1.Correlation analysis of airborne pollen concentration and allergic diseases in Chengde from 2020 to 2022
Qinghua LI ; Jian LI ; Youxin GUO ; Yunhua ZHAO ; Liping SUI ; Jiahua ZHENG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024;31(8):506-509
OBJECTIVE To discuss the relationship between the main concentration of air-borne pollen and the number of visits for allergic diseases in Chengde City. METHODS The daily airborne pollen concentration and species in Chengde City,Hebei Province were monitored by gravity sedimentation method from March 1 to October 15,in 2020-2022. The number of visits of patients with allergic rhinitis,asthma and conjunctivitis in department of otorhinolaryngology,respiratory and ophthalmology were counted by HIS system in the hospital computer center,furthermore,the correlation between pollen concentration and the number of visits of the above diagnosed patients was analyzed. RESULTS The pollen concentration in Chengde showed two peaks each year,which were in May in spring and August in autumn. The main pollen sources in spring were Pinaceae,ash,birch,ulmaceae,Cupressaceae,Moraceae and Rosaceaceae,accounting for 82.6% of the total annual pollen(78.2%,83.5%,and 86.1% in 2020-2022,respectively). In autumn,artemisia and humulus were the main sources of pollen,accounting for 9.94% of the total annual pollen(11.4%,6.3%,12.11%,in 2020-2022,respectively). The number of outpatient visits patients with allergic rhinitis,asthma and conjunctivitis were higher in May and August than in other months,and the number of patients with allergic rhinitis in August was significantly increased compared with other months(P<0.05). The total monthly visits of the three departments and the visits of the three allergic diseases were positively correlated with pollen concentration. CONCLUSION The pollen concentration in the spring and autumn seasons of Chengde City has a direct impact on allergic diseases. Monitoring and broadcasting pollen concentration can provide early warning for doctors and patients,and provide effective information for early intervention,protection,and reasonable treatment of diseases.
2.Characteristics of cortical activation in older adults under cognition-balance dual tasks
Chaojie KAN ; Chuan GUO ; Shizhe ZHU ; Youxin SUI ; Qinglei WANG ; Ren ZHUANG ; Ayan GENG ; Tong WANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2023;29(10):1189-1194
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of balance and cortical activation in older adults when performing cognition-balance dual tasks. MethodsFrom January to April, 2023, 20 healthy older adults were non-targeted recruited. They completed six tasks of close eyes & fixed platform (CF), close eyes & fixed platform & cognitive task (CFc), open eyes & sway-referenced platform (OS), open eyes & sway-referenced platform & cognitive task (OSc), close eyes & sway-referenced platform (CS), and close eyes & sway-referenced platform & cognitive task (CSc) on the Balance SD, wearing functional near-infrared spectroscopy caps. The overal stability index (OSI) was measured with Balance SD. The premotor cortex (PMC), sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were as regions of interest (ROIs), and the β values were calculated. ResultsThe OSI was more as CFc than as CF (Z = -2.014, P < 0.05), and was less as CSc than as CS (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). The β values of bilateral ROIs were all more as CFc than as CF (|Z| > 2.464, |t| > 3.733, P < 0.05), and as OSc than as OS (|t| > 2.308, P < 0.05); the β value of the right SMC was more as CSc than as CS (t = -2.912, P < 0.05). The number of correct counts was less as CSc than as CFc and OSc (|Z| > 3.643, P < 0.001). ConclusionBalance has been impaired under dual tasks for older adults, while activation of cerebral cortex increases. However, for more difficult balance task, older adults would preferentially maintain postural balance under dual tasks, while cognitive performance decreases, which may be the results from no more activation of cerebral cortex under dual tasks.