In Situ Electrodeposition of Pb and Ag Applied on Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide Substrates: Comparative Experimental and Theoretical Study

A comparison between lead and silver electrodeposition onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes from nitrate solution was investigated in this work. Chronoamperometry has been used as an in situ technique to track the dynamics of the electrodeposition during advanced nucleation phases. The experimental results are correlated with a theoretical evaluation. It has shown that they have a strong correlation with each other. After that, the obtained deposits are characterized and compared as well by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and impedance spectroscopy. The data reflects the effect of the material under investigation on current density, deposition density, and dielectric properties. Additionally, the electrodeposition approach (a two-in-one technique) can be followed in order to make well-controlled thin films that can be used for various purposes in addition to recovering heavy metals from wastewater.     

Native valve infective endocarditis in a tertiary care center in a developing country (Tunisia)

The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of native valve infective endocarditis (IE) in a Tunisian high-volume tertiary care center and to identify the predictors of outcome. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics were examined in 134 patients who fulfilled the modified Duke criteria for native valve IE between January 1997 and December 2006. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors for death. Mean age was 34.22 years. Diagnosis was definite in 93% of cases. Median time to diagnosis was 21 days. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was the predominant (45%) underlying heart condition. One or more vegetations were detected in more than 93% of cases. The median size of vegetation was >15 mm in 28% of cases. In 66 cases (49%), cultures remained negative. Serology was positive in 15 cases, and in 4 cases leaflet culture identified the agent. The infective agent was identified in 87 cases (65%), causative microorganisms were mainly Staphylococci (n = 30, including 6 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus), and Streptococci (n = 32). Overall mortality was 19%. On multivariate analysis, congestive heart failure (hazard ratio = 5.34, 95% confidence interval 1.67 to 17.15, p = 0.005) and large vegetations (>15 mm; hazard ratio = 5.78, 95% confidence interval 1.84 to 18.32, p = 0.002) were predictive of in-hospital mortality but not neurological complications or staphylococcus IE. In conclusion, IE remains a serious disease affecting a young population in Tunisia, with RHD as still the most common underlying heart disease, and it is associated with a high mortality.     

Global genetic insight contributed by consanguineous Pakistani families segregating hearing loss

Consanguineous Pakistani pedigrees segregating deafness have contributed decisively to the discovery of 31 of the 68 genes associated with nonsyndromic autosomal recessive hearing loss (HL) worldwide. In this study, we utilized genome‐wide genotyping, Sanger and exome sequencing to identify 163 DNA variants in 41 previously reported HL genes segregating in 321 Pakistani families. Of these, 70 (42.9%) variants identified in 29 genes are novel. As expected from genetic studies of disorders segregating in consanguineous families, the majority of affected individuals (94.4%) are homozygous for HL‐associated variants, with the other variants being compound heterozygotes. The five most common HL genes in the Pakistani population are SLC26A4, MYO7A, GJB2, CIB2 and HGF, respectively. Our study provides a profile of the genetic etiology of HL in Pakistani families, which will allow for the development of more efficient genetic diagnostic tools, aid in accurate genetic counseling, and guide application of future gene‐based therapies. These findings are also valuable in interpreting pathogenicity of variants that are potentially associated with HL in individuals of all ancestries. The Pakistani population, and its infrastructure for studying human genetics, will continue to be valuable to gene discovery for HL and other inherited disorders.     

“We find what we look for,and we look for what we know”: factors interacting with a mental health training program to influence its expected outcomes in Tunisia

Background

Primary care physicians (PCPs) working in mental health care in Tunisia often lack knowledge and skills needed to adequately address mental health-related issues. To address these lacunas, a training based on the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Intervention Guide (IG) was offered to PCPs working in the Greater Tunis area between February and April 2016. While the mhGAP-IG has been used extensively in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to help build non-specialists’ mental health capacity, little research has focused on how contextual factors interact with the implemented training program to influence its expected outcomes. This paper’s objective is to fill that lack.

Methods

We conducted a case study with a purposeful sample of 18 trained PCPs. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews between March and April 2016. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants identified more barriers than facilitators when describing contextual factors influencing the mhGAP-based training’s expected outcomes. Barriers were regrouped into five categories: structural factors (e.g., policies, social context, local workforce development, and physical aspects of the environment), organizational factors (e.g., logistical issues for the provision of care and collaboration within and across healthcare organizations), provider factors (e.g., previous mental health experience and personal characteristics), patient factors (e.g., beliefs about the health system and healthcare professionals, and motivation to seek care), and innovation factors (e.g., training characteristics). These contextual factors interacted with the implemented training to influence knowledge about pharmacological treatments and symptoms of mental illness, confidence in providing treatment, negative beliefs about certain mental health conditions, and the understanding of the role of PCPs in mental health care delivery. In addition, post-training, participants still felt uncomfortable with certain aspects of treatment and the management of some mental health conditions.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the complexity of implementing a mhGAP-based training given its interaction with contextual factors to influence the attainment of expected outcomes. Results may be used to tailor structural, organizational, provider, patient, and innovation factors prior to future implementations of the mhGAP-based training in Tunisia. Findings may also be used by decision-makers interested in implementing the mhGAP-IG training in other LMICs.

     

Inhibition of human Kv3.1 current expressed in Xenopus oocytes by the toxic venom fraction of Androctonus australis hector

AahG50, the toxic fraction of Androctonus australis hector venom, was studied on human Kv3.1 channels activation, stably expressed in Xenopus oocytes using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. AahG50 reduced Kv3.1 currents in a reversible concentration-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ value and a Hill coefficient of 40.4 ± 0.2 μg/ml and 1.3 ± 0.05, respectively. AahG50 inhibited IKv3.1 without modifying the current activation kinetics. The AahG50-induced inhibition of Kv3.1 channels was voltage-dependent, with a gradual increase at lower concentrations and over the voltage range of channels opening. However, at higher concentrations, the inhibition exhibited voltage dependence only in the first range of channels opening from ?20 to +10 mV, but demonstrates a low degree of voltage-dependence when channels are fully activated. In the literature, toxins have previously been isolated from AahG50, KAaH1 and KAaH2 and were reported not to have any effect on IKv3.1. The present article’s findings suggest that AahG50 may contain a peptidic component active on Kv3.1 channels, which inhibits IKv3.1 in a selective manner.