Soluble CD44 in oral rinses for the early detection of cancer: a prospective cohort study in high-risk individuals.

Background: There are 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer in the United States and more than 476,000 worldwide each year. Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma make up most tumors with five-year survival rates of 50% due to prevalence of late-stage diagnoses. Improved methods of early detection in high-risk individuals are urgently needed.

Trends of Rising Research Production Among Otolaryngology Residency Applicants.

As competitiveness to obtain a residency position in the field of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) has continued to rise, applicants have endeavored to set themselves apart. One increasingly popular strategy is maximizing research output. Over the past 6 years, applicant metrics such as board scores and volunteer and work experiences have risen incrementally, while research production has more than doubled, from 8.

A Novel Surgical Landmark to Identify the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve.

Background: Although several surgical landmarks have been proposed to localize the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), there is still no reliable landmark.

Aims: To validate the reliability of a novel reference point at the intersection of the inferior border of the cricopharyngeal muscle and the inferior cornu of thyroid cartilage for locating the RLN.

Study Design: Cadaver dissection study in the academic department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Mini Med School: why you should try a virtual, medical student-led program.

Mini Med School (MMS) programs led by medical students provide a unique opportunity for community members to access free and accurate health information while engaging with the education of medical students. Virtually delivered MMS programs reduce barriers to access. 90.

Surgical Management of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy in the Era of Widespread Communicable Disease.

Inferior turbinate reduction procedures have been performed for decades. After significant evolution, turbinoplasty and other mucosal-sparing techniques have become the main method to successfully reduce turbinate hypertrophy. The debate of which technique produces the most effective and durable outcomes is ongoing.

Geographic Distribution of Otolaryngology Training Programs and Potential Opportunities for Strategic Program Growth.

Objective: To characterize the geographic distribution of US otolaryngology residents based on geographical population density to determine current status and identify potential opportunities for otolaryngology residency program expansion.

Methods: The locoregional population of otolaryngology residency programs was analyzed (as defined by the US Census) and the number of resident trainees per 100,000 people in each region was calculated. Otolaryngology residency program location was determined by mailing address, and program size was determined by AAMC public data.

Cystic fibrosis exacerbations treated with medical therapy with and without concurrent sinus surgery.

Objective: This analysis investigates any potential differences in pulmonary function test (PFT) outcomes among pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving both medical management (MM) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) versus MM alone for CF exacerbation.

Study Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: Pediatric tertiary care facility.

Association between ethnicity and hypertension in Northern Colombia in 2015.

Background: Studies in the United States have shown a genetic predisposition to hypertension in individuals of African descent. However, studies on the associations between ethnic groups and hypertension in Latin America are lacking and the limited results have been inconsistent. The objective of this study is to determine whether Afro-Colombian ethnicity increases the risk of hypertension.

Decreased Levels of Soluble CD44 in a High-Risk Population following a Smoking Cessation Program.

Tobacco is a risk factor of head and neck cancer (HNC) and smoking cessation alone may reduce HNC risk by 70%. Soluble CD44 (solCD44), a cell surface receptor linked to cell proliferation and migration, and total protein (TP) levels can detect early HNC. This study aims to determine whether salivary solCD44 and TP levels in oral rinses change following a smoking cessation program.

Current salivary biomarkers for detection of human papilloma virus-induced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is a key risk factor and etiology for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-induced OPSCC is rapidly increasing in incidence, with men experiencing increased mortality. When identified at an early stage, HPV-induced OPSCC can be successfully treated.

Green Salad Intake Is Associated with Improved Oral Cancer Survival and Lower Soluble CD44 Levels.

Deficiencies in fruit and vegetable intake have been associated with oral cancer (oral cavity and oropharyngeal). Salivary rinses contain measurable biomarkers including soluble CD44 (solCD44) and total protein, which are known markers of oral cancer risk. This study investigates the effect of nutritional factors on solCD44 and protein levels to evaluate oral cancer risk and survival.

The inferior turbinate: An autonomic organ.

The inferior turbinate has well-recognized respiratory and immune functions to provide the airway with appropriate warmth, humidification, and filtration of the inspired air while sampling the environment for pathogens. Normal functioning of the inferior turbinate relies on an intact autonomic system to maintain homeostasis within the nasal cavity. The autonomic nervous system innervates the submucosal glands and the vasculature within the inferior turbinate, resulting in control of major turbinate functions: nasal secretions, nasal patency, warmth, and humidification.