ARO NEWS
Winter 1997

Winter 1997 Volume XVIII Number 2

IN THIS ISSUE:

President's Report
Current Issues
Editor's Column
New Members
Special Interest Focus Groups
Award Winners
1999 Call for Symposia and Workshops
25th Anniversary Celebration
Videotape Available
1998 MidWinter Meeting Program Summary
Demographics

1997 MidWinter Meeting Attendance	1997 Membership
USA	USA
Europe	Europe
Remainder of World	Remainder of World

ARO Shortcourse

President's Report

The 1998 Midwinter Meeting is taking shape. A total of 886 abstracts were submitted by the October 1 deadline. This was slightly fewer than last year. The percentage of electronic submissions continues to grow. This year more than 90% of abstracts were submitted via the internet. Once again the ARO is deeply indebted to Jerry Popelka for his outstanding service. The Program Committee, under the capable leadership of Donata Oertel, has organized the abstracts into poster and podium sessions.

We have an interesting and informative program for the membership again this year. It is with great pleasure that I announce that the Award of Merit Committee and the ARO Council have selected Dr. Robert Galambos as the Award recipient for 1998. This award is made in recognition for his contributions to our understanding of central auditory function. The Award Ceremony and Reception will be held on Tuesday evening. The contents of the Symposia and Workshops for the upcoming MidWinter Meeting were described in my message in the Spring Newsletter. In addition, "Reversible Sensorineural Hearing Loss", a symposium on clinical dilemmas, will be held on Wednesday.

The 25th Anniversary Committtee is planning an entertaining and informative program on the history of the ARO which will be held on Wednesday evening. The Silver Anniversary celebration should add a special flavor over and above our usual scientific and social events. I am looking forward to seeing you all there in February!

Leonard P. Rybak, MD/PhD

Editor's Column

I very much looked forward to this years' preparation of the ARO Abstracts. Last year's electronic submission process was such a success that I expected fully 95% of the abstracts to be submitted electronically, drastically reducing the scanning and editing responsibilities. In addition, our new management company would now be handling virtually all of the details. I expected to sit back, watch the abstracts come streaming in on my laptop computer on October 1st, casually look over them on October 2nd, approve the finally result on October 3rd, and schedule my flight to Florida. No such luck. Here is actually what happened on October 1st. Our internet provider scheduled a major update to our server in Des Moines, a glitch by the phone company in New Jersey caused the ARO phone number to answer with "This number is no longer in service" instead of being transparently forwarded to the new ARO phone number. Worst of all, at around noon when abstracts were streaming in at a rate of one every two minutes, one of our colleagues who shall remain nameless, submitted several abstracts with Greek symbols and other characters that the primitive internet cannot handle and effectively trashed about a half dozen abstracts being submitted simultaneously from locations all over the world. Though I was able to reconstruct these abstracts with considerable detective work, my original plan of casually observing the process was thwarted.

Such experiences make anniversary events all the more interesting. I took down some notes of my experiences so when David Lim schedules the 50th anniversary celebration, I will have something to contribulte to the special annivesary newsletter to be published in 2023.

Speaking of the next century, all of the ARO computer programs are ready to deal with the new millennium. This was not planned. It just happened that the sofware we bought already was capable of dealing with the problem. So, in two more years when your bank software incorrectly posts your house mortgage payment, you can be assured that your abstract will be processsed correctly.

Gerald R. Popelka, Ph.D., Editor

Current Issues

1998 Research Forum

The Call for Papers for the 1998 Research Forum is enclosed with this issue of the ARO News. The Research Forum, which includes both slide and poster presentations of research topics related to otolaryngology, is jointly sponsored by the ARO and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNS/F). The Research Forum is held in conjunction with the AAO-HNS/F annual meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for September 13-16, 1998 in San Antonio, TX. The deadline for submission of 1998 Research Forum abstracts is January 15, 1998.

The ARO would like to increase attendance at the Research Forum and encourages its members to present their research at this meeting.

AAO-HNS/F has multi-tiered registration fees. ARO members who are not members of AAO-HNS may attend the Research Forum for a modest fee of $50 by registering prior to July, 1998, in the Nonmember Allied Health category. Registration and housing forms will be sent to all presenters and will also be available in the April issue of the AAO-HNS "Bulletin." Additional information about the Research Forum as well as registration and housing forms may be obtained from the AAO-HNS/F Research Forum Coordinator at (703) 519-1541.

ARO 1997 Election Results

The results of the election for the upcoming year have been tabulated. A total of 1244 ballots were mailed with 491 returned for a return rate of 39%. Congratulations to our new ARO Officers.

President-Elect: Richard Chole

Council Member: Margaretha Casselbrant

Also on the ballot was a proposal that dealt with membership categories. With the overall growth in size and stature of ARO, the number of members from outside the United States continues to grow. Moreover, with the aid of communication technology such as fax, electronic mail and the web, participation in the association is no longer limited by a member's home country. Therefore, a membership category determined by member's geographic location is no longer justified.

The membership approved the proposal that Article V. Section II. d. be eliminated from the ARO bylaws. As a result, all current corresponding members will become active members.

New Members

Special Interest Focus Groups

Award Winners

American Academy of Otolaryngology 1997 Grant Winners

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. announced the award of 12 research grants for studies in the areas of hearing, sinusitis, voice, head and neck cancer, obstructive sleep an apnea and otolaryngic allergy. The grants, distributed through five funding mechanisms, total more than $108,000. The proposals funded were selected out of 36 extremely high quality applications reviewed by the Foundation's Committee for Research in Otolaryngology (Ernest A. Weymuller, Jr., MD, Chairman). The recipients, their sponsoring institutions, and the title of their research projects are as follows:

Yael Raz, MD, Johns Hopkins University
"Molecular Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Signaling in the Developing Organ of Corti."

Michael Murphy, MD, University of Washington
"The Cost of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in an HMO Population."

Pavan Reddy, MD, Wayne State University
"Regulation of Vestibular Blood Flow in Endolymphatic Hydrops."

Vanessa Smith, MD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
"Expression of Adhesion Molecules on Tumor-Immune T Cells."

Ben E. Leff, MD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
"Adoptive Immunotherapy for Subcutaneous Tumor."

Patrick J. Byrne, MD, University of California-SD
"Cisplatin Induced Differential Gene Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma."

Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD, LSU
"Tumor Marker elF-4E in Head and Neck Cancer."

Carol R. Bradford, MD, University of Michigan
"Predicting Organ Preservation in Advanced Laryngeal Cancer."

Robert L. Ferris, MD, Johns Hopkins University
"Antigen Processing Pathways for Transmembrane Proteins."

Robin Brody, MD, Long Island College
"Caregiver Assessment of Child Hearing."

Ramon Arturo Franco, Jr., MD, Long Island College
"Quality of Life for Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea,"

Randall L. Plant, MD, Eastern VA Medical School
"Outcomes Analysis of Voice Disorders using Linear Predictive Coding and Autocorrelation."

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation is a non-profit association representing more than 10,000 physicians who specialize in treating disorders of the ears, nose, throat, face and neck. Its membership is made up of more than 95% of the otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons practicing in the U.S.

Applications and guidelines for 1998 research grants are available from the Department of Research Development, AAO-HNSF, One Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

For further information about the grant categories or to discuss research plans, contact Maureen Hannley, Ph.D., Associate Vice President and Director of Research, at 703/519-1547. A letter of intent including the title and a brief description of the project's scope must be submitted by January 1, 1998. The deadline for receipt of 1998 applications is January 15, 1998.

Otolaryngology Research Community Recognizes Young Investigators

Six residents in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery were chosen by a special review committee to receive cash awards and commemorative plaques donated by Smith and Nephew, ENT, Inc. These awards are given for the best research papers in otolaryngology submitted for the 1997 Resident Research Award Competition. These papers were presented during the 1997 Research Forum, co-sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) and the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) held in conjunction with the 101st Annual Meeting of the AAO-HNSF, September 7-10, 1997, in San Francisco, CA. This year's winners are as follows:

Thanh-Van Nguyen, MD, Baylor College
"Contribution of Membrane Cholesterol to Outer Hair Cell Lateral Wall Stiffness."

H. Myra Danish, MD, Wayne State University
"Lack of BRCA2 Alterations in Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma."

Carlton Zdanski, MD, University of North Carolina
"Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase Causes Elevation of Hearing Thresholds."

Paul Bikhazi, MD, University of California, SF
"Germline Screening of the NF-2 Gene in Families with Unilateral Vestibular Schwannoma."

Hinrich Staecker, MD, Albert Einstein College
"BDNF Gene Therapy Prevents Degeneration of Spiral Ganglion Neurons in a Mouse Model of Aminoglycoside Ototoxicity."

Joseph Donzelli, MD, Loyola University, for
"Thermoprotective Mechanisms of Irrigation during Bipolar Cautery."

Also announced were the recipients of the 1997 Academy Medical Student Research Prize:

Thomas Hammond, University of Utah, for
"A Study of Age and Gender-Related Elastin Distribution Changes in Human Vocal Folds,"

Namrata Pai, University of North Carolina
"Sodium Nitroprusside/Nitric Oxide Causes Apoptosis in Spiral Ganglion Cells."

Now in its 40th year, the Research Forum is a joint project of the Academy Foundation's Research Committee and the ARO. Co-Chairpersons for the 1997 event were Diane Durham PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, and Debara Tucci, MD, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

1997 ARO Travel Award Recipients

Each year the ARO awards travel grants that allow residents and students to attend the MidWinter meeting. Funds are provided by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc., the National Institutes of Health, and the Deafness Research Foundation. The winners for the 1997 meeting were:

Ken W. Altman, MD, PhD - University of Pennsylvania Health System, 4th year
Alex Battaglia, MD - University of California-San Diego, 4th year
Matthew R. Brown, MD (Research Fellowship) - University of Iowa Hosp & Clinics, 1st year
Patrick J. Byrne, MD - University of California-San Diego, 3rd year
Kenley W. Chin, MD - University of California-Los Angeles, 4th year
Frank R. Dellacono, MD - University of Connecticut, 4th year
T. Oma Hester, MD - University of Kentucky, 5th year
B. Maya Kato, MD - University of Washington, 3rd year
Umang Khetarpal, MD, MS - University of NY SUNY Health Science Ctr, 3rd year
David Lee, MD - University of Michigan, 3rd year
Ted A. Meyer, MD, PhD - Indiana University, 2nd year
Sam P. Mostafapour, MD - University of Washington-Seattle, 2nd year
Myra Nawroz, MD - Wayne State University, 2nd year
John Oghalai, MD - Baylor College of Medicine, 3rd year
John Revelis, MD - University of Oklahoma, 3rd year
Hinrich Staecker, MD - Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 6th year
Michael S. Tomek, MD (Research Fellow) - University of Iowa Hosp & Clinics, 1st year
James M. Weekley, MD - University of Nebraska Med Ctr, 4th year

Ari Brunschwig - Washington University School of Medicine, 4th year
Andres Bustillo - University of Miami School of Medicine, 2nd year
Griffin L. Davis - Johns Hopkins University, 4th year
Jay J. Han - University of California-San Francisco, 3rd year
Shannon E. Hunter - University of North Carolina, 3rd year
Mark Rayner - University of Pittsburgh, 2nd year

Ivy Dunn - Northwestern University
Blanca Durand - SUNY-Buffalo
Sanoj Suneja - University of Connecticut
Angela Yamauchi - University of Utah
Griffin Davis - Johns Hopkins University
Orville H. Dyce - University of Pennsylvania
Casilda Trujillo-Provencio -New Mexico State University 

Advertising space

Advertising space is available for the ARO NEWS and the ARO Directory Please contact the ARO Office for information concerning prices, space and deadlines.

Call for SYMPOSIA and WORKSHOPS

Symposia and Workshops for the Association for Research in Otolaryngology 1999 MidWinter Meeting will be selected by the ARO Program Committee at the 1998 MidWinter Meeting from proposals submitted before January 31, 1998

The fundamental difference between Symposia and Workshops is the target audience.

Symposia should be on topics of interest to a wide cross-section of ARO members, and the talks should be pitched accordingly, i.e. summarizing large bodies of research &endash; not the most recent results from the speaker's laboratory. Symposia can be full or half day. However, the breadth and depth of anticipated member interest must be exceptional to support a full-day session. Half-day symposia are 3 to 4 hours in duration including breaks.

Workshops can be on topics of interest to a focused subgroup of ARO members. Workshops are often scheduled in the evening. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. Evening sessions are typically 3 hours in length. Morning or afternoon workshops can be 3-4 hours.

The ARO has a conference grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders that can pay travel expenses including airfare, hotel and per diem expenses. It is ARO policy that only non-members are eligible for such travel reimbursement. It is also ARO policy not to pay honoraria.

Each proposal should contain

• A session title

• A brief (<300 word) description of the theme and target audience

• A list of speakers (4 to 7), with a title and a brief (<150 word) description of each presentation, panel discussion, etc.

• A proposed schedule including time allotted for each speaker, for questions, for panel discussion, etc.

Please send your proposal to:

Dr. Donata Oertel
Chair, ARO Program Committee
University of Wisconsin
Dept. of Neurophysiology
273 Medical Sciences Building
Madison, WI 53706

Deadline January 31, 1998

25th Anniversary Celebration

Next year marks the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the founding of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology. Our Historian, David Lim, is planning a celebration. There will be a Special Edition of the ARO NEWS devoted solely to this event. Also planned are special events at the 1998 MidWinter Meeting including a dinner and even a T-shirt contest.

David is now soliciting nominations of the names of people who have worked behind the scenes to help ARO to grow to its current stature. He is interested in recognizing all persons who have contributed to the development of the ARO including those who have not been officers.

Please contact David with your suggested nominations and for any details concerning this celebration.

David. J. Lim, Executive Vice President of Research
House Ear Institute
2100 West Third St.
Los Angeles, CA 90057

Phone (213) 353-7021
Fax (213)413-6739
E-mail lim@hei.org

Videotape Available

A videotape is available of the 1997 short course

The tape is approximately 3 hours long and includes the following 7 lectures:

The cost of each tape is $35 (U.S.). An additional $5 will be charged for tapes sent to non-USA locations. Individuals who registered for the course, but were unable to attend can obtain this video at a special rate of $15. To order a videotape, contact:

Susan Whitehouse, Executive Director
19 Mantua Rd.
Mt. Royal, NJ 08061

Phone (609) 423-0041
FAX (609) 423-3420
E-mail: headquarters@aro.org  

1998 MidWinter Meeting Program Summary

Demographics

1997 MidWinter Meeting Attendance	1997 Membership
USA	USA
Europe	Europe
Remainder of World	Remainder of World

ARO Shortcourse

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