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Objective: We sought to review the biology and clinical benefits of genistein, a plant-derived isoflavone with emphasis on perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The focus is on assessing its impact on skin health and aesthetics as well as bone density and cardiovascular and metabolic functions. Methods: This narrative review used PubMed to collect studies relating to the biology and clinical effects of genistein on postmenopausal signs and symptoms, including bone density loss, metabolic issues and symptoms, and skin aging. Articles were selected based on relevance to the scope of genistein's influence on estrogen receptors and their downstream effects. This review included in vitro, in vivo, animal, and human studies. Results: According to the current literature, genistein demonstrates efficacy in mitigating menopausal signs and symptoms such as hot flashes, bone density loss and rate of osteoporosis, and skin aging. It shows a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases by improving lipid profiles, weight changes, and reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It also displays benefits in increasing bone mineral density but has not displayed the side effects commonly associated with estrogen replacement. Regarding skin health, genistein appears to enhance photoprotection, wound healing, elasticity, and hydration, inhibits skin cancer, and reduces wrinkles. Conclusion: Genistein acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with benefits across a spectrum of menopausal signs and symptoms, presenting a viable alternative to estrogen replacement in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Its utility extends to improving cardiovascular health, bone density, and skin quality, making it a comprehensive treatment option for peri and postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity and localized fat accumulation continue to drive the demand for minimally invasive body contouring technologies including injectable compounds for local fat reduction. siRNA offers a potential for an injectable to specifically target and silence genes involved in adipogenesis with minimal inflammatory side effects. Aims: This study evaluates the efficacy of STP705, an injectable containing siRNA encapsulated within histidine‐lysine polypeptide (HKP) nanoparticles targeting transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), crucial mediators in adipocyte differentiation and fat retention, using in vitro, porcine, and murine models. Methods: In vitro experiments on mouse preadipocytes and in vivo trials using Diet Induced Obese (DIO) mice and Yucatan minipigs were conducted to assess the gene silencing efficiency, tissue localization, pharmacodynamics, and safety profile of STP705. Results: STP705 effectively reduced the expression of TGF‐β1 and COX‐2, with a notable decrease in adipocyte volume and lipid content without adverse systemic effects. In DIO mice, the HKP‐siRNA complex demonstrated precise localization to injected adipose tissue, maintaining significant gene silencing, and detectable levels of siRNA for up to 14 days post‐administration. Similar results in minipigs showed a significant reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. Conclusion: The results of these studies support the use of targeted siRNA therapy specifically targeting TGF‐β1 and COX‐2, for localized fat reduction, offering a potential minimally invasive alternative to current fat reduction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: TikTok is one of the fastest‐growing social media platform, and its short‐form videos have become a widely used source of health information. "Dermarolling" is a form of roller microneedling often practiced at home, and patients may be using TikTok to inform their decision to pursue this treatment and their practice of it. Aims: This study assessed the informational content quality, source, and engagement of TikTok dermarolling videos to highlight potentially harmful social media trends. Methods: On a predetermined date, "dermarolling" was searched on TikTok. The top 75 results were screened. Number of views, creator type, type of video, and whether risks were discussed were recorded. Information quality was assessed using the DISCERN tool. The data were stratified by creator type, and statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3.2. Median viewership and DISCERN scores were compared using Kruskal–Wallis tests with post hoc pairwise Wilcoxon tests. Fisher's exact test was used to compare rates of risk discussion between groups. Results: Sixty‐one of the reviewed videos met the inclusion criteria. Influencer videos engaged the largest overall audience and had higher median viewership than other creators. Physicians, primarily dermatologists, created exclusively educational content and influencers created mostly experience‐based content. Overall content quality was generally low‐moderate, with a median (IQR) DISCERN score of 30.5 (26.5–33.5). Physician content had higher median DISCERN scores than influencers (p = 0.004) and others (p = 0.004). Physicians were more likely to discuss risks compared to influencers (p = 0.02). Conclusions: TikTok content on "dermarolling" was of relatively low quality, and nonphysicians command a large viewership. Physician‐created content is often of higher informational quality, and dermatologists should escalate their efforts to engage patients in this space to mitigate the effects of potential misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common cutaneous malignancy, after basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves converting a photosensitizer to reactive oxygen intermediates, which preferentially bind to hyperproliferative tissue. The most commonly used photosensitizers are methyl aminolevulinate and aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Presently, ALA‐PDT is approved in the US and Canada for the treatment of actinic keratoses on the face, scalp, and upper extremities. Aims: This cohort study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of aminolevulinic acid, pulsed dye laser, and photodynamic therapy (ALA‐PDL‐PDT) for treatment of facial cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (isSCC). Methods: Twenty adult patients with biopsy‐confirmed isSCC on the face were recruited. Only lesions 0.4–1.3 cm in diameter were included. Patients underwent two treatments with ALA‐PDL‐PDT spaced 30 days apart. The isSCC lesion was then excised 4–6 weeks following the second treatment for histopathological assessment. Results: No residual isSCC was detected in 17/20 (85%) patients. Two of the patients with residual isSCC had skip lesions present that explained the treatment failure. Excluding the patients with skip lesions, the posttreatment histological clearance rate was 17/18 (94%). Minimal side effects were reported. Limitations: Our study was limited by small sample size and lack of long‐term recurrence data. Conclusions: The ALA‐PDL‐PDT protocol is a safe and well‐tolerated treatment option for isSCC on the face, providing excellent cosmetic and functional results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Dermatology and aesthetic medicine has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by industry-sponsored research performed by clinical investigators. Contract research organizations (CROs) play an important role to ensure clinical trials are run efficiently, ethically, and according to Good Clinical Practice. An advisory group of dermatologists and aesthetic researchers was assembled to obtain feedback about CRO experiences for developing a "next-generation" specialty CRO for dermatology and aesthetic medicine.Methods: Experienced dermatologists and aesthetic physician researchers convened during the 2022 Winter Dermatology Annual Meeting in Kauai, Hawaii, to discuss experiences and make suggestions regarding CROs. Topics included positive and negative aspects of CRO experiences, desirable CRO services, and how CROs can be improved.Results: Benefits of working with CROs include project, data, and resource management and availability of technology. Desired functions include rapid study start-up, subject recruitment, and accurate and organized site-related documentation. Other qualities include access to large subject populations close to study locations, use of CRO-based clinical research assistants to support principal investigators across study sites, and scientific consultation, protocol development, medical writing, project management, clinical and medical monitoring, data management, biostatistics, and pharmacovigilance.Conclusion: CROs serve a vital role in the development process of drug, device, and therapeutics; however, it is important that changes to traditional CRO models are made to provide improved interactions with researchers in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]