Generating pooled quality control samples of volatile organic compounds

Untargeted analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaled breath and culture headspace are influenced by several confounding factors not represented in reference standards. In this study, we propose a method of generating pooled quality control (QC) samples for untargeted VOC studies using a split-recollection workflow with thermal desorption tubes. Sample tubes were desorbed and split from each sample and recollected onto a single tube, generating a pooled QC sample. This QC sample was then repeatedly desorbed and recollected with a sequentially lower split ratio allowing injection of multiple QC samples. We found pooled QC samples to be representative of complex mixtures using principal component analysis and may be useful in future longitudinal, multi-centre, and validation studies to assess data quality and adjust for batch effects.</p

Long-term effects of allergen sensitization and exposure in adult asthma: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: : We investigated the effects of sensitization and exposure to common domestic allergens on longitudinal changes in lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. METHODS: : Subjects attended 2 visits that were 4 years apart. Skin prick testing was performed and household dust samples were collected for quantification of mite, dog, and cat allergens at baseline. Measurements of lung function, exhaled nitric oxide, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were completed at both visits. RESULTS: : Dust samples were collected in 165 of the 200 subjects completing both visits. Mean length of follow-up was 47 months. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, measured at both visits in 86 subjects, deteriorated in those exposed to high mite allergen levels compared with those not exposed [mean (95% CI) doubling dose change PD20 = -0.44 (-1.07 to 0.19) vs 0.82 (0.27 to 1.36)], but improved in those exposed to high dog allergen levels compared with those not exposed [1.10 (0.33 to 1.86) vs 0.10 (-0.39 to 0.58)]. The associations were significant in the multivariate models. Cat allergen exposure was not associated with any changes in lung function, exhaled nitric oxide, or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: : In a 4-year prospective cohort of persons with asthma, exposure to high levels of dust mite allergens at baseline was associated with a subsequent increase in bronchial hyperresponsiveness

S33: Prolyl aminopeptidase in GtoPdb v.2023.1

Peptidase family S33 contains mainly exopeptidases that act at the N-terminus of peptides

S33: Prolyl aminopeptidase (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Peptidase family S33 contains mainly exopeptidases that act at the N-terminus of peptides

Therapy outcome measure for inducible laryngeal obstruction and chronic cough: development and testing of reliability and validity

A Therapy Outcome Measure (TOM) is a practical tool for measuring outcomes of care, providing a quick and simple measure which can be used over time in a routine clinical setting. The TOM allows therapists to reflect on the dimensions of impairment, activity, participation, and well-being on an 11-point ordinal scale. Currently there are no therapy outcome measures for Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO) and Chronic Cough (CC). The purpose of this study was to develop two TOMs, one for ILO (TOM ILO) and one for CC (TOM CC), and to test the reliability and validity of each. Respiratory professionals working with patients with ILO and CC from eight UK locations received training in the use of TOM ILO and TOM CC. Face validity, inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability were tested and analysed. TOM ILO and TOM CC both have strong face validity. The TOM ILO had strong intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability. The TOM CC had poor intra-rater but strong inter-rater reliability. TOM ILO and TOM CC have readily been adapted by those who received training. TOM ILO and TOM CC can now be used as a validated outcome measure

Characterizing Simultaneous Embeddings with Fixed Edges

A set of planar graphs share a simultaneous embedding if they can be drawn on the same vertex set V in the plane without crossings between edges of the same graph. Fixed edges are common edges between graphs that share the same Jordan curve in the simultaneous drawings. While any number of planar graphs have a simultaneous embedding without fixed edges, determining which graphs always share a simultaneous embedding with fixed edges (SEFE) has been open. We partially close this problem by giving a necessary condition to determine when pairs of graphs have a SEFE

Characterizations of Restricted Pairs of Planar Graphs allowing Simultaneous Embeddings with Fixed Edges

A set of planar graphs share a simultaneous embedding if they can be drawn on the same vertex set V in the Euclidean plane without crossings between edges of the same graph. Fixed edges are common edges between graphs that share the same simple curve in the simultaneous drawing. Determining in polynomial time which pairs of graphs share a simultaneous embedding with ?xed edges (SEFE) has been open. We give a necessary and su?cient condition for whether a SEFE exists for pairs of graphs whose union is homeomorphic to K5 or K3,3 . This allows us to characterize the class of planar graphs that always have a SEFE with any other planar graph. We also characterize the class of biconnected outerplanar graphs that always have a SEFE with any other outerplanar graph. In both cases, we provide e?cient algorithms to compute a SEFE. Finally, we provide a linear-time decision algorithm for deciding whether a pair of biconnected outerplanar graphs has a SEFE

Characterizing Simultaneous Embeddings with Fixed Edges

A set of planar graphs share a simultaneous embedding if they can be drawn on the same vertex set V in the plane without crossings between edges of the same graph. Fixed edges are common edges between graphs that share the same Jordan curve in the simultaneous drawings. While any number of planar graphs have a simultaneous embedding without ?xed edges, determining which graphs always share a simultaneous embedding with ?xed edges (SEFE) has been open. We partially close this problem by giving a necessary condition to determine when pairs of graphs have a SEFE