No abstract

No abstract

Purpose Educational interventions have already been shown to positively affect awareness of clinical trials (CTs) among medical students. We aimed to explore basic knowledge and attitudes about CTs among medical students in terms of educational interventions that should be reflected in their further involvement in performing CTs and their role in raising awareness about CTs. Methods This cross-sectional, self-report anonymous online survey involved undergraduate medical students of the Medical Faculty University of Sarajevo enrolled in classes held within the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the academic year 2015–2016. To include all accessible subjects for better representation of the whole population, consecutive sampling was applied. Results Among 142 students who completed questionnaire, 50% of them expressed partial or full agreement with the questionnaire statement that they were satisfied with the available information on CTs. Only 38% said they would participate in a CT, 21% would not, while 41% were not sure. Positive correlations were detected for composite subscale scores of agreement with questionnaire statements conveying the student’s knowledge about ethical and legal aspects of CTs and their perception about reliability/integrity and impact of CTs on medical practice. Conclusion Students have knowledge of the basic design and ethical aspects of CTs. Positive attitudes toward the impact of CTs on medical practice were shown in students of higher years of study, where educational intervention of additional knowledge of CTs was inserted and those students expressed better knowledge of CTs. However, no significant impact was detected between knowledge and willingness to participate in CTs, irrespective of years of study, reflecting the third of students that would participate in CTs. Changes in medical curricula led to the change in students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding CTs as well as their involvement in CTs.

Background: Patients with multiple myeloma are characterized by increased production of light chains of immunoglobulins and thus increase in the concentration of proximal nephron tubule lumen that leads to renal injury. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 62 patients with MM. They were characterized in three different stage groups of the disease using Salmon-Durie classification and by International Staging System (ISS). Blood samples were drawn to measure concentration of Cystatin C, Immunoglobulins, Free light chains (FLC), C-reactive protein (CRP), polyclonal chains, while urine is collected to measure creatinine level. ELISA and nephelometry were employed to determine those concentrations. Statistical analyzes were performed by SPSS 16. System. Results: In patients without renal injury and with renal injury differ among the phases. Significant difference was observed between the mean values ​​of CRP, creatinine, serum kappa chains and the ratio of serum kappa and λ chains (p <0.05) while in the „steady” phase, difference was observed between the mean values ​​of Cystatin C levels and creatinine. In ISS stage 1, the mean serum Cystatin C level in patients without renal injury and with renal impairment statistically differ as well as serum creatinine, CRP and serum κ chains levels in ISS stage 2. In ISS stage 3, no statistically significant difference was observed between the mean values ​​of the examined parameters and renal injury. Conclusion: This confirms that beside serum Cystatin C, serum creatinine level, serum CRP level and serum κ chains' level were early signs of kidney impairment as well.