The long-range transport of Pinaceae pollen : an example in Kraków (southern Poland)

High Pinaceae pollen concentrations in the air and on the surface of puddles before the main pollen season started were observed in Kraków (southern Poland) in May 2013. The paper presents the results of detailed studies of the composition and source of the “yellow rain” in 2013, and as a comparison, the Pinaceae pollen concentrations and samples collected from the ground surface in 2014 were considered. The air samples were collected using the volumetric method (Hirst-type device), while pollen grains sampled from the ground surface were processed using a modified Erdtman acetolysis method. Finally, all samples were studied using a light microscope. In 2013, the period of higher Abies, Picea and Pinus pollen concentrations was observed from the 5 to 12 of May, earlier than the main pollen season occurred. The presence of rainfall on the 12 and 13 of May 2013 caused the pollen deposition on the ground surface, where the prevalence of Pinaceae pollen was found. The synoptic situation and the analysis of the back-trajectories and air mass advection at the beginning of May 2013 indicated that Pinaceae pollen grains could have been transported from Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. In contrast, Pinaceae pollen grains deposited on the ground surface as a “yellow” film in May 2014, originated from local sources

Cladosporium spores in the air of selected Polish cities in 2015

The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of Cladosporium spores in the cities of Katowice, Cracow, Olsztyn, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Szczecin, Warsaw, and Zielona Gora in 2015. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Burkard and Lanzoni pollen and spores sampler). Cladosporium season was defined as the period in which 90% of the annual total catch occurred. The Cladosporium season started first in Zielona Gora on the 27th April and in the other cities it started during the next days. The latest the fungal season started in Szczecin. The number of days with spores count above 2800 spores in 1 m3 ranged from 15 to 63

Air pollution in the places of Betula pendula growth and development changes the physicochemical properties and the main allergen content of its pollen

Pollen allergy becomes an increasing problem for humans, especially in the regions, where the air pollution level increases due to the traffic and urbanization. These factors may also affect the physiological activity of plants, causing changes in pollen allergenicity. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of air pollutants on the chemical composition of birch pollen and the secondary structures of the Bet v1 protein. The research was conducted in seven locations in Malopolska region, South of Poland of a different pollution level. We have found slight fluctuations in the values of parameters describing the photosynthetic light reactions, similar spectra of leaf reflectance and the negligible differences in the discrimination values of the δ13C carbon isotope were found. The obtained results show a minor effect of a degree of pollution on the physiological condition B. pendula specimen. On the other hand, mean Bet v1 concentration measured in pollen samples collected in Kraków was significantly higher than in less polluted places (p = .03886), while FT-Raman spectra showed the most distinct variations in the wavenumbers characteristic of proteins. Pollen collected at sites of the increased NOx and PM concentration, show the highest percentage values of potential aggregated forms and antiparallel β-sheets in the expense of α-helix, presenting a substantial impact on chemical compounds of pollen, Bet v1 concentration and on formation of the secondary structure of proteins, what can influence their functions

Bradykinin and oxidative stress in patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency

Introduction Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by genetic dysfunction of C1 inhibitor (C1‑INH) due to mutations in the SERPING1 gene. The disorder is mediated mainly by bradykinin. The clinical course of the disease is varied and not related to genetic changes. Objectives We aimed to evaluate redox homeostasis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with HAE due to C1‑INH deficiency (C1‑INH‑HAE) by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of PBMCs as well as plasma advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs). We also aimed to assess the effect of bradykinin on ROS levels. Patient s and methods We enrolled 30 adults with C1‑INH‑HAE and 15 healthy individuals. The levels of ROS were measured by flow cytometry, while the plasma levels of AGEs and AOPPs were determined spectrophotometrically by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays. Result s Basal and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)–induced ROS levels were higher in patients with HAE when compared with controls (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively), indicating abnormalities in redox homeostasis. Plasma AOPP and AGE levels were similar in both groups. Bradykinin reduced basal and H2O2‑induced ROS generation in PBMCs only in patients with HAE (P = 0.03). Conclusions The higher basal and H2O2‑induced ROS levels in patients with C1‑INH‑HAE indicate redox imbalance. However, by reducing basal and H2O2‑induced ROS levels, bradykinin shows antioxidant action in this disorder

Alternaria spores in the air of selected Polish cities in 2015

The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of Alternaria spores in the cities of Poznan, Bydgoszcz, Sosnowiec, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Olsztyn, Opole, Warsaw, Zielona Gora, Lublin and Szczecin in 2015. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Hirst). Alternaria season was defined as the period in which 90% of the annual total catch occurred. The Alternaria season started first in Bydgoszcz on the 27th May and in the other cities it started during the next four weeks. The highest airborne concentration of 900 Alternaria spores × m-3 was noted in Lublin on the 4th July

Artemisia pollen season in southern Poland in 2016

In the paper, mugwort pollen seasons observed in 2016 were compared in six cities of southern Poland, i.e. Cracow, Lublin, Opole, Sosnowiec, Wroclaw, and Zielona Gora. The investigations of airborne pollen concentrations were carried out with the volumetric method using Lanzoni and Burkard devices. In 2016, the earliest onset of the mugwort pollen season was noted in Lublin (13.07) and the latest beginning was reported in Wroclaw (24.07). High daily pollen concentrations were recorded between the third decade of July and the second decade of August. The highest annual pollen count and the greatest risk of development of allergies to mugwort pollen were noted in Opole and Zielona Gora. The highest daily concentrations for the taxon were recorded in all measurement stations in the first half of August. Maximum concentrations were noted in Wroclaw (84 P/m3) and Lublin (79 P/m3)

Cladosporium spores in the air of selected Polish cities in 2014

Celem pracy było porównanie wartości stężeń zarodników grzybów mikroskopowych z rodzaju Cladosporium w 2014 r. w powietrzu Szczecina, Warszawy, Krakowa i Poznania. Pomiary stężenia zarodników prowadzono metodą objętościową z zastosowaniem aparatu Burkard oraz Lanzoni 2000. Sezon zarodnikowy wyznaczono jako okres, w którym w powietrzu występuje 90% rocznej sumy zarodników grzybów z rodzaju Cladosporium. Najwcześniej rozpoczął się on w Szczecinie (30 marca), w pozostałych miastach w ciągu kolejnych pięciu tygodni, a najpóźniej w Poznaniu.The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of Cladosporium spores in Szczecin, Warsaw, Cracow and Poznan in 2014. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Burkard and Lanzoni pollen and spores sampler). Cladosporium season was defined as the period in which 90% of the annual total catch occurred. The Cladosporium season started first in Szczecin (on the 30th March) and in the other cities it started during the next five weeks. The fungal season started last in Poznan

Betula pollen season in southern Poland in 2016

The paper presents a comparison of birch pollen seasons in 2016 in study sites located in the southern part of Poland: Zielona Gora, Opole, Wroclaw, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Lublin, and Guciow in the Roztocze National Park. The pollen concentrations were measured with the volumetric method using Burkard or Lanzoni pollen samplers. The annual pollen sum was calculated for each measurement site. In 2016, the birch pollen season started at a similar time, i.e. between 4th and 6th April in all the localities. The highest annual sums and maximum pollen concentrations were recorded in Lublin and Guciow. The maximum concentrations of birch pollen were noted from 5th and 15th April, with the highest value in Lublin, i.e. 8573 P/m3 (14.04)

Corylus pollen season in southern Poland in 2016

The aim of the study was to compare the hazel pollen season in 2016 in Zielona Gora, Opole, Wroclaw, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Lublin, and Guciow (Roztocze National Park). Due to the mild winter, the hazel pollen season in Zielona Gora and Opole began very early, i.e. in the third decade of December 2015. In the other cities, the onset of the pollen season was noted between 30th January and 7th February. In a majority of the cities, the maximum daily pollen concentrations were recorded in the period between 7th and 10th February. The highest seasonal peak was reported from Lublin and the lowest – in Guciow and Wroclaw. The highest risk of allergy related to the persistence of high concentrations of airborne hazel pollen was noted for Zielona Gora, Lublin, and Cracow