High altitude medicine & biology最新文献

{"title":"Erythrocytapheresis Improves Health-Related Quality of Life in High-Altitude Migrants with Chronic Mountain Sickness: A Single-Arm Before-After Trial at 4,000-4,500 m.","authors":"Weiwei Xie, Xianli Wu, Yiding Li, Qing Xiang, Na Wu, Haolun Sun, Bianba Duojie, Hongda Zhao, Jun Liang, Ye Fan","doi":"10.1177/15578682261466533","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15578682261466533","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Xie, Weiwei, Xianli Wu, Yiding Li, Qing Xiang, Na Wu, Haolun Sun, Bianba Duojie, Hongda Zhao, Jun Liang, and Ye Fan. Erythrocytapheresis Improves Health-Related Quality of Life in High-Altitude Migrans with Chronic Mountain Sickness: A Single-Arm Before-After Trial at 4,000-4,500 m. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:00-00, 2026.Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) arises from maladaptive responses to prolonged residence at altitudes exceeding 2,500 m. Despite the known efficacy of erythrocytapheresis on CMS, the impact of this intervention on health-related quality of life for individuals diagnosed with CMS remains poorly understood. We conducted a single-arm before-after trial using erythrocytapheresis on a total of 22 male migrants with CMS who had resided at high altitudes (4,000-4,500 m) for 6.5 (3.8, 9.3) years. Participants underwent between 1 and 4 erythrocytapheresis sessions, with 1-2 days between each one. The participants exhibited significant improvements following the intervention: health-related quality of life score increased from 85.0 (80.0, 85.3) to 90.0 (90.0, 94.3) (<i>p</i> < 0.001, d = 0.57); CMS score decreased from 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) to 3.0 (2.8, 4.0) (<i>p</i> < 0.0001, d = 0.62); the distance in the 6-Minute Walk Test improved from 612.5 (598.8, 623.0) meters to 654.0 (636.3, 676.3) meters (<i>p</i> < 0.0001, d = 0.62); and SpO₂ levels rose from 87.5 (85.8, 90.0) to 90.0 (87.0, 92.5) (<i>p</i> = 0.012, d = 0.38). Erythrocytapheresis proves to be an effective intervention for enhancing health-related quality of life and reducing the severity of CMS in migrant populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"15578682261466533"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148375331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health Promotion for Sun Protection: A Community Approach in a Mountain Setting.","authors":"Alessandra Buja, Sandro Cinquetti, Marco Coller, Angela Padoin, Chiara Trevisiol, Ilaria Pantaleo, Claudio Palmeri, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano, Erica Bino, Silvia Flesia, Simone Mocellin","doi":"10.1177/15578682261462208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15578682261462208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Buja, Alessandra, Sandro Cinquetti, Marco Coller, Angela Padoin, Chiara Trevisiol, Ilaria Pantaleo, Claudio Palmeri, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano, Erica Bino, Silvia Flesia, and Simone Mocellin. Health promotion for sun protection: a community approach in a mountain setting. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:00-00, 2026.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Alpine regions exhibit high incidence rates of cutaneous melanoma due to increased ultraviolet radiation at higher altitudes. In 2022, the \"Montagna SÌ, Melanoma NO\" (Mountain YES, Melanoma NO) public health campaign began promoting sun-protective behaviors in these areas. This study aims to evaluate an intervention's effectiveness 3 years after its launch and assess improvements in sun safety practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A before-and-after comparative study was conducted by surveying a random sample of 229 Belluno residents in the Veneto Region, Italy, in 2022, and 115 of those same individuals in 2025 using a standardized questionnaire. Data on sociodemographics, phenotypic characteristics, sun exposure habits, sunscreen use, protective clothing/eyewear usage, and campaign awareness were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2025, 43% of respondents (95% CI: 33.44%-52.17%) reported being aware of the health promotion efforts. A significant increase in sunscreen application during outdoor activities lasting more than 1 hour and during skiing was detected. Nevertheless, other protective measures, such as the use of caps and sunglasses, did not demonstrate any significant improvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The campaign was effective. It reached its target population and improved sun-protective behaviors, confirming the value of community-engaged, tailored health promotion strategies. Further initiatives are necessary to address the remaining gaps in melanoma prevention adherence.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"15578682261462208"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148316978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Letter:</i> The Experience of Health Care Providers Working At High Altitude.","authors":"Kate Bowen, Jeremy Windsor","doi":"10.1177/15578682261462758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15578682261462758","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"15578682261462758"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148307908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Letter:</i> Beyond Altitude-Referral Filters and Diagnostic Gaps in Young Stroke.","authors":"Wei Li, Dong'e Huang, Junqing Dong","doi":"10.1177/15578682261462759","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15578682261462759","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"15578682261462759"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148301325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exercise-Induced Autonomic and Cardio-Respiratory Stress at High Altitude in Leisure Athletes.","authors":"Iraklis Kolokas, Jenny Schlichtiger, Sara Jamali, Lina Kronschnabel, Paul Adam, Jeremias Götschke, Pontus Mertsch, Christian Goelz, Solveig Vieluf, Stefan Brunner","doi":"10.1177/15578682261462332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15578682261462332","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Kolokas, Iraklis, Jenny Schlichtiger, Sara Jamali, Lina Kronschnabel, Paul Adam, Jeremias Götschke, Pontus Mertsch, Christian Goelz, Solveig Vieluf, and Stefan Brunner. Exercise-induced autonomic and cardio-respiratory stress at high altitude in leisure athletes. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:00-00, 2026.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Exercise at high altitude imposes additional cardiovascular and autonomic demands on leisure athletes. We investigated how acute exposure to high altitude alters cardiovascular, respiratory, and autonomic regulation during rest, exercise start, and peak exercise.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Briefly, 12 nonacclimatized participants (five female) performed standardized exercise tests at low and high altitude, while heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate variability (HRV_RMSSD), respiratory rate variability (RRV_RMSSD), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were measured using wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings and computer-based signal analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Maximal power output during the maximal incremental cycling test was lower at high altitude (235.5 ± 65.5 W) compared to low altitude (276.4 ± 77.5 W). HR and RR increased with exercise intensity and showed a nonsignificant increase at high altitude. RMSSD decreased during exercise (-116.67 ± 79.29 ms, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and at high altitude (-50.16 ± 91.55 ms, <i>p</i> = 0.015), with a significant interaction during exercise at high altitude (<i>p</i> < 0.01), while RRV remained relatively stable. RSA was reduced at high altitude (-1.1 ± 0.71 bpm, <i>p</i> = 0.028) and during exercise (-4.37 ± 0.38 bpm, <i>p</i> < 0.01), reflecting lower cardio-respiratory coupling.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These patterns indicate that acute high-altitude exercise shifts autonomic balance, imposing heightened cardiac strain while the respiratory system maintains adaptive ventilatory flexibility, highlighting their differential roles in supporting oxygen delivery and systemic homeostasis under hypoxic stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"15578682261462332"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148271279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitigating Intraoperative Fatigue in Surgeons at High Altitude: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial.","authors":"Biao Chen, Shuai Li, Kun He, Dunzhu Basang, Yuzhen Suolang, Fang Li, Jiangcun Silang, Hongyuan Yi, Langjie Jinmei, La Dan, Deqing Ciren, Haifeng Xu, Dong Wu","doi":"10.1177/15578682261462329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15578682261462329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chen, Biao, Shuai Li, Kun He, Dunzhu Basang, Yuzhen Suolang, Fang Li, Jiangcun Silang, Hongyuan Yi, Langjie Jinmei, La Dan, Deqing Ciren, Haifeng Xu, and Dong Wu. Mitigating Intraoperative Fatigue in Surgeons at High Altitude: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:00-00, 2026.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Both genetically adapted Tibetan surgeons and less-acclimatized Han surgeons deployed through the Aid-Tibet medical aid program face significant challenges from hypobaric hypoxia in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Hypoxia is known to impair cognitive functions and induce fatigue, threatening surgical performance and patient safety. Traditionally, surgeons in Tibet consume Coca-Cola to combat fatigue, a potentially harmful practice lacking in scientific basis. Supplemental oxygen, recommended for better cerebral oxygen delivery, is underutilized. This study compares supplemental oxygen versus Coca-Cola in mitigating intraoperative fatigue among surgeons in Tibet, considering the influence of long-term high-altitude adaptations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial at the People's Hospital of Xizang Autonomous Region in Lhasa (3,650 m altitude). Twenty-two surgeons (11 Han, 11 Tibetan) performed 24 surgeries each, receiving either 100 ml of Coca-Cola every 30 minutes or continuous 2 l/min supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula. Cognitive fatigue was assessed using the d2 Test of Attention, and physical fatigue was measured using a dynamometer, before and after surgeries. The primary outcome was change in concentration performance (ΔCP). The secondary outcome was the change in maximum voluntary contraction force (ΔMVC). Data were analyzed using a linear generalized estimating equations model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 22 surgeons completed 528 surgeries. Generally, supplemental oxygen significantly reduced cognitive fatigue compared to Coca-Cola (ΔCP: 6.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-10.80, <i>p</i> = 0.012). In subgroup analysis, oxygen significantly lowered cognitive fatigue in Han surgeons (ΔCP: 7.06, 95% CI: 0.72-13.40, <i>p</i> = 0.029), while the effect in Tibetan surgeons did not reach statistical significance (ΔCP: 4.82, 95% CI: -0.51-10.16, <i>p</i> = 0.076). No significant difference was observed in physical fatigue (ΔMVC: -0.18, 95% CI: -1.77-1.40, <i>p</i> = 0.822).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Supplemental oxygen outperforms Coca-Cola in reducing cognitive fatigue during high-altitude surgery, especially for less-acclimatized Han surgeons, supporting its adoption to enhance surgeons' performance and well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"15578682261462329"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148271316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rescue at Extreme Altitude: Managing the Ethical Considerations in the Language of Risk Management. An International Commission for Alpine Rescue Position Paper.","authors":"John Ellerton, Alison Sheets, Kyle McLaughlin, Peter Paal","doi":"10.1177/15578682251400732","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15578682251400732","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ellerton, John, Alison Sheets, Kyle McLaughlin, and Peter Paal. Rescue at Extreme Altitude: Managing the Ethical Considerations in the Language of Risk Management. An International Commission for Alpine Rescue Position Paper. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 27:117-122, 2026.Rescue from altitude has additional risks that require specialist knowledge, skills, and ability. Currently, rescue at extreme altitude (>5,500 m) is provided largely by ad-hoc teams responding to a need. The ethics of performing such rescues is controversial, and media coverage rarely considers the complexity of the environment. Organized mountain rescue teams have established processes to manage risk and their conduct to provide a professional service that changes the language of ethical decision-making into a practical, nuanced risk and crew resource management format. The International Commission for Alpine Rescue, along with the International Society of Mountain Medicine, has produced scientific papers on rescue at very high altitude and a position paper on the ethics of extreme altitude rescue. The aim is to improve the safety and outcomes of all rescues at altitude. The position paper, presented here, is targeted principally at those involved in extreme altitude rescue. Organized mountain rescue developed from ad-hoc rescue in response to a need; the same is likely to occur for extreme altitude rescue. Altitude is only one of the risk factors, and the knowledge of modern mountain rescue processes could aid in the advancement of extreme altitude rescue.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"117-122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145582125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut Microbiota Dynamics During Extreme Altitude Climbing: A Longitudinal Case Report.","authors":"Jesús Álvarez-Herms, Kilian Jornet, Martin Burtscher, Adriana González, Adrián Odriozola","doi":"10.1177/15578682251396447","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15578682251396447","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Álvarez-Herms, Jesús, Kilian Jornet, Martin Burtscher, Adriana González, and Adrián Odriozola. Gut microbiota dynamics during extreme altitude climbing: a longitudinal case report. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 27:123-127, 2026.-The present case study would explore the acute changes of gut microbiota (GM) and some physiological responses of a world-class mountaineer during a 4-week stay at altitudes between 3,600 and 4,200 m, with four rapid ascents to different extreme altitudes, that is, 6,700, 7,000, 8,000, and 8,400 m. Severe hypoxemia, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and sympathetic dominance were found to be proportionally higher with increasing altitude. Thus, the GM changed during the acclimatization period, decreasing bacterial diversity (Shannon index from 5.88 to 4.56). Remarkably, during the third week, a transient increase of the pathogenic bacteria <i>Ruminococcus gnavus</i> (+2,800%) was found. Thus, this significant elevation coincided with the impaired systemic health and gastrointestinal and respiratory complications. In conclusion, the present exploratory study found that a favorable and healthy GM profile, characterized by elevated mucolytic and short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria, may improve hypoxic tolerance, reduce the risk of developing gut leakage syndrome and systemic endotoxemia, and protect against acute mountain sickness.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"123-127"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145564019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hypoxic Training Systems for Climbing at Extremely High Altitude: A Survey of Current Practice.","authors":"Cormac Zachar, Colin K Grissom, Scott E McIntosh, Andrew M Luks","doi":"10.1177/15578682251384844","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15578682251384844","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zachar, Cormac, Colin K. Grissom, Scott E. McIntosh, and Andrew M. Luks. Hypoxic training systems for climbing at extremely high altitude: a survey of current practice. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 27:93-99, 2026.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Anecdotal report suggests increasing numbers of climbers are using hypoxic training systems to prepare for expeditions to extremely high elevations but there is little systematic information regarding their incorporation into training approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An anonymous survey of mountaineers who have attempted to climb mountains >6,000 m in the past 20 years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Responses from 385 individuals were included in the analysis; the majority reside in North America. In total, 24.6% of respondents have used a hypoxic training system during sleep or exercise training. Climbers who use these systems cite multiple reasons for their use, including reducing the risk of acute altitude illness, improving exercise capacity at high altitude, and increasing the odds of summit success. Climbers obtain information on employing these systems from multiple and varied sources. Perceptions about the utility of hypoxic training systems are more positive among people who use the systems for sleep or exercise training compared with those who do not.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Nearly 25% of climbers in our survey used hypoxic training systems to prepare for mountains >6,000 m and hold generally positive views of the utility of these systems. Further research is warranted to assess their effectiveness and refine protocols for incorporation into training programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"93-99"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Letter:</i> Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening as a Novel Test of Cognition at Altitude.","authors":"Andrew Huff, Ramsay Hafer, Lara Phillips","doi":"10.1177/15578682251398395","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15578682251398395","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"128-129"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145495299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}