Assessing allergenicity in urban parks: A nature-based solution to reduce the impact on public health.

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.

Spatial and temporal distribution of Alternaria spores in the Iberian Peninsula atmosphere, and meteorological relationships: 1993-2009.

This paper provides an updated of airborne Alternaria spore spatial and temporal distribution patterns in the Iberian Peninsula, using a common non-viable volumetric sampling method. The highest mean annual spore counts were recorded in Sevilla (39,418 spores), Mérida (33,744) and Málaga (12,947), while other sampling stations never exceeded 5,000. The same cities also recorded the highest mean daily spore counts (Sevilla 109 spores m(-3); Mérida 53 spores m(-3) and Málaga 35 spores m(-3)) and the highest number of days on which counts exceeded the threshold levels required to trigger allergy symptoms (Sevilla 38 % and Mérida 30 % of days). Analysis of annual spore distribution patterns revealed either one or two peaks, depending on the location and prevailing climate of sampling stations. For all stations, average temperature was the weather parameter displaying the strongest positive correlation with airborne spore counts, whilst negative correlations were found for rainfall and relative humidity.

Relationships between heavy metal concentrations in three different body fluids and male reproductive parameters: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown the reproductive toxicity of a number of heavy metals. Very few human observational studies have analyzed the relationship between male reproductive function and heavy metal concentrations in diverse biological fluids. METHODS: The current study assessed the associations between seminal and hormonal parameters and the concentration of the 3 most frequent heavy metal toxicants (lead, cadmium and mercury) in three different body fluids. Sixty one men attending infertility clinics that participated in a case-control study to explore the role of environmental toxins and lifestyles on male infertility were analyzed. Concentration of lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in blood and seminal plasma and whole blood using anodic stripping voltammetry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum samples were analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's rank correlations were used for unadjusted analyses. Multiple linear regression models were performed controlling for age, body mass index and number of cigarettes per day. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between cases and controls in the concentrations of heavy metals in any of the three body fluids. In multivariate analyses using all subjects no significant associations were found between serum hormone levels and metal concentrations. However there was a significant positive association between the percentage of immotile sperms and seminal plasma levels of lead and cadmium. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the presence of lead and cadmium in the reproductive tract of men may be related to a moderate alteration of their seminal parameters.

Causes of increased pollen exposure during Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions.

Airborne particulate matter such as mineral dust comes mainly from natural sources, and the African regions of Sahara and Sahel originate large amounts of the aerosols dispersed worldwide. There is little knowledge about the influence of dust episodes on airborne pollen concentrations, and although the centre and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula are frequently affected by dust intrusions, until now, no specific works have analysed the effect of these episodes on airborne pollen concentrations in these areas. The aims of this study were to analyse the simultaneous occurrence of airborne pollen peaks and Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions in the central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, and to study the weather conditions - air mass pathways and conditions of air temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure - that influence the airborne pollen concentrations during dust episodes. The results showed that the rise in airborne pollen concentrations during dust episodes is apparent in inland Iberian areas, although not in coastal areas in the southeast where pollen concentrations are even observed to decrease, coinciding with prevailing easterly winds from the sea. Total pollen concentrations and specific pollen types such as Olea, Poaceae and Quercus showed an increase in the central Iberian Peninsula during dust episodes when two meteorological phenomena concur: 1) prevailing winds from extensive areas of major wind-pollinated pollen sources over a medium or short distance (mainly from western and southwestern areas); and 2) optimal meteorological conditions that favour pollen release and dispersal into the atmosphere (mainly high temperatures and subsequently low humidity in central areas). Both conditions often occur during the Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions in the centre. Maximum pollen peaks are therefore most likely to occur during dust episodes in the central Iberian Peninsula, thus dramatically increasing the risk of outbreaks of pollinosis and other respiratory diseases in the population.

Aerobiological importance and allergic sensitization to Amaranthaceae under arid climate conditions.

Species of the Amaranthaceae family are abundant in the Southeast of Spain, one of the driest areas in Europe. The Amaranthaceae include species of interest from the point of view of allergic diseases. With the expansion of aridity, many species belonging to this family will be favoured. The objectives of this study were: first, to define the prevalence of sensitization to Amaranthaceae pollen in allergic patients in the Southeast of Spain; second, to present the aerobiological features of this taxon; and, finally, to demarcate those periods of increased risk of suffering allergic symptoms with the aim of improving the diagnosis and prevention of hay fever. Skin prick tests with extracts of pollen were performed on patients with symptoms of respiratory allergy referred for consultation for the first time in Almería and Murcia. Samples of the atmospheric bioaerosol were taken using a Lanzoni VPPS 2000 volumetric sampler, samples treatment and subsequent counts being carried out according to the methodology approved by the Spanish Aerobiological Network. The statistical significance of the correlation between aerobiological and meteorological data from this arid region in 2010-2014 was determined. The aerobiological study revealed the presence of two distinct peaks responsible for pollen symptoms. The flowering of this taxon is especially noteworthy in the city of Cartagena, where it supposes 94% of the total pollen collected in these periods. This situation converts Amaranthaceae pollen in the second leading cause of hay fever in the Southeast of Spain. With the expansion of aridity, an increase in the presence of these species is expected. Bearing in mind their prevalence in the spring and summer/autumn periods and their extensive presence in the bioaerosol, this makes data from Southeastern Spanish a benchmark with respect to the aerobiology of this type of pollen.

Immunocytochemical localization of allergenic proteins from mature to activated Zygophyllum fabago L. (Zygophyllaceae) pollen grains.

Zygophyllum fabago L. (Zygophyllaceae) can be found in the Middle East, in North Africa and in the arid zones of the Mediterranean region. It easily establishes itself in new regions, and is considered an invasive plant. They undergo ambophilous pollination, as there is a relationship between this type of pollination and its allergenic incidence. A combination of transmission electron microscopy with immunocytochemical methods was used to localize allergenic proteins during hydration and activation processes. Germination was induced in vitro for 1,2,4,6, and 30 min. The activated proteins reacting with antibodies present in human sera from allergenic patients are found in the cytoplasm, intine, exine and exudates from the pollen grains. The activation time plays an important role on the labelling intensity. Labelling of allergenic proteins was abundant at 1 and 2 min of activation, and decreased at 4 and 6 min. The rapid activation and release of the allergenic proteins appears to be the main cause of allergenic activity of Z. fabago pollen grains.

Air-spore in Cartagena, Spain: viable and non-viable sampling methods.

In the presented study the airborne fungal spores of the semiarid city of Cartagena, Spain, are identified and quantified by means of viable or non-viable sampling methods. Airborne fungal samples were collected simultaneously using a filtration method and a pollen and particle sampler based on the Hirst methodology. This information is very useful for elucidating geographical patterns of hay fever and asthma. The qualitative results showed that when the non-viable methodology was employed, Cladosporium, Ustilago, and Alternaria were the most abundant spores identified in the atmosphere of Cartagena, while the viable methodology showed that the most abundant taxa were: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria. The quantitative results of airborne fungal spores identified by the Hirst-type air sampler (non-viable method), showed that Deuteromycetes represented 74% of total annual spore counts, Cladosporium being the major component of the fungal spectrum (62.2%), followed by Alternaria (5.3%), and Stemphylium (1.3%). The Basidiomycetes group represented 18.9% of total annual spore counts, Ustilago (7.1%) being the most representative taxon of this group and the second most abundant spore type. Ascomycetes accounted for 6.9%, Nectria (2.3%) being the principal taxon. Oomycetes (0.2%) and Zygomycestes and Myxomycestes (0.06%) were scarce. The prevailing species define our bioaerosol as typical of dry air. The viable methodology was better at identifying small hyaline spores and allowed for the discrimination of the genus of some spore types. However, non-viable methods revealed the richness of fungal types present in the bioaerosol. Thus, the use of both methodologies provides a more comprehensive characterization of the spore profile.

Correlations between Different Heavy Metals in Diverse Body Fluids: Studies of Human Semen Quality.

It has been hypothesized that exposure to heavy metals may impair male reproduction. To measure the effect produced by low doses of heavy metals on semen parameters, it is necessary to clarify in which body fluids those measurements must be performed. Sixty-one men attending infertility clinics participated in our study. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured in whole blood, blood plasma, and seminal plasma using spectroanalytical and electrochemical methods. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. For statistical analysis, Spearman's rank correlations, mean comparison tests, and discriminant analysis were calculated. Significant correlations between the measured concentrations of the three heavy metals in the same biological fluids were observed. However, no similar relationship was seen when comparing the concentrations in different body fluids of the same metal. According to our results and previous publications, seminal plasma might be the best body fluid for assessing impairment of human semen parameters.

Detection of airborne Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens in relation to Urticaceae pollen counts in different bioclimatic areas.

BACKGROUND: In aerobiological studies, the Parietaria pollen type usually includes all Parietaria and Urtica species found in the area. Given that Urtica is a nonallergenic plant, the pollen counts report incomplete information on the presence of allergens in the atmosphere. Discordance between the pollen concentrations of Urticaceae and allergic symptoms has been observed in patients with pollinosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the Urticaceae pollen counts with the Par j 1 and Par j 2 aeroallergen concentrations from 2 different Spanish geographic areas to determine the allergenic load in the atmosphere. METHODS: Hirst-type volumetric traps and Burkard Cyclone samplers were used for pollen counts and aeroallergen capture, respectively. The quantification of Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens was performed using specific 2-site antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical techniques were applied to localize these allergens in the orbicules. RESULTS: Differences between areas and years were obtained in both pollen and aeroallergen concentrations. Despite the lower pollen counts recorded in Cartagena, higher aeroallergen concentrations were registered compared with Ourense. A lower correlation was achieved between Urticaceae pollen concentrations and aeroallergen levels, with a maximum positive significant correlation (adjusted R2 = 0.466, P < .001). Intense labeling of Par j 1 and Par j 2 proteins was observed in the orbicules, the tapetal membrane, and the tapetal tissue remnants. CONCLUSION: This method may be valuable for epidemiologic research to establish correlations between concentrations of Parietaria aeroallergens and clinical symptoms. Therefore, the measurement of aeroallergens should be incorporated into the aerobiological studies with clinical applications.

Correlation between Olea europaea and Parietaria judaica pollen counts and quantification of their major allergens Ole e 1 and Par j 1-Par j 2.

BACKGROUND: In patients with pollinosis, allergic symptoms are often correlated with the number of airborne pollen grains, although this correlation is not always close. The direct measurement of the concentration of aeroallergens has only recently been introduced and is an important advance in public health information systems. OBJECTIVE: To compare specific quantification of aeroallergens Ole e 1 and Par j 1-Par j 2 Olea and Urticaceae pollen counts. METHODS: The Hirst method sampler and the Burkard Cyclone sampler were used for pollen count and allergen quantification, respectively. The aerosol was extracted and quantified for Ole e 1 and Par j 1-Par j 2 content using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedures. RESULTS: Day-to-day variations were observed in both the pollen count and the amount of allergens. Pollen counts and aeroallergen quantification were closely correlated with 99% significance (Olea/Ole e 1: R = 0.892, P < .001; Urticaceae/Par j 1-Par j 2: R = 0.734, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The technique for the sampling and quantification of aeroallergens presented in this article, based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and applied to the protein extracts directly obtained from the bioaerosol, represents an important advance in the epidemiologic study of allergic respiratory diseases.