Donkey-like kirkovirus is associated with diarrhea in piglets.

Kirkovirus (kirV), a seemingly novel virus family, has been found in horses and donkeys. The study's objectives are to investigate the presence of the virus in swine. In this study, donkey-like kirV was detected in rectal swabs of piglets with diarrhea, and the positive rate was found to be 100% (149/149). However, this virus was detected in only one of 261 clinically healthy piglets, which suggested a strong relationship between the kirV and the diarrheic disease. We obtained the whole-genome sequences of three kirVs (Cj-D5, Cj-D32, and Cj-D43), with a length of 3750 nucleotides (nt) and sharing 99.9% nt identity with donkey kirVs. Furthermore, the three viruses shared 88.5-100% and 23-51% of the Rep protein sequence, similar to available reference strains of Kirkoviridae and Circoviridae, respectively. Moreover, like horse and donkey kirVs, the RCR domain and P-loop NTPase domains of Rep protein and nonanucleotide motif (CAATATTAC) of the three viruses were similar to those of Circoviruses and Cycloviruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these viruses could be grouped with members in the proposed family Kirkoviridae. This is the first report to describe that kirV can circulate in piglets with diarrhea, and future studies are needed to determine the pathogenesis of this virus.

Abortion storm of Yili horses is associated with Equus caballus papillomavirus 2 variant infection.

Nine different species of Equus caballus papillomavirus (EcPV) and three bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) have been reported to infect horses. However, there are few descriptions of such infections in China. In our pioneer study on Chinese horses, we identified EcPV-2 in the nasal swabs (4/230, 1.7%) of Yili horses, and the semen (3/18, 16.7%) of thoroughbred horses. This indicated that EcPV is indeed hosted by horses in China, and that EcPV-2 might be transmitted though breeding. Further detection of EcPVs in the lung tissues of aborted fetuses of Yili horses, which were originally negative for equid herpes viruses, demonstrated EcPV-2 positivity in 19 of 50 samples, thereby indicating that EcPV-2 may be a new pathogen responsible for causing abortion. Thereafter, sequence analyses of the L1 genes of 26 EcPV-2 in China were performed, indicating that EcPV-2, which primarily infects horses in China, shared 98.3-99.9% nt identity with the published sequences for EcPV-2. These observations indicated that EcPV-2 identified in the current study were highly similar variants of the previously identified strains of EcPV-2. Phylogenetic analysis based on L1 gene sequences from GenBank showed that the EcPV-2 found in Chinese horses was closely related to and clustered together with an already known EcPV-2a lineage. Our study provides the first evidence related to EcPV-2 infection in Chinese horses, which can serve as a causative agent for Yili horse abortions, and may thus lay the foundation for a systematic and detailed epidemiological study of this infection in Chinese horses.

Correlation between negative life events and suicide attempts among Yi adolescents with HIV/AIDS in Liangshan Prefecture.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of suicide attempts among adolescents with HIV/AIDS in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, as well as the correlation between negative life events, sleep, exercise, drug therapy and suicide attempts. METHODS: A total of 180 Yi adolescents aged 11-19 years with HIV/AIDS in a county of Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, were investigated by census. The main outcome indicators included the incidence of suicide attempts and whether negative life events, sleep, exercise, drug therapy and other factors were related to suicide attempts. RESULTS: We found that the incidence rate of suicide attempts among Yi adolescents with HIV/AIDS in Liangshan Prefecture was 13.9%. Negative life events were a risk factor for suicide attempts (OR = 1.047, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.027-1.067). In the factors of negative life events, adaptation was a risk factor for suicide attempts (OR = 1.203, p = 0.026, 95% CI 1.022-1.416), and academic pressure showed a tendency to be a risk factor for suicide attempts (OR = 1.149, p = 0.077, 95% CI 0.985-1.339). However, the punishment factor, interpersonal stress factor and loss factor had no significant correlation with suicide attempts. There was no significant correlation between sleep, exercise, drug therapy and suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: The proportion of suicide attempts among Yi adolescents with HIV/AIDS in Liangshan Prefecture is high and should be considered. Negative life events are independent risk factors for suicide attempts, and it is necessary to strengthen the screening and early intervention for suicide attempts in HIV/AIDS adolescents with definite negative life events.

"Low-age, low-frequency" lung cancer screening strategies maybe adaptable to the situation in China.

BACKGROUND: The object was to compare changes in patients undergoing lung surgery before and after COVID-19 outbreak, and to explore the impact of COVID-19 on lung surgery and its coping strategies. METHOD: A retrospective review of patients undergoing thoracic surgery at a single institution was conducted. Group A included patients treated between January 23, 2019, and January 23, 2020, while Group B included patients treated between June 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021, at our center. We compared the reasons of seeking medical treatment, the general characteristics of patients, imaging features, pathological features, surgical methods and postoperative recovery. RESULT: Compared to Group A, the number of patients with pulmonary nodules screened by routine check-up increased in Group B (57.6% vs 46.9%, p < 0.05). Female patient increased (55.2%vs 44.7%). Patient without smoking history or with family history of lung cancer increased (70.7% vs 60.7%) (10.1%vs 7.8%). Early stage lung cancer increased. Lobectomy decreased (53.4% vs 64.1%). Segmental resection increased (33.3% vs 12.7%). Patients without postoperative comorbidities increased (96.1%vs 85.7%). In the case of patients with Ground Glass Opacity(GGO), their age was comparatively lower (52 ± 9.9 vs. 55 ± 10.7), the female patients increased, patient without smoking history, tumor history, family history of tumor increased, small GGO increased. Lobectomy decreased (35.2% vs 49.7%). Segmental resection increased (49.6% vs 21.2%). Patients without postoperative comorbidities increased (96.5% vs 87.4%). CONCLUSION: Since COVID-19 outbreak, more young, non-smoking, female lung cancers, more Ground Glass Opacity, none high risk patients have been detected through screening, suggesting that our current screening criteria for lung cancer may need to be revised. Higher requirements, including the selection of the timing of nodular surgery, surgical methods were put forward for thoracic surgeons' skills.

First detection of the occurrence and study of the genetic diversity of novel putative kirkoviruses in donkey in China.

The first representative of a seemingly novel virus family has been found during the metagenomic examination of a diseased and dead horse in the USA [Li et al. in J Gen Virol 96:2721-2733, 2015]. These authors have suggested the need for the establishment of a new family with the tentative name Kirkoviridae; however, the suggested name is not official yet. Soon after the discovery, similar, relatively large CRESS-DNA viruses have been detected in various animals in China and elsewhere. Besides the two main genes (rep and cap), characteristic for members of the family Circoviridae, the tentative kirkoviruses have considerably larger genomes of approximately 4000 nucleotides. Accordingly, these viruses possess three four additional ORFs coding for proteins of unknown function. This has been described previously. In the present manuscript, the authors report the sequence of kirkovirus-like viruses, detected by PCR in donkey excretes in China. From 73 samples, 8 were found positive. From three of these newly detected viruses, the full genomic sequence was determined, whereas from the other five only one gene, namely the replication-associated (Rep) protein was sequenced.

Outbreak of neuropathogenic equid herpesvirus 1 causing abortions in Yili horses of Zhaosu, North Xinjiang, China.

BACKGROUND: EHV-1 is one of the most serious viral pathogens that frequently cause abortion in horses around the world. However, so far, relatively little information is available on EHV-1 infections as they occur in China. In January 2021, during an abortion storm which occurred in Yili horses at the Chinese State Studs of Zhaosu (North Xinjiang, China), 43 out of 800 pregnant mares aborted. RESULTS: PCR detection revealed the presence of EHV-1 in all samples as the possible cause of all abortions, although EHV-4, EHV-2 and EHV-5 were also found to circulate in the aborted fetuses. Furthermore, the partial ORF33 sequences of the 43 EHV-1 shared 99.3-100% and 99.0-100% similarity in nucleotide and amino acid sequences respectively. These sequences not only indicated a highly conserved region but also allowed the strains to group into six clusters. In addition, based on the predicted ORF30 nucleotide sequence, it was found that all the strains carried a guanine at the 2254 nucleotide position (aspartic acid at position 752 of the viral DNA polymerase) and were, therefore, identified as neuropathogenic strains. CONCLUSION: This study is the first one that establishes EHV-1 as the cause of abortions in Yili horses, of China. Further characterization of the ORF30 sequences revealed that all the EHV-1 strains from the study carried the neuropathogenic genotype. Totally, neuropathogenic EHV-1 infection in China's horse population should be concerned although the virus only detected in Yili horse abortions.

First detection and genetic characterization of equid herpesvirus 2, 4, and 5 in China.

In November 2018, an outbreak of respiratory disease occurred in foals at an equestrian club in Changji, northern Xinjiang, China. We applied viral metagenomics to investigate this outbreak and identify potential pathogens involved in this equine respiratory syndrome. The metagenomics data revealed the presence of sequences matching those of equid herpesvirus (EHV) 2, 4, and 5. PCR with specific primers targeting ORF33 of EHV-4 and ORF8 of EHV-2 and EHV-5 revealed coinfection with these viruses in this respiratory syndrome. To investigate the prevalence of these viruses in China, 453 nasal swabs from clinically healthy thoroughbred foals (36/453, 7.9%) and horses (417/453, 92.1%) were collected from several equestrian clubs. Forty-five (9.9%) of the samples tested positive for EHV-5 DNA, and seven (1.5%) tested positive for EHV-2, but all were negative for EHV-4 DNA. Forty-nine (10.8%) samples tested positive for both EHV-5 and EHV-2 DNA. Using these samples, one complete EHV-4 ORF33, 10 partial EHV-2 ORF8, and 50 partial EHV-5 ORF8 sequences from the 10 diseased foals and 50 thoroughbred horses were then determined. Sequence analysis indicated that EHV-4 ORF33 and EHV-5 ORF8, in contrast to EHV-2 ORF8, had high sequence similarity to those of published sequences. Our data provide the first evidence that EHV-2, -4, and -5 co-circulate in China and that EHV-4 is potentially involved in this respiratory disease in foals.

Identification and genomic characterization of emerging CRESS DNA viruses in thoroughbred horses in China.

Multiple novel circular replication-associated protein (Rep)-encoding single stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses have been extensively identified in the feces of humans and animals. Here, we first detected CRESS DNA virus (named Horse-CRESS DNA-like virus, HCLV) in two fecal samples from 10 imported thoroughbred (TB) horses in the customs quarantine station in North Xinjiang province, China. Additionally, we found that this virus was not detected in local breeds (LBs) (0/41) and was found only in imported TB horses (2/73). We obtained the whole-genome sequences of four viruses (HCLV ALSK-3-4, ALSK-13-10, CJ-1-2, and CJ-13-1). Unlike Circovirus and Cyclovirus, whose genome sequences have 1700 to 2100 nucleotides (nt), these HCLVs have circular genome with 3503, 3504, 3485, 3491 nt, respectively and five major ORFs. The ORF1 gene encodes the Rep protein in HCLVs. Furthermore, the Rep protein of the four HCLVs share 23.3-84.8%, 21.6-27.4%, 23.7-27.2% amino acid identity with the corresponding reference viruses of Kirkoviruses, genus Circovirus, and genus Cyclovirus, respectively. Moreover, RCR domain, P-loop NTPase domains, and nonanucleotide motif (TAGTATTAC) of the HCLVs are similar to Circovirus and Cyclovirus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus was grouped together with members in Kirkoviruses. These results suggest the HCLV probably entered Xinjiang province via the international trade of horses.

The synergistic effect of traditional Chinese medicine prescription and rumen-protected γ-aminobutyric acid on beef cattle under heat stress.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription or rumen-protected GABA (RP-GABA) can effectively relieve the heat stress (HS) in cattle, but the joint effects of TCM and RP-GABA on HS in beef cattle are not fully clarified. To investigate the effects of TCM or/and RP-GABA on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, serum parameters and heat shock proteins (HSPs) expression in beef cattle under HS ambient. A total of 40 Jinjiang yellow cattle were randomly divided into four groups: (a) control group (basal diet, BD), (b) TCM group (BD+TCM), (c) GABA group (BD+RP-GABA) and (d) TCM+GABA group (BD+TCM plus RP-GABA). Results indicated that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly elevated in the TCM+GABA group (p < 0.05), whereas, average daily gain (ADG) was elevated (p < 0.05) in the group of TCM (38.5%), GABA (35.4%) and TCM+GABA (41.5%) compared with the control group. Meanwhile, TCM+GABA exhibited prominently more positive effects in terms of SOD, BUN, T-CHO, TG, HDL-C and HSP70 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) than the control and other treatment groups. Therefore, TCM or GABA can effectively moderate the HS response in beef cattle by ameliorating antioxidant capacity, serum parameters and HSPs expression, meanwhile, the combination of them exerts a synergistic effect on HS alleviation.

First detection and genetic characterization of a novel kirkovirus from a dead thoroughbred mare in northern Xinjiang, China, in 2018.

BACKGROUND: In May 2018, a 8 year old thoroughbred mare died at an equestrian club in Changji, Xinjiang, China. The horse had been imported from the United States in 2013. She became pregnant in December 2016 but, after foaling, gradually lost weight and died in May 2018. This study aim to identify the pathogen, who cause of horse death, using virome. RESULTS: We have identified an Equ1-like virus from the fecal virome of a dead thoroughbred mare in China. Full genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the virus, tentatively named "kirkovirus Cj-7-7", showed that it was closely related to kirkovirus Equ1 and clustered together with po-circo-like viruses 21, 22, 41, and 51, suggesting that it should be assigned to the proposed family "Kirkoviridae". An epidemiological investigation showed that kirkovirus Cj-7-7 circulates in horses of northern Xinjiang and may specifically infect intestinal cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of Kirkoviruses, and the prevalence of Kirkovirus Cj-7-7 in Xinjiang, China.

RNA-Seq analysis reveals the potential molecular mechanisms of daidzein on adipogenesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue of finishing Xianan beef cattle.

Daidzein has been reported to be effective in regulating lipid metabolism in animals. However, the molecular mechanisms of daidzein on adipogenesis in beef cattle are not yet reported and the results of daidzein on affecting lipid metabolism in other species have been conflicting. High-throughput sequencing of mRNA (RNA-Seq) technology was performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of daidzein on adipogenesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue of finishing Xianan beef cattle. A total of 893 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by differential expression analysis, among which 405 genes were upregulated and 488 genes were downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that these DEGs were significantly enriched to the pathways related to lipid metabolism including ECM-receptor interaction, Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis and Hedgehog signalling pathway. Daidzein significantly affected the candidate genes (Shh, Pec, Gli, Wnt6, DLK, IGFBP2, ID3 and C/EBPE) related to adipocyte differentiation. Besides, daidzein improved the ability of subcutaneous adipocytes in synthesizing triglycerides by directly using the long-chain fatty acids and enhanced the efficiency of triglyceride synthesis of subcutaneous adipocytes in Xianan steers. In conclusion, daidzein plays a positive role not only in adipogenic differentiation, but also in triglyceride synthesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Xianan beef cattle.

Folate deficiency facilitates recruitment of upstream binding factor to hot spots of DNA double-strand breaks of rRNA genes and promotes its transcription.

The biogenesis of ribosomes in vivo is an essential process for cellular functions. Transcription of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes is the rate-limiting step in ribosome biogenesis controlled by environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the role of folate antagonist on changes of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) landscape in mouse embryonic stem cells. A significant DSB enhancement was detected in the genome of these cells and a large majority of these DSBs were found in rRNA genes. Furthermore, spontaneous DSBs in cells under folate deficiency conditions were located exclusively within the rRNA gene units, representing a H3K4me1 hallmark. Enrichment H3K4me1 at the hot spots of DSB regions enhanced the recruitment of upstream binding factor (UBF) to rRNA genes, resulting in the increment of rRNA genes transcription. Supplement of folate resulted in a restored UBF binding across DNA breakage sites of rRNA genes, and normal rRNA gene transcription. In samples from neural tube defects (NTDs) with low folate level, up-regulation of rRNA gene transcription was observed, along with aberrant UBF level. Our results present a new view by which alterations in folate levels affects DNA breakage through epigenetic control leading to the regulation of rRNA gene transcription during the early stage of development.

[The pathogenicity of somatic mutation to common tumors and developmental malformation of the nervous system].

In the course of development, both endogenous and exogenous factors can cause DNA damage, which resulted in somatic mutations. It is recongnized that somatic mutations are the causation of many nervous cancers, the pathogenicity of somatic mutation in developmental malformation of nervous system is unknown yet. With the development of next generation sequencing (NGS), especially the clinical application of the whole-exome sequencing and the targeted massively parallel sequencing, the somatic mutations with low levels can be detected precisely. The detection of low-level and tissue-specific somatic mutation in patients enables researchers to re-recognize the contribution of somatic mutation to neurological disorders. In this review, we systematically summarize the pathogenicity and characteristics of the somatic mutations in the common tumors and developmental malformation of nervous system, and the new technologies to detect somatic mutation in order to extend our understanding of its genetic etiologies and identifying the new drug targets in the future.

Traditional chinese medicine prescriptions enhance growth performance of heat stressed beef cattle by relieving heat stress responses and increasing apparent nutrient digestibility.

The present aim was to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (TCM) on body temperature, blood physiological parameters, nutrient apparent digestibility and growth performance of beef cattle under heat stress conditions. Twenty-seven beef cattle were randomly divided into three groups as following; i) high temperature control (HTC), ii) traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions I+high temperature (TCM I) and iii) traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions II+high temperature (TCM II) (n = 9 per group). The results showed that the mean body temperature declined in TCM II treatment (p<0.05). Serum T3 and T4 levels with TCM I and TCM II treatments elevated (p<0.05), and serum cortisol levels of TCM I treatments decreased (p<0.05), compared with the HTC group. Total protein, albumin, globulin in TCM II treatments elevated and blood urea nitrogen levels of both TCM treatments increased, but glucose levels of both TCM treatments decreased, compared with the HTC group (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of organic matter and crude protein with TCM I treatment increased, and the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber elevated in both TCM treatments (p<0.05). Average daily feed intake was not different among three groups, however average daily gain increased and the feed:gain ratio decreased with both TCM treatments, compared with the HTC group (p<0.05). The present results suggest that dietary supplementation with TCM I or TCM II improves growth performance of heat stressed beef cattle by relieving heat stress responses and increasing nutrient apparent digestibility.

The structure of TRAF7 coiled-coil trimer provides insight into its function in zebrafish embryonic development.

TRAF7 serves as a crucial intracellular adaptor and E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in signal transduction pathways, contributing to immune responses, tumor progression, and embryonic development. Somatic mutations within the coiled-coil (CC) domain and WD40 repeat domain of TRAF7 could cause brain tumors, while germline pathogenic mutations contribute to severe developmental abnormalities. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying TRAF7 involvement in embryonic development remains unclear. In this study, we employed zebrafish as an in vivo model system. TRAF7 knock down caused defects in zebrafish embryonic development. We determined the crystal structure of TRAF7 CC domain at 3.3 Å resolution and found that the CC region trimerization was essential for TRAF7 functionality during zebrafish embryonic development. Additionally, disease-causing mutations in TRAF7 CC region could impair the trimer formation, consequently impacting early embryonic development of zebrafish. Therefore, our study sheds light on the molecular mechanism of TRAF7 CC trimer formation and its pivotal role in embryonic development.

Application of a Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Approach for the Detection of Pathogenesis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Caused by Copy Number Aberrations.

Both Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD; OMIM no. 310200) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA; OMIM no. 253300/253550/253400/271150) are genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Genetic copy number aberrations in the pathogenetic genes DMD and SMN1 lead to alterations in functional proteins, resulting in DMD and SMA, respectively. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) has become a standard method for the detection of common copy number aberrations (CNAs), including DMD and SMN1 deletions, both of which are associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, traditional MLPA assays only accommodate a maximum of 60 MLPA probes per test. To increase the number of targeted sequences in one assay, an MLPA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay has been developed that is based on the standard MLPA procedure, allows high-throughput screening for a large number of fragments and samples by integrating additional indices for detection, and can be analyzed on all Illumina NGS platforms.

Clinical characteristics and identification of novel CNOT1 variants in three unrelated Chinese families with Vissers-Bodmer Syndrome.

Vissers-Bodmer Syndrome, an autosomal dominant disease, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia and autistic features with a highly variable phenotype. It is caused by variants in the CCR4-NOT transcription complex, subunit 1 gene (CNOT1). However, the pathophysiologic mechanism of the Vissers-Bodmer Syndrome remains unclear. Notably, this syndrome has not been previously reported in the Chinese. In this study, we utilized whole exome sequencing to identify three novel variants in the CNOT1 gene, encompassing one frameshift variant and two missense variants, in three Chinese patients mainly presenting with developmental delay, intellectual disability and/or autism. Interestingly, three patients exhibited novel manifestations including spina bifida occulta, horse-shoe kidney and café-au-lait spot. The frameshift variant, p.Gly172Alafs*5, occurring de novo, leading to a premature stop codon in the protein, was classified into pathogenic. Two missense variants c.3451A > G (p.Asn1151Asp) and c.557C > T (p.Ser186Phe) were predicted to be deleterious by multiple prediction algorithms with high conservation among a variety of species. Additionally, three-dimensional structure modeling and predicting indicated the substitution of the mutated amino acids would decrease the stability of CNOT1 protein. Given that CNOT1 is a relatively novel disease gene, we evaluated the gene-disease validity following ClinGen Standard Operating Procedure. The existing evidence substantiates a "Definitive" level of gene-disease relationship. The genetic findings provide a reliable basis for the genetic counseling of the family reproduction. Moreover, our results expand the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of CNOT1-related Vissers-Bodmer Syndrome.

Reliability and Validity of Chinese Version of the Perceived Competence Scale for Disaster Mental Health Workforce: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to translate the English version of the Perceived Competence Scale for Disaster Mental Health Workforce (PCS-DMHW) into Chinese, and to test its reliability and validity in Chinese mental health workers. METHODS: With the consent of Professor Choi, Keimyung University, Korea, and the authorization of the scale, the English version of PCS-DMHW was translated, retranslated and culturally debugged to form the Chinese version of PCS-DMHW. The general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of PCS-DMHW scale were used to investigate 706 mental health workforce from 9 tertiary hospitals in Sichuan province in China from March 24, 2020 to April 14, 2020. The Cronbach's α coefficient was used to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, and the test-retest correlation coefficient r was used to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the scale. The content validity indexes (CVI) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used separately for evaluating the content validity and structure validity of the scale. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficient of the Chinese version of PCS-DMHW total scale, individual competences and organizational competences subscale was 0.978, 0.956, and 0.964, respectively. The test-retest reliability of the total scale, individual competences and organizational competences subscale was 0.949, 0.932 and 0.927, respectively. The item-level CVI of all scale were ranged from 0.833-1.000, the scale-level CVI (S-CVI)/universal agreement of the total scale, individual competences and organizational competences subscale was 0.833, 0.875, and 0.857, respectively, and the S-CVI/average was 0.972, 0.979, and 0.976, respectively. EFA showed that two principal components were extracted from the subscale of individual competences and organizational competences. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of PCS-DMHW has good reliability and validity, and can be widely used in China.

Association between life events, anxiety, depression and non-suicidal self-injury behavior in Chinese psychiatric adolescent inpatients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major public health concern among adolescents. Further research is needed into contributors to this behavior, in particular among adolescents with psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of life events and emotional stress on NSSI among hospitalized psychiatric adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 505 Chinese psychiatric adolescent inpatients 10-19 years old completed questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics and NSSI as well as the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidence of NSSI in psychiatric adolescent patients with different sociodemographic. T-test was used to compare the total scores and dimension scores of the ASLEC, STAI-Y, and CES-D between the NSSI group and the non-NSSI group. A binary logistic regression model was built to explore the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, questionnaire scores and NSSI. Results: Most psychiatric adolescent inpatients (393, 77.8%) reported NSSI behavior. The higher risk for NSSI was observed among female (odds ratio [OR] 2.665, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.575-4.510), younger adolescents (10-14 years; OR 2.021, 95% CI 1.258-3.245), with a suicide history (OR 2.479, 95% CI 1.549-3.967), or with depression symptom (OR 3.217, 95% CI 1.572-6.582) and those with higher scores of ASLEC (OR 1.019, 95% CI 1.010-1.029). Conclusion: Our study in China is one of the first to apply to adolescent inpatients the diagnostic criteria of NSSI in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Our analysis suggests that NSSI prevalence is disturbingly high among adolescents with mental illness in China. A better understanding of contributing factors, especially negative life events and negative emotions, may guide interventions that can reduce its prevalence.

Optimization of key parameters for continuous and precise nitrogen injection in goaf based on response surface methodology.

In order to solve the problems of coal spontaneous combustion, poor inerting effect of traditional nitrogen injection, and waste of resources in goaf, based on the response surface methodology and Box-Behnken combination test principle, the self-developed continuous and precise nitrogen injection and fire-fighting equipment was used to study the best possible combination of nitrogen injection position (20-90 m), nitrogen injection amount (10-70 m3/min), and air supply volume (2100-2500 m3/min), aiming to minimize the width of the oxidation zone and CO concentration in goaf. The optimal key parameters of continuous precise nitrogen injection were determined as follows: nitrogen injection position 54.17 m, nitrogen injection amount 31.04 m3/min, and air supply 2484.81 m3/min. Under this condition, the width of the oxidation zone was 29.21 ± 0.3 m and the CO concentration was 28.1 ± 4.4 ppm, which were similar to the predicted results of the model (the width of the oxidation zone was 29.41 m; CO concentration was 27.28 ppm). The reliability of the model was verified. These preliminary studies have achieved the purpose of rapid control of the fire in the whole region of the goaf and provided valuable lessons for similar nitrogen injection fire prevention and extinguishing technologies in goaf.