Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of airborne pollen concentrations monitored by a novel volumetric suction pollen monitor.Methods:During the peak period of autumn pollen concentration in Beijing from September 1st to 27th, the pollen concentration was collected using gravitational and volumetric pollen monitor, and the correlation of pollen concentration between two kind of pollen monitor was analyzed. The effects of daily mean temperature, relative humidity and wind speed on the real-time pollen concentration of the volumetric suction pollen monitor were also analyzed. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:There was significant correlation between the pollen concentration obtained by the two collectors ( r s value was 0.85 and 0.86, respectively, both P<0.001). Using a volumetric suction monitor, the pollen concentration in the horizontal 3 lines of the pollen sample (12.5%) under a 200×microscope was significantly correlated with the pollen concentration in the whole sample ( r s=0.97, P<0.001). The real-time pollen concentration collected by the volumetric suction monitor within 24 hours was greatly affected by the daily average temperature (all P<0.05), and the pollen concentration increased with the daytime temperature, which was not affected by the relative humidity and the average wind speed (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The airborne pollen concentration monitored by new volumetric pollen monitor has high accuracy and can accurately achieve real-time.

Objective:To establish graded forecast models of pollen concentration in spring and summer-autumn in northern China, based on long-term data of pollen and allergic rhinitis (AR) medical visits in 8 cities of northern China.Methods:Pollen concentration and the characteristics of AR patients from 8 cities of northern China, including Beijing, Baotou, Hohhot, Xi′an, Xining, Cangzhou, Liaocheng and Zibo, were analyzed. Spearman′s correlation was used to examine the relationship between pollen concentration and daily AR patient visits. A pollen concentration grading was establish, and a pollen forecast model was created using the eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. The model incorporated meteorological factors and the 3-day moving average of pollen concentrations.Results:The spring pollen period started early and lasted long in Beijing and Xi ′an, while the summer-autumn pollen period started earlier and persisted longer in Xining, Baotou and Hohhot. During summer-autumn pollen period, and the spring period in most cities (except Baotou and Cangzhou), average daily patient visits were significantly higher than those in non-pollen periods. A strong correlation was observed between daily AR patient visits and the 3-day moving average of pollen concentrations in both the spring and summer-autumn periods across all cities. Based on the correlation, a pollen concentration grading standard of northern China was established. The accuracy evaluation of pollen concentration prediction model showed that the percentage of forecasts with either completely accurate or within one level difference exceeded 91% in spring and 95% in summer-autumn. The most important predictive variable in the model was the pollen level from previous day, followed by the temperature and humidity.Conclusion:The grading prediction model for pollen concentration provides guidance for AR patients in term of travel, early defense and treatment, as well as the determining medication schedules for clinical drug research and specific immunotherapy.

Objective To observe the correlation between fat fraction(FF)and T2 value of multifidus muscle and Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc in patients with lumbar muscle strain.Methods Totally 200 L4_5 intervertebral discs in 200 patients with lumbar muscle strain were retrospectively enrolled,including 6 cases of Pfirrmann grade Ⅰ,61 of grade Ⅱ,52 of grade Ⅲ,56 of grade Ⅳ and 25 cases of grade V.Based on modified DIXON quantification(mDIXON-Quant)and T2 mapping,FF and T2 value of multifidus muscle were calculated and compared among intervertebral discs with different Pfirrmann grades,and the correlations between the above parameters and Pfirrmann grade of intervertebral disc were analyzed.Results Significant differences of left,right and bilateral multifidus muscles FF,as well as of T2 values in left and bilateral multifidus muscles were found among L4-5 intervertebral discs with different Pfirrmann grades.Multifidus muscle FF was moderately positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc(r=0.538,P＜0.05),while T2 value was weakly positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc(r=0.202,P＜0.05).Conclusion FF of multifidus muscle was moderately positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc,while T2 value of multifidus muscle was weakly positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc in patients with lumbar muscle strain.

Objective To observe the correlation between fat fraction(FF)and T2 value of multifidus muscle and Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc in patients with lumbar muscle strain.Methods Totally 200 L4_5 intervertebral discs in 200 patients with lumbar muscle strain were retrospectively enrolled,including 6 cases of Pfirrmann grade Ⅰ,61 of grade Ⅱ,52 of grade Ⅲ,56 of grade Ⅳ and 25 cases of grade V.Based on modified DIXON quantification(mDIXON-Quant)and T2 mapping,FF and T2 value of multifidus muscle were calculated and compared among intervertebral discs with different Pfirrmann grades,and the correlations between the above parameters and Pfirrmann grade of intervertebral disc were analyzed.Results Significant differences of left,right and bilateral multifidus muscles FF,as well as of T2 values in left and bilateral multifidus muscles were found among L4-5 intervertebral discs with different Pfirrmann grades.Multifidus muscle FF was moderately positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc(r=0.538,P＜0.05),while T2 value was weakly positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc(r=0.202,P＜0.05).Conclusion FF of multifidus muscle was moderately positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc,while T2 value of multifidus muscle was weakly positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade of L4-5 intervertebral disc in patients with lumbar muscle strain.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of airborne pollen concentrations monitored by a novel volumetric suction pollen monitor.Methods:During the peak period of autumn pollen concentration in Beijing from September 1st to 27th, the pollen concentration was collected using gravitational and volumetric pollen monitor, and the correlation of pollen concentration between two kind of pollen monitor was analyzed. The effects of daily mean temperature, relative humidity and wind speed on the real-time pollen concentration of the volumetric suction pollen monitor were also analyzed. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:There was significant correlation between the pollen concentration obtained by the two collectors ( r s value was 0.85 and 0.86, respectively, both P<0.001). Using a volumetric suction monitor, the pollen concentration in the horizontal 3 lines of the pollen sample (12.5%) under a 200×microscope was significantly correlated with the pollen concentration in the whole sample ( r s=0.97, P<0.001). The real-time pollen concentration collected by the volumetric suction monitor within 24 hours was greatly affected by the daily average temperature (all P<0.05), and the pollen concentration increased with the daytime temperature, which was not affected by the relative humidity and the average wind speed (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The airborne pollen concentration monitored by new volumetric pollen monitor has high accuracy and can accurately achieve real-time.

Objective:To establish graded forecast models of pollen concentration in spring and summer-autumn in northern China, based on long-term data of pollen and allergic rhinitis (AR) medical visits in 8 cities of northern China.Methods:Pollen concentration and the characteristics of AR patients from 8 cities of northern China, including Beijing, Baotou, Hohhot, Xi′an, Xining, Cangzhou, Liaocheng and Zibo, were analyzed. Spearman′s correlation was used to examine the relationship between pollen concentration and daily AR patient visits. A pollen concentration grading was establish, and a pollen forecast model was created using the eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. The model incorporated meteorological factors and the 3-day moving average of pollen concentrations.Results:The spring pollen period started early and lasted long in Beijing and Xi ′an, while the summer-autumn pollen period started earlier and persisted longer in Xining, Baotou and Hohhot. During summer-autumn pollen period, and the spring period in most cities (except Baotou and Cangzhou), average daily patient visits were significantly higher than those in non-pollen periods. A strong correlation was observed between daily AR patient visits and the 3-day moving average of pollen concentrations in both the spring and summer-autumn periods across all cities. Based on the correlation, a pollen concentration grading standard of northern China was established. The accuracy evaluation of pollen concentration prediction model showed that the percentage of forecasts with either completely accurate or within one level difference exceeded 91% in spring and 95% in summer-autumn. The most important predictive variable in the model was the pollen level from previous day, followed by the temperature and humidity.Conclusion:The grading prediction model for pollen concentration provides guidance for AR patients in term of travel, early defense and treatment, as well as the determining medication schedules for clinical drug research and specific immunotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the distribution rules of artemisia pollen and the clinical sensitization characteristics of allergic rhinitis (AR) induced by artemisia pollen in three urban and rural areas of Inner Mongolia.Methods:From March to October 2019, in 3 central cities (Chifeng, Hohhot, Ordos) and rural areas of Inner Mongolia, an epidemiological investigation method combining multi-stage stratified random sampling and face-to-face questionnaire survey was adopted to screen suspected AR patients, and skin prick test (SPT) was applied for diagnosis. At the same time, pollen monitoring was carried out in 3 areas to analyze the distribution and clinical sensitization characteristics of artemisia pollen.SPSS26.0 statistical software was used to process all the data. Chi-square test was used to compare rates among different age, sex, region and nationality, Spearman test was used to describe correlation analysis, and pairwise comparison of positive rates among multiple samples was used Bonferroni method.Results:Among the 6 393 subjects, 1 093 cases were diagnosed with AR, and the prevalence of AR was 17.10% (1 093/6 393). Among them, pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, the prevalence of PiAR was 10.97% (701/6 393), accounting for 64.14%(701/1 093).The highest incidence was in the youth group (20-39 years old), accounting for 46.94% (329/701).The diagnosed prevalence was higher in females than in males (11.35% vs. 10.64%, χ2 value 12.304, P<0.001).The prevalence rate of ethnic minority was higher than that of Han nationality (13.01% vs. 10.65%, χ2 value 6.296, P=0.008).The prevalence in urban areas was also significantly higher than that in rural areas (18.40% vs. 5.50%, χ2 value 10.497, P<0.001).There was significant difference in prevalence rate among the three regions in Inner Mongolia (6.06% in Chifeng, 13.46% in Hohhot, 16.39% in Ordos, χ2 value 70.054, P<0.001).The main clinical symptoms of artemisia PiAR were sneezing (95.58%), nasal congestion (91.73%) and nasal itching (89.30%).Allergic conjunctivitis accounted for 79.60% (558/701), chronic sinusitis for 55.63% (390/701), asthma for 23.25% (163/701).The pattern of artemisia pollen sensitization was mainly multiple sensitization, and the frequency of clinical symptoms and clinical diseases induced by hypersensitization with other allergens accounted for more than that caused by single artemisia pollen. The spread period of Artemisia pollen in the three regions was from June to October, and the peak state was in August in summer. The peak time of clinical symptoms in artemisia PiAR patients was about 2 weeks earlier than the peak time of pollen concentration, and the two were significantly positively correlated ( R=0.7671, P<0.001). Conclusion:Artemisia pollens are the dominant pollens in late summer and early autumn in Inner Mongolia, and the prevalence of artemisia PiAR is high. Controlling the spread of Artemisia pollens is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of AR.

Objective:To investigate the distribution rules of artemisia pollen and the clinical sensitization characteristics of allergic rhinitis (AR) induced by artemisia pollen in three urban and rural areas of Inner Mongolia.Methods:From March to October 2019, in 3 central cities (Chifeng, Hohhot, Ordos) and rural areas of Inner Mongolia, an epidemiological investigation method combining multi-stage stratified random sampling and face-to-face questionnaire survey was adopted to screen suspected AR patients, and skin prick test (SPT) was applied for diagnosis. At the same time, pollen monitoring was carried out in 3 areas to analyze the distribution and clinical sensitization characteristics of artemisia pollen.SPSS26.0 statistical software was used to process all the data. Chi-square test was used to compare rates among different age, sex, region and nationality, Spearman test was used to describe correlation analysis, and pairwise comparison of positive rates among multiple samples was used Bonferroni method.Results:Among the 6 393 subjects, 1 093 cases were diagnosed with AR, and the prevalence of AR was 17.10% (1 093/6 393). Among them, pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, the prevalence of PiAR was 10.97% (701/6 393), accounting for 64.14%(701/1 093).The highest incidence was in the youth group (20-39 years old), accounting for 46.94% (329/701).The diagnosed prevalence was higher in females than in males (11.35% vs. 10.64%, χ2 value 12.304, P<0.001).The prevalence rate of ethnic minority was higher than that of Han nationality (13.01% vs. 10.65%, χ2 value 6.296, P=0.008).The prevalence in urban areas was also significantly higher than that in rural areas (18.40% vs. 5.50%, χ2 value 10.497, P<0.001).There was significant difference in prevalence rate among the three regions in Inner Mongolia (6.06% in Chifeng, 13.46% in Hohhot, 16.39% in Ordos, χ2 value 70.054, P<0.001).The main clinical symptoms of artemisia PiAR were sneezing (95.58%), nasal congestion (91.73%) and nasal itching (89.30%).Allergic conjunctivitis accounted for 79.60% (558/701), chronic sinusitis for 55.63% (390/701), asthma for 23.25% (163/701).The pattern of artemisia pollen sensitization was mainly multiple sensitization, and the frequency of clinical symptoms and clinical diseases induced by hypersensitization with other allergens accounted for more than that caused by single artemisia pollen. The spread period of Artemisia pollen in the three regions was from June to October, and the peak state was in August in summer. The peak time of clinical symptoms in artemisia PiAR patients was about 2 weeks earlier than the peak time of pollen concentration, and the two were significantly positively correlated ( R=0.7671, P<0.001). Conclusion:Artemisia pollens are the dominant pollens in late summer and early autumn in Inner Mongolia, and the prevalence of artemisia PiAR is high. Controlling the spread of Artemisia pollens is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of AR.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Fu-Fang-Yu-Jie(FFYJ)granules on LPS-induced inflammation model in bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)and its intervention of FFYJ on nucleotide-bound oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammatory signaling pathway in macrophages.Methods:Primary cells were extracted and isolated from the leg bone mar-row of C57BL/6 mice and BMDM macrophages were obtained after 7 days of induction with 50 ng/ml M-CSF.Groups included control group(Control),model group(LPS+ATP),FFYJ low dose group(FFYJ 50 μg/ml),FFYJ medium dose group(FFYJ 100 μg/ml),FFYJ high dose group(FFYJ 200 μg/ml)and positive drug dexamethasone group(DEX).BMDM in FFYJ treatment group and posi-tive drug group were pretreated for 1 hour before modeling.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release assay was used to detect the level of LDH in the supernatant of each group of cells;ELISA was used to detect the level of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in the supernatant of each group of cells;qRT-PCR was used to detect the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in each group of cells;protein levels of NF-κB,p-NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1 p45,Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD-N in each group of cells were detected by Western blot;inverted fluorescence microscope was used to observe the cell pyroptosis of each group after Hoechst-PI staining.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of LDH,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in the supernatant of the model group were signifi-cantly higher(P<0.000 1);the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.000 1);the protein levels of p-NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD-N were significantly higher(P<0.05);and the number of PI-posi-tive cells was significantly higher(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,FFYJ and DEX significantly reduced the levels of LDH,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in the supernatant of BMDMs(P<0.05);down-regulated the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in the cells(P<0.05);and inhibited the expressions of p-NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD-N protein expressions(P<0.05);and significantly reduced the number of PI-positive cells(P<0.05).Conclusion:FFYJ exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in BMDM macrophages.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem that causes major illnesses and disabilities worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of AR has increased progressively over the last few decades in more developed countries and currently affects up to 40% of the population worldwide. Likewise, a rising trend of AR has also been observed over the last 2–3 decades in developing countries including China, with the prevalence of AR varying widely in these countries. A survey of self-reported AR over a 6-year period in the general Chinese adult population reported that the standardized prevalence of adult AR increased from 11.1% in 2005 to 17.6% in 2011. An increasing number of original articles and imporclinical trials on the epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, management and comorbidities of AR in Chinese subjects have been published in international peer-reviewed journals over the past 2 decades, and substantially added to our understanding of this disease as a global problem. Although guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AR in Chinese subjects have also been published, they have not been translated into English and therefore not generally accessible for reference to non-Chinese speaking international medical communities. Moreover, methods for the diagnosis and treatment of AR in China have not been standardized entirely and some patients are still treated according to regional preferences. Thus, the present guidelines have been developed by the Chinese Society of Allergy to be accessible to both national and international medical communities involved in the management of AR patients. These guidelines have been prepared in line with existing international guidelines to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AR in China.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; China ; Comorbidity ; Developed Countries ; Developing Countries ; Diagnosis* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; Global Health ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic*