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Introduction: Experience of bullying may be a significant risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Objectives: This study had three aims: to systematically investigate the association between bullying and NSSI, to analyze the possible mechanisms underlying the two phenomena, and to evaluate any differences between bullying victimization and bullying perpetration with respect to NSSI. Methods: A systematic search about the association between bullying victimization and perpetration and NSSI was conducted using specific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct). The following keywords were used in all database searches: "bullying" AND "NSSI" OR "peer victimization" and NSSI. Results: The searches in PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct revealed a total of 88 articles about bullying or peer victimization and NSSI. However, only 29 met our inclusion criteria and were used for the present review. Overall, all studies examined victimization; 4 studies also evaluated the effects of perpetration and 1 included bully-victims. According to the main findings, both being a victim of bullying and perpetrating bullying may increase the risk of adverse psychological outcomes in terms of NSSI and suicidality in the short and the long run. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to systematically evaluate the relation between bullying victimization/perpetration and NSSI. The main results support a positive association. Future research should evaluate the possible role of specific mediators/moderators of the association between experience of bullying and NSSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stressful life events (SLE) may influence the illness course and outcome. Objectives: The present study aimed to characterize sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of euthymic major depressive disorder (MDD) outpatients with SLE relative to those without. Methods: This sample included 628 (mean age=55.1 ± 16.1) currently euthymic MDD outpatients, among them 250 (39.8%) reported SLE and 378 (60.2%) did not. Results: After univariate analyses, outpatients with SLE were most frequently widowed and lived predominantly with friends/others. Furthermore, compared to outpatients without SLE, those with SLE were more likely to have a family history of suicidal behavior, manifested melancholic characteristics and higher Coping Orientation to the Problems Experienced (COPE) positive reinterpretation/growth and less likely to manifest a comorbid panic disorder, residual interepisodic symptoms, have used psychiatric medications, and use current antidepressant medications. After regression analyses, having a family history of suicide (OR=9.697; p=≤.05), history of psychotropic medications use (OR=2.888; p=≤.05), and reduced use of antidepressants (OR=.321; p=.001) were significantly associated with SLE. Mediation analyses demonstrated that the association between current use of antidepressants and SLE was mediated by previous psychiatric medications. Conclusions: Having a family history of suicide, history of psychotropic medications use, and reduced use of antidepressants may confer a specific "at risk" profile related to the enhanced vulnerability to experience SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Differential characteristics related to first illness episode in bipolar disorder (BD) have been identified based on the current literature; however, evidence are currently inconsistent across studies. Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to identify whether first depressive episode (FDE) was associated with specific clinical correlates in a large sample of BD outpatients. Methods: The sample included 364 euthymic bipolar outpatients (mean age= 53.9±16.05) of which 229 (62.9%) with FDE and 135 (37.1%) with first non-depressive episode (FNDE). A detailed data collection was performed and illness histories were retraced through clinical files and lifetime computerized medical records. Results: Compared to patients with FNDE, those with FDE significantly differ regarding age (p ≤.001), educational level (p ≤.05), working status (p ≤.01), and body mass index (p ≤.05). They were also more likely to have a older age at illness onset (p ≤.005) and first treatment (p≤.001), recent melancholic characteristics (p≤.05) and more lifetime suicide attempts (p ≤.05), use of non psychiatric medications in the past (p ≤.05), and have experienced a recent manic episode (p ≤.05). After logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, educational level, and working status, FDE was associated with recent melancholic features (OR≤.065, p≤.01), and lifetime suicide attempts (OR≤8.334, p≤.05). Conclusions: The identification of early targets for treatment may be very useful in the stratification of different BD phenotypes in the clinical practice. The presence of FDE seems to identify a specific subgroup of BD outpatients exhibiting differential clinical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Suicidal behavior, which is frequently linked to mood disorders, is amajor public health concern associatedwith significant disability and psychosocial impairment worldwide. Inflammatory mediators seem to play a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of bothmood disorders and suicidal behavior. In particular, a specific correlation between abnormally elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and depression severity has been identified. Objectives: The present systematic review aimed to explore the nature of the association between increased inflammatory cytokines and suicidal behavior. Methods: This is a systematic review of the current literature about the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in suicidal behavior. Only articles from peer-reviewed journals were selected for inclusion in the present review. Results: The cytokine profile of patients at risk for suicidal behavior significantly differed from that of patients who are not at suicide risk. Importantly, there may be an important imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in individuals who die by suicide. Most studies reported the link between suicidal behavior and specific pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a. Differences regarding the inflammatory cytokine profile emerged between subjects with active suicidal ideation and/or history of prior suicide attempts when compared to those without suicidal ideation/attempts. However, the existence of a causal association between suicidal behavior and neuronflammation needs to be further explored. Conclusions: Based on most of the studies included in the present review, neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior. Additional studies should elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the immune activation pathways underlying suicidality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present the characterization of a trypanosomatid nucleoside diphosphate kinase (TcNDPK1) exhibiting nuclease activity. This is the first identification of a NDPK with this property in trypanosomatid organisms. The recombinant TcNDPK1 protein cleaves not only linear DNA, but also supercoiled plasmid DNA. Additionally, TcNDPK1 is capable of degrading Trypanosoma cruzi genomic DNA. ATP or ADP did not affect the nuclease activity, while the absence of Mg2+ completely inhibits this activity. NDPK and nuclease activities were inhibited at the same temperature, suggesting the presence of related catalytic sites. Furthermore, phenogram analysis showed that TcNDPK1 is close to Drosophila melanogaster and human NDPKs. The unspecific nuclease activity could suggest a participation in cellular processes such as programmed cell death.

The most severe forms of conduct disorder (CD) are highly stable and disabling disorders, more likely to persist in time and to evolve into disruptive or antisocial behaviors. One crucial issue in the prognosis of these forms of CD is the high resistance to both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments, with antipsychotic drugs being frequently used in refractory cases. Aim of this study was: (1) to explore efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine treatment in adolescents with severe CD; (2) to identify predictors of olanzapine treatment outcome. This was a retrospective study, based on clinical records of the first 23 adolescents diagnosed as having a CD, diagnosed with a clinical interview (K-SADS), either pure or with comorbid diagnoses, and treated with olanzapine. All these patients did not respond satisfactorily to non-pharmacological intervention and to adequate dosages of mood stabilizers (lithium and/or valproate). The sample consisted of 16 males and seven females, 16 inpatients and seven outpatients (mean age 13.6 +/- 1.9 years, range 11-17.2 years), followed-up for a period ranging from 6 to 12 months (mean 8.8 +/- 2.7 months). Outcome measures included the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) and Children Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). During the follow-up, all patients were involved in non-pharmacological treatments (psychotherapy, family therapy, or day-hospital group treatments). Based on both an improvement of at least 50% at MOAS and a score 1 or 2 at CGI-I, 14 out of 23 patients (60.9%) were classified as responders at the end of the follow-up. Significant improvement at the last observation was found in MOAS (P < 0.001) and CGAS (P < 0.001) scores. Olanzapine dosage was 8 +/- 3.2 mg/day (range 5-20 mg/day). Mean weight gain at the end of the follow-up was 4.6 +/- 3 kg. The predictors of a positive treatment response was an impulsive-affective versus controlled-predatory type of aggression. Age at onset of CD and comorbid disorders did not affect treatment response. These preliminary findings suggest that olanzapine may improve behavior in adolescents with severe and treatment-refractory CD and impulsive aggression.