Porocarcinoma in situ showing follicular differentiation: A case report

AbstractPoroid neoplasm is a skin appendage tumor that has both benign and malignant counterparts. It has traditionally been regarded as of eccrine origin and has four types: intraepidermal poroma (hidroacanthoma simplex), poroma, dermal duct tumor, and poroid hidradenoma. Here we describe the case of a 64-year-old woman who had a verrucous, erythematous to brownish tumor on her left buttock for many years. Histopathology revealed an intra-epidermal poroid tumor with both benign and malignant parts. The benign part had intra-epidermal nests of poroid cells, which were smaller, monomorphic and sharply marginated from adjacent keratinocytes. The malignant part showed similar cell types, but had a higher nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, pleomorphism, and prominent mitoses. Ductal structures were noted in neoplastic cells and an epithelial membrane antigen stain was strongly positive. Interestingly, peripheral palisading and primitive follicular germ formation were also observed in the neoplasm, which suggests follicular differentiation. We made a final diagnosis of porocarcinoma in situ with follicular differentiation, which may support the folliculosebaceous–apocrine unit theory, but a tumor with such a combination has not been described before

The Optimal Application of Medium Potency Topical Corticosteroids in Preventing Laser-Induced Inflammatory Responses—An Animal Study

Background: During ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) laser therapy, thermal damage to the skin is inevitable, resulting in inflammatory responses and small wounds. Corticosteroids are known for their anti-inflammatory effect. However, inappropriate application of corticosteroids carries the risk of delayed wound healing. Therefore, we aimed to find the optimal administration route, timing, and duration of medium potency corticosteroid treatment to prevent AFR laser-induced inflammatory responses and to minimize the risk of delayed wound healing. Methods: We determined the anti-inflammatory efficacy of corticosteroids by skin erythema and tissue biopsies on C57BL/6 mice. Wound healing was evaluated by crust area and epithelial gap. Finally, Masson’s trichrome stain and α-SMA immunohistochemistry stain were used to analyze scar contracture. Results: Our results demonstrated that one dose of medium-potency topical corticosteroid applied immediately after AFR laser treatment could prevent erythema effectively with minimal disruption to wound healing. Notably, when more than one dose was administered, wound healing was delayed and scar contracture was aggravated by the application of medium-potency topical corticosteroids in a dosage-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that single-dose medium-potency topical corticosteroids could potentially improve AFR laser-induced acute inflammatory responses in clinical applications

Three-Dimensional Printing of a Hybrid Bioceramic and Biopolymer Porous Scaffold for Promoting Bone Regeneration Potential

In this study, we proposed a three-dimensional (3D) printed porous (termed as 3DPP) scaffold composed of bioceramic (beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)) and thermoreversible biopolymer (pluronic F-127 (PF127)) that may provide bone tissue ingrowth and loading support for bone defect treatment. The investigated scaffolds were printed in three different ranges of pore sizes for comparison (3DPP-1: 150–200 μm, 3DPP-2: 250–300 μm, and 3DPP-3: 300–350 μm). The material properties and biocompatibility of the 3DPP scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, contact angle goniometry, compression testing, and cell viability assay. In addition, micro-computed tomography was applied to investigate bone regeneration behavior of the 3DPP scaffolds in the mini-pig model. Analytical results showed that the 3DPP scaffolds exhibited well-defined porosity, excellent microstructural interconnectivity, and acceptable wettability (θ p p p < 0.05). Hence, the 3DPP scaffold composed of β-TCP and F-127 is a promising candidate to promote bone tissue ingrowth into the porous scaffold with decent biocompatibility. This scaffold particularly fabricated with a pore size of around 350 μm (i.e., 3DPP-3 scaffold) can provide proper loading support and promote bone regeneration in bone defects when applied in dental and orthopedic fields

Association between Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay-Measured Kidney Injury Markers and Urinary Cadmium Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease

Cadmium exposure is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the optimal biomarker for early cadmium-associated nephrotoxicity in low-level exposure has not yet been established. We conducted a cross-sectional investigation involving 167 CKD patients stratified according to tertiles of urinary cadmium levels (UCd), in which enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-measured novel renal biomarkers were utilized to assess the extent of renal injury associated with cadmium burden. In the analyses, urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels and age were the independent factors positively correlated with UCd after adjusting for covariates in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients (high vs. low UCd, odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.0016 (1.0001&ndash;1.0032), p = 0.043, and 1.0534 (1.0091&ndash;1.0997), p = 0.018). Other conventional and novel renal biomarkers, such as serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, CKD staging, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and urinary epidermal growth factor (EGF) were not independently correlated with UCd in the analyses. In conclusion, our study found that the ELISA-measured urinary KIM-1 level could serve as an early renal injury marker in low-level cadmium exposure for non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients. In addition, age was an independent factor positively associated with UCd in this population

Low-Temperature Cu/SiO₂ Hybrid Bonding with Low Contact Resistance Using (111)-Oriented Cu Surfaces

We adopted (111)-oriented Cu with high surface diffusivity to achieve low-temperature and low-pressure Cu/SiO2 hybrid bonding. Electroplating was employed to fabricate arrays of Cu vias with 78% (111) surface grains. The bonding temperature can be lowered to 200 °C, and the pressure is as low as 1.06 MPa. The bonding process can be accomplished by a 12-inch wafer-to-wafer scheme. The measured specific contact resistance is 1.2 × 10−9 Ω·cm2, which is the lowest value reported in related literature for Cu-Cu joints bonded below 300 °C. The joints possess excellent thermal stability up to 375 °C. The bonding mechanism is also presented to provide more understanding on hybrid bonding

An innovative biomimetic porous bioceramic to facilitate bone tissue regeneration: microstructural characteristics, biocompatibility, and in vivo rabbit model evaluation

The present study aimed to develop a highly pure and crystalline beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bone graft substitute using the propagated Scleractinian coral. The solid-state reaction followed by heat-treatment (1050 °C–1100 °C for 1 h) between calcium carbonate from the propagated coral and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous was performed to fabricate the coral-derived β-TCP. The microstructural, in vitro, and in vivo properties of the propagated coral and heat-treated specimens were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, cell viability assay, and rabbit model. Results confirmed that the pure coral-derived β-TCP with interconnected microporosity was successfully fabricated at a temperature of 1000 °C. The co-existence of β-TCP and hydroxyapatite (HAp) was formed at the higher temperatures of 1050 °C and 1100 °C. When the temperature increased from 1000 °C to 1100 °C, the morphologies and crystalline structures in the coral-derived specimens were changed from granule-like aragonite (orthorhombic) → spherical particle-like β-TCP (rhombohedral) → tetrahedron-like (β-TCP (rhombohedral) + HAp (hexagonal)) → hexagonal-like (β-TCP (rhombohedral) + HAp (hexagonal)). Cytotoxicity assay results indicated that the coral-derived β-TCP possessed favorable biocompatibility. Moreover, histological results also demonstrated that the coral-derived β-TCP exhibited proper resorbed properties and a significantly higher percentage in new formed bone tissue than the control β-TCP specimen at 26 weeks (∗p = 0.012). Thus, the coral-derived β-TCP with interconnected microporosity is a promising bone graft substitute that can be used for bone defect repair in dental and orthopedic fields

An innovative three-dimensional printed titanium implant with a biomimetic structure design for promoting osseointegration potential

The present study aimed to investigate the surface characteristic, biocompatibility, and bone regeneration behavior of an innovative three-dimensional (3D) printed titanium (Ti) implant with a biomimetic cancellous bone-like spherical particle porous structure (3DBCP-Ti) through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, static contact angle goniometry, cytotoxicity assay, and rabbit model. The analytical results showed that the 3DBCP-Ti implant with an average pore size of 400 ± 10.5 μm can be fabricated using a selective laser sintering method. The 3DBCP-Ti implant not only possessed excellent wettability (13.5 ± 1.7°) but also presented superior cell viability (97 ± 1.5 %) in vitro. After implantation for 4 weeks, the bone mineral density of the 3DBCP-Ti implant (0.14 ± 0.02 mg/cm3) exhibited a slightly higher value than the control implant (0.13 ± 0.03 mg/cm3). Moreover, histological results also indicated that the new bone formation area of the 3DBCP-Ti implant (43.9 ± 7.0 %, *p < 0 0.05) significantly enhanced as compared with the control (23.5 ± 4.6 %) and blank (18.2 ± 1.4 %) groups at week 12 post-implantation. Accordingly, these findings demonstrate that the innovative 3DBCP-Ti implant has the potential to promote osseointegration at early-stage implantation for dental, orthopedic, and neurosurgical applications

The Potential of a Surface-Modified Titanium Implant with Tetrapeptide for Osseointegration Enhancement

In this study, the innovative dip-coating technique treated titanium (IDCT-Ti) implant with tetrapeptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp (GRGD) coating was investigated for its potential to enhance osseointegration. The L929 fibroblast cells were cultured in different concentrations of the GRGD (1%, 2%, and 5%). The cell viability was assessed through 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and live/dead staining. The surface topography and nano-indentation were analyzed by atomic force microscopy. The hemocompatibility was evaluated via field-emission scanning electron microscopy, while contact angle analysis was detected by a goniometer. Radiograph evaluation was determined by panoramic imaging. It was found that the cell growth increased and had a survival rate of more than 70% in 1% GRGD. The mortality of L929 increased with the higher concentration of GRGD. The IDCT-Ti coated with 1% GRGD showed a nano-surface with a Young’s modulus that was similar to human cortical bone, and it displayed greater red blood cell accumulations with abundant fibrin formation. As regards the wettability, the IDCT-Ti coated with 1% GRGD was lower than the SLA (sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched) treated implant. The X-ray image exhibited no bone loss around the implant at six months after placement. As a result, this study suggests that the IDCT-Ti implant, coated with 1% GRGD, has a tremendous likeliness to enhance osseointegration

Extended Epidemic of Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Serratia marcescens

In recent years a significant increase in the incidence of Serratia marcescens infections was noted at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. A review of laboratory (1991 to 2002) and infection control (1995 to 2002) records showed the possibility of an extended epidemic of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by S. marcescens. Therefore, in 1998 and 1999, 87 isolates were collected from patients with such infections and examined and another 51 isolates were collected in 2001 and 2002. The patients were mostly elderly or the infections were associated with the use of several invasive devices. S. marcescens was usually the only pathogen found in urine cultures in our study. Neither prior infections nor disseminated infections with the organism were observed in these patients. Resistance to most antibiotics except imipenem was noted. Two genotyping methods, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and infrequent-restriction-site PCR, were used to examine the isolates. A total of 12 genotypes were identified, and 2 predominant genotypes were found in 72 (82.8%) of the 87 isolates derived from all over the hospital. However, 63.9% of the isolates of the two genotypes were from neurology wards. A subsequent intervention by infection control personnel reduced the infection rate greatly. The number and proportion of the two predominant genotypes were significantly reduced among the 51 isolates collected in 2001 and 2002. Thus, a chronic and long-lasting epidemic of nosocomial UTIs caused by S. marcescens was identified and a successful intervention was carried out. Both a cautious review of laboratory and infection control data and an efficient genotyping system are necessary to identify such a cryptic epidemic and further contribute to the quality of patient care