Crime and gambling disorders: A systematic review

It is generally believed that there is an instrumental relationship between problem gambling and crime such that some gamblers resort to illegal activity to recoup financial shortfalls resulting from their gambling. However, a clear understanding of the risk factors for the commission of crimes beyond financial stresses is absent in the literature. The aim of this review was to identify the nature of crimes perpetrated by problem gamblers and the factors that contribute to the commission of gambling-related crimes. A systematic review adhering to guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement searching eight databases – PsycINFO, Westlaw AU, Heinonline, Legal Source via Ebsco, Legaltrac via Gale, PubMed, Scopus, and Medline – was conducted. A total of 21 papers were included after screening and application of exclusion criteria. All studies examined reported crimes committed by problem gamblers, with a validated assessment tool measuring problem gambling. The review provided evidence that gambling-related crime typically consists of non-violent, income-generating offences. However, it also revealed that problem gamblers may commit violent crimes at a higher than expected rate, which may have been concealed by deliberate and unintentional under-reporting of gambling-related crimes. The causal relationship between problem gambling and violent crime, however, remains uncertain. Based on this review, suggestions are offered for the evaluation of perpetrators of gambling-related crime on a case-by-case basis, to better understand the relationship between gambling and crime and facilitate more frequent application of therapeutic jurisprudence in future.This work was supported by funding provided by the School of Psychology, Science Faculty, the University of Sydney. This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award [DE1060100459] awarded to Dr. Sally Gainsbury

Profil et facteurs prédictifs de mortalité du traumatisé grave dans la ville de Kinshasa: Profile and predictive factors of mortality of severe trauma patients in Kinshasa city

Context and objective. Little is known about the prognosis of severe trauma in sub-Saharan Africa. Thestudy analyses epidemioclinical features and treatment of severe trauma patients in 4 hospitals of Kinshasa. Mortality determinants were assessed. Methods. A retrospective cohort analysis of epidemuioclinical and theurapeutical data from 195 severe trauma patents admitted from January 1st 2009 to December 31st 2014. Data related to the accident (rescue type, delay to reference, the lesional assessement, and hemodynamic state upon arrival, radiological findings, medical or surgical care provided within the first 48 hours, and the outcome were recorded. Uni-or multivariable analyses were applied as appropriate. To assess death determinants. Results. A total of 195 patients (mean age: 38.8+/-14.6 years; sex ratio F/M = 3/1) were enrolled. Road accidents (90.8%) was the main cause, and not any patient benefited of pre-hospital medical assistance.The time to admission was of 19.2 +/-3.6 H. Head (82.6%) and/or thoracic trauma (67.1%) were the prevalent lesions. Many patients were comatous (86.2%) with uni or bilateral mydriasis, and almost half (42.1%) had respiratory distress. One out of 3 had hemmoragic shock. Only 27 patients were intubated, and a large proportion was hemodynamicly unstable (63.1%; group A). The rate of mortality in ICU was 73.3%. Poor prognosis was linked to five independent predictive facors among which: age >/= 65 years and the RTS score < 10 emerged. The risk of death was most increased in patients with thoracic trauma than others. Conclusion. Excess mortality in this study has identified risk factors which can help developing accurate tagerted strategies. Contexte et objectifs. Les données sur les pronostics des traumatisés graves (TG) en Afrique subsaharienne sont fragmentaires. L’étude analyse les données épidémio-cliniques et thérapeutiques des TG dans 4 hôpitaux de Kinshasa. Les s facteurs associés à la mortalité ont été recherchés. Méthodes. Une analyse de cohorte retrospective des données épidémiocliniques et du traitement des TG, admis entre le premier janvier 2009 et le 31 décembre 2014 a été entreprise. Les circonstances de l’accident données étudiées étaient: les caractéristiques démographiques, les circonstances de l’accident, le type de secours pré-hospitalier le délai de référence, le es données cliniques, le bilan radiologique et lésionnel, ainsi que le traitement médicochirurgical endéans les premières 48 heures ont été enregistré. Une analyse uni- et multivariée a été utilisée pour rechercher les facteurs associés au décès. Résultats. Au total, 195 patients (âge moyen : 38,8±14,6 ans ; sexe ratio F/H= 3/1) ont été inclus. Les accidents de voie publique (90,8%) ont été le principal motif d’admission et aucun patient n’a bénéficié d’une assistance médicale pré-hospitalière. Le délai de référence était en moyenne de 19,2 ± 3,6 h. les lésions céphaliques (82,6%) et thoraciques (67,1%) étaient les plus fréquentes. La majorité de patients étaient en coma (86,2%), et 57,9% avaient une mydriase uni ou bilatérale, tandis que 82 patients (42,1%) présentaient une détresse respiratoire et 35 (17,9%) étaient en choc hémorragique. Seulement 27 patients (13,8%) étaient intubés et la majorité avait un état hémodynamique instable. La mortalité en réanimation était de 73,3%. Cinq facteurs prédictifs indépendants associés à un mauvais pronostic ont été identifiés: parmi lesquels l’âge ≥ 65 ans, la saturation pulsée en oxygène < 90% le score RTS < 10. Le risque de décès était plus fréquent dans le groupe des traumatisés thoraciques que dans d’autres. Conclusion. La surmortalité dans cette enquête a permis d’identifier des facteurs pronostiques justifiant des stratégies ciblées de prise en charge

Attitudes of US Obstetricians Toward a Combined Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis Vaccine for Adults

Objective. To describe obstetricians' perspectives related to tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination of mothers and other adults in close contact with infants. Methods. Mail survey of national random sample of 400 obstetricians . Results. Response rate was 54%. Most respondents would likely recommend Tdap for women during the postpartum hospital stay (78%) or during pregnancy (69%) if a national recommendation was issued. Expected barriers were knowing the date of patients' most recent Td booster (74%) and patient resistance (46%). Most felt that obstetricians have a role in promoting and administering Tdap vaccine to adults other than mothers likely to come in close contact with infants. Conclusion. Obstetricians are likely to agree with the recent provisional US recommendation to administer Tdap to postpartum mothers and other adults expected to come in close contact with infants. Obstetricians would also be likely to support a potential recommendation to administer Tdap during pregnancy. Barriers to adoption of new Tdap vaccine recommendations should be monitored

An in vivo comparative study of sonic, desert and Indian hedgehog reveals that hedgehog pathway activity regulates epidermal stem cell homeostasis

Despite the well-characterised role of sonic hedgehog (Shh) in promoting interfollicular basal cell proliferation and hair follicle downgrowth, the role of hedgehog signalling during epidermal stem cell fate remains largely uncharacterised. In order to determine whether the three vertebrate hedgehog molecules play a role in regulating epidermal renewal we overexpressed sonic (Shh), desert (Dhh) and Indian (Ihh) hedgehog in the basal cells of mouse skin under the control of the human keratin 14 promoter. We observed no overt epidermal morphogenesis phenotype in response to Ihh overexpression, however Dhh overexpression resulted in a range of embryonic and adult skin manifestations indistinguishable from Shh overexpression. Two distinct novel phenotypes were observed amongst Shh and Dhh transgenics, one exhibiting epidermal progenitor cell hyperplasia with the other displaying a complete loss of epidermal tissue renewal indicating deregulation of stem cell activity. These data suggest that correct temporal regulation of hedgehog activity is a key factor in ensuring epidermal stem cell maintenance. In addition, we observed Shh and Dhh transgenic skin from both phenotypes developed lesions reminiscent of human basal cell carcinoma (BCC), indicating that BCCs can be generated despite the loss of much of the proliferative (basal) compartment. These data suggest the intriguing possibility that BCC can arise outside the stem cell population. Thus the elucidation of Shh (and Dhh) target gene activation in the skin will likely identify those genes responsible for increasing the proliferative potential of epidermal basal cells and the mechanisms involved in regulating epidermal stem cell fate

Phytochemical Screening and Biological Activities of Combretum adenogonium Leaves Extracts

Combretum adenogonium is beniniens pharmacopoeia medicinal plant used for the treatment of various diseases. This work aims to study the phytochemical and assess some biological activities of C. adenogonium leaves extracts. The phytochemical analysis (qualitative et quantitative) was conducted by standard analytical chemistry method. Antioxydant activity was evaluated by the DPPH method. Antibacterial activity was evaluated in vitro with 10 references strains , 10 Staphylococcus strains isolated from European Scientific Journal October 2017 edition Vol.13, No.30 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 359 meat products and 10 clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from Buruli ulcer lesions and pus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Bactericidal (CMB) were determined by macrodilution method. The extracts cytotoxic effect was evaluated with Artemia salina larvae. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, saponin and triterpenoids. The methanolique extract present the higest content (450.66 ± 0.004 µg EAG/mg) of total polyphenolic compound. The results showed the good antioxidant activity. The inhibitory diameter zone vary (p < 0.001) according to the strains. The largest medium inhibitory diameter (21.85 ± 0.17 mm) was obtained with the ethanolic extract, while the lowest (6.00 ±0.00 mm) were recorded with water-ethanol extract. The variation between CMI and CMB is not significant (p > 0.05). The higher LD50 (27.66 mg/ml) was recorded with methanol extract. The results of this study confirm some use of C. Adenogonium extracts. But; these extracts must be use with moderatio

Ternary erbium chromium sulfides : structural relationships and magnetic properties

Single crystals of four erbium-chromium sulfides have been grown by chemical vapor transport using iodine as the transporting agent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that in Er(3)CrS(6) octahedral sites are occupied exclusively by Cr(3+) cations, leading to one-dimensional CrS(4)(5-) chains of edge-sharing octahedra, while in Er(2)CrS(4), Er(3+), and Cr(2+) cations occupy the available octahedral sites in an ordered manner. By contrast, in Er(6)Cr(2)S(11) and Er(4)CrS(7), Er(3+) and Cr(2+) ions are disordered over the octahedral sites. In Er(2)CrS(4), Er(6)Cr(2)S(11), and Er(4)CrS(7), the network of octahedra generates an anionic framework constructed from M(2)S(5) slabs of varying thickness, linked by one-dimensional octahedral chains. This suggests that these three phases belong to a series in which the anionic framework may be described by the general formula [M(2n+1)S(4n+3)](x-), with charge balancing provided by Er(3+) cations located in sites of high-coordination number within one-dimensional channels defined by the framework. Er(4)CrS(7), Er(6)Cr(2)S(11), and Er(2)CrS(4) may thus be considered as the n = 1, 2, and infinity members of this series. While Er(4)CrS(7) is paramagnetic, successive magnetic transitions associated with ordering of the chromium and erbium sub-lattices are observed on cooling Er(3)CrS(6) (T(C)(Cr) = 30 K; T(C)(Er) = 11 K) and Er(2)CrS(4) (T(N)(Cr) = 42 K, T(N)(Er) = 10 K) whereas Er(6)Cr(2)S(11) exhibits ordering of the chromium sub-lattice only (T(N) = 11.4 K)

Quiet Eye Duration and Gun Motion in Elite Shotgun Shooting

INTRODUCTION: No literature exists to document skill-related differences in shotgun shooting and whether these may be a function of eye movements and control of gun motion. We therefore conducted an exploratory investigation of the visual search behaviors and gun barrel kinematics used by elite and subelite shooters across the three shotgun shooting subdisciplines. METHODS: Point of gaze and gun barrel kinematics were recorded in groups of elite (n = 24) and subelite (n = 24) shooters participating in skeet, trap, and double trap events. Point of gaze was calculated in relation to the scene, while motion of the gun was captured by two stationary external cameras. Quiet eye (final fixation or tracking gaze that is located on a specific location/object in the visual display for a minimum of 100 ms) duration and onset were analyzed as well as gun motion profiles in the horizontal and vertical planes. RESULTS: In skeet, trap, and double trap disciplines, elite shooters demonstrated both an earlier onset and a longer relative duration of quiet eye than their subelite counterparts did. Also, in all three disciplines, quiet eye duration was longer and onset earlier during successful compared with unsuccessful trials for elite and subelite shooters. Kinematic analyses indicated that a slower movement of the gun barrel was used by elite compared with subelite shooters. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, stable gun motion and a longer quiet eye duration seem critical to a successful performance in all three shotgun disciplines

Immune surveillance for six vaccinable pathogens using paired plasma and dried blood spots in HIV infected and uninfected children in Kinshasa

Child vaccination reduces infant mortality rates. HIV-infected children present higher risk of diseases than non-infected. We report the protection coverage rates for 6 vaccine-preventable diseases in a paediatric population from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impact of HIV infection, providing the first data on the validity of dried blood samples (DBS) to monitor the immune protection. During 2016-2018 DBS from 143 children/adolescents were collected in Kinshasa (DRC), being 52 HIV-infected. Forty-two had a paired plasma sample. Protective IgG was quantified (VirClia-IgG,VIRCELL) to obtain the optimal cut-off in IgG detection in DBS. ROC curves were generated with R software and statistical analyses with Stata. Protective IgG levels varied across pathogens, not reaching herd immunity. HIV-infected presented lower vaccine protection than uninfected for all analyzed pathogens, except rubella, with statistically significant differences for measles (30.8% vs. 53.8%; p = 0.008) and tetanus (3.8% vs. 22%; p = 0.0034). New cut-offs were calculated when using DBS to improve test performance. We reinforce the necessity to increase pediatric vaccination coverage in Kinshasa, especially in HIV seropositive, with less capacity to maintain adequate antibody levels. DBS were useful to monitor vaccination coverage in seroprevalence studies in resource-limited settings, after optimizing the cut-off value for each pathogen

HIV-1 diagnosis using dried blood spots from patients in Kinshasa, DRC: a tool to detect misdiagnosis and achieve World Health Organization 2030 targets

Introduction: Currently, only 54% of the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) know their HIV status. The aim of this study was to detect HIV misdiagnosis from rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and to evaluate serological immunoassays using dried blood spots (DBS) from patients in Kinshasa, DRC. Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, 365 DBS samples were collected from 363 individuals and shipped to Spain. The samples were from people with a new HIV positive ( n = 123) or indeterminate ( n = 23) result, known HIV-positive patients ( n = 157), and a negative control group ( n = 62). HIV serology was performed using Elecsys HIV combi PT (Roche), VIDAS HIV Duo Quick (BioMerieux), and Geenius (BioRad). In addition, HIV RNA detection was performed in all samples using the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test 2.0 (Roche). Results: Overall, 272 samples were found to be positive and 93 to be negative for HIV serology. The sensitivity was 100% for both Elecsys and VIDAS techniques, but specificity was slightly higher for the VIDAS test: 100% (96.1-100%) vs 98.9% (94.1-99.9%). Of the 23 indeterminate cases using RDT, only three cases were true-positives with a detectable viral load. Eleven samples out of the 280 classified as positive by RDT corresponded to nine patients who had received a false diagnosis of HIV through RDT (3.9%); six of them had been on antiretroviral therapy for at least 2 years. Conclusions: Elecsys HIV combi PT and VIDAS HIV Duo Quick immunoassays showed high sensitivity and specificity when using DBS. RDT-based serological diagnosis can lead to HIV misdiagnosis with personal and social consequences in sub-Saharan Africa. (c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Sonic Hedgehog and Notch Signaling Can Cooperate to Regulate Neurogenic Divisions of Neocortical Progenitors

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and innate-like lymphocytes have important roles in immune responses in the context of infection, cancer, and autoimmunity. The factors involved in driving the differentiation and function of these cell types remain to be clearly defined. There are several cellular signaling pathways involved in embryogenesis, which continue to function in adult tissue. In particular, the WNT, NOTCH, and Hedgehog signaling pathways are emerging as regulators of hematopoietic cell development and differentiation. This review discusses the currently known roles of WNT, NOTCH, and Hedgehog signaling in the differentiation and function of ILCs and innate-like lymphocytes