The shrimp nephrocomplex serves as a major portal of pathogen entry and is involved in the molting process.

Viruses, such as white spot syndrome virus, and bacteria, such as Vibrio species, wreak havoc in shrimp aquaculture [C. M. Escobedo-Bonilla et al., J. Fish. Dis. 31, 1-18 (2008)]. As the main portal of entry for shrimp-related pathogens remain unclear, infectious diseases are difficult to prevent and control. Because the cuticle is a strong pathogen barrier, regions lacking cuticular lining, such as the shrimp's excretory organ, "the antennal gland," are major candidate entry portals [M. Corteel et al., Vet. Microbiol. 137, 209-216 (2009)]. The antennal gland, up until now morphologically underexplored, is studied using several imaging techniques. Using histology-based three-dimensional technology, we demonstrate that the antennal gland resembles a kidney, connected to a urinary bladder with a nephropore (exit opening) and a complex of diverticula, spread throughout the cephalothorax. Micromagnetic resonance imaging of live shrimp not only confirms the histology-based model, but also indicates that the filling of the diverticula is linked to the molting cycle and possibly involved therein. Based on function and complexity, we propose to rename the antennal gland as the "nephrocomplex." By an intrabladder inoculation, we showed high susceptibility of this nephrocomplex to both white spot syndrome virus and Vibrio infection compared to peroral inoculation. An induced drop in salinity allowed the virus to enter the nephrocomplex in a natural way and caused a general infection followed by death; fluorescent beads were used to demonstrate that particles may indeed enter through the nephropore. These findings pave the way for oriented disease control in shrimp.

Handheld swept-source optical coherence tomography guided by smartphone-enabled wide-field autofluorescence photography for imaging facial sebaceous glands.

We report a method to image facial sebaceous glands (SGs) using smartphone-enabled wide-field autofluorescence photography (AFP) and handheld swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Smartphone-enabled AFP provides a 2D wide-field fluorescence image that is used both as a functional mapping of the sebum and a positioning guidance for OCT imaging of the SG. Following the guidance, handheld SS-OCT conducts the volume scan to investigate depth-resolved conditions of the SG in the selected regions of interest. We show the results from smartphone-enabled AFP and handheld SS-OCT to demonstrate the ability of our method to image facial SGs, potentially useful for the assessment of skin conditions in dermatology and cosmetology.

Research Techniques Made Simple: Optical Clearing and Three-Dimensional Volumetric Imaging of Skin Biopsies.

Skin histology is traditionally carried out using two-dimensional tissue sections, which allows for rapid staining, but these sections cannot accurately represent three-dimensional structures in skin such as nerves, vasculature, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. Although it may be ideal to image skin in a three-dimensional manner, it is technically challenging to image deep into tissue because of light scattering from collagen fibrils in the dermis and refractive index mismatch owing to the presence of differing biological materials such as cytoplasm, and lipids in the skin. Different optical clearing methods have been developed recently, making it possible to render tissues transparent using different approaches. Here, we discuss the steps involved in tissue preparation for three-dimensional volumetric imaging and provide a brief overview of the different optical clearing methods as well as different imaging modalities for three-dimensional imaging.

Safety and Efficacy of Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field Treatment of Sebaceous Gland Hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) technology involves delivery of ultrashort pulses of electrical energy and is a nonthermal, drug-free technology that has demonstrated favorable effects on cellular structures of the dermis and epidermis. OBJECTIVE: Determine the tolerability and effectiveness of nsPEF treatment of sebaceous gland hyperplasia (SGH). METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, open-label, multisite, nonsignificant risk trial in which each subject served as their own control. After injection of local anesthetic, high-intensity, ultrashort pulses of electrical energy were used to treat 72 subjects resulting in a total of 222 treated lesions. Subjects returned for 3 to 4 follow-up evaluations with photographs. RESULTS: At the final study visit, 99.6% of treated SGH lesions were rated clear or mostly clear and 79.3% of the subjects were satisfied or mostly satisfied with the outcome. At 60 days after nsPEF treatment, 55% of the lesions were judged to have no hyperpigmentation and 31% exhibited mild post-treatment hyperpigmentation. At the last observation for all lesions, 32% of the 222 lesions were noted as having slight volume loss. CONCLUSION: Nanosecond pulsed electric field procedure is well tolerated and is very effective in the removal of SGHs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03612570.

Myeloid Sarcoma That Infiltrated a Preexisting Sebaceous Lymphadenoma in the Parotid Gland: Diagnostic Challenges and Literature Review.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rarely encountered extramedullary localized tumor that is composed of immature myeloid cells. We reported an extremely rare case of MS with concurrent bone marrow (BM) involvement that invaded into a preexisting sebaceous lymphadenoma in the parotid gland and neck lymph nodes. Prompted by this case, we also present a literature review of MS invasion into salivary glands. A 62-year-old man was initially diagnosed with carcinoma that arose in a sebaceous lymphadenoma in the parotid gland, through a total parotidectomy with neck dissection. After an extensive histopathological review that included immunohistochemistry, a pathologic diagnosis of MS with infiltration into the sebaceous lymphadenoma with concurrent BM involvement was confirmed. MS is difficult to diagnose accurately; herein, we analyzed the clinical presentations and effectiveness of the various diagnostic methods with a review of the literature. There are 17 cases, including our case, reported in 13 studies. Of the cases in which the salivary glands were affected, 10 involved the parotid gland, six involved the submandibular gland, and one involved both. Isolated invasion of the salivary gland was found in one case of parotid gland invasion and three cases of submandibular gland invasion. In 13 cases, the salivary glands were affected by various other lesions. Although there were no incidences of isolated MS, six patients were diagnosed with secondary MS and eight patients with MS with BM involvement, including this case. The diagnosis of MS is difficult given its rarity, and a high index of suspicion and integrated radiologic and careful histopathologic evaluation are required. Most cases of MS infiltrating the salivary gland might be indicated by the possibility of BM involvement. MS with BM involvement predicts poor prognosis and the need for intensive systemic treatment.

Sonographic appearance of sebaceous cysts. Our experience and a review of the literature.

Sebaceous cysts are benign enveloped nodules resulting from an obstruction of a hair follicle. Although they are very common, differential diagnosis is not obvious and may include many diseases. Ultrasound examination with high frequency probes, in the hands of a skilled operator, is the gold standard for noninvasive evaluation of these diseases. The aim of our study was to describe sonographic patterns found in our experience with high frequency probes. We decided to reevaluate the sonographic appearance of the last 100 patients with sebaceous cysts that were under our observation through conducting a retrospective study. All lesions were examined by a skilled radiologist with an Esaote MyLab 70 XVG ultrasound unit and a dedicated 18 MHz linear probe, sometimes supplemented by 20 MHz. In these skin lesions, we evaluated morphology, size, vascularity, and especially the visibility of skin pores, a characteristic of sebaceous cysts. We found 118 lesions that were mostly located on the trunk. In the majority of cases, the skin lesions had an oval-shaped morphology - 114 (96.6%) - and were hypoechoic in appearance -108 (91.5%). In 60 (50.8%) cases, the skin lesions showed a homogeneous appearance, known as "pseudotestis". The average ultrasound examines with very high frequency probes allowed to evidence skin pores. Our retrospective study on higher frequency probes confirms the data in literature regarding the diagnosis of sebaceous cysts, demonstrating the high incidence and clinical significance of evidence of the so-called epidermal punctum.

New image analysis tool for facial pore characterization and assessment.

BACKGROUND: Visible facial pores are an important cosmetic concern especially among young females. Number of different methodologies is used today to assess facial pores and efficacy of technologies. Main limitations of these methods are, however, (a) moderate correlation with visual perception, (b) characterization is mostly limited to size or number of pores, (c) measurement is limited to a smaller area of face, and (d) operational difficulties. In order to address these limitations, we developed a 2D image analysis tool to assess and characterize visible facial pores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two clinical studies were conducted with northeast Asian skin type females. In the first study, 40 subjects age between 20 and 40 with different degree of pore severity were recruited. In the second study, 15 subjects age between 20 and 40 with enlarged pores were recruited to evaluate pore product efficacy. In both studies, full face images were taken using Visia-CR and assessed by means of the newly developed tool and visual grading. RESULTS: A high correlation between visual grading and pore size was obtained (r = 0.86). New methodology was able to differentiate products similar to visual grading. CONCLUSION: Novel pore image analysis method using 2D skin surface imaging with standard photography has been developed and validated. In addition to pore size measurements, we propose this method to be used to measure pore shape, color, and orientation for a comprehensive characterization of facial pores.

Gender- and age-related differences in facial sebaceous glands in Asian skin, as observed by non-invasive analysis using three-dimensional ultrasound microscopy.

BACKGROUND: While determining sebaceous gland morphology is useful in the treatment of skin disorders such as acne, a non-invasive assessment method has not been developed. Since age and gender affect sebum level, differences in sebaceous gland morphology according to these factors were investigated. METHODS: Facial skin was measured using a high-frequency three-dimensional ultrasound microscope. First, the ultrasound images were compared with skin sections. Next, we assessed sebaceous gland morphology. Images of sebaceous gland in the cheeks of young male, young female and elderly female subjects were obtained using ultrasound microscopy, and en face images were processed to measure the sebaceous gland area. RESULTS: In the ultrasound images, sebaceous glands and also thin collagen fibers, which surrounded the glands, could be detected as low-intensity regions. We called them sebaceous units. In young male subjects, the sebaceous unit areas 900-µm beneath the skin surface were larger than those at 700 µm. In contrast, depth-dependent differences in sebaceous unit area were not observed in young female subjects, indicating that males had cauliflower-shaped sebaceous glands while young females had somewhat more cylindrical and smaller sebaceous glands than the young males. Regarding age, the areas of sebaceous units at 900 µm were diminished and the depth of maximum area was shallower in elderly female subjects compared to young female subjects. Hence, sebaceous glands are considered to shrink with age. CONCLUSION: Differences in facial sebaceous unit morphology between genders as well as by age groups could be observed using high-frequency ultrasound microscopy.

Freeze artifact on full-field optical coherence tomography skin imaging.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Full-field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT) is an emerging imaging technique for rapid histological analysis. As FFOCT is introduced into the Mohs workflow, it is important to document the effect of tissue freezing on FFOCT images and any effect FFOCT has on frozen sections. Our study aimed to evaluate the changes on FFOCT images after tissue freezing as well as FFOCT imaging effects on frozen sectioning. METHODS: Six normal skin specimens were imaged using FFOCT and subsequently frozen using a cryostat. The specimens were then reimaged using FFOCT and compared for any differences. To evaluate the effect of FFOCT imaging on frozen sections, five normal skin specimens were bisected and one half was imaged using FFOCT. Both halves underwent frozen sectioning and analysis. RESULTS: Significant changes in the fat, sebaceous glands, eccrine glands, and dermal collage and minimal changes in the epidermis were seen after freezing. No effect on frozen sectioning was seen after FFOCT imaging. CONCLUSION: As FFOCT is studied for use in Mohs, clinicians should be aware that freezing prior to imaging introduces significant artifact in the FFOCT image. If possible, specimens should undergo imaging prior to being frozen.

CUBIC Protocol Visualizes Protein Expression at Single Cell Resolution in Whole Mount Skin Preparations.

The skin is essential for our survival. The outer epidermal layer consists of the interfollicular epidermis, which is a stratified squamous epithelium covering most of our body, and epidermal appendages such as the hair follicles and sweat glands. The epidermis undergoes regeneration throughout life and in response to injury. This is enabled by K14-expressing basal epidermal stem/progenitor cell populations that are tightly regulated by multiple regulatory mechanisms active within the epidermis and between epidermis and dermis. This article describes a simple method to clarify full thickness mouse skin biopsies, and visualize K14 protein expression patterns, Ki67 labeled proliferating cells, Nile Red labeled sebocytes, and DAPI nuclear labeling at single cell resolution in 3D. This method enables accurate assessment and quantification of skin anatomy and pathology, and of abnormal epidermal phenotypes in genetically modified mouse lines. The CUBIC protocol is the best method available to date to investigate molecular and cellular interactions in full thickness skin biopsies at single cell resolution.

Two cases of genital neutrophilic sebaceous adenitis.

Sebaceous glands without a follicular structure are present in the eyelid margin (meibomian glands), lip, glans penis and vulva. Inflammatory disease of a sebaceous gland lacking follicles is rare, except for meibomitis. We report the first two cases of vulval sebaceous adenitis. Painful, yellowish-orange papules/nodules recurred at the vulval mucocutaneous junction or mucosa during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Histopathologically, a dense neutrophilic infiltration was observed within the sebaceous ducts. In both cases, oral minocycline improved the condition. They had been treated with antiherpetic agents. It is possible that women diagnosed with recurrent genital herpes have genital neutrophilic sebaceous adenitis.