Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among elementary and middle school students and examine its impact on their quality of life.Methods: Stratified sampling and cluster sampling surveys were performed among 10–17-year-old students in Changsha city from June 2011 to April 2012.Results: In the stratified sampling survey, the self-reported allergic rhinitis rate was 42.5 per cent. Further examination demonstrated that the average prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 19.4 per cent. The cluster sampling survey demonstrated that 214 of 814 students appeared to be atopic (26.3 per cent). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was 17.2 and 2.1 per cent, respectively. In total, 71 atopic individuals (8.7 per cent) were without any symptoms of allergic disease. Further analysis showed that allergic rhinitis influenced the students' sleep, emotions and memory (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 15.8 –19.4 per cent, showing an increase with age. Allergic rhinitis affected students' sleep, emotions and memory.

Emerging biologics that selectively target key cytokines present a promising therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from severe, uncontrollable chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Despite the limited availability of registered biologics for CRSwNP treatment in China, the country is experiencing rapid development in this field. It is imperative to standardize the application of biologic agents in CRSwNP management in preparation for their future integration into the CRSwNP care pathway. The Rhinology Group, Chinese Society of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery; the Rhinology Group, Chinese Medical Doctor Association of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery; and the Nasal and Ocular Allergy Group, Chinese Society of Allergy have convened an expert panel consisting of principal investigators experienced in clinical trials of biologic treatment for CRSwNP. This expert panel was assembled to discuss the application of biologic agents in patients with CRSwNP in China. Additionally, the latest findings on the pathogenesis of CRSwNP, mechanisms of biologic agents, and efficacy and safety of biologic treatment in patients with CRSwNP were reviewed, with a special emphasis on research evidence from China. The expert panel reached a consensus on several critical issues, including criteria for the prescription, treatment course, and efficacy evaluation from a Chinese perspective. This position paper aims to guide Chinese physicians in the use of biologic agents for patients with CRSwNP. As our experience with biologic treatment continues to grow, this position paper will be further updated.

Background and objectives: miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating immune responses. However, the effect of miR-124-3p on type 2 inflammation in allergic rhinitis (AR) is unclear. We aimed to study the immune regulation of miR-124-3p in AR and the mechanisms involved. Methods: The direct interaction between miR-124-3p and IL-4Rα was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In vitro splenic lymphocytes from mice and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals were cultured and treated with miR-124-3p mimic/inhibitor. Twenty-four female C57BL/C mice were divided into four groups: control, AR model, miR-124-3p agomir, and miR-124-3p antagomir groups (n = 6 per group). The allergic responses were evaluated based on the number of sneezing and nasal scratching, the serum HDM-specific IgE (sIgE) levels, and the degree of nasal mucosa eosinophil infiltration. The expression of IL-4Rα, p-STAT6, and type 2 inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in lymphocytes or nasal mucosa was determined by qPCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results: miR-124-3p directly targets the 3'UTR of IL-4Rα. The miR-124-3p mimic lowered the IL-4Rα, p-STAT6, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression levels in both mouse splenic lymphocytes and human PBMCs in vitro, and the miR-124-3p inhibitor rescued these changes. Furthermore, the miR-124-3p agomir decreased the levels of IL-4Rα and IL-4 in nasal mucosa, Th2 differentiation in spleen, and allergic response in AR mice. Moreover, the miR-124-3p antagonist increased the IL-4Rα and IL-4 levels and further aggravated the allergic responses. Conclusions: miR-124-3p might attenuate type 2 inflammation in AR by regulating IL-4Rα signaling, and miR-124-3p may be a promising new target in AR treatment.

Understanding the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is crucial for effective treatment, particularly in metastatic cases. In this study, we analyzed multicenter bulk sequencing and comprehensive single-cell data from 702,446 cells, leading to the identification of a novel subtype of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), termed Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein2 CAFs (SFRP2_CAFs). These cells, originating from smooth muscle cells, display unique characteristics resembling both myofibroblastic CAFs and inflammatory CAFs, and are linked to poorer survival outcomes in HNSCC patients. Our findings reveal significant interactions between SFRP2_CAFs and SPP1 tumor-associated macrophages, which facilitate tumor invasion and metastasis. Moreover, our research identifies Nuclear factor I/X (NFIX) as a key transcription factor regulating SFRP2_CAFs behavior, confirmed through gene regulatory network analysis and simulation perturbation.

Background: The prevalence of both allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma is high throughout the world; their mutual influence on each other has been documented in many studies. However, studies regarding surgical intervention are limited. Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of endoscopic vidian neurectomy on bronchial asthma outcomes in patients with coexisting refractory allergic rhinitis and asthma. Methods: A total of 109 patients with moderate to severe persistent intractable allergic rhinitis and mild/moderate asthma were allocated to the bilateral endoscopic vidian neurectomy group (group 1) or conservative medication group (group 2) according to the patients’ self-selection. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, Total Asthma Symptom Score, and medication scores were evaluated at six months, one year, and three years after undergoing the initial treatments. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine which triggers of asthma attacks were associated with improved asthma outcomes in patients. Results: Ninety-five patients were followed up for at least three years. Postoperative scores of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale were significantly lower than preoperative scores during follow-up in group 1 and were significantly lower than those of group 2. Postoperative scores of Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire at the three follow-up time points were higher than the preoperative scores in group 1. The Total Asthma Symptom Score was not significantly decreased in group 1. The medication scores for allergic rhinitis and asthma were gradually reduced after surgery. At the end of the follow-up, the improvement rates for allergic rhinitis and asthma were 90.6% and 45.3%, respectively. Asthma outcomes were significantly improved by controlling rhinitis symptoms in patients whose asthma attacks were induced by “rhinitis onset” or “weather change.” Conclusion: Controlling allergic rhinitis symptoms by bilateral endoscopic vidian neurectomy can significantly improve asthma outcomes in patients whose asthma attacks are induced by rhinitis onset and/or cold air.