Season In Poland Research Articles

Occurrence of Circulating Antibodies against the Hemagglutinins of Influenza Viruses in the 2022/2023 Epidemic Season in Poland.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in blood sera collected from patients during the 2022/2023 epidemic season in Poland. A total of 700 sera samples from patients across the country were tested. The samples were divided into seven groups according to the age of the patients, with 100 samples from each age group. The hemagglutination inhibition test (OZHA) was used to determine the level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies. The test results have confirmed the presence of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies for antigens A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2), B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Yamagata lineage) and B/ Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Victoria lineage) present in the influenza vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2022/2023 epidemic season. The highest geometric mean antibody titres (GMT) and protection rate values (%) were recorded for hemagglutinin A/H3N2. In Poland, in the 2022/2023 epidemic season, the percentage of the population vaccinated against influenza was 5.7%. Therefore, the test results can be interpreted as the response of the immune system in patients who have been previously infected with an influenza virus.

Potential Risk of Frost in the Growing Season in Poland

Fruits, garden plants, and agricultural crops grown in Poland exhibit wide variations in their sensitivity to frost, particularly in early spring. In the case of frost, generally, the yield and quality are reduced, and sometimes, entire plants can be destroyed. This article characterizes the occurrence of ground frosts (at 5 cm agl) and air frosts (at 200 cm agl) in Poland gathered from 52 meteorological stations affiliated with IMGW-PIB between 1971 and 2020. To assess the real risk of frost to plants, the variability of this phenomenon was analyzed per thermal growing season (defined as air temperature >5 °C), rather than in traditional calendar terms as presented in most studies. In the climatic conditions of Poland, the growing season is characterized by a reported 28 days with ground frost and 13.3 days with air frost, approximately. In spring, the last ground frost disappears, on average, on a country scale, on May 14, and air frost on April 27. In turn, in autumn, the first ground frost is recorded, on average, on 1 October and air frost on 14 October. On the basis of the selected characteristics of frost and the growing season, four areas of potential risk of ground and air frost in the growing season, as well as in spring, were determined with the use of cluster analysis.

Performance of the Heat Pump and Photovoltaic Systems Installed in the Single-family House

Renewable energy sources are increasingly common in Poland, and a growing number of single-family houses are now equipped with such systems. The article presents the study of the performance of the heat pump and the photovoltaic system installed in a house in the Swietokrzyskie Province near the city of Kielce. The data related to thermal and electrical energy generation throughout three years has been analysed with a focus on the advantages offered by such systems in the climate conditions of Central Poland. It turned out that 2022 was the best year for electricity production because it exceeded the value of 8000 kWh, and in the winter period from November to February, energy production balances at 200-300 kWh, which proves the high efficiency of panels for electricity production even in unfavourable climatic conditions. The heat pump generates the smallest energy production to heat the house in the summer, while in the winter, this production increases intensively due to the heating season in Poland. These are values from 1500 kWh to values above 3000 kWh. Similarly, in the case of domestic hot water, these values are higher in winter than in summer. Additionally, the work includes electricity consumption before and after the installation of renewable energy sources. Simplified economic analysis has also been presented in the paper. The simple payback period is estimated at approximately 9 years.

Prevalence of circulating antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in epidemic season 2021/2022 in Poland.

The aim of the study was to determine the level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in the serum of patients during the 2021/2022 epidemic season in Poland. A total of 700 sera samples were tested, divided according to the age of the patients into 7 age groups: 0-4years of age, 5-9years of age, 10-14years of age, 15-25years of age, 26-44years of age, 45-64years of age and ≥65years of age, 100 samples were collected from each age group. Anti-hemagglutinin antibody levels was determined using the haemagglutination inhibition assay (OZHA). The results obtained confirm the presence of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies for the antigens A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09, A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2), B/Washington/02/2019 and B/Phuket/3073/2013 recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2021/2022 epidemic season. The analysis of the results shows differences in the levels of individual anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in the considered age groups. In view of very low percentage of the vaccinated population in Poland, which was 6.90% in the 2021/2022 epidemic season, the results obtained in the study would have to be interpreted as the immune system response in patients after a previous influenza virus infection.

Poultry manure-derived microorganisms as a reservoir and source of antibiotic resistance genes transferred to soil autochthonous microorganisms

Animal husbandry is increasing yearly due to the growing demand for meat and livestock products, among other reasons. To meet these demands, prophylactic antibiotics are used in the livestock industry (i.e., poultry farming) to promote health and stimulate animal growth. However, antibiotics are not fully metabolized by animals, and they are evacuated to the environment with excreta. Animal manure is used as fertilizer to reduce the volume of waste generated in the livestock sector. However, manure often contains microorganisms harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Then, the microbiome of manure applicate to the soil may contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment, including autochthonous soil-dwelling microorganisms. The present study was conducted during the crops growing season in Poland (May to September 2019) to determine the influence of poultry manure as well as poultry manure supplemented with selected antibiotics on the diversity of the soil microbiome in treatments that had not been previously fertilized with manure and the ability of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to transfer ARGs to other soil bacteria. Antibiotic concentrations were elevated at the beginning of the study and decreased over time. Poultry manure induced significant changes in the structure of microbial communities in soil; the diversity of the soil microbiome decreased, and the abundance of bacterial genera Bradyrhizobium, Streptomyces, and Pseudomonas, which are characteristic of the analyzed manure, increased. Over time, soil microbial diversity was restored to the state observed before the application of manure. Genes conferring resistance to multiple drugs as well as genes encoding resistance to bacitracin and aminoglycosides were the most frequently identified ARGs in the analyzed bacteria, including on mobile genetic elements. Multidrug resistance was observed in 17 bacterial taxa, whereas ARGs were identified in 32 bacterial taxa identified in the soil microbiome. The results of the study conclude that the application of poultry manure supplemented with antibiotics initially affects soil microbiome and resistome diversity but finally, the soil shows resilience and returns to its original state after time, with most antibiotic resistance genes disappearing. This phenomenon is of great importance in sustainable soil health after manure application.

Reference evapotranspiration during the growing season in Poland (central Europe) in response to ongoing climate changes (1966–2020)

AbstractEvapotranspiration is an important part of the water cycle and influences, for example, water management and agricultural production. The article presents temporal and spatial changes in reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in the growing season (April–September) against the background of climatic conditions in Poland in the years 1966–2020. ETo was calculated using the Penman–Monteith method using data from 37 meteorological stations in the network of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management‐National Research Institute. For the growing season of April–September, the average sum of ETo for Poland was 529 mm. In terms of spatial distribution, the values were lowest in northern Poland (Kołobrzeg, 480 mm; Lębork, 488 mm) and highest in the central lowlands (Warsaw, 570 mm; Poznań, 566 mm). For individual months, the average sum of ETo ranged from 53 to 63 mm in April and September to 108–112 mm in June and July. In Poland, in the years 1966–2020, ETo showed a statistically significant upward trend of 16.4 mm/10 year. This is the result of, inter alia, statistically significant increases in sunshine duration and air temperature and a decrease in relative humidity (respectively: 62 h/10 year, 0.40°C/10 year and −1%/10 year) during the growing season in Poland. Within the multiyear study period, the maximum ETo values occurred in 2018, reaching values of >700 mm. At that time, Poland was under the influence of very intense anticyclonic circulation. This is confirmed by the relationship between ETo and the anticyclonic circulation index for central Poland, which is statistically significant for the 55 study years.

Past and future changes in the start, end, and duration of the growing season in Poland

The aim of the study was to determine the direction and rate of the projected changes of the start, end, and duration of the growing season in Poland in two-time horizons: 2021–2050 and 2071–2100. The main part of the paper was preceded by an analysis of changes in the start and end dates and the duration of the growing season in Poland in the period 1966–2020. The growing season in Poland is projected to be the shortest in mountain areas and in the north-eastern regions of Poland, where the date of growing season start is the latest and the date of the growing season end is the earliest. Whereas the longest growing season due to the projected earliest start and latest end dates is expected in the southwestern Poland. In the case of the coast, its late end will be of the greatest importance for its duration as a result of the warming effect of the sea in the autumn–winter period. The most intensive changes are forecasted in the long-term perspective in the case of the scenario regarding a high level of greenhouse gas emissions. The forecasts show that outside mountain areas, the growing season duration will vary from less than 255 days in the northeastern regions to more than 290 days in southwest and western Poland. In the duration of the mountains, the growing season will vary from 180 days on Kasprowy Wierch to 188 days on Śnieżka. This suggests significant changes in agroclimatic conditions in Poland.

Influenza and Influenza-Like Virus Infection in Children Under 14 Years of Age: An Investigation of 725 Cases in the 2021/2022 Influenza Epidemic Season in Poland.

BACKGROUND Influenza in children poses a significant health problem worldwide. In this study we investigated 725 cases of influenza and influenza-like virus infection in children under 14 years of age in the 2021/2022 influenza epidemic season in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The material for the study (nose and throat swabs) was collected during the 2021/2022 epidemic season. We analyzed 725 samples from the National Influenza Center, Department of Influenza Research at the National Institute of Public Health NIH-NRI or at 16 Voivodship Sanitary Epidemiological Stations across Poland. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to determine the influenza virus type and subtype (in RNA isolated from positive samples). RESULTS This study shows the high incidence of influenza among children under the age of 14. Most confirmed infections were caused by influenza A. The genetic material of the A/H1N1/pdm09 subtype was not found among the analyzed samples. The highest number of influenza A infections was among the youngest children (the 0-4 years age group). The most common influenza-like virus was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The greatest number of cases caused by this respiratory virus was registered among the youngest children (0-4 years). CONCLUSIONS This study, which shows the high incidence of influenza among children under the age of 14, highlights the importance of regular influenza vaccination. Since children often play a dominant role in spreading influenza virus in the community, regular vaccination can have both health and economic benefits for all age groups.

Hemagglutinin Antibodies in the Polish Population during the 2019/2020 Epidemic Season.

The aim of the study was to determine the level of antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in the serum of subjects belonging to seven different age groups in the 2019/2020 epidemic season. The level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies was tested using the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. The tests included 700 sera from all over Poland. Their results confirmed the presence of antibodies against the following influenza virus antigens: A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09 (48% of samples), A/Kansas/14/2017/ (H3N2) (74% of samples), B/Colorado/06/ 2017 Victoria line (26% of samples), and B/Phuket/3073/2013 Yamagata line (63% of samples). The level of antibodies against hemagglutinin varied between the age groups. The highest average (geometric mean) antibody titer (68.0) and the highest response rate (62%) were found for the strain A/Kansas/14/2017/ (H3N2). During the epidemic season in Poland, only 4.4% of the population was vaccinated.

Introduction of Global Reporting Format: Summary of the First Winter Season in Poland

Over the years, Global Reporting Format (GRF) was the first major change in the approach to evaluate runway conditions. The greatest impulse for this new regulation were incidents and accidents related mainly to runway excursions that occurred because of unfavorable weather conditions, when not only aircraft and different airport facilities but also human health and lives suffered. To better understand these changes, their advantages and their disadvantages, as well as the challenges that arose, an expert survey was carried out with duty officers of Polish airports, who directly made an assessment of runway conditions. Beside strengths of the GRF approach, research results show its weaknesses and uncertainties, especially when using the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix. In addition, in the article are presented a brief GRF description together with comparison with the previous reporting system and a discussion about air accident statistics related to a runway excursion, as well as a description and discussion of one selected air incident that took place in Poland.

A Climatic water balance variability during the growing season in Poland in the context of modern climate change

A Climatic water balance variability during the growing season in Poland in the context of modern climate change

Analysis of Infections Caused by Influenza Viruses and Influenza-Like Viruses in the Population of People over 65 Years of Age in the 2019-2020 Epidemic Season in Poland.

BACKGROUND Influenza can be the most dangerous for people in risk groups, for example for seniors, in whom it can lead to serious and life-threatening complications. The aim of this research was to analyze the activity of influenza viruses and influenza-like viruses in patients over 65 years of age in the 2019-2020 epidemic season in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1269 samples collected from patients over 65 years of age with suspected influenza or other respiratory viruses in the 2019-2020 epidemic season (from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020) were analyzed. The test material was nose and throat swabs collected during the 2019-2020 epidemic season. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the influenza virus type and subtype for positive samples. RESULTS Among the confirmed infections with influenza viruses, cases due to influenza A were dominant, and the dominant subtype was influenza A subtype A/H1N1/pdm09. Infections with influenza-like viruses were also confirmed in the patients participating in the study, with the presence of genetic material of respiratory syncytial viruses confirmed most often. CONCLUSIONS Seasonal vaccinations can significantly reduce the number of cases and thus the risk of post-influenza complications and deaths among seniors. This is very important, especially now, due to the current epidemiological situation related to the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 respiratory virus pandemic.

Importance of Influenza Anti-Hemagglutinin Antibodies During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in the 2019/2020 Epidemic Season in Poland.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in the serum of recovered patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the 2019/2020 epidemic season in Poland, and the course of COVID-19.Material/MethodsThe material for the study consisted of the sera of COVID-19 convalescents obtained from the following 9 Regional Blood Donation and Blood Supply Centers located in 8 voivodeships. The hemagglutination inhibition reaction assay (HAI) using 8 viral hemagglutination units was used to determine antibody levels, in accordance with WHO recommendations.ResultsThis research confirms that a patient’s declared severity of the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection is influenced by the patient’s age and concomitant diseases. There was no statistically significant correlation between the level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies and the severity of the course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the serological tests conducted, it can be unequivocally concluded that both vaccinated and influenza-infected patients had a response rate in line with the requirements of the European Commission and the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use hemagglutinin antibodies for 4 influenza virus antigens tested.ConclusionsPatients who confirmed their antibody levels with the Commission of the European Communities and the Committee for Propriety Medicinal Products (CPMP) requirements had a mild COVID-19 course. The results of our research emphasize the role of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 convalescents have a higher response rate against all 4 types of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies analyzed.

Physiological, Biochemical, and Biometrical Response of Cultivated Strawberry and Wild Strawberry in Greenhouse Gutter Cultivation in the Autumn-Winter Season in Poland—Preliminary Study

Strawberry and wild strawberry are among the most popular horticultural crops. Due to the development of soilless cultivation systems, the whole-year production of these economically important fruit crops is achievable even in countries with temperate climate. However, the responses of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) to microclimate conditions in greenhouse gutter cultivation in the autumn–winter season in Poland have not been yet determined. The aim of this study was to analyze the physiological, biochemical, and biometrical responses of two cultivars of strawberry ‘Ostara’ and ‘San Andreas’ and two cultivars of wild strawberry ‘Baron von Solemacher’ and ‘Regina’ grown for 20 weeks, starting from September 17th, in controlled greenhouse conditions on coconut mats in gutters in the autumn–winter season and irradiated with sodium lamps. Strawberry ‘San Andreas’ produced 30% larger leaves and almost three-fold higher fresh and dry weight of biomass than ‘Ostara’. The strawberry plants ‘San Andreas’ had a higher content (20%) of chlorophyll a and 30% of chlorophyll b than ‘Ostara’ plants. Generally, ‘San Andreas’ displayed an overall higher concentration of intercellular CO2 (about 14%) than ‘Ostara’ plants providing higher gas exchange processes. Photosynthetic rate amounted to 13.0 μmol·m−2·s−1 for ‘San Andreas’ that was almost two-fold higher than for ‘Ostara’. ‘San Andreas’ flower and fruit productions were uniform and the six-fold higher individual fruit yield proved the excellent attributes of this cultivar to the greenhouse cultivation. Even though the productivity of the two studied wild strawberry cultivars was similar, ‘Regina’ showed higher values of some parameters than ‘Baron von Solemacher’ (40% larger leaves, 25% higher photosynthetic rate, 10% higher concentration of intercellular CO2). A high nutritional value of fruits is maintained compared to traditional open-air cultivation.

Analysis of Corylus pollen season in Poland in 2021

Corylus produces allergenic pollen grains that appear in the air in early spring and cause pollen allergy in sensitive people. The aim of this study was to compare the Corylus pollen seasons in 2021 in the following 11 cities in Poland: Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Sosnowiec, Lublin, Olsztyn, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Zielona Gora. This research was conducted using the volumetric method and Burkard or Lanzoni pollen samplers. Pollen season duration was determined by the 95% method. The hazel pollen season in 2021 began relatively late, between February 20 and March 1. The season start was recorded earliest in Zielona Gora, while latest in Olsztyn. The highest values of maximum Corylus pollen concentration were recorded in Sosnowiec (230 P/m3) and Zielona Gora (213 P/m3), whereas the lowest ones in Bialystok (27 P/m3) and Bydgoszcz (54 P/m3). In most of these cities, the maximum daily concentration of Corylus pollen grains was recorded in the third 10 days of February or at the beginning of March and only in Lublin and Bialystok the peak value occurred later, on March 16 and March 26, respectively. The highest risk of allergy in people sensitive to the pollen of this taxon was found in Lublin, Olsztyn, and Zielona Gora. The highest values of the annual pollen integral were determined in Lublin, similarly to the previous years.

Epidemiology of Influenza Viruses and Viruses Causing Influenza-Like Illness in Children Under 14 Years Old in the 2018-2019 Epidemic Season in Poland.

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of influenza viruses and viruses that caused influenza-like disease in children under 14 years of age in the 2018–2019 epidemic season in Poland, and to identify the public health lessons that can be learned.Material/MethodsNose and throat swabs were used to obtain samples. The samples were analyzed in the National Influenza Center, Department of Influenza Research at the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene as well as in 16 Voivodship Sanitary Epidemiological Stations across the country. Methods of RNA isolation depended on the laboratory where the isolation was performed. In all laboratories, quantitative polymerase chain reactions were used to determine the influenza virus type as well as the subtype.ResultsThe study group was confirmed to be infected with influenza A and B, with influenza A/H1N1/pdm09 as the dominant subtype. Among the age group of children up to 14 years of age, cases of infection with viruses that cause influenza-like disease were also reported. It was noticeable that the largest number of confirmed cases of infection was recorded in the group of the youngest children (0–4 years). In addition, several different variants of co-infection were registered.ConclusionsThis population study showed that in the 2018–2019 epidemic season in Poland children aged under 14 years were at risk of influenza virus infection and its complications. The presented data support increasing the percentage of children being vaccinated in Poland.

Spread of Influenza Viruses in Poland and Neighboring Countries in Seasonal Terms.

In Poland, flu supervision is coordinated by the National Influenza Center at the National Institute of Public Health—National Institute of Hygiene. In this publication, we want to determine geographical trends in influenza virus circulation in the region. A detailed analysis of virological and epidemiological data showed the course of the epidemic season in Poland, as well as in neighboring countries. The spatial differentiation of the incidence of infection between voivodships was examined, as well as compared to countries that border a given voivodship. The results show a significant variation in the incidence of infection in terms of time and space. This points to the need to increase the number of tests and to raise awareness among health care professionals and the public about the probability of an influenza pandemic, as undetected viruses can spread further into the European Union.

Changes in Air Temperature and Snow Cover in Winter in Poland

The primary objective of the paper was to characterize the climatic conditions in the winter season in Poland in the years 1966/67–2019/20. The study was based on daily values of minimum (Tmin) and maximum air temperature (Tmax), and daily values of snow cover depth. The study showed an increase in both Tmin and Tmax in winter. The most intensive changes were recorded in north-eastern and northern regions. The coldest winters were recorded in the first half of the analyzed multiannual period, exceptionally cold being winters 1969/70 and 1984/85. The warmest winters occurred in the second half of the analyzed period and among seasons with the highest mean Tmax, particularly winters 2019/20 and 1989/90 stood out. In the study period, a decrease in snow cover depth statistically significant in the majority of stations in Poland was determined, as well as its variability both within the winter season and multiannual.

Alder pollen season in selected cities of Poland in 2020

This paper presents the course of alder pollination season in Poland in 2020. The measurements were performed in Bydgoszcz, Bialystok, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora. Volumetric method with the use of Volumetric Spore Trap (Burkard, Lanzoni) was implemented. Pollen season was defined as the period in which 95% of the annual total catch occurred. The alder pollen season in 2020 started about 10–30 days earlier compared to 2017–2019. The pollen season started first in Szczecin, Opole and Zielona Gora (in the second half of January). In the other cities alder pollen season started in first half of February. The highest daily pollen count was recorded in Lublin (1211 P/m3). In other cities the maximum concentrations ranged from 160 P/m3 in Sosnowiec to 465 P/m3 in Piotrkow Trybunalski. The highest alder pollen concentrations were detected in the first decade of March (March 1st–3rd). Only in Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole and Sosnowiec the maximum concentration was recorded in the third decade of February. The annual pollen sum of Alnus in 2020 was even 5–10 times lower than in years 2019.

Plane tree pollen season in Poland and Hungary in 2019 – why are the plane trees planted in cities so much?

Allergic diseases are considered as important human health issues as they substantially restrict many allergic people. Trees such as the plane tree can pose a certain threat to allergy sufferers. Due to the frequent planting of these trees in large cities, their pollen can affect the increase in the frequency of local allergy symptoms. This study compares the plane tree pollen seasons in Poland, in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Warsaw, Zielona Gora, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole, Olsztyn, Szczecin and in Hungary, in Budapest, Debrecen, Gyor, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nyiregyhaza and Pecs in 2019. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. The season ranges from March to May, depending on the geographical latitude. Diagnosis of plane tree pollen allergy is made difficult due to some cross-reactivity with birch, but also alder, hazel, hornbeam, oak, beech, sweet chestnut, and to some extent with grass pollen. In 2019 the pollen season of Platanus started first in Hungary, in Pecs on the April 1st; in Poland the pollen season started in Szczecin and Zielona Gora on the April 4th. At the latest, a pollen season ended in Poland, in Warsaw and Bydgoszcz until May 11th–12th, similarly in Hungary – until May 11th in Budapest and Kaposvar. The differences of pollen seasons duration were very considerable, from 15 to 40 days. Also the differences of the highest airborne concentration especially between both countries were extremely considerable (2105 pollen grains/m3 in Nyíregyháza and 3 pollen grains/m3 in Białystok. The maximum values of seasonal pollen count in Polish cities occurred between April 24th and May 1st, and in Hungarian cities between April 9th and 16th. The highest plane tree pollen allergen hazard occurred in 2019 undoubtedly in Hungary: in Pecs, Kaposvar and Nyiregyhaza, and was ten times higher than in Poland. The highest variability in the analysed seasons was found in the peak value and annual total.