A guide to pollen morphology of some Malaysian mangrove plants

A Guide to Pollen Morphology of Some Malaysian Mangrove Plants is a quick reference for those seeking information on the pollen of mangrove plants. Pollen examined by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) details the characters of pollen at high accuracy and magnification such as ornamentation, aperture, lumen and shape which are important to a certain extent in differentiating plant taxa at the species, genus or family level. Pictures of the plant in the field are also included for reference

Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study

Background Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe. Objectives To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS. Methods As part of the @IT.2020 Multicenter Study, 815 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), aged 10-60 years, were recruited in seven countries. They completed questionnaires regarding SAR, comorbidities, family history, and PFAS, and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and serum IgE testing. Results Of the 815 patients, 167 (20.5%) reported PFAS reactions. Most commonly, eliciting foods were kiwi (58, 34.7%), peach (43, 25.7%), and melon (26, 15.6%). Reported reactions were mostly local (216/319, 67.7%), occurring within 5 min of contact with elicitors (209/319, 65.5%). Associated characteristics included positive IgE to at least one panallergen (profilin, PR-10, or nsLTP) (p = 0.007), maternal PFAS (OR: 3.716, p = 0.026), and asthma (OR: 1.752, p = 0.073). Between centers, heterogeneity in prevalence (Marseille: 7.5% vs. Rome: 41.4%, p < 0.001) and of clinical characteristics was apparent. Cypress played a limited role, with only 1/22 SPT mono-sensitized patients reporting a food reaction (p < 0.073). Conclusions PFAS is a frequent comorbidity in Southern European SAR patients. Significant heterogeneity of clinical characteristics in PFAS patients among the centers was observed and may be related to the different pollen sensitization patterns in each geographic area. IgE to panallergen(s), maternal PFAS, and asthma could be PFAS-associated characteristics

“Whole” vs. “fragmented” approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities

Background: The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe. Objective: To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa. Methods: As part of the @IT.2020 multi-center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria spp.), and Compositae (Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility. Results: The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days). Conclusion: The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Anthemis xylopoda O. Schwarz from Turkey

PubMed ID: 15507328The chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils isolated from the leaves (LEO) and flowers (FEO) of Anthemis xylopoda, an endemic taxon of Turkey, were investigated. Borneol was the major constituent of both the oils studied (30.15 and 31.85%, respectively). The antimicrobial activities of both oils were separately evaluated against 13 microorganisms. The disc diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial activity test. Results showed that both oils of Anthemis xylopoda exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Halophytic plant diversity of south Aegean coastal Zone in Turkey

WOS: 000224571600022Halophytic flora of approximately 2500 km long Aegean coastal zone situated between Dikili (Izmir) and Fethiye (Mugla) was investigated. In all 78 plant taxa were determined. from this area. Families with highest number of taxa were Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae and Plumbaginaceae with dominating genera like: Limonium, Chenopodium, Plantago, Tamarix and Juncus. The representative species recorded were Arthrocnemum fruitcosum, Halimione portulacoides, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Hordeum marinum var. marinum, Juncus acutus, J. maritimus, Limonium bellidifolium, L. sieberi, Petrosimonia brachiata, Polypogon monspeliensis, Salicornia europaea, Suaeda prostrata subsp. prostrata and Tamarix species. The percentage distribution of the phytogeographical elements wash 15.38 % Mediterranean, 8.98 % Euro-Siberian, 3.85 % Irano-Turanian, 2.56 % East-Mediterranean, 2.56 % Cosmopolite, 14.1 % Common and 52.7 % Imperfectly known. Halophyte types showed following distribution; Hygrohalophytes (42.3 %), Euhalophytes (26.92 %), Psammohalophytes (20.52 %) and Xerohalophytes (10.26 %). Physical and chemical analysis of soils and ground water showed that Na+ is the dominant soluble cation whereas Cl- is the dominant soluble anion. Impact of biotic stresses on the halophytic flora was also noted

Airborne pollen calendar of Izmir - Turkey

WOS: 000183863600007PubMed ID: 12852731A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of pollen concentration in the atmosphere of Izmir metropolitan area is presented. Investigations were undertaken from November 1998 to October 1999 using gravimetric method. The aeroplynological studies revealed that at lower level (1.60 m) pollen from 29 woody and 30 herbaceous taxa were determined, whereas at higher level (20 m) pollen from 26 woody and 24 herbaceous taxa were recorded. At lower level, dominating woody species were Pinus, Quercus, Oleaceae, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae; herbaceous species were Gramineae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Cruciferae and Plantago, At higher level, Pinus, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Gramineae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Cruciferae and Plantago pollens were dominant. Morus, Oleaceae, Quercus, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Gramineae and Plantago showed highest concentration and their allergic degree was very high. Annual pollen calendar of the area is shown

SOME ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN WHEAT PLANT (TRITICUM DURUM CV. GONEN) GROWN IN GYPSUM SOILS

WOS: 000270747900012In our studies, gypsiferous soils were compared with garden soil. Five research groups were formed with gypsiferous soils from Middle Anatolia of Turkey. When plant lengths were compared in all groups, there was a decrease in gypsum. When the results were evaluated according to weights, there was a decrease in root weight in all groups compared to control soil and when spike weights were evaluated, there was a decrease of 17.57% in gypsum. Maximum seed weight per root was found to be in control group. When all groups were evaluated in terms of total chlorophyll content, the gypsum + soil mixture groups had more photosynthetic chlorophyll content than control. As for harvest, the best development in stem length, spike weight, seed number per root and seed weight per root were observed in soil without gypsum. Better yields in 100 seed weight, spika lenght, root weight and root lenght were observed in wheat groups where low gypsum mixtures were used. There was a decrease in amounts of salt (%) and beneficial K(2)0 in all study groups at harvest when compared with the beginning values, whereas organic material and CaCO3 (%) amounts increased

in Denizli, Turkey

An investigation was carried out on the airborne pollen fall in the State of Denizli during the year 2000. Two Durham samplers were placed at different heights above the ground. The averages of pollen counts from 2 samplers were calculated at the end of year. The pollen from 34 flowering plant taxa (20 arboreal +14 non-arboreal) with a total average of 6856 grains/cm(2) dominated the atmosphere in this State. Out of these 83.9% belonged to the arboreal, 16.10% to the non-arboreal plants and 6.25% were from the family Poaceae. The pollen counts from two heights were different. At higher level (15 m) the total pollen concentration was 7717 per cm(2), out of which 6471 per cm 2 were of arboreal origin and 1246 per cm(2) non-arboreal ones. At the lower level (1.50 m) it was 5995 per cm(2), out of which 5033 per cm 2 belonged to the arboreal and 962 per cm(2) to the non-arboreal group. The maximum number of pollen counts was recorded from the arboreal plants because this area gets enough precipitation for the growth of arboreal species The highest number of pollen in the arboreal plants followed the trend as; Pinaceae (40.92%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (14.16%), Quercus (9.8%), Olea europaea (7.03%) and Platanus orientalis (5.69%), and for nonarboreal representatives these were Poaceae (6.25%) Chenopodiaceae/Arnaranthaceae (2.67%), Fabaceae (1.65%) and Carex (1.22%). Maximum pollen density was recorded during the spring season and minimum in autumn. During this study period the number of allergic patients treated in the hospitals was 1552 persons, with an outstanding increase during the months of April, March, May and August