A novel autism-associated mutation dramatically slows Kv2.1 potassium channel activation, deactivation and inactivation.

, on human chromosome 20q13.3, encodes the alpha subunit of the Kv2.1 voltage gated potassium channel.

Emerging antidepressants to treat major depressive disorder.

Depression is a common disorder with an annual risk of a depressive episode in the United States of 6.6%. Only 30-40% of patients remit with antidepressant monotherapy, leaving 60-70% of patients who do not optimally respond to therapy.

Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne Vulgaris.

Objective: To assess the effect of chocolate on acne exacerbation in males between the ages of 18 and 35 with a history of acne vulgaris.

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Single-site, outpatient, research, clinical facility at an academic research institution.

Herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus genital infections: new and investigational therapeutic options.

Human papillomavirus and Herpes simplex virus are the most common genital viral infections encountered in clinical practice worldwide. We reviewed the literature focusing on new and experimental treatment modalities for both conditions, based on to the evidence-based data available. The modalities evaluated include topical agents such as immune response modifiers (imiquimod, resiquimod, and interferon), antivirals (penciclovir, cidofovir, and foscarnet), sinecatechins, microbiocidals (SPL7013 gel, and PRO 2000 gel), along with experimental (oligodeoxynucleotides), immunoprophylactic, and immunotherapeutic vaccines.

Pharmacotherapy of actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratosis (AK) represents the initial intraepidermal manifestation of abnormal keratinocyte proliferation with the potential of progression to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). When in limited numbers, clinically visible AKs are treated individually with ablative and/or surgical procedures (lesion-directed treatment), while multiple and sublinical AKs are treated with field-directed therapies that use ablative, nonablating and other topically applied treatment modalities. Owing to difficulties in predicting which AK will progress to SCC, the general rule is to treat all AKs.

Evaluating the tolerability and efficacy of etanercept compared to triamcinolone acetonide for the intralesional treatment of keloids.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokine that inhibits degradation of collagen and glycosaminoglycans. Etanercept, a recombinant TNF-alpha receptor fusion protein, may decrease excessive fibrous tissue in keloids.

Objective: To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of etanercept as compared to triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) for the treatment of keloids.