A5049761510- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Atmospheric aerosols and clouds
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Fungal Biology and Applications
- Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
- Gut microbiota and health
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Odor and Emission Control Technologies
- Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies
- Occupational exposure and asthma
- Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
University of Puerto Rico System
2011-2025
University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus
2009-2024
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
2011
Abstract. Measurements during episodes of African dust, made with two wideband integrated bioaerosol spectrometers (WIBSs), one on the northeastern coast Puerto Rico and other in city León, Spain, show unmistakable, bioaerosol-like fluorescing aerosol particles (FAPs) that can be associated these dust episodes. The event occurred a major incursion June 2020. León late winter spring 2022, when widespread, elevated layers inundated Iberian Peninsula. Satellite back-trajectory analyses confirm...
<i>Background:</i> Fungal spores are the predominant biological particulate in atmosphere of Puerto Rico, yet their potential as allergens has not been studied subjects with respiratory allergies. The purpose this study was to determine level sensitization allergies these particles. <i>Methods:</i> Serum samples were drawn from 33 asthma, allergic rhinitis, or nonallergic rhinitis and 2 controls different skin prick test reactivity. An MK-3 sampler used collect air...
Background: Fungi are a major component of the human microbiome that only recently received attention. The imbalance indigenous fungal communities and environmental fungi present in oral cavity may have role dysbiosis, which could exacerbate inflammatory diseases.
Extensive flooding caused by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico (PR) created favorable conditions for indoor growth of filamentous fungi. These represent a public health concern as contamination environmental fungi is associated with higher prevalence inflammatory respiratory conditions. This work compares culturable fungal spore communities present homes that sustained water damage after to those dry, non-flooded homes. We collected air samples from 50 houses neighborhood San Juan, PR, 12 and...
Fungal allergies can be detected by the skin prick test with extracts of organisms, but not all fungi, including basidiomycetes, are being examined. We determined level sensitization to basidiomycetes in allergic subjects and compared their reactivity commercial commonly used detect allergies. Crude spore Ganoderma applanatum, Chlorophyllum molybdites, Pleurotus ostreatus, which known release numerous spores, were examined along on 33 asthma, or non-allergic rhinitis. Overall, affected...
Lifetime childhood asthma prevalence (LCAP) percentages in Puerto Rico Health Regions (HR) are substantially higher northeastern vs. southwestern HR. Higher average relative humidity the northeast might promote mold and mite exposures possibly prevalence. To test this hypothesis, contamination, Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) values were measured floor dust (n = 26) allergen concentrations bed 14). For analysis, eight HR divided into those with LCAP > 30 % 3) < 5). The ERMI...
: Asthma carries a high burden of disease for residents Puerto Rico. We conducted this study to better understand asthma-related healthcare use and examine potential asthma triggers.
<b><i>Background:</i></b><i>Aspergillus penicillioides </i>is a very common indoor xerophilic fungus and potential causative agent of respiratory conditions. Although people are constantly exposed to <i>A. penicillioides</i>, no proteins with allergenic have been described. Therefore, we aim confirm allergic sensitization penicillioides</i> through reactivity in serological assays detect immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding proteins....
<b><i>Background:</i></b> The allergenic potential of <i>Ganoderma applanatum </i>basidiospores has been demonstrated previously in Puerto Rico. However, basidiomycete allergens are not available for inclusion allergy diagnostic panels. Therefore, we sought to confirm allergic sensitization <i>G. applanatum</i> crude spore cytoplasmic extract through reactivity serological assays and detection immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding polypeptides....
Prenatal adverse exposures have been associated with increased risks of development respiratory diseases in children. The infant nasal microbiome is an important mechanism and indicator.Our aim was to characterize compare the infants who were utero exposed Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico during 2017 that conceived at least 5 months after hurricane as controls.We recruited 63 vaginally born infants, 29 whom exposure group 34 control group. Nasal swab samples collected analyzed by using 16S...
Abstract. Measurements during episodes of African dust, made with two Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Spectrometers (WIBS), one on the northeastern coast Puerto Rico and other in city León, Spain, show unmistakable, bioaerosol-like fluorescing aerosol particles (FAP) that can be associated these dust episodes. The events occurred a major incursion June 2020. León late winter spring 2022 when widespread, elevated layers inundated Iberian Peninsula. Satellite back trajectory analyses confirm...
Abstract. Many atmospheric aerosols are cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), capable of activating as droplets when the relative humidity exceeds 100 %. Some primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs), such plant spores, pollen, or bacteria, have been identified CCN. Urban environments a source these bioaerosols, some which naturally produced by local flora transported from surrounding regions and others result human activities. In latter case, open sewage, uncovered garbage, mold other...
Abstract Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, severely impacting the island. In order to quantify impact of hurricane indoor air quality, we evaluated fungal levels in households ( n = 20) Piñones community for period 2018 and 2019. For each dust sample collected, 36 Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) molds were quantified using qPCR assays, then Shannon Diversity (SDI) values populations calculated. Homes five separate regions, regarding their proximity...
Abstract. Many types of atmospheric aerosols cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) capable activating as droplets. Some primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP), such plant spores, pollen, or bacteria, have been identified CCN. Urban environments are a source these bioaerosols, those that naturally produced by the local flora, transported from surrounding regions, and others result human activities. In latter case, open sewage, uncovered garbage, mold other products activities can be PBAPs....
Abstract Rationale Identifying patterns in reactivity to allergens can uncover shared respiratory health risks among subjects suffering from chronic diseases. Therefore, there is a need identify statistical approaches that expose inter-allergen relationships. Methods : We implemented spearman, exponential, and logistic principal component analysis on specific immunoglobulin-E (sIgE) levels, commercial extracts, basidiomycetes (Ganoderma sp, Chlorophyllum Pleurotus sp) crude previously...