Search Results (583)

Postoperative facial scars frequently remain aesthetically problematic despite advances in laser-based treatments, as residual inflammation and disorganized dermal remodeling often limit clinical outcomes. Exosome-based formulations have gained attention as biologically active adjuncts capable of influencing key wound-healing pathways, including inflammatory regulation, neovascularization, and extracellular matrix modulation. This randomized, controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the short-term clinical effect of laser-assisted delivery of exosome skin boosters for postoperative facial scars and facial rejuvenation. Seventy-five patients with postoperative facial scars were randomly allocated to receive fractional non-ablative Nd:YAG laser treatment alone or in combination with either human-derived or plant-derived exosome skin boosters. All participants completed five treatment sessions at two-week intervals. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using validated scar assessment tools, including the modified Vancouver Scar Scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, along with objective imaging analyses using Mark-Vu and ImageJ software. Compared with laser monotherapy, adjunctive exosome treatment was associated with numerically greater short-term improvements in scar appearance and reductions in grayscale intensity. Improvements in additional skin quality parameters, such as pigmentation uniformity, erythema, pore size, and fine wrinkles, were also observed in the exosome-treated groups. Clinical responses were comparable between human- and plant-derived exosome formulations, and no serious adverse events were reported. These findings indicate that exosome-based skin boosters may serve as a safe and well-tolerated biological complement to laser therapy for short-term improvement of postoperative facial scars and skin quality. Larger studies with longer follow-up are warranted to determine long-term efficacy and clinical durability. Full article

Background: Soft tissue stability around dental implant abutments is critical for maintaining a functional peri-implant seal. Yellow anodization is used to improve the aesthetic and surface characteristics of titanium abutments, yet its epithelial effects under more physiologically relevant 3D conditions remain insufficiently explored. Objective: To develop a 3D bioprinted in vitro peri-implant mucosa model and to compare epithelial cell responses on yellow anodized versus turned titanium abutment surfaces. Methods: Commercial Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) titanium abutments were anodized and compared with turned controls. A collagen-based 3D bioprinted “collar-like” construct incorporating YD-38 epithelial cells was fabricated using a custom holder system to simulate peri-implant mucosal contact. Samples were cultured for 14 and 21 days. Cell distribution and morphology were assessed by optical microscopy and HE staining, while cytoskeletal organization was evaluated by TRITC-phalloidin/Hoechst staining and confocal microscopy. Quantitative fluorescence analysis was performed at 21 days. Results: Both surfaces supported epithelial coverage in the 3D environment. Anodized specimens showed more pronounced actin cytoskeletal organization and the presence of actin-rich, filamentous cellular extensions compared with turned controls. Quantitative image analysis demonstrated significantly higher TRITC-phalloidin signal intensity at 21 days on anodized samples (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of a 3D epithelial in vitro model using YD-38 cells, yellow anodization was associated with enhanced epithelial cytoskeletal organization compared with turned titanium. The presented 3D bioprinted platform may serve as a practical in vitro tool for screening abutment surface modifications relevant to peri-implant soft tissue integration. Full article

Background: Orbital dermoid cysts are common benign lesions; however, deep-seated or recurrent lesions near the orbital apex pose major surgical challenges due to their proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Lateral orbitotomy remains the reference approach, but accurate osteotomies and stable reconstruction can be difficult to achieve using conventional techniques. This study reports our initial experience using a fully digital, hospital-based point-of-care (POC) workflow to enhance precision and safety in complex orbital dermoid cyst surgery. Methods: We present a case series of three patients with orbital dermoid cysts treated at a tertiary center (2024–2025) using a comprehensive digital workflow. Preoperative assessment included CT and/or MRI followed by virtual surgical planning (VSP) with orbit–tumor segmentation and 3D modeling. Cutting guides and patient-specific implants (PSIs) were manufactured in-house under a certified hospital-based POC protocol. Surgical strategies were tailored to each lesion and included piezoelectric osteotomy, intraoperative navigation, intraoperative CT, and structured-light scanning when indicated. Results: Complete en bloc resection was achieved in all cases without capsular rupture or optic nerve injury. Intraoperative CT confirmed complete lesion removal and accurate PSI positioning and fitting. Structured-light scanning enabled radiation-free postoperative monitoring when used. All patients preserved full ocular motility, visual acuity, and facial symmetry, with no complications or recurrences during follow-up. Conclusions: The integration of VSP, in-house POC manufacturing, and image-guided surgery within a lateral orbitotomy approach provides a reproducible and fully integrated workflow. This strategy appears to improve surgical precision and safety while supporting optimal long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes in challenging orbital dermoid cyst cases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cellulite is a common aesthetic condition in women, traditionally assessed using visual inspection and palpation-based scales that are inherently subjective. Therefore, image-based methods that may support standardized severity grading are of growing interest. To evaluate infrared thermography as an imaging-based method for grading cellulite severity and to perform methodological validation of a newly developed thermographic classification scale by comparing it with clinical palpation and anthropometric parameters. Methods: This retrospective, non-interventional study analyzed anonymized clinical and thermographic data from 81 women with clinically assessed cellulite. Cellulite severity was evaluated using the Nürnberger–Müller palpation scale and a newly developed five-point thermographic scale based on skin surface temperature differentials and histogram pattern analysis. The associations between the assessment methods were evaluated using ordinal statistical measures, and agreement was assessed using weighted Cohen’s kappa statistics. Results: Thermographic grading demonstrated high agreement with palpation-based assessment, with a percentage agreement of 93.8% and an almost perfect agreement based on weighted Cohen’s κ. A strong ordinal association was observed between the methods. Thermography consistently classified a subset of cases as one grade higher compared with palpation. No statistically significant associations were observed between thermographic grade and body mass index or waist-to-hip ratio. Conclusions: Infrared thermography enables image-based grading of cellulite severity and shows a strong concordance with established palpation scales. The proposed thermographic classification provides preliminary methodological validation of an imaging-based grading approach. Further multicenter studies involving multiple assessors and diverse populations are required to assess reproducibility, specificity, and potential clinical applicability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Isolated cleft lips and/or palates often require orthognathic treatment. Traditional planning based on 2D images and plaster models limits precision; therefore, virtual surgical planning (VSP) and Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies are increasingly being used. The aim of this scoping review was to analyze the techniques, outcomes, and gaps in research on VSP in orthognathics for patients with isolated (non-syndromic) clefts. Methods: Searches were conducted in July 2025 in seven databases (including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane) without language restrictions, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. Of the 2836 records, 36 publications were eligible after deduplication and full-text screening, and their Level of Evidence (LoE) was assessed using the Oxford CEBM scale. A risk of bias assessment was also conducted according to JBI tools. Results: The identified studies primarily comprised LoE III and IV; there were no systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials (LoE I). Descriptions of bimaxillary procedures and LeFort I osteotomies dominated. The most commonly used software was ProPlan CMF, Dolphin 3D, and Rhinoceros, although other tools have emerged in recent years. The available studies suggest that VSP increases translational and rotational accuracy and facilitates individualized treatment, and bimaxillary procedures bring better functional and aesthetic outcomes in patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia. Conclusions: Despite the growing interest in VSP in orthognathics, the scientific evidence is limited and mostly of lower quality. Well-designed prospective studies are needed to assess the long-term stability, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness of modern technologies. Full article

With the rapid growth of visual content, automated aesthetic evaluation has become increasingly important. However, existing research faces three key challenges: (1) the absence of datasets combining Image Aesthetic Assessment (IAA) scores and Image Aesthetic Captioning (IAC) descriptions; (2) limited integration of quantitative scores and qualitative text, hindering comprehensive modeling; (3) the subjective nature of aesthetics, which complicates consistent fine-grained evaluation. To tackle these issues, we propose a unified multimodal framework. To address the lack of data, we develop the Textual Aesthetic Sentiment Labeling Pipeline (TASLP) for automatic annotation and construct the Reddit Multimodal Sentiment Dataset (RMSD) with paired IAA and IAC labels. To improve annotation integration, we introduce the Aesthetic Category Sentiment Analysis (ACSA) task, which models fine-grained aesthetic attributes across modalities. To handle subjectivity, we design two models—LAGA for IAA and ACSFM for IAC—that leverage ACSA features to enhance consistency and interpretability. Experiments on RMSD and public benchmarks show that our approach alleviates data limitations and delivers competitive performance, highlighting the effectiveness of fine-grained sentiment modeling and multimodal learning in aesthetic evaluation. Full article

Previous research on subway stations has emphasized indexicality, functionality, comfort, aesthetics, etc., while cultural representation has been neglected. Notably, however, cultural representations in subway stations shape the city image and affects residents’ sense of identity and belonging. In particular, cultural representations on the decorative walls of subway stations play a crucial role. Therefore, the following questions can be asked: Do passengers perceive the representational culture in these subway stations? What is the relationship between the cultural representations on the decorative walls in subway stations and commuters’ spatial perception? Using a case study of the Ping’anli station in Beijing, in response to the research conducted by Xu Y.J. and other scholars, and adopting the method of data triangulation performed through content analysis, social media, and questionnaires, this paper analyses whether and how cultural representations on the decorative walls of subway stations affect commuters’ spatial perceptions. This study provides new insights into the influence of cultural representations in subway stations on commuters’ spatial perceptions. The findings reveal that cultural representations on decorative walls in subway stations do not fully align with commuters’ spatial perception. These findings can offer references for urban planning as well as the planning and design of decorative walls in subway stations. Full article

Maxillofacial skeletal reconstruction presents significant challenges due to anatomical complexity, functional requirements, and aesthetic demands. Traditional materials such as titanium and autogenous bone grafts have limitations, prompting interest in Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a versatile thermoplastic polymer with advantages like biocompatibility, radiolucency, and elasticity similar to human bone. This multi-year case series evaluates the clinical outcomes of PEEK implants used in 56 cases on 53 patients for maxillofacial reconstruction, primarily for trauma (44 patients) and deformity (9 patients). PEEK implants were applied to various facial regions including the orbit, zygoma, mandible, and maxilla. The majority of surgeries utilised virtual surgical planning. Patient-specific implants were fabricated using 3D imaging technologies, allowing customisation for optimal fit and functionality. The mean patient age was 37 years with a split of 37 to 16 females. Some complications were noted such as infection and paraesthesia. However, the majority of patients experienced positive outcomes. The findings support PEEK implants as a safe, effective, and adaptable material for maxillofacial surgery, with potential for further advancements in material properties and surgical technologies to improve long-term outcomes. Full article

Aesthetic Medicine is advanced as an integrated, evidence-based framework for patient-centered care that unites physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic dimensions of health. Drawing on Clinical Health Psychology, the paper introduces Aesthetic Health Psychology as a specialization that embeds psychological theory, assessment, and intervention within aesthetic medicine and surgery, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration rather than professional mistrust. The paper argues that integrating Aesthetic Health Psychology into aesthetic medicine can enhance ethical practice, improve patient-reported outcomes, and support equity-focused implementation across diverse procedures and settings. It further suggests a practical framework for implementation. Three interrelated models are proposed: the Aesthetic Biopsychosocial Model, which conceptualizes aesthetics as a distinct health domain alongside biological, psychological, and social factors; the Aesthetic Health Care Process Model, which structures care as a five-stage journey supported by systematic screening for body dysmorphic disorder and the routine use of patient-reported outcome measures; and the Aesthetic Health Systems Model, which situates aesthetic care within institutional, policy, and cultural contexts. Idealized but clinically grounded vignettes from elective cosmetic, reconstructive, and gender-affirming settings illustrate how these models address non-linear trajectories of adaptation, evolving expectations, complications, and stigma. These concepts jointly define both the motivation for Aesthetic Health Psychology and its practical implications, from the use of brief, selective aesthetic screening during primary health care visits to the design of equity-focused implementation strategies across aesthetic procedures and settings. Full article

The Extended Digital Narrative (XDN) research project explores how experimental creative practice with emerging technologies generates critical insights into algorithmic narrativity—the intersection of human narrative understanding and computational data processing. This article presents five case studies demonstrating that direct engagement with AI and Extended Reality platforms is essential for humanities research on new genres of digital storytelling. Lina Harder’s Hedy Lamar Chatbot examines how generative AI chatbots construct historical personas, revealing biases in training data and platform constraints. Scott Rettberg’s Republicans in Love investigates text-to-image generation as a writing environment for political satire, documenting rapid changes in AI aesthetics and content moderation. David Jhave Johnston’s Messages to Humanity demonstrates how Runway’s Act-One enables solo filmmaking, collapsing traditional production hierarchies. Haoyuan Tang’s video game project reframes LLM integration by prioritizing player actions over dialogue, challenging assumptions about AI’s role in interactive narratives. Sérgio Galvão Roxo’s Her Name Was Gisberta employs Virtual Reality for social education against transphobia, utilizing perspective-taking techniques for empathy development. These projects demonstrate that practice-based research is not merely artistic production but a vital methodology for understanding how AI and XR platforms shape—and are shaped by—human narrative capacities. Full article

Traditional Turkish marbling (Ebru) art is an intangible cultural heritage characterized by highly asymmetric, fluid, and non-reproducible patterns, making its long-term preservation and large-scale dissemination challenging. It is highly sensitive to environmental conditions, making it enormously difficult to mass produce while maintaining its original aesthetic qualities. A data-driven generative model is therefore required to create unlimited, high-fidelity digital surrogates that safeguard this UNESCO heritage against physical loss and enable large-scale cultural applications. This study introduces a deep generative modeling framework for the digital reconstruction of traditional Turkish marbling (Ebru) art using a Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network (DCGAN). A dataset of 20,400 image patches, systematically derived from 17 original marbling works, was used to train the proposed model. The framework aims to mathematically capture the asymmetric, fluid, and stochastic nature of Ebru patterns, enabling the reproduction of their aesthetic structure in a digital medium. The generated images were evaluated using multiple quantitative and perceptual metrics, including Fréchet Inception Distance (FID), Kernel Inception Distance (KID), Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS), and PRDC-based indicators (Precision, Recall, Density, Coverage). For experimental validation, the proposed DCGAN framework is additionally compared against a Vanilla GAN baseline trained under identical conditions, highlighting the advantages of convolutional architectures for modeling marbling textures. The results show that the DCGAN model achieved a high level of realism and diversity without mode collapse or overfitting, producing images that were perceptually close to authentic marbling works. In addition to the quantitative evaluation, expert qualitative assessment by a traditional Ebru artist confirmed that the model reproduced the organic textures, color dynamics, and compositional asymmetrical characteristic of real marbling art. The proposed approach demonstrates the potential of deep generative models for the digital preservation, dissemination, and reinterpretation of intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. Full article

This article interrogates how an everyday Facebook user in Nigeria adopts AI-generated images as a sustained mode of online and digital self-presentation. This study situates this practice within debates on posthumanity, aesthetic labour, and platform affordance. Drawing on a qualitative case study of a pseudonymised account (“Ada Alika”), this article analyses 25 AI-generated self-images posted between February and September 2025 alongside 25 non-AI-generated images. Using a triangulated methodological approach that combines media archaeology, online observation, and visual thematic analysis, the article describes how generative AI functions as an aesthetic and ontological collaborator in the construction of online selfhood. The results from the analysis are organised around three interconnected themes: “Posthuman and Hyperreal Self”, Aesthetic Labour and AI-mediated Persona”, and High Audience Engagement. The analysis indicates that AI-generated images produce a hyperreal self that exceeds naturalistic representation while remaining socially legible and desirable. These images demand sustained aesthetic labour and align closely with Facebook’s attention economy, resulting in markedly higher engagement than non-AI images. Audience interactions further reveal a level of visual literacy in which distinctions between the real, artificial, and aspirational are fluidly negotiated. By foregrounding a non-Western and non-influencer context, this article extends existing scholarship on AI-mediated selfhood and demonstrates how AI-generated images on Facebook reshapes everyday practices of self-representation and visibility in online digital culture. Full article

Background: Resin infiltration has emerged as a micro-invasive strategy for managing enamel porosities, offering both therapeutic and aesthetic benefits. ICON^® (DMG, Hamburg, Germany) is the most widely used system; however, evidence on its penetration behavior in sound enamel remains limited. Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the penetration depth and morphological pattern of ICON resin infiltration in sound human enamel, using quantitative morphometric analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods: Fourteen freshly extracted, caries-free anterior teeth were sectioned longitudinally. ICON^® resin infiltrate was applied to the buccal enamel surfaces according to the manufacturer’s protocol, while the lingual/palatal surfaces served as internal controls. Penetration depth was measured quantitatively on both mesial (surface A) and distal (surface B) halves, and SEM was used to assess resin–enamel interface morphology. Statistical analysis included the Shapiro–Wilk test, paired t-test, Pearson correlation, and percentage difference calculation. Results: The mean difference in penetration depth between surfaces A and B was −21.29 µm (p = 0.525), indicating no statistically significant variation. A strong positive correlation was observed between surfaces (r = 0.783, p = 0.001). The mean percentage difference was −3.57% (SD = 18.61%), suggesting minimal directional bias. SEM images confirmed continuous and homogeneous resin infiltration within enamel prisms. Post-hoc power analysis indicated 15.2% power, reflecting the impact of the limited sample size typical for SEM-based exploratory studies. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro investigation, ICON resin infiltration demonstrated uniform and consistent penetration in sound enamel, supported by both quantitative and SEM analyses. These findings validate its potential as a reliable preventive and micro-invasive biomaterial in dental practice, particularly for protecting enamel surfaces prior to orthodontic bracket bonding. Further clinical research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm its long-term stability and prophylactic performance. Full article

Mega-event-led urban waterfront regeneration has played a key role in shaping public open spaces, particularly in newly developed areas within the Chinese context. However, public perceptions and their influence on the use of newly built open spaces created through mega-event-led regeneration have not been examined in existing research. To address this gap, this study establishes an integrated assessment framework to evaluate the quality of urban waterfront open spaces. A mixed methods approach was adopted, including direct observations and 770 online questionnaires collected between July and October 2024 at the South Bank of the Qiantang River (SBQR) in Hangzhou, China. Spatial analysis and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) were employed to determine priority improvement areas that should inform future waterfront regeneration strategies. The results indicate that inclusiveness emerged as the most important factor for enhancing waterfront open space quality, while spatial aesthetics ranked the lowest. Among the sub-sub factors, elements related to improving water accessibility, enhancing natural surveillance, providing artificial shelters and diverse seating options, introducing distinctive water features, and shaping collective memory through digital technologies are the key priorities for improvement in the future urban waterfront regeneration policies. Finally, the study highlights that the intangible legacies of the Asian Games and the adaptive reuse of informal built heritage have the potential to reshape a distinctive new city image and collective memory, even in the absence of tangible and formally recognised heritage buildings. Full article

Background: Achieving breast symmetry is an important aesthetic goal following reconstruction post-mastectomy; however, little is known about women’s awareness, attitudes, and barriers regarding Contralateral Breast Symmetry Procedures (CBSP) in Jordan. Objectives: To assess awareness, perceptions, and barriers toward contralateral breast symmetry procedures among breast cancer survivors who underwent reconstruction at King Hussein Cancer Center. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to Oct 2025 at KHCC, among 314 women diagnosed with breast cancer who had post-breast reconstruction. Data were collected using a structured Arabic questionnaire, which was developed based on existing literature, validated by an expert panel, and piloted on 10 women for clarity and reliability. The final tool demonstrated acceptable internal-consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.712). The questionnaire captured sociodemographic and clinical data and detailed knowledge, attitudes, and barriers related to CBSP. Descriptive statistics summarized the data. Results: Participants’ mean age was 45.8 years; the majority were married (83.8%) and held university degrees (65.6%). Most reconstructions used silicone implants (94.6%). Only 6.4% had undergone CBSP, primarily delayed breast augmentation or mastopexy, with 75% reporting satisfaction. Awareness of CBSP was limited (37.9%), and less than one-third had discussed CBSP options with their surgeon or knew about insurance coverage. While 82.5% valued symmetry for body image, 31.5% viewed it as unnecessary after cancer recovery. Main barriers included satisfaction with current appearance (48.1%), fear of additional surgery (32.2%), financial constraints (37.3%), and lack of physician counseling (27.1%). Trust in medical team recommendations was high (89.2%). Conclusions: Contralateral breast symmetry procedures are under-recognized and infrequently pursued, primarily due to limited awareness, financial concerns, and insufficient counseling. Focused education and enhanced surgeon–patient communication are essential to support women’s aesthetic and psychological needs after reconstruction in Jordan. Full article