Development of optical imaging method for detecting RNA-protein interactions

The localization and translation of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) play crucial roles in cellular function and diseases, and are regulated by numerous RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and small non-coding RNAs, called trans-acting factors. Biochemical and imaging methods used to study RNA interactions with these trans-acting elements have made important discoveries in characterizing how these factors regulate gene expression and determining the RNA sequence to which they bind. However, the spatiotemporal information regarding these interactions in subcellular compartments have been difficult to determine or to quantify accurately. To image and quantify native RNA and RNA–protein interactions simultaneously in situ, we developed a proximity ligation assay that combines peptide-modified RNA imaging probes. It can detect the RNAs in live cells and the interactions at a single-interaction level. Lastly, it can produce results that are easily quantifiable. We tested the specificity and sensitivity of this technique using two models: interactions between the genomic RNA and the N protein of human respiratory syncytial virus as well as those between exogenous transcripts with or without the Human antigen R (HuR) binding site and HuR. To validate this method, its accuracy and utility have been demonstrated in three models: poly(A)+ or β-actin mRNAs binding to different cytoskeleton for localization, poly(A)+ or β-actin mRNAs interacting with HuR for stabilization, and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) mRNA binding to HuR or T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA1) for translational regulation.Ph.D

Involuntary treatment of psychiatric patients in South Africa

Society deems that mentally ill patients who lack insight and judgement may be treated involuntarily in institutions as a way of protecting them and the society around them. The ethical principle of ‘paternalism' supersedes the principle of ‘autonomy'. In South Africa, the new Mental Health Care Act (MHCA), No 17, 2002 has raised the issues and profile of mental health and serves as an advocate for mental health care users. In accordance with this MHCA, a mental health care user may be treated involuntarily at a health establishment on an inpatient basis under very specific regulations that serve to protect the users' rights as much as possible. However, the implementation of involuntary treatment whilst upholding users' rights within a health care service, which is plagued by human resource and infrastructure constraints, is extremely difficult and likely to infringe on these rights. The understanding of the regulations and principles governing involuntary treatment is important as it is a means of helping users' who despite needing it, refuse such treatment. If it is done sensitively, respectfully and conservatively, we can both protect the users' and societies' interests whilst at the same time are compliant with the principles of the MHCA. Keywords: Commitment of Mentally Ill; Treatment; South AfricaAfrican Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 11 (2) 2008 pp. 109-11

Suicide attempts : a retrospective study.

A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Medicine, University of the witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in part fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine in psychiatry.A descriptive study of 130 suicide attempts seen at the psychiatric department, Baragwanath Hospital during the six month period 01/01/89 to 30/06/89 is presented. Demographic, clinical and psychosocial data were reviewed and discussed. A follow-up assessment was done six months after the suicide attempt. The patients who had attempted suicide made up 10% of the patients seen at the psychiatric department. Seventy six percent of the patients that attempted suicide were under the age of 30 years. The male:female ratio was 1:2. The ingestion of chemicals (65%) was the predominant method used, The major predisposing factor was interpersonal conflict (70%). It was found that these patients were less likely than whites to have previously self-poisoned, have received previous psychiatric treatment, or be suffering from depression or a personality disorder. Sixty nine percent of the patients were given follow-up appointments. There was a poor followup rate (25%). A recurrence of suicidal behaviour within six months was 4%.Andrew Chakane 201

Treating depression in HIV-positive patients affects adherence

Aim. To determine changes in adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-positive patients with depression, following treatment with an antidepressant or psychotherapy.Methods. The study was prospective, randomised and controlled. Consenting volunteers aged .18 years and stable on ART for .6 months were included in the study. Sociodemographic data were obtained, and a clinical diagnostic evaluation and the Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAMD) were performed on all subjects at entry to and at the end of the study. Participants found to be depressed were randomly assigned antidepressant treatment (20 mg citalopram) or interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) (5 sessions). Medication was dispensed at each visit and patients were asked to return all unused medication todetermine ART adherence. The study was approved by the University of the Witwatersrand. Results. Sixty-two HIV-positive persons receiving ARTparticipated; 30 were not depressed (control group) and 32 were depressed (patient group). No significant differences in demographic characteristics existed between the control and patient groups. Mean ART adherence at the start of the study was 99.5% (standard error (SE) }0.46) and 92.1% (SE }1.69) in the control and patients groups, respectively.Mean ART adherence at the end of the study changed marginally in the control group (99.7%; SE }0.46) and increased significantly in the patient group (99.5%; SE} 0.13) (p>0.05). The mean ART adherence rate of patients who received pharmacotherapy increased from 92.8% to99.5%, and of those who received psychotherapy increased from 91.1% to 99.6% (p>0.05). There was no significant association between the increased adherence in the patient group and baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, irrespective of antidepressant therapy or IPT (p>0.05). Conclusion. Successful treatment of depression withan antidepressant or psychotherapy was associated with improved ART adherence, independent of the type of treatment and sociodemographic factors. It is necessary to identify HIV-positive patients at risk of depression, to initiate antidepressant treatment which may prevent ARTnon-adherence, and subsequent disease progression and increased morbidity

Leptin and psychiatry

Leptin, a protein, is secreted mainly by adipocytes. It is important in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. It also has metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Numerous studies have exploited the relationship between leptin levels and various psychatric conditions and treatments. To date, no conclusive relationship has been established although there may be a greater role for leptin than is currently understood.S Afr Psychiatry Rev 2003;6:6-

The assessment of undergraduate psychiatry training: a paradigm shift

No Abstract.South African Psychiatry Review Vol. 10 (2) 2007: pp.88-9

The emergence of Islamic feminisms in South Africa in the 1990s

Thesis (M.A.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities (Religious Studies), 2001This Research Report is an investigation of the rise of Islamic Feminisms in South Africa. I argue that: 1. with its roots in developments within the Muslim community in the 1980s, Islamic Feminisms in South Africa flourished from 1990 to 1998. 2. the emergence of Islamic feminisms in South Africa was based on particular readings of Islamic scripture. The process of rereading these scriptures was assisted by a developing international trend towards the reinterpretation of Islamic scriptures from a contextual perspective and specifically the reinterpretation of the Qur’ān and Sunnāh from a feminist perspective. 3. the development of political Islam in South Africa in the 1980s and its interaction with the national liberation struggle was an important factor in the rise of Islamic feminisms. I will narrate and analyse this history in terms of the development of several key organisations and moments: the Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa and its Gender Desk, the Call of Islam, women’s attempts to claim space in the mosques, Muslim Personal Law, Muslim media, the matter of Radio Islam and the funeral of feminist Shamima Shaikh. It is within this history and its broader context of struggle in South Africa that I propose two types of Islamic feminist thought having emerged: activist feminist thought and academic feminist thought. I will analyse these two tendencies and show how the comparative rise of the latter affected the manifestations of Islamic feminisms in the late 1990s. The high point of Islamic feminisms in South Africa, I show, was in 1997-1998. I argue that the lull in feminist activity from 1998 to 2000 was caused by several reasons, one of which was the increased academicisation of Islamic feminisms in South Africa. Finally, I lay out and discuss some of the challenges facing Islamic feminists in South Africa for the future. These challenges, if met and addressed, I argue, could result in the re-emergence of Islamic feminisms in South Africa. I thus propose ways in which the Islamic feminist agenda in South Africa can be revived and strengthened

An analysis of acute admissions to a general hospital psychiatric unit

Rapid turnover of patients in a general hospital psychiatric unit demands stabilization and discharge as soon as possible. It is likely that patients are being prematurely discharged because of this pressure.Aim: The study sought to analyse admissions to an acute psychiatric unit with a view to determining the demographic distribution of the patients, duration of stay, and patterns of substance abuse with specific emphasis on patients discharged within seven days of admission.Method: One hundred and thirty five consecutive patients, 18 years and older, who were admitted to the unit during a three-month period were included in the study. The data was obtained from a questionnaire, completed by the doctor on discharge.Results: Nearly 40% of the patients were discharged within seven days of admission. Most of the patients were youthful, substance abusing males with a past psychiatric history of either an Axis I or a co-morbid Axis II disorder, and had defaulted on their regular follow up.Conclusion: The profile of the short stay admissions suggests that our concerns regarding premature discharge are unjustified.Keywords: Acute admissions, Psychiatric, General hospitalSouth African Psychiatry Review - November 200

Knowledge, attitudes and personal beliefs about HIV and AIDS among mentally ill patients in Soweto, Johannesburg

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and personal beliefs regarding HIV and AIDS in a group of mentally ill patients attending outpatient clinics in Soweto, Johannesburg. Method. All patients attending four randomly chosen clinics in Soweto were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining informed written consent. The 63-item questionnaire, developed from others specifically for this study, included questions on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics; knowledge on how HIV is acquired and spread; attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV and AIDS; and condom usage. The statements in the knowledge sections were used to calculate a composite score, which if greater than or equal to 75% was defined as ‘adequate knowledge’. Results. A total of 1 151 patients with mental illness participated in the study. The mean age was 41.9 years (standard deviation 11.6) and the majority were males (50%); single (55%), and had achieved only a secondary level of education (53.3%). Overall, most of the study population did not believe in the myths surrounding the spread and acquisition of HIV and AIDS. There were however, significant associations between a low level of education and the belief that HIV is acquired from mosquito bites (odds ratio (OR) 1.61; 95% CI 1.19 - 2.18; p=0.002) and through masturbation or body rubbing (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.34 - 2.33; p=0.000). Although more than 90% of the patients were aware of the facts regarding the spread of HIV, approximately 40% did not believe that one could acquire HIV through a single sexual encounter. The composite scoring for knowledge showed that less than half the patients had adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS. This was significantly associated with gender and level of education: females were 1.6 times (p<0.0004) and patients with Grade 8 or higher education 1.5 times more knowledgeable (p=0.002). Conclusion. Among mentally ill patients there is both a lack of knowledge about most aspects of HIV and AIDS and a belief in some of the myths associated with the acquisition and spread of the disease, especially among older, less educated patients. It is imperative that a targeted strategy be developed for this vulnerable group, taking into cognisance their inherent lower level of education and the cognitive impairment associated with mental illness, to educate them on all aspects of HIV and AIDS and to improve access to services

Provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (PICT) in the mentally ill

The prevalence of HIV infection is substantially higher in mentally ill individuals than in the general population. Despite this, HIV testing is not yet standard practice among the mentally ill population, and many mental health settings do not encourage HIV testing. This paper discusses provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (PICT) and some of the ethical dilemmas associated with it, on the basis that PICT may be used to increase the number of mentally ill persons tested for HIV. The authors conclude that PICT should be promoted to all psychiatric admissions and mentally ill individuals receiving outpatient services, and that this is within the parameters of existing policies and legislations in South Africa