Atkinsmcfadden0073

The HGs of OA-treated bees were smaller than control bees and had higher levels of HG autophagy gene expression. OA-treated bees also had higher levels of hemolymph lipid compared to control bees. Abdominal lipids did not change in response to OA. Our findings support the hypothesis that the HGs are a rich source of stored energy that can be mobilized during periods of stress. © 2020. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.The recently published Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLCO) reference equations provide an opportunity to adopt a current, all-age, widely applicable reference set. The aim of this study was to document the effect of changing to GLI from commonly utilised reference equations on the interpretation of TLCO results.33 863 TLCO results (48% female, 88% Caucasian, n=930 less then 18 y) from clinical pulmonary function laboratories within three Australian teaching hospitals were analysed. The lower limit of normal (LLN) and proportion of patients with a TLCO below this value were calculated using GLI and other commonly used reference equations.The average TLCO LLN for GLI was similar or lower than the other equations, with the largest difference seen for Crapo equations (median -1.25, IQR -1.64, 0.86 mmol·min-1·kPa-1). These differences resulted in altered rates of reduced TLCO for GLI particularly for adults (+1.9% versus Miller to -27.6% versus Crapo), more so than for children (-0.8% versus Kim to -14.2% versus Cotes). For adults, the highest raw agreement for GLI was with Miller equations (94.7%), while for children it was with Kim equations (98.1%). Results were reclassified from abnormal to normal more frequently for younger adults, and for adult females, particularly when moving from Roca to GLI equations (30% of females versus 16% of males).The adoption of GLI TLCO reference equations in adults will result in altered interpretation depending on the equations previously used and to a greater extent in adult females. The effect on interpretation in children is less significant. Copyright ©ERS 2020.Cystic fibrosis is a common multi-system genetically inherited condition, predominately found in individuals of Caucasian decent. Since the identification of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in 1989, and the subsequent improvement in understanding of CF pathophysiology, significant increases in life-expectancy have followed. Initially this was related to improvements in the management and systems of care for treating the various affected organ systems. These cornerstone treatments are still essential for CF patients born today. MRTX0902 datasheet However, over the last decade, the major advance has been in therapies that target the resultant genetic defect - the dysfunctional CFTR protein. Small molecule agents that target this dysfunctional protein via a variety of mechanisms have led to lung function improvements, reductions in pulmonary exacerbation rates and increases in weight and quality of life indices. As more patients receive these agents earlier and earlier in life, it is likely that general CF care will increasingly pivot around these specific therapies, although it is also likely that effects other than those identified in the initial trials will be discovered and need to be managed. Despite great excitement for modulator therapies, they are unlikely to be suitable or available for all whether this is due to a lack of availability for specific CFTR mutations, drug-reactions or the health economic set-up in certain countries. Nevertheless, the CF community must be applauded for its ongoing focus on research and development for this life-limiting disease. With time, personalised individualised therapy would ideally be the mainstay of CF care. Copyright ©ERS 2020.INTRODUCTION The rising incidence of pleural disease is seeing an international growth of pleural services with physicians performing ever-increasing volumes of pleural intervention. This is frequently conducted on sites without immediate access to thoracic surgery or interventional radiology. Serious complications, such as pleural bleeding, are likely to be under-reported. AIM To assess whether intercostal vessel screening can be performed by respiratory physicians at time of pleural intervention as an additional step that could potentially enhance safe practice. METHODS This was a prospective, observational study of 596 ultrasound-guided pleural procedures conducted by respiratory physicians and trainees in a tertiary centre. Operators did not have additional formal radiology training. Intercostal vessel screening was performed using a low frequency probe and the colour Doppler feature. RESULTS The intercostal vessels were screened in 95% of procedures and the intercostal artery was successfully identified in 53%. Screening resulted in an overall site alteration rate of 16% in all procedures, which increased to 30% when the intercostal artery was successfully identified. This resulted in procedure abandonment in 2% of cases due to absence of a suitable entry site. Intercostal vessel screening was shown to be of particular value in the context of image-guided pleural biopsy. CONCLUSION Intercostal vessel screening is a simple and potentially important additional step that can be performed by respiratory physicians at the time of pleural intervention without advanced ultrasound expertise. Whether the widespread use of this technique can improve safety requires further evaluation in a multi-centre setting with a robust prospective study. Copyright ©ERS 2020.BACKGROUND High fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels are associated with greater risk of asthma exacerbations. However, it is not clear how FeNO can be used to guide safe reductions in inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) doses in asthma patients. This study assesses the ability of FeNO to guide ICS reductions. METHODS Systematic searching of electronic databases identified prospective observational studies and randomised controlled trials which recruited participants with mild-to-moderate asthma aged ≥12 years and measured FeNO before reducing ICS. We performed multi-level mixed-effects logistic regression in relation to acute exacerbations and estimated each participant's exacerbation risk using our logistic regression model. RESULTS We included data from seven out of eight eligible studies, representing 384 participants. ICS doses were halved in four studies and withdrawn in three studies. A baseline FeNO measurement of 50 ppb or higher was associated with increased risk of exacerbations (crude odds ratio [OR] 3.