COVID-19 Pandemic: Psychosocial Distress and Social Burdens Experienced by Cancer Patients at Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Cancer diagnosis has been reported in some studies to have a significant psychosocial impact on both the patients and their caregivers. The estimated prevalence of psychosocial distress is between 35% and 55%. Commonly encountered psychological issues include and are not limited to fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. Many sources of emotional distress in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported to include poorly controlled symptoms arising from a lack of access to symptom control services and treatment. Social distress is associated with social isolation, separation from family and loss of employment. Cancer patients and society have been reported to experience anxiety, despair, and stress due to the COVID-19 restrictions on community movement and hospital appointment rescheduling. The objective of this study was to explore psychosocial distress and social burdens experienced by cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was employed to describe “lived experiences of patients with Cancer” during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A total of 20 participants with Cancer and COVID-19 positive were purposefully selected and interviewed. Thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis by the use of themes generated from participants’ responses. Findings: Five major themes emerged: fear, self-isolation compliance, anxiety, low income and emotional distress. The findings of the study indicated that participants experienced fear, emotional distress and anxiety when diagnosed with COVID-19. Conclusion: The experiences of psychosocial distress and social burdens were a result of a lack of psychosocial support by both caregivers and health care workers. This study recommends appropriate health education concerning psychosocial support for cancer patients and the need to have appropriate clinical protocols and materials in allaying anxiety and fear in cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atherosclerotic plaque burdens in type 2 diabetes

In this issue of the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology,Huang et al. have reported the detection of coronary artery disease with electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT),utilizing non-contrast and contrast imaging techniques (EBCTA) in several subgroups including type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), coronary heart disease, and normal subjects. ……

Asian,regional,and national burdens of respiratory tract cancers and associated risk factors from 1990 to 2019:A systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019

Background:Respiratory cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide,but its statistics vary between the East and West.This study aimed to estimate the burdens of tracheal,bronchus,and lung(TBL)cancer and larynx cancer and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019 in Asia,and at regional and national levels.Methods:This research evaluated the incidence,mortality,years lived with disability,years of life lost,and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)for respiratory tract cancers using the Global Burden of Diseases,Injuries,and Risk Factors Study(GBD)2019 database.Age-standardized rates were calculated for TBL cancer from 1990 to 2019,adjusted for smoking and socio-demographic index(SDI).Deaths from TBL cancer and larynx cancer attributable to each risk factor were estimated for 33 Asian countries.Results:The age-standardized incidence and death rates for TBL cancer in Asia declined from 2010 to 2019,while the incidence rate of larynx cancer increased.Smoking was the leading specific risk factor for deaths from both TBL and larynx cancers.The burden of TBL cancer in Asian countries was influenced by SDI and smoking,particularly among males in Central Asia.Deaths,DALYs,and incidences of larynx cancer in East Asia had not changed significantly over the past 30 years,but showed slight downward trends in males and both sexes combined,and an upward trend in females in recent years.Conclusions:The past decade saw increases in numbers of incident cases and deaths from TBL cancer and larynx cancer in Asia.SDI and smoking were the main factors influencing the disease burden of TBL cancer in Asian countries.This study highlights the need for tailored cancer control programs to address the burden of respiratory tract cancers in different Asian countries.

Burdens Attributable to Intimate Partner Violence in Women Aged 15 Years or Older—China,1990–2019

Summary What is already known about this topic?Intimate partner violence(IPV)represents a significant global public health concern.What is added by this report?The burden of HIV/AIDS related to IPV demonstrated an upward trend from 1990 to 2019,exhibiting an annual growth of 4.66%in age-standardized death rates(ASDR)and 4.42%in age-standardized disabilityadjusted life years(DALYs)rates.Notably,the age groups 30–34 and 50–54 experienced a higher IPV burden compared to other age groups.What are the implications for public health practice?There is a pressing need for public health policymakers to develop efficacious interventions aimed at bolstering the surveillance and prevention of IPV targeted at women in China.

A Novel Sensing Imaging Equipment Under Extremely Dim Light for Blast Furnace Burden Surface:Starlight High-Temperature Industrial Endoscope

Blast furnace(BF)burden surface contains the most abundant,intuitive and credible smelting information and acquiring high-definition and high-brightness optical images of which is essential to realize precise material charging control,optimize gas flow distribution and improve ironmaking efficiency.It has been challengeable to obtain high-quality optical burden surface images under high-temperature,high-dust,and extremelydim(less than 0.001 Lux)environment.Based on a novel endoscopic sensing detection idea,a reverse telephoto structure starlight imaging system with large field of view and large aperture is designed.Combined with a water-air dual cooling intelligent self-maintenance protection device and the imaging system,a starlight high-temperature industrial endoscope is developed to obtain clear optical burden surface images stably under the harsh environment.Based on an endoscope imaging area model,a material flow trajectory model and a gas-dust coupling distribution model,an optimal installation position and posture configuration method for the endoscope is proposed,which maximizes the effective imaging area and ensures large-area,safe and stable imaging of the device in a confined space.Industrial experiments and applications indicate that the proposed method obtains clear and reliable large-area optical burden surface images and reveals new BF conditions,providing key data support for green iron smelting.

Cardiovascular risk burden and disability:findings from the International Mobility in Aging Study(IMIAS)

BACKGROUND The association of cardiovascular risk burden with disability is unclear.We examined the association between trajectories of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score(FGCRS)with the trajectories of limitations of physical function in older adults.METHODS A total of 1219 participants with no disabilities from the International Mobility in Aging Study(IMIAS)study who had up to three repeated measures of FGCRS between 2012–2016 and without a history of stroke or coronary heart disease at baseline and follow-up were included.FGCRS at baseline was assessed and categorized into tertiles.Physical function was evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB).The data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.RESULTS At baseline,FGCRS ranged between 3–94(mean score:24±15.8),participants were 32(2.6%),502(41.2%)and 685(56.2%)in lowest,middle,and highest tertiles,respectively.In the trajectories of limitations of physical function,the lowest FGCRS had no differences,while the middle and highest had a decrease in physical performance between 2012–2014(P=0.0001).Age,being female,living in Andes Mountains,having middle and highest FGCRS,higher alcohol consumption,being obese,lack of exercise and cognitive impairment increase the probability of disability(P<0.05).Alternatively,living in more developed regions and having a higher educational level reduced the probability of disability during the follow-up time(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS Higher cardiovascular risk burden is associated with decreased physical performance,especially in gait.Results suggest SPPB may provide a measure of cardiovascular health in older adults.

High-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite all-pellet integrated burden optimization and softening-melting behavior based on flux pellets

High-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite(HVTM)is a crucial polymetallic-associated resource to be developed.The allpellet operation is a blast furnace trend that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the future.By referencing the production data of vanadium-titanium magnetite blast furnaces,this study explored the softening-melting behavior of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite and obtained the optimal integrated burden based on flux pellets.The results show that the burden with a composition of 70wt%flux pellets and 30wt%acid pellets exhibits the best softening-melting properties.In comparison to that of the single burden,the softening-melting characteristic temperature of this burden composition was higher.The melting interval first increased from 307 to 362℃and then decreased to 282℃.The maximum pressure drop(ΔPmax)decreased from 26.76 to 19.01 kPa.The permeability index(S)dropped from 4643.5 to 2446.8 kPa·℃.The softening-melting properties of the integrated burden were apparently improved.The acid pellets played a role in withstanding load during the softening process.The flux pellets in the integrated burden exhibited a higher slag melting point,which increased the melting temperature during the melting process.The slag homogeneity and the TiC produced by over-reduction led to the gas permeability deterioration of the single burden.The segregation of the flux and acid pellets in the HVTM proportion and basicity mainly led to the better softening-melting properties of the integrated burden.

Bridging the gap:Unveiling the crisis of physical inactivity in inflammatory bowel diseases

In this editorial we comment on the article titled“Inflammatory bowel diseases patients suffer from significant low levels and barriers to physical activity:The BE-FIT-IBD study”published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroen-terology 2023;29(41):5668-5682.Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are emerging as a significant global health concern as their incidence continues to rise on a global scale,with detrimental impacts on quality of life.While many advances have been made regarding the management of the disease,physical inactivity in these patients represents an underexplored issue that may hold the key for further and better understanding the ramifications of IBD.Chronic pain,fatigue,and fear of exacerbating symptoms promotes physical inactivity among IBD patients,while the lack of clear guidelines on safe exercise regimens contributes to a norm of physical inactivity.Physical activity(PA)is accepted to have a positive effect on disease outcomes and quality of life,while inactivity exacerbates comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders.The“BE-FIT-IBD”study,focusing on PA levels and barriers in IBD patients of Southern Italy,revealed that a significant proportion(42.9%)were physically inactive.This lack of PA is attributed to barriers such as fear of flare-ups and misconceptions about exercise exacerbating the disease.The study also highlighted the need for better communication between healthcare providers and patients regarding the benefits of PA and safe incorporation into lifestyles.Moreover,physical inactivity may also contribute to disability in IBD patients,having a great impact on employment status.Of note is the fact that IBD also comes with an important psychological burden with relevant evidence suggesting that regular PA can improve mood,reduce anxiety,and enhance mental health.The“BE-FIT-IBD”study advocated for the integration of PA into IBD management,emphasizing the bidirectional link between PA and IBD.Regular exercise can influence the course of IBD,potentially reducing symptom severity and prolonging remission periods.As such,it is mandatory that healthcare providers actively educate patients,dispel misconceptions,and tailor exercise recommendations to improve the quality of life and reduce IBD-related complications.

Colorectal cancer’s burden attributable to a diet high in processed meat in the Belt and Road Initiative countries

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)plays a significant role in morbidity,mortality,and economic cost in the Belt and Road Initiative(“B and R”)countries.In addition,these countries have a substantial consumption of processed meat.However,the burden and trend of CRC in relation to the consumption of a diet high in processed meat(DHPM-CRC)in these“B and R”countries remain unknown.AIM To analyze the burden and trend of DHPM-CRC in the“B and R”countries from 1990 to 2019.METHODS We used the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study to collate information regarding the burden of DHPM-CRC.Numbers and age-standardized rates(ASRs)of deaths along with the disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)were determined among the“B and R”countries in 1990 and 2019.Using joinpoint regression analysis,the average annual percent change(AAPC)was used to analyze the temporal trends of age-standardized DALYs rate(ASDALR)from 1990 to 2019 and in the final decade(2010–2019).RESULTS We found geographical differences in the burden of DHPM-CRC among“B and R”countries,with the three highest-ranking countries being the Russian Federation,China,and Ukraine in 1990,and China,the Russian Federation,and Poland in 2019.The burden of DHPM-CRC generally increased in most member countries from 1990 to 2019(all P<0.05).The absolute number of deaths and DALYs in DHPM-CRC were 3151.15[95%uncertainty interval(UI)665.74-5696.64]and 83249.31(95%UI 15628.64-151956.31)in China in 2019.However,the number of deaths(2627.57-2528.51)and DALYs(65867.39-55378.65)for DHPM-CRC in the Russian Federation has declined.The fastest increase in ASDALR for DHPM-CRC was observed in Vietnam,Southeast Asia,with an AAPC value of 3.90%[95%confidence interval(CI):3.63%-4.16%],whereas the fastest decline was observed in Kyrgyzstan,Central Asia,with an AAPC value of-2.05%(95%CI:-2.37%to-1.73%).A substantial upward trend in ASR of mortality,years lived with disability,years of life lost,and DALYs from DHPM-CRC changes in 1990-2019 and the final decade(2010-2019)for most Maritime Silk Route members in East Asia,South Asia,Southeast Asia,North Africa,and the Middle East,as well as Central Europe,while those of the most Land Silk Route members in Central Asia and Eastern Europe have decreased markedly(all P<0.05).The ASDALR for DHPM-CRC increased more in males than in females(all P<0.05).For those aged 50-74 years,the ASDALR for DHPM-CRC in 40 members exhibited an increasing trend,except for 20 members,including 7 members in Central Asia,Maldives,and 12 high or high-middle social development index(SDI)members in other regions(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION The burden of DHPM-CRC varies substantially across“B and R”countries and threatens public health.Relevant evidence-based policies and interventions tailored to the different trends of countries in SDIs or Silk Routes should be adopted to reduce the future burden of CRC in“B and R”countries via extensive collaboration.

Impact of frailty on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcomes in nonagenarians:A United States national experience

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is an essential therapeutic tool for biliary and pancreatic diseases.Frail and elderly patients,especially those aged≥90 years are generally considered a higher-risk population for ERCP-related complications.AIM To investigate outcomes of ERCP in the Non-agenarian population(≥90 years)concerning Frailty.METHODS This is a cohort study using the 2018-2020 National Readmission Database.Patients aged≥90 were identified who underwent ERCP,using the international classification of diseases-10 code with clinical modification.Johns Hopkins’s adjusted clinical groups frailty indicator was used to classify patients as frail and non-frail.The primary outcome was mortality,and the secondary outcomes were morbidity and the 30 d readmission rate related to ERCP.We used univariate and multivariate regression models for analysis.RESULTS A total of 9448 patients were admitted for any indications of ERCP.Frail and non-frail patients were 3445(36.46%)and 6003(63.53%)respectively.Indications for ERCP were Choledocholithiasis(74.84%),Biliary pancreatitis(9.19%),Pancreatico-biliary cancer(7.6%),Biliary stricture(4.84%),and Cholangitis(1.51%).Mortality rates were higher in frail group[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=1.68,P=0.02].The Intra-procedural complications were insigni-ficant between the two groups which included bleeding(aOR=0.72,P=0.67),accidental punctures/lacerations(aOR=0.77,P=0.5),and mechanical ventilation rates(aOR=1.19,P=0.6).Post-ERCP complication rate was similar for bleeding(aOR=0.72,P=0.41)and post-ERCP pancreatitis(aOR=1.4,P=0.44).Frail patients had a longer length of stay(6.7 d vs 5.5 d)and higher mean total charges of hospitalization($78807 vs$71392)compared to controls(P<0.001).The 30 d all-cause readmission rates between frail and non-frail patients were similar(P=0.96).CONCLUSION There was a significantly higher mortality risk and healthcare burden amongst nonagenarian frail patients undergoing ERCP compared to non-frail.Larger studies are warranted to investigate and mitigate modifiable risk factors.

Mechanisms and potential applications of COPS6 in pan-cancer therapy

The COP9 signalosome subunit 6(COPS6)is abnormally overexpressed in many malignancies,yet its precise role in carcinogenesis is unknown.To gain a better understanding of COPS6's role,the authors conducted a pan-cancer analysis using various bioinformatics techniques such as differential expression patterns,prognostic value,gene mutations,immune infiltration,correlation analysis,and functional enrichment assessment.Results showed that COPS6 was highly correlated with prognosis,immune cell infiltration level,tumor mutation burden,and microsatellite instability in patients with a range of tumor types.This suggests that COPS6 may be a potential target for cancer treatment.Overall,this research provides insight into COPS6's role in cancer development and its potential therapeutic applications.

Ferroptosis biomarkers predict tumor mutation burden's impact on prognosis in HER2-positive breast cancer

BACKGROUND Ferroptosis has recently been associated with multiple degenerative diseases.Ferroptosis induction in cancer cells is a feasible method for treating neoplastic diseases.However,the association of iron proliferation-related genes with prognosis in HER2+breast cancer(BC)patients is unclear.AIM To identify and evaluate fresh ferroptosis-related biomarkers for HER2+BC.METHODS First,we obtained the mRNA expression profiles and clinical information of HER2+BC patients from the TCGA and METABRIC public databases.A four gene prediction model comprising PROM2,SLC7A11,FANCD2,and FH was subsequently developed in the TCGA cohort and confirmed in the METABRIC cohort.Patients were stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on their median risk score,an independent predictor of overall survival(OS).Based on these findings,immune infiltration,mutations,and medication sensitivity were analyzed in various risk groupings.Additionally,we assessed patient prognosis by combining the tumor mutation burden(TMB)with risk score.Finally,we evaluated the expression of critical genes by analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data from malignant vs normal epithelial cells.RESULTS We found that the higher the risk score was,the worse the prognosis was(P<0.05).We also found that the immune cell infiltration,mutation,and drug sensitivity were different between the different risk groups.The highrisk subgroup was associated with lower immune scores and high TMB.Moreover,we found that the combination of the TMB and risk score could stratify patients into three groups with distinct prognoses.HRisk-HTMB patients had the worst prognosis,whereas LRisk-LTMB patients had the best prognosis(P<0.0001).Analysis of the scRNAseq data showed that PROM2,SLC7A11,and FANCD2 were significantly differentially expressed,whereas FH was not,suggesting that these genes are expressed mainly in cancer epithelial cells(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Our model helps guide the prognosis of HER2+breast cancer patients,and its combination with the TMB can aid in more accurate assessment of patient prognosis and provide new ideas for further diagnosis and treatment.

Global Burden of Fungal Infections and Antifungal Resistance from 1961 to 2024: Findings and Future Implications

Background: Antifungal resistance (AFR) is a global public health problem with devastating effects, especially among immunocompromised individuals. Addressing AFR requires a One Health approach including Antifungal Stewardship (AFS). This study aimed to comprehensively review global studies published on fungal infections and AFR and to recommend solutions to address this growing problem. Materials and Methods: This was a narrative review that was conducted using published papers on fungal infections, AFR, and AFS between January 1961 and March 2024. The literature was searched using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Results: This found that there has been an increase in fungal infections globally, especially among immunocompromised patients. Due to this increase in fungal infections, there has been a proportionate increase in the use of antifungal agents to prevent and treat fungal infections. This increased use of antifungal agents has worsened the problem of AFR contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Globally, fungal infections have contributed to 150 million infections annually and 1.7 million deaths per year. By the year 2023, over 3.8 million people died from fungal infections. Addressing AFR remains a challenge because the treatment of antifungal-resistant infections is difficult. Finally, the treatment of fungal infections is a global challenge exacerbated by the limited number of antifungal agents to treat invasive fungal infections. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that fungal infections and AFR are prevalent across humans, animals, agriculture, and the environment. Addressing this problem requires the provision of solutions such as improving the awareness of AFR, conducting further research on the discovery of new antifungal agents, and implementing AFS programs. If this global problem is not addressed, the morbidity and mortality associated with AFR will continue to rise in the future.

Global trends in hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma mortality:A public database analysis(1999-2019)

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and it significantly contributes to the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,there are marked variations in the incidence and mortality rates of HCC across different geographical regions.With the advent of new widely available treatment modalities,such as direct-acting antivirals,it is becoming increasingly imperative to understand the temporal and geographical trends in HCC mortality associated with Hepatitis C.Furthermore,gender disparities in HCC mortality related to Hepatitis C are a crucial,yet underexplored aspect that adds to the disease's global impact.While some studies shed light on gender-specific trends,there is a lack of comprehensive data on global and regional mortality rates,particularly those highlighting gender disparities.This gap in knowledge hinders the development of targeted interventions and resource allocation strategies.DISCUSSION The results of our study show an overall decline in the mortality rates of patients with hepatitis C-related HCC over the last two decades.Notably,females exhibited a remarkable decrease in mortality compared to males.Regionally,East Asia and the Pacific displayed a significant decline in mortality,while Europe and Central Asia witnessed an upward trend.Latin America and the Caribbean also experienced an increase in mortality rates.However,no significant difference was observed in the Middle East and North Africa.North America exhibited a notable upward trend.South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa significantly declined throughout the study period.This raises the hope of identifying areas for implementing more targeted resources.Despite some progress,multiple challenges remain in meeting the WHO 2030 goal of eliminating viral hepatitis[24].

Pan-Cancer dissection of ORAI1:prognostic implications and immune landscapecorrelation

Background:The ORAI1 gene,central to store-operated calcium entry(SOCE),is increasingly recognized for its pivotal role in cancer progression and patient prognosis across a broad spectrum of malignancies.Despite its critical involvement in calcium signaling pathways that are essential for cellular functions such as proliferation,migration,and apoptosis,the comprehensive impacts of ORAI1 within the tumor microenvironment(TME)and its modulation across various cancers have not been fully elucidated.Methods:We conducted a pan-cancer analysis leveraging data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)to assess ORAI1 expression.Differential expression analyses were performed,complemented by correlative studies with tumor mutation burden(TMB),microsatellite instability(MSI),immune infiltration,and key biological processes and pathways.Results:Our results demonstrate that ORAI1 is consistently upregulated in a range of cancer types,associated with aggressive tumor characteristics and poor patient outcomes.Significantly,ORAI1 upregulation correlates with increased tumor mutation burden(TMB)and microsatellite instability(MSI),markers of genomic instability that are predictive of response to immunotherapy,underscoring its potential utility in clinical stratification and treatment decision-making.ORAI1's influence extended to the immune landscape,showing associations with immune cell infiltration and both immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory gene sets,thereby affecting the TME and possibly the efficacy of immunotherapeutic interventions.Conclusions:The multifaceted nature of ORAI1's involvement in cancer pathophysiology positions it as a prospective biomarker and therapeutic target.Its expression dynamics and correlative significance with prognostic and immune regulatory elements underscore its potential in guiding therapeutic strategies and improving clinical outcomes.This study lays a foundation for future research,aiming to leverage ORAI1's biological significance in cancer prognosis and therapy optimization.

The relation between funding by the National Institutes of Health and the burden of disease

Background:The Institute of Medicine has proposed that the amount of disease-specific research funding provided by the National Institutes of Health(NIH)be systematically and consistently compared with the burden of disease for society.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional study comparing estimates of disease-specific funding in 1996 with data on six measures of the burden of disease.

What Are the Most Effective Adjustments To Ease Individual Income Tax Burdens?

The Chinese Government’s recent economic stimulus measures are attracting much attention because of its plan to increase people’s incomes and alleviate enterprises and residents’ economic burden.

New Understandings——Accepting Burdens

YAN Cailing lives on the Loess Plateau in northwestern China. In spite of her lightheartedness and cheer, she actually leads an uneasy life. At 37,she has three children. When she was small, her family lived a hard life. Her parents couldn’t afford tuition fees for all their six daughters. She went to school without textbooks, always having to listen attentively to insure she would remember the teacher’s lessons. In winter, she wore thin clothes and ragged shoes. Even when both her feet were frostbitten, she still continued to go to school. In 1974, Yan Cailing was admitted to a senior high school but then failed to pass

Global and regional burdens of oral cancer from 1990 to 2017:Results from the global burden of disease study

Background:Data on the incidence,mortality,and other burden of oral cancer as well as their secular trends are necessary to provide policy-makers with the information needed to allocate resources appropriately.The purpose of this study was to use the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2017 results to estimate the incidence,mortality,and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)for oral cancer from 1990 to 2017.Methods:We collected detailed data on oral cancer from 1990 to 2017 from the GBD 2017.The global incidence,mortality,and DALYs attributable to oral cancer as well as the corresponding age-standardized rates(ASRs)were calculated.The estimated annual percentage changes in the ASRs of incidence(ASRI)and mortality(ASRM)and age-standardized DALYs of oral cancer were also calculated according to regions and countries to quantify the secular trends in these rates.Results:We tracked the incidence,mortality,and DALYs of oral cancer in 195 countries/territories over 28 years.Globally,the incidence,mortality,and DALYs of oral cancer increased by about 1.0-fold from 1990 to 2017.The ASRI of oral cancer showed a similar trend,increasing from 4.41 to 4.84 per 100,000 person-years during the study period.The ASRM remained approximately stable at about 2.4 per 100,000 from 1990 to 2017,as did the age-standardized DALYs,at about 64.0 per 100,000 person-years.ASRI was highest in Pakistan(27.03/100,000,95%CI=22.13-32.75/100,000),followed by Taiwan China,and lowest in Iraq(0.96/100,000,95%CI=0.86-1.06/100,000).ASRM was highest in Pakistan(16.85/100,000,95%CI=13.92-20.17/100,000)and lowest in Kuwait(0.51/100,000,95%CI=0.45-0.58/100,000).Conclusions:The ASRI of oral cancer has increased slightly worldwide,while the ASRM and age-standardized DALY have remained stable.However,these characteristics vary between countries,suggesting that current prevention strategies should be reoriented,and much more targeted and specific strategies should be established in some countries to forestall the increase in oral cancer.

Preparation of blast furnace burdens by composite agglomeration process: effect of distribution of magnetite and hematite concentrates in pelletized and matrix feed

Effect of distribution of iron concentrates between pelletized and matrix feed on the preparation of blast furnace burdens from two different kinds of fine iron concentrates (magnetite and hematite) by composite agglomeration process (CAP) was explored. It was found that when the mass ratio of iron concentrate A (magnetite) to iron concentrate B (hematite) in the mixed feed was constant, the proportion of iron concentrate A in the pelletized and matrix feed significantly affected the quality of CAP products. Particularly, as the proportion of iron concentrate A in the pelletized feed increased from 0 to 100%, the yield decreased from 82.11% to 79.19% and the tumbler index decreased from 71.33% to 68.27%. The mineralization characterization results indicated that when 100% iron concentrate A was used as the pelletized feed, the crystallization styles of the outer layer and the inner layer of the pellet were different, and a lot of pores exist around hematite and magnetite phases in the pelletized part, with the weak connection of pelletized and matrix part, resulting in poor strength of agglomeration product.