World Neurosurg
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Sox17 has emerged as an important factor in vascular remodeling because of the potential linkage with Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and the inflammatory pathway. Brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM), as an angiogenic and inflammatory disorder, might possess an aberrant regulation of the Sox17 associated pathway. We sought to investigate the expression of the Sox17 associated pathway in BAVMs. ⋯ The Sox17 associated pathway was activated in the BAVM nidus. Our results indicate that arterial identity is gained in thick-walled veins; this might reflect the process of arterialization of the veins as a result of hemodynamic stress. In addition, high expression of the Sox17 associated pathway in medium and small arteries indicates that BAVM vessels are intrinsically active.
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Neurosurgery program trainers are continuously searching for new methods to evaluate trainees' competency besides number of cases and training duration. Recently, efforts are made on the development of reliable methods to teach competency and valid methods to measure teaching efficacy. Herein, we propose the "Resident's Operative Case Tracking and Evaluation System" (ROCTES) for the assessment and monitoring of the resident's performance quality during each procedure. ⋯ This proposed evaluation system will provide a transparent assessment for residency training programs and should convert trainees into competent neurosurgeons.