Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying autoimmune diabetes are provided. One aspect provides a method for the evaluation of risk and progression of autoimmune diabetes in mammalian subjects. The method includes measuring the enzymatic activities and/or protein concentrations of neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3 in a subject and comparing the measured levels of these proteases to respective reference levels.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying autoimmune diabetes are provided. One aspect provides a method for the evaluation of risk and progression of autoimmune diabetes in mammalian subjects. The method includes measuring the enzymatic activities and/or protein concentrations of neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3 in a subject and comparing the measured levels of these proteases to respective reference levels.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying and treating obesity and obesity-induced metabolic disorders are provided. One aspect provides a method for the evaluation of risk and progression of glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in mammalian subjects. The method includes measuring the concentration of circulating lipocalin-2 in a subject and comparing the measured level to lipocalin-2 to a reference level. Another aspect provides methods of treating insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other related complications by administering to a patient a composition that can reduce the circulating levels of lipocalin-2, for example a lipocalin-2 antagonist.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying and treating obesity and obesity-induced metabolic disorders are provided. One aspect provides a method for the evaluation of risk and progression of glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in mammalian subjects. The method includes measuring the concentration of circulating lipocalin-2 in a subject and comparing the measured level to lipocalin-2 to a reference level. Another aspect provides methods of treating insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other related complications by administering to a patient a composition that can reduce the circulating levels of lipocalin-2, for example a lipocalin-2 antagonist.

Abstract: A universal adapter including two electrically conductive pins which are electrically connected with an output socket of an adapter body, in which the pins are releasably engageable with an oblong ring for insertion into holes of a wall socket in order to establish electrical contact with the wall socket, in which the pins are movable relative to the ring when the pins are engaged with the ring in order to vary the distance and/or orientation between the pins.