Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the health care workers (HCWs) at the frontline have been largely exposed to infected patients, running a high risk of being infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since limiting transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in health care setting is crucial to avoid the community spread of SARS-CoV-2, we want to share our experience as an early hit hospital where standard infection control practices have been conscientiously applied and effective. We believe that our example, as first and hardest hit country, might be a warning and aid not only for those who have been hit later, but also for a second fearful wave of contagion. In addition, we want to offer an insight on modifiable risk factors for HWs-related infection. Methods Demographic, lifestyle, work-related and comorbidities data of 1447 HCWs, which underwent a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2, were retrospectively collected. For the 164 HCWs positive for SARS-CoV-2, data about safety in the workplace, symptoms and clinical course of COVID-19 were also collected. Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed using a multivariable Poisson regression. Results The cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the screened HCWs was 11.33% (9.72–13.21). Working in a COVID-19 ward, being a former smoker (versus being a person who never smoked) and BMI was positively associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas being a current smoker was negatively associated with this variable. Conclusions Assuming an equal accessibility and proper use of personal protective equipment of all the HCWs of our Hospital, the great and more prolonged contact with COVID-19 patients remains the crucial risk factor for SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, increased and particular care needs to be focused specifically on the most exposed HCWs groups, which should be safeguarded. Furthermore, in order to limit the risk of asymptomatic spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the HCWs mild symptoms of COVID-19 should be considered when evaluating the potential benefits of universal staff testing.

Wrinkles now have a greater social impact because people live longer. Science and hedonism overlap in the search for causes, treatments and prevention of wrinkles. The cosmetic approach to wrinkles includes: i Cleansing ii Photoprotection iii Active ingredients Active ingredients go well beyond simple moisturisers and exert a more complex activity in protecting skin from external injuries, nourishing it and removing its superficial layers. Transport systems and excipients are increasingly effective. Functional agents currently include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), poly-AHAs, complex poly-AHAs, retinoids, fish polysaccharides, anti-enzymatic agents, antioxidants (including ascorbic acid, pycnogenol, ursolic acid, vegetable isoflavones, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, resveratorol, l-carnosine and taurine) as well as agaricic acid and various plant extracts. All are reviewed in this text. Most are topical, some can be given by mouth, even as food supplements. Cosmetics are becoming closer to drugs in preventing and treating wrinkles. Included amongst the cosmeceuticals are the anti-wrinkle agents described herein.

Vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection has been monitored in 3720 healthcare workers receiving 2 doses of BNT162b2. SARS-CoV-2 infection is detected in 33 subjects, with a 100-day cumulative incidence of 0.93%. Vaccine protection against acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection is 83% (95%CI: 58–93%) in the overall population and 93% (95%CI: 69-99%) in SARS-CoV-2-experienced subjects, when compared with a non-vaccinated control group from the same Institution, in which SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs in 20/346 subjects (100-day cumulative incidence: 5.78%). The infection is symptomatic in 16 (48%) vaccinated subjects vs 17 (85%) controls (p = 0.01). All analyzed patients, in whom the amount of viral RNA was sufficient for genome sequencing, results infected by the alpha variant. Antibody and T-cell responses are not reduced in subjects with breakthrough infection. Evidence of virus transmission, determined by contact tracing, is observed in two (6.1%) cases. This real-world data support the protective effect of BNT162b2 vaccine. A triple antigenic exposure, such as two-dose vaccine schedule in experienced subjects, may confer a higher protection.

Oleuropein, a phenolic compound derived from olive leaves and oil, is known to possess several biological properties, many of which may be attributed to its antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities. Nevertheless, up to now, the cosmetic activity of this molecule has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cosmetic properties of oleuropein against UVB-induced erythema. To this end, an emulsion and an emulgel containing oleuropein were prepared, applied and evaluated on healthy volunteers who had undergone UVB irradiation to investigate its protective and/or lenitive activity. Protective effect was assayed by application of topical preparations before irradiation and lenitive effect was evaluated after erythema induction. Vitamin E was used as the reference compound. Our study was carried out by using noninvasive techniques to assess specific skin parameters: barrier function, skin colour and microcirculation. Results clearly showed that oleuropein formulations highlighted lenitive efficacy by reducing erythema, transepidermal water loss and blood flow of about 22%, 35% and 30% respectively. The study allowed us to point out the lenitive property of oleuropein, opening the way to further trials to deepen our specific knowledge about this natural molecule, which could be used in association with other active ingredients in cosmetics to repair UV damages.

SynopsisCellulite represents the most common lipodystrophic disease. It affects more likely women than men and it usually develops in particular anatomic sites such as lateral thighs and buttocks. In these areas skin resembles 'orange peel' surface. The pathophysiological aspects of cellulite are still not clear. Many predisposing factors seem to influence cellulite onset, including gender, heredity, race, body weight and age. Hormones and impairment of both microvascular and lymphatic circulation are considered the most important etiological factors. The evaluation of cellulite is based principally on clinical observation, thigh circumference measurements, body mass index and thermography but for testing anticellulite products, more objective and non-invasive methods of evaluation are requested. Ré suméLa cellulite représente la plus commune des lipodystrophies. Elle afflige plus frequemment les femmes et se manifeste en particulier dans certaines régions du corps telles que les zones peritrochantériques et les fesses. Au niveau de ces secteurs anatomiques, la cellulite donne à la peau in aspect irrégulier: la peau d'orange. Les aspects pathophysiologiques de la cellulite ne sont pas tout à fait clairs. Les facteurs predisposants qui en influencent l'apparition sont nombreux; genre, familiarité, race, surcharge ponderale et âge sont les plus impliqués. Les fluctuations hormonales et les problèmes circulatoires au niveau soit microvasculaire soit lymhatique sont considérés les causes plus importantes de la cellulite. L'évaluation de la cellulite est basée principalement sur l'observation clinique, sur la mesure de la circonférence des cuisses, sur le Body Mass Index et sur la thermographie; mais pour ce qui concerne les tests des produits anticellulite, il faut disposer de methodes au temps même plus objectives et non invasives.

This study analyses the ability of four non-invasive techniques (laser Doppler velocimetry, evaporimetry, chromametry and corneometry) to discriminate between irritant and non-irritant products, when compared to appropriate controls, and to detect subliminal changes in barrier function and erythema. These changes, which remain undetectable in the traditional visual and palpable clinical assessment, can be used as early reactions that are followed by the development of overt skin irritation. Laser Doppler velocimetry and evaporimetry were good discriminators between irritant and non-irritant substances, whereas corneometry and chromametry did not clearly distinguish between them. Laser Doppler velocimetry and evaporimetry detected early stages in the development of an irritant reaction before it became visible, but chromametry was not able to detect an early irritant response. It was concluded that non-invasive measurements could improve the quality and relevance of data obtained from human irritation testing, since the data they provide are objective, quantitative and sometimes subclinical, which also allows the concentration of a positive control to be reduced, resulting in the induction of less skin damage in human volunteers and reducing the ethical concerns related to the deliberate induction of an irritant response in a ‘healthy’ volunteer.

Photochemotherapy with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (pUVA) and phototherapy with UVB narrow band (UVB-NB) are used in the treatment of psoriasis. Numerous studies have shown that the additional administration of either topical or systemic antipsoriatic agents may effectively increase the efficacy of these therapies. This study aimed to compare through objective data the efficacy of topical tacalcitol in combination with PUVA or UVB-NB versus PUVA and UVB-NB monotherapy in the treatment of mild to moderate chronic plaque psoriasis. Modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PAS!) score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration were used to monitor the restoration of skin barrier in the psoriatic plaques of 40 patients during photochemotherapy. The study was a right-left, intra-individual, pre/post comparison trial. PUVA and UVB-NB treatments were given three times a week. On those plaques localized on the right side ofthe body tacalcitol ointment was applied once a day, in the evening. Corneometry, TEWL and modified PASI score were used to evaluate the response to the treatment at baseline, one month and two months. Thirty-six ofthe forty enrolled subjects completed the study. The comparison between combination treatments and the PUVAlUVB-NB monotherapy showed no significant differences with regard to modified PASI index. However, significant differences were recorded with regard to TEWL and corneometry. The combination oftacalcitol plus PUVA or tacalcitol plus UVB-NB restored epidermal barrier functions as well as skin hydration faster than PUVA or UVB-NB monotherapy (TEWL: p=O.0050 and corneometry: p=O.003). The combination of tacalcitol plus UVB-NB allowed a better restoration of skin barrier functions than tacalcitol plus PUVA (p=0.013). In conclusion, the combination of tacalcitol plus PUVA or plus UVB-NB improves the therapeutic result. In addition, the data from TEWL and skin hydration suggest a means in which tacalcitol plus UVB-NB induces a better normalization of skin biophysical parameters.Photochemotherapy with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (365nm) (PUVA) and phototherapy with UVB narrow band (311nm) (UVB-NB) are widely used in the treatment ofpsoriasis (1). Numerous studies have shown that the additional administration of topical or systemic antipsoriatic agents may serve as an effective means to increase the efficacy of these therapies and to reduce possible long term risks of cutaneous malignancies (2). Tacalcitol (1a.,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3) is a synthetic analogue of calcitriol, the most active metabolite of vitamin D (3). The biological action of tacalcitol includes the regulation of

Vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection was monitored in 3694 healthcare workers receiving 2 doses of BNT162b2. SARS-CoV2 infection was detected in 33 subjects, with a 3-months cumulative incidence of 0.90% and 0.42% in SARS-CoV-2-naive and experienced subjects, respectively. Vaccine protection was 87% in naive and 94% in experienced subjects when compared with a pre-vaccination control group. The infection was mildly symptomatic in 16 (48%) and asymptomatic in 17 (52%) subjects. Virus isolation was positive in 7/13 (54%) symptomatic and 4/8 (50%) asymptomatic subjects tested, and B.1.1.7 lineage was detected in all subjects. Antibody and T-cell responses were not reduced in subjects with breakthrough infection. Evidence of virus transmission, determined by contact tracing, was observed in two (6.1%) cases. This real-world data confirm the protective effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine. A triple antigenic exposure, as occurring in experienced subjects, may confer higher protection. Virus transmission from vaccinated subjects is infrequent.