Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody is utilized in the treatment of a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis. However, it can induce paradoxical development and/or exacerbation of psoriasis in the course of anti-TNF-α antibody treatment, which is sometimes refractory to conventional treatments. Herein, we report a case of refractory palmoplantar pustular psorias...

We demonstrate high-resolution photocross-linking of biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) and diethyl fumarate (DEF) using UV excimer laser photocuring at 308 nm. The curing depth can be tuned in a micrometre range by adjusting the total energy dose (total fluence). Young's moduli of the scaffolds are found to be a few gigapascal, high enough to support bone formation. The results prese...

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to demonstrate the efficacy of the 308-nm excimer laser for treatment of psoriasis. METHODS This study was a multicenter open trial from 5 dermatology practices (one university-based and 4 private practices). Up to 30 patients per center with stable mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis constituted the study population. Patients received 308-nm ultraviolet B doses t...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Alopecia areata is a common disease of unknown etiology; it causes significant cosmetic and psycho-social distress for most of the people it affects. We report on an innovative form of treatment in two patients with typical alopecia areata on the capillitium. STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS We successfully treated two patients whose alopecia areata had worsened pro...

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is an eruption of lichenified or excoriated nodules related to intractable pruritus. A few reports have shown that a 308-nm excimer lamp/laser (EL) is effective for intractable PN. Herein, we report on two cases of intractable prurigo nodularis successfully treated with a new EL equipped with a filter to cut wavelengths shorter than 297 nm. Because this newly developed EL...

Some applications in microelectronics call for freestanding polyimide films with fine metallic wiring patterns that are thinner than commercially available copper-clad polyimide sheets, which are typically greater than 25 pm in thickness. This work describes a laserassisted technique to fabricate freestanding multilayer thin-film wiring with polyimide dielectric insulating layers that are less ...