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The application of cold spray (CS) for additive manufacturing (CSAM) of structural components using metallic materials has recently attracted much attention. However, there are limited reports on developing thick deposits or components with high entropy alloys (HEAs) via CSAM and investigating the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties after deposition and subsequent annealing heat-treatment. This work investigated the microstructure and mechanical properties of asdeposited and heat-treated thick CoCrFeNiMn HEA deposit fabricated via CSAM. The microstructure of the HEA deposit and after heat-treatment were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructural analysis reveals heterogeneous grain size distribution with ultrafine grains at the particle-particle interfacial regions and coarse grains at the particle interiors in the as-deposited sample. The as-deposited sample, characterised by moderate porosity, was consolidated following the heat treatment at different temperatures. Additionally, increasing the temperature increases grain sizes resulting from static recovery and recrystallisation, with annealing twin formed at higher temperatures. Most notably, phase decomposition of the deposit microstructure occurs at 600 ºC, with Cr-rich phase particles formed at regions of high dislocations and grain boundaries. Nano-and micro-hardness and tensile testing of micro-flat dogbones samples were performed on the as-deposited and heattreated samples. The effect of heat-treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the cold-sprayed HEA deposit were analysed and discussed.

Porocarcinoma (PC) is a rare cutaneous adnexal tumor with a variable metastatic potential. Given the paucity of data, guidelines and specific recommendations for PC are not yet well-established. In this study, we evaluate the disease-specific characteristics and outcome of this rare and often underestimated tumor.A retrospective study of the epidemiological, clinical, and dermoscopic characteristics among cases of histopathologically diagnosed PC, collected from the database of two skin cancer clinics in Italy (Firenze, Pistoia) from 2000 to 2020, was conducted.Among the 52 patients with 53 tumors, 31 were men (59.6%) and 21 were women (40.4%) with an age range of 49-96 years (median age 82 years). The most common locations were the head/neck region in men (34% in men vs. 17% in women) and the lower limb in women (17% in women vs. 9% in men). Forty-eight cases (91%) underwent local excision. Of these patients, two (4%) experienced local recurrence, and one (2%) developed a second PC on a different anatomical site 1 month after the primary tumor's excision. Lymph node metastases were present in three cases (6%). Two of them have been treated surgically with adjuvant radiotherapy (both are disease-free after a 2-year follow-up period), whereas the third case developed visceral metastases followed by PC-related death.This study, with 52 patients with 53 tumors covering a follow-up period of more than 5 years, shows a less aggressive behavior of PC with 4% local recurrence, 6% nodal metastases, and 2% mortality.

Background Fluorescence-advanced videodermatoscopy (FAV) is a new non-invasive high-resolution skin imaging technique to assess pigmented lesions in conjunction with the clinical examination and dermatoscopy. Objectives This is the first prospective study to identify morphologic descriptors and standardized terminology to examine facial pigmented lesions using FAV. The objectives were to identify FAV indicators, which can assist physicians in diagnosing suspicious flat facial pigmented lesions. Methods Consecutive equivocal pigmented lesions were retrospective analysed. Histopathological examination was performed for all the lesions. The main cytomorphological and cytoarchitectural FAV features were described and correlated with histopathological characteristics. Results From January to October 2020, 21 consecutive clinically suspected pigmented lesions in 20 patients were analysed using dermatoscopy and FAV and then surgically excised. Histopathological examination identified lentigo maligna (LM), lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), solar lentigo (SL), flat seborrheic keratosis (SK) and pigmented actinic keratosis (PAK). Thirteen malignant melanocytic lesions were removed (11 LM, 2 LMM), two were diagnosed as PAK, and the remaining six pigmented lesions were SL-SKs. With FAV, large ovoid pleomorphic and dendritic cells arranged in the intrafollicular disposition, are typical of most malignant melanocytic lesions (12/13, 92.3%). No benign lesions displayed these features. In dermatoscopy, this folliculotropism corresponded to the presence of an annular-granular pattern with slate grey dots that were aggregated asymmetrically around follicular openings. Conclusions FAV features can provide an improved diagnostic approach in the differential diagnosis of flat pigmented facial lesions.

Background Oral target therapy with hedgehog-pathway inhibitors has revolutionized the standard of care for patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma. These patients are frail and elderly patients with various comorbidities and on pharmacological polytherapy. This scenario requires the clinician to manage the adverse events that can have a significant impact on therapeutic adherence. Objectives We evaluated the impact of caregivers in the treatment of patients with advanced BCC under treatment in terms of continuation of therapy over time. Methods All patients included in this observational prospective study have histologically confirmed metastatic or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma and were treated with hedgehog-pathway inhibitors from January 2016 to December 2021 at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Florence, Italy. The collected patient data included age, sex, BCC site and extension, number of cycles, dose, duration and tolerability of the therapy, marital status (single, divorced, married/live-in, widow/widower), and information such as living with someone, and the presence of any caregivers. Results Of the 34 patients included, 33 had a LaBCC and 1 metastatic BCC. There were 11 females (32.4%) and 23 males (67.6%). Among Basal Cell Carcinoma patients treated with hedgehog-pathway inhibitors, patients who were married or lived with a care-giver could better tolerate the therapy relative to single patients who live alone. Indeed, married/live-in patients and/or those with an adequate caregiver experienced greater therapeutic adherence and tolerated adverse events better. Conclusions Given the greater therapeutic adherence of married/live-in patients whose caregiver is the partner, it is essential to consider patient’s marital status. It is advisable to involve the caregiver upon enrollment. There should be a training discussion on the various possible adverse events and the best way to mitigate them. Success in therapy is linked not only to an informed patient but also to a trained caregiver.

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is considered the gold standard treatment for skin cancers. Though the high cure rates it offers, MMS presents some disadvantages, as it is a relatively time-consuming procedure involving several professionals (physicians and technicians). A better definition of tumor margins in the preoperative setting with any optical noninvasive diagnostic method may reduce the numbers of MMS steps and the overall duration of the procedure. The present review was conducted and reported using validated search strategies from the following databases: PUBMED and Ovid MEDLINE. Our review describes the use of procedures such as dermoscopy, optical coherence tomography, reflectance confocal microscopy and fluorescent confocal microscopy to determine tumor extension in the preoperative setting of Mohs surgery for the treatment of skin cancers. Presurgical margin assessment with noninvasive diagnostic techniques seem to provide a benefit in the patients' management, especially for tumors located in critical areas with a high risk of recurrence. The use is limited to the high costs and limited availability of new technologies.

We have read with great interest the paper by Kesić, V. et al. entitled "Early Diagnostics of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia" [...].

Summary Background Atypical Spitz tumours (ASTs) are regarded as an intermediate category distinguished from prototypical Spitz naevus by presenting one or more atypical features and often by an uncertain malignant potential. Clinical and dermoscopic features may play a relevant role in the diagnostic approach. Aim To evaluate the clinical and dermoscopic features of ASTs, and their evolution over time. Methods This was a descriptive, multicentre study of the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of ASTs. Data on clinical and dermoscopic characteristics, histopathology, local extension, therapy and follow-up, lymph node staging, complete lymph node dissection, and outcome were collected from the databases of four Italian Dermatology Units for the period 2004–2021. Results The study population consisted of 99 patients (62 female, 37 male) with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of AST, including age at presentation ranged from 2 to 70 years (mean 28.1 years, median 24 years). Of the 99 patients, 29 (29.3%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, which showed evidence of micrometastases in three cases (10.3%); all three patients underwent complete lymph node dissection with no evidence of further metastasis. Considering the whole study population, the clinical outcome was excellent, as all of the patients have no evidence of recurrence or distant metastasis. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 216 months (mean 81.6 months, median 78 months). In addition, we collected data on the clinical and dermoscopic features of 26 lesions. The most frequent dermoscopic pattern observed was the multicomponent pattern (34.6%), followed by homogeneous (26.9%) and nonspecific (23.2%). In 66.7% of amelanotic ASTs, we observed glomerular (coiled) vessels uniformly distributed within the entire lesion, without asymmetry. Conclusion The results of our study with a long follow-up show no recurrence or distant metastases, confirming the good clinical outcome, even in the case of sentinel lymph node positivity. From a diagnostic point of view, our series identified a typical dermoscopic picture for amelanotic ASTs, with a glomerular vascular pattern throughout the lesion in the absence of other dermoscopic parameters, making the correct diagnosis possible.

Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) describes the sudden onset of cutaneous nevi over weeks or months. Such a clinical event is generally seen in young adult patients and may be related to several possible causes. We report here a case of EMN in an old male patient followed up for a thick amelanotic cutaneous melanoma. A few months after the eruption, multiple hepatic masses, diagnosed as melanoma metastasis, were detected. The presented case may suggest that EMN may be a paraneoplastic phenomenon of alert in patients being followed for melanoma or other malignancies.

Agminated Spitz nevi are an uncommon entity, and their management is challenging due not only the young age of the patients but also the tumor's uncertain malignant potential and the variability in the dermoscopic and clinical presentation. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with multiple agminated Spitz nevi on a cafe au lait macule with different atypical clinical patterns and dermoscopic features.

In daily clinical practice, itchy pathologies are commonly encountered. However, their anamnesis and clinical manifestations are not always clear. In these cases, using non-invasive diagnostic tools can facilitate prompt diagnosis. Among these pathologies, scabies is typically diagnosed by direct observation of mites using an optical microscope. As this investigation is not always feasible, recent years have seen a rise in the use of non-invasive imaging techniques for the diagnosis of scabies.

We have read with great interest the paper by Kesić, V. et al. entitled “Early Diagnostics of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia” [...]

The scrotum is a rare site for metastases and represents less than 1% of the body's total surface area. Clinically, metastatic deposits in the scrotum can present in a variety of ways. They may appear as solitary cutaneous nodules, papules, plaques, or generalized induration or edema. Indeed, scrotum metastasis may be mistaken for other skin lesions since several dermatologic conditions can present with inflammation or dermatitis of the scrotum. Properly diagnosing cutaneous metastasis requires histopathological examination since the clinical appearances are, as described, highly variable and non-specific. We present a 63-year-old man with painless nodules on the scrotal skin. Excisional biopsy of the nodules revealed a metastasis from rectal squamous cell carcinoma. The incidence of this kind of tumors is estimated around 0.1-0.25 per 1000 colorectal neoplasms.

Background: The management of difficult-to-treat periocular basal cell carcinoma becomes very challenging in cases of delayed diagnosis, leading to the development of locally advanced basal cell carcinoma.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (vismodegib and sonidegib) treatment in patients affected by periocular locally advanced basal cell carcinoma. We focused on the common adverse events and their correlation with the administration schedule in order to determine a management protocol specific for the periocular area.Methods: This observational prospective study included a single-center case series with patients who were histologically confirmed to have periocular or orbital locally advanced basal cell carcinoma, treated with Hedgehog pathway inhibitors.Results: All patients benefitted in terms of regression or stabilization of the neoplasm. In the first months of treatment, the HPIs were well tolerated, and the first important side effects appeared after about 5 months of continuous use of the drug.Conclusion: These data could lead to a new type of therapeutic scheme where neoadjuvant therapy could be followed by pulse therapy as an adjuvant to surgery.

We read the paper by Katsarelias et al. with great interest, regarding the effect of beta-adrenergic blocking agents on cutaneous melanoma [1]. However, the study presents some methodology biases that do not allow us to support the authors' conclusions. The paper suffers from the unification and evaluation of multiple registries, which do not provide essential data for any of the targets for research. Unlike studies in the literature [...].

IMPORTANCE: Vulvar melanosis is a common pigmentary change that accounts for most pigmented vulvar lesions. It presents as single or multiple asymptomatic macules or patches of varying size and color that may be asymmetric with poorly defined borders. The differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions includes melanoma, which creates anxiety for patients and the physicians who diagnose the condition and treat the patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and dermoscopic features of vulvar melanosis and their changes over time. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cohort study, patients with vulvar melanosis were recruited and followed up in the Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, between January 1, 1998, and June 30, 2019. Data on patient characteristics and on both the clinical and dermoscopic features of the vulvar lesions were collected. Each lesion was photographed clinically and dermoscopically at initial evaluation and at annual follow-up visits. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathologic features of vulvar melanosis and their changes over time. RESULTS: This cohort study included 129 women (mean age at diagnosis, 46 years [range, 19-83 years]) with vulvar melanosis. A total of 87 patients (67%) with vulvar melanotic lesions were premenopausal, and 84 patients (65%) had received some type of hormone therapy. The most frequent location for vulvar melanosis was the labia minora (55 [43%]), followed by the labia majora (33 [26%]). In 39 of 129 cases (30%), the lesions increased in size and changed color after initial evaluation but ultimately stabilized. No malignant evolution was documented in any patient during a median follow-up of 13 years (range, 5-20 years). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study suggests that vulvar melanosis was a benign entity, and changes in lesions over time did not signify malignant transformation. An association between hormonal status and vulvar melanosis may be hypothesized.

We read the paper by Katsarelias et al. with great interest, regarding the effect of beta-adrenergic blocking agents on cutaneous melanoma [1]. However, the study presents some methodology biases that do not allow us to support the authors’ conclusions. The paper suffers from the unification and evaluation of multiple registries, which do not provide essential data for any of the targets for research. Unlike studies in the literature [...]

Nickel–Titanium (NiTi) is a material of great interest in modern industry as its shape memory and superelastic behaviors provide unique and useful properties that can be incorporated into complex designs and applications. However, due to its poor machinability, it is difficult to realize its full potential with conventional manufacturing techniques. With the advent of additive manufacturing, the potential for the use of NiTi in modern designs has been reignited and the analysis and optimization of its mechanical properties are a pivotal point of current material science research. Furthermore, insight into the variations of these material properties and how they vary throughout an additively manufactured part is key to improving the quality and repeatability of these parts. In this research paper, samples are printed using a single set of process parameters. These samples are then cut and analyzed for grain structure, chemical composition, microstructure, and hardness. Finally, results are reported and variations in these material properties are summarized.

Bilotta, M., Venturi, F. & Sassaroli, S. 2010: Ammonite faunas, OAE and the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary (Early Jurassic) in the Apennines. Lethaia, Vol. 43, pp. 357–380. The critical Jurassic event known as Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) has been the subject of several studies, but its palaeontological characterization is still problematic, and its dating is therefore debated. The rich ammonite faunas of the Mediterranean Tethys (Italy, Greece, Albania, North Africa, southern Spain, etc.) demonstrate that the OAE separates two very different assemblages, resulting from a strong post-OAE biological renewal. Faunas before the anoxic event include many taxa already present in late Pliensbachian (evolute Phylloceratida; Reynesocoeloceratinae, Protogrammoceratinae and Arieticeratinae), whereas after the anoxic event new forms radiated (Nodicoeloceratinae, Harpoceratinae and Hildoceratinae; afterwards also groups as Mercaticeratinae, Phymatoceratidae and Hammatoceratidae). As these assemblages show remarkable differences from their Northwest European equivalents, in the Apennine it is necessary to use a Mediterranean zonation, here formally established. The examined data suggest accurate boundaries for the OAE, which separates our first two Toarcian Zones, corresponding to Tenuicostatum and Serpentinum standard chronozones. Within this context, the Apennine assemblage placed immediately below the anoxic event is an endemic fauna with more than 15 ammonite genera, two of which (Secchianoceras and Petranoceras) are exclusive of the interval in question. Most abundant are Phylloceratidae (Phylloceras, Lavizzaroceras, Calaiceras and Harpophylloceras), Juraphyllitidae (Meneghiniceras) and Lytoceratidae (Lytoceras); Dactylioceratidae (Dactylioceras, Eodactylites and Secchianoceras) and Hildoceratidae are comparatively less numerous, but these latter show the largest taxonomic diversity (Fontanelliceras, Trinacrioceras, Protogrammoceras, Petranoceras, etc.). The description of this fauna improves the knowledge of a poorly understood interval immediately preceding the OAE, thus allowing better correlations in the Mediterranean area. □Ammonites, chronostratigraphy, Early Jurassic, OAE, Tethys.

Comparing the Early Jurassic ammonoids found in three Italian Apennine sections (Bosso, Pallareto and Furlo) with those reported in the literature for some South American sections (Argentina and Chile), we noted that these two areas share the same late Sinemurian–early Pliensbachian faunal succession: Paltechioceras in the late Sinemurian (Raricostatum Zone), Catriceras in the earliest Pliensbachian (Jamesoni Zone, Taylori Subzone), Miltoceras in the middle part of the early Pliensbachian (Jamesoni Zone, Polymorphus Subzone). An overall similarity to Apennine and South American ammonite faunas of the same age can be found for some sections of Morocco and partially also for southern Spain. One of the Italian taxa (an unpublished early Pliensbachian Apennine genus, ascribable to the family Polymorphitidae) is reported in the South American Pacific coast by the middle to late part of the early Pliensbachian (Ibex Zone). Evolving towards more and more discoidal morphologies, it might have given rise to an endemic American ammonite group, which is represented by the genera Eoamaltheus Hillebrandt and Fanninoceras McLearn. This phylogenetic reconstruction is based on several lines of evidence (shell morphology, ontogenetic development, aspect of the suture lines, biostratigraphy), and can be safely traced back to the basal Pliensbachian strata of the Tethyan Palaeoprovince. As far as we know, the examined ammonoid taxa are exclusively found in the western Tethys (e.g. Italian Apennines) and American Pacific coast (e.g. Argentina), but they have never been recorded elsewhere, and they show no evidence of pantropical distribution. Our biostratigraphic and phylogenetic data suggest the existence of a late Sinemurian–early Pliensbachian marine connection between the western Tethys (Italian Apennines) and the South American Pacific coast (Argentina). This is the so-called Hispanic Corridor, the existence of which has already been supported by many authors using several geological and palaeontological pieces of evidence. According to our interpretation, as well as the conclusions of other workers, it was a temporary and intermittent seaway, which allowed a partial faunal exchange for some taxa (including certain shallow-water ammonoids) during Sinemurian and Pliensbachian times. This palaeobiogeographic model consistently relates the biostratigraphy and evolution of some western Tethys and South American ammonoids to the major palaeogeographic changes affecting this vast area. In any case, our working hypothesis does not have any claim of universal applicability; we deem the proto-Atlantic seaway model to be the most suitable (until proof of the contrary) for the ammonites we examined, but it may not be necessarily valid for all the currently known taxa.