1927nm fractional thulium fiber laser combined with 30% salicylic acid for the treatment of acne and acne scars: A prospective, randomized, and split-face study.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with acne usually develops acne scars subsequently, early intervention of scars is crucial in acne management. 1927nm fractional thulium fiber laser (TFL) is effective in scars improvement and chemical peels with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA) can be applied for the treatment of acne. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of TFL monotherapy versus the concomitant application of TFL and 30% SSA on acne and acne scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with acne and acne scars were enrolled, and two sides of the face were randomly divided to receive either TFL and SSA chemical peeling or TFL. Four sessions of TFL treatments were applied with 4-week intervals for both sides, SSA combined treatment side received eight SSA chemical peels with 2-week intervals additionally. GAGS, ECCA score, the number of acne lesions, melanin index (MI) and erythema index (EI), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and side effects were recorded at Weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 18. Satisfaction of patients was recorded on both sides at the end of the study. RESULTS: Thirty patients completed the study. Both control group (TFL monotherapy) and SSA group (TFL combined with SSA chemical peeling) significantly improved GAGS and ECCA score. SSA group showed higher efficacy in terms of GAGS and ECCA score, acne lesion count, TEWL, MI, EI, and satisfaction than control group. All the side effects were temporary and tolerable, no adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both TFL and the TFL combined with 30% SSA chemical peeling are safe and effective for the treatment and prevention of acne and acne scars, though the combined group has higher efficacy.

Early acne scar intervention with 1064 nm picosecond laser in patients receiving oral isotretinoin: a randomized split-face controlled pilot study.

Early acne scar intervention is important. Oral isotretinoin is widely used in patients with moderate to severe acne. Picosecond laser has shown a promising effect on scar clearance. However, there is a lack of reports on the efficacy and safety of early acne scar management by using 1064-nm picosecond laser in patients receiving low-dose oral isotretinoin. Twenty-four patients with atrophic acne scars of Fitzpatrick skin type III to V were enrolled. All patients were receiving low-dose oral isotretinoin (0.12-0.22 mg/kg/day) during the treatment. The face of the participants was randomly assigned to receive 2 sessions of fractional picosecond 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser (FxPico) treatment and 2 follow-ups, with an interval of 1 month (month 0-3). Clinical efficacy and safety were assessed by photographs, ECCA grading scale, the number of scar lesions melanin and erythema indexes (MI and EI), TEWL, DLQI, and patient satisfaction and the adverse events were recorded on every visit. FxPico significantly decreased the ECCA score and showed higher improvement in the ECCA score. FxPico treated side achieved a significant reduction in all acne scar types, while only boxcar scars and rolling scars showed higher improvement. TEWL but not MI or EI were significantly improved. DLQI and patient satisfaction were higher with the FxPico-treated side than control side. No adverse effects were observed and all the side effects observed were temporary and tolerable. Early intervention by FxPico on patients receiving low-dose oral isotretinoin is a safe and effective modality to improve atrophic acne scars.

[Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibody against CP4-EPSPS].

AIM: To prepare monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CP4-EPSPS, which could be applied to the development of gold colloidal rapid diagnostic kit for the specific detection of GMO. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with CP4-EPSPS. Splenocytes of the immunized mice were collected and fused with the mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0 cells. The hybridoma cells that secreted CP4-EPSPS mAb antibodies were cloned with limited dilution method. The immunoglobulin (Ig) subtype, the ascites titers, the binding site, and the affinity of the obtained mAbs were determined by indirect ELISA. The specificity of mAbs was tested by ELISA and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: From over 80 positive hybridomas which secreted anti-cp4-EPSPS mAbs, a pair of hybridomas were screened out, designated III5A3 and III13A2. Chromosome analysis revealed that the obtained hybridomas were with the universal characteristics of the monoclonal hybridoma cells which secreted mAb, and the Ig subtype of III5A3 and III13A2 mAb was both IgG1. The ascites titers of III5A3 and III13A2 mAb were 1:10(6) and 1:10(8), respectively. Our study also demonstrated that these two mAbs, which recognized the same epitope, could both specifically bind to the CP4-EPSPS protein. The relative affinity constant of III5A3 and III13A2 mAb was determined as 10(5) and 10(6) respectively. CONCLUSION: A pair of high titer, specific mAbs against CP4-EPSPS have been successfully prepared and primarily identified, which may be useful in the development of a rapid and convenient diagnostic kit for detection of GMO.