ABSTRACT
Bacteria from the genera Dickeya (formerly Erwinia chrysanthemi) and Pectobacterium (formerly E. carotovora) are the agents of blackleg and soft rot on many important crops. In 2005, Dickeya solani was isolated for the first time in Poland from a symptomatic potato plant. To establish the presence and diversity of Dickeya spp. in Poland, we surveyed potato fields and water sources, including surface waters near potato fields and water from potato-processing facilities and sewage plants. Only D. dianthicola and D. solani were isolated from symptomatic potato, and only D. zeae and D. chrysanthemi were isolated from water sources. The Dickeya spp. isolated from potato formed a relatively homogenous group, while those from water sources were more diverse. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive characterization of Dickeya spp. isolated during several years from regions with a temperate climate in Central Europe.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to assess the cytological picture of the nasal mucosa of neonates born to mothers who are active smokers, passive smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in a group of 86 neonates born between 23 and 41 weeks of gestation. The assignation of neonates to one of the three aforementioned groups was based on a questionnaire concerning exposure to tobacco smoke, and on the concentration of cotinine in maternal urine. A cytological examination was performed using exfoliative cytology with a semi-quantitative evaluation of the cells present in the specimens. Hematological summation equipment was used to assess the number of neutrophils, eosinophils, columnar, goblet, basal and squamous cells out of 500 cells counted. The number of specific cells was expressed as a percentage and a cytogram was created. RESULTS: The most common type of cytogram contained neutrophils, columnar cells, and squamous cells. No significant differences were observed between the subgroups. Similarly, there was no correlation between the median of each type of cell and the cotinine concentration in the mothers' urine. CONCLUSION: Active and passive smoking during pregnancy do not influence the cytological picture of the nasal mucosa of neonates.
Subject(s)
Fetal Development/physiology , Maternal Exposure , Nicotiana/adverse effects , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/adverse effects , Adult , Birth Weight/physiology , Cotinine/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Maternal Exposure/adverse effects , Nasal Mucosa , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Smoking/adverse effects , Smoking/metabolismABSTRACT
Cytological evaluation of the nasal mucosa is one of the methods used in the diagnosis of upper respiratory diseases. Cytological examination of the nasal mucosa in very young children have sporadically been performed. In our study the evaluation was performed in Neonatal Units. Cytograms of 80 new-born children of both sexes were evaluated. All the infants were born prematurely. Cytograms of the nasal mucosa of new-born children differ from these of adults and older children. Either columnar cells or neutrophils are prevalent in cytograms of the healthy new-born children. Goblet cells do not occur. Cytological evaluation of nasal mucosa as non-invasive and easy to perform examination can be very useful in screening of the very young children with a risk of respiratory system disorders.
