NCCP-ICS joint consensus-based clinical practice guidelines on medical thoracoscopy.

Medical Thoracoscopy (MT) is commonly performed by respiratory physicians for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based information regarding all aspects of MT, both as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic aid for pulmonologists across India. The consensus-based guidelines were formulated based on a multistep process using a set of 31 questions.

An orally active carbon monoxide-releasing molecule enhances beneficial gut microbial species to combat obesity in mice.

Carbon monoxide (CO), a gaseous signaling molecule, has shown promise in preventing body weight gain and metabolic dysfunction induced by high fat diet (HFD), but the mechanisms underlying these effects are largely unknown. An essential component in response to HFD is the gut microbiome, which is significantly altered during obesity and represents a target for developing new therapeutic interventions to fight metabolic diseases. Here, we show that CO delivered to the gut by oral administration with a CO-releasing molecule (CORM-401) accumulates in faeces and enriches a variety of microbial species that were perturbed by a HFD regimen.

Development of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules conjugated to polysaccharides (glyco-CORMs) for delivering CO during obesity.

Metal carbonyls have been developed as carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) to deliver CO for therapeutic purposes. The manganese-based CORM-401 has been recently reported to exert beneficial effects in obese animals by reducing body weight gain, improving glucose metabolism and reprogramming adipose tissue towards a healthy phenotype. Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of glyco-CORMs, obtained by grafting manganese carbonyls on dextrans (70 and 40 kDa), based on the fact that polysaccharides facilitate the targeting of drugs to adipose tissue.

Ac3IV, a V1a and V1b receptor selective vasopressin analogue, protects against hydrocortisone-induced changes in pancreatic islet cell lineage.

The Avpr1a (V1a) and Avpr1b (V1b) receptor selective, vasopressin (AVP) analogue, Ac3IV has been shown to improve metabolism and pancreatic islet structure in diabetes and insulin resistance. The present study further investigates these actions by assessing the ability of Ac3IV to protect against pancreatic islet architectural disturbances induced by hydrocortisone (HC) treatment in transgenic Ins1;Rosa26-eYFP mice, that possess beta-cell lineage tracing capabilities. HC intervention increased (p < 0.

Beneficial impact of Ac3IV, an AVP analogue acting specifically at V1a and V1b receptors, on diabetes islet morphology and transdifferentiation of alpha- and beta-cells.

Ac3IV (Ac-CYIQNCPRG-NH2) is an enzymatically stable vasopressin analogue that selectively activates Avpr1a (V1a) and Avpr1b (V1b) receptors. In the current study we have employed streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic transgenic Ins1Cre/+;Rosa26-eYFP and GluCreERT2;Rosa26-eYFP mice, to evaluate the impact of sustained Ac3IV treatment on pancreatic islet cell morphology and transdifferentiation. Twice-daily administration of Ac3IV (25 nmol/kg bw) to STZ-diabetic Ins1Cre/+;Rosa26-eYFP mice for 12 days increased pancreatic insulin (p<0.

Weight-reducing, lipid-lowering and antidiabetic activities of a novel arginine vasopressin analogue acting at the V1a and V1b receptors in high-fat-fed mice.

Aim: To assess the beneficial metabolic effects of the nonapeptide hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP), on metabolism.

Materials And Methods: We exchanged amino acids at position 3 and 8 of AVP, namely phenylalanine and arginine, with those of oxytocin, to generate novel analogues with altered receptor selectivity. Secondary modification by N-terminal acetylation was used to impart stability to circulating endopeptidases.

Development and characterisation of novel, enzymatically stable oxytocin analogues with beneficial antidiabetic effects in high fat fed mice.

Background: There is growing evidence to support beneficial effects of the hypothalamic synthesised hormone, oxytocin, on metabolism. However, the biological half-life of oxytocin is short and receptor activation profile unspecific.

Methods: We have characterised peptide-based oxytocin analogues with structural modifications aimed at improving half-life and receptor specificity.

Vasopressin receptors in islets enhance glucose tolerance, pancreatic beta-cell secretory function, proliferation and survival.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), a peptide secreted from the posterior pituitary, is chiefly regarded as a hormone involved in the regulation of body fluid balance and osmolality. However, recent evidence has revealed that posterior pituitary hormones can exert important actions on endocrine pancreatic function. In the present study, the presence of AVP receptors, namely Avpr1a (V1a), Avpr1b (V1b) and Avpr2 (V2) was demonstrated in murine islets as well as rodent BRIN BD11 and human 1.

Oxytocin is present in islets and plays a role in beta-cell function and survival.

Oxytocin is associated mainly with modulating reproductive function. However, studies suggest that oxytocin also plays a role in endocrine pancreatic function. In the present study, islet expression of oxytocin and its related receptor was confirmed in mouse islets as well as cultured rodent and human beta-cells.

Diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is an extremely common indication for referral to a gynaecologist. This chapter examines the modes of presentation and the causes of such symptoms, which range from physiological variations to more sinister underlying pathology. A thorough understanding of these causes is required to direct investigation in an appropriate manner.

Cervical screening in England and Wales: an update.

Purpose Of Review: The National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) has played a major role in reducing the mortality from cervical cancer in England and Wales. However, the current system has numerous shortcomings and it is likely that its success has reached a plateau. In light of this, significant changes have recently been made to the programme.