Facial Signs Research Articles

Grading facial aging: Comparing the clinical assessments made by three dermatologists with those obtained by an AI-based scoring system that analyses selfie pictures. Afocus on Chinese subjects of both genders.

The objective of this study is to assess the correspondence, in live conditions, between clinical gradings of facial aging signs by three dermatologists and those afforded by an automatic AI-based algorithm that analyses smartphones' selfie images of Chinese subjects. In total, 125 Chinese subjects of both genders, aged 18-62y, took a selfie using their own smartphones and were immediately viewed by three dermatologists. The latter graded the severity of 15 facial signs in women and 9 in men, using the standardized values afforded by a Skin Aging Atlas referential dedicated to Asian skin. The data issued by both methodologies were then statistically compared. The absolute gradings of the automatic system were found highly correlated with clinical assessments, with lower values in most cases. In women, large differences in absolute values were found on the gradings for size of isolated spot, cheek fold, spread macules, and texture of mouth contour women. Analysis of the Mean Absolute Errors (M.A.E) revealed that these rarely exceed 0.6 grading units in women and to a lesser extent in men. The present study confirmed the value of the automatic system towards an extended use towards large human cohorts as a surrogate of clinical evaluations and allowed to detect the points where improvements must be brought to the system.

Real-world experience with a treatment with a skincare regimen of products containing the Macrocystis pyrifera ferment for optimizing facial skin rejuvenation.

Specialized aesthetic skincare treatments are an important part of helping reduce facial signs of aging. This article highlights real-world experience with a Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing skincare regimen comprising a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer with anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-erythema, and healing properties for facial skin condition improvement. The real-world case (RWC) series presented highlights and the expert panel's clinical experience with the M. pyrifera ferment-containing skincare regimen used for 12 weeks to improve facial skin conditions. The panelists convened a meeting to discuss and select RWCs from their practice using the M. pyrifera ferment-containing skincare regimen. The RWC series showed that erythema and inflamed, easily irritated skin bother patients, even when it is mild. Reducing inflammation, erythema, and visible signs of facial aging and improving skin health contributed to patient satisfaction. The M. pyrifera ferment-containing skincare regimen comprising a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer is effective in decreasing the visible effects of inflammation and signs of aging while promoting healing by enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.

Behavioural, psychiatric, and cognitive phenotypes associated with numbers of repeats of the FRAXE allele on the FMR2 gene

Background The FRAXE site on the X-chromosome has a variable number of trinucleotide repeats. The rare condition Fragile XE has >200 repeats, but most X chromosomes have <60 such repeats, with evidence of a bimodal distribution. It is known that when the number of repeats is <60, the repeat number can increase from mother to son, which raises the question as to whether there is an evolutionary advantage in the size of these repeats. This paper investigates whether the higher of the <60 repeats are associated with neurocognitive differences among boys in a general population. We hypothesised that although there was previous evidence of a link between higher numbers of repeats in the boys in this population with maternal grandmothers with schizophrenia, there may be cognitive or behavioural advantages to their grandsons of increased levels of repeats. Methods We compared 1951 behavioural, psychiatric, and cognitive outcomes of 5060 boys from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) using a phenome scan. Results We found that boys with relatively high levels of repeats (>24) had a higher risk of certain neurocognitive outcomes (P<0.01). Boys with >24 repeats were more likely to report: (a) psychosis-like experiences; (b) increased ability to recognise facial signs of anger; (c) increased risk of eating disorders; (d) increased likelihood of smoking cigarettes and using illicit drugs during adolescence than would be expected by chance. There was no sign of associations with cognitive abilities. Conclusions We concluded that there was little evidence that higher levels of the normal range of FRAXE repeats were associated with a difference in cognitive abilities, but there was evidence of increased reports of psychotic-like experiences and other behaviour problems in this group. There was no evidence of evolutionary neurocognitive advantage.

Surgical treatment of intermediate nerve neuralgia using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Intermediate nerve neuralgia (INN) is a rare pathology with difficult diagnostics and currently there is no generally accepted surgical management protocol. In this regard, an optimal surgical strategy in this case is a difficult task. The aim was to determine an optimal approach for surgical management of patients with INN using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM).The INN was diagnosed in a patient, a vestibulo‑cochlear complex dissection with intermediate nerve sectioning under IONM control of was performed intraoperatively. There was the earache regression, but there were gustatory disorders in the anterior portion on the left side of the tongue in the early postoperative period. In the late postoperative period, a delayed facial nerve paresis and signs of liquorrhea were diagnosed, which were completely regressed after reoperation and medication. The follow‑up period was more than 12 months; a stable regression of otoalgia was achieved. Intermediate nerve sectioning is an effective and common technique for the treatment of patients with INN. IONM improves surgical results and reduces a likelihood of different complications.

Impact of Botulinum Toxin Injections on Quality of Life of Patients with Long-Standing Peripheral Facial Palsy.

(1) Background: Sequels of facial palsy lead to major psychosocial repercussions, disrupting patients' quality of life (QoL). Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections can permit us to treat long-standing facial palsy, improving facial symmetry and functional signs including synkinesis and contractures. (2) Methods: The main aim of this study was to assess the evolution of the QoL for patients with long-standing facial palsy before, at 1 month, and at 4 months after BoNT injections by using three questionnaires (HFS-30, FaCE, and HAD). The other goals were to find clinical factors associated with the improvement in the QoL and to assess the HFS-30 questionnaire for patients with unilateral facial palsy (3) Results: Eighty-eight patients were included in this study. There was a statistically significant improvement in QoL at 1 month after injections, assessed using the three questionnaires. This improvement was sustained at 4 months after the injections, with a statistically significant difference for the HFS-30 and FaCE questionnaires. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that the BoNT injections lead to a significant increase in the QoL of patients with unilateral facial palsy. This improvement is sustained 4 months after the injections.

Analysis of Kinesic and Proxemic Signs Structure in the Animated Music Video "Sabda Alam"

Media campaigns are designed to attract the attention of their audience, including through animated music video media. In an animated music video, the delivery of messages is combined through narration, characters and music. This research discusses "Sabda Alam", an animated music video about protection for endemic Indonesian birds. This animated music video is the final work of the students of SMK Raden Umar Said (RUS) Kudus which received appreciation at the Balinale International Film Festival 2021. The visualization of endemic bird life presented in "Sabda Alam" is an illustration of the existence of wild animals in relation to nature and humans as an effort to survive in their habitat. The visualization of these endemic birds is interesting to study as messages packaged through visualization structured nonverbal. The analysis in this study uses qualitative methods with a nonverbal communication theory approach, namely kinesic studies related to visualization as a language of movement, and proxemic studies as visualization of space which becomes the setting of the narrative. The results of the study explain that there is an arrangement of facial and postural signs in the sign structure kinesic, in the form of character expression and bird appearance. Meanwhile, in the proxemic sign structure, signs are presented through the relationship between the character of the bird and the time and space of events. The relationship between kinesic and proxemic signs structure is proven to represent messages about the importance of protecting endangered wild animals. This research can be an academic reference in the field of visual communication design, especially the sensitivity to read visual signs as messages.

Effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional intervention to mitigate facial aging signs: a clinical trial.

Propose and verify the efficiency of myofunctional intervention program to attenuate facial aging signs and balance the orofacial functions. Thirty women, aged 50 to 60 years, randomly divided into: therapy group (TG) submitted to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and electromyographic biofeedback group (EBG), submitted to the same program associated with electromyographic biofeedback for chewing, swallowing, and smiling functions training. Aesthetic and oromyofunctional aspects were assessed from photographs, videos, MBGR Protocol and scales for assessing facial aging signs, described in the literature. 50-minute sessions were held weekly for nine weeks and monthly for six months after washout period. Three assessments, identical to the initial one, were performed in the tenth week, eighth week after washout and conclusion of the research. The participants responded to the Satisfaction Questionnaire on the tenth week. The statistical analysis using the ANOVA, Tukey and Mann Whitney tests, for inter and intragroup comparison, showed that: intervention promoted attenuation of facial aging signs mainly in TG group, balance of chewing and swallowing functions in both groups; there was an impact of electromyographic biofeedback on the degree of participants' satisfaction, greater for EBG; interruption of the program for eight weeks resulted in aesthetic losses, mainly in TG, yet not functional losses, in both groups; the six monthly sessions had a limited impact on overcoming the esthetic losses that occurred after washout. The proposed program resulted in attenuation of aging signs, mainly in the TG group and improvement in orofacial functions, in both groups.

Efetividade da intervenção miofuncional orofacial para atenuar sinais do envelhecimento facial: ensaio clínico

ABSTRACT Purpose Propose and verify the efficiency of myofunctional intervention program to attenuate facial aging signs and balance the orofacial functions. Methods Thirty women, aged 50 to 60 years, randomly divided into: therapy group (TG) submitted to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and electromyographic biofeedback group (EBG), submitted to the same program associated with electromyographic biofeedback for chewing, swallowing, and smiling functions training. Aesthetic and oromyofunctional aspects were assessed from photographs, videos, MBGR Protocol and scales for assessing facial aging signs, described in the literature. 50-minute sessions were held weekly for nine weeks and monthly for six months after washout period. Three assessments, identical to the initial one, were performed in the tenth week, eighth week after washout and conclusion of the research. The participants responded to the Satisfaction Questionnaire on the tenth week. Results The statistical analysis using the ANOVA, Tukey and Mann Whitney tests, for inter and intragroup comparison, showed that: intervention promoted attenuation of facial aging signs mainly in TG group, balance of chewing and swallowing functions in both groups; there was an impact of electromyographic biofeedback on the degree of participants’ satisfaction, greater for EBG; interruption of the program for eight weeks resulted in aesthetic losses, mainly in TG, yet not functional losses, in both groups; the six monthly sessions had a limited impact on overcoming the esthetic losses that occurred after washout. Conclusion The proposed program resulted in attenuation of aging signs, mainly in the TG group and improvement in orofacial functions, in both groups.

Photoaging's portrait: the road map towards its photoprotection.

To summarize key research published by the author's group, dealing with skin photoaging and its photoprotection. Two methodologies (standard photographs and selfies imaging) resulting from referential skin aging atlases were applied on 2487 subjects of different ancestries, ages, and gender. These aimed at first to best assess and grade the variable severities of some facial signs (texture/wrinkles, pigmentary spots, sagging, vascular disorders) that occur progressively during the photoaging process. Second, such methodologies were used to record the benefits brought by a photoprotective regimen (671 women and men). In all studied ancestries, each facial sign show an increase severity along decades, at its own pace, some showing a linear like progression whereas some plateau at early ages. These changes differed according to skin innate color (phototype) and with individual behaviors vis à vis sun exposures, more so among European women than North-East Asian women. An effect of gender (less severe alterations) was observed on Chinese men, as compared to Chinese women. Pigmentary disorders were found hallmarks of photo-aged North-East Asian women. Globally photoaging impact the apparent age of the different subjects. The counteracting effects of strong topical Photoprotective regimens were evidenced along a 6-month seasonality in Chinese and Caucasian women or 1-year period in Brazilian women with phototypes II to VI. Photoprotection led to a more even skin complexion among Indian subjects with pigment irregularities. Two factors clearly hamper a better assessment of the efficiency of photoprotection of the sun-induced cutaneous aging: short durations (months) of the studies with regard the global fate of photoaging by decades and the number of studied subjects, limited to hundreds for practical reasons. The methodology based on the automatic analysis of facial signs through selfies images could theoretically by-pass both factors, allowing thousands of subjects to be studied along years.

Two-Stream Spatial–Temporal Transformer Networks For Driver Drowsiness Detection

<p>For driver drowsiness detection in the real world, the existing methods have good performance in general. However, when the face is blocked, the light is dim, and the driver’s head posture changes, the performance will deteriorate significantly. In this paper, a two-stream Spatial-Temporal transformer network intended to perform diver drowsiness detection task is proposed to solve the above problems. The spatial-temporal graph is extracted from the video and then the results are obtained from 2s-STTN. The model is a two-stream transformer network model. In our model, the Spatial Self-Attention module is used to learn the embedding of different facial landmarks, and the Temporal Self-Attention module is used to learn the correlation between the frames of facial feature points. Different activated facial landmarks are separated and recognized by class activation mapping technology. Each flow recognizes different activated facial features, extracts spatial or temporal features, and integrates the information about facial features, so as to improve the performance of the system. 2s-STTN can not only mine the long-term dependence of driver behavior from video, but also mine the driver drowsiness information provided by the unobstructed facial signs when the face is blocked. By conducting experiments and comparing our model with other models, it is demonstrated that the proposed model has good performance in driver drowsiness detection.</p> <p> </p>

Analysis of skin aging patterns using a facial imaging system in patients with atopic dermatitis.

There are few studies on skin aging in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). To clarify the characteristics of facial skin aging in AD patients. Using facial images obtained by a digital imaging system (VISIA evolution), we compared the severity scores for 10 aging signs in 53 women in the AD group and 29 women in the healthy control group, all 35-49 years old. The severity scores for fine lines on the forehead, periorbital wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and texture of the mouth contour were significantly higher in the AD group than in the controls. However, in order to exclude a direct effect of dermatitis at the time of measurement, cases with signs of AD at the evaluation site were excluded from the AD group (defined as the AD [non-lesion] group), revealing no statistical significance between the AD (non-lesion) group and the healthy control group for any of the 10 facial signs. Age subset analysis showed that for individuals in their late 40s, the AD (non-lesion) group exhibited significantly higher scores for crow's feet wrinkle and nasolabial fold compared to the healthy control group. Furthermore, these two scores correlated with one other, suggesting that they may be induced by the same factors. The results of this study show that skin aging associated with AD is prominent in areas prone to transient wrinkling by frequent blinking and speaking or facial expressions. Understanding of the need for appropriate AD treatment from a cosmetic perspective may increase patient adherence.

COVID-19 associated Bell's palsy.

While rare, a diagnosis of Bell's palsy should be considered in young patients who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and who also present with notable neurological facial signs and symptoms suggestive of lower motor neuron-type seventh cranial nerve palsy.

Extended Superolateral Cheek Lift With a Short Preauricular Scar: A Local Anesthesia-based Practicable Technique for the Correction of Moderate-degree Facial Aging Signs.

An ideal technique applicable to middle-aged individuals with a moderate degree of facial aging signs has not yet been established. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of an extended superolateral cheek lift with a short preauricular scar technique for the correction of facial aging signs. A total of 200 female patients (mean age: 43y, range 27-56y) who underwent a local anesthesia-based extended superolateral cheek lift for the correction of facial aging signs confined to the malar and nasolabial area, lower eyelid, jawline, and neck were included. Data on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, patient-reported outcomes, and complications were recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores revealed exceptional improvement in 90% of patients along with no complications at month 24. None of the patients developed a depressed scar, skin necrosis, breaking of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication sutures, asymmetry, or facial nerve problems. At postoperative month 24, the appearance was reported to be very much improved by 90% of patients, and 94% of patients reported that they were very satisfied with the treatment and that they would recommend this treatment to friends and acquaintances. Our findings revealed the potential utility of an extended superolateral cheek lift with a short preauricular scar as a local anesthesia-based practicable technique for the correction of facial aging signs in middle-aged patients, offering a favorable postoperative outcome, lack of complications and high patient satisfaction in addition to invisible scars and a short-term postoperative recovery.

Impact on facial skin aging signs of a 1-year standardized photoprotection over a classical skin care routine in skin phototypes II-VI individuals: A prospective randomized trial.

Data reflecting the impact of photoprotection on cutaneous aging are scarce and mostly limited to fair skin. To assess the effectiveness of a photoprotective product in counteracting the photoaging process in different skin phototypes over 1 year compared against a classical routine. Two hundred and ninety Brazilian women aged 30-65 years, with skin phototype II-VI were equally randomized in two groups. Group 1 kept on their routine whereas Group 2 applied, twice daily, a photoprotective product (SPF 60, PPD = 24.1) replacing the one they routinely used. Volunteers reported the duration of their daily sun-exposure. Standardized photographs taken at D0 and D365 were analysed by 15 dermatologists to assess eight wrinkles and pigmentation signs. A global increase in severity was reported which was significant for Group 1. This increase was lower in Group 2 where only half the signs showed significant worsening. In Group 2 versus Group 1, the increase in forehead wrinkles, marionette lines, wrinkles created by ptosis and size of dark spot was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 30%-50%. Daily application of a high photoprotective product significantly decreases the progression of skin aging signs after 1 year in skin phototypes II-VI.

206 AI-based approach to quantify facial signs of skin ageing: Application in subjects treated with topical retinol 0.3%

206 AI-based approach to quantify facial signs of skin ageing: Application in subjects treated with topical retinol 0.3%

Objective and automatic grading system of facial signs from smartphones' pictures in South African men: Validation versus dermatologists and characterization of changes with age.

To evaluate the capacity of the automatic detection system to accurately grade, from selfie pictures, the severity of eight facial signs in South African men. Selfie pictures (obtained from frontal and back cameras) of 281 South African men differently aged (20-70years) were obtained and analyzed by an automatic artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic grading system. Data were compared with the clinical gradings made by experts and dermatologists. In all facial signs, both series of gradings were found highly correlated with, however, different coefficients (0.59-0.95), those of marionette lines and cheek pores being of lower values. No differences were observed between data obtained by frontal and back cameras. With age, in most cases, gradings show up to the 50-59year age-class, linear-like changes. When compared to men of other ancestries, South African men present lower wrinkles/texture, pigmentation, and ptosis/sagging scores till 50-59years, albeit not much different in the cheek pores sign. The early onset (mean age) of visibility of wrinkles/texture for South African men were (i.e., reaching grade >1) 39 and 45years for ptosis/sagging. This study completes and enlarges the previous works conducted on men of other ancestries by showing some South African specificities and slight differences with men of comparable phototypes (Afro American).

A Comprehensive Genetic Analysis of Slovenian Families with Multiple Cases of Orofacial Clefts Reveals Novel Variants in the Genes IRF6, GRHL3, and TBX22.

Although the aetiology of non-syndromic orofacial clefts (nsOFCs) is usually multifactorial, syndromic OFCs (syOFCs) are often caused by single mutations in known genes. Some syndromes, e.g., Van der Woude syndrome (VWS1; VWS2) and X-linked cleft palate with or without ankyloglossia (CPX), show only minor clinical signs in addition to OFC and are sometimes difficult to differentiate from nsOFCs. We recruited 34 Slovenian multi-case families with apparent nsOFCs (isolated OFCs or OFCs with minor additional facial signs). First, we examined IRF6, GRHL3, and TBX22 by Sanger or whole exome sequencing to identify VWS and CPX families. Next, we examined 72 additional nsOFC genes in the remaining families. Variant validation and co-segregation analysis were performed for each identified variant using Sanger sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR and microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization. We identified six disease-causing variants (three novel) in IRF6, GRHL3, and TBX22 in 21% of families with apparent nsOFCs, suggesting that our sequencing approach is useful for distinguishing syOFCs from nsOFCs. The novel variants, a frameshift variant in exon 7 of IRF6, a splice-altering variant in GRHL3, and a deletion of the coding exons of TBX22, indicate VWS1, VWS2, and CPX, respectively. We also identified five rare variants in nsOFC genes in families without VWS or CPX, but they could not be conclusively linked to nsOFC.

Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss/CHD4-related syndrome: A new case report.

Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss/CHD4-related syndrome: A new case report.

Structural and functional age-related changes in some facial signs of Chinese men: A pilot study.

The objective of the study was to associate, on the same Chinese male subjects, changes in facial ageing signs with some biomechanical skin properties. The severities of 20 facial ageing signs of 219 differently aged Chinese men (20-65 years) were graded in blind by trained experts through standardized photographs, using a referential skin Atlas dedicated to Asian men. On each subject, the mechanical properties were assessed on the cheek area (left or right at random) by the validated suction technique Cutometer®. Finally, the skin colour parameters were assessed on images from VISIA-CR device. Clinically speaking, the severity of almost all facial ageing signs increases from 30 to 65 years, in a linear-like progression, whereas the 20-30 years shows weak increases. Skin colour shows slight but progressive decreases in Luminance and ITA, whereas the yellow and red components slightly increased between 40 and 65 years. At the exception of skin firmness, the skin mechanical properties show a clear decline during the 30-50 years period and plateau beyond. The present study suggests that the 20-30 years period, albeit more clinically 'silent' than the other periods of age, seems to be an age range during which early alterations of some dermal elements' onset. Deeper in vivo investigating techniques (Echography, Multiphotonic microscopy) are needed to confirm such hypothesis.

Facial involvement in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) can present with facial symptoms and signs, such as facial palsy, myokymia, and hemifacial spasm. Considering the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and exclusion of causes other than MS, we aimed to assess the prevalence of these disorders in patients with MS. MethodsMS patients who were referred to the Isfahan MS clinic from March 2021 to March 2022 were observed for facial presentations of the disease. A checklist of patients’ baseline characteristics and disease features were then completed through patient interview and medical files. ResultsOf the total of 2260 MS patients who were assessed, 3.27% had facial palsy, 1.28% had myokymia, and 0.84% presented with hemifacial spasm. The mean age of facial symptom onset was 30.74, 29.07, and 31.37 years, respectively. No relationship was found between the type of facial presentation and factors such as age, gender, subtype of MS, affected side of face, and time of presentation. ConclusionOn the grounds that facial disorders can be the first presentation of MS, patients with atypical features of other common facial diseases such as Bell's palsy should therefore be carefully assessed and followed for any clues pertaining to the diagnosis of MS.