BACKGROUND: Spicy food consumption has been reported to be inversely associated with mortality from multiple diseases. However, the effect of spicy food intake on the incidence of vascular diseases in the Chinese population remains unclear. This study was conducted to explore this association. METHODS: This study was performed using the large-scale China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) prospective cohort of 486,335 participants. The primary outcomes were vascular disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), major coronary events (MCEs), cerebrovascular disease, stroke, and non-stroke cerebrovascular disease. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between spicy food consumption and incident vascular diseases. Subgroup analysis was also performed to evaluate the heterogeneity of the association between spicy food consumption and the risk of vascular disease stratified by several basic characteristics. In addition, the joint effects of spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of vascular disease were also evaluated, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the reliability of the association results. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 12.1 years, a total of 136,125 patients with vascular disease, 46,689 patients with IHD, 10,097 patients with MCEs, 80,114 patients with cerebrovascular disease, 56,726 patients with stroke, and 40,098 patients with non-stroke cerebrovascular disease were identified. Participants who consumed spicy food 1-2 days/week (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [0.93, 0.97], P <0.001), 3-5 days/week (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = [0.94, 0.99], P = 0.003), and 6-7 days/week (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.95, 0.99], P = 0.002) had a significantly lower risk of vascular disease than those who consumed spicy food less than once a week ( Ptrend <0.001), especially in those who were younger and living in rural areas. Notably, the disease-based subgroup analysis indicated that the inverse associations remained in IHD ( Ptrend = 0.011) and MCEs ( Ptrend = 0.002) risk. Intriguingly, there was an interaction effect between spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of IHD ( Pinteraction = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support an inverse association between spicy food consumption and vascular disease in the Chinese population, which may provide additional dietary guidance for the prevention of vascular diseases.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Vascular Diseases/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

Objective:To observe the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at different frequencies on cognitive impairment due to high-altitude hypoxia.Methods:Sixty officers and soldiers displaying cognitive impairment in a hypoxic high-altitude environment were randomly divided into 15Hz, 20Hz and 25Hz groups, each of 20. They were given rTMS at those frequencies for 30 days. Before the stimulation and after 15 and 30 days, event-related potentials, latencies of mismatched negativity (MMN) and P300 signals were recorded. The participants′ cognition was also evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Correlation between the electrophysiological indexes and the MoCA scores was computed.Results:After 15 days, all had shorter MMN latencies, higher total MoCA scores and better memory scores. The only significant difference among the three groups was in the average memory scores. After 15 days, MMN latency was significantly negatively correlated with the memory scores in all three groups ( r=0.44 to -0.54). Conclusions:rTMS at frequencies above 15Hz can effectively relieve cognitive impairment, especially memory dysfunction, resulting from high-altitude hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between baseline ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) parameters in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and compare the value of the two methods in the prognosis assessment of DLBCL. METHODS: A total of 50 DLBCL patients confirmed by pathology, including 26 males and 24 females, with a median age of 55.5(43.5, 64.0) years from August 2018 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. PET/CT parameters, including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), ctDNA parameters, including mutation number, mutation gene number, mean variant allele frequency (meanVAF), and clinical data of patients were collected. The relationship between PET/CT, ctDNA parameters and patient clinical features was analyzed, as well as the correlation between PET/CT and ctDNA parameters. The diagnostic efficacy of PET/CT and ctDNA parameters was compared. Patients were followed up for 36-69 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated, and survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: PET/CT parameters all had good correlation with ctDNA parameters, among which MTV was moderately correlated with mutation number, mutation gene number, and meanVAF (r_s=0.72, 0.64, 0.71), TLG was strongly correlated with mutation number (r_s=0.83) and moderately correlated with mutation gene number and mean VAF (r_s=0.72, 0.79), while SUVmax was weakly correlated with mutation number, mutation gene number and meanVAF (r_s=0.47, 0.46, 0.47). PET/CT parameters and ctDNA parameters showed no statistically significant differences in predicting the prognosis of DLBCL and area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) (P >0.05). However, the specificity of MTV and TLG in predicting prognosis of 1-, 2- and 3-year PFS was better than that of meanVAF (all P < 0.05), while the sensitivity of meanVAF in predicting prognosis of 1-, 2- and 3-year PFS was better than that of MTV (all P < 0.05). The optimal cut-off values of SUVmax, MTV, TLG, mutation number, mutation gene number and meanVAF in predicting tumor progression were obtained using ROC curve analysis. Patients were divided into high and low expression groups according to the cut-off values and survival analysis was performed. The results of survival analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in PFS between the high and low expression groups (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Baseline ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and ctDNA parameters can both predict the prognosis of DLBCL, and are equally valuable in the evaluation of DLBCL prognosis.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis* ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Female ; Male ; Circulating Tumor DNA ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of stir-fried Semen Armeniacae Amarum (SAA) against aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA adducts and elucidate the underlying mechanism involved for ensuring the safe use of Asari Radix et Rhizoma. METHODS: In vitro, HEK293T cells overexpressing Flag-tagged multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) were constructed by Lentiviral transduction, and inhibitory effect of top 10 common pairs of medicinal herbs with Asari Radix et Rhizoma in clinic on MRP3 activity was verified using a self-constructed fluorescence screening system. The mRNA, protein expressions, and enzyme activity levels of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) were measured in differentiated HepaRG cells. Hepatocyte toxicity after inhibition of AAI metabolite transport was detected using cell counting kit-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including: control (1% sodium bicarbonate), AAI (10 mg/kg), stir-fried SAA (1.75 g/kg) and AAI + stir-fried SAA (1.75 and 8.75 g/kg) groups, 6 mice in each group. After 7 days of continuous gavage administration, liver and kidney damages were assessed, and the protein expressions and enzyme activity of liver metabolic enzymes NQO1 and CYP1A2 were determined simultaneously. RESULTS: In vivo, combination of 1.75 g/kg SAA and 10 mg/kg AAI suppressed AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and reduced dA-ALI formation by 26.7%, and these detoxification effects in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Mechanistically, SAA inhibited MRP3 transport in vitro, downregulated NQO1 expression in vivo, increased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Notably, SAA also reduced AAI-induced hepatotoxicity throughout the detoxification process, as indicated by a 41.3% reduction in the number of liver adducts (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Stir-fried SAA is a novel drug candidate for the suppression of AAI-induced liver and kidney damages. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of transporters and metabolic enzymes.
Aristolochic Acids/toxicity* ; Animals ; Humans ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/genetics* ; HEK293 Cells ; Kidney/pathology* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; DNA Adducts/drug effects* ; Male ; Kidney Diseases/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Prunus armeniaca ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.