[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.

[Sensitization characteristics of Juniperus chinensis pollen in Beijing area].

Objective: To investigate the sensitization characteristics of Juniperus chinensis pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in Beijing area, and to explore the characteristics of Juniper chinensis pollen sensitized population. Methods: Patients with suspected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma from January 2017 to December 2019 in the outpatient department of Allergy Department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital were selected in this study. Skin prick test (SPT) was performed with Juniper chinensis pollen allergen reagent to compare different age and disease allergen distribution, and to observe the sensitization characteristics of its population. All of the analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4. Results: A total of 8 380 patients were enrolled in the end. The total positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen SPT reached 49.92% (4 183/8 380). The positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen SPT was highest in the 10-14 age group, reaching 60.99% (283/464). Compared with other age groups, there was a statistical difference (χ²=266.77, P<0.01). The SPT positive rate of patients aged less than 10 years increased with the increase of age, while the SPT positive rate of patients aged over 40 years decreased with the increase of age. Single Juniper chinensis pollen was less allergenic, accounting for about 25.05% (1 048/4 183), and the patients' age was (35.21±12.39) years. Regardless of single Juniper chinensis pollen or other pollen allergies, allergic rhinitis was the main disease. Among the patients with SPT positive Juniper chinensis pollen combined with other inhaled pollen allergens, willow pollen accounted for the first (74.99%). The positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen was the highest in patients with single allergic rhinitis, accounting for 52.05% (3 797/7 295), and the rate in patients with single allergic asthma was the lowest, accounting for 17.49% (53/303), with statistically difference (χ²=138.99, P<0.01). Conclusions: Juniper chinensis pollen is highly sensitized in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in Beijing . The positive rate of SPT is highest among 10-14 age group, most of which showed strong positive reaction, and allergic rhinitis is more common in Juniper chinensis pollen sensitization diseases.

[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.

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.

Randomised clinical trial: an assessment of acupuncture on specific meridian or specific acupoint vs. sham acupuncture for treating functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disease without an established optimal treatment. AIM: To determine (i) the effect of acupuncture in relieving FD symptoms and improving life quality; (ii) the effect difference between acupoint and non-acupoint; and (iii) the effect difference among different acupoints. METHODS: A total of 712 eligible patients were included and randomly assigned to six groups (Group A: specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; Group B: non-specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; Group C: specific acupoints of alarm and transport points; Group D: specific acupoints of the gallbladder meridian; Group E: sham acupuncture of non-acupoints; and Group F: itopride). A treatment period of 4 weeks (continuous five sessions per week), and a follow-up period of 12 weeks were arranged. The outcomes were the (i) patients' response, (ii) symptoms improvement measured using the Symptom Index of Dyspepsia and (iii) quality-of-life improvement based on Nepean Dyspepsia Index. RESULTS: All groups had an improvement in dyspepsia symptoms and the QoL at the end of treatment, and the improvement was sustained for 4 weeks and 12 weeks. The overall response rate was significantly higher in acupuncture group A (70.69%), and lower in sham acupuncture group (34.75%), compared with itopride and other acupuncture groups. Similarly, the difference in symptoms and QoL improvement was significant between group A and the other acupuncture groups. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, and is superior to non-acupoint puncture. The benefit of acupuncture relies on acupoint specificity.