Does the History of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair Alter Outcomes of Laryngeal Cleft Repair?

Objective: Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia (TEA) and laryngeal cleft (LC) can coexist in some patients. The surgery-specific success rate of LC repair in children with associated TEA has not been well described. The aim of the study is to determine if the history of TEA alters the LC repair outcomes.

Descriptors in Letters of Recommendation for Otolaryngology Residency Across Gender, Race, and Time.

Objective: To determine whether differences exist in the descriptors used in letters of recommendations for Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) residency candidates, comparing race and gender as depicted in visual letters of recommendation (VLORs) from the 2014 and 2019 application cycles.

Design: Four hundred thirty-three LORS (284 narrative LORs and 149 standardized LORs) and 63 medical student performance evaluations for 104 candidates who interviewed at the University of Cincinnati OHNS residency program in 2014 and 2019 were analyzed. Descriptors from LORs and medical student performance evaluations were collected by two reviewers and QSR NVivo 12 was used to generate a word cloud that grouped words by synonym and weighted them by frequency.

Quantitative proteomic analysis after neuroprotective MyD88 inhibition in the retinal degeneration 10 mouse.

Progressive photoreceptor death occurs in blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) is a central adaptor protein for innate immune system Toll-like receptors (TLR) and induces cytokine secretion during retinal disease. We recently demonstrated that inhibiting MyD88 in mouse models of retinal degeneration led to increased photoreceptor survival, which was associated with altered cytokines and increased neuroprotective microglia.

Proteomics of pseudoexfoliation materials in the anterior eye segment.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is characterized by the production of white extracellular fluffy clumps of microfibrillar material that aggregates in various organs throughout the body but is known to cause disease in the eye. The accumulation of PEX material (PEXM) in the anterior segment ocular structures is believed to cause an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). The onset of PEXG is often bilateral but asymmetric-one eye often presents with glaucoma prior to the other eye.

Endoscopic Repair of Type 1 Laryngeal Clefts and Deep Interarytenoid Notches: Cold Steel Versus Laser.

Objectives/hypothesis: Endoscopic repair is the preferred surgical treatment for type 1 laryngeal clefts (T1LCs) and deep interarytenoid notches (DINs). No studies exist showing differences in repair rates using laser and cold steel. Our objective is to assess overall success and revision rate for endoscopic cleft repair and determine whether there is any difference in surgical outcomes between cold steel and laser techniques.

Proteomic analysis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicles from healthy donors: implications for proliferation, angiogenesis, Wnt signaling, and the basement membrane.

Background: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have shown therapeutic potential in various in vitro and in vivo studies in cutaneous wound healing. Furthermore, there are ubiquitous studies highlighting the pro-regenerative effects of BM-MSC extracellular vesicles (BM-MSC EVs). The similarities and differences in BM-MSC EV cargo among potential healthy donors are not well understood.

Airway and Swallowing Outcomes Following Laryngotracheoplasty With Posterior Grafting in Children.

Objectives/hypothesis: Evaluate swallowing and airway outcomes following laryngotracheoplasty with posterior grafting (LTP PCCG).

Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing LTP PCCG from 2016 to 2019 at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. We included demographics, indications, approach, and revision status.

Hypoxia-Driven Oncometabolite L-2HG Maintains Stemness-Differentiation Balance and Facilitates Immune Evasion in Pancreatic Cancer.

In pancreatic cancer, the robust fibroinflammatory stroma contributes to immune suppression and renders tumors hypoxic, altering intratumoral metabolic pathways and leading to poor survival. One metabolic enzyme activated during hypoxia is lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). As a result of its promiscuous activity under hypoxia, LDHA produces L-2 hydroxyglutarate (L-2HG), an epigenetic modifier, that regulates the tumor transcriptome.

Parallel Multi-Omics in High-Risk Subjects for the Identification of Integrated Biomarker Signatures of Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Biomarkers are crucial for detecting early type-1 diabetes (T1D) and preventing significant β-cell loss before the onset of clinical symptoms. Here, we present proof-of-concept studies to demonstrate the potential for identifying integrated biomarker signature(s) of T1D using parallel multi-omics.

Methods: Blood from human subjects at high risk for T1D (and healthy controls; = 4 + 4) was subjected to parallel unlabeled proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and transcriptomics.

A novel box for aerosol and droplet guarding and evacuation in respiratory infection (BADGER) for COVID-19 and future outbreaks.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and killed more than 1.7 million people worldwide as of December 2020. Healthcare providers are at increased risk of infection when caring for patients with COVID-19.

Invasive fungal pharyngitis in a pediatric bone marrow transplant patient.

Invasive fungal disease of the head and neck is a potentially fatal infection most commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Even in the setting of combined surgical and medical treatment, prognosis is generally poor. We report the first pediatric case of invasive fungal pharyngitis and summarize a review of the literature.

Vascular anomalies of the head and neck.

The head and neck are the most common site of involvement for vascular tumors and malformations, with more than half of all vascular anomalies seen in this region. Lesions in this location can cause significant disfigurement and can be associated with airway obstruction, impairment in vision or hearing, swallowing disorders and hemorrhage. Accurate diagnosis is critical in determining treatment, and interdisciplinary care is essential for optimal management.

Competency-Based Assessment Tool for Pediatric Esophagoscopy: International Modified Delphi Consensus.

Objectives/hypothesis: Create a competency-based assessment tool for pediatric esophagoscopy with foreign body removal.

Study Design: Blinded modified Delphi consensus process.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Tracheal A-Frame Deformities Following Airway Reconstruction.

Objectives: Airway reconstruction for subglottic and tracheal stenosis is often successful in achieving tracheostomy decannulation and improving airway symptoms. However, one common reason for late failure is development of a tracheal A-frame deformity, which can necessitate additional surgery. Although knowledge of this deformity exists, the incidence and risk factors have not been reported.

Characterization of tracheobronchomalacia in infants with hypophosphatasia.

Background: Perinatal and infantile hypophosphatasia (HPP) are associated with respiratory failure and respiratory complications. Effective management of such complications is of key clinical importance. In some infants with HPP, severe tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) contributes to respiratory difficulties.

The effect of extrinsic Wnt/β-catenin signaling in Muller glia on retinal ganglion cell neurite growth.

Muller glia are the predominant glial cell type in the retina, and they structurally and metabolically support retinal neurons. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways play essential roles in the central nervous system, including glial and neuronal differentiation, axonal growth, and neuronal regeneration. We previously demonstrated that Wnt signaling activation in retinal ganglion cells (RGC) induces axonal regeneration after injury.

Differentiation of soluble aqueous humor metabolites in primary open angle glaucoma and controls.

We report an analysis of the aqueous humor (AH) metabolome of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in comparison to normal controls. The AH samples were obtained from human donors [control (n = 35), POAG (n = 23)]. The AH samples were subjected to one-dimensional H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses on a Bruker Avance 600 MHz instrument with a 1.

In RRP, serologic response to HPV is frequently absent and slow to develop.

Background: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is characterized by repeated formation of papillomas in the respiratory tract and is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. Women with genital HPV infection are slow to develop weak humoral immunity, but respond robustly to the HPV vaccine. We wondered if people with RRP had a similar immune response.

Aqueous humor metabolite profile of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma is distinctive.

Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) is a known cause of secondary open angle glaucoma. PEX glaucoma is associated with structural and metabolic changes in the eye. Despite similarities, PEX and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) may have differences in the composition of metabolites.

Are Standardized Letters of Recommendation in Residency Applications Correlated With Objective Data?

Objective: To evaluate whether the standardized letter of recommendation (SLOR), commonly used for medical students applying to otolaryngology residency, correlates with objective data in the application.

Background: Standardized letters of recommendation using Likert-type scales for different attributes are commonly used by evaluators because of their high interrater reliability and efficiency in preparation and interpretation. Given that these are subjectively scored, it is unknown how well these correlate with objective data.

Yolk Sac Tumors of the Head and Neck in Aicardi Syndrome.

Objectives: To understand that yolk sac tumors (YSTs) of the head and neck (H&N) are exceedingly rare and typically carry a poor prognosis. To acknowledge the possibility of increased incidence in patients with Aicardi Syndrome and the ramifications this has on early diagnosis and treatment in this population.

Methods: To date, four germ cells tumors of the H&N have been reported in patients with Aicardi Syndrome.

Age at diagnosis, but not HPV type, is strongly associated with clinical course in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Background: Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease characterized by the growth of papillomas in the airway and especially the larynx. The clinical course is highly variable among individuals and there is poor understanding of the factors that drive an aggressive vs an indolent course.

Methods: A convenience cohort of 339 affected subjects with papillomas positive for only HPV6 or HPV11 and clinical course data available for 1 year or more, from a large multicenter international study were included.

Isotopic Ratio Outlier Analysis (IROA) of Aqueous Humor for Metabolites.

"Omics" revolution during the last few decades has vastly increased the understanding of the biological processes that remained obscure in part due to the lack of quality data. Genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics form an invaluable array of fields that contribute holistically to a global understanding of the intertwined roles of the basic constituents of life and how they comprehensively paint a picture of disease. Metabolomics, in particular, is the study of metabolites, which are the products of cellular metabolic processes (small molecules, i.