T.E. Torres-Cepeda’s scientific contributions

The concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere over the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, was analyzed throughout a year from March 2003-February 2004, focused on the genus Carya, Celtis, Cupressus, Fraxinus and Pinus owing to their interest as etiological pollinosis agents in diverse regions of the world. A 7-day Hirst type volumetric spore and pollen trap was located on a building roof of the city at 15 m from ground level for continuous sampling. The total quantity of pollen recorded for the study period was 21,083 grains/m(3), corresponding to 49.75 % of the taxa of interest. February and March were the months with higher pollen amounts in the air with 7,525 and 2,781 grains/m(3), respectively, and amounted to 49 % of total year through pollen. Fraxinus was the genus which contributed to the largest amount of pollen with 28 % of total grains (5,935 grains/m(3)) followed by Cupressus with 13 % (2,742 grains/ m(3)). Celtis, Pinus and Carya contributed with 5.3 % , 2.7 % , and 0.6 % of total pollen, respectively. These results indicate that Fraxinus and Cupressus are present in the area in sufficient quantity to indicate likely involvement in the origin of allergic disorders in the human population.

Pinus maximartinezii (Rzedowski) is an endemic endangered species, confined to a single population of approximately 2000 to 2500 mature trees. It covers about 400 ha in southern Zacatecas, Mexico. The success of tissue culture techniques for germplasm preservation depends on regeneration of cultures. The objective of this study was to achieve an in vitro proliferation protocol using organogenesis technique for Pinus maximartinezii. Mature seeds were surface sterilized in 6% H2O2 v/v. Isolated cotyledons and zygotic embryos were cultured on shoot induction media. DCR and GD media were supplemented with 0.3 and 0.5 mgl-1 BAP; 0.01 mgl-1 ANA and vitamin solution. Explants were incubated at 26 ± 2°C under a 16h photoperiod. The explants were transferred every 15 days to hormone-free medium (DCR and GD) for a period of 6 wk for bud development. The number of explants forming buds was determined. After induction of buds, the explants were transferred to a hormone-free basal medium, to which 0.1% activated charcoal was added. After 8 wk, the number of shoots per embryo was evaluated. Effects of either basal media or plant growth regulator concentrations were significantly different (p<0.05).

Two modified culture media (MS and BS) with three levels of IAA/Kinetin were tried on 3 garlic (Allium sativum L.) varieties. The inoculum consisted of the basal meristematic region and the foliar primordium The variables evaluated were: initial bud length (IBL), final bud length (FBL), difference between IBL and FBL, leaf number, fresh weight, presence or absence of bulb and root. It was concluded that growth was best for the 3 varieties in MS medium plus 0.03 mg I-1 IAA withtout Kinetin and 0.03 mg · 1-1 IAA/1.0 mg · 1-1 Kin and 0.03 - mg · 1-1 IAA/0.1 mg · 1 Kin B 5.

abstract: The concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere over the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, was analyzed throughout a year from March 2003–February 2004, focused on the genus Carya, Celtis, Cupressus, Fraxinus and Pinus owing to their interest as etiological pollinosis agents in diverse regions of the world. A 7-day Hirst type volumetric spore and pollen trap was located on a building roof of the city at 15 m from ground level for continuous sampling. The total quantity of pollen recorded for the study period was 21,083 grains/m , corresponding to 49.75% of the taxa of interest. February and March were the months with higher pollen amounts in the air with 7,525 and 2,781 grains/m3, respectively, and amounted to 49% of total year through pollen. Fraxinus was the genus which contributed to the largest amount of pollen with 28% of total grains (5,935 grains/m) followed by Cupressus with 13% (2,742 grains/m3). Celtis, Pinus and Carya contributed with 5.3%, 2.7%, and 0.6% of total pollen, respectively. These results indicate that Fraxinus and Cupressus are present in the area in sufficient quantity to indicate likely involvement in the origin of allergic disorders in the human population.