Stratovolcanoes in the Western Cordillera – Polish Scientific Expedition to Peru 2003–2012 reconnaissance research

The Polish Scientifi c Expedition has been carrying out research in the Colca Canyon and the Valley of the Volcanoes (South Peru) since 2003. The National Park project, covering the mentioned areas, is the main purpose of the research. The extent and genesis of the Quaternary volcanic Andahua group is the leading theme of the investigation. The study area is surrounded with numerous Pliocene and Pleistocene stratovolcanoes: Ampato (6,288 m a.s.l.), Chachani (6,057 m a.s.l.), multi-cone Coropuna (6,425 m a.s.l.) and others. Some of them are still active, such as Misti (5,822 m a.s.l.) or Sabancaya (5,967 m a.s.l.) and pose a real hazard to the local population. In 2003–2012, the participants of the Polish Scientifi c Expedition climbed several times on volcanic peaks, gaining new experience and comparative samples for study

Optimizing CRE and PhiC31 mediated recombination in Aedes aegypti

Introduction: Genetic manipulation of Aedes aegypti is key to developing a deeper understanding of this insects’ biology, vector-virus interactions and makes future genetic control strategies possible. Despite some advances, this process remains laborious and requires highly skilled researchers and specialist equipment.Methods: Here we present two improved methods for genetic manipulation in this species. Use of transgenic lines which express Cre recombinase and a plasmid-based method for expressing PhiC31 when injected into early embryos.Results: Use of transgenic lines which express Cre recombinase allowed, by simple crossing schemes, germline or somatic recombination of transgenes, which could be utilized for numerous genetic manipulations. PhiC31 integrase based methods for site-specific integration of genetic elements was also improved, by developing a plasmid which expresses PhiC31 when injected into early embryos, eliminating the need to use costly and unstable mRNA as is the current standard.Discussion: Here we have expanded the toolbox for synthetic biology in Ae. aegypti. These methods can be easily transferred into other mosquito and even insect species by identifying appropriate promoter sequences. This advances the ability to manipulate these insects for fundamental studies, and for more applied approaches for pest control

Ticks (Ixodida) from the collection of the Natural History Department, Museum of Upper Silesia in Bytom, Poland – A contribution to knowledge on tick fauna and the first record of Hyalomma marginatum presence in Poland

There is no doubt that museum collections provide a wide variety of information on ticks. The tick collection at the Natural History Department of the Museum of Upper Silesia in Bytom consists only of 37 specimens as the department is focused mainly on building collections of insects and birds. However, this does not mean that such collection cannot contribute to our knowledge about these arthropods. The most valuable results of studies on the museum’s tick collection concerned Polish fauna. There are specimens of I. ricinus[ dating back as far as 1930–1948, which are the first known records of the presence of this tick in the Upper Silesia. Two specimens collected in copula in 1941 might be the earliest record of the mating behaviour of this species in Poland. The most important result was the detection of 2 cases of H. marginatum presence in Poland, which by far are the oldest documented cases of its presence in this country

Selected mechanisms of molecular resistance of Candida albicans to azole drugs

A phenomenon of increasing resistance of Candida spp. to azoles has been observed for several years now. One of the mechanisms of lack of sensitivity to azoles is associated with CDR1, CDR2, MRD1 genes (their products are active transport pumps conditioning drug efflux from pathogen's cell), and ERG11 gene (encoding lanosterol 14α-demethylase). Test material was 120 strains of Candida albicans (60 resistant and 60 susceptible to azole drugs) obtained from clinical samples. The first stage of experiment assessed the expression of CDR1, CDR2, MDR1 and ERG11 genes by Q-PCR. The impact of ERG11 gene's mutations on the expression of this gene was analysed. The final stage of the experiment assessed the level of genome methylation of Candida albicans strains. An increase in the expression of CDR2, MDR1 and ERG11 was observed in azole-resistant strains of Candida albicans in comparison to strains sensitive to this class of drugs. Furthermore, 19 changes in the sequence of ERG11 were detected in tested strains. Four of the discovered mutations: T495A, A530C, G622A and A945C led to the following amino acid substitutions: D116E, K128T, V159I and E266D, respectively. It has also been found that statistically five mutations: T462C, G1309A, C216T, C1257T and A945C affected the expression of ERG11. The applied method of assessing the level of methylation of Candida albicans genome did not confirm its role in the development of resistance to azoles. The results indicate however, that resistance of Candida albicans strains to azole drugs is multifactorial

Astma oskrzelowa u dzieci i młodzieży a ekspozycja na roztocze kurzu domowego w środowisku miejskim na Górnym Śląsku. Badanie wstępne

Dust mite allergens are common factors causing bronchial hypersensitivity in children with diagnosed bronchial asthma. As one of the main type of allergens in the domestic environment, they take a signifi cant part in this process. The authors studied the severity of bronchial asthma (according to GINA 2006) of 16 children and teenagers with confi rmed allergy to mites, who lived in the city situated in Upper Silesia, in correlation to acarofauna of their dwellings. Mite species, their number in 1 g of dust and guanine concentration in 1 g of dust (Acarex test) were examined in 57 house samples from 16 houses or fl ats. The dominant species were Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus; other species of mites, such as: Euroglyphus mayenei, Gymnoglyphus longior, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Lepidoglyphus fustifer occurred only sporadically. There was no correlation found between the severity of bronchial asthma and the level of exposure to mite allergens from household environments in the studied group of mite-sensitive children and teenagers.U dzieci z astmą oskrzelową alergeny roztoczy kurzu domowego są często czynnikami powodującymi nadreaktywność oskrzeli. Jako jedne z głównych alergenów w środowisku domowym mają w tym względzie duże znaczenie. Autorzy poddali analizie stopień ciężkości astmy oskrzelowej (wg GINA 2006) u 16 osób w wieku rozwojowym mieszkających w mieście na Górnym Śląsku), wykazujących alergię na roztocze, w odniesieniu do akarofauny kurzu z ich mieszkań. Pod uwagę wzięto gatunki roztoczy, ich liczbę w 1 g kurzu oraz stężenie guaniny w 1 g kurzu (Acarex test). Dominującymi gatunkami były D. farinae i D. pteronyssinus, a inne gatunki roztoczy (Euroglyphus mayenei, Gymnoglyphus longior, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Lepidoglyphus fustifer) występowały sporadycznie. Nie stwierdzono zależności stopnia ciężkości astmy oskrzelowej od stopnia narażenia na alergeny roztoczy w środowisku domowym osób objętych badaniem

Selected mechanisms of molecular resistance of Candida albicans to azole drugs

A phenomenon of increasing resistance of Candida spp. to azoles has been observed for several years now. One of the mechanisms of lack of sensitivity to azoles is associated with CDR1, CDR2, MRD1 genes (their products are active transport pumps conditioning drug efflux from pathogen's cell), and ERG11 gene (encoding lanosterol 14α-demethylase). Test material was 120 strains of Candida albican

Detection of protozoans Babesia microti and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and their co-existence in ticks (Acari: Ixodida) collected in Tarnogórski district (Upper Silesia, Poland)

Introduction Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are vectors of many pathogens i. a: Babesia microti [Bm] and Toxoplasma gondii [Tg]. In Poland, Ixodes ricinus [Ir] is the main vector of both pathogens. This tick species and pathogens transmitted by them are a significant threat to human and animal health. Objectives of the study Detection of the protozoans Bm and Tg in ticks collected in the Tarnogórski district area. Material and Methods The ticks were collected from vegetation and pets in the spring period of their activity on the territory of the Tarnogórski district. The parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol. DNA was isolated by ammonia method. Bm was detected by nested-PCR using specific primers for the 18S rRNA sequence. To detect the Tg a commercial kit was used. The PCR products were separated on 2% ethidium bromide stained agarose gels and visualised under UV light. Results It was showed that all collected ticks belonged to the species Ir. Bm was detected in 50.87% and Tg in 64.91% of all examined ticks. Co-existence of these both protozoans in 36.84% of total examined ticks was noted. Conclusions The study showed a high risk of exposure to Bm and Tg in the studied area. Ticks Ir play an important role in the transmission of Bm in this region. Demonstrating a high percentage of ticks collected from animals infected with Tg may indicate their important role in the transmission of this pathogen, but it requires a further studies

Detection of protozoans Babesia microti and [i]Toxoplasma gondii[/i] and their co-existence in ticks (Acari: Ixodida) collected in Tarnogórski district (Upper Silesia, Poland)

[b]Introduction[/b]. Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are vectors of many pathogens i. a: [i]Babesia microti [/i][Bm] and [i]Toxoplasma gondii[/i] [Tg]. In Poland, Ixodes ricinus [Ir] is the main vector of both pathogens. This tick species and pathogens transmitted by them are a significant threat to human and animal health. objectives of the study. Detection of the protozoans Bm and Tg in ticks collected in the Tarnogórski district area. [b]Material and methods[/b]. The ticks were collected from vegetation and pets in the spring period of their activity on the territory of the Tarnogórski district. The parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol. DNA was isolated by ammonia method. Bm was detected by nested-PCR using specific primers for the 18S rRNA sequence. To detect the Tg a commercial kit was used. The PCR products were separated on 2% ethidium bromide stained agarose gels and visualised under UV light. [b]Results[/b]. It was showed that all collected ticks belonged to the species Ir. Bm was detected in 50.87% and Tg in 64.91% of all examined ticks. Co-existence of these both protozoans in 36.84% of total examined ticks was noted. [b]Conclusions[/b]. The study showed a high risk of exposure to Bm and Tg in the studied area. Ticks Ir play an important role in the transmission of Bm in this region. Demonstrating a high percentage of ticks collected from animals infected with Tg may indicate their important role in the transmission of this pathogen, but it requires a further studies

Prevalence of tick borne encephalitis virus in tick nymphs in relation to climatic factors on the southern coast of Norway

Background: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is among the most important vector borne diseases of humans in Europe and is currently identified as a major health problem in many countries. TBE endemic zones have expanded over the past two decades, as well as the number of reported cases within endemic areas. Multiple factors are ascribed for the increased incidence of TBE, including climatic change. The number of TBE cases has also increased in Norway over the past decade, and the human cases cluster along the southern coast of Norway. In Norway the distribution and prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in tick populations is largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to estimate the TBEV prevalence in Ixodes ricinus from seven locations and to assess the relationship between the TBEV prevalence and site-specific climatic variables. Methods: A total of 5630 questing nymphs were collected and analyzed in pools of ten. All pools were screened with an in-house real-time RT-PCR, and the positive pools were pyrosequenced. Two methods, minimum infection rate (MIR) and a frequentist method (EPP) for pooled prevalence estimations were calculated and compared. Climatic data were descriptively compared to the corresponding EPP of each location in order to explain variations in TBEV prevalence. Results: The seven foci of TBEV had an estimated overall prevalence (EPP) in pools of nymphs combined, of 0.53% with 95% CI (0.35–0.75), with point prevalence ranging between 0.11%–1.22%. The sites with the highest point prevalences were within the municipalities which had the highest numbers of registered TBE cases. The results indicate that the location with highest point prevalence had the highest relative mean humidity and lowest mean saturation deficit and vice versa for the lowest EPP. Conclusion: Our study confirms the existence of TBEV endemic foci in Norway. These results are of importance to increase the awareness of TBEV infections in Norway and could be used for public information and recommendations of TBE vaccination. EPP is the method of choice for pooled prevalence calculations, since it provides estimated prevalences with confidence intervals. Our findings emphasise the possible importance of microclimatic conditions regarding the TBEV prevalence in ticks