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In this work, we have investigated the non-intentional incorporation of gallium in InAlN layers grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) using two reactors. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) have been used to characterize the surface morphology and the atomic composition of InAl(Ga)N/GaN structures. The horizontal chamber systematical produces pure ternary layers whereas the close coupled shower head vertical chamber can lead to quaternary alloys. Cleaning the latter significantly reduces the amount of gallium to 1% in the epilayers. Moreover, we show an alternative way to reduce the amount gallium: the use of an intermediate growth pressure typically around 80 Torr drops the inclusion of gallium to 6%. In the presence of such amount of Ga, the growth process appears to be modified and there is a competition between In and Ga for their incorporation, and the Al composition is systematically reduced. The morphology of the layers is also observed to suffer, with the formation of large and closed trenches toward a possible three dimensional growth mode when the layer thickness is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The concomitant existence of a somatic disorder with a psychiatric pathology is found in 30 to 60% of patients hospitalized in psychiatry and it's well studied that one of the challenge s faced by the psychiatrists is not to miss out on given the implications of such a find. . However, in almost one in two cases, these comorbidities are not detected. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the interest of admission blood sampling analyses for the detection of somatic comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was conducted between October 2018 and Septembre 2019 and interested patients admitted in the "F" psychiatry men Department of RAZI Hospital and discharged during this period. Laboratory tests (blood cell count, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, chlorine, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and TSH) were determined in admission blood samples from patients admitted during the period of the study. Results: Among 218 admissions 154 (71%) patients were male; the mean age was 39,17+/-12.85 years and for 34.9% of patients there was their first hospitalization. The main diagnosis was schizophrenia. For 58 of the 218 blood samples included (27%), at least one biological abnormality was detected. None of them had used glucose or cholesterol lowering drugs before the blood sampling. Conclusions: This study confirms the high frequency of somatic disorders in hospitalized psychiatric patients and shows that an admission biological check-up would likely improve their screening and as a result provide a better care management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bipolar disorder is a severe and chronic disease that can be life threatening. Treatment adherence is a key to remission and a way to recover a good social functionning. Long acting antipsychotics can be used in maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Objectives: We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of bipolar patients on long acting injections of antipsychotics. Methods: Cross sectional study among hospitalized patients with a manic or depressive episod of bipolar disorder, in the period from october 2018 to september 2019. Clinical assessments were performed using clinical global impression scale (CGI) and the global assessement of functionning scale (GAF). Results: We included 39 patients, with a mean age of 42+ 13 years, 80% were male, 43% were single and 26% unemployed. The mean number of hospitalizations was 5. Long acting antipsychotics were prescribed in 34% of cases. The use of depot treatment was significantly associated with the age of onset (p=0.005), suicide attempts (p=0.04) and cannabis use (p=0.005). Conclusions: The use of long acting antipsychotics is not a commonly recommended tretment in BD, but it can be used in order to deal with non adherence or in severe cases. More research is required to assess the effectiveness of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a significantly disabling psychotic disorder. While in recent years, several studies have been conducted to assess the consequences of a long "duration of untreated psychosis" (DUP), which appears to be associated with poorer early course and long term outcomes, only a few have focused on the search for predictive factors of a long DUP. Objectives: This study aims to explore the Clinical and social determinants of DUP in a sample of Tunisian patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Methods: 100 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder were identified from patients hospitalized from March 2018 to March 2019 in "F" psychiatric ward of Razi hospital. We obtained data relating to socio-demographic and clinical variables and toDUP from medical files. A DUP of more than 12months has been defined as long. SPSS and Khi-2 tests were used to analyze data. Results: The mean age of illness onset was 24.28 years. The mean duration of untreated psychosis was 28 months (range 6-240 months). An onset of psychiatric disorders involving delusional speech (p=0,053) or psychomotor arousal (p=0.047) was significantly associated with a short DUP. However, the onset of disorders made of bizarre behavior was correlated with a longer DUP (p=0,047). There was no significant association between DUP and age of patients, age of onset, sex, educational attainment, family history of psychiatric disorder, personal history of substance abuse. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of implementing awareness and information mental health campaigns to the general public and the need for early therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Schizencephaly is a rare congenital neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in the formation of abnormal clefts in the cerebral hemispheres. The major symptoms may include developmental delay, seizures and cognitive impairment. Objectives: To present a case report of a Tunisian patient who presented a first-episode psychosis associated with schizencephaly and to compare it with the six other cases found in the literature. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PUBMED searching for case reports studies reporting cases of schizencephaly associated with psychosis. Results: A 23-year-old lyceum-educated Tunisian male patient who was referred to the F psychiatric ward of Razi Hospital by a general practitioner after his parents expressed concerns regarding his mental state. The patient had previously presented a specific learning disorder and had focal epileptic seizures at an early age. His physical examination revealed nystagmus, and his mental state examination revealed irritability, inflated self-esteem, racing thoughts, loosening of associations, interpretive and imaginative delirium. There was no family history of mental illness. Abnormal EEG findings (slow theta waves predominating in the right parietal temporal regions, accentuated at the hyperpnea) called for magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed unilateral parietal closed-lip schizencephaly. The patient has responded partially to the association of Olanzapine and Sodium Valproate. Conclusions: Although schizencephaly seems to be rare, this clinical case highlights the importance of anamnesis, a detailed clinical examination and additional examinations when psychiatric symptoms appear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Worldwide, the association between schizophrenia and cannabis is a subject that is a topical issue today. The relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia still does not seem clear and studies on explanatory hypotheses are increasing. However, only very few studies about this issue are available in Tunisia. Objectives: We aimed to study the social, demographic and clinical characteristics of a population of patients with cannabis use who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and to compare them with a population of schizophrenic patients who are not cannabis users. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included a total of 100 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia admitted in our psychiatric ward of Razi Hospital (main psychiatric hospital in Tunisia) between October 2018 and March 2019. The sample was subdivided into two groups: schizophrenia with cannabis use (group 1) and schizophrenia without cannabis use (group 2). Data on socio-demographic conditions, medical history, lifestyle, clinical and therapeutic characteristics were collected from medical records. SPSS software and T Test were used to analyze data. Results: Among the evaluated indices, the factors gender (male) (p=0.000), tobacco addiction (p=0.000), alcohol addiction (p=0.000), solvent abuse (p=0.000), psychotropic drugs abuse (p=0.000) and age at admission to hospital (younger) were different significantly between group 1 and group 2. Conclusions: Patients with schizophrenia and cannabis use seem to be more frequently male. They are more likely to be addicted to alcohol and tobacco. However, there is no difference in the clinical or therapeutic profile in the sample studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Through the history, acute psychotic symptomatology have had different nominations with different evolutive implications. From the pioneers of psychiatry in the 19th century to the categorical international classifications adopted in our century, this concept had seen several changes. Objectives: We aim to describe the nosographic evolution of the concept of acute psychosis. Methods: We conducted a litterature review using the terms acute psychosis and first episode of psychosis. Results: The term of "bouffée délirante" was introduced by the French psychiatrist Valentin Magnan in the 19th century, defining a sudden polymorphic symptomatology, with fast evolution to remission and a recurrent course. With Kraepelin and Bleuler's conception of psychosis, the autonomy of this acute and remitting symptomatology was rejected and included instead in chronic psychoses (bipolar or schizophrenic). It is Henri Ey who revived the term of "bouffée délirante", to name transient psychotic symptomatology. In the 21st century and the categorical classifications that newer entities had replaced bouffée délirante, with the french and north american classifications. Conclusions: The evolution of psychiatry can be mostly seen through the evolution of the nosographic concepts. Nevertheless, the current classificatons can be restrictive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bipolar disorder is a chronic severe mental illness that has among the highest rates of comorbidities, including substance use disorder. Despite the increasing number of scientific research investigating comorbidity between bipolar disorder and frequent substance use disorder such as alcoholism, there has been less considering the association of bipolar disorder and opioid use. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the social and clinical profile and the manic episode features of bipolar patients with and without opioid addiction comorbidity. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study including all cases of patients admitted for acute bipolar manic episodes from October 2018 to March 219 in "F" psychiatric Department of Razi Hospital. Social and clinical information was collected from medical records and case notes. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The prevalence of opioid dependence among bipolar patients was 12%. All patients reported non-medical use of high doses of buprenorphine (Subutex). Opioid-dependent patients had significantly more criminal history and exhibited more behavioural strangeness during their manic episode (manic episode with psychotic characteristics) than patients without opioid dependence. In addition, there was a longer hospital stay and a lower score in the Global Assessment of Functioning scale for opioid users, but these differences were not significant. Conclusions: Despite the few differences in the social, clinical and prognostic indices examined between the two groups, it appears that bipolar patients with opioid addiction seem to have more severe manic episodes, which encourages special attention to be given to addictive disorder in bipolar patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]