Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia

Lactate is increasingly recognized as a signaling molecule capable of modulating gene expression and vascular function. This descriptive pilot study investigated the effects of different lactate concentrations (0 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM, and 30 mM) and exposure times (1 h, 3 h, and 6 h) on the transcriptomic responses of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using next-generation RNA sequencing, an unbiased genome-wide analysis was performed, followed by focused examination of genes relevant to endothelial biology, calcium signaling, and glycocalyx integrity. Results showed that there was no statistically significant effect of lactate concentration on the expression of the examined genes. In contrast, prolonged incubation time was associated with differential expression of KLF2, KLF4, FOXO1, CD34, and VCAM1. These findings suggest that exposure time, rather than lactate concentration, may be associated with endothelial gene expression patterns under static conditions. This exploratory pilot study provides preliminary transcriptomic observations and highlights the need for further mechanistic investigations including functional and protein-level analyses.

We conducted a population-level study to investigate the association between human health and windblown dust in Amarillo, Texas, USA, from 2010 to 2014. We examined whether short-term Dust Exposures (DE) were associated with significant increases in hospitalizations on the day of exposure and for up to seven days afterward, and whether these effects varied by sex, age group, and season. Two DE approaches were analyzed (associated with weather observations, maximum wind speed, visibility, and maximum daily PM 2.5 ) and yielded similar results. Distributed lag nonlinear models in time-series analysis characterized nonlinear relationships between health outcomes and the delayed effects of DE. Diagnoses (both individual and aggregated) with significant associations with DE, ranked from highest to lowest relative risk, included conditions in the perinatal period, neurodegenerative diseases, progression of lung disease, excessive or frequent menstruation, urinary tract infections, blood-forming diseases, nervous system diseases, pneumonia and influenza, respiratory system diseases, septicemia, skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases, birth complications, infectious and parasitic diseases, circulatory system diseases, mental disorders, Associated Diseases, and all ICD-9 categories. The diagnoses of neurodegenerative, respiratory, and associated diseases were also significantly associated with DE in our earlier studies in Lubbock and El Paso counties. Each city had a distinct set of diagnostic associations with DE, possibly due to differences in dust composition and sources, meteorology, population characteristics, and healthcare access. Therefore, exposure to dust events can exacerbate several diagnoses, aggravate inflammation, and lead to infections, highlighting the importance of informing the public about reducing DE and adopting wind-erosion control practices.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the most prevalent chronic pain condition among veterans, contributing to disability, reduced quality of life, and opioid dependence. Complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches offer evidence-based, non-pharmacological alternatives that may improve pain management, enhance patient satisfaction, lower healthcare costs, and reduce opioid dependence. Materials and Methods: The objective of the study was to synthesize current evidence on CIH approaches for veterans with cLBP, evaluate their impact on pain, function, and well-being, and identify implications for policy, health system implementation, and future research. The key questions of the study included: what is the effectiveness of CIH modalities in reducing cLBP intensity among veterans, what are their broader effects on health outcomes, opioid use, and quality of life, what barriers exist to implementation within the VA, and what research and policy priorities are needed to optimize veteran-centered CIH care? A narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted, prioritizing studies specific to veterans and incorporating systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and evidence maps. A patient-centered, biopsychosocial, and whole-health framework guided the analysis. Results: Evidence for CIH in veterans remains limited compared to that in civilian populations, but it demonstrates promise. Battlefield acupuncture demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in pain, although yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, and mindfulness offered modest improvements in pain and functional outcomes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Chiropractic care, and massage showed mixed results, with low to moderate certainty and limited durability. Multimodal approaches integrating CIH with conventional care have demonstrated the strongest outcomes, including reduced opioid prescriptions, improved coping, and potential cost savings. Barriers to care include provider shortages, administrative challenges, and uneven access across facilities. Conclusions: CIH approaches represent patient-centered and holistic strategies with the potential to reduce pain, enhance function, and mitigate opioid reliance among veterans with cLBP. Broader, standardized implementation and veteran-specific trials are necessary to strengthen the evidence base and guide the sustainable integration of this approach into the VA health system.

Objective This study aims to examine the relation between daily maximum exposure to Particulate Matter (PM_2.5), high wind speed, and minimum visibility, and COVID-19 cases in El Paso County, Texas, a dust-prone region. A time-series analysis using a generalized linear model with a Poisson model was employed to analyze relative risks of COVID-19 cases in El Paso (March 2020 to November 2021). A total of 156,299 cases were diagnosed during the study period. A 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 levels was linked with higher risk ratio (RR) of COVID-19 (Lag Days 1 to 3) [lag1: RR = 1.004; 95% CI: (1.003–1.005), lag2: RR = 1.006; 95% CI: (1.005–1.007), & lag 3: RR = 1.004; 95% CI: (1.003–1.005)], followed by a decrease in cases. Similarly, a 4.47 m/s rise in maximum wind speed was associated with an elevated RR of cases on Lag Day 4 [lag4: RR = 1.009; 95% CI: (1.003–1.014)], after which numbers begin to drop. Finally, a 4.83 km decrease in minimum daily visibility was correlated with an increased RR of cases on Lag Days 1 and 2 [lag1: RR = 1.031; 95% CI: (1.023–1.039), & lag2: RR = 1.018; 95% CI: (1.011–1.024)], with a decrease on Lag days 3, 4 and 5 and resurgence on Lag days 6 and 7 [lag6: RR = 1.028; 95% CI: (1.021–1.036), & lag7: RR = 1.046; 95% CI: (1.038–1.055)]. PM_2.5, wind speed, and visibility influencing COVID-19 cases in El Paso highlight the need for evidence-based interventions, including information, education, and communication programs, early-warning systems, cross-border air-quality management, real-time monitoring, and stricter emission controls.

Prolonged exposure to high ambient temperatures, heat stress, and inadequate mitigation measures increases the health and safety risks of construction workers. Following the PRISMA guidelines, our goal was to synthesize recent evidence on the impacts of ambient heat stress on construction workers. A literature review of articles published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted, selecting 42 out of 883 articles that focused on occupational heat stress, extreme ambient temperatures, and their effects on the health, safety, and injury risks of construction workers. The findings highlighted a relationship between occupational heat exposure, increased injury, illness, and mortality among construction workers. Elevated ambient temperatures, during summer and peak work hours, significantly increased the risk of falls, cardiovascular events, and thermal discomfort. Younger, unacclimatized workers in regions with extreme ambient heat and a lack of regulation, observation, and regulation enforcement were at risk. Evidence revealed gaps in worker training, compliance, enforcement, and the integration of individualized monitoring. This review highlights the increasing risks associated with occupational heat exposure in construction workers, driven by rising ambient temperatures. It emphasizes the need for integrated strategies combining personalized wearable technologies, inclusive training, and regulatory reform to improve worker safety and productivity and promote policy development.

Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is an infection posing a significant human health risk, resulting from the soil-dwelling fungi Coccidioides. Although incidence and mortality from coccidioidomycosis are underreported in the United States, and this underreporting may impact public health policy in numerous jurisdictions, its incidence is rising. Underreporting may stem from diagnostic and testing difficulties, insufficient environmental sampling for pathogen detection to determine endemicity, and a shortage of data on Coccidioides dispersion. As climate change creates increasingly arid locations in the US favorable for Coccidioides proliferation, determining its total endemicity becomes more difficult. This literature review examining published research from 2000 to 2025 revealed a paucity of publications examining the endemicity of Coccidioides and research gaps in detection methods, including limited studies on the reliability of sampling for geographical and temporal variations, challenges in assessing various sample materials, poorly defined storage conditions, and the lack of precise, less restrictive, cost-effective laboratory procedures. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration among Coccidioides researchers, wildlife experts, atmospheric and climate scientists, and policymakers. If these obstacles are solved, standardized approaches for identifying Coccidioides, classified by climate zones and ecoregions, could be developed, saving financial resources, labor, and time for future researchers studying the environmental drivers of coccidioidomycosis.

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution is not merely linked to respiratory health issues but also poses significant risks to cardiovascular well-being. Individuals from lower-income communities residing in high-pollution zones are particularly vulnerable to adverse cardiorespiratory health impacts. Pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) are recognized as a leading, yet preventable, contributor to cardiorespiratory diseases. Although research has extensively explored the short-term impact of these pollutants on respiratory health, the immediate effects on cardiovascular outcomes require further study. We explored associations of traffic-related air pollutants with airway inflammation, lung function, and cardiovascular health outcomes (metabolic syndrome [MetS]) collected from a sample of low-income participants (N = 662) from a US–Mexico border county. Airway inflammation was measured using exhaled nitric oxide tests (eNO), while lung function parameters were measured by spirometry. MetS risk factors (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL, and fasting blood glucose) were also measured. While spirometry measures were negatively associated with air pollutants (p < 0.05), no associations were noted for eNO. We also found positive associations in linear and logistic models between air pollutants and obesity (BMI: p < 0.04; waist: p < 0.03), fasting blood glucose (p < 0.03), and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.04). These findings reaffirm the immediate adverse effects of air pollution on respiratory function and shed light on its broader metabolic consequences. Environmental and neighborhood conditions could potentially influence the associations with obesity. At the same time, the links between fasting glucose and metabolic syndrome might indicate underlying oxidative stress and systemic inflammation.

Eccentric exercise has gained attention as a novel exercise modality that increases muscle performance at a lower metabolic demand. However, vascular responses to eccentric cycling (ECC) are unknown, thus gaining knowledge regarding endothelial shear stress (ESS) during ECC may be crucial for its application in patients. The purpose of this study was to explore ECC-induced blood flow patterns and ESS across three different intensities in ECC. Eighteen young, apparently healthy subjects were recruited for two laboratory visits. Maximum oxygen consumption, power output, and blood lactate (BLa) threshold were measured to determine workload intensities. Blood flow patterns in the brachial artery were measured via ultrasound imaging and Doppler on an eccentric ergometer during a 5 min workload steady exercise test at low (BLa of 0-2 mmol/L), moderate (BLa 2-4 mmol/L), and high intensity (BLa levels > 4 mmol/L). There was a significant increase in the antegrade ESS in an intensity-dependent manner (baseline: 44.2 ± 8.97; low: 55.6 ± 15.2; moderate: 56.0 ± 10.5; high: 70.7 ± 14.9, all dynes/cm2, all p values < 0.0002) with the exception between low and moderate and Re (AU) showed turbulent flow at all intensities. Regarding retrograde flow, ESS also increased in an intensity-dependent manner (baseline 9.72 ± 4.38; low: 12.5 ± 3.93; moderate: 15.8 ± 5.45; high: 15.7 ± 6.55, all dynes/cm2, all p values < 0.015) with the exception between high and moderate and Re (AU) showed laminar flow in all intensities. ECC produced exercise-induced blood flow patterns that are intensity-dependent. This suggests that ECC could be beneficial as a modulator of endothelial homeostasis.