RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to describe the sociodemographic, psychopathologic and criminological features associated with homicide based on review of expert psychiatric court reports describing murder and attempted murder perpetrators examined at Jamot Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The study cohort comprised reports describing 12 offenders who were examined at the request of ajudge or public prosecutor from March 1, 2002 to July 31, 2006. There were 8 men (66.7%) and 4 women (33.3%) with a mean age of 18.3 years (range, 17 to 43 years). In 8 cases the criminal act coincided with a difficult period in the offender's life. In the remaining 4 cases the act could not be linked to a specific life event. Assaults were carried out by strangulation, battery, or stabbing (knifes or machetes) in 87.5% of cases and occurred at the victim's home in 68.8% of cases. The main mental disorders diagnosed using the ICD-10 classification were schizophrenia in 41.7% of cases (n = 5), chronic delirium in 25.0% (n = 3), and personality disorder in 8.3 % (n = 1). Nine offenders (75.0%) had a history of mental disorder including 8 within at least six months preceding the assault. Four offenders had already received psychiatric treatment including 2 who required hospitalization following one or more episodes of psychotic decompensation. There were a total of 16 victims including 14 that died and 2 that were seriously wounded but survived thanks to prompt medical attention. The victims included 8 males and 8 females with 11 children (68.7%) and 5 adults (31.3%). In the child group 9 victims died (81.8%) and 2 survived (18.2%). Except one 17-year-old teenager, the 6 female and 3 male child victims were between the ages of 18 months and 8 years. The adult victims included 1 female and 4 males. The main findings of this study were the high incidence of mental disease, especially schizophrenics (66.7%), associated with homicide and the high number of child victims (62.5%). The first finding underlines the public danger of releasing mental patients without psychiatric care or assistance. The second finding highlights the special vulnerability of children and raises questions about the need for special protection and preventive measures.
Asunto(s)
Psicología Criminal , Testimonio de Experto , Homicidio/psicología , Trastornos Mentales/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Camerún , Niño , Preescolar , Víctimas de Crimen/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Homicidio/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Esquizofrenia/diagnósticoRESUMEN
To obtain reliable information on commercial sexual exploitation of minor girls under the age of 21, a multifocal, exploratry and prospective using a questionnaire was undertaken in Cameroon. This investigation was initiated and funded by the Cercle International pour la Promotion de la Création (CIPCRE) and carried out by the Cameroon Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (CASPCAN). The survey was performed during the last quarter of year 2004 in four major cities of Cameroon, i.e. Yaoundé, Douala, Bamenca and Bafoussam. Of the 800 questionnaires that were distributed, 722 were considered as suitable for analysis (90.3%). A total of 291 minor girls were victims of commercial sexual exploitation, i.e., 40% of the population studied. The mean age of the victims was 16.6 years (range, 9-20 years). The main reason given for entering prostitution was poverty. The victims were fairly well educated but the level of instruction was not sufficient to find a job paying an income comparable to prostitution. Many were from large families (mean, 7.1 children). The victims' family was monogamous in 40.2% of cases, polygamous in 24.4%, and monoparental in 35.4%. Eighty percent of the victims already had run away from home at least once due to problems in their families ranging from severe corporal punishment (25.8%) and mistreatment linked to parental alcohol and drug abuse to forced early marriage (27.5%) and intrafamilial sexual abuse. A large proportion of the victims (36.4%) were mothers who could not attend school and could not find work. Many victims were completely neglected by their own parents with 43.4% of parents being aware of the activities of their daughters but only 10.6% being opposed to it. Most (78.5%) had good knowledge of the risk of HIV and used condoms regular. These results confirms the general hypothesis of the authors that commercial exploitation of minor girls is widespread in Cameroon. The authors recommend development of a national program to combat this plight.
Asunto(s)
Menores , Trabajo Sexual , Adolescente , Camerún/epidemiología , Niño , Defensa del Niño , Relaciones Familiares , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Pobreza , Estudios Prospectivos , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
L'objectif de ce travail etait de decrire les caracteristiques sociodemographiques; psychopathologiques et psycho criminologiques d'une population d'auteurs d'homicides et de tentatives d'homicides; recus a la clinique psychiatrique de l'hopital Jamot de Yaounde au Cameroun. L'echantillon comprenait 12 personnes ayant ete expertisees du 1er mars 2002 au 31 juillet 2006 a la demande d'un juge ou d'un officier de police judiciaire. Sur 12 auteurs d'homicides identifies il y avait 8 hommes (66;7) et 4 femmes (33;3); d'age moyen 18;3 ans. Le plus jeune des criminels avait 17 ans au moment des faits; le plus age avait 43 ans. Les 12 auteurs d'homicides ont fait un total de 16 victimes dont 14 meurtres et 2 blesses graves ayant survecu a leurs blessures grace a une intervention rapide des services medicaux. Dans 8 cas sur 12; l'acte criminel coincidait avec une periode particuliere de leur vie caracterisee par des difficultes personnelles alors que pour 4 autres; aucun evenement particulier n'etait mis en lien avec les faits. Pour commettre le crime; les auteurs d'homicides ont eu recours a la strangulation; aux coups et aux armes blanches (couteaux etmachettes) dans 87;5des cas et les victimes etaient le plus souvent attaquees chez elles (68;8des cas). Le diagnostic principal sur la base des criteres du CIM10 comprenait : la schizophrenie; n = 5 (41;7); les troubles delirants persistants; n = 3 (25;0) et la psychopathie; n = 1 (8;3). 9 auteurs (75;0) d'homicides ou de sa tentative avaient des antecedents personnels de maladie mentale dont 8; depuis au moins 6 mois avant le passage a l'acte criminel et 4 parmi eux avaient deja beneficie d'un suivi par un psychiatre dont 2 en hospitalisation pour un ou plusieurs episodes anterieurs de decompensation psychotique. Seize victimes ont ete enregistrees parmi lesquelles; 8 de sexe masculin et 8 de sexe feminin. Parmi elles; nous avons denombre 5 adultes (31;3) et 11 enfants (68;7). Parmi ces enfants; 9 etaient victimes de meurtres (81;8) et 2 victimes de tentatives de meurtre (18;2). Sur les 5 adultes victimes; 1 etait de sexe feminin et 4 de sexe masculin. Parmi les mineurs victimes d'homicide; il y avait 6 filles et 3 garcons dont un adolescent de 17 ans. L'age des autres mineurs etait compris entre 18 mois et 8 ans. L'etude releve trois indicateurs : la forte implication desmaladesmentaux dans les violences homicides (66;7) majoritairement des schizophrenes; l'existence d'une importante pedocriminalite (11 enfants sur 16 victimes); soulevant le probleme de la vulnerabilite des enfants qui necessitent des mesures de protection et de prevention particulieres; le probleme des malades mentaux errants et celui de leur dangerosite pour la societe
Asunto(s)
Homicidio , Infanticidio , Esquizofrenia , Intento de SuicidioRESUMEN
The twofold purpose of this study was to promote and facilitate awareness, detection and reporting of child abuse by improving the diagnostic ability of a group of pediatric care providers working in pediatric emergency rooms and to evaluate the impact of training on awareness, detection and reporting of child abuse. This study was conducted in three phases. In the first phase data were retrospectively collected for a three-month period prior to the study (May, June, and July 1996). In the second phase a training seminar about awareness, detection, and reporting of child abuse was organized from April 29 to 30, 1997 for pediatric care providers working in the pediatric emergency rooms of several facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Trainees included pediatricians, general practitioners, nurses, and social workers. An oral presentation using 137-slides (visual diagnosis of physical abuse) from the American Academy of Paediatrics (1994) was used as a teaching aid. In the third phase the same data as in the first phase was prospectively collected on the same three-month period after the seminar (May, June and July 1997). As in the first phase data was collected by the same person from emergency room registers according to the WHO protocol (1994) (study of interpersonal physical abuse of children). During the first phase 39 cases of physical abuse were reported in a population 1269 consulting patients, i.e. 3.1% of the cohort. In the third phase prospective analysis of reporting following the training seminar showed that 161 cases of physical abuse were reported in a population of 1425 consulting patients, i.e., 11.3% of the cohort. The victim group (n=161) in the third phase was four-fold larger than the victim group in the first phase (n = 39). These findings suggest that the seminar achieved its main goals, i.e., to improve the diagnostic ability of the trainees and to increase detection and screening of physical abuse of children.
Asunto(s)
Maltrato a los Niños/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Camerún , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Notificación ObligatoriaRESUMEN
This retrospective study was conducted from Januaty 1, 2002 to May 31, 2004 to ascertain the sociodejnographlc profile of women phychiatric disorders and psychopathologic manifestations during puerperiuni and determine the most common clinical entities at the Jamot Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. Study included 40 paturient women who presented psychiatric disorders related to pregnancy, postpartum, abortion, or breastfeeding. Most patients (80%) were less than 34 years of age including 50% under 20 years. Psychiatric disorders were often observed in married women (62.5%) but one of three women (30%) in this study was single. Most of these women (85%) had no income. Primagravid women accounted for 35% of the cohort. Manifestations generally began after delivery (80%) but sometimes appeared during pregnancy (12.5%). A particularly noteworthy finding of this study is the high rate of late postpartum or breastfeeding psychosis. In 40% of cases symptoms appeared between 1 and 6 months after delivery. Acute psychosis was by far the most frequent disorder (77.5%) followed by depression (15%) and manic fits (7.5%). With regard to symbolic representations and social implications, we concur with the Bell people in considering that these manifestations are related to anemia resulting from massive blood loss after delivery. This occurs during the traditional hot water massages performed to eliminate lochia (blood and debris). This sudden blood loss is called "esere meld" in the Ewondo language. In contrast it is considered as lochia retention due to the lack of massage by the Bassa people who use the term "ndjeg gwal" or delivery madness.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Complicaciones del Embarazo/epidemiología , Complicaciones del Embarazo/psicología , Trastornos Puerperales/epidemiología , Trastornos Puerperales/psicología , Adolescente , Adulto , Camerún , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in sexually abused children and again alert public official to the urgent need of a national committee on combating child sexual exploitation in Cameroon. This study was conducted at the New Bell District Hospital and Laquintine Hospital in Douala from February 1, 1998 to March 31, 2000. A total of 76 sexually abused children with a mean age of 11.6 years (range, 3-15) were included. There were 64 girls (84.2%) and 12 boys (15.8%). Among the 71 victims tested, 24 (37.5%) became seropositive as a result of sexual abuse with penetration. Abuse involved rape in 84.2% of cases and molestation in 15.8%. Abuse occurred within the family in 13.1% of cases and outside the family in 86.9%. Slightly more than 50% of the children studied did not attend school and 17.1% had menial jobs. This study demonstrates that sexual abuse is a major risk for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. These findings also underline the need to adopt a national program to protect children from sexual abuse and to implement a policy for post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV.
Asunto(s)
Abuso Sexual Infantil , Protección a la Infancia , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/etiología , Adolescente , Camerún/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Empleo , Femenino , Política de Salud , Hospitales Urbanos/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual/etiología , Abandono EscolarRESUMEN
Youth-related violence is a frequent topic of press reports and editorial comment. The most disturbing aspects of the phenomenon are the younger and younger age of delinquents and the greater and greater availability of firearms. While the advocates of an American-style approach of absolute repression clash with those of the educative approach to change aggressive attitudes and young people benefit from their "minor" status, the compelling reality is that all preventive programs have failed flatly. This purpose of this study was twofold. The first aim was to highlight the important contribution of tradition and custom to channeling youthful behavior in African society today and yesterday through signification and transmission of law in familial, social, educative and juridical practices. The second goal was to identify and define the psycho-relational elements that can be considered as factors promoting violent and self-destructive tendencies in minors of African origin tempted by migration in a society in which social representations inhibit parents and prevent them from conveying the limits of the law in their children.
Asunto(s)
Conducta del Adolescente/etnología , Características Culturales , Delincuencia Juvenil , Condiciones Sociales , Violencia/etnología , Adolescente , África , Emigración e Inmigración , Relaciones Familiares , Femenino , Humanos , Jurisprudencia , MasculinoRESUMEN
The purpose of this questionnaire-based study was to determine the incidence of sexual abuse in schools in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to assess the extent of teacher involvement in such acts and to provide children an opportunity to come forward with their experiences. The author hypothesized that the number of sexual abuse victims was increasing and that the most frequent abusers were teachers, school staff, and classmates. To check this hypothesis, a total of 1710 questionnaires were sent to 10 public and private secondary schools between January 4 and April 30, 1999. The response rate was 98.7%. A total of 269 students reported being sexual abused before the age of 16 for an overall incidence of 15.9%. There were 74 boys (27.5%) and 195 girls (72.5%) with a mean age 11.6 years (range 4 to 15 years) at the time of abuse. Sexual abuse involved rape in 38.7% of cases, fondling in 54.6% and pornographic scenes in 6.7%. Of the 274 sexual abusers identified, 86.5% were men and 13.5% were women. Sexual abuse took place within the family in 31.4% of cases and outside the family setting 68.6%. Sexual abuse occurred in a school setting in approximately 15% of cases and involved classmates in approximately 30%. The alleged extrafamilial abusers were teachers in 7.9% of cases and tutors in 7.6%. Survey data supports the working hypothesis of this study and warrants implementation of a program to prevent sexual abuse in schools.
Asunto(s)
Abuso Sexual Infantil/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Camerún , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Tyrosine-83, a residue which is conserved in all halobacterial retinal proteins, is located at the extracellular side in helix C of bacteriorhodopsin. Structural studies indicate that its hydroxyl group is hydrogen bonded to Trp189 and possibly to Glu194, a residue which is part of the proton release complex (PRC) in bacteriorhodopsin. To elucidate the role of Tyr83 in proton transport, we studied the Y83F and Y83N mutants. The Y83F mutation causes an 11 nm blue shift of the absorption spectrum and decreases the size of the absorption changes seen upon dark adaptation. The light-induced fast proton release, which accompanies formation of the M intermediate, is observed only at pH above 7 in Y83F. The pK(a) of the PRC in M is elevated in Y83F to about 7.3 (compared to 5.8 in WT). The rate of the recovery of the initial state (the rate of the O --> BR transition) and light-induced proton release at pH below 7 is very slow in Y83F (ca. 30 ms at pH 6). The amount of the O intermediate is decreased in Y83F despite the longer lifetime of O. The Y83N mutant shows a similar phenotype in respect to proton release. As in Y83F, the recovery of the initial state is slowed several fold in Y83N. The O intermediate is not seen in this mutant. The data indicate that the PRC is functional in Y83F and Y83N but its pK(a) in M is increased by about 1.5 pK units compared to the WT. This suggests that Tyr83 is not the main source for the proton released upon M formation in the WT; however, Tyr83 is involved in the proton release affecting the pK(a) of the PRC in M and the rate of proton transport from Asp85 to PRC during the O --> bR transition. Both the Y83F and the Y83N mutations lead to a greatly decreased functionality of the pigment at high pH because most of the pigment is converted into the inactive P480 species, with a pK(a) 8-9.
Asunto(s)
Bacteriorodopsinas/metabolismo , Tirosina/fisiología , Bacteriorodopsinas/genética , Halobacterium salinarum/química , Halobacterium salinarum/genética , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Cinética , Luz , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida , Mutación , Fotólisis , Plásmidos , Protones , Tirosina/químicaRESUMEN
Psychological maltreatment of a children with sickle-cell disease is a form of parental dysfunction provoked by a crisis situation. In most cases, this type of child abuse involves a relatively harmonious family going through a period of adaptation that jeopardizes its internal equilibrium. The weakest components of the family, i.e., the children, become the scapegoats for the crisis. After a brief description of this disorder, the authors analyze the different causes that lead to eruption of intra-familial violence. Several cultural, social, and economic factors combine to trigger the maltreatment to which hapless children with sickle-cell disease fall victim. Special legislation to provide appropriate child care is the only alternative to prevent these situations from becoming chronic subject only to the socio-economic conditions of the parents and prevailing ethos.
Asunto(s)
Anemia de Células Falciformes/psicología , Maltrato a los Niños , Adolescente , Niño , Familia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estrés PsicológicoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study has investigated the prevalence of sexual abuse cases in Cameroon (Africa) and approached the way these cases are solved. METHOD: 405 medical certificates have been reviewed within a three years period. RESULTS: Over 405 medical certificates, 19 cases of sexual abuse have been identified. All the victims were girls. The great majority of them were aged 10-14 (57.9%) and 15-19 (31.6%). The sexual assaults have been perpetrated out of the family. CONCLUSION: The results show evidence of sexual abuse cases in Africa. Friendly adjustments by private contracts and family interventions with financial amends for the parents of the victims are often preferred to the court of justice, because of poverty, cultural pressures and judicial injunctions.
Asunto(s)
Abuso Sexual Infantil , Fraude , Notificación Obligatoria , Adolescente , Adulto , Camerún , Niño , Abuso Sexual Infantil/legislación & jurisprudencia , Características Culturales , Relaciones Familiares , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , PobrezaRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate how courts in Cameroon treat cases involving sexual abuse on minors by comparing the incidence of hospital examinations and legal proceedings for sexual abuse. This retrospective study is based on a review of public records at the Yaoundé Court of Justice covering the period from October 1, 1994 to January 6, 1999. Of the 2345 criminal cases recorded during the study period, 224 involved sexual abuse on minors under the age of 16 years (9.5 p. 100 of cases). The victims were all female ranging from 3 to 15 years of age (mean, 9 years) with a peak incidence between 10 and 15 years (70 p. 100). All offenders were adults between 21 and 50 years of age (mean, 30 years) at the time of the crime. This study showed that the incidence of court proceedings for sexual abuse is higher than that of hospital examinations for sexual abuse. Most offenders convicted of sexual abuse on minors received long prison sentences, i.e. 15 years or more. No reconciliatory action or mediation was initiated by the court or third parties.
Asunto(s)
Abuso Sexual Infantil/legislación & jurisprudencia , Abuso Sexual Infantil/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Camerún/epidemiología , Niño , Abuso Sexual Infantil/prevención & control , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prisioneros/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Cardiac hypertrophy is characterized by both remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and hypertrophic growth of the cardiocytes. Here we show increased expression and cytoskeletal association of the ECM proteins fibronectin and vitronectin in pressure-overloaded feline myocardium. These changes are accompanied by cytoskeletal binding and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at Tyr-397 and Tyr-925, c-Src at Tyr-416, recruitment of the adapter proteins p130(Cas), Shc, and Nck, and activation of the extracellular-regulated kinases ERK1/2. A synthetic peptide containing the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif of fibronectin and vitronectin was used to stimulate adult feline cardiomyocytes cultured on laminin or within a type-I collagen matrix. Whereas cardiocytes under both conditions showed RGD-stimulated ERK1/2 activation, only collagen-embedded cells exhibited cytoskeletal assembly of FAK, c-Src, Nck, and Shc. In RGD-stimulated collagen-embedded cells, FAK was phosphorylated only at Tyr-397 and c-Src association occurred without Tyr-416 phosphorylation and p130(Cas) association. Therefore, c-Src activation is not required for its cytoskeletal binding but may be important for additional phosphorylation of FAK. Overall, our study suggests that multiple signaling pathways originate in pressure-overloaded heart following integrin engagement with ECM proteins, including focal complex formation and ERK1/2 activation, and many of these pathways can be activated in cardiomyocytes via RGD-stimulated integrin activation.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales , Proteínas Adaptadoras del Transporte Vesicular , Cardiomegalia/metabolismo , Integrinas/metabolismo , Integrinas/fisiología , Actinas/metabolismo , Animales , Western Blotting , Gatos , Células Cultivadas , Colágeno/metabolismo , Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Citoesqueleto/patología , Activación Enzimática , Matriz Extracelular/patología , Fibronectinas/metabolismo , Proteína-Tirosina Quinasas de Adhesión Focal , Laminina/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa 1 Activada por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa 3 Activada por Mitógenos , Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Miocardio/metabolismo , Proteínas Oncogénicas/metabolismo , Péptidos/farmacología , Fosforilación , Unión Proteica , Proteínas Tirosina Quinasas/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas pp60(c-src)/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras de la Señalización Shc , Transducción de Señal , Factores de Tiempo , Tirosina/química , Vitronectina/metabolismoRESUMEN
Light absorbed by bacteriorhodopsin (bR) leads to a proton being released at the extracellular surface of the purple membrane. Structural studies as well as studies of mutants of bR indicate that several groups form a pathway for proton transfer from the Schiff base to the extracellular surface. These groups include D85, R82, E204, E194, and water molecules. Other residues may be important in tuning the initial state pK(a) values of these groups and in mediating light-induced changes of the pK(a) values. A potentially important residue is R134: it is located close to E194 and might interact electrostatically to affect the pK(a) of E194 and light-induced proton release. In this study we investigated effects of the substitution of R134 with a histidine on light-induced proton release and on the photocycle transitions associated with proton transfer. By measuring the light-induced absorption changes versus pH, we found that the R134H mutation results in an increase in the pK(a) of the proton release group in both the M (0.6 pK unit) and O (0.7 pK unit) intermediate states. This indicates the importance of R134 in tuning the pK(a) of the group that, at neutral and high pH, releases the proton upon M formation (fast proton release) and that, at low pH, releases the proton simultaneously with O decay (slow proton release). The higher pK(a) of the proton release group found in R134H correlates with the slowing of the rate of the O --> bR transition at low pH and probably is the cause of this slowing. The pH dependence of the fraction of the O intermediate is altered in R134H compared to the WT but is similar to that in the E194D mutant: a very small amount of O is present at neutral pH, but the fraction of O increases greatly upon decreasing the pH. These results provide further support for the hypothesis that the O --> bR transition is controlled by the rate of deprotonation of the proton release group. These data also provide further evidence for the importance of the R134-E194 interaction in modulating proton release from D85 after light has led to its being protonated.
Asunto(s)
Arginina/genética , Bacteriorodopsinas/química , Bacteriorodopsinas/genética , Histidina/genética , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida , Protones , Arginina/metabolismo , Ácido Aspártico/genética , Bacteriorodopsinas/metabolismo , Oscuridad , Halobacterium salinarum/química , Halobacterium salinarum/genética , Histidina/metabolismo , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Cinética , Luz , Fotólisis , Membrana Púrpura/química , Membrana Púrpura/metabolismoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Following the example of Senegal, this study had two main objectives. First: Ring the alarm bell about the large number of infanticides in a country where people usually consider a child as a treasure. Second: Highlight the deep motivations which may induce an African woman to kill her child. METHOD: The author examined psychiatric experts reports about crimes and varied offenses acquired from Fann University Hospital in Dakar during a 27 year period, from January 1968 to December 1994. RESULTS: For a total number of 164 reports, 33 or 20% concerned infanticides. This underlines the importance of the phenomenon. Mental pathology appeared in two cases (3%) but 97% were supposed to be mentally healthy. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that social and cultural reasons more than medical ones explain the occurrence of infanticides. It seems that it is under the pressure of social and cultural motivations that women and especially young mothers, depreciate becoming a mother.
Asunto(s)
Infanticidio/etnología , Infanticidio/psicología , Relaciones Madre-Hijo , Adulto , Características Culturales , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Salud Mental , Factores de Riesgo , Senegal/etnología , Condiciones SocialesRESUMEN
Arg(82) is one of the four buried charged residues in the retinal binding pocket of bacteriorhodopsin (bR). Previous studies show that Arg(82) controls the pK(a)s of Asp(85) and the proton release group and is essential for fast light-induced proton release. To further investigate the role of Arg(82) in light-induced proton pumping, we replaced Arg(82) with histidine and studied the resulting pigment and its photochemical properties. The main pK(a) of the purple-to-blue transition (pK(a) of Asp(85)) is unusually low in R82H: 1.0 versus 2.6 in wild type (WT). At pH 3, the pigment is purple and shows light and dark adaptation, but almost no light-induced Schiff base deprotonation (formation of the M intermediate) is observed. As the pH is increased from 3 to 7 the M yield increases with pK(a) 4.5 to a value approximately 40% of that in the WT. A transition with a similar pK(a) is observed in the pH dependence of the rate constant of dark adaptation, k(da). These data can be explained, assuming that some group deprotonates with pK(a) 4.5, causing an increase in the pK(a) of Asp(85) and thus affecting k(da) and the yield of M. As the pH is increased from 7 to 10.5 there is a further 2.5-fold increase in the yield of M and a decrease in its rise time from 200 micros to 75 micros with pK(a) 9. 4. The chromophore absorption band undergoes a 4-nm red shift with a similar pK(a). We assume that at high pH, the proton release group deprotonates in the unphotolyzed pigment, causing a transformation of the pigment into a red-shifted "alkaline" form which has a faster rate of light-induced Schiff base deprotonation. The pH dependence of proton release shows that coupling between Asp(85) and the proton release group is weakened in R82H. The pK(a) of the proton release group in M is 7.2 (versus 5.8 in the WT). At pH < 7, most of the proton release occurs during O --> bR transition with tau approximately 45 ms. This transition is slowed in R82H, indicating that Arg(82) is important for the proton transfer from Asp(85) to the proton release group. A model describing the interaction of Asp(85) with two ionizable residues is proposed to describe the pH dependence of light-induced Schiff base deprotonation and proton release.
Asunto(s)
Bacteriorodopsinas/química , Bacteriorodopsinas/metabolismo , Luz , Proteínas Mutantes/química , Proteínas Mutantes/metabolismo , Protones , Bases de Schiff/metabolismo , Absorción , Adaptación Fisiológica , Sustitución de Aminoácidos , Bacteriorodopsinas/genética , Transporte Biológico , Color , Oscuridad , Espacio Extracelular/metabolismo , Halobacterium salinarum/citología , Halobacterium salinarum/metabolismo , Halobacterium salinarum/fisiología , Halobacterium salinarum/efectos de la radiación , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Cinética , Modelos Moleculares , Proteínas Mutantes/genética , Pigmentos Biológicos/química , Pigmentos Biológicos/metabolismo , Conformación Proteica , EstereoisomerismoRESUMEN
The twofold purpose of this study was to show that cases of sexual abuse involving minors can sometimes be resolved within the victim's entourage and to gain insight into the long-term clinical consequences of such acts. The study group was composed of 17 consultees recruited between 1993 and 1994. Inclusion criteria were level of education and understanding sufficient to obtain informed consent, Cameroon nationality, at least 15 years of age, and history of sexual abuse. Persons with a history of hospitalization or psychiatric treatment were excluded. After a one-hour history-taking interview, each subject filled out a questionnaire specially designed for the study. Analysis of data showed that 94 p. 100 of the victims were female. Most subjects were adolescents or younger when the sexual abuse occurred. All had been raped. Subjects presented a range of psychiatric problems, somatic manifestations and disturbances in instinctive functions. No court action had been started in 16 cases (94 p. 100) and charges had been filed in only one case (6 p. 100). Reconciliation was achieved in 2 cases (12.5 p. 100) and negotiated settlements involving payment of financial compensation to the parents of the victim were reached to avoid court action in 14 cases (87.5 p. 100). The results of this study demonstrate that reconciliation and/or negotiated settlements based on economic incentives and social pressures are sometimes preferable to court action. The clinical manifestations observed in the subjects could be considered as the long-term consequences of sexual abuse.
Asunto(s)
Abuso Sexual Infantil/legislación & jurisprudencia , Negociación , Violación/legislación & jurisprudencia , Adolescente , Sesgo , Camerún , Niño , Abuso Sexual Infantil/economía , Abuso Sexual Infantil/psicología , Abuso Sexual Infantil/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Anamnesis , Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Violación/psicología , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Analysis of beta-tubulin alleles from nine paclitaxel-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell lines revealed an unexpected cluster of mutations affecting Leu-215, Leu-217, and Leu-228. Six of the mutant alleles encode a His, Arg, or Phe substitution at Leu-215; another mutant allele has an Arg substitution at Leu-217; and the final two mutant alleles have substitutions of His or Phe at Leu-228. Using plasmids that allow tetracycline regulated expression, the L215H, L217R, and L228F mutations were introduced into a hemagglutinin antigen-tagged beta-tubulin cDNA and transfected into wild-type Chinese hamster ovary cells. In all three cases, low to moderate expression of the transfected mutant gene conferred paclitaxel resistance. Higher levels of expression caused disruption of microtubule assembly, cell cycle arrest at mitosis, and failure to proliferate. Consistent with reduced microtubule stability, cells expressing mutant hemagglutinin beta-tubulin had fewer acetylated microtubules than nonexpressing cells in the same population. These data, together with previous studies showing that the paclitaxel-resistant mutant cell lines have less stable microtubules, indicate that the leucine cluster represents an important structural motif for microtubule assembly.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , Microtúbulos/química , Paclitaxel/farmacología , Tubulina (Proteína)/fisiología , Animales , Células CHO , Cricetinae , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos , Leucina , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Transfección , Tubulina (Proteína)/química , Tubulina (Proteína)/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Recent studies have suggested a correlation between increased expression of specific beta-tubulin isotypes and paclitaxel resistance in drug-selected cell lines. In an attempt to establish a causal link, we have transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells with cDNAs encoding epitope-tagged class I, II, and IVb beta-tubulins, as well as a class I beta-tubulin with a mutation previously characterized in a paclitaxel resistant mutant. To eliminate possible toxicity that might be associated with overexpression of non-native tubulin, each of the cDNAs was placed under the control of a tetracycline regulated promoter. All transfected cDNAs produced assembly competent tubulin whose synthesis could be turned off or on by the presence or absence of tetracycline. Production of betaI, betaII, or betaIVb tubulin had no effect on the sensitivity of the cells to paclitaxel, but production of the mutant betaI-tubulin conferred clear resistance to the drug. We conclude from these experiments that simple overexpression of class I, II, or IVb isoforms of beta-tubulin is insufficient to confer resistance to paclitaxel.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , Paclitaxel/farmacología , Tubulina (Proteína)/clasificación , Tubulina (Proteína)/genética , Animales , Células CHO , Cricetinae , ADN Complementario/genética , Resistencia a Medicamentos/genética , Expresión Génica , Microscopía Fluorescente , Microtúbulos/metabolismo , Isoformas de Proteínas/clasificación , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Tetraciclina/farmacología , Transfección , Tubulina (Proteína)/metabolismoRESUMEN
The cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) is the principal Ca2+ efflux mechanism in cardiocytes. The exchanger is up-regulated in both cardiac hypertrophy and failure. In this report, we identify the cis-acting elements that control cardiac expression and alpha-adrenergic up-regulation of the exchanger gene. Deletion analysis revealed that a minimal cardiac promoter fragment from -184 to +172 is sufficient for cardiac expression and alpha-adrenergic stimulation. Mutational analysis revealed that both the CArG element at -80 and the GATA element at -50 were required for cardiac expression. Gel mobility shift assay supershift analysis demonstrated that the serum response factor binds to the CArG element and GATA-4 binds to the GATA element. Point mutations in the -172 E-box demonstrated that it was required for alpha-adrenergic induction. In addition, deletion analysis revealed one or more enhancer elements in the first intron (+103 to +134) that are essential for phenylephrine up-regulation but bear no homology to any known transcription element. Therefore, this work demonstrates that SRF and GATA-4 are critical for NCX1 expression in neonatal cardiomyocytes and that the -172 E-box in addition to a novel enhancer element(s) are required for phenylephrine up-regulation of NCX1 and may mediate its hypertrophic up-regulation.