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Harmonic generation can broaden the laser wavelength in a great scope and is rich in physics, but the efficient cascaded second harmonic generation especially those directly deep into deep‐ultraviolet (DUV) with one single crystal seems to be impossible, due to the extremely strict phase‐matching conditions and relative narrow bandgap of present nonlinear optical crystals. Here, this work designs a nonlinear photonic quartz crystal where the phase difference of interacted light waves is manipulated in two dimensions and realizes an unprecedented cascaded phase‐matched 2nd–5th harmonic generation simultaneously with the photon energy up to 6 eV, representing the shortest wavelength by cascaded second harmonic generation in the solid‐state nonlinear medium. The generated light is located in the visible‐DUV region with a total conversion efficiency of 2.7%. The present nonlinear photonic quartz scheme not only provides a multi‐wavelength solid‐state laser source applied in modern devices but also develops a new route for studying the light‐matter nonlinear interaction in the DUV region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Observational studies have indicated that both Helicobacter pylori infection and the presence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies may increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the exact association between Helicobacter pylori antibodies and the occurrence of GERD remains largely unresolved. Therefore, this two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to investigate the causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and GERD. Methods: This study encompassed seven different specific protein antibodies targeting Helicobacter pylori and utilized a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on GERD. MR analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori antibodies and the development of GERD. Results: Genetically predicted serum levels of Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies were positively associated with an increased risk of GERD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.001, 95% CI 1.000–1.003, P = 0.043). No causal relationship was found between other Helicobacter pylori antibodies and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Conclusion: The outcomes derived from our two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis demonstrate a discernible link between the levels of Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies and an augmented susceptibility to GERD. However, it is imperative to expand the sample size further in order to corroborate the correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peptic ulcer disease has been a major threat to the world's population, which remains a significant cause of hospitalization worldwide and healthcare resource utilization. Objectives: We aimed to describe the global burden, trends, and inequalities of peptic ulcer disease. Design: An observational study was conducted. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019, we extracted data for age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), disability-adjusted life year rates (ASDRs), and mortality rates (ASMRs); then, we stratified by age, level of regionals, and country; subsequently, we calculated estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) of ASIR, ASDR, ASMR, and quantified cross-country inequalities in peptic ulcer disease mortality. Results: Globally, ASIR showed a continuous downward trend, from 63.84 in 1990 to 44.26 per 100,000 population in 2019, with an annual decrease of 1.42% [EAPC = −1.42 (95% CI: −1.55 to −1.29)]. ASDR showed a continuing downward trend, and the EAPC was −3.47% (−3.58 to −3.37). ASMR showed a persistent decline, declining by nearly half in 2019 compared to 1990 (3.0 versus 7.39 per 100,000 population), with an annual decrease of 2.55% [EAPC = −3.36 (95% CI: −3.47 to −3.25)]. A significant reduction in sociodemographic index (SDI)-related inequality, from an excess of 190.43 disability-adjusted life years (DALY) per 100,000 (95% CI: −190.83 to −190.02) between the poorest and richest countries in 1990 to 62.85 DALY per 100,000 (95% CI −62.81 to −62.35) in 2019. Conclusion: Global peptic ulcer disease morbidity and mortality rates decreased significantly from 1990 to 2019. These health gains were in accordance with a substantial reduction in the magnitude of SDI-related inequalities across countries, which is paired with overall socioeconomic and health improvements observed in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is the nonlinear response of electrons to high‐intensity light and has been successfully applied in basic scientific research and modern optoelectronics. However, constrained by stringent but essential phase‐matching conditions, efficient vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) SHG is still a challenge in solid‐state lasers. Here, this work employs a spatial frequency manipulation strategy to realize artificially structured phase‐matching conditions in ordinary quartz crystals for efficient frequency doubling in the VUV range. Phase‐matched VUV SHG at wavelengths of 177.3 and 167.8 nm is realized with unprecedented output power and conversion efficiency. The design strategy releases the phase‐matching condition for nonlinear optics and provides a way to study light–matter nonlinear interactions, and the present sources should be helpful for the development of VUV photonics, including high‐resolution angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy and Al+ optical clocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and premature death, smoking has a clear causal relationship with a variety of cancers. However, the relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and other cancers besides lung cancer is not clear. In this study, we intend to investigate the cancers mortality risks especially other cancers besides lung cancer associated with exposure to SHS. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a longitudinal population-based, nationally representative health survey and mortality rates linked to the National Death Index (NDI) database. In this study, the participants completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data, anthropometry, and lifestyle information, including smoking and alcohol consumption, meanwhile, all the participants were screened for serum cotinine. First, Spearman correlation analysis was performed to confirm the correlation between serum cotinine level and exposure status. And then, exposure to SHS was divided into two groups: low exposure group (serum cotinine level between 0.015 and 10) and high exposure group (serum cotinine level ≥ 10), Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to evaluate the association between exposure to SHS and eight different types of smoke-related cancer. Results: In this study, we evaluated a cohort of 25,794 US residents older than 19 years from 2005 to 2016 and were followed for mortality through the February 2019. We conducted Spearman correlation analysis to confirm the correlation between serum cotinine level and exposure status (including smoking and exposure to SHS), it demonstrated the correlation coefficient between serum cotinine level and exposure to smoke was 0.976, p < 0.00001. By Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, high exposure group were found to be positively associated with all neoplasms with a total Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.748 (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.415–2.159), had higher all-cause mortality risks than non-exposure to tobacco smoke. Regarding the specific types, we found the following associations: cancer of the lung (HR, 1.484; 95% CI, 1.191–1.849), stomach (HR, 1.491; 95% CI, 1.199–1.854), bladder (HR, 1.487; 95% CI, 1.198,1.846), esophageal (HR, 1.487; 95% CI 1.194–1.852), kidney (HR, 1.497; 95% CI, 1.201–1.865), pancreatic (HR, 1.479; 95% CI 1.189–1.841), leukemia (HR, 1.479; 95% CI 1.190–1.839), cervical (HR, 1.490; 95% CI 1.198–1.853). However, low exposure group were non-existent statistically significant with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.062 (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.953–1.183). Conclusions: The research demonstrated that serum cotinine has a significant correlation with smoke exposure status, which confirmed serum cotinine can be used as an indicator to reflect human smoke exposure. What's more, our results confirmed high exposure of SHS (serum cotinine level ≥ 10) has a significant effect on lung, stomach, bladder, esophagus, kidney, pancreatic, leukemia, cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oncogenic role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) had been identified in some types of human tumors, while the clinical and biological role of UBE2C in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still elusive. Here, we have determined the specific role of UBE2C in NSCLC. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used for detecting the mRNA level and protein level of UBE2C in NSCLC samples and cell lines, respectively. Lentivirus product was used to conduct loss of function assay. qRT-PCR array was employed to detect potential downstream genes regulated by UBE2C. As the result, UBE2C mRNA level was approximately threefold overexpression in NSCLC tissues compared with normal tissues, while a sharp change was detected at protein level. Overexpression of UBE2C in lung cancer samples was correlated with advanced pathological stage. UBE2C regulated cell growth in an apoptosis-dependent way. PCR Array analysis revealed that UBE2C regulated the expression of genes associated with tumor growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, UBE2C could regulate phospho-ERK1/2 level but not STAT3, YAP, or AKT pathway, which was accompanied with the classic function of ERK pathway in cell growth and apoptosis. In conclusion, our results indicated UBE2C might be a novel therapeutic target in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]