The effect of prolactin levels on MPV in women with PCOS.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and glucose intolerance. Several studies demonstrated the link between PCOS and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Platelets play a crucial role in the development of atherothrombotic disease. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet size that reflects its activity. Research points to a link between prolactin (PRL) and platelet activation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether prolactin levels are associated with MPV in women with PCOS. DESIGN: The research was designed as a cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: Participants were divided into three groups-PCOS patients with mildly elevated PRL levels (n = 72), patients with PCOS with normal PRL levels (n = 207) and healthy controls (n = 90). They were body mass index and age-matched and consecutively recruited. MEASUREMENTS: Complete blood counts, serum glucose, prolactin, insulin, lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and free-testosterone levels were measured. RESULTS: Among the three groups, MPV levels were higher in women with PCOS having mildly elevated PRL levels (P < 0·001) and MPV was found to be correlated with PRL levels (r = 0·387, P < 0·001). Multiple regression analysis showed that PRL levels were associated with MPV levels (R(2) = 0·239, ß = 0·354, P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume levels are significantly increased in women with PCOS having mildly elevated PRL. Our results suggest that there is a link between prolactin and MPV levels. In women with PCOS, elevated PRL levels may increase the risk of developing atherothrombotic events via the activation of platelets.

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. RESULTS: The stiffness index increased by 19.3% and 12% in boys and girls, respectively. The greatest increases were seen in the age groups of 12 to 13 and 13 to 14 years in boys (3.9%) and 11 to 12 and 12 to 13 years in girls (4.1%). There was a significant increase in stiffness index values among all Tanner stages except stage 4 (P < .05). Although the stiffness index was related to age, weight, and height, no correlation was seen between the stiffness index and calcium intake or physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides stiffness index data by age group and Tanner stage that may be useful for assessment of the bone status of Turkish children and can serve as comparative data for other patient groups.

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. Data were collected through "Personal Information Form", "Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) " and "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support" (MSPSS). Analysis was performed using Shapiro Wilk, One Way ANOVA Welch, Student t-test, Mann Whitney U, and Kruskall Wallis tests. Homogeneity of variance was tested with the Levene, Bonferroni and Games Howell tests. Mean scores and standard deviation values are given as descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Average age of the participants with breast cancer is 48.6 ∓ 10.6. Of all the participants, 84.7% are married, 49.4% graduated from primary school, 81.2% are housewives, and 82.4% had children. The participants' multidimensional perceived social support total scores were found to be high (57.41 ∓ 13.97) and hopelessness scale scores low (5.49 ∓ 3.80). There was a reverse, linear relationship between hopelessness scale scores and social support total scores (r=-0.259, p=0.017). A statistically significant relationship was found between hopelessness scores and education level and having children, occupation, income status, and education level of spouses (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that hopelessness of the patients with breast cancer decreased with the increase in their social support. Therefore, activating patient social support systems is of importance in increasing their level of hope.

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. This holds true for islet isolation from both the mouse and the human pancreas. In the present study, the newly developed Liberase TL Research Grade was compared to the widely used Liberase RI to investigate the effect of increased collagenase purity on islet yield. The study shows that reducing the degradation products of collagenases during Liberase production significantly increases the number of islets isolated from the mouse pancreas by 28%, and, therefore, is expected to lower the numbers of mice and resulting costs for diabetes research accordingly. Furthermore, this study also points to a possibility to increase the number and mass of islets isolated from human pancreases, for which only a limited donor pool exists.

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. The present comprehensive review summarizes the advances in the field of beta cell renewal and focuses on three fundamental issues: (i) identification of the cellular origins of new beta cells in the adult, (ii) regulation of beta cell proliferation, and (iii) downstream signaling events controlling the cell cycle machinery. Although the source of new adult beta cells is still being debated, recent findings in mice show an important contribution of beta cell proliferation to adult beta cell mass. In conjunction with describing characterized beta cell mitogens and components of the beta cell cycle machinery, we discuss how manipulating the proliferative potential of beta cells could provide novel methods for expanding beta cell mass. Such an expansion could be achieved either through in vitro systems, where functional beta cells could be generated, propagated and further used for transplantation, or in vivo, through directed beta cell renewal from sources in the organism. Once established, these methods would have profound benefits for diabetic patients.