Childhood adversities as risk factors for onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour

Background Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, but the precise effect of childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour (suicide ideation, plans and attempts) are not well understood. Aims To examine the associations between childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour across 21 countries worldwide. Method Respondents from nationally representative samples (n = 55 299) were interviewed regarding childhood adversities that occurred before the age of 18 years and lifetime suicidal behaviour. Results Childhood adversities were associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt and ideation in both bivariate and multivariate models (odds ratio range 1.2-5.7). The risk increased with the number of adversities experienced, but at a decreasing rate. Sexual and physical abuse were consistently the strongest risk factors for both the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour, especially during adolescence. Associations remained similar after additional adjustment for respondents` lifetime mental disorder status. Conclusions Childhood adversities (especially intrusive or aggressive adversities) are powerful predictors of the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviours.

Glycodelin expression in the endometrium of healthy women and in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis

Objective: To analyze the expression of the glycodelin gene to better understand the molecular environment of endometriotic lesions and to elucidate the potential mechanisms that underlie the complex physiopathology of endometriosis. Design: Prospective laboratory study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Eleven healthy fertile women and 17 patients with endometriosis in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Intervention(s): Endometrial biopsy specimens were obtained from the endometrium of healthy women without endometriosis (controls) and from eutopic and ectopic endometrium tissues (pelvic and ovarian endometriotic implants) of endometriosis patients. Main Outcome Measure(s): The glycodelin relative expression level by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Result(s): The glycodelin down-regulation found in the endometriotic lesions was 332.26 and 123.17-fold lower, respectively, when compared with the eutopic tissue and the control endometrium. Conclusion(s): Glycodelin may be one of the molecules that contributes to the loss of cellular homeostasis in endometriotic lesions. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;91:1676-80. (C)2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)