Quantification of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor Binding in Depressed Suicide Attempters and Non-Attempters

Objective: To determine serotonin system abnormalities related to major depression or previous suicidal behavior.

Methods: [¹¹C]WAY100635, [¹⁸F]altanserin and positron emission tomography were used to compare 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A binding in MDD patients divided into eight past suicide attempters (>4yrs prior to scanning) and eight lifetime non-attempters, and both groups were compared to eight healthy volunteers.

Results: The two receptor types differed in binding pattern across brain regions from each other, but there were no differences in binding between healthy volunteers and the two depressed groups or between depressed suicide attempters and non-attempters. No effects of depression severity or lifetime aggression were observed for either receptor.

Conclusion: Limitations of this study include small sample size and absence of high lethality suicide attempts in the depressed attempter group. No trait-like binding correlations with past suicide attempt or current depression were observed. Given the heterogeneity of nonfatal suicidal behavior, a larger sample study emphasizing higher lethality suicide attempts may find the serotonin biological phenotype seen in suicide decedents.     

Evolutionary puzzle of Toxoplasma gondii with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis

The World Health Organization has reported an annual global suicide rate of 14.5 per 100,000 people. On the other hand, it is estimated that approximately one‐third of the global population are infected with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite. It is widely assumed that microbial pathogens, such as T. gondii, are probably associated with affective and behavioural modulation. The present article aimed to assess the proposed role of toxoplasmosis in raising the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) using the available epidemiological data. Seven major electronic databases and the Internet search engine Google were searched for all the studies published between the 1st of January 1950 and 31st of October 2019. The heterogeneity and the risk of bias within and across studies were assessed. Following data extraction, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) across studies were calculated using the random‐effects models. A total number of 9,696 articles were screened and 27 studies were regarded as eligible in our systematic review (SI with five papers and 22 papers on SA). A significant association was detected between antibodies against T. gondii with TA (ORs = 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.00, p = .000). Exploration of the association between T. gondii and SA yielded a positive effect of seropositivity for IgG antibodies but not IgM. Despite the limited number of studies, a statistical association was detected between suicidal behaviours and infection with latent T. gondii.     

自杀行为及其干预的研究进展

自杀已经成为一个世界范围内的重大公共卫生问题。中国的自杀特征具有独特性。自杀行为的发生往往是内在因素与外部因素相互作用的结果，它与社会学、心理学、伦理学、生物学、精神病学等各方面密切相关。自杀原因虽然错综复杂，但我们要提高意识，认识到自杀是一种可以预防的公共卫生问题。     

The Experiment of Gene Therapy for Gallbladder Carcinoma Cell in Vitro with Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase/Ganciclovir

Objective To evaluate preliminarily the effect of HSV - tk/GCV system on gallhladder carcinoma cells in vitro.Methods Recombinant retroviral vector PLtkSN containing tk suicide gene was transfacted into gallbladder carcinoma cells, mediated by LipofectAMINETM 2000 liposome, and the growth - inhibiting rotes of GBC, SD/tk cells in the different GCV concentrations were measured by MTr methods; GBC - SD cells were mixed in the different proportions, and death rotes of the mixed cells treated with GCV were detected to verify by stander effect. Resuts GCV could lead GBC - SD/tk cells to significant death, and there was striking difference compared with the control cells （p〈0.01）. When the concentration of GCV was 1,10, 50,100,500ug/ml, the killing rate of GBC - SD/tk cells was respecfively 6.8%, 2.5.2%, 54.5%, 66.3%, 89.3%, indicating dose - dependent phenomenon; With GBC - SD/tk cells in the proportion of 0, 10%, 20% ,50%, 70%, 100%, the killing rate of the mixed cells treated with GCV was 0, 19.7%, 40.3%, 77.7%, 88.0%, 93.5%, respectively. It was apparent that bystander effect was observed in the experiment. Condusion HSV - tk/GCV system could be a potential tool for the treatment of carcinoma.     

How are nations trying to prevent suicide? An analysis of national suicide prevention strategies

Recent increases in suicide rates internationally have focused attention on suicide as an important area of public health concern. In this review, strategies developed by various countries to halt this trend are compared. Nine out of 15 countries respond to enquiry about the state of development of suicide prevention strategies and programmes. Comprehensive strategies have been or are being developed by Finland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. The organization of these strategies differs between countries. The interventions have similar targets and are presented in detail. There are some similarities in strategy content but evident differences in organization. Further developments should not only be based on research, but also consider the diverse experiences of other countries, and they should incorporate appropriate structures for monitoring and evaluation.