The impact of data assimilation into the meteorological WRF model on birch pollen modelling.

We analyse the impact of ground-based data assimilation to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) meteorological model on parameters relevant for birch pollen emission calculations. Then, we use two different emission databases (BASE - no data assimilation, OBSNUD - data assimilation for the meteorological model) in the chemical transport model and evaluate birch pollen concentrations. Finally, we apply a scaling factor for the emissions (BASE and OBSNUD), based on the ratio between simulated and observed seasonal pollen integral (SPIn) to analyse its impact on birch concentrations over Central Europe. Assimilation of observational data significantly reduces model overestimation of air temperature, which is the main parameter responsible for the start of pollen emission and amount of released pollen. The results also show that a relatively small bias in air temperature from the model can lead to significant differences in heating degree days (HDD) value. This may cause the HDD threshold to be attained several days earlier/later than indicated from observational data which has further impact on the start of pollen emission. Even though the bias for air temperature was reduced for OBSNUD, the model indicates a start for the birch pollen season that is too early compared to observations. The start date of the season was improved at two of the 11 stations in Poland. Data assimilation does not have a significant impact on the season's end or SPIn value. The application of the SPIn factor for the emissions results in a much closer birch pollen concentration level to observations even though the factor does not improve the start or end of the pollen season. The post-processing of modelled meteorological fields, such as the application of bias correction, can be considered as a way to further improve the pollen emission modelling.

Extension of WRF-Chem for birch pollen modelling-a case study for Poland.

In recent years, allergies due to airborne pollen allergens have shown an increasing trend, along with the severity of allergic symptoms in most industrialized countries, while synergism with other common atmospheric pollutants has also been identified as affecting the overall quality of citizenly life. In this study, we propose the state-of-the-art WRF-Chem model, which is a complex Eulerian meteorological model integrated on-line with atmospheric chemistry. We used a combination of the WRF-Chem extended towards birch pollen, and the emission module based on heating degree days, which has not been tested before. The simulations were run for the moderate season in terms of birch pollen concentrations (year 2015) and high season (year 2016) over Central Europe, which were validated against 11 observational stations located in Poland. The results show that there is a big difference in the model's performance for the two modelled years. In general, the model overestimates birch pollen concentrations for the moderate season and highly underestimates birch pollen concentrations for the year 2016. The model was able to predict birch pollen concentrations for first allergy symptoms (above 20 pollen m-3) as well as for severe symptoms (above 90 pollen m-3) with probability of detection at 0.78 and 0.68 and success ratio at 0.75 and 0.57, respectively for the year 2015. However, the model failed to reproduce these parameters for the year 2016. The results indicate the potential role of correcting the total seasonal pollen emission in improving the model's performance, especially for specific years in terms of pollen productivity. The application of chemical transport models such as WRF-Chem for pollen modelling provides a great opportunity for simultaneous simulations of chemical air pollution and allergic pollen with one goal, which is a step forward for studying and understanding the co-exposure of these particles in the air.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease]. / Ocena skutecznosci chirurgicznego leczenia zarzucania zoladkowo-przelykowego.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: In a group of 100 patients efficacy of surgical treatment of GERD was prospectively assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 women and 63 men were qualified into the study. During preoperative period the following symptoms were assessed: heartburn, belching, chest pain, epigastric pain, regurgitations, dysphagia and the following examinations were performed: esophagogastroscopy, esophageal barium meal X-ray examination, esophageal manometry an 24-hours pH-metry. All patients were operated laparoscopically. RESULTS: Based on preoperative esophageal manometry 67 Nissen and 33 Toupet fundoplications were done. Mean patients' age was 51,54 years. Postoperative mortality was 0%. While assessing clinical symptomps one found statistically significant reduction of preoperative complaints, improvement of motility of esophageal body and parameters of lower esophageal sphincter, and normalization of 24-hours pH-metry record. CONCLUSIONS: Antireflux operations effectively reduce pathological GERD and improve esophageal motility.

Quality of life before and after laparoscopic fundoplication. Does quality of life depend on psychological factors? Preliminary report.

UNLABELLED: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common benign foregut disorder. In many cases multiple factors contribute to the development of esophagitis and result in GERD symptoms. GERD has a definite negative impact on patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative results and compare pre- and postoperative quality of life after laparoscopic Nissen or Toupet fundoplication and also to determine if psychological factors have an influence on the quality of life and surgical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with a proven GERD and hiatal esophageal hernia (HHE) were included in a prospective study. After routine examinations, assessment of quality of life (Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index--GIQLI) and psychological investigation (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--MMPI) the patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. Three months after operation all of the patients had quality of life assessment again. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups depending on the result of MMPI test. Patients with conversion disorder (CD) preoperatively had significantly lower mean overall score in GIQLI (84.3 +/- 16.3) in comparison to patients without CD (93.0 +/- 19.4). The mean score increased significantly in both groups 3 month after surgery (to 100.6 +/- 21.2 in patients with CD and to 106.7 +/- 18.1 in patients without CD). CONCLUSION: Quality of life in GERD patients is significantly impaired. It shows general improvement after surgery. There are findings in the literature and in our research project showing that comorbidities or psychological factors are able to affect the subjective outcome without any fundamental explanations or basis. Thus, psychological intervention can decrease the spectrum of symptoms and improve the subjective outcome of fundoplication in selected patients.

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene predisposing to breast and ovarian cancers in Upper Silesia population.

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes predispose their carriers to breast or/and ovary cancers during their lifetime. The most frequent mutations: 5382insC, 185delAG, C61G and 4153delA in BRCA1, and 6174delT and 9631delC in BRCA2 were studied in a group of 148 probands admitted for genetic counseling, using allele-specific amplification (ASA) PCR test. Fifteen carriers of three different mutations: 5382insC, 185delAG and C61G in BRCA1 were found. Two families carried the 185delAG mutation and additional two C61G in BRCA1. Nobody carried the mutation 4153delA in BRCA1 nor 6174delT or 9631delC in BRCA2. Most of the carriers of a germline mutation were observed among the patients who developed bilateral breast cancer (17%). The lowest frequency of the germline mutations was found in the healthy persons who had two or more relatives affected with breast or ovarian cancer.