ATP-dependent conformational dynamics in a photoactivated adenylate cyclase revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering

Structural insights into the photoactivated adenylate cyclases can be used to develop new ways of controlling cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels for optogenetic and other applications. In this work, we use an integrative approach that combines biophysical and structural biology methods to provide insight on the interaction of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with the dark-adapted state of the photoactivated adenylate cyclase from the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria acuminata (OaPAC). A moderate affinity of the nucleotide for the enzyme was calculated and the thermodynamic parameters of the interaction have been obtained. Stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy and small-angle solution scattering have revealed significant conformational changes in the enzyme, presumably in the adenylate cyclase (AC) domain during the allosteric mechanism of ATP binding to OaPAC with small and large-scale movements observed to the best of our knowledge for the first time in the enzyme in solution upon ATP binding. These results are in line with previously reported drastic conformational changes taking place in several class III AC domains upon nucleotide binding.

Can a brief training intervention on schizophrenia and depression improve knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary healthcare workers? The experience in Armenia

BACKGROUND

Although the World Health Organization has called for mental health services to be integrated into primary care, mental health remains in most countries, and especially in low- and middle-income countries, one of the most neglected topics in the training curriculum of frontline health workers. As a result, primary healthcare professionals leave medical and nursing schools with insufficient knowledge, and often with negative attitudes towards mental disorders.

AIM

We investigated the effect of a brief training intervention on schizophrenia and depression conducted among general practitioners and nurses in Armenia.

METHODS

Training interventions were one-day, face-to-face, interactive workshops, including didactic presentations and discussions of case studies. We used a quasi-experimental design of the before/after type, to compare data on knowledge, attitudes and practices collected before and after the training sessions.

RESULTS

Mean scores for knowledge, attitudes and practices increased significantly (p < 0.001) among both nurses and GPs for both schizophrenia (111 GPs and 167 nurses) and depression (459 GPs and 197 nurses).

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggests that a brief training intervention can result in significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes and practices among primary healthcare workers and could help improve mental health services.

[Mirror syndrome: literature review based on a case]

Le syndrome miroir ou syndrome de Ballantyne est une entité pathologique rare, définit par l´association d´une anasarque fœtale et d´un œdème maternel généralisé pouvant se compliquer d´une prééclampsie. L´objectif de ce travail est de mettre en exergue les particularités diagnostic et thérapeutique de cette entité clinique grave, qui, en dépit de sa rareté, ne doit pas être méconnu. Et ceux à travers la description d´un cas clinique d´une parturiente de 35 ans qui s´est présentée aux urgences, à 26 semaines d´aménorrhée, dans un tableau de syndrome miroir idiopathique dont l´évolution fut rapidement marquée par la survenue d´un décès in utéro puis régression de la symptomatologie clinico-biologique maternelle une fois la vacuité utérine obtenue. En effet, un traitement spécifique in utéro est vivement souhaitable. Quoique dans certains cas graves idiopathiques, seule l´obtention de la vacuité utérine permet l´amélioration du pronostic maternel voire fœtale.

[Delayed delivery in multiple pregnancy: about a case and literature review]

Delayed delivery is designed to allow the remaining fetus(es) to develop after premature expulsion of the first twin in the second trimester of pregnancy. This decision is aimed to allow the remaining fetus(es) to reach full fetal growth. We here report a clinical case of delayed delivery in a patient with triple pregnancy in whom the time between the expulsion of the first twin and the birth of the third twin was 10 weeks. The purpose of this study was to highlight the benefit and indications for delayed delivery.

Moroccan colloquial Arabic version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI): qualitative and quantitative validation

The validation of mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) into Moroccan Colloquial Arabic language demonstrated good psychometric properties. The concordance between translated MINI’s and expert diagnoses was good with kappa values greater than 0.80. The reliability inter-rater and test–retest were excellent with kappa values above 0.80 and 0.90, respectively.

[Peripartum cardiomyopathy]

La cardiomyopathie du péri-partum (CMP-PP) ou syndrome de Meadows, est une cardiomyopathie dilatée survenue pendant ou au décours d'une grossesse, définie par une insuffisance cardiaque avec une fraction d'éjection systolique du ventricule gauche inférieure à 45%. Il s'agit d'une entité pathologique rare dont le mécanisme physiopathologique en cause reste mal élucidé. Sur le plan clinique il s'agit d'une insuffisance cardiaque inopinée d'installation rapide, d'évolution imprévisible avec risque de choc cardiogénique réfractaire justifiant une prise en charge en réanimation cardiovasculaire. La CMP-PP ne nécessite aucun traitement spécifique par rapport aux autres causes d'insuffisance cardiaque. Nous rapportons le cas d'une primigeste de 29 ans qui a consulté à 32 semaines d'aménorrhée dans un tableau d'insuffisance cardiaque congestive en rapport avec une cardiomyopathie du péri-partum. L'objectif de ce travail est de préciser les caractéristiques de cette cardiopathie, qui malgré son caractère exceptionnel ne doit pas être méconnu par l'obstétricien.

[Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a rare case related to pregnancy]

We report the case of a 25-year old primipara whose pregnancy was complicated by idiopathic intracranial hypertension (ICHT) associated with visual impairment in the first quarter. She underwent lumboperitoneal shunt without obstetric consequences. This study aimed to determine the features of this rare pathological entity whose pathophysiological mechanism is poorly elucidated. It would be caused by poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the arachnoid granulations. Major risk factors are: obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, thrombophilia and hyperfibrinolyse. Diagnosis is based on modified Dandy criteria after negative clinico-biological and radiological assessment. Visual prognosis is compromised, as in the case of « classical » ICHT. However, there is no risk for cerebral involvements which could be life-threatening. In addition, this disease does not influence pregnancy outcome. This said, rapid and effective treatment should be implemented in order to preserve visual function in these patients.

[Struma ovarii: a rare case of giant ovarian cyst]

Le struma ovarii est une tumeur rare qui représente 2,7% des tératomes ovariens et 0,01% des tumeurs ovariennes. Elle survient souvent chez la femme au cours de la cinquième décennie et constitue le plus souvent une surprise de l'examen échographique puis histologique. Sa prise en charge est chirurgicale et son pronostic est excellent. Nous rapportons un cas particulier de struma ovarii, vu sa survenue chez une femme jeune, la taille importante de la tumeur et sa présentation radiologique inhabituelle. Nous confrontons ce cas aux données de la littérature.

[Desmoid tumor of the Bartholin gland: about a case]

Les tumeurs desmoides sont les tumeurs rares, bénignes mais fréquemment agressives d'origine mésenchymateuse, ils sont extrêmement rares en localisation Vulvaire. Nous rapportons le cas d'une patiente âgée de 32 ans présentant un fibrome desmoïde de la glande de Bartholin prise pour un simple kyste au début. Le traitement consiste en une excision chirurgicale de la lésion et nous discutons la possibilité de traitement adjuvent pour éviter une éventuelle récidive post-opératoire.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in patient of severe preeclampsia with Hellp syndrome immediate postpartum

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinico-neuroradiologic condition, not commonly reported in the literature. PRES is an uncommon complication of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia. We report the management of one patient with postpartum preeclampsia as an association of HELLP syndrome presenting with status-epileptics. Early diagnosis along with timely supportive therapy resulted in the successful management of this challenging case. Recent understanding on the pathophysiology of this uncommon condition is discussed. We highlight the importance to obstetricians, intensive-care physicians and anesthesiologists of recognizing such cases.

[Pemphigoid gestationis and aplasia cutis congenita: report of a case]

La pemphigoïde gestationis est une dermatose gravidique apparaissant en général entre la 28^ème et la 32^ème semaine d'aménorrhée. L’éruption cutanée est prurigineuse, bulleuse ou vésiculopapuleuse et de topographie péri-ombilicale. Outre la clinique, son diagnostic repose sur la biopsie cutanée avec analyse en immunofluorescence directe. Elle se caractérise par sa tendance à récidiver. Le traitement habituel nécessite des dermocorticoïdes. Les conséquences peuvent être maternelles (menace d'accouchement prématuré), fœtales (retard de croissance intra-utérin), et néo-natales (éruption cutanée). Nous rapportons un cas de pemphigoïde gestationis associé à une aplasie cutanée congénitale type 2. S'agit il d'une association fortuite?

[Pseudo tumor pelvic actinomycosis associated with intrauterine device: report of three cases]

L'actinomycose est une maladie chronique suppurative granulomateuse d'origine infectieuse responsable d'un syndrome tumoral. La localisation pelvienne est rare et souvent associée, chez la femme, au port au long court du dispositif intra-utérin (DIU). Le diagnostic préopératoire n'est possible que dans 17% des cas. Nous rapportons trois observations, d'actinomycose pelvienne pseudo tumorale compliquées chez des femmes porteuses de DIU, qui illustrent le rôle de ce moyen de contraception dans la genèse de cette pathologie ainsi que les difficultés de prise en charge.

Preventive psychiatry: Concept appraisal and future directions

Preventive psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that aims at health promotion, protection from specific mental illnesses, early diagnosis, effective treatment, disability limitation and rehabilitation. Prevention of neuropsychiatric illnesses as compared to other illnesses is particularly important as they run a chronic course and cause substantial disability. Preventive measures have been found to be effective in reducing incidence and disability in a wide range of mental illnesses such as depression, psychosis, anxiety and conduct disorders. The need of the hour is to translate advances in our understanding of mental illness into effective intervention programmes for the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of positive mental health.

Coercion and compulsion in mental healthcare-an international perspective

BACKGROUND

Coercion has always existed in psychiatry and is increasingly debated. The 'move into the community' in many countries over recent decades and the evolution of community services have substantially altered the locus of coercion. In many countries psychiatric services remain poorly funded and patchy. Substantial differences between regions and countries in the provision of services, the role of the family, and the wider economic and political climate are likely to lead to different sources and experiences of coercion.

DISCUSSION

This paper explores a number of factors that may affect the prevalence and type of coercion in psychiatric services and in society and their impact upon those with severe mental illnesses. Differences in service provision are explored and wider societal issues that may impact are considered along with relevant evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Coercion is commonly experienced by those with severe mental illnesses but is poorly understood. The vast majority of research relates to High Income Group countries with developed community services and formal mental health legislation that adopt the so-called 'medical model'. Further research and collaboration is urgently required to increase our understanding of these issues, which are difficult to define and measure. An evidence base that is relevant worldwide, not just to a small group of countries, is needed to inform training and the care of all patients. A particular focus must be expanding our knowledge and understanding of coercion in cultures outside those where such research has traditionally taken place to date.

EPA Guidance Mental Health Care of Migrants

Migration is an increasingly commonplace phenomenon for a number of reasons. People migrate from rural to urban areas or across borders for reasons including economic, educational or political. There is increasing recent research evidence from many countries in Europe that indicates that migrants are more prone to certain psychiatric disorders. Because of their experiences of migration and settling down in the new countries, they may also have special needs such as lack of linguistic abilities which must be taken into account using a number of strategies at individual, local and national policy levels. In this guidance document, we briefly present the evidence and propose that specific measures must be taken to improve and manage psychiatric disorders experienced by migrants and their descendants. This improvement requires involvement at the highest level in governments. This is a guidance document and not a systematic review.

The argument of antidepressant drugs in the treatment of bipolar depression: mixed evidence or mixed states?

INTRODUCTION

The role of antidepressant drugs in acute and maintenance treatment of bipolar depression is a matter of debate that cannot be decided from the evidence available in the current literature.

AREAS COVERED

This review includes two sections: in the first, important contributions from the current literature, emphasizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analysis, highlight current controversies and methodological issues; in the second, the impact of mixed depressive features in bipolar depression is evaluated from a psychopathological perspective.

EXPERT OPINION

Methodological issues may complicate evaluation of the evidence from RCTs regarding antidepressants and mixed states. Moreover, nosological constructs may also contribute to the inconclusive findings, by introducing heterogeneity in patient selection and diagnosis. Acknowledging the impact of mixed features in the course of bipolar depression, essentially by the careful reading of classical Kraepelinian contributions, could enhance clinical management. This would in turn allow a more judicious use of antidepressants, ideally helping to shed some light on the much controversial 'antidepressant-related suicidality', and help to further clarify the reasons for the current literature discordance on this topic.

Culturally competence care of moroccan migrants

About 15% of all Moroccans live abroad (4 and a half million), mostly in Europe and North America. For historic reasons, migration of Moroccans went essentially to France, Belgium, Holland, and more recently to Spain. Many of these migrants are well integrated, but many others do suffer from social bad integration. Those with mental disorders are probably those who are most at risk of non-integration.

Mental health workers are not always aware of the cultural background of the Moroccan migrant, including family structure and interactions, religious and traditional beliefs. In France and Holland, and recently in Spain, a few teams are highly interested in transcultural psychiatry and provide care to the migrants and teaching to other mental health professionals. Their number and resources are however far from being sufficient to cover all the field in the entire country. One of the solutions is to develop a teaching program for post-graduates in psychiatry on "Cultural sensitivity" in all departments of psychiatry. A collaboration between mental health workers from the North and the South of the Mediterranean Sea is highly desirable in this respect. This is why the Euro-Med Network on Migration and Mental Health was created in 2007.

WPA guidance on mental health and mental health care in migrants

The purpose of this guidance is to review currently available evidence on mental health problems in migrants and to present advice to clinicians and policy makers on how to provide migrants with appropriate and accessible mental health services. The three phases of the process of migration and the relevant implications for mental health are outlined, as well as the specific problems of groups such as women, children and adolescents, the elderly, refugees and asylum seekers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. The concepts of cultural bereavement, cultural identity and cultural congruity are discussed. The epidemiology of mental disorders in migrants is described. A series of recommendations to policy makers, service providers and clinicians aimed to improve mental health care in migrants are provided, covering the special needs of migrants concerning pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies.

Moroccan national study on prevalence of mental disorders: a community-based epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders in the Moroccan general population.

METHOD

On a systematic representative randomized sample, the Moroccan Arabic version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to assess the prevalence of mood, anxiety, substance, and alcohol abuse disorders.

RESULTS

Among 5498 subjects interviewed, 40.1% had at least one current mental disorder. Current major depressive disorder was the most common (26.5%), and at least one anxiety disorder was found in 37% of the sample. Mental disorders were more frequent among female, urban, divorced, and unemployed subjects.

CONCLUSION

Mental disorders are common in the Moroccan general population, particularly mood and anxiety disorders.

[Recurrent pseudocyesis with polydipsia: a case report]

INTRODUCTION

Pseudocyesis is an imaginary pregnancy resulting from a strong desire or need for motherhood. Pseudocyesis has become increasingly rare in many parts of the world in which accurate pregnancy tests have become widely available. Cultures that place high value on pregnancy, or that make close associations between fertility and a person's worth, still have high rates of the disorder. A woman may believe in her pregnancy to the point of delusion and show acute depression when no baby is born.

CASE-REPORT

This report describes a case of recurrent pseudocyesis and polydipsia in a 49-year-old woman. She was an illiterate housewife who had been married since she was 21 years old. Four years later, she divorced because of a problem of sterility. She got remarried, five years later, and the couple had no child. The patient was admitted into the Obstetric Unit thinking that she was about to give birth. She presented all the symptoms of true pregnancy. She had abdominal distension, amenorrhea, mammary tension, nausea and vomiting, and weight gain. She claimed to have felt foetal movements. Other than this, she exhibited a polydipsia syndrome. These symptoms had evolved over 20 months. The patient had previously presented six similar episodes. All these episodes were identical. The length of these episodes varied between three and five months, after which all the signs disappeared progressively. The patient had never consulted for these symptoms before the present episode. During her stay in the Obstetric Unit, she benefited from a complete gynaecological examination, including pelvic ultrasound examinations, and laboratory tests, notably hormone assays (FSH, LH, prolactin, ss-HCG) and serum electrolyte levels. A primary sterility and menopause were confirmed. Otherwise, the psychiatric assessment confirmed the delusion of pregnancy and the presence of a depressive syndrome. The patient reported that she was possessed. She explained the normality of the imagery and laboratory tests by the intervention of the demons that hid the foetus and modified the results.

DISCUSSION

The contribution of psychological and physiological factors in the development of the delusion of pregnancy, possession and polydipsia, and the possible interactions between the two phenomena are discussed.

[Psychiatry and mental health in Morocco]

Morocco has a population of some thirty million inhabitants, a very large proportion of whom are young. Mental health and psychiatry are dealt with jointly by the university, public, private, and military sectors. Despite significant progress in the last twenty years, there are still no more than 350 psychiatrists in Morocco (thirty years ago there were fewer than ten...), plus about 60 clinical psychologists, about 400 nurses specializing in psychiatry, and social workers. There are about 1900 psychiatric beds in both specialized hospitals and general hospital psychiatry units located in the main cities. In the teaching sector there are currently four university psychiatry departments, with a total of five full professors, six associate professors and five assistant professors. The National Mental Health Program, launched in 1974 and revised in 1994, was not properly implemented. Several NGOs also work in psychiatry and mental health, including the League for Mental Health and five patient associations. A national survey of the prevalence of mental disorders, completed in 2003 but only made public in 2007, represented a watershed for psychiatry in Morocco: 48.9% of a sample of 5600 persons representative of the general population were found to have a mental disorder, and 26.5% of respondents were depressed. This survey is an invaluable reference for years to come, helping to match mental healthcare provision with real needs. Research activity has also progressed since the early 1980s, as reflected by the number and quality of publications in the different fields, including epidemiology, biological psychiatry, social psychiatry, psychopharmacology and clinical psychopathology. Cultural aspects are a special research focus (suicide and religion, cannabis use, traditional treatments, etc.). International university collaboration has been especially important for Moroccan research. However, despite major progress over the last three decades in the fields of psychiatry and mental health, much remains to be done, notably to bolster child and adolescent psychiatry, and to manage mental illness in small towns and villages, including in the remotest regions.

Prevalence of anxiety disorders: a population-based epidemiological study in metropolitan area of Casablanca, Morocco

BACKGROUND

In Morocco, no epidemiological study has been conducted to show the current prevalence of mental disorders in the general population. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of anxiety disorders in Moroccan subjects.

METHODS

We used cross-sectional study, with a representative sample of Casablanca city. Direct interviews used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview in its validated Moroccan Arabic version

RESULTS

Among 800 subjects, 25.5% met criteria of at least one current anxiety disorder: Panic Disorder (2%), Agoraphobia (7.6%) Social phobia (3.4), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (6.1%), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3.4%), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (4.3%)

CONCLUSION

The results are generally similar to those of Western countries. Future studies need to replicate these results and to concentrate on their impact on the quality of life and the cost of such conditions in the community.

Depression in mothers of burned children

The treatment of burned children needs to address also their psychic state. Since the child's emotional state depends heavily on the emotional state of its parents, especially the mother's, interest should also be focused on diagnosing and treating secondary psychiatric disorders in mothers of burned children. The AIM of this work was to study the prevalence of depression in mothers of burned children and its predicting factors.

METHODS

The enrolment of mothers of burned children was done in the Burns Department, Ibn Rushd University Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco. Twenty-eight mothers of seriously burned children agreed to participate in this study. A psychiatric interview was conducted after informed consent was obtained. The mothers completed a questionnaire; the diagnosis was made according to DSM IV criteria using the Mini International Neuro-psychiatric Interview (MINI). The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were used to evaluate respectively the intensity of depression and the level of anxiety. Social functioning was assessed by the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF). The minimum time interval between the child's being burned and the interview with the mother was one month.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression was 35.7%, which is much higher in the mothers of burned children as compared to the general population. Several risk factors were found such as: several burned children or burn of the only child, severity and complications of burn, and the socio-economic level.

CONCLUSION

Depression is a common disorder in mothers of burned children. Thus early screening for depression in mothers and psychological and psychiatric support must be provided in conjunction with the treatment of the burned child.

Syndrome de stress post-traumatique chez les survivants du séisme d’Agadir (Maroc) de 1960

INTRODUCTION

Agadir City is geologically located on a seismic line. This city witnessed an earthquake in February 1960 with a magnitude of 6 degrees in Richter scale. During this disaster more than 17,000 people died and 60% of the town was destroyed.

OBJECTIVES

Forty years later, the objective of this study was to assess post-traumatic stress disorders at the time of the disaster and currently among this population.

METHODS

Two groups, matched by gender and age were included: 1) a group (G 1) of 80 earthquake survivors with an age varying from 45 to 70 years ; 2) a control group (G2) with 80 people who experienced accidental events other than the earthquake. The instruments used were: a questionnaire concerning socio-demographic data, and the Post-traumatic Stress Diagnosis Scale-Edna Foa-1995 for the diagnosis of PTSD which was translated in Moroccan Arabic language. The epidemiological survey was conducted in two steps during 13 months. The first step consisted in the inclusion of the first group: victims of the disaster. One hundred and two survivors were contacted and 80 accepted to participate in the study. The second step, concentrated on the inclusion of the other group, according to gender and age of the survivors group. All interviews were conducted in the homes of the participants. Data analysis was performed on a PC microcomputer using Epi info 6.04 French version (Center for disease control and prevention CDC, Atlanta, USA). The statistical analysis was based on the descriptive techniques of statistics.

RESULTS

The main results were: 1) after the traumatic events and retrospectively, survivors from the earthquake had statistically more PTSD than G2: 38.8% vs 20%; 2) at the time of the study, the prevalence of PTSD between the two groups was not significantly different: 10% for the survivors of the earthquake vs 7.5% for G2 (victims of accidents) while the dates of trauma differed; 3) forty years later, the socio-professional life of the survivors was still perturbed.

DISCUSSION

These results are in accordance with the literature, even if the methodological differences constitute a limiting factor for the comparison. Nevertheless, the persistence of symptoms of PTSD many years later might be explained by the severity of the trauma, the existence of external stimuli, such as the frequent tremors felt in Agadir, the noise, the storms, the earthquake happening in other cities...create a persistent state of hyper-vigilance which maintains and/or worsens the symptoms of PTSD.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, 40 years later, survivors are in need of care to overcome symptoms of PTSD. Preventive measures for victims of disasters should perhaps be developed.