Death Rate Research Articles

News Brief: The overall death rate in the United States dropped 6.1% in 2023, continuing the postpandemic trend.

News Brief: The overall death rate in the United States dropped 6.1% in 2023, continuing the postpandemic trend.

Clinical application of the modified Pullicino formula in endovascular thrombectomy in acute anterior circulation large cerebral infarction-A two-center retrospective study.

This study aimed to assess whether the modified Pullicino formula could be used as a screening indicator for measuring infarct volume before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and observe baseline factors affecting neurological recovery in patients with acute anterior circulation large-core cerebral infarction. The Pullicino formula × (1-22%) was applied to anterior circulation large cerebral infarctions with ASPECTS <6 to screen patients with infarct volumes of 70-150 mL. The outcomes were assessed by mRS score at 90 days, modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) score, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 48 h, and death rate within 90 days. Significantly more patients in the EVT group with infarct volumes 70-150 mL had mRS ≤3 at 90 days than did the standard drug therapy (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.08-7.89, p=0.03) and a significantly decreased mortality rate (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-0.98; p=0.04), with 88.2% in patients with mTICI ≥2b. There was no significant difference in the intracranial hemorrhage. EVT (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.84; 95% CI, 1.15-7.01, p=0.02), infarct volume <150 mL (aOR, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.20-10.14, p=0.02), and intracranial atherosclerosis (aOR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.24-14.04, p=0.02) were significantly associated with patient prognosis. Without commercial artificial intelligence software, the modified Pullicino formula can be used to calculate infarct volume and, in combination with ASPECTS <6, to select patients who may benefit from EVT.

Anesthésie locale comparée à l'anesthésie locorégionale dans les procédures TAVI par voie transfémorale

IntroductionTranscatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the treatment of choice for the most fragile patients with severe aortic stenosis. The transfemoral route is preferred as the simplest and safest. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy, tolerance and safety of local vs. locoregional anesthesia in trans-femoral TAVI procedures. Material and methodThis was a single-center retrospective study. Patients treated with femoral TAVI between February 25 and November 15, 2022 at the University Hospital of Reims were included, and two groups (local and locoregional anesthesia) were compared. ResultsTAVI success rate (92.9%), death rate (3.0%) and procedure duration (90.5 ± 13.5 minutes) did not differ between groups (p = 0.18, 0.15 and 0.55 respectively). For intra- and post-procedural treatments, the use of sedation, analgesics and benzodiazepines did not differ between groups. The cumulative dose of Remifentanil used per-procedure was lower in the local anesthesia group than in the locoregional anesthesia group (148.6 ± 71.9 mcg vs. 208.9 ± 110.0 mcg; p = 0.025). ConclusionsIn this non-randomized retrospective study, local and locoregional anesthesia had comparable safety and efficacy in transfemoral TAVI procedures. In a constrained context and with a view to simplification, these results encourage transfemoral TAVIs to be performed under local anaesthesia, and to consider a “PCI-like” approach, without the presence of an anaesthetist, for selected patients without respiratory, musculoskeletal or agitation disorders, or vascular approach difficulties.

Alcohol-Induced & Drug-Induced Deaths in Hawai'i During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked increase in alcohol and drug-induced deaths. In the US, there was a rapid increase in the rate of alcohol- and drug-induced deaths within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years. This study examines mortality data within Hawai'i to assess both alcohol and drug-induced mortality during the pandemic compared to the nation overall. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Underlying Cause of Death database were used to compare numbers and rates of alcohol-induced, drug-induced, and all-cause deaths among individuals aged 15 years or older between 2018 and 2021. The percentage of alcohol-induced and drug-induced deaths in the US and Hawai'i increased annually in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Unlike the US, in Hawai'i between 2020 and 2021 the age-adjusted rate of drug-induced deaths per 100 000 people decreased from 20.6 to 18.6. Overall, this study found that alcohol-related deaths in Hawai'i increased similarly to those in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global Disease Burden Attributable to High Body Mass Index in Young Adults From 1990 to 2019, With Projections to 2050: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

The global historical and projected health impacts of the escalating burden of obesity on young adults, who are particularly susceptible to weight gain during transitional life stages, remain insufficiently understood. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we analysed the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and deaths attributable to high body mass index (BMI) among young adults aged 20-44years globally and by age, sex, year, location and disease between 1990 and 2019. Future projections until 2050 were further assessed. The global burden for young adults attributable to high BMI more than doubled from 1990 to 2019, reaching 24,509.8 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 20,191.8-28,966.0) thousand for DALYs and 321.9 (258.3-384.2) thousand for deaths. Males had a higher burden and faster increase than females. The burden escalated with advancing age. From 1990 to 2019, regions with middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI) replaced regions with high-middle SDI to have the highest age-standardized rates of DALYs and deaths, while regions with low-middle SDI witnessed the largest rise. Stroke, ischaemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus were consistently the top three causes of high BMI-related burden, together accounting for 74.7% (70.8-78.4) for DALYs and 81.2% (77.6-84.2) for deaths in 2019. By 2050, the age-standardized rates of DALYs due to high BMI tripled that in 1990, with the corresponding rates for deaths expected to double. Among the 10 most populous countries, India was projected to have the highest rates and the fastest increase in both DALYs and deaths by 2050. The escalating disease burden attributable to high BMI in young adults, marked by notable demographic and geographic variations, highlights the urgent need for tailored public health interventions on weight management during young adulthood.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties of Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. aqueous leaf extract on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl., a Thai medicinal herb, has garnered substantial attention among researchers due to its recognized efficacy as an antidote, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent. Despite its extensive investigation, the specific role of T. laurifolia in apoptotic inhibition remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the protective properties of T. laurifolia leaf extract against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages and determine the extractʼs total phenolic as well as flavonoid content, and its antioxidant. Moreover, the cytotoxicity including anti-inflammatory potential on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were assessed by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO). The outcomes of this investigation revealed remarkable similarity between the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity of the leaf extract under scrutiny and those documented in prior studies. In addition, the extract demonstrated negligible cytotoxicity at low concentrations. Furthermore, it effectively impeded the LPS-mediated production of NO, inflammatory mediator, in the macrophages. Moreover, pre-treatment with T. laurifolia leaf extract improved LPS-induced apoptosis by reducing rate of apoptotic cell death up to 41 % at the same concentration (1.68 μL/mL) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Collectively, these findings provide compelling initial evidence attesting to the ability of T. laurifolia leaf extract to inhibit LPS-induced apoptosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages, thereby augmenting our understanding of its potential therapeutic applications in inflammatory conditions.

Deferral of left main coronary artery revascularization via IVUS or coronary physiology - Long-term outcomes from the SWEDEHEART registry

BackgroundIntravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guides deferral decision-making regarding the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and improves outcomes. Further studies regarding coronary physiology to guide revascularization in the LMCA are needed. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of LMCA deferral using IVUS or coronary physiology via instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) or fractional flow reserve (FFR). MethodsBetween January 2014 and February 2022, patients undergoing evaluation with either IVUS or coronary physiology in the LMCA were included from the SWEDEHEART registry. Exclusion criteria were a minimum luminal area < 6 mm2, iFR ≤ 0.89, FFR ≤ 0.80, ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention of lesions in the LMCA, proximal left anterior descending artery, and proximal circumflex artery, planned elective revascularization, and planned valvular surgery. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and unplanned revascularization. Kaplan−Meier event rates and multivariable Poisson regression were used for the statistical analyses. ResultsDeferral of revascularization in the LMCA was performed in 1552 patients, 33.6 % with IVUS and 66.4 % with coronary physiology (iFR 11.3 % vs. FFR 55.0 %). The median follow-up time was 2.7 years. No significant difference was seen in MACE (IVUS 40.2 % vs. coronary physiology 35.5 %; adjusted RR: 1.18; 95 %CI: 0.97–1.44; p = 0.09). The results were consistent across all investigated subgroups. The rate of all-cause death was higher in the IVUS group (adjusted RR: 1.38; 95 %CI: 1.03–1.83; p = 0.03). ConclusionsDeferral of coronary revascularization in LMCA lesions using IVUS or coronary physiology did not differ in our combined endpoint. We observed a higher risk of all-cause death using IVUS.

Epidemiology of ischaemic heart disease in France

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD), including acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with or without ST-segment elevation and chronic coronary syndromes, is one of the main causes.Aim: To describe the epidemiology of IHD in France in 2022.Methods: Adults hospitalized due to IHD in 2022 were identified in the French National Health Data System. The characteristics, hospital management and one-year outcomes of patients were described. The IHD prevalence among people alive on 01.01.23 was estimated by combining previous hospitalizations and people in receipt of 100% coverage for a registered long-term disease. IHD-related mortality was estimated from death certificates.Results: In 2022, 242,227 adults were hospitalized for IHD in France (452/100,000 person-years); 2.98 million prevalent cases of IHD (5.6% of the adult population) and 31,391 IHD-related deaths (4.8% of all deaths) were recorded. The average age at hospitalization for IHD was 69.3 years and 29.0% of patients were women. Exposure to cardiovascular risk factors was high. The average length of hospitalization was 4.9 days, 55.9% had undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention and 4.5% a coronary artery bypass graft. The in-hospital death rate was 3.6%. Six months after the index hospitalization, 22.0% of patients had been admitted to a rehabilitation service (42.9% for STE-ACS). In the year following the index hospitalization, 84.5% of patients had received antiplatelet drugs, 82.6% a statin, 68.8% a beta-blocker and 67.7% a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system treatment. One year after index hospitalization, the rate of rehospitalization for IHD was 29.9% and the rate of all-cause death was 9.3%.Conclusions: The burden of IHD remains high in France. These results suggest that primary prevention of IHD should be maintained and improved, as well as secondary prevention, to improve the prognosis and quality of life of the 3 million patients with coronary disease.

UBE3A: Bridging the gap between neurodevelopment, neural function, and neurodegenerative woes.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins play a significant role in normal protein function but can also be instrumental in disease pathogenesis. One critical yet under-studied PTM in disease is ubiquitination. Ubiquitin chain addition and substrate specificity are determined by a large spectrum of ubiquitin-ligating and -modifying enzymes, E3 ligases, whose expression levels and activities are tightly regulated in a cell-specific manner. While most ubiquitin chains can target proteins for proteasomal degradation, ubiquitination can contribute to other functions within the cell, including protein localization, protein activity, endocytosis, transcription, and autophagy. One E3 ligase, UBE3A, has garnered much attention because of its involvement in learning and memory, as well as its association with neurodevelopmental autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, more recent findings have suggested a potential involvement of UBE3A in neurodegenerative proteinopathies, where reduced UBE3A levels can lead to an enhanced rate of aggregate formation and cell death. Here, we review the literature on UBE3A in neurodevelopment, function, and neurodegenerative diseases and demonstrate that UBE3A could play a critical role in disease progression and cognitive function.

Leveraging Social Networks to Integrate Depression Treatment into Primary Health and Tuberculosis Care in Brazil.

Tuberculosis (TB) and depression are highly comorbid and linked to higher rates of death and disability. Several evidence-based treatments for depression have been successfully implemented in low- and middle-income countries, but more knowledge is needed on how to bring these innovations to scale within complex 'real world' public health systems. To explore whether the principles of social network analysis could be used to enhance receptivity to integrating depression treatment into primary care for individuals with and without TB in Brazil. We used existing scales to identify settings and providers with high receptivity and connectivity within the primary care network. We trained and supervised existing staff in three primary care sites to deliver a brief evidence-based intervention over one year, coupled with active dissemination activities. Afterwards, we reassessed receptivity among individuals involved, and not involved, in the pilot. Highly significant changes were observed in mental health literacy, attitudes towards evidence-based practices, work self-efficacy, and implementation leadership supporting our hypothesis. Limited social connections between primary care clinics precluded the examination of the hypothesis that targeting settings with high connectivity could capitalize on the information flow between and transcend the decentralized structure of the network, but leveraging the centralized nature of the TB program to integrate mental health services emerged as a promising alternative. The findings of this study strongly suggest that social networks may be leveraged to change individual providers' attitudes, thereby contributing to the enhanced dissemination of evidence-based interventions.

Pharmacological Inhibition of the Spliceosome SF3b Complex by Pladienolide-B Elicits Craniofacial Developmental Defects in Mouse and Zebrafish.

Mutations in genes encoding spliceosome components result in craniofacial structural defects in humans, referred to as spliceosomopathies. The SF3b complex is a crucial unit of the spliceosome, but model organisms generated through genetic modification of the complex do not perfectly mimic the phenotype of spliceosomopathies. Since the phenotypes are suggested to be determined by the extent of spliceosome dysfunction, an alternative experimental system that can seamlessly control SF3b function is needed. To establish another experimental system for model organisms elucidating relationship between spliceosome function and human diseases, we administered Pladienolide-B (PB), a SF3b complex inhibitor, to mouse and zebrafish embryos and assessed resulting phenotypes. PB-treated mouse embryos exhibited neural tube defect and exencephaly, accompanied by apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation in the neural tube, but normal structure in the midface and jaw. PB administration to heterozygous knockout mice of Sf3b4, a gene coding for a SF3b component, influenced the formation of cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs). Despite challenges in continuous PB administration and a high death rate in mice, PB was stably administered to zebrafish embryos, resulting in prolonged survival. Brain, cranial nerve, retina, midface, and jaw development were affected, mimicking spliceosomopathy phenotypes. Additionally, alterations in cell proliferation, cell death, and migration of CNCCs were detected. We demonstrated that zebrafish treated with PB exhibited phenotypes similar to those observed in human spliceosomopathies. This experimental system may serve as a valuable research tool for understanding spliceosome function and human diseases.

Total burden of hepatitis B and C attributed to injecting drug use in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021: Analyses based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

This study assesses the global, regional, and national burden of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) related to injecting drug use (IDU) from 1990 to 2021. Data from the global burden of disease study 2021 were analyzed to quantify deaths, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDR) due to HBV and HCV from IDU across 204 countries. Trends was evaluated using estimated annual percentage change. Analyzing the association between ASDR and SDI using a loess regression model. From 1990 to 2021, the global burden of deaths and DALYs due to HBV and HCV attributed to IDU showed an increasing trend, especially among males, whose mortality rates were significantly higher than females. In 2021, global deaths due to HBV from IDU were 13,050.8, with an ASMR of 0.15 per 100,000 and an ASDR of 5.3, both showing an increasing trend with estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of 1.09 and 0.96, respectively. HCV deaths reached 231,764.4, with an ASMR of 2.68 (EAPC: 0.38) and a relatively stable ASDR trend (EAPC: 0.01). Although raw death rates for HCV have increased, the ASMR and ASDR have remained stable or slightly declined, highlighting different trends across sexes and regions. India had the highest national deaths, while the highest ASDRs were in the Republic of Moldova (HBV) and Mongolia (HCV). South Asia recorded the highest regional deaths for both HBV and HCV. Positive correlations between ASDRs for HBV and HCV with SDI were observed. The burden of HBV and HCV due to IDU has increased from 1990 to 2021, especially among males, with significant regional and national disparities. Targeted drug prohibition interventions and policies are needed.

Mortality following admission to the paediatric intensive care unit: A Swedish longitudinal cohort study.

This study aimed to compare outcomes post-admission to a Swedish paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) and without CCC. In this observational registry-based study, consecutive admissions to the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital PICU from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2016 were analysed. Data on demographics, predicted death rates (PDR), admission diagnoses and causes of death were collected. Mortality was recorded up to 15 years after admission and compared between groups. Patients with CCC constituted 64.6% (n = 3026) of PICU admissions and 83.5% (n = 111) of PICU deaths. The crude mortality rate in PICU was 2.84% overall. CCC-patients were 2.83 times more likely to die in PICU compared to non-CCC (OR 2.83; 95% CI: 1.78-4.49). Mortality increased in the CCC-cohort up to 5 years after PICU discharge, while non-CCC patients generally survived if they survived in PICU. Of the patients who died in PICU, the median PDR was 22.9% for CCC-patients and 66.5% in the non-CCC cohort. Children with CCC accounted for most admissions and deaths in PICU. Despite lower severity of illness scores upon admission, CCC patients were nearly three times more likely to die in PICU compared to non-CCC patients.

067. Report in Delayed Peritonitis Due to Ileal Perforation Due to Abdominal Blunt Trauma in Sardjito Hospital

Background: Abdominal blunt trauma is a difficult situation, leading to considerable illness and death, particularly in developing nations. The later appearance of symptoms and indicators in these individuals significantly adds to the heightened illness and death rates experienced by the patients. Small bowel perforation following blunt abdominal trauma is an uncommon occurrence, and typically, such cases manifest right after the trauma. Case: We present one case of elderly patient with ileum perforation with Boey Score 2 who showed symptoms on the second day after the injury. We performed ileostomy on the perforation site. We found duodenal perforation 1.5 cm in diameter and 20 cm from ileocecal junction. We refreshed the perforation edge. Patient was in hospital for 5 days and before being discharged. Conclusion: Small bowel perforation is rare, leading to a delay in definitive treatment. Gathering a detailed injury mechanism, observing the patient, conducting thorough investigations using CT and/or FAST, and remaining aware of the potential for small bowel perforation are crucial for successful management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Global trends and projections of occupational trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure-associated kidney cancer: Insights of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021 from 1990 to 2021 and prediction to 2050

BackgroundExposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) in occupations is associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer (KC). However, there is a lack of comprehensive study on the global burden of occupational exposure to TCE-related KC. MethodsEpidemiological data on occupational TCE exposure-associated KC from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, including death counts and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Global burden of this disease was stratified by genders, age, socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles, GBD subcontinental regions, and countries. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to illustrate trends over the last 32 years, and forecasts were conducted to predict the disease burden until 2050. ResultsIn 2021, the global age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of occupational TCE exposure-related KC was 0.0009 (95 %UI: 0.0002–0.0016) per 100,000 persons, and the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDAR) was 0.0284 (95 %UI: 0.0062–0.0522) per 100,000 individuals. The disease showed significant heterogeneity by sex and age, with males bearing a notably higher burden, and the burden being concentrated in the 50–79 year-old group. Major burdens were focused in middle to high-middle SDI regions, especially in Southern Latin America (Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile). Over 32 years, the burden of occupational TCE exposure-associated KC has gradually increased, with projections indicating continued growth to 2050, particularly among males and individuals aged 50–79. Regions like high-middle SDI areas, North America, High-income North America, Southern Sub-Saharan Africa, saw the most significant increases. Correlation analyses indicated a positive association between ASDR and ASDAR with SDI, while EAPC showed a notable negative correlation with SDI. Decomposition analyses reveals three global population determinants that positively contributed to the increase in deaths, but negatively impacted DALYs. ConclusionThis study highlights a significant rising trend of occupational TCE exposure-associated KC from 1990 to 2021 and projected to 2050, with an emphasis on the disease burden in men, elderly population, and middle to high-middle SDI regions, underscoring the impact of occupational TCE exposure on KC.

Mortality for Alzheimer's disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) negatively impacts the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether mortality from Alzheimer's disease has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched the WONDER database, to obtain cumulative and sex-specific age-adjusted death rates of Alzheimer's disease between the years 2018 and 2022. Cumulative age-adjusted mortality rate displayed a peak in 2020, followed by gradual decline thereafter. The data for both sexes mirror that of total population, peaking in 2020, followed by a decline thereafter. The relative increase in age-adjusted mortality for Alzheimer's disease in 2020 compared to 2019 was + 8.7% in the total population, + 6.1% in men and + 10.1% in women. Frail people, such as those with Alzheimer's disease, may be more vulnerable to the risk of dying during an outbreak of infectious disease, paving the way for increased preventive and protective measures in the unfortunate event of the next pandemic.

An Overview on Antifilarial Efficacy of Heterocyclic Motifs Encompassing Synthetic Strategies, SAR, and Commercialized Medications.

Filariasis is one of the oldest, most dangerous, debilitating, disfiguring diseases and often ignores tropical disorders. It presents with a range of clinical symptoms, a low death rate, and a high morbidity rate, which contributes to social discrimination. This condition has major effects on people's socioeconomic circumstances. This illness is carried by mosquitoes that have spread malaria. Lymphatic filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, is a crippling illness with serious social and economic consequences. The infection persisted despite therapy with conventional antifilarial medications such as diethylcarbamazine (DEC), albendazole, and ivermectin, which are mostly microfilaricides. Current treatments (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole) have limited effectiveness against adult parasites and produce side effects; therefore, innovative antifilarial medications are urgently required. Hence, macrofilaricides, embryostatic agents, and improved microfilaricides are required. The following article discusses the typical synthetic methodologies established for antifilarial activity as well as their marketed pharmaceuticals, which will help researchers, medicinal chemists, and pharmaceutical scientists to develop new and effective antifilarial therapies. This review can help to identify new lead compounds and optimize existing commercial medications to improve their therapeutic efficacy. The majority of the studies addressed in this review concern the forms of filariasis, parasite life cycle, symptoms, medications used to treat filariasis, synthetic schemes, SAR, and results from the reported research.

Mothers’ health-seeking practices and associated factors towards neonatal danger signs in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA decrease in obtaining quality healthcare is a major cause of maternal and newborn deaths in low-income and middle-income countries. Ethiopia has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates. Increasing...

Trends in malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage related mortality among older adults in United States (1999-2020).

Malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage, although rare, are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, posing a serious health burden. Understanding the trends in mortality related to these cancers is crucial for developing targeted interventions and improving patient outcomes. This study aims to analyze long-term mortality trends, identify demographic and geographic disparities, and uncover potential factors driving changes in mortality rates. This retrospective study analyzed mortality rates among individuals aged 65 and older from 1999 to 2020 using CDC WONDER death certificate data, abstracting demographics, geographic factors, and urban/rural status. From 1999 to 2020, 18,205 adults aged 65 and older died from malignant neoplasms of bone and cartilage. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) started at 20 per 100,000 in 1999 and steadily declined until 2012 (APC: -1.12). However, from 2012 onwards, there was a notable reversal, with the AAMR rising sharply to 23.8 by 2020 (APC: 4.73). Men had higher mortality rates than women, with NH Black individuals showing the highest rates among races. Southern states and nonmetropolitan areas had elevated AAMRs, suggesting targeted interventions for better outcomes and lower death rates. The findings highlight significant inequities, with Southern states and nonmetropolitan areas showing elevated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs). These geographic disparities underscore the urgent need for targeted public health interventions in these regions to improve cancer outcomes and reduce mortality. Addressing these gaps is essential for achieving more equitable health outcomes, particularly in high-risk populations.

Electroless Ag nanoparticle deposition on TiO2 nanorod arrays, enhancing photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

Hypothesis: The use of a high surface area, hence small nanoparticles for photocatalysis, makes them difficult to remove from solution. Producing photocatalysts on substrates would alleviate this limitation. Adding heterojunctions to photocatalysts, for example, TiO2/Ag, could improve photocatalytic performance due to Schottky junction formation and introduce antibacterial properties.Experiments: TiO2 nanorod arrays were synthesised on a substrate via a hydrothermal approach, on which Ag nanoparticles were deposited using an electroless plating technique with varied deposition times and metal precursor concentrations. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by monitoring Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under ultraviolet light and antibacterial properties of the films tested using Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.Findings: The Ag nanoparticle content was controlled by the Ag deposition process. The TiO2/Ag nanorod array containing 6.6 atomic% Ag as nanoparticles of ∼ 25 nm in diameter degraded 88 % of the RhB in 6 h compared to 54 % degradation for bare TiO2 nanorods under the same reaction conditions. Decreased photoluminescence with heterojunction formation would indicate electron transfer from the TiO2 into the Ag nanoparticles, thereby reducing charge carrier recombination. The antibacterial test conducted in the dark revealed enhanced performance for the TiO2/Ag sample compared to TiO2 nanorods against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after 16 h exposure with a death rate of 84 %.