Male Deaths Research Articles

Influence of air pollution on the nonaccidental death before and after the outbreak of COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-therapeutic interventions (NPIs), such as traffic restrictions, work stoppages, and school suspensions, have led to a sharp decline in the concentration of air pollutants in the epidemic sites. However, few studies focused on the impact of air pollutant changes on the risk of nonaccidental death. We selected Yancheng City, China, as the study site and applied a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) based on the quasi-Poisson distribution to evaluate the impact of atmospheric pollutants exposure on the nonaccidental death of local residents. The time span of this study was set from January 1, 2013, to December 21, 2022, that is, before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. The concentration of some air pollutants has greatly varied after the outbreak of COVID-19, with a significant decline for PM2.5 (- 43.4%), PM10 (- 38.5%), SO2 (- 62.9%), and NO2 (- 22.6%), but an increase for O3 (+ 4.3%). Comparative analysis showed that PM2.5 contributed to an increased risk of nonaccidental death after the outbreak of COVID-19. With an increase in PM2.5 by 10µg/m³, the excess relative risks (ER) of nonaccidental death of residents increased by 1.01% (95%CI: 0.19%,1.84%). The stratified analysis revealed that air pollutants impacted nonaccidental deaths in both men and women before the outbreak of COVID-19. After the outbreak of COVID-19, PM10 had a significant effect on male nonaccidental deaths. The concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 increased by 10µg/m³, the ER of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 on female nonaccidental death increased by 1.52% (0.38%,2.67%), 0.58% (0.02%,1.13%), and 15.09% (5.73%,25.28%), respectively. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, five air pollutants had an impact on the death of residents from cardiovascular disease (CVD). After the outbreak of COVID-19, only PM10 significantly affected the death risk of CVD. In addition, we discovered that PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 significantly impacted the risk of death due to respiratory diseases before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Air pollutants have different effects on nonaccidental deaths before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. A decrease in air pollutant concentration due to the NPIs for COVID-19 had a significant effect on the reduction of the risk of nonaccidental death.

Digital Advocacy Journalism’s Push for the Narrative Tipping Point of Singapore’s Capital Punishment

A narrative tipping point leading to the abolition of capital punishment will come from specific events and broader trends that move public opinion and the accompanying legal systems away from the justification for death penalties. Through Singapore’s independent digital journalist Kirsten Han’s reflection on her reportage and advocacy for the abolition of capital punishment in the republic, this paper seeks to highlight the role of digital advocacy in pushing for the narrative tipping point on the death penalty online. Against global trends of abolition, retentionist cultures on capital punishment remain resilient, particularly in countries that claim strong domestic support for authoritarian populist narratives of being “tough on crime.” Institutionally sustained and discursively binarized as “Asian values” against rights-based Western individualism and continuously reiterated by national leaders, Singapore’s policy on capital punishment is termed muscular retentionism. Contending with this dominance in cyberspace is Han’s affective emphasis on death row inmates facing imminent execution, particularly those condemned to death for drug trafficking. Using a partially autobiographical approach as the second author of this paper, she illustrates her experiences as a woman activist in Singapore, journeying with these inmates and documenting their experiences as part of the broader effort to move toward the narrative tipping point. Positioned against the largely impersonalized and instrumental justification of the traditional retentionist position established in the pre-Internet decades is Han’s rights-based emphasis on the sanctity of life. Receiving little attention in the republic’s mainstream media, cyberspace has oxygenated this perspective. Aside from facing legal and police scrutiny for her involvement in abolitionist campaigns, Han has also been subjected to misogynist ad-hominem attacks online from supporters of retention. Kirsten Han’s digital advocacy journalism poignantly sharpens the existing feminist critique in Singapore of the carceral regime with a more intersectional approach toward expanding the scope of the discussion to that of predominately male death row inmates. Her emphasis comes from the notion of difference feminism in considering the structural inequalities and power dynamics that render the more socially disadvantaged vulnerable to the regimes of punishment. Aside from being openly singled out and chastised by the state, it may remain difficult to determine the public impact of Han’s journalistic work. Nonetheless, through amplifying the otherwise invisible emotional states and voices of death row inmates and their families as individuals, she exposes the human cost in the regime of capital punishment and in the process inches Singapore toward the narrative tipping point.

Gender Differences in Years of Life Lost resulting from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal

Abstract Background Nepal has a history of regular natural hazards, including significant earthquakes and floods. Previous studies have shown that females, particularly younger females, are more likely to die due to disasters compared to males. This study aimed to explore gender differences in mortality - measured in Years of Life Lost (YLL) - caused by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake across 41 districts of Nepal. Methods Mortality counts were derived from the Nepal Police Report. YLL was estimated by multiplying mortality counts (stratified by age, gender, and district) by age-conditional life expectancy from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease reference life table. Both absolute numbers and rates of YLL per 100,000 population were calculated. YLL per deaths, stratified by age-gender-and-location, were estimated and compared. Male-to-female YLL rate ratios were estimated as well, and compared across districts. Results The 2015 Gorkha earthquake resulted in 8,950 deaths (females: 56.1% versus males: 43.9%), accounting for 526,617 YLL. Males had a slightly higher number of YLL per death (59.2) compared to females (58.5); this is mainly due to the different number of deaths between males and females. YLL per deaths ranged from 65.4 (Rautahat district) to 0 (in several districts) among males and, from 65.3 (Rautahat district) to 0 (in several districts) among females. The YLL rate per 100,000 population was higher for females (3,158 per 100,000) than for males (2,575 per 100,000). Approximately 40% of the districts had male-to-female YLL rate ratios of less than one, which can be partly explained by the gender distribution of the population at rik of dying due to earthquake. Conclusions The study found relatively higher YLL per death for males and higher YLL rates for females. This underscores the necessity to further investigate the factors that contribute to fatalities from earthquakes, especially in lower middle income countries such as Nepal. Key messages • Gender disparities in mortality following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal were addressed using Years of Life Lost (YLLs); males had higher YLL per death, while females had higher YLL rates. • Exploring the factors that contribute to earthquake-related fatalities should be a priority for disaster mitigation strategies.

Sialylated glycoproteins suppress immune cell killing by binding to Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer death in the U.S. Current immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapies have improved survival for many malignancies; however, they have failed to prolong survival for prostate cancer. Siglecs (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins) are expressed on immune cells and regulate immune responses and function. Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 contribute to immune evasion by interacting with their ligands. However, the role of Siglec-7/9 receptors and their ligands in prostate cancer remains poorly understood. Here, we find that Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 are associated with poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients, and are highly expressed in myeloid cells, including macrophages, in prostate tumor tissues. Siglecs-7 and -9 ligands were expressed in prostate cancer cells and human prostate tumor tissues. Blocking the interactions between Siglec-7/9 and sialic acids inhibited prostate cancer xenograft growth and increased immune cell infiltration in humanized mice in vivo. Using a CRISPRi screen and mass spectrometry, we identified CD59 as a candidate Siglec-9 ligand in prostate cancer. The identification of Siglecs-7 and -9 as potential therapeutic targets, including CD59/Siglec-9 axis, opens up opportunities for immune-based interventions in prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer Survival and Its Predictors in Nepal.

In Nepal, gastric cancer was the second most common cause of cancer deaths in males and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in females in 2020. Although gastric cancer is a significant public health problem, there have been no studies undertaken in Nepal to determine the survival and predictors of gastric cancer survival. A retrospective cohort study of gastric cancer patients at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Data were analysed from 817 new gastric cancer cases, diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2021. Survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-Meyer methods, and predictors of gastric cancer survival were analyzed using Cox Regression methods. The median overall survival for gastric cancer patients was 19 months since diagnosis. The five-year survival rate was 12%. The predictors for survival were younger age, tumors located in the non-cardia, early stage, treatment by surgery, and treatment by chemotherapy. However, sex, histologic type, tumor grade, tumor subtype, and extent of cancer were not associated with survival. In Nepal, the overall survival of patients with gastric cancer was 12%, which is much lower than in high-income countries. Predictors of survival were patient age at diagnosis, the stage at diagnosis, the location of the tumor, and the treatment undertaken, both in Nepal and in high-income countries.

Female Patients Have Fewer Limb Amputations Compared to Male Patients in the BEST-CLI Trial

Female patients are less likely to be diagnosed with and treated for peripheral artery disease. When treated, there are also reported sex disparities in short- and long-term outcomes. We designed this study to compare outcomes after open and endovascular revascularization in the Best Endovascular versus best Surgical Therapy in patients with Critical Limb Ischemia (BEST-CLI) trial between females and males, and to examine outcomes of each revascularization type in an all-female cohort. In a secondary analysis of cohorts 1 and 2 of the BEST-CLI Trial, patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing open surgical bypass (with or without adequate conduit) and endovascular therapy were stratified by sex. In addition, in a female-only cohort, we evaluated differences in outcomes between treatment arm (combined all bypasses from cohorts 1 and 2 and compared to all endovascular treatment in cohorts 1 and 2). Outcomes included major amputation, reintervention, major adverse limb event (MALE, a composite of major amputation and reintervention), all-cause death, and composite outcome of MALE or all-cause death. Univariable and adjusted Cox regressions were used to assess outcome between males and females. Similar methods were used to assess differences in outcomes between treatment arm in females. Among 1830 patients, females were significantly underrepresented, comprising only 28% (n=519) of the BEST-CLI cohort. Overall, the characteristics of females enrolled in the trial had some differences compared to males: females were more likely to have rest pain alone (72% vs 60%, p <.0001) and when presenting with an ischemic wound, were less likely to have a wound infection (38% vs 47%, p = .01). Females were less likely to have an adequate single segment greater saphenous vein (SSGSV) available (82% vs 89%, p = .01). Controlled for baseline clinical factors, at one year, females had significantly lower rates of major limb amputation compared to males (HR .70, p = .023), which drove better amputation- and MALE- free survival rates. All-cause death at one year was not statistically different between sexes (11.8% vs 11.2%, p=.286). In the all-female cohort, results paralleled the overall trial; open surgical bypass (with any conduit) had significantly better outcomes compared to endovascular therapy. Specifically, among females undergoing endovascular therapy, the rate of major reintervention was particularly high compared to females undergoing open surgical bypass (24.8% vs. 10.5%, p < .001). Despite being underrepresented in BEST-CLI, the primary results of the trial, namely, improved MALE-free survival with open surgical bypass with SSGSV, were mirrored in the all female subset. Female patients enrolled in BEST-CLI had better amputation-free survival at one year compared to male patients. These findings suggest that in treating female CLTI patients considered appropriate for both open and endovascular revascularization, surgical bypass with optimal conduit is the preferred treatment option and can potentially ameliorate poor limb preservation outcomes associated with sex.

Trends and risk factors analysis of aortic aneurysm mortality in China over thirty years: based on the global burden of disease 2019 data.

This study aims to analyze the variation in mortality burden of aortic aneurysms (AA) and explore the associated risk factors based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data, investigating the mortality burden of AA in China. Using GBD 2019 data, the mortality burden of AA in China from 1990 to 2019 was analyzed. The age-period-cohort model was utilized to analyze time trends, period, and cohort effects of 4 attributable risk factors of AA by age. In 2019, the total number of AA deaths in China increased by 136.1% compared to 1990, while the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) decreased by 6.8%. Male deaths and ASMR were higher than those of females, and ASMR increased with age. Whether viewed overall (Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC): -0.261, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -0.383 to -0.138) or by sex (female AAPC: -0.812, 95% CI: -0.977 to -0.646; male AAPC: -0.011, 95% CI: -0.183 to 0.162), the ASMR for AA in China has shown a declining trend since 1990. Attributable risk factors such as high blood pressure, a diet high in sodium, smoking, and lead exposure increase AA mortality with age. Smoking mortality peaks between ages 80-85. The cyclical effect of high blood pressure on AA mortality significantly increases, while the cyclical effects of the other three risk factors decrease. For the population born after 1940, the cohort effect of high systolic blood pressure (SBP), a diet high in sodium, and smoking increased, while the cohort effect of lead exposure decreased. The local drift values of high SBP, a diet high in sodium, and smoking decreased, while the local drift value of lead exposure increased. High SBP was identified as the most significant attributable risk factor for AA mortality burden among both males and females, and smoking was another major attributable risk factor, particularly in males. From 1990 to 2019, fatality due to AA in China increased notably, but the ASMR showed a decreasing trend. The mortality rate of AA was influenced by age, sex, and attributable risk factors, with elderly male smokers carrying a heavy burden of death. Moreover, tobacco control and treatment of hypertension should be strengthened to reduce the burden and its impact on AA.

The Impact of Social Expenditure on Sustainable Human Development: Empirical Evidence on the Suicide Deaths in a Developing Country.

Suicide has been a serious international public mental health problem and is one of the top twenty leading causes of death worldwide. This study aims to investigate the impact of social expenditure on suicide deaths in Turkiye as a developing country from 1982 to 2019. The Bounds Testing Approach to Cointegration and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) methods were used. The results indicated that social expenditure has a statistically significant and negative effect on total suicide and female suicide deaths, but it has a statistically insignificant and negative impact on male suicide death. The contribution of this study is to examine for the first time whether social expenditure has an impact on total, female, and male suicide mortality in Turkiye. Policymakers should regard increasing social spending in the government budget to prevent suicide deaths in Turkiye.

Abstract A069: Leading causes of death among Asian American individuals compared with Pacific Islander individuals in the United States, 2018-2020

Abstract Background: Asian American and Pacific Islander races are two distinct groups that continue to be aggregated in many large, national mortality statistics in the United States (US), which leads to structural biases encoded into databases and inaccurate health implications that may deprive Pacific Islander individuals from opportunities for interventions aimed at reducing health disparities. Examining mortality rates for disaggregated Asian American and Pacific Islander populations across all 50 states was not possible until 2018. We compared the leading causes of death between Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals in the US during 2018-2020, stratified by sex and age. Methods: Cause of death among non-Hispanic Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals aged ≥20 years who died during 2018-2020 were obtained from the US National Center for Health Statistics. Age-standardized all-cause mortality rates (MRs) and the 5 leading causes of death were reported per 100,000 person-years separately for Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals, by sex (female/male) and age (20-54/55-64/65-74/75- 84 years). MR ratios (MRRs) were calculated by comparing MRs among Pacific Islander with Asian American individuals (reference group), by sex and age. Results: During 2018-2020, 63,338 female and 85,601 male deaths occurred among Asian American adults, and 4,116 female and 5,512 male deaths occurred among Pacific Islander adults. Compared to Asian American individuals, all-cause mortality was higher for Pacific Islander females (MRR=2.50,95%CI=2.43-2.59) and males (MRR=2.10,95%CI=2.04-2.16). Cancer was the leading cause of death for Asian American (MR=93.8) and Pacific Islander females (MR=181.6) and second for Asian American (MR=100.4) and Pacific Islander males (MR=185.2) after heart disease. Death rates for leading causes were substantially higher for Pacific Islander compared to Asian American females: cancer (MRR=1.93,95%CI=1.82-2.06), heart disease (MRR=3.18,95%CI=2.95-3.42), stroke (MRR=2.41,95%CI=2.13-2.73), diabetes (MRR=4.03,95%CI=3.55-4.56), and COVID-19 (MRR=2.60,95%CI=2.25-3.01) and for Pacific Islander compared to Asian American males: heart disease (MRR=2.56,95%CI=2.42-2.71), cancer (MRR=1.52,95%CI=1.42-1.62, diabetes (MRR=3.14,95%CI=2.81-3.50), accidental death (MRR=2.60,95%CI=2.33-2.88), and COVID-19 (MRR=2.04,95%CI=1.82-2.27). The largest relative cancer mortality rate disparity occurred in those aged 20-54 years and declined with older age among women (MRR range=1.37-2.67) and men (MRR range=1.16-2.26). Conclusion: Cancer was among the leading cause of death for both Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals, but cancer mortality rates were twice as high among Pacific Islander women and men compared to Asian American women and men. These disparities persisted among Pacific Islander individuals for nearly all leading causes of death, regardless of sex and age, underscoring the need to disaggregate Pacific Islander from Asian American race data to improve tailored health equity-focused interventions. Citation Format: Jacqueline B. Vo, Jazmyn L Bess, Kekoa Taparra, Paloma R. Mitra, Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, Neal D. Freedman, Meredith S. Shiels, Jaimie Z. Shing. Leading causes of death among Asian American individuals compared with Pacific Islander individuals in the United States, 2018-2020 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A069.

Plasminogen Activation Inhibitor-1 Promotes Resilience to Acute Oxidative Stress in Cerebral Arteries from Females.

Plasminogen activation inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plays a central role in thrombus formation leading to stroke; however, the contributions of PAI-1 to cellular damage in response to reactive oxygen species which are elevated during reperfusion are unknown. Given that PAI-1 can limit apoptosis, we hypothesized that PAI increases the resilience of cerebral arteries to H2O2 (200 µM). Cell death, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial ROS production were evaluated in pressurized mouse posterior cerebral arteries from males and females. The effects of pharmacological and genetic inhibition of PAI-1 signaling were evaluated with the inhibitor PAI-039 (10 µM) and PAI-1 knockout mice, respectively. During exposure to H2O2, PCAs from male mice lacking PAI-1 had reduced mitochondrial depolarization and smooth muscle cell death, and PAI-039 increased EC death. In contrast, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death were augmented in female PCAs. With no effect of PAI-1 inhibition on resting mitochondrial ROS production, vessels from female PAI-1 knockout mice had increased mitochondrial ROS generation during H2O2 exposure. During acute exposure to oxidative stress, protein ablation of PAI-1 enhances cell death in posterior cerebral arteries from females while limiting cell death in males. These findings provide important considerations for blood flow restoration during stroke treatment.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer monitoring by cell-free circulating biomarkers.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer-related deaths in Western countries, which is predominantly attributed to the metastatic castration-resistant stage of the disease (CRPC). There is an urgent need for better prognostic and predictive biomarkers, particularly for androgen receptor targeted agents and taxanes. We have searched the PubMed database for original articles and meta-analyses providing information on blood-based markers for castration-resistant prostate cancer monitoring, risk group stratification and prediction of therapy response. The molecular markers are discussed along with the standard clinical parameters, such as prostate specific antigen, lactate dehydrogenase or C-reactive protein. Androgen receptor (AR) alterations are commonly associated with progression to CRPC. These include amplification of AR and its enhancer, point mutations and splice variants. Among DNA methylations, a novel 5-hydroxymethylcytosine activation marker of TOP2A and EZH2 has been identified for the aggressive disease. miR-375 is currently the most promising candidate among non-coding RNAs and sphingolipid analysis has recently emerged as a novel approach. The promising biomarkers have the potential to improve the care of metastatic prostate cancer patients, however, they need further validation for routine implementation.

Impact of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic on Suicide Attempts and Suicide Deaths in South Korea, 2016-2020: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on suicide attempts and suicide deaths in South Korea, focusing on age and sex differences. We analyzed the monthly number of suicide attempts and suicide deaths during pre-pandemic (January 2016-February 2020) and pandemic (March-December 2020) periods using nationally representative databases. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis and calculated the relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), categorizing subjects into adolescents (<18), young adults (18-29), middle-aged (30-59), and older adults (≥60). During the pandemic, the number of suicide attempts abruptly declined in adolescents (RR [95% CI] level change: 0.58 [0.45-0.75]) and older adults (RR [95% CI] level change: 0.74 [0.66-0.84]). In older males, there was a significant rebound in the suicide attempt trend (RR [95% CI] slope change: 1.03 [1.01-1.05]). The number of suicide deaths did not change among age/sex strata significantly except for older males. There was a brief decline in suicide deaths in older males, while the trend showed a following increase with marginal significance (RR [95% CI] level change: 0.76 [0.66-0.88], slope change: 1.02 [1.00-1.04]). This study suggests the heterogeneous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide attempts and suicide deaths across age and sex strata in South Korea. These findings highlight the need for more targeted mental health interventions, given the observed trends in suicide attempts and suicide deaths during the pandemic.

Hormonal changes in northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) after the death of a group member.

The small apes, gibbons and siamangs, are monogamous species with their social groups comprising of both parents and their offspring. Therefore, the loss of a member may elicit a stress response in the remaining members due to their strong bonds. Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been useful indicators of stress, but distinguishing between acute versus chronic stress may be limited when measuring these hormones alone. The adrenal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), a GC antagonist, has been implicated in the regulation of the stress response. Thus, the concomitant measurement of these hormones can help examine whether an event, such as the loss of a group member, elicited a stress response. In this brief report, we discuss the hormonal response of two zoo-housed northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) (1 adolescent male and his mother) after the death of the adult male of the group. Baseline fecal samples were collected opportunistically from these two individuals 5months prior, and 3months following the death of their group member. A total of 25 samples were quantified for fecal GC metabolites (FGCMs) and DHEAS by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to calculate the FGCMs:DHEAS ratio. Our results indicate an increase in FGCMs and FGCMs:DHEAS for the adolescent male, but not the adult female, following the death. Our findings suggest that the integration of FGCMs and DHEAS measurements can provide valuable information to interpret individual stress levels to the sudden change in the group's social structure.

Characteristics of the Factors of Associated with Death in Older Adults due to Dementia: Focusing on the Chungbuk Region

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the factors associated with death due to dementia among the older adults in Chungbuk.Methods: A total of 1,685 the older adults aged 65 years or older who died of dementia in Chungbuk were selected as subjects for the study using raw data on the causes of death for the last five years (2018-2022) from Statistics Korea. Statistical analysis was conducted using frequency analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis.Results: The mortality rate of dementia among the older adults aged 65 and older in Chungbuk was 3.5%, lower than the national average. There were 147 female deaths per 100,000 population, more than 87 male deaths, and by age, 1,367 were in their 90s and older, 269 were in their 80s, and 22 were in their 70s and younger (65-79). The place of death was 68.5% in medical institutions and 22.4% in social welfare facilities. Alzheimer’s disease was the most common type of dementia causing death (67.0%). The highest number of older adults with dementia died in November, and the lowest in August and September. The highest number of dementia deaths occurred on the 19th, and the lowest on the 29th and 31st, with a difference of 29 deaths. The highest number of deaths occurred at 8:00 a.m. with 102 deaths and the lowest at 2:00 a.m. with 47 deaths. Female gender and type of dementia were significantly associated with dementia death among those aged 70 and younger compared to those aged 90 and older, and female gender and place of death in a medical institution were associated with dementia death among those aged 80 and older.Conclusions: Based on this study, it is recommended to establish a policy to promote mental health in Chungbuk.

Age, period, and cohort trends of substance poisoning, alcohol-related disease, and suicide deaths in Australia, 1980-2019.

Deaths due to substance poisoning, alcohol-related disease, and suicide pose a critical public health issue, and have been categorized as "deaths of despair" in the US. Whether these deaths represent a distinct phenomenon requires exploration, particularly in other countries. This retrospective observational study examines age-period-cohort trends of (combined and cause-specific) substance poisoning, alcohol-related disease, and suicide deaths among Australians aged ≥15-years that occurred between 1980 and 2019 and compares trends between males and females. Combined mortality rates were initially (1980-1999) relatively stable, reflecting a reduction in alcohol-related disease deaths offset by an increase in substance poisoning deaths. A decline (2000-2006) and subsequent increase (2007-2019) in combined rates were primarily attributable to corresponding changes in both substance poisoning and suicide deaths among males. Distinct age-period-cohort trends were observed between cause of death sub-types, with net drifts: increasing for male (net drift [95% CI]: 3.33 [2.84, 3.83]) and female (2.58 [2.18, 2.98]) substance poisoning deaths; decreasing among male alcohol-related disease (-1.46 [-1.75, -1.16]) and suicide deaths (-0.52[-0.69, -0.36]); and remaining relatively stable for female alcohol-related disease (-0.28 [-0.66, 0.09]) and suicide deaths (-0.25 [-0.52, 0.01]). Although combined age-specific trends were relatively stable over the study period, different and distinct patterns were observed within cause-specific deaths, challenging the notion that these causes of death represent a distinct epidemiological phenomenon. These data indicate a critical need to review the appropriateness of guidance for clinical practice, prevention strategies, and policy initiatives aimed at preventing future deaths.

Can Black males be subjects of human rights violations?

ABSTRACT This essay assesses the recent discourse that has developed around the death of Black males in the U.S. and how these deaths have been animated by anti-misandry. Anti-Black misandry refers to the pathological hatred of Black males. Using the theory of anti-Black misandry, my central argument is that human rights frameworks that centre on arbitrary killings and racial discrimination by agents of the State and private citizens are incapable of capturing that there is a persistent belief framed as a social, cultural, and political right to kill Black male by the State and white vigilantes that governs Black male life in the U.S.

The Multifaceted Role of Neutrophils in NSCLC in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in both males and females in the U.S. and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85%. Although the use of first- or second-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibits remarkable clinical benefits, resistance to ICIs develops over time and dampens the efficacy of ICIs in patients. Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) have an important role in modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor immune response. The major challenge in the field is to characterize the TANs in NSCLC TME and understand the link between TAN-related immunosuppression with ICI treatment response. In this review, we summarize the current studies of neutrophil interaction with malignant cells, T-cells, and other components in the TME. Ongoing clinical trials are aimed at utilizing reagents that have putative effects on tumor-associated neutrophils, in combination with ICI. Elevated neutrophil populations and neutrophil-associated factors could be potential therapeutic targets to enhance anti-PD1 treatment in NSCLC.

ENO2, a Glycolytic Enzyme, Contributes to Prostate Cancer Metastasis: A Systematic Review of Literature.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the UK and the fifth worldwide. The presence of distant PCa metastasis can reduce the 5-year survival rate from 100% to approximately 30%. Enolase 2 (ENO2), a crucial glycolytic enzyme in cancer metabolism, is associated with the metastasis of multiple cancers and is also used as a marker for neuroendocrine tumours. However, its role in PCa metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we systematically reviewed the current literature to determine the association between ENO2 and metastatic PCa. Medline, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for eligible studies. The search yielded five studies assessing ENO2 expression in PCa patients or cell lines. The three human studies suggested that ENO2 expression is correlated with late-stage, aggressive PCa, including castrate-resistant PCa (CRPC), metastatic CRPC, and neuroendocrine PCa (NEPC). This was further supported by two in vitro studies indicating that ENO2 expression can be regulated by the tumour microenvironment, such as androgen deprived conditions and the presence of bone-forming osteoblasts. Therefore, ENO2 may functionally contribute to PCa metastasis, possibly due to the unique metabolic features of PCa, which are glycolysis dependent only at the advanced metastatic stage.

An Orphan Gene Enhances Male Reproductive Success in Plutella xylostella.

Plutella xylostella exhibits exceptional reproduction ability, yet the genetic basis underlying the high reproductive capacity remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that an orphan gene, lushu, which encodes a sperm protein, plays a crucial role in male reproductive success. Lushu is located on the Z chromosome and is prevalent across different P. xylostella populations worldwide. We subsequently generated lushu mutants using transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system. Knockout of Lushu results in reduced male mating efficiency and accelerated death in adult males. Furthermore, our findings highlight that the deficiency of lushu reduced the transfer of sperms from males to females, potentially resulting in hindered sperm competition. Additionally, the knockout of Lushu results in disrupted gene expression in energy-related pathways and elevated insulin levels in adult males. Our findings reveal that male reproductive performance has evolved through the birth of a newly evolved, lineage-specific gene with enormous potentiality in fecundity success. These insights hold valuable implications for identifying the target for genetic control, particularly in relation to species-specific traits that are pivotal in determining high levels of fecundity.

Model of Accelerated Aging in CB6F2 Mice Induced by Ionizing Radiation.

A model for accelerated aging in mice was developed: CB6F2 mice aged 39-45 days were exposed to fractionated 4-fold relatively uniform γ-radiation (137Cs, 0.98 Gy/min) at a total dose of 6.8 Gy. Radiation exposure led to delayed active growth, leukopenia, and lymphopenia for over 1 year during the post-radiation period. The death of irradiated males and females occurred significantly earlier than in control group animals. Median lifespans in the experimental group were 35-38% lower than in the control group (p<0.001). Ionizing radiation exposure led to the early development of hair depigmentation, cachexia, and the development of aging-associated diseases. In irradiated mice, oncological pathology constituted 30-35% in the mortality structure, which is twice as often as in the control group. The developed model can be used to study the pathogenesis of accelerated aging under radiation exposure and the search for means of its prevention and treatment.