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

With the rapid development of competitive sports, the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is on the rise. Such injuries may shorten athletes′ career and lead to other long-term adverse consequences. Although athletes generally recover well after ACL reconstruction, many still struggle to return to their pre-injury performance levels. Advances in the understanding of ACL anatomy and injury mechanisms, along with the evolution of surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, have provided more individualized and tailored options for athletes following ACL injuries. However, there is currently no consensus in China regarding surgical and rehabilitation strategies for competitive athletes aiming to return to sports after ACL injuries. To this end, the Sports Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Trauma jointly formulated the Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury ( version 2025), and presented 14 recommendations covering surgical indications, preoperative rehabilitation, surgical timing, surgical strategies and postoperative rehabilitation strategies, aiming to improve the surgical treatment and rehabilitation system for ACL injuries in competitive athletes and facilitate their return to high-level sports performance after injury.

Objective:To investigate the effect of preoperative sarcopenia on major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)within 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:A total of 180 patients with CHD who underwent PCI in Anqing 116th Hospital between March 2019 and November 2022 were enrolled.According to the occurrence of MACE within 6-month after PCI,patients were divided into non-MACE group(n=133)and MACE group(n=47).General clinical data were collected in the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of MACE in patients with CHD within 6 months after PCI,and R software was used to construct the corresponding nomogram model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was employed to assess the predictive value of model,and calibration curve was applied to verify the performance of the model.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of implanted stents ≥3,smoking history,diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia were independent risk factors for MACE within 6 months after PCI in patients with CHD(OR=3.294～6.556,P＜0.05 or＜0.01).The nomogram model of MACE within 6-month after PCI in CHD patients was constructed;calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of the MACE nomogram model was consistent with the actual probability,Hosmer-Lemeshow test x2=1.534,P=0.821,and the area under the ROC curve of the model was 0.795(95％CI:0.715～0.876).The area under the ROC curve of the number of implanted stents,smoking history,diabetes and sarcope-nia in the model was 0.616(95％CI:0.518～0.715),0.590(95％CI:0.490～0.690),0.604(95％CI:0.504～0.704)and 0.656(95％CI:0.558～0.755),respectively,and the area under the ROC curve of sarcopenia was the largest.Conclusion:Preoperative sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for MACE within 6 months after PCI in patients with coronary heart disease.Nomogram based on number of implanted stents,smoking history,diabetes and sarcopenia had good predictive performance for MACE in these patients.

This report summarized and analyzed the clinical data of 3 patients with food-borne botulism admitted to our department. One case was sporadic, while the other two involved family members living together. All patients initially presented with blurred vision, ptosis, and dysphagia, and the disease progressed rapidly. During the course of the disease, all three cases developed respiratory failure; one patient received non-invasive ventilatory support, whereas the other two required invasive ventilator assisted ventilation. The serum toxin tests of the 3 patients were all positive for botulinum toxin type A. Sporadic food-borne botulism shares similar early symptoms and signs to myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and requires careful differential diagnosis. Botulinum antitoxin serum is the only effective treatment, and empirical antitoxin administration can be initiated immediately upon suspicion of botulism. Early detection and timely specific treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of preoperative sarcopenia on major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)within 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:A total of 180 patients with CHD who underwent PCI in Anqing 116th Hospital between March 2019 and November 2022 were enrolled.According to the occurrence of MACE within 6-month after PCI,patients were divided into non-MACE group(n=133)and MACE group(n=47).General clinical data were collected in the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of MACE in patients with CHD within 6 months after PCI,and R software was used to construct the corresponding nomogram model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was employed to assess the predictive value of model,and calibration curve was applied to verify the performance of the model.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of implanted stents ≥3,smoking history,diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia were independent risk factors for MACE within 6 months after PCI in patients with CHD(OR=3.294～6.556,P＜0.05 or＜0.01).The nomogram model of MACE within 6-month after PCI in CHD patients was constructed;calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of the MACE nomogram model was consistent with the actual probability,Hosmer-Lemeshow test x2=1.534,P=0.821,and the area under the ROC curve of the model was 0.795(95％CI:0.715～0.876).The area under the ROC curve of the number of implanted stents,smoking history,diabetes and sarcope-nia in the model was 0.616(95％CI:0.518～0.715),0.590(95％CI:0.490～0.690),0.604(95％CI:0.504～0.704)and 0.656(95％CI:0.558～0.755),respectively,and the area under the ROC curve of sarcopenia was the largest.Conclusion:Preoperative sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for MACE within 6 months after PCI in patients with coronary heart disease.Nomogram based on number of implanted stents,smoking history,diabetes and sarcopenia had good predictive performance for MACE in these patients.

With the rapid development of competitive sports, the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is on the rise. Such injuries may shorten athletes′ career and lead to other long-term adverse consequences. Although athletes generally recover well after ACL reconstruction, many still struggle to return to their pre-injury performance levels. Advances in the understanding of ACL anatomy and injury mechanisms, along with the evolution of surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, have provided more individualized and tailored options for athletes following ACL injuries. However, there is currently no consensus in China regarding surgical and rehabilitation strategies for competitive athletes aiming to return to sports after ACL injuries. To this end, the Sports Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Trauma jointly formulated the Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury ( version 2025), and presented 14 recommendations covering surgical indications, preoperative rehabilitation, surgical timing, surgical strategies and postoperative rehabilitation strategies, aiming to improve the surgical treatment and rehabilitation system for ACL injuries in competitive athletes and facilitate their return to high-level sports performance after injury.

This report summarized and analyzed the clinical data of 3 patients with food-borne botulism admitted to our department. One case was sporadic, while the other two involved family members living together. All patients initially presented with blurred vision, ptosis, and dysphagia, and the disease progressed rapidly. During the course of the disease, all three cases developed respiratory failure; one patient received non-invasive ventilatory support, whereas the other two required invasive ventilator assisted ventilation. The serum toxin tests of the 3 patients were all positive for botulinum toxin type A. Sporadic food-borne botulism shares similar early symptoms and signs to myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and requires careful differential diagnosis. Botulinum antitoxin serum is the only effective treatment, and empirical antitoxin administration can be initiated immediately upon suspicion of botulism. Early detection and timely specific treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for further reducing the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) according to investigation of the prevention and control of CLABSI in intensive care unit (ICU) in Shandong Province. METHODS: The questionnaire was developed by experts from Shandong Critical Care Medical Quality Control Center, combining domestic and foreign guidelines, consensus and research. A convenient sampling method was used to recruit survey subjects online from October 11 to 31, 2023 in the province to investigate the management status of central venous catheter (CVC) in ICU units of secondary and above hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 201 valid data were collected, involving 186 hospitals in the province, with a total of 201 ICU units, mainly comprehensive ICU (91%). The beds in ICU units were mainly single rooms (89%) and triple rooms (79%), and the ratio of doctors to total beds was 0.54 : 1. The training on the knowledge and operation of intravascular catheter-associated bloodstream infection in each ICU unit was mainly irregular (49%), and 96% of the catheter operators were authorized by the hospital. In terms of CVC selection, 89% of ICU units used dual-chamber CVC, and 86% of ICU units used catheters without antibiotic coating. When selecting the placement site, for conventional CVC catheterization, 65% preferred subclavian vein. Femoral vein was preferred in 87% of ICU units undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy. 95% of ICU units had established standardized operation procedure (SOP) for CVC placement. 86% of ICU units were capable of ultrasound positioning or guided puncture at the time of catheterization. During catheterization, 88% of ICU units met the sterile dress code. Before and after catheterzation, 81% and 77% of ICU units standardized hand hygiene. Only 31% of ICU units were covered from head to toe by aseptic wipes. For the choice of skin disinfectant, the majority of ICU units (72%) only used iodophor. After tube placement, 54% of ICU units chose sterile transparent dressing and 25% chose sterile gauze dressing. 98% of ICU units were sutured to secure the catheter. Regarding catheter replacement and removal, 45% of ICU units could not be removed or replaced within 2 days in emergency situations where the principle of sterility was not guaranteed. When CLABSI was suspected, 55% of ICU units were able to obtain the catheter tip, transcatheter blood culture, and contralateral peripheral vein blood culture at the same time. For CVC replacement frequency, most ICU units (75%) would not be replaced regularly, and some ICU units would be replaced regularly, but the frequency of replacement was different. For CLABSI prevention and control, 82% of ICU units developed a verification form or supervision form. When analyzing the sources of CLABSI data, most of them were filled in by themselves (60%). As for the frequency of data analysis, 57% were once a month. CONCLUSIONS All ICU units in Shandong Province are standardized in terms of the authorization of operators, the formulation of SOP, the formulation and implementation of verification form and supervision form, ultrasound-guided puncture, and hand hygiene before and after catheterization. However, there are still deficiencies in the training on knowledge and operation of intravascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections, maximum aseptic coverage, catheter replacement and removal, and the reporting sources of CLABSI data, which need to be strengthened in the follow-up work. At present, the selection of CVC, the selection of catheterization site, the selection of skin disinfectant and the selection of dressings after catheterization still need further research.
Intensive Care Units ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Catheter-Related Infections/epidemiology* ; Catheterization, Central Venous/methods* ; Cross Infection/epidemiology* ; Central Venous Catheters/adverse effects* ; Infection Control/methods*

Elevated blood pressure is one of the major contributors to cardiovascular disease and premature death. The exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is closely associated with changes in blood pressure, and even short-term exposure to PM_2.5 can lead to an increase in blood pressure. PM_2.5 is a complex mixture that exerts different toxicities and triggers increased blood pressure through various mechanisms. Therefore, in this article, we provided a comprehensive review of published studies on the effects of short-term exposure to PM_2.5 and its components on blood pressure, and elaborated potential mechanisms from four aspects, including oxidative stress and inflammatory response, endothelial dysfunction, autonomic nervous system disorders and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, and epigenome alteration. Given the limitations of existing research, future prospective studies can be conducted on diverse populations, using more precise exposure measurement methods and multi-omics approaches, to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of PM_2.5 and its various components on blood pressure. The findings would provide a theoretical foundation for effective protection of public health, particularly vulnerable groups.

Objective: To investigate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on pregnancy outcomes, especially the relationship between OSAS and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP). Methods: A total of 228 pregnant women with high risk of OSAS who underwent sleep monitoring during pregnancy in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2021 to April 2022 were collected by reviewing their medical records for retrospective analysis. According to the diagnosis of OSAS, the pregnant women were divided into OSAS group (105 cases) and non-OSAS group (123 cases). The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, χ² test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the general data and maternal and fetal outcomes between the two groups, and the occurrence of each type of HDP was further compared. Results: (1) Compared with the non-OSAS group, the median pre-pregnancy body mass index (23.6 vs 27.6 kg/m²) and the proportion of snoring [28.9% (33/114) vs 59.2% (61/103)] in the OSAS group were higher, and the differences were both statistically significant (both P<0.001). (2) The incidence of HDP [67.6% (71/105) vs 39.0% (48/123)] and gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM; 40.0% (42/105) vs 26.8% (33/123)] of pregnant women in the OSAS group were higher than those in the non-OSAS group, and the median delivery week was shorter than that in the non-OSAS group (38.4 vs 39.0 weeks). The differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Between-group differences for the delivery way, postpartum hemorrhage, the rate of intensive care unit admission, preterm birth, small for gestational age infants, neonatal asphyxia, the rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission, newborn birth weight and the proportion of umbilical artery blood pH<7.00 were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). (3) Compared with the non-OSAS group, the incidence of chronic hypertension [11.4% (14/123) vs 22.9% (24/105)] and chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia [11.4% (14/123) vs 30.5% (32/105)] were higher in the OSAS group, and the differences were both statistically significant (both P<0.01). Conclusion: OSAS is related to HDP (especially chronic hypertension and chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia) and GDM, which could provide a practical basis for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of OSAS in pregnant women at high risk.
Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Infant ; Humans ; Female ; Pre-Eclampsia/epidemiology* ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Premature Birth ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Diabetes, Gestational/epidemiology*