Increased calcium-independent lipoprotein phospholipase A2 but not protein S100 in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to investigate serum concentrations of calcium-independent lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and protein S100 in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy controls and correlate them with the clinical severity, duration, and number of schizophrenia relapses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 65 schizophrenia patients and 70 controls. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Clinical severity was determined by PANSS. PLA2 and protein S100 concentration were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: PLA2 concentrations were higher in patients with schizophrenia, whereas protein S100 concentrations were not. Higher concentrations of PLA2 were positively correlated with the duration of illness and number of episodes, as determined by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: PLA2 might be considered a possible biochemical trait marker for schizophrenia. Further research with larger and more homogeneous clinical samples is required.

[Depression among students of the Medical Faculty and doctors in Mostar]. / Depresija medu studentima Medicinskog fakulteta i lijecnicima u Mostaru.

UNLABELLED: To assess out how many students and doctors have a mild, a moderate and a gravely depressive episode. SUBJECTS: The research was carried out among the students and doctors of the Medical Faculty in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in March 2003. Out of the total number of 255 medical students and 115 doctors of, 200 (78.4%) medical students and 90 (78.3%) doctors participated in the research. The were analysis in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty (41.4%) participants experienced mildly depressive episode, and 52 (17.9%) participants experienced moderately depressive episode. Medical students were more depressive (66.5%) than the doctors (43.3%, p=0.001). A majority of the mildly depressive, and in particular the moderately depressive respondents, reported about a mild and moderate, respectively, intensity of disorder of mood loss of interest for the usual activities, fatigue, and the loss of energy. CONCLUSION: Medical students and doctors constitute a vulnerable professional group, having a high percentage of depressive disorders.

Suicidal ideation and medical profession: from medical students to hospital physicians.

OBJECTIVE: With regard to an increased risk of suicide among physicians, the prevalence and predictors of suicidal ideation among medical students have attracted increased attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the level and characteristics of suicidal ideation in medical students and hospital physicians of School of Medicine, University of Mostar. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Suicidal ideation was assessed in 200 students: 45 students of the first year, 36 students of the second year, 44 students of the third year, 28 students of the fourth year, 25 students of the fifth year and 22 students of the sixth year and 90 hospital physicians. RESULTS: Some form of the actual suicidality was found in 9.16% of medical students: 4.4% of students of the first year, 8.4% of students of the second year, 9.1% of students of third year, 3.6% of students of the fourth year, 13.6% of the sixth year as well as in 2.2% of the hospital physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The level of suicidal ideation among medical students is warning and should initiate preventive interventions.