Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.

Research Progress of Adipokine and Kidney Disease / 中国医学科学院学报

Adipokines,the bioactive polypeptides secreted by adipose tissue,are related to the occurrence and development of obesity,metabolic syndrome,renal insufficiency,cardiovascular disease,diabetes mellitus and other diseases.They may be the disease intervention targets and a breakthrough in the study of disease pathogenesis.In this paper,we summarize the latest research progress of the adipokines omentin,chemerin and nesfatin.

Expression of adipokines in children with primary nephrotic syndrome and its association with hyperlipidemia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the expression of adipokines in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) before and after treatment and its correlation with blood lipids, as well as the role of adipokines in PNS children with hyperlipidemia.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 children who were diagnosed with incipient PNS or recurrence of PNS after corticosteroid withdrawal for more than 6 months were enrolled as subjects. Thirty children who underwent physical examination were enrolled as the control group. Venous blood samples were collected from the children in the control group and the children with PNS before corticosteroid therapy (active stage) and after urinary protein clearance following 4 weeks of corticosteroid therapy (remission stage). ELISA was used to measure the levels of adipokines. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure blood lipid levels.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the children with PNS had a significantly lower level of omentin-1 in both active and remission stages, and their level of omentin-1 in the active stage was significantly lower than that in the remission stage (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Omentin-1 may be associated with disease activity, dyslipidemia, and proteinuria in children with PNS. Blood lipid ratios may be more effective than traditional blood lipid parameters in monitoring early cardiovascular risk in children with PNS.

Effect of histamine H4 receptor and its antagonist on allergic rhinitis in rats / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clarify the effect of histamine H4 receptor antagonist, JNJ 7777120, and histamine H1 receptor antagonist, Loratadine, on allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats and to study the role of histamine H4 receptor antagonist and histamine H1 receptor antagonist in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and therapeutic value of their antagonist.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>AR animal model were induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in the Wistar rats, which treated with histamine H4 receptor antagonist and (or) histamine H1 receptor antagonist. The allergic symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing), serum total IgE and the levels of cytokines in serum or nasal lavage fluid were measured, the diversity between two groups were observed. Statistical analysis was performed using a SPSS 13.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with AR group with no treatment, the inhibition of nasal symptoms (P < 0.01), a significant decrease in the levels of IgE, IL-4 in serum and Eotaxin in nasal lavage fluid (P < 0.01), a significant increase in the levels of IFN-γ in serum (P < 0.01) after treatment was found. Compared with group treated with Loratadine, inhibition of nasal symptoms (q value were 3.72, 4.16, P < 0.01), a significant increase in the levels of IgE and IL-4 in serum (q value were 8.01, 4.96, P < 0.05), a significant decrease in the levels of IFN-γ in serum (q = 3.18, P < 0.05) in group treated with JNJ 7777120 also, but no significant differences in the levels of Eotaxin in nasal lavage fluid (P > 0.05). Administration of JNJ 7777120 and Loratadine jointly, neither additive effect nor synergistic action were found (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Histamine H4 receptor is closely related with allergic rhinitis and is important in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, the same as histamine H1 receptor. Histamine H4 receptor antagonist, JNJ 7777120, could relieve symptoms and inflammatory conditions in allergic rhinitis, the effect was weak compared with Loratadine. Neither additive effect nor synergistic action were found between them.</p>

A related heredity epidemiological research on allergic rhinitis and asthma in Nantong region / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the related impact of genetic factors in the incidence of bronchial asthma (BA) and allergic rhinitis (AR) in Nantong region, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By random sampling method, investigation and research on the incidence of genetic epidemiology were carried out in the population of 95 300 on AR and BA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of patients with allergic rhinitis with asthma was 25.92% (296/1142), the rate of asthma patients with allergic rhinitis was 40.49% (296/731). The prevalences of AR complicated with BA were 8.19% (280/3418), 3.08% (154/5002) and 3.16% (85/2687) in the first-, second-and third-degree relatives of the probands respectively, while the prevalences of BA complicated with AR were 15.81% (466/2947), 4.61% (229/4967) and 2.51% (134/5345) in the first-, second- and third-degree relatives of the probands respectively, higher than those in the controls (P < 0.05). The weighted mean heritability of AR in BA patients was 94.2% ± 1.9%, while the weighted mean heritability of BA in AR patients was 81.8% ± 2.1%, more than 60%, suggesting that both AR and BA were relevant with genetics.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of BA and AR has obvious relevance, supporting the theory that the two diseases are an united airway disease and relevant with polygene heredity.</p>

Mechanism of endogenous carbon monoxide effect on hydrogen sulfide in guinea pigs with established allergic rhinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) on hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR) through intervention treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>AR model in guinea pigs was established by using ovalbumin. The animals were divided into three groups. Group one was sensitized continuously by ovalbumin, group two was treated with Hemin as induction group, and group three was treated with zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as suppression group. The guinea pigs treated with saline were used as control. The behavior science scores, eotaxin concentration of nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum were recorded, and the plasma concentrations of CO and H2S were determined, then the expression of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1, cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) were measured in nasal mucosa by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The behavior science scores, concentration of eotaxin in nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum and concentration of CO in plasma of sensitized group were higher than those of control (P<0.01), and the expression of HO-1 in nasal mucosa was also higher than control [(7.61+/-2.80)x10(-3) vs (2.32+/-1.14)x10(-3), P<0.05]. All these items were higher when treated with Hemin and lower when treated with ZnPP (P<0.05). The concentration of H2S in plasma was lower than control with significant differences [(14.80+/-1.60) micromol/L vs (18.90+/-1.00) micromol/L, P<0.01], the expression of CSE was also lower than control (P<0.05), and both of them were lower with Hemin induced and higher with ZnPP (P<0.05). The expression of CBS was very low and had no significant differences between groups (P>0.05), so it indicated that the CSE was the key enzyme for endogenous H2S product in nasal mucosa. Moreover the concentration of H2S was negatively correlated with CO (r=-0.702, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endogenous CO and H2S play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AR, and HO-1 and CSE are the main speed-relate enzymes respectively. The H2S is also influenced by CO.</p>

Influence of carbon monoxide on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the impact of carbon monoxide (CO) on expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty four guinea pigs were divided randomly into four study groups with 6 guinea pigs in each. The guinea pigs in the first group were treated with saline only (Group 1, the healthy controls). The remaing guinea pigs were sensitized by ovalbumin and thus establishing the AR models. After sensitization, the animals in the second group remained untreated (Group 2, AR control group). The third group was treated with Hemin as the induction group, and the fourth group was treated with Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as the suppression group. The plasma concentration of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) was measured, which represents the concentration of CO. The expression levels of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NOS mRNAs in nasal mucosa were determined by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AR models were established successfully in all study guinea pigs. The concentrations of COHb (x(-) +/- s) in plasma of the second group (2.27% +/- 1.13%) were significantly (q = 4.10, P < 0.01) higher than those of healthy controls (1.08% +/- 0.24%). The plasma concentration of COHb in the third group (3.17% +/- 0.68%) were also significantly higher (q = 3.12, P < 0.05) than those in the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the second group [(7.80 +/- 1.60) x 10(-3) and (5.81 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively] were also significantly (q equals 5.52 and 7.21, respectively, P < 0.01) higher than those of controls [(1.96 +/- 0.71) x 10(-3) and (0.97 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively]. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in the nasal mucosa of the third group [(11.89 +/- 4.78) x 10(-3) and (7.42 +/- 0.70) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.86 and 2.22, P < 0.05) higher than those of the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the fourth group [(3.82 +/- 0.98) x 10(-3) and (2.34 +/- 0.04) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.76 and 5.18, P < 0.05) lower than those in the second group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endogenous carbon monoxide influenced the expression levels of iNOS in nasal mocusa in guinea pigs with AR.</p>

Genetic epidemiological study on allergic rhinitis in Nantong region of Jiangsu Province / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of genetic factors on the occurrence of allergic rhinitis (AR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The morbidity rate of AR was surveyed by multistage sampling among 95 300 individuals (23,825 families) in Natong region, Jiangsu province. And a genetic epidemiologic investigation on AR was carried out to estimate the segregation ratio and heritability (h2) of AR by the methods of Li-Mantel-Gart and Falconer respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The morbidity rate of AR in Natong region was 1.20% (Male 1.21%, Female 1.18%, no statistical significance between them); By the data of the AR ancestry, the segregation ratio of AR in Nantong region was 0.078, significantly less than 0.25, and the genetic model belonged to polygenetics. The 1st, the 2nd, and the 3rd generation h2 of AR were (82.6 +/- 2.19)%, (80.8 +/- 2.93)%, (78.4 +/- 7.04)%. The h2 of AR was (81.86 +/- 1.70)%. In the ancestry of AR, the morbidity rate of the 1st generation with AR was 12.11%; the 2nd generation with AR was 5.12%; the 3rd generation with AR was 2.75%; and the morbidity rate of AR in general population was 1.20%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The heredity in family with AR is obvious. Several genes plus the environmental factors may cause AR, which accords with the characteristics of the polygene heredity disease.</p>

Nitric oxide content and blood flow in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To examine the expression of nitric oxide synthase(NOS),the content of nitric oxide and blood flow in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs,so as to further investigate the mechanism of allergic rhinitis.Methods:One hundred and twenty guinea pigs were randomly divided into control group(injected with normal saline)and allergic group(nasal challenge with egg albumin).The guinea pigs were executed before and immediately,24,48,72 h after the last nasal challenge;the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and the content of nitric oxide were examined in mucosa tissues.The blood flow in the nasal mucosa was determined in animals before execution.Linear regression correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the nitric oxide content and blood flow in nasal mucosa.Results:The immunostaining for iNOS in surface epithelium of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs was markedly stronger than that of normal guinea pigs at all time points(P