Line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography for distinguishing basal cell carcinoma from dermal nevus: a case report

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer with a rising incidence. It can imitate benign lesions for example, dermal nevus clinically and dermoscopically. Both entities show specific morphologic features in line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The aim was to differentiate both lesions via noninvasive imaging to prevent unnecessary surgery. A 63-year-old woman presented with a light brownish nodule on the left cheek and a brownish nodule on the right nasal slope/cheek, which were both evident since a few months. The clinical and dermoscopic appearance of both lesions was very similar including the differential diagnosis of a dermal nevus or BCC. Dynamic OCT of the lesion on the left cheek showed multiple hyporeflective nodules in the dermis with hypervascularization. Using LC-OCT several hyporeflective round to ovoid nodules with hyporeflective clefting embedded in a hyperreflective surrounding connective tissue could be observed. These specific morphological criteria called millefeuille pattern led to the diagnosis of a nodular BCC. The lesion of the right cheek presented with a thickened epidermis and elongated rete ridges in dynamic OCT. Upon LC-OCT examination a so-called large wave like pattern presenting as undulating hyporeflective and hyperreflective lobular structures could be identified. Therefore, the diagnosis of a dermal nevus was made. Both lesions were identified correctly as confirmed histopathologically after shave excision. Since BCC can imitate benign lesions for example, dermal nevi, the use of OCT and LC-OCT can facilitate the identification of BCC and its imitators. Noninvasive imaging can help to avoid unnecessary biopsy especially in areas where the skin is vulnerable to punch biopsy

Position controlled self-catalyzed growth of GaAs nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy

GaAs nanowires are grown by molecular beam epitaxy using a self-catalyzed, Ga-assisted growth technique. Position control is achieved by nano-patterning a SiO2 layer with arrays of holes with a hole diameter of 85 nm and a hole pitch varying between 200 nm and 2 \mum. Gallium droplets form preferentially at the etched holes acting as catalyst for the nanowire growth. The nanowires have hexagonal cross-sections with {110} side facets and crystallize predominantly in zincblende. The interdistance dependence of the nanowire growth rate indicates a change of the III/V ratio towards As-rich conditions for large hole distances inhibiting NW growth.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Die österreichische Ratspräsidentschaft: eine ökonomische Bewertung.

aus dem Inhaltsverzeichnis: Executive Summary; Einleitung; Inhaltliche Fortschritte im Rahmen der Ratspräsidentschaft Österreichs: Die Rolle der Ratspräsidentschaft im Institutionengefüge der EU; Die Lissabon-Strategie der Europäischen Union; Wirtschaft, Beschäftigung und Finanzen; Gesundheit, Soziales und Verbraucherschutz; Informationsgesellschaft; Energie; Umwelt und Nachhaltigkeit; Die Rolle der europäischen Union in der Welt - Außenpolitik und Erweiterung; Impact Analyse im Zusammenhang mit der österreichischen Ratspräsidentschaft: Der ökonomische Impact in Zusammenhang mit der österreichischen Ratspräsidentschaft; Anhang: Methodik

Electron microscopy analysis of femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy before and after lens fragmentation

Studying anterior lens capsule cutting edge profiles from femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy procedures performed before and after lens fragmentation. Twenty eyes (10 patients) with age-related cataract underwent femtosecond laser-assisted surgery (FLACS) using the Ziemer Z8 platform. First step of laser surgery was either capsulotomy (group first) or fragmentation (group second). One eye of each patient was assigned randomly, the second eye treated with the different sequence of procedures. After anterior capsule removal, tissue was fixed in cacodylate-buffered solution and cutting-edge profiles were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All cases had cataract grade 2 and 3 based on LOCS III grading. SEM analysis showed more smooth edges in the first group, especially in cases with pseudoexfoliation (P = 0.037); more tags and bridges and a significant number of staggered cutting patterns (7 out of 10 cases) in the second group. All cases evolved the same microgroves with \textquotedblvalleys and mountains \textquotedbl as signs of the photodisruption process. Femtosecond laser capsulotomy should be performed before lens fragmentation minimizing the rate of cutting errors. Especially in eyes with advanced cataract, as intracapsular pressure may increase due to lens fragmentation without anterior capsular opening

Dynamic optical coherence tomography of chronic venous ulcers

Background Chronic ulcers, especially venous leg ulcers, are a major burden on the healthcare system. To date there are only few non-invasive established procedures for evaluation of blood perfusion in wounds. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) provides images of the skin's superficial vascularisation. Objectives This study aims to investigate if and how the D-OCT measurement of chronic wounds can provide new information about the vascularisation during the healing process. Methods We examined 16 venous ulcers over 16 weeks and evaluated the vessel morphology and density using D-OCT at the wound bed, borders, two centimetres adjacent to the wound und at non-ulcerated skin on the contralateral leg. Results In D-OCT scans clumps were unique and the most common vessel type in the wound area of venous ulcers, whereas lines and serpiginous vessels were the most common in non-ulcerated skin. At the wound border mottle and cluster patterns occurred more frequently. Healthy skin showed a significant increase of mesh pattern. Vessel density significantly increased at the wound area compared to non-ulcerated skin. During the healing process the wound border showed the most vascular changes while only an increase in curves was observed in the wound centre. Non-healing wounds had fewer dots and blobs at the borders, fewer dots, coils, clumps, lines and serpiginous vessels at the centre and fewer dots in adjacent skin. Temperature analysis showed higher temperatures in non-ulcerated skin, followed by the wound margin and centre. Non-healing wounds showed the lowest temperatures in the wound centre. Conclusions These results highlight the non-invasive use of D-OCT for the examination and monitoring of wound healing in chronic venous ulcers. D-OCT imaging of blood vessels may offer the potential to detect disorders of wound healing at an early stage, differentiate ulcers of different genesis and to tailor more individualized, patient-oriented therapy

Direct correlation of crystal structure and optical properties in wurtzite/zinc-blende GaAs nanowire heterostructures

A novel method for the direct correlation at the nanoscale of structural and optical properties of single GaAs nanowires is reported. Nanowires consisting of 100% wurtzite and nanowires presenting zinc-blende/wurtzite polytypism are investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The photoluminescence of wurtzite GaAs is consistent with a band gap of 1.5 eV. In the polytypic nanowires, it is shown that the regions that are predominantly composed of either zinc-blende or wurtzite phase show photoluminescence emission close to the bulk GaAs band gap, while regions composed of a nonperiodic superlattice of wurtzite and zinc-blende phases exhibit a redshift of the photoluminescence spectra as low as 1.455 eV. The dimensions of the quantum heterostructures are correlated with the light emission, allowing us to determine the band alignment between these two crystalline phases. Our first-principles electronic structure calculations within density functional theory, employing a hybrid-exchange functional, predict band offsets and effective masses in good agreement with experimental results

TP53 aberrations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an overview of the clinical implications of improved diagnostics

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with a highly heterogeneous disease course in terms of clinical outcomes and responses to chemoimmunotherapy. This heterogeneity is partly due to genetic aberrations identified in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells such as mutations of TP53 and/or deletions in chromosome 17p [del(17p)], resulting in loss of one TP53 allele. These aberrations are associated with markedly decreased survival and predict impaired response to chemoimmunotherapy thus being among the strongest predictive markers guiding treatment decisions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Clinical trials demonstrate the importance of accurately testing for TP53 aberrations [both del(17p) and TP53 mutations] before each line of treatment to allow for appropriate treatment decisions that can optimize patient outcomes. The current report reviews the diagnostic methods to better detect TP53 disruption, the role of TP53 aberrations in treatment decisions and current therapies available for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia carrying these abnormalities. The standardization in sequencing technologies for accurate identification of TP53 mutations and the importance of continued evaluation of TP53 aberrations throughout initial and subsequent lines of therapy remain unmet clinical needs as new therapeutic alternatives become availabl