Objectives: To evaluate the cellular and clinical responses to facial treatment using a wide-spectrum, long-pulse infrared medical device. Methods: Thirty patients with facial skin laxity and photodamage underwent a single treatment session with the infrared device. Skin biopsies were collected before treatment and on days 5 and 21 for histological and immunohistochemical assessments of inflammatory and regenerative changes. Long-term outcomes were analyzed by biomechanical measurements (cutometry) and collagen autofluorescence quantification from histological samples. Results: Histological analysis demonstrated a 40% increase in fibroblast count, angiogenesis, and mild inflammatory activity, though these changes did not reach statistical significance. Cutometric evaluation revealed a significant improvement in skin elasticity at day 21 (+15.97%) and day 150 (+24.49%) post-treatment, accompanied by a modest increase in hydration. Collagen autofluorescence showed a statistically significant enhancement, consistent with ECM remodeling and fibroblast activation. Conclusions: A single session of treatment with a wide-spectrum, long-pulse infrared device produced measurable improvements in dermal elasticity and collagen organization with minimal inflammatory response. These findings support the efficacy and safety of infrared energy-based therapy as a noninvasive modality for facial skin rejuvenation.

Background: Non-surgical procedures utilizing microcurrent radiofrequency (RF) represent a non-invasive option for patients experiencing skin laxity and loss of firmness due to aging, hormonal changes, or weight fluctuations. Such treatments benefit individuals seeking both preventive measures to delay visible aging and corrective approaches to improve existing skin laxity without invasive surgery. The Plasma IQ medical device generates microcurrent RF energy that produces controlled heating, leading to targeted tissue ablation and subsequent remodelling. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Plasma IQ in the treatment of skin laxity. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients presenting with facial skin laxity and photodamage underwent treatment with the Plasma IQ device. Clinical outcomes were assessed prior to the procedure and at 7, 21 and 90 days post-treatment. Results: RF treatment produced a measurable improvement in skin elasticity (+22.51%). The distance between the upper eyelid margin and the beginning of the eyelid fold increased by 2.01 mm (+46.94%) at day 21 and by 2.11 mm (+49.11%) at day 90. Conclusions: Microcurrent RF delivered by the Plasma IQ device is an effective non-invasive method for periocular skin rejuvenation. The treatment improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles around the eyes, and increases the visible distance between the upper eyelid margin and fold, thereby enhancing upper eyelid definition.

Acne vulgaris affects approximately 80% of individuals between the ages of 11 and 30 and often results in persistent acne scarring that can negatively impact psychosocial well-being, leading to anxiety and reduced self-esteem. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes associated with the use of PEG-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with calcium hydroxyapatite in patients with facial acne scars. Twenty healthy female volunteers (aged 18–42) underwent a single session combining subcision with a 22G cannula and the simultaneous administration of 2 mL of PEG-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with calcium hydroxyapatite. Participants with recent retinoid use, excessive tanning, or relevant medical conditions were excluded. Skin elasticity, scar depth, and scar diameter were measured at baseline and on days 28 and 90 after treatment. Significant improvements in skin texture and a visible reduction in acne scars were observed. Cutometric analysis demonstrated increased skin elasticity, while high-frequency ultrasound imaging showed an average 21% reduction in scar diameter and a 61% reduction in scar depth by day 90. No adverse effects were reported. A single session combining subcision with a 22G cannula and the simultaneous administration of PEG-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite was shown to be safe and to be associated with clinically and instrumentally observed improvements. The filler provides temporary volumization of atrophic or thinned facial soft tissues, resulting in visible aesthetic improvement and favorable patient-reported outcomes. These findings support the potential role of this minimally invasive approach in the management of patients with acne scars.

Background: Acne vulgaris affects up to 80% of individuals aged 11–30 years and frequently results in permanent scarring with significant psychosocial impact. This prospective single-arm case series evaluated the safety and high-frequency ultrasound-assessed morphological changes in a combined protocol integrating subcision, PEGDE-crosslinked hyaluronic acid supplemented with calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), and fractional 1470 nm diode laser therapy in patients with facial atrophic acne scars. Methods: Twenty patients (aged 18–42 years, Fitzpatrick phototypes I–II) with moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars underwent subcision of fibrotic adhesions using a 22G cannula combined with a single subcutaneous injection of 2 mL PEGDE-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with CaHA microparticles on day 0, followed by two sessions of fractional 1470 nm diode laser therapy on days 7 and 28. Scar depth and diameter were assessed using high-frequency ultrasound (48 MHz) at baseline and on days 28, 49, 77, and 139. Results: All participants completed the protocol without serious adverse events. High-frequency ultrasound demonstrated progressive reductions in mean scar depth (from 0.35 to 0.05 mm; −86%) and scar diameter (from 4.27 to 1.06 mm; −75%) by day 139, with reductions continuing beyond the active treatment phase. In linear mixed-effects models accounting for within-patient clustering of the two lesions assessed per participant, the reductions in both depth and diameter were statistically significant at every follow-up timepoint relative to baseline (all p < 0.001). These ultrasound findings were not corroborated by a control group, blinded assessment, validated clinical grading, or patient-reported outcomes. Conclusions: In this single-arm case series, the combined subcision, PEGDE-crosslinked HA–CaHA filler, and fractional 1470 nm diode laser protocol was well tolerated and associated with progressive, sustained reductions in high-frequency ultrasound-measured scar depth and diameter. As an uncontrolled, unblinded study without validated clinical grading or patient-reported outcomes, these findings are preliminary and require confirmation in larger, controlled trials.

The efficient transport of proteins into the primary cilium is a crucial step for many signaling pathways. Dysfunction of this process can lead to the disruption of signaling cascades or cilium assembly, resulting in developmental disorders and cancer. Previous studies on the protein delivery to the cilium were mostly focused on the membrane-embedded receptors. In contrast, how soluble proteins are delivered into the cilium is poorly understood. In our work, we identify the exocyst complex as a key player in the ciliary trafficking of soluble Gli transcription factors. In line with the known function of the exocyst in intracellular vesicle transport, we demonstrate that soluble proteins, including Gli2/3 and Lkb1, can use the endosome recycling machinery for their delivery to the primary cilium. Finally, we identify GTPases: Rab14, Rab18, Rab23, and Arf4 that are involved in vesicle-mediated Gli protein ciliary trafficking. Our data pave the way for a better understanding of ciliary transport and uncover novel transport mechanisms inside the cell.

Background: Minimally invasive aesthetic procedures using atmospheric plasma devices are increasingly applied to improve skin laxity and age-related loss of firmness. These systems generate a localized plasma arc at the tissue surface, enabling controlled and spatially confined tissue interaction; however, quantitative histological data on the extent of plasma-induced tissue effects remain limited. Materials and Methods: This ex vivo study evaluated freshly collected porcine kidney, liver, and skeletal muscle tissues (n = 3 per tissue type). Tissue sublimation defects were produced using the Plasma IQ device under conditions representative of standard clinical use, applying two predefined settings (“LOW” and “HIGH”). Immediately after treatment, specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed into formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and the diameter and depth of the sublimation zones were measured by light microscopy. Results: Plasma IQ exposure consistently produced well-demarcated superficial sublimation defects in all tissues. The HIGH setting increased the diameter of the sublimation zones compared with the LOW setting across all tissue types, whereas the depth differences were smaller and tissue-dependent. Lesions exhibited a characteristic flattened, cone-shaped morphology, with diameter exceeding depth. No histologically detectable collateral damage was observed beyond the immediate sublimation zone. Conclusions: Atmospheric plasma treatment induces controlled and spatially confined tissue sublimation with clearly defined histological boundaries and limited penetration depth. These findings provide quantitative histological support for the localized tissue effects of plasma-based devices and their rationale in aesthetic procedures.