« Je suis un gamer ! » au-delà des stéréotypes,les enjeux d’une identité passionnelle

Context and objectivesNumerous scientific studies have focused on the psychological profiles and motivations to play of video gamers with problematic or excessive use of video games. However, this subset of gamers is not representative of the gaming community. The present study aims at exploring the personality profiles of gamers in non-clinic population and their motivations to play in order to identify possible differences or similarities with the profiles of non-gamers and problematic gamers.Methods and populationWe assessed personality traits (Big Five Inventory) and motivations to play (Motivation to Play in Online Games Questionnaire) of 883 francophone adults through an online survey. Our sample included non-gamers, people who play exclusively offline and people who play online (casual gamers, regular gamers and hardcore gamers).ResultsOffline gamers, regular gamers and hardcore gamers have lower levels of Extraversion than non-gamers. Hardcore gamers have higher levels of Agreeableness than non-players. The more people tend to be involved in video gaming, the more their Neuroticism scores and their motivation to play increase.ConclusionsGamers in general population appear to have personality profiles that are quite similar to non-gamers personality profiles. Further research is needed to identify a possible “tipping point” between high investment in video games (hardcore gamers) and excessive gaming (problematic gamers).     

Effet bact��ricide (in vitro) des extraits aqueux des feuilles du grenadier marocain (Punica granatum L.) sur des bact��ries multir��sistantes aux antibiotiques

This research concerns the antibacterial properties of different aqueous extracts of Moroccan pomegranate leaves (Punica granatum L.) for two different seasons (autumn and spring). Fourteen strains of Gram (+) and Gram (?) multidrug-resistant bacteria were used in theses tests: 1) Staphylococcus aureus (1 MSSA and 4 MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus feacalis; 2) Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Serratia liquefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii. Very interesting bactericidal properties of aqueous extracts of pomegranate leaves have been noted against the Gram (+) bacteria and Acinetobacter baumannii. The inhibition zones are very large, diameter reaching 23,7 mm and MICs and MBCs were lower in the order of 0,78 mg/ml. This work also showed that pomegranate leaves of autumn season are more active than those of spring, and decocted extract is more active than the infused and macerated. This antibacterial activity on Gram (+) and Gram (?) multidrug-resistant bacteria may contribute to fight against infectious diseases and eventually offer the possibility of using pomegranate leaves in food or pharmaceutical industry.     

Persistent symptomatic pleural effusion following coronary bypass surgery: clinical and histologic features,and treatment

Pleural effusions following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been reported in 65%–89% of the cases. The majority of pleural effusions are left-sided, of little significance, and resolve spontaneously. However, a few pleural effusions require specific therapeutics. We report clinical and pleural histologic features of three patients who had persistent post-CABG pleural effusions and underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). These patients were studied because they had a persistent pleural effusion within the first 2 months after CABG without other identifiable causes. All patients underwent VATS for investigation and management of persistent pleural effusions. Three patients with a mean age of 63.6 ± 8.5 years were studied. The pleural effusion developed 38 ± 11.3 days after CABG (range: 22–46). The median period from CABG to VATS was 80 ± 21.6 days (range: 50–100). In all cases, the pleural effusion was large, and predominated on the left side. Pleural effusions were characterized by an exudative (n = 2) or transudative (n = 1) fluid with lymphocytosis. Histologic examination of pleural biopsies showed a follicular lymphoid hyperplasia involving the pleural serosa and a non-necrotizing granulomatous reaction with a mild inflammatory infiltrate. All patients underwent VATS with intrapleural injection of sclerosing agents. Video-assisted thoracic surgery talc pleurodesis led to symptomatic and radiologic improvement in all patients with a mean follow-up of 16.7 ± 4.5 months. No recurrence of pleural effusion has been observed in any patient. Large pleural effusions can develop in a small proportion of patients after CABG. The mechanism of pleural effusion remains unclear. Video-assisted thoracic surgery could play a significant role in the management of pleural effusion developing after CABG.     

CT and MR imaging in staging non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma: report of the Radiologic Diagnostic Oncology Group.

The accuracies of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) in determining tumor classification and assessing mediastinal node metastases were compared in a prospective cooperative study of 170 patients with non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. The sensitivity of CT in distinguishing T3-T4 tumors from T0-T2 tumors was 63%; specificity was 84%. These values for MR imaging were not significantly different (56% and 80%). With receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, no difference existed between the accuracies of CT and MR imaging in diagnosis of bronchial involvement or chest wall invasion, but MR imaging was significantly more accurate than CT (P = .047) in diagnosis of mediastinal invasion. Lymph node sampling was performed in 155 patients (642 node stations). Cancerous nodes were found in 14% of stations in 21% of patients. There was no significant difference between the accuracies of CT and MR imaging in detecting mediastinal node metastases (N2 or N3); the sensitivities were 52% and 48%, respectively, and specificities were 69% and 64%. ROC analysis also showed no difference between CT and MR imaging.