Suicidal ideation and reported suicide attempts in Greece during the economic crisis

The financial crisis in Greece is largely impinging on the health and mental health of the population, raising concerns about a potential rise in suicide rates. The aim of this study was to explore changes in suicidal ideation and reported suicide attempts between 2009 and 2011 in a representative sample of the population and in several population subgroups. The socio‐economic predictors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in 2011 were also investigated. Two nationwide cross‐sectional telephone surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2011 using the same methodology. A random and representative sample of 2192 and 2256 people, respectively, took part in the surveys. Between 2009 and 2011, there was a substantial increase in the prevalence of suicidal ideation and reported suicide attempts. People suffering from depression, men, married individuals, people experiencing financial strain, people with low interpersonal trust, and individuals with a history of suicide attempts were particularly vulnerable.     

Conceptualizing "suicidal genetically engineered microorganisms" for bioremediation applications

Use of genetically modified microorganisms (GEMs) for pollution abatement has been limited because of risks associated with their release in the environment. Recent developments in the area of recombinant DNA technologies have paved the way for conceptualizing "suicidal genetically engineered microorganisms" (S-GEMS) to minimize such anticipated hazards and to achieve efficient and safer bioremediation of contaminated sites. Our strategy of designing a novel S-GEM is based on the knowledge of killer-anti-killer gene(s) that would be susceptible to programmed cell death after detoxification of any given contaminated site(s).     

自杀行为的生物遗传因素研究

自杀是我国15-34岁人群首位重要的死亡原因。自杀行为的发生与生物学、心理学、社会学等多种因素有关。研究表明自杀行为确有一定的遗传学基础,近年来自杀行为的生物遗传因素研究发现5-HT系统相关基因、儿茶酚胺氧位甲基转移酶基因、精胺/精脒乙酰转移酶基因等候选基因单核甘酸多态性与自杀行为有明显关联。有学者认为,自杀行为的遗传学基础可能是附加于精神疾病的遗传或家庭环境诱导所致。本文就近年来国内外有关自杀的主要相关基因研究发现作一综述。     

A suicidal DNA vaccine co-expressing two major membrane-associated proteins of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus antigens induce protective responses

We constructed a suicidal DNA vaccine pSFV-ORF5m/ORF6 co-expressing GP5m (a modified GP5) and M proteins of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). In mice immunization, specific immune responses were elicited by the suicidal DNA vaccine pSFV-ORF5m/ORF6. The immunogenicity and protective efficiency was then evaluated in piglets immunized with pSFV-ORF5m/ORF6 before virus challenge: PRRSV-specific neutralizing antibodies and lymphocyte proliferative responses were developed. Post-PRRSV challenge, these immune responses were further boosted and partial protection was obtained.     

重度抑郁症患者血清CXCL1、CCL11水平与生活事件和自杀意念的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨重度抑郁症（MDD）患者血清CXC趋化因子配体1（CXCL1）、CC趋化因子11（CCL11）水平与生活事件和自杀意念的关系。方法：选取2020年1月-2021年6月我院收治的MDD患者100例作为病例组,选取同期100例健康体检的志愿者作为对照组,比较两组研究对象的血清CXCL1、CCL11水平、生活事件量表（LES）评定结果,采用Pearson法分析LES评定结果与CXCL1、CCL11水平的相关性。100例MDD患者根据有无自杀意念,分为自杀意念组（n=45）和无自杀意念组（n=55）,采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析MDD患者自杀意念相关影响因素。结果：病例组患者血清CXCL1、CCL11水平,负性事件刺激量、生活事件应激总分高于对照组（P＜0.05）,正性事件刺激量低于对照组（P＜0.05）;血清CXCL1、CCL11水平与负性事件刺激量呈正相关（P＜0.05）;本研究调查结果显示,MDD患者调查期间自杀意念发生率为45.00%,自杀意念组患者性别、自杀未遂史、病程、合并焦虑症状、精神质、神经质、内外向、掩饰性、CXCL1、CCL11、负性事件刺激量、生活事件应激总分与无自杀意念组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,性别、精神质、神经质,血清CXCL1、CCL11水平,负性事件刺激量是MDD患者自杀意念发生的影响因素。结论：MDD患者血清CXCL1、CCL11水平升高,血清CXCL1、CCL11水平与负性事件刺激量存在一定的相关性,MDD患者出现自杀意念的概率较高,且血清CXCL1、CCL11水平及负性事件刺激量等均是其自杀意念发生的影响因素,临床工作中应针对相关影响因素积极采取应对措施。     

Psychotic experiences as a predictor of the natural course of suicidal ideation: a Swedish cohort study

Psychotic experiences are far more prevalent in the population than psychotic disorders and are associated with a wide range of depressive, anxiety and behavioral disorders, as well as increased risk for psychotic disorder. Recently, psychotic experiences have been highlighted as a potentially valuable clinical marker of risk for suicidal behavior. There have been few studies to date, however, to assess psychotic experiences as a predictor of suicidality over time. We wished to assess whether young persons with suicidal ideation at baseline assessment who reported psychotic experiences were at higher risk for persistence of suicidal ideation at follow‐up than young persons who also reported suicidal ideation at baseline but who did not report co‐occurring psychotic experiences. A total of 2,263 adolescents were assessed at age 13 to 14 years for psychotic experiences, suicidal ideation and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Participants were re‐assessed at ages 16 to 17 years and 19 to 20 years. Among 13‐ to 14‐year olds with suicidal ideation, co‐occurring psychotic experiences did not predict an increased odds of persistence of suicidal ideation to age 16 to 17 years (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.19‐4.78). Among 16‐ to 17‐year olds with suicidal ideation, however, co‐occurring psychotic experiences predicted a 6‐fold increased odds of persistence of suicidal ideation to age 19 to 20 years (OR=5.53, 95% CI: 1.33‐23.00). Psychotic experiences are an important but under‐recognized marker of risk for persistence of suicidal ideation, in particular from mid‐adolescence. An increased emphasis on the clinical assessment of psychotic experiences in mental health services should be a priority.     

高频重复经颅磁刺激对首发青少年抑郁症患者认知功能、冷执行功能及自杀意念的影响

摘要 目的：探讨高频重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）对首发青少年抑郁症患者认知功能、冷执行功能及自杀意念的影响。方法：按照双色球法，将2020年10月~2022年11月期间南京医科大学附属脑科医院收治的114例首发青少年抑郁症患者分为对照组（富马酸喹硫平缓释片联合碳酸锂缓释片治疗，n=57）和观察组（对照组的基础上接受高频rTMS治疗，n=57）。对比两组临床疗效、抑郁症状、认知功能、冷执行功能、自杀意念和不良反应发生情况。结果：观察组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗2周后、治疗4周后汉密尔顿抑郁量表-17（HAMD-17）评分下降，且观察组低于对照组同时间点（P<0.05）。两组治疗4周后蒙特利尔认知评估量表（MoCA）、听觉商数、注意力商数、视觉商数评分升高，且观察组高于对照组同时间点（P<0.05）；贝克自杀意念量表中文版评分（BSI-CV）下降，且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应总发生率组间对比未见明显差异（P>0.05）。结论：高频rTMS治疗首发青少年抑郁症患者，可有效改善患者的认知功能、冷执行功能，降低自杀意念，进一步缓解临床症状，安全性较好。     

Rank comparisons amongst teenagers and suicidal ideation

We study how competition amongst known peers at the highest-stakes exam in Korea impacts students’ mental health and induces them to express suicidal ideation. Using panel data on Korean students from 2003 to 2007, we exploit a randomization of students’ peers (upon entering middle school) to uncover a relationship between students’ rank at the CSAT (highest-stakes exam in Korea) and their mental health, more particularly their suicidal thoughts. We find that (i) students’ rank amongst peers from middle school affects their suicidal ideation: the farther down in the classification, the more prone to have suicidal thoughts they are; (ii) this association is not capturing the impact of the national ranking at CSAT, which is controlled for in all our specifications; (iii) when reestimating separately our regressions for male and female students, we find all of this association is driven by female students. Male students are more prone to experience other negative feelings such as anxiety or loneliness, but these only appear one year later. Our results confirm that social comparisons with peers matter a lot for individual well-being and mental health. They contribute to building a case against extreme levels of competition at younger ages, as teenagers -especially young girls- suffer deeply from comparing themselves to their peers.     

Income‐related inequalities in the prevalence of depression and suicidal behaviour: a 10‐year trend following economic crisis

The issue of health inequalities has steadily gained attention in South Korea, as income inequality widened and social polarization increased following the country’s economic crisis in the late 1990s. While official figures indicate a general trend of worsening mental health, with rapidly rising rates of suicide and depression in particular, the extent of socio-economic inequality with respect to mental health problems has not been well elucidated. This study aimed to measure income-related inequalities in depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in South Korea and to trace their changes over a 10-year period (1998-2007). The concentration index approach was employed to quantify the degree of income-related inequalities, using four waves of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The study found persistent pro-rich inequality in depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts over the past decade (i.e., individuals with higher incomes were less likely to have these conditions). The inequalities actually doubled over this period. These findings imply a need for expanded social protection policies for the less privileged in the population.