Growing evidence supports a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health. This study investigated the association between gut microbiota, depression, and suicidal behavior by analyzing fecal samples from 35 individuals with varying depression levels and 36 completed suicide cases. Standardized psychometric assessments were used for depression evaluation. Analysis revealed significant taxonomic differences between groups, with increased abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridia, Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, and Dorea in suicide cases, which also positively correlated with depression severity. Metabolic pathway analysis demonstrated a notable dichotomy: suicide cases showed elevated pathways related to infection processes, inflammation, and antibiotic resistance, while the control group exhibited higher energy metabolism and vitamin synthesis pathways. The findings establish specific microbiome profiles associated with both depression symptoms and suicidal behavior, suggesting that gut dysbiosis may influence mental health through altered energy metabolism and inflammatory processes, potentially offering new perspectives for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Objective: Traumatic injury during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of non-obstetric or accidental maternal mortality and disability in women. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of injuries in pregnant women and termination of pregnancy, which are qualified as “serious harm to health” in accordance with the conclusions of forensic medical examination in the medical injury documentation of pregnant women. Methods: The study examined retrospectively the records of forensic medical examinations of pregnant women where the bodily injury was qualified as “serious harm to health” between 2008 and 2017. The analysis of the conditions and mechanisms of occurrence of injury, the type and area of injury, and the outcome of the pregnancy was also included in the research. Results: 12 pregnant women were found to have injuries that is qualified as serious harm to health. The traffic accidents led the causes of injury with eight cases (66.7%). In the remaining cases, one of the pregnant women had mechanical injury during the fire, the other had a sexual assault with a bottle, and two cases had penetrating stab injuries. The pregnancy outcomes were as follows: intrauterine fetal death at week 30 and 35 occurred in two cases, spontaneous miscarriage at week 20 in one case and medical abortion at 6 week in one case which amounts to 33.3%. Conclusion: All cases of termination were accompanied by severe combined injuries in pregnant women and an unfavorable outcome is more often observed with polytrauma.

Introduction: Despite some recent declines, suicides remain a major public health issue in Kazakhstan, with rates persistently above global benchmarks. This study provides the first integrated characterization of temporal trends, demographic characteristics, and regional distribution of suicide mortality in Kazakhstan. Materials and methods: This epidemiological analysis examined suicide mortality data over a 13-year period (2012–2024). Data were provided by the Republican State Enterprise “Forensic Examination Center of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and the State Institution “Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the Prosecutor General’s Office. Results: Between 2012 and 2024, 46,546 suicides were registered in Kazakhstan. Absolute suicides decreased by 15.8% despite 19.3% population growth. By 2023–2024, SR = 17.8 (ASSR = 18.2) – more than 65% above the WHO global average. The male-to-female ratio was 3.8:1 (ASSRs: men 29.9, women 7.4). Among men, peaks occurred at 25–29 (SR = 38.6) and 45–54 (SR = 49.9); among women, the first peak was at 18–24 (SR = 10.6). Regional SRs ranged from 11.0 to 29.2 per 100,000. The aging index was the strongest demographic ecological correlate of regional SR ( r = 0.84, p ≤ 0.0001). Annual sunshine duration showed a significant inverse association with SR ( β = −0.814, 95% CI [−1.221; −0.407], p = 0.001) in the regional regression model, while average salary was not significant. Conclusion: Regional demographic restructuring – particularly population aging concentrated in northern regions – is the primary structural correlate of regional suicide variability. Annual sunshine duration emerged as a significant ecological correlate in the regression model specifically testing environmental and economic factors. These findings provide an evidence base for targeted, region- and population-specific prevention measures.

Article: Influence of endometriosis on mammary glands’ pathology induced by different factors: a pilot study in the republic of Kazakhstan - Minerva Medica 2023 April;114(2):237-9 - Minerva Medica - Journals