Purpose: Investigate if otolaryngology residency home programs (HP) are associated with advantages in National Resident Matching Program match compared to applicants without HPs. Methods: Surveys were distributed to fourth-year medical students applying to otolaryngology residency (2015-2016 cycle) via OHNS (2015-2016) Applicants Closed Facebook Page and Otomatch. Applicant data analyzed included HP, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, number of away rotations, and matching at top choice. Results: Applicants were grouped: (1) HP, (2) no HP but have ENT staff (staff), and (3) no HP or staff (none). Ninety-five percent of survey participants matched into otolaryngology (n = 62). A sub-analysis of match preference among matching applicants revealed 63% of participants with HP matched to their first choice compared to 56% (staff) and 14% (none) ( P = .058). Match rate between those with any staff (HP or staff) versus those without was statistically significant ( P = .037). Applicants without HPs went on more away rotations than students with HPs (mean: 2.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.7 ± 0.07, P = .0002). No statistical significance was seen between applicants with/without HP in regards to USMLE scores, publications, or number of interviews. Conclusion: Applicants applying to otolaryngology residency without HPs are as competitive as those who have HPs. However, without HPs, applicants tend to participate in more away rotations and are less likely to match at their top choice.

Glycans have numerous functions in various biological processes and participate in the progress of diseases. Reliable quantitative glycomic profiling techniques could contribute to the understanding of the biological functions of glycans, and lead to the discovery of potential glycan biomarkers for diseases. Although LC-MS is a powerful analytical tool for quantitative glycomics, the variation of ionization efficiency and MS intensity bias are influencing quantitation reliability. Internal standards can be utilized for glycomic quantitation by MS-based methods to reduce variability. In this study, we used stable isotope labeled IgG2b monoclonal antibody, iGlycoMab, as an internal standard to reduce potential for errors and to reduce variabililty due to sample digestion, derivatization, and fluctuation of nanoESI efficiency in the LC-MS analysis of permethylated Nglycans released from model glycoproteins, human blood serum, and breast cancer cell line. We observed an unanticipated degradation of isotope labeled glycans, tracked a source of such degradation, and optimized a sample preparation protocol to minimize degradation of the internal standard glycans. All results indicated the effectiveness of using iGlycoMab to minimize errors originating from sample handling and instruments.

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Aggressive Fibromatosis (AF) is a rare, benign neoplasm originating from musculoaponeurotic stromal structures characterized by aggressive growth and infiltration of local tissues. To date, there are only six previously reported cases of AF involving the larynx. Our case involves a 70-year-old female with a 5-year history of hoarseness and an enlarging neck mass consistent with aggressive recurrent fibromatosis. MRI showed a large, solid mass arising from the left anterior cervical space displacing the trachea and upper airway to the right. A year after the initial radical resection, the patient presented with recurrence. A second radical excision was performed not including a laryngectomy. Radiation therapy was consulted for possible local treatment to prevent subsequent recurrence of tumor. Literature has reported up to 40-70% recurrence rates of AF within 18 months. There is minimal literature to guide treatment. Surgery seems to be the treatment of choice for head and neck AF, but management of recurrence is controversial.

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