Southeast Poland Research Articles

The Energy Efficiency of the Production and Conversion of Spring Triticale Grain into Bioethanol

According to the assumptions of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, the share of biofuels in the global transport sector is estimated to reach 15–23% by 2050. The triticale can be used to produce bioethanol. The appropriate production process should generate as much renewable energy as possible per production unit. Plant production can be carried out in various tillage systems and using appropriate doses of nitrogen fertilization. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of traditional tillage system (TRD) and reduced (RED) tillage technology and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha−1) on grain and bioethanol yield of spring triticale. The field experiment was performed in the south east of Poland (50°42′ N, 23°15′ E) on medium dystrophic typical brown soil. Based on research and calculations, the TRD system and between 40 and 80 kg ha−1 of N fertilizer are recommended for use in the cultivation of triticale for bioethanol production purposes. Such a variant will ensure a sufficient yield of grain (5.190 and 5.803 t ha−1), starch (3.462 and 3.871 t ha−1) and bioethanol (2487.3 and 2780.7 L ha−1) and good agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer (16.96 and 12.15 L of bioethanol per 1 kg of nitrogen (N) applied). The best ratio of energy efficiency of bioethanol production (EROI—Energy Return on (Energy) Investment or “net energy”) was recorded for the TRD system (1.138:1) and for the N fertilizer at 40 kg N ha−1 (1.144:1).

Antibiotic Resistance and Genotypes of Helicobacter pylori Strains in Patients with Gastroduodenal Disease in Southeast Poland.

The aim of this study was to investigate genetic diversity of Helicobacter pylori virulence markers to predict clinical outcome as well as to determine an antibiotic susceptibility of H. pylori strains in Poland. Gastric biopsies from 132 patients with gastrointestinal disorders were tested for presence of H. pylori with the use of rapid urease test, microbial culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. The genetic diversity of 62 H. pylori positive samples was evaluated by detection of cagA and PCR-typing of vacA and iceA virulence-associated genes. Most common H. pylori genotypes were cagA(+)vacAs1m2 (27.4%) and cagA(−)vacAs2m2 (24.2%). In logistic regression analysis, we recognized the subsequent significant associations: gastritis with ureC, i.e., H. pylori infection (p = 0.006), BMI index (p = 0.032); and negatively with iceA1 (p = 0.049) and peptic ulcer with cagA (p = 0.018). Thirty-five H. pylori strains were cultured and tested by E-test method showing that 49% of strains were resistant to at least one of the tested antibiotics. This is the first study that reports the high incidence and diversity of allelic combination of virulence genes in gastroduodenitis patients in Poland. Genotyping of H. pylori strains confirmed the involvement of cagA gene and vacAs1m1 genotype in development and severity of gastric disorder.

Knowledge Concerning Dietary Supplements among General Public.

Introduction. Diet and physical activity are widely recognized in maintaining health and preventing diseases. Currently, dietary supplements are also commonly believed to play a role in health promotion. However, a dietary supplement lacks single uniform definition within the scope of legal or nutritional sciences. Data on the usage of dietary supplements in Europe are still limited. The aim of this study was to assess subjective and objective knowledge of the inhabitants of south-eastern Poland about diet and supplementation in sport. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted in the south-east of Poland between October 2017 and July 2018 during three events organized by the University of Rzeszów. Initially, the study covered 500 people. During the preliminary analysis, 90 people were excluded from the study because they did not meet the previously well-explained rules of conduct during the study or did not meet the eligibility criteria for the tests. Finally, 410 people were qualified for the study. The survey method was a questionnaire with single-answer option. Results. Our study revealed statistically significant subjective and objective level of knowledge about diet and supplementation in terms of sex. Also, a correlation was found between sex and the fact of being involved in physical activity, as well as the subjects' knowledge of diet and supplementation in sport. Conclusion. High prevalence of dietary supplement use was found in our study population, but still significant percentage of the study group demonstrate inaccurate information about these products. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide the community with education and access to scientific and unbiased information.

THE EFFECT OF FUNGAL ACTIVITY ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC PARAMETERS OF DIFFERENT CANNA CULTIVARS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Three-year studies (2014–2016) were conducted in Lublin in the south-east Poland. The objects of research were the plants of ten canna cultivars: ‘Aida’, ‘America’, ‘Botanica’, ‘Cherry Red’, ‘La Boheme’, ‘Lucifer’, ‘Picasso’, ‘Robert Kemp’, ‘President’ and ‘Wyoming’. Observations were carried out each year in October. Plants with symptoms of stem and root rot, leaves yellowing and wilt were noticed on the investigated plantations. The plants were studied with regard to photosynthetic activity and also by disease index for all cultivars and statistical analysis was carried out upon them. The effect of disease index on photosynthetic intensity and transpiration was determined after the calculation of Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Infected plants were collected for mycological analysis. The results of mycological analysis showed that canna plants were colonized by Fusarium spp., Sclerotinia spp. and Alternaria spp. Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium avenaceum and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum predominated among pathogenic species. The best health status and the lowest number of colonies were noticed for plants of cv. ‘Botanica’. The infection of canna leaves by pathogenic fungi has negatively affected the intensity of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and sub-stomatal CO2 concentration and it was largely related to the degree of infestation of specified varieties of canna. The photosynthesis process was limited especially in ‘La Boheme’, ‘Picasso’, ‘Cherry Red’ and ‘President’ cultivars, which were infected most frequently by pathogenic fungi. It was confirmed by negative Pearson’s coefficient.

Effectiveness Assessment of a New System of Sediment Trap in the Investigation of Matter Sedimentation in a Reservoir—A Case Study

This paper presents results of the research on the effectiveness of entrapping sediment matter in newly designed sediment traps. Four traps, characterized by different geometrical and construction parameters, were analyzed. The assessment of the operation of the traps was made on the basis of research work conducted in situ in a small retention reservoir located in Blizne, south-east Poland during summer 2017 and 2018. Under environmental conditions present during the research, trap number 2 emerged as the most effective. It was characterized by a height to diameter ratio equal to 6.06, as well as innovative design thanks to the presence of a dual-chamber cylindrical vessel with a sedimentation funnel ending in a deflector. The proposed construction solution ensured optimal, stable operation of the trap. This trap is more effective in entrapping sediment matter than the simple tools described in the literature so far. In addition, it can be used not only in reservoirs, but also in seas and oceans. Such traps can be used to study the sedimentation rate in various water ecosystems, and also the entrapped sediment can be analysed in a qualitative manner to determine its role in the distribution of pollutants deposited in the sediments of aquatic ecosystems.

Nectar and pollen production in ornamental cultivars of Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae)

Abstract Planting ornamental species can help to create pollinator-friendly habitats. In the present study the flowering phenology and floral reward (nectar and pollen) in two cultivars of Prunus serrulata (‘Kanzan’ and ‘Amanogawa’) were evaluated in 2014-2015 in the city of Lublin (south-east Poland). On average, the onset of flowering of P. serrulata occurred in the first ten days of April (‘Kanzan’) or at the end of April (‘Amanogawa’), and lasted 8-17 days. In each year of the study, P. serrulata ‘Kanzan’ started flowering 11-18 days earlier than P. serrulata ‘Amanogawa’. The double flowers of P. serrulata ‘Kanzan’ offered only tiny amounts of nectar and pollen. The total mass of sugars was 0.59 mg per flower and that of pollen 0.08 mg per flower. The semi-double flowers of P. serrulata ‘Amanogawa’ produced 4.5 mg of sugars per flower and 0.17 mg of pollen per flower. The frequency of pollinator visits to flowers was low in P. serrulata ‘Amanogawa’ and very low in P. serrulata ‘Kanzan’. Therefore, if pollinator-friendly arrangements are made in urban areas, these cultivars should not be planted.

Microbiological assessment of cleanliness of surfaces and equipment in a children's operating theatre on the example of a selected hospital.

The operating theatre is one of the most important places in a hospital. Due to the presence of numerous reservoirs of microorganisms and the invasiveness of surgical procedures it is necessary to ensure high hygiene standards in these locations. The aim of the study was to carry out a qualitative assessment of the microbiological cleanliness of the surfaces and equipment in an operating theatre. The results of microbiological tests of the surfaces and equipment of the Children's Operating Theatre in Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszów, southeast Poland, during 2007-2012 were reviewed retrospectively. For the analysis, a total of 1,819 swabs were collected, of which 1.05% were positive. Positive results were obtained mainly from samples taken from moist places (57.9%). Among the microorganisms isolated, Gram-negative bacteria constituted the majority (57.9%), Pseudomonas bacteria were found most frequently (31,6%). Isolated microbes can be the etiological agent of nosocomial infections.

Fusing Sentinel-2 Imagery and ALS Point Clouds for Defining LULC Changes on Reclaimed Areas by Afforestation

The study was performed on two former sulphur mines located in Southeast Poland: Jeziórko, where 216.5 ha of afforested area was reclaimed after borehole exploitation and Machów, where 871.7 ha of dump area was reclaimed after open cast strip mining. The areas were characterized by its terrain structure and vegetation cover resulting from the reclamation process. The types of reclamation applied in these areas were forestry in Jeziórko and agroforestry in the Machów post-sulphur mine. The study investigates the possibility of applying the most recent Sentinel-2 (ESA) satellite imageries for land cover mapping, with a primary focus on detecting and monitoring afforested areas. Airborne laser scanning point clouds were used to derive precise information about the spatial (3D) characteristics of vegetation: the height (95th percentile), std. dev. of relative height, and canopy cover. The results of the study show an increase in afforested areas in the former sulphur mines. For the entire analyzed area of Jeziórko, forested areas made up 82.0% in the year 2000 (Landsat 7, NASA), 88.8% in 2009 (aerial orthophoto), and 95.5% in 2016 (Sentinel-2, ESA). For Machów, the corresponding results were 46.1% in 2000, 57.3% in 2009, and 60.7% in 2016. A dynamic increase of afforested area was observed, especially in the Jeziórko test site, with the presence of different stages of vegetation growth.

Agriculture and everyday realities on small farms – An entrepreneurial challenge to farmers between the desire for autonomy and a secure existence. Two examples from east and south-east Poland

The small-scale agricultural structure, commonly found above all in the east and south of Poland, is seen as undesirable by Polish policy makers, who assign a high priority to the promotion of change from small to larger units. Against the background of multiple social-ecological crises, often tied to practices of intensive, industrial and large-scale agriculture, the question must be raised whether these efforts can achieve the goal of sustainability. To investigate this issue, an empirical study was carried out in two regions of a small-scale agrarian structure in the east and south-east of Poland with the aim to see what life situations and economic activities could be found in small farms and whether they could provide a counterweight to the multiple social and ecological crisis phenomena in agriculture. The present article focusses on three different economic models that were pursued by the interviewed farmers (economically successful full-time farming, part-time farming out of choice and farming out of economic necessity), on the main motivations underlying the farmers' activities (the desire for a secure existence and for autonomy) and on challenges that small scale farmers have to face with respect to the current institutional and economic-political environment for agriculture. The study's findings show that the economic activities pursued on the investigated farms can contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas only in a limited sense; what they demonstrate above all is the urgency of the change needed in the economic-political framing conditions for agriculture if nature-conserving agricultural practices, which are at the same time financially attractive for the farmers, are to make their contribution to the sustainable development of rural areas.

Degradation and renaturalization of soils affected by tourist activity in the Bieszczady Mountains (South East Poland)

AbstractThe main aims of this study were to determine the degree of soil degradation caused by hikers along tourist trails in broad‐leaved forests and subalpine meadows in the Bieszczady Mts. (SE Poland) using the entire thickness of the soil profile and to determine both the direction and rate of renaturalization of degraded soils experiencing renaturalization over different periods of time. Seven representative plots (out of 25) were selected for detailed study. On the research plots, three different but representative research sites arranged perpendicularly to the trail were selected: (a) type R representing soil located in the center of the fenced area and still experiencing renaturalization, (b) type T representing soil on the tourist trail currently being used, and (c) type N representing natural soil showing lack of signs of trampling. The studied soils affected by tourists have become degraded substantially over time to a varying degree. This was manifested by a truncation of the soil profile and by soil compaction. The maximum depth of erosion was found to be ~0.5 m. Stones forming a ‘post‐erosional pavement’ play a crucial role in limiting deeper soil erosion. Both the loosening of renaturalized soils resulting from freeze–thaw cycles and from needle‐ice formation occur relatively quick, although the formation of a topsoil A horizon is a slow process. A humid climate and soils exhibiting high‐soil organic matter content and high‐cation exchange capacity due to their loamy texture facilitate relatively fast restoration of the vegetation cover, which protects the soil from erosion.

A survey on the incidence of Prototheca mastitis in dairy herds in Lublin province, Poland

Prototheca mastitis has recently become an emerging disease; although its incidence is increasing steadily, its epidemiology remains largely understudied. The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of Prototheca spp. in dairy cows and their environment in Lublin province, covering most of southeastern Poland. Between December 2015 and July 2016, a total of 172 milking cows from 10 dairy farms were inspected for mastitis using clinical examination and the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Quarter milk samples (QMS, n = 179) and body site swabs (n = 151) from CMT-positive cows were collected for microbiological culture. In addition, we evaluated QMS and body site swabs from 23 healthy cows, along with 91 environmental samples. Of 100 CMT-positive cows, 71 had at least one QMS positive for microbial growth. In 8 (11.3%) of these cows, originating from 7 dairy farms, Prototheca spp. were cultured. The average somatic cell count of the Prototheca-containing milk was 4.02 × 106 cells/mL compared with 0.13 × 106 cells/mL of the Prototheca-free milk (collected from control animals). No significant differences were observed between mastitis and control cows with respect to counts of total white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Half of the cows with Prototheca spp. in their milk did not yield the algae from other anatomical sites. Eight cows were negative for the presence of Prototheca spp. in their milk but positive for the algae in swabs from anatomical sites. Among the environmental sources that were positive for Prototheca growth were watering troughs, manure, feed, and mud. All (45) Prototheca isolates recovered in this study were subjected to species- and genotype-level molecular identification. All QMS and most of the animal swabs (90%) yielded Prototheca zopfii genotype (gen.) 2. Of the animal samples, P. zopfii gen. 1 and Prototheca blaschkeae were isolated only from feces and rectum. Environmental samples grew either P. zopfii gen. 2 (67%) or P. zopfii gen. 1 (33%). This study demonstrates that P. zopfii gen. 2 is the third most common pathogen of mastitis in cattle in southeast Poland, with an overall incidence of 4.6%. Finding Prototheca spp., including P. zopfii gen. 1 and 2 and P. blaschkeae, in stool and rectal swabs from healthy animals may suggest their role as nonpathogenic microflora of bovine gut.

The Heavy Metal Hazard of undiscovered World War I and II graves in Poland

<p>The purpose of this research is to identify and characterize the poorly investigated problem of heavy metal contamination originating from World War I and II mass graves. Chemical elements pass systematically into the soil from metal weapons, buttons, badges, and other objects. As a result, the soil and groundwater become highly saturated with heavy metals relative to metals from communal waste. A review of previous analyses of the areas surrounding localized graves in southeast Poland revealed chemicals leached from burials to have a significant impact on the environment and groundwater. This review highlights the danger posed by mass graves that are frequently located near human settlements and rivers. However, the exact locations of the majority of mass graves are unknown and the heavy metal hazard warrants their identification and reburial in an appropriate place.</p>

Opinions of pediatric nurses about Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of blood transfusion for their child

Abstract Introduction. Jehovah’s Witnesses absolutely refuse having blood transfusion performed. The situation is even more difficult when the refusal of blood transfusion concerns a child. Despite existing legal solutions, medical staff experiences value conflicts. Aim. To analyze the opinions of pediatric nurses about problems that may arise in case of Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of blood transfusion for their child. Material and methods. Quantitative research was based on a diagnostic survey method. The variables were measured with the use of a survey questionnaire co-developed by the authors. A group of 104 pediatric nurses from the South-East Poland participated in the study. Results. To the question “Have you ever encountered the situation throughout all your working career when parents refused their child to undergo a blood treatment due to their beliefs?”, 67.31% (n = 70) of the respondents replied the situation rarely happened. Half of the nurses surveyed (n = 52, 50.02%) admitted they did not accept the position of Jehovah’s Witnesses concerning blood treatment. Most of the nurses surveyed – 87.38% (n = 89) think the existence of procedures on how to proceed in this difficult situation is crucial, and 83% (n = 86) of the respondents admitted that there was no better solution than the already existing legal procedure. Conclusions. The most difficult experience of pediatric nurses in the situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of blood transfusion for their child is in the opinion of surveyed nurses, endangering the child’s health or even life. Thus, most of the respondents agree that the best solution in that case is to implement a legal procedure that allows blood transfusion despite parents’ refusal.

Associations of root-inhabiting fungi with herbaceous plant species of temperate forests in relation to soil chemical properties

The overwhelming majority of research on fungal interactions with plants in the forest ecosystems of the temperate climate zone focuses on ectomycorrhizal associations and no studies so far have compared the occurrence of root-inhabiting fungi in herbaceous plant species. We thus studied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and fungal root endophyte colonization rates as well as AMF species richness and composition under 19 herbaceous plant species in temperate forests (southeast Poland) in relation to soil chemical properties. Seventeen species formed arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), while 2 were non-mycorrhizal. The intensity of AMF colonization varied between species. Relative mycorrhizal root length (MAMF%) ranged from 0% to 100%. AMF spore abundance ranged from 0 to 11.4 in 1 g of soils. Sixteen AMF species were recorded, both widespread (e.g. Funneliformis constrictum, Claroideoglomus claroideum) and rare (Acaulospora cavernata, Entrophospora infrequens). The composition of AMF species related to the plants differed. Fungal root endophytes were recorded only in some plants; dark septate endophytes (DSE) in 13 species, while Olpidium spp. in 6 species. Moreover, DSE mycelia and Olpidium spp. sporangia were observed with low abundance, and their occurrence differed between particular plant species. Among soil chemical properties, only the concentration of available phosphorus was significantly negatively correlated with the MAMF% parameter. In conclusion, several groups of root-inhabiting fungi were related to herbaceous plants; however, they occurred with varied frequency. AMF spore abundance and species richness differed as well; however, they persisted at a low level compared to other ecosystems. Nonetheless, we detected significant negative correlation between available P contents in soils and the intensity of mycorrhizal colonization, which suggests the importance of AM for the plants in sites with low P concentration.

What Can We Learn from an Early Test on the Adaptation of Silver Fir Populations to Marginal Environments?

In order to determine the adaptive potential of silver fir in the southeast of Poland, the stability of the height of its five-year-old progeny was analyzed. The study was conducted in two different population groups in a total of four environments, including one ecologically marginal environment. The linear mixed model was used to evaluate the differentiation of populations in terms of height growth. The genotype and genotype-by-environment interaction biplot (GGE) were used to verify the stability of height. The climate of populations origin, in relation to actual fir distribution in Poland, was verified based on principal components analysis (PCA) of bioclimatic parameters. The highest total variability was explained by the genotype-environment interaction effect (GE) (54.50%), while the genotype effect (G) explained 41.27% and only 4.23% was explained by the site effect. The result of height growth variations revealed the Komańcza site as the most representative among study sites, while the Lesko site characterized the highest discriminating ability. The progeny occurring in climatic conditions most different from the average testing conditions showed a heterogeneous growth reaction, only adapting to the marginal environment, while the progeny of the second population in this region as well as the northernmost one was characterized by a mean but stable growth. The westernmost population revealed maladaptation. The assessment of the adaptability of silver fir depends on the broad spectrum of test conditions considering the ecologically marginal environments.

Surgical method of treatment and level of satisfaction with life among women diagnosed with breast cancer, according to time elapsed since performance of surgery.

In women diagnosed with breast cancer one of the methods most commonly applied in therapy is surgical treatment, which consists in a breast conserving surgery or total removal of the breast. The applied type of surgical treatment may exert an effect on the satisfaction with life of the women. The aim of the study was evaluation of the satisfaction with life among women surgically treated for breast cancer, according to the type of surgery on the breast, and the time elapsed since its performance. The study included 121 patients of the Sub-Carpathian Oncology Centre in Brzozów, south-east Poland, who had undergone surgical treatment due to breast cancer. The women expressed their informed consent to participate in the study. The method of a diagnostic survey was applied. The women obtained a mediocre result in satisfaction with life - 5.64 sten scores. Patients who had undergone mastectomy had a considerably lower level of satisfaction with life, compared to those after breast-conserving surgery (4.73 sten scores vs. 6.30 sten scores). Evaluations of the satisfaction with life in the examined group significantly differed according to the time elapsed since performance of surgery. There is a need for undertaking actions directed to women who have undergone surgical treatment for breast cancer within the period from 2-5 years, aimed at improving the satisfaction with life in this group of patients. In addition, special support should be provided for women who have undergone mastectomy, especially during the period of more than 1 and up to 2 years.

Light Stable Isotope Analysis of Diet in Corded Ware Culture Communities: Święte, Jarosław District, South-Eastern Poland

Abstract The presented study was based on isotopic analysis of δ13C and δ15N in human bone collagen samples from graves of the Corded Ware culture in Święte, south-east Poland. Isotopic values demonstrate a relatively narrow variation, ranging from -20.4‰ to -19.8‰ and 10.6‰ to 12.0‰ for δ13C and δ15N values, respectively. The diet was likely C3 plant-based with a substantial animal protein component, including predominantly terrestrial and possibly riverine resources.

Prevalence of smoking and BMI differences between smokers and non-smokers among children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in south-east Poland.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among children and adolescents aged 7-18 years, and also to determine the relationship between this addiction and the Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: Basic anthropometric measurements were performed, and information concerning cigarette smoking and basic SES was gathered using the questionnaire method. Results: More than 5% of boys admit to smoking at the age of 10-11 years, and as many as 22% 18-year-olds admit to doing so. With regard to girls, the situation is slightly better because it is only among 14-year-olds that the percentage of smokers exceeds 5%. Smoking may affect average BMIs. Smoking had a negative impact on the magnitude of physical development indices among children between 8 and 12 years old. Conclusions: The percentage of smokers increases with age. Boys smoke more often than girls. Tobacco smoking in middle childhood (8-12 years) is associated with lower BMIs.

Hourly pattern of allergenic alder and birch pollen concentrations in the air: Spatial differentiation and the effect of meteorological conditions

In temperate climate widespread alder and birch are an important source of strong aeroallergens. The diurnal pattern of airborne pollen concentrations depends on the rhythm of pollen release from anthers as well as weather conditions, convection air currents, long-distance transport, pollen trap location and local vegetation. The aim of the study was to present a diurnal pattern of Alnus (alder) and Betula (birch) pollen concentrations in the air in a horizontal and vertical gradient and examine the weather parameters that had the greatest impact on the pattern. The study was conducted in Rzeszów City, southeast Poland over three years. Pollen grains were collected using a Hirst volumetric spore trap at three sampling points: two at 12 m the agl, and one at 1.5 m agl. Data were analysed using circular statistics and a nonlinear function. For alder, three models of hourly patterns were elaborated and the most common presented early morning minimum and early afternoon maximum. For birch, the most common model has one peak at night and a marked decrease in concentrations in early morning, although a second model has peak during early afternoon. A model with 3 peaks is much less common. These models are characteristic for warm temperate climate regions, where alders and birches are common. The diurnal patterns did not depend on the localization of traps or proximity of the pollen source, although these factors influenced the hourly concentrations, with higher values observed at roof level. Significant relationships between the hourly pollen counts and meteorological parameters were observed only for alder. Three incidents of increasing birch pollen concentrations were observed during the first two hours of precipitation and linked to a convection effect. Unstable weather conditions caused by air convection might strongly modify the circadian pattern and cause the nightly peaks concentrations. The general results are that people suffering from allergies may be exposed to high birch and alder pollen concentrations at almost all times during the day with the exception of the morning hours, as well as during the first hours of convective precipitation. Precise information on pollen concentrations aids in allergy prevention, so cities should provide aerobiological monitoring at least at “roof level” and “nose level”.

Frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 causative founder variants in ovarian cancer patients in South-East Poland

BackgroundCausative variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are well-established risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer. In Poland, the causative founder variants in the BRCA1 are responsible for a significant proportion of ovarian cancer cases, however, regional differences in the frequencies of various mutations may exist. The spectrum and frequency of BRCA1/2 mutations between ovarian cancer patients have not yet been studied in the region of South-East Poland.MethodsWe examined 158 consecutive unselected cases of ovarian cancer patients from the region of Podkarpacie. We studied 13 Polish causative founder variants in BRCA1 (c.5266dupC, c.4035delA, c.5251C > T, c.181 T > G, c.676delT, c.68_69delAG, c.3700_3704delGTAAA, c.1687C > T, c.3756_3759delGTCT) and in BRCA2 (c.658_659delGT, c.7910_7914delCCTTT, c.3847_3848delGT, c.5946delT).ResultsA BRCA1 causative founder variants were detected in 10 of the 158 (6.3%) ovarian cancer cases. BRCA2 causative founder variants were not observed. The c.5266dupC mutation was detected in 6 patients, c.181 T > G mutation in 3 patients and the c.676delT mutation in 1 patient. The median age of diagnosis of the 10 hereditary ovarian cancers was 55.5 years of age.ConclusionsThe frequency of 13 causative founder variants in Podkarpacie was lower than in other regions of Poland. Testing of three BRCA1 mutations (c.5266dupC, c.181 T > G, c.676delT) should be considered a sensitive test panel.