The Big Five personality traits and online gaming: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Online gaming has become an essential form of entertainment with the advent of technology and a large sway of research has been undertaken to understand its various permutations. Previous reviews have identified associations between the Big Five personality traits and online gaming, but a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between these constructs has yet to be undertaken. In the current study we aimed to fill this gap in the literature through a systematic review and meta-analysis comprising of 17 studies and 25,634 individuals (AgeMean = 26.55, males = 75%). The findings showed that agreeableness, extraversion, openness to experience, and neuroticism were not ubiquitously associated with online gaming. The findings showed that only conscientiousness, across samples, had a protective role in online gaming. Furthermore, there were non-significant variations in the Big Five personality traits associations with online gaming when comparing gamers to the general population, younger versus older participants, casual versus 'hardcore' gamers, and high versus low traits (with the exception of neuroticism). As a result of our observations, the underlying mechanisms of individual differences in online gaming remain unclear. Limitations and future directions for research are discussed

Izražajnost kalretinina kao biomarkera rizika za metastatski karcinom mliječne žlijezde u pasa

Malignant breast tumors are the most common tumors in humans and are associated with a poor prognosis. An accurate animal model of human mammary gland tumorigenesis is needed to test novel diagnosis and treatment strategies. Dogs represent a promising model since they develop such tumors spontaneously. In the present study, three immunomarkers, including calretinin, c-Kit (CD117) and placental alkaline phosphatase (Plap), were used and compared with each other, in relation to estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 (triple markers), with the intention of malignancy grading. Enhanced expression of calretinin and placental alkaline phosphatase, without immunoreaction to c-Kit in neoplastic cells, is related to high-grade malignancy. Out of 50 tumors, 31 were metastasized, 29 of which (93.5%) were moderately to strongly calretinin positive (P<0.05). However, the results for c-Kit - and Plap+ in metastatic tumors were not reproducible. It may be concluded that calretinin could be introduced as a determinant biomarker in the diagnosis of breast cancer metastasis.Maligni tumori dojke najčešći su tumori u ljudi i povezani su s lošom prognozom. Da bi se testirali novi dijagnostički postupci i terapijske procedure u ljudi, potreban je prikladan životinjski model tumorogeneze mliječne žlijezde. Psi su potencijalno dobar model zbog spontanog razvoja ovakvih tumora. U ovom su istraživanju, s ciljem stupnjevanja malignosti, međusobno uspoređena tri imunomarkera, kalretinin, c-Kit (CD117) i placentalna alkalna fosfataza (Plap), a zatim su isti uspoređeni i s estrogenskim, progesteronskim te HER2 (trostrukim) markerima. Povećanje izražajnosti kalretinina i placentalne alkalne fosfataze, bez imunoreakcije na c-Kit u neoplastičnim stanicama povezano je s visokim stupnjem malignosti. Od 50 tumora, 31 je metastazirao, od kojih je 29 (93,5 %) bilo umjereno do izrazito pozitivno na kalretinin (P < 0,05). Doduše, rezultati za c-Ki ti Plap+ nisu bili ponovljivi. Zaključujemo da bi kalretinin mogao poslužiti kao biomarker u dijagnostici metatstatskog raka dojke

Zaraza vrstama Helicobacter i razvoj želučanih lezija u domaćih mačaka i mačaka lutalica

Gastritis is a common finding in dogs with 35% of the dogs investigated for chronic vomiting and 26% to 48% of asymptomatic dogs affected. However, the true prevalence in cats is yet to be determined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic gastritis in domestic and stray cats. The total rate was an estimated as 66.6%. Thorough histopathological studies revealed no significant association between the occurrence of chronic gastritis and age and sex in either stray or domestic cats. Gastritis was significantly more prevalent in the antrum than the gastric body and only chronic non-specific gastritis was diagnosed. The most common types of chronic non-specific gastritis were atrophic (26.3%), lympho-plasmacytic (24.6%) and hypertrophic (15.8%), respectively. In chronic gastritis cases, fibrosis and lymphoid follicles were seen in 42.1% and 31.6% of the subjects respectively, but no significant associations were observed between the type of non-specific chronic gastritis, fibrosis and occurrence of lymphoid follicles. The prevalence of gastric erosion and ulcers in cats was 19.2% and 3.5%, respectively, and there was no significant association between chronic gastritis occurrence and gastric ulceration or erosions. Cytological examination revealed GHLO colonization in 63.15% of the antrum and 77.19% of the gastric body, with no correlation with non-specific chronic gastritis in the studied subjects.Gastritis je čest nalaz u pasa sa stopom od 35% u onih s kroničnim povraćanjem i 26% do 48% pasa bez znakova bolesti. Taj nalaz upućuju na zaključak da treba istražiti prevalenciju gastritisa u mačaka. Ovo istraživanje poduzeto je radi određivanja prevalencije kroničnog gastritisa u domaćih mačaka i mačaka lutalica. Procjenjuje se da se javlja u 66,6% mačaka. Patohistološke pretrage pokazale su da ne postoji značajna povezanost između pojave kroničnog gastritisa te dobi i spola u domaćih mačaka i lutalica. Gastritis se značajno češće javljao u antrumu nego u trupu želuca. Dijagnosticiran je bio samo kronični nespecifični gastritis. Najčešće se javljao atrofični gastritis (26,3%), limfo-plazmatski (24,6%) i hipertrofični (15,8%). U 42,1% kroničnih gastritisa ustanovljena je fibroza, a u 31,6% limfoidni folikuli. Nije uočena znatna povezanost između tipa nespecifičnoga kroničnoga gastritisa i fibroze te pojave limfoidnih folikula. Prevalencija želučanih erozija iznosila je 19,2%, a čireva 3,5%. Nije ustanovljena značajna povezanost između pojave kroničnog gastritisa i ulceracija ili erozija. Citološkim pretragama ustanovljena je kolonizacija antruma organizmima sličnima helikobakteru u 63,15% pretraženih mačaka, a želučanog trupa u 77,19% pretraženih mačaka. Nije ustanovljena korelacija s nespecifičnim kroničnim gastritisom

Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Intestinal Microspor-idia from Stray Dogs in Iran

Background: Microsporidia as one of the most important pathogens in veterinary and agricultural settings, have emerged in immunocompromised patients in Iran. To date, different Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes have been identified in humans and animals, supporting the possibility of zoonotic zoonosis transmission potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of E. bieneusi genotypes among overpopulated stray dogs in vicinity of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Methods: Totally, 75 stool and 75 urine samples were obtained from 75 stray dogs during the time period from Mar 2015 to Oct 2015. DNA extraction was performed on all the samples and specific fragment of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. was amplified. Furthermore, specific primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer region of E. bieneusi were applied to determine the genotype of the microorganism. Results: Microsporidia was detected in 5.3% of stool samples, while none of the urine samples was positive for microsporidia species. Overall, 440 bp fragment of E. bieneusi was amplified in all the samples and there was no amplification for Encephalitozoon spp. The results of sequencing of 410 bp fragment of internal transcribed spacer region showed that all the E. bieneusi were genotype D. Conclusion: E. bieneusi was the most prevalent microsporidian species in the stray dogs and all the positive isolates were characterized as genotype D

BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTS AND PROCESS ENGINEERING EGFP reporter protein: its immunogenicity in Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice

Abstract Optical reporter genes such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase are efficiently and widely used in monitoring and studying the protective/therapeutic potential of candidate agents in leishmaniasis. But several observations and controversial reports have generated a main concern, whether enhanced GFP (EGFP) affects immune response. To address this issue, we studied the immunogenicity of EGFP in vivo by two lines of stably transfected parasites (Leishmania major EGFP or L. major EGFP-LUC ) in BALB/c model and/or as a recombinant protein (rEGFP) produced in vitro by bacteria in parallel. Disease progression was followed by footpad swelling measurements and parasite burden in draining lymph nodes using microtitration assay and real-time PCR, and immune responses were also evaluated in spleen. EGFP-expressing parasites generated larger swellings in comparison with wild-type (L. major) while mice immunized with rEGFP and challenged with wild-type parasite were quite comparable in footpad swelling with control group without significant difference. However, both conventional and molecular approaches revealed no significant difference in parasite load between different groups. More importantly, no significant inflammatory responses were detected in groups with higher swelling size measured by interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-5, and nitric oxide against frozen and thawed lysate of parasite as stimulator. Altogether, these results clearly revealed that EGFP protein expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts is not an immunological reactive molecule and acts as a neutral protein without any side effects in mice. So, EGFP expressing Leishmania could be a safe and reliable substitution for wildtypes that simplifies in situ follow-up and eliminates the animal scarification wherever needed during the study

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

BEHCET’S DISEASE AND PREGNANCY

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder with potential ability to influence the pregnancy outcome and pregnancy is associated with several physiologic alterations which can lead to potential changes in the course of the disease. We studied 77 pregnancies in 69 women with BD. The disease activity was calculated by two methods for three periods of before, during and after pregnancy to evaluate changes induced by pregnancy. The pregnancy outcome and the newborns’ status were also evaluated. In 31 pregnancies (40.3%) no change was observed in the disease activity during pregnancy. The disease activity improved in 21 (27.3%) and aggravated in 25 (32.4%) pregnancies. After the delivery, the disease activity did not change in 31 patients (40.3%). It improved in 23 (29.85%) and aggravated in 23 patients (29.85%). We had full term delivery in 62 pregnancies (80.5%) and a failure in 15 cases (19.5%). Our results show that the effect of pregnancy on BD was not the same in all patients. The delivery had variable effects on the disease activity, with changes in 59.7% of cases. Comparison of the disease manifestations between patients with and without abortion showed no significant difference except for the peripheral joint and eye involvement which were significantly higher in patients with abortion. No neonatal BD was seen in our cases. The 19.5% failure rate of pregnancy must be a major concern when deciding for a new pregnancy in a patient with BD. It would be even more important in patients with eye and joint involvement

LARGE VESSEL INVOLVEMENT IN BEHCET’S DISEASE

Large vessel involvement is one of the hallmarks of Behcet’s disease (BD) but its prevalence varies widely due to ethnic variation or environmental factors. The aim of this study is to find the characteristics of vasculo-Behcet (VB) in Iran. In a cohort of 4769 patients with BD, those with vascular involvement were selected. Different manifestations of disease were compared with the remaining group of patients. A confidence interval at 95% (CI) was calculated for each item. Vascular involvement was seen in 409 cases (8.6%; CI, 0.8). Venous involvement was seen in 396 cases, deep vein thrombosis in 294 (6.2%; CI, 0.7), superficial phlebitis in 108 (2.3%; CI, 0.4) and large vein thrombosis in 45 (0.9%; CI, 0.3). Arterial involvement was seen in 28 patients (25 aneurysms and 4 thromboses). Thirteen patients showed both arterial and venous involvement. The mean age of the patients with VB was slightly higher (P&lt;0.03), but the disease duration was significantly longer (P&lt;0.0003). VB was more common in men. As the presenting sign, ocular lesions were less frequent in VB (P&lt;0.0006), while skin lesions were over 2 times more common in these cases (P&lt;0.000001). VB was associated with a higher frequency of genital aphthosis, skin involvement, joint manifestations, epididymitis, CNS lesions and GI involvement. The juvenile form was less common in VB (P&lt;0.03). High ESR was more frequent in VB (P=0.000002), but the frequency of false positive VDRL, pathergy phenomenon, HLA-B5 or HLA-B27 showed no significant difference between the two groups. In Iranian patients with BD, vascular involvement is not common and large vessel involvement is rare. It may be sex-related, and is more common in well-established disease with multiple organ involvement and longer disease duration