Although there has been extensive research into the epidemiology and prevention of suicide, there continues to be a paucity of research on non-fatal suicides, in particular persons not treated in hospitals following a suicide attempt. In this study, we analyzed call data from the Illinois Poison Center from 2002 to 2007, which primarily comprises of non-fatal hospitalized and non-hospitalized attempts. We analyzed 43,057 calls by persons suspected of attempting suicide. The three most common groups of substances used were analgesics, antidepressants, and sedative/hypnotics/antipsychotics. The Poisson regression model showed significant declines in calls for suspected suicides during periods of holidays and vacations, and was more pronounced among youths. This study provides a current and detailed description of substances used primarily in non-fatal suicide attempts.

Although there is some detailed research on anaphylactic reactions to Hymenoptera venom, there continues to be little epidemiological data about the distribution, trend, and factors associated with the occurrence of Hymenoptera envenomations in humans. We describe characteristics of persons suffering Hymenoptera stings from bees, wasps, and hornets as reported to the Illinois Poison Center, and assess seasonal, climatologic, and time trends of calls for envenomations between 2002 and 2007. Mean daily temperature and mean daily atmospheric pressure were positively associated with envenomations, whereas wind speed was negatively associated with envenomations. We also observed a significant increase in calls for envenomations on summer holidays (P < 0.001). In addition, our findings showed that the number of calls for envenomations declined by nearly half after 2005 (P < 0.001) compared with previous years. Our findings indicate that the decline in bees, wasps, and hornets may be widespread, affecting both wild and commercial populations, and that the decline appears to have been rapid and sustained in recent years. Poison center data are a valuable resource for the surveillance of poisoning in humans, but our findings show that the data can be used to monitor changes in nonhuman species.

Although there is some detailed research on anaphylactic reactions to Hymenoptera venom, there continues to be little epidemiological data about the distribution, trend, and factors associated with the occurrence of Hymenoptera envenomations in humans. We describe characteristics of persons suffering Hymenoptera stings from bees, wasps, and hornets as reported to the Illinois Poison Center, and assess seasonal, climatologic, and time trends of calls for envenomations between 2002 and 2007. Mean daily temperature and mean daily atmospheric pressure were positively associated with envenomations, whereas wind speed was negatively associated with envenomations. We also observed a significant increase in calls for envenomations on summer holidays (P < 0.001). In addition, our findings showed that the number of calls for envenomations declined by nearly half after 2005 (P < 0.001) compared with previous years. Our findings indicate that the decline in bees, wasps, and hornets may be widespread, affecting both wild and commercial populations, and that the decline appears to have been rapid and sustained in recent years. Poison center data are a valuable resource for the surveillance of poisoning in humans, but our findings show that the data can be used to monitor changes in nonhuman species.

Under the pressure of ensuring student visual performance, this study investigated whether improving the classroom lighting is helpful in relieving the daytime serum melatonin concentration in undergraduates who suffer from sub-syndromal seasonal affective disorder in winter. Two negative control groups (Undergraduates without sub-SAD, lighting conditions 300 lx, 4000K), two positive control groups (undergraduates with sub-seasonal affective disorder, lighting conditions 300 lx, 4000K) and six positive intervention groups (undergraduates with sub-seasonal affective disorder, lighting conditions 1000, 2000, 3000 lx and 4000K and 5000K). There were eight participants in each group (four males and four females). A total of 80 participants took part in 15 successive days of study, and the melatonin was measured every seven days. After comparing participants’ melatonin levels before and after exposure, statistical analysis revealed: (1) Participants with sub-seasonal affective disorder had a higher daytime serum melatonin level than the normal; (2) Increasing the illuminant colour temperature or illuminance in daytime can effectively restrain sub-seasonal affective disorder participants’ daytime serum melatonin secretion; (3) Compared to the 4000K intervention, the 5000K light source affected the participants’ daytime serum melatonin suppression more significantly. These results provide suggestions for classroom lighting in sunless areas from the aspect of melatonin rhythm.