Search Results (6,212)

Background: This study investigates the influence of emotional processing on flexor reflex responses in the upper limbs, focusing on cutaneomuscular reflexes (CMRs) and the cutaneous silent period (CSP) in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The modulation of motor reflexes by emotions remains unclear. Methods: Fifty-one patients with chronic upper limb neuropathic pain (carpal tunnel syndrome, other neuropathies, post-burn hypertrophic scars) and twenty healthy controls underwent standardized electrodiagnostic signal acquisition. Neurophysiological assessments (CMRs, CSP, standard nerve conduction tests) and psychological evaluations (anxiety, depression, emotion processing) were conducted. Neurophysiological signal acquisition included median and ulnar nerve conduction studies recorded with an electrodiagnostic system (48 kHz sampling rate; 30–3000 Hz bandpass). CSP and CMRs were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis using surface electrodes (bipolar belly–tendon montage) and were evoked by electrical stimulation delivered through ring electrodes, with individualized perceptual-threshold calibration. Statistical analyses examined correlations between neurophysiological and psychological measures. Results: Patients showed significantly longer duration and higher intensity of CMRs and CSP than controls (p < 0.01). CMR and CSP durations correlated positively with anxiety, depression, and alexithymia scores, and negatively with facial emotion recognition. General Linear Model analyses indicated these relations were mediated by tactile and pain perception thresholds. Conclusions: The findings support that spinal reflex responses in the upper limbs are modulated by emotional and cognitive-affective processes, especially in chronic pain contexts. This highlights the complex interaction between emotion regulation and motor control in neuropathic pain conditions. Full article

Background: Reconstruction of the maxilla and midface remains one of the most demanding challenges in craniofacial surgery, requiring precise planning and a clear understanding of defect geometry to achieve functional and esthetic restoration. Advances in computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and virtual surgical planning (VSP), based on 3D segmentation of radiologic imaging, have significantly improved the management of maxillary deformities, allowing for further knowledge of patient-specific information, including anatomy, pathology, surgical planning, and reconstructive issues. The integration of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and 3D printing has further transformed reconstruction through customized titanium meshes, implants, and surgical guides. Methods:This systematic review, conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizes evidence from clinical studies on CAD/CAM-assisted reconstruction of maxillary and midfacial defects of congenital, acquired, or post-resection origin. It highlights the advantages and drawbacks of maxillary reconstruction with patient-specific implants (PSISs). Primary outcomes are represented by accuracy in VSP reproduction, while secondary outcomes included esthetic results, functions, and assessment of complications. Results: Of the 44 identified articles, 10 met inclusion criteria with a time frame from April 2013 to July 2022. The outcomes of 24 treated patients are reported. CAD/CAM-guided techniques seemed to improve osteotomy accuracy, flap contouring, and implant adaptation. Conclusions: Although current data support the efficacy and safety of CAD/CAM-based approaches, limitations persist, including high costs, technological dependency, and variable long-term outcome data. This article critically evaluates the role of PSISs in maxillofacial reconstruction and outlines future directions for its standardization and broader adoption in clinical practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Geometric morphometric analysis (GMA) is a statistical method that captures and quantifies shape variation. This study aimed to assess hard and soft tissue shape variations and changes following orthodontic treatment in Class III skeletal malocclusion using GMA. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 84 lateral cephalometric radiographs (pre-treatment and near-end treatment) of Class III patients aged 16–40 years (ANB < 2°). Thirty-five landmarks were digitized in Cartesian coordinates using MorphoJ software for shape analysis. Results: The sample included 62% females and 38% males, with a mean age of 24.7 ± 5.2 years. Vertical dimension variations (hypodivergent to hyperdivergent) contributed most to shape changes PC1 (23.35%), followed by anteroposterior variations PC2 (13.51%). Gender significantly influenced hard and soft tissue variation with 30.91%SS (F = 56.99, p < 0.0001). Males had significantly larger and longer ramus, body of the mandible, alveolar height, LAFH, TAFH and upper lip length. (PD: 0.026, p < 0.05). Significant shape changes were seen in the mandible (PD = 0.018, p < 0.05). SNB increased by 0.41° (from 81.73° ± 3.67°), and ANB improved by 0.46° but remained Class III (−0.33° ± 1.82°). Lower anterior facial height increased by 1.78 mm (p < 0.05). The lower incisors retroclined significantly (from 92° ± 8.56° to 87° ± 6.96°, p < 0.05), while the interincisal angle increased by 5.9°. Upper incisors remained procline (118° ± 11°, p > 0.05). Upper lip length increased by 0.4 mm (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Vertical and anteroposterior shape variations are notable within Class III malocclusion. Post-treatment changes in both hard and soft tissues indicate that orthodontic camouflage can enhance facial esthetics and skeletal balance. GMA provides objective quantification and visualization of these treatment-related craniofacial changes. Full article

Background: Early molecular changes on the facial skin surface during early adulthood remain insufficiently characterized. We integrated biophysical readouts with untargeted skin surface lipid (SSL) profiling to identify region-dependent, age-associated features in women with combination skin. Methods: Eighty healthy Chinese women were stratified into 22–28 years (n = 40) and 29–35 years (n = 40). Sebum was measured on the cheek and forehead; cheek elasticity, hydration (CM), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pH, and tone indices were assessed under standardized conditions. SSLs from both regions were profiled by UPLC–QTOF–MS. Differential features were prioritized using OPLS-DA (VIP > 1) with univariate screening (p < 0.05; fold change > 2 or <0.5). Results: TEWL, CM, and pH were comparable between age groups, whereas the older group showed lower cheek elasticity and reduced sebum. Lipidomics revealed clearer remodeling on the cheek than the forehead: 30 and 59 differential SSL features were identified in the cheek and forehead, respectively. Cheek changes in the older group were characterized by lower ceramides (including acylceramides), TG/DG and long-chain fatty acids, alongside relatively higher cholesteryl esters. Conclusions: Conventional barrier indices remained largely stable across this age window, while cheek SSL profiles captured earlier molecular shifts, providing candidates for targeted validation and longitudinal follow-up. Full article

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are widely used in aesthetic dermatology for their biocompatibility, reversibility, and safety; however, adverse events (AEs) may occur. This review evaluated the safety profile, focusing on short- and long-term AEs, of HA fillers manufactured with MACRO (MAtrix CROsslinking) Core Technology, encompassing both current saypha and former Princess products. A systematic PubMed search identified prospective clinical trials assessing safety outcomes following facial aesthetic use of these fillers. Eleven studies including 947 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common short-term AEs were transient swelling, injection site pain, and bruising, which were predominantly mild to moderate and resolved within two weeks. Severe or serious treatment-related events were rare, with only one reported across all studies. Long-term AEs, such as delayed-onset nodules or inflammatory reactions, were infrequent and mild, with no granulomas, hypersensitivity responses, or vascular complications observed. Safety outcomes were consistent across formulations and between the legacy Princess and current saypha products. Overall, the saypha HA filler portfolio demonstrates a predictable and strong safety profile within the expected range reported in the broader literature, noting the limitations of cross-study comparisons. Most AEs were related to injection trauma rather than the filler itself, supporting its continued use in clinical aesthetic practice. Full article

Face recognition has become a major research area due to the rapid growth of intelligent software applications. However, reliable face identification remains challenging because human facial features vary significantly under different conditions. Originating from pattern recognition, image processing, and computer vision, modern face recognition continues to advance through new algorithms and learning-based approaches. This paper describes and analyzes the existing literature regarding facial recognition and surveillance systems. It describes and explains the principles underlying facial recognition and surveillance in a general sense and analyzes the most significant application domains. Furthermore, it describes and analyzes the most relevant and widely used benchmark datasets that can be used to measure the recognition and surveillance performance of such systems. We also discuss and analyze the most relevant and significant issues related to existing systems and datasets. Two primary feature extraction categories are discussed in detail, followed by a comparison of appearance-based, model-based, and hybrid methods. Important components such as feature selection, distance measures, classification techniques, and evaluation protocols are also reviewed. Finally, the review summarizes current challenges and emerging research trends, offering insights into future directions for developing more accurate, robust, and practical face recognition systems. Full article

Aging-associated facial hyperpigmentation is driven not only by enhanced melanogenesis but also by dermal senescence and deterioration of the dermal–epidermal junction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether monopolar radiofrequency (MRF) monotherapy can improve aging-related facial hyperpigmentation by simultaneously suppressing melanogenic signaling and restoring senescence-associated dermal alterations. We assumed that deep dermal heating induced by MRF would modulate fibroblast senescence and basement membrane integrity, thereby indirectly regulating melanocyte activity. In a retrospective review of 26 Asian women, MRF treatment significantly decreased multiple pigmentation parameters, including melanin level, hyperconcentration, and Hemi Melasma Area and Severity Index (hemi-MASI) scores, while concurrently reducing wrinkles, pores, and enhanced overall skin texture without inducing inflammation. Complementary ex vivo experiments using ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human skin demonstrated that MRF markedly reduced pro-melanogenic markers (α-MSH, MC1R, MITF, TYR, TRP1/2), restored collagen type IV expression at the basement membrane, decreased senescence-associated genes (p16, p21), and upregulated protective heat shock proteins (HSP70/47). Together, these findings suggest that MRF improves aging-associated hyperpigmentation by both suppressing melanogenesis and rejuvenating the senescent dermal microenvironment. MRF may serve as an effective non-invasive treatment option for pigmentation disorders in aging skin. Full article

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a rare autosomal dominant multisystem disorder characterized by bile duct paucity, congenital heart defects, characteristic facial features, skeletal anomalies, and distinctive ocular findings. Although anterior segment anomalies such as posterior embryotoxon are well recognized, posterior segment involvement has recently gained attention. We present fundus findings in a 2-year-old boy with genetically confirmed Alagille syndrome. Under general anesthesia, fundus examination revealed pink optic discs with blurred margins and drusen-like deposits, absence of the foveal reflex, and mottled hypopigmented and hyperpigmented areas that were consistent with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration. Peripheral pigment clumping and RPE atrophy were also observed, while retinal vessels appeared normal. These features are characteristic of pigmentary retinopathy associated with ALGS and highlight the expanding spectrum of posterior segment changes in this condition. Recognition of such findings is essential, as they may contribute to visual impairment and support the systemic diagnosis. Full article

The occurrence of cysts and tumors in pediatric patients varies across different age groups. Follicular and dentigerous cysts are among the most common lesions. However, typical odontogenic tumors in juvenile patients are not frequently observed. Early stages of cyst and odontogenic tumor development might exhibit some similar characteristics due to the presence of unerupted teeth or their relationship with various stages of tooth formation and eruption. Many small lesions are discovered accidentally on routine orthopantomography (OPG), while the bigger ones manifest themselves as bone swelling, cortical perforation, or displacement and mobility of teeth. Each odontogenic tumor has characteristic clinical and radiological features. Biopsy of larger lesions, or incisional biopsy of smaller lesions, allows detailed histopathological evaluation to determine tumor type and growth behavior and guide appropriate treatment planning. In some cases, atypical signs on OPGs, like asymmetry in dental follicles, occurrence of round or oval bone lesions near impacted or retained teeth, and visibility of irregular radiolucent, radiopaque, or mixed jawbone lesions, might suggest the occurrence of some possible odontogenic tumor in juvenile patients. Each case should be handled individually. In this case, we demonstrate how atypical appearances of dental follicles on panoramic radiographs may not correspond with cone-beam computed tomography findings and may indicate the early stages of odontogenic myxoma in a juvenile patient. Full article

This research examines the underlying processes of public stigma toward visible facial differences (VFDs) by focusing on gaze behavior. Past research showed that a VFD influences the visual processing of faces, leading to increased attention to the VFD area at the expense of internal features (i.e., eyes, nose, mouth). Since these features primarily convey affective information, this pre-registered study investigates whether this bias also affects pain perception. In an eye-tracking task, participants (N = 44) viewed faces that either did or did not display a VFD located in a peripheral area of the face, and that either did or did not express pain, while their gaze behavior was being recorded. Participants then rated perceived pain intensity for each face. Results showed that VFDs diverted attention toward peripheral features and away from internal, pain-relevant features of the face. Surprisingly, participants rated faces with VFDs as experiencing more pain, regardless of whether pain was actually expressed. This suggests that, despite gazing less at facial expressions, observers inferred pain based on task-irrelevant features, likely stereotypes related to the VFD. These findings provide insights into how people with VFDs are perceived and how their emotions are interpreted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Considering that the kinematics of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is concomitant with head movements and that temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are frequently associated with neck pain in clinics but seldom or never investigated, the aim of this study was to develop a reliable in vivo measurement protocol of the simultaneous amplitudes of the mandible and of the skull. The development of such a protocol is part of a project to build an accurate kinematic assessment tool for clinicians in the orofacial field who treat patients suffering from TMD. Methods: Mouth opening, laterotrusion and protrusion movements for three different positions of the head (neutral, slouched and military) on 12 asymptomatic voluntary subjects (5 men and 7 women, mean 33.6 yo +/− 11.1) were recorded using 20 markers palpated and taped and 14 optoelectronic cameras. The acquisition frequency was set at 150 hertz. The inter- and intra-examiner reliability of marker palpation in mm was calculated using standard deviation (SD), mean difference (MD) and standard error (SE). Amplitudes of movement according to axes defined by the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) are given for the mandible and skull segments. The propagation of error on the amplitudes was calculated with the root mean square propagation error (RMSPE) in degrees. Repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests were used to assess the influence of the position of the head on the amplitudes of the jaw. Power analysis of the sample size was estimated with Cohen’s f3 size effect test. Steady-state plots (SSPs) and normalized motion graphs between the skull and the mandible motion were performed to study the coordination of their maximum amplitude over time. Results: The protocol demonstrated good intra-examiner reliability (1.5 < MD < 5.8; 2.6 < SD < 7.8; 2.0 < SE < 3.8), good inter-examiner reproducibility (0.2 < MD < 4.0; 3.5 < SD < 4.6; 2.0 < SE < 2.5) and small error propagation (0.0 < RMSPE intra < 2.8; 0.0 < RMSPE inter < 1.0). The amplitudes of the jaw and head found during the three types of movements correspond to the values reported in the literature. Head positions did not appear to significantly influence the amplitudes of jaw movements, which could be explained by the power estimation of our sample (Type II error β = 0.692). The participation of head movements in those of the jaw, for all motions and in all positions, was demonstrated and discussed in detail. Conclusions: The accuracy, test–retest reliability, and intra-individual variability of the TMJ kinematic analysis, including head movements, was ensured. The small sample size and the absence of standardized head positions for the subjects limit the scope of the intra- and inter-group analysis results. Given the natural biological and complex coordination of jaw–head movement, the authors consider its evaluation useful in clinical intervention and would like to further develop the present protocol. The next step should be to test the feasibility of its clinical application with a larger group of asymptomatic subjects compared to patients suffering from TMD. Full article

The study proposes a sensor-based experimental protocol for quantifying dynamic facial temperature changes during face mask use by means of infrared thermography (IRT). Eight face masks, including filtering respirators, surgical masks, and one textile mask, were evaluated on three participants under controlled indoor conditions. Thermographic data were acquired at four defined measurement stages: prior to mask application, immediately after donning, after 15 min of continuous wear, and immediately after removal. The measurements reveal a reproducible temporal temperature pattern across participants and mask types, consisting of an initial cooling phase, subsequent heat accumulation during wear, and a pronounced temperature increase following removal. Thermal variations were observed both in mask-covered and uncovered facial regions. The inner canthus exhibited high sensitivity to these changes, supporting its use as a stable reference area. The study demonstrates the suitability of IRT for protocol-driven, non-contact assessment of dynamic facial thermal response during mask use. Full article

Face super-resolution (FSR) has made great progress thanks to deep learning and facial priors. However, many existing methods do not fully exploit landmark heatmaps and lack effective multi-scale texture modeling, which often leads to texture loss and artifacts under large upscaling factors. To address these problems, we propose a Multi-Scale Residual Stacking Network (MRSNet), which integrates multi-scale texture enhancement with multi-stage heatmap fusion. The MRSNet is built upon Residual Attention-Guided Units (RAGUs) and incorporates a Face Detail Enhancer (FDE), which applies edge, texture, and region branches to achieve differentiated enhancement across facial components. Furthermore, we design a Multi-Scale Texture Enhancement Module (MTEM) that employs progressive average pooling to construct hierarchical receptive fields and employs heatmap-guided attention for adaptive texture refinement. In addition, we introduce a multi-stage heatmap fusion strategy that injects landmark priors into multiple phases of the network, including feature extraction, texture enhancement, and detail reconstruction, enabling deep sharing and progressive integration of prior knowledge. Extensive experiments on CelebA and Helen demonstrate that the proposed method achieves superior detail recovery and generates perceptually realistic high-resolution face images. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluations confirm that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art methods. Full article

Background: Parotid gland tumors pose diagnostic and surgical challenges due to their histological heterogeneity and proximity to the facial nerve. This study aimed to evaluate clinicopathological features and postoperative outcomes with a specific focus on facial nerve function in patients undergoing parotidectomy. Methods: This retrospective study included 314 patients who underwent parotidectomy between 2008 and 2024 at a tertiary center. Demographic data, tumor histology, and postoperative complications—particularly facial nerve paralysis within the first three months—were analyzed. Histopathological features including capsular, perineural, and lymphovascular invasion were also assessed. Results: Of all cases, 79% were benign, 14.6% malignant, and 6.4% non-neoplastic. Pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor were the most common benign entities, while mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent malignancy. Malignant tumors were associated with higher rates of positive surgical margins (44.2% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001), capsular invasion (25% vs. 7%, p < 0.001), and tumor necrosis (22% vs. <1%, p < 0.001). Facial paralysis occurred in 4.4% of patients, largely transient and significantly associated with malignant tumors (p < 0.001) and extensive lymph node dissection (p < 0.001). Capsular invasion and necrosis were rare in benign lesions but still observed, especially in pleomorphic adenoma. Conclusions: Histopathologic aggressiveness markers were associated with malignant disease and postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. These findings support a risk-stratified approach to follow-up: all patients undergo universal early assessment at two weeks and three months, after which surveillance intensity may be individualized according to histopathologic features—such as necrosis, perineural invasion, capsular invasion, or positive margins. Full article

Background/Objectives: Three-dimensional virtual surgical planning (VSP) is increasingly central to contemporary orthognathic surgery, enhancing diagnostic precision and enabling more reliable forecasts of postoperative outcomes. NemoFAB (Nemotec, Madrid, Spain) is a recently developed digital platform that integrates CBCT data, digital dental models, and facial photographs into a single workflow. Despite its growing clinical use, independent validation of its predictive accuracy remains limited. This study evaluated how closely NemoFAB virtual predictions corresponded to actual postoperative results using standardized cephalometric parameters. Methods: Forty adult patients with dento-maxillofacial deformities requiring combined orthodontic–surgical treatment were included. Eleven cephalometric variables—common to both WebCeph (2D) and NemoFAB (3D)—were measured preoperatively, virtually in NemoFAB, and postoperatively. AI-assisted landmark placement was manually verified by two orthodontists. Statistical analyses included repeated-measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, Bland–Altman plots, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) to evaluate agreement and predictive accuracy. Results: Overjet, overbite, maxillary incisor inclination, maxillary incisor exposure, mandibular incisor projection to the True Vertical Line, and occlusal plane angulation all showed statistically significant changes after surgery (p < 0.05). Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated the narrowest limits of agreement in Nemo–Post comparisons, indicating strong predictive alignment. ICC values showed excellent agreement for incisor angulation (ICC = 0.921–0.984) and Pogonion projection (ICC = 0.943). Consistently poor pre-Nemo agreement reflected expected discrepancies between initial anatomy and planned surgical correction. Conclusions: When predicting skeletal and dentoalveolar changes brought about by orthognathic surgery, NemoFAB showed a high degree of agreement, especially for parameters that are directly impacted by jaw repositioning. Its strong concordance with postoperative outcomes supports its reliability for virtual planning, interdisciplinary coordination, and surgical execution. Advances in soft-tissue modeling and AI-driven automation may further enhance predictive accuracy. Full article