Association between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality in the Health and Retirement Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with and adapt to challenging life circumstances and events. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the association between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality in a national cohort of US older adults by a cross-sectional study. METHODS: The Health and Retirement Study (2006-2008) included 10 569 participants aged ≥50. Mortality outcomes were determined using records up to May 2021. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the associations between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality. Restricted cubic splines were applied to examine the association between psychological resilience and mortality risk. FINDINGS: During the follow-up period, 3489 all-cause deaths were recorded. The analysis revealed an almost linear association between psychological resilience and mortality risk. Higher levels of psychological resilience were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in models adjusting for attained age, sex, race and body mass index (HR=0.750 per 1 SD increase in psychological resilience; 95% CI 0.726, 0.775). This association remained statistically significant after further adjustment for self-reported diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and hypertension (HR=0.786; 95% CI 0.760, 0.813). The relationship persisted even after accounting for smoking and other health-related behaviours (HR=0.813; 95% CI 0.802, 0.860). CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study highlights the association between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality in older adults in the USA. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Psychological resilience emerges as a protective factor against mortality, emphasising its importance in maintaining health and well-being.

Incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

As China faces demographic shifts and socioeconomic changes, the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and associated cognitive impairments is increasing dramatically, with significant implications for public health and the economy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence and incidence of AD across China. Drawing from an extensive search of international and Chinese databases up to August 27, 2023, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, we synthesized data from 105 studies. Our analysis reveals a combined prevalence of AD of 3.48% within a sample of 626,276 elderly individuals and an incidence rate of 7.90 per 1000 person-years. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses highlight age and gender as pivotal factors influencing these epidemiological patterns. Notably, significant heterogeneity exists due to variations in diagnostic criteria and study quality, impacting the comparability of findings. This meta-analysis underscores the need for continued research into demographic and modifiable risk factors influencing AD, while emphasizing standardized reporting practices to address these limitations and improve the understanding of AD's challenge in China.

A novel approach for large-scale characterization of residential cooking-generated PM with computer vision and low-cost sensors.

Cooking is one of the major sources of indoor particulate matter (PM), which poses significant health risks and is a severe health hazard. Current studies lack an economical and effective analytical framework for quantifying inhalable particles (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from residential cooking activities on a large scale under real-world scenarios. This study bridges this gap by employing computer vision (CV) technology and readily available sensors. We collected data over a month in real-world settings, including cooking videos and air quality data (indoor PM10, PM2.5, CO2, temperature, relative humidity, and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations). To classify high-emission (pan-frying, stir-frying, deep-frying) and low-emission (stewing, steaming, boiling, non-cooking) activities, we developed and validated a robust CV model named "Cooking-I3D." This model leverages a pre-trained Two-Stream Inflated 3D ConvNet (I3D) architecture. We then assessed the efficacy of the CV-predicted cooking method in PM characterization using a first-order multivariate autoregressive model, controlling for environmental factors. The Cooking-I3D model achieved exceptional performance, boasting an accuracy of 95 % and an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.98. Our results indicate that a single 6-minute high-emission cooking event triggers a 21-25 % increase in indoor PM concentrations and a 23-24 % increase in the indoor/outdoor ratio, with relative errors in these estimates ranging from 10 to 21 %. This innovative method offers a powerful tool for long-term assessment of cooking-related indoor air pollution and facilitates precision exposure assessment in human health studies.

Enhanced Capability of Hydrogen Evolution Photocathode by Laminated Interface Engineering of Co/MoS2 QDs/pyramid-black Si.

We present a novel and stable laminated structure to enhance the performance and stability of silicon (Si) photocathode devices for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. First, by utilizing Cu nanoparticle catalysts to work on a n+p-black Si substrate via the metal-assisted chemical etching, we can achieve the black silicon with a porous pyramid structure. The low depth holes on the surface of the pyramid caused by Cu etching not only help enhance the light capture capability with quite low surface reflectivity (<5%) but also efficiently protect the p-n junction from damage. To improve the charge migration efficiency and mitigate parasitic light absorption from cocatalysts at the same time, we drop casted quantum dots (QDs) MoS2 with the size of nanometer scale as the first layer of catalyst. Hence, we then can safely electrodeposit cocatalyst Co nanoparticles to further enhance interface transfer efficiency. The synergistic effects of cocatalysts and optimized light absorption from the morphology and QDs contributed to the overall enhancement of PEC performance, offering a promising pathway for an efficient, low cost, and stable (over 100 h) hydrogen production photocathode.

Serum Fatty Acid Profiles and Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in the General Population.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated associations between fatty acids and neurological disorders. However, no studies have examined the relationship between serum fatty acid levels and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker of neurological disorders. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the intricate relationship between 30 serum fatty acids and serum NfL levels in a nationally representative sample of United States adults, using data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional analysis, multivariable linear regression models were used to explore the associations between 30 serum fatty acids and serum NfL levels. This analysis involved adjustment for potential confounding variables, including age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, to clarify the association between serum fatty acids and serum NfL levels. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that certain fatty acids exhibited distinct associations with serum NfL levels. Notably, docosanoic acid (22:0) and tricosanoic acid (C23:0) were found to be inversely associated with serum NfL levels (ß = -0.280, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.525, -0.035; ß = -0.292, 95% CI: -0.511, -0.072). Conversely, palmitoleic acid (16:1n-7) demonstrated a positive association with serum NfL levels (ß = 0.125, 95% CI: 0.027, 0.222). Notably, these associations remained significant even after adjustment for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with high relative concentrations of certain SFA exhibited decreased serum NfL, whereas those with high relative concentrations of certain monounsaturated fatty acids showed increased serum NfL. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential impact of serum fatty acids on NfL levels, shedding light on novel avenues for further investigation and potential interventions in the context of neurological health.

Association between serum folate concentrations and all-cause mortality in U.S. adults: a cohort study based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

The association between serum folate and all-cause mortality in general population remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential association between serum folate concentrations and all-cause mortality in a large, prospective, long-term U.S. cohort. Our study included adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, and mortality data was obtained by linking with the National Death Index (NDI) until December 31, 2019. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the association between serum folate concentrations and all-cause mortality. A total of 12,862 participants were included in this cohort study. After a median follow-up of 26.4 years [interquartile range (IQR), 15.4-28.7 years], a total of 5,299 deaths were recorded. The risk of death was lower by 12% per 1.0 g/L increase in log-transformed serum folate concentrations (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83-0.94). Compared with the lowest quartiles of serum folate level, the risk of death was lower in the second (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.97), third (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.91) and the highest quartiles (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88) in multivariable-adjusted model. In subgroup analyses, the inverse association between serum folate and all-cause mortality remained statistically significant for women, men and non-Hispanic White people. Higher serum folate levels were found to be significantly associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality. However, further studies are needed to verify these findings and explore the underlying mechanism.

Deep learning reconstruction for coronary CT angiography in patients with origin anomaly, stent or bypass graft.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate a deep learning (DL)-model for automatic reconstruction for coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in patients with origin anomaly, stent or bypass graft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, a DL model for automatic CCTA reconstruction was developed with training and validation sets from 6063 and 1962 patients. The algorithm was evaluated on an independent external test set of 812 patients (357 with origin anomaly or revascularization, 455 without). The image quality of DL reconstruction and manual reconstruction (using dedicated cardiac reconstruction software provided by CT vendors) was compared using a 5-point scale. The successful reconstruction rates and post-processing time for two methods were recorded. RESULTS: In the external test set, 812 patients (mean age, 64.0 ± 11.6, 100 with origin anomalies, 152 with stents, 105 with bypass grafts) were evaluated. The successful rates for automatic reconstruction were 100% (455/455), 97% (97/100), 100% (152/152), and 76.2% (80/105) in patients with native vessel, origin anomaly, stent, and bypass graft, respectively. The image quality scores were significantly higher for DL reconstruction than those for manual approach in all subgroups (4 vs. 3 for native vessel, 4 vs. 4 for origin anomaly, 4 vs. 3 for stent and 4 vs. 3 for bypass graft, all p < 0.001). The overall post-processing time was remarkably reduced for DL reconstruction compared to manual method (11 s vs. 465 s, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The developed DL model enabled accurate automatic CCTA reconstruction of bypass graft, stent and origin anomaly. It significantly reduced post-processing time and improved clinical workflow.

Trends of mortality from epilepsy in the United States, 1979-2021.

PURPOSE: The analysis of long-term trends of mortality from epilepsy has not been conducted, which is crucial for estimating the future burden of epilepsy. We therefore aimed to investigate the long-term trends of mortality from epilepsy in the United States from 1979 to 2021. METHODS: The cause-of-death and demographic data were from the National Center for Health Statistics (1979-2021) and population estimates were from the US Census Bureau. We used the joinpoint regression model to analyze secular trends in the mortality of epilepsy spanning from 1979 to 2021. Age-adjusted mortality from epilepsy was assessed based on the year 2000 U.S. population data, stratified by age, sex, and race. RESULTS: The age-adjusted mortality from epilepsy increased from 0.78 per 100,000 population in 1979 to 1.01 per 100,000 population in 2021, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 0.58% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45% - 0.72%). The overall age-adjusted mortality of epilepsy had been on the rise between 2011 and 2021. The mortality rate generally increases with age. The mortality of epilepsy was higher in the Afro-American people and men. The mortality of epilepsy in both sexes declined first and then increased, with AAPC 1.02% (95% CI: 0.88%, 1.23%) in women and 0.10% (95% CI: -0.002%, 0.21%) in men. Mortality in all races including White, Afro-American people, and other races individuals fell first and then rose. The AAPC of mortality in White, other races, and Afro-American people were 0.89% (95% CI: 0.79%, 1.02%), -0.87% (95% CI: -1.84%, 0.88%), and -0.31% (95% CI: -0.48%, -0.13%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the mortality rate from epilepsy has experienced a period of decline, it is worth noting that the last decade has seen a rapid increase. A comprehensive assessment of long-term trends in mortality from epilepsy holds significance for healthcare prioritization.

The longitudinal trajectory of CSF sTREM2: the alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative.

BACKGROUND: The soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered a biomarker of microglia activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the trajectory of CSF sTREM2 levels over time and examine its association with sex. METHODS: A total of 1,017 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Study (ADNI) with at least one CSF sTREM2 record were included. The trajectory of CSF sTREM2 was analyzed using a growth curve model. The association between CSF sTREM2 levels and sex was assessed using linear mixed-effect models. RESULTS: CSF sTREM2 levels were increased with age over time (P < 0.0001). No significant sex difference was observed in sTREM2 levels across the entire sample; however, among the APOE ε4 allele carriers, women exhibited significantly higher sTREM2 levels than men (ß = 0.146, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the association between CSF sTREM2 levels and age-related increments, underscoring the potential influence of aging on sTREM2 dynamics. Furthermore, our observations indicate a noteworthy association between sex and CSF sTREM2 levels, particularly in individuals carrying the APOE ε4 allele.

Depression, stress-related disorders and risk for dental caries and periodontitis: A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

AIMS: Our Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis focused on investigating the bidirectional relationships between major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety and stress-related disorder (ASRD), and dental caries as well as periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used summary statistics from two studies: an MDD genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 135,458 cases with 344,901 controls and a Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) GWAS based on 12,655 ASRD individuals and 19,225 controls from Denmark. GWASs on dental caries and periodontitis were based on the Gene-Lifestyle Interactions in Dental Endpoints (GLIDE) consortium. We employed different MR approaches, such as inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO, to calculate causal effects. RESULTS: Single-variable MR analysis revealed that ASRD was potentially significantly associated with decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces (DMFS) (ß = 0.056; 95 % CI: 0.009, 0.103; p = 0.018). Periodontitis was suggested to be causally related to increased ASRD risk (OR = 1.143, 95 % CI: 1.008, 1.298; p = 0.038). According to the multivariable MR analysis, no significant associations were detected between MDD and ASRD with dental caries and periodontitis, and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: ASRD demonstrated a potential association with DMFS, and periodontitis was found to potentially impact ASRD according to single-variable MR analysis. Nevertheless, no significant associations were identified between MDD, ASRD, dental caries, or periodontitis after adjusting for smoking status and education level. Hence, more robust genetic instruments are required to validate and reinforce our findings.

Efficacy of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision to Prevent HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) may lower HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM). A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is needed to confirm this. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of VMMC in preventing incident HIV infection among MSM. DESIGN: An RCT with up to 12 months of follow-up. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000039436). SETTING: 8 cities in China. PARTICIPANTS: Uncircumcised, HIV-seronegative men aged 18 to 49 years who self-reported predominantly practicing insertive anal intercourse and had 2 or more male sex partners in the past 6 months. INTERVENTION: VMMC. MEASUREMENTS: Rapid testing for HIV was done at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Behavioral questionnaires and other tests for sexually transmitted infections were done at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary outcome was HIV seroconversion using an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: The study enrolled 124 men in the intervention group and 123 in the control group, who contributed 120.7 and 123.1 person-years of observation, respectively. There were 0 seroconversions in the intervention group (0 infections [95% CI, 0.0 to 3.1 infections] per 100 person-years) and 5 seroconversions in the control group (4.1 infections [CI, 1.3 to 9.5 infections] per 100 person-years). The HIV hazard ratio was 0.09 (CI, 0.00 to 0.81; P = 0.029), and the HIV incidence was lower in the intervention group (log-rank P = 0.025). The incidence rates of syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2, and penile human papillomavirus were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups. There was no evidence of HIV risk compensation. LIMITATION: Few HIV seroconversions and limited follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Among MSM who predominantly practice insertive anal intercourse, VMMC is efficacious in preventing incident HIV infection; MSM should be included in VMMC guidelines. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: The National Science and Technology Major Project of China.

Association between psychological resilience and body mass index in a community-based population: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Objective: While earlier studies have focused on the relationship between stress and obesity, there was a gap in understanding the potential impact of positive psychological factors, such as resilience, on obesity. By investigating the role of psychological resilience with obesity, this study aimed to address this gap and tackle obesity through a positive psychological framework. Methods: Participants consisted of 2445 community residents from Shenzhen, China, with a mean age of 41.09 ± 13.72 years, comprising 846 males and 1599 females. Psychological resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale; gender, age, marital status, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, frequency of physical exercise, and perceived stress were considered potential confounding factors. The relationship between psychological resilience and body mass index (BMI) was examined through multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses. Results: The participants had an average psychological resilience score of 3.46 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.62) and an average BMI of 22.59 (SD = 3.35), with 104 individuals (4.3%) identified with obesity. In the fully adjusted multiple linear regression model, a higher psychological resilience score was associated with a higher BMI (ß = 0.507, 95% CI:0.283, 0.731). In the logistic regression model, higher psychological resilience scores were linked to increased obesity risk, with a more significant association observed among males (odds ratio [OR] = 2.169, 95% CI:1.155, 4.073), while psychological resilience acted as a protective factor against underweight among females (OR = 0.528, 95% CI:0.376, 0.816). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant link between higher psychological resilience and elevated BMI, emphasizing the complex relationship between psychological fortitude and weight management. Interventions targeting socioeconomic status, education, lifestyle habits, and physiological well-being might offer a promising strategy for enhancing psychological resilience and promoting healthier weight. Emphasizing self-efficacy and coping skills at the individual level could contribute to balanced weight and comprehensive health outcomes, addressing the global challenge of obesity.

Cognition as mediator of pulmonary function and risk of sarcopenia among older adults.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between lung function and sarcopenia remains ambiguous. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between lung function and sarcopenia in the older adults, as well as to examine the mediating role of cognitive function in this relationship. METHODS: The participants were selected from a nationally representative population-based cohort in China. The peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement was used to evaluate the lung function in older persons. The sarcopenia was diagnosed using the guidelines of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) in 2019. The Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to perform primary analyses of the relationship between PEF and sarcopenia. The mediating effect of cognitive function was evaluated using the counterfactual mediation method. RESULTS: This cohort study included 4,011 older adults (average age, 66.6 years; 53.3% males). During a follow-up period of 3.86 years, 349 individuals were diagnosed with sarcopenia. After adjusting for potential confounders, each one-standard-deviation increase in PEF was associated with a 28% reduction in the risk of sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63, 0.80). There was a significant mediation of cognition for the association between PEF and incident sarcopenia, and the proportion mediated was 12.2% (95% CI: 4.5%, 23.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with impaired lung function are more likely to develop sarcopenia. Nevertheless, cognition can explain only a small portion of this association. Thus, other potential pathways between lung function and sarcopenia must be elucidated.

Association between physical activity and psychosocial status in adults with epilepsy: Results from the 2022 National health Interview survey.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity and the four dimensions of psychosocial status in adults with epilepsy. METHODS: The data of individuals with epilepsy utilized in this cross-sectional study were derived from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey(NHIS). Physical activity was analyzed based on walking, moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity and the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans. The psychosocial status of the participants was assessed using self-report questionnaires that evaluated life satisfaction, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and social functioning. A multivariate ordinal regression model was employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) following adjustment for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: In total of 424 individuals with epilepsy(mean age:48.0 years; male: 40.6 %) were included in this study. About 39.9 % of the participants met the 2018 PAG for aerobic activity. After controlling for potential confounding factors, individuals who adhered to the 2018 PAG for aerobic activity were found to have a higher likelihood of reporting increased life satisfaction (OR, 0.39; 95 % CI: 0.21, 0.71), decreased symptoms of depression (OR, 0.53; 95 % CI: 0.30, 0.94), and improved social functioning (OR, 0.42; 95 % CI: 0.24, 0.74). However, no significant association was observed between physical activity and anxiety symptoms among individuals with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that moderate to vigorous physical activity enhances psychosocial health in individuals with epilepsy. Nevertheless, it is important to note that a causal relationship cannot be inferred from these findings, and further verification through randomized controlled trials is necessary.

Olfactory Dysfunction and Long-Term Trajectories of Sleep Disorders among early Parkinson's Disease: Findings from a Longitudinal Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested a connection between impaired olfactory function and an increased risk of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the potential impact of olfactory dysfunction on the long-term patterns of sleep disorders among early PD patients. METHODS: Data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative program included 589 participants with assessments of sleep disorders using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and RBD Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ). Olfactory dysfunction at baseline was measured using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. Trajectories of sleep disorders over a 5-year follow-up were identified using group-based trajectory modeling, and the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and sleep disorder trajectories was examined through binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Two distinct trajectories of sleep disorders over the 5-year follow-up period were identified, characterized by maintaining a low or high ESS score and a low or high RBDSQ score. An inversion association was observed between olfactory function measures and trajectories of excessive daytime sleepiness (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95, 1.00, p = 0.038), after controlling for potential covariates. Similarly, olfactory function showed a significant association with lower trajectories of probable RBD (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94, 0.98, p = 0.001) among early PD individuals. Consistent findings were replicated across alternative analytical models. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that olfactory dysfunction was associated with unfavorable long-term trajectories of sleep disorders among early PD.

Assessing and projecting the global burden of thyroid cancer, 1990-2030: Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Background: This study aims to assess the global incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of thyroid cancer between 1990 and 2030. Methods: Our study analysed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data from 204 countries, spanning 1990-2019. It focused on age-standardised thyroid cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), using the sociodemographic index (SDI) for assessing socioeconomic levels. Generalised additive models (GAMs) projected thyroid cancer trends for 2020-2030. Results: The global burden of thyroid cancer is predicted to increase significantly from 1990 to 2030. The number of thyroid cancer incidence cases is projected to rise from 233 846.64 in 2019 to 305 078.08 by 2030, representing an approximate 30.46% increase. The ASIR (age-standardised incidence rate) is expected to continue its upward trend (estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) = 0.83). The age-standardised death rate (ASDR) for thyroid cancer is projected to decline in both genders, more notably in women (EAPC = -0.34) compared to men (EAPC = -0.17). The burden of disease escalates with advancing age, with significant regional disparities. Regions with lower SDI, particularly in South Asia, are anticipated to witness substantial increases in thyroid cancer incidence from 2020 to 2030. The overall disease burden is expected to rise, especially in countries with low to middle SDI, reflecting broader socio-economic and health care shifts. Conclusions: This study highlights significant regional and gender-specific variations in thyroid cancer, with notable increases in incidence rates, particularly in areas like South Asia. These trends suggest improvements in diagnostic capabilities and the influence of socio-economic factors. Additionally, the observed decline in mortality rates across various regions reflects advancements in thyroid cancer management. The findings underline the critical importance of regionally tailored prevention strategies, robust cancer registries, and public health initiatives to address the evolving landscape of thyroid cancer and mitigate health disparities globally.

Spatial pattern of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis and its associated factors among a population with migrants in China: a retrospective population-based study.

Background: Isoniazid-resistant, rifampicin-susceptible tuberculosis (Hr-TB) globally exhibits a high prevalence and serves as a potential precursor to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Recognizing the spatial distribution of Hr-TB and identifying associated factors can provide strategic entry points for interventions aimed at early detection of Hr-TB and prevention of its progression to MDR-TB. This study aims to analyze spatial patterns and identify socioeconomic, demographic, and healthcare factors associated with Hr-TB in Shanghai at the county level. Method: We conducted a retrospective study utilizing data from TB patients with available Drug Susceptible Test (DST) results in Shanghai from 2010 to 2016. Spatial autocorrelation was explored using Global Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi∗ statistics. A Bayesian hierarchical model with spatial effects was developed using the INLA package in R software to identify potential factors associated with Hr-TB at the county level. Results: A total of 8,865 TB patients with DST were included in this analysis. Among 758 Hr-TB patients, 622 (82.06%) were new cases without any previous treatment history. The drug-resistant rate of Hr-TB among new TB cases in Shanghai stood at 7.20% (622/8014), while for previously treated cases, the rate was 15.98% (136/851). Hotspot areas of Hr-TB were predominantly situated in southwestern Shanghai. Factors positively associated with Hr-TB included the percentage of older adult individuals (RR = 3.93, 95% Crl:1.93-8.03), the percentage of internal migrants (RR = 1.35, 95% Crl:1.15-1.35), and the number of healthcare institutions per 100 population (RR = 1.17, 95% Crl:1.02-1.34). Conclusion: We observed a spatial heterogeneity of Hr-TB in Shanghai, with hotspots in the Songjiang and Minhang districts. Based on the results of the models, the internal migrant population and older adult individuals in Shanghai may be contributing factors to the emergence of areas with high Hr-TB notification rates. Given these insights, we advocate for targeted interventions, especially in identified high-risk hotspots and high-risk areas.

Room Temperature Crystallized Phase-Pure α-FAPbI3 Perovskite with In-Situ Grain-Boundary Passivation.

Energy loss in perovskite grain boundaries (GBs) is a primary limitation toward high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Two critical strategies to address this issue are high-quality crystallization and passivation of GBs. However, the established methods are generally carried out discretely due to the complicated mechanisms of grain growth and defect formation. In this study, a combined method is proposed by introducing 3,4,5-Trifluoroaniline iodide (TFAI) into the perovskite precursor. The TFAI triggers the union of nano-sized colloids into microclusters and facilitates the complete phase transition of α-FAPbI3 at room temperature. The controlled chemical reactivity and strong steric hindrance effect enable the fixed location of TFAI and suppress defects at GBs. This combination of well-crystallized perovskite grains and effectively passivated GBs leads to an improvement in the open circuit voltage (Voc) of PSCs from 1.08 V to 1.17 V, which is one of the highest recorded Voc without interface modification. The TFAI-incorporated device achieved a champion PCE of 24.81%. The device maintained a steady power output near its maximum power output point, showing almost no decay over 280 h testing without pre-processing.

Metabolic profiling of smoking, associations with type 2 diabetes and interaction with genetic susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Smokers are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We investigated if the smoking-T2D association is mediated by alterations in the metabolome and assessed potential interaction with genetic susceptibility to diabetes or insulin resistance. METHODS: In UK Biobank (n = 93,722), cross-sectional analyses identified 208 metabolites associated with smoking, of which 131 were confirmed in Mendelian Randomization analyses, including glycoprotein acetyls, fatty acids, and lipids. Elastic net regression was applied to create a smoking-related metabolic signature. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) of incident T2D in relation to baseline smoking/metabolic signature and calculated the proportion of the smoking-T2D association mediated by the signature. Additive interaction between the signature and genetic risk scores for T2D (GRS-T2D) and insulin resistance (GRS-IR) on incidence of T2D was assessed as relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). FINDINGS: The HR of T2D was 1·73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1·54 - 1·94) for current versus never smoking, and 38·3% of the excess risk was mediated by the metabolic signature. The metabolic signature and its mediation role were replicated in TwinGene. The metabolic signature was associated with T2D (HR: 1·61, CI 1·46 - 1·77 for values above vs. below median), with evidence of interaction with GRS-T2D (RERI: 0·81, CI: 0·23 - 1·38) and GRS-IR (RERI 0·47, CI: 0·02 - 0·92). INTERPRETATION: The increased risk of T2D in smokers may be mediated through effects on the metabolome, and the influence of such metabolic alterations on diabetes risk may be amplified in individuals with genetic susceptibility to T2D or insulin resistance.

Sb-Doped Biphasic P2/O3-Type Mn-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode Material for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Mn-rich P2-type layered oxide cathode materials suffer from severe capacity loss caused by detrimental phase transition and transition metal dissolution, making their implementation difficult in large-scale sodium-ion battery applications. Herein, we introduced a high-valent Sb5+ substitution, leading to a biphasic P2/O3 cathode that suppresses the P2-O2 phase transformation in the high-voltage condition attributed to the stronger Sb-O covalency that introduces extra electrons to the O atom, reducing oxygen loss from the lattices and improving structural stability, as confirmed by first-principle calculations. Besides, the enhanced Na+ diffusion kinetics and thermodynamics in the modified sample are associated with the enlarged lattice parameters. As a result, the proposed cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 142.6 mAh g-1 at 0.1C between 1.5 and 4.3 V and excellent performance at a high mass loading of 8 mg cm3 with a specific capacity of 131 mAh g-1 at 0.2C. Furthermore, it also possesses remarkable rate capability (90.3 mAh g-1 at 5C), specifying its practicality in high-energy-density sodium-ion batteries. Hence, this work provides insights into incorporating high-valent dopants for high-performance Mn-rich cathodes.