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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]

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are thought to play a critical immunosuppressive role in tumorigenesis. In this project, we aimed to investigate subset alteration of MDSCs in gastric cancer (GC), and the effects of epirubicin (EPI) and paclitaxel (TAX) on MDSCs. The frequencies of MDSC subsets in peripheral blood were observed by using flow cytometry after treatment with EPI- or TAX- based chemotherapy in GC patients. After treatment with EPI or TAX in vitro, the subsets, apoptosis, cell cycle, and MAPK and NF-κB protein expressions of mouse bone marrow MDSCs were analyzed. The frequency of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of GC patients was higher than that in healthy controls. Granulocyte-type MDSCs (G-MDSCs) were significantly more than monocyte-type MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in GC patients. The frequencies of MDSC subsets in the peripheral blood decreased after EPI- or TAX-based chemotherapy. High levels of MDSC subsets were correlated with low cancer differentiation degree. High level of M-MDSCs was related to lymph node metastasis, and was negatively correlated with the overall survival of GC patients. After treatment with EPI or TAX, levels of mouse bone marrow MDSC subsets decreased significantly in vitro. Arg-1 secretion and expression of total and phosphorylated MAPK and NF-κB by MDSCs decreased. EPI or TAX decreases the levels of MDSCs, inhibits the proliferation and function of MDSCs in vitro, and induces their apoptosis via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.