A possible connection between tumor necrosis factor alpha and adropin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: Adropin is a peptide hormone implicated in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and reproductive disease associated with insulin resistance. It has been demonstrated that various inflammatory markers increased in PCOS including TNF-α.

Normative data for quantitative calcaneal ultrasonometry in Turkish children aged 6 to 14 years: relationship of the stiffness index with age, pubertal stage, physical characteristics, and lifestyle.

Objectives: Quantitative ultrasonometry is commonly used to assess bone health. The aim of this study was to define normative data for the stiffness index of the calcaneus in healthy Turkish children.

Methods: Quantitative ultrasonometric measurements of the calcaneus were obtained in 1617 healthy schoolchildren (811 boys and 806 girls) aged 6 to 14 years.

Social support and hopelessness in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Patients with breast cancer can experience a feeling of hopelessness very deeply in the adjustment process, and the social support provided during this period can be effective in increasing the level of hope. The present study aimed to identify breast cancer patients' social support and hopelessness level.

Materials And Methods: The target population of this analytical study was all breast cancer patients (total of 85) who had treatment in the oncology department of a university hospital located in Adana/Turkey and who met the inclusion criteria.

A new collagenase blend increases the number of islets isolated from mouse pancreas.

Diabetes is a predominant metabolic disorder in the industrialized nations. Since pancreatic islets play a key role in type I and type II diabetes, the isolation of islets from pancreatic tissues represents an important step in diabetes research. However, to date, only a small fraction of all islets, resident within any given pancreas, are harvested by using currently available enzyme blends.

Islet dynamics: a glimpse at beta cell proliferation.

Pancreatic islets consist of 60-80% beta cells, which secrete insulin, a hormone of profound importance in the regulation of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Beta cell death and/or dysfunction result in an insufficient amount of insulin that leads to high glucose levels in the blood, a metabolic disorder known as Diabetes mellitus. Many studies aiming to establish new therapeutic applications for this disorder are targeted at understanding and manipulating the mechanisms of beta cell proliferation and function.