64 research outputs found
Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography of cutaneous vascular lesions: Morphological assessment and histopathological correlations
No full textBackground: Cutaneous vascular lesions (VLs) are benign or malignant processes involving blood and/or lymphatic vessels, usually readily diagnosed with dermoscopy. However, cases showing unclear clinical/dermoscopic findings may require further investigations. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a new, non-invasive imaging technique displaying high resolution and deep penetration. The aim of this study was to describe the LC-OCT features of the most common benign and malignant VLs and to correlate them with histopathological substrates. Methods: Clinical, dermoscopic, LC-OCT and histopathological images of VLs were retrospectively collected. Detailed LC-OCT description and histopathological correlations were produced for different types of VLs. Results: The study included 71 VLs belonging to 50 caucasian patients [31 (62%) females; median age 56.8 (30–83) years] study lesions included 25 cherry haemangiomas, 15 angiokeratomas, 10 thrombosed haemangiomas, six pyogenic granulomas, five venous lakes, four targetoid haemosiderotic haemangiomas, four Kaposi's sarcomas and two extraungual glomus tumours. LC-OCT detected increased dermal vascularity, assuming different size and shape according to the particular type of VLs. LC-OCT criteria correlated well to established histopathologic findings. Conclusion: The results of our preliminary observations indicate that in vivo evaluation with LC-OCT may provide practical clues for the identification of the vascular nature of a lesion and its differential diagnosis
Comparison of reflectance confocal microscopy and line-field optical coherence tomography for the identification of keratinocyte skin tumours
No full textBackground: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) are non-invasive imaging devices that can help in the clinical diagnosis of actinic keratosis (AK) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). No studies are available on the comparison between these two technologies for the identification of the different features of keratinocyte skin tumours. Objectives: To compare RCM and LC-OCT findings in AK and SCC. Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted. Tumours were imaged with RCM and LC-OCT devices before surgery, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histological examinations. LC-OCT and RCM criteria for AK/SCC were identified, and their presence/absence was evaluated in all study lesions. Gwet AC1 concordance index was calculated to compare RCM and LC-OCT. Results: We included 52 patients with 33 AKs and 19 SCCs. Irregular epidermis was visible in most tumours and with a good degree of agreement between RCM and LC-OCT (Gwet's AC1 0.74). Parakeratosis, dyskeratotic keratinocytes and both linear dilated and glomerular vessels were better visible at LC-OCT than RCM (p < 0.001). Erosion/ulceration was identified with both methods in more than half of the cases with a good degree of agreement (Gwet AC1 0.62). Conclusions: Our results suggest that both LC-OCT and hand-held RCM can help clinicians in the identification of AK and SCC, providing an in vivo and non-invasive identification of an irregular epidermis. LC-OCT proved to be more effective in identifying parakeratosis, dyskeratotic keratinocytes and vessels in this series
A conceptual model to design a collective intelligence system supporting technology entrepreneurship
No full textIn the last two decades, knowledge management has evolved through a number of different research fields and practitioner contexts. A recent development is represented by the concept of collective intelligence, as a new collaboration and socialization paradigm, thus including a relevant knowledge management component, aimed to find better solutions to human problems and societal challenges. Collective intelligence research aims to extend the methods and application fields of collective intelligence. The current world economic crisis is relevant socio-economic and cultural problem and it can be assumed to be an interesting field of analysis and a research context for experimenting approaches and systems leveraging collective intelligence. In such scenario, this paper presents a conceptual model of collective intelligence aimed to enhance the potential of a community to realize technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship processes, thus supporting the growth of regions and organizations. Based on a literature review and initial expert validation, a design science approach has been applied to define a new model and prototypal technology/service solutions aimed to enhance the creation and development of technology entrepreneurship initiatives. The main constituents of the model and the core services are presented along with a discussion of their role in entrepreneurship dynamics. A preliminary demonstration of the operationalization of the model is provided through illustrative scenarios focused on competence development and business development processes. The validation of the model and the service architecture has been preliminary done qualitatively based on domain experts whereas empirical validation represents the objective of future studies. The work can have implications at theory level, in terms of further development of the collective intelligence concept, and at practitioner level, with the proposal of a socio-technical system addressing a new generation of solutions and customer-driven services. The research was developed in the frame of a research project aimed to develop successful technology entrepreneurship ecosystems
Real-Time Confocal Imaging for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Description of Morphological Aspects and Focus on the Role of Follicular Ostia
No full textBackground: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease involving the follicular unit. Growing evidence suggests a crucial role of hyperkeratosis, infundibular plugging and perifolliculitis in its pathogenesis. Objectives: To characterize the microscopic morphology of open comedos using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and define alterations occurring in HS normal-Appearing perilesional skin compared to healthy skin of a control group, discussing therefore microscopic differences. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients (11 males, 9 females; aged 19-51 years) affected by HS were recruited. RCM was performed on open comedos of axillary/inguinal regions and on normal-Appearing skin areas distant at least 1.5 cm from HS lesions. Ten healthy individuals (6 males, 4 females) were included as control group. Results: RCM aspects of 78 open comedos were explored, observing circular/ovoidal structures disclosing a hyperrefractive amorphous material (72/78, 92.3%) within the infundibular cavity surrounded with a bright (51/78, 65.4%) and regular (52/78, 66.2%) border. Follicular ostia of HS perilesional skin (n = 541) compared to follicular ostia of a control group (n = 321) were characterized by a larger infundibular diameter (183.4 vs. 85.8 μm) and diverged in terms of material collected inside infundibula (44.5 vs. 21%) and keratinization of the border (47.6 vs. 25.5%). Conclusion: In vivo characterization of open comedos and the recognition of microscopic subclinical alterations of HS normal-Appearing skin, compared to healthy skin, could add further insights into the definition of biological events leading to HS manifestations, including the dysregulated process of keratinization
COVID-19 hygiene measures: hand eczema and insights into ACE2 and integrins as key molecules for SARS-CoV-2 cutaneous transmission
No full textN/
Correction to: A Review of Existing Therapies for Actinic Keratosis: Current Status and Future Directions (American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, (2022), 10.1007/s40257-022-00674-3)
No full textIn Table 1, in the 5-FU section, 4% 5-FU cream row, the cell entry in the “Treatment regimen/procedure” cell which previously read: “Twice daily for 4 weeks” should read: “Once daily for 4 weeks”. The original article has been corrected
Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography of basosquamous carcinoma: a case series with histopathological correlation
No full textBackground: Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare and potentially aggressive cutaneous neoplasm combining histopathological features of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a new, non-invasive imaging technique featuring excellent resolution and penetration. To date, studies about the use of LC-OCT in the BCC and SCC fields are available, but similar investigations are lacking in the BSC field. Objective: The goal of the present study was to identify/describe LC-OCT criteria of BSC. Methods: Consecutively enrolled BSCs were imaged with dermoscopy and LC-OCT prior to surgical excision. Dermoscopic and LC-OCT images were evaluated, and histopathological slides were reviewed. Results: Six BSCs from six patients [four (66.7%) males and two (33.3%) females; mean age 76.5 (62–96) years] were included. Identified LC-OCT criteria for BSC included BCC-associated (dermal lobules with millefeuille pattern, dilated vessels, bright cells within the epidermis, bright cells within lobules, stromal stretching, stromal brightness) and SCC-associated features (acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, disarranged epidermal architecture, broad strands, elastosis and glomerular vessels). Interruption of the dermal–epidermal junction and ulceration represented overlapping criteria. Conclusion: Line-field confocal-OCT is a new promising technique that may support the non-invasive recognition of BSC through the simultaneous detection of BCC-associated and SCC-associated features. We hypothesize that the use of LC-OCT might be helpful not only in the diagnostic setting but also in the follow-up surveillance for an early identification of recurrences. Further larger studies are needed to prove this hypothesis
A Review of Existing Therapies for Actinic Keratosis: Current Status and Future Directions
No full textActinic keratosis (AK) is a chronic skin disease in which clinical and subclinical cutaneous lesions coexist on sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck region and the extremities. The high prevalence of AK means the disease burden is substantial, especially in middle-aged and elderly populations. Evidence indicates that AK may progress into invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, so the European guidelines recommend treatment of any AK regardless of clinical severity. Given the aging population and therefore the increasing incidence of AK and cutaneous field carcinogenesis, further updates on the long-term efficacy of current therapies and new investigational agents are critical to guide treatment choice. Patients often have difficulty adequately applying topical treatments and coping with adverse local skin reactions, leading to less than optimum treatment adherence. The development of associated local skin symptoms and cosmetic outcomes for the area of interest are also relevant to the choice of an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Treatment is always individually tailored according to the characteristics of both patients and lesions. This review focuses on the therapeutic approaches to AK and illustrates the currently available home-based and physician-managed treatments
Jellyfish Sting-In Vivo Imaging for Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring.
No full textThis case report describes the utility of dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in confirming clinical diagnosis and monitoring treatment response in patients with jellyfish stings. Jellyfish stings are a common nuisance for sea bathers worldwide. Pelagia noctiluca is usually considered to be the most important species of jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea owing to its widespread distribution, ecological role, and accidental interactions with humans.1 The common mechanism through which jellyfish discharge toxins during contact with their prey is attributed to structures called nematocysts, which are barbs studding the tentacles as well as the upper surface of the bell.
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