Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Photoelectrochemical properties of hierarchical ZnO micro-nanostructure sensitized with Sb2S3 nanoparticles

By using electrochemical deposition method, and assisted with additions of PEG-400 and EDA, well-aligned ZnO nanorods and hierarchical ZnO micro-nanostructure are fabricated directly on indium doped tin oxide coated conducting glass (ITO) substrate. The shell-core Sb2S3/ZnO nanorod structure and the shell-core hierarchical Sb2S3/ZnO micro-nanostructure are prepared by chemical bath deposition method. SEM, XRD, UV-Vis and photocurrent test are used to characterize the morphology, nanostructures and their photoelectrochemical properties. The studies show that the photocurrent on the array membranes with shell-core hierarchical Sb2S3/ZnO micro-nanostructure is apparently higher than that with shell-core Sb2S3/ZnO nanorods array

Comprehensive Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal(loid)s Considering Uncertainties: The Case of a Typical Metal Mining Area in Daye City, China

Heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in soils near mining sites often cause serious environmental and health issues. Accurately assessing soil HM risks and identifying priority pollutants are crucial for improving risk control efficiency with limited management costs and resources. Traditional deterministic assessments may yield biased results due to the imprecision and ambiguity of environmental data and assessment processes. To compensate for the deficiencies of deterministic assessment, a comprehensive probabilistic-fuzzy model was developed based on fuzzy theory, probability methods, the soil contamination risk (SCR) index, and a human health risk (HR) assessment framework. According to this model, the soil HM risk status in a typical mining area in China was evaluated. The results indicated that Cd and Cu significantly violated the relevant environmental guidelines and were considered priority metals for environmental risk (ER). Notably, Cd’s hazard predominantly manifested in a solid potential ecological risk (PER), whereas Cu’s environmental impact primarily manifested as a soil contamination risk (SCR). From the perspective of HR, soil HMs already pose a considerable threat to human health, with children facing greater HRs than adults. As was identified as a priority element for HRs, with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks reaching unacceptable levels. Regarding general risk (GR), Cd and Cu ranked in the first gradient and As in the second gradient. Overall, the accumulation of soil HMs—especially Cd, Cu, and As—in the study area has posed a significant threat to the ecosystem and human health. The risks of other HMs (Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni) are relatively low, but the superimposed risks of multiple HMs should not be ignored. The probabilistic–fuzzy model reduces the uncertainty of risk assessment, and the model integrates the environmental and health risks of HMs, providing more comprehensive risk information. The assessment results can serve as a reference for managers to develop targeted control strategies

Photoelectrochemical properties of the TiO2-ZnO nanorod hierarchical structure prepared by hydrothermal process

In order to increase the transport channels of the photogenerated electrons and enhance the photosensitizer loading ability of the electrode, a new TiO2-ZnO nanorod hierarchical structure is prepared through two-step hydrothermal process. First, TiO2 nanorod array is grown on the FTO conductive glass substrate by hydrothermal proess. Then, ZnO sol is coated onto the TiO2 nanorods through dip-coating method and inverted to ZnO seed layer by sintering. Finally, the secondary ZnO nanorods are grown onto the TiO2 nanorods by the sencond hydrothermal method to form the designed TiO2-ZnO nanorod hierarchical structure. A spin-coating assisted successive ionic layer reaction method (SC-SILR) is used to deposit the CdS nanocrystals into the TiO2 nanorod array and the TiO2-ZnO nanorod hierarchical structure is used to form the CdS/TiO2 and CdS/TiO2-ZnO nanocomposite films. Different methods, such as SEM, TEM, XRD, UV-Vis and transient photocurrent, are employed to characterize and measure the morphologies, structures, light absorption and photoelectric conversion performance of all the samples, respectively. The results indicate that, compared with the pure TiO2 nanorod array, the TiO2-ZnO nanorod hierarchical structure can load more CdS photosensitizer. The light absorption properties and transient photocurrent performance of the CdS/TiO2-ZnO nanorod hierarchical structure composite film are evidently superior to that of the CdS/TiO2 nanocomposite films. The excellent photoelctrochemical performance of theTiO2-ZnO hierarchical structure reveales its application prospect in photoanode material of the solar cells

Preparation of CdS nanoparticels with spin-coating assisted successive ionic layer reaction and their photoelectrochemical properties

In order to settle the problems in the traditional SILAR method for CdS deposition, such as smaller particles and being difficult to enhance the sensitive layers, an improved spin-coating assisted successive ionic layer reaction method (S-SILR) substituted for the traditional SILAR method is used to deposit the CdS nanocrystals. The comparison between the improved and traditional methods is studied after depositing the CdS nanocrystals onto the ZnO nanorod arrays with the two approaches. Different analysis methods, SEM, XRD, UV-vis and the transit photocurrent measurement are conducted to characterize the morphologies and structures of the samples, as well as investigating the light absorption properties, and the photoelectric conversion performance of the electrodes. The results indicate that the CdS nanocrystals photosensitive layers could be totally coated onto the ZnO nanorod arrays more easily by the improved S-SILR method; the light absorption properties and the photoelectric conversion performance of the electrodes prepared by the improved S-SILR method are more excellent compared with those electrodes prepared by the traditional SILAR method. The improvement of the CdS deposition method has certain guiding significance in enhancing the operability of the preparation technology and the photovoltaic performance of the solar cells

Surgical technique of da Vinci robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy(RAMIE) expert experiences

Esophageal cancer is a prevalent disease in thoracic surgery, and surgery is currently the main treatment method. It can completely remove the tumor and improve the patient's quality of life. The da Vinci robot-assisted McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer has the advantages of less trauma, less pain, good results, faster postoperative recovery, and beautiful incisions. The da Vinci robotic system has a three-dimensional enlarged actual surgical field of view and can perform all-round operations. It has been gradually accepted to clearly observe the lesion and its relationship with surrounding tissues, nerves, and lymph nodes, safely remove the lesion, reduce nerve damage, and remove enough lymph nodes. This article will introduce the surgical experience of our center in detail

Preparation of the composite film based on CdS-modified TiO2 nanorod array with low density and its photoelectrochemical properties

In order to increase the filling ratio of CdS photosensitized layer into the TiO2 array, a low-density TiO2 nanorod array with short-length rods and large rod-interval is prepared based on the TiO2 seed layer-coated FTO conductive glass through hydrothermal process. CdS seed layer is covered onto the TiO2 nanorod by chemical bath deposition. Then CdS photosensitized layer is grown in the TiO2 nanorod array via hydrothermal approach. SEM, XRD, UV-Vis absorption spectra are employed to characterize the TiO2/CdS composite films with different hydrothermal time of CdS. The photoelectrochemical properties of the TiO2/CdS composite film are also studied. The results indicate that the low-density of the TiO2 nanorod array could facilitate the infiltration of the CdS growth solution into the TiO2 array to form the perfect coverage with CdS seed layers. CdS photosensitized layers are homogeneously grown on the whole TiO2 nanorods and gradually filled in the TiO2 array through hydrothermal process. Meanwhile, flower-like CdS modified layers composed with short-length rods are formed at the top of composite film array. The light absorption of the TiO2 nanorod array is extended to the visible region with the CdS modification. The photocurrent of the TiO2/CdS composite film is obtained via 7 h hydrothermal growth of CdS layer. The excellent photoelctrochemical performance of the composite film of CdS modified TiO2 nanorod array with low density reveales its application prospect in solar cells

Modification of heterojunction surface/interfacial to optimize the hybrid solar cells efficiency

In order to improve the compatibility between inorganic semiconductor and organic polymer semiconductor, and optimize the photoelectric performance of the battery, a hybrid solar cell of TiO2/PCPDTBT based on one dimensional inorganic TiO2 nanorods ordered arrays and organic polymer PCPDTBT is constructed. The heterojunction interface properties between the inorganic and organic materials are controlled by amphiphilic organic triphenylamine-type molecules. The properties of the hybrid films are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), UV-vis spectra (UV-vis), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), etc.. The battery performance tests demonstrate that the photovoltaic performance of the modified cell is improved, and the power conversion efficiency η is of 0.81%. Open circuit voltage decay tests demonstrate that the electron lifetime is increased after heterojunction surface/interfacial modification. These results indicate that the amelioration of morphology and structure of the active layer plays an important role on solar cell performance, by means of modification of the heterojunction surface/interface

Optimization of the photovoltaic performance of ZnO-based organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells

Organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell is a new type of solar cell, with its organic polymers to provide electrons and inorganic semiconductors to accept electrons. The commonly used inorganic semiconductors are nano-sized zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), cadmium sulfide (CdS), etc. There are many problems needing to be solved in the research process of hybrid solar cells, such as the poor electron transport efficiency, low utilization of solar energy, chemical incompatibility between inorganic semiconductors and organic polymers, and the consequently caused low photoelectric conversion efficiency. Around the above issues, concerning the solar cell with the ZnO semiconductors as electron acceptor, the photovoltaic performance optimization methods are discussed from the aspects of electron acceptors, electron donor materials and the addition of modified layers for the ZnO-based solar cell, and the future development tendency of the hybrid solar cells is also prospected. The optimization of cell performance has brought hope to the low cost and high efficiency application of this hybrid solar cell