Association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with susceptibility to Schizophrenia in Tunisian population.

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying Schizophrenia (SZ), one of the most frequent mental disorders, are complex and poorly understood. Several evidences suggest that inflammatory processes may underpin some of its neurobiological correlates. The aim of this study was: (i) to analyze the potential association between circulating levels of the C-reactive protein (CRP), a crucial inflammatory marker, and Schizophrenia in Tunisian patients and healthy controls (HC) cohorts; (ii) to investigate the genetic diversity of three CRP variants (rs1417938, rs1130864 and rs1205) and; (iii) to analyze a potential relationship between expression and genetic data and clinical and socio demographical characteristics. CRP polymorphisms were exanimated for 155 patients and 203 HC by taqMan5'-nuclease. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) serum level was measured in 128 clinically stable out-patient SZ patients and 63 HC subjects via an automated biochemical analyzer. We found that hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in SZ patients as compared to HC. No significant differences were found when the proportions of CRP variants were compared in patients and HC. Further analysis according to clinical and socio demographical characteristics revealed a positive association with age and hypertension. Our data on an original Tunisian sample confirm the previous finding in others population groups.

The structure of InAlGaN layers grown by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy: effects of threading dislocations and inversion domains from the GaN template.

Defects in quaternary InAlGaN barriers and their effects on crystalline quality and surface morphology have been studied. In addition to growth conditions, the quality of the GaN template may play an important role in the formation of defects in the barrier. Therefore, this work is focused on effects caused by threading dislocations (TDs) and inversion domains (IDs) originating from the underlying GaN. The effects are observed on the crystalline quality of the barrier and characteristic surface morphologies. Each type of TDs is shown to affect the surface morphology in a different way. Depending on the size of the corresponding hillock for a given pinhole, it was possible to determine the dislocation type. It is pointed out that the smallest pinholes are not connected to TDs whereas the large ones terminate either mixed type or edge type TDs. At sufficiently large layer thickness, the IDs originating from the GaN template lead to the formation of concentric trenches at the layer surface, and this is related to the change in growth kinetics on top and at the immediate surroundings of the ID.

[Pulmonary function in children after neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome]. / Fonction respiratoire des enfants ayant des antécédents d'inhalation méconiale.

BACKGROUND: Meconium aspiration syndrome is a disease of the newborn mature or post mature. The acute pulmonary consequences can be extremely severe. In the few studies of the long-term pulmonary sequelae, it seems that certain children surviving meconium aspiration syndrome keep an obstructive syndrome. The aim of our study was to assess long term respiratory residual damage from meconium aspiration syndrome. METHODS: During a seven-year period going from 1994 to 2000, we reviewed the files of children hospitalized in neonatology department of Sfax for meconium aspiration syndrome. The children who were convoked (group M: n=27), underwent spirometry, followed by an exercise stress. An age matched control group (group C: n=23) of healthy children was investigated in the same way. RESULTS: The group M comprised 15 boys and 12 girls aged four to 11, an average of 7+/-1.9 years. With the study of the respiratory function, we did not find an obstructive syndrome. Spirometry revealed a total pulmonary capacity in an average of 133+/-55.65% of theoretical (group M) versus 105.5+/-27.96% of theoretical (group C) (P<0,01), testifying to alveolar hyperinflation. Spirometry fulfilled 5, 10 and 15 min after exercise showed a FEV1 reduction of respectively 8.5 versus 2 (P<0.05); 9.5 versus 3 (P<0.01) and 10.5 versus 4 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Children surviving meconium aspiration syndrome tend to develop alveolar hyperinflation and airway hyperreactivity to exercise.

[Devic's neuromyelitis optica in children: a case report and review of the literature]. / Neuromyélite optique de Devic chez l'enfant: à propos de 1 cas, avec revue de la littérature.

UNLABELLED: Devic neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic's syndrome is an uncommon clinical syndrome associating unilateral or bilateral optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Usually reported in adults, childhood cases constitute a distinctive clinical entity. CASE REPORT: We report a case of NMO occurring in a 9-year-old girl, admitted for paraplegia, sphincter troubles as acute installation bladder retention and of a sudden decline of the visual acuity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormalities of spinal cord signal with hypo intensity in T1-weighted images and hyper intensity in T2-weighted images along the spinal cord. However, the cerebral region was normal. Visual evoked potentials were consistent with retrobulbar optic neuropathy. Our patient received corticosteroids (methyl prednisolone) during 5 days followed by oral prednisone. At week three, an immunosuppressant (azathioprine) was added. Clinical outcome was favourable with disappearance of sphincter troubles, a correction of the visual acuity and a progressive disappearance of motor troubles. CONCLUSION: Pediatric Devic's NMO is rare. It is a different clinical entity with an excellent visual and neurological prognosis. Review of the literature shows that recurrence is rare in children and seems to be without long-term sequelae with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant therapy.