[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.

Influence of miR-34a on myocardial apoptosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction through the ERK1/2 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of micro-ribonucleic acid (miR)-34a on myocardial apoptosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=12) and model group (n=12). The heart was exposed in the sham group, while the AMI model was established in the model group. After sampling, the morphology of myocardial tissues was observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) were detected via immunohistochemistry, and the protein expression levels of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected via Western blotting. Moreover, the expression of miR-34a was detected via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), the apoptosis was detected via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the myocardial injury indexes were detected using a fully-automatic biochemical analyzer. RESULTS: The morphology of myocardial tissues was normal with a complete structure in the sham group, while there was damage to myocardial tissues in different degrees in the model group. The immunohistochemical results revealed that the Bax expression was increased and the Bcl-2 expression was decreased in the model group compared with those in the sham group (p<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels of both ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were significantly increased in the model group compared with those in the sham group (p<0.05). The qPCR results manifested that the expression of miR-34a in the model group markedly declined compared with that in the sham group (p<0.05). Besides, the TUNEL detection showed that the apoptosis rate in the model group was remarkably increased compared with that in the sham group (p<0.05), and the content of cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase isoenzyme in the model group was significantly higher than that in the sham group ((p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MiR-34a affects the apoptosis in AMI by regulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Correlation of hypertension and F2RL3 gene methylation with Prognosis of coronary heart disease.

The aim of this work was to investigate the correlation between methylation of F2RL3 gene and coronary heart disease (CHD) with or without hypertension, secondary cardiovascular events and mortality. Sixty patients with CHD who underwent a cardiovascular rehabilitation program were recruited. Group A included 30 patients with hypertension and CHD, and group B included 30 patients with non-hypertensive CHD, followed-up for more than 8 years. F2RL3 gene methylation was characterized by Sequenom matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time flight mass spectrometry. The correlation between methylation of the F2RL3 gene, hypertension and secondary cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality was analyzed by multivariate Cox, regression models that estimated confounders to control risk ratios. The results showed that during the follow-up, 3 patients in Group A developed non-fatal stroke, 2 patients died of cardiovascular disease, 1 patient died of other causes, and 4 patients in Group B developed non-fatal myocardial infarction. After adjusting for known prognostic factors, Cox model analysis showed that methylation of F2RL3 gene was closely related to hypertension and mortality. After F2RL3 included in the regression model, the correlation between hypertension and all prognostic outcomes increased. In conclusion, the methylation of F2RL3 can affect the prognosis of different types of acute coronary syndrome and is closely related to mortality.

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.