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Yamada, Masayuki, Tomomichi Itoh, Akira Hirao, Sei-Ichi Nakahama, and Junji Watanabe. "Side-Chain LC Block Copolymers with Well Defined Structures Prepared by Living Anionic Polymerization. 2: Effect of the Glass Transition Temperature of Amorphous Segments on the Phase Behaviour and Structure of the LC Segment." High Performance Polymers 10, no. 1 (March 1998): 131–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0954-0083/10/1/014.
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We have prepared two classes of LC diblock copolymers, OcSt-b-LC and MeStb-LC, by living anionic polymerization. These are composed of the side-chain LC polymer as one segment and two different amorphous polymers, poly(octyl styrene) (OcSt) and poly(α-methyl styrene) (MeSt), as the other segment. OcSt and MeSt segments have glass transition temperatures of −60 °C and 160 °C respectively, which are relatively lower and higher than the transition temperatures of crystal–SA (∼90 °C) and SA–isotropic (∼130 °C) in the LC segment. In OcSt-b-LC the lamellar domain size decreases gradually from that of the crystal phase to that of the isotropic phase, indicating that the global conformation of the backbone changes throughout the SA temperature region. In MeSt-b-LC, in contrast, no change in the lamellar size is observed and the crystallinity of the LC segment is reduced in comparison with that in OcSt-b-LC while the liquid crystal is well formed. Such a distinction between two copolymer systems, arising from an interplay between the LC and amorphous segments, shows that the global conformation of the backbone is significant for understanding the phase behaviour and structure of side-chain LC polymers.
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Usman, Muhammad, Wajahat Ullah Khan Tareen, Adil Amin, Haider Ali, Inam Bari, Muhammad Sajid, Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Alex Stojcevski, Anzar Mahmood, and Saad Mekhilef. "A Coordinated Charging Scheduling of Electric Vehicles Considering Optimal Charging Time for Network Power Loss Minimization." Energies 14, no. 17 (August 27, 2021): 5336. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14175336.
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Electric vehicles’ (EVs) technology is currently emerging as an alternative of traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. EVs have been treated as an efficient way for decreasing the production of harmful greenhouse gasses and saving the depleting natural oil reserve. The modern power system tends to be more sustainable with the support of electric vehicles (EVs). However, there have been serious concerns about the network’s safe and reliable operation due to the increasing penetration of EVs into the electric grid. Random or uncoordinated charging activities cause performance degradations and overloading of the network asset. This paper proposes an Optimal Charging Starting Time (OCST)-based coordinated charging algorithm for unplanned EVs’ arrival in a low voltage residential distribution network to minimize the network power losses. A time-of-use (ToU) tariff scheme is used to make the charging course more cost effective. The concept of OCST takes the departure time of EVs into account and schedules the overnight charging event in such a way that minimum network losses are obtained, and EV customers take more advantages of cost-effective tariff zones of ToU scheme. An optimal solution is obtained by employing Binary Evolutionary Programming (BEP). The proposed algorithm is tested on IEEE-31 bus distribution system connected to numerous low voltage residential feeders populated with different EVs’ penetration levels. The results obtained from the coordinated EV charging without OCST are compared with those employing the concept of OCST. The results verify that incorporation of OCST can significantly reduce network power losses, improve system voltage profile and can give more benefits to the EV customers by accommodating them into low-tariff zones.
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Ito, Kazuki, Masahiro Uetsu, and Hiroshi Kadotani. "Validation of Oximetry for Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Clinical Setting." Clocks & Sleep 2, no. 3 (August 29, 2020): 364–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/clockssleep2030027.
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A large epidemiological study using oximetry to analyze obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic comorbidities was performed in Japan; however, reliability and validity of oximetry in the Japanese population remains poorly understood. In this study, oximetry data from the epidemiological study were compared with data from clinically performed polysomnography (PSG) and out-of-center sleep testing (OCST) in epidemiological study participants who later attended our outpatient units. The oxygen desaturation index (ODI) from oximetry showed a moderate positive relationship (correlation coefficient r = 0.561, p < 0.001) with apnea/hypopnea data from PSG/OCST. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed moderate accuracy of this method in the detection of moderate-to-severe or severe OSA. However, the optimal ODI thresholds to detect moderate-to-severe OSA and severe OSA were the same (ODI > 20.1). Oximetry may be a useful tool for screening moderate-to-severe or severe sleep apnea. However, it may be difficult to set an appropriate threshold to distinguish between moderate and severe sleep apnea by oximetry alone.
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Peritore, D., R. Pretagostini, L. Minieri, F. Russo, and R. Cortesini. "ORGANIZZAZIONE CENTRO-SUD TRAPIANTI (OCST): OUTCOME ANALYSIS 1999 TO MARCH 2004." Transplantation 78 (July 2004): 223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007890-200407271-00584.
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Steitz, Wolfgang, and Franz Rothlauf. "Using penalties instead of rewards: Solving OCST problems with guided local search." Swarm and Evolutionary Computation 3 (April 2012): 46–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.swevo.2011.10.003.
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Steitz, Wolfgang, and Franz Rothlauf. "Edge Orientation and the Design of Problem-Specific Crossover Operators for the OCST Problem." IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation 16, no. 1 (February 2012): 108–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/tevc.2010.2093580.
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Yagi, T., S. Chiba, and H. Ito. "0618 What are the Benefits of Remote Monitoring Polysomnography." Sleep 43, Supplement_1 (April 2020): A236—A237. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.615.
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Abstract Introduction The use of information and communication technology (ICT) for sleep testing is mainly aimed at improving the accuracy of out-of-center sleep testing (OCST) by remote monitoring. In this study, as the first achievement in Japan, we report the results of our sleep medical clinic and hospital unit. For the diagnosis of sleep disorders, monitoring polysomnography (PSG) attending sleep technologist is the gold standard and is positioned as Type I. On the other hand, diagnosis using OCST has become acceptable because many patients can be diagnosed quickly and cost can be reduced.When using Type II devices that measure electroencephalogram at home, the measurement accuracy is inevitable, including poor recording, because it is performed in a non-monitoring situation. As an attempt to improve this situation, our clinic and hospital unit have established a remote monitoring PSG system that can be upgraded from Type II to Type I level by remote monitoring by a sleep technologist to ensure recording accuracy. Methods During the period from April 2004 to December 2017, a total of 286 remote monitoring PSGs were performed by dedicated sleep technologists at the Ota Memorial Sleep Center for patients admitted to a private room at Ota General Hospital. Results The breakdown of the reasons for requesting remote monitoring tests is about 30% of patients scheduled to undergo surgerysuch as palatine tonsillectomy or soft palate plastic surgery the next day, and 24% of hospitalized patients with risky complications %, 17% of patients expected to have a high probability of nighttime seizures and abnormal behavior, and 15% were physically disabled or paralyzed. Conclusion Our remote monitoring PSG system is effectively used in the clinic for the general hospital for patients who need nighttime safety management and nursing management. Support non
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Kim, Jong Ryul, Kyeong-Hoon Do, Wan Young Chung, and Il Seok Ko. "A SOLUTION OF REAL-WORLD OCST PROBLEMS WITH A NEW TREE ENCODING-BASED GENETIC ALGORITHM." Cybernetics and Systems 39, no. 6 (August 2008): 603–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01969720802312504.
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Park, Joon-Ha, Zong-Tae Bae, and Jinjoo Lee. "Characteristics and Performance of Organisational Change Teams: An Empirical Study of Korean Large Firms." International Journal of Innovation Management 01, no. 02 (June 1997): 123–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1363919697000085.
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This study explored direct relationships among top management support as the major organisational context, the characteristics of organisational change team (OCT), and OCT performance. Based on the previous studies on change agents and organisational groups, and the practices of change efforts in Korean large firms, six hypotheses were generated and tested through questionnaires culled from 58 teams among four Korean conglomerate groups. The four OCT characteristics studied were professionalism, functional diversity, team position and team size. By controlling for the group difference, it was found that the professionalism and functional diversity of OCTs were significantly correlated to managers' satisfaction with the OCTs. Beyond our expectations, strategic support of the top management had more direct effects on the performance of the OCTs than the OCT characteristics. This study suggests that getting the strong support of the top management as well as having their own professional knowledge and abilities are very important for OCTs to achieve higher performance.
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Shunmugam, Manoharan, and MRCOphth and Tom H. Williamson. "Recent Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of Vitreomacular Disorders." US Ophthalmic Review 04, no. 01 (2011): 17. http://dx.doi.org/10.17925/usor.2011.04.01.17.
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a ubiquitous and invaluable tool in the retinal clinic as it provides the examiner with a 2D cross-section of the retina; newer machines are also able to reconstruct 3D images. The greater detail afforded by OCT scanning enhances diagnostic capabilities and advances vitreoretinal research. It has proved very useful in surgical planning and provides fine anatomical retinal detail, which can aid post-operative prognostication in certain vitreoretinal disorders. OCT operates on the same physical principles as an ultrasound scan, except it uses light as the carrier signal. First-generation OCTs are capable of resolutions only between 10 and 20μm. Second-generation OCTs improved this to 5–6μm. We await the commercial availability of third-generation and full-field OCTs, which yield resolutions as low as 1–3μm.
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Shunmugam, Manoharan, and Tom H. Williamson. "Recent Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of Vitreomacular Disorders." European Ophthalmic Review 03, no. 02 (2009): 8. http://dx.doi.org/10.17925/eor.2009.03.02.8.
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a ubiquitous and invaluable tool in the retinal clinic as it provides the examiner with a 2D cross-section of the retina; newer machines are also able to reconstruct 3D images. The greater detail afforded by OCT scanning enhances diagnostic capabilities and advances vitreoretinal research. It has proved very useful in surgical planning and provides fine anatomical retinal detail, which can aid post-operative prognostication in certain vitreoretinal disorders. OCT operates on the same physical principles as an ultrasound scan, except it uses light as the carrier signal. First-generation OCTs are capable of resolutions only between 10 and 20μm. Second-generation OCTs improved this to 5–6μm. We await the commercial availability of third-generation and full-field OCTs, which yield resolutions as low as 1–3μm.
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Bentaleb-Machkour, Zaïnab, Eléonore Jouffroy, Muriel Rabilloud, Jean-Daniel Grange, and Laurent Kodjikian. "Comparison of Central Macular Thickness Measured by Three OCT Models and Study of Interoperator Variability." Scientific World Journal 2012 (2012): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/842795.
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Purpose. To compare central macular thickness (CMT) measurement on healthy patient using 3 different OCT devices by two operators.Methods. Prospective, monocentricstudy. Right eye’s central macular thickness (CMT) of 30 healthy patients has been measured three times using a time-domain (TD) OCT (Stratus OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, Ca) and two spectral domain (SD) OCTs (Cirrus HD-OCT, Carl ZeissMeditec, Dublin, Ca) and 3D-OCT 1000 (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) by two operators. Six measurements were taken randomly for each patient the same day.Results. No significant difference between measurements obtained by the two operators has been observed, whatever the studied OCT.Pvalue was 0.164, 0.193, and 0.147 for Stratus OCT, Cirrus HD-OCT and 3D-OCT, respectively. Mean CMT significantly differed from instrument to instrument (P<0.001) and was, respectively, 197 μm, 254 μm, and 236 μm using Stratus OCT, Cirrus HD-OCT, and 3D-OCT 1000. Using Cirrus OCT and 3D-OCT 1000, CMT was, respectively, 57 μm and 39 μm thicker than using Stratus OCT (P<0.05).Conclusions. Whatever the OCT device, on healthy patients CMT was not operator dependent. CMT measurements obtained by SD-OCTs are greater than those obtained by TD-OCT. These data imply that the different OCT devices cannot be used interchangeably in clinical monitoring.
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Hatef, Elham, Afsheen Khwaja, Zubir Rentiya, Mohamed Ibrahim, Matthew Shulman, Peykan Turkcuoglu, Yasir Sepah, et al. "Comparison of Time Domain and Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Measurement of Macular Thickness in Macular Edema Secondary to Diabetic Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusion." Journal of Ophthalmology 2012 (2012): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/354783.
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Purpose. To evaluate macular thickness, agreement, and intraclass repeatability in three optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices: the time domain (TD) Stratus OCT and two spectral domain (SD) OCTs, Spectralis and Cirrus SD-OCT, in eyes with macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vein occlusion (VO).Methods. In a prospective observational study at a university-based retina practice, retinal thickness tomography was performed simultaneously for fifty-eight patients (91 eyes) with DR and VO employing a time domain and two spectral domain OCTs. Agreement in macular measurements was assessed by constructing Bland-Altman plots. Intraclass repeatability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).Results. Based on the Bland-Altman plots for central macular thickness, there was low agreement between the measurements of Cirrus SD-OCT and Stratus OCT, Spectralis OCT and Stratus OCT, as well as Spectralis OCT and Cirrus SD-OCT among DR and RVO patients. All three devices demonstrated high intraclass repeatability, with ICC of 98% for Stratus OCT, 97% for Cirrus SD-OCT, and 100% for Spectralis OCT among DR patients. The ICC was 97% for Stratus OCT, 79% for Cirrus SD-OCT, and 91% for Spectralis OCT among RVO patients.Conclusion. There are low agreements among interdevice measurements. However, intraclass repeatability is high in both TD and SD-OCT devices.
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Brandao, Livia M., Anna A. Ledolter, Andreas Schötzau, and Anja M. Palmowski-Wolfe. "Comparison of Two Different OCT Systems: Retina Layer Segmentation and Impact on Structure-Function Analysis in Glaucoma." Journal of Ophthalmology 2016 (2016): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8307639.
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Purpose. To compare two different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems in regard to full macular thickness (MT) and ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) measures and in regard to structure-function correlation when compared to standard automated perimetry (SAP).Methods. Seventeen primary open angle glaucoma patients and 16 controls (one eye per subject) were enrolled. MT and GCIPL thicknesses were measured by Cirrus and Spectralis OCTs. Octopus Perimeter 101 (G2 protocol) reports sensitivity in mean defect (dB). Differences between measurements were assessed with Student’st-test and Bland Altman. Diagnostic performance was also compared between each parameter calculating the areas under the operator receiver (ROC). Linear models were used to investigate structure-function association between OCT and SAP.Results. Disagreement between OCTs in both MT and GCIPL values was significant. Spectralis values were thicker than Cirrus. Average difference between OCTs was 21.64 μm (SD 4.5) for MT and 9.8 μm (SD 5.4) for GCIPL (p<0.001). Patients differed significantly from controls in both OCTs, in both measurements. MT and GCIPL were negatively associated with MD (p<0.001).Conclusions. Although OCT values were not interchangeable, both machines differentiated patients from controls with statistical significance. Structure-function analysis results were comparable, when either OCT was compared to SAP.
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Murphy, S., J. B. Yoon, T. Gerster, and R. G. Roeder. "Oct-1 and Oct-2 potentiate functional interactions of a transcription factor with the proximal sequence element of small nuclear RNA genes." Molecular and Cellular Biology 12, no. 7 (July 1992): 3247–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mcb.12.7.3247.
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The promoters of both RNA polymerase II- and RNA polymerase III-transcribed small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes contain an essential and highly conserved proximal sequence element (PSE) approximately 55 bp upstream from the transcription start site. In addition, the upstream enhancers of all snRNA genes contain binding sites for octamer-binding transcription factors (Octs), and functional studies have indicated that the PSE and octamer elements work cooperatively. The present study has identified and characterized a novel transcription factor (designated PTF) which specifically binds to the PSE sequence of both RNA polymerase II- and RNA polymerase III-transcribed snRNA genes. PTF binding is markedly potentiated by Oct binding to an adjacent octamer site. This potentiation is effected by Oct-1, Oct-2, or the conserved POU domain of these factors. In agreement with these results and despite the independent binding of Octs to the promoter, PTF and Oct-1 enhance transcription from the 7SK promoter in an interdependent manner. Moreover, the POU domain of Oct-1 is sufficient for significant in vitro activity in the presence of PTF. These results suggest that essential activation domains reside in PTF and that the potentiation of PTF binding by Octs plays a key role in the function of octamer-containing snRNA gene enhancers.
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Murphy, S., J. B. Yoon, T. Gerster, and R. G. Roeder. "Oct-1 and Oct-2 potentiate functional interactions of a transcription factor with the proximal sequence element of small nuclear RNA genes." Molecular and Cellular Biology 12, no. 7 (July 1992): 3247–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mcb.12.7.3247-3261.1992.
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The promoters of both RNA polymerase II- and RNA polymerase III-transcribed small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes contain an essential and highly conserved proximal sequence element (PSE) approximately 55 bp upstream from the transcription start site. In addition, the upstream enhancers of all snRNA genes contain binding sites for octamer-binding transcription factors (Octs), and functional studies have indicated that the PSE and octamer elements work cooperatively. The present study has identified and characterized a novel transcription factor (designated PTF) which specifically binds to the PSE sequence of both RNA polymerase II- and RNA polymerase III-transcribed snRNA genes. PTF binding is markedly potentiated by Oct binding to an adjacent octamer site. This potentiation is effected by Oct-1, Oct-2, or the conserved POU domain of these factors. In agreement with these results and despite the independent binding of Octs to the promoter, PTF and Oct-1 enhance transcription from the 7SK promoter in an interdependent manner. Moreover, the POU domain of Oct-1 is sufficient for significant in vitro activity in the presence of PTF. These results suggest that essential activation domains reside in PTF and that the potentiation of PTF binding by Octs plays a key role in the function of octamer-containing snRNA gene enhancers.
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Ferreras, Antonio, and Luis E. Pablo. "Imaging of the Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer with Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Glaucoma." European Ophthalmic Review 04, no. 01 (2010): 17. http://dx.doi.org/10.17925/eor.2010.04.01.17.
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Evaluation of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) is key to diagnosing and monitoring changes in glaucoma. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive, objective, quantitative method that provides realtimein vivoimages of the retina. The new spectral-domain OCTs have increased resolution and acquisition speed compared with earlier time-domain OCTs, enabling the generation of highly detailed 3D images. Axial resolution has also been improved from 10 to 3–5μm. Thus, spectral-domain OCT is a promising new clinical tool for evaluating the RNFL in glaucoma and other retinal diseases. Recent studies report that spectral-domain OCT provides peri-papillary RNFL measurements with excellent repeatability and reproducibility. The reduced variability compared with time-domain OCT may improve detection of disease progression in glaucoma patients. In cross-sectional studies, most authors suggest that the two OCT systems have similar diagnostic potential to discriminate between healthy and glaucoma patients. Nevertheless, the Cirrus HD-OCT (spectral-domain) tends to yield a slightly higher sensitivity at fixed specificities than the Stratus OCT (time-domain) for glaucoma diagnosis. In healthy subjects and patients with glaucoma, RNFL thickness measurements acquired with the two OCT systems correlated well, but their values cannot be used interchangeably.
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Vejlsted, M., B. Avery, J. Gjoerret, M. Schmidt, T. Greve, and P. Maddox-Hyttel. "181 Oct-4: A POTENTIAL MARKER FOR PLURIPOTENCY IN CATTLE." Reproduction, Fertility and Development 17, no. 2 (2005): 241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rdv17n2ab181.
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The POU (Pit-Oct-Unc) domain transcription factor Oct-4 is one of the most acknowledged markers for pluripotency in murine and primate embryonic cells. At the blastocyst stage, expression of Oct-4 has been shown to remain high in the inner cell mass (ICM) while being rapidly down regulated in the trophectoderm (TE). Furthermore, in these species, expression of Oct-4 is maintained in pluripotent derivatives of the ICM and in embryonic stem (ES) cells, but lost upon differentiation. In the bovine embryo, a marker with similar qualities has long been sought. The aim of this study was to investigate, using a commercially available antibody for immunohistochemistry (IHC), whether Oct-4 might serve this role. In vitro produced (IVP) embryos were transferred to synchronized recipients at Day 6 post insemination (p.i) and flushed at Day 12; in vivo-derived embryos were flushed at Day 14. Day 8 IVP embryos (n = 20) were fixed and processed for IHC in paraffin sections together with Day 12 (n = 18) and Day 14 (n = 3) embryos. From Day 8 IVP embryos, outgrowth colonies (OCs) were formed by intact blastocyst culture on mouse SNL feeder cells. OCs were photographed using a stereomicroscope on Days 12, 14, and 16 p.i., and were examined for Oct-4 expression by in situ IHC at Day 16 p.i. (n = 94). From isolated embryonic discs of Day 12 embryos, OCs were derived by similar culture and were either processed for IHC on paraffin sections at Days 16, 18, and 20 p.i. (n = 9) or used for establishment of ES-like cell lines. Of colonies formed, representative specimens from each of the initial 5 passages (n = 18) were examined for Oct-4 expression either in paraffin sections or in situ. In Day 8 embryos, Oct-4 expression was demonstrated in all nuclei of both ICM and TE cells except for presumptive apoptotic ones. Approximately one-fifth of the OCs presented a substantial amount of Oct-4 positive cells of putative ICM, but also of TE origin. Apparently, the formation of Oct-4 positive OCs was favored by initial attachment of the embryonic pole to the feeder cells. In Day 12 and 14 embryos, specific and exclusive Oct-4 staining of nuclei of the complete epiblast, but not the hypoblast and the TE, was revealed. All OCs derived from Day 12 embryonic discs showed specific staining for Oct-4 in nuclei of putative epiblast origin only. On subsequent culture of these isolated epiblast derivatives, loss of Oct-4 staining from colonies was observed by passage 3. This study has, for the first time, shown expression of Oct-4 to be limited to pluripotent cells of bovine Day 12 and 14 embryos. Compared with murine and primate embryos, down-regulation of Oct-4 expression in bovine TE cells appears to be delayed. Findings indicate that Oct-4 may be used as a marker for pluripotency in bovine ES-like cells, although TE derivatives may maintain Oct-4 expression when isolated from Day 8 embryos.
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Ventura, Bruna V., Haroldo V. Moraes, Newton Kara-Junior, and Marcony R. Santhiago. "Role of Optical Coherence Tomography on Corneal Surface Laser Ablation." Journal of Ophthalmology 2012 (2012): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/676740.
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This paper focuses on reviewing the roles of optical coherence tomography (OCT) on corneal surface laser ablation procedures. OCT is an optical imaging modality that uses low-coherence interferometry to provide noninvasive cross-sectional imaging of tissue microstructurein vivo.There are two types of OCTs, each with transverse and axial spatial resolutions of a few micrometers: the time-domain and the fourier-domain OCTs. Both have been increasingly used by refractive surgeons and have specific advantages. Which of the current imaging instruments is a better choice depends on the specific application. In laserin situkeratomileusis (LASIK) and in excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), OCT can be used to assess corneal characteristics and guide treatment decisions. OCT accurately measures central corneal thickness, evaluates the regularity of LASIK flaps, and quantifies flap and residual stromal bed thickness. When evaluating the ablation depth accuracy by subtracting preoperative from postoperative measurements, OCT pachymetry correlates well with laser ablation settings. In addition, OCT can be used to provide precise information on the morphology and depth of corneal pathologic abnormalities, such as corneal degenerations, dystrophies, and opacities, correlating with histopathologic findings.
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Fanihagh, Farsad, Stephan Kremmer, Gerasimos Anastassiou, Maurice Schallenberg, Klaus-Peter Steuhl, and Michael Selbach. "Optical Coherence Tomography, Scanning Laser Polarimetry and Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Measurements of Glaucoma Patients." Open Ophthalmology Journal 9, no. 1 (March 31, 2015): 41–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874364101509010041.
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Purpose: To determine the correlations and strength of association between different imaging systems in analyzing the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of glaucoma patients: optical coherence tomography (OCT), scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO). Materials and Methodology: 114 eyes of patients with moderate open angle glaucoma underwent spectral domain OCT (Topcon SD-OCT 2000 and Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT), SLP (GDx VCC and GDx Pro) and CSLO (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, HRT 3). Correlation coefficients were calculated between the structural parameters yielded by these examinations. The quantitative relationship between the measured RNFL thickness globally and for the four regions (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal) were evaluated with different regression models for all used imaging systems. Results: The strongest correlation of RNFL measurements was found between devices using the same technology like GDx VCC and GDx Pro as well as Topcon OCT and Cirrus OCT. In glaucoma patients, the strongest associations (R²) were found between RNFL measurements of the two optical coherence tomography devices Topcon OCT and Cirrus OCT (R² = 0.513) and between GDx VCC and GDx Pro (R² = 0.451). The results of the OCTs and GDX Pro also had a strong quantitative relationship (Topcon OCT R² = 0.339 and Cirrus OCT R² = 0.347). GDx VCC and the OCTs showed a mild to moderate association (Topcon OCT R² = 0.207 and Cirrus OCT R² = 0.258). The confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT 3) had the lowest association to all other devices (Topcon OCT R² = 0.254, Cirrus OCT R² = 0.158, GDx Pro R² = 0.086 and GDx VCC R² = 0.1). Conclusion: The measurements of the RNFL in glaucoma patients reveal a high correlation of OCT and GDx devices because OCTs can measure all major retinal layers and SLP can detect nerve fibers allowing a comparison between the results of this devices. However, CSLO by means of HRT topography can only measure height values of the retinal surface but it cannot distinguish between different retinal layers. This may explain the rather poor correlations and associations between CSLO measurements and those of all other imaging devices which makes it difficult to compare HRT 3 nerve fiber data. These correlations are important in clinical routine especially when different techniques are used in the follow-up of glaucoma patients.
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Bourdin, Arnaud, Ian Adcock, Patrick Berger, Philippe Bonniaud, Philippe Chanson, Cécile Chenivesse, Jacques de Blic, et al. "How can we minimise the use of regular oral corticosteroids in asthma?" European Respiratory Review 29, no. 155 (February 5, 2020): 190085. http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0085-2019.
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Options to achieve oral corticosteroid (OCS)-sparing have been triggering increasing interest since the 1970s because of the side-effects of OCSs, and this has now become achievable with biologics. The Société de Pneumologie de Langue Française workshop on OCSs aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of the basics for OCS use in asthma and issue key research questions. Pharmacology and definition of regular use were reviewed by the first working group (WG1). WG2 examined whether regular OCS use is associated with T2 endotype. WG3 reported on the specificities of the paediatric area. Key “research statement proposals” were suggested by WG4. It was found that the benefits of regular OCS use in asthma outside episodes of exacerbations are poorly supported by the existing evidence. However, complete OCS elimination couldn’t be achieved in any available studies for all patients and the panel felt that it was too early to conclude that regular OCS use could be declared criminal. Repeated or prolonged need for OCS beyond 1 g·year−1 should indicate the need for referral to secondary/tertiary care. A strategic sequential plan aiming at reducing overall exposure to OCS in severe asthma was then held as a conclusion of the workshop.
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Yamada, Takuya, Kentaro Uchida, Kenji Onuma, Gen Inoue, Jun Aikawa, Shotaro Takano, Hiroyuki Sekiguchi, Hisako Fujimaki, Masayuki Miyagi, and Masashi Takaso. "Hyaluronic Acid (800 kDa) Supplementation of University of Wisconsin Solution Improves Viability of Osteochondral Grafts and Reduces Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression during Cold Preservation." Scientific World Journal 2015 (2015): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/631369.
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Osteochondral allografting is a promising option for the treatment of large cartilage defects. However, because the cell viability of osteochondral tissues (OCTs) gradually reduces during storage at 4°C, methods for maintaining the cell viability of fresh OCTs are needed to improve transplantation outcomes. Here, we evaluated whether the supplementation of preservation solution with one of three different molecular weight forms of hyaluronic acid (HA) improved the viability of rat OCTs during long-term cold storage. The supplementation of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution with 800 kDa significantly improved the cell viability of OCT after 14 days at 4°C compared to nonsupplemented UW solution. In contrast, UW solution supplemented with either 1900 or 6000 kDa HA did not markedly improve the cell viability of the OCT. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2, 3, and 9 were significantly decreased in OCT stored in UW solution supplemented with 800 kDa HA. Although further studies in human OCT are warranted, these findings demonstrate that the use of 800 kDa HA in place of serum may be a suitable approach for the long-term preservation of osteochondral allografts designated for the repair of large cartilage defects in the clinical setting.
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Wolf, X. A., M. A. Rasmussen, K. Schauser, and P. Maddox-Hyttel. "293 EMBRYONIC STEM-LIKE CELLS DERIVED FROM PORCINE INNER CELL MASS CELLS ISOLATED BY DIFFERENT METHODS." Reproduction, Fertility and Development 20, no. 1 (2008): 226. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rdv20n1ab293.
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The aim was to examine isolation methods and culture conditions for the establishment of embryonic stem-like cells derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of porcine embryos. A total of 83 zona pellucida-enclosed (ZPE) and 88 hatched (ZPH) porcine in vivo Days 5–7 blastocysts were assigned for ICM isolation by: (A) manual dissection by needles (ZPE: n = 10; ZPH, n = 15), (B) immunosurgical isolation (ZPE: n = 30; ZPH: n = 10), (C) immunosurgery and manual cleaning (ZPE: n = 11; ZPH: n = 40), and (D) culture of whole blastocysts (ZPE: n = 42; ZPH: n = 23). Culture was done on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) at 5% O2 (for A–C) and 20% O2 (for D) in DMEM with fetal calf serum (FCS), serum replacement, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Outgrowth colonies (OC) were evaluated by phase contrast and subjected to either (1) physical passage and RT-PCR for Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox2; or (2) immunocytochemical localization of Oct-4 at Days 6–7. Five OC categories were defined: (I) epiblast-like colonies (multilayered ICM-like with homogeneous nuclear Oct-4 staining), (II) ES-like colonies with few surrounding cells (ES-like cells with homogeneous nuclear Oct-4 staining surrounded by few cells), (III) clearly delineated ES-like colonies (ES-like cells with homogeneous or heterogeneous nuclear Oct-4 staining and clear demarcation to many differentiated cells), (IV) poorly delineated ES-like colonies (ES-like cells with homogeneous or heterogeneous nuclear Oct-4-staining and poor demarcation to many differentiated cells), and (V) differentiated colonies (heterogeneous cell populations lacking nuclear Oct-4 staining). Oct-4 staining was supported by expression of Oct-4, often associated with Nanog and Sox2. The attachment rates were similar for methods A, B, and C, being higher for ZPH (75–80%) than for ZPE (40–50%) blastocysts. Method D gave 42% attachment for ZPE, but only 23% for ZPH blastocysts at 5% O2, whereas the figures at 20% O2 were 63% and 80%, respectively. Methods B and C gave the highest proportion of OCs in categories II–IV (ES-like cell-containing), and the ZPE-derived OCs exhibited a more homogeneous nuclear Oct-4 staining than the ZPH-derived. Method D gave the highest proportion of category II colonies. Passage was performed from OC categories II–IV (with ES-like cells). For method C, 24 OCs resulted in 18 (75%) passage 1 (P1) colonies. In 11, 6, 3, and 2 cases, they were passed to P2, P3, P4, and P5, respectively, maintaining ES-like morphology before they went into quiescence or differentiation. However, most colonies attained cytoplasmic Oct-4 staining and lost Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox2 expression at P1 or P2; only a single colony maintained Nanog and Sox2 expression up to P3. For isolation method D, 10 OCs resulted in 3 (30%) P1 colonies, but only one continued to P2 before differentiation. In conclusion, all methods consistently gave ES-like OCs. Whole blastocysts at 20% O2 gave the highest attachment rates. However, immunosurgery, eventually followed by manual cleaning, tended to result in the highest proportion of OCs presenting ES-like cells, with the ZPE-derived OCs exhibiting the most homogeneous Oct-4 staining. When subjected to passage, a few colonies maintained ES-like morphology up to P5, but expression of pluripotency markers was lost during the initial passages.
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Różańska-Walędziak, Anna, Krzysztof Czajkowski, Maciej Walędziak, and Justyna Teliga-Czajkowska. "The Present Utility of the Oxytocin Challenge Test—A Single-Center Study." Journal of Clinical Medicine 9, no. 1 (January 3, 2020): 131. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm9010131.
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Introduction: The oxytocin challenge test (OCT) used to be one of the most important tools in assessing fetal well-being before ultrasonography became prevalent. We show that, after modifying the classification of the results and the intervention algorithm, OCT can still be a useful tool in present-day obstetrics. Material and methods: The study included 318 OCTs performed in patients admitted to our department from 2010 to 2012. A modified classification of test results was introduced, dividing the results in four groups: I-negative, II-positive, III-non-diagnostic and type IV (fetal tachycardia or increased variability). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of OCT in assessing intrauterinal fetal well-being and predicting the necessity for ending the pregnancy. Results: A significant difference (p < 0.001) in the delivery method and the indications for cesarean sections (CS) was found between negative and positive OCT results. CS indicated by an abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern had to be performed in 40% of cases with positive OCT results, having constituted 84.6% of all CSs in this group. After negative OCTs, 12.8% pregnancies were ended by CS from FHR indications (62.3% of all the indications). Conclusions: A positive OCT result can be a valuable predictor of an abnormal fetal heart rate pattern after the test and during the delivery, as well as a higher probability of a CS from cardiotocography (CTG) indications, with positive predictive value (PPV) 0.50 and negative predictive value (NPV) 0.85.
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Yamada, Takuya, Kentaro Uchida, Kenji Onuma, Jun Kuzuno, Masanobu Ujihira, Gen Inoue, Bunpei Sato, Ryosuke Kurokawa, Rina Sakai, and Masashi Takaso. "Hydrogen Supplementation of Preservation Solution Improves Viability of Osteochondral Grafts." Scientific World Journal 2014 (2014): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/109876.
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Allogenic osteochondral tissue (OCT) is used for the treatment of large cartilage defects. Typically, OCTs collected during the disease-screening period are preserved at 4°C; however, the gradual reduction in cell viability during cold preservation adversely affects transplantation outcomes. Therefore, improved storage methods that maintain the cell viability of OCTs are needed to increase the availability of high-quality OCTs and improve treatment outcomes. Here, we evaluated whether long-term hydrogen delivery to preservation solution improved the viability of rat OCTs during cold preservation. Hydrogen-supplemented Dulbecco’s Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) and University of Wisconsin (UW) solution both significantly improved the cell viability of OCTs during preservation at 4°C for 21 days compared to nonsupplemented media. However, the long-term cold preservation of OCTs in DMEM containing hydrogen was associated with the most optimal maintenance of chondrocytes with respect to viability and morphology. Our findings demonstrate that OCTs preserved in DMEM supplemented with hydrogen are a promising material for the repair of large cartilage defects in the clinical setting.
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Orduna-Hospital, Elvira, Lorena Perdices, Ana Sanchez-Cano, Javier Acha, Nicolás Cuenca, and Isabel Pinilla. "Choroidal Changes of Long-Term Type 1 Diabetic Patients without Retinopathy." Diagnostics 10, no. 4 (April 19, 2020): 235. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10040235.
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The aim of the study is to assess choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal volume (CV) in 90 type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) patients with no diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 60 control eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and swept source (SS)-OCT in the areas of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). Mean ages were 42.93 ± 13.62 and 41.52 ± 13.05 years in the diabetic and control groups, respectively. Significant differences were obtained between both groups with Spectralis SD-OCT in all ETDRS areas and in the total CV, excluding the temporal perifoveal one. With Triton SS-OCT, statistically significant differences were obtained in the subfoveal CT and in the vertical areas. CT showed the same tendency with both OCTs, with greater CT and CV in the DM1 group than the mean values of the control group. To assess the influence of DM1 evolution in the CT modifications, DM1 patients were divided into Group 1, with less than 24 years of diagnosis, and Group 2, with ≥24 years of DM1 evolution. Using both OCTs, seven of the nine ETDRS areas and the CV had lower values in Group 2. CT and CV measured by OCT were higher in DM1 without DR. There is a choroidal thinning related to disease evolution in DM1. In patients with DM evolution greater than 24 years, the CT is statistically lower than in patients with less evolution of the disease.
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Taube, Christian, Peter Bramlage, Annette Hofer, and Dörte Anderson. "Prevalence of oral corticosteroid use in the German severe asthma population." ERJ Open Research 5, no. 4 (October 2019): 00092–2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00092-2019.
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AimsWe investigated the prevalence of severe asthma, its comorbidities, and especially the use of oral corticosteroid (OCS) therapy in patients with severe asthma.MethodsPooled data from 3 961 429 patients insured (with statutory health insurance) during the year 2015 were analysed. Prevalence rates of severe asthma and its OCS-associated comorbidities in patients on high-dosage (HD) inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in combination with a long-acting β agonist (LABA) therapy were compared with those of patients who were also treated with OCSs.ResultsThe asthma prevalence was 7.3%, of which 8.7% (0.6% absolute) were treated with HD-ICS/LABAs. Of these, 33.6% received additional OCSs with calculated dosages between 0.9 and 9.1 mg·day−1. More than 80% of patients on HD-ICS/LABAs had at least one comorbidity. Disorders of the heart (67.5%), metabolism/ nutrition (51.4%), psychiatric disorders (36.0%), skeletal muscle/connective tissue and bone disorders (20.3%), and eye disorders (20.0%) were predominant. The prevalence of these disorders increased for patients also receiving OCS therapy, depending on the length of treatment. Mean therapy costs ranged from €4266 per patient without OCS therapy to €11 253 per patient on long-term OCS treatment. The largest share of costs was attributable to inpatient care.ConclusionThe analyses show that OCSs are frequently prescribed in patients receiving HD-ICS/LABAs because of severe asthma and are they are frequently associated with adverse effects commonly reported with steroid usage. These data support a necessary change in severe asthma treatment, which is reflected in current treatment guidelines.
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Amrhein, Jan, Susanne Drynda, Lukas Schlatt, Uwe Karst, Christoph H. Lohmann, Giuliano Ciarimboli, and Jessica Bertrand. "Tofacitinib and Baricitinib Are Taken up by Different Uptake Mechanisms Determining the Efficacy of Both Drugs in RA." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 18 (September 10, 2020): 6632. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186632.
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Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which synovial fibroblasts (SF) play a key role. Baricitinib and Tofacitinib both act intracellularly, blocking the ATP-binding side of JAK proteins and thereby the downstream signalling pathway via STAT-3. Therefore, we investigated the role of organic cation transporters (OCTs) in Baricitinib and Tofacitinib cellular transport. Methods: OCT expression was analysed in SF isolated from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The interaction of Baricitinib and Tofacitinib with OCTs was investigated using quenching experiments. The intracellular accumulation of both drugs was quantified using LC/MS. Target inhibition for both drugs was tested using Western blot for phosphorylated JAK1 and STAT3 upon stimulation with IL-6. Results: MATE-1 expression increased in OASF compared to RASF. The other OCTs were not differentially expressed. The transport of Baricitinib was not OCT dependent. Tofacitinib; however, was exported from RASF in a MATE-1 dependent way. Tofacitinib and Baricitinib showed comparable inhibition of downstream signalling pathways. Conclusion: We observed different cellular uptake strategies for Baricitinib and Tofacitinib. Tofacitinib was exported out of healthy cells due to the increased expression of MATE1. This might make Tofacitinib the favourable drug.
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Wang, Chunxiao, Xueying Xia, Bishan Tian, and Shiyou Zhou. "Comparison of Fourier-Domain and Time-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in the Measurement of Thinnest Corneal Thickness in Keratoconus." Journal of Ophthalmology 2015 (2015): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/402925.
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Objective. To compare fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) in the determination of thinnest corneal thickness (TCT).Methods. This study included 55 keratoconus patients and 50 healthy volunteers. The RTVue-OCT (FD-OCT) and Visante-OCT (TD-OCT) were used for the measurement of the TCT. Three consecutive scans were performed. The comparison and agreement between the two modalities were analyzed by pairedt-test, the Pearson correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots. intraobserver repeatability was analyzed by the intraobserver within-subject standard deviation (S(w)), coefficient of variation (CV(w)), and ICC.Results. The TCT value of normal corneas was higher by RTVue-OCT (530.4 ± 19.7 μm) than Visante-OCT (521.5 ± 18.3 μm) (p<0.001). For keratoconus eyes, the TCT was 425.0 ± 58.2 μm and 424.4 ± 55.7 μm (difference being 0.6 ± 10.2 μm,p=0.604). Strong correlation (r= 0.938∼0.985) (ICC = 0.915–0.984) was observed between the two OCTs, and each OCT exhibited excellent repeatability in determining the TCT in all subjects (ICC = 0.984–0.994).Conclusions. The values of TCT obtained from RTVue-OCT and Visante-OCT were highly correlated; however, the two values were different. Both OCT instruments exhibited good intraobserver reliability. The existence of systematic differences suggested that the two instruments cannot be used interchangeably.
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He, Hong Peng, and Jun Liu. "Research on the Improvement of OCT Used in Power System." Applied Mechanics and Materials 385-386 (August 2013): 995–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.385-386.995.
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Smart grid puts forward higher requirements for measurement equipments, so optical current transducer (OCT) used in power system possess broad application prospects. In this paper, magnetism gathering technology is applied in the design of OCTs optical structure and the magnetism gathering optical structure based on solenoid coil is proposed. Compared with traditional bulk optical structure, this structure simplifies the optical structure significantly. Results of simulation and field operation indicate that this structure can not only enhance the magnetic field created by the measured current significantly, but also improve the long-term operation stability of OCT.
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Leisser, Christoph, Nino Hirnschall, Christoph Hackl, Birgit Döller, Ralph Varsits, and Oliver Findl. "Diagnostic precision of a microscope-integrated intraoperative OCT device in patients with epiretinal membranes." European Journal of Ophthalmology 28, no. 3 (October 18, 2017): 329–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.5301/ejo.5001058.
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Purpose: Preoperative and postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) of macular pathologies can be regarded as the gold standard diagnostic technique, providing detailed information on the microstructures of the macula for planning the surgical procedure and comparing improvements after surgery in the follow-up period. Intraoperative use of OCT is a novel application to support surgeons during macular surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic precision of a microscope-integrated intraoperative spectral-domain OCT (i-OCT) device and compare imaging results to a stand-alone spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) device. Methods: This prospective study included 41 eyes of 41 patients scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling due to an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). Intraoperative imaging with the i-OCT device was performed at the beginning of the surgery and compared to preoperative SD-OCT images. Results: Preoperative and intraoperative SD-OCT evaluations showed high intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility for the presence of ERM, lamellar macular hole, and vitreomacular traction. For intraretinal cystoid changes, intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility for both OCTs was rather poor, mainly due to microcystic changes. Conclusions: Intraoperative spectral-domain OCT offers high reproducibility regarding the visibility of ERM, lamellar macular holes, and vitreomacular traction. Microcystic changes cause discrepancies in interpretation, often simply diagnosed as retinal thickening.
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VESTBERG, M., S. KUKKONEN, and H. KURU. "Effect of cropping system and peat amendment on strawberry growth and yield." Agricultural and Food Science 17, no. 1 (December 4, 2008): 88. http://dx.doi.org/10.2137/145960608784182290.
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Comparative studies have usually shown higher yields in conventional cropping systems (CCS) than in organic cropping systems (OCS). By utilizing a long-term field experiment on silt soil with 18 years of cropping history (19821999), including three OCSs and one CCS, we studied if this is true also for strawberry. The strawberry experiment was conducted in 20002002. The experiment had one CCS (A) and three OCSs (B,C,D). The impact of pre-planting peat amendment was also studied. The degree of overwintering, fruit yields, yield components and some soil nutrients were determined. Total and marketable fruit yields were estimated using a peduncle analysis based on weights of fruits of different orders in the peduncle, numbers of healthy and injured fruits in the peduncle and the number of peduncles per plant. The shoot growth, total and marketable fruit yields, as well as all yield components estimated were significantly higher in the OCS rotation D than in the CCS rotation A. The peat amendment, but not the cropping system, decreased the percentage of strawberry plants suffering from or killed by winter damage. However, peat amendment did not affect yield. The cropping system had no impact on soil pH, or the amount of extractable calcium, magnesium and nitrate. Extractable phosphorus and potassium were higher and soil organic carbon (Corg) slightly higher in the OCS than in the CCS. The peat amendment increased Corg by 2%. The amounts of extractable nutrients in soil were not a limiting factor for strawberry growth and yield as they were of sufficient levels both in CCS and OCS. It remains unclear whether the higher yield in the OCS was due to a long-term cropping history or to a short-term effect of composted manure, or to a combination of these two. The importance of soil organic management in strawberry production is emphasized.;
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Huang, H.-H., and T.-H. Chen. "Development of method for assessing the current collection performance of the overhead conductor rail systems used in electric railways." Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit 222, no. 2 (March 1, 2008): 159–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1243/09544097jrrt158.
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To reduce the amount of space required for power delivery structures and to improve the convenience of maintenance of overhead contact systems (OCSs), the conductor rail OCS has been used to replace the conventional catenary OCS in many railway tunnels around the world. In this article, an efficient method able to detect the contact loss between the pantograph and both the OCS interfaces is studied and set up by analysing the traction current flowing into the locomotives. Unlike other experimental tests or methods, the method of current analysis does not require an extra experimental construction. Moreover, it is very practical, non-invasive, and can be carried out to verify the performance of the whole railway line without affecting service operation. Taiwan railway's North-Link line is used as an example to test the current collection performance of the conductor rail OCS. The results indicate that the conductor rail OCS provides a slightly poorer performance when compared with the conventional OCS in supplying power to the moving trains. Nevertheless, it still complies with European OCS regulations. The findings also point out that some specific tunnels, where the conductor rail OCS is installed, provide inferior performance in supplying power to the locomotives when compared with other tunnels.
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Rao, Prethy, Yoshihiro Yonekawa, Benjamin J. Thomas, and Kimberly A. Drenser. "Spectral versus Time-Domain OCT in Detecting Preoperative Epiretinal Membranes that Accompany Macular Holes." European Journal of Ophthalmology 27, no. 2 (September 17, 2016): 185–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.5301/ejo.5000862.
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Purpose To compare the sensitivities of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) versus time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) in identifying epiretinal membranes (ERM) preoperatively in patients who underwent surgery for full-thickness macular holes (FTMH). Methods This is an interventional retrospective case series of 59 eyes diagnosed with FTMHs who underwent 25-G pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling between 2009 and 2015. Preoperative OCTs were obtained by SD-OCT (Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany) or TD-OCT (Stratus, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA). Volume scans were reviewed for ERM accompanying the FTMH. This was compared to indocyanine green-negative staining and intraoperative findings of ERM as the gold standard. Results Baseline characteristics between the SD-OCT and TD-OCT groups were comparable. Mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 41.4 weeks (±49.0). Of 59 eyes, 33 (55.9%) exhibited an ERM intraoperatively. Four ERMs (SD-OCT group) compared to 12 (TD-OCT group) were not visualized on preoperative OCT (p = 0.003). Sensitivity and specificity of SD-OCT in ERM detection was 79% and 100% compared to 14% and 91% for TD-OCT. Visual acuity improved in both arms (0.5 and 0.3 logMAR units in SD-OCT and TD-OCT, respectively (p = 0.002, 0.0002). Conclusions We found that SD-OCT was superior to TD-OCT in identifying the presence of ERM preoperatively in patients who underwent macular hole surgery. Since ERMs may decrease the chance of successful pharmacologic vitreolysis, we recommend using SD-OCT over TD-OCT in the evaluation of patients with FTMH to more accurately identify ERMs and allow more comprehensive treatment decisions (pharmacologic versus surgical).
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Ridard, J., B. Levy, and P. Millié. "Theoretical investigation of the dissociation of OCS2+ in the process OCS(X 1Σ+) + hv → OCS2+ → CO+ (X2Σ+) + S+ (4S)." Chemical Physics 122, no. 3 (June 1988): 403–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-0104(88)80022-3.
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Zazuli, Zulfan, Naut J. C. B. Duin, Katja Jansen, Susanne J. H. Vijverberg, Anke H. Maitland-van der Zee, and Rosalinde Masereeuw. "The Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms in Organic Cation Transporters on Renal Drug Disposition." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 18 (September 10, 2020): 6627. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186627.
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A considerable number of drugs and/or their metabolites are excreted by the kidneys through glomerular filtration and active renal tubule secretion via transporter proteins. Uptake transporters in the proximal tubule are part of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, and include the organic cation transporters (OCTs). Several studies have shown that specific genetic polymorphisms in OCTs alter drug disposition and may lead to nephrotoxicity. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported for the OCT genes (SLC22A1, SLC22A2 and SLC22A3), which can influence the proteins’ structure and expression levels and affect their transport function. A gain-in-function mutation may lead to accumulation of drugs in renal proximal tubule cells, eventually leading to nephrotoxicity. This review illustrates the impact of genetic polymorphisms in OCTs on renal drug disposition and kidney injury, the clinical significances and how to personalize therapies to minimize the risk of drug toxicity.
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Safvan, C. P., and M. R. Jana. "Fragmentation of OCS3+formed by 150 keV Ar+ion impact on OCS." Journal of Physics: Conference Series 388, no. 10 (November 5, 2012): 102020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/388/10/102020.
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Calzetta, Luigino, Marina Aiello, Annalisa Frizzelli, Giuseppina Bertorelli, Paola Rogliani, and Alfredo Chetta. "Oral Corticosteroids Dependence and Biologic Drugs in Severe Asthma: Myths or Facts? A Systematic Review of Real-World Evidence." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 13 (July 1, 2021): 7132. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms22137132.
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Airway inflammation represents an important characteristic in asthma, modulating airflow limitation and symptom control, and triggering the risk of asthma exacerbation. Thus, although corticosteroids represent the cornerstone for the treatment of asthma, severe patients may be dependent on oral corticosteroids (OCSs). Fortunately, the current humanised monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) benralizumab, dupilumab, mepolizumab, omalizumab, and reslizumab have been proven to induce an OCS-sparing effect in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), thus overcoming the problem of OCS dependence in severe asthma. Nevertheless, a large discrepancy has been recognized between selected patients enrolled in RCTs and non-selected asthmatic populations in real-world settings. It is not possible to exclude that the OCS-sparing effect of mAbs resulting from the RCTs could be different than the real effect resulting in clinical practice. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and correlation analysis to assess whether mAbs are effective in eliciting an OCS-sparing effect and overcoming the OCS dependence in severe asthmatic patients in real-world settings. Overall, real-world studies support the evidence that OCS dependence is a real condition that, however, can be found only in a small number of really severe asthmatic patients. In most patients, the dependence on OCS can be related to modifying factors that, when adequately modulated, may lead to a significant reduction or suspension of OCS maintenance. Conversely, in severe asthmatics in whom OCS resistance is proved by a high daily dose intake, mAbs allow reversion of the OCS dependence, leading to the suspension of OCS therapy in most patients or >50% reduction in the daily OCS dose.
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Al-Jumaili, Ali Azeez, Bashar G. Alfetlawi, and Munaf H. Zalzala. "Evaluating Factors Related to the Abuse of Oral Corticosteroids among Community Pharmacy Customers: Using Theory of Reasoned Action." INNOVATIONS in pharmacy 11, no. 1 (February 28, 2020): 14. http://dx.doi.org/10.24926/iip.v11i1.2936.
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Introduction: Although it is discouraged, community pharmacy customers can obtain oral corticosteroids (OCSs) without prescriptions from some community pharmacies in Iraq. Medication abuse is defined as the use of medication for non-medical reasons.
Objectives: The study aimed to determine demographics, beliefs, and perceptions associated with the abuse of oral corticosteroids for non-illness reasons among community pharmacy customers.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in fall 2018 in four provinces in Iraq. Customers of 19 community pharmacies asking for OCSs for themselves without a prescription were administered a paper survey. This study used the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to measure the relationship between the motivational factors and the abuse of OCSs. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationships between the use of OCSs for non-illness and six TRA factors: Normative belief, behavioral belief, evaluation of the behavior, motivation to comply, subjective norms and attitude toward behavior.
Results: The study enrolled 141 participants (98 women and 43 men) taking asking for OCSs without prescription. Dexamethasone was the most commonly used OCSs (59.6%). Friends were the primary recommenders for corticosteroids abuse (28.4%). The main reasons for using OCSs were to increase appetite and gain weight (53.9 %). Approximately one-third (36.2 %) of the participants gained weight after using OCSs. The regression analysis of the TRA variables showed two factors were significantly related to the abuse of OCSs. Age had a significant inverse relationship with the abuse of OCSs and the "good appearance" belief had a significant positive association with OCS abuse.
Conclusion: Some Iraqi community pharmacy customers use non-prescribed oral corticosteroids to increase appetite and gain weight. Improve body appearance represents the dominant incentive that urges people to use OCSs without prescription. Health officials and healthcare practitioners need to promote people's awareness about the risks of misusing OCSs through education programs and advertisements in public health settings, media, and social media.
Article Type: Original Research
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Chen, Rong, Bih Fang Pan, Mamoru Sakurai, and J. Arly Nelson. "A nucleoside-sensitive organic cation transporter in opossum kidney cells." American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 276, no. 2 (February 1, 1999): F323—F328. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.1999.276.2.f323.
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Renal secretion of organic cations and anions are pleiotropic, active processes in mammals. Some nucleosides such as deoxyadenosine (dAdo), 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, and azidothymidine are secreted by human and rodent kidneys. Previous work (J. A. Nelson, J. F. Kuttesch, Jr., and B. H. Herbert. Biochemical Pharmacology 32: 2323–2327, 1983) indicated a role for the classic organic cation transporter (OCT) in the secretion of the dAdo analog, 2′-deoxytubercidin, by mouse kidney. Using [14C]tetraethylammonium bromide ([14C]TEA) as a substrate, we tested several renal cell lines for a nucleoside-sensitive OCT. American opossum kidney proximal tubule cells (OK) express a cimetidine-sensitive and metabolic-dependent ability to efflux TEA. Other classic OCT inhibitors and several nucleosides also inhibit TEA efflux by these cells in a manner reflecting structural specificity for the carrier. Inhibition of OCT by nucleosides is not a universal feature of OCTs, since TEA transport mediated by cloned rat kidney OCT2 in the Xenopus laevisoocyte system was not inhibited by the same nucleosides. In conclusion, OK cells appear to possess an OCT that may also transport some nucleosides by a novel carrier.
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Mettral, Jaurès B., Nicolas Faller, Sandra Cruchon, Loïc Sottas, Thierry Buclin, Laurent Schild, Eva Choong, Aimable Nahimana, and Laurent A. Decosterd. "Imatinib Uptake into Cells is Not Mediated by Organic Cation Transporters OCT1, OCT2, or OCT3, But is Influenced by Extracellular pH." Drug Metabolism Letters 13, no. 2 (January 15, 2020): 102–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1872312813666190207150207.
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Background: Cancer cells undergo genetic and environmental changes that can alter cellular disposition of drugs, notably by alterations of transmembrane drug transporters expression. Whether the influx organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) encoded by the gene SLC221A1 is implicated in the cellular uptake of imatinib is still controversial. Besides, imatinib ionization state may be modulated by the hypoxic acidic surrounding extracellular microenvironment. Objective: To determine the functional contribution of OCTs and extracellular pH on imatinib cellular disposition. Methods: We measured imatinib uptake in two different models of selective OCTs drug transporter expression (transfected Xenopus laevis oocytes and OCT-expressing HEK293 human cells), incubated at pH 7.4 and 6, using specific mass spectrometry analysis. Results: Imatinib cellular uptake occurred independently of OCT1- OCT2- or OCT3-mediated drug transport at pH 7.4. Uptake of the OCTs substrate tetraethylammonium in oocytes remained intact at pH 6, while the accumulation of imatinib in oocytes was 10-fold lower than at pH 7.4, irrespectively of OCTs expressions. In OCT1- and OCT2-HEK cells at pH 6, imatinib accumulation was reduced by 2- 3-fold regardless of OCTs expressions. Since 99.5% of imatinib at pH6 is under the cationic form, the reduced cellular accumulation of imatinib at such pH may be explained by the lower amount of uncharged imatinib remaining for passive diffusion across cellular membrane. Conclusion: Imatinib is not a substrate of OCTs 1-3 while the environmental pH modulates cellular disposition of imatinib. The observation that a slightly acidic extracellular pH influences imatinib cellular accumulation is important, considering the low extracellular pH reported in the hematopoietic leukemia/ cancer cell microenvironment.
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Flies, Anne, Alison Agres, and Natascha Kraus. "Effects of gracilis tendon harvest on in vivo knee joint kinematics." Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 6, no. 4_suppl2 (April 1, 2018): 2325967118S0002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2325967118s00021.
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The gracilis tendon is a commonly used autologous tendon graft in orthopedic surgery (e.g. anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) or chronic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) reconstruction) but also for example in anal incontinence surgery for formation of a neosphincter. In previous studies the effects of gracilis tendon harvest were analyzed after ACL rupture, its reconstruction and rehabilitation. However, all of these three incidents influence the outcome. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of isolated gracilis tendon harvest from uninjured knees on knee kinematics during daily activities. Patients between 18 to 60 years with harvest of their gracilis tendon for reconstruction of the ACJ were included. Exclusion criteria were previous surgeries or injuries of their knees. Knee kinematics were evaluated during gait analysis using an infrared optical motion capture system with 10 cameras (T20 S cameras, Vicon, Oxford, United Kingdom) and reflective skin markers. A set of 59 markers was attached on anatomical landmarks of the patients’ lower extremities, pelvis, spine and shoulders with double-sided tape. The position of these markers was tracked at 120 Hz during the trials. Daily activities such as walking and running were performed. Additionally, kick-backs were performed to analyze maximal active knee flexion an important function of gracilis muscle. To quantify the tibiofemoral motion and reduce soft tissue artifacts, the OSSCA (OCST, SARA, and SCoRE combined approach) technique was used. (Boeth 2013) The D’Agostino&Pearson Test was used to test for a Gaussian distribution. For parametric data the dependent t-test, otherwise the Wilcoxon test was used. Sixteen patients were evaluated. However, four had to be excluded after MRIs showed an accidental harvest of the semitendinosus tendon. The mean age was 43 years [standard deviation (SD) 13 years] and time to follow up was 44 months (SD 25). The affected limb showed an increased abduction of 1,38° (SD 4,05; p=0,31) during walking and 0,65° (SD 5,23; p=0,70) during running, as well as an increased rotational translation of 2,26 mm (SD 3,62; p=0,08) during walking and 1,38 mm (SD 3,27; p=0,21) during running. The mean anterior-posterior translation was larger for the healthy limb with 1,15 mm (SD=5,30; p=0,08) during walking and with 2,43 mm (SD=5,99; p=0,23) during running. A larger mean knee flexion angle was measured for the healthy limb during walking, running and kick-backs (mean difference during walking: 3,05°; SD=7,15; p=0,28; running: 2,39°; SD=7,34; p=0,33; kick-backs: 5,31°; SD=8,59; p=0,10). However, none of these results reached statistical significance. These results show that gracilis tendon harvest in healthy knees does not lead to altered knee kinematics. However, the small size of our cohort should be taken into consideration. These data support the use of the gracilis tendon as autologous graft for reconstructive surgery.
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Shpak, A. A., and M. V. Korobkova. "Artifacts of optical coherence tomography." Russian Ophthalmological Journal 12, no. 1 (March 16, 2019): 75–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.21516/2072-0076-2019-12-1-75-80.
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Purpose. To study and classify artifacts of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Material and methods. The retrospective study included OCT data of 112 patients (112 eyes) examined on two Cirrus HD-OCTs (Carl Zeiss Meditec) sequentially for three days (macular area examinations, 67 patients) and five days (examination of the optic disc region, 62 people), including 17 people who underwent both types of examination. Both the original scanning data (B-scans) and the results of their subsequent analysis were evaluated for the presence of artifacts. Results. The criteria of OCT artifacts were suggested and their practical classification was proposed, which distinguishes three types of artifacts: segmentation errors/errors in delineation of the optic disc borders, "out-of-register" artifacts and displacement/fallout of B-scans, and eight main causes of artifacts. The frequency of artifacts ranged from 19 % (analysis of the optic disc area) to 37 % (analysis of the macular area) and 65 % (evaluation of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer). The most common were segmentation errors in patients with pronounced pathology or epiretinal membranes (fibrosis). Conclusion. Clinically significant OCT artifacts occur in 19–65 % of cases, depending on the analyzed eye fundus structures. The most common artifacts are segmentation errors in patients with pronounced pathology and epiretinal membranes (fibrosis). A practical classification of OCT artifacts is proposed, which distinguishes three main types and the most important causes of their presence.
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Wright, Stephen H. "Molecular and cellular physiology of organic cation transporter 2." American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 317, no. 6 (December 1, 2019): F1669—F1679. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00422.2019.
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Organic cation transporters play a critical role in mediating the distribution of cationic pharmaceuticals. Indeed, organic cation transporter (OCT)2 is the initial step in the renal secretion of organic cations and consequently plays a defining role in establishing the pharmacokinetics of many cationic drugs. Although a hallmark of OCTs is their broad selectivity, this characteristic also makes them targets for unwanted, adverse drug-drug interactions (DDIs), making them a focus for efforts to develop models of ligand interaction that could predict and preempt these adverse interactions. This review discusses the molecular characteristics of these transporters as well as the evidence that established the OCTs as key players in the distribution of organic cations. However, the primary focus is the present understanding of the complexity of ligand interaction with OCTs, particularly OCT2, including evidence for the presence of multiple ligand-binding sites and the influence of substrate structure on the affinity of the transporter for inhibitory ligands. This leads to a discussion of the complexities associated with the development of protocols for assessing the inhibitory potential of new molecular entities to perpetrate unwanted DDIs, the criteria that should be considered in the interpretation of the results of such protocols, and the challenges associated with development of models capable of predicting unwanted DDIs.
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Nguyen, Thuy N., Thu NM Huynh, DongQuy Hoang, Dai Hai Nguyen, Quoc Hien Nguyen, and Thai Hoa Tran. "Functional Nanostructured Oligochitosan–Silica/ Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hybrid Materials: Synthesis and Investigation of Their Antifungal Abilities." Polymers 11, no. 4 (April 4, 2019): 628. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym11040628.
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Functional hybrid materials were successfully synthesized from low-cost waste products, such as oligochitosan (OCS) obtained from chitosan (one of the main components in crab shells) and nanosilica (nSiO2) obtained from rice husk, in a 1:1 ratio (w/w), and their dispersion in the presence of carboxymethyl cellulose at pH 7 was stable for over one month without aggregation. The molecular weights, chemical structures, morphologies, and crystallinities of the obtained materials were characterized by GPC, FTIR, TEM, and XRD, respectively. The antifungal effects of OCS, nSiO2, and the OCS/nSiO2 hybrid materials were investigated via a disk-diffusion method. The results showed that the nanohybrid materials had better resistance to Phytophthora infestans fungus than the individual components, and a concentration of the OCS2/nSiO2 hybrid material of 800 mg L−1 was the lowest concentration where the material completely inhibited Phytophthora infestans growth, as measured via an agar dilution method. This study not only creates a novel environmentally friendly material with unique synergistic effects that can replace current toxic agrochemicals but also can be considered a new platform for further research in green agricultural applications.
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Bertolotto, Marina, Luigi Borgia, and Michele Iester. "Hyperautofluorescence in Outer Retinal Layers Thinning." BioMed Research International 2014 (2014): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/741538.
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Purpose. To evaluate if paracentral hyperautofluorescence (HAF) retinal regions, which can be occasionally found and analyzed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), were related to retinal layer changes and to detect which layer was involved.Methods. This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study. 648 OCT files were revised. OCTs that showed a paracentral HAF area by using the fundus autofluorescence imaging in Heidelberg Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) were selected. Then retinal layer morphology was analyzed observing OCT scans and a retinal thickness was measured.Results. 31 patients were selected: 20 patients had chronic serous epitheliopathy (CSE), 8 patients had resolved central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), and 3 patients wet age related macular degeneration (ARMD). The HAF zones corresponded to areas of thickness reduction of the external hyporeflective band. In all these areas the retinal pigment epithelium was not atrophic and the neuroepithelium was more or less dystrophic. In particular the retinal thickness was 264 um, 232 um, and 243 um in wet ARMD, CSE, and CSC, respectively; the reduction was significant (P<0.01) compared to the same area of the other eye.Discussion. The presence of HAF imaging might be mostly due to a “window effect” rather than an accumulation of lipofuscin.
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Winterhoff, Nora, Ralph Goethe, Petra Gruening, Manfred Rohde, Henryk Kalisz, Hilde E. Smith, and Peter Valentin-Weigand. "Identification and Characterization of Two Temperature-Induced Surface-Associated Proteins of Streptococcus suis with High Homologies to Members of the Arginine Deiminase System of Streptococcus pyogenes." Journal of Bacteriology 184, no. 24 (December 15, 2002): 6768–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.184.24.6768-6776.2002.
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ABSTRACT The present study was performed to identify stress-induced putative virulence proteins of Streptococcus suis. For this, protein expression patterns of streptococci grown at 32, 37, and 42°C were compared by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Temperature shifts from 32 and 37 to 42°C induced expression of two cell wall-associated proteins with apparent molecular masses of approximately 47 and 53 kDa. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the two proteins indicated homologies of the 47-kDa protein with an ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) from Streptococcus pyogenes and of the 53-kDa protein with the streptococcal acid glycoprotein (SAGP) from S. pyogenes, an arginine deiminase (AD) recently proposed as a putative virulence factor. Cloning and sequencing the genes encoding the putative OCT and AD of S. suis, octS and adiS, respectively, revealed that they had 81.2 (octS) and 80.2% (adiS) identity with the respective genes of S. pyogenes. Both genes belong to the AD system, also found in other bacteria. Southern hybridization analysis demonstrated the presence of the adiS gene in all 42 serotype 2 and 9 S. suis strains tested. In 9 of these 42 strains, selected randomly, we confirmed expression of the AdiS protein, homologous to SAGP, by immunoblot analysis using a specific antiserum against the SAGP of S. pyogenes. In all strains AD activity was detected. Furthermore, by immunoelectron microscopy using the anti-S. pyogenes SAGP antiserum we were able to demonstrate that the AdiS protein is expressed on the streptococcal surface in association with the capsular polysaccharides but is not coexpressed with them.
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Danesh, Hajar, Raheleh Kafieh, Hossein Rabbani, and Fedra Hajizadeh. "Segmentation of Choroidal Boundary in Enhanced Depth Imaging OCTs Using a Multiresolution Texture Based Modeling in Graph Cuts." Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine 2014 (2014): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/479268.
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The introduction of enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) has provided the advantage of in vivo cross-sectional imaging of the choroid, similar to the retina, with standard commercially available spectral domain (SD) OCT machines. A texture-based algorithm is introduced in this paper for fully automatic segmentation of choroidal images obtained from an EDI system of Heidelberg 3D OCT Spectralis. Dynamic programming is utilized to determine the location of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Bruch’s membrane (BM) (the blood-retina barrier which separates the RPE cells of the retina from the choroid) can be segmented by searching for the pixels with the biggest gradient value below the RPE. Furthermore, a novel method is proposed to segment the choroid-sclera interface (CSI), which employs the wavelet based features to construct a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The model is then used in a graph cut for segmentation of the choroidal boundary. The proposed algorithm is tested on 100 EDI OCTs and is compared with manual segmentation. The results showed an unsigned error of 2.48 ± 0.32 pixels for BM extraction and 9.79 ± 3.29 pixels for choroid detection. It implies significant improvement of the proposed method over other approaches likek-means and graph cut methods.
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Ramasami, Ponnadurai, and Thomas A. Ford. "Structural, energetic and vibrational properties of some van der Waals complexes of CO2, OCS and OCSe." Molecular Physics 112, no. 5-6 (January 20, 2014): 683–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00268976.2013.853110.
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Brinkman, Paul, Waqar M. Ahmed, Cristina Gómez, Hugo H. Knobel, Hans Weda, Teunis J. Vink, Tamara M. Nijsen, et al. "Exhaled volatile organic compounds as markers for medication use in asthma." European Respiratory Journal 55, no. 2 (September 12, 2019): 1900544. http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00544-2019.
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IntroductionAsthma is a heterogeneous condition, characterised by chronic inflammation of the airways, typically managed with inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids. In the case of uncontrolled asthma, oral corticosteroids (OCSs) are often prescribed. Good adherence and inhalation technique are associated with improved outcomes; however, it is difficult to monitor appropriate drug intake and effectiveness in individual patients. Exhaled breath contains thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that reflect changes in the body's chemistry and may be useful for monitoring drug pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. We aimed to investigate the association of exhaled VOCs in severe asthma patients from the U-BIOPRED cohort (by gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry) with urinary levels of salbutamol and OCSs (by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry).MethodsSamples were collected at baseline and after 12–18 months of follow-up. Statistical analysis was based on univariate and multivariate modelling, followed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) calculation. Results were verified through longitudinal replication and independent validation.ResultsData were available for 78 patients (baseline n=48, replication n=30 and validation n=30). Baseline AUC values were 82.1% (95% CI 70.4–93.9%) for salbutamol and 78.8% (95% CI 65.8–91.8%) for OCS. These outcomes could be adequately replicated and validated. Additional regression analysis between qualified exhaled VOCs and urinary concentrations of salbutamol and prednisone showed statistically significant correlations (p<0.01).ConclusionWe have linked exhaled VOCs to urinary detection of salbutamol and OCSs. This merits further development of breathomics into a point-of-care tool for therapeutic drug monitoring.