The role of audiovisual congruence in aesthetic appreciation of contemporary music and visual art.

Does congruence between auditory and visual modalities affect aesthetic experience? While cross-modal correspondences between vision and hearing are well-documented, previous studies show conflicting results regarding whether audiovisual correspondence affects subjective aesthetic experience. Here, in collaboration with the Kentler International Drawing Space (NYC, USA), we depart from previous research by using music specifically composed to pair with visual art in the professionally-curated Music as Image and Metaphor exhibition. Our pre-registered online experiment consisted of 4 conditions: Audio, Visual, Audio-Visual-Intended (artist-intended pairing of art/music), and Audio-Visual-Random (random shuffling). Participants (N = 201) were presented with 16 pieces and could click to proceed to the next piece whenever they liked. We used time spent as an implicit index of aesthetic interest. Additionally, after each piece, participants were asked about their subjective experience (e.g., feeling moved). We found that participants spent significantly more time with Audio, followed by Audiovisual, followed by Visual pieces; however, they felt most moved in the Audiovisual (bi-modal) conditions. Ratings of audiovisual correspondence were significantly higher for the Audiovisual-Intended compared to Audiovisual-Random condition; interestingly, though, there were no significant differences between intended and random conditions on any other subjective rating scale, or for time spent. Collectively, these results call into question the relationship between cross-modal correspondence and aesthetic appreciation. Additionally, the results complicate the use of time spent as an implicit measure of aesthetic experience.

Reduction cheiloplasty with lateral wedge excisions in cheilitis granulomatosa.

This case presents a method of reductive cheiloplasty: Conway's method with lateral and bilateral wedge excisions contained to the vermillion. It was performed on a female patient with cheilitis granulomatosa after 4 years of trying different medical therapies without effect. The surgery successfully reduced the increased volume, facilitating improved aesthetics and function while preserving oral function, muscle strength as well as sensitivity with no recurrence at the 15-month follow-up. We encourage early collaboration between dermatologists and plastic surgeons regarding the timing of a potential surgery when treating cheilitis granulomatosa.

The effect of social factors on eye movements made when judging the aesthetic merit of figurative paintings.

In the present study we explore how social factors (group contact, individuating experience, implicit racial bias) influence the eye movements made during the visual exploration when judging their aesthetic merit of figurative paintings depicting White and Black sitters. An opportunity sample of participants visiting a gallery in Liverpool viewed ten artworks while their eye movements were recorded and completed a set of individual difference measures. The individual difference measures indicated self-report of art interest, social contact and individuating experience with both Black and White communities, and implicitly held racial bias. The results showed that, despite viewing the paintings for less time, the majority of participants reported paintings showing Black sitters as more interesting, emotionally moving, and pleasurable then those depicting White sitters. However, if a participant reported limited social contact with Black community, and a negative implicit racial bias against them, their rating of aesthetic merit of paintings showing Black sitters was reduced, viewing time increased, and fixations became more focused on faces. The influence of social factors on the viewing of paintings showing White sitters was limited to aesthetic rating. The results are discussed in terms of how social factors influence eye movements when viewing paintings in a real-world setting.

From Anxiety to Aesthetics: "Rank Horror: An International Symposium".

This report on the proceedings of the "Rank Horror" symposium, convened in May 2024 to reconsider Otto Rank's life, work, and enduring contributions to psychoanalytic theory and practice, includes a brief historical survey of Rank's relationship to Sigmund Freud and other original members of the International Psychoanalytic Association's Central Committee, and an account of the symposium's wider intellectual and political context. It outlines the reasons for returning to Rank now, and a summary of the papers presented. Particular focus is afforded to Rank's 1924 book, The Trauma of Birth.

Algorithmic Beauty: The New Beauty Standard.

BACKGROUND: Algorithms on various social media platforms feed users what it considers "beautiful", impacting the aesthetic desires of patients as well as beauty ideals. OBJECTIVE: To discuss how algorithms on social media platforms personalize feeds and influence a patient's preference for procedures. METHODS: YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok's websites were searched for how their algorithms function. A narrative review of the literature pertaining to social media and cosmetic procedures was also conducted using PubMed. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Social media platforms personalize feeds for their users. Identifying exactly what a patient is exposed to on social media and how that influences their preference for cosmetic procedures presents a challenge at various levels. Social media usage appears to at least influence cosmetic procedure consideration. The desired appearance may be impacted by location, repeated exposure, and familiarity. CONCLUSION: While impossible to predict the next beauty trend, it is important to understand how algorithms and artificial intelligence may play an increasing role in a patient’s visual diet and how their aesthetic goals are thereby affected. Using social media platforms and understanding market trends can guide dermatologists to provide evidence-based education, dispel misinformation, and anchor patients in reality while understanding the cosmetic procedures that patients seek. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(9):742-746.  doi:10.36849/JDD.8074.

Aesthetic processing in neurodiverse populations.

Neurodiversity is a perspective on cognition which suggests a non-pathological view of individual cognitive differences. Aesthetics research on neurodivergent brains has generally been limited to neuropsychological cases. Although this research has been integral to establishing the neurological correlates of aesthetic experience, it is crucial to expand this paradigm to more psychologically complex disorders. We offer a review of research on aesthetic preference in neurodivergent brains beyond neuropsychological cases: across populations with psychotic disorder, anhedonia and depression, anxiety disorder, and autism. We identify stable patterns of aesthetic bias in these populations, relate these biases to symptoms at perceptual, emotional, and evaluative levels of cognition, review relevant neurological correlates, and connect this evidence to current neuroaesthetics theory. Critically, we synthesize the reviewed evidence and discuss its relevance for three brain networks regularly implicated in aesthetic processing: the mesocorticolimbic reward circuit, frontolimbic connections, and the default mode network. Finally, we propose that broadening the subject populations for neuroaesthetics research to include neurodiverse populations is instrumental for yielding new insights into aesthetic processing in the brain.

[The benefits of socio-aesthetics in psychiatry: three experiments with adolescents]. / Intérêt de la socio-esthétique en psychiatrie : trois expériences menées auprès d'adolescents.

Adolescents and young adults admitted to the Espace unit at Nantes University Hospital are offered beauty treatments. Although their situations are diverse, they consistently show a decline in self-esteem. These young patients benefit from individual hand and facial treatments, make-up sessions and group workshops.

Effects of facial forms and midline deviations and rolls on female facial beauty according to laypeople, orthodontists, and prosthodontists or restorative dentists.

No study has examined the simultaneous effect of facial forms, midline deviations and midline angulations on facial beauty. Therefore, this comprehensive study aimed to evaluate these and many other hypotheses. This psychometric study was performed on 15,042 observations. A female frontal photograph was edited to 45 perceptometric images with controlled anatomical alteration: 3 facial forms (euryprosopic [brachyfacial], mesoprosopic [mesofacial], leptoprosopic [dolichofacial]), each having either 9 bidirectional midline deviations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm deviated to the left and right) or 7 bidirectional midline angular deviations (0°, 5°, 10°, and 15° deviated to the left and right). One of the photographs were repeated. These 46 images were esthetically judged by 327 participants (243 laypeople, 49 orthodontists, and 35 'prosthodontists or restorative dentists'). Hierarchical mixed-model multiple linear regressions and post hoc tests were adopted to evaluate the simultaneous impacts of the photomodel's facial forms, midline deviations to the right or left, and midline rolls to the right or left plus sex, age, experience, and dental specialty of the referees on their perception of facial beauty as well as the tolerable zones of midline alterations. These were also done separately for each specialty group, and also for each facial face. Ideal combinations of anatomic features were determined using repeated-measures ANOVAs. Differences between esthetic preferences of different groups in terms of each image were assessed using one-way ANOVAs and t-tests (α = 0.05, α = 0.008, α = 0.001). All 5 anatomical features significantly and independently influenced perception of facial beauty. The tolerance threshold for midline deviations was 1 mm deviations to the right and left sides. For midline rolls, the only tolerable form was the no-roll ('on') midline; the judges preferred right-oriented defects over left-sided ones. The most beautiful facial form was mesoprosopic, followed by leptoprosopic. Men perceived the female face slightly more attractive than did women. The viewers' specialty (or lack of it), their age, or their experience did not affect their esthetic preferences. Predictors of esthetic preferences were all 5 anatomical features plus views' sex, but not their dental specialty, age, or experience. Zones of acceptability and also the ideal range of anatomical features were determined.

Plataforma cone morse, a melhor opção para a biomecânica e estética em próteses sobre implante: uma revisão de literatura / Conemorse platform, the best option for biomechanics and aesthetics in implant-supported prostheses: a literature review

A escolha da plataforma protética em implantodontia é fundamental para garantir o sucesso a longo prazo dos procedimentos. Todos os tipos de conexão protética apresentam vantagens e desvantagens, cabendo ao cirurgião-dentista optar pelo o que melhor se adepta ao seu caso. Uma revisão de literatura foi realizada, abrangendo estudos relevantes que compararam essas duas plataformas protéticas em termos de biomecânica e estética. Foram analisadas revisões de literatura e estudos in vitro, sob as palavras-chave "cone morse", "biomechanics", "abuptment". As pesquisas foram feitas nas bases de dados Scielo e PubMed, e os artigos escolhidos deveriam abordar a estabilidade das conexões, a preservação óssea e a estética peri-implantar. Os resultados da revisão demonstram que a plataforma Cone Morse oferece uma interface mais estável, reduz o afrouxamento de parafusos e minimiza a infiltração bacteriana. Com isso, o Cone Morse contribui para a preservação das estruturas ósseas e gengivais ao redor do implante, tornando-se uma escolha valiosa, especialmente em procedimentos de reabilitação estética.

A choice of the prosthetic platform in implant dentistry is fundamental to ensure long-term success of procedures. All types of prosthetic connections have their advantages and disadvantages, and it's up to the dentist to choose what best suits their case. A literature review was conducted, encompassing relevant studies comparing these two prosthetic platforms in terms of biomechanics and aesthetics. Literature reviews and in vitro studies were analyzed using keywords such as "Cone Morse," "biomechanics," and "abutment." The research was conducted on Scielo and PubMed databases, and the selected articles should address connection stability, bone preservation, and peri-implant aesthetics. The review results demonstrate that the Cone Morse platform offers a more stable interface, reduces screw loosening, and minimizes bacterial infiltration. As a result, Cone Morse contributes to the preservation of bone and gingival structures around the implant, making it a valuable choice, especially in aesthetic rehabilitation procedures.

Preoperative three-dimensional simulation of the breast appearance after wide local excision or level one oncoplastic techniques for breast-conserving treatment does not set unrealistic expectations for aesthetic outcome: One-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation of aesthetic outcomes of wide local excision and level one oncoplastic breast conserving treatment (BCT) using 3-dimensional surface imaging (3D-SI) prepares women for their aesthetic outcome. It remains unknown whether women's memory of this information at the one-year follow-up matches their perception of reality or affects the quality of life. METHODS: With ethical approval, a prospective 3-arm RCT was conducted and it included 3D-simulation, viewing post-operative 2D photographs of other women and standard care. At one-year post-surgery, the participants completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) for the question "How well do you think the information about how your breasts are likely to look after surgery reflects how they actually look today?" and the BCT BREAST-Q module. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine between-group differences at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: From 2017 to 2019, 117 women completed the primary endpoint of being informed about the aesthetic outcome via verbal description, photographs or simulation. Seventy-eight (74%) of the 106 women who remained eligible attended the one-year follow-up. The standardised preoperative 3D-SI simulation did not affect the patient's perception of the aesthetic outcome compared to standard care or viewing 2D photographs as measured using the VAS (p = 0.40) or BREAST-Q scores for satisfaction with information (p = 0.76), satisfaction with breasts (p = 0.70), and psychosocial wellbeing domains (p = 0.81). DISCUSSION: Viewing their own 3D-SI standardised simulation did not significantly affect how the participants perceived their aesthetic outcome. In addition, it did not alter the patient-reported satisfaction. These results demonstrated that simulation for wide local excision or level one oncoplastic surgery does not set unrealistic expectations of the aesthetic outcome when used in a preoperative setting. SYNOPSIS: The use of a non-bespoke three-dimensional simulation of the aesthetic outcome for breast conserving treatment in the preoperative setting does not over-inflate expectations compared to standard care.

[Application of modified Z-shaped cosmetic incision in parotid benign tumor resection].

Objective:To explore the safety and aesthetic effect of modified Z-shaped cosmetic incision in parotid benign tumor resection. Methods:A prospective study was conducted. A total of 44 patients with benign parotid tumor resection were randomly divided into experimental group（n=22） and control group（n=22）. The experimental group underwent modified Z-shaped cosmetic incision, while the control group underwent the traditional S-shaped incision. The surgical duration, hospital stay, complications and maxillofacial aesthetics were compared between the two groups. Results:There was no significant difference in gender, age, surgical method, pathological type between the experimental group and the control group（P>0.05）. The maxillofacial aesthetics and surgical duration of the two groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）, while there was no statistically significant difference in terms of hospitalization days, surgical complications and Vancouver scar scale score （P>0.05）. Conclusion:The modified Z-shaped cosmetic incision has a better effect on improving the maxillofacial aesthetics after benign parotid tumor resection, and compared with the traditional S-shaped incision, the safety is consistent, so it is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Wedge Osteectomy of Bony Cap in Rhinoplasty: Minor Nasal Bone Hump Reduction.

BACKGROUND: Hump reduction with traditional ostectomy is an invasive procedure performed in aesthetic rhinoplasty. Natural and flawless nasal dorsum can be obtained with wedge ostectomy (WO) technique. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the nasal dorsum WO technique and examine its effectiveness in correcting nasal dorsum with absent and minor humps in patients undergoing aesthetic rhinoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Senior author performed 488 rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty operations from April 2009 to April 2021. After exclusion of major hump patients, the remaining 312 patients had a secondary evaluation for suitability for wedge ostectomy. After secondary examination, 87 patients, including 19 with absent humps (0 mm) and 68 with small humps (1-3 mm) were operated. RESULTS: Nasal bone hump reduction with WO has proven satisfactory results in majority of patients, minimal revision in done in five patients but no complications were occurred related to this method. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal dorsum WO provides lesser invasive approach to bony hump reduction in selected patients, ensuring bone cortex continuity in nasal dorsum. It decreases possible dorsal nasal irregularities associated with conventional coronal plane ostectomies. At the same time, it provides a natural and anatomically accurate nasal dorsum.

Résumé Contexte:La réduction de la bosse avec l'ostectomie traditionnelle est une procédure invasive effectuée dans la rhinoplastie esthétique. Le dos nasal naturel et sans faille.Objectif:L'objectif de cette étude est de décrire la technique du dorsum nasal et d'examiner son efficacité dans la correction du dos nasal avec des bosses absentes et mineures chez les patients subissant une rhinoplastie esthétique.Matériaux et méthodes:l'auteur principal a effectué 488 opérations de rhinoplastie et de septorhinoplastie d'avril 2009 à avril 2021. Après exclusion des patients principaux Hump, les 312 patients restants ont eu une évaluation secondaire pour l'adéquation pour l'ostectomie en coin. Après un examen secondaire, 87 patients, dont 19 avec des bosses absents (0 mM) et 68 avec de petites bosses (1­3 mm) ont été opérés.Résultats:La réduction de la bosse osseuse nasale avec le WO a prouvé des résultats satisfaisants dans la majorité des patients, une révision minimale dans cinq patients, mais aucune complication n'a été produite à cette méthode.Conclusions:Le dorsum nasal WO fournit une approche invasive moins invasive de la réduction de la bosse osseuse chez les patients sélectionnés, assurant la continuité du cortex osseux dans le dos nasal. Il diminue les éventuelles irrégularités nasales dorsales associées aux ostectomies du plan coronal conventionnel. Dans le même temps, il fournit un dos nasal naturel et anatomiquement précis.

Goldilocks mastectomy; a modified technique enhancing the aesthetic outcome presented as a single center single-arm prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Goldilocks mastectomy represents a midway solution for breast reconstruction between flat chest and sophisticated reconstructive techniques. The literature lacks a standardization of the technique. In this study, we present a step-by-step approach with modifications in the original technique achieving better breast shape and contour within the context of standardization of the technique. METHODS: A single arm prospective study was conducted at our center in which female patients with large ptotic breasts indicated for mastectomy were included. Patients with locally advanced skin changes, inflammatory carcinoma, stage IV disease as well as male patients were excluded. Recruited patients were subjected to the same surgical steps. Contralateral breast symmetrization was performed by reduction technique to patients who accepted this. All patients were requested to report their degree of satisfaction according to a simple 5-point Likert scale. Follow up mammogram was performed to all patients 1 year after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included with a median (IQR) age of 56.0 (50.0-62.0) years. The median (IQR) BMI was 41.20 (36.55-44.35)Kg/m2. The median (IQR)operative time was 115.0 (105.0-120.0) minutes. Complications were encountered in 12 patients (21.8 %). The follow up period ranged from 19 to 66 months with a median (IQR) 36.0 (28.0-45.0)months. 98.2 % of the studied patients were either satisfied or extremely satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Goldilocks mastectomy is a valid mastectomy option for selected patients with large ptotic breasts. Standardization of the surgical steps can help in improving the aesthetic outcome.

Disinterested attention and aesthetic experience.

Research studies have focused on stimulus features as well as internal or contextual factors to understand aesthetic experience. An important question is the nature of processes that are involved in all aesthetic experiences. One possible process is "disinterested attention" that may be necessary for one to have an aesthetic experience. This can be contrasted with a perceiver who attends to an object or event only in a goal-directed or instrumental or practical manner. It has been claimed that "disinterested attention" involves attention being focused on the aesthetic object or event while being distributed across its features or components. Other ideas have focused on better reallocation of attention over time. The potential nature of attention could be linked to aspects of mindfulness. Studies looking at the effects of mindfulness on aesthetic experience have shown it increases the frequency of having aesthetic experience. The nature of attention needed for an aesthetic experience can be thought of as a form of generosity that could be linked to the notions of a gift. Mindful attention to objects or life as a gift, perhaps enables us to see objects and perhaps life itself in non-instrumental terms resulting in an aesthetic experience.

Versatility of OnabotulinumtoxinA in Aesthetic Medicine.

BACKGROUND: OnabotulinumtoxinA is an injectable product that was introduced into medicine in the 1970s and has been the subject of thousands of clinical and nonclinical publications. OBJECTIVE: To review the data related to the versatility of onabotulinumtoxinA in medical aesthetics. METHODS: PubMed was searched to identify literature evaluating the effects of onabotulinumtoxinA, with preference given to randomized, placebo-controlled trials and safety meta-analyses. RESULTS: OnabotulinumtoxinA is effective and safe across multiple facial indications, racial and ethnic groups, age groups, genders, and facial line severities. Patient-reported outcomes have been prioritized in aesthetic clinical trials and indicate high patient satisfaction and appearance-related psychological outcomes. Integrated safety meta-analysis and immunogenicity analyses have documented acceptable adverse event rates and low immunogenicity of onabotulinumtoxinA. CONCLUSION: OnabotulinumtoxinA is a versatile aesthetic product supported by a strong literature base and positive physician and patient-reported outcomes that reflect a meaningful impact on patient's quality of life.

Post Hoc Analysis Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of PrabotulinumtoxinA in Millennials and Nonmillennials With Moderate to Severe Glabellar Lines.

BACKGROUND: Millennials accept and invest in aesthetic procedures more than older generations. OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy outcomes between millennial and nonmillennial patients after treatment of glabellar lines with prabotulinumtoxinA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of 3 Phase III studies of 20 U prabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines. Investigator- and/or subject-assessed positive responder rates in the Glabellar Line Scale, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, and Subject Satisfaction Scale were compared between millennials (born 1982-2000) and nonmillennials (born ≤1981). RESULTS: Aesthetic outcomes and subject satisfaction of prabotulinumtoxinA treatment were high in nonmillennials (n = 65) and even higher in millennials (n = 668) at all time points. At Days 7, 14, and 30 post-treatment, positive responder rates were >85% and >97% across all scales in nonmillennials and millennials, respectively, with statistical superiority observed in millennials at multiple time points in virtually all scales. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: PrabotulinumtoxinA was highly effective in treating moderate to severe glabellar lines. The greater efficacy seen in millennials may reflect physiological differences related to aging as well as botulinum toxin-mediated effects on mood. The results align well with their aesthetic expectations.

IncobotulinumtoxinA for Aesthetic Treatments: Review and Recommendations From Latin America.

BACKGROUND: As new aesthetic treatment techniques are developed, the understanding of botulinum toxin type A safety and treatment outcomes continues to evolve. OBJECTIVE: This article was developed to provide a comprehensive up-to-date reference for clinicians using incobotulinumtoxinA (INCO; Xeomin/Bocouture, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) for aesthetic treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS/MATERIALS: A Latin American panel of 11 physicians was assembled to discuss and develop recommendations on the use of INCO for aesthetic treatment based on the literature review and their private medical practice. RESULTS: The panel found that INCO is a highly purified botulinum toxin, without other clostridial proteins (hemagglutinins and nonhemagglutinins). IncobotulinumtoxinA has proven its efficacy and duration over time, maintaining response after multiple treatment cycles. CONCLUSION: This recommendation provides up-to-date information on the use of INCO for aesthetic treatment, focusing on the differential properties of this product regarding its purity, performance, customization, and patient satisfaction.

Self-reference and emotional reaction drive aesthetic judgment.

Traditional philosophical inquiry, and more recently neuroscientific studies, have investigated the sources of artworks' aesthetic appeal. A substantial effort has been made to isolate the objective features contributing to aesthetic appreciation. While variables such as contrast or symmetry have been shown to robustly impact aesthetic judgment, they only account for a small portion of the intersubjective variability in aesthetic ratings. Recent multiprocess model of aesthetic appreciation could accommodate this finding by proposing that evaluative processes based on self-reference underpin the idiosyncrasy of aesthetic judgment. We tested this hypothesis in two behavioral studies, that were basically conceptual replications of our previous work, in which we took advantage of the self-reference effect on memory. We also tried to disentangle the role of self-reference and emotional reaction to artworks in guiding aesthetic judgments, by comparing an aesthetic judgment encoding condition to a self-reference condition (Study 1), and an emotional evaluation condition (Study 2). We show that artworks encoded in an aesthetic judgment condition exhibit a similar mnesic advantage compared to both the self-reference and the emotional evaluation encoding conditions. Moreover, retrospective emotional judgment correlates with both self-reference and aesthetic judgments ratings. These results suggest that a basic mechanism, appraisal of self-relevance, could ground aesthetic judgments.