Brief Report: AI-synthesized faces are indistinguishable from real faces and more trustworthy

Artificial intelligence (AI)–synthesized text, audio, image, and video are being weaponized for the purposes of nonconsensual intimate imagery, financial fraud, and disinformation campaigns. Our evaluation of the photorealism of AI-synthesized faces indicates that synthesis engines have passed through the uncanny valley and are capable of creating faces that are indistinguishable—and more trustworthy—than real faces.     

Face Mask Wastes as Cementitious Materials: A Possible Solution to a Big Concern

After more than two years wearing surgical masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, used masks have become a significant risk for ecosystems, as they are producing wastes in huge amounts. They are a potential source of disturbance by themselves and as microplastic contamination in the water system. As 5500 tons of face masks are estimated to be used each year, there is an urgent need to manage them according to the circular economy principles and avoid their inadequate disposal. In this paper, surgical wear masks (WM), without any further pretreatment, have been introduced as addition to mortars up to 5% in the weight of cement. Mechanical and microstructural characterization have been carried out. The results indicate that adding MW to the cement supposes a decrease in the properties of the material, concerning both strength and durability behavior. However, even adding a 5% of WM in weight of cement, the aspect of the mortars is quite good, the flexural strength is not significantly affected, and the strength and durability parameters are maintained at levels that—even lower than the reference—are quite reasonable for use. Provided that the worldwide production of cement is around 4.1 Bt/year, the introduction of a 5% of WM in less than 1% of the cement produced, would make it possible to get rid of the mask waste being produced.     

The Impact of Wearing a Face Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Temporomandibular Joint: A Radiological and Questionnaire Assessment

Aim  Several health problems have been reported to be triggered or facilitated by prolonged mask usage during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While wearing a face mask, people tend to push their jaws forward and downward in a repetitive manner to hold their masks in the right position; these jaw motions may induce temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). In this study, we aimed to investigate these repetitive jaw movements while wearing face masks and their effects on TMD. Patients and Methods  Patients who applied with TMD signs between June 2020 and May 2021 were evaluated prospectively. A survey using a questionnaire was conducted to define patients with TMD that caused only by mask-related repetitive jaw movements. Demographic data (age and gender), mean duration of daily mask usage, mask type, and magnetic resonance imaging results were recorded. Results  Prolonged daily mask usage (≥8 hours/day) was significantly higher in patients with mask-related habits (group a) with a rate of 40.4% ( p ≈ 0.001). Also, in this group, the disc displacement with reduction rate (54.6%) was higher compared with other groups ( p ≈ 0.010). On the contrary, patients with no underlying risk factor (group c) showed an unexpected high osteoarthritis rate ( p ≈ 0.029). Conclusions  In this study, we demonstrate that correcting the position of a face mask by repetitive jaw movements can increase the occurrence of TMD. Informing individuals wearing face masks about the risk of TMD and the importance of choosing the appropriate mask size according to the face shape are important issues to be addressed in the near future.     

Neuroimaging findings of linear scleroderma of the head and face: a case report

Linear scleroderma of the head and face is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by linear depressed scarring in the frontoparietal area of the face. Here, we report a patient with linear scleroderma of the head and face with neurological symptoms such as spontaneous epilepsy and numbness of the right limb as well as the presence of white matter lesions. The patient underwent computed tomography and 3.0-T magnetic resonance examinations including diffusion weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and perfusion imaging. The imaging findings suggested a disrupted fiber tract and decreased relative cerebral blood flow. Our observation may help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of linear scleroderma of the head and face.     

It's time for Mohs: Micrographic surgery for the treatment of high‐risk basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck regions

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common variety of non‐melanoma skin cancer and its incidence is increasing worldwide. The centrofacial sites (area H) are considered a high‐risk factor for BCC local recurrence. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a technique that allows intraoperative microscopic control of the surgical margins and is a good treatment option when tissue conservation is required for esthetic or functional reasons or for high‐risk lesions. The present study aimed to evaluate the recurrence rate of head and neck high‐risk BCCs comparing MMS vs conventional surgical excision. Clinical data of patients diagnosed from September 2014 to March 2017, referring to the Dermatology Unit of the Policlinico Sant'Orsola‐Malpighi, University of Bologna, were retrospectively evaluated (285 treated with MMS and 378 treated with traditional surgery). Of the 285 patients treated with MMS, 9 experienced a recurrence (3.1%). Of the 378 patients treated with traditional surgery, 53 relapsed (14%), 13 of whom presented residual tumor on the deep or lateral margins of the main surgical specimen. Our study confirms the trend reported in the literature that MMS represents the best treatment option for high‐risk BCCs arising in the head and neck region or presenting as a recurrence (P < .00001). Many more MMS centers and more trained dermatologists are needed worldwide in order to deal with the increasing number of BCC diagnosed every year.     

脑卒中患者面孔表情识别的神经电生理机制

目的:探讨脑卒中患者面孔表情识别的神经电生理机制。方法:采用简笔画正性、中性、负性表情面孔图片作为刺激物,用事件相关电位(ERP)记录仪记录25例正常人和19例脑卒中患者表情面孔隐含识别的ERP,t检验数值采用统计参数映像呈现。结果:脑卒中组对三种表情的反应时间为742.01±205.58ms,正确率为86.14%±10.06%;对照组的反应时间为678.93±150.88ms,正确率94.69%±6.17%。脑卒中组与正常对照组相比,反应操作正确率显著降低;统计参数映像结果显示,在面孔加工的早期阶段,即N170时段内的ERP成份波幅显著降低。结论:脑卒中患者在面孔表情早期加工阶段即出现异常。     

地奈德乳膏联合透明质酸修护生物膜治疗成人面部湿疹疗效观察

目的观察地奈德乳膏联合透明质酸修护生物膜治疗成人面部湿疹的近期疗效。方法将入选的116例患者随机分为两组,试验组(61例)予透明质酸修护生物膜联合地奈德乳膏外用治疗,对照组(55例)单纯外用地奈德乳膏治疗,两组患者疗程均为2周。结果治疗第1周后,试验组和对照组的疗效总积分较治疗前显著降低(P均0.05),试验组的总积分与对照组相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);试验组疗效(有效率为83.61%)和对照组(有效率为60%)相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗第2周后,试验组和对照组的总积分均较治疗前显著下降(P均0.05);试验组的总积分与对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05);试验组疗效(有效率为86.89%)和对照组(有效率为85.45%)差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。第4周试验组复发率为5.67%,低于对照组(19.15%)(P0.05)。结论地奈德乳膏联合透明质酸修护生物膜治疗面部湿疹疗效较好,复发率低。