Temporal and spatiotemporal autocorrelation of daily concentrations of Alnus, Betula, and Corylus pollen in Poland.

The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of temporal and space-time autocorrelation of pollen counts of Alnus, Betula, and Corylus in the air of eight cities in Poland. Daily average pollen concentrations were monitored over 8 years (2001-2005 and 2009-2011) using Hirst-designed volumetric spore traps. The spatial and temporal coherence of data was investigated using the autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions. The calculation and mathematical modelling of 61 correlograms were performed for up to 25 days back. The study revealed an association between temporal variations in Alnus, Betula, and Corylus pollen counts in Poland and three main groups of factors such as: (1) air mass exchange after the passage of a single weather front (30-40 % of pollen count variation); (2) long-lasting factors (50-60 %); and (3) random factors, including diurnal variations and measurements errors (10 %). These results can help to improve the quality of forecasting models.

Prevalence of Artemisia species pollinosis in western Poland: impact of climate change on aerobiological trends, 1995-2004.

BACKGROUND: Artemisia species pollen represents a major cause of allergy in Central Europe. Variations in the pollen season, the influence of climate variables and the prevalence of pollinosis to it were analyzed in Poznan, in western Poland between 1995 and 2004. METHODS: A Hirst volumetric spore trap was used for atmospheric sampling. Pollination date trend analysis and Spearman correlation tests were performed. Skin prick tests (SPT) and allergen specific immunoglobulin (lg)E antibody measurements were performed in 676 and 524 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The Artemisia species pollen season grew longer due to a clear advance in the starting day and only a slightly earlier end point; the peak day also came slightly earlier. Rainfall in the first fortnight of July highly influenced pollen season severity. Temperature was directly correlated with daily Artemisia species pollen levels; relative humidity was inversely correlated. Twelve percent of patients had a positive SPT reaction to Artemisia species. Their symptoms were rhinitis and conjunctivitis (15%), atopic dermatitis (15%), chronic urticaria (14.3%), bronchial asthma (2.4%), and facial and disseminated dermatitis (1.3%). Elevated specific IgE concentrations were detected in the sera of 10.1% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Artemisia species pollen is an important cause of pollinosis in western Poland. Pollen season intensity is highly influenced by rainfall in the previous weeks. Trends towards earlier season starts and longer duration, possibly caused by climate change, may have an impact on the allergic population.

Cytokine release by human bone marrow cells: analysis at the single cell level.

Regulation of haemopoiesis is closely mediated by a number of growth factors in the marrow microenvironment. The identification of the cell type secreting these regulatory polypeptides is difficult due to the heterogeneity of bone marrow cells. To analyse the release of haemopoietic growth factors by normal human bone marrow cells at the single cell level, we employed the reverse haemolytic plaque assay (RHPA). Freshly isolated human marrow cells were examined for the release of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-3, IL-6 and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In order to identify various cytokine-secreting cell types, the RHPA was combined with immunocytochemical or enzymatic staining. The total of secreting marrow cells as well as the amount of several secretory haemopoietic subpopulations could be determined with this technique under various conditions. Following incubation with pure serum-free medium without addition of any mediator, only few cells secreting either IL-1 alpha, IL-3, IL-6 or GM-CSF could be observed. After 2 h incubation with recombinant human-IL-1 alpha (rhIL-1 alpha) (10.0 ng/ml) or rhGM-CSF (10.0 pg/ml) the number of cytokine-secreting cells significantly increased for all secretory products tested. Using cytochemical staining reactions, we were able to identify 55% of all cells secreting a specific cytokine. Glycophorin C-positive erythropoietic cells turned out to be the largest fraction (up to 89%) of cytokine-releasing haemopoietic cells, followed by neutrophil granulocytes (between 6 and 48%), and monocytes/macrophages (between 4 and 23%). Only few CD 61-positive cytokine-secreting megakaryocytes could be detected. Dose- and time-dependent kinetics after stimulation with rhGM-CSF revealed that the bulk of secretory activity originates from haemopoietic or rather from erythropoietic cells following low level stimulation and after short stimulation time. Thus, our data are in keeping with the assumption, that especially erythropoietic cells are producing a repertoire of cytokines that is thought to exhibit regulatory functions within marrow microenvironment. In the present study the RHPA is presented as an appropriate tool for measuring cytokine release not only of cells of the haematopoietic system but also of other tissues, for example solid tumours or malignant lymphomas.

Factors that determine the severity of Betula spp. pollen seasons in Poland (Poznan and Krakow) and the United Kingdom (Worcester and London).

The aim of this paper is to analyse variations in the severity of Betula pollen seasons, particularly in relation to meteorological parameters at four sites, Poznan and Krakow in Poland, and Worcester and London in the United Kingdom. Results show that there is a significant relationship between Betula pollen season severity and weather conditions both in the year before pollination and in the same year that pollen is released from the plant. Furthermore, it is likely that the magnitude of birch pollen seasons in Poznan, Worcester and London is linked in some way to different phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Significant positive relationships exist between birch pollen counts at Poznan and temperatures, rainfall and averages of the NAO in the year before pollination. An opposite relationship is evident at the two sites studied in the United Kingdom. There were significant positive correlations between the severity of birch pollen seasons recorded at Worcester and temperatures and averages of the NAO during the winter and spring in the year of pollination, and negative correlations at both Worcester and London with similar variables from the previous year. In addition, Betula pollen seasons in Krakow do not appear to be influenced by the NAO, which is probably the result of Krakow having a more continental climate.

Examining Ambrosia pollen episodes at Poznan (Poland) using back-trajectory analysis.

The pollen grains of Ambrosia spp. are considered to be important aeroallergens in parts of southern and central Europe. Back-trajectories have been analysed with the aim of finding the likely sources of Ambrosia pollen grains that arrived at Poznan (Poland). Temporal variations in Ambrosia pollen at Poznan from 1995-2005 were examined in order to identify Ambrosia pollen episodes suitable for further investigation using back-trajectory analysis. The trajectories were calculated using the transport model within the Lagrangian air pollution model, ACDEP (Atmospheric Chemistry and Deposition). Analysis identified two separate populations in Ambrosia pollen episodes, those that peaked in the early morning between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., and those that peaked in the afternoon between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.. Six Ambrosia pollen episodes between 2001 and 2005 were examined using back-trajectory analysis. The results showed that Ambrosia pollen episodes that peaked in the early morning usually arrived at Poznan from a southerly direction after passing over southern Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, whereas air masses that brought Ambrosia pollen to Poznan during the afternoon arrived from a more easterly direction and predominantly stayed within the borders of Poland. Back-trajectory analysis has shown that there is a possibility that long-range transport brings Ambrosia pollen to Poznan from southern Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. There is also a likelihood that Ambrosia is present in Poland, as shown by the arrival of pollen during the afternoon that originated primarily from within the country.

The long-range transport of birch (Betula) pollen from Poland and Germany causes significant pre-season concentrations in Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Birch pollen is highly allergic and has the potential for episodically long-range transport. Such episodes will in general occur out of the main pollen season. During this time, allergy patients are unprotected and high pollen concentrations will therefore have a full allergenic impact. OBJECTIVE: To show that Denmark obtains significant quantities of birch pollen from Poland or Germany before the local trees start to flower. METHODS: Simultaneous observations of pollen concentrations and phenology in the potential source area in Poland as well as in Denmark were performed in 2006. The Danish pollen records from 2000 to 2006 were analysed for possible long-range transport episodes and analysed with trajectories in combination with a birch tree source map. RESULTS: In 2006, high pollen concentrations were observed in Denmark with bi-hourly concentrations above 500 grains/m(3) before the local trees began to flower. Poland was identified as a source region. The analysis of the historical pollen record from Copenhagen shows significant pre-seasonal pollen episodes almost every year from 2000 to 2006. In all episodes, trajectory analysis identified Germany or Poland as source regions. CONCLUSION: Denmark obtains significant pre-seasonal quantities of birch pollen from either Poland or Germany almost every year. Forecasting of birch pollen quantities relevant to allergy patients must therefore, take into account long-range transport. This cannot be based on measured concentrations in Denmark. The most effective way to improve the current Danish pollen forecasts is to extend the current forecasts with atmospheric transport models that take into account pollen emission and transport from countries such as Germany and Poland. Unless long-range transport is taken into account, pre-seasonal pollen episodes will have a full allergic impact, as the allergy patients in general will be unprotected during that time.