Epidemiology of scabies in relation to socio-economic and selected climatic factors in north-east Poland

Introduction. Scabies is a contagious parasitic disease, a skin infestation caused by Scaroptes scabieri, tiny mites that burrow under the skin. Outbreaks of scabies can be difficult to control and require the implementation of appropriate control programme. Objective. The purpose of the study was to analyze the epidemiology of scabies in north-east Poland, considering socio-economic and selected climatic factors. Materials and method. The analysis was based on data reports (n=26,362) obtained from the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ) for the period 2007–2014. Monthly climate data were collected from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management/National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) in Warsaw, including data on temperature and relative humidity. Additionally, the influence of socio-economic factors on the prevalence of scabies was analyzed. Data on population size, medical staff, and unemployment rate were obtained from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) in Warsaw, and analyzed using SPSS Statistics 24.0 programme. Results. The age group of 10–19 years showed the highest infestation rates. Seasonality of scabies was demonstrated. The highest numbers of cases were reported during the autumn and winter months. There was a significant negative correlation (rho=-0.499; p<0.001) between air temperature and the incidence of scabies, and a positive correlation (r=0.532; p<0.001) between relative humidity and the number of cases reported. A rise in the unemployment rate also caused an increase in the scabies incidence rate (r=0.294; p<0.001). Conclusions. The results suggest that an improvement of socio-economic conditions may contribute to a reduction in the number of scabies infections. The possibility should be considered of monitoring the parameters, such as air temperature and humidity, particularly when scabies outbreaks occur

Heavy metals in soil affect reproductive processes more than morphological characters in Viola tricolor

Viola tricolor (Violaceae), a species very differentiated morphologically and showing intra- and interpopulation variability, occupies metalliferous (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu) and nonmetalliferous sites through its geographic range. Here we analyzed morphological and anatomical features and also sexual reproduction in metallicolous and nonmetallicolous populations to determine whether and how they differ. Two-dimensional correspondence analysis based on selected morphological characters of vegetative and generative organs showed that plants from metalliferous soils did not form a compact group separated from those growing on nonmetalliferous soils. SEM of leaf and stipule anatomy showed differences in leaf hair ornamentation. There were significant differences in embryological processes in ovules and anthers: disturbed microsporogenesis (metallicolous 33% vs. nonmetallicolous 18%), lower pollen stainability (75% and 78% vs. 84% and 93%, depending on test), and higher frequency of degeneration in ovules (23% vs. 4%). These ultimately did not impede sexual reproduction of metallicolous populations but they do provide evidence that reproductive processes are sensitive to elevated heavy metals in soil and therefore can be viewed as a cost of metal tolerance

Insight into "serpentine syndrome" of Albanian, endemic violets (Viola L., Melanium Ging. section) : looking for unique, adaptive microstructural floral, and embryological characters

The genus Viola, particularly Melanium section, rich in metallophytes, is an excellent taxon for study of microevolutionary and adaptation processes. Pollen, ovule, and microstructural floral characters were investigated by LM, SEM, and CLSM in seven endemic Albanian violets, five serpentinophytes (Viola albanica, V. dukadjinica, V. albanica × V. dukadjinica, V. raunsiensis, and V. macedonica), two from chalk soil (V. aetolica and V. schariensis), and in their closest relatives (V. lutea ssp. sudetica, V. tricolor ssp. tricolor, and V. arvensis) for their taxonomic usefulness and adaptive value. Three among analyzed characters were common in all Albanian violets however not unique. Serpentinophytes, V. aetolica and V. schariensis possessed hairs deep inside the spur, developed pollen heteromorphism, both increase the chance of pollination in unpredictable conditions and had strongly developed tannin rich layer in the outer integument of the young ovules with a protective role. They also all exhibited high pollen viability (86.9 ± 10.2%), high frequency of normally developed, enlarged (fertilized) ovules in ovary (65.0 ± 24.0%), but also high frequency of degenerations in developing ovules (40.4 ± 9.8%). Several flower characters may be adaptive in the unfavorable, high altitude environment, including serpentine soils. High pollen viability and normally developed fertilized ovules are sufficient for Albanian species maintenance

Insight into “serpentine syndrome” of Albanian, endemic violets (<i>Viola</i> L., <i>Melanium</i> Ging. section) – Looking for unique, adaptive microstructural floral, and embryological characters

<p>The genus <i>Viola</i>, particularly <i>Melanium</i> section, rich in metallophytes, is an excellent taxon for study of microevolutionary and adaptation processes. Pollen, ovule, and microstructural floral characters were investigated by LM, SEM, and CLSM in seven endemic Albanian violets, five serpentinophytes (<i>Viola albanica</i>, <i>V. dukadjinica</i>, <i>V. albanica</i> × <i>V. dukadjinica</i>, <i>V. raunsiensis,</i> and <i>V. macedonica</i>), two from chalk soil (<i>V. aetolica</i> and <i>V. schariensis</i>), and in their closest relatives (<i>V. lutea</i> ssp<i>. sudetica</i>, <i>V. tricolor</i> ssp. <i>tricolor,</i> and <i>V. arvensis</i>) for their taxonomic usefulness and adaptive value. Three among analyzed characters were common in all Albanian violets however not unique. Serpentinophytes, <i>V. aetolica</i> and <i>V. schariensis</i> possessed hairs deep inside the spur, developed pollen heteromorphism, both increase the chance of pollination in unpredictable conditions and had strongly developed tannin rich layer in the outer integument of the young ovules with a protective role. They also all exhibited high pollen viability (86.9 ± 10.2%), high frequency of normally developed, enlarged (fertilized) ovules in ovary (65.0 ± 24.0%), but also high frequency of degenerations in developing ovules (40.4 ± 9.8%). Several flower characters may be adaptive in the unfavorable, high altitude environment, including serpentine soils. High pollen viability and normally developed fertilized ovules are sufficient for Albanian species maintenance.</p

Insight into “serpentine syndrome” of Albanian, endemic violets (<i>Viola</i> L., <i>Melanium</i> Ging. section) – Looking for unique, adaptive microstructural floral, and embryological characters

<p>The genus <i>Viola</i>, particularly <i>Melanium</i> section, rich in metallophytes, is an excellent taxon for study of microevolutionary and adaptation processes. Pollen, ovule, and microstructural floral characters were investigated by LM, SEM, and CLSM in seven endemic Albanian violets, five serpentinophytes (<i>Viola albanica</i>, <i>V. dukadjinica</i>, <i>V. albanica</i> × <i>V. dukadjinica</i>, <i>V. raunsiensis,</i> and <i>V. macedonica</i>), two from chalk soil (<i>V. aetolica</i> and <i>V. schariensis</i>), and in their closest relatives (<i>V. lutea</i> ssp<i>. sudetica</i>, <i>V. tricolor</i> ssp. <i>tricolor,</i> and <i>V. arvensis</i>) for their taxonomic usefulness and adaptive value. Three among analyzed characters were common in all Albanian violets however not unique. Serpentinophytes, <i>V. aetolica</i> and <i>V. schariensis</i> possessed hairs deep inside the spur, developed pollen heteromorphism, both increase the chance of pollination in unpredictable conditions and had strongly developed tannin rich layer in the outer integument of the young ovules with a protective role. They also all exhibited high pollen viability (86.9 ± 10.2%), high frequency of normally developed, enlarged (fertilized) ovules in ovary (65.0 ± 24.0%), but also high frequency of degenerations in developing ovules (40.4 ± 9.8%). Several flower characters may be adaptive in the unfavorable, high altitude environment, including serpentine soils. High pollen viability and normally developed fertilized ovules are sufficient for Albanian species maintenance.</p