[Investigation and analysis of airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City].

Objective: To investigate the species, concentration and seasonal trends of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. Methods: The Department of allergy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University conducted a cross-sectional study about monitoring the airborne allergenic pollen from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 by the gravitational method in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City, which include Yuquan District, Xincheng District, Huimin District, Saihan District, Tuoketuo County, Helingeer County, Tumotezuoqi County, Wuchuan County and Qingshuihe County. Daily pollens were counted and identified by optical microscopy, and the data were analyzed. Results: The airborne allergenic pollen was collected every month all year round in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot city. Through the whole year of the total quantity of pollens ranged from 24 850 to 50 154 grains per 1 000 mm2 and two peaks of pollen concentration in air were observed,which happened in spring (from March to May) and in summer and autumn (from July to September). In spring, the main pollens were tree pollens, which principally distributed in Populus pollen (18.29%), Ulmus pollen (8.36%), Pinus pollen (6.20%), Cupressaceae pollen (5.23%), Betulaceae pollen (2.73%), Salix pollen (1.80%) and Quercus pollen (1.16%). In summer and autumn, the main pollens were weed pollens, which mainly included Artemisia pollen (42.73%), Chenopodiaceae pollen or Amaranthaceae pollen (7.46%), Poaceae pollen (2.26%), Humulus pollen or Cannabis pollen (0.60%). Conclusion: There were two peaks of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. In the spring peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were tree pollens. In the summer and autumn peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were weed pollens. The Artemisia pollen was the most major airborne pollen in this area.

Prevalence of pollen-induced allergic rhinitis with high pollen exposure in grasslands of northern China.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of epidemiologic and physician-diagnosed pollen-induced AR (PiAR) in the grasslands of northern China and to study the impact of the intensity and time of pollen exposure on PiAR prevalence. METHODS: A multistage, clustered and proportionately stratified random sampling with a field interviewer-administered survey study was performed together with skin prick tests (SPT) and measurements of the daily pollen count. RESULTS: A total of 6043 subjects completed the study, with a proportion of 32.4% epidemiologic AR and 18.5% PiAR. The prevalence was higher in males than females (19.6% vs 17.4%, P = .024), but no difference between the two major residential and ethnic groups (Han and Mongolian) was observed. Subjects from urban areas showed higher prevalence of PiAR than rural areas (23.1% vs 14.0%, P < .001). Most PiAR patients were sensitized to two or more pollens (79.4%) with artemisia, chenopodium, and humulus scandens being the most common pollen types, which were similarly found as the top three sensitizing pollen allergens by SPT. There were significant regional differences in the prevalence of epidemiologic AR (from 18.6% to 52.9%) and PiAR (from 10.5% to 31.4%) among the six areas investigated. PiAR symptoms were positively associated with pollen counts, temperature, and precipitation (P < .05), but negatively with wind speed and pressure P < .05). CONCLUSION: Pollen-induced AR (PiAR) prevalence in the investigated region is extremely high due to high seasonal pollen exposure, which was influenced by local environmental and climate conditions.

Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy and miniincision surgery in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

Lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP) is a frequently occurring disease and 10-20% of patients require surgical treatment. Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) and mini-incision surgery are currently the most common surgeries for patients. To analyze the efficacy of PTED and mini-incision surgery in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, this study selected 216 patients with LIDP who were admitted to the hospital between February 2014 and June 2015. The subjects were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 108 each. Patients in the observation groups were treated by PTED, while patients in the control group were treated by mini-incision surgery, and treatment efficacy of the two groups was observed. The results demonstrated that the duration of surgery and length of hospital stay of the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group, the intraoperative blood loss of the observation group was significantly less than that of the control group and the size of surgical incision of the observation group was much smaller than that of the control group (P less than 0.05). As to clinical efficacy, in accordance with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, results of the observation group were superior to those of the control group at 3 months after surgery (P less than 0.05). In conclusion, treating patients with LIDP through PTED can significantly improve treatment efficacy, shorten surgical and healing time and relieve pain. This therapy is worth clinical promotion.

[Analysis of characteristics of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced seasonal allergic rhinitis in the Inner Mongolian grassland region of China].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) as well as the distribution and sensitization characteristics of Chenopodiaceae pollen in Inner Mongolia grassland of northern China. Methods: From May 2015 to August 2015, using stratified, cluster and random sampling, a field interviewer-administered survey study and skin prick test (SPT) were conducted in six areas of Inner Mongolia grassland (Xilinhot, Erenhot, Duolun, Tongliao, Jarud, Kailu), and pollen monitoring was carried out in the above six areas from January 1 to December 31 of 2015. The clinical characteristics of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR, distribution and sensitization characteristics of Chenopodiaceae pollen in these regions were observed. SAS software 9.4 was used for data processing. Results: A total of 6 043 subjects completed the study. The prevalence of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR was 13.2% (795/6 043). The highest prevalence was found in the 18-39 age group. Subjects from urban areas showed higher prevalence of SAR than rural areas (61.2% vs 37.9%, P<0.001). There was significant regional difference in the prevalence rate of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR among the above six areas (Xilinhot 21.5%, Erenhot 17.8%, Duolun 8.9%, Tongliao 6.9%, Jarud 15.3%, Kailu 9.7%, P<0.001). The main clinical symptoms of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR were sneezing (96.5%) and nasal itching (92.2%). Eye itching was more obvious among the ocular symptoms (69.1%), while fatigue (32.1%) and drowsiness (31.5%) were more prominent among other related symptoms. Among comorbidities of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR, allergic conjunctivitis accounted for 71.4% (568/795), food allergy accounted for 86.7% (689/795) and asthma accounted for 16.7% (133/795). The peak of Chenopodiaceae pollen spread was in August. The prevalence of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR was positively correlated with the concentration of Chenopodiaceae pollen (R2=0.78, P=0.043). The SPT positive rate of Chenopodiaceae pollen was 21.2% (1 282/6 043), and Xilinhot had the highest rate in six regions (28.0%, 236/842). Conclusions: The prevalence of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR in Inner Mongolia grassland stays at a high level. Sneezing is the most obvious symptom of SAR. The peak of Chenopodiaceae pollen spread is in August and the prevalence of Chenopodiaceae pollen induced SAR is positively correlated with the pollen concentration.

[Epidemiology of allergic rhinitis in children in grassland of Inner mongolia].

Objective: To investigate the self-reported prevalence, clinical characteristics, complications of allergic rhinitis (AR) and the sensitization of outdoor air pollen allergens in children in the Inner mongolia grassland region. Methods: A multistage, stratified and random clustered sampling with a face-to-face interview survey study in children from 0 to 17 years old was performed together with 10 common allergen skin prick tests (SPT) and measurements of the daily pollen count in 6 regions in the Inner mongolia grassland region from May to August of 2015. SAS 9.4 software was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 2 443 subjects completed the study. The self-reported prevalence of AR was 26.6%. The prevalence of boys was higher than that of girls (28.8% vs 24.3%, χ(2)=6.157, P<0.05). Subjects from urban areas showed higher prevalence than rural areas (34.7% vs 18.8%, χ(2)=79.107, P<0.05). There was significant regional difference in the prevalence of AR among the six areas investigated (χ(2)=221.416, P<0.05). The main clinical symptoms of AR were sneezing (88.2%) and nasal congestion (78.6%). Among combined diseases, asthma accounted for 16.5% (107/650), rhinoconjunctivitis accounted for 47.9% (311/650). The peak season of AR was April and July, with the top SPT positive allergens of Artemisia species and chenopodium in this area. Conclusions: The prevalence AR in children in the Inner mongolia grassland region is extremely high. Sneezing is the main clinical symptom. Rhinoconjunctivitis is the most common combined disease. High summer and autumn pollen exposure is the main cause of AR.

[The sensitization feature of Cypress pollen in urban area of Beijing].

Objective: To explore the sensitization features of Cypress pollen in urban area of Beijing and analyze the seasonal changes. Methods: Four thousand two hundred and one patients in Department of Allergy of Beijing Shijitan Hospital during January to December 2017 were enrolled in this study and received skin prick test (SPT) of Cypress extract. Cypress sensitization was divided into two types: mono-sensitization and multiple-sensitization. Difference of sensitization rate between age, gender and visiting month was analyzed by chi-square test. Difference of visiting rate and sensitization rate among each month was analyzed by K-W test. Pearson test was carried out for correlation analysis. Results: Positive rate of Cypress pollen was 32.3% (1 358/4 201) in overall patients in which male had a higher positive rate than female (35.6% vs 30.1%, χ(2)=13.465, P<0.001). The positive rate was highest in age 11-20 years and 31-40 years and then decreased with age (P<0.001). Multi-sensitization was observed in this study with a rate of 27.5% (1 154/4 201) while mono-sensitization of Cypress was only 4.7% (199/4 201). The consultation rate during January to December was positively correlated with SPT positive rate of Cypress pollen (r(2)=0.715 9, P=0.001). The positive rate varied with season with the highest rate in March (53.0%, 316/596), followed by April (36.6%, 208/568). The season peak of positive rate was observed in adults but not children. Mono-sensitization rate varied with one season peak (spring) while multi-sensitization showed two season peaks (spring and autumn). Conclusion: Cypress sensitization is prevalent in urban area of Beijing and is prone to multi-sensitization, which changes with season with the peak in March.

The ambient pollen distribution in Beijing urban area and its relationship with consumption of outpatient anti-allergic prescriptions.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of pollen exposure on allergy medication is poorly characterized. We aim to study the main kind of ambient pollen in Beijing urban area and the correlation with outpatient anti-allergic prescriptions throughout one year in a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With a modified volumetric trap, ambient pollens were sampled from January to December 2015. Meanwhile, information on 15 anti-allergic medication prescriptions in outpatient pharmacy was obtained and analyzed by generalized linear model. RESULTS: The total quantity of pollens amounted to 76164 grains in 2015. Two peaks of pollen concentration were observed, which happened from March to April 2015, and from August to September 2015. Consumption of antihistamines, LATRA, nasal sprays, and SABA showed two peaks trend in accordance with pollen distribution (p<0.01). ICS+LABA showed no seasonal peak without a significant correlation with pollen counts (p>0.05). Medication peak was higher in autumn than spring (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The ambient pollen distribution was in accordance with the anti-allergic prescription amount with the two-peak season. The autumn medication peak was higher than spring peak, which clarified that outpatients were more sensitive to autumn pollen compared with spring pollen.

[Association between airborne pollen distribution and allergic diseases in Beijing urban area].

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of airborne pollen in urban Beijing area on the consultation rate of allergic diseases. Method:A modified pollen sampler was used to monitor the distribution of main airborne pollen during Jan 1st 2015 to Dec 31 2015.The consultation rate of allergic rhinitis and asthma was obtained meanwhile among allergy, ENT and pneumology department. Relationship between pollen and consultation rate was analyzed by Pearson index. Result:①Through the whole year of 2015 the total quantity of pollens amounted to 76164 grains. Two pollen peaks were observed which happened in spring (March 29.7%, April 34.8%) and autumn (August 9.9%, September 10.5%). The main airborne pollens in spring were cypress, sycamore, and poplar, while in autumn were artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, and Humulus. ②The peak consultation season of allergic rhinitis was presented in March to April and August to September with a positive correlation between allergy and ENT department (r=0.625, P<0.05). Consultation peak of asthma was observed in allergy department but not pneumology department. ③Allergic rhinitis and asthma consultation rate was higher in autumn than spring while the pollen distribution was the opposite. No correlation was found between consultation rate and pollen distribution P>0.05. Conclusion:The airborne pollen distribution was in accordance with consultation rate in allergy department. The pollen count in spring was higher than autumn in Beijing urban area with a consultation peak in autumn inversely. This indicates a higher sensitization ability of autumn pollen compared with spring pollen.

Effect of ß-arrestin on damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cell induced by angiotensin II.

OBJECTIVE: ß-arrestin (ARRB2) is a member of arrestin family and a negative regulatory protein of G-coupling receptor, which is closely associated with the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the effect of ARRB2 on the damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which is induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ARRB2 at different concentration was used to interfere with the damage of HUVECs induced by Ang II or RNA interference technology to interfere with the expression of HUVECs followed by addition of Ang II to culture for 24 hours. Nitrate reduction method was used to measure the content of nitric oxide (NO) and radioimmunoassay was used to measure endothelin-1; Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and flow cytometry was used to detect the intracellular level of reactive oxygen (ROS) and apoptosis of HUVECs. RESULTS: Our study found that ARRB2 could significantly reduce the generation and release of ROS, endothelin-1 (ET-1), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) of HUVECs induced by Ang II and promote the generation of NO, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and scavenging in a dose-dependent manner. On the contrary, when expression of ARRB2 was disturbed by siRNA, increased generation and release of ROS, ET-1, and LDH were observed with reduced generation of NO, SOD and scavenging. In addition, ARRB2 could reverse the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by Ang II and was related to upregulate the expression of Bax. CONCLUSIONS: ARRB2 could protect the damage of HUVECs induced by Ang II and the mechanism was associated with upregulation of the expression of apoptosis and anti-apoptosis protein of Bcl-2.

[An analysis of spectrum of allergen sensitization among patients with tree pollen allergy in Beijing].

Objective:To explore the feature of allergic sensitization of tree pollen and the relationship between tree pollen and airborne pollen in Beijing. Method:Two thousand five hundred and twenty-one patients with allergic diseases were enrolled between January to July in 2017 in an allergy department. All patients received SPT of 8 kinds of tree pollen. Result:①The overall tree pollen positive rate of SPT was 49.3% (1 244/2 521). Male had a higher positive rate than female (56.4% vs 45.0%, P<0.01) while child group had a higher positive rate than adult group (55.9% vs 48.6%, P<0.05). The poly sensitization was observed with a rate of 26.3%, take the percentage of 53.3% of the overall positive subjects. ②The highest sensitization rate was found in March (62.2%), followed by May (52.1%), the lowest was January (27.9%). There was a positive correlation between tree pollen sensitization rate and pollen count of each month (r=0.929, P<0.01). ③Cypress had the highest positive rate (34.6%), followed by poplar (21.3%), the lowest was sophora (13.3%). The sensitization rate was positively correlated with pollen count among different tree pollen (r=0.714, P<0.05). Conclusion:The main allergic pollen in Beijing was cypress. The tree pollen sensitization showed a seasonality with the peak in March. The sensitization status was tightly associated with the amount of airborne pollen.