Face Area Research Articles

Ocular manifestations in neurofibromatosis: A case series

Background: A collection of inherited diseases known as neurofibromatosis (NF) are distinguished by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. A genetic mutation on chromosome 17 (17q11.2) is the cause of NF type 1 (NF1), whereas a mutation on chromosome 22 (22q12.2) is the cause of NF type 2 (NF2). In NF1, ocular symptoms are more frequent. Patients with NF1 commonly appear with globe enlargement, glaucoma, and orbital facial involvement. Palpebral neurofibromas have the potential to grow extensively and, in rare instances, develop into malignant tumors. Optic nerve gliomas can result in strabismus and proptosis. Up to 80% of patients with NF2 may experience early-onset cataracts, optic nerve hamartomas, and mixed pigment retinal and epithelial hamartomas. Case presentation: We present four cases of neurofibromatosis, each displaying typical clinical features of the disorder. · Case 1: A 28-year-old male presented with headaches, reduced vision, and multiple tiny discolorations in both eyes for six months. Examination revealed multiple hyperpigmented skin lesions (2-5 mm) across his body, and ocular assessment showed normal pupillary reactions and distant vision of 6/6 in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination identified multiple dome-shaped lesions on the iris, consistent with Lisch nodules. · Case 2: A 42-year-old female experienced reduced vision for six months and skin lesions for five years. Examination revealed multiple discrete skin-colored papules and café-au-lait macules on her hands. Her vision was 6/12 in both eyes, with normal pupillary reactions. Slit-lamp findings were also consistent with Lisch nodules. o Case 3: A 48-year-old male reported vision loss in both eyes over two months, accompanied by swelling of the right upper eyelid, which was increasing in size. Lisch nodules were found on the iris of the left eye, and he was diagnosed with typical NF. o Case 4: A 38-year-old male presented with diminished vision. Slit-lamp examination revealed multiple dome-shaped lesions on the iris, suggesting Lisch nodules, along with skin lesions on the face and other body areas Conclusion: Managing neurofibromatosis requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving close collaboration between healthcare providers. Monitoring visual prognosis, enrolling patients in clinical trials, and regular disease monitoring are essential steps in managing the condition.

Follicular Unit Excision Hair Removal of Unwanted Facial Terminal Hair in Five Facial Areas: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Conventional epilation methods commonly encounter challenges in achieving permanent removal of unwanted facial terminal hair (uFTH), particularly when it is interspersed among normal hairs. To assess the safety and effectiveness of follicular unit excision (FUE) for permanent removal of uFTH. The retrospective analysis included 231 patients who underwent FUE hair removal at three medical centers. uFTH in five facial areas was excised and assessed for follicular integrity. Surgical details, complications, in situ hair regrowth, and patient satisfaction were recorded and analyzed. Scattered uFTH was excised using a fine punch (inner diameter, 0.6~0.7 mm) at a rate of18.0~23.6 units per minute in five facial areas. The procedure yielded a low transection rate of only 6.2% (median), minimizing in situ hair regeneration and facilitating the intact harvesting of hair follicles for transplantation. Most sites exhibited optimal wound healing without visiblescarring. The overall complication rate is 26.3%, with folliculitis accounting for 3%. Overall satisfaction was significantly high, reaching 96.6%. FUE technique is a precise and effective potential approach for uFTH permanent removal in facial areas. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Research on the surface subsidence characteristics and prediction models caused by coal mining under the reverse fault

Predicting and understanding the phenomenon of surface subsidence caused by coal mining in working faces with faults are important issues for safe coal mining and efficient production. In numerical simulation experiments, it was found that the phenomenon of surface subsidence manifests when faults exist, and the degree of influence of faults with different dip angles on surface subsidence varies. This phenomenon is attributed to fault activation. According to the experimental results, the impact of faults with different dip angles on surface subsidence falls into three levels: level I for 35° faults, level II for 45° and 55° faults, and level III for 65° and 75° faults. Similarly, the relationship between the difficulty of fault activation and the dip angle of faults can be categorized as 35° faults prone to activation, 45° and 55° faults difficult to activate, and 65° and 75° faults not prone to activation. The probability integral correction model for fault mining, which integrates the surface subsidence values caused by fault-induced attenuation and the subsidence arising from separation spaces, was introduced, thereby constructing a surface subsidence prediction model. This proposed prediction model can accurately predict surface subsidence, with a root mean square error of 10.74 mm between the predicted and measured values, as validated using DInSAR results from the III 6301 working face in the Jincheng mining area.

Global warming level indicators of climate change and hotspots of exposure

Abstract In the 21st century, a growing population will be exposed to various hazards caused by a warming climate. Here we present a new database of 12 climate change indicators with a total of 42 variants at different global warming levels (GWLs) (1.2 °C–3.5 °C), which is based on global climate and hydrological model data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project round 6 and the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project round 3b at 0.5° spatial resolution. It comprises of indicators relating to temperature and precipitation extremes, heatwave events, and hydrological variability. To facilitate the comparison of hazards from different indicators, including for an audience without a scientific background, we have developed a bivariate hazard score which is applied on the grid cell level and incorporates statistics on both the absolute hazard (e.g. low or high precipitation) and the relative change under global warming compared to the reference period (e.g. a large change from low to high precipitation). Additionally, we calculate exposed land area and population through the 21st century for a large set of countries and regions by combining this score with gridded projections of population from the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The datasets are intended for use by the wider research community and analysts seeking digestible climate hazard and exposure data summarized by GWLs. To illustrate potential uses of the data, in a preliminary analysis we find that even at 1.5 °C large parts of the land area and population face substantial unavoidable risks from multiple indicators, with 86% of the world’s population exposed to at least three indicators with at least medium hazard using the population projections for SSP2 in the year 2050. This picture only worsens with increasing warming, as the land areas facing the highest number of impacts coincide with some of the most densely populated parts of the world.

Clinical Validation of Face-Fit Surface-Lighting Micro Light-Emitting Diode Mask for Skin Anti-Aging Treatment.

Photobiomodulation therapy based on micro light-emitting diodes (µLEDs) holds remarkable potential for the beauty industry. Here, a cosmetically effective face-fit surface-lighting µLED mask for skin anti-aging is introduced. The face-conformable mask enables deep tissue treatment through proximal light irradiation, with a 3D origami structure capable of adapting to complex facial contours with closed adherence. A blister-assisted laser transfer achieves rapid and accurate µLEDs transfer at a high throughput of 50 chips per second, facilitating a mass-producible and large-area process. Finally, clinical trials demonstrate significant improvements in elasticity, sagging, and wrinkles across six facial areas, with a maximum enhancement of 340% in deep skin elasticity of the perioral area compared to the conventional LED mask group.

Detecting event-related driving anger with facial features captured by smartphones

Driving anger is a serious global issue that poses risks to road safety, thus necessitating the development of effective detection and intervention methods. This study investigated the feasibility of using smartphones to capture facial expressions to detect event-related driving anger. Sixty drivers completed the driving tasks in scenarios with and without multi-stage road events and were induced to angry and neutral states, respectively. Their physiological signals, facial expressions, and subjective data were collected. Four feature combinations and six machine learning algorithms were used to construct driving anger detection models. The model combining facial features and the XGBoost algorithm outperformed models using physiological features or other algorithms, achieving an accuracy of 87.04% and an F1-score of 85.06%. Eyes, mouth, and brows were identified as anger-sensitive facial areas. Additionally, incorporating individual characteristics into models further improved classification performance. This study provides a contactless and highly accessible approach for event-related driving anger detection. Practitioner Summary: This study proposed a cost-effective and contactless approach for event-related and real-time driving anger detection and could potentially provide insights into the design of emotional interactions in intelligent vehicles.

Protection beyond park boundaries: On the impact of systematic patrolling in Divisional Forest Office, Sarpang, Bhutan

AbstractProtected areas and biological corridors play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and promoting connectivity between habitat patches. Bhutan, known as a stronghold for tigers (Panthera tigris), has dedicated a significant portion of its land to a network of protected areas and biological corridors. However, these areas face risks from illegal activities, posing challenges for their management. To address this, the Department of Forests & Park Services in Bhutan deployed an adaptive management framework, informed by the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool in 2016 in the Divisional Forest Office, Sarpang, an important corridor area outside of official protected area boundaries. This study analyses 5 years of data (2017–2021) recorded through a monitoring tool to assess changes in ranger activities and on‐ground observations. The results show improved data availability, increased patrol effort, enhanced monitoring of wildlife, and a reduction in threat detection over time. Furthermore, camera trap surveys targeting tigers reveal a potential increase in the number of individual tigers utilizing the corridor since the adoption of the tool and other management actions. These findings highlight the effectiveness of these efforts in a critical wildlife corridor.

Optimal replacement of coal with wind and battery energy storage

Abstract Electric utilities are considering replacing their coal power plants with renewables and energy storage to reduce emissions. However, they have also expressed concerns about operational changes and system reliability brought by these replacements. Utilities in remote rural areas face more challenges as they also face energy insecurity while having limited interconnections to wider systems and reliance on imported fuels. Therefore, it is critical for remote utilities to understand different coal replacement approaches and their impacts on system expansion, operation and energy security. In this paper, we define and investigate three approaches to replace coal using wind and batteries: 1) replacing exact coal generation, 2) replacing at least coal generation, and 3) replacing total energy provided by coal. We develop a case study inspired by the small remote grid in Fairbanks, Alaska, which has a single limited interconnection with the grid south of it. We utilize a power system expansion and economic dispatch model that co-optimizes the capacities of wind and batteries required for each approach and the hourly dispatch of energy and reserves for one year. We further analyze the operational cost variability under fixed and fluctuating fuel prices. We find that replacing the exact coal generation requires minimal operational changes, but also significantly more wind and battery capacities. In contrast, replacing total energy provided by coal induces more cycling in other resources, challenging grids with limited flexibility-providing resources. However, replacing total energy provided by coal allows more generation variability in response to fuel price fluctuations, enhancing energy security.

Comparison of Urban Environment Factors for Solar-Powered Vehicles

Abstract. Urban areas face significant environmental challenges, including high CO2 emissions largely attributed to the transportation sector. Introducing solar-powered vehicles (SPVs) presents a promising solution to reduce urban carbon footprints. However, in dense urban settings, the effectiveness of SPVs is often compromised by shading from buildings, which significantly diminishes solar power generation. This study explores the impact of shading on urban roads, aiming to identify roads with substantial shadow variations that affect solar energy harvesting. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and hillshade analysis, the study examines how nearby buildings and road orientation influence shadow variability. The findings reveal considerable variability in shadow throughout the year, with significant fluctuations during transitional months like February, August, October, and November. These results highlight the importance of considering shadow patterns in urban planning and vehicle routing to optimise the use of solar energy in urban settings.

The DLPFC is centrally involved in resolving Stroop conflicts, suppressing distracting sensory input within the auditory and visual system

IntroductionCognitive control is a prerequisite for successful, goal-oriented behavior. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is assumed to be a key player in applying cognitive control; however, the neural mechanisms by which this process is accomplished are still unclear.MethodsTo further address this question, an audiovisual Stroop task was used, comprising simultaneously presented pictures and spoken names of actors and politicians. Depending on the task block, participants had to indicate whether they saw the face or heard the name of a politician or an actor (visual vs. auditory blocks). In congruent trials, both stimuli (visual and auditory) belonged to the same response category (actor or politician); in incongruent trials, they belonged to different categories. During this task, activity in sensory target regions was measured via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG), respectively. Specifically, fNIRS was used to monitor activity levels within the auditory cortex, while the EEG-based event-related potential of the N170 was considered as a marker of FFA (fusiform face area) involvement. Additionally, we assessed the effects of inhibitory theta-burst stimulation—a specific protocol based on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)—over the right DLPFC. Non-invasive brain stimulation is one of the few means to draw causal conclusions in human neuroscience. In this case, rTMS was used to temporarily inhibit the right DLPFC as a presumed key player in solving Stroop conflicts in one of two measurement sessions; then, effects were examined on behavioral measures as well as neurophysiological signals reflecting task-related activity in the frontal lobes and sensory cortices.ResultsThe results indicate a central role of the DLPFC in the implementation of cognitive control in terms of a suppression of distracting sensory input in both the auditory cortex and visual system (FFA) in high-conflict situations. Behavioral data confirm a reduced Stroop effect following previous incongruent trials (“Gratton effect”) that was only accomplished with an intact DLPFC (i.e., following placebo stimulation).DiscussionBecause non-invasive brain stimulation is uniquely suited to causally test neuroscientific hypotheses in humans, these data give important insights into some of the mechanisms by which the DLPFC establishes conflict resolution across different sensory modalities.

Association of neuroimaging measures with facial emotional processing in healthy adults: a task fMRI study.

Investigating the neural processing of emotion-related neural circuits underlying emotional facial processing may help in understanding mental disorders. We used two subscales of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale to assess the emotional cognitive of 25 healthy participants. A higher score indicates greater difficulty in emotional perception. In addition, participants completed a n-back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Psychophysiological interaction analysis was used to explore the functional connectivity (FC) of neural circuits. Next, we used elastic-net regression analysis for feature selection and conducted correlation analysis between the neuroimaging measures and questionnaire scores. Following a 3-fold cross-validation, 5 neuroimaging measures emerged as significant features. Results of correlation analysis demonstrated that participants with higher TAS scores exhibited increased FC between the amygdala and occipital face area (OFA) during facial stimulus processing, but decreased connectivity during emotional processing. These findings suggested that individuals with poor emotional recognition exhibited increased connectivity among face-related brain regions during facial processing. However, during emotional processing, decreasing neural synchronization among neural circuits involved in emotional processing affects facial expression processing. These findings suggest potential neural marker related to subjective emotional perception, which may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of emotional dysregulation in individuals with psychiatric conditions.

Sibling Discrimination Using Linear Fusion on Deep Learning Face Recognition Models

Facial recognition technology has revolutionised human identification, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional biometric methods like signatures and voice recognition. The integration of deep learning has significantly enhanced the accuracy and adaptability of these systems, now widely used in criminal identification, access control, and security. Initial research focused on recognising full-frontal facial features, but recent advancements have tackled the challenge of identifying partially visible faces, a scenario that often reduces recognition accuracy. This study aims to identify siblings based on facial features, particularly in cases where only partial features like eyes, nose, or mouth are visible. Utilising advanced deep learning models such as VGG19, VGG16, VGGFace, and FaceNet, the research introduces a framework to differentiate between sibling images effectively. To boost discrimination accuracy, the framework employs a linear fusion technique that merges insights from all the models used. The methodology involves preprocessing image pairs, extracting embeddings with pre-trained models, and integrating information through linear fusion. Evaluation metrics, including confusion matrix analysis, assess the framework's robustness and precision. Custom datasets of cropped sibling facial areas form the experimental basis, testing the models under various conditions like different facial poses and cropped regions. Model selection emphasises accuracy and extensive training on large datasets to ensure reliable performance in distinguishing subtle facial differences. Experimental results show that combining multiple models' outputs using linear fusion improves the accuracy and realism of sibling discrimination based on facial features. Findings indicate a minimum accuracy of 96% across different facial regions. Although this is slightly lower than the accuracy achieved by a single model like VGG16 with full-frontal poses, the fusion approach provides a more realistic outcome by incorporating insights from all four models. This underscores the potential of advanced deep learning techniques in enhancing facial recognition systems for practical applications.

Growth strategies for widening thick heavily boron-doped (113)-oriented CVD diamond

In the present study, a growth strategy allowing widening thick heavily boron doped (113)-oriented diamonds is proposed. It relies on a geometrical model developed at the LSPM, which is used to visualize the evolution of the deposited crystal shape. This model helped us to identify the specific growth parameters allowing to slow down the growth rate along 〈113〉 direction and, at the same time, continuously increase the area of this crystalline face. Depositions have been carried out and has resulted in a significant increase of 145% of the top-surface area, giving a functional surface of 3.7mm in diameter after a growth of 930µm, starting from 2.3mm. The resistivity, measured by four-point probe system, reaches a value as low as 5mΩ.cm, which is comparable to the best results obtained on thick layers grown on the conventional (100) orientation.

Difficulties in Diagnosing a Patient with Fever of Unknown Origin

Fever of unknown origin is a difficult syndrome for differential diagnosis. Absence of a key feature, variety of causes and the lack of single examination algorithm makes difficult further diagnosis. The presented clinical case describes a 53-year-old patient with a prolonged fever of more than 1.5 months, pain syndrome in the facial area. During outpatient monitoring, the cause was not clarified. At the inpatient stage, a comprehensive examination was conducted for all classes of causes. The revealed changes in the thyroid gland and thyrotoxicosis made it possible to diagnose subacute thyroiditis. According to the literature, subacute thyroiditis is one of the rare causes of fever of unknown origin. Prescription of glucocorticosteroid made it possible to achieve complete regression of clinical symptoms in 4 days. After 5 months, subclinical hypothyroidism was achieved. The nosological approach and multidisciplinary interaction contributed to the correct tactics and a favorable outcome of the disease.

The current world economic situation and its impact on China's foreign exchange and foreign investment

In 2023, the world economy shows clear growth divergence and complex changes driven by technology. The United States economy is showing strong resilience, but its growth is still affected by inventory movements. In contrast, the economies of the euro area and Japan face serious challenges, while some emerging economies, such as India and Vietnam, show signs of a positive recovery. Meanwhile, prices in major economies generally rose, international trade improved slightly and financial markets picked up. In the coming period of time, the world economy is likely to be in the process of bottoming out and bottoming out, will continue to affect China's foreign trade and foreign investment fundamentals, China should overcome the risks and challenges, enhance confidence, increase policy support, and make every effort to create an environment conducive to the development of an export-oriented economy, and actively tap the new advantages of industrial competition, and to promote China's sustainable development of the economy.

Facial cutaneous tuberculosis infected by non-tuberculous mycobacteria

BackgroundCutaneous infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are extremely rare, particularly when they are localized to the facial area. This condition presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its unusual presentation and the need for precise microbiological identification.Case PresentationA two-year-old male patient presented with a progressively enlarging reddish-brown mass on the left side of his face. Despite the absence of systemic symptoms, the lesion’s growth warranted investigation due to its growth. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic mass in the dermis, indicating an underlying abscess. The subsequent aspiration resulted in pale yellow pus, which upon testing and culture, confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex infection, a species of NTM. This case exemplifies the synergy between imaging modalities and microbiological analysis, highlighting the crucial role of both in achieving favorable clinical outcomes in patients with suspected cutaneous NTM infections. Ultrasound can expedite diagnosis, improve treatment planning, and enhance patient care by enabling targeted interventions and monitoring response to therapy in these scenarios. However, it is the combination of pathogen-specific diagnostics that ensures accurate etiological attribution and appropriate antimicrobial stewardship.ConclusionAlthough rare, facial cutaneous infections caused by NTM still deserve thorough investigation to determine the exact cause. Ultrasound is used to identify cutaneous lesions, measure their extent, and guide surgical procedures. The ultimate diagnosis is based on microbiological confirmation.

Study on failure mechanism of cracked coal rock and law of gas migration

China possesses abundant coal resources and has extensive potential for exploitation. Nevertheless, the coal rock exhibits low strength, and the coal seam fractures due to mining activities, leading to an increased rate of gas emission from the coal seam. This poses significant obstacles to the exploration and development of the coal seam. This paper focuses on studying the failure mechanism of fractured coal rock by conducting uniaxial and triaxial compression experiments on the coal rock found at the Wangpo coal mine site. Simultaneously, in conjunction with the findings from the field experiment, a gas migration model of the mining fracture field is constructed to elucidate the pattern of coal seam gas distribution during mining-induced disturbances. The study structure reveals that coal rock exhibits three distinct failure modes: tensile failure, shear failure, and tension-shear failure. The intricate fissure in the rock layer will intensify the unpredictability of rock collapse patterns. The compressive strength of coal rock diminishes as the confining pressure drops. The coal rock in the working face area will collapse as a result of the lack of confining pressure. In the rock strata above the mining fracture zone, the gas pressure is first higher and then significantly falls with time. After 100 days of ventilation, the low gas pressure area changes little, so to ensure the safety of the project, the ventilation time of the fully mechanized mining surface is at least 100 days. The research results will help to establish the core technology system of coal seam development and improve the competitiveness of coal seam resources in China.

Parotid Gland Suspension Combined with Rhytidectomy to Recontour the Lower Face and Neck Enlargement Caused by Benign Parotid Hypertrophy.

Lower face and neck aging and facial shape changes are usually caused by soft tissue descent. During lower face and neck enlargement, parotid hypertrophy is an important influence factor of morphologic changes in the periauricular regions. Most plastic surgery techniques greatly improve the shape of the lower face and neck, but ignore the manipulation of the parotid gland. We aimed to resolve the lower face and neck enlargement caused by parotid hypertrophy. Thus, we performed parotid gland suspension combined with rhytidectomy to improve the lower face and neck contour. This retrospective study recruited 22 patients who underwent parotid gland suspension combined with rhytidectomy from 2012 to 2020. The evaluation of patient outcomes was performed by selecting items from the FACE-Q scale. Surgical procedures involved parotid gland exposure and parotid fascia suspension. Patient-perceived age appraisal indicated a younger appearance with follow-ups for approximately 3-10year after the surgery (mean ± standard deviation - 5.53 ± 3.67). Patients had a high satisfaction level for facial appearance (67.15 ± 16.84), lower face (74.69 ± 21.22), and contour of the parotid gland areas of the neck (65.76 ± 23.62). The lower face and neck contours were narrowed and tightened. The parotid gland area showed a remarkable improvement after surgery. Parotid gland suspension combined with rhytidectomy obtained an outstanding improvement. This method can achieve a better lower face and neck contour, especially in patients with benign parotid hypertrophy or lower face and neck enlargement in periauricular regions. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

“Longing to be cared about and cared for” Exploring Experiences of Trauma Therapy and Views on Future Trauma Therapy (Including Digital) for Young People in Rural Northern Sweden

IntroductionYoung people in rural areas face challenges related to their living conditions, and unequal access to physical and mental healthcare. Despite the high prevalence of trauma exposure among young people, there is a significant lack of evidence-based treatment that is tailored to the needs of young people in rural parts of Northern Sweden. Barriers to accessing treatment include the need to travel long distances to access services, and a lack of educated, culturally competent therapists. Accordingly, this article aims to explore how young trauma patients in rural areas have experienced their trauma therapy, and their views on future trauma therapy (including digital forms). This knowledge will be used to develop trauma therapy that is adapted to the needs of young patients in rural areas in Sweden. MethodThe study included young trauma patients in rural areas in Northern Sweden between the ages of 15 and 21 (n = 14). Qualitative individual semi-structured interviews were performed and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsThe analysis resulted in one overarching theme, “Longing to be cared about and cared for,” and three themes: 1. “Rural circumstances matter,” 2. “Feeling understood and empowered”, and 3. “Ambivalence regarding digital trauma therapy”. The results show that rural contexts present both possibilities and challenges: new creative care landscapes are needed where young people are cared about and cared for (and with), including a deeper understanding of the multidimensional relationship between people, places, and care. ConclusionYoung trauma patients in rural areas want effective therapy with more knowledge and cultural sensitivity. The findings indicate that digital trauma therapy offers many benefits and reduces barriers. However, young people want future therapy to be provided both digitally and in person, and –importantly – individually adapted.

Short-term (24 weeks) treatment efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream in participants with vitiligo: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ImportanceVitiligo is a chronic skin disorder causing depigmentation. There is a lack of evidence-based medical evidence regarding ruxolitinib efficacy and safety for vitiligo.ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream in the treatment of vitiligo.MethodsThe databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. The literature screening was independently conducted by two reviewers.Data extraction and synthesisFor continuous variables, weighted mean difference (WMD) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed. For dichotomous outcomes, we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios (RRs), and their corresponding 95% CIs. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).Main outcomes and measuresSymptoms, quality of life, and safety were evaluated using various measures, including the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI), Total Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI), Facial Body Surface Area (F-BAS), Total Body Surface Area (T-BAS) and Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs).ResultsThree trials, involving a total of 830 participants from nine countries were included (female 388, 46.7%, male 442, 53.3%). The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the likelihood of participants achieving F-VASI75 (OR, 4.34 [95% CI 2.67–7.06]; high), F-VASI50 (OR 4.71 [95% CI 3.24–6.84]; high), T-VASI75 (OR 2.78 [95% CI 1.10–7.00]; moderate), and T-VASI50 (OR 4.47 [95% CI 2.52–7.92]; high) when compared ruxolitinib to vehicle. Ruxolitinib was associated with more lowered percentage change of F-VASI scores (MD − 32.79 [95% CI − 36.37 to − 29.21]; moderate), and T-VASI scores (MD − 20.22 [95% CI − 23.11 to − 17.33]; moderate) from baseline compared to vehicle. There may not be a significant difference in the occurrence of TEAEs between ruxolitinib and vehicle (RR 1.46 [95% CI 0.85–2.49]; high).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that ruxolitinib cream holds promise as a treatment option for vitiligo. Further long-term studies are needed to assess its sustained efficacy and safety profile.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42023431112.