http://hdl.handle.net/10366/156974 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:59:10 GMT 2026-04-23T01:59:10Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/170776 [EN]Pollen grains are being explored as innovative biomaterials for different applications, ranging from oral drug delivery to encapsulation of food additives, with the production of pollen-based building blocks standing on its robust, chemically inert, and mechanically durable sporopollenin wall. Yet, concerns remain regarding the safety of sporopollenin microcapsules (SMCs) or derivatized sporopollenin materials purified from pollen grains, traditionally linked to allergies. Herein, we address the critical question of whether sporopollenin shells purified from bee pollen may cause allergic reactions by evaluating their interaction with human immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in sera from patients with and without allergic sensitization to pollen of specific species. Clean SMCs from Castanea sativa, Amaranthaceae (Chenopodium album), and Olea europaea pollen grains were successfully produced using a species-independent chemical treatment and characterized. The Covaris Adaptive Focused Acoustics™ (AFA) technology was employed for protein extraction from the bee pollen and the SMCs, yielding 0.72—1.25 ng and 0.026 ng—0.028 ng of protein per pollen grain, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis also confirmed that the surface nitrogen content of the SMCs was minimal, ranging from 0.9% to 2.7%. SDS-PAGE, followed by immunoblotting analysis, showed that proteins extracted from bee pollen strongly reacted with IgE antibodies in human sera, whereas SMCs did not trigger allergic sensitization. Overall, our findings suggest that while bee pollen proteins could elicit allergic reactions in sensitive patients, SMCs do not, highlighting their potential as safe biomaterials for various applications and offering valuable insights into the allergenic potential of bee pollen. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/170776 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/170775 [ES]La exposición al polen y a las esporas fúngicas constituye un factor ambiental crítico en la fisiopatología de las enfermedades respiratorias alérgicas, cuya prevalencia ha ido aumentando en entornos urbanos, caracterizados por condiciones ecológicas favorables. En este contexto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar, desde el punto de vista clínico y epidemiológico, a la población de Bragança con sospecha de alergia al polen y a Alternaria alternata. Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo, basado en el análisis de 100 historias clínicas, con datos obtenidos mediante cuestionarios estructurados y pruebas cutáneas por punción (prick-test) con trece extractos alergénicos: doce polínicos y uno específico de Alternaria alternata. La muestra estuvo compuesta mayoritariamente por individuos de género femenino (53 %), con edad media de 23,9 ± 15,3 años, predominando residentes en zonas urbanas (86 %). El 42 % tenía animales de compañía, el 37 % presentaba exposición al tabaco y el 19 % vivía en viviendas con moqueta. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron rinitis alérgica (99 %), rinoconjuntivitis (97 %), eccema (45 %) y sibilancias (44 %). Se observó polisensibilización en el 97 % de los participantes, con sensibilizaciones dirigidas a mezclas de gramíneas silvestres (96 %), gramíneas cultivadas (82 %), Olea europaea L. (80 %), mezclas de hierbas (78 %), Plantago lanceolata L. (75 %) y Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (8 %). Estas evidencias permiten concluir un patrón de sensibilización compatible con alergias respiratorias en la población de Bragança. [PT]A exposição a pólen e esporos fúngicos constitui um determinante ambiental crítico na fisiopatologia das doenças respiratórias alérgicas, cuja prevalência tem vindo a aumentar em ambientes urbanos, caracterizados por condições ecológicas favoráveis à dispersão de espécies alergénicas. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar, do ponto de vista clínico e epidemiológico, a população de Bragança com suspeita de alergia a grãos de pólen e à Alternaria alternata. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal e retrospetivo, baseado na análise de 100 histórias clínicas, com dados obtidos através de questionários estruturados e testes cutâneos por picada (prick-test) com treze extratos alergénicos: doze polínicos e um específico de Alternaria alternata. A amostra foi maioritariamente composta por indivíduos do sexo feminino (53 %), com idade média de 23,9 ± 15,3 anos, predominando residentes em meio urbano (86 %). Observou-se que 42 % possuíam animais de companhia, 37 % tinham exposição tabágica e 19 % residiam em habitações com alcatifa. Os sintomas mais frequentes foram rinite alérgica (99 %), rinoconjuntivite (97 %), eczema (45 %) e pieira (44 %). A polissensibilização foi observada em 97 % dos participantes, com sensibilizações predominantemente dirigidas à mistura de gramíneas silvestres (96 %), gramíneas cultivadas (82 %), Olea europaea L. (80 %), misturas de ervas (78 %), Plantago lanceolata L. (75 %) e Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (8 %). Estas evidências permitem concluir a existência de um padrão de sensibilização compatível com quadros de alergia respiratória na população de Bragança. [EN]Exposure to pollen and fungal spores constitutes a critical environmental determinant in the pathophysiology of allergic respiratory diseases, the prevalence of which has been increasing in urban environments characterised by ecological conditions favourable to the dispersal of allergenic species. In this context, this study aimed to characterize, from a clinical and epidemiological point of view, the population of Bragança with suspected allergies to pollen grains and Alternaria alternata. This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study, based on the analysis of 100 clinical histories, with data obtained through structured questionnaires and prick-tests with thirteen allergenic extracts: twelve pollen and one specific to Alternaria alternata. The majority of the sample was female (53 %), with an average age of 23.9 ± 15.3 years, predominantly living in urban areas (86 %). 42% owned pets, 37 % were exposed to smoking and 19 % lived in houses with carpeting. The most frequent symptoms were allergic rhinitis (99 %), rhinoconjunctivitis (97 %), eczema (45 %) and wheezing (44 %). Polysensitization was observed in 97 % of participants, with sensitizations predominantly directed at wild grass mixtures (96 %), cultivated grasses (82 %), Olea europaea L. (80 %), herb mixtures (78 %), Plantago lanceolata L. (75 %) and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (8 %). This evidence suggests that there is a pattern of sensitization compatible with respiratory allergies in the population of Bragança. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/170775 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/170773 [EN]Airborne pollen exposure is a major trigger of respiratory allergy, but long-term aerobiological series from the Southern Hemisphere remain scarce. We analyzed changes in the intensity, time and meteorological variables of major allergenic pollen types in Talca, a representative city of central Chile, over nearly two decades. Daily pollen counts from Hirst-type volumetric traps were obtained for three seasons (2007/2008, 2013/2014 and 2024/2025), and the annual pollen integral (APIn) and main pollen season (MPS) metrics were calculated for nine relevant taxa and for total pollen. The APIn increased by more than 240% between the first and last periods, with particularly marked rises for Olea, Cupressaceae, Poaceae, Corylus and several herbaceous plants. For many taxa, the MPS started earlier and/or ended later in 2024/2025, lengthening clinically relevant exposure windows, whereas Platanus and Populus maintained short but intense spring peaks. Cupressaceae showed an extended MPS of about six months, and Olea and Corylus exhibited sharp increases in seasonal totals consistent with recent expansion of nearby plantations. Temperature emerged as the main, though taxon-specific, driver of day-to-day variability, with Poaceae positively associated with temperature and solar radiation and negatively with relative humidity, while some arboreal taxa showed negative correlations coefficients with temperature. Our results indicate an intensification and extension of pollen seasons in the city of Talca. General implications for clinical and public‑health are discussed. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/170773 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/167211 [EN]Fungal spore calendars help illustrate the abundance and distribution of spores throughout the year, enabling clinicians and patients to predict and treat allergic symptoms based on spore presence and concentration. This three-year study (2021–2024) established the first fungal spore calendar for the most clinically important spore types in Lima, Perú: Alternaria, Cladosporium, Nigrospora, Curvularia, Drechslera, Fusarium, and Stemphylium. Air sampling was performed using a Burkard volumetric spore trap placed on the rooftop of SANNA Clínica el Golf in San Isidro, Lima. Cladosporium was the most abundant (37,945 spores/m3), followed by Nigrospora (11,558), Curvularia (3946), Fusarium (2454), Alternaria (2138), Drechslera (1850), and Stemphylium (201). The highest concentrations of Alternaria, Nigrospora, Curvularia, and Drechslera were recorded in 2023–2024, with seasonal peaks mainly during spring/summer. Meteorological correlations showed that Alternaria, Cladosporium, Nigrospora, and Curvularia were positively correlated with temperature while Drechslera had a negative correlation. Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, and Stemphylium were negatively correlated with relative humidity, while other types showed a mix of both positive and negative responses or inverse responses. These two meteorological parameters are likely the main influences on spore concentrations; however, other factors may include other meteorological parameters. Cladosporium correlated positively with southwesterly winds, and negatively with northwesterly, winds, and Curvularia was positively correlated with northeasterly winds. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/167211 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/160496 [EN] The allergenic nature of ash (Fraxinus sp.), an important element of the dehesas, has been poorly studied in meridional Europe owing to the low concentrations of this pollen type in the atmosphere. However, it has cross-reactivity with Olea L. and other homologous allergens of trees and herbaceous species, leading to earlier and more prolonged respiratory allergenic symptoms. The main aims of this work were to characterize the main pollen season (MPS) of ash from 2011 to 2022, to evaluate the influence of meteorological variables on airborne concentrations of this pollen type and to elaborate a pollen calendar for Fraxinus in Salamanca. The aeropalynological analysis for the eleven years of the study shows that the MPS for Fraxinus begins on 27 th December until 4 th April with an average duration of 100 days, a mean peak value of 57 grains/m3 reached on 22 nd February and a mean annual pollen integral of 567 grains/m3, observing an earlier onset of MPS, an increase in its duration and a decrease in its concentrations, presumably linked to climate change. Regarding the influence of meteorological parameters on pollen concentrations, positive correlations were found for maximum and mean temperatures and insolation, as well as southeast winds and frequency of calms, while negative correlations were reported for precipitation, relative humidity, and wind speed. The analyze of Fraxinus pollen could be used to predict seasonal behavior and warn people who may suffer pollinosis either from ash pollen or from cross-reactivity events. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/160496 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/160091 [ES] Los parques urbanos son elementos de la infraestructura verde que deben contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida y el bienestar ciudadano. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de un novedoso índice que estima la alergenicidad potencial de las zonas verdes urbanas. Este índice, que contempla parámetros biológicos y biométricos intrínsecos a las especies arbóreas existentes en los parques, genera un resultado cuyo valor está comprendido entre 0 y 1 según el potencial alergénico del parque sea nulo o de riesgo alto para la población. En una primera fase el índice se ha aplicado a parques de diferente tipología, diseño, tamaño, riqueza específica y biodiversidad ubicados en 20 ciudades españolas. Los resultados han mostrado que algunos de los parques estudiados registran un valor de índice superior a 0,30, umbral suficiente para causar síntomas de alergia a la población expuesta, y por tanto, de riesgo moderado o alto. Por el contrario, en la mayoría de los parques se obtuvo un valor inferior a este umbral. También es posible conocer cuáles son las especies que más contribuyen al valor resultante, que son aquellas con estrategia de polinización anemófila, periodos de floración extensos y alta alergenicidad referenciada. Estos requisitos los cumplen todas las especies de las familias Betuláceas, Cupresáceas y Moráceas, y en menor extensión, Oleáceas y Platanáceas. Puede concluirse que el desarrollo de un índice de estimación de alergenicidad de espacios verdes urbanos constituye una herramienta de utilidad para minimizar el impacto de la alergia polínica en la población. [EN] Urban parks are green infrastructure elements that should contribute to improving the quality of life and well-being of citizens. In this work there are presented the results of applying a new index to estimate the potential allergenicity of parks located in 20 Spanish cities. This index, which considers intrinsic biological and biometric parameters of existing plant species in parks, allows the allergenic risk thereof to be calculated on a scale ranging from 0 to 1, depending on whether to the park’s allergenicity is zero or has a high risk for the population. The parks selected for this study have different typologies, sizes, species richness and biodiversities, which has yielded highly variable index values. Almost half of the analysed parks have an index value higher than 0.30, a threshold considered having a moderate to high risk, and therefore, enough to cause allergy symptoms in the population. Conversely, most of the parks had an index value below this threshold, so that the risk of suffering allergies is low or very low. The formula also allows the species that most contribute to the resulting value for allergenicity to be known, which are those having an anemophillous strategy of pollination, extended periods of flowering, and a referenced high allergenicity. These requirements are met by all species of the Betulaceae, Cupressaceae and Moraceae families, and to a lesser extent by Oleaceae and Platanaceae. It can be concluded that the development of an index to estimate the allergenicity of urban green spaces constitutes a useful tool to minimize the impact of pollen allergy on the population. [PT] Os parques urbanos são elementos da infraestrutura verde que devem contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos cidadãos. Neste trabalho apresentam-se os resultados da aplicação de um índice inovador, que permite estimar a alergenicidade potencial dos espaços verdes urbanos. Este índice, que inclui parâmetros biológicos e biométricos, intrínsecos às próprias espécies existentes nos parques, tem como resultado um valor numa escala entre 0 e 1, de acordo com o potencial alergénico do parque, caso este seja, respetivamente e nos seus extremos, nulo ou de máximo risco para as populações. O índice foi aplicado em parques de diferentes tipologias, desenho, tamanho, riqueza específica e biodiversidade, situados em 20 cidades espanholas. Os resultados demonstram que alguns dos parques estudados registam um valor de índice superior a 0,30, limite suficiente para causar sintomas de alergia na população exposta, e por tanto, risco moderado a alto. No entanto, a maioria dos parques apresenta um valor inferior a este limite. Também é possível conhecer quais as espécies que mais contribuem para o valor do índice, que correspondem aquelas com a estratégia de polinização anemófila, períodos de floração extensos e potencial alergénico referenciado. Estes requisitos são aplicáveis a todas as espécies das famílias Betuláceas, Cupressáceas e Moráceas, e em menor medida, Oleáceas e Platanáceas. Pode assim concluir-se que a aplicação de um índice de previsão dos níveis de alergenicidade dos espaços verdes urbanos constitui uma ferramenta útil para minimizar o impacto da alergia polínica sobre a população. Wed, 15 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/160091 2016-06-15T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159958 [EN]Urban parks play a key role in the provision of ecosystem services, actively participating in improving the quality of life and welfare of local residents. This paper reports on the application of an index designed to quantify the allergenicity of urban parks in a number of Spanish cities. The index, which records biological and biometric parameters for the tree species growing there, classifies parks in terms of the risk they pose for allergy sufferers, graded as null, low, moderate or high. In this initial phase, the index was applied to 26 green areas in 24 Spanish cities; green areas varied in type (urban park, historical or modern garden, boulevard, square or urban forest), size 1–100 ha), geographical location, species richness, number of trees and tree density (number of trees / ha.). The data obtained were used to calculate the percentage of allergenic species in each park, which varied between 17–67%; density ranged from 100 to 300 trees/ha. The index values recorded ranged from a minimum of .07 to a maximum of .87; a significant correlation was found between index value and both number of trees and tree density. Taking an index value of .30 as the threshold considered sufficient to trigger allergy symptoms in the sensitive population, 12 of the parks studied may be regarded as unhealthy at any time of the year. Corrective measures to mitigate the impact of pollen emissions include the implementation of nature-based solutions at various levels: planning and design, handling and management, and strengthening of urban green-infrastructure elements. The index proved to be a useful tool for environmental analysis, and complies with the principles of portability and scalability central to current and horizon scientific research. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159958 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159902 [EN]Aerobiological studies in urban areas are quite abundant in recent decades, but not in rural areas with a high environmental value. In this work, we analyze the airborne levels of pollen and fern spores in year 2012 collected by means of a volumetric sampler located in an ecological vineyard and in the Biosphere Reserve ‘‘Sierras de Be´jar y Francia.’’ The results showed a high atmospheric representation of the natural vegetation of the environment, with almost half of the airborne pollen coming from the most represented tree formations such as chestnut and oak trees. Airborne concentrations of grass pollen reached approximately a 25% of the total, with high levels during 33 days of the year, 18 of them in January, February and March. The seasonal and intradaily behavior of the most abundant pollen types was focused on the months of May, June and July and the central hours of the day, respectively. Temperature had a positive influence on the levels of the main pollen types, while rainfall had a negative effect on pollen types from herbaceous species. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159902 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159898 [EN]Eucalyptus honey is an important unifloral honey commercialized worldwide and much desired by consumers due to the medicinal properties attributed to it because of the plant from which it is produced. In general, eucalyptus honey has been classified as being rich in pollen grains from the eucalyptus tree as well as having physicochemical characteristics that, in a way, have made it stand out from other honeys. Similar to other types of honey, eucalyptus honey can suffer contaminations and adulterations that compromise its quality, safety and authenticity. Thus, detailed knowledge of the composition and properties of this monofloral honeys is of great importance. With this background, the aim of this review is to present and discuss recent data regarding the physicochemical characteristics, chemical and health-promoting properties of eucalyptus honey as well as microbial contamination, authenticity, processing and adulteration. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159898 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159896 [EN]The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about fungal spores in the atmosphere of the city of Salamanca (Middle West Spain), through the comparative study of Alternaria spore levels in two different sampling points within the same city. The study was done in terms of seasonal and hourly distribution and the possible influence of the main meteorological parameters on their atmospheric concentrations. The sampling was carried out from 17 February 2014 to 16 February 2016, both included, with two Hirst-type volumetric spore trap samplers, in two buildings in the city: one in a semi-urban environment, on the outskirts of the city, and the other in the city centre, 1.4 km apart. After the two years of sampling, the total annual values of Alternaria varied very little concerning the location of the samplers. The maximum values coincided in the two spore traps during 2014–2015 on the same day with similar amounts, whereas in 2015–2016 the difference was more noticeable both in date and amount. In the study of the seasonality of Alternaria’s atmospheric distribution, there were no differences in the length of the main spore season nor the number of days with health risk levels (concentrations above 100 spores/ m3). With regard to correlations, the analyses carried out between daily concentrations in both samplers obtained highly significant and positive results. The influence of meteorological parameters on spore levels, showed a positive effect of temperature and sunshine, as well as a negative one for humidity and rainfall. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159896 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159893 [EN]Since Alternaria is an important aeroallergen in temperate areas of the world, this study was undertaken in order to provide the first results obtained about the seasonal regimen of Alternaria airborne spores in the atmosphere of Santiago de Chile (Chile), for a period of 10 years (2005–2015), which has led to the construction of the first calendar for the city. Furthermore, the periods of maximum presence of these particles in the air were determined together with those days in which the threshold levels set up for the development of clinical symptoms were reached and/ or surpassed. The annual spore integral varied between 4077 spores/m3 registered in 2013–2014 and 6824 spores/m3 in 2010–2011, with a main spore season from mid-winter (mid-July/mid-August) to the end of the autumn (June). Daily peaks were mainly detected in spring or autumn seasons but even in winter, although without surpassing 65 spores/m3 in any case. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159893 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159889 [EN]Alternaria conidia have high allergenic potential and they can trigger important respiratory diseases. Due to that and to their extensive detection period, airborne Alternaria spores are considered as a relevant airborne allergenic particle. Several studies have been developed in order to predict the human exposure to this aeroallergen and to prevent their negative effects on sensitive population. These studies revealed that some sampling locations usually have just one single Alternaria spore season while other locations generally have two seasons within the same year. However, the reasons of these two different seasonal patterns remain unclear. To understand them better, the present study was carried out in order to determine if there are any weather conditions that influence these different behaviours at different sampling locations. With this purpose, the airborne Alternaria spore concentrations of 18 sampling locations in a wide range of latitudinal, altitudinal and climate ranges of Spain were studied. The aerobiological samples were obtained by means of Hirst-Type volumetric pollen traps, and the seasonality of the airborne Alternaria spores were analysed. The optimal weather conditions for spore production were studied, and the main weather factor affecting Alternaria spore seasonality were analysed by means of random forests and regression trees. The results showed that the temperature was the most relevant variable for the Alternaria spore dispersion and it influenced both the spore integrals and their seasonality. The water availability was also a very significant variable.Warmer sampling locations generally have a longer period of Alternaria spore detection. However, the spore production declines during the summer when the temperatures are extremelywarm, what splits the favourable period for Alternaria spore production and dispersion into two separate ones, detected as two Alternaria spore seasons within the same year. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159889 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159883 [EN]The knowledge of the different plant species that make up the feeding diet of animals is highly important to develop more efficient strategies. This research aimed to characterize the food potential available for the Cuban stingless bee livestock of the Matanzas and Mayabeque provinces. Palynological analysis was done using 60 g of pollen from sealed pots and 80 mL of honey from the ten randomly selected beehives (five in each province). The results showed that in the honey collected in Matanzas province, the most represented family was Amaranthaceae, followed by Myrtaceae and Fabaceae. Meanwhile, for Mayabeque, the most represented ones were the families Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. Regarding the stingless bee pollen of Matanzas provenance, the family Fabaceae prevailed, followed by Burseraceae and Myrtaceae. The pollen corresponding to Mayabeque coincided in showing Fabaceae as the most representative. In addition, pollen grains of small size (from 10 to 25 μm) were collected, with a marked representation of the pollen type of Mimosa pudica in the Mayabeque honey. It was concluded that the Cuban stingless bee livestock of the Matanzas and Mayabeque provinces had a specialist feeding behavior because a low number of plant taxa made up its diet. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159883 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z