Facial Muscles Research Articles

Compare the Effectiveness of Mime Therapy on Facial Synkinesis in Idiopathic and Traumatic Lower Motor Neuron Facial Palsy

Background: The seventh cranial nerve has a core function of regulating emotional displays and speech. Facial paralysis, characterized by the loss of voluntary motor control on one or both sides, is commonly attributed to Bell’s palsy which accounts for 50-75% of cases and trauma responsible for 10-23% of cases. Various rehabilitation methods, including Mime Therapy, are employed to enhance facial muscle function. Objective: This study aims to compare Mime Therapy's impact to reduce the synkinesis of a face in individuals with idiopathic and traumatic lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy. Study Design: Experimental, Comparative Study Study Setting: Physiotherapy OPD, Neurology ward, and ENT ward of Himalayan Hospital, Dehradun Participant: This study involved 30 patients, with 20 in Group A (Idiopathic) and 10 in Group B (Traumatic), all of whom had House-Brackmann Scores of 3-5. The patient’s ages ranged from 20 to 70. Outcome Measure: Two outcome measures were used: House Brackmann Score and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System. Result: A noticeable difference in both outcome measures was observed. In the House Brackmann Score for group A (p-value <0.001) and B (p-value=0.016), In Sunnybrook Facial Grading System for group A (p-value<0.001) and B (p-value=0.002). However, when comparing the post-intervention results of both groups, no distinct variation was found in the outcome variables (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: The study provides evidence demonstrating that Mime Therapy has been successful in effectively reducing Facial Synkinesis in patients with both idiopathic and traumatic LMN Facial Palsy. The results indicate a significant improvement in the condition, suggesting that Mime therapy can be an efficacious treatment approach for this type of facial paralysis. KEYWORDS: Mime Therapy, Facial Synkinesis, Idiopathic LMN Facial palsy, Traumatic LMN facial palsy, Bell’s palsy.

A Unique Case of Adoption in Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys

Adoption among nonhuman primates (hereafter primates) has been widely reported, particularly in chimpanzees, renowned for their higher intelligence and well-developed cognition. In contrast to adoption in other Old World monkeys, this case of adoption in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) involves two infants associated with three units characterized by distinct social structures and reproductive functions. Consequently, this case extends beyond traditional hypotheses on allomaternal care and adoption—such as enhancing the fitness of adoptive mothers, fostering maternal behaviors, and improving fitness through social and individual interactions—to necessitate an association with the complex social structure characterized by hierarchical, multilevel composition, akin to human society, and intense sexual selection that frequently results in infanticide. Specifically, adopting an infant with a genetic link to the dominant male of the adopting female may reduce the risk of infanticide against her offspring that do not share a biological link with the dominant male. This adoption pattern suggests that golden snub-nosed monkeys may possess more sophisticated intelligence and cognition, characteristics supported by more developed brain structure and facial muscles than the other Old World monkeys.

The application of basic SMAS rhytidectomy and comprehensive SMAS rhytidectomy.

Rhytidectomy has made great progress in the past 50 years, especially after the proposition of the concept of superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). Our previous research had classified SMAS rhytidectomy into basic SMAS rhytidectomy (B-SMAS) and comprehensive SMAS rhytidectomy (C-SMAS) according to whether the treatment of SMAS aponeurosis is combined with retaining ligament, fat pad, mimetic muscles, etc. The purpose of this paper is to compare the outcomes of the 2 methods. Through multicenter collaborative research, 21 cases of B-SMAS and 18 cases of C-SMAS were collected. Photographs were taken pre- and post-operation for each patient, and the facial width of the lateral canthus level (upper face), the alar base level (middle face), and the oral commissure level (lower face) were measured. We compared the statistics of upper, middle, and lower face pre- and post-B-SMAS and C-SMAS to assess the ramifications of each operation. We used preoperative measurements minus corresponding postoperative measurements of specific operation to assess which position would acquire superior improvements. We also recruited 3 professional plastic clinicians to rate the ramifications of specific positions and approaches after pre- and post-photo comparing. Through comprehensive analyzing, we compared the improvements between B-SMAS and C-SMAS to assess which method is more beneficial concerning facial rejuvenation. Both B-SMAS and C-SMAS would acquire optimal changing concerning facial width in middle and lower face after operation (P < .05). Two methods all harvested better width changing effects in middle and lower face than upper face (P < .05). However, C-SMAS acquired better effects in middle and lower face than B-SMAS (P < .05). Both B-SMAS and C-SMAS are beneficial to facial rejuvenation. The effects in middle and lower face are better than upper face. In addition, C-SMAS may be more effective than B-SMAS.

Oriented artificial nanofibers and laser induced periodic surface structures as substrates for Schwann cells alignment

People with injuries to the peripheral nervous system suffer from paralysis of the facial muscles, fingers and hands or toes and feet, often for the rest of their lives, due to its poor functional regeneration. Therefore, to improve patients’ quality of life, there is an urgent need for conduits that effectively support the healing of large defects in nerve pathways through specific guidance of nerve cells. This paper describes two specific methods for achieving directed growth of Schwann cells, a type of glial cells that can support the regeneration of the nerve pathway by guiding the neuronal axons in the direction of their alignment. One method uses aligned polyamide-6 (PA-6) nanofibers produced via electrospinning on a very fast rotating structured collector, which enables easy nanofiber detachment, without additional effort. The other method implies the exposure of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) foil to a KrF* laser beam, that renders a nanorippled surface topography. Schwann cell growth on these substrates was inspected after one week of cultivation by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For both methods we show that Schwann cells grow in a certain direction, predetermined by nanofiber and nanoripple orientation. In contrast, cells cultivated on randomly oriented nanofibers or unstructured surfaces, show an omnidirectional growth behavior. These two methods can be used to produce nerve conduits for the treatment of injuries to the peripheral nervous system.

Clinical Efficacy Analysis of Acupuncture Treatment in the Acute Phase of Peripheral Facial Paralysis

Peripheral facial paralysis, caused by damage to the lower motor neurons of the facial nerve, is a neurological disorder characterized by partial or complete loss of facial expression. It typically manifests suddenly with symptoms such as post-auricular pain, diminished taste, excessive tearing, difficulty speaking, and facial muscle twitching. Depending on the underlying cause, this condition can be categorized into spontaneous facial nerve palsy, peripheral facial paralysis induced by Guillain-Barré syndrome, and peripheral facial paralysis caused by brainstem lesions. Among these, the most common type is Bell’s palsy, which usually presents as sudden unilateral facial muscle paralysis. The incidence rate is approximately 20 to 40 cases per 100,000 people annually, with patients ranging in age from young to old, although it is most prevalent in those aged 20 to 40, and it tends to occur more frequently in men than in women. Conventional treatments for peripheral facial nerve paralysis include hormone therapy, antiviral medication, and surgical intervention. However, hormone therapy may not be effective for some patients due to its side effects, the efficacy of antiviral therapy remains controversial, and surgery is costly and may lead to postoperative complications. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy, with a long-standing history, has been widely used to treat such facial nerve disorders as documented in the "Huangdi Neijing · Suwen."

Evaluating pain in non-verbal critical care patients: a narrative review of the critical care pain observation tool and Its clinical applications.

Assessing pain in critically ill patients who cannot communicate verbally poses significant challenges. Traditional self-report measures are ineffective for these patients, making the need for reliable observational tools crucial. To evaluate the effectiveness, reliability, and clinical applicability of the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) in various intensive care unit (ICU) settings and to explore potential innovations for improving its use and integration into clinical practice. A narrative review evaluated the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) for non-communicative ICU patients, comparing it to the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and the FLACC scale. The review assessed CPOT's effectiveness across different ICU settings, identified limitations and challenges, and explored potential enhancements such as electronic scoring, additional physiological indicators, and improved training protocols. The CPOT has been validated as an effective pain assessment tool for non-verbal ICU patients. It evaluates pain through facial expressions, body movements, muscle tension, and ventilator compliance. The CPOT shows superior sensitivity at 76.5% compared to 62.7% for the BPS and offers a more comprehensive assessment of pain indicators like muscle tension and ventilator compliance than the FLACC scale. Despite its strengths, the CPOT has limitations, including inter-rater variability and challenges in certain patient populations. Barriers to implementation include resource constraints and the need for extensive training. The Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) is a highly effective instrument for assessing pain in non-verbal ICU patients, demonstrating superior accuracy and reliability compared to other tools like the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and FLACC scale. Its detailed approach, covering facial expressions, body movements, muscle tension, and ventilator compliance, offers a detailed measure of pain. However, challenges such as inter-rater variability and limitations in specific patient populations highlight the need for ongoing refinement and research.

Dosimetry model for photobiomodulation based on anthropometric and hemodynamic variables in patients with orofacial pain post-Covid-19: Study protocol for randomized clinical trial.

Orofacial pain and tension headache are symptoms that affect a large portion of the population, compromising productivity, social ability, and functional development. The treatment for reducing painful sensation should be chosen carefully, as pharmacological treatment may bring side effects and overload the organism of patients in pain. Low-level laser therapy has been used with local and systemic [vascular] applications for pain control. However, there is still uncertainty in the literature about the ideal dosimetric parameters for photobiomodulation treatment according to patient characteristics. The objective of this project is to validate a dosimetry model based on the relationship between the effects of photobiomodulation with anthropometric and hemodynamic variables, both in local application and systemic application in patients with symptoms of orofacial pain and tension headache. For this purpose, 180 participants with orofacial pain post-covid eligible participants will be randomly assigned to Group 1-Local Photobiomodulation, Group 2-Vascular Photobiomodulation, Group 3-Placebo Local Photobiomodulation, or Group 4-Placebo Vascular Photobiomodulation [Therapy EC-DMC device, São Carlos, Brazil,- 660 nm, 100mW] using stratified block randomization. Before the application, sociodemographic information such as age, skin phototype [classified by the Fitzpatrick scale], weight, height, body mass index [BMI], oxygen saturation [SaO2], blood pressure [BP], heart rate [HR], and thickness of skin, fat, and facial muscles will be collected. During the application, we will collect local temperature, SaO2, BP, and HR. Before and after laser application, blood levels of lactate and hemoglobin, BP, and HR will be measured in the first and last session. In addition to demographic, anthropometric, and hemodynamic variables, the penetrated energy will be quantified using a power meter, and information from orofacial pain and headache symptom questionnaires will be analyzed. The Monte Carlo simulation technique will be used to systematically study the relationship between the light penetration profile into the target tissues and the most relevant variables, namely BMI, tissue layer thicknesses, and skin phototype. Light transmittance, measured in vivo and simulated, will be compared to validate a personalized dosimetry model. The results of this study contribute to validating a Monte Carlo Simulation model to calculate the appropriate dosimetry for photobiomodulation therapies in the control of patients with Post-Covid-19 orofacial pain. Trial registration number: NCT06065969.

Methodological Variations to Explore Conflicting Results in the Existing Literature of Masking Smile Judgment.

Although a smile can serve as an expression of genuine happiness, it can also be generated to conceal negative emotions. The traces of negative emotion present in these types of smiles can produce micro-expressions, subtle movements of the facial muscles manifested in the upper or lower half of the face. Studies examining the judgment of smiles masking negative emotions have mostly employed dichotomous rating measures, while also assuming that dichotomous categorization of a smile as happy or not is synonymous with judgments of the smile's authenticity. The aim of the two studies was to explore the judgment of enjoyment and masking smiles using unipolar and bipolar continuous rating measures and examine differences in the judgment when instruction varied between judgments of happiness and authenticity. In Experiment 1, participants rated smiles on 7-point scales on perceived happiness and authenticity. In Experiment 2, participants rated the smiles on bipolar 7-point scales between happiness and a negative emotion label. In both studies, similar patterns were observed: faces with traces of fear were rated significantly less happy/authentic and those with traces of anger in the brows were rated significantly happier/more authentic. Regarding varied instruction type, no effect was found for the two instruction types, indicating that participants perceive and judge enjoyment and masking smiles similarly according to these two instructions. Additionally, the use of bipolar scales with dimensions between a negative emotion label and happiness were not consistently effective in influencing the judgement of the masking smile.

Modified infra-promontorium trans-channel approach to the petrous apex. Case report

This article describes the approach to the petrous pyramid developed at National Medical Research Center of Otorhinolaryngology, namely an endoscopy – microscopy-guided modified trans-channel infra-promontorium approach with internal carotid artery retraction maneuver in patients with lesions of the petrous pyramid but with preserved hearing. A clinical report describing the apical cholesteatoma of the petrous pyramid and the use of this approach are presented. Anatomical and functional features after the surgery are also described. The purpose of this paper is advancing of the surgical approach to the petrous pyramid with the possibility of hearing preservation. The results of surgical treatment in lesions of the petrous pyramid were evaluated in the immediate and distant periods. The functions of facial mimic muscles were evaluated immediately after the surgery, in 6 months, and in one year. The functions of facial mimic muscles remained at the baseline level during the whole follow-up period. The pure tone audiogram demonstrated the preserved hearing function in the postoperative period. Complete elimination of the pathological process was achieved in all cases (n=15); according to the MRI of the temporal bones, no relapses occurred in a year. The surgical approach proposed for patients with the lesions of the petrous pyramid enables complete removal of the pathological process from the petrous pyramid with the preservation of hearing and facial functions, based on the subjective examinations (audiometry, facial function diagnosis) and radiology (CT and MRI of temporal bones) at the preoperative stage.

Clinical and neurophysiological characterization of p.Gly59Ser mutation in DCTN1: a study in a Thai family and a brief review.

Mutations in the Dynactin 1 (DCTN1) gene lead to various neurodegenerative disorders. The p.Gly59Ser mutation, the first pathogenic mutation identified in DCTN1, was initially reported in a family with distal hereditary motor neuropathy and early vocal cord paralysis. Since its discovery in 2003, this mutation has been documented in only three families worldwide, to the best of our knowledge. This study examines six patients from a Thai family carrying the p.Gly59Ser mutation in DCTN1 and includes a literature review. Five of the patients were female. The mean age of onset was 32.6 ± 1.9 years. Thai patients showed early involvement of intrinsic hand, facial, and bulbar muscles, with vocal cord impairment manifesting later in the disease course. Tongue fasciculations, not previously reported with this mutation, were observed in most Thai patients. Bilateral split-hands were consistently noted. Arytenoidectomy and cordotomy have proven beneficial in relieving upper airway obstruction and preventing life-threatening upper airway complications from vocal cord paralysis. The p.Gly59Ser mutation in DCTN1 presents with autosomal-dominant, adult-onset, lower motor neuronopathy/neuropathy. Compared to earlier reports, Thai patients exhibited more widespread involvement, including facial, bulbar, tongue, vocal cord, and limb muscles. In addition to vocal cord paralysis, the split-hand phenomenon emerges as another clinical hallmark of this condition.

Multimodal emotion recognition: A comprehensive review, trends, and challenges

AbstractAutomatic emotion recognition is a burgeoning field of research and has its roots in psychology and cognitive science. This article comprehensively reviews multimodal emotion recognition, covering various aspects such as emotion theories, discrete and dimensional models, emotional response systems, datasets, and current trends. This article reviewed 179 multimodal emotion recognition literature papers from 2017 to 2023 to reflect on the current trends in multimodal affective computing. This article covers various modalities used in emotion recognition based on the emotional response system under four categories: subjective experience comprising text and self‐report; peripheral physiology comprising electrodermal, cardiovascular, facial muscle, and respiration activity; central physiology comprising EEG, neuroimaging, and EOG; behavior comprising facial, vocal, whole‐body behavior, and observer ratings. This review summarizes the measures and behavior of each modality under various emotional states. This article provides an extensive list of multimodal datasets and their unique characteristics. The recent advances in multimodal emotion recognition are grouped based on the research focus areas such as emotion elicitation strategy, data collection and handling, the impact of culture and modality on multimodal emotion recognition systems, feature extraction, feature selection, alignment of signals across the modalities, and fusion strategies. The recent multimodal fusion strategies are detailed in this article, as extracting shared representations of different modalities, removing redundant features from different modalities, and learning critical features from each modality are crucial for multimodal emotion recognition. This article summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of multimodal emotion recognition based on the review outcome, along with challenges and future work in multimodal emotion recognition. This article aims to serve as a lucid introduction, covering all aspects of multimodal emotion recognition for novices.This article is categorized under: Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge &gt; Human Centricity and User Interaction Technologies &gt; Cognitive Computing Technologies &gt; Artificial Intelligence

6556 Does Autoimmune Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism Mask the Diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos-Syndrome?

Abstract Disclosure: S. Azmat: None. U. Rafat: None. J.L. Gilden: None. Does Autoimmune Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism Mask the Diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? Background: Hypothyroidism is well-known to be associated with muscle weakness and fatigue. There are other etiologies for decreased muscle tone such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) which is group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. Other rheumatological and cardiac conditions associated with this syndrome can pose diagnostic challenges. We present case of 32-year-old female presenting with facial muscle weakness and newly diagnosed Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. We highlight importance of keeping EDS as another differential in patients with muscle weakness allowing for accurate, prompt diagnosis and treatment to be done in timely manner. Case Description: A 32-year-old female professional musician was referred to Endocrine for mouth muscles weakness and decreasing ability to play her French Horn wind instrument with vocal dystonia and the question of whether these were symptoms of hypothyroidism. She was noted to have mild thyroid enlargement and abnormal thyroid function tests with positive thyroid antibodies. Initial TSH was 7.506 uIU/mL(0.55-4.78), free T4 0.9 ng/dL (0.76-1.46), peroxidase antibody = 96,061U/mL (0-60) and thyroglobulin of 134.9 U/mL (0-60). She also reported low energy, intermittent difficulty swallowing and decreased muscle strength. There was no prior personal and family history of hypo/hyperthyroidism or any other disorders. VS were normal, physical exam showe d no thyromegaly, reflexes revealed objective decrease but normal muscle strength. The skin was noted to be hyperextensible with passive hyperextension of fifth metacarpophalangeal joint beyond 90 degrees, thumb to flexor aspect of forearm and elbows bilaterally with positive Beighton criteria for EDS. She later admitted to intermittent palpitations and easy bruising. Subsequent lab tests were negative ANA, anti-mitochondrial, PCEL and striated muscles antibodies. Additionally she had normal IGA, PTH, AM cortisol- ACTH, vitamin B12 levels with negative 21 hydroxylases antibodies and celiac titers. She was started on levothyroxine 25 mcg and recommended for Cardiology evaluation and genetic testing. Physiotherapy was started. Upon six months follow-up she clinically felt better with improved muscle strength, swallowing and energy level. Repeat lab testing showed improved TSH of 2.67 uIU/mL(0.55-4.78) with free T4 of 1.0 ng/dL (0.76-1.46). Conclusion: This case demonstrates that although muscle weakness can be symptom of hypothyroidism one must evaluate all patients for other possible causes. We highlight importance of keeping EDS as a differential especially in female patients with muscle weakness. Though history and physical exam is crucial allowing for prompt diagnosis and treatment for other conditions. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Evolutionary divergence of facial muscle physiology between domestic dogs and wolves.

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are descended from gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations that inhabited Western Europe and Siberia. The specific timing of dog domestication is debated, but archeological and genetic evidence suggest that it was a multi-phase process that began at least 15,000 years ago. There are many morphological differences between dogs and wolves, including marked divergence in facial muscle morphology, but we know little about the comparative physiology of these muscles. A better understanding of comparative facial muscle physiology between domestic dogs and gray wolves would improve our conceptual framework for the processual mechanisms in dog domestication. To address these issues, we assessed the myosin profiles (type I and type II) from the zygomaticus and orbicularis oris muscles of 6 domestic dogs and 4 gray wolves. Due to small sample sizes, statistical analyses were not done. Results reveal that sampled domestic dogs have almost 100% fast-twitch (type II) muscle fibers while gray wolves have less than 50%, meaning that dog faces can contract fast while wolf faces are able to sustain facial muscle contraction. Sample sizes are limited but the present study indicates that dog domestication is associated with not only a change in facial muscle morphology but a concomitant change in how these muscles function physiologically. Selective pressures in the development of communication between dogs and humans using facial expression may have influenced this evolutionary divergence, but the paedomorphic retention of barking in adult dogs may have also played a role.

Coyotes can do 'puppy dog eyes' too: comparing interspecific variation in Canis facial expression muscles.

Facial expressions are critical for non-verbal communication. The Canis genus epitomizes the interplay between behaviour and morphology in the evolution of non-verbal communication. Recent work suggests that the levator anguli oculi medialis (LAOM) muscle is unique to dogs (Canis familiaris) within the Canis genus and evolved due to domestication. The LAOM raises the inner eyebrows, resulting in the 'puppy dog eyes' expression. Here, we test whether the LAOM is a derived trait in dogs by (i) examining the facial expression muscles of a closely related and ancestral wild Canis species, the coyote (C. latrans) and (ii) comparing our results with other Canis and canid taxa. We discover that coyotes have a well-developed LAOM like dogs, which differs from the modified/absent LAOM in grey wolves. Our findings challenge the hypothesis that the LAOM developed due to domestication. We suggest that the LAOM is a basal trait that was lost in grey wolves. Additionally, we find inter- and intraspecific variations in the size of the muscles of the outer ear, forehead, lips and rostrum, indicating potential adaptations related to sensory perception, communication and individual-level functional variations within canids. Together, this research expands our knowledge of facial expressions, their evolution and their role in communication.

A rare case of Parry-Romberg syndrome with restrictive strabismus

Parry-Romberg syndrome is a rare disease characterized by slowly progressive atrophy affecting facial subcutaneous tissues, muscles, osteocartilaginous structures, and possible cerebral involvement. Though bilateral cases have been described, diagnosis is often possible because of the characteristic hemifacial atrophy and resulting facial asymmetry at later stages of the disease. We report a 28-year-old woman with diplopia for the past 3 months with history of gradual loss of subcutaneous fat in the right side of her body. She had severe restriction of adduction of right eye. Multidetector computed tomography scan of the orbit revealed a reduced bulk of the right medial rectus muscle.

Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview.

Background The facial nerve (FN) plays a pivotal role in human life; apart from its sensory and parasympathetic functions, it innervates the facial muscles, and it is therefore involved in non-verbal communication, allowing us to express emotions and reactions. Especially in the case of childhood onset, FN dysfunction can severely affect the quality of life. Methods The aim of this review is to analyze the most recent literature, focusing on the acute onset of peripheral FN palsy among pediatric patients, discussing the different etiologies, prognoses, and management strategies. A total of 882 papers were initially identified, but only 7 met the selection criteria. Therefore, data on 974 children in total were pooled and analyzed. Results According to the findings of this review, FN palsy is idiopathic in most cases, while an infective etiology was identified as the second most common. The main pathogen agents identified were Borrelia Burgdorferi, especially in endemic areas, and Herpesviridae. Respiratory tract infections and/or ear infections were also described. Head trauma or direct injury of the FN accounted for 2% of all cases. Conclusions The overall FN recovery rate is high, even though the etiology remains unknown for most patients. Therapeutic indications are still lacking, especially in the case of non-recovering FN palsy. In our opinion, large, prospective studies are necessary for improving our knowledge of this disorder and establishing evidence-based approaches.

Application of LSTM-based Body Fatigue Detection Algorithm in Tai Chi Training

Tai Chi training sessions are often lengthy, and athletes are prone to experiencing fatigue during the process. Timely detection of body fatigue can help athletes prevent injuries caused by excessive fatigue. This study combines Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks with facial muscle activity detection models to propose a novel fatigue detection algorithm. In this algorithm, the limitations of LSTM networks in capturing future information are addressed by introducing an improved LSTM network model and combining attention mechanisms to highlight the important features of physical fatigue. This study utilizes hyperspectral imaging technology to extract real-time muscle fatigue signals from the faces of subjects in the dataset. Performance validation of the proposed model shows that it effectively extracts facial fatigue features with a detection accuracy of 97.67% and a recall rate of 96.78%, outperforming other existing models in this field. The model constructed through research has excellent performance and has broad application prospects in current and future technological development due to its high flexibility and adaptability, providing support and innovation momentum for different industries.

"Hot" affect-related aspects in emotional information processing: The role of facial muscle responses in the direct and indirect processing of emotion categories.

The present study investigated the involvement of facial muscle responses in the indirect and direct processing of emotional facial expressions. Five discrete emotion categories were used, and we assessed both facial muscle and behavioral responses on a trial-by-trial basis. Experiment 1 tested facial muscle activation of clearly visible stimuli in an emotion categorization task. We observed emotion-specific facial muscle responses and corresponding behavioral categorization effects, providing evidence for the specificity of facial muscle activation. By contrast, under masked indirect presentation conditions in which emotional facial expressions were presented as primes in an emotion misattribution procedure, a specific pattern of emotion-congruent and cross-category behavioral misattributions was observed (in line with Rohr et al., 2015, 2018). Multilevel analyses in Study 2 suggest that an emotional reaction feeds into the behavioral decision, as indicated by differential activation of the frontalis lateralis in response to angry faces. Thus, the present study provides evidence that facial muscle responses contribute to behavioral decisions under masked indirect processing conditions. The different pattern of effects in both studies suggests that facial muscle responses index different processes, depending on the processing conditions: sensorimotor simulation in direct processing conditions and emotional reactions in masked indirect processing conditions. We discuss the implications for models that aim to account for facial muscle activity in response to emotional facial expressions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Electro-Stimulation System with Artificial-Intelligence-Based Auricular-Triggered Algorithm to Support Facial Movements in Peripheral Facial Palsy: A Simulation Pilot Study.

Facial palsy causes severe functional disorders and impairs quality of life. Disturbing challenges for patients with acute facial palsy, but also with those with chronic facial palsy with synkinesis, are the loss of the ability to smile and insufficient eyelid closure. A potential treatment for these conditions could be a closed-loop electro-stimulation system that stimulates the facial muscles on the paretic side as needed to elicit eye closure, eye blink and smile in a manner similar to the healthy side. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of such a system. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based auricular-triggered algorithm is used to classify the intended facial movements. This classification is based on surface electromyography (EMG) recordings of the extrinsic auricular muscles, specifically the anterior, superior, and posterior auricular muscle on the paretic side. The system then delivers targeted surface electrical stimulation to contract the appropriate facial muscles. The evaluation of the system was conducted with 17 patients with facial synkinesis, who performed various facial movements according to a paradigm video. The system's performance was evaluated through a simulation, using previously captured data as the inputs. The performance was evaluated by means of the median macro F1-score, which was calculated based on the stimulation signal (output of the system) and the actual movements the patients performed. This study showed that such a system, using an AI-based auricular-triggered algorithm, can support with a median macro F1-score of 0.602 for the facial movements on the synkinetic side in patients with unilateral chronic facial palsy with synkinesis.

The Buccal Fat Pad: A Unique Human Anatomical Structure and Rich and Easily Accessible Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Repair.

Buccal fat pads are biconvex adipose tissue bags that are uniquely found on both sides of the human face along the anterior border of the masseter muscles. Buccal fat pads are important determinants of facial appearance, facilitating gliding movements of facial masticatory and mimetic muscles. Buccal fad pad flaps are used for the repair of oral defects and as a rich and easily accessible source of mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we introduce the buccal fat pad anatomy and morphology and report its functions and applications for oral reconstructive surgery and for harvesting mesenchymal stem cells for clinical use. Future frontiers of buccal fat pad research are discussed. It is concluded that many biological and molecular aspects still need to be elucidated for the optimal application of buccal fat pad tissue in regenerative medicine.