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

Immunotherapy has been widely used in cancer treatment in recent years and functions by stimulating the immune system to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy (RT) uses radiation to induce DNA damage and kill tumor cells. However, this activates the body's immune system, promoting the release of tumor-related antigens from inactive dendritic cells, which stimulates the recurrence and metastasis of tumors in immune system tissues. The combination of RT and immunotherapy has been increasingly evaluated in recent years, with studies confirming the synergistic effect of the two antitumor therapies. Particularly, the combination of RT by dose adjustment with different immunotherapies has positive implications on antitumor immunity as well as disease prognosis compared with respective monotherapies. This review summarizes the current research status, progress, and prospects of RT combined with immunotherapy in cancer treatment. It additionally discusses the prevalent concerns regarding the dose, time window, and toxicity of this combination therapy.
Humans ; Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Radiotherapy/methods*

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in the oral cavity.The incidence of occult metastasis in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma ranges from 19.81%to 61.8%.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of currently employed diagnostic techniques vary among different research centers.Cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma exhibit certain regu-larities,with metastasis primarily occurring in ipsilateral levels Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ,and occasional occurrence of skip metastasis.Occult metastasis to cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma is influenced by various factors.The treatment approach for the neck remains controversial,with options including selective neck dissection,observation,and sentinel lymph node biopsy.This review aims to elaborate on the incidence of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma,the distribution patterns of metastatic lymph nodes,the value of various diagnostic techniques in detecting occult metastasis,risk factors for occult metastasis,and strategies for neck management.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of knowledge, attitude and practice of medical personnel in areas with high incidence of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Anhui Province, in order to provide a scientific basis for conducting systematic training for medical personnel.Methods:From July to August 2024, a multi-stage random sampling method was used to select medical personnel from village, township, county, and city level medical institutions in high incidence areas of SFTS in Anhui Province (Hefei City, Liu'an City, Chuzhou City, Xuancheng City) for an online questionnaire survey on their knowledge, attitude, and practice status. The survey included demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice related to SFTS, and a binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of SFTS knowledge qualification rate.Results:A total of 2 718 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 99.60% (2 718/2 729). Among them, 1 384 were males, accounting for 50.92%. The majority were medical personnel aged 41 to 50 years old, with undergraduate degrees, junior professional titles, working in township health centers or community health service centers, as clinical physicians, and with a working experience of no more than 10 years. They accounted for 31.97% (869/2 718), 50.48% (1 372/2 718), 35.54% (966/2 718), 38.52% (1 047/2 718), 62.33% (1 694/2 718), and 30.61% (832/2 718), respectively. The overall correct rates of medical personnel's relevant knowledge, attitude and practice were 77.52% (31 605/40 770), 94.53% (12 847/13 590) and 89.73% (12 194/13 590), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge qualification of medical personnel of different genders, ages, education levels, professional titles, hospital levels, job positions, and years of work experience ( P < 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that professional title, hospital level, work position, and work experience were the influencing factors of knowledge qualification rate ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Medical personnel have a relatively positive attitude and high level of practice towards SFTS, but their knowledge level still needs to be improved. It is recommended to provide targeted knowledge training for medical personnel in different positions to promote early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of SFTS.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of pediatric tumors with DICER1 mutations.Methods:A total of 90 patients diagnosed with various types of pediatric tumors at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from July 2023 to September 2025 were included in this study. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed to detect the coding-region mutations of the DICER1 gene. The clinical, histopathological, and molecular genetic features of the cases with DICER1 mutation were then analyzed.Results:Among the 90 patients, 39 were male and 51 were female, with an age of onset ranging from 1 month to 17 years [median 7.13 (2.77, 10.37) years]. DICER1 mutations were detected in 37 patients (37/90, 41.1%). Among them, 9 cases harbored one mutation [6 pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPBs), 2 sex cord stromal tumors (SCSTs), and 1 cystic nephroma (CN)], 27 cases carried two mutations [10 PPBs, 3 anaplastic sarcomas of the kidney (ASKs), 3 SCSTs, 3 thyroid adenoma, 2 nodular thyroid goiters, 2 thyroid follicular lesions, 2 CN, 1 embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 case with multiple primary tumors], and 1 case exhibited three mutations (bilateral ASKs). Despite variations in the site of origin, DICER1-mutant tumors shared several morphological features. Grossly, they presented as multilocular cystic, cystic-solid to solid masses. Microscopically, they exhibited a subepithelial layer of mesenchymal cells, with focal rhabdomyoblastic/chondroid/chondrosarcomatous differentiation, as well as cellular anaplasia. Germline testing using peripheral blood in the 31 patients with DICER1 mutation confirmed germline origin in 61.3% (19/31) of them. Parental analysis ( n=12) demonstrated genetic inheritance in 8 cases, predominantly from families with tumor history. Germline variants scattered throughout DICER1 and consisted of loss-of-function mutations (nonsense, frameshift, and splice-site). Somatic mutations showed distinct clustering in exons 24 and 25 hotspots (codons 1705, 1709, 1809, 1810 and 1813), primarily missense variants. Notably, one multiple primary tumor case harbored a somatic mosaic p.E1705K mutation. Conclusions:DICER1 mutations are frequently detected in pediatric PPB, CN, SCST, ASK, nodular thyroid goiter, thyroid adenoma, and genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma, which often represent as the index case of DICER1 syndrome. Performing DICER1 mutation testing in these patients not only facilitates tumor diagnosis and secondary cancer surveillance, but also enables the comprehensive genetic risk assessment and management for patient′s family members.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in the oral cavity.The incidence of occult metastasis in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma ranges from 19.81%to 61.8%.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of currently employed diagnostic techniques vary among different research centers.Cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma exhibit certain regu-larities,with metastasis primarily occurring in ipsilateral levels Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ,and occasional occurrence of skip metastasis.Occult metastasis to cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma is influenced by various factors.The treatment approach for the neck remains controversial,with options including selective neck dissection,observation,and sentinel lymph node biopsy.This review aims to elaborate on the incidence of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma,the distribution patterns of metastatic lymph nodes,the value of various diagnostic techniques in detecting occult metastasis,risk factors for occult metastasis,and strategies for neck management.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of knowledge, attitude and practice of medical personnel in areas with high incidence of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Anhui Province, in order to provide a scientific basis for conducting systematic training for medical personnel.Methods:From July to August 2024, a multi-stage random sampling method was used to select medical personnel from village, township, county, and city level medical institutions in high incidence areas of SFTS in Anhui Province (Hefei City, Liu'an City, Chuzhou City, Xuancheng City) for an online questionnaire survey on their knowledge, attitude, and practice status. The survey included demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice related to SFTS, and a binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of SFTS knowledge qualification rate.Results:A total of 2 718 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 99.60% (2 718/2 729). Among them, 1 384 were males, accounting for 50.92%. The majority were medical personnel aged 41 to 50 years old, with undergraduate degrees, junior professional titles, working in township health centers or community health service centers, as clinical physicians, and with a working experience of no more than 10 years. They accounted for 31.97% (869/2 718), 50.48% (1 372/2 718), 35.54% (966/2 718), 38.52% (1 047/2 718), 62.33% (1 694/2 718), and 30.61% (832/2 718), respectively. The overall correct rates of medical personnel's relevant knowledge, attitude and practice were 77.52% (31 605/40 770), 94.53% (12 847/13 590) and 89.73% (12 194/13 590), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge qualification of medical personnel of different genders, ages, education levels, professional titles, hospital levels, job positions, and years of work experience ( P < 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that professional title, hospital level, work position, and work experience were the influencing factors of knowledge qualification rate ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Medical personnel have a relatively positive attitude and high level of practice towards SFTS, but their knowledge level still needs to be improved. It is recommended to provide targeted knowledge training for medical personnel in different positions to promote early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of SFTS.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of pediatric tumors with DICER1 mutations.Methods:A total of 90 patients diagnosed with various types of pediatric tumors at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from July 2023 to September 2025 were included in this study. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed to detect the coding-region mutations of the DICER1 gene. The clinical, histopathological, and molecular genetic features of the cases with DICER1 mutation were then analyzed.Results:Among the 90 patients, 39 were male and 51 were female, with an age of onset ranging from 1 month to 17 years [median 7.13 (2.77, 10.37) years]. DICER1 mutations were detected in 37 patients (37/90, 41.1%). Among them, 9 cases harbored one mutation [6 pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPBs), 2 sex cord stromal tumors (SCSTs), and 1 cystic nephroma (CN)], 27 cases carried two mutations [10 PPBs, 3 anaplastic sarcomas of the kidney (ASKs), 3 SCSTs, 3 thyroid adenoma, 2 nodular thyroid goiters, 2 thyroid follicular lesions, 2 CN, 1 embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 case with multiple primary tumors], and 1 case exhibited three mutations (bilateral ASKs). Despite variations in the site of origin, DICER1-mutant tumors shared several morphological features. Grossly, they presented as multilocular cystic, cystic-solid to solid masses. Microscopically, they exhibited a subepithelial layer of mesenchymal cells, with focal rhabdomyoblastic/chondroid/chondrosarcomatous differentiation, as well as cellular anaplasia. Germline testing using peripheral blood in the 31 patients with DICER1 mutation confirmed germline origin in 61.3% (19/31) of them. Parental analysis ( n=12) demonstrated genetic inheritance in 8 cases, predominantly from families with tumor history. Germline variants scattered throughout DICER1 and consisted of loss-of-function mutations (nonsense, frameshift, and splice-site). Somatic mutations showed distinct clustering in exons 24 and 25 hotspots (codons 1705, 1709, 1809, 1810 and 1813), primarily missense variants. Notably, one multiple primary tumor case harbored a somatic mosaic p.E1705K mutation. Conclusions:DICER1 mutations are frequently detected in pediatric PPB, CN, SCST, ASK, nodular thyroid goiter, thyroid adenoma, and genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma, which often represent as the index case of DICER1 syndrome. Performing DICER1 mutation testing in these patients not only facilitates tumor diagnosis and secondary cancer surveillance, but also enables the comprehensive genetic risk assessment and management for patient′s family members.

Objective: To describe the prevalence and the association of sleep quality trajectory, social jetlag and comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression among college students, in order to provide a theoretical basis for improving the comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression in college students. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 135 college students from two universities in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province and Hefei, Anhui Province from April to May 2019, and were followed up once every one year for a total of three times, with a valid sample size of 1 034 individuals after matching with the baseline survey. A selfassessment questionnaire was used to investigate the social jetlag of college students, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively, while the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. College students with GAD-7 score ≥5 and PHQ-9 score ≥5 were defined as having comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms. Latent class growth model (LCGM) was employed to analyze the sleep quality trajectory of college students, and binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between social jetlag, sleep quality trajectory and comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results: The detection rate of comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression among college students was 16.9%, and the detection rate of social jetlag ≥2 h was 13.8%. The sleep quality showed an overall improvement trend, and the two trajectories were good sleep quality (81.6%) and poor sleep quality (18.4%). Binary Logistic regression model showed that poor sleep quality and social jetlag ≥2 h were positively correlated with comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression (OR=5.94, 1.84, P<0.05). Conclusions Poor sleep quality and social jetlag ≥2 h in college students increase the risk of comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression. Early screening and intervention of sleep quality and reduction of social jetlag are crucial for enhancing the mental health of college students.

ObjectiveTo investigate the attenuating effect of Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma（DBR） processed with Phaseoli Radiati Semen（PRS） juice， and explore the attenuating mechanism based on ferroptosis of the main toxic target organ. MethodSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group， DBR group， water roasted DBR group（hereinafter referred to as water group）， PRS juice-roasted DBR group 1（DBR-PRS 10∶1， stuffy moistening for 40 min， stir-fried at 130 ℃ for 18 min， hereinafter referred to as group 1）， PRS juice-roasted DBR group 2（DBR-PRS 10∶1， stuffy moistening for 80 min， stir-fried at 100 ℃ for 14 min， hereinafter referred to as group 2）， PRS juice-roasted DBR group 3（DBR-PRS=20∶3， stuffy moistening for 40 min， stir-fried at 160 ℃ for 14 min， hereinafter referred to as group 3）. The raw and processed groups of DBR were gavaged with their corresponding 95% ethanol extract at a dose of 3 g·kg^-1·d^-1， while the blank group was gavaged with an equal volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose， once a day for 14 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of mouse liver. Alanine aminotransferase（ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase（AST） levels in serum， as well as malondialdehyde（MDA）， ferrous ions（Fe²⁺）， reduced glutathione（GSH） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） levels in liver tissue were detected by the biochemical detection. Western blot was used to detect the expression of iron key proteins such as ferritin heavy chain 1（FTH1） and glutathione peroxidase 4（GPX4）. ResultHE staining results showed that the liver tissue structure of the blank group was clear， the morphology of hepatocytes was normal， the cytoplasms of hepatocytes in the DBR group and water group were loose and vacuolar， with obvious pathological damages， and the pathologic damages of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly improved. Compared with the blank group， the levels of ALT， AST， MDA and Fe²⁺ in mice from the DBR group were significantly increased（P<0.01）， while GSH and SOD levels were significantly reduced（P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the DBR group， the ALT， AST，MDA and Fe²⁺ levels of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the GSH and SOD levels and the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the water group， the AST and MDA levels of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the SOD level significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the FTH1 protein expression significantly increased（P<0.01）， and the serum ALT level of mice in the group 2-3 significantly reduce（P<0.01）， Fe²⁺ level significantly reduced（P<0.01）， GSH level significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and GPX4 protein expression significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Among the group 1-3， the group 3 had the best detoxification effect. ConclutionProcessing with PRS juice can reduce the liver injury induced by DBR， and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ferroptosis in the liver.