METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 66 women (aged 16-30 years) from Kolkata, India, with confirmed PCOS, using Rotterdam criteria. IR was defined following the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Anthropometric and biochemical data were obtained using standard protocol and compared among the PCOS subjects grouped as per IR prevalence, BMI, and WHtR values. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate and compare the cut-off values of WHtR and BMI in the prediction of PCOS and IR in women with PCOS.

RESULTS: As per ROC analysis, WHtR showed significantly higher AUC in the detection of PCOS and IR in PCOS subjects respectively, than that of BMI. The cut-off values of WHtR and BMI for PCOS were 0.560 and 28.47 respectively, and for IR in PCOS patients, were 0.620 and 29.14 respectively.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, interviews and a standardised questionnaire comparing lifestyle changes before and during the lockdown were performed in follow-up clinic visits after the lockdown. Anthropometry measurements and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values were compared 3 months prior and after the lockdown.

RESULTS: Participants were 93 patients with T1DM (11.08 ± 3.47 years) and 30 patients with T2DM (13.81 ± 2.03 years). Male gender, T2DM and pubertal adolescents were found to have a significant deterioration in glycaemic control. A significant increment of HbA1c was observed in patients with T2DM (8.5 ± 0.40 vs 9.9 ± 0.46%), but not in patients with T1DM (8.6 ± 0.28 vs 8.7 ± 0.33%). Contrarily, there was an improved glycaemic control in pre-pubertal T1DM children likely due to parental supervision during home confinement. Weight and BMI SDS increased in T1DM patients but surprisingly reduced in T2DM patients possibly due to worsening diabetes control. Reduced meal frequency mainly due to skipping breakfast, reduced physical activity level scores, increased screen time and sleep duration were observed in both groups.

METHODS: ARISE is a ~26-wk-long, prospective, non-interventional, single-arm study of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating IDegAsp treatment. Approximately 1112 patients with T2D aged ≥18 years previously on anti-hyperglycaemic drugs except IDegAsp will be enroled across six countries from 15 Aug 2019 to 12 Nov 2020. IDegAsp treatment will be initiated at the physicians' discretion and as per the local label. Key exclusion criteria include previous participation, or previous IDegAsp treatment. The primary and secondary endpoints are change in HbA1c from baseline (wk 0) to study end (wk 26-36) and the proportion of patients achieving the target HbA1c level of <7% at the study end, respectively. A mixed model for repeated measurements will analyse the primary endpoint.

CONCLUSION: Between-country differences in the prescription patterns of glucose-lowering agents in people with T2D warrant examination of their clinical use in different geographical settings. The ARISE study is designed to assess the clinical use of IDegAsp from real world in six different countries. Findings from the ARISE study will supplement those of previous randomised controlled studies by establishing real-world evidence of IDegAsp use in the participating countries.

METHODS: All cell populations were stained with Hoechst 33342 and analysed using dual wavelength flow cytometry to identify SP cells. This SP assay was used to assess the impact of TGF-β1 treatment and withdrawal of treatment on SP percentages. Semi-quantitative and quantitative PCR were used for molecular analysis of cells pre and post TGF-β1 treatment.

RESULTS: All cell lines expressed mRNA for both TGFB1 and its receptors, as well as showing variable expression of CDH1 and CDH2, with expressing of CDH1 being highest and CDH2 being lowest in the normal cell line. Exposure to exogenous TGF-β1 resulted in a reduction in mRNA expression of ABCG2 compared to controls which was significant between control and treated cancer cell lines. SP cells were isolated from primary human thyroid tissues, with numbers being significantly higher in papillary thyroid cancers. Exposure to TGF-β1 decreased the SP percentage in both thyroid cancer cell lines and completely abrogated these cells in the primary papillary thyroid cancer cultures. On withdrawal of TGF-β1 the SP phenotype was restored in the cancer cell lines and SP percentages increased to above that of untreated cells.

METHODS: A web-based survey on GD management was conducted on practicing clinicians. Responses from 542 clinicians were received and subsequently analysed and compared to outcomes from similar surveys from other regions.

RESULTS: A total of 542 respondents participated in the survey, 515 (95%) of whom completed all sections. Of these, 86% were medical specialists, 11% surgeons, and 3% nuclear medicine physicians. In addition to serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine assays, most respondents would request TSH-receptor autoantibody (TRAb) measurement (68%) during initial work-up. Thyroid ultrasound is requested by about half of respondents (53%), while the use of nuclear medicine scans is limited. The preferred first-line treatment is anti-thyroid drug (ATD) therapy (79%) with methimazole (MMI) or carbimazole (CBZ), followed by radioiodine (RAI; 19%) and surgery (2%). In case of surgery, one-third of respondents would opt for a subtotal rather than a total thyroidectomy. In case of mild Graves orbitopathy (GO), ATDs (67%) remains the preferred treatment, but a larger proportion of clinicians prefer surgery (20%). For a patient with intention to conceive, the preferred treatment pattern remained unchanged, although propylthiouracil (PTU) became the preferred ATD-agent during the first trimester. In comparison to European and American practices, marked differences were noted in the relatively infrequent usage of nuclear medicine scans and the overall higher use of a ATDs and β-blockers and adjunctive ATD-treatment during RAI in the APAC-group.