MiR-122 overexpression alleviates oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neuronal injury by targeting sPLA2-IIA.

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a neurological disease with significant disability and mortality. MicroRNAs were proven to be associated with cerebral ischemia. Previous studies have demonstrated miR-122 downregulation in both animal models of IS and the blood of IS patients. Nonetheless, the role and mechanism of miR-122-5p in IS remain unclear. Methods: We established primary human and mouse astrocytes, along with HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells, through oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment. To assess the impact of miR-122, we employed CCK8 assays, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and ELISA to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cytokine expression. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to investigate the interaction between miR-122 and sPLA2-IIA. Results: Overexpression of miR-122 resulted in decreased apoptosis, reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression, and increased cell viability in astrocytes and HT22 cells subjected to OGD/R. RT-qPCR and ELISA analyses demonstrated a decrease in mRNA and cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in both astrocytes and HT22 cells following miR-122 overexpression. Moreover, miR-122 overexpression reversed OGD/R-induced ROS levels and 8-OHdG formation in astrocytes. Additionally, miR-122 overexpression decreased the mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Furthermore, we found that miR-122 attaches to the 3'-UTR of sPLA2-IIA, thereby downregulate its expression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that miR-122-mediated inhibition of sPLA2-IIA attenuates OGD/R-induced neuronal injury by suppressing apoptosis, alleviating post-ischemic inflammation, and reducing ROS production. Thus, the miR-122/sPLA2-IIA axis may represent a promising target for IS treatment.

HiMIC-Monthly: A 1 km high-resolution atmospheric moisture index collection over China, 2003-2020.

Near-surface atmospheric moisture is a key environmental and hydro-climatic variable that has significant implications for the natural and human systems. However, high-resolution moisture data are severely lacking for fine-scale studies. Here, we develop the first 1 km high spatial resolution dataset of monthly moisture index collection in China (HiMIC-Monthly) over a long period of 2003~2020. HiMIC-Monthly is generated by the light gradient boosting machine algorithm (LightGBM) based on observations at 2,419 weather stations and multiple covariates, including land surface temperature, vapor pressure, land cover, impervious surface proportion, population density, and topography. This collection includes six commonly used moisture indices, enabling fine-scale assessment of moisture conditions from different perspectives. Results show that the HiMIC-Monthly dataset has a good performance, with R2 values for all six moisture indices exceeding 0.96 and root mean square error and mean absolute error values within a reasonable range. The dataset exhibits high consistency with in situ observations over various spatial and temporal regimes, demonstrating broad applicability and strong reliability.

Alterations in functional connectivity in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain after motor control exercise: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Motor control exercise (MCE) is effective in alleviating non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). Neuro-imaging research is warranted to explore the underlying neural mechanisms of MCE. AIM: We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to explore the central mechanism underpinning the effects of MCE in patients with NCLBP. DESIGN: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial. SETTING: The setting was out-patient and community. POPULATION: Fifty-eight patients with NCLBP. METHODS: Patients were randomized into the MCE or manual therapy (MT) group. All the participants completed pain-related clinical assessments and rs-fMRI scans before and after intervention. We performed exploratory whole-brain analyses in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) with significant post-pre differences in ReHo before and after intervention, and investigated associations between imaging and pain-related clinical assessments. RESULTS: Compared with the MT group, a greater alleviation in pain intensity and disability was observed in the MCE group after intervention, and was sustained at the 6-month follow-up (P<0.001). Only the MCE group showed increased ReHo values in the right pre-central gyrus and decreased ReHo values in the bilateral posterior cerebellum (voxel level P<0.001, cluster-level FWE corrected P<0.05). Decreased rsFC of the right posterior cerebellum-left superior parietal gyrus and left insula were significantly positively associated with pain-related disability (voxel level P<0.001, cluster-level FWE corrected P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that MCE had superior effects in relieving pain and pain-related disability, which might be associated with its modulation of rsFC between the cerebellum and areas involved in sensory-discriminative processing of noxious and somato-sensory stimuli, affection, and cognition. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study provided preliminary evidence that MCE might alleviate NCLBP through its modulation of the function of brain areas related to chronic pain and postural control. Those results support MCE's clinical application and help physiotherapists to provide better multidisciplinary interventions with the combination of MCE and other first-line treatments.

Transverse mesocolic hernia with intestinal obstruction as a rare cause of acute abdomen in adults: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Internal hernia is a rare cause of acute abdomen and intestinal obstruction in adults. Internal abdominal hernias include paraduodenal, perigastric, foramen of Winslow, intersigmoid, and post-anastomotic hernias and can be congenital or acquired. Internal hernias occur in 1%-2% of patients, and transmesocolic hernias are extremely rare. This report presents a patient with a transverse mesocolic hernia with a preoperative diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to the hospital with middle and upper abdominal pain for 2 d, abdominal distension, and vomiting. After abdominal computed tomography, she was diagnosed with an internal abdominal hernia complicated by small intestinal obstruction and underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery. The patient recovered well and was discharged 6 d postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Transmesocolic hernias must be considered in adult patients with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction, even without a history of abdominal trauma or surgery.

Functional Alterations of the Basal Ganglia Are Associated with Voluntary Activation of the Core Stabilizing Muscles in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Deficits in voluntary activation of the core stabilizing muscles are consistently observed in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP); however, the underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed at testing the hypothesis that the impaired voluntary activation of core stabilizing muscles is associated with structural and functional alterations in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cortex in patients with CLBP. Methods: We obtained structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data from 53 patients with CLBP and 67 healthy controls and estimated the alterations in grey matter volume (GMV) and functional and effective connectivity (EC) of regions with altered GMV via whole brain analysis. The voluntary activation of the multifidus (MF) and transversus abdominis (TrA) was evaluated by ultrasound imaging in these patients. Results: Compared with the HCs, they displayed a significant decrease in GMV in the bilateral thalamus and caudate nucleus, a significant increase in GMV in the left middle frontal gyrus, and increased resting-state functional connectivity between the right caudate nucleus and the bilateral precuneus (voxel-level p < 0.005, Gaussian random field-corrected p < 0.05). The patients also showed increased EC from the right caudate nucleus to the bilateral precuneus, which was significantly correlated with voluntary activation of the bilateral MF and TrA (all p < 0.050). Conclusions: Grey matter alterations may be confined to regions responsible for perception, motor control, and emotion regulation in patients with CLBP. The interrupted EC from the basal ganglia to the default mode network might be involved in the impairment of voluntary activation of the core stabilizing muscles.

Global mapping of urban thermal anisotropy reveals substantial potential biases for remotely sensed urban climates.

Urban thermal anisotropy (UTA) drastically impacts satellite-derived urban surface temperatures and fluxes, and consequently makes it difficult to gain a more comprehensive understanding of global urban climates. However, UTA patterns and associated biases in observed urban climate variables have not been investigated across an adequate number of global cities with diverse contexts; nor is it known whether there are globally measurable factors that are closely related to the UTA intensity (UTAI, quantified as the maximum difference between the nadir and off-nadir urban thermal radiation). Here we investigate the UTAI over more than 5500 cities worldwide using multi-angle land surface temperature (LST) observations from 2003 to 2021 provided by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The results show that the global mean UTAI can reach 5.1, 2.7, 2.4, and 1.7 K during summer daytime, winter daytime, summer nighttime, and winter nighttime, respectively. Using nadir LST observations as a reference, our analysis reveals that UTA can lead to an underestimation of satellite-based urban surface sensible heat fluxes (H) by 45.4% and surface urban heat island intensity (Is) by 43.0% when using LST observations obtained from sensor viewing zenith angles (VZAs) of ±60°. Practitioners can limit the biases of H and Is within ±10% by using LSTs from sensor VZAs within ±30°. We also find that UTAI is closely related to urban impervious surface percentage and surface air temperature across global cities. These findings have implications for angular normalization of satellite-retrieved instantaneous LST observations across cities worldwide.

Detailed analysis of the association between urate deposition and bone erosion in gout: a dual-energy computed tomography study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of urate deposition (UD) on bone erosion and examine the association between the volume of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and an improved bone erosion score method, as measured in the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints of patients with gout. Materials and methods: Fifty-six patients diagnosed with gout using the 2015 European League Against Rheumatism and American College of Rheumatology criteria were enrolled. MSU crystals volume at each MTP joint was measured using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) images. The degree of bone erosion was evaluated with the modified Sharp/van der Heijde (SvdH) erosion scoring system based on CT images. Differences in clinical features between patients with (UD group) and without (non-UD group) UD were assessed, and the correlation between erosion scores and urate crystal volume was analyzed. Results: The UD and non-UD groups comprised 30 and 26 patients, respectively. Among the 560 MTP joints assessed, 80 showed MSU crystal deposition, and 108 showed bone erosion. Bone erosion occurred in both groups but was significantly less severe in the non-UD group (p <0.001). Both groups had equivalent levels of serum uric acid (p=0.200). Symptom duration was significantly longer in the UD group (p=0.009). The UD group also had a higher rate of kidney stones (p=0.023). The volume of MSU crystals was strongly and positively associated with the degree of bone erosion (r=0.714, p <0.001). Conclusion: This study found that patients with UD show significant increased bone erosion than those without UD. The volume of MSU crystals is associated with the improved SvdH erosion score based on CT images, regardless of serum uric acid level, demonstrating the potential of combining DECT and serum uric acid measurements in helping optimize the management of patients with gout.

High Compression Ratio Active Pre-chamber Single-Cylinder Gasoline Engine with 50% Gross Indicated Thermal Efficiency.

Active pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition with a high compression ratio has been demonstrated to be an effective method for significantly enhancing engine thermal efficiency. A dual modification of the combustion chamber and the pre-chamber was performed on an AVL 5400 single-cylinder Miller engine to achieve stable ultra-lean burn at a high compression ratio, and a breakthrough of 51.10% gross indicated thermal efficiency was achieved at the compression ratio of 16.4 and λ = 2.236. Spark ignition and pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition exhibit significant performance diversities under lean burn conditions. Pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition is able to significantly expand the lean burn limit of spark ignition to λ = 2.7 (CoVIMEP < 5%) at only the expense of an increased HC emission, while apparently reducing fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions. With an increase in the compression ratio from 13.6 to16.4, spark ignition and pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition exhibit contradictory performance laws. The engine performance of a spark ignition engine decreases significantly as the compression ratio increases, whereas a pre-chamber jet ignition engine can still operate reliably at a high compression ratio with ultra-lean combustion. Within the scope of the test, the performance of the pre-chamber jet ignition engine is enhanced by a greater compression ratio. This improvement is primarily attributable to the reduction of heat transfer loss and exhaust energy loss under ultra-lean combustion, as determined by an analysis of the structure of power losses.

New Insight into Glabellar Arteries: A Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography and Dissection Study.

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications from glabellar intravascular filler injections are major safety concerns. Filler injection into the glabella without precise knowledge of its vascular topography poses a risk of severe complications. METHODS: Computed tomography was used to study 90 cadaveric heads after contrast agent and filler injection, and 15 cadaveric heads were dissected. RESULTS: Central (CAs), paracentral (PCAs), and reverse dorsal nasal arteries (rDNAs) were found in 70 (38.9%), 58 (32.2%), and 16 (8.9%) of the 180 hemifaces, respectively. Based on the presence of CAs, PCAs, and rDNAs between the bilateral supratrochlear arteries (STAs), glabellar arteries were categorized into two main patterns: in type 1 [without named arteries between bilateral STAs; 22 of 90 (24.4%)], the glabella was supplied by bilateral STAs and their branches; in type 2 [with named arteries between bilateral STAs; 68 of 90 (75.6%)], the glabella was supplied by bilateral STAs and CAs, PCAs, and rDNAs. Type 2 could be further divided into three subtypes: in type 2a [45 of 90 (50.0%)], the glabella was supplied by bilateral STAs and one of the named arteries; in type 2b [21 of 90 (23.3%)], the glabella was supplied by bilateral STAs and two of the named arteries; and in type 2c [two of 90 (2.3%)], the glabella was supplied by bilateral STAs and unilateral CA, PCA, and rDNA. CONCLUSION: This study elucidated novel arterial systems and proposed considerations for glabellar filler injection.

Positions of the Glabellar Arteries: Implications for Glabellar Injection.

BACKGROUND: Glabellar filler injection is linked to an increased risk of blindness. A thorough understanding of vascular changes in the glabellar area is critical for safety. The study's goal was to precisely determine the three-dimensional placements of the arteries in the glabellar area. METHODS: In 117 cadavers, the vascular structures in the glabellar area were examined. There were four segments (S1/S1'-S4/S4') and five points (P1-P5) specified. The number of identified arteries found in each section and at each position was tallied. Additionally, the depth of the underlying identified artery under each site was measured. RESULTS: One to three named arteries per glabellar segment were found. Each segment had at least one named artery, and the number of named arteries detected between S1/S1' and S4/S4' decreased. The chance of encountering identified arteries at the 5 designated locations, P1-P5, was 7/117 (6.0%), 6/117 (5.1%), 7/117 (6.0%), 6/117 (5.1%), and 16/117 (13.7%), respectively. At P1-P5, the major artery trunk was 1.8 ± 0.3 mm, 1.6 ± 0.3 mm, 1.4 ± 0.2 mm, 1.3 ± 0.3 mm, and 1.1 ± 0.2 mm below the skin. CONCLUSIONS: The site of the glabellar arteries was clearly shown in this investigation; these arteries were met at a rate of 14% from P1 to P5. We demonstrated that a single entry site through the glabella via cannula could readily keep the needle deep enough for safe glabellar filler injection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Vasculature of the Nasal Cartilage Region Related to Filler Injection.

BACKGROUND: A filler injection in the nose can be essential but is also dangerous, especially in the nasal cartilage region. To safely and accurately perform a filler injection, surgeons must have detailed knowledge of nasal anatomy. OBJECTIVES: Associated the vessel branches and the characteristics of different nasal regions to provide suggestions for more suitable injection sites. METHODS: Fifty specimens underwent computed tomography (CT) after contrast infusion. Qualified specimens were selected for 3D CT reconstruction. Dissection was performed to confirm the accuracy of the CT data. RESULTS: The branches of arteries with large diameters, the dorsal nasal artery (DNA) and the lateral nasal artery (LNA) were distributed within the superficial musculoaponeurotic system layer. The DNA was seen in only 58% of specimens. The artery crossed the midline over the upper lateral cartilage in 16% of specimens. The LNA was a constant branch that traversed the nasal tip. The LNA crossed the midline to the contralateral side in 18% of patients. We divided the nasal cartilage dorsum into two regions for easy handling: the supratip region (STR) and the nasal tip region (NTR). The branches distributed in the STR mostly originated from the DNA (81.6%, 40/49), while those in the NTR mostly originated from the LNA. CONCLUSIONS: The vasculature of the nasal cartilage region observed in this study is similar to that observed in previous studies. However, we found that the STR was an advantageous area for filler injection. At the same time, we provided suggestions for more suitable injection methods. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Association of Reduced Tract Integrity with Social Communication Deficits in Preschool Autism Children: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the changes in white matter tracts in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the correlation between these changes and social communication deficits. METHODS: Diffuse tensor imaging was used to assess white matter integrity using tract-based spatial statistics in a sample of 50 right-handed children with ASD aged 2-6 years vis a reference sample of 46 typically developing children aged 2-6 years. We then correlated these significant different fiber tracts between groups with communication and social interaction scores using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised Assessment (ADI-R) Scale. RESULTS: We observed decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in tracts including the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), the splenium of the corpus callosum (splCC), the left corticospinal tracts, and the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) in children with ASD. Specifically, there was reduced white matter integrity of these tracts in the left cerebral hemisphere. In addition, we found that the decreased FA of left SLF and ILF was negatively associated with the ADI-R scores in children with ASD. CONCLUSION: The structural integrity of some white matter tracts in the five-level anatomical model for the social communication was reduced. The reduced integrity white matter that we observed primarily in the left cerebral hemisphere may be a neural substrate of social communication deficits in preschool children with ASD, and we speculate that the reduction is associated with the severity of social interaction. The reduced FA of the splCC might be a substantial biomarker for children with ASD.

Deployment of the Ophthalmic and Facial Angiosomes in the Upper Nose Overlaying the Nasal Bones.

BACKGROUND: Nasal filler placement is associated with a high risk of blindness. The arterial supply to the upper nose overlaying the nasal bones is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to visualize and analyze the deployment of the ophthalmic and facial angiosomes in the upper nose to help prevent blindness following nasal filler injections. METHODS: The arterial systems of 62 cadaveric heads were filled with lead oxide contrast agent, and computed tomography (CT) images were acquired and reconstructed in 3 dimensions. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the cadaveric noses examined demonstrated clear CT images of the facial and ophthalmic angiosomes in the upper nose. The Type 1 upper nose (15.4%) is supplied by 2 independent ophthalmic angiosomes that communicate indirectly through a choke anastomosis. The Type 2 upper nose (38.5%) is supplied by 2 ophthalmic angiosomes with a true anastomosis between them. The Type 3 upper nose (46.1%) is supplied by both ophthalmic and facial angiosomes with true anastomoses across the dorsal midline. These true anastomoses are mediated by the radix arcade in 46% of the noses and involve the dorsal nasal artery in 65% of the cases. The anastomoses all cross the upper dorsal midline and are directly linked to the ophthalmic angiosome. CONCLUSIONS: The deployment and anastomosis of the facial and ophthalmic angiosomes in the upper nose fall into 3 major patterns. About 85% of the noses have true anastomotic arteries that cross the upper dorsal midline and are directly linked to the ophthalmic circulation. Dorsum filler injection poses a significant risk of blindness.

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Study on the Vessels of the Zygomatic Region: Arterial Variations and Clinical Relevance.

BACKGROUND: Injection-based techniques for "cheek augmentation" have gained popularity in recent years. The aim of this study was to perform a topographic analysis of the depth and distribution of the vessels in the zygomatic region to facilitate clinical procedures. METHODS: The external carotid arteries of seven cadaveric heads were infused with lead oxide contrast medium. The facial and superficial temporal arteries of another 12 cadaveric heads were injected sequentially with the same medium. Computed tomographic scanning was then performed, and three-dimensional computed tomographic scans were reconstructed using validated algorithms. RESULTS: The vessels on the zygomatic arch received a double blood supply from across the upper and lower borders of the arch, and the number of the vessels varied from one to four. Ninety percent of the vessels on the zygomatic arch were at a depth of 1 to 2.5 mm, and 75 percent were at a depth of 10 to 30 percent of the soft-tissue thickness. The vessels were concentrated on the midline of the zygomatic arch and the lateral margin of the frontal process. All samples showed a vessel travel along the lateral margin of the frontal process that eventually merged into the superior marginal arcades. CONCLUSIONS: This study reported a topographic analysis of the depth and distribution of the vessels in the zygomatic region based on three-dimensional scanning. The results indicated that injection on the zygomatic arch should be performed deep to the bone, and the vascular zones anterior or posterior to the midline of the zygomatic arch were relatively safe injection areas.

A case series: 3-dimensional computed tomographic study of the superior orbital vessels: Superior orbital arcades and their relationships with the supratrochlear artery and supraorbital artery.

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications from periorbital intravascular filler injection are major safety concerns. OBJECTIVE: To thoroughly describe the superior orbital vessels near the orbital rim and propose considerations for upper eyelid and forehead injections. METHODS: Fifty-one cadaver heads were infused with lead oxide contrast media through the external carotid artery, internal carotid artery, and facial and superficial temporal arteries. Computed tomography (CT) images were obtained after contrast agent injection, and 3-dimensional CT scans were reconstructed by using a validated algorithm. RESULTS: Eighty-six qualified hemifaces clearly showed the origin, depth, and anastomoses of the superior orbital vessels, which consistently deployed 2 distinctive layers: deep and superficial. Of all hemifaces, 59.3% had deep superior orbital vessels near the orbital rim, including 44.2% with deep superior orbital arcades and 15.1% with deep superior orbital arteries, which originated from the ophthalmic artery. Additionally, 97.7% of the hemifaces had superficial superior orbital arcades, for which 4 origins were identified: ophthalmic artery, superior medial palpebral artery, angular artery, and anastomosis between the angular and ophthalmic arteries. LIMITATIONS: The arterial depth estimated from 3-dimensional CT needs to be confirmed by standard cadaver dissection. CONCLUSION: This study elucidated novel arterial systems and proposed considerations for upper eyelid and forehead injections.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Age-Related Orbital and Midfacial Bone Remodeling in Asians.

BACKGROUND: Facial bony changes vary among races, yet few studies have been conducted in Asians. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the aging of orbital and midfacial bones in Asians. METHODS: Based on the two-dimensional data obtained from the computed tomography scanner of imaging department, 3D reconstructions were conducted to take measurements (orbital diagonal diameter, orbital width, orbital area, maxillary angle, midfacial height, pyriform angle, pyriform width, and pyriform area). RESULTS: In this retrospective study of 261 subjects, a significant decrease in the orbital diagonal diameter, orbital width, and midfacial height was found in men, whereas women displayed a significant increase in the pyriform width and a significant decrease in maxillary angle and midfacial height by three-dimensional analysis. CONCLUSION: This study verifies the minor female changes in the orbital region and less dramatic male changes in the midfacial region compared with that in Caucasians. Individualized treatment should be performed according to different genders and races. Further exploration of facial bone metabolism may have valuable implications for Asians.

Cortical morphology of chronic users of codeine-containing cough syrups: association with sulcal depth, gyrification, and cortical thickness.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the effects of codeine-containing cough syrup (CCS) exposure on cortical morphology and the relationship between cortical characteristics and CCS dependence. METHODS: Cortical morphometry based on Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12) was used to compare changes in sulcal depth, gyrification, and cortical thickness of the cerebral cortex from 40 CCS users and 40 healthy controls (HCs) with two-sample t tests (p < 0.05, multiple comparison corrected). Relationships between abnormal cortical morphological changes and the duration of CCS use, impulsivity traits, and age of first use were investigated with correlation analysis (p < 0.05, uncorrected). RESULTS: CCS users exhibited significantly increased sulcal depth in the bilateral insula, bilateral lingual, bilateral superior frontal, right precuneus, and right middle frontal regions; increased gyrification in the right precentral cortex; and increased cortical thickness in the bilateral precentral, bilateral precuneus, and right superior temporal cortices compared to HCs. In addition, we found significant correlations between the bilateral insula, right superior frontal cortex, and right precentral gyrus and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) total scores. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic CCS abuse may be associated with aberrant sulcal depth, gyrification, and cortical thickness. These morphological changes might serve as an underlying neurobiological mechanism of impulsive behavior in the CCS users. KEY POINTS: • Cortical morphological changes were detected in CCS users. • Increased sulcal depth, gyrification, and cortical thickness of some regions were found in the CCS users. • Positive correlations between cortical morphological changes and BIS total scores were identified.

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Study on the Periorbital Branches of the Ophthalmic Artery: Arterial Variations and Clinical Relevance.

BACKGROUND: Filler injection is a popular cosmetic procedure, but it can entail vascular complications. Periorbital injections have the highest risk within the entire injection area. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to systematically screen for periorbital arterial variations prior to treatment. METHODS: The external carotid arteries of 10 cadaveric heads were infused with adequate lead oxide contrast. The facial and superficial temporal arteries of another 11 cadaveric heads were injected with the contrast in sequential order. Computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed after injection of contrast, and 3-dimensional (3D) CT scans were reconstructed using validated algorithms. RESULTS: Three types of periorbital blood vessels were found to derive from the ophthalmic artery, including 30% directly originating from the ophthalmic artery, 65% originating from its trochlear branch, and 5% originating from its supraorbital branch. In the forehead, the ophthalmic artery, originating from the internal carotid arteries, formed anastomoses between the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery, originating from the external carotid artery, with the deep and superficial branches of the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries, respectively. The lateral orbit and malar plexus can be classified into 4 types based on the trunk artery: the zygomatic orbital artery (27%), the transverse facial artery (23%), the premasseteric branch of the facial artery (19%), and all 3 contributing equally (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Postmortem 3D CT can map periorbital arterial variations. The branching pattern of the ophthalmic artery, the ophthalmic angiosome in the forehead, and the distribution of the lateral orbit and malar plexus were identified at high resolution to guide clinical practice.

High-Throughput Screening of Full-Face Clinically Relevant Arterial Variations Using Three-Dimensional Postmortem Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications resulting from intravascular filler injection and embolism are major safety concerns for facial filler injection. It is essential to systematically screen full-face arterial variations and help design evidence-based safe filler injection protocols. METHODS: The carotid arteries of 22 cadaveric heads were infused with adequate lead oxide contrast. The facial and superficial temporal arteries of another 12 cadaveric heads were injected with the contrast in a sequential order. A computed tomographic scan was acquired after each contrast injection, and each three-dimensional computed tomographic scan was reconstructed using validated algorithms. RESULTS: Three-dimensional computed tomography clearly demonstrated the course, relative depth, and anastomosis of all major arteries in 63 qualified hemifaces. The ophthalmic angiosome consistently deploys two distinctive layers of branch arteries to the forehead. The superficial temporal and superior palpebral arteries run along the preauricular and superior palpebral creases, respectively. The study found that 74.6 percent of the hemifaces had nasolabial trunks coursing along the nasolabial crease, and that 50.8 percent of the hemifaces had infraorbital trunks that ran through the infraorbital region. Fifty percent of the angular arteries were the direct anastomotic channels between the facial and ophthalmic angiosomes, and 29.2 percent of the angular arteries were members of the ophthalmic angiosomes. CONCLUSIONS: Full-face arterial variations were mapped using postmortem three-dimensional computed tomography. Facial creases were in general correlated with underlying deep arteries. Facial and angular artery variations were identified at high resolution, and reclassified into clinically relevant types to guide medical practice.