Understanding the anatomy of dermoscopy of melanocytic skin tumours: Correlation in vivo with line-field optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUND

Early melanoma detection is the main factor affecting prognosis and survival. For that reason, non-invasive technologies have been developed to provide a more accurate diagnosis. Recently, line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) was developed to provide an in vivo, imaging device, with deep penetration and cellular resolution in three dimensions. Combining the advantages of conventional OCT and reflectance confocal microscopy, this tool seems to be particularly suitable for melanocytic lesions.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to identify and describe the correlation between specific dermoscopic criteria and LC-OCT features in three dimensions associated with melanocytic lesions.

METHODS

Dermoscopic and LC-OCT images of 126 melanocytic lesions were acquired in three different centres. The following dermoscopic criteria have been considered: reticular pattern, dots and globules, structureless areas, blue-whitish veil, regression structures, negative network, homogeneous pattern, streaks and blotches.

RESULTS

69 (55%) benign and 57 (45%) malignant lesions were analysed. A regular reticular pattern was found associated in the 75% of the cases with the presence of elongated rete ridges with pigmented cells along the basal layer, while atypical reticular pattern showed an irregular organization of rete ridges with melanocytic hyperplasia, broadened and fused ridges and elongated nests. Both typical and atypical dots and globules were found associated with melanocytic nests in the dermis or at the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ), as well as with keratin cysts/pseudocysts. Grey globules corresponded to the presence of melanin-containing dermal inflammatory cells (melanophages) within the papillae. Structureless brown/black areas correlated with alterations of the DEJ. We observed the same DEJ alterations, but with the presence of dermal melanophages, in 36% of the cases of blue/white/grey structureless areas. A description of each LC-OCT/dermoscopy correlation was made.

CONCLUSIONS

LC-OCT permitted for the first time to perform an in vivo, 3D correlation between dermoscopic criteria and pathological-like features of melanocytic lesions.

Psychopathic Traits in a Swedish Court-Ordered Forensic Sample: Preferential Associations of Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition

The construct validity of the triarchic psychopathy model has yet to be evaluated in the Swedish forensic psychiatric context. We examined associations between the three phenotypic constructs of the triarchic model of psychopathy (i.e., boldness, meanness, disinhibition), self-assessed empathy and anxiety, and clinical variables in 91 individuals undergoing pretrial forensic psychiatric evaluation in Sweden. Participants completed the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM) and self-report measures of empathy and anxiety. Clinical variables, including psychiatric diagnoses and criminal behavior, were collected from the forensic psychiatric evaluations (FPE). All three subscales of the TriPM displayed significant and predominantly anticipated correlations with empathy and trait anxiety measures. TriPM Disinhibition was the only subscale with significant associations with the clinical variables collected from the FPEs. The results provide evidence for the reliability and construct validity of the Swedish translation of the TriPM in a pretrial forensic setting.

"Should I Give it to My Kids?": Factors that Influence HPV Vaccine Hesitancy Among African American Parents

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to describe the influences that impact vaccine hesitancy in African American parents who have previously delayed or denied vaccinating their children against HPV.

METHODS

We conducted three focus groups, approx. 90 minutes each. Participants were recruited from various community clinics and organizations in Michigan. Using thematic analysis and the Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants framework, we described the experiences of parents who have delayed or denied vaccinating their children against HPV.

RESULTS

Twenty parents participated in the focus groups; the majority of the parents had Medicaid (75%), were employed full-time (55%), and had some college education but no degree (50%). Several contextual factors influenced decision-making: historical events, perceptions of both pharmaceutical and governmental figures, and perceived discrimination based on race and socioeconomic status. Whether it was the result of mistrust due to the ongoing Flint water crisis or concern over the profit-driven industry of pharmaceutical companies, these parents were deeply mistrustful of the motivations behind vaccination programs. Parental beliefs and attitudes focused on ensuring the health and safety of their children, which involved being hesitant to vaccinate. Some parents were swayed by vaccination experiences of personal acquaintances, while others maintained their hesitancy status. Knowledge and awareness in this group were mixed regarding the HPV vaccine. Most struggled to articulate the purpose of the vaccine thoroughly and often refused to vaccinate their children. Meanwhile, only a few vaccine-specific issues were relevant in group discussions, such as vaccination schedule and provider recommendation. Some parents viewed weak recommendations as a subtle signal to not vaccinate their children, while others viewed too strong of a recommendation as a cause for concern.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight parents' willingness to stick with their strong beliefs, despite recommendations from healthcare providers and personal acquaintances. Effective communications strategies are essential for health education and establishing a trustworthy patient-provider relationship.

[Internal derivation in the treatment of hepatic hydatidosis]

The results of the surgical treatment of human hydatic cyst by cystojejunostomy are presented. This technique was performed in 17,3% of all cysts treated by the authors. The conditions for using technique, as well as it morbidity and mortality are reviewed. The authors' conclusion is that cystojejunostomy is a valid surgical technique for hydatic cyst in some cases in which it is indicated.

[Submucosal lipomas of the colon]

Three cases of symptomatic colonic lipoma are presented. All were submucous. Clinical findings were abdominal pain, changes in intestinal rythm and rectorragia. All patients had an important loss of weight, a previously undescribed finding. Two patients had a colonic diverticulosis too. The diagnosis was made by means of radiology (barium enema) and surgery was performed in all cases with excellent results.