Olea Europea 3-year pollen record in the area of Thessaloniki,Greece and its sensitizing significance

Summary The observations of airborne pollen ofOlea europea and the incidence of clinical manifestations in patients allergic to this pollen type have not been registered so far in the city of Thessaloniki. The purpose of this study was: 1. to assess theO. europea pollen circulation in the area of our city, and 2. to detect the percentage of sensitivity toO. europea pollen in patients with pollinosis. We collected daily pollen samples during a 3-year period (February '87-January '90), using a Burkard volumetric trap, located on a high level area in the centre of the city. The pollen counts were then registered. The O.europea pollen grains were not differentiated microscopically from the other Oleaceae, but identified through phenological criteria. The patients included in the assessment of the sensitivity toO. europea came from the out-patient clinic of bronchial asthma of the General Hospital ?G. Papanicolaou?. They had a seasonal pollinosis and they were submitted to prick test using a battery of 22 groups and an O.europea extract. Pollen ofO. europea appears first in the atmosphere of Thessaloniki at the beginning of May, shows a peak in the end of May and continues to be present till the end of June. The quantity ofO. europea pollen ranked 6th in the list of the total pollen count and its flowering period coincided with that of grasses. In a sample of 360 patients with seasonal pollinosis, we detected anO. europea pollen sensitivity combined with other alleargens in 37% of the patients and a monosensivity in 4%. We conclude that pollen ofO. europea results to be present over a relative short period of time (May–June) in the area of Thessaloniki. The percentage of patients' sensitization toO. europea pollen was a little less frequent than sensitization to grasses, even if their flowering time coincides and their presence in the air shows about the same concentration values.     

Pollinosis related to Zygophyllum fabago in a Mediterranean area

Zygophyllum fabago is a herbaceous plant withairborne pollen found widely in the MurciaRegion, in the Southeast of Spain. Although itsallergenicity has been recently reported,little is known of its involvement inpollinosis. Aerobiological study andsensitization in pollinotics weremeasured using a Hirst volumetric trap. Wehave measured the atmospheric concentrationsof this pollen and other allergenicpollen types in our region, between March 1993 andMarch 1997. Z. fabago pollen wascollected for a morphometric study of thepollen grain, and a lyophilized extract wasprepared for skin prick tests. We haveconducted skin tests with different pollen typesfrom our region and with Z. fabago in1736 patients with symptomssuggesting pollinosis. The size of the pollengrain averages 15.17 × 17.35 µm. Thepollination period extends from May to August,with a mean accumulated concentration of 448grains/m³. Out of 1736 pollinotics,263 (15.15%) showed a positive skin test forZ. fabago, 6 were monosensitized and 257were sensitized to other common pollen types fromour Region. Specific IgE to Z. fabago wasequal or higher than 0.35 ku/l in 86.56% ofsensitized patients. Chenopodiaceae pollinateduring spring and autumn and sensitize a largernumber of patients; Urticaceae reach thehighest pollen concentrations for a longerperiod but are not the primary cause ofpollinosis. This study shows that Z. fabagopollen becomes airborne, elicits an IgEresponse and, like other pollens, contributestowards triggering allergic symptoms.It should therefore be considered arelevant allergen and accordingly beincluded in skin test procedures.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parietaria judaica</Emphasis> flowering phenology,pollen production,viability and atmospheric circulation,and expansive ability in the urban environment: impacts of environmental factors

Parietaria judaica (Urticaceae) grows abundantly in urban areas of the Mediterranean region. Its pollen is a major allergy source. We studied the species’ distribution and abundance in and around Thessaloniki (Greece), pollen production and pollen season. We also examined how urban pollution affects pollen viability. Our ultimate goal was to obtain an estimate of the species’ performance and ability to expand under different environmental conditions related to climate change. We mapped P. judaica and the other Urticaceae species. In a north- and a south-facing population, we recorded the progress of P. judaica flowering and estimated the pollen content per flower, shoot and surface unit. We concurrently assessed atmospheric circulation of Urticaceae pollen. We estimated P. judaica pollen viability and Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in plants collected from sites differing in traffic intensity. P. judaica is the most abundant Urticaceae species in the area; its occurrence has increased dramatically over the last 100 years. Production of flowers is intense in spring and autumn. Flowering started 12 days earlier in the south-facing population in spring, and 3 days later in autumn. Pollen production was higher in spring and in the south-facing population. Flower and pollen production were positively correlated with the size of the plant and the flower, respectively. Copper and lead concentrations in plants were positively correlated with pollen viability, which was higher for plants collected from high-traffic sites. P. judaica has a high phenotypic plasticity; this is a feature that promotes success of expansive and invasive species. It is also well adapted to warm and polluted urban environments. The climatic change forecast for the Mediterranean region could provoke earlier, longer, and more pronounced flowering and, consequently, more P. judaica pollen in the air. In return, this would result in increased severity of Parietaria pollinosis.     

Aprpaoches to airborne pollen in SE spain. First survey in murcia: one year of pollen monitoring (1993–94)

First data from a pollen survey carried out in the city of Murcia (SE Spain) are given in this paper. Using a Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap, daily slides were prepared and 80 pollen types belonging to 51 families andAlternaria spores were identified and counted. Special attention was paid to 14 relevant taxa: Cupressaceae,Pinus, Genisteae,Olea, Morus, Acer, Platanus, Plantago, Quercus, Urticaceae, Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae,Artemisia andAlternaria. The main sources of airborne particles wereAlternaria (27.7%), Cupressaceae (13.5%),Olea (9.36%), Chenopodiaceae (8.31%) and Urticaceae (5.8%). Annual variations in pollen abundance and length of the flowering seasons are given for individual species and are related to environmental factors. Results indicate a main pollen season from March to June and a second minor season in September to October. The relatively high concentrations of Genisteae and the appearance of anArtemisia winter season were noted.     

Clinical significance of allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen in Naples area,Italy

Summary The aim of this study is the evaluation of clinical significance of the allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen allergens in the Naples area, because in the last 10 years an increasing frequency of IgE mediated sensitization to these allergens has been observed. 4124 patients of both sexes (2989 adults and 1153 children) consecutively examined in our Allergological Center from January 1, 1988 to December 30, 1989 have been considered in this study. The patients were selected on the basis of a history of rhinitis (R) and/or asthma (A) and were evaluated by clinical examination, SPT, RAST and specific or aspecific BPT. Among 2267 adults and 879 children sensitized to almost one aeroallergen we found respectively 306 (13.49%) and 75 (8.53%) subjects with an allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen. The frequency of clinical manifestation was respectively R+A (58.16%), R (39.54%), A (2.28%) in adults; R+A (61.33%), R (26.66%), A (12%) in children. A monosensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen was found in 1.33% of children and in 2.28% of adults examined. The association with other allergens especially with mites and/or other pollen was very common.     

Correlation between meteorological conditions and Parietaria pollen concentration in Alassio,north-west Italy

The pollen grains in the atmosphere in different geographical areas differ according to the species present, the pollination seasons and pollen grain concentrations, but possibly the greatest contributors to this variability are the meteorological conditions. The aim of our research is to establish a possible correlation between Parietaria pollen concentration and meteorological conditions during the period from 1991 to 1995 in the town of Alassio (north–west Italy). As far as vegetation is concerned, the Mediterranean climatic conditions support the blooming of extensive grasslands in the environment surrounding the town; these grasslands mainly comprise Urticaceae and shrubs. The study demonstrates that the most influential parameters affecting the Urticaceae grain concentration upsurge are the absence of rainfall, a maximum daily temperature of about 21 °C, and a diurnal temperature range of about 5 °C. Moreover, our aeropalinological study indicates that this last parameter has the greatest influence on Urticaceae pollination. In fact, an increase in diurnal temperature range could be responsible for a dehydration of pollens resulting in a loss in mass. This grain lightness and volatility would ultimately permit atmospheric dispersion if there is a significant wind speed. On the other hand, days with rain or high relative humidity make pollens heavier, preventing them from flying long distances and therefore partially explaining the decline in airbone pollen concentration.     

荨麻科三新种

该文描述了荨麻科三新种:(1)自中国重庆市发现的荨麻科荨麻属一新种,城口荨麻。此种与异株荨麻有亲缘关系,区别特征为此种的茎被少数刺毛,叶片多为心形,雄、雌花序均不分枝,瘦果在中央稍凹陷。(2)自中国广西发现的荨麻科赤车属一新种,来宾赤车。此种与特产云南东南部的富宁赤车相近缘,与后者的区别在于本种茎的毛开展或向上弯曲,叶片长椭圆形,基部斜楔形,雌花具3~4枚花被片,其中1~2枚较大花被片在背面顶端具一长筒状突起。(3)自缅甸北部发现的荨麻科楼梯草属一新种,克钦楼梯草。此种在体态上与骤尖楼梯草甚为相似,与后者的区别在于本种的每一茎节具正常叶和一退化叶,托叶狭披针状条形和无脉,雌总苞苞片无角状突起,雌小苞片较大,呈楔状长圆形,雌花具一小花被片,以及雌蕊具一宽倒卵球形柱头。     

Daily variations of Urticaceae pollen count and influence of meteoclimatic parameters in East Perugia during 1989

Summary Urticaceae pollen monitoring was carried out, in the atmosphere of East Perugia during the summer of 1989. In summer the Urticaceae pollen shows a fluctuating diurnal trend, which was analysed daily over six 4-hour periods. The high peaks of thistaxon were recorded in the middle of the day in July and August, and in the morning in June. The percentage pattern of the daily mean pollen concentration of Urticaceae was compared with mean temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and rain, both in the non-rainy days and rainy ones. The best correlations came out comparing pollen concentration and meteoclimatic parameters during non-rainy days. The interpretation of the influence of rainfalls is very difficult owing to their peculiar features in summer.     

Seasonal fluctuations of the airborne pollen spectrum in Murcia (SE Spain)

During six consecutive years (1993–1998), aBurkard volumetric pollen trap was continuouslyoperated to sample pollen from the air of thecity of Murcia. The aim of the study was toelucidate the spectra of airborne pollen andthe variations during the year, and toelaborate a pollen calendar. This time spanincludes the end of the period with severedrought from 1990–1995, which particularly affected the south-eastern region of Spain.The total sum of daily average pollenconcentrations amounted to 148,645 pollen grainsbelonging to 93 different taxa. A daily averageof 74 pollen grains/m³ and 11 taxa wererecorded, with maxima of 1157 and 27respectively. The total pollen amountregistered in a year correlated with yearlyrainfall, but there was no relation with meanannual temperature. As for annual fluctuations,there seemed to be no influence by totalrainfall or temperature. Spring and winter werethe seasons with the highest pollen counts andpollen diversity.From the 93 identified taxa, 36 are included inthe pollen calendar. Noteworthy findings are:(i) the presence of Thymelaeaceae,Robinia, Betula, Castanea,Zygophyllum, Caryophyllaceae andCannabis, (ii) a long pollen season ofChenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Urticaceae,Poaceae, Arecaceae and Plantago, (iii)the occurrence of summer, autumn and winterflowering of Artemisia, (iv) the lateappearance of Corylus pollen, and (v) theminor presence of Casuarina pollen duringthe mid winter and late spring.     

Pollinosis in trentino (Northern Italy). Aerobiological and clinical research

Summary A study to evaluate and define the atmospheric pollen concentration in Trentino was carried out through the aerobiologic sampling in three localities chosen according to their different climatic conditions.1375 patients with pollinosis living in Trentino were studied retrospectively over the period ranging from 1986 to 1988 and selected according to the area they came from.Results have proved that the most allergenic pollen types are the following: Poaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria), Compositae (Artemisia) and the tree pollen of Betulaceae and Corylaceae (Alnus, Betula, Corylus), and that pollinosis caused by such pollen, types has different features and frequencies according to the different localities.As far as symptoms are concerned, our data shows that rhinoconjuntivitis is more frequent in those patients who are allergic toParietaria while asthma results being more frequent in patients who are allergic to tree pollen.     

Risk of pollen allergy in Nerja (southern Spain): a pollen calendar

An aeropalynological study was carried out in the atmosphere of the city of Nerja (southern Spain) during a period of 4 years (2000–2003), using a Hirst type volumetric pollen trap. An annual pollen index of 59,750 grains, on average, was obtained with 80–85% of the total pollen recorded from February to May, with Pinus, Olea, Urticaceae, Cupressaceae, Quercus and Poaceae being the principal pollen producers in abundance order. A total of 29 pollen types that reached a 10-day mean equal to or greater than 1 grain of pollen per m³ of air is reflected in a pollen calendar. The results were compared with those obtained for nearby localities and a correlation analysis was made between the daily fluctuations of the main pollen types and total pollen, and meteorological parameters (temperature, rainfall and hours of sun). The daily, monthly and annual values reached by the most important pollen types from an allergenic point of view (Olea, Urticaceae and Poaceae) confirms Nerja as a high-risk locality for the residents and the numerous tourists who visit the area.     

Computer-aided identification of allergenic species of Urticaceae pollen

Plant species of the family Urticaceae have periods of extensive and overlapping flowering. Two genera Urtica (U. urens L., U. membranacea Poir. in Lam) and Parietaria (P. judaica L.) are abundant throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Both have substantial allergenic potential, but patient sensitivity is specific to each genus. As a result, interest from the medical profession in the identification of the pollen from these genera has arisen. It would be useful to be able to estimate the relative percentages of pollen of these genera in the air, which would allow clinicians to recommend the appropriate safety measures to patients. Unfortunately, palynologists are unable to distinguish between the species of genera (Parietaria and Urtica). Additionally, traditional methods of pollen counting are laborious and therefore not optimal for routine on-line analysis. Recent biometrical analysis enables us to discriminate between pollen species of the genera Parietaria and Urtica, but they fail to solve the problem of genera identification. Alternative methods for counting and distinguishing genera of Urticaceae have long been awaited by medical experts among others. In this paper we present a computational system to discriminate between genera by using image analysis. It is based on the definition and computation of digital shape measures on pollen images taken by an optical microscope. The system correctly classifies more than 86% of all experiments done. A set of shape parameters are tested and the subset with the highest discrimination power includes: area (A), diameter (DM), mean distance to centroide (D_mean) and roundness (R) of the pollen grain.     

来宾赤车, 广西荨麻科一新种

描述了自广西发现的荨麻科赤车属一新种,来宾赤车。此种与特产云南东南部的富宁赤车相近缘,与后者的区别在于本种茎的毛开展或向上弯曲,叶片长椭圆形,基部斜楔形,雌花具3～4枚花被片,其中1～2枚较大花被片在背面顶端具一长筒状突起。     

Oleaceae in Trieste (NE Italy): aerobiological and clinical data

Oleaceae pollen concentrations in the Trieste area are low (<10%) compared to the total number of airborne pollen grains, with only one pollination peak at the beginning of June when the Oleaceae concentration reached 62% of the total pollen count in 1992. This peak was due to an exceptionally high pollination of olive trees in 1992, when airborne pollen concentration rose to 1357 pollen grains/m³ on June 3. Sensitization toOlea increased from 1989 to 1993, when it was present in 23.4% of symptomatic patients, but the role ofOlea in inducing allergic respiratory symptoms is difficult to evaluate because almost all patients were sensitized to other pollens, and in particular to Gramineae: only four subjects were sensitized toOlea alone (1.4%). Despite the low Oleaceae pollen counts, this pollinosis is increasing, probably because of increased cultivation ofOlea in recent years. However, although skin prick test positivity is common in polysensitized patients, its role in inducing sensitization and symptoms is presently less important than that of other pollens.     

Spatial distribution of cpDNA and mtDNA haplotypes in a hybrid zone betweenPinus pumila andP. parviflora var.pentaphylla (Pinaceae)

Pinus species exhibit paternal chloroplast inheritance and maternal mitochondrial inheritance. This independent inheritance of two cytoplasmic genomes provides an exceptional environment for discriminating female (seeds) and male (pollen) components of gene flow across hybridizing species. We obtained mitochondrial genetic markers diagnostic toP. parviflora var.pentaphylla andP. pumila by PCR amplification of the intron ofnad1 on mtDNA, and examined the spatial-distribution pattern of the mtDNA haplotypes in a hybrid zone betweenP. parviflora var.pentaphylla andP. pumila in the Tanigawa Mountains of Japan. These data, in conjunction with previous information on cpDNA haplotypes and needle morphology, revealed contrastive patterns of introgression of two cytoplasmic genomes. CpDNA introgression has occurred uni-directionally fromP. parviflora var.pentaphylla toP. pumila. Conversely, mtDNA introgression has occurred in the opposite direction, fromP. pumila toP. parviflora var.pentaphylla. Levels of introgression are roughly equivalent for cpDNA and mtDNA. The contrastive spatial distribution pattern of cpDNA and mtDNA haplotypes could be caused by differential movement of seeds and pollen for interspecific genetic exchange.     

Pollen calendar of malaga (Southern Spain), 1991–1995

A pollen calendar has been constructed for Malaga (Southern Spain) based on the data obtained during 5 years (1991–95) using a Burkard spore trap set up approximately 1 km west of the city. The calendar only reflects taxa which showed a 10-day mean pollen concentration equal to or greater than 1 grain of pollen/m³ of air. Twenty nine taxa are included, of which the three commonest (Olea europaea, Cupressaceae andQuercus) represent approximately 54% of the total annual count and the following four (Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Gramineae, Urticaceae andPlantago) represent 21.3%. The greatest diversity of pollen types occurs during Spring and the highest concentrations from February to June, when approximately 85% of the total annual pollen is registered. Several peaks occur during the year principally due to Cupressaceae in February,Quercus in April,Olea europaea in May andCasuarina in October, although substantial quantities of Urticaceae, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae,Plantago and Gramineae are also detected in April and May. The pollination of important allergy-producing taxa such as olive and grass takes place earlier in Malaga than in cities more inland, so that the data presented here may be useful in predicting the beginning of the pollination season of these localities.     

Comparison between categorical pollen data obtained by Hirst and Cour sampling methods

Two methods of aerobiological collection, the Burkard(Hirst-based) and the Cour, were compared using datafrom pollen collected at Bellaterra (Barcelona, Spain)between 1994 and 1996. Results for three pollen taxaof allergenic relevance (Urticaceae, Poaceae andOlea) are presented. This study confirmed thedifficulty of finding a reliable conversion formulabetween these sampling methods, as has been found byseveral other authors.An alternative statistical analysis was carried outusing categorical data, the pollen concentration databeing first converted into an ordinal scale with fivelevels based on local records. Our analysis shows thatboth methods provide essentially the sameinformation.     

Pollen calendar for Vigo, North-West Spain (1995)

This is the first data from a pollen survey in Vigo, an Atlantic city in northwest Spain. The pollen calendar for Vigo is presented, as well as the pollination period for the nine most important allergenic plants. Through 1995, 30 083 pollen grains belonging to 52 taxa, were recorded using the Lanzoni VPPS 2000 volumetric spore-trap. The most relevant taxa found were: Urticaceae,Pinus, Poaceae andQuercus (75% of the total pollen),Betula, Castanea, Cupressaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ericaceae, Myrtaceae,Olea, Plantago, Platanus andRumex (21%), and the final 4% was distributed mainly among pollen types, such as:Corylus, Alnus, Fabaceae, Compositae,Artemisia andCedrus. Of the total annual pollen count, 56% was found in March and April. Another, secondary peak was recorded in June corresponding to the flowering period of herbaceous species. The high pollen total of Urticaceae (7625 grains, 25% of the total) should be highlighted. The percentages ofOlea europaea (565 grains) should be noted as well, taking into account its geographical distribution.     

Nutrient and salt relations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarpus officinalis</Emphasis> L. in coastal wetlands of the Caribbean: assessment through leaf and soil analyses

Pterocarpus officinalis L. is a dominant tree of freshwater coastal wetlands in the Caribbean and the Guiana regions. It is frequently associated with mangroves in areas with high rainfall and/or surface run-off. We hypothesized that P. officinalis is a freshwater swamp species that when occurring in association with mangroves occupies low-salinity soil microsites, or alternatively that it possesses mechanisms preventing accumulation of salt in photosynthetic tissues. To test this we compared the mineral composition of soils and leaves of several species in two Pterocarpus forests in Puerto Rico associated with coastal mangroves, Sabana Seca and Punta Viento. Results indicate that (1) Sabana Seca has low soil salinity values even in the P. officinalis and Laguncularia racemosa mixed zone. In Punta Viento, salinity in the mixed zone was higher than in the Pterocarpus forest, but much lower than in the mangrove area; (2) In both forests, leaves of P. officinalis showed much lower Na concentrations than mangrove species. The K/Na ratios were 16–20 times higher in P. officinalis, indicating preferential absorption of K against Na. The mangrove fern (Acrostichum aureum) growing side by side with P. officinalis and L. racemosa in Punta Viento also revealed high Na exclusion capacity. We found an asymmetric distribution of cations in the blade and rachis of the P. officinalis compound leaves in both sites. The rachis accumulates more Na and Ca, but less Mg than the leaf blade. This sequestration of Na in the rachis prevents salt damage of photosynthetic tissue in the leaf blade.     

Airborne pollen in Bahía Blanca,Argentina: seasonal distribution of pollen types

The composition and seasonal distribution of airborne pollen grains in the atmosphere of Bahía Blanca, Argentina, has been studied between June 2001 and December 2003 using the Rotorod sampler (model 40). The results show that the main pollen types during this period were Cupressaceae, Fraxinus, Myrtaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthus/Chenopodiaceae, Pinus, Urticaceae, Ulmus, Olea and Styphnolobium. The highest concentrations occurred from August to December (end of winter and spring), accounting for 80% of the total annual pollen count. The greatest diversity was found in the spring, with the major of pollen coming from short-flowering plant types, such as Populus, Acer, Platanus, Juglans, Tamarix, Ailanthus and Typha. The potential sources of pollen from woody ornamental species are Cupressus sempervirens, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. whereas those from herbaceous species are the Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae, which are found within the city and also in the surrounding natural vegetation, and the Urticaceae, which are only present in the city. Marked annual differences were noted during the study period. The increase in 2002 may have been due to the abundant rainfall that occurred prior to the spring season, which would have favored the vegetative stage and flower development of plants. The decrease in pollen concentration in 2003 was mainly due to low rainfall throughout the year.