OBJECTIVE:Neauvia Stimulate is biocompatible, injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) filler (26 mg/ml) PEG cross-linked with 1% of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) for facial soft-tissue augmentation that provides volume to tissues, followed by process of neocollagenesis for improving skin quality.AIM:The aim of the present study is to evaluate the biosafety of the product (Lot. 160517-26-1/2 PEG) on human keratinocytes cultured in vitro.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The experimental model proposed, despite being an in vitro system, allows the derivation of useful information to predict the possible activity of the product in further in vivo application. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were treated with the product for 24h at increasing concentrations of product respect to control (untreated cells).RESULTS:The biosafety of the product to be tested has been evaluated performing different methods: MTT test, NRU test, Kenacid Blue assay. Moreover, any possible effect on the structure, morphology, and viability of cells has been evaluated.CONCLUSION:In conclusion, the results obtained by the different methods show that the product Neauvia Stimulate® does not cause any cytotoxic effect and does not affect the correct structure and morphology of cells cultures.

Hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid are used to restore volume, hydration, and skin tone, as well as to correct scars, asymmetries or defects of the soft tissue. Hyaluronic acid is often chemically crosslinked with different crosslinking agents in order to improve its mechanical and biological properties. Here we focused on defining the chemical and mechanical characterization of a new hydrogel with specific characteristics: hyaluronic acid polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐crosslinked with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid (28 mg/mL), manufactured by MatexLab Spa, via Carlo Urbani 2, ang Via Enrico Fermi, Brindisi, Italy. We made a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the content of sodium hyaluronate in the hydrogel after polymerization and sterilization processes and also evaluated histologically the bio integration of these hydrogels in the cutaneous soft tissues. The results suggest that hyaluronic acid hydrogel PEG‐crosslinked have great bio integration, great chemical and mechanical properties, compared with other products available on the market, that are cross‐linked with different cross‐linking agents. The nontoxicity and nonimmunogenicity of PEG guarantee the lack of allergic and immunological reactions. The PEG‐crosslinking technology guarantees a high duration time of the implanted hydrogel because of more resistant physiological degradation.

BACKGROUND:Postmenopausal women experience undesired symptoms that adversely affect their quality of life. In the recent years, a specific 12 - week fractional CO2 laser treatment has been introduced, with highly significant relief of symptoms.AIM:The aim of this paper is the identification of the early modifications of structural components of atrophic vaginal mucosa induced by laser irradiation, which is responsible for the restorative processes.MATERIAL AND METHODS:We investigated by microscopical, ultrastructural and biochemical methods the modifications of the structural components of postmenopausal atrophic vaginal mucosa tissues after 1 hour following a single fractional laser CO2 application.RESULTS:In one hour, the mucosal epithelium thickens, with the maturation of epithelial cells and desquamation at the epithelial surface. In the connective tissue, new papillae indenting the epithelium with newly formed vessels penetrating them, new thin fibrils of collagen III are also formed in a renewed turnover of components due to the increase of metalloproteinase - 2. Specific features of fibroblasts support stimulation of their activity responsible of the renewal of the extracellular matrix, with an increase of mechanical support as connective tissue and stimulation of growth and maturation to epithelium thanks to new vessels and related factors delivered.CONCLUSION:We found the activation of regenerative mechanisms expressed both in the connective tissue - with the formation of new vessels, new papillae, and new collagen - and in the epithelium with the associated thickening and desquamation of cells at the mucosal surface.

IntroductionTopical immunotherapy is frequently used in the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) although few studies report long-term follow-up. Our goals were to determine the efficacy and the prognostic factors of topical immunotherapy in a large cohort of patients with AA treated in the departments of Dermatology and Venereology of Bergamo, Como and Pavia, from 1978 to January 2016.MethodsA total of 252 patients with AA were evaluated retrospectively.ResultsAll our patients developed an allergic reaction to a 2% solution of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) or diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP). No patients discontinued therapy because of side effects. In total 112 patients (44.05%, p < 0.001) had a good response. Statistical analysis revealed that the main prognostic factors influencing the clinical results were the severity of hair loss at the beginning of therapy, the duration of AA, a history of atopy (particularly eczema), and the early development of sensitization to the three sensitizers.ConclusionTopical immunotherapy in patients with AA is quite effective, mostly well tolerated, and provides prolonged therapeutic benefits.

This study uses light and electron microscopes to gain a better knowledge of the interactions of calcium hydroxylapatite filler with the connective tissue of the skin and the modifications of the human deep dermis, after 2 months of treatment. Some morphological evidences of this observational study of filler treated tissue support-specific mechanism involved in the structural modifications of both filler microspherules and cells of the connective tissue. They demonstrate the absence of any immunological reaction and show that the used filler is modified very slowly over time by the action of cells of the connective tissue closely related to the filler without any activity of phagocytosis. Furthermore, associated with the modifications of the filler, evidences of stimulatory effects on dermal fibroblasts are reported.