:11-16 advises Israel of the danger of counting heads when there is a need to take a census of the population, and offers a solution to avert that danger: [...]

The episode that immediately precedes the life and activity of Abra(ha)m is that of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9). There we are told that early mankind inhabited a valley [...]

Lymphomatoid papulosis is often regarded as a low-grade variant of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Given the excellent long-term prognosis, recent consensus guidelines indicate that patients can be monitored off therapy. We report a case of a 67-year-old man who presented with lymphomatoid papulosis, with necrotic papules that have been intermittently present for over forty years.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm that is one of the most common human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related malignancies. We present the case of a 42-year-old man with a new diagnosis of HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related epidemic KS.

According to Deuteronomy 25:5, if a man dies without issue, it is the responsibility of his oldest surviving sibling--or the next in age if the older brother or brothers refuse [...]

The United States (US) Department of Defense(DoD) has been a leader in using telecommunicationstechnology to provide remote medical care. The DoDhas been using telemedicine for more than twentyyears to provide medical services to military personneldeployed throughout the world, and has largelyinfluenced the development of teledermatology. Theexperiences of early military teledermatology serviceshave yielded valuable lessons that have been essentialto the creation of successful civilian programs.

Joseph, at the age of seventeen years, was a shepherd together with his brothers; He was a youth with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah ... and [...]

The first two chapters of the book of Esther are taken up with a lengthy description of Vashti's insubordination and the measures taken to find a replacement queen. Both Vashti's [...]

Background Dermatology grand rounds and clinical conferences often include patient viewing sessions, during which groups of dermatologists and trainees see and discuss patient cases.Objective To understand experiences and attitudes of patients participating in patient viewing sessions.Methods Questionnaires were given to patients immediately before and after patient viewing sessions and by mail 3 months after participating in patient viewing sessions.Results Fifty one individuals responded to the survey during patient viewing sessions and 15 (29.4%) responded to the delayed survey three months after the patient viewing session. Of these, 98% and 80% of patients responded that grand rounds met their expectations in the immediate and 3 month surveys, respectively.Conclusions Dermatology patient viewing sessions are valuable and satisfying for patients.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus that presents as asymptomatic pink papules that may ulcerate. There are several species of Leishmania found in 98 endemic countries and whereas all are associated with cutaneous disease, only specific species can cause mucocutaneous or visceral disease. Although the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis can be confirmed with Giemsa staining of a biopsy or “touch prep” specimen, only speciation at specialized centers such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) can determine the risk of mucocutaneous or visceral disease. Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is varied and depends on the extent of cutaneous disease and the risk of mucocutaneous or visceral disease.