Determination of nonlinear genetic architecture using compressed sensing.

Background: One of the fundamental problems of modern genomics is to extract the genetic architecture of a complex trait from a data set of individual genotypes and trait values. Establishing this important connection between genotype and phenotype is complicated by the large number of candidate genes, the potentially large number of causal loci, and the likely presence of some nonlinear interactions between different genes. Compressed Sensing methods obtain solutions to under-constrained systems of linear equations.

Prospective randomized study of selective neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of early tongue carcinoma.

Background: There are controversies on the benefits of elective neck dissection (END) for oral tongue carcinoma.

Method: This is a prospective randomized study of elective selective I, II, III neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of stage I to II oral tongue carcinoma. There were 35 patients on the observation arm and 36 patients on the END arm.

Evaluation of MRI findings after polyacrylamide gel injection for breast augmentation.

Objective: Polyacrylamide gel injection mammoplasty has recently been used for breast augmentation. However, many complications have been reported including complications that in some patients resulted in the need for mastectomy. This article reviews the MRI appearances of various complications of polyacrylamide gel injection mammoplasty including breast asymmetry; intramammary or extramammary gel displacement, including intrathoracic extension; and glandular atrophy, inflammation, and infection resulting in mastectomy.

Nipple-areola reconstruction in autologous breast reconstruction: Chinese patients' perspective.

Twenty-five consecutive patients who had nipple-areola reconstruction (NAR) using a modified S dermal-fat flap technique in the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, between 1995 and 2000 were studied. The nipple projection and sensation (to light touch and pinprick) were assessed by a designated surgeon who was not involved in the reconstructive process. This was followed by a questionnaire on the patients' perception of the various physical characteristics of the reconstructed nipple-areola complex (NAC) when in the nude.

Skin involvement in invasive breast carcinoma: safety of skin-sparing mastectomy.

Background: There is concern about the oncological safety of preserving most of the breast skin in skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM). Most supportive evidence for SSM evaluates the local recurrence rate on clinical follow-up.

Methods: The skin and 10 mm of the subcutaneous tissue of 30 total mastectomy specimens were studied with a step-serial sectioning technique.

Prognostic factors of clinically stage I and II oral tongue carcinoma-A comparative study of stage, thickness, shape, growth pattern, invasive front malignancy grading, Martinez-Gimeno score, and pathologic features.

Purpose: This study aims at evaluation of the different prognostic models, including stage, tumor thickness, shape, malignancy grading of tumor invasive front, Martinez-Gimeno score, and pathologic features in the prediction of subclinical nodal metastasis, local recurrence, and survival of early T1 and T2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. The results will have important implication for the management of patients.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-two clinically T1 and T2 glossectomy specimens of oral tongue carcinoma were serially sectioned in 3-mm thickness for the evaluation of various pathologic features.

Radial clearance in resection of hypopharyngeal cancer: an independent prognostic factor.

Background: The depth of infiltration of tumor is of particular relevance in hypopharyngeal cancers, because most of them are seen late, and extensive infiltration into the muscle wall and the cartilage are not uncommon.

Methods: The resected specimens of hypopharyngeal cancers were studied with whole-organ step-serial sectioning. The extent of infiltration into the thickness of the wall and the radial clearance were carefully documented.