Airborne Poaceae pollen in Porto (Portugal) and allergenic profiles of several grass pollen types

This work aims to investigate the presence of airborne grass pollen and to identify antigenic and allergenic profiles from eight different grass species collected in the Porto region (Portugal). Poaceae airborne pollen, sampled using a Hirst-type volumetric trap during 2003–2007, was the second most abundant type, and high concentrations were found from April to August. Pollen proteins extracted from the eight grass species collected were separated by SDS-PAGE, being the allergenic profile investigated by immunoblotting using sera from atopic patients and maize profilin polyclonal antibody (ZmPRO3). Pollen extract profiles showed several bands ranging from 10 to 97 kDa. In immunoblotting studies, a low molecular weight protein (12–13 kDa) was recognized by profilin antibody. Also, in all pollen extracts except Zea mays, the IgE binding proteins of 12–13 kDa were detected in sera from the 25 patients with different sensitization profiles presenting high IgE values (>80 kU/l). This protein can be considered as a potential causal agent of the allergic respiratory diseases.     

Evolution of ragweed pollen concentrations, sensitization and related allergic clinical symptoms in Parma (northern Italy)

The pollen released in the atmosphere by the ragweed represents a question of public health in several European countries. In Italy, the ragweed is mostly distributed in the North. In our region (Emilia Romagna), the presence of ragweed was not described yet if not occasionally, but this plant is thriving well in the North of the Po river. The aim of our study was to estimate the concentration trends of ragweed pollens in the air of Parma starting from 1992 until 2008 and to describe the clinical related situation. The aerobiological surveillance was made with the methods standardized by the Italian Association of Aerobiology. We analyzed 19,468 outpatients affected by respiratory disease. The patients studied address our clinical Center, mainly with pathologies respiratory, most of them with allergic origin. To detect the existence of significant trends and correlations since, we used the non-parametric tests with SPSS software. Our observations showed that since 1995, the year until when pollens of ragweed were only sporadically observed in the air of Parma, there has been a significant increase in ragweed pollens. Among the patients addressed at our clinical Center, 876 patients had positive SPT (skin prick test) for ragweed pollen with respiratory illnesses, all polysensitized. Besides, we found a significant increase in patients with positive SPT for the ragweed, and among these, the increase in the asthma has been significant. On the basis of our results, we expect, in the absence of intervention from public authorities, a more significant increase in the positive subjects and an aggravation of the symptoms related to the presence of ragweed pollen in the air of Parma.     

The relationships between the concentrations of airborne pollen and allergic symptoms in Trieste (Northern Italy) in 1989

Summary Concentrations of airborne pollens recorded in Trieste in 1989 are evaluated in relation to allergic complaints in 113 patients with skin prick tests positive to one pollen species. Analysis of the result enable the two most important allergens to be confirmed as: Poaceae in 70.7% of patients and Parietaria in 18.6%. Few people had monosensitation to Compositae (Artemisia), Corylaceae and Fagaceae.Sympotoms are related to the flowering period when pollen levels climbed to daily averages of 15–20 grains/m³ but they started later than airborne peak concentrations and finished later than pollen decline. Pollen concentration recording can be a useful way to predict the clinical manifestation in sensitive patients but other factors are involved in determining symptoms like subjective mucosal reactions, polysensitization, patients living and working environment.     

Phenotypic plasticity, precipitation, and invasiveness in the fire-promoting grass Pennisetum setaceum (Poaceae)

Invasiveness may result from genetic variation and adaptation or phenotypic plasticity, and genetic variation in fitness traits may be especially critical. Pennisetum setaceum (fountain grass, Poaceae) is highly invasive in Hawaii (HI), moderately invasive in Arizona (AZ), and less invasive in southern California (CA). In common garden experiments, we examined the relative importance of quantitative trait variation, precipitation, and phenotypic plasticity in invasiveness. In two very different environments, plants showed no differences by state of origin (HI, CA, AZ) in aboveground biomass, seeds/flower, and total seed number. Plants from different states were also similar within watering treatment. Plants with supplemental watering, relative to unwatered plants, had greater biomass, specific leaf area (SLA), and total seed number, but did not differ in seeds/flower. Progeny grown from seeds produced under different watering treatments showed no maternal effects in seed mass, germination, biomass or SLA. High phenotypic plasticity, rather than local adaptation is likely responsible for variation in invasiveness. Global change models indicate that temperature and precipitation patterns over the next several decades will change, although the direction of change is uncertain. Drier summers in southern California may retard further invasion, while wetter summers may favor the spread of fountain grass.     

Poaceae pollen in the atmosphere of Aranjuez,Madrid and Toledo (central Spain)

The main aim of this work is to study the aerobiological behaviour of Poaceae pollen in three areas of central Spain (Aranjuez, Madrid and Toledo), all of which are similar from a geographical, climatic and biogeographical point of view, and they are located nearby one another. The samplings were carried out over a period of 4 years (2005–2008) using Hirst-type spore traps. Grass pollen is responsible for most spring allergic reactions in the pollen-sensitive population in central Spain, and they are very abundant in the atmosphere of this part of Iberian Peninsula. The average amount of this pollen type, as a percentage of the annual total pollen amount, is 7.4% in Aranjuez, 9.2% in Madrid and 11.3% in Toledo. Poaceae pollen is present in the atmosphere over a long period of time (February–October), and its maximum concentrations are detected during May and June (weeks 16–25). The city of Toledo has the highest annual concentrations of grass pollen (average 5,797 grains) with a great number of days exceeding the allergy thresholds proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA). Madrid and Aranjuez present similar annual concentrations of grass pollen with values of 2,961 grains and 2,751 grains, respectively. The correlation analysis between the daily levels of grass pollen and meteorological variables of temperature and rainfall show a significant correlation, positive with temperature (maximum, mean and minimum) and negative with rainfall.     

Differentiation of bundle sheath,mesophyll, and distinctive cells in the C4 grass Arundinella hirta (Poaceae)

The C₄ grass Arundinella hirta is characterized by unusual leaf blade anatomy: veins are widely spaced and files of bundle-sheath-like cells, the distinctive cells, form longitudinal strands that are not associated with vascular tissue. While distinctive cells (DCs) appear to function like bundle sheath cells (BSCs), they differ developmentally in two ways: they are derived from ground meristem rather than procambium and they are formed 1–2 plastochrons later. This study describes ultrastructural features of differentiating of BSCs, DCs, and associated mesophyll cells (MCs) during leaf development. BSCs and DCs differ from adjacent MCs by undergoing earlier cell enlargement, greater rates of chloroplast enlargement, reduction of chloroplast thylakoids at late stages of differentiation, more extensive starch formation, greater wall thickening, and deposition of a suberin lamella. The precocious delimitation of the bundle sheath layer is reflected in earlier BSC enlargement and vacuole growth. Derivation of DCs from ground meristem is correlated with late developmental changes in chloroplast size, wall thickness, and plasmodesmatal density. Despite these differences in timing of events, particularly at early stages, the development of the specialized structural features of BSCs and DCs is essentially similar. Thus, proximity to vascular tissue appears to be nonessential for the coordination and regulation of BSC- and MC-specific developmental events.     

Adverse drug reactions related hospital admissions in persons aged 60 years and over, The Netherlands, 1981-2007: less rapid increase, different drugs

Background

Epidemiologic information on time trends of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) and ADR-related hospitalizations is scarce. Over time, pharmacotherapy has become increasingly complex. Because of raised awareness of ADR, a decrease in ADR might be expected. The aim of this study was to determine trends in ADR-related hospitalizations in the older Dutch population.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Secular trend analysis of ADR-related hospital admissions in patients ≥60 years between 1981 and 2007, using the National Hospital Discharge Registry of the Netherlands. Numbers, age-specific and age-adjusted incidence rates (per 10,000 persons) of ADR-related hospital admissions were used as outcome measures in each year of the study. Between 1981 and 2007, ADR-related hospital admissions in persons ≥60 years increased by 143%. The overall standardized incidence rate increased from 23.3 to 38.3 per 10,000 older persons. The increase was larger in males than in females. Since 1997, the increase in incidence rates of ADR-related hospitalizations flattened (percentage annual change 0.65%), compared to the period 1981–1996 (percentage annual change 2.56%).

Conclusion/Significance

ADR-related hospital admissions in older persons have shown a rapidly increasing trend in the Netherlands over the last three decades with a temporization since 1997. Although an encouraging flattening in the increasing trend of ADR-related admissions was found around 1997, the incidence is still rising, which warrants sustained attention to this problem.     

Water-induced stress influences the relative investment in cleistogamous and chasmogamous flowers of an invasive grass,Microstegium vimineum (Poaceae)

Background: Global climate change has the potential to shape evolutionary trajectories of invasive species via many routes, including through changes in mating systems. Many cleistogamous (CL) plants adjust investment in CL (selfed) vs. chasmogamous (CH, potentially outcrossed) progeny across environmental gradients. However, the details of such adjustments are lacking for highly invasive plant species.

Aims: We used a highly invasive grass, Microstegium vimineum, as a model for understanding how changes in water-induced stress (including potential associated changes in soil nutrient availability) might affect mating systems and thus evolutionary change in invasive species. We predicted that plants would respond to increased water-induced stress through a relative reduction in investment in CL vs. CH reproduction (i.e., a decrease in the CL:CH ratio).

Methods: Under greenhouse conditions, we measured fecundity (number of inflorescences and florets per plant) as well as relative investment in CL vs. CH florets (CL:CH ratios for number of inflorescences, florets per inflorescence, overall florets) in response to three watering treatments approximating mesic (low) to inundated (high) conditions.

Results: Plant biomass was significantly lower in high-watering treatment relative to intermediate and low treatments, indicating that the high-water condition was stressful. Contrary to expectations, stressed plants significantly increased relative investment in CL reproduction, a pattern associated with decreased inflorescence number and increased numbers of CL florets per inflorescence.

Conclusions: We conclude that changes in water-induced stress could strongly influence realised rates of outcrossing in this invasive plant, leading to mating system evolution, and altered invasiveness.     

Imbalanced serum levels of resolvin E1 (RvE1) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in patients with allergic rhinitis

Molecular Biology Reports - Timely and successful resolution of acute inflammation plays a crucial role in preventing the development of chronic airway inflammation in allergic rhinitis (AR). This...     

Inflorescence diversification in the panicoid "bristle grass" clade (Paniceae, Poaceae): evidence from molecular phylogenies and developmental morphology

Grasses exhibit a great variety of inflorescence forms and these appear homoplasious when mapped onto cladograms. The overall pattern is sufficiently complex that it is difficult to analyze inflorescence evolution. We have reduced the complexity of the problem by examining one group of grasses, the panicoid "bristle clade," which exhibits a less complex pattern of variation. The clade is morphologically defined by inflorescences bearing both spikelets and sterile bristles and is monophyletic in both morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. We have constructed a chloroplast DNA phylogeny of the three main genera, which finds three well-supported clades, two comprising species placed in Setaria and one of Pennisetum + Cenchrus. In this tree Cenchrus is monophyletic, but both Setaria and Pennisetum are paraphyletic. Developmental morphology of these groups is very similar at early stages. Changes in axis ramification, primordial differentiation, and axis elongation account for most variation in mature inflorescence morphology. Characters derived from comparisons of developmental sequences were optimized onto one of the most parsimonious trees. Most developmental characters were congruent with the molecular phylogeny except for three reversals in the subclade containing S. barbata, S. palmifolia, and two accessions of S. poiretiana. Changes in just a handful of developmental events account for inflorescence evolution in the bristle clade, and similar changes may account for inflorescence diversity in the grasses as a whole.     

The influence of temperature,relative humidity and rainfall on the occurrence of pollen allergens (Betula,Poaceae, Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in the atmosphere of Bratislava (Slovakia)

The occurrence of pollen grains in the atmosphere markedly relates to meteorological factors. In the study we have evaluated a correlation between the concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere of Bratislava and temperature, relative humidity and rainfall during the vegetation period of 1995 and 1997. For our analysis we have selected one representative of each phytoallergen group (trees, grasses, weeds). We have chosen the Betula genus of trees, the whole Poaceae family of grasses and ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. to represent weeds. The taxons mentioned represent the most significant allergens in Slovakia. The concentration of pollen grains has been monitored by a Lanzoni volumetric pollen trap. The data obtained, the average daily concentration in 1 m(3), have been included in the statistical analysis together with values for the average daily temperature, relative humidity and total rainfall in 24 h. The correlation between the concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere and selected meteorological variables from daily monitoring has been studied with the help of linear regression and correlation coefficients. We have found the average daily temperature and relative humidity (less than temperature) to be significant factors influencing the occurrence of pollen grains in the atmosphere of Bratislava. The total daily rainfall does not seem to be significant from the statistical point of view.     

Microbial production and consumption of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in a sea grass (Zostera noltii)-dominated marine intertidal sediment ecosystem (Bassin d'Arcachon, France)

The relation between net dimethyl sulfide (DMS) production and changes in near surface (0-5 mm) oxygen concentrations in a sea grass (Zostera noltii Hornem)-covered intertidal sediment ecosystem was examined during a diel cycle. Sediment covered with Zostera was found to be more oxygenated than uncovered sediment during the period of photosynthesis. This phenomenon was probably caused by radial oxygen loss of the Zostera root-rhizome system. The population sizes of the three functional groups of microbes mainly responsible for the concentration of DMS, the dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP)-demethylating, DMSP-cleaving and DMS-oxidizing bacteria, were quantified by most probable number (MPN) methodologies. Sediments with Zostera supported substantially higher populations of both aerobic (149x10(6) cm(-3) DMSP-utilizing and 0.4x10(6) cm(-3) DMS-oxidizing) and anaerobic (43x10(6) cm(-3) DMSP-utilizing and 0.4x10(6) cm(-3) DMS-oxidizing) microorganisms than sediments without Zostera (DMSP-utilizing aerobes and anaerobes both 2x10(6) cm(-3) and DMS-oxidizing aerobes and anaerobes both 0.2x10(6) cm(-3)). Experiments conducted with sediment cores and sediment slurries suggested that the net production of DMS in these sediments was significantly lower during oxic periods than during anoxic periods. Intact sediment cores with and without Zostera produced DMS when incubated under anoxic/dark conditions (97.0 and 53.6 nmol DMS m(-2) h(-1), respectively), while oxic/light-incubated cores did not produce detectable amounts of DMS. In addition, kinetic parameter values (V(max) and K(m)) for DMSP degradation in cell suspensions of isolated DMSP-demethylating and DMSP-cleaving bacteria were measured and compared to documented values for other strains. Both V(max) and K(m) values for DMSP-demethylating organisms were found to be relatively low (14.4-20.1 nmol DMSP mg protein(-1) min(-1) and 4.1-15.5 μM, respectively) while these parameter values varied widely in the group of the DMSP-cleaving organisms (6.7-1000 nmol DMSP mg protein(-1) min(-1) and 2-2000 μM, respectively). It was hypothesized that a diel rhythm in DMS emission occurred, with a relatively low net production during the day and a high net production during the night. Environmental changes which result in increased anoxic conditions in coastal sediments, such as an increase in eutrophication, may therefore result in increased atmospheric DMS emission rates.     

The risks of cancer development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Although accumulating data have suggested the development of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, these results remain inconsistent. To examine such a putative association, this analysis reports the association between SLE and the risks of 24 cancer types.

Methods

Online databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched comprehensively for eligible studies, published up to 15 May 2018. Pooled standardized incidence rates (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to reveal their associations.

Results

A total of 24 eligible studies were ultimately enrolled. Our results indicated that SLE was associated with increased risk of overall cancers, cancer risk in both genders, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, cervix, vagina/vulva, renal, bladder, esophagus, gastric, hepatobiliary, lung, oropharynx, larynx, non-melanoma skin, and thyroid cancers. Additionally, SLE could reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma; however, it was not significantly associated with breast, uterus, ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, or brain cancers.

Conclusions

Our results shed light SLE being correlated with increased risk for 16 involved cancers and decreased risk for prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma. This comprehensive meta-analysis provides epidemiological evidence supporting the associations between SLE and cancer risk. This evidence could be utilized to drive public policies and to help guide personalized medicine to better manage SLE and reduce associated cancer morbidity and mortality.

     

Concordance of cancer drug therapy information derived from routinely collected hospital admissions data and the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) dataset,for older women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer in England

BackgroundEvaluating uptake of oncological treatments, and subsequent outcomes, depends on data sources containing accurate and complete information about cancer drug therapy (CDT). This study aimed to evaluate the consistency of CDT information in the Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care (HES-APC) and Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) datasets for early invasive breast cancer (EIBC).MethodsThe study included women (50 + years) diagnosed with EIBC in England from 2014 to 2019 who had surgery within six months of diagnosis. Concordance of CDT recorded in HES-APC (identified using OPCS codes) and SACT was evaluated at both patient-level and cycle-level. Factors associated with CDT use captured only in HES-APC were assessed using statistical models.ResultsThe cohort contained 129,326 women with EIBC. Overall concordance between SACT and HES-APC on CDT use was 94 %. Concordance increased over the study period (91–96 %), and there was wide variation across NHS trusts (lowest decile of trusts had concordance≤77 %; highest decile≥99 %). Among women receiving CDT, 9 % (n = 2781/31693) of use was not captured in SACT; incompleteness was worst (18 %=47/259) among women aged 80 + and those diagnosed in 2014 (21%=1121/5401). OPCS codes in HES-APC were good at identifying patient-level and cycle-level use of trastuzumab or FEC chemotherapy (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide), with 89 % and 93 % concordance with SACT respectively (patient-level agreement). Among cycles of solely oral CDT recorded in SACT, only 24 % were captured in HES-APC, compared to 71 % for intravenous/subcutaneous CDT.ConclusionsCombining information in HES-APC and SACT provides a more complete picture of CDT treatment in women aged 50 + receiving surgery for EIBC than using either data source alone. HES-APC may have particular value in identifying CDT use among older women, those diagnosed less recently, and in NHS trusts with low SACT data returns.     

Ultrastructural study of pollen and anther development in Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae,Grewioideae) and its systematic implications: Role of tapetal transfer cells,orbicules and male germ unit

Developmental processes of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis in Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae, Grewioideae) were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy. The species studied has perfect flowers. The young anthers are bithecal and tetrasporangiate; microspore mother cells undergo simultaneous meiosis, forming tetrads with a tetrahedral arrangement. The development of the anther wall conforms to the basic type and the tapetum is secretory. The results highlight the presence of multinucleate tapetal cells, which acquire ultrastructural features characteristic of transfer cells at the young pollen grain stage, and which are associated with the presence of orbicules. Tapetal transfer cells have not been previously investigated in detail for other species of angiosperms; their function during pollen development is discussed. The present work is the first contribution to the knowledge of ultrastructural pollen development in the genus Luehea, as well as in the subfamily Grewioideae.     

Development, freezability and amino acid consumption of bovine embryos cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium containing amino acids at oviductal or uterine-fluid concentrations

In this study, we examined the development, freezability and amino acid consumption of in vitro produced bovine embryos cultured in a chemically defined medium (SOF+polyvinyl alcohol), supplemented with 24 amino acids at concentrations measured in bovine oviductal or uterine fluid. Amino acids at concentrations in oviductal fluid tested by Elhanssan (EOAA) significantly improved development to the hatched blastocyst stage, compared to Sigma amino acid solutions BME and MEM (SAA). Amino acids at concentrations in uterine fluid tested by Li (LUAA) were not compared to SAA, and development in LUAA was not significantly different from development in EOAA. Amino acids at concentrations in uterine fluid tested by Elhanssan (EUAA) significantly reduced cleavage rate and blocked further embryo development. When the IVF embryos were cultured in EOAA for 48, 72, 96, or 120 h and then transferred to LUAA, blastocyst and hatched blastocyst rates were not significantly affected. The freezability of blastocysts cultured in EOAA for the first 72 h and then moved to LUAA was improved compared to that in SAA. During the 1-8-cell stages, embryos secreted all 23 amino acids (total, 6,368 pmol/embryo). During the 8-cell to morula stages, embryos continued to secrete 21 amino acids (total, 2,495 pmol/embryo), meanwhile embryos began to absorb Arg (70 pmol/embryo) and Gln (18 pmol/embryo). After the morula stage, embryos began to absorb 15 amino acids including Glu, Gly, Arg, and Gln (total, 2,742 pmol/embryo) and secreted eight amino acids (total, 1,616 pmol/embryo). Embryos absorbed only Arg (183 pmol/embryo) and secreted the other 22 amino acids (total, 3,697 pmol/embryo) when the culture medium was not changed during the entire culture period (zygote to blastocyst).     

The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mother milk: A global systematic review,meta-analysis and health risk assessment of infants

BackgroundBio-monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminants in mother milk is essential to keep mothers and infants healthy against potential risks. The current study assesses the concentration of PAHs in mother milk through a meta-analytic and systematic review approach.MethodsAll the published studies up to December 2020 regarding the concentrations of various PAHs in mother milk were searched throughout major international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Moreover, the possible carcinogenic and mutagenic risks to infants were evaluated based on the BaP (benzo[a]pyrenee) equivalent dose.ResultsAccording to the results of 13 articles included among 936 retrieved studies, the lowest and highest concentration of PAHs was (0.125 ng/g) and (76.36 ng/g) related to benz(a)anthracenem and 1-methylnaphthalene, respectively. The highest (9.830 ng/g) and lowest (0.009 ng/g) concentration of PAHs was related to Mexico and Japan, respectively. Besides, carcinogenetic and mutagenic risk assessment of the PAHs indicated that risk pattern was different across countries. It can be concluded that the consumption of mother milk is safe and does not pose a risk due to the ingestion of PAHs to the health of infant consumers.