Association between GIS-based exposure to urban air pollution during pregnancy and birth weight in the INMA Sabadell Cohort

Background: There is growing evidence that traffic-related air pollution reduces birth weight. Improving exposure assessment is a key issue to advance in this research area.Objective: We investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to traffic-related air pollution via geographic information system (GIS) models on birth weight in 570 newborns from the INMA (Environment and Childhood) Sabadell cohort.Methods: We estimated pregnancy and trimester-specific exposures to nitrogen dioxide and aromatic hydrocarbons [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylene, and o-xylene (BTEX)] by using temporally adjusted land-use regression (LUR) models. We built models for NO2 and BTEX using four and three 1-week measurement campaigns, respectively, at 57 locations. We assessed the relationship between prenatal air pollution exposure and birth weight with linear regression models. We performed sensitivity analyses considering time spent at home and time spent in nonresidential outdoor environments during pregnancy.Results: In the overall cohort, neither NO2 nor BTEX exposure was significantly associated with birth weight in any of the exposure periods. When considering only women who spent < 2 hr/day in nonresidential outdoor environments, the estimated reductions in birth weight associated with an interquartile range increase in BTEX exposure levels were 77 g [95% confidence interval (CI), 7–146 g] and 102 g (95% CI, 28–176 g) for exposures during the whole pregnancy and the second trimester, respectively. The effects of NO2 exposure were less clear in this subset.Conclusions: The association of BTEX with reduced birth weight underscores the negative role of vehicle exhaust pollutants in reproductive health. Time–activity patterns during pregnancy complement GIS-based models in exposure assessment.

Representació televisiva i percepció adolescent de les sèries dirigides als joves. Estudi de la sèrie “Física o Química”

El projecte de recerca present pretén plantejar les bases contextuals i metodològiques adients per realitzar una investigació.S’analitza la relació entre la representació televisiva que fan les sèries dirigides als joves i l’apropiació que en fan els adolescents d’aquests missatges. La sèrie objecte d’estudi és Física o Química.Es parteix d’un enfocament pluridisciplinar: combinació d’anàlisi qualitatiu i quantitatiu. Així mateix, la recerca utilitza dues bases d’anàlisi: anàlisi de continguts i anàlisi de recepció.

El Desinterès per la lectura: converses amb un adolescent

El desinterès per la lectura ha esdevingut un nou focus de recerca en l’àmbit de la didàctica de la lectura a Catalunya. En aquesta investigació s’estudia aquest fenomen des d’una mirada sociocultural, prenent el marc teòric i metodològic sobre la literacitat com a pràctica social desenvolupat pels Nous Estudis de Literacitat. L’estudi de cas d’orientació etnogràfica que es presenta té com a objectiu explorar les identitats lectores dins i fora del context acadèmic d’un adolescent barceloní de 14 anys que, al final de l’E.S.O, reconeix que no li agrada llegir i és vist a l’entorn acadèmic i social com un ‘lector amb dificultats’ i un ‘mal estudiant’. Les dades es recullen longitudinalment al 2007, a través d’un cicle d’entrevistes amb profunditat amb aquest adolescent. També s’entrevisten persones clau en la seva formació lectora: la mare, el germà, un amic i el professor de català. Partim de l’anàlisi de les pràctiques lletrades d’aquest adolescent per estudiar, d’una banda, com es construeix la identitat ‘poc-lectora’ i, de l’altra, els factors personals que l’han portat a configurar un punt de vista indiferent envers la lectura.

Fisiologia de l'exercici en l'infant i l'adolescent. Algunes consideracions

En les edats infantil i peripuberal, les adaptacions a l'activitat física presenten particularitats específiques respecte a l'adult en els aspectes metabolics, resposta cardio-vascular i respiratoria, comportament neuro-endocrí, etc., amb diferéncies més evidents com més petit és el noi. Sembla evident que en alguns sentits el noi presenta unes respostes comparables a les de l'adult, mentte que en difereix substancialment en altres. Per aixo no és correcte considerar-lo en aquest sentit com un adult en miniatura (Borms, J., 1986). D'altra banda, cal saber en quina mesura la introducció de programes d'educació física escolar o, també en alguns casos, la participació en entrenaments intensius poden afectar les qualitats funcionals d'adaptació o alterar d'alguna forma el creixement pondo-estatural normal del noi. En aquest treball analitzem alguns aspectes essencials de tot aixo. Les consideracions que es puguin fer hauran de tenir en compte l'edat segons uns criteris biologics (grau de creixement sexual, estimació del nivell d'ossificació, dimensions corporals, etc.), més que no pas en un sentit cronologic. El fet de no atendre estrictament aquesta consideració pot ocasionar errors greus (Bar-Or, 1985).

Genetic evidence of heterogeneity in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Background and aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic aetiology of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and the impact of known cholestasis genes (BSEP, FIC1, and MDR3) on the development of this disease. Patients and methods: Sixty nine Finnish ICP patients were prospectively interviewed for a family history of ICP, and clinical features were compared in patients with familial ICP (patients with a positive family history, n=11) and sporadic patients (patients with no known family history of ICP, n=58). For molecular genetic analysis, 16 individuals from two independently ascertained Finnish ICP families were genotyped for the flanking markers for BSEP, FIC1, and MDR3. Results: The pedigree structures in 16% (11/69) of patients suggested dominant inheritance. Patients with familial ICP had higher serum aminotransferase levels and a higher recurrence risk (92% v 40%). Both segregation of haplotypes and multipoint linkage analysis excluded BSEP, FIC1, and MDR3 genes in the studied pedigrees. Additionally, the MDR3 gene, previously shown to harbour mutations in ICP patients, was negative for mutations when sequenced in four affected individuals from the two families. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that the aetiology of ICP is heterogeneous and that ICP is due to a genetic predisposition in a proportion of patients. The results of molecular genetic analysis further suggest that the previously identified three cholestasis genes are not likely to be implicated in these Finnish ICP families with dominant inheritance.

Estudi de prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona

L’obesitat infantil, és un dels problemes de salut pública més greus del segle XXI, on la prevalença ha augmentat de manera alarmant a nivell mundial. Aquesta es defineix com una malaltia crònica i multifactorial, que sol iniciar-se en la infantesa i a l’adolescència. L’objectiu principal d’aquest estudi és conèixer la prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona, i relacionar amb aquesta, els hàbits alimentaris, els hàbits d’activitat física, l’entitat de l’institut-escola, hores de son i nivell màxim d’estudis dels progenitors. Material i mètodes: Estudi descriptiu, observacional i transversal sobre una mostra de la població adolescent de Girona de 14 a 16 anys (n=185), els quals se’ls va administrar un qüestionari on es van recollir les variables relacionades amb l’estudi. L’obesitat i el sobrepès es van definir com valors de l’índex de massa corporal iguals o superiors als valors dels percentils 97 i 85, respectivament, de les taules de referencia de la OMS de 2007. Resultats: La prevalença de sobrepès i d’obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona és del 20% i del 3,78%, respectivament. El sobrepès i l’obesitat (23,78%) ha afectat més al sexe masculí (27,7%) respecte el femení (19,8%). S’ha establert relació significativa entre la prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat amb el nivell màxim d’estudis dels progenitors. Hi ha més prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat a l’institut públic en vers el privat amb un 26,7% respecte el 18,5%. Conclusions: Segons la bibliografia consultada, la població adolescent de Girona presenta més elevada la prevalença de sobrepès però no pel que fa la prevalença d’obesitat

Selection of internal control genes for real-time quantitative PCR in ovary and uterus of sows across pregnancy

Reproductive traits play a key role in pig production in order to reduce costs and increase economic returns. Among others, gene expression analyses represent a useful approach to study genetic mechanisms underlying reproductive traits in pigs. The application of reverse-transcription quantitative PCR requires the selection of appropriate reference genes, whose expression levels should not be affected by the experimental conditions, especially when comparing gene expression across different physiological stages.

Two-year follow-op of cognitive functions in Schizophrenia spectrum disorders of adolescent patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the long-term cognitive effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a sample of adolescent patients in whom schizophrenia spectrum disorders were diagnosed. Methods: The sample was composed of nine adolescent subjects in whom schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria on whom ECT was conducted (ECT group) and nine adolescent subjects matched by age, socioeconomic status, and diagnostic and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score at baseline on whom ECT was not conducted (NECT group). Clinical and neuropsychological assessments were carried out at baseline before ECT treatment and at 2-year follow-up. Results: Significant differences were found between groups in the number of unsuccessful medication trials. No statistically significant differences were found between the ECT group and theNECT group in either severity as assessed by the PANSS, or in any cognitive variables at baseline.At follow-up, both groups showed significant improvement in clinical variables (subscales of positive, general, and total scores of PANSS and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement). In the cognitive assessment at follow-up, significant improvement was found in both groups in the semantic category of verbal fluency task and digits forward. However, no significant differences were found between groups in any clinical or cognitive variable at follow-up. Repeated measures analysis found no significant interaction of time · group in any clinical or neuropsychological measures. Conclusions: The current study showed no significant differences in change over time in clinical or neuropsychological variables between the ECT group and the NECT group at 2-year follow-up. Thus, ECT did not show any negative influence on long-term neuropsychological variables in our sample.

Satisfaction with pregnancy and delivery services: The quality of maternity care services as experienced by women

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the opinions of women regarding the satisfaction about the quality of maternity care received. We hope to establish whether health care technology increases satisfaction or whether it actually interferes with the construction of personal satisfaction in the process of care. Design and setting: Information was gathered using the focus group technique. The area of study comprised the post-natal groups run as part of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme of the Catalan Health Authority. (Spain) Participants: Five focus groups were held between May 2006 and July 2007. Findings: Quality of care is a complex concept in which a number of independent core features can be identified. We have grouped these core features into three basic categories. Safety: the hospital and its technological facilities, and the technical expertise of health professionals. The other two main pillars of quality of care are the human dimension of the relationship between the carers and the patient, and finally the structural aspects that determine the context in which the heath care is provided. Key conclusions and implications for practice: The mothers of our study feel satisfied with healthcare technology and view it as a source of security; technology become indispensable features in order to reduce the anxiety provoked by the perceived lack of confidence in their ability as mothers. In this study, women, both during pregnancy and especially when giving birth, believe their feelings and values should be understood by professionals, from whom they seek empathy and a personal commitment, and not just information.

Satisfaction with pregnancy and delivery services: The quality of maternity care services as experienced by women

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the opinions of women regarding the satisfaction about the quality of maternity care received. We hope to establish whether health care technology increases satisfaction or whether it actually interferes with the construction of personal satisfaction in the process of care. Design and setting: Information was gathered using the focus group technique. The area of study comprised the post-natal groups run as part of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme of the Catalan Health Authority. (Spain) Participants: Five focus groups were held between May 2006 and July 2007. Findings: Quality of care is a complex concept in which a number of independent core features can be identified. We have grouped these core features into three basic categories. Safety: the hospital and its technological facilities, and the technical expertise of health professionals. The other two main pillars of quality of care are the human dimension of the relationship between the carers and the patient, and finally the structural aspects that determine the context in which the heath care is provided. Key conclusions and implications for practice: The mothers of our study feel satisfied with healthcare technology and view it as a source of security; technology become indispensable features in order to reduce the anxiety provoked by the perceived lack of confidence in their ability as mothers. In this study, women, both during pregnancy and especially when giving birth, believe their feelings and values should be understood by professionals, from whom they seek empathy and a personal commitment, and not just information.

Estudi de prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona

L’obesitat infantil, és un dels problemes de salut pública més greus del segle XXI, on la prevalença ha augmentat de manera alarmant a nivell mundial. Aquesta es defineix com una malaltia crònica i multifactorial, que sol iniciar-se en la infantesa i a l’adolescència. L’objectiu principal d’aquest estudi és conèixer la prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona, i relacionar amb aquesta, els hàbits alimentaris, els hàbits d’activitat física, l’entitat de l’institut-escola, hores de son i nivell màxim d’estudis dels progenitors. Material i mètodes: Estudi descriptiu, observacional i transversal sobre una mostra de la població adolescent de Girona de 14 a 16 anys (n=185), els quals se’ls va administrar un qüestionari on es van recollir les variables relacionades amb l’estudi. L’obesitat i el sobrepès es van definir com valors de l’índex de massa corporal iguals o superiors als valors dels percentils 97 i 85, respectivament, de les taules de referencia de la OMS de 2007. Resultats: La prevalença de sobrepès i d’obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona és del 20% i del 3,78%, respectivament. El sobrepès i l’obesitat (23,78%) ha afectat més al sexe masculí (27,7%) respecte el femení (19,8%). S’ha establert relació significativa entre la prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat amb el nivell màxim d’estudis dels progenitors. Hi ha més prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat a l’institut públic en vers el privat amb un 26,7% respecte el 18,5%. Conclusions: Segons la bibliografia consultada, la població adolescent de Girona presenta més elevada la prevalença de sobrepès però no pel que fa la prevalença d’obesitat

Does visual impairment in a child or an adolescent affect their parents' quality of life? : A literature review

The purpose of this research was to determine whether the existing research shows that having a child with a visual impairment affects their parents' quality of life and, if it is thecase, in what way it does.