Trend of suicide by self-immolation in a 13-year timeline: was the COVID-19 pandemic a potentially important stressor?

IntroductionSelf-immolation is an uncommon way of attempting and committing a suicide, with a fatality rate of 80%. The risk factors in self-immolation victims vary depending on demographic characteristics, socio-economic and cultural factors as well as religious beliefs. Whether the COVID-19 pandemic was a potentially important stressor for self-immolation is still unknown, with insufficient studies examining this issue. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the trend of self-immolation in a 13-year timeline, and the potential association of COVID-19 pandemic with the increase in the incidence and severity of self-immolation injuries in Serbia in 2021.Materials and methodsThe study included hospitalized patients due to intentional burns caused by self-immolation in the period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2021. Joinpoint regression analysis was used for the analysis of continuous linear trends of self-immolation cases with change points.ResultsWhile a rising trend was observed in the 2008–2013 time segment, followed by a decline in the upcoming 2013–2016 time segment, a significant increase reached its maximum during COVID-19 pandemic (2021), with annual percent change of 37.1% (p = 0.001). A significant increase in the median number of cases per year was observed during 2021 compared to the previous periods (7.5 vs. 2). Frequency of patients with a psychiatric diagnosis vs. those without a psychiatric diagnosis was significantly higher during than before the COVID-19 period (66.7 vs. 36.1%, p = 0.046).ConclusionIn our study, a significant increase in the frequency of suicide attempts by self-immolation during COVID-19 pandemic was noticed. There was also an increased frequency of pre-existing psychiatric illness among patients during the pandemic period. With limited high-quality data available, the study adds to a rising body of evidence for assessment of outcomes of the pandemic on mental health and recognition of stressors for self-immolation

The early endosome, a busy sorting station for proteins at the crossroads

Endocytosis marks the entry of internalized receptors into the complex network of endocytic trafficking pathways. Endocytic vesicles are rapidly targeted to a distinct membrane-bound endocytic organelle referred to as the early endosome. Despite the existence of numerous internalization routes, early endosomes (EE) serve as a focal point of the endocytic pathway. Sorting events initiated at this compartment determine the subsequent fate of internalized proteins and lipids, destining them either for recycling to the plasma membrane, degradation in lysosomes or delivery to the trans-Golgi network. Sorting of endocytic cargo to the latter compartments is accomplished through the formation of distinct microdomains within early endosomes, through the coordinate recruitment and assembly of the sorting machinery. An elaborate network of interactions between endocytic regulatory proteins ensures synchronized sorting of cargo to microdomains followed by morphological changes at the early endosomal membranes. Consequently, the cargo targeted either for recycling back to the plasma membrane, or for retrograde transport to the trans-Golgi network, localizes to newly-formed tubular membranes. With a high ratio of membrane surface to lumenal volume, these tubules effectively concentrate the recycling cargo, ensuring efficient transport out of the EE. Conversely, receptors sorted for degradation cluster at the flat clathrin lattices involved in invaginations of the limiting membrane, associating with newly formed intralumenal vesicles. In this review we will discuss the characteristics of early endosomes, their role in the regulation of endocytic transport, and their aberrant function in a variety of diseases

Параметры механики разрушения базальто-волокнистого высокопрочного бетона

Currently, basalt fibers are used in construction as a dispersed reinforcement of concrete and reinforced concrete structures in high-rise buildings, bridges, airport runways and highway pavements. Mass production of high-strength concrete in Russia is largely associated with the use of organomineral modifiers of the MB and Embelit series containing microsilica, fly ash, curing regulator and superplasticizer C-3 in different proportions. The research of features of high-strength concrete (with 1% of basal fiber and without basalt fiber), manufactured with the use of modifier MB10-30C, was made on samples with detentions 100x100x100 mm, 100x100x400 mm, 100x100x400 mm with the artificial crack of 25 mm deep in the middle of the span, and also 100х75х400 mm (75 mm height was taken equal to the height of the section above the crack of the 2nd type of prisms). The compressive strength, the tensile strength at bending, the strength at axial tension, the cracking moment, and also the characteristics of fracture mechanics, such as: the critical stress intensity factor and the critical energy release rate, in various periods of curing (7, 14, 28 and 60 days of curing) were determined under the research. Influence of cracks in the bending element on the value of the cracking moment was also determined under the research. The research results show that the use of basalt fibers in MB10-30C modifier based high-strength concrete resulted in a decrease in the compressive strength, but at the same time, enhance the tensile strengthВ настоящее время базальтовые волокна в строительстве используется в качестве дисперсного армирования бетонных и железобетонных конструкций в высотных зданиях, мостах, взлетно-посадочных полосах аэропортов и дорожных покрытиях. Массовое производство высокопрочных бетонов в России во многом связано с применением органоминеральных модификаторов серии МБ и Эмбелит, содержащих микрокремнезем, золу-уноса, регулятор твердения и суперпластификатор С-3 в разных пропорциях. Исследования свойств высокопрочного бетона (с добавлением 1% базальтовой фибры от массы бетона и без неё), приготовленного с применением модификатора МБ10-30С проведены на образцах с размерами 100х100х100 мм, 100х100х400 мм, 100х100х400 мм с искусственно сделанными трещинами глубиной 25 мм в середине пролета, а также образцах с размерами 100х75х100 мм (высота поперечного сечения 75 мм взята равной высоте поперечного сечения образцов с трещинами). В рамках исследования определены: прочность на сжатие, прочность на растяжение при изгибе, прочность на осевое растяжение, момент трещинообразования, а также параметры механики разрушения, такие как: критический коэффициент интенсивности напряжений и критическая скорость высвобождения энергии в различные периоды твердения бетона (после 7, 14, 28 и 60 суток твердения). Также определено влияние трещин в изгибаемом элементе на значение момента трещинообразования. Результаты исследования показали, что добавление базальтовой фибры в высокопрочный бетон, приготовленный с применением модификатора МБ10-30, снижает прочность на сжатие, однако в тоже время, повышает прочность при растяжении

Expression of CD34 and CD146 vascular markers contributes to the immunological function of the human palatine tonsil

The fundamental function of the palatine tonsil is the immune response to airborne and foodborne pathogenic agents. Small blood vessels have an important role in the provision of a special microenvironment in which the immune response occurs. In this study, we investigated the expression of vascular markers CD34 and CD146 and basal lamina marker - type IV collagen - in the small blood vessels of the human palatine tonsil in the context of their role in the immunological function of the tonsil. The tonsils were collected after tonsillectomy from ten patients with chronic tonsillitis, aged 18-28 years. Five-µm-thick paraffin sections were routinely stained with haematoxylin and eosin, while the studied markers (CD34, CD146 and type IV collagen) were detected immunohistochemically using LSAB2/HRP method. CD34 was expressed equally in the capillaries within and below the crypt epithelium, in lymphoid follicles and in high endothelial venules localized para- and interfollicularly. CD146 molecule was expressed on the luminal surface of endothelial cells in the capillaries of the crypt epithelium, while its expression in high endothelial venules was seen on the luminal and lateral surfaces of the cuboidal endothelial cells. In contrast to the basal lamina of intraepithelial capillaries, where collagen IV-immunopositivity is mostly seen as a continuing line, the basal lamina of high endothelial venules was seen as a two- or three-layered structure beneath the cuboidal endothelial cells. The specifics of expression of CD34, CD146, and type IV collagen confirm the morphofunctional specialization of endothelium in crypt epithelium capillaries, and also in endothelium of high endothelial venules, which is directly associated with the role of these vessels in the immune function of the tonsil

EFFECT OF PUTRESCINE ON INTENSITY OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN RATS’ BRAIN WITH CHOLESTASIS

Encephalopathy in cholestasis results from accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and hydrophobic bile acids (BA). Toxic BA and UCB induces neurotoxicity (apoptosis of neurons). Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are endogenous polyamines essential for cellular growth, regeneration and differen-tiation. Beneficial effects of putrescine in CNS injury have been attributed to anti-apoptotic ant anti-oxidant properties.The aim of the study was to examine the effect of putrescine at the level of lipid peroxidation in cholestatic brain injury.Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: I-control, II-sham operated rats, III-treated only with putrescine, IV-bile duct ligated (BDL) rats, V-BDL rats treated with putrescine (150mg/kg BW ip.). The animals were sacrificed after the 9 -day treatment.Administration of putrescine in BDL rats reduces concentration of blood plasma UCB and BA (29.2±3.3 vs. 43.6±5.9 μmol/l and 11.4±0.8 vs. 22.8±2.6 μmol/l; p < 0.001). The lipid peroxidation (MDA) was increased in brain of BDL rats (4.98±0.54 vs. sham operated rats 3.99±0.32 nmol/mg prot; p < 0.001). Putrescine decreased MDA level in brain of V group vs. IV group rats (2.25±0.42 vs. 4.98±0.54 nmol/mg p; p < 0.001). The amplification of cerebral activity of polyamine oxidase (PAO) in BDL rats (1.25±0.09 vs. sham operated rats 0.81±0.09 U/mg prot; p < 0.001), resulted in high local concentrations of 3-acetamidopropanol and H2O2 which lead to oxidative stress and cell death. Administration of putrescine of BDL rats, decreased activity of cerebral PAO compared with BDL rats (1.02±0.07 vs. 1.25±0.09 U/mg prot; p < 0.001).Administration of putrescine in BDL rats results in normalization of cerebral oxidative stress and has protective role after the CNS injury in cholestasis

Biomaterial surface energy-driven ligand assembly strongly regulates stem cell mechanosensitivity and fate on very soft substrates

Although mechanisms of cell–material interaction and cellular mechanotransduction are increasingly understood, the mechanical insensitivity of mesenchymal cells to certain soft amorphous biomaterial substrates has remained largely unexplained. We reveal that surface energy-driven supramolecular ligand assembly can regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sensing of substrate mechanical compliance and subsequent cell fate. Human MSCs were cultured on collagen-coated hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and hydrophilic polyethylene-oxide-PDMS (PEO-PDMS) of a range of stiffnesses. Although cell contractility was similarly diminished on soft substrates of both types, cell spreading and osteogenic differentiation occurred only on soft PDMS and not hydrophilic PEO-PDMS (elastic modulus <1 kPa). Substrate surface energy yields distinct ligand topologies with accordingly distinct profiles of recruited transmembrane cell receptors and related focal adhesion signaling. These differences did not differentially regulate Rho-associated kinase activity, but nonetheless regulated both cell spreading and downstream differentiation.ISSN:0027-8424ISSN:1091-649

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate regulate phagolysosome biogenesis

Professional phagocytic cells ingest microbial intruders by engulfing them into phagosomes, which subsequently mature into microbicidal phagolysosomes. Phagosome maturation requires sequential fusion of the phagosome with early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes. Although various phosphoinositides (PIPs) have been detected on phagosomes, it remained unclear which PIPs actually govern phagosome maturation. Here, we analyzed the involvement of PIPs in fusion of phagosomes with various endocytic compartments and identified phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P], phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P], and the lipid kinases that generate these PIPs, as mediators of phagosome-lysosome fusion. Phagosome-early endosome fusion required PI(3)P, yet did not depend on PI(4)P. Thus, PI(3)P regulates phagosome maturation at early and late stages, whereas PI(4)P is selectively required late in the pathway