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While numerous studies have revealed the impact of different bullying behaviors, such as victimization and perpetration, on the psychological development of adolescents, the exploration of the correlates of positive/negative bystander behaviors and their potential underlying mechanisms remains scarce in China. The present study aims to compare the relationships between mental health and positive versus negative bystander behavior and to clarify whether self-efficacy and coping styles mediate the relationships between mental health and bullying dynamics. The current study was conducted on 11,734 students from 18 secondary schools in Suzhou, China (Meanage = 15.00, SDage = 1.47; 53.8% boys). The information on bullying victimization, perpetration, positive/negative bystander behaviors, as well as self-efficacy, coping styles and mental health variables (including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, suicide risk), were collected. Negative bystander behavior was positively associated with mental health problems, while positive bystander behavior was negatively associated with these factors. Also, further analysis showed that coping styles and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between different bullying behaviors and mental health outcomes. The results highlighted the comparison of the correlates of positive and negative bystander behaviors, which were comparably crucial to those of victims and perpetrators for prevention and intervention efforts. Promoting adaptive coping styles and self-efficacy to buffer the deleterious psychological consequences of bullying behavior in adolescents was also important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the variations of PM 2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) chemical components responding to the pollution control strategy and their effect on light extinction (b ext) in the Guanzhong Plain (GZP), the comparisons of urban atmospheric chemical components during the heating seasons were extensively conducted for three years. The average concentration of PM 2.5 decreased significantly from 117.9 ± 57.3 μg m−3 in the heating season 1 (HS1) to 53.5 ± 31.3 μg m−3 in the heating season 3 (HS3), which implied that the effective strategies were implemented in recent years. The greatest contribution to PM 2.5 (∼30%) was from Organic matter (OM). The heightened contributions of the secondary inorganic ions (SNA, including NO 3 −, SO 4 2−, and NH 4 +) to PM 2.5 were observed with the values of 34% (HS1), 41% (HS2), and 42% (HS3), respectively. The increased percentages of NO 3 − contributions indicated that the emission of NOx should be received special attention in the GZP. The comparison of PM 2.5 chemical compositions and implications across major regions of China and the globe were investigated. NH 4 NO 3 was the most important contributor to b ext in three heating seasons. The average b ext was decreased from 694.3 ± 399.1 Mm−1 (HS1) to 359.3 ± 202.3 Mm−1 (HS3). PM 2.5 had a threshold concentration of 75 μg m−3, 64 μg m−3, and 57 μg m−3 corresponding to the visual range (VR) < 10 km in HS1, HS2, and HS3, respectively. The enhanced impacts of the oxidant on PM 2.5 and O 3 were observed based on the long-term variations in PM 2.5 and OX (Oxidant, the sum of O 3 and NO 2 mixing ratios) over the five heating seasons and PM 2.5 and O 3 over six summers from 2016 to 2021. The importance of coordinated control of PM 2.5 and O 3 was also investigated in the GZP. [Display omitted] • Article Highlights: • PM 2.5 and major components decreased significantly in the Guanzhong Plain. • Increased contributions of secondary inorganic ions (especially nitrate) to PM 2.5 were observed. • NH 4 NO 3 was the most important contributor to light extinction during heating seasons. • Enhanced impacts of oxidant on PM 2.5 and O 3 were obtained from 2016 to 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and disabling condition characterized by abnormal mood changes. Clinical guidelines for depression treatment recommend antidepressant medications, with benzodiazepines acting as short-term synergists. However, little is currently known about the prevalence and associated clinical risk factors of benzodiazepine use among Chinese patients with MDD. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and clinical risk factors associated with benzodiazepine use in this population., Methods: A total of 2742 patients with MDD (males/females = 816/1926, aged 14-60 years) participated in this cross-sectional observational study. General information and psychosis assessments were collected online. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and sleep problems and suicidal tendencies using the third and ninth items of the PHQ-9. Multivariable logistic regression analysis models were employed to identify factors associated with benzodiazepine use., Results: The prevalence of benzodiazepine use among patients with MDD was 42.9 %. Among these patients, 99.6 % used a single benzodiazepine, with oxazepam being the most frequently prescribed. Age, severity of sleep problems, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were significantly correlated with benzodiazepine use (all P < 0.001)., Limitations: The cross-sectional design of this study precludes establishing causal relationships., Conclusion: Our findings indicate a high prevalence of benzodiazepine use among Chinese patients with MDD. Factors such as severe depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, age, and sleep problems appear to be associated with benzodiazepine use. These results underscore the importance of vigilance regarding benzodiazepine use in patients with MDD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts with any financial interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)