microRNAs in sudden hearing loss.

Objectives: To compare the circulating microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles between sudden sensory neural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients and age-matched normal hearing controls.

Study Design: Prospective cohort multi-center study.

Methods: Patients presenting within 28 days of onset of SSNHL were prospectively recruited along with contemporaneous age-matched controls.

Outcomes of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Head and Neck Region With Regional Lymph Node Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: There is a need to summarize the available evidence and provide quantitative data of the most important prognostic factors for patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region with regional lymph node metastasis (McSCCHN).

Objective: To undertake a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of all published studies on the risk factors for overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), locoregional recurrence (LRR), and disease-specific survival (DSS) for patients with McSCCHN.

Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase were searched from 1946 to August 2018 for English-language articles.

Shouldering the load of mandible reconstruction: 81 cases of oromandibular reconstruction with the scapular tip free flap.

Background: The scapular tip free flap (STFF) is becoming more popular for oromandibular reconstruction. This article reviewed the early and late outcomes in a larger series over 9 years.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent oromandibular reconstruction using the STFF at London Health Sciences Centre.

Predictors of plate extrusion in oromandibular free flap reconstruction.

Objectives: Plate extrusions after free tissue transfer for mandibular reconstruction can be problematic and generally require revision surgery. Our objective was to assess the predictors of plate extrusion and compare outcomes between fibular free flaps (FFF), lateral border scapular flaps (LBSF), and scapular tip free flaps (STFF).

Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent osseous free tissue reconstruction of the mandible (2008-2014) at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario.

Cellular stress and apoptosis contribute to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder.

Unlabelled: The molecular pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is still elusive. In this study, we investigated the possible roles of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and apoptosis as molecular mechanisms underlying autism. This study compared the activation of ER stress signals (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase [PERK], activating transcription factor 6 [ATF6], inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha [IRE1α]) in different brain regions (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum) in subjects with autism and in age-matched controls.

Reconstruction after salvage laryngectomy.

Both early and advanced stage laryngeal cancers are treated with organ-preserving strategies including radiation alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. While organ-preserving modalities have proven effective in eradicating cancer while also preserving laryngeal function, there remains a proportion of cases where residual or recurrent cancer prevails, or conversely, where radiotherapy renders a larynx dysfunctional. In these circumstances, salvage total laryngectomy is often the surgical treatment.

Primary facial reanimation in head and neck cancer.

Facial Paralysis (FP) profoundly impairs the life of individuals, both functionally and psychosocially. Surgical approaches to treat this condition are myriad, but the ultimate goal is to restore symmetry and movement. Ablative surgery for tumors of the head and neck region are amongst the most common etiologies causing FP and this group of patients represents unique challenges.

Boot Camps: Preparing for Residency.

Simulation-based boot camps are growing in popularity and are effective in onboarding novice residents with new knowledge, skills, and behaviors. These intensive and immersive courses may be used to train residents and allied health professionals in specific procedures, teamwork, and management of rare clinical scenarios. A needs assessment of learners determines the course curriculum.

Evaluating organ preservation outcome as treatment endpoint for T1aN0 glottic cancer.

Objectives/hypothesis: Common endpoints in reporting the outcomes for early glottic cancer do not highlight the importance of organ preservation. We evaluated the treatment outcomes among patients with T1aN0 laryngeal cancer with laryngectomy-free disease-specific survival (LFS-DSS), which is defined as time to total laryngectomy or time to death from cancer cause, against all other endpoints.

Study Design: Outcome research on an institutional database.

Metastatic mammary carcinoma to the orbit masquerading as maxillary sinusitis.

Introduction: We report on a case of isolated metastatic breast cancer to the medial rectus muscle. This entity is exceedingly rare.

Case: A 44-year-old female with a history of breast cancer presented with unilateral maxillary symptoms and was treated for sinusitis.

The usefulness of routine histopathology of bilateral nasal polyps - a systematic review, meta-analysis, and cost evaluation.

Background: Controversy regarding the usefulness of routine histopathological examination of bilateral nasal polyps removed during endoscopic sinus surgery to identify occult diagnoses still exists. There is a paucity of high-level evidence in the literature.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

The utility of routine polyp histopathology after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: Routine histopathological assessment is standard practice for nasal polyp specimens obtained during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Retrospective studies suggest that routine histopathology of nasal polyps shows few unexpected diagnoses that alter patient management. Our objective was to study the use of routine pathological analysis, and its cost to the healthcare system, in a prospective manner.

Application of the PrimRglo assay chemistry to multiplexed bead assays.

In this unit, we describe a multiplex microsphere quantitative PCR. The system is based on the use of two additional oligonucleotides within a single tube PCR reaction. The first oligonucleotide is modified with a single base pair mismatch and is otherwise equivalent to a universal sequence added to the forward PCR primer.

A new, multiplex, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction system for nucleic acid detection and quantification.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has emerged as a powerful investigative and diagnostic tool with potential to generate accurate and reproducible results. qPCR can be designed to fulfil the four key aspects required for the detection of nucleic acids: simplicity, speed, sensitivity, and specificity. This chapter reports the development of a novel real-time multiplex quantitative PCR technology, dubbed PrimRglo™, with a potential for high-degree multiplexing.

The Notch ligands Jagged2, Delta1, and Delta4 induce differentiation and expansion of functional human NK cells from CD34+ cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Notch receptor signaling is required for T cell development, but its role in natural killer (NK) cell development is poorly understood. We compared the ability of the 5 mammalian Notch ligands (Jagged1, Jagged2, Delta1, Delta3, or Delta4) to induce NK cell development from human hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). CD34(+) HPCs were cultured with OP9 stromal cell lines transduced with 1 of the Notch ligands or with OP9 stromal cells alone, in the presence of IL-7, Flt3L, and IL-15.

Integration of 2D CMUT arrays with front-end electronics for volumetric ultrasound imaging.

For three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging, connecting elements of a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array to the imaging system's front-end electronics is a challenge because of the large number of array elements and the small element size. To compactly connect the transducer array with electronics, we flip-chip bond a 2D 16 x 16-element capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array to a custom-designed integrated circuit (IC). Through-wafer interconnects are used to connect the CMUT elements on the top side of the array with flip-chip bond pads on the back side.

Fitting behaviors of Fourier transform and Zernike polynomials.

Purpose: To evaluate the residual fit errors for wavefront measurements and corneal surfaces in virgin and post-surgery eyes using the Fourier transform and Zernike 6th- and 10th-order expansions.

Methods: Using MatLab (The MathWorks, Inc.) and VOLCT program (Sarver and Associates, Inc.

Analysis of bacterial cultures in infectious keratitis, 1997 to 2004.

Purpose: To review bacterial culture results in infectious keratitis at a tertiary referral center.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Analysis of Gram stain, bacterial culture, and targeted antibiotic sensitivities of all cases of presumed infectious keratitis at Duke University Eye Center from 1997 to 2004 (n = 453).

Experimental characterization of collapse-mode CMUT operation.

This paper reports on the experimental characterization of collapse-mode operation of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs). CMUTs are conventionally operated by applying a direct current (DC) bias voltage less than the collapse voltage of the membrane, so that the membrane is deflected toward the bottom electrode. In the conventional regime, there is no contact between the membrane and the substrate; the maximum alternating current (AC) displacement occurs at the center of the membrane.

Intraoperative ultrasonography used to determine the extent of surgery necessary during posterior fossa decompression in children with Chiari malformation type I.

Object: In this retrospective analysis, the authors report a prospective study in which intraoperative ultrasonography was used to determine the extent of surgery necessary during posterior fossa decompression surgery for Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) in children.

Methods: Between 1995 and 2003, posterior fossa decompression was performed in 149 patients (mean 5.9 years of age, range 9 months-18 years of age) with CM-I.

3-D ultrasound imaging using a forward-looking CMUT ring array for intravascular/intracardiac applications.

Forward-viewing ring arrays can enable new applications in intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound. This work presents compelling, full-synthetic, phased-array volumetric images from a forward-viewing capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) ring array wire bonded to a custom integrated circuit front end. The CMUT ring array has a diameter of 2 mm and 64 elements each 100 microm x 100 microm in size.

Treatment of traumatic LASIK flap dislocation and epithelial ingrowth with fibrin glue.

Purpose: To describe a case of a traumatic late dislocation of a laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap complicated by epithelial ingrowth.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: A 50-year-old woman presented 21 months after uncomplicated LASIK with painful vision loss in the right eye after minor trauma.