An epidemiology study of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in China

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in Hainan,China.Methods:This study employed a stratified random sample design using custom-designed questionnaires.Subjects with asthma-like symptoms were first identified by two rounds of surveys and then confirmed by respiratory physicians using pulmonary function test,bronchial dilation test and challenge test.Demographic data,information on family history of asthma,history of allergies,smoking habits,domestic cooking fuel and other potential risk factors were collected.Logistic regression was performed to evaluate risk factors for asthma.Results: The prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group was 3.38%,much higher than the national average level in China.Aging,agriculture industry(the rubber industry in particular),rural residence,family history of asthma,history of allergies,cold air,inhalation of dust and irritant gases,smoking,domestic cooking fuel and living environment were associated with increased risk of asthma.Conclusions:The high prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group highlights the importance of asthma prevention and treatment in this population.Risk factors indentified in this study warrant special attention.Elevating public awareness about asthma in local communities will benefit the prevention of the disease.

Expression and clinical significance of lncRNA SNHG3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To investigate the expression of lncRNA SNHG3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore its clinical significance with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: Mononuclear cells were collected from 120 patients with COPD and 110 normal controls. The expression of lncRNA SNHG3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by RT-PCR and the difference between COPD group and normal group, and the difference between mild, moderate, severe, extremely severe COPD and health volunteers was analyzed. Results: The relative expression of SNHG3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COPD patients was 1.52 ± 0.52, which was lower than that of the normal control group (2.51 ± 0.59) (P < 0.001). The relative expression of SNHG3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of mild COPD was 2.16 ± 0.23, which was higher than that of moderate group (1.55 ± 0.10) (P < 0.001), severe group 1.19 ± 0.11 (P< 0.001), and extremely severe group 0.89 ± 0.06(P < 0.001). In addition, lncRNA SNHG3 can bind to miR-186 and regulate its expression. Conclusions: The expression of lncRNA SNHG3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COPD patients may be a risk factor for COPD and an indicator of the severity of COPD patients. The lncRNA SNHG3/miR-186 regulatory network may play an important role in the development of COPD.