Treating periorbital static wrinkles in patients with pigmented skin is challenging due to the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This study aimed to evaluate a safe and effective laser modality for this underrepresented demographic. A prospective, single-center, split-controlled, evaluator-blinded trial was conducted, enrolling 27 Asian patients with Fitzpatrick skin types (FSTs) III–IV. Patients were treated with a non-ablative erbium-YAG 2940-nm fractional laser, undergoing three sessions at eight-week intervals. Treatment efficacy was assessed at six months using objective VISIA imaging, in vivo confocal microscopy, and standardized clinical scales (the Fitzpatrick wrinkle scale assessed by blinded evaluators, and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale assessed by patients). The results demonstrated significant wrinkle reduction (mean improvement: 0.9 points on the Fitzpatrick wrinkle scale), robust dermal collagen remodeling (confirmed via confocal microscopy), and high patient satisfaction (88.9 www.springer.com/00266 .

Microfocused ultrasound (MFUS) and microneedle radiofrequency (MRF) are widely used for nonsurgical facial tightening, yet single-session outcomes remain variable. This evaluator-blinded, prospective, split-face randomized trial assessed volumetric, ultrasound-derived, skin-quality, and safety outcomes after single-session MFUS, MRF, or combined MFUS + MRF treatment. Thirty participants received one randomized hemiface intervention, with standardized photography, three-dimensional volumetric imaging, high-frequency ultrasound, VISIA skin analysis, and adverse-event monitoring during follow-up. MFUS + MRF produced earlier and greater mandibular volume reduction at 1 month (mean change, − 2.34 mL; 95% CI − 3.63 to − 1.04) than MFUS (− 0.39 mL; 95% CI − 1.34 to 0.55) or MRF (0.05 mL; 95% CI − 0.47 to 0.56; both adjusted P < 0.05). At 3 and 6 months, reductions remained numerically greater after MFUS + MRF (− 2.48 and − 2.66 mL) than after MRF (− 1.44 and − 1.23 mL) and were similar to MFUS (− 2.46 and − 2.28 mL). In this early-phase study, MFUS combined with MRF resulted in more rapid and greater lower-face contour changes than either modality alone; however, MFUS-containing treatments were associated with higher rates of transient paresthesia and rare transient motor weakness, underscoring the need for cautious parameter optimization. Adequately powered studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm durability and define the optimal efficacy–safety balance. Clinical trial registration: This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) under the registration number ChiCTR2400087490 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=227608), and was first posted on 29/07/2024.

BACKGROUND:As a potentially effective anesthetic, CU-30101 is comprised of 7% lidocaine and 7% tetracaine and is a generic drug of Pliaglis. This study aimed to investigate the equivalence between CU-30101 and Pliaglis as topical anesthetics for fractional laser. METHODS:This Phase 3 trial recruited Chinese adults scheduled for facial fractional laser resurfacing. Participants were randomized to receive opposite treatment sequences of CU-30101 and Pliaglis on contralateral sides of the face prior to laser application. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), participant and investigator satisfaction ratings, local tolerability, and safety were assessed. RESULTS:Two hundred eighty-four participants completed the study, with mean VAS scores of 35.3 ± 24.51 for CU-30101 and 37.3 ± 24.17 for Pliaglis. The 95% confidence interval of -3.78 to -0.13 for the VAS difference laid within the predefined equivalence margin of ±4.7, confirming equivalence in efficacy. The results in the per-protocol set further corroborated the equivalence. Both participants and investigators expressed consistently high satisfaction with CU-30101 and Pliaglis. Furthermore, both treatments were well tolerated and exhibited favorable safety profiles. CONCLUSION:This study demonstrated the equivalent efficacy of CU-30101 to its reference product, Pliaglis, among Chinese adults undergoing facial fractional laser resurfacing. CU-30101 showed commendable local tolerability and safety profiles, consistent with those of Pliaglis.

Background: Both nonablative fractional (NAFL) laser combined with intense pulsed light (IPL) and picosecond alexandrite laser (PSAL) with diffractive lens array (DLA) have been documented for their efficacy in facial rejuvenation. Objective; To observe the safety and efficacy of PSAL-DLA and IPL-NAFL in the rejuvenation of Chinese individuals. Methods: Each subject (n = 18) received three treatments on half of their face, with 1-month interval between treatments. One side of the face was randomly treated with PSAL-DLA, and the other side with IPL-NAFL. Quantitative data of wrinkles, pores, brown spots, and red areas were calculated using the VISIA-CR imaging system 3 months after the final treatment. Secondary outcomes included a 10-point VAS for patient-rated pain sensation, incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), erythema and edema, and overall satisfaction. Adverse events were recorded after each treatment and at each follow-up. Results: A total of 17 Chinese female patients aged 28.2 +/- 4.3 years completed the study and the 3-month follow-up. The IPL-NAFL side showed a statistically significant improvement in pores compared to baseline (p < 0.05); the PSAL-DLA side showed a statistically significant improvement in brown spots compared to baseline (p < 0.01). Compared to PSAL-DLA, the improvement in enlarged pores was better for IPL-NAFL (81.8 +/- 128.1 vs. 20.8 +/- 132.4, p < 0.01). In terms of pain, IPL-NAFL was more painful than PSAL-DLA (6 +/- 1 vs. 4 +/- 1, p < 0.01), a longer recovery time for erythema and edema (5 +/- 1 vs. 2 +/- 1, p < 0.001), and a higher incidence of PIH (58.8% vs. 23.5%, p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was higher for PSAL-DLA than for IPL-NAFL (3 +/- 1 vs. 4 +/- 0.5, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our study results indicated that both IPL-NAFL and PSAL-DLA could improve the photoaging, but within the same number of treatments, IPL-NAFL was slightly more effective for enlarged pores than PSAL-DLA, while PSAL-DLA was more effective for brown spots than IPL-NAFL. Patients were more satisfied with PSAL-DLA, with a shorter postoperative recovery period and a lower incidence of PIH.

BackgroundIntense pulsed light (IPL) therapy has demonstrated clinically satisfactory outcomes as a nonablative and noninvasive modality for skin tightening and rejuvenation. However, no self-controlled study to date has directly compared the efficacy of single-wavelength filter IPL versus multiwavelength filter IPL in the treatment of facial photoaging.MethodsTwelve patients received three IPL treatment sessions at 4-week intervals. Each patient underwent split-face therapy: one facial side was treated with a single-wavelength filter, while the contralateral side received multiwavelength filter treatment. Photoaging severity was assessed 1 month posttreatment using a standardized grading scale, with objective quantitative measurements obtained via the VISIA-CR imaging system.ResultsSignificant improvements in photoaging indicators were observed bilaterally following three IPL sessions. The multiwavelength filter-treated side exhibited superior enhancement in pigmentation, skin texture, and facial laxity compared to the single-wavelength filter-treated side.ConclusionBoth single- and multiwavelength filter IPL therapies effectively improve facial photoaging. The multiwavelength approach, however, appears to yield superior outcomes, likely due to more targeted photothermal effects on diverse cutaneous chromophores and tissue structures. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2500112082ConclusionBoth single- and multiwavelength filter IPL therapies effectively improve facial photoaging. The multiwavelength approach, however, appears to yield superior outcomes, likely due to more targeted photothermal effects on diverse cutaneous chromophores and tissue structures. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2500112082

Background:Port-wine stains (PWS) are obvious skin lesions, most commonly located on the face and neck, which may lead to varying degrees of stigma in patients. In Chinese culture, where facial appearance is strongly tied to social identity, the stigma associated with PWS may be particularly intense. However, there is no study which examined stigma among Chinese patients with PWS yet. Objective:This study aims to preliminarily investigate the stigma experienced by Chinese patients with facial and cervical PWS and analyze potential contributing factors. Methods:This post-test-only one-group study included 113 adult PWS patients from Aug to Dec 2022 at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital. Excluding those with severe psychiatric or cognitive issues. Participants completed demographic, SSCI, SIS, and SES questionnaires. Without a control group or pre-test data, the study reflects real-world clinical settings and patient perceptions post-treatment. Results:Statistical analyses included univariate and multiple linear regression, with Pearson correlations assessing links between stigma and self-esteem. PWS patients' SSCI, SIS, and SES scores were 50.61±22.2, 48.71±15.17, and 24.75±4.92. PWS size and income were associated with stigma; income and absence from school/work with self-esteem (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, only treatment number and PWS type remained significant (P < 0.05). All SSCI dimensions and SIS scores were significantly correlated with self-esteem (P < 0.01). Conclusion:Chinese patients with port-wine stains (PWS) generally experience high levels of stigma and low levels of self-esteem. This study found that the factors influencing stigma among Chinese patients include the type of lesion (flat/thickened) and the number of treatments; an increase in the number of treatments may help alleviate patients' feelings of stigma. The results suggest that clinical practice should emphasize patients' emotional experiences and explore comprehensive intervention strategies to promote their mental health.

BACKGROUND:Despite ongoing advancements in medical aesthetics, there remains a lack of consensus regarding a standardized postoperative care protocol following laser treatment for skin pigmentation disorders. OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the influence of postoperative facial cleansing practices on the efficacy and safety of laser therapy among patients diagnosed with pigmentary skin diseases. METHODS:Thirty patients diagnosed with pigmented lesions (freckles and/or solar lentigines) were randomly allocated to two distinct groups. Following treatment with a 755-nm alexandrite laser, patients in one group were instructed to perform water cleansing, while the other followed a water-avoidance care protocol. Follow-up visits were conducted on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 after treatment and 3 months postoperatively. These visits included taking standardized photographs, performing VISIA imaging assessments, collecting patient satisfaction questionnaires and recording any potential adverse events. RESULTS:No serious complications were reported in either group. Most patients demonstrated improvement in their lesions to varying degrees with a single treatment session. No statistically significant differences were identified between the two groups in terms of postoperative visual analogue scale scores (P = 0.17). VISIA analysis revealed a significant decrease in brown spot count in both groups at the 3-month follow-up compared with baseline, with no significant differences between groups (P = 0.99). The average score of patients' satisfaction in the water-cleansing group was significantly higher than that in the water-avoidance group (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS:Our studies have demonstrated that laser treatment of epidermal hyperpigmentation disorders without strict water avoidance can have equally good results with no added adverse effects.

Background. Low-fluence Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (LF-QSNY) and picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser (PSAL) have shown superiority in the treatment of nevus of Ota (NO). Objective. To compare the efficacy and safety of PSAL and LF-QSNY in the treatment of NO. Methods. 15 patients randomly underwent split-lesion treatment of the two lasers within three months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the efficacy outcomes. The patient's preferences, recurrence rate, and adverse events were also documented. Results. Fifteen patients with 34 lesions finished the trial. Lesions, operated with LF-QSNY and PSAL, reached VAS scores of 3.47 +/- 0.67 and 3.51 +/- 0.87, respectively ( P > 0.05 ). Most significant improvement in LF-QSNY was achieved after the first session (VAS = 1.84). One (6.67%) patient experienced a relapse on the PSAL side. Temporary hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation mainly occurred on the PSAL side. Patients under five years demonstrated superior efficacy (3.81 +/- 0.47 vs 3.08 +/- 0.66, P = 0.046 ) than those over with the treatment of LF-QSNY. Limitations. Limited sample and lack of objective evaluation. Conclusion. The difference between the LF-QSNY and PSAL in the treatment of NO was statistically insignificant, while LF-QSNY may be a better choice for the treatment of early NO. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900022690.

Background: The microneedle fractional radiofrequency system (MFRS) is able to rejuvenate facial appearance by heating and coagulating certain depth of skin tissue. ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel vacuum-assisted MFRS for facial contour tightening. Methods: This prospective, randomized, split-face study included 21 patients who underwent three treatments with a vacuum-assisted MFRS at 1-month intervals. Half of the face was treated with the MFRS; the other half was untreated (control). Facial volume changes and wrinkles were objectively measured using a three-dimensional imaging system and VISIA-CR. Results: Volume changes of the treated midface were -0.24 +/- 0.75, -0.59 +/- 0.92, and -0.55 +/- 0.65 mL at 1, 3, 6 months follow-up; however, measurements of the control side were 0.08 +/- 0.70, -0.08 +/- 0.53, and - 0.10 +/- 0.86 mL, indicating significant reductions (p < 0.05). The number of facial wrinkles on the treated side was significantly reduced to 12.44 +/- 4.85 at 3 months and sustained at 6 months (11.11 +/- 4.100) compared to the control side (14.89 +/- 5.26 and 13.22 +/- 4.44, respectively; p < 0.05). No long-term side effects occurred. Conclusion: The vacuum-assisted MFRS is safe and effective and is recommended for improving facial tightening and reducing wrinkles. This technology is sufficient to ensure the insertion depth, thus helping to improve the treatment accuracy and safety. The MFRS provides sustained effects for at least 6 months.

Protein phase separation plays a very important role in many biological processes and is closely related to the occurrence and development of some serious diseases. So far, the fluorescence imaging method and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) have been frequently used to study the phase separation behavior of proteins. Due to the wide size distribution of protein condensates in phase separation from nano-scale to micro-scale in solution and living cells, it is difficult for the fluorescence imaging method and conventional FCS to fully reflect the real state of protein phase separation in the solution due to the low spatio-temporal resolution of the conventional fluorescence imaging method and the limited detection area of FCS. Here, we proposed a novel method for studying the protein phase separation process by objective scanning-based fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (Scan-FCCS). In this study, CRDBP proteins were used as a model and respectively fused with fluorescent proteins (EGFP and mCherry). We first compared conventional FCS and Scan-FCS methods for characterizing the CRDBP protein phase separation behaviors and found that the reproducibility of Scan-FCS is significantly improved by the scanning mode. We studied the self-fusion process of mCherry-CRDBP and EGFP-CRDBP and observed that the phase change concentration of CRDBP was 25 nM and the fusion of mCherry-CRDBP and EGFP-CRDBP at 500 nM was completed within 70 min. We studied the effects of salt concentration and molecular crowding agents on the phase separation of CRDBP and found that salt can prevent the self-fusion of CRDBP and molecular crowding agents can improve the self-fusion of CRDBP. Furthermore, we found the recruitment behavior of CRDBP to β-catenin proteins and studied their recruitment dynamics. Compared to conventional FCS, Scan-FCCS can significantly improve the reproducibility of measurements due to the dramatic increase of detection zone, and more importantly, this method can provide information about self-fusion and recruitment dynamics in protein phase separation.

The excellent efficacy is mitigated by the limited safety profile of microfocused ultrasound procedures. We sought to assess the safety and tightening efficacy of a novel microfocused ultrasound. The randomized middle and lower face and submental region of the participants were treated with the novel device using the following transducers: M4.5, D4.5, M3.0, and D3.0. Improvement in paired comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment photographs, three-dimensional (3D) volumetric assessments, skin thickness measured by B-ultrasonography, and skin photoaging parameters were evaluated. Adverse events and patient satisfaction were also recorded. A total of 20 participants (20 female) were enrolled. Fourteen of 20 participants (70

BACKGROUND The surgical management of macrocheilia secondary to port-wine stains is complicated. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to propose an innovative method for treating macrocheilia on the lower lip. METHODS Patients who underwent the reconstruction of macrocheilia on the lower lip through the innovative approach were examined. Their preoperative and postoperative standard photographs were taken to evaluate the changes in lip length and thickness. The scores on Vancouver scar scale (VSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) were evaluated. RESULTS Thirty-two patients who underwent the reconstruction of macrocheilia were examined. A follow-up of 12.2 months (6–36 months) was conducted. The lower lip contour and the mentolabial groove were reconstructed to normal appearance. The lip length was shortened from 5.38 ± 0.49 cm pretreatment to 4.59 ± 0.30 cm posttreatment ( p = .016). The exposed vermilion was shortened from 2.05 ± 0.48 cm to 1.26 ± 0.12 cm posttreatment ( p < .01). The mean VSS and VAS scores were 2.2 ± 1.5 and 8.4 ± 1.3, respectively. CONCLUSION The bilateral limited excision and stepwise single-stage approach were safe and effective for reconstructing prominent macrocheilia on the lower lip. The technique was also easy to command for the beginners.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in tumor progression. It is of great significance to establish a sensitive in situ assay strategy for MMP-9 activity in single living cells. Here a novel in situ single molecule spectroscopy method based on the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) technique was proposed for measuring the MMP-9 activity at different locations within single living cells, using a fluorescent specific peptide and a reference dye as dual probes. The measurement principle is based on the decrease of the ratiometric translational diffusion time of dual probes in the detection volume due to the peptide cleavage caused by MMP-9. The peptide probe was designed to be composed of an MMP-9 cleavage and cell-penetrating peptide sequence that was labeled with a fluorophore and conjugated with a streptavidin (SAV) molecule. The ratiometric translational diffusion time was used as the measurement parameter to eliminate the effect of intracellular uncertain viscosity. The linear relationship between the ratiometric diffusion time and MMP-9 activity was established, and applied to the determination of enzymatic activity in cell lysates as well as the evaluation of the inhibitory effects of different inhibitors on MMP-9. More importantly, the method was successfully used to dynamically determine MMP-9 activity in single living cells or under the stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and inhibitors.

BACKGROUND Cutaneous erythema is one of the most common signs of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the head and neck region, influencing aesthetic appearance. Surgical resection of AVMs may lead to cicatrization of the skin or aggravation of the lesion. Laser treatment, although effective in improving superficial vascular lesions, cannot prevent deep AVMs from further development. OBJECTIVE The authors propose an absolute ethanol embolization therapy that can effectively and safely eradicate the nidus with a favorable aesthetic outcome. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective observational study of 14 AVM patients with distinct cutaneous erythema in the head and neck region undergoing embolotherapy in a single primary care center. Symptoms before and after treatment, complications, and degree of devascularization were recorded and assessed. Changes in cutaneous redness were evaluated using a previously reported quantitative measurement. RESULTS Complete symptomatic relief was observed in 5 patients, and major improvement was observed in 9 patients. The mean Δa* value of the color change had a significant reduction of 6.50 ± 4.04, p < .001, indicating a remarkable remission of cutaneous erythema. CONCLUSION Ethanol embolization is an effective and safe treatment for head and neck AVMs with excellent aesthetic outcomes and might become a potential treatment method for other superficial vascular anomalies.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of fused in sarcoma (FUS) has emerged as a fundamental principle underpinning cellular function and malfunction. However, we know little about the FUS phase transition process from individual molecules to nanoscale condensates, which plays important roles in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we propose the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) method to quantitatively study the phase separation process of FUS protein with the fluorescent tag-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), from individual molecules to nanoscale condensates. The characteristic diffusion time (tau(D)) of the protein condensates can be obtained from the FCS curve, which increases with the growth of the protein hydration radius. The bigger the tau(D) value of the protein condensates, the larger the condensates formed by the phase separation of FUS. By this method, we discovered that the critical concentration for FUS to phase separation was 20 nM. We then plotted FUS phase diagrams based on tau(D) under different concentrations of NaCl and found that both low-salt and high-salt concentrations tended to promote FUS-EGFP phase separation. Our results showed that ATP has a good inhibitory effect on FUS phase separation, and its inhibition constant IC50 was 3.2 mM. Finally, we evaluated the inhibition efficiency of single-stranded DNA sequences (ssDNA) on FUS phase separation and demonstrated that ssDNA containing three copies of TCCCCGT had relatively strong inhibition efficiency. In summary, our work provides detailed insight into the FUS phase transition process from individual molecules to nanoscale condensates at nanomolar concentrations and can be exploited for drug screening of neurodegenerative diseases.

传统的"血管瘤"(Vascular Anomalies)包含了各种血管性肿瘤和血管/淋巴管畸形,在中国有逾2千万病例.疾病谱中既涵盖常见病,如婴幼儿血管瘤,在新生儿中发病率高达1％～ 10％;也涵盖罕见疑难病,如颅外动静脉畸形,发病率约为1/20万,却是国际公认的疑难疾病.这些疾病可发生于全身各部位,累及多器官,造成多种多样的临床表现,治疗所涉跨越各学科解剖界限、知识和技术,远非传统单一学科所能胜任.

The Coding Region Determinant-Binding Protein (CRDBP) is a carcinoembryonic protein, and it is overexpressed in various cancer cells in the form of granules. We speculated the formation of CRDBP granules possibly through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) processes due to the existence of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in CRDBP. So far, we did not know whether or how phase separation processes of CRDBP occur in single living cells due to the lack of in vivo methods for studying intracellular protein phase separation. Therefore, to develop an in situ method for studying protein phase separation in living cells is a very urgent task. In this work, we proposed an efficient method for studying phase separation behavior of CRDBP in a single living cell by combining in situ fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) with a fluorescence protein fusion technique. We first predicted and confirmed that CRDBP has phase separation in solution by conventional fluorescence imaging and FCS methods. And then, we in situ studied the phase separation behaviors of CRDBP in living cells and observed three states of CRDBP phase separation such as monomer state, cluster state, and granule state. We studied the effects of CRDBP truncated forms and its inhibitor on the CRDBP phase separation. Furthermore, we discovered the recruitment of CRDBP to β-catenin protein in living cells and investigated the effects of CRDBP structures and inhibitor on CRDBP recruitment behavior. This finding may help us to further understand the mechanism of CRDBP protein for regulating Wnt signaling pathway. Additionally, our results documented that FCS/FCCS is an efficient and alternative method for studying protein phase separation in situ in living cells.