scholarly journals Development and application of a method to classify airborne pollen taxa concentration using light scattering data

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Miki ◽  
Toshio Fujita ◽  
Norio Sahashi
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Cryptomeria Japonica ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Chamaecyparis Obtusa ◽  
Scattering Data ◽  
Spatial Density ◽  
Monitoring Networks ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Counts ◽  
Laser Optics

AbstractAlthough automated pollen monitoring networks using laser optics are well-established in Japan, it is thought that these methods cannot distinguish between pollen counts when evaluating various pollen taxa. However, a method for distinguishing the pollen counts of two pollen taxa was recently developed. In this study, we applied such a method to field evaluate the data of the two main allergens in Japan, Chamaecyparis obtusa and Cryptomeria japonica. We showed that the method can distinguish between the pollen counts of these two species even when they are simultaneously present in the atmosphere. This result indicates that a method for automated and simple two pollen taxa monitoring with high spatial density can be developed using the existing pollen network.

scholarly journals Estimation of pollen counts from light scattering intensity when sampling multiple pollen taxa – Establishment of Automated Multi-taxa Pollen Counting Estimation System (AME System)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Miki ◽  
Shigeto Kawashima
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Scattering Data ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Laser Optics ◽  
Pollen Counting ◽  
Estimation System ◽  
Multiple Pollen

Abstract. Laser optics have long been used in pollen counting systems. To clarify the limitations and potential new applications of laser optics for automatic pollen counting and discrimination, we determined the light scattering patterns of various pollen types, tracked temporal changes in these distributions, and introduced a new theory for automatic pollen discrimination. Our experimental results indicate that different pollen types often have different light scattering characteristics, as previous research has suggested. Our results also show that light scattering distributions did not undergo significant temporal changes. Further, we show that the concentration of two different types of pollen could be estimated separately from the total number of pollen grains by fitting the light scattering data to a probability density curve. These findings should help realize a fast and simple automatic pollen monitoring system.

scholarly journals Estimation of pollen counts from light scattering intensity when sampling multiple pollen taxa – establishment of an automated multi-taxa pollen counting estimation system (AME system)

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 685-693
Author(s):  
Kenji Miki ◽  
Shigeto Kawashima
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Scattering Data ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Laser Optics ◽  
Pollen Counting ◽  
Estimation System ◽  
Multiple Pollen

Abstract. Laser optics have long been used in pollen counting systems. To clarify the limitations and potential new applications of laser optics for automatic pollen counting and discrimination, we determined the light scattering patterns of various pollen types, tracked temporal changes in these distributions, and introduced a new theory for automatic pollen discrimination. Our experimental results indicate that different pollen types often have different light scattering characteristics, as previous research has suggested. Our results also show that light scattering distributions did not undergo significant temporal changes. Further, we show that the concentration of two different types of pollen could be estimated separately from the total number of pollen grains by fitting the light scattering data to a probability density curve. These findings should help realize a fast and simple automatic pollen monitoring system.

Automated pollen monitoring system using laser optics for observing seasonal changes in the concentration of total airborne pollen

Aerobiologia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeto Kawashima ◽  
Michel Thibaudon ◽  
Soken Matsuda ◽  
Toshio Fujita ◽  
Natalie Lemonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring System ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Laser Optics

scholarly journals Personalized Pollen Monitoring and Symptom Scores: A Feasibility Study in Grass Pollen Allergic Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letty A. de Weger ◽  
Peter Th. W. van Hal ◽  
Bernadette Bos ◽  
Frank Molster ◽  
Marijke Mostert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Grass Pollen ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Counts ◽  
Pollen Concentrations ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Pollen Exposure ◽  
Grass Pollen Counts

Background: Pollen is a major trigger for allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals. Airborne pollen is usually monitored by Hirst type pollen samplers located at rooftop level, providing a general overview of the pollen distribution in the larger surroundings. In this feasibility study, grass pollen-sensitized subjects monitored the pollen in their direct environment using a portable pollen sampler (Pollensniffer) and scored their symptoms, to study the relation between symptom severity and personal grass pollen exposure. For comparison the symptoms were also correlated with pollen collected by the rooftop sampler.Methods: After recruitment 18 participants were screened for grass pollen specific (GP-sIgE) of which 12 were eligible. Nine participants completed the study (May, 2018). They were asked to monitor personal pollen exposure using a Pollensniffer on their way to school, work or other destination, and to score their symptoms via a mobile app on a scale from 0 to 10. Daily pollen concentrations were collected by a Hirst type sampler at rooftop level. Pollen grains were analyzed using a microscope.Results: Three of the four participants with high GP-sIgE (≥9.6 kU/l) reported high symptom scores (>4) and an analysis showed a significant correlation (CC) between eye, nose, and lung symptoms and the grass pollen counts collected by the Pollensniffer, as well as the daily grass pollen concentrations monitored by the rooftop sampler (CC≥0.54). In contrast, the participants with low GP-sIgE levels (<9.6 kU/l) reported low symptom scores (≤4) and often other sensitizations were present. For these subjects, no significant positive correlations (CC<0.3) of symptoms with either grass pollen collected by the personal or the rooftop sampler were found.Conclusion: The results of this feasibility study suggest that correlations between the severity of clinical symptoms of grass pollen allergic patients, and grass pollen counts as determined by the Pollensniffer or a rooftop sampler, is restricted to patients with high GP-sIgE levels, high symptom scores, and no relevant other sensitizations. Based on the low numbers of subjects with severe symptoms included in this feasibility study, no conclusions can be drawn on the performance of the Pollensniffer in relating symptoms and pollen exposure in comparison with the rooftop sampler.Trial Registration: The study was approved by the Committee Medical Ethics of the LUMC (approval numbers: NL63953.058.17/ P17.304).

scholarly journals Personalized pollen monitoring and hay fever symptom scores: a feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letty de Weger ◽  
Peter TH.W van Hal ◽  
Bernadette Bos ◽  
Frank Molster ◽  
Marijke Mostert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Grass Pollen ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Counts ◽  
Pollen Concentrations ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Pollen Exposure ◽  
Grass Pollen Counts

Abstract Background. Pollen is a major trigger for allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals. Airborne pollen is usually monitored by Hirst type pollen samplers located at rooftop level, providing a general overview of the pollen distribution in the larger surroundings. In this feasibility study, grass pollen-sensitized subjects monitored the pollen in their direct environment using a portable pollen sampler (Pollensniffer) and scored their symptoms, to study the relation between symptom severity and personal grass pollen exposure. For comparison the symptoms were also correlated with pollen collected by the rooftop sampler. Methods. Nine grass pollen-sensitized individuals were enrolled in this study (May 2018) and asked to monitor personal pollen exposure using a Pollensniffer on their way to school, work or other destination, and to score their symptoms via a mobile app on a scale from 0 to 10. Daily pollen concentrations were collected by a Hirst type sampler at rooftop level. Pollen grains were analysed using a microscope. Results. Three of the four participants with high grass pollen-specific (GPS) IgE (>9.6 kU/l) reported high symptom scores (>4) and an analysis showed a significant correlation (CC) between eye, nose and lung symptoms and the grass pollen counts collected by the Pollensniffer, as well as the daily grass pollen concentrations monitored by the rooftop sampler (CC>0.54). In contrast, the participants with low GPS IgE levels (<9.6 kU/l) reported low symptom scores (<4) and often other sensitizations were present. For these subjects, no significant positive correlations (CC<0.3) of symptoms with either grass pollen collected by the personal or the rooftop sampler were found. Conclusion. Our results show that correlations between the severity of clinical symptoms of grass pollen allergic patients, and airborne grass pollen counts as determined by a personal pollen sampler (Pollensniffer) or a rooftop sampler, is restricted to patients with high GPS IgE levels, high symptom scores and no relevant other sensitizations. Based on the number of subjects included in this feasibility study, no conclusions can be drawn on the performance of the personal pollen sampler in relating symptoms and pollen exposure in comparison with the rooftop sampler.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the Committee Medical Ethics of the LUMC (approval numbers: NL63953.058.17/ P17.304).

scholarly journals The Relationship between Symptom Flare of Atopic Dermatitis and Airborne Japanese Cedar and Cypress Pollen Counts: A Self-Scoring Diary Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruko Nishie ◽  
Mariko Kato ◽  
Shiori Kato ◽  
Hiroshi Odajima ◽  
Rumiko Shibata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Pollen Season ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Japanese Cedar ◽  
Diary Study ◽  
Pollen Counts ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

Background. With an increase in Japanese cedar and cypress (JC) pollinosis, the relationship between JC pollen and atopic dermatitis (AD) has been studied. Some reports suggest that JC pollen can be one exacerbating factor for AD, but there has been no report that discusses JC pollen counts relating to AD symptom flare although actual airborne JC pollen counts can widely fluctuate throughout the pollen season. Objective. The relationship between symptom flare of AD and airborne JC pollen counts was examined. Methods. We monitored JC pollen counts in real time and divided the counts into low and high level. We then analyzed self-scored “itch intensity” recorded by 14 AD patients through a self-scoring diary. Results. Among the 14 patients, 7 had significantly higher itch intensity while the pollen counts were high. Conclusion. Even during the pollen season, actual airborne pollen counts can widely fluctuate. Our study suggested that symptom flare of AD could be influenced by the actual pollen counts.

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