bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antiarrhythmic Effects of Combining Dofetilide and Ranolazine in a Model of Acutely Induced Atrial Fibrillation in Horses
Authors: Carstensen Helena , Kjær Line , Haugaard Maria Mathilde , Flethøj Mette , Hesselkilde Eva Zander , Kanters Jørgen K. , Pehrson Steen , Buhl Rikke , Jespersen Thomas 
Published: October 2017

Background:
Antiarrhythmic compounds against atrial fibrillation (AF) often have reduced efficacy and may display cardiac and/or noncardiac toxicity. Efficacy can be improved by combining 2 compounds with distinct mechanisms, and it may be possible to use lower doses of each compound, thereby reducing the likelihood of adverse side effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the effective doses of dofetilide and ranolazine can be reduced if the drugs are combined.

Methods:
Dofetilide, ranolazine, and a combination of these were administered in 4 incremental dosing regimens to horses with acutely pacing-induced AF. Time to cardioversion, atrial effective refractory period, and AF vulnerability and duration were assessed.

Results:
Of 8 horses, 6 cardioverted to sinus rhythm after infusion with a combination of 0.889 μg/kg dofetilide and 0.104 mg/kg ranolazine. Two horses cardioverted with 0.104 mg/kg ranolazine alone, and 3 cardioverted with 0.889 μg/kg dofetilide alone. The combination therapy decreased AF vulnerability (P < 0.05) and AF duration (P < 0.05). No change in atrial effective refractory period was detected with any of the drugs.

Conclusions:
The combination of dofetilide and ranolazine showed increased antiarrhythmic effects on acutely induced AF in horses, affecting time to cardioversion, AF vulnerability, and AF duration.
A New Modified Method of Correcting Cryptotia with a Subcutaneous Pedicled Flap
Authors: Hikiami Rina , Kakudo Natsuko , Morimoto Naoki , Hihara Masakatsu , Kusumoto Kenji 
Published: October 2017

Summary:
We developed a surgical technique to correct cryptotia using a subcutaneous pedicled flap raised from the retroauricular region. A skin paddle over the caudal part of the auricular sulcus is designed and transferred to the skin defect of the upper posterior surface of the auricle. This procedure has been performed on 17 ears in 14 patients with cryptotia since 1992. There were no postoperative complications, such as necrosis of the flaps or deformities, and cryptotia did not recur in any patient. A satisfactory auricular contour with a sufficiently deep auriculotemporal sulcus was preserved in all cases. The intraoperative procedure to correct cryptotia and outcomes obtained are presented herein and compared with other procedures.
CORRELATION BETWEEN INNER-RETINAL CHANGES AND OUTER-RETINAL DAMAGE IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE
Authors: Cho Kwan Hyuk , Park Sang Jun , Woo Se Joon , Park Kyu Hyung 
Published: October 2017

Purpose:
To investigate correlations between the inner-retinal irregularity index and interdigitation zone (IZ) defects preidiopathic and postidiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery.

Methods:
The authors retrospectively assessed ophthalmic parameters in 89 eyes of 89 patients with ERM. They divided patients into the no-IZ defect (51, 57%) and IZ defect (38, 43%) groups. The IZ defect group was subdivided into recovered (22, 58%) and remaining IZ defect (16, 42%) subgroups, according to IZ recovery status at final examination. The inner-retinal irregularity index of each group was measured before and 1-, 3-, and 6-month postsurgery.

Results:
Clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. The IZ defect group had a statistically significant higher inner-retinal irregularity index than the no-IZ defect group before (P = 0.023), but not after ERM surgery. The inner-retinal irregularity index of the recovered and remaining IZ defect subgroups was similar before surgery, but differed markedly 6 months after surgery (P = 0.048). Changes in the inner-retinal irregularity index quantitatively correlated with IZ defect size before and after ERM surgery (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The inner-retinal irregularity index differed significantly according to the IZ status and also correlated with the IZ defect before and after ERM surgery. The inner-retinal irregularity index may reflect the outer-retinal damage in ERM.
INTRARETINAL HYPERREFLECTIVE FOCI IN BEST VITELLIFORM MACULAR DYSTROPHY
Authors: Parodi Maurizio Battaglia , Romano Francesco , Sacconi Riccardo , Casati Stefano , Marchini Giorgio , Bandello Francesco , Iacono Pierluigi 
Published: October 2017

Purpose:
To report on the presence of hyperreflective foci (HF) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD), and to describe the relationship between HF and stages of the disease.

Methods:
Consecutive patients diagnosed with BVMD were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study. All patients and control subjects underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Main outcome measure: identification of HF in BVMD. Secondary outcome: assessment of the HF in each stage and correlation with best-corrected visual acuity.

Results:
Overall, 75 eyes of 39 patients were included in the study (Stage 1: 13%, Stage 2: 43%, Stage 3: 15%, Stage 4: 21%, and Stage 5: 8%). On spectral domain optical coherence tomography assessment, intraretinal HF were present in 83% of all eyes, in 91% of eyes affected by clinical BVMD (Stages 2–5) and in 100% of patients in Stages 4 and 5. In 46% of clinically diseased eyes, HF were localized in the fovea and in correspondence with the BVMD lesions at the level of the outer nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer. Hyperreflective foci were present in 16% of control eyes. Mean number of HF in eyes affected by clinical BVMD stood at 7.67 ± 7.35. These were predominantly small HF (6.23 ± 6.14, P < 0.001) localized in the outer nuclear layer (5.19 ± 5.38, P = 0.001) and presented largely in the extrafoveal, rather than the foveal area (5.21 ± 5.57 vs 2.46 ± 2.73, P = 0.001). Analysis of HF distribution revealed that the control group and Stage 1 eyes had the fewest HF; Stage 4 displayed a significant increase in the number of HF compared with Stages 2 and 3; Stage 5 also showed an increased number of HF, although this difference was statistically significant only with Stage 3 eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity was negatively related to the number of HF, with best-corrected visual acuity deteriorating as the number of HF increased in Stages 2 to 5 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
This study describes the presence of HF in BVMD using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Our data suggest that HF identification is correlated with the progression of the disease and could represent a useful biomarker of BVMD.
OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF SYSTEMIC AMYLOIDOSIS
Authors: Reynolds Margaret M. , Veverka Kevin K. , Gertz Morie A. , Dispenzieri Angela , Zeldenrust Steven R. , Leung Nelson , Pulido Jose S. 
Published: October 2017

Purpose:
To describe ophthalmic manifestations of systemic amyloidosis, a group of devastating conditions.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review including patients who had ocular examinations at Mayo Clinic between January 1, 1985, and April 1, 2014, and a diagnosis of light-chain (AL), secondary (AA), or nontransthyretin familial amyloidosis was undertaken. Sixty-eight patients with AL amyloidosis, eight patients with AA amyloidosis, and five patients with nontransthyretin familial amyloidosis were included.

Results:
Of 68 patients, 8 patients (14 eyes) with AL amyloidosis had ocular involvement secondary to conjunctiva, temporal artery, extraocular muscle, trabecular meshwork, and cranial nerve deposition. One of the five patients with nontransthyretin familial amyloidosis had gelsolin-related corneal dystrophy. No patients with AA amyloidosis (n = 8) had ophthalmic manifestations.

Conclusion:
Systemic amyloidosis can lead to ocular morbidity. Patients with AL amyloidosis had involvement of the temporal artery, conjunctiva, extraocular muscles, trabecular meshwork, and cranial nerves. Those with gelsolin nontransthyretin familial amyloidosis were susceptible to corneal dystrophy. Patients with AA amyloidosis did not manifest ophthalmic involvement. Finally, if ocular amyloidosis is detected, patients should be referred for systemic workup.
TO PEEL OR NOT TO PEEL THE INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE IN IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES
Authors: Díaz-Valverde Andrea , Wu Lihteh 
Published: October 2017

Background:
Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) have been described for more than 150 years. Currently, they are a common indication for vitreoretinal surgery. Recently, there has been an increasing trend to peel the internal limiting membrane (ILM). Although ILM peeling has generally been accepted as a fundamental step in macular hole repair, its current role in ERM remains controversial.

Methods:
Literature review.

Results:
Proponents of ILM peeling argue that peeling of the ILM reduces the recurrence rate and facilitates a greater resolution of retinal folds. Opponents of ILM peeling show that the visual outcomes between eyes that undergo ILM peeling and those that do not have their ILM peeled are the same. Stripping of the ILM removes the Müller cell footplates, so it is reasonable to expect some Müller cell dysfunction. Adverse events such as eccentric paracentral macular holes, macular microscotomata, and retinal dimpling have been associated with ILM peeling.

Conclusion:
Internal limiting membrane peeling does not improve the functional outcomes after ERM surgery. Internal limiting membrane peeling reduces ERM recurrences, but many recurrences are not clinically significant. It remains unclear what the long-term effects of ILM peeling are. We should err on the side of caution and avoid routine ILM peeling in primary idiopathic ERM cases and should reserve it for recurrent and high risk of recurrence cases.
ABNORMAL QUIESCENT NEOVASCULARIZATION IN A PATIENT WITH LARGE COLLOID DRUSEN VISUALIZED BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY
Authors: Carnevali Adriano , Sacconi Riccardo , Querques Lea , Corbelli Eleonora , Rabiolo Alessandro , Chiara Giuffrè , Scorcia Vincenzo , Bandello Francesco , Querques Giuseppe 
Published: October 2017

Purpose:
We report a case of large colloid drusen complicated by extensive quiescent choroidal neovascularization in both eyes.

Methods:
Case report.

Results:
A 46-year old woman was referred to our department with diagnosis of early-onset retinal drusen. Review of examinations performed 16 years before along with current multimodal imaging evaluation showed the presence of numerous large colloid drusen, subsequently replaced by quiescent choroidal neovascularization in both eyes, nicely visualized by optical coherence tomography angiography.

Conclusion:
This case suggests progressive development of quiescent neovascularization beneath the drusen as a possible late evolution of degenerating large colloid drusens.
CLINICAL COURSE OF INFLAMMATORY CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH FOCAL CHOROIDAL EXCAVATION
Authors: Corbelli Eleonora , Sacconi Riccardo , Querques Lea , Carnevali Adriano , Giuffrè Chiara , Rabiolo Alessandro , Bandello Francesco , Querques Giuseppe 
Published: October 2017

Purpose:
To report the clinical course of focal choroidal excavation associated with choroidal neovascularization in a case of choroidal inflammation.

Methods:
Case report.

Results:
A 41-year-old man presented with blurred vision and metamorphopsia in his left eye. Multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography angiography showed nonconforming focal choroidal excavation in the setting of choroidal inflammation and the presence of choroidal neovascularization at the border of the excavation, nicely visualized by optical coherence tomography angiography. Pattern alteration from nonconforming to conforming focal choroidal excavation and choroidal neovascularization involution were observed after treatment with oral steroids.

Conclusion:
Multimodal imaging, including optical coherence tomography angiography, allowed to detect and monitor pattern focal choroidal excavation transformation and choroidal neovascularization reduction after treatment with oral steroids.
Stress and Unusual Events Exacerbate Symptoms in Menière's Disease: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Yeo Nicola L. , White Mathew P. , Ronan Natalie , Whinney David J. , Curnow Alison , Tyrrell Jessica 
Published: October 2017

Hypothesis:
Stress and unusual events are associated with a higher likelihood of attacks and increased symptom severity in Menière's disease (MD).

Background:
MD is an unpredictable condition which severely impacts the quality of life of those affected. It is thought that unusual activity and stress may act as an attack trigger in MD, but research in this area has been limited to date.

Methods:
This was a longitudinal study conducted over two phases. A mobile phone application was used to collect daily data on Menière's attacks and individual symptoms (aural fullness, dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus), as well as prevalence of unusual events (phase I), and stress levels (phase II). There were 1,031 participants (730 women, mean age 46.0 yr) in phase I and 695 participants (484 women, mean age 47.7 yr) in phase II. Panel data regression analyses were employed to examine for associations between unusual events/stress and attacks/symptoms, including the study of 24 hours lead and lag effects.

Results:
Unusual events and higher stress levels were associated with higher odds of Menière's attacks and more severe symptoms. The odds of experiencing an attack were 2.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.37, 3.65) with reporting of unusual events and increased by 1.24 (95% CI 1.20, 1.28) per unit increase in stress level. Twenty-four hour lead (OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.07, 1.14]) and lag (OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.06, 1.13]) effects on attacks were also found with increases in stress.

Conclusion:
This study provides the strongest evidence to date that stress and unusual events are associated with attacks and symptom exacerbation in MD. Improving our understanding of stress and unusual events as triggers in Menière's may reduce the uncertainty associated with this condition and lead to improved quality of life for affected individuals.
Morphological Characteristics of Osseous External Auditory Canal and Its Relationship With External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma in Patients With Congenital Aural Stenosis
Authors: Yin Dongming , Li Chenlong , Juan Hong , Li Jieying , Yang Lin , Zhang Tianyu , Dai Peidong 
Published: October 2017

Objective:
To investigate the characteristics of stenotic external auditory canal (EAC) (e.g., shape, length, orientation, and curvature) and to compare them with those of the cholesteatoma and no cholesteatoma groups, which may help to explain cholesteatoma formation to a certain degree.

Methods:
Computed tomography scans of two groups of patients (with and without EAC cholesteatoma) were analyzed. We determined the degree of microtia, the stenosis of EAC, radius and curvature of osseous EAC bending (abbreviated as OEB-r and OEB-c, respectively), and other anatomic parameters of EAC by using Mimics and Matlab.

Results:
There was no significant difference in the degree of microtia between the cholesteatoma and no cholesteatoma groups using the Marx grading system. Additionally, no significant difference was found in the stenosis of EAC between the two groups. The OEB-r was smaller in the cholesteatoma group (4.62 ± 0.62 mm) than in the no cholesteatoma group (7.41 ± 0.50 mm), and the OEB-c was found to be larger in the cholesteatoma group (1.55 ± 0.05 × 10 mm−1) than in the no cholesteatoma group (1.10 ± 0.10 × 10 mm−1). Moreover, the OEB-c (OR, 8.60; 95% CI, 2.67–27.75) was associated with EAC cholesteatoma formation.

Conclusion:
The curvature of osseous EAC in the cholesteatoma group was significantly larger than that in the no cholesteatoma group. It is suggested that the curvature of osseous EAC was a risk factor for EAC cholesteatoma formation.
Preventing Facial Nerve Stimulation by Triphasic Pulse Stimulation in Cochlear Implant Users: Intraoperative Recordings
Authors: Bahmer Andreas , Adel Youssef , Baumann Uwe 
Published: October 2017

Hypothesis:
Triphasic pulse stimulation of the auditory nerve can prevent unintended facial nerve stimulation (FNS) due to a different electromyographic (EMG) input–output function compared with biphasic pulses.

Background:
FNS is sometimes observed in cochlear implant (CI) users as an unpleasant side effect of electrical stimulation using biphasic pulse patterns (BPP). Clinical remedies to alleviate FNS are 1) to extend stimulus phase duration or 2) to completely deactivate the electrode. In some cases, these options do not provide sufficient FNS reduction or are detrimental to subject performance. Stimulation using triphasic pulse patterns (TPP) has been shown to prevent FNS more effectively, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Methods:
EMG potentials of muscles innervated by the facial nerve (orbicularis oculi and oris muscles) were recorded to quantitatively compare the effect of BPP and TPP stimulation on FNS. Recordings were conducted in five subjects during CI surgery. In two exemplary cases, different leading phase polarities in alternating and non-alternating order were tested.

Results:
Compared with our previous study in awake patients using surface electrodes (Bahmer and Baumann, 2016), intraoperative recordings using subdermal electrodes showed lower noise content and allowed higher sampling resolution. While inter-subject variation remained high, intra-subject results for different electrode positions were comparable: FNS was strongly reduced for cathodic-first TPP stimulation. In contrast, exemplary cases showed little reduction for anodic-first TPP as well as for alternating stimulation.

Conclusion:
FNS in CI users can be reduced using TPP stimulation, but the ameliorative effect appears to be dependent on the leading stimulus polarity.
Do Measurements of Inner Ear Structures Help in the Diagnosis of Inner Ear Malformations? A Review of Literature
Authors: D’Arco Felice , Talenti Giacomo , Lakshmanan Rahul , Stephenson Kate , Siddiqui Ata , Carney Olivia 
Published: October 2017

Objective:
We conducted an extensive review of the literature relevant to inner ear measurements in normal and malformative conditions to select reproducible methods and normative ranges that may be used in clinical practice.

Data Sources and Study Selection:
A review of the published literature was performed in the English language using PubMed with appropriate keywords. We selected only those articles containing normative values of inner ear structures.

Data Extraction and Data Synthesis:
The following measurements were identified as reproducible and sensitive for the diagnosis of inner malformations: cochlear height in coronal plane; maximal diameter of bony island of lateral semicircular canal; width of vestibular aqueduct: 1) at midpoint; 2) at operculum in axial plane; cochlear canal and cochlear width in multiplanar reconstructions (MPR)/axial; cochlear length. The following cutoffs for normal inner ears are proposed based on the comparative analysis of the literature: cochlea height: >4.3 mm; lateral semicircular canal bony island: >3 mm; vestibular aqueduct: <0.9 (midpoint) and <1.9 mm (operculum); cochlear canal (axial MPR): >1.4 mm and <2.5 mm; cochlear width (MPR): >5.4 mm.

Conclusion:
Measurements of inner ear structures can help in the interpretation of computed tomography images. They increase the sensitivity in detecting inner ear malformations, especially cochlear hypoplasia now considered more common than previously thought.
Changes in Serum Prestin Concentration After Exposure to Cisplatin
Authors: Liba Benjamin , Naples James , Bezyk Elizabeth , Campbell Charlene , Mei Michael , Parham Kourosh 
Published: October 2017

Hypothesis:
There are temporal changes in the outer-hair-cell-specific protein, prestin, in the blood after administration of low-dose cisplatin.

Methods:
Two rodent models of ototoxicity were used. After control and baseline data collection, mice (n = 30) and guinea pigs (n = 10), respectively, were treated with cisplatin at 8 mg/kg. Auditory brainstem responses were recorded on Days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after treatment. Five mice were sacrificed at each time point and serum samples were obtained. A group of 10 guinea pigs were tested and serum samples were collected at each time point. Serum prestin concentrations were measured using separate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for each species.

Results:
Auditory brainstem responses thresholds changed relatively little in mice, but gradually increased in guinea pigs, as a function of time after cisplatin exposure. In contrast, serum prestin concentrations rose, reaching a peak on Days 3 and 7 after cisplatin treatment in mouse and guinea pig, respectively, before declining back to or below baseline/control levels 14 days after treatment.

Conclusion:
There was a time-dependent pattern of change in serum prestin after exposure to low-dose cisplatin in a resistant (mouse) and sensitive (guinea pig) rodent models. These comparative results suggest prestin may serve as a biomarker for cisplatin ototoxicity.
The association between physical activity and the risk of symptomatic Barrett’s oesophagus: a UK prospective cohort study
Authors: Lam Stephen , Alexandre Leo , Luben Robert , Hart Andrew R. 
Published: October 2017

Background
Physical activity affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal system through both local and systemic effects and may play an important role in the aetiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. We investigated, for the first time in a large prospective cohort study, associations between recreational and occupational levels of physical activity and the incidence of Barrett’s oesophagus.

Participants and methods
The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk recruited 30 445 men and women between 1993 and 1997. Occupational and recreational levels of physical activity were measured using a baseline questionnaire. The cohort was followed up until 2015 to identify symptomatic cases of Barrett’s oesophagus. Cox proportional hazard regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) for physical activity and the development of disease.

Results
Two hundred and three participants developed Barrett’s oesophagus (mean age: 70.6 years) the majority of whom were men (70.9%). There was an inverse association between standing occupations and disease risk [HR: 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31–0.82, P=0.006] when compared with sedentary jobs. Heavy manual occupations were positively associated with disease risk (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.91–3.00), but conventional statistical significance was not reached (P=0.09). No associations were found between recreational activity and the risk of Barrett’s oesophagus (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.72–2.50, P=0.35, highest vs. lowest levels of activity).

Conclusion
Our study suggests that occupational levels of physical activity may be associated with the risk Barrett’s oesophagus. However, further work is required to confirm and describe specific occupations that may be protective.