Aggression–impulsivity,mental pain,and communication difficulties in medically serious and medically non-serious suicide attempters

Background

Unbearable mental pain, depression, and hopelessness have been associated with suicidal behavior in general, while difficulties with social communication and loneliness have been associated with highly lethal suicide attempts in particular. The literature also links aggression and impulsivity with suicidal behavior but raises questions about their influence on the lethality and outcome of the suicide attempt.

Objectives

To evaluate the relative effects of aggression and impulsivity on the lethality of suicide attempts we hypothesized that impulsivity and aggression differentiate between suicide attempters and non-attempters and between medically serious and medically non-serious suicide attempters.

Method

The study group included 196 participants divided into four groups: 43 medically serious suicide attempters; 49 medically non-serious suicide attempters, 47 psychiatric patients who had never attempted suicide; and 57 healthy control subjects. Data on sociodemographic parameters, clinical history, and details of the suicide attempts were collected. Participants completed a battery of instruments for assessment of aggression–impulsivity, mental pain, and communication difficulties.

Results

The medically serious and medically non-serious suicide attempters scored significantly higher than both control groups on mental pain, depression, and hopelessness (p < .001 for all) and on anger-in, anger-out, violence, and impulsivity (p < .05 for all), with no significant difference between the two suicide attempter groups. Medically serious suicide attempters had significantly lower self-disclosure (p < .05) and more schizoid tendencies (p < .001) than the other three groups and significantly more feelings of loneliness than the medically non-serious suicide attempters and nonsuicidal psychiatric patients (p < .05). Analysis of aggression–impulsivity, mental pain, and communication variables with suicide lethality yielded significant correlations for self-disclosure, schizoid tendency, and loneliness. The interaction between mental pain and schizoid traits explained some of the variance in suicide lethality, over and above the contribution of each component alone.

Conclusions

Aggression–impulsivity and mental pain are risk factors for suicide attempts. However, only difficulties in communication differentiate medically serious from medically non-serious suicide attempters. The combination of unbearable mental pain and difficulties in communication has a magnifying effect on the risk of lethal suicidal behavior.     

HLA Antigens Shed from the Surface of Synthetic or Naturally Occurred Platelet-Derived Microparticles During Storage of Platelet Concentrate

The demand for standard platelet concentrates (PCs) has continued to increase in the recent years. Infusible platelet membranes (IPM) prepared from new or outdated human platelets have been developed as an alternative to standard PCs, with the additional advantage of long shelf life and increased viral safety. Reduction of HLA antigens on the IPM has been assigned as one of the probable advantages of this product. In re-examining this issue, we studied the existence of HLA class I on the surface of IPM microparticles. In comparison we also surveyed HLA expression on the surface of the naturally occurred platelet-derived microparticles (nPMPs) during 7 days storage. Intended for producing IPM, PCs obtained from Iranian blood transfusion organization were lysed; virally inactivated with wet heat in the presence of a heat stabilizer and then sonicated. IPMs were separated using centrifugation and liquid-stored in 4°C. The expression of HLA class I antigens was surveyed using flow cytometry technique. HLA molecules were present on the microparticles. Shedding of HLA antigens was demonstrated from the surface of the both liquid-stored IPM and nPMPs during storage. Storage of IPM in 4°C was accompanied with significant reduction of HLA molecules. It seemed that achievement of HLA-free IPM could be impossible unless chloroquine treated platelets were used to prepare these microvesicles.     

Platelet Storage Media Change the Expression Characteristics of the Platelet-Derived Microparticles

Activated platelets shed microparticles in vivo and definitely in vitro upon aging under storage. Studies about the platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) produced in different storage media of PC were very limited. The aim of this research was to compare some surface molecules of these microvesicles in dissimilar microenvironments; plasma and the candidate medium for the platelet concentrate, Composol. Thirty units of PCs were prepared from Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. Each unit was divided into two portions. In one of the portions, plasma was replaced with Composol using a connecting device instrument. MPs were isolated from PC and the levels of PS exposure (the annexin-binding capacity) and binding to vWF were surveyed on their surface using ELISA and flow cytometry techniques. The levels of PS exposure were increased on MPs during 7 days storage in the both media but the differences were not significant (P value >0.05). In addition, binding of PMP to vWF was declined during storage. The binding capabilities of PMP were significantly higher in Composol than that of plasma at the day 4 or 7 of storage (P value = 001). It seemed that the binding of PMPs to vWF was affected from the storage media of PC (plasma and Composol) but PS exposure was not affected from the type of storage media.     

Direct synthesis of amides and imines by dehydrogenative homo or cross-coupling of amines and alcohols catalyzed by Cu-MOF

Oxidative dehydrogenative homo-coupling of amines to imines and cross-coupling of amines with alcohols to amides was achieved with high to moderate yields at room temperature in THF using Cu-MOF as an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst under mild conditions. Different primary benzyl amines and alcohols could be utilized for the synthesis of a wide variety of amides and imines. The Cu-MOF catalyst could be recycled and reused four times without loss of catalytic activity.

Oxidative dehydrogenative homo or cross-coupling of amines with alcohols to imines and amides was achieved with high to moderate yields at room temperature using Cu-MOF as an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst.     

The ratio of second- and fourth-digit lengths and congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency results in excessive androgen exposure in the gestational period and various degrees of masculinization of the external genitalia in female foetuses. Intrauterine gonadal steroids are not only essential for the development of the genital organs but also affect some other extragenital organ development.

The second to fourth digit (2D/4D) ratio shows a sexually dimorphic pattern with longer fourth digit from second digit in men compared to women. A low 2D/4D ratio is associated with high sperm count, testosterone levels and reproductive success in men. A high 2D/4D ratio is associated with high oestrogen levels in women. Second and fourth digit ratio has also found to be correlated with sexual orientation, left hand preference autism and some adult onset diseases such as breast cancer and myocardial infarction.

We found lower 2D/4D ratio in female patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency compared to healthy girls (p=0.000) and equal 2D/4D ratio for female patients when compared to male controls. Male patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency had significantly lower 2D/4D ratio than female and male controls in the right hand. Healthy boys had lower 2D/4D ratio than healthy girls.

It is concluded that 2D/4D ratio established by intrauterine androgen levels influences the sexually dimorphic digit pattern.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for human HLA-G isoforms

Production of monoclonal antibodies to HLA-G, a nonpolymorphic antigen of non-classical HLA class I, is of basic and clinical importance. In the present study, monoclonal antibodies were prepared which recognize different membrane bound and soluble isoforms of HLA-G, following immunization of BALB/c mice with a synthetic peptide. Use of this peptide (23 residues), which is present in the alpha1 domain of HLA-G, was previously demonstrated to provide antibodies useful for recognition of HLA-G isoforms in human placenta. Antibody-producing hybridomas were screened by an indirect one-step ELISA method. A clone designated 5E6H7, secreted antibodies useful in immunostaining studies involving both surface HLA-G of placental tissues and soluble forms of this antigen in human sera. In addition, unreactivity of this antibody with human lymphocytes and sections of normal human skin was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy, thus demonstrating its specificity for HLA-G.     

Association of catalase (rs7943316) and glutathione peroxidase-1 (rs1050450) polymorphisms with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM)

Reactive oxygen species are involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase-1 are antioxidant enzymes and the activity of them is essential for the protection against damage caused by reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of CAT gene (rs7943316) and GPx-1 gene (rs1050450) in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this case-control study, a total of 120 Iranian patients with T2DM and 120 healthy individuals as control were included. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. A significant difference was found between genotyping distribution of CAT (–21 A/T) polymorphism.The frequency of TT genotype was increased in patients compared to controls and we observed a statistically significant difference (OR = 1.797, 95% CI = 0.975–3.318, P = 0.044). Distribution of genotypes did not differ for GPx-1 (198 C/T) polymorphism between the cases and controls subjects. This study indicated that CAT rs7943316 genotype (TT) was associated with an increased risk of T2DM. No evidence was found to support an association between GPx-1 (198 C/T) polymorphism and T2DM.