Features of the seasonal dynamics of airborne fungal spore concentrations in Ukraine

Fungi represent a distinct kingdom of ubiquitous living beings. Most other organisms are constantly in contact with elements of the fungal body. In particular, the widespread vegetation of fungi in the environment, their sporulation and the further spread of spores and mycelia by air currents make the contact of fungal particles with human respiratory organs inevitable. This can lead to the development of sensitization and allergies. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to determine the taxonomy of airborne fungal spores, the qualitative and quantitative changes in this composition at different times of the year compared with previous sporulation seasons, as well as the prevention of allergic diseases. The study of fungal sporulation was carried out from 2011 to 2021 by volumetric method using Burkard trap of a Hirst type in a 24-hour mode (from February to November). The device was installed on the roof of the chemical building of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya. Reading of the microscopic slides obtained from air samples was carried out using light microscopes with a magnification of 400 and 1000 by the method of 12 vertical transects. It was found that spores of various taxonomic groups of fungi, namely, of Asco- and Basidiomycetes were observed throughout the growing season from March to October with the highest concentrations in mid and late summer. Thus, in June, July and August, peak concentrations of spores of the fungi Ganoderma, Coprinus, Cladosporium were observed; in July, September and October – of Ustilaginales; from July to November – of Alternaria, Epicoccum; in October – of different Basidiospores, and also Periconia, Stemphylium and Uredinales; in September – of Agrocybe. Among all studied micromycetes, concentrations of Cladosporium spores were the highest. However, significant sporulation persisted even in the autumn period, which made fungal spores a specific causative agent of airborne respiratory diseases at this time, especially against the background of low pollen concentrations. Climate change can lead to modification in the length of the fungal growing season. This information should be taken into account when predicting the symptoms of seasonal allergies in the population

Dew Point Temperature Affects Ascospore Release of Allergenic Genus Leptosphaeria

The genus Leptosphaeria contains numerous fungi that cause the symptoms of asthma and also parasitize wild and crop plants. In search of a robust and universal forecast model, the ascospore concentration in air was measured and weather data recorded from 1 March to 31 October between 2006 and 2012. The experiment was conducted in three European countries of the temperate climate, i.e., Ukraine, Poland, and the UK. Out of over 150 forecast models produced using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multivariate regression trees (MRTs), we selected the best model for each site, as well as for joint two-site combinations. The performance of all computed models was tested against records from 1 year which had not been used for model construction. The statistical analysis of the fungal spore data was supported by a comprehensive study of both climate and land cover within a 30-km radius from the air sampler location. High-performance forecasting models were obtained for individual sites, showing that the local micro-climate plays a decisive role in biology of the fungi. Based on the previous epidemiological studies, we hypothesized that dew point temperature (DPT) would be a critical factor in the models. The impact of DPT was confirmed only by one of the final best neural models, but the MRT analyses, similarly to the Spearman's rank test, indicated the importance of DPT in all but one of the studied cases and in half of them ranked it as a fundamental factor. This work applies artificial neural modeling to predict the Leptosphaeria airborne spore concentration in urban areas for the first time

Outdoor airborne allergens: Characterization, behavior and monitoring in Europe

Aeroallergens or inhalant allergens, are proteins dispersed through the air and have the potential to induce allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Outdoor aeroallergens are found predominantly in pollen grains and fungal spores, which are allergen carriers. Aeroallergens from pollen and fungi have seasonal emission patterns that correlate with plant pollination and fungal sporulation and are strongly associated with atmospheric weather conditions. They are released when allergen carriers come in contact with the respiratory system, e.g. the nasal mucosa. In addition, due to the rupture of allergen carriers, airborne allergen molecules may be released directly into the air in the form of micronic and submicronic particles (cytoplasmic debris, cell wall fragments, droplets etc.) or adhered onto other airborne particulate matter. Therefore, aeroallergen detection strategies must consider, in addition to the allergen carriers, the allergen molecules themselves. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on inhalant allergens in the outdoor environment, their structure, localization, and factors affecting their production, transformation, release or degradation. In addition, methods for collecting and quantifying aeroallergens are listed and thoroughly discussed. Finally, the knowledge gaps, challenges and implications associated with aeroallergen analysis are describe

Airborne Alternaria and Cladosporium Fungal Spores in Europe: Forecasting Possibilities and Relationships with Meteorological Parameters

Airborne fungal spores are prevalent components of bioaerosols with a large impact on ecology, economy and health. Their major socioeconomic effects could be reduced by accurate and timely prediction of airborne spore concentrations. The main aim of this study was to create and evaluate models of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations based on data on a continental scale. Additional goals included assessment of the level of generalization of the models in space and description of the main meteorological factors influencing fungal spore concentrations. Aerobiological monitoring was carried out at 18 sites in six countries across Europe over 3 to 21 years depending on site. Quantile random forest modelling was used to predict spore concentrations values. Generalization of the Alternaria and Cladosporium models was tested using (i) one model for all the sites, (ii) models for groups of sites, and (iii) models for individual sites. The study revealed the possibility of reliable prediction of fungal spore levels using gridded meteorological data. The classification models also showed the capacity for providing larger scale predictions of fungal spore concentrations. Regression models were distinctly less accurate than classification models due to several factors, including measurement errors and distinct day-to-day changes of concentrations. Temperature and vapour pressure proved to be the most important variables in the regression and classification models of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations. Accurate and operational daily-scale predictive models of bioaerosol abundances contribute to the assessment and evaluation of relevant exposure and consequently more timely and efficient management of phytopathogenic and of human allergic diseases

Airborne Alternaria and Cladosporium Fungal Spores in Europe: Forecasting Possibilities and Relationships with Meteorological Parameters

Airborne fungal spores are prevalent components of bioaerosols with a large impact on ecology, economy and health. Their major socioeconomic effects could be reduced by accurate and timely prediction of airborne spore concentrations. The main aim of this study was to create and evaluate models of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations based on data on a continental scale. Additional goals included assessment of the level of generalization of the models in space and description of the main meteorological factors influencing fungal spore concentrations. Aerobiological monitoring was carried out at 18 sites in six countries across Europe over 3 to 21 years depending on site. Quantile random forest modelling was used to predict spore concentrations values. Generalization of the Alternaria and Cladosporium models was tested using (i) one model for all the sites, (ii) models for groups of sites, and (iii) models for individual sites. The study revealed the possibility of reliable prediction of fungal spore levels using gridded meteorological data. The classification models also showed the capacity for providing larger scale predictions of fungal spore concentrations. Regression models were distinctly less accurate than classification models due to several factors, including measurement errors and distinct day-to-day changes of concentrations. Temperature and vapour pressure proved to be the most important variables in the regression and classification models of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations. Accurate and operational daily-scale predictive models of bioaerosol abundances contribute to the assessment and evaluation of relevant exposure and consequently more timely and efficient management of phytopathogenic and of human allergic diseases

Automatic detection of airborne pollen: an overview

Pollen monitoring has traditionally been carried out using manual methods frst developed in the early 1950s. Although this technique has been recently standardised, it sufers from several drawbacks, notably data usually only being available with a delay of 3–9 days and usually delivered at a daily resolution. Several automatic instruments have come on to the market over the past few years, with more new devices also under development. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of all available and developing automatic instruments, how they measure, how they identify airborne pollen, what impacts measurement quality, as well as what potential there is for further advancement in the feld of bioaerosol monitoring.</p

Patterns of Artemisia allergenic pollen’ spread in the cities of steppe and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine

The article deals with intensity and timing of Artemisia (mugwort) pollination in Ukraine. Mugwort pollen requires control due to well-known allergenicity and cross-reaction with the ragweed pollen grains. The purpose of our study was to analyze the intensity and timing of alder pollination in cities of steppe and forest-steppe zones Ukraine in terms of accurate forecasting and seasonal allergy control.The study was carried out by mean of standard volumetric methods using Burkard spore traps in six cities of steppe and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine. A well-defined season of Artemisia pollination was established for each city. More intense pollination rate was noted in the cities of Ukraine located close to the North. Twice lower seasonal pollen peaks in all southern regions were recorded which might be due to more favorable for mugwort development water regimen seen in the Central part of Ukraine in comparison with the Southern one. The worst period for patients sensitive to the Artemisia pollen lasts from July, 28 till August, 10, when the biggest numbers of days with moderate and high concentrations of mugwort pollen were recorded all over Ukraine. The inverse correlation between the intensity, duration of the mugwort pollen season and seasonal peaks has been identified as well. Further aerobiological studies for the mugwort pollination are required in terms of the pollinosis control

International Theoretical and Practical Workshop on Application of Paleo-Ecological Methods in Archaeology (Bolgar, 9–19 August 2016)

International Theoretical and Practical Workshop on Application of Paleo-Ecological Methods in Archaeology took place in Bolgar International Center for Archaeological Studies from 9 to 19 August 2016. The workshop was organized by Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, supported by the Russian Fundamental Research Fund and the Fund for Rehabilitation of Historical and Cultural Sites of the Republic of Tatarstan

Sezonowe zmiany zawartości pyłku roślin w areoplanktonie Winnicy (Ukraina Centralna). Badania wieloletnie

The control of plant pollen season patterns is especially important in the expectation of climate change, as the timing of potential varying pollen seasons affects the human population. An ever-increasing number of people suffer from hay fever symptoms with varying severity during the pollen season. This paper presents data on the seasonal variations of pollen concentration and the factors which are the likely causes of these variations in Vinnytsya, a city in Central Ukraine, in order to establish the apparent pattern of this variation and so improve the efficiency of hay fever control in Ukraine. Pollen counts were obtained by gravimetric and volumetric methods employing a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap. Alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula) peaks of pollen release occurred approximately 1 month earlier than was observed at the end of the twentieth century. This was due to the seasonal heat accumulation related to the appropriate temperature regimen registered in January and February prior to the growing season. Other trees – including poplar (Populus), maple (Acer), walnut (Juglans), common hazel (Corylus) – did not show distinct changes in pollen season pattern over the past decades. Mean daily temperature seems to be the leading factor promoting early season onset and a seasonal pollen peak shift of the grass and herb flora such as ragweed (Ambrosia). The shift of the ragweed seasonal pollen maximum towards later in the season correlated with higher temperatures during September. Our study has shown that droughts may also significantly decrease the ragweed pollen concentration.Monitoring sezonów pyłkowych jest szczególnie ważny w związku ze zmianami klimatu, ponieważ czas występowania tych sezonów ma wpływ na kondycję zdrowotną ludzi. W sezonie pylenia coraz większa część populacji na objawy kataru siennego o różnym nasileniu. W artykule przedstawiono dane na temat sezonowych zmian stężenia pyłku i czynników, które są prawdopo-dobnymi przyczynami tych zmian w Winnicy (Centralna Ukraina), w celu opracowania wzorca, który poprawiłby skuteczność kontroli występowania sezonów pyłkowych i zapadalności na katar sienny u osób wrażliwych.Monitoring pyłkowy był prowadzony metodą grawimetryczną i wolumetryczną (pułapka typu Hirst).Najwyższe stężenia pyłku olchy (Alnus) i brzozy (Betula) zaobserwowano około miesiąca wcześniej niż było to notowane pod koniec XX wieku. Wynikało to z sezonowej akumulacji ciepła związanej ze wzrostem temperatury powietrza rejestrowanym w styczniu i lutym przed sezonem wegetacyjnym. Inne drzewa – w tym topola (Populus), klon (Acer), orzech (Juglans), leszczyna (Corylus) – nie wykazały wyraźnych zmian w przebiegu sezonu pyłkowego w ciągu ostatnich dziesięcioleci.Średnia temperatura powietrza wydaje się być wiodącym czynnikiem promującym początek wczesnej pory roku i sezonowe przesunięcie intensywnego pylenia traw i roślin zielnych, takich jak ambrozja (Ambrosia). Opóźnienie okresu maksymalnego stężenia pyłku ambrozji korelowało z wyższymi temperaturami powietrza we wrześniu. Badania wykazały, że deficyt opadów może znacznie zmniejszyć stężenie pyłku ambrozj

Insights into the late Holocene vegetation history of the East European forest-steppe: case study Sudzha (Kursk region, Russia)

© 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Today, the East European forest-steppe is an agricultural landscape with very few remains of its former natural vegetation. The history of the transformation from natural vegetation to a human-made landscape in the area of Sudzha (Kursk region, Russia) is studied here. We compare the off-site pollen record Sudzha with three on-site pollen records obtained from the archaeological site Kurilovka-2. The sediment core Sudzha covering the last 2,500 years was taken from an oxbow lake in an area with archaeological sites of the early Slavonic period (3rd–8th centuries ce). The Sudzha pollen record indicates dominance of broadleaf forests and meadow steppes in the area from 2,500 to 200 cal year bp with two major settlement phases one between ~ 2,000 and 1,600 cal year bp (~ 50 bce to 350 ce) and the other between 1,100 and 600 cal year bp (850 and 1350 ce) followed by a total deforestation and transformation to an agricultural landscape over the last 200–300 years. Similar changes in the last 300–400 years are indicated by the three on-site pollen records. It is noteworthy, however, that the record Sudzha does not provide an intensive signal of human impact during the 5th–8th centuries ce. This points to a quite restricted spatial influence of the Early Slavonic settlements on the vegetation, leading to a relatively low contribution of palynological anthropogenic indicators to the regional pollen rain signal