Search Results (84)

Background and Objectives: Facial beauty has attracted the attention of human societies for centuries, but there is not yet a common universal consensus on the perception of beauty. The first stage of facial analysis is a frontal examination of the face. Therefore, determining the morphometric characteristics of the face and facial organs will help to perceive the nuances that influence the aesthetics specific to each person. The aim of our study is to develop regression equations that will design personalized morphometric features for reconstructive and aesthetic applications that will adapt to each individual’s personal face and facial organs and incorporate cultural elements. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 100 volunteers, 50 males (mean age = 21.48 ± 1.54 years) and 50 females (mean age = 21.26 ± 0.66 years). We took facial photographs of the participants in the Frankfurt Horizontal plane so that measurements of the face and facial organs could be made on digital media. We measured forty parameters (eight for face, twelve for eyes, eight for nose, and twelve for lips). We used Image J (ver. 1.51) software for the measurements. We used SPSS Ver. 28.0 for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: As a result of the comparative statistical analysis, statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were found between men and women in the F5—lower face height, E5—palpebral fissure height, E6—distance between the margin of the upper eyelid and the eyebrow, E8—distance between the midpoint of the eye and the edge of the lower eyelid, N3—alar width, and N5—nasal root angle variables. Conclusions: On the basis of the correlation analyses, linear regression equations were developed to estimate the ideal natural facial morphometry of men and women by the means of variables that were highly correlated with each other. The equations developed will estimate the optimum morphometric features of a person for natural harmony and balance between the face and facial organs in accordance with the individual’s population and gender. We believe that our study will guide medical professionals who perform cosmetic/aesthetic interventions and also inspire software or artificial intelligence applications related to facial or facial organ design. Full article

People are naturally drawn to symmetrical faces, as symmetry is often associated with attractiveness. In contrast to human faces, animated characters often emphasize certain geometric features, exaggerating them while maintaining symmetry and enhancing their visual appeal. This study investigated the impact of geometric parameters of facial features on fixation duration and explored 60 facial samples across two races (American, Japanese) and two conditions (animated, real). Relevant length, angle, and area parameters were extracted from the eyebrows, eyes, ears, nose, and chin regions of the facial samples. Using an eye-tracking experiment design, fixation duration (FD) and fixation count (FC) were extracted from 10 s gaze stimuli. Sixty participants (32 males and 28 females) took part. The results showed that, compared to Japanese animation, American animation typically induced a longer FD and higher FC on features like the eyes (p < 0.001), nose (p < 0.001), ears (p < 0.01), and chin (p < 0.01). Compared to real faces, animated characters typically attracted a longer FD and higher FC on areas such as the eyebrows (p < 0.001), eyes (p < 0.001), and ears (p < 0.001), while the nose (p < 0.001) and chin (p < 0.001) attracted a shorter FD and lower FC. Additionally, a correlation analysis between FD and geometric features showed a high positive correlation in the geometric features of the eyes, nose, and chin for both American and Japanese animated faces. The geometric features of the nose in real American and Japanese faces showed a high negative correlation coefficient. These findings highlight notable differences in FD and FC across different races and facial conditions, suggesting that facial geometric features may play a role in shaping gaze patterns and contributing to the objective quantitative assessment of FD. These insights are critical for optimizing animated character design and enhancing engagement in cross-cultural media and digital interfaces. Full article

Background: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary cicatricial alopecia, initially described in postmenopausal women but increasingly reported in men. The male form remains under-recognized, often misdiagnosed as androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or alopecia areata (AA), particularly in the beard. Objective: This review aims to summarize the current literature on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of FFA in men. Epidemiology and Clinical Features: FFA in men typically presents at a younger age compared to women. Key features include frontal and temporal hairline recession, early involvement of the beard and sideburns, and a high prevalence of eyebrow alopecia (43–94.9%). Facial papules and body hair loss are more common in men than women. Occipital involvement varies widely across studies (8–45%). Clinical features like beard alopecia, often presenting as plaque or diffuse patterns, are highly suggestive of FFA in men but are not part of current diagnostic criteria. Etiopathogenesis: FFA is postulated to have an autoimmune basis influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Genetic studies have identified associations with HLA-B*07:02 and CYP1B1 loci. Environmental triggers include prolonged use of facial sunscreens and moisturizers, as demonstrated in case-control studies and meta-analyses. Diagnosis: Diagnosis is predominantly clinical, supported by trichoscopy and biopsy when needed, particularly in cases overlapping with AGA or AA. Unique presentations, such as beard alopecia and the “watch sign”, highlight the importance of considering FFA in atypical male cases. Treatment: Current treatment protocols in men mirror those for women and focus on disease stabilization. Oral 5-ARi (dutasteride) combined with topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors form the first line. Additional treatments include intralesional corticosteroids, oral isotretinoin for facial papules, and minoxidil for associated AGA. Surgical hair transplantation remains controversial, requiring disease control and careful patient counselling. Conclusions: FFA in men presents with distinct clinical features and challenges in diagnosis, often overlapping with other alopecia. Further studies are needed to validate diagnostic criteria and evaluate treatment efficacy in this underrepresented population. Full article

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) typically presents as round patches of hair loss (e.g., scalp, eyebrow/eyelash, and body), has an unpredictable disease course, and may relapse and remit. AA is a condition with a lifetime risk of approximately 2% in the global population with an annual incidence rate ranging from 2.53 to 26 per 100,000. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the safety and efficacy of Ritlecitinib in patients with AA. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used mean difference with 95% confidence intervals to assess the effectiveness and odds ratio to assess the safety profile. A total of 65 publications were identified through a database search. Following two stages of screening, we included 13 publications. All the studies were parallel and double-blind RCTs and published between 2020 and 2022. Results: Our analysis revealed a significant reduction in SALT score at week 12 and week 24 of (−17.43 [−24.67 to −10.20]; p < 0.0001) and (−20.95 [−29.01 to −12.89]; p < 0.0001), respectively, in patients treated with Ritlecitinib compared to placebo. Furthermore, a significant improvement in PGIC score at week 24 was observed. Additionally, Ritlecitinib revealed a slightly higher reduction in AASIS score compared to placebo; however, this difference was statistically non-significant. Notably, the Ritlecitinib group experienced a higher frequency of headaches, acne and nasopharyngitis compared to placebo, while the placebo group reported a greater occurrence of serious adverse events compared to the Ritlecitinib group. This higher rate of serious events in the placebo arm could be explained by the placebo effect, although these differences were statistically non-significant. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Ritlecitinib holds promise as an effective treatment for AA with an acceptable safety profile, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts and long-term studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Schuurs–Hoeijmakers syndrome (SHMS), also known as PACS1 neurodevelopmental disorder, is a rare condition characterized by intellectual disability, distinctive craniofacial abnormalities, and congenital malformations. SHMS has already been associated with variants in the PACS1 gene in 63 patients. In this study, we describe 10 new Italian SHMS patients all harboring the common de novo p.(Arg203Trp) variant. Methods: The 10 patients we studied were evaluated by clinical geneticists and child neurologists and a detailed description of clinical features was recorded. Data were then coded using the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms. The recurrent p.(Arg203Trp) variant in PACS1 was identified by clinical exome sequencing or whole exome sequencing in trio using standard methodologies. To facilitate mutation identification, we designed a new PCR-RFLP strategy adopting the endonuclease DpnII. Results: We define a detailed clinical phenotyping in patients with intellectual disability and facial characteristics (thick eyebrows, down-slanting palpebral fissures, ocular hypertelorism, low-set ears, a thin upper lip, and a wide mouth) that can help clinicians form a more efficient diagnosis of SHMS even through neuroimaging and neuropsychological evaluation. Conclusions: Our series of 10 newly affected Italian children highlights specific clinical features that may help clinicians recognize and better manage this syndrome, contributing to precision medicine approaches in medical genetics. Full article

Supraorbital hollowness and pretarsal fullness, commonly known as the sunken eyelid and charming roll, respectively, are significant anatomical features that impact the aesthetic appearance of the periorbital region. Supraorbital hollowness is characterized by a recessed appearance of the upper eyelid, often attributed to genetic factors, aging, or surgical alterations, such as excessive fat removal during blepharoplasty. This condition is particularly prevalent among East Asians due to anatomical differences, such as weaker levator muscles and unique fat distribution patterns. Pretarsal fullness, also known as aegyo-sal, enhances the youthful and expressive appearance of the lower eyelid, forming a roll above the lash line that is considered aesthetically desirable in East Asian culture. Anatomical-based filler injection techniques are critical for correcting these features, involving precise placement within the correct tissue planes to avoid complications and achieve natural-looking results. This approach not only improves the aesthetic appeal of the eyelid but also enhances the overall facial harmony, emphasizing the importance of tailored procedures based on individual anatomy and cultural preferences. Full article

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the topography of the corrugator supercilii muscle (CSM) relative to the eyebrow with the aim of providing topographical guidance for botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections in the East Asian population. Thirty-six hemifaces of 18 donated bodies for anatomical studies were dissected. Prior to dissection, four specific points on the eyebrow were marked to serve as reference points. A superimposition method for analyzing the position of the CSM relative to the eyebrow involved overlaying an image showing the dissected muscle onto a pre-existing image that contained reference lines indicating the eyebrow landmarks. The CSM almost overlaps the eyebrow at its medial end. Significantly, the central part of the CSM’s width was positioned just above the upper point of the eyebrow, being closely aligned with the midpupillary line. There was minimal overlap of the CSM beyond the midpupillary line on the lateral side, indicating that this muscle becomes relatively scarce or less distinct as it extends laterally from the midpupillary line. For effectively targeting the CSM, it is recommended to inject BTX-A precisely at the center of the medial end of the eyebrow just above the midpupillary line. Full article

When participants are asked to identify expressed emotions from pictures, fear is often confused with surprise. The present study explored this confusion by utilizing one prototype of surprise and three prototypes of fear varying as a function of distinctive cues in the fear prototype (cue in the eyebrows, in the mouth or both zones). Participants were presented with equal numbers of pictures expressing surprise and fear. Eye movements were monitored when they were deciding if the picture was fear or surprise. Following each trial, explicit knowledge was assessed by asking the importance (yes vs. no) of five regions (mouth, nose, eyebrows, eyes, cheeks) in recognizing the expression. Results revealed that fear with both distinctive cues was recognized more accurately, followed by the prototype of surprise and fear with a distinctive cue in the mouth at a similar level. Finally, fear with a distinctive cue in the eyebrows was the least accurately recognized. Explicit knowledge discriminability results revealed that participants were aware of the relevant areas for each prototype but not equally so for all prototypes. Specifically, participants judged the eyebrow area as more important when the distinctive cue was in the eyebrows (fear–eyebrow) than when the cue was in the mouth (fear–mouth) or when both cues were present (fear–both). Results are discussed considering the attentional-perceptual and explicit knowledge limitation hypothesis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging affects the face and eyebrow areas, with various resultant procedures for lifting the eyebrows. Recently, thread lifting using absorbable threads has become increasingly popular, with the advantages of a faster recovery and no visible scars, when compared with conventional facial rhytidectomy. Furthermore, polydioxanone (PDO) thread lifting is a favorable surgical method that has been used for eyebrow lifting. However, simply raising the eyebrows overall does not always result in high patient satisfaction. Therefore, in this study, we successfully applied a surgical method to lift the eyebrows, achieving a softer impression of the changing eyebrow shape that is associated with aging. We report on the favorable results yielded by the application of this surgical method. Methods: Between January 2023 and January 2024, a retrospective chart review was conducted for 29 patients who had undergone eyebrow lifting using only PDO threads. Photographs were taken pre- and 3 months post-operatively, in a photo studio with indirect lighting. Patient satisfaction and adverse effects were evaluated immediately and 3 months post-operatively. Results: The overall change in the eyebrow height was minimal at approximately 1.2–1.3 cm; nonetheless, the changes in the angles of the inner eyebrows at 4.00° and 4.44° resulted in a more favorable appearance. In total, 26 out of 29 patients expressed being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the outcomes. Serious complications were not observed. Conclusions: An effective, noninvasive eyebrow correction, considering the shape of the inner eyebrow, was performed. A thread-lifting method was used, which lifted the overall eyebrows and corrected the eyebrow shape. Full article

In this study, we propose a framework for synthesizing new characters by applying the features of a reference face to a source face using a diffusion model-based image editing technique. For an effective synthesis, a blank face of the sample is first generated by removing all features except the hairstyle, face shape, and skin tone. Then, facial features such as the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth from the reference face are applied to the blank face of the source face. This strategy allows the creation of a new character that reflects the reference face’s features on the source face without producing unwanted artifacts or undesired blending of facial features. Full article

Introduction: A supraorbital keyhole craniotomy (SOKC) is a novel alternative to frontal craniotomies for accessing the anterior fossa for resecting tumors and clipping aneurysms; however, its implementation is limited in patients at a high risk of complications. We present two cases involving the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for patient selection and preoperative planning for a supraorbital tumor resection of anterior fossa meningiomas. Methods: This is a prospective, single-center case series at a research institute. We identified patients with an anterior or middle fossa meningioma regardless of age, gender, and tumor characteristics who could undergo an SOKC and MRI. The preoperative planning was performed with the BrainLab Magic Leap AR/VR platform. The meningiomas were resected through the SOKC under neuronavigation. Results: We identified two cases: a 37-year-old male with a meningioma in the sellar region and an 84-year-old male with a right anterior fossa meningioma, both confirmed by MRI. Both patients had a complete tumor resection by a minimally invasive SOKC after preoperative planning with the AR/VR platform. Postoperatively, hyponatremia complicated the first case, while the second case developed an intracranial hemorrhage. They both recovered after the appropriate interventions. Conclusions: The use of an SOKC for anterior skull base meningiomas should be individualized after considering the lesion characteristics, vascular control needs, and the surgeon’s expertise. VR/AR-assisted preoperative evaluation and planning will optimize the patient selection and surgical outcomes. We can utilize VR/AR technologies to identify patients that will benefit from an SOKC and expand the implementation of the approach beyond its current limitations. Full article

This study investigates the effects of the external magnetic field on the microstructure and mechanical property aluminum alloy 6061-T6 and 7075-T651 resistance spot welding joints. The melting behavior of 6061 and 7075 was analyzed via the calculation of the phase diagram (CALPHAD) technique. The CALPHAD results indicate that, for the 6061 aluminum alloy, the liquid fraction shows a minimal increase at the beginning stage during the solid–liquid phase transition process but with a sharp rise at the ending stage (near the liquidus). In contrast, for the 7075 aluminum alloy, the liquid fraction gradually increases throughout the entire solid–liquid phase transition process. The differences in melting behavior between the 6061 and 7075 alloys lead to different liquation crack morphologies in their spot-welded joints. In the 6061 alloy, the cracks tend to be “eyebrow-shaped”, allowing the liquid metal in the nugget to feed the gaps, and this does not significantly compromise the mechanical properties of the joint. In contrast, the 7075 alloy develops slender cracks that extend through the partially melted zone (PMZ), making it difficult for the liquid metal to feed these gaps, thereby significantly deteriorating the joint’s mechanical strength. Compared to conventional resistance spot-welding joints, the heat exchange between the nugget and the workpiece is enhanced under the external magnetic field, leading to a wider PMZ. This exacerbates the detrimental effects of liquation cracks on the mechanical properties of the 7075 joints. Lap-shear tests indicate that the mechanical properties of the 6061 aluminum alloy joints are improved under electromagnetic stirring. For 7075 aluminum alloy joints, the mechanical properties improve when the welding current is below 34 kA. However, when the welding current exceeds 34 kA, because the widening of the PMZ increases the tendency for liquation cracks, the joint’s mechanical property is deteriorated. Full article

A 11-year-old Caucasian girl presented to our Dermatology Unit with a 2-month history of an erythematous nodule, localized to the medial portion of her left eyebrow, rapidly growing in the two weeks before presentation. The histopathological examination revealed a dermal multi-nodular epithelial neoplasm composed of clear cells, squamous cells, and glandular cells, characterized by cytologic atypia, high mitotic activity, and an infiltrative deep growth pattern. The immunohistochemical profile of the lesion was as follows: CKAE1/AE3+, EMA+, CK8/18+, CK7+, CK19+, AR negative, p63 focally +, Ki67 25%, rare cells GCDFP15+, p53+. Full article

Background: The purpose of this paper is to report the case of a patient who developed a local allergic reaction to the pigment used for permanent eyebrow makeup. In addition, the authors’ protocol for the treatment of such a complication is proposed. Methods: A patient visited the clinic to remove permanent eyebrow makeup. In the patient’s opinion, the eyebrows were too dark and incorrectly shaped. Upon physical examination of the brows, they were found to be over-pigmented and drawn outside the area of hair growth of the natural brow. Results: The patient underwent 24 treatment procedures to remove the pigmentation including four sessions of laser therapy and subsequent treatments using a chemical substance (remover). No adverse effects occurred during the initial phase of makeup removal (black pigment removal), but an allergic reaction appeared with the removal of the red-orange colored pigment (after the fourth laser therapy session). The following symptoms appeared: redness, swelling, and the appearance of papules filled with both serous fluid and pigment used for the permanent makeup. After each remover treatment, the allergic reaction decreased, and local symptoms gradually subsided. Additionally, topical corticosteroid treatment was implemented peri-procedurally. The patient’s case suggests a secondary allergic reaction to the red-orange pigment used for permanent makeup. Conclusions: The literature on this topic is scarce; therefore, we present a regimen for the management of such complications. In addition, we draw attention to the fact that allergic reactions to pigment may not always occur immediately following skin pigmentation but may become apparent long after the procedure, such as when the allergen is “exposed” during an attempt to remove or correct the makeup. Full article

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a popular form of tattooing applied to the eyebrows, eyelids, and lips for corrective and aesthetic purposes. It also has medical applications, such as reconstructing the breast areola, mimicking hair follicles on the head, and covering scars and vitiligo. Unlike body tattoos, PMU often requires reapplication to maintain color density and shape, as the pigments fade over time. This fading is likely due to the characteristics of PMU colorants rather than the application methods or apparatuses. The aim of our study was to assess the application depth of PMU colorants and tattoo ink after procedures. PMU colorants typically contain larger pigment particles in their composition compared to the nanoparticles found in traditional tattoo inks. We applied both tattoo ink and PMU colorants on SKH-1 mice using a PMU apparatus and a tattoo apparatus. To clarify the semi-permanent nature of PMU compared to the more permanent body tattoos, skin biopsies were performed at various intervals throughout this study. The results showed that PMU and tattoo ink were placed at approximately the same depth but exhibited key differences in behavior. PMU with larger inorganic pigments fades over time, while tattoos with smaller, stable organic pigments ensure permanence. Full article