The safety and efficacy of a combined diode laser and bipolar radiofrequency compared with combined infrared light and bipolar radiofrequency for skin rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: As the demand for noninvasive procedures for skin rejuvenation is increasing, combined diode laser and radiofrequency and combined infrared and radiofrequency devices have recently emerged. AIM: To compare Polaris WRA(TM), a combination device of diode light and RF, and ReFirme ST(TM), a combination device of infrared and bipolar RF, in terms of safety and efficacy on skin rejuvenation. METHODS: Fourteen Korean volunteers of skin type II-IV, with facial laxity and periorbital rhytids, received three treatments at 3-week intervals with combined diode laser and bipolar radiofrequency (laser fluence 30 J/cm2, RF fluence 90 J/cm3) on the right half of their faces and combined infrared light and bipolar radiofrequency (RF fluence 120 J/cm3) on the left half of their faces. Clinical photos of front and bilateral sides of the subjects' faces were taken at baseline and at 6, 9, 12 weeks after the treatment initiation. The investigators' and the subjects' global assessments were performed. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant difference in the overall outcome between Polaris WRA(TM) and Refirme ST(TM) based on pre- and post-treatment objective measurements. Polaris WRA(TM) was more effective than Refirme ST(TM) at reducing wrinkles when therapeutic results of the two appliances were compared based on the patient satisfaction measurements. After the treatment with both instruments, histological increase in the production and rearrangement of collagen fibers at the dermal layer was observed. The density of the collagen fibers was more increased with the Polaris WRA(TM)-treated facial area than that of Refirme ST(TM). Treatment was generally well tolerated, and there was no serious complication. CONCLUSION: In this study, both the lasers appeared to be safe, and effective methods for treating skin laxity and facial wrinkles. Combined diode laser and radiofrequency was more effective than combined infrared and radiofrequency at reducing wrinkles and pores when the therapeutic results of both the appliances were compared.

A case of familial cutaneous collagenoma.

Familial cutaneous collagenoma is a rare hereditary disease that is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. It is characterized by early onset of multiple, skin-colored, sometimes hypopigmented cutaneous nodules, which initially show a symmetrical arrangement on the trunk, and later on the neck and upper limbs. We report on a case of a 45-year-old female who presented with multiple oval to round hypopigmented papules measuring 5~15 mm on her trunk. Histopathologically, the lesions showed an increased amount of collagen fibers and decreased, fragmented elastic fibers in the dermis. The skin lesions were diagnosed as familial cutaneous collagenoma and no treatment was administered. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first reported case of familial cutaneous collagenoma (FCC) in the Korean literature.

RshA mimetic peptides inhibiting the transcription driven by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factor SigH.

SigH, an alternative sigma factor in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a central regulator in responses to the oxidative and heat stress. This SigH activity is specifically controlled by an anti-sigma factor RshA during expression of stress-related genes. Thus, the specific interaction (k(on)=1.15x10(5) (M(-1) s(-1)), k(off)=1.7x10(-3) (s(-1)), KD=15 nM, determined in this study) between SigH and RshA is crucial for the survival and pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis. Using phage-display peptide library, we defined three specific regions on RshA responsible for SigH binding. Three RshA mimetic peptides (DAHADHD, AEVWTLL, and CTPETRE) specifically inhibited the transcription initiated by SigH in vitro. One of them (DAHADHD) diminished the extent of binding of RshA to SigH in a dose-dependent manner. The binding affinity (KD) of this peptide to SigH was about 1.2 microM. These findings might provide some insights into the development of new peptide-based drugs for TB.