PCT levels were measured using the quantitative Kryptor PCT test kit (Brahms,
Hennigsdorf, Germany).
Serum copeptin and MR-proANP levels were measured with a commercial sandwich immunoluminometric assay (B.R.A.H.M.S CT-proAVP LIA, Thermo Scientific Biomarkers,
Hennigsdorf, Germany) [13,14].
InVivo is headquartered in
Hennigsdorf, Germany, near Berlin.
(8) W e also evaluated color fundus photographs (Carl Zeiss Meditec,
Hennigsdorf, Germany) taken at presentation and during follow-up, and any available fundus fluorescein angiography (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany or Carl Zeiss Meditec,
Hennigsdorf, Germany), optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany or OCT 3, Stratus OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec), and 30-2 computerized perimeter (Humphrey Systems, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) findings.
[1] Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; [2] Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; [3] MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, the United Kingdom; [4] Department of Primary Care & Public Health Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; [5] AdrenoMed AG,
Hennigsdorf, Germany; [6] Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
qRT-PCR reactions were performed using a qRT-PCR Green Mix One Step Kit (biotechrabbit,
Hennigsdorf, Germany) which is based on SYBR Green as fluorescence dye.
In addition, all subjects had noncontact ocular biometry using the IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG,
Hennigsdorf, Germany).
Copeptin was measured with an automated immunofluorescent assay for the quantitative determination of copeptin (Kryptor Compact Plus, Thermo Scientific B.R.A.H.M.S,
Hennigsdorf, Germany) with a lower detection limit of 0.69 pmol/L.
German-born Diening brings a wealth of international experience in equipment manufacturing and senior management, including several years at Adtranz and four years as GM of Bombardier Transportation's largest European site in
Hennigsdorf, Germany.
The PCT levels were measured using an immunoluminometric assay (LUMItest PCT kit, BRAHMS Diagnostica,
Hennigsdorf bei Berlin, Germany).