Rotifer Diversity in the Acidic Pyrite Mine Pit Lakes in the Sudety Mountains (Poland)

The diversity of rotifers was studied in three artificial water bodies (Azure Lake, Yellow Lake, and Purple Lake), which were once pyrite mines. The physicochemical parameters and the zooplankton composition of the water were determined. Azure Lake had a pH of 3.4–6.9, conductivity values of 165–194 µS cm− 1, and low concentrations of sulphate, calcium, magnesium, copper, and iron, while the other lakes had a pH of 2.6–2.9, a conductivity of 1636–3400 µS cm− 1, and high concentrations of sulphate (up to 2863 mg dm− 3), Cu (up to 2650 µg dm− 3), and Fe (up to 178.3 mg dm− 3). The rotifer community in the lakes comprised 27 taxa (15 in Azure Lake, 13 in Purple Lake and 14 in Yellow Lake). We also found two species that are rarely observed in Poland (Aspelta cincinator and Elosa spinifera), and three species commonly found in acidic water (E. worallii, Cephalodella delicata, and C. hoodi). The types of rotifers in Azure Lake differed from those in the other two lakes. The Shannon–Weaver biodiversity index (H′) was the highest in Purple Lake (H′ = 1.255) and lowest in Azure Lake (H′ = 0.455). The effect of some of the physicochemical parameters on rotifer diversity is discussed

COVID-19 pandemic and allergen immunotherapy-an EAACI survey

Background As in many fields of medical care, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in an increased uncertainty regarding the safety of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Therefore, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) aimed to analyze the situation in different countries and to systematically collect all information available regarding tolerability and possible amendments in daily practice of sublingual AIT (SLIT), subcutaneous AIT (SCIT) for inhalant allergies and venom AIT. Methods Under the framework of the EAACI, a panel of experts in the field of AIT coordinated by the Immunotherapy Interest Group set-up a web-based retrospective survey (SurveyMonkey(R)) including 27 standardized questions on practical and safety aspects on AIT in worldwide clinical routine. Results 417 respondents providing AIT to their patients in daily routine answered the survey. For patients (without any current symptoms to suspect COVID-19), 60% of the respondents informed of not having initiated SCIT (40% venom AIT, 35% SLIT) whereas for the maintenance phase of AIT, SCIT was performed by 75% of the respondents (74% venom AIT, 89% SLIT). No tolerability concern arises from this preliminary analysis. 16 physicians reported having performed AIT despite (early) symptoms of COVID-19 and/or a positive test result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Conclusions This first international retrospective survey in atopic diseases investigated practical aspects and tolerability of AIT during the COVID-19 pandemic and gave no concerns regarding reduced tolerability under real-life circumstances. However, the data indicate an undertreatment of AIT, which may be temporary, but could have a long-lasting negative impact on the clinical care of allergic patients.Peer reviewe

Management of anaphylaxis due to COVID-19 vaccines in the elderly

Older adults, especially men and/or those with diabetes, hypertension, and/or obesity, are prone to severe COVID-19. In some countries, older adults, particularly those residing in nursing homes, have been prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccines due to high risk of death. In very rare instances, the COVID-19 vaccines can induce anaphylaxis, and the management of anaphylaxis in older people should be considered carefully. An ARIA-EAACI-EuGMS (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and European Geriatric Medicine Society) Working Group has proposed some recommendations for older adults receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines is extremely rare (from 1 per 100,000 to 5 per million injections). Symptoms are similar in younger and older adults but they tend to be more severe in the older patients. Adrenaline is the mainstay treatment and should be readily available. A flowchart is proposed to manage anaphylaxis in the older patients.Peer reviewe

Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe

The influence of climate factors on the presence of microcystins in freshwaters – a case study from Poland

Climate changes are expressed as increase of temperature and the frequency and intensity of severe weather conditions. Furthermore, climate change promotes development of bloom-forming cyanobacteria and the increase the intensity and toxicity of the blooms. According to European Environmental Agency (EEA), Europe is the fastest warming continent and particularly high warming is found over eastern Europe. The last six years were recognized as the warmest on record. However, the greatest changes will be possible to identify locally. We conducted the short-term surveys of concentrations of microcystins, which are recognised as the most often produced cyanotoxins, in two shallow and small water bodies in southern Poland. Data was collected during four years of monitoring: 2017, 2019-2021. We hypothesised that microcystin concentration is related to weather conditions. The pattern of microcystins distribution during the seasons were similar in both of them: toxins were present from July to October. Statistical analyses showed that significant factor correlated with concentration of microcystins was rainfall higher than 2.2 mm. Besides, stepwise regression demonstrated that rainfalls and air temperatures were significant contributors for dimensions PCAI and PCAII, which cumulatively explained 53% of varianc

Developing an UAV method of monitoring of cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems

Cyanobacterial blooms are widespread phenomenon naturally occurring in different types of water bodies. Characteristic indicator of the bloom is a change of water color to blue-green, due to pigments contained by growing cyanobacterial biomass. Recently observed climatic changes and increase of Earth’s surface temperature may lead to intensification and proliferation of cyanobacterial blooms, severe reduction of water quality and changes in functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Monitoring of cyanobacterial blooms appears to be crucial in order to undertake remediation policy, such as biomass harvesting. The aim of our study was to develop an index for cyanobacterial blooms detection with use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The data was collected from 30 frames floating on the surface of blooming waterbody. First, the reflectances inside the frames were measured by UAV equipped with multispectral camera, then immediately the and phycocyanin concentrations inside frames were measured in situ with use of multiparameter probe. Further statistical analyses allowed to create an index based on Red Edge 740 nm and 717 nm and NIR 842 nm spectral bands. The correlation of the index with phycocyanine concentration measured in situ was estimated as +70%