No abstract

PTX3 level is increased in patients with PCOS in concordance with insulin resistance.

Lower cystatin C levels may be associated with increased severity of CAD in clinically stable patients, whereas higher levels may indicate the presence of any vulnerable plaque. It may also guide the diagnostic and therapeutic options for the clinical scene on the presentation.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) in determining the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects and Methods: Ninety-five patients (77 males and 18 females) who underwent elective coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Patients with heart failure, renal failure, diabetes and thyroid disease were excluded. The study population was divided into 3 groups: individuals with normal coronary arteries, patients with critical CAD (n = 35) and patients with noncritical CAD (n = 36). The association of PTX-3 levels with the presence and severity of CAD and the number of involved vessels were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 53.40 ± 10.25 years. The PTX-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with CAD than without CAD (146.48 ± 48.52 vs. 109.83 ± 49.06 pg/ml, p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found among the 3 groups regarding the severity of CAD (165.66 ± 49.10, 127.83 ± 40.51 and 109.83 ± 49.06 pg/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). The serum PTX-3 levels in normal arteries were 110.4 ± 48.11 pg/ml, in single-vessel disease 132.35 ± 32.96 pg/ml, in 2-vessel disease 142.57 ± 55.88 pg/ml, in 3-vessel disease 156.07 ± 50.53 pg/ml, and in 3-vessel disease 160.50 ± 30.41 pg/ml. After adjusting for baseline confounders, older age (OR = 1.107, 95% CI = 1.027-1.193, p = 0.008) and higher PTX-3 levels (OR = 1.017, 95% CI = 1.003-1.032, p = 0.021) were detected as significant predictors for the presence of CAD. Conclusions: Higher PTX-3 levels were associated with the presence of CAD and its increased severity in clinically stable patients. Higher PTX-3 levels may be regarded as a novel diagnostic predictor and may offer therapeutic options in the clinic.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among females in Turkey. Predictors affecting the breast self-examination (BSE) performance vary in developing countries. Objective: To determine the frequency of BSE performance and predictors of self-reported BSEs among women in the capital city of Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 Turkish women using a selfadministered questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables and BSE-related features. Results: Of the participants, 78.7% (N=296) reported practicing BSE, whereas 9.5% (N=28) were implementing BSE regularly on a monthly basis, and only 5.7% (N=17) were performing BSE regularly within a week after each menstrual cycle. Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that BSE performance was more likely in younger age groups [20-39 years] (p=0.018, OR=3.215) and [40-49 years] (p=0.009, OR=3.162), women having a family history of breast disease (p=0.038, OR=2.028), and housewives (p=0.013, OR=0.353). Conclusions: Although it appears that the rates of BSE performers are high, the number of women conducting appropriate BSE on a regular time interval basis is lower than expected. Younger age groups, family history of breast diseases and not being employed were identified as significant predictors of practicing BSE appropriately. Older age and employment were risk factors for not performing BSE in this sample.

Objective: Obesity is a risk factor for calcaneal spur (CS) formation. Diabetes mellitus may contribute to the risk of CS due to the decreased ability of tissue repair and peripheral neuropathy. Thus, we aimed to determine the frequency of CS in asymptomatic obese subjects with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Also, we tried to find the related factors of CS in patients with T2DM. Material and Methods: Ninety-three obese patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 42 obese control subjects without glucose metabolism disturbances were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire was made about the duration of T2DM, age, and occupations of the participants. Physical, laboratory, and x-ray examinations of all cases were made. SPSS 15.0 was used for statistical analyses. Results: Patients with T2DM and control groups were similar in mean age and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.196, p=0.073, respectively). The existence of CS in the T2 diabetic group was significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.023). T2 diabetic patients with CS had significantly higher neuropathy existence, mean age, and BMI than T2 diabetic patients without CS (p=0.001, p=0.016, p=0.043, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the existence of CS and peripheral neuropathy and age (p=0.025, p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion:Increased ratio of CS in obese T2 diabetic patients may be important because of the relation between CS existence and complications of diabetes mellitus. Clinicians should pay more attention to increased frequency of CS in patients with T2DM, to avoid diabetic foot complications and other malformations.