Airborne pollen parameters and their relationship with meteorological variables in NE Iberian Peninsula

The present study explores the role of the meteorological variability in the pollen production and the timing of the airborne pollen season by analysis of the correlation between precipitation, insolation and temperature and the main standardised airborne pollen parameters of 22 taxa collected at 6 localities in Catalonia (NE Spain). The pollen parameters included in the study were: Annual Pollen Integral and the Start, End and Length of the Main Pollen Season. Considering that the Main Pollen Season of most of the taxa in Catalonia lasts from spring to summer or autumn, correlations between the pollen parameters and winter (from December to March) values of meteorological variables were calculated. Correlations between Monthly Pollen Integral and monthly values of the meteorological variables were also calculated. The results obtained report the synchronism registered in the variations of pollen concentration with precipitation (negative), insolation (positive) and temperature (positive). Temperature was the meteorological variable that showed a greater influence in the pollen production and the timing of the pollen season, being insolation the least one. The Start of the Main Pollen Season was the pollen parameter more correlated with the meteorological variables, especially with winter temperatures.     

Airborne fungal spore content in the atmosphere of the city of La Plata,Argentina

The aim of this paper is to present the first aeromycological study of the atmosphere of the city of La Plata. Air samples were taken using a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap sampler (Lanzoni, VPPS 2000) for a period of a year (July 2000–June 2001). Seventy-nine morphological types of spores belonging to the Phyla Myxomycota, Zygomycota, Oomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, as well as anamorphs of Higher Fungi were identified. A total of 171670.21 spores were recorded, with a daily mean of 540 spores/m3. The spores were present throughout the year the study was carried out. However, there was a wide daily fluctuation in the concentration values with a tendency toward an increase during the summer months. The fungal spores were classified in three categories: abundant, having five spore types; moderate having 12 types; and low, with 62 morphological types which represent 67.2, 24.2, and 8.6%, respectively. The most representative taxa were Cladosporium cladosporioides, Leptosphaeria, Cladosporium herbarum, Coprinus, and Agaricus, the first two taxa having a high frequency during the year of study. This scientific research reveals a great diversity of morphological types in this outdoor environment, showing a strong dominance of the Imperfect Fungi, whose components have seasonal rates. By this study, the first aeromycological profile of an urban center of Argentina has been portrayed, and new information on the field of aeromycology in the country has been provided.     

Trends in prevalence of allergic rhinitis and correlation with pollen counts in Switzerland

In recent decades, a large number of epidemiological studies investigating the change of prevalence of hay fever showed an increase in the occurrence of this disease. However, other studies carried out in the 1990s yielded contradictory results. Many environmental factors have been hypothesized to contribute to the increasing hay fever rate, including both indoor and ambient air pollution, reduced exposure to microbial stimulation and changes in diets. However, the observed increase has not convincingly been explained by any of these factors and there is limited evidence of changes in exposure to these risk factors over time. Additionally, recent studies show that no further increase in asthma, hay fever and atopic sensitisation in adolescents and adults has been observed during the 1990s and the beginning of the new century. As the pattern of pollen counts has changed over the years, partly due to the global warming but also as a consequence of a change in the use of land, the changing prevalence of hay fever might partly be driven by this different pollen exposure. Epidemiological data for hay fever in Switzerland are available from 1926 until 2000 (with large gaps between 1926 and 1958 and 1958 to 1986) whereas pollen data are available from 1969 until the present. This allows an investigation as to whether these data are correlated provided the same time spans are compared. It would also be feasible to correlate the pollen data with meteorological data which, however, is not the subject of our investigation. Our study focuses on analyzing time series of pollen counts and of pollen season lengths in order to identify their trends, and to ascertain whether there is a relationship between these trends and the changes in the hay fever prevalence. It is shown in this paper that the pollen exposure has been decreasing in Basel since the beginning of the 1990s whereas the rate of the hay fever prevalence in Switzerland remained approximately unchanged in this period but with a slight tendency to decrease. In Locarno, most of the pollen species also show a decreasing trend, while in Zurich, the development is somewhat different as the pollen counts of most of the pollen types have been increasing. It is interesting, however, that some of the pollen counts of this station (grass, stinging nettle, mugwort and ragweed) have been decreasing in the period 1982–2007.     

Markers of atopic dermatitis,allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in pediatric patients: correlation with filaggrin,eosinophil major basic protein and immunoglobulin E

Background

Allergic reactions have been implicated as contributions in a number of atopic disorders, including atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (BA). However, the potential for filaggrin protein, eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) to elicit allergic response or to contribute to atopic disorders remains largely unexplored in pediatric patients. This study was undertaken to investigate the status and contribution of filaggrin protein, eosinophil MBP and total IgE in pediatric patients with AD, AR and BA.

Methods

Sera from 395 pediatric patients of AD, AR or BA with varying levels of disease activity according to the disease activity index and 410 age-matched non-atopic healthy controls were evaluated for serum levels of atopic markers, including filaggrin, eosinophil MBP and IgE.

Results

Serum analysis showed that filaggrin levels were remarkably high in pediatric patients with AD, followed by BA and AR, whereas its levels were low in non-atopic pediatric controls. Eosinophil MBP levels in sera of atopic patients were significantly high as compared with their respective controls, but its levels were highest in AR patients, followed by AD and BA. Total IgE in sera of AD patients was markedly high, followed by AR and BA patients, whereas its levels were low in non-atopic pediatric controls. Interestingly, not only was an increased number of subjects positive for filaggrin protein, eosinophil MBP or total IgE, but also their levels were statistically significantly higher among those atopic patients whose disease activity scores were higher as compared with atopic patients with lower disease activity scores.

Conclusions

These findings strongly support a role of filaggrin protein, eosinophil MBP and IgE in the onset of allergic reactions in pediatric patients with AD, AR and BA. The data suggest that filaggrin, eosinophil MBP or IgE might be useful in evaluating the progression of AD, AR or BA and in elucidating the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of these pediatric disorders.

     

Diagnostics in allergic diseases by correlating pollen/fungal spore counts with patient scores of symptoms

Pollen/fungal spore counts have been performed since 1977 in Copenhagen and since 1979 in Copenhagen, Viborg, Nykobing Falster and Nykobing Mors. Four Burkard Seven Day Recording Volumetric Spore Traps were used. Fungal spore counts were performed in the same period using a BIAP Slit Sampler (placed in the Copenhagen area). The study was carried out by the Danish Asthma-Allergy Association's interdisciplinary Aerobiology Group. In 1979 at the Allergy Clinic, Copenhagen County Hospital at Lyngby, data from the pollen/fungal spore counts were compared with daily scores of 95 patients' symptoms and medicine-index. Seventy-eight patients were scored in the entire period where symptoms occurred. For diagnostic purposes of allergy to pollen and fungal spores, previous patient history and symptom scores correlated to the pollen/fungal spore counts showed similarity and to some extent supplementary corrections to the diagnosis based on previous patient history, skin tests, laboratory tests, and provocation tests.     

Airborne spore loads and mesoscale dispersal of the fungal pathogens causing Sigatoka diseases in banana and plantain

The mesoscale dispersal of ascospores and conidia of the fungal pathogenMycosphaerella fijiensis, causing Black Sigatoka disease in banana and plantain, was investigated under field conditions in Costa Rica. Spores were sampled daily during the period April–August 1995, using three volumetric spore traps positioned in a 5 km straight line across the floor and up one side of a valley, to an elevation of 1000 m. The number of spores in each trap suggested that spores were not being released from nearby sources, but that they may have been transported from inoculum sources up to 40 km away. The implications of this when assessing the longer-distance transport of viable spores to new infection sites are discussed.     

Prevalence of arthropod antibodies in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis.

Arthropod antigens are main causative agents which induce allergic responses in humans. However, little information is known about the prevalence of specific arthropod allergens in Koreans with allergic diseases. The current study was designed to determine the positive rates of arthropod antibodies by the Korean inhalant panel of MAST-CLA. One hundred sixty patients, who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis from an out-patient center at the Soonchunhyang University Chunan Hospital, were studied between August 1998 to July 2000. The overall positive rate, at least more than one specific antibody of arthropods such as Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), and cockroach mix (Cm), was 46.9%. Each positive rate of Df, Dp, and Cm was 45.0%, 43.1%, and 8.8%, respectively. A significant agreement among arthropod allergens was observed (Df and Dp: 95.6%, Kappa = 0.911, P < 0.001). Our data supported the fact that arthropods were the most common allergens in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis; however, the MAST-CLA should be modified to increase specificity of arthropod allergens.     

Increased expression of angiogenic markers in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: Increased vascularity due to neo-angiogenesis is an essential part of airway remodelling. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD34 and von Willebrand's factor (FvW) are known angiogenic markers. Angiogenesis and airway remodelling has been documented in asthma but not in allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the presence of increased angiogenesis and its relation to angiogenic molecules, namely VEGF, CD34 and FvW, in endothelial cells of nasal mucosa in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), using three different immunohistochemical analysis methods, namely HSCORE, microvessel density (MVD) and vascular surface density (VSD). The findings in allergic rhinitis were compared with the findings in nasal septal deviation (NSD), which is not associated with increased angiogenesis. METHODS: Twenty patients with symptomatic SAR, who were not under treatment, were enrolled in the study. Ten patients with NSD, who needed surgical therapy, served as the control group. Demographic characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Inferior turbinate biopsy was obtained from SAR patients and control patients, under local anaesthesia and during surgery respectively. All biopsies were evaluated for angiogenesis on the basis of VEGF, CD34 and FvW by two blinded histologists using three immunohistochemical analysis methods (HSCORE, MVD and VSD).Results. HSCORE, estimated on the basis of each staining technique, showed statistically significant differences among the two groups (p=0.002; p=0.045; p=0.016, respectively). Anti-CD34 and anti-VEGF showed higher MVD values in SAR when compared to the controls (p=0.038; p=0,009, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found in Anti-FvW-based MVD between SAR patients and controls (p=0.071). The measurements of VSD for FvW and VEGF from nasal biopsy specimens displayed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.004; p=0.0001, respectively). However, measurement of VSD for CD-34 was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.086). On the other hand, morphometric data obtained by all three methods did not correlated. CONCLUSION: There are a few studies that have investigated the essential role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. We conclude that, increased angiogenesis may be as prominent in patients with allergic rhinitis as in patients with non-allergic nasal pathologies and may play an important role in the remodelling of nasal mucosa of subjects with SAR.     

Gamma,Gaussian and logistic distribution models for airborne pollen grains and fungal spore season dynamics

The characteristics of a pollen season, such as timing and magnitude, depend on a number of factors such as the biology of the plant and environmental conditions. The main aim of this study was to develop mathematical models that explain dynamics in atmospheric concentrations of pollen and fungal spores recorded in Rzeszów (SE Poland) in 2000–2002. Plant taxa with different characteristics in the timing, duration and curve of their pollen seasons, as well as several fungal taxa were selected for this analysis. Gaussian, gamma and logistic distribution models were examined, and their effectiveness in describing the occurrence of airborne pollen and fungal spores was compared. The Gaussian and differential logistic models were very good at describing pollen seasons with just one peak. These are typically for pollen types with just one dominant species in the flora and when the weather, in particular temperature, is stable during the pollination period. Based on s parameter of the Gaussian function, the dates of the main pollen season can be defined. In spite of the fact that seasonal curves are often characterised by positive skewness, the model based on the gamma distribution proved not to be very effective.     

Experiences with Policing among People Who Inject Drugs in Bangkok,Thailand: A Qualitative Study

Background

Despite Thailand''s commitment to treating people who use drugs as “patients” not “criminals,” Thai authorities continue to emphasize criminal law enforcement for drug control. In 2003, Thailand''s drug war received international criticism due to extensive human rights violations. However, few studies have since investigated the impact of policing on drug-using populations. Therefore, we sought to examine experiences with policing among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Bangkok, Thailand, between 2008 and 2012.

Methods and Findings

Between July 2011 and June 2012, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 42 community-recruited PWID participating in the Mitsampan Community Research Project in Bangkok. Interviews explored PWID''s encounters with police during the past three years. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted to document the character of PWID''s experiences with police. Respondents indicated that policing activities had noticeably intensified since rapid urine toxicology screening became available to police. Respondents reported various forms of police misconduct, including false accusations, coercion of confessions, excessive use of force, and extortion of money. However, respondents were reluctant to report misconduct to the authorities in the face of social and structural barriers to seeking justice. Respondents'' strategies to avoid police impeded access to health care and facilitated transitions towards the misuse of prescribed pharmaceuticals. The study''s limitations relate to the transferability of the findings, including the potential biases associated with the small convenience sample.

Conclusions

This study suggests that policing in Bangkok has involved injustices, human rights abuses, and corruption, and policing practices in this setting appeared to have increased PWID''s vulnerability to poor health through various pathways. Novel to this study are findings pertaining to the use of urine drug testing by police, which highlight the potential for widespread abuse of this emerging technology. These findings raise concern about ongoing policing practices in this setting. Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary     

Correlation of spring spore concentrations and meteorological conditions in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Different spore types are abundant in the atmosphere depending on the weather conditions. Ascospores generally follow precipitation, while spore types such as Alternaria and Cladosporium are abundant in dry conditions. This project attempted to correlate fungal spore concentrations with meteorological data from Tulsa, Oklahoma during May 1998 and May 1999. Air samples were collected and analyzed by the 12-traverse method. The spore types included were Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Curvularia, Pithomyces, Drechslera, smut spores, ascospores, basidiospores, and other spores. Weather variables included precipitation levels, temperature, dew point, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction and wind gusts. There were over 242.57 mm of rainfall in May 1999 and only 64.01 mm in May 1998. The most abundant spore types during May 1998 and May 1999 were Cladosporium, ascospores, and basidiospores. Results showed that there were significant differences in the dry-air spora between May 1998 and May 1999. There were twice as many Cladosporium in May 1998 as in May 1999; both ascospores and basidiospores showed little change. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which meteorological variables influenced spore concentrations. Results showed that there was no single model for all spore types. Different combinations of factors were predictors of concentration for the various fungi examined; however, temperature and dew point seemed to be the most important meteorological factors. Received: 5 July 2000 / Revised: 20 December 2000 / Accepted: 22 December 2000     

Survey on the impact of comorbid allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are inflammatory conditions of the airways that often occur concomitantly. This global survey was undertaken to understand patient perspectives regarding symptoms, treatments, and the impact on their well-being of comorbid AR and asthma.

Methods

Survey participants were adults with asthma (n = 813) and parents of children with asthma (n = 806) from four countries each in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. Patients included in the survey also had self-reported, concomitant AR symptoms. Patients and parents were recruited by telephone interview or by direct interview.

Results

Most patients (73%) had pre-existing symptoms of AR when their asthma was first diagnosed. Shortness of breath (21%) was the most troublesome symptom for adults, and wheezing (17%) and coughing (17%) the most troublesome for children. Patients used different medications for treating asthma (most commonly short-acting β-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids) and for treating AR (most commonly oral antihistamines). The concomitant presence of AR and asthma disrupted the ability to get a good night's sleep (79%), to participate in leisure and sports activities (75%), to concentrate at work or school (69% of adults, 73% of children), and to enjoy social activities (57% of adults, 51% of children). Most patients (79%) reported worsening asthma symptoms when AR symptoms flared up. Many (56%) avoided the outdoors during the allergy season because of worsening asthma symptoms. Many (60%) indicated difficulty in effectively treating both conditions, and 72% were concerned about using excessive medication. In general, respondents from the Asia-Pacific region reported more disruption of activities caused by symptoms and more concerns and difficulties with medications than did those from Europe. Differences between the two regions in medication use included more common use of inhaled corticosteroids in Europe and more common use of Chinese herbal remedies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Conclusion

Results of this survey suggest that comorbid asthma and AR substantially impact patient well-being and that the worsening of AR symptoms in patients with asthma can be associated with worsening asthma symptoms. These findings underscore the need for physicians who treat patients with asthma to evaluate treatment options for improving symptoms of both AR and asthma when present concomitantly.

     

Airborne pollen in Nuuk, Greenland, and the importance of meteorological parameters

To describe the season of airborne pollen ofbirch and grass in the city of Nuuk, Greenland,pollen concentrations were measured dailythroughout the pollen seasons in 1997 to 1999.The study was part of a large epidemiologicalcross-sectional study of allergy and riskfactors for allergy in Greenlander Inuit livingin Greenland and Denmark.For the three years the mean birch pollenseason started around 8 June, lasted in average16 days and the mean annual total pollen countwas 46. The highest daily concentration of 23birch pollen pr. m³ was measured in 1999.The mean grass pollen season began around 22July, it lasted 53 days and the mean annualtotal pollen count was 81. The highest grasspollen number registered for one day reached 12in 1998. Several other types of pollen werealso measured, generally in smallconcentrations, but for Cyperaceae and Alderthe mean annual total pollen count were 43 and19 respectively. Though the measuredconcentrations are small, it is concluded thatairborne pollen occur in the arctic climate ofNuuk in potentially clinically relevantamounts.For the three years large variations wereobserved for the start, duration and amountsfor both birch and grass. Models forestimation of the starting date based onGrowing Degree Hours (GDHs) predicted the startof the birch and grass pollen with greataccuracy – within one day. Analysis of themeteorological conditions show that themeasured pollen in general originated from thearea around Nuuk, but there are indicationsthat pollen might have been long-transportedfrom Canada.     

Airborne Pinus pollen in the atmosphere of Brisbane, Australia and relationships with meteorological parameters

Relationships between weather parameters andairborne pollen loads of Pinus inBrisbane, Australia have been investigated overthe five-year period, June 1994–May 1999.Pinus pollen accounts for 4.5% of the annualairborne pollen load in Brisbane where thePinus season is confined to the winter months,July–early September. During the samplingperiod loads of 11–>100 grains m³ wererecorded on 24 days and 1–10 grains m³ on204 days. The onset and peak dates wereconsistent across each season, whereas the enddates varied. The onset of the Pinuspollen season coincided with the coolestaverage monthly temperatures (< 22°C),lowest rainfall (< 7mm), and four weeks afterdaily minimum temperatures fell to 5–9°Cin late autumn. Correlations obtained betweendaily airborne Pinus pollen counts andtemperature/rainfall parameters show thatdensities of airborne Pinus pollen arenegatively correlated with maximum temperature(p < 0.0001), minimum temperature (p < 0.0001)and rainfall (p < 0.05) during the mainpollination period. The mean duration of eachpollen season was 52 days; longer seasons wereshown to be directly related to lower averageseasonal maximum temperatures (r² = 0.85,p = 0.025). These results signify that maximumand minimum temperatures are the majorparameters that influence the onset andduration of the Pinus pollen season inthe environs of Brisbane. Respiratory allergyis an important health issue in Brisbane,Australia, but it remains unknown whether ornot airborne Pinus pollen is acontributing factor.     

Airborne pollen concentration in the region of Braga, Portugal, and its relationship with meteorological parameters

The variation in airborne pollen concentrationof the Braga region (Portugal) was studied inspringtime, during the flowering of Vitisvinifera. The data set was obtained for twoconsecutive years (1999 and 2000), using aCour-type sampler.During this period, thirty-six taxa wereobserved in a total of 3,200 pollengrains m^-3 of air (CPA). The main pollentypes observed were Olea, Poaceaea,nd Castanea, representing 74% of thepollen spectrum.The airborne pollen concentration (CPA) wassignificantly correlated with certainmeteorological parameters. Pollen concentrationwas positively correlated with temperature andwind direction (East and Northeast) andnegatively correlated with rainfall and numberof rainy days.