ABSTRACT
AIM: We aimed to investigate the sensitivity, reproducibility and validity of the commercial ELISA kits for quantitative detection of TNF-α and their potential application for screening purposes in patients with ICH. METHODS: Analysis of six independent standard series, evaluation of the deviation of the TNF-α concentration in patients with ICH, standard addition and visual analysis of whole UV-Vis spectra were carefully performed. RESULTS: Low standard deviations of the absorbance were detected for every standard, as well as in the samples of healthy controls and patients with ICH. The standard addition series have also confirmed high sensitivity and reproducibility of the assay, with a congruent shift of the standard curves with the concentration of TNF-α for the added plasma. The visual analyses of the gained spectra have revealed the absence of any matrix effects from the addition of the human plasma in the reconstituted standards. CONCLUSION: The commercial ELISA kits can be used in the clinical practice for screening purposes of the plasma TNF-α levels in patients with ICH.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The depressive disorder is one of the most frequent mental disorders, which is often associated with severe dysfunctionality. Personality traits are considered as important factors for the occurrence of depressive disorder. AIM: To determine the specificity of personality dimensions as predictive factors of depressive disorder. METHODS: This research was conducted at the University Psychiatric Clinic Skopje as a "case-control" study. TCI-R (temperament and character inventory - revised) was used as the main research instrument. RESULTS: There are specific personality traits expressed through high scores of Harm Avoidance and low scores of Self -Directedness traits as predictive factors related to an incidence of the depressive disorder. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that certain personal traits, and more specific HA and SD, are with a specific predictability of the depressive disorder.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The depression is a cross-cultural condition that occurs in all cultures and within all nations with certain specificities, even though there are some differences in its manifestation. The hereditary load is of major importance, but also the individual personality factors, in the form of risk factors, are associated with the occurrence of depression. Personality characteristics have a significant impact on the occurrence of the recurrent depressive disorder and the outcome of the treatment as well. AIM: To identify the specific personality traits in people with the recurrent depressive disorder and the impact of the affective state on them. METHODS: Three questionnaires were used: a general questionnaire, Beck's scale of depressive symptoms, and TCI-R (inventory for temperament and character). RESULTS: The most indicative differences in the dimensions are found in the Harm avoidance and the Self-direction dimensions, and most variable dimensions dependent on effective state are Novelty seeking and Reward dependence. CONCLUSION: The people with the recurrent depressive disorder have a different profile of personality traits (temperament and character) compared with the control group, and their characteristics depend on their current affective state.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Health is a complex phenomenon and equity as a basic human right an integral part of constitutions in almost all countries in the world. In Republic of Macedonia (RM), Tuberculosis (TB) is clustered regionally and in certain ethnic groups. The main objective of this study was to analyze Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and equity in access to healthcare services for TB patients in RM, aimed at complex analysis of factors that cause inequities. METHODS: Case-control study was conducted in the period March-December, 2013; "cases" are households of TB patients registered in the period July, 2012-June, 2013 and controls are households with no TB patients in their immediate vicinity. World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Survey questionnaire was used to collect data. RESULTS: Analysis of SDH of TB patients shows that patients are mostly males, of lower socio-economic status, are less educated, unemployed and TB is clustered in certain ethnic groups. Analysis of access has identified these determinants as important barriers in access to health services. CONCLUSION: The study has documented the basic SDH of TB patients in RM, as well as barriers in access to healthcare, providing useful baseline information to facilitate determination where to concentrate future efforts.
