Yuemeng Dai, M.D., Ph.D., ear, nose and throat specialist, receives Bill Potsic Basic Science Award

Chicago, IL -Yuemeng Dai, MD, PhD, of Little Rock, AK, will receive the first place Bill Postic Basic Science Award for outstanding achievement in the field of pediatric otolaryngology for his research paper titled "Enos Protein Expressions is Decreased in Involuting Hemangiomas,"during their annual meeting, April 29 - May 1, 2011, in Chicago, IL. The award will be presented during a banquet reception on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in vascular biology through the constitutive production of nitric oxide, a potent endothelial cell mitogen, vascular dilator, and pro-angiogenic factor. Endothelial cell proliferation and remodeling are essential to hemangioma growth and involution. The study examined the level and site eNOS protein expression in developing human hemangiomas.

"I am honored to receive the first place William Potsic Award at this year's Combined Otolaryngology Society Meeting in Chicago. This award is one of three given during the annual American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology meeting for the best basic science research related to pediatric otolaryngology," said Yuemeng Dai, MD. "This work represents our research group's efforts in the field of vascular birthmarks. I am a research fellow under the direction of pediatric otolaryngology and Gresham Richter, MD. This work demonstrates the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the growth of hemangiomas, a common vascular tumor arising from abnormal blood vessel growth. We found that eNOS levels were high in growing hemangiomas and reduced in hemangioma treated with Propranolol, a medicine commonly used to treat heart disease but recently found to cause hemangiomas to shrink. These results suggest that eNOS is an important player in the mechanism of hemangioma growth and treatment."

Each year, ASPO offers a number of research awards to eligible fellows, residents and medical students who submit an abstract and manuscript to the Program Committee for review. The eligible fellow, resident or medical student must be the first and presenting author of the manuscript. The William P. Potsic Basic Science Awards are presented to the best basic science research papers.

Provided by American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery