Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BACKGROUND: Assessments of age-specific mortality and life expectancy have been done by the UN Population Division, Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNPOP), the United States Census Bureau, WHO, and as part of previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Previous iterations of the GBD used population estimates from UNPOP, which were not derived in a way that was internally consistent with the estimates of the numbers of deaths in the GBD. The present iteration of the GBD, GBD 2017, improves on previous assessments and provides timely estimates of the mortality experience of populations globally. METHODS: The GBD uses all available data to produce estimates of mortality rates between 1950 and 2017 for 23 age groups, both sexes, and 918 locations, including 195 countries and territories and subnational locations for 16 countries. Data used include vital registration systems, sample registration systems, household surveys (complete birth histories, summary birth histories, sibling histories), censuses (summary birth histories, household deaths), and Demographic Surveillance Sites. In total, this analysis used 8259 data sources. Estimates of the probability of death between birth and the age of 5 years and between ages 15 and 60 years are generated and then input into a model life table system to produce complete life tables for all locations and years. Fatal discontinuities and mortality due to HIV/AIDS are analysed separately and then incorporated into the estimation. We analyse the relationship between age-specific mortality and development status using the Socio-demographic Index, a composite measure based on fertility under the age of 25 years, education, and income. There are four main methodological improvements in GBD 2017 compared with GBD 2016: 622 additional data sources have been incorporated; new estimates of population, generated by the GBD study, are used; statistical methods used in different components of the analysis have been further standardised and improved; and the analysis has been extended backwards in time by two decades to start in 1950. FINDINGS: Globally, 18·7% (95% uncertainty interval 18·4–19·0) of deaths were registered in 1950 and that proportion has been steadily increasing since, with 58·8% (58·2–59·3) of all deaths being registered in 2015. At the global level, between 1950 and 2017, life expectancy increased from 48·1 years (46·5–49·6) to 70·5 years (70·1–70·8) for men and from 52·9 years (51·7–54·0) to 75·6 years (75·3–75·9) for women. Despite this overall progress, there remains substantial variation in life expectancy at birth in 2017, which ranges from 49·1 years (46·5–51·7) for men in the Central African Republic to 87·6 years (86·9–88·1) among women in Singapore. The greatest progress across age groups was for children younger than 5 years; under-5 mortality dropped from 216·0 deaths (196·3–238·1) per 1000 livebirths in 1950 to 38·9 deaths (35·6–42·83) per 1000 livebirths in 2017, with huge reductions across countries. Nevertheless, there were still 5·4 million (5·2–5·6) deaths among children younger than 5 years in the world in 2017. Progress has been less pronounced and more variable for adults, especially for adult males, who had stagnant or increasing mortality rates in several countries. The gap between male and female life expectancy between 1950 and 2017, while relatively stable at the global level, shows distinctive patterns across super-regions and has consistently been the largest in central Europe, eastern Europe, and central Asia, and smallest in south Asia. Performance was also variable across countries and time in observed mortality rates compared with those expected on the basis of development. INTERPRETATION: This analysis of age-sex-specific mortality shows that there are remarkably complex patterns in population mortality across countries. The findings of this study highlight global successes, such as the large decline in under-5 mortality, which reflects significant local, national, and global commitment and investment over several decades. However, they also bring attention to mortality patterns that are a cause for concern, particularly among adult men and, to a lesser extent, women, whose mortality rates have stagnated in many countries over the time period of this study, and in some cases are increasing

Generation of selenium containing nano-structures by soil bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

The aim of the study was to explore the biogenesis of nano-structures through reduction of selenium by soil bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strain under study indicated tolerance of selenium upto 50 mg L-1, using reductive mechanisms for detoxication, thus biotransforming selenium oxyanions to elemental red selenium. Partial characterization using AFM of the biotransformed selenium was carried out which indicated formation of spherical amorphous allotropic elemental selenium

Selenium-rich mushrooms cultivation on a wheat straw substrate from seleniferous area in Punjab, India.

Intensive rice-wheat cultivation cycle in Northern belt of India in general and in the State of Punjab in particular results in large volumes of straw and other post-harvest residue annually. The agricultural area, bordering the districts of Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur, is popularly known as the seleniferous belt of India. The agri-residues, generated in seleniferous region of this state, are observed to contain significantly high concentration of selenium (Se). The present study was aimed to evaluate the Se uptake by different mushroom species: Pleurotus sajorcaju, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, Agaricus bisporus, and Volvariella volvacea, cultivated on Se-rich wheat and paddy straw from the seleniferous region. Wheat (Pleurotus species and A. bisporus) and paddy straw (V. volvacea) was inoculated with the mycelium spawn and left for 7-20 days, depending on the species, to grow. Control mushrooms were grown analogously using the agricultural residues from non-seleniferous area of the State of Punjab. All fruiting bodies were collected and analyzed in triplicate. Se was quantified using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. The Se accumulation was high in all species under study, being the highest in A. bisporus (1396 mu g/g vs. 46.8 mu g/g in controls - dry weight) and V. volvacea (231 mu g/g vs. 3.77 mu g/g - dry weight). The observed biological efficiency and total yield for all mushroom species showed good and unaltered productivity in Se-rich conditions, if compared to the controls. The Se-rich mushrooms can be prospective Se-supplements sourcing and biofortified foods, providing readily bioavailable and accessible Se for the diets deficient of this biologically essential element

Assessing the Realization of Global Land Restoration: A Meta-analysis

Restoring degraded land is essential for regaining ecosystem services (ES) and attaining the UN-Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Unfortunately, 24% of the global lands are degraded, significantly affecting the lives of 3.2 billion people worldwide. Therefore, innovative restoration practices are vital during ‘UN-Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.’ A meta-analysis of 2093 documents on land degradation and restoration was conducted in this context, and 117 empirical studies were analyzed in detail. These studies were based on the different drivers of land degradation as per the criteria of IPBES and IPCC, respectively. Results suggested that woodland encroachment (18.25%), cropland expansion (18.11%), species loss/compositional shifts (16.06%), climatic factors (14.96%), infrastructure development/urbanization (14.17%), water erosion (13.87%), wind erosion (9.49%) and other demographic pressures (8.66%) were the significant drivers of land degradation. Interestingly, there was a continent-wide change in the critical drivers of land degradation and depleting ES. The infrastructure development/urbanization, demography, and economic attributes were the essential drivers in Asia–Pacific and African regions. In contrast, the fire-regime shift and invasiveness were the significant drivers in Europe, and the climatic attribute was the crucial driver in the Americas. Out of the 117 studies selected worldwide, some ongoing restoration efforts had little emphasis on research-driven on-site restoration for improving different ES. Furthermore, some restoration projects lack proper stakeholder involvement thereby, fail to attract large-scale public acceptance. Moreover, only 12.8% of the studies focused on improving the ES in highly degraded lands. Therefore, this meta-analysis suggests that site-specific, research-driven, and on-site restoration strategies coupled with proper stakeholder engagement are imperative for regaining the ES and functions of the degraded landscape to attain UN-SDG

The Level of Toxic Elements in Edible Crops from Seleniferous Area (Punjab, India)

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the level of selenium and toxic trace elements in wheat, rice, maize, and mustard from seleniferous areas of Punjab, India. The content of selenium (Se) and toxic trace elements, including aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and tin (Sn), in crop samples was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry after microwave digestion of the samples. The obtained data demonstrate that cultivation of crops on seleniferous soils significantly increased Se level in wheat, mustard, rice, and maize by a factor of more than 590, 111, 85, and 64, respectively. The study also showed that Se exposure affected toxic metal content in crops. In particular, Se-rich wheat was characterized by a significant decrease in Al, As, Ni, Pb, and Sn levels. The level of As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Sn was significantly decreased in Se-rich rice, whereas As content was increased. In turn, the decrease in Al, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Sn levels in Se-rich maize was associated with a significant elevation of Hg content. Finally, Se-rich mustard was characterized by a significant increase in Al, As, and Hg levels, while the content of Ni, Pb, and Sn was significantly lower than the control levels. These findings should be taken into account while developing the nutritional strategies for correction of Se status. At the same time, the exact mechanisms underlying the observed differences are to be estimated. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Влияние высокого уровня селена в почве на кумуляцию эссенциальных элементов в зерне и муке из пшеницы, риса и кукурузы

The purpose of study was an investigation of the impact of high soil selenium (Se) on iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in grain and flour from wheat, rice and maize. Determination of trace elements level was performed using mass spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma after microwave digestion. It was established that cultivation on seleniferous soils results in an increase of Se accumulation in grain and wheat, rice and maize flourby a factor of 106 and 45, 107 and 80, and also 458 and 269, compared to control values, relatively. Selenium exposure is accompanied by significant elevation of Cu, Mn, and Fe accumulation in wheat grain samples by 41%, 48%, and 211%, whereas similar increase in flour was estimated to be 33%, 40%, and 97% respectively. In contrast to wheat, copper level in rice grain and powder with high selenium level was lower than the control values by 45% and 30%, respectively. Maize cultivation on the seleniferoussoils lead to significant decrease of copper level in maize grain by 41% while, zinc level was characterized by a more than 2-fold increase. At the same time, Cu, Fe, and Mn level in high selenium maize flour was nearly 3-fold lower than respective control values. Therefore, wheat grown on selenium-rich soils may be considered as an additional source of other essential elements, whereas their intake with selenium rich maize and its foods could be insufficient.Целью исследования явилось изучение влияния высокого уровня селена (Se) в почве на кумуляцию железа (Fe), меди (Cu), цинка (Zn) и марганца (Mn) в зерне и муке из пшеницы, риса и кукурузы методом масс-спектрометрии с индуктивно-связанной плазмой. Установлено, что культивация растений на богатой селеном почве приводит к увеличению аккумуляции элемента в зернах и муке из пшеницы, риса и кукурузы соответственно в 106 и 45, 107 и 80, а также 458 и 269 раз по сравнению с контрольными значениями. Воздействие селена сопровождается достоверным увеличением кумуляции Cu, Fe и Mn в образцах зерна и муки из пшеницы. Отмечено, что в отличие от пшеницы, содержание меди в зернах и муке из риса с высоким уровнем селена ниже контрольных значений. Культивация кукурузы на почвах с высоким содержанием селена приводит к достоверному снижению уровня меди в зернах кукурузы, в то время как уровень цинка характеризовался более чем 2-кратным повышением. В то же время показано, что уровень Cu, Fe и Mn в муке из кукурузы с высоким содержанием селена ниже соответствующих контрольных значений практически в 3 раза. Таким образом, пшеница, выращенная на селеноносных почвах, также может являться дополнительным источником других эссенциальных элементов, тогда как поступление данных элементов с обогащенной селеном кукурузой и продуктах из нее, напротив, может снижать потребление данных элементов

Enhancing Properties of Anionic Poly(ionic liquid)s with 1,2,3-Triazolium Counter Cations

International audienceA series of anionic poly(ionic liquid)s with 1,2,3-triazolium counter cations are prepared by cation exchange between tailormade 1,3,4-trialkylated-1,2,3-triazolium iodides and a polystyrene derivative having pendant potassium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide groups. The physical and ion-conducting properties of the resulting materials are compared to the parent potassium-containing polyelectrolyte based on H-1 NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) measurements. Substitution of the potassium counter cation by 1,2,3-triazolium charge carriers affords polyelectrolytes with improved processability (broader solubility and removal of the crystalline behavior) as well as a substantial increase in anhydrous ionic conductivity

The Level of Toxic Elements in Edible Crops from Seleniferous Area (Punjab, India)

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the level of selenium and toxic trace elements in wheat, rice, maize, and mustard from seleniferous areas of Punjab, India. The content of selenium (Se) and toxic trace elements, including aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and tin (Sn), in crop samples was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry after microwave digestion of the samples. The obtained data demonstrate that cultivation of crops on seleniferous soils significantly increased Se level in wheat, mustard, rice, and maize by a factor of more than 590, 111, 85, and 64, respectively. The study also showed that Se exposure affected toxic metal content in crops. In particular, Se-rich wheat was characterized by a significant decrease in Al, As, Ni, Pb, and Sn levels. The level of As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Sn was significantly decreased in Se-rich rice, whereas As content was increased. In turn, the decrease in Al, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Sn levels in Se-rich maize was associated with a significant elevation of Hg content. Finally, Se-rich mustard was characterized by a significant increase in Al, As, and Hg levels, while the content of Ni, Pb, and Sn was significantly lower than the control levels. These findings should be taken into account while developing the nutritional strategies for correction of Se status. At the same time, the exact mechanisms underlying the observed differences are to be estimated. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Synergistic effect of selenium and UV-B radiation in enhancing antioxidant level of wheatgrass grown from selenium rich wheat

Wheatgrass are young saplings of the common wheat plant containing significant amount of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like phenols/flavonoids. During its germination and growth, many biotic and abiotic factors influence the nutritional quality of wheatgrass. Present work was focused on understanding the profile of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants levels in wheatgrass when exposed to selenium (Se) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. Se-rich wheat grains were used for cultivation of wheatgrass under UV-B radiation whereas, nonseleniferous wheat and visible light were considered as control. The Se content in wheat grains was 115 μg/g whereas, in wheatgrass, the concentration reached upto 150 μg/g. Se and UV-B enhanced flavonoid and phenolic contents in wheatgrass, whereas, combined interaction of Se and UV-B exhibited synergistic effect in enhancing their levels further along with simultaneous increase in antioxidant properties vis-à-vis antioxidant enzymes. Se : UV-B exposure also synergistically enhanced levels of many free and cell wall bound phenolic compounds. Practical applications: Wheatgrass is a vital and well known food supplements rich in different phytonutrients along with significant amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Consumption of wheatgrass is known to have many health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. A nutritional value of wheatgrass is generally dependent of germination conditions and is greatly influenced by environmental stress. In this study, exposure of Se-rich wheatgrass to UV-B radiation has exhibited a significant increase in different antioxidant properties. Thus, wheatgrass naturally enriched with selenium can be an effective source of Se supplementation along with other nutritional benefits that it facilitates. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Profiling of selenium and other trace elements in breads from rice and maize cultivated in a seleniferous area of Punjab (India)

The objective of the study was to assess selenium and other elements levels in Indian Roti bread from Se-rich maize and rice using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Se levels in Roti bread from Se-rich maize and rice exceeded those in the control samples by a factor of more than 594 and 156, respectively. Using Se-enriched maize increased bread Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, and Zn content, whereas Fe and I levels were reduced. In Se-rich rice-based bread a decrease in Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Mo, and Zn contents was observed. Daily consumption of Se-rich maize and rice bread (100 g) could account for 5.665% and 4.309% from recommended dietary allowance, also exceeding the upper tolerable levels by a factor of 7.8 and 5.9, respectively. Therefore, Roti bread from both Se-rich maize and rice may be considered as an additional source of selenium. At the same time, regular intake of Se-rich grains and its products including breads may cause adverse health effects even after a few days and should be regularly monitored in order to prevent Se overload and toxicity. © 2020, Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India)