MivacunaLA (MyshotLA): A Community-Partnered Mobile Phone Intervention to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Behaviors among Low-Income, Spanish-Speaking, and Immigrant Latino Parents or Caregivers.

We developed and tested MivacunaLA/MyshotLA, a community-informed mobile phone intervention, to increase COVID-19 vaccination among Latino parents/caretakers of minors in under-resourced areas of Los Angeles by addressing misinformation and building trust. We recruited Latino parents/caregivers with at least one unvaccinated child in East and South Los Angeles in the summer of 2021 and evaluated MivacunaLA as a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control group. A difference-in-difference analysis showed Latino parents/caregivers that participated in MivacunaLA (n = 246), in comparison to the control group, were 15 percentage points more likely (p = 0.04) to report vaccination of minors aged 12-17 years, and 12 percentage points more likely (p = 0.03) to report a positive intention to vaccinate minors aged 2-11 years (when COVID-19 vaccines became available). Mobile phone-delivered digital interventions using videos and culturally tailored educational material to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence can be an effective way to combat misinformation and deliver timely information to marginalized communities. Community-based participatory research approaches are crucial to advance health equity among minority communities, especially immigrant Spanish-speaking underserved communities.

Evaluation of the chemopreventative effects of ALA PDT in patients with multiple actinic keratoses and a history of skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are in situ epidermal tumors that may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Aminolevulinic acid with photodynamic therapy (ALA PDT) is a field treatment for AK. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the time to development of new non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) within one year of ALA-PDT treatment in immunocompetent patients with AK and a history of skin cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred forty anatomic sites in 114 patients were treated with topical ALA for a 1 to 3 hour incubation period followed by photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a blue light. All new NMSCs within the treatment areas were recorded over a 1-year observational period. RESULTS: Eighty-three anatomic sites (59%) did not develop new skin cancers within 1 year. Additionally, 92%, 78%, and 64% of anatomic sites were free of new skin cancers at 3, 6, and 9 months after treatment was initiated. Although approximately 41% of patients treated on both the scalp and face developed new skin cancers within 1 year of treatment, the average time to develop skin cancer was longer for the face (7.09 months) than for the scalp (5.34 months). CONCLUSION: In patients with a history of NMSC and multiple AKs, ALA PDT may be a valuable option for the prevention and delay of new NMSCs.

595 nm long pulsed dye laser with a hydrocolloid dressing for the treatment of hypergranulation tissue on the scalp in postsurgical defects.

The formation of hypergranulation tissue is an aberrant process that interferes with normal wound healing. Excessive granulation tissue results in the persistence of open wounds. It is resistant to currently available treatment modalities. We report a case series of patients with hypergranulation tissue on the scalp who were successfully treated with a 595 nm pulsed dye laser and hydrocolloid dressing.

Nonablative fractional photothermolysis for facial actinic keratoses: 6-month follow-up with histologic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: A number of epidermal and papillary dermal skin conditions can be treated safely and effectively with fractional photothermolysis (FP). OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of FP with a 1550-nm fractionated erbium-doped fiber laser for the treatment of facial actinic keratoses (AKs). METHODS: Fourteen men, ages 59 to 79 years, underwent 5 laser treatments (2- to 4-week intervals) at an energy fluence of 20 to 70 mJ and treatment level of 11 (8-10 passes), corresponding to 32% to 40% surface area coverage. AK counts and photographs were taken at baseline, before each treatment, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups after the last treatment. Biopsies were performed at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. The clinical improvement of the actinic lesions was evaluated by a dermatologist using digital photography and lesion counts at all 3 follow-up visits. RESULTS: The AK count for each patient was reduced on average by 73.1% (67.5%-77.7%) at the 1-month, 66.2% (60.0%-71.5%) at the 3-month, and 55.6% (43.9%-64.8%) at the 6-month follow-up visit. Excluding two cases, all biopsy specimens (baseline and at the 3-month follow-up) were positive for histologic features of AK and/or squamous cell carcinoma. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by a small number of patients; therefore further clinical studies are warranted. CONCLUSIONS: FP decreases the number of clinical AKs; however, posttreatment biopsy specimens indicate the histologic persistence of AKs (epidermal tumors). FP is not an adequate single-treatment modality for AKs.

60-minute application of S-Caine Peel prior to 1,064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment of leg veins.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advancements in laser treatment of leg veins necessitate concurrent investigations in topical anesthesia to minimize treatment-related pain. To evaluate the efficacy of the S-Caine Peel for providing topical anesthesia after a 60-minute application. STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was performed in two centers. Sixty patients received S-Caine Peel and placebo vehicle on different treatment sites for 60 minutes prior to laser treatment of leg veins using a 1,064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Patients rated their level of pain using a visual analog scale. Adequacy of anesthesia and expressed pain at each site were rated by the investigator. RESULTS: The mean visual analog scale (VAS) was 27 mm for active sites compared to 43 mm for placebo (P < 0.001). Improved pain relief was noted for 67% of active versus 30% of placebo sites (P < 0.001). Anesthesia was judged adequate by the investigator for 55% of active compared with 12% of placebo sites (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The S-Caine Peel is safe and effective when applied for 60 minutes prior to laser therapy of leg veins.

Thirty-minute application of the S-Caine peel prior to nonablative laser treatment.

BACKGROUND: Advancements in nonablative laser technology necessitate concurrent developments in topical anesthesia, as patients have reported varying degrees of discomfort during these procedures. Although topical anesthetics have proven efficacious, they possess inherent limitations related to ease of use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the S-Caine Peel (ZARS Inc., Salt Lake City, UT), a novel topical anesthetic that dries to form a flexible membrane, for induction of anesthesia after only a 30-minute application period. METHOD: Twenty patients received concurrent 30-minute applications of both the S-Caine Peel and a placebo cream randomized to the right and left cheeks in a double-blinded manner. After one pass of the 1450-nm diode laser (Smoothbeam, Candela Corp., Wayland, MA), patients' pain levels were recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS). Both the investigator and an independent observer rated perceived discomfort and immediate skin reaction based on a numerical scale. RESULTS: Differences in VAS scores between active sites (average rating of 15 mm) and placebo sites (average rating of 47 mm) were statistically significant (P<0.001). A painless procedure was noted at 50% and 65% of active sites by the independent observer and investigator, respectively. This was statistically different (P<0.001) from the independent observer and investigator perception of pain-free procedure at the placebo site, 0% and 5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The S-Caine Peel provided effective and safe dermal anesthesia after only a 30-minute application period for nonablative laser treatment with the 1450-nm diode laser. The unique vehicle readily delivers anesthetic to contoured regions of the body and eliminates the need for occlusion.