Novel En Face OCT-Based Closure Patterns in Idiopathic Macular Holes.

Purpose: To determine the postoperative en face OCT pattern of closure in idiopathic macular holes (MHs).

Design: Retrospective, multicentric, observational study.

Participants: Patients aged > 18 years with a diagnosis of idiopathic MH, with well documented en face OCT images.

Volumetric growth rates of untreated cavernous sinus meningiomas.

Objective: Meningiomas that arise primarily within the cavernous sinus are often believed to be more indolent in their growth pattern. Despite this perceived growth pattern, disabling symptoms can arise even with small tumors. While research has been done on cavernous sinus meningiomas (CSMs) and their treatment, very little is known about their natural growth rates.

Promoting Colorectal Cancer Screening in South Asian Muslims Living in the USA.

Colorectal cancer is one of the more common forms of cancer in South Asian men and women. Despite the rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) in South Asians, the CRC screening rates remain low in South Asians and Muslims compared with those in Whites and other ethnic minorities in the USA. Religious and cultural barriers have been examined in relation to other types of cancer such as breast and cervical cancers.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Among South Asians: Focus Group Findings on Attitudes, Knowledge, Barriers and Facilitators.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are low among South Asians. Understanding barriers and facilitators about CRC screening among South Asians may inform effective messaging and interventions.

Methods: We conducted eight focus groups (FGs) among South Asians to gather contextual information about CRC causes, screening barriers and facilitators, and cultural factors affecting screening.

Impact of a surgical site infection reduction strategy after colorectal resection.

Aim: This study was performed to determine the impact of a surgical site infection (SSI) reduction strategy on SSI rates following colorectal resection.

Method: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data from 2006-14 were utilized and supplemented by institutional review board-approved chart review. The primary end-point was superficial and deep incisional SSI.

Simulated colonoscopy training using a low-cost physical model improves responsiveness of surgery interns.

Aim: Surgery residents are required to become proficient in colonoscopy before completing training. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of surgery interns to simulated colonoscopy training.

Method: Interns, defined as postgraduate year 1 residents without exposure to endoscopy, underwent training in a physical model including colonoscopy, synthetic anatomy trays with luminal tattoos and a hybrid simulator.

Quality of total mesorectal excision and depth of circumferential resection margin in rectal cancer: a matched comparison of the first 20 robotic cases.

Aim: There are concerns about the impact of robotic proctectomy on the quality of total mesorectal excision (TME) and the impact of laparoscopic proctectomy on the depth of the circumferential resection margin (CRM). The aim of this study was to compare the first 20 consecutive robotic proctectomies performed in our unit with matched series of open and laparoscopic proctocolectomy performed by the same surgeon.

Method: Data on the first 20 consecutive patients treated with robotic proctectomy for rectal cancer, <12 cm from the anal verge, by the senior author (RB) were extracted from a prospectively maintained database.

Low-copy-number human transgene is recognized as an X inactivation center in mouse ES cells, but fails to induce cis-inactivation in chimeric mice.

X chromosome inactivation is initiated from a segment of the mammalian X chromosome called the X inactivation center. Transgenes from this region of the murine X chromosome are providing the means to identify the DNA needed for cis inactivation in mice. We recently showed that chimeric mice carrying transgenes from the human X inactivation center (XIC) region also provide a functional assay for human XIC activity; approximately 6 copies of a 480-kb human transgene (ES-10) were sufficient to initiate random X inactivation in cells of male chimeric mice (Migeon et al.

Severe phenotypes associated with inactive ring X chromosomes.

Mental retardation and congenital malformations in individuals with small ring X chromosomes are often due to the functional disomy that results from failure of these chromosomes to undergo X inactivation. Such chromosomes either lack the XIST locus or do not express it. We have carried out genetic analysis of the ring X chromosomes from two girls with a 45,X/46,X,r(X) karyotype, mental retardation, and a constellation of abnormalities characteristic of the severe phenotype due to X disomy.

Human X inactivation center induces random X chromosome inactivation in male transgenic mice.

X chromosome inactivation is the means to downregulate the transcriptional output of X chromosomes in female mammals. Essential DNA from the murine X inactivation center (Xic) has been identified by introducing it into male embryonic stem (ES) cells. To identify the essential sequences on human X chromosomes, we transfected male mouse ES cells with a YAC transgene containing 480 kb of the putative human X inactivation center (XIC).