Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Serotype O126:H27, Israel

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is a newly diarrheagenic agent wherein several predominant serotypes are reported. We studied the association between those serotypes, as clonal indicators, and the trait of enteroaggregative adherence to host cells, tested by polymerase chain reaction. We also evaluated the clinical manifestations of infection in 17 hospitalized children by our most common EAEC serotype, O126:H27

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games: comparing characteristics of addict vs non-addict online recruited gamers in a French adult population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) are a very popular and enjoyable leisure activity, and there is a lack of international validated instruments to assess excessive gaming. With the growing number of gamers worldwide, adverse effects (isolation, hospitalizations, excessive use, etc.) are observed in a minority of gamers, which is a concern for society and for the scientific community. In the present study, we focused on screening gamers at potential risk of MMORPG addiction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this exploratory study, we focused on characteristics, online habits and problematic overuse in adult MMORPG gamers. In addition to socio-demographical data and gamer behavioral patterns, 3 different instruments for screening addiction were used in French MMORPG gamers recruited online over 10 consecutive months: the substance dependence criteria for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fourth revised edition (DSM-IV-TR) that has been adapted for MMORPG (DAS), the qualitative Goldberg Internet Addiction Disorder scale (GIAD) and the quantitative Orman Internet Stress Scale (ISS). For all scales, a score above a specific threshold defined positivity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 448 participating adult gamers were mainly young adult university graduates living alone in urban areas. Participants showed high rates of both Internet addiction (44.2% for GIAD, 32.6% for ISS) and DAS positivity (27.5%). Compared to the DAS negative group, DAS positive gamers reported significantly higher rates of tolerance phenomenon (increased amount of time in online gaming to obtain the desired effect) and declared significantly more social, financial (OR: 4.85), marital (OR: 4.61), family (OR: 4.69) and/or professional difficulties (OR: 4.42) since they started online gaming. Furthermore, these gamers self-reported significantly higher rates (3 times more) of irritability, daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation due to play, low mood and emotional changes since online gaming onset.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The DAS appeared to be a good first-line instrument to screen MMORPG addiction in online gamers. This study found high MMORPG addiction rates, and self-reported adverse symptoms in important aspects of life, including mood and sleep. This confirms the need to set up relevant prevention programs against online game overuse.</p

The effects of amisulpride on five dimensions of psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia: a prospective open- label study

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of antipsychotics can be evaluated using the dimensional models of schizophrenic symptoms. The D(2)/D(3)-selective antagonist amisulpride has shown similar efficacy and tolerability to other atypical antipsychotics. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of amisulpride on the dimensional model of schizophrenic symptoms and tolerability in latin schizophrenic patients. METHOD: Eighty schizophrenic patients were enrolled and 70 completed a prospective open-label 3-month study with amisulpride. The schizophrenic symptoms, psychosocial functioning and side-effects were evaluated with standardized scales. RESULTS: The patients showed significant improvement in the five dimensions evaluated. Amisulpride (median final dose 357.1 mg/d) was well-tolerated without treatment-emergent extrapyramidal side-effects. CONCLUSION: Amisulpride showed efficacy on different psychopathological dimensions and was well tolerated, leading to consider this drug a first line choice for the treatment of schizophrenia

Is the PANSS used correctly? a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) is one of the most important rating instruments for patients with schizophrenia. Nevertheless, there is a long and ongoing debate in the psychiatric community regarding its mathematical properties.</p> <p>All 30 items range from 1 to 7 leading to a minimum total score of 30, implying that the PANSS is an interval scale. For such interval scales straightforward calculation of relative changes is not appropriate. To calculate outcome criteria based on a percent change as, e.g., the widely accepted response criterion, the scale has to be transformed into a ratio scale beforehand. Recent publications have already pointed out the pitfall that ignoring the scale level (interval vs. ratio scale) leads to a set of mathematical problems, potentially resulting in erroneous results concerning the efficacy of the treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Pubmed search based on the PRISMA statement of the highest-ranked psychiatric journals (search terms "PANSS" and "response") was carried out. All articles containing percent changes were included and methods of percent change calculation were analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This systematic literature research shows that the majority of authors (62%) actually appear to use incorrect calculations. In most instances the method of calculation was not described in the manuscript.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These alarming results underline the need for standardized procedures for PANSS calculations.</p

Evaluation of export promotional activities of selected Czech institutions on foreign markets

The thesis focuses on Czech export, its importance for Czech economy and mainly on the way it is endorsed by Czech export promotional institutions. The main aim is on institutions such as CzechTrade, CzechInvest, Czech Export Bank, Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. A big part of the thesis focuses on The Export Strategy of the Czech Republic 2012 -- 2020 and evaluates the implementation of its objectives. Apart from that it sums up reasons of companies for entrance to foreign markets, export possibilities of the Czech Republic given its membership in EU and OECD Consensus regulations

Dr M. Sechter, Oppidum préhistorique du mont Pezou, à Vallauris (Alpes-Maritimes)

Sechter M. Dr M. Sechter, Oppidum préhistorique du mont Pezou, à Vallauris (Alpes-Maritimes). In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française. Comptes rendus des séances mensuelles, tome 61, n°1, 1964. pp. 29-32

Le traitement social des mères célibataires par des associations en Tunisie et au Maroc : mobilisation, compassion et défense de l'ordre moral

In Tunisia and Morocco, the social and political turning points since 2011 have given new strength to the associative movement, highlighting social issues that were previously passed over in silence. Thus, "unmarried mothers" become, through associative mobilization, not only an intervention category but also a public problem. However, the State, by refusing to become directly involved to "not encourage deviant behaviors," it by default delegate to these associations the containment of the moral problem of poor women with illegitimate children. The social treatment of non-married mothers, done by these associations with their international connections, take the form of care programs based on maternalism and normativity. In addition, these organizations engage to "reintegrate" women who, without family support, are marginalized from social and legal protection. Using compassionate semantics on vulnerability and need, they aim to win public support in order to create rights and public policies, showing the political intentionality of care. However, these actions reproduce and deepen inequalities along gender, class and status lines. Through a long-term ethnography with child protection organizations and single mothers' support associations, using a socio-historical approach, this thesis tracks the evolution of family law and the processes involved in the transformation of social relations between the sexes in these Maghreb societies. The comparison between the two countries will show the similarities, the differences and the moral as well as the political injunctions of each one withregard to the social treatment of women and children outside marriage.En Tunisie et au Maroc, les tournants sociopolitiques, depuis 2011, confèrent une nouvelle force au mouvement associatif. Ils contribuent en effet à faire émerger et rendre visibles des questions sociales, autrefois passées sous-silence. Ainsi, les « mères célibataires » deviennent, par la mobilisation associative, non seulement une catégorie d’intervention mais également un problème public. Or, l’État, en refusant de s’investir directement « pour ne pas encourager des conduites déviantes », délègue à ce secteur la contention du problème moral des femmes pauvres ayant des enfants illégitimes. Le traitement social des mères non mariées, conduit par ces associations avec leur interface internationale, prend alors la forme de care fondé sur le maternalisme et la normativité. De surcroît, ces organisations s’engagent dans la “réinsertion” des femmes qui, sans soutien familial, sont en marge de la protection sociale et juridique. En utilisant une sémantique compassionnelle sur la vulnérabilité et le besoin, elles veulent gagner l’opinion publique afin de produire des droits et des politiques publiques, montrant ainsi l’intentionnalité politique du care. Toutefois, ces actions reproduisent et creusent des inégalités le long des lignes de genre, de classe et de statut. Grâce à une ethnographie de longue durée auprès d’organisations de protection de l’enfance et d’associations de soutien aux mères célibataires, ainsi que par une approchesociohistorique, cette thèse permet de suivre l’évolution du droit de la famille et des processus qui participent à la transformation des rapports sociaux entre les sexes dans ces sociétés du Maghreb. La comparaison entre les deux pays montrera les similitudes, les différences et les injonctions aussi bien morales que politiques propres à chacun en ce qui concerne le traitement social des femmes et des enfants en dehors du cadre du mariage

La maternité célibataire au Maroc, entre normes et pratiques

International audienc