Longitudinal association of egg intake frequency with cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults

Background and aimsReducing dietary cholesterol is generally acceptable for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Eggs are nutrient-dense and common food items across the world, while rich in cholesterol. The potential effects of egg intake on cardiovascular health remain uncertainty and have been under debate in past decades.Methods and resultsA nationwide cohort of 20,688 participants aged 16–110 years without CVD at baseline were derived from the China Family Panel Studies. Egg consumption was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We adopted stratified Cox proportional hazards model with random intercepts for provinces to evaluate associations of egg intake with CVD incidence. During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, we identified 2395 total CVD incidence and mean egg consumption was 3 times/week. Egg intakes were associated lower risks of CVD incidence in the multivariate-adjusted model. Compared with the non-consumers, the corresponding HRs (95% confidence interval) for total CVD events were 0.84 (0.74–0.94) for 1–2 times per week, 0.78 (0.69–0.88) for 3–6/week, and 0.83 (0.72–0.95) for ≥7/week. Similar relationships were found in hypertension. Approximately non-linear relationships were observed between egg consumption with total CVD and hypertension incidence, identifying the lowest risk in 3–6 times/week. Subgroup analyses estimated lower risks of total CVD and hypertension in females only, with significant effect modification by sex (P for interaction = 0.008 and 0.020).ConclusionEgg consumption may be associated with lower risks of CVD incidence among Chinese adults. Our findings could have implications in CVD prevention and might be considered in the development of dietary guidelines.     

Moderately increased alcohol consumption is associated with higher pressure wave reflections and blood pressure in men

Background and aimsIncreased alcohol consumption has been associated with CVD risk. Subclinical arterial damage (SAD) precedes the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and allows early identification and study of the pathophysiology of CVD. Reliable, noninvasive vascular biomarkers are available for the early detection of SAD and reclassification of CVD risk. To investigate the association of alcohol consumption with multiple SAD biomarkers and central hemodynamics in a large sample of Greek adults with CVD risk factors.Methods and resultsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 938 participants (43.5% men) and collected data on SAD biomarkers, central hemodynamics, and dietary intake. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed according to sex after adjusting for several confounders. In men, alcohol consumption of 20–30 g/d was positively associated with mean, diastolic, and peripheral systolic blood pressure (BP). The consumption of >30 g/d was positively associated with the augmentation index. In women, no statistically significant associations were found between alcohol consumption and BP or SAD indices. No statistically significant associations were found between alcohol consumption and arterial compliance or distensibility in both sexes.ConclusionIn men even a small deviation from the current recommendation for alcohol consumption is associated with both higher BP indices and pressure wave reflections. The absence of association in women might be due to very low alcohol intake, even in the high consumption group. More studies are needed to verify our findings and establish the above associations in each sex.     

Wireless body area network for health monitoring

A Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) consists basically of a group of nodes, that communicate with each other through a wireless transmission, and does not need any existing infrastructure. The recent developments in technology and wireless communication, to be used in various applications, foster the development of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). They are emerging as important networks in order to reduce the need for patients, and to help the elderly and chronically ill people to live an independent life. In this paper, we propose a routing protocol for wireless body area networks, to transfer data in the network with minimum energy consumption, and longer network lifetime through multi-hop communication. The proposed protocol has been verified by performing simulations, and the obtained results show that our routing protocol ensures a robust optimisation of the energy consumption which helps to increase the lifetime of the network and its stability.     

Alterations in energy consumption and plantar pressure distribution during walking in young adults with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the alterations of walking energy expenditure and plantar pressure distribution in young adults with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

深圳市龙华区居民代谢性综合征流行状况及相关因素分析

目的 了解深圳市龙华区代谢综合征发病情况及相关因素。方法 采取横断面研究，经过多阶段随机抽样，最终确定1 015名调查对象。调查内容包括问卷调查、身体测量和实验室检测。结果 龙华区代谢综合征的患病率为15.57%， 11种组分组合中，有4个组分组合的比例为28.49%，有5个组分组合的比例为5.06%。膳食调查中，水果分别在代谢综合征和非代谢综合征被调查者中的摄入有统计学差异（Z = - 2.47, P = 0.0135）。logistic回归分析结果显示在控制了年龄、性别、婚姻和户籍所在地后，不吸烟者与吸烟≥20支/天者相比，患代谢综合征的可能性可降低58%。性别分别与年龄和BMI的交互效应结果显示，女性在55～65岁，或女性肥胖，患代谢综合征的可能性分别是男性的40.56倍和32.82倍。结论 龙华区代谢性综合征患病情况不容乐观，因代谢性综合征诱导的心血管疾病风险较大，应针对其风险因素采取措施，以控制代谢性综合征的发生，并控制其进行性发展。     

医改背景下某三甲医院合理使用医用耗材效果研究

目的:通过研究医改背景下某三甲医院合理使用医用耗材的管理成效,探索科学的医用耗材控费路径。方法:深圳市某三甲医院实施耗材使用管控方案,对该医院管控方案实施前后耗材使用数据进行统计分析。结果:2016-2018年,全院百元医疗收入(不含药品收入)中卫生材料费用呈现下降趋势,对于百元医疗收入(不含药品收入)中耗材费用,骨关节外科、骨脊柱外科、心内科连续2年降低,耗材管控方案实施后,骨关节外科、骨脊柱外科、心内科的单台手术耗材费下降,胸外科、胃肠外科有所上升。结论:耗材合理使用管理措施取得成效;为进一步提高耗材管理效率,可采取单病种管理、优化耗材遴选准入机制、实施耗材供应链精益管理等措施。     

Single leg aerobic capacity and strength in individuals with surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligaments

ObjectivesCompare single-leg aerobic capacity and strength differences between the surgically repaired ACL leg (injured) and the uninjured leg.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingLaboratory.ParticipantsEight participants (5 female, 3 male, age = 23 ± 3.5 y, mass = 72.3 ± 17.3 kg, height = 169.7 ± 9.4 cm) that returned to play from ACL surgery between six and 18 months.Main outcome measuresParticipants performed an aerobically-based, single-leg cycling protocol to determine maximum oxygen consumption, ventilatory threshold, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and maximal watts cycled. Participants also performed isokinetic knee flexion and extension on a dynamometer to assess peak torque, total work, work fatigue, and power.ResultsThere were no statistical differences in single-leg aerobic capacity or strength outcomes between the injured and uninjured legs.ConclusionsIndividuals who have had an ACL surgically repaired six to 18 months after return to play do not appear to have aerobic capacity or strength deficits between the injured leg and uninjured leg.