Trends in skin prick test according to seasons: Results of a Korean multi-center study

ObjectiveAllergy is a very common condition. Allergic disease is highly affected by environmental changes. Conditions of the four seasons can change dramatically in Republic of Korea (ROK). To assess changes in rates of aeroallergen positivity according to seasons and environmental factors (temperature, humidity, and precipitation).MaterialsA total of 20 hospitals were selected based on population distribution in ROK. A skin prick test (SPT) panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for a prospective study. Results from SPTs done in 2006 and 2010 were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals and 2014/2015 SPT (from June 2014 to May 2015) results from 18 hospitals were collected prospectively.ResultsWe compared allergen-positive rates among seasons. Positive test rates for several pollens and house dust mites increased significantly in spring and fall. Pollens positive rate varied significantly according to temperature, precipitation, and humidity while mite allergens were less susceptible to environment.ConclusionThere are four distinct seasons in ROK. The positivity of pollen allergens were especially affected by temperature and precipitation in spring. House dust mites were less affected by seasons, temperature, precipitation, and humidity less than pollen. Therefore, regular follow-up and re-evaluation of allergic test are essential considering changes of seasons and environment for acceptable diagnosis and treatment.     

Effects of Outdoor Temperature on Blood Pressure in a Prospective Cohort of Northwest China

Objective The relationship between outdoor temperature and blood pressure(BP) has been inconclusive. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study in northwestern China to investigate the effect of outdoor temperature on BP and effect modification by season.Methods A total of 32,710 individuals who participated in both the baseline survey and the first follow-up in 2011–2015 were included in the study. A linear mixed-effect model and generalized additive mixed model(GAMM) were applied to estimate the association between outdoor temperature and BP after adjusting for confounding variables.Results The mean differences in systolic blood pressure(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)between summer and winter were 3.5 mm Hg and 2.75 mm Hg, respectively. After adjusting for individual characteristics, meteorological factors and air pollutants, a significant increase in SBP and DBP was observed for lag 06 day and lag 04 day, a 0.28 mm Hg(95% CI: 0.27–0.30) per 1 °C decrease in average temperature for SBP and a 0.16 mm Hg(95% CI: 0.15–0.17) per 1 °C decrease in average temperature for DBP, respectively. The effects of the average temperature on both SBP and DBP were stronger in summer than in other seasons. The effects of the average temperature on BP were also greater if individuals were older, male, overweight or obese, a smoker or drinker, or had cardiovascular diseases(CVDs), hypertension, and diabetes.Conclusions This study demonstrated a significant negative association between outdoor temperature and BP in a high-altitude environment of northwest China. Moreover, BP showed a significant seasonal variation. The association between BP and temperature differed by season and individuals' demographic characteristics(age, gender, BMI), unhealthy behaviors(smoking and alcohol consumption), and chronic disease status(CVDs, hypertension, and diabetes).     

Month of birth and suicide: An exploratory study

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between suicide and month of birth. METHOD: Data were extracted from records of the Public Health Department in North Cheshire between 1989 and 2000. &#164 Suicide' refers to all deceased who were the subjects of coroner's inquests resulting in a verdict of suicide or an open verdict. The month of birth of all who died of natural causes and were reported during a 2-year period was obtained from the Public Health Department in North Cheshire for comparison. RESULTS: There were 502 incidents of suicide in North Cheshire during the 12-year period. Significant differences were found between suicides and deaths due to natural causes, with an increase of incidents of suicide in those born in the month of May ( &#104 2 23, d.f.11, P < 0.01). The distribution of suicide by hanging appeared to be significantly higher in those born in September and July and lowest in those born in November compared with what would expected by chance ( &#104 2 28, d.f.11, P < 0.005). Those who died by violent means were more likely to have been born in the summer. The difference between the observed and expected numbers of suicides by methods other than hanging failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results, though inconclusive, are interesting, particularly in view of recent reports that persons born during the winter &#45 spring months had significantly lower values of 5-HIAA, and also reports of low CSF levels of 5-HIAA in persons with violent suicidal behaviour such as hanging, stabbing, firearms, or jumping from heights and impulsivity. A biological explanation of suicidal behaviour could have implications for our understanding of the psychopathology of suicide and eventually offer new strategies for treatment and prevention. The conflicting reports from different countries within the northern hemisphere indicate the need for future studies with adequate design and acceptable statistical power.     

A seasonal variation in the onset of postoperative adhesive small bowel obstruction is related to changes in the climate

BACKGROUND: Postoperative small bowel obstruction following abdominal procedures is more common in patients who have undergone laparotomy. However, little is known about the influence of climate on the incidence of postoperative small bowel obstruction. METHODS: To evaluate whether seasonal climatic variations are a risk factor for postoperative small bowel obstruction, hospital-based, retrospective case series was designed from medical records of 230 patients suffering from postoperative small bowel obstruction admitted to the Tokyo University Branch Hospital. Detailed analysis of weather charts from the Japanese Meteorological Agency and review of medical records for selected patients who were diagnosed with postoperative small bowel obstruction. The obstruction was diagnosed by abdominal X-ray imaging, clinical examination, and patient interviews. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients diagnosed with postoperative small bowel obstruction were identified. Analysis of the medical records of these 233 patients revealed that the variables associated with an increased risk of postoperative small bowel obstruction included low ambient temperatures of 5-10 degrees C, an increase in air humidity by 40-50% and air pressure of 1010-1015 hPa. CONCLUSION: The typical winter weather in Tokyo is characterised by low temperatures, low humidity and moderate air pressure. These winter climate conditions could be correlated with an increased incidence of postoperative small bowel obstruction in Tokyo during our period.     

南昌地区消化性溃疡的临床特点和季节变化规律

目的 了解南昌地区消化性溃疡(PU)的临床特点和季节变化规律,为PU的防治提供理论依据.方法 回顾性分析2003年10月至2008年5月经临床和胃镜检查确诊为PU的患者资料.将PU分为胃溃疡(GU)、十二指肠溃疡(DU)和复合性溃疡(CU)三种类型,其中GU病变部位按胃底贲门、胃体、胃角、胃窦、幽门管5个部位统计,DU病变部位按十二指肠球部前壁、后壁、大弯、小弯、球后5个部位统计,发病季节分为春季(3～5月),夏季(6～8月)、秋季(9～11月)和冬季(12～2月),统计不同类型PU检出率,并按性别、年龄、溃疡部位、发病季节、幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染、并发症等情况进行分析及比较.结果 在83 888例胃镜检查者中,检出21 308例(25.4%)Pu患者,其中DU占66.33%,GU占24.88%,CU占8.79%;男女性别比为2.44 : 1,其中DU为2.53 : 1,GU为2.26 : 1,CU为2.33:1.GU患者平均年龄为48.02岁,比DU患者大6.7岁.DU发病以30～39岁年龄组最多见,GU以50～59岁组最多见.PU均以冬季发病率(30.17%)最高,夏季最低(22.54%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).在DU的病变部位中,依次为球部前壁57.43%、大弯18.26%、小弯13.21%、后壁7.34%;GU则依次为胃窦45.69%、胃角20.54%、胃体15.54%,幽门管9.36%、胃底和贲门8.87%.PU病例中,行Hp检查13 414例,阳性12 318例(占91.83%).Hp感染在不同类型的PU中差异无统计学意义(P0.05).PU的并发症发生率分别为出血4.94%、梗阻3.51%、慢性穿孔0.04%.结论 南昌地区的PU内镜检出率为25.4%,高于中国北方地区,PU的发生和性别,年龄、季节和溃疡部位密切相关,合并Hp感染率较高,并发症发生率低.     

血液透析患者低血压发生时间与季节分布特征及护理

目的 分析尿毒症患者血液透析中出现低血压的时间和季节分布特征,旨在提出相应的护理对策,以减少低血压的发生.方法 对2010年1月至2010年12月在本院进行血液透析的147例(1642例次)尿毒症患者进行回顾性分析,探讨在血液透析过程中发生低血压的时间与季节分布情况.结果 血液透析时第1个小时为低血压发生的第1个高峰期,血液透析最后1个小时为低血压发生的第2个高峰期,冬、春季低血压发生率明显高于夏、秋季,且冬季最高,春秋季其次,夏季最低,各季节比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 血液透析中低血压的发生时间和季节分布呈现规律性变化,应采取相应的护理措施,减少低血压的发生,提高血液透析患者的治疗效果.     

华东地区猪基因4型戊肝病毒的季节变化及与人同源性的分析

目的 戊型肝炎病毒的人兽共患特征被认可,本研究检测华东地区猪群在不同季节中基因4型戊肝病毒(HEV)的感染情况,了解猪病毒株之间以及与人病毒株的同源性关系.方法2007年9月-2008年6月在华东地区浙江、安徽和江苏的3家屠宰场中共采集猪胆汁标本1200份,应用巢式RT-PCR方法检测HEV RNA,对阳性标本测序并结合同一地区人HEV序列进行同源性分析.结果猪胆汁标本中HEV RNA总检出率为4.5%,各季节猪群的检出率为9-10月平均检出率6%,12-1月4.33%,3-4月4.33%,5-6月3.33%,各地区的平均检出率为江苏6%、安徽5%、浙江2.5%.不同地区猪与猪、猪与人基因4型HEV病毒株的同源性都较高(猪株之间核苷酸序列约为80%～100%,氨基酸序列约为96%～100%;猪与人株之间核苷酸序列约为76%～99%,氨基酸序列约为95%～100%).部分猪HEV与人HEV构成独立的同源性分支,进化起源关系密切.结论 基因4型HEV在华东地区猪群中常年广泛流行,且可能拥有共同的进化与传播起源.猪群携带HEV可能会对人群戊肝的流行趋势产生影响.     

季节对儿童睡眠呼吸暂停及低通气综合征临床表现的影响

目的通过对同一睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）儿童患者在夏季和冬季不同表现的研究，探讨季节因素对儿童OSAHS的影响。方法对分别在夏季和冬季进行过PSG监测的21例儿童OSAHS的各指标数据进行分析，包括呼吸暂停/低通气指数（AHI）、平均血氧饱和度（ASaO2）、最低血氧饱和度（LSAO2）、≥3%的氧减指数（≥3%ODI）、仰卧位呼吸暂停低通气指数(supineAHI)、鼾声指数(SI)进行配对的t检验，以及鼻咽侧位片腺样体N/A值的比较，观察其在夏季和冬季的差异性。结果同一儿童OSAHS在夏季和冬季的PSG监测，在腺样体N/A值（P=0.261?2）差异无统计学意义的情况下，除ASaO2（P=0.062?2）无显著性差异外，在AHI(P=0.000?0)、LSaO2(P=0.003?1)、≥3%ODI(P=0.002?8)、supineAHI(P=0.010?2)、鼾声指数(SI)(P=0.004?6)等指标上差异均有统计学意义。 结论儿童OSAHS的临床所表现和严重程度随季节改变会有较大的变化，和成人有很大的不同。