http://hdl.handle.net/10366/156969 2026-05-09T12:01:10Z 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. 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. 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. 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. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/167072 [EN]The airway epithelium is the first line of defense of the respiratory system against the external environment. It plays an active role in the initiation of immune and allergic responses against potential hazards. Among the various specialized cells and cytokines that participate in epithelium-induced responses, alarmins are particularly interesting, given their ample role in mediating T2 and non-T2 inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an alarmin with broad effects in asthma that result from its widespread action on multiple cell types, including eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, and group-2 innate lymphoid cells. Its role in allergy-mediated responses, eosinophilic inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus hyperproduction, viral tolerance, and airway remodeling is of the utmost importance, as more comprehensive asthma assessments have been developed to explore these pathogenic features. Therefore, blockade with targeting molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option, particularly in patients with multiple pathogenic pathways. In this review, we examine the roles of alarmins (mainly TSLP) in the pathogenesis of asthma and clinical expression and discuss the effects of inhibiting TSLP on several inflammatory and clinical outcomes. We also review the literature supporting treatment with anti-TSLP biologics and the unanswered questions and unmet needs associated with targeting alarmins in asthma. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/166949 [ES]Reconocimiento de la primera descripción de una nueva entidad denominada hipertriptasemia familiar. 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. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/160092 [ES]La aerobiología es una ciencia muy reciente, definida como tal a mediados del siglo XX, que trata del estudio de la liberación, retención, dispersión, transporte, deposición e incidencia en la atmósfera de granos de polen, esporas y otros microorganismos aerovagantes, así como de partículas de origen no biológico. En su devenir histórico ha desempeñado un papel importante en disciplinas del ámbito biosanitario, debido a los procesos alérgicos desencadenados por partículas biológicas, aunque en el transcurso de los últimos años, la aerobiología se ha vinculado a un amplio abanico de campos de investigación, que van desde la medicina forense hasta la meteorología y su deriva ambiental, en lo que se conoce como calentamiento global o cambio climático. No obstante, en los diversos aspectos que engloba la agricultura, conviene destacar la utilidad de esta ciencia en la predicción de cosechas y en la posible relación entre la producción de polen previa y la producción vegetal agrícola, principalmente para la vid y el olivo en el área mediterránea, así como en trabajos asociados a enfermedades vegetales, y en especial, en el control de plagas fúngicas. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z 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. 2016-06-15T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159967 [ES]Se ha analizado el comportamiento estacional e intradiario de las esporas de Periconia s.l. en la atmósfera de Valladolid durante el período 2005-2007, así como la influencia de los diferentes parámetros meteorológicos, observándose una clara afinidad de dicho género de hongos por las bajas temperaturas.; [EN]Seasonal and intra-daily patterns of Periconia s.l. spores in the atmosphere of Valladolid have been analyzed during 2005-2007 period. Thus, the influence of the main meteorological parameters on airborne concentrations has been studied, determining a clear affinity of this genus of fungi for low temperatures. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159960 [EN]The aeropalynological monitoring was carried out from 1 February 2005-31 January 2007. The total number of spores collected during the main spore season (MSS) in 2005 was 4,500 for Alternaria and 93,744 in the case of Cladosporium, whereas in 2006 values were increased (8,385 for Alternaria and 150,144 for Cladosporium), reaching the maximum concentrations on 18 July and 17 June 2006 with 344 and 5,503 spores, respectively. The influence of the main meteorological parameters on spore concentrations was studied, resulting in a positive correlation with temperature. Rainfall, relative humidity and frequency of calms obtained negative correlations in the case of Alternaria, and positive for Cladosporium, the total daily hours of sunshine having an inverse influence on them. The intra-diurnal pattern was very similar for both genera, with a greater representation towards the central hours of the day and at night. Finally, some clinical aspects for the Alternaria spore type were analyzed, with a low percentage of sensitized patients though (9.5%). Only one patient showed positive skin test reaction to Cladosporium. 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z 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. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159956 [EN]The effect of height on pollen concentration is not well documented and little is known about the near-ground vertical profile of airborne pollen. This is important as most measuring stations are on roofs, but patient exposure is at ground level. Our study used a big data approach to estimate the near-ground vertical profile of pollen concentrations based on a global study of paired stations located at different heights. We analyzed paired sampling stations located at different heights between 1.5 and 50 m above ground level (AGL). This provided pollen data from 59 Hirst-type volumetric traps from 25 different areas, mainly in Europe, but also covering North America and Australia, resulting in about 2,000,000 daily pollen concentrations analyzed. The daily ratio of the amounts of pollen from different heights per location was used, and the values of the lower station were divided by the higher station. The lower station of paired traps recorded more pollen than the higher trap. However, while the effect of height on pollen concentration was clear, it was also limited (average ratio 1.3, range 0.7–2.2). The standard deviation of the pollen ratio was highly variable when the lower station was located close to the ground level (below 10 m AGL). We show that pollen concentrations measured at >10 m are representative for background near-ground levels. 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159947 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159944 [EN]In this paper, we expose a preliminary study of the airborne fungal spore content in the atmosphere of Salamanca City including a fungal spore calendar. Sampling was carried out between February 2014 and February 2016, and along these 2 years of monitoring Cladosporium was the most abundant type followed by Aspergillus/Penicillium, both present from January to December. The peaks of diversity and abundance were established in two welldefined seasons focused on autumn (especially basidiomycota) and late spring. Others, like Cladosporium and Alternaria, called the dry spore types, had their maximum during summer. According to the intradiurnal pattern, the results were very similar for the spore types, except for Agaricus, Coprinus and Periconia that showed a nocturnal release pattern. The meteorological factors that had a clearly influence on the spore distribution were temperature, in the case of the dry spore types, and relative humidity in the case of wet air spores like Agaricus and Coprinus both basidiomycetes. 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/159943 [EN]Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae pollen represents an allergenic risk for pollen-sensitive people. Th e aim of this study was to describe the Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae pollen dynamics in the atmosphere of Salamanca (midwest Spain) during the years 2000-2007. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method using a Burkard spore trap located in the urban centre at the height of 20 m above ground level. Th is pollen type was mainly detected in the atmosphere between late spring and late summer, with an Atmospheric Pollen Season (APS) registered between late May and early October and maximum concentrations detected in August. Th e intradiurnal pattern, calculated by means of 3 diff erent methods, reached a higher hourly concentration percentage in the second half of the day. Th e correlations obtained between daily pollen counts and diff erent meteorological parameters showed that the airborne presence of this pollen type is associated positively with temperature and negatively with rainfall and relative humidity. In terms of the known threshold (10-15 pollen/m3), Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae pollen concentrations were found to exceed this threshold on 1 day in the years 2002, 2005, and 2007, and on 12 days in 2006. Th e results can be utilised to prevent symptoms of allergic reactions to this pollen type and to improve quality of life during seasonal allergic diseases in Chenopodiaceae pollen-sensitive people. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z