Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and intramuscular vitamin D3 supplementation among Eritrean migrants recently arrived in Switzerland.

In a cross-sectional screening programme, we assessed serum vitamin D levels in adult Eritrean refugees recently arrived in Switzerland. Median vitamin D level among 107 participants (95 males and 12 females) was 27 nmol/l (interquartile range 23-42 nmol/l), 86% had insufficient vitamin D levels (≤50 nmol/l) and 36% severe deficiency (<25 nmol/l). In 29 participants who received single-dose intramuscular vitamin D substitution (300 000 IU), median vitamin D levels increased from 25 to 35 nmol/l after 3 months (p = 0.005); only 11 (38%) reached sufficient vitamin D levels. Eritrean migrants should be routinely screened for vitamin D deficiency. Single-dose intramuscular supplementation appeared to be insufficient to achieve optimal levels in the majority of participants

Hypofrontality in Schizophrenia. A meta-analysis of functional imaging studies

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com '--Copyright Blackwell PublishingObjective: Hypofrontality is not a well-replicated finding in schizophrenia either at rest or under conditions of task activation. Method: Studies comparing whole brain and frontal blood flow/ metabolism in schizophrenic patients and normal controls were pooled.Voxel-based studies were also combined to examine the pattern of prefrontal activation in schizophrenia. Results: Whole brain flow/metabolism was reduced in schizophrenia to only a small extent.Restin g and activation frontal flow/metabolism were both reduced with a medium effect size.Duration of illness significantly moderated resting hypofrontality, but the moderating effects of neuroleptic treatment were consistent with an influence on global flow/metabolism only.Pooling of voxel-based studies did not suggest an abnormal pattern of activation in schizophrenia. Conclusion: Meta-analysis supports resting hypofrontality in schizophrenia.Task-activated hypofrontality is also supported, but there is little from voxel-based studies to suggest that this is associated with an altered pattern of regional functional architecture.Peer reviewe