Increased local miR-21 expressions are linked with clinical severity in lumbar disc herniation patients with sciatic pain.

BACKGROUND: The miR-21 has been implicated in the process of neuroinflammation as well as neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between the plasma and local expression of miR-21 with disease severity of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients with sciatic pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-two LDH patients with sciatic pain and 25 scoliosis patients as painless controls were enrolled in the current study. Samples from nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF) and soft tissues around nerve root (STANR) were obtained. The plasma and local expressions of miR-21 were detected with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The visual analogue scale (VAS) for lumbar pain and leg pain, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were selected to evaluate the clinical severity. The degree of disc compression on nerve was evaluated using the Pfirrmann grade based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. For the convenience of analysis, LDH patients with sciatic pain were classified into a severe pain (SP) group (VAS ≥ 6) and a mild-moderate pain (MP) group (VAS < 6). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to detect the potential diagnostic power of miR-21 with regard to the Pfirrmann grade. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in serum miR-21 expressions among SP LDH patients, MP LDH patients and scoliosis painless controls. Local expressions of miR-21 in STANR, AF and NP were all drastically upregulated in the SP group in comparison with the MP group and scoliosis painless group. Local NP and STANR miR-21 expressions were positively associated with the Pfirrmann grade. Local miR-21 expressions in STANR and AF were positively associated with VAS score and negatively related to JOA score. The ROC curve analysis indicated that both STANR and AF miR-21 expressions may serve as significant diagnostic factors for the Pfirrmann grade. CONCLUSIONS: Increased local miR-21 expressions are linked with clinical severity of LDH in patients with sciatic pain.

A multicenter study of the clinical features of allergic rhinitis in central China.

BACKGROUND: Several epidemiological surveys of allergic rhinitis (AR) have been conducted in China. However, the clinical features of AR are still not clear enough. The aim of the current study was to perform a multicenter investigation to evaluate the clinical features of AR in China. METHODS: A multicenter investigation was performed in 13 allergy centers in central China. A disease-related questionnaire was completed by each patient themselves or with guardian assistance after the diagnosis of AR. The clinical features of AR and allergen profile were analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven thousand four patients who were diagnosed with AR were recruited in this study. The percentages of classification of AR according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma guidelines were 9.7% intermittent mild (IM), 3.1% persistent mild (PM), 33.9% intermittent moderate-severe (IMS), and 53.3% persistent moderate-severe (PMS). There were 61.6 and 42.2% AR patients who had concomitant ocular or lower respiratory symptoms in clinic. The occurrence of ocular and lower respiratory symptoms was found to be gradually increased from IM, PM, and IMS to PMS. Cold air and temperature change were the two most common factors triggering the nasal symptoms. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae were the most important allergens of central China. CONCLUSIONS: This study has contributed to a better understanding of clinical features of AR in China.

A prospective multicenter study of systemic reactions in standardized specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis in China.

BACKGROUND: Standardized allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) has been used in China for years. However, there is no extensive study of the safety of standardized SIT in Chinese patients until now. The aim of the current study is to perform a prospective and multicenter study to evaluate the systemic reactions (SRs) of standardized SIT in Chinese patients. METHODS: The study was performed in 13 allergy centers in China, using the same vaccine and practice procedure. The length of observation period was 2 years. SRs were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 666 patients included (261 children and 405 adults). All patients finished the initial phase and 47 patients withdrew during the maintenance phase. There were 0.47% (94/19,963) SRs in all injections (0.72% in children and 0.31% in adults); 8.26% (55/666) patients experienced SRs (12.26% children and 5.68% adults). The occurrence of SRs was significantly higher in children than that in adults (p < 0.01). A higher ratio of SRs was found among patients accompanied with asthma. There were 74.47% SRs of grade I, 15.96% SRs of grade II, 7.45% SRs of grade III, and 2.13% SRs of grade IV. There were 90.43% of SRs associated with the discomfort of lower respiratory tract. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study showed that properly conducted standardized SIT was a safe treatment for allergic rhinitis in China. The incidence of SRs was higher in children than that in adults.

[Analysis of allergic sieving detection results and clinical significance in children with allergic disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical use of sieving detection among the childhood with allergic disease. METHOD: The sieving detection about allergen inhalant allergens, Fx5 in the CAP anaphylactogen detection system, and serum specific IgE were detected in three hundred and thirty-one cases of children (aged from 1 year to 14 years old) with allergic disease. Patients were divided into group 1, group 2 and group 3 according to the age from 0 to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 14 years old. All datas were statistical analysed among different age groups. RESULT: Among the 331 patients, the positive rate of allergic sieving detection was 67.98%, the elevation rate of IgE was 53.78%. Inhalant allergen positive rate was 60.42%, while the food allergen positive rate was 28.10%. Inhalant allergen positive rate of the group 3 (aged from 6 to 14 years old) was significant higher than the other two age groups (68.45%). And the food allergen positive rate of the age group 1 (aged from 0 to 3 years old) was significant higher than the other two age groups (62.50%). Positive rate for simply inhalant allergen was 39.88%, while positive rate for simply food allergen was 7.55% and mixed allergen was 20.54%. CONCLUSION: Inhalant allergen was the main allergen of the children with allergic disease aged over 3 years old, while food allergen was the main allergen of the children with allergic disease aged below 3 years old. It was safe, sensible and effective to use Uni CAP anaphylactogen detection system for rapid assay of specific allergens.

[Analyzing of the inhaled allergens profiles of allergic rhinitis patients in district of Jingmen].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the profiles of inhaled allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in district of Jingmen, and to provide basic epidemiologic information for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis in this area. METHOD: Retrospectively analyze 10 allergens skin prick test results of 1800 allergic rhinitis patients recruited. RESULT: The most common inhaled allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in our area were house dust mite (76.83%), dermatophagoides farinae (75.50%), mugwort (10.50%), ragweed (7. 39%), fungus II (6.28%), fungus I (5.83%), spring-pollen I (4.44%), spring pollen II (3.72%), poly-animal hair (3.56%), poly-feather (1.89%). Moreover, the positivity frequencies of house dust mite and dermatophagoides farinae were decreased with age increasing. CONCLUSION: House dust mite and dermatophagoides farinae were the most common allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in Jingmen area.

[Investigation and analysis of the common inhaled allergens in allergic diseases in Jingmen area of Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: In order provide important evidences for epidemiologic survey, clinical diagnosis, treatment and preservation of allergic diseases in this area, we investigate the distribution of the common allergens in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in Jingmen area and the sensitization condition of the major allergen house dust mite. METHOD: Four hundred and twenty-five patients with suspected allergic rhinitis and asthma in our area accepted skin prick tests of 10 standard allergen agents and specificity IgE detection. The different positivity ratios of allergens in different age groups were compared and the correlation between the two different technique methods testing the dust mite allergen was analyzed. RESULT: Among 425 patients with suspected allergic rhinitis and asthma in our area, 298 patients were positive and 89 patients suffered a combined allergic asthma. House dust mite (292 cases) and dermatophagoides farinae (289 cases) were the commonest allergens. The other common allergens were mugwort (45), ragweed (31), fungus I (19), fungus II (15), spring-pollen II (14), poly-animal hair (14), spring-pollen I (9), poly-feather (3). There was a correlation between skin test and sIgE test for house dust mite, dermatophagoides farinae in children group, and the positivity ratios were significantly higher than the adults group. CONCLUSION: Dust mite is the most important allergen in allergic rhinitis and asthma in Jingmen.