bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adherence to antihypertensive medication and cardiovascular disease events in hypertensive patients: a dose–response meta-analysis of 2 769 700 participants in cohort study
Authors: Feng Y , Zhao Y , Yang X , Li Y , Han M , Qie R , Huang S , Wu X , Zhang Y , Wu Y , Liu D , Zhang D , Cheng C , Hu F , Zhang M , Yang Y , Shi X , Sun L , Hu Dongsheng 
Published: December 2020

Summary

Background
Recently, many studies have investigated the association between adherence to antihypertensive medication (AHM) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events for hypertensive patients; however, the results varied by different studies.

Aims
The purpose of our meta-analysis was to explore the comprehensively summarized association between AHM adherence and risk of CVD events in hypertensive patients from cohort studies.

Design
A dose–response meta-analysis.

Methods and results
We conducted a systematic search in two databases (PubMed and Embase) from 1974 to 15 December 2019 to identify English-language reports that assessed the association of AHM adherence with risk of CVD events in cohort studies. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by using a fixed- or random-effects model. Restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the possible linear or non-linear association.

Results
We included 16 cohort studies with 2 769 700 participants in the present meta-analysis. The pooled RR of CVD events was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.56–0.78, I2 = 98.6%) for the highest versus lowest AHM adherence categories. We found a linear dose–response association of AHM adherence and CVD events (Pnonlinearity = 0.887), each 20% increase in AHM adherence was associated with a 13% reduced risk of CVD events (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.92, I2 = 98.2%) in hypertensive patients.

Conclusion
High AHM adherence has a protective effect on CVD events for hypertensive patients, and improving medication adherence may provide long-term CVD benefits.
Previous drought exposure leads to greater drought resistance in eucalypts through changes in morphology rather than physiology
Authors: Pritzkow Carola , Szota Christopher , Williamson Virginia , Arndt Stefan K 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Over their lifetime, trees are repeatedly exposed to droughts. It is therefore important to understand whether repeated drought exposure makes trees more or less drought tolerant. Here, we investigated the effect of repeated droughts on functional trait expression and tree function in Eucalyptus obliqua. Further, we tested whether previous drought exposure enabled trees to avoid leaf death for longer under a subsequent severe drought. Trees were subjected for 1 year to 2 drought–rewatering cycles (drought treatment) or well-watered conditions, before imposing a severe drought. Trees in the drought treatment reduced their overall leaf area and biomass, whereas leaf-level anatomical, morphological and physiological traits remained mostly unaffected. There were no differences in water potential at the turgor loss point, leaf xylem vulnerability to embolism, leaf size, maximum xylem vessel diameter or cell wall thickness between treatments after the conditioning period. When exposed to a subsequent severe drought, trees previously exposed to drought were more drought tolerant due to a lower water potential at leaf death and tree-level morphological rather than physiological adjustments. Trees previously exposed to drought were smaller and used less water, which delayed leaf death for 39 days compared with 22 days for the well-watered trees. Our study indicates that previous drought exposure can facilitate tree-level morphological adjustment, which potentially enhances survival of E. obliqua trees during subsequent drought events.
Candidate regulators and target genes of drought stress in needles and roots of Norway spruce
Authors: Haas Julia C , Vergara Alexander , Serrano Alonso R , Mishra Sanatkumar , Hurry Vaughan , Street Nathaniel R 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Drought stress impacts seedling establishment, survival and whole-plant productivity. Molecular responses to drought stress have been most extensively studied in herbaceous species, mostly considering only aboveground tissues. Coniferous tree species dominate boreal forests, which are predicted to be exposed to more frequent and acute drought as a result of ongoing climate change. The associated impact at all stages of the forest tree life cycle is expected to have large-scale ecological and economic impacts. However, the molecular response to drought has not been comprehensively profiled for coniferous species. We assayed the physiological and transcriptional response of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst seedling needles and roots after exposure to mild and severe drought. Shoots and needles showed an extensive reversible plasticity for physiological measures indicative of drought-response mechanisms, including changes in stomatal conductance (gs), shoot water potential and abscisic acid (ABA). In both tissues, the most commonly observed expression profiles in response to drought were highly correlated with the ABA levels. Still, root and needle transcriptional responses contrasted, with extensive root-specific down-regulation of growth. Comparison between previously characterized Arabidopsis thaliana L. drought-response genes and P. abies revealed both conservation and divergence of transcriptional response to drought. In P. abies, transcription factors belonging to the ABA responsive element(ABRE) binding/ABRE binding factors ABA-dependent pathway had a more limited role. These results highlight the importance of profiling both above- and belowground tissues, and provide a comprehensive framework to advance the understanding of the drought response of P. abies. The results demonstrate that a short-term, severe drought induces severe physiological responses coupled to extensive transcriptome modulation and highlight the susceptibility of Norway spruce seedlings to such drought events.
Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography: Game-Changing Technology
Authors: Price Francis W. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the potential to revolutionize lamellar corneal surgery and facilitate many other types of ocular surgery because it readily visualizes ocular structures that can be difficult to discern with a coaxial microscope, particularly through a cloudy cornea. Systems that can provide a high-quality image on demand in the surgeon's oculars, rather than just on an adjacent monitor, are the most useful because they allow the surgeon to rely on the OCT image while operating, without having to look away from the surgical field. Useful applications in lamellar corneal surgery include assessing graft attachment with Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty and discerning graft orientation with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, which otherwise could be challenging in an eye with a cloudy cornea. Intraoperative OCT is particularly helpful when performing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in cases in which a big bubble should not be attempted or cannot be achieved because it enables better intraoperative control of the incision depth and allows the surgeon to assess the uniformity of the dissection plane to optimize visual outcomes. Intraoperative OCT is also useful when judging the depth of a scar for a lamellar dissection, when evaluating intraocular lens positioning in the capsular bag, or when locating and removing retained nuclear fragments from an eye with a poor view because of a cloudy cornea. The primary barrier to the adoption of this valuable technology is cost.
Corneal Properties in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Assessed Through Scheimpflug Corneal Topography and Densitometry
Authors: Molero-Senosiain Mercedes , Morales-Fernandez Laura , Saenz-Frances Federico , Perucho-Gonzalez Lucia , García-Bella Javier , Garcia Feijoo Julian , Martinez-de-la-Casa Jose M. 
Published: December 2020

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare corneal topography and densitometry measurements in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and healthy subjects.

Patients and Methods:
A total of 200 eyes of 75 patients with POAG and 125 healthy controls underwent corneal topography and densitometry (Oculus Pentacam HR). The data compared in the 2 groups were: anterior chamber angle, anterior chamber depth, and anterior chamber volume, keratometry (K
minimum, K
maximum, and K
mean), central corneal thickness, central anterior elevation, anterior elevation apex, maximum anterior elevation, and posterior elevation apex. Densitometry measurements were made at 3 depths on a 12-mm-diameter circle divided into 4 concentric rings (0 to 2, 2 to 6, 6 to 10, and 10 to 12 mm). The diagnostic capacity of the corneal variables was assessed through the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve.

Results:
The corneal density of practically all depth layers and total corneal density were significantly higher in the POAG than the control group (P<0.05). Total corneal density was positively correlated with age (r=0.623; P<0.001) and also showed a good diagnostic capacity for glaucoma [area under the curve=0.617; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.541-0.697; P<0.001]. In a multiple linear regression designed to assess its relationship with age, sex, central corneal thickness, and K
mean, age emerged as a significant confounder both in controls (coefficient=0.315; P<0.001; 95% CI: 0.246-0.384) and patients (coefficient=0.370; P<0.001; 95% CI: 0.255-0.486).

Conclusion:
Corneal densitometry measurements showed a good diagnostic capacity for POAG suggesting this type of examination could have clinical applications in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.
One-Year Follow-up of Pars Plicata Versus Pars Plana Application of Transscleral Micropulse Cyclophotocoagulation
Authors: Waibel Soeren , Herber Robert , Pillunat Lutz E. , Pillunat Karin R. 
Published: December 2020

Purpose:
To compare the efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation applied at the level of the pars plicata transscleral micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (PLI-MPC) versus the pars plana transscleral micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (PLA-MPC).

Methods:
This prospective interventional case series included 44 eyes of 31 medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma patients scheduled for micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation to achieve further intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. In total, 22 eyes underwent PLI-MPC and PLA-MPC each. Primary endpoints were the reduction of 24-hour mean diurnal IOP (mean of 6 measurements), diurnal IOP fluctuations, and peak IOP, after 3 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, a possible deterioration in visual acuity and field, factors influencing IOP reduction, and the number of dropouts.

Results:
In the PLI-MPC group, IOP was reduced from 15.9±3.4 mm Hg to 13.6±3.1 mm Hg (n=16; P<0.001) and 12.9±3.7 mm Hg (n=13; P<0.001) at 3 and 12-month follow-up. In the PLA-MPC group, IOP decreased from 16.4±3.5 mm Hg to 12.3±2.6 mm Hg (n=15; P<0.001) and 11.8±2.2 mm Hg (n=14; P<0.001), respectively. At 12 months, 59% of the PLI-MPC and 63% of the PLA-MPC group had a sufficient IOP reduction to reach the individual target pressure. No complications were seen in either group. A higher preoperative IOP was recognized as the only factor influencing the postoperative IOP reduction.

Conclusions:
PLI-MPC and PLA-MPC seem to be safe and effective in further lowering the IOP in about 60% of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who did not reach target pressure despite maximally tolerated IOP-lowering medication. Although the IOP-lowering effect was not statistically significantly different between groups the pars plicata application was superior and easier to perform and should be recommended as the preferred method of application.
Refractive Outcomes of Cataract Surgery With or Without Endocyclophotocoagulation
Authors: Azses-Halabe Yael , Gamiochipi-Arjona Jorge E. , Alvarez-Ascencio Daniela , Sarabia-Jáuregui Abraham , Hernández-Monroy Kristell M. , Gonzalez-Salinas Roberto , Jiménez-Román Jesús 
Published: December 2020

Precis:
Surgeons that perform cataract surgery combined with endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) should rely on their preferred intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formula. There is no need to perform any correction to the IOL power, as this procedure does not modify the refractive outcome.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative refractive outcomes in patients with glaucoma who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with or without ECP and the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of antiglaucoma medications between groups.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study in which the medical records of the patients with any type of glaucoma, who underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation in the capsular bag in addition to ECP or as a standalone procedure from June 2016 to August 2019 were analyzed. Clinical data collected included axial length, steep, flat, and mean keratometry values, target spherical equivalent (SE) estimated by the SRK/T formula, manifest refraction SE at the 1-month follow-up, IOP, and number of antiglaucoma medications before and 12 months after surgery. Primary and secondary outcome measures were the mean predictive error (MPE), the postoperative SE, and the change in IOP after surgery in both groups, respectively. Significance was assessed using the Student t test for all variables between groups according to data distribution. P-values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results:
A total of 196 eyes of 196 patients were included, 98 in the combined phacoemulsification-ECP group, and 98 in the non-ECP group. The observed MPE was −0.043±0.44, and 0.06±0.38 D MPE, respectively (P=0.079). Overall, 74.34% in the phacoemulsification-ECP group and 78.4% in the non-ECP group had a postoperative SE of ±0.50. The ECP group had lower IOP and a greater decrease in antiglaucoma medications at 12 months of follow-up.

Conclusions:
SRK/T formula performed well in both groups, with no statistically significant difference in the MPE and the percentage of eyes achieving postoperative SE of ±0.50. We consider it is unnecessary to perform any kind of correction to the IOL power calculation when performing ECP.
The Relationship Between Otitis Media With Effusion and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Zeng-Hong , Tang Yun , Niu Xun , Sun Hai-Ying , Chen Xiong 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
Recent studies have investigated the mechanism by which refluxed gastric materials reach the middle ear, to establish otitis media with effusion (OME) causal relation between them in both children and adults. Therefore, the relationship between OME and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be further studied extensively.

Methods:
To identify eligible original articles, we searched a range of computerized databases, including Medline via PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, and Web of Science with a systematic searching strategy. Subgroup analysis was performed to analyze heterogeneity and Egger and Begg funnel plot to assess the publication bias of the included articles.

Results:
The meta-analysis had an overall sample size of 1961. We identified a significant relationship between OME and GERD, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 4.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.42–8.44; p < 0.001). The pooled data were calculated with the random-effects model as a high significant heterogeneity was found among the studies and there was no significant publication bias observed.

Conclusions:
The meta-analysis suggested that there was a significant association between otitis media with effusion and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Hearing Outcomes With a Novel Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis
Authors: Lin Kenny F. , Bojrab Dennis I. , Fritz Christian G. , Schutt Christopher A. , Hong Robert S. , Babu Seilesh C. 
Published: December 2020

Introduction:
A total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) is used to reconstruct the ossicular chain in the absence of the stapes suprastructure. The Wildcat prosthesis is a novel TORP that eliminates the need for a separate footplate shoe prosthesis and aims to improve ease-of-use and stability. This study evaluates hearing outcomes using the Wildcat prosthesis.

Study Design:
Case series with chart review.

Setting:
Tertiary neurotology referral center.

Methods:
Retrospective chart review of 64 patients undergoing ossicular chain reconstruction using the Wildcat TORP. Hearing outcomes after surgery were assessed with air conduction pure-tone average, bone conduction pure-tone average, air-bone gap (ABG), speech recognition threshold , and word recognition score as primary outcome measures. The stability of hearing outcomes was evaluated on subsequent long-term follow-up.

Results:
At mean short-term follow-up of 4.4 ± 2.7 months, ABG improved from 31.0 ± 13.0 dB preoperatively to 22.5 ± 10.0 dB (p < 0.001) with 51.6% achieving ABG less than 20 dB. No significant difference in any primary outcome measures was found when analyzing outcomes by initial versus revision surgery, use of cartilage graft, or type of mastoidectomy. The only exception was a smaller reduction in ABG of 4.2 dB for patients with canal wall down mastoidectomy compared with a 13.7 dB ABG closure in patients with canal wall up mastoidectomy (p = 0.039).

Conclusion:
Total ossicular chain reconstruction using the Wildcat demonstrates versatility in challenging cases to provide hearing outcomes that are comparable to published data using TORPs.
A Novel COCH Mutation Affects the vWFA2 Domain and Leads to a Relatively Mild DFNA9 Phenotype
Authors: Smits Jeroen J. , van Beelen Eline , Weegerink Nicole J. D. , Oostrik Jaap , Huygen Patrick L. M. , Beynon Andy J. , Lanting Cornelis P. , Kunst Henricus P. M. , Schraders Margit , Kremer Hannie , de Vrieze Erik , Pennings Ronald J. E. 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
To study the genotype and phenotype of a Dutch family with autosomal dominantly inherited hearing loss.

Study Design:
Genotype–phenotype correlation study. Genetic analysis consisted of linkage analysis, variable number of tandem repeats analysis, and Sanger sequencing. Audiovestibular function was examined. Regression analysis was performed on pure tone audiometry and speech recognition scores and correlated with the age and/or level of hearing loss.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
A large Dutch family presenting with sensorineural hearing loss.

Main Outcome Measures:
Identification of the underlying genetic defect of the hearing loss in this family. Results of pure tone and speech audiometry, onset age, progression of hearing loss and vestibular (dys)function.

Results:
A novel mutation in COCH, c.1312C > T p.(Arg438Cys), cosegregates with hearing loss and a variable degree of vestibular (dys)function in this family. The reported mean age of onset of hearing loss is 33 years (range, 18–49 yr). Hearing loss primarily affects higher frequencies and its progression is relatively mild (0.8 dB/yr). Speech perception is remarkably well preserved in affected family members when compared with other DFNA9 families with different COCH mutations.

Conclusion:
These findings expand the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of DFNA9. The c.1312C > T mutation, which affects the vWFA2 domain, causes a relatively mild audiovestibular phenotype when compared with other COCH mutations.
Is Menière's Disease a Contraindication to Stapedectomy?
Authors: Sioshansi Pedrom C. , Schettino Amy E. , Bojrab Dennis I. , Babu Seilesh C. , Michaelides Elias M. , Luryi Alexander L. , Schutt Christopher A. 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
Review surgical outcomes of stapedectomy for otosclerosis in patients with Menierè's disease.

Study Design:
Retrospective case review.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Patients with otosclerosis and Menière's disease undergoing stapedectomy between 2010 and 2017.

Intervention:
Stapedectomy.

Main Outcome Measures:
Pre- and postoperative hearing and complications. Hearing was measured by air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) pure-tone frequency, pure-tone averages (PTA), air-bone gap (ABG), and word recognition scores (WRS).

Results:
Among 1,499 patients with otosclerosis, the incidence of concomitant Menière's disease was 1.7%. Fifteen patients with otosclerosis and Menière's disease underwent stapedectomy, 12 primary and three revisions. Mean AC PTA was 43 dB preoperatively, and 25 dB postoperatively (p = 0.0007), while the ABG improved on average from 20 to 5 dB (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in BC PTA or WRS postoperatively. Two patients experienced fluctuation of hearing in the postoperative period, one of which resolved with a course of steroids. The mean follow-up time was 41 months.

Conclusions:
In patients with otosclerosis and Menière's disease, stapedectomy provides excellent hearing outcomes in a majority of patients. As is characteristic of Menière's disease, some patients will continue to experience fluctuating hearing postoperatively, which may progress to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Menière's disease may not be an absolute contraindication to stapes surgery.
Predictive Ability of Direct Electrical Stimulation on Facial Nerve Function Following Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Quimby Alexandra E. , Lui Justin , Chen Joseph 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
Facial nerve preservation is critical in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. Direct electrical stimulation (DES) is a widely used method for intraoperative localization of the facial nerve and assessment of nerve integrity. We sought to assess the predictive ability of DES parameters on facial nerve function post-VS surgery.

Databases reviewed:
A systematic literature search of English-language studies published from 1946 to 2019 was undertaken using EMBASE, MedLine/PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Methods:
Included studies involved patients undergoing VS surgery and assessed predictive ability of any DES parameter on postoperative facial function. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data. Meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy of DES parameters was used to calculate pooled sensitivities and specificities of common cutoffs. For DES parameters reported by less than four studies, outcomes were reported descriptively.

Results:
A MST cutoff of 0.10 mA had sensitivity of 0.76 (95% CI 0.53–0.90) and specificity 0.68 (95% CI 0.42–0.87) for facial function in the long term, and MST 0.05 mA had sensitivity 0.73 (95% CI 0.58–0.84) and specificity 0.74 (95% CI 0.59–0.85). CMAP amplitude < 500 μV had sensitivity of 0.87 (95% CI 0.78–0.93) for poor short-term facial function.

Conclusions:
A CMAP amplitude response < 500 μV is sensitive for poor short-term facial function, whereas MST values of 0.05 mA and 0.10 mA are both sensitive and specific in the long term. Other DES parameters may be able to accurately predict both short- and long-term postoperative facial function, but have been less studied.