Acne Medications

PLoS One. 2009; 4(7): e6147Waite AL, Schaner P, Richards N, Balci-Peynircioglu B, Masters SL, Brydges SD, Fox M, Hong A, Yilmaz E, Kastner DL, Reinherz EL, Gumucio DLPSTPIP1 is a cytoskeleton-associated adaptor protein that links PEST-type phosphatases to their substrates. Mutations in PSTPIP1 cause PAPA syndrome (Pyogenic sterile Arthritis, Pyoderma gangrenosum, and Acne), an autoinflammatory disease. PSTPIP1 binds to pyrin and mutations in pyrin result in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), a related autoinflammatory disorder. Since disease-associated mutations in PSTPIP1 enhance pyrin binding, PAPA syndrome and FMF are thought to share a common pathoetiology. The studies outlined here describe several new aspects of PSTPIP1 and pyrin biology. We document that PSTPIP1, which has homology to membrane-deforming BAR proteins, forms homodimers and generates membrane-associated filaments in native and transfected cells. An extended FCH (Fes-Cip4 homology) domain in PSTPIP1 is necessary and sufficient for its self-aggregation. We further show that the PSTPIP1 filament network is dependent upon an intact tubulin cytoskeleton and that the distribution of this network can be modulated by pyrin, indicating that this is a dynamic structure. Finally, we demonstrate that pyrin can recruit PSTPIP1 into aggregations (specks) of ASC, another pyrin binding protein. ASC specks are associated with inflammasome activity. PSTPIP1 molecules with PAPA-associated mutations are recruited by pyrin to ASC specks with particularly high efficiency, suggesting a unique mechanism underlying the robust inflammatory phenotype of PAPA syndrome.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009 Jul 2; Tamimi W, Siddiqui IA, Tamim H, Aleisa N, Adham MOBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure or clinical features such as hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, 62 women with PCOS were allocated to one of 3 groups according to a BMI range defining normal weight, overweight, or obesity. Blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, Ferriman and Gallwey hirsutism score, and presence of acne were recorded for each participant and the means were compared among groups. RESULTS: The overall mean age was 35.85+/-5.03 years; BMI, 31.91+/-6.40; systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 113.02+/-16.10 mm Hg and 71.79+/-10.04 mm Hg; waist-to-hip ratio, 0.82+/-0.07; and hirsutism score, 3.63+/-4.35. Acne was present in 24 participants. Of these, 8 (33.3%) were overweight and 13 (54.2%) obese. When groups were compared, a progressive and significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed from the normal weight to the obese group. CONCLUSION: We observed a significant and progressive correlation between BMI and both blood pressure and clinical features in women with PCOS.

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2009 Jul 1; Franzke N, Zimmer L, Schäfer I, Radermacher C, Kresken J, Augustin MBackground: No empirical "real world" data on the health care of patients with acne vulgaris in Germany currently exist. The objective of this study was to get an informative basis of health care of patients with acne vulgaris in Germany, taking into account both doctor-prescribed medication and self-medication. Patients and Methods: Surveying both medically and self-treated patients, n = 504 patients with acne vulgaris were interviewed in 48 pharmacies nationwide. In addition to socio-demographic data, the duration of illness, localization and therapy as well as patient-relevant outcomes such as patient benefit, psychological strain and markers of compliance were evaluated. The participation and significance of individual treatment providers were also evaluated. Results: A large percentage of the patients found acne vulgaris to be burdensome. Despite the longstanding necessity of treatment and the chronic course of the illness, the treatment of acne vulgaris was deemed a rather satisfactory experience by most of those affected. Dermatologists were most frequently consulted for treatment. A great number of medicinal products were further acquired through self-medication or after consulting with a pharmacist. The medically regulated therapies predominantly complied with the latest guidelines. Conclusions: Acne vulgaris is a burdensome, socio-economically relevant illness, and dermatologists treat most cases in Germany. Surveying across a network of pharmacies offers a unique access to relevant treatment data. Selection effects, particularly by choice of doctors and self-medication, were minimized.

Dermatol Surg. 2009 Jun 22; Wanitphakdeedecha R, Manuskiatti W, Siriphukpong S, Chen TMBACKGROUND Treatment of acne scars remains a challenge, especially in dark-skinned individuals. Treatment parameters may be optimized by selecting appropriate pulse width and laser energy that enhance tissue thermal response with limited morbidity. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and side effects of variable square pulse (VSP) erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser resurfacing for treatment of punched-out atrophic and rolling acne scars. METHODS Twenty-four subjects with acne scars were treated monthly for 2 months with four passes of VSP Er:YAG laser resurfacing using a 7-mm spot size and a fluence of 0.4 J/cm(2). Subjects were divided into two groups and treated with two different pulse widths: 300 mus (short pulse, SP) and 1,500 mus (extra-long pulse, XLP). Objective and subjective assessments were obtained at baseline and 1, 2, and 4 months after treatment. RESULTS In the SP group, skin smoothness improved significantly (p