Predictive Value of Preresidency Academic Metrics on Resident Publication Potential.

Objective: Otolaryngology residency is highly competitive, and applicant academic metrics are scrutinized. The predictive value of preresidency academic metrics on applicants' future research productivity and career aspirations remains largely undefined. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Academic otolaryngology department, 2014 to 2015. Methods: Applicant demographics, publication history, and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores were downloaded from Electronic Residency Application Service archives. Publications during residency were tallied from all PubMed articles indexed between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2020. Postresidency career paths were examined by 2 investigators (D.J.C. and L.X.Y.) using Google searches with an emphasis on program websites, Doximity, and LinkedIn profiles. Associations with publication potential and postresidency positions were evaluated with Spearman rank correlation coefficients and Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum, and χ 2 tests. Results: Of 321 applicants, 226 (70%) matched, and 205 (64%) completed residency by June 2020. Matched residents published a median of 4 (range: 0-41) manuscripts during residency. USMLE scores, Alpha Omega Alpha status, and the number of preresidency publications did not significantly correlate with publication potential during residency. The number of research experiences had a significant positive correlation with publications during residency (p < 0.001). Asian race (p = 0.002) and geographical region of residency (p < 0.001) also had significant associations with publication potential. Of the 205 graduates, 118 (58%) enrolled in fellowship. Age and female sex (74% vs 48%; p = 0.002) were the only factors significantly associated with pursuing a fellowship. Conclusion: In otolaryngology, not all preresidency academic metrics are associated with publication potential during residency or propensity for fellowship training. Programs should not use academic metrics alone to predict an applicant's future research productivity or career trajectory.

Advantages and Complications of Fisch Partial Mastoidotympanectomy for Tumors of the Retromandibular Fossa and Poststyloid Space.

Objective This study aims to characterize a single surgeon's experience with resection of tumors of the retromandibular fossa and poststyloid space utilizing the Fisch partial mastoidotympanectomy (FPMT) technique of partial temporal bone resection. Design Retrospective review. Setting Academic medical center. Participants Seven patients who underwent tumor resection with FPMT. Main Outcome Measures Complications. Results Six males and one female underwent FPMT, with ages ranging from 44 to 79 years. The facial nerve was sacrificed in six cases, no cases were converted to more extensive temporal bone resection procedures, and no postoperative hearing loss occurred. The only intraoperative complication experienced was a violation of the external auditory canal in four cases, which resulted in postoperative wound healing issues in two cases. Conclusions FPMT allows for the release of tumors of the poststyloid space and retromandibular fossa without compromise of hearing status. Preservation of external auditory canal soft tissues is challenging, and the violation is experienced relatively frequently due to shearing forces during soft tissue retraction. When encountered, robust repair of defects is encouraged to prevent further wound healing complications.

Intraoperative Electrocochleography: A Window Into Endolymphatic Hydrops in a Patient With an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor.

OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative electrocochleography (ECochG) provides valuable information regarding inner ear function during surgical procedures. Here, we report findings from ECochG collected at three time intervals during the management of a patient with symptoms of inner ear hydrops. PATIENTS: A 38-year-old man with an endolymphatic sac tumor who demonstrated classic Ménière's symptoms. INTERVENTIONS: Endolymphatic shunt, tumor biopsy, and definitive resection of an endolymphatic sac tumor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraoperative ECochG measurements at three time intervals, using frequency-specific tone bursts and clicks. RESULTS: Across time intervals, the amplitude of ECochG summation potential (SP) responses decreased for tone bursts of all frequencies. On the other hand, the SP response to the click stimulus, and the ratio of the SP to action potential (AP), basically remained unchanged across time points. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the absolute amplitude of the SP response to frequency-specific tone bursts may be more sensitive to inner ear hydrops than the traditionally used SP/AP ratio as a response to click stimuli.

Diesterified nitrone rescues nitroso-redox levels and increases myocyte contraction via increased SR Ca(2+) handling.

Nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O(2) (-)) are important cardiac signaling molecules that regulate myocyte contraction. For appropriate regulation, NO and O(2) (.-) must exist at defined levels. Unfortunately, the NO and O(2) (.-) levels are altered in many cardiomyopathies (heart failure, ischemia, hypertrophy, etc.) leading to contractile dysfunction and adverse remodeling. Hence, rescuing the nitroso-redox levels is a potential therapeutic strategy. Nitrone spin traps have been shown to scavenge O(2) (.-) while releasing NO as a reaction byproduct; and we synthesized a novel, cell permeable nitrone, 2-2-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole 1-oxide (EMEPO). We hypothesized that EMEPO would improve contractile function in myocytes with altered nitroso-redox levels. Ventricular myocytes were isolated from wildtype (C57Bl/6) and NOS1 knockout (NOS1(-/-)) mice, a known model of NO/O(2) (.-) imbalance, and incubated with EMEPO. EMEPO significantly reduced O(2) (.-) (lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence) and elevated NO (DAF-FM diacetate) levels in NOS1(-/-) myocytes. Furthermore, EMEPO increased NOS1(-/-) myocyte basal contraction (Ca(2+) transients, Fluo-4AM; shortening, video-edge detection), the force-frequency response and the contractile response to ß-adrenergic stimulation. EMEPO had no effect in wildtype myocytes. EMEPO also increased ryanodine receptor activity (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) leak/load relationship) and phospholamban Serine16 phosphorylation (Western blot). We also repeated our functional experiments in a canine post-myocardial infarction model and observed similar results to those seen in NOS1(-/-) myocytes. In conclusion, EMEPO improved contractile function in myocytes experiencing an imbalance of their nitroso-redox levels. The concurrent restoration of NO and O(2) (.-) levels may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of various cardiomyopathies.