Dimensions of Suicide Research: Substance misuse in life and death in a 2-year cohort of suicides

Background
While substance misuse is a key risk factor in suicide relatively little is known about the relationship between lifetime misuse and misuse in suicide.

Aim
To examine the relationship between a history of substance misuse and misuse at the time of a suicide.

Method
Linkage of Coroner reports of 403 suicides occurring over two years with associated primary care records. History of substance misuse was defined as alcohol misuse and/or prescription or illicit drug misuse, for which medical help was sought.

Results
With alcohol misuse: 65% of the cohort had previously sought help and 42% were intoxicated at the suicide (with 30% of these seeing their GP in the previous year). With misuse of other substances: 54% of the cohort were tested for blood toxicology (37% of these tested positive) - with positive toxicology defined as an excess of prescription drugs over the therapeutic minima and/or detection of illicit substances. Those tested were more likely to be young and have a history of drug abuse.

Conclusion
Understanding the links between substance misuse and the use of substances in conjunction with the act of suicide is discussed in light of the study results and current pathology and coroner practices.

Studies on the effect of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the life and activity of Perna spp

In the present study an endeavour has been made to analyse the acute toxicity of WAFs of Bombay High crude and Light Diesel oil on commercially important bivalve species Perna viridis and Perna indica by static bioassay methods. The toxic effects of chemicals in the WAF on the organisms ; their tissues and eventually on rate functions have been elucidated. Marine oil pollution not only affects productivity and quality of marine organisms but also eventually affects the health of human population due to a possible health risk by way of consumption of oil contaminated seafood

A family study of co-morbidity between generalized social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder in a non-clinic sample

Background: High rates of co-morbidity between Generalized Social Phobia (GSP) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) have been documented. The reason for this is unclear. Family studies are one means of clarifying the nature of co-morbidity between two disorders. Methods: Six models of co-morbidity between GSP and GAD were investigated in a family aggregation study of 403 first-degree relatives of non-clinical probands: 37 with GSP, 22 with GAD, 15 with co-morbid GSP/GAD, and 41 controls with no history of GSP or GAD. Psychiatric data were collected for probands and relatives. Mixed methods (direct and family history interviews) were utilised. Results: Primary contrasts (against controls) found an increased rate of pure GSP in the relatives of both GSP probands and co-morbid GSP/GAD probands, and found relatives of co-morbid GSP/GAD probands to have an increased rate of both pure GAD and comorbid GSP/GAD. Secondary contrasts found (i) increased GSP in the relatives of GSP only probands compared to the relatives of GAD only probands; and (ii) increased GAD in the relatives of co-morbid GSP/GAD probands compared to the relatives of GSP only probands. Limitations: The study did not directly interview all relatives, although the reliability of family history data was assessed. The study was based on an all-female proband sample. The implications of both these limitations are discussed. Conclusions: The results were most consistent with a co-morbidity model indicating independent familial transmission of GSP and GAD. This has clinical implications for the treatment of patients with both disorders. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.

The rise of the 'silver surfer' : online social networking and social inclusion for older adults

As the proportion of older adults continues to grow in many Western countries, there are increasing concerns about how to meet their needs. Ensuring social connectedness and inclusion is one way to support older adults’ wellbeing. Online social networking has become common place amongst younger age groups, suggesting its possible usefulness for older adults, in order to combat isolation and loneliness. Some quantitative studies have already explored the amount and degree of online social networking amongst older adults. To add further understanding of how older adults experience social inclusion via the internet, the current qualitative study aimed to explore older adults’ subjective experience of online social networking. Findings demonstrated a number of supports and barriers to social inclusion which reflect barriers to social inclusion of older adults in the non-virtual world. Recommendations to support social inclusion of isolated older adults via online social networking are suggested.

The role of impulsivity in co-occurring social anxiety and substance misuse

The findings of this thesis suggest that a subset of socially anxious individuals are characterised by a paradoxical symptom profile, including elevated levels of impulsivity and co-occurring substance use problems. These findings enhance knowledge regarding the co-occurrence of social anxiety and substance misuse and may inform prevention and treatment practices.

The book of household management : comprising information for the mistress, housekeeper, cook, kitchen-maid, butler, footman, coachman, valet, upper and under house maids, lady's-maid, maid-of-all-work, laundry-maid, nurse and nurse-maid, monthly, wet, and sick nurses, etc. etc. : also, sanitary, medical, and legal memoranda : with a history of the origin, properties, and uses of all things connected with home life and comfort /

Includes index.

A Culture of caring : America's commitment to children and families.

Mode of access: Internet.

A new and accurate history of South-America : containing a particular account of some accidents leading to the discovery of the New World, of the discovery made by Columbus, and other adventures ... : with a full description of the spanish provinces of Chili, Paraguay, and Terra Firma : of Guiana, particularly of Surinam ..., and of Cayenne belonging to the french : of Brazil, subject to the Crown of Portugal : of that part of Paraguay possessed by the Jesuits, where they have established a new monarchy ... : including the geographical, natural, political, and commercial history of every province, with the religion, manners, and customs of the inhabitants : with Dissertations on the british, spanish, portuguese, french, dutch, and indian settlements /

Sabin,

The nomads of the Balkans, an account of life and customs among the Vlachs of Northern Pindus,

"Vocabulary": p. [305]-324.

The history of Pompey the Little. Or, The life and adventures of a lap-dog.

Mode of access: Internet.

The Hessian fly, Cecidomyia destructor, in Great Britain in 1887 being mainly reports of British observations with illustrations from life and some means of prevention and remedy.

Bibliographical references: p. 24.

Eulogies delivered in the Senate and House of representatives of the United States on the life and character of Hon. John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and Hon. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts.

Reprinted from the three "Obituary addresses", published by order of Congress in 1850, 1852 and 1853, respectively.