La biblioteca del futur

L'objectiu de la ponència és presentar la primera biblioteca virtual de Catalunya, a partir de l'exposició del desenvolupament de la seva planificació, els serveis bibliotecaris que ofereix i els mitjans amb què compta l'usuari per a rebre'ls.

Parental occupational exposure to organic solvents and anencephaly in Mexico

Objective: To assess the relationship between parental occupational exposure to organic solvents, and the risk of anencephaly in Mexico. Methods: A case-control study was conducted based on the registers of the Epidemiological Surveillance System for Neural Tube Defects in Mexico; 151 cases of anencephaly of ≥20 weeks’ gestation were included. A control, born alive and without any apparent congenital malformations at birth, was selected for each case in the same maternity service in which the case was born. Information on occupational exposures, lifestyle habits, reproductive history, use of medicines, supplementation with multivitamins and folic acid, was obtained by a general questionnaire; a food frequency questionnaire was also applied to obtain information of daily intake of folate and other B vitamins. Occupational exposure to organic solvents was based on job title as a proxy for exposure and analysed considering two critical periods around conception. Results: In logistic regression analysis, the odds of having a child with anencephaly was higher if the mother or the father was occupationally exposed to organic solvents during the periconceptional period, or when both parents or at least one of them were occupationally exposed during this period with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.97 (95% CI 1.36 to 6.52). Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that both maternal and paternal occupational exposure to organic solvents can increase the probability of having a child with anencephaly.

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and reduced birth size: a prospective birth cohort study in Valencia, Spain

Background Maternal exposure to air pollution has been related to fetal growth in a number of recent scientific studies. The objective of this study was to assess the association between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and anthropometric measures at birth in a cohort in Valencia, Spain. Methods Seven hundred and eighty-five pregnant women and their singleton newborns participated in the study. Exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was estimated by means of land use regression. NO2 spatial estimations were adjusted to correspond to relevant pregnancy periods (whole pregnancy and trimesters) for each woman. Outcome variables were birth weight, length, and head circumference (HC), along with being small for gestational age (SGA). The association between exposure to residential outdoor NO2 and outcomes was assessed controlling for potential confounders and examining the shape of the relationship using generalized additive models (GAM). Results For continuous anthropometric measures, GAM indicated a change in slope at NO2 concentrations of around 40 μg/m3. NO2 exposure >40 μg/m3 during the first trimester was associated with a change in birth length of -0.27 cm (95% CI: -0.51 to -0.03) and with a change in birth weight of -40.3 grams (-96.3 to 15.6); the same exposure throughout the whole pregnancy was associated with a change in birth HC of -0.17 cm (-0.34 to -0.003). The shape of the relation was seen to be roughly linear for the risk of being SGA. A 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 during the second trimester was associated with being SGA-weight, odds ratio (OR): 1.37 (1.01-1.85). For SGA-length the estimate for the same comparison was OR: 1.42 (0.89-2.25). Conclusions Prenatal exposure to traffic-related air pollution may reduce fetal growth. Findings from this study provide further evidence of the need for developing strategies to reduce air pollution in order to prevent risks to fetal health and development.

Municipal distribution of bladder cancer mortality in Spain: Possible role of mining and industry

BACKGROUND Spain shows the highest bladder cancer incidence rates in men among European countries. The most important risk factors are tobacco smoking and occupational exposure to a range of different chemical substances, such as aromatic amines. METHODS This paper describes the municipal distribution of bladder cancer mortality and attempts to "adjust" this spatial pattern for the prevalence of smokers, using the autoregressive spatial model proposed by Besag, York and Molliè, with relative risk of lung cancer mortality as a surrogate. RESULTS It has been possible to compile and ascertain the posterior distribution of relative risk for bladder cancer adjusted for lung cancer mortality, on the basis of a single Bayesian spatial model covering all of Spain's 8077 towns. Maps were plotted depicting smoothed relative risk (RR) estimates, and the distribution of the posterior probability of RR>1 by sex. Towns that registered the highest relative risks for both sexes were mostly located in the Provinces of Cadiz, Seville, Huelva, Barcelona and Almería. The highest-risk area in Barcelona Province corresponded to very specific municipal areas in the Bages district, e.g., Suría, Sallent, Balsareny, Manresa and Cardona. CONCLUSION Mining/industrial pollution and the risk entailed in certain occupational exposures could in part be dictating the pattern of municipal bladder cancer mortality in Spain. Population exposure to arsenic is a matter that calls for attention. It would be of great interest if the relationship between the chemical quality of drinking water and the frequency of bladder cancer could be studied.

Exposure to Trihalomethanes through Different Water Uses and Birth Weight, Small for Gestational Age, and Preterm Delivery in Spain

BACKGROUND Evidence associating exposure to water disinfection by-products with reduced birth weight and altered duration of gestation remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We assessed exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) during pregnancy through different water uses and evaluated the association with birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and preterm delivery. METHODS Mother-child cohorts set up in five Spanish areas during the years 2000-2008 contributed data on water ingestion, showering, bathing, and swimming in pools. We ascertained residential THM levels during pregnancy periods through ad hoc sampling campaigns (828 measurements) and regulatory data (264 measurements), which were modeled and combined with personal water use and uptake factors to estimate personal uptake. We defined outcomes following standard definitions and included 2,158 newborns in the analysis. RESULTS Median residential THM ranged from 5.9 μg/L (Valencia) to 114.7 μg/L (Sabadell), and speciation differed across areas. We estimated that 89% of residential chloroform and 96% of brominated THM uptakes were from showering/bathing. The estimated change of birth weight for a 10% increase in residential uptake was -0.45 g (95% confidence interval: -1.36, 0.45 g) for chloroform and 0.16 g (-1.38, 1.70 g) for brominated THMs. Overall, THMs were not associated with SGA, LBW, or preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS Despite the high THM levels in some areas and the extensive exposure assessment, results suggest that residential THM exposure during pregnancy driven by inhalation and dermal contact routes is not associated with birth weight, SGA, LBW, or preterm delivery in Spain.

Human Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Prenatal Risk Factors for Cryptorchidism and Hypospadias: A Nested Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND. Exposure to xenoestrogens during pregnancy may disturb the development and function of male sexual organs. OBJECTIVE. In this study we aimed to determine whether the combined effect of environmental estrogens measured as total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB) is a risk factor for male urogenital malformations. METHODS. In a case-control study, nested in a mother-child cohort (n = 702) established at Granada University Hospital, we compared 50 newborns with diagnosis of cryptorchidism and/or hypospadias with 114 boys without malformations matched by gestational age, date of birth, and parity. Controls did not differ from the total cohort in confounding variables. TEXB and levels of 16 organochlorine pesticides were measured in placenta tissues. Characteristics of parents, pregnancy, and birth were gathered by questionnaire. We used conditional and unconditional regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS. TEXB from organohalogenated compounds was detectable in 72% and 54% of case and control placentas, respectively. Compared with controls, cases had an OR for detectable versus non-detectable TEXB of 2.82 (95% CI, 1.10-7.24). More pesticides were detected in cases than in controls (9.34 +/- 3.19 vs. 6.97 +/- 3.93). ORs for cases with detectable levels of pesticides, after adjusting for potential confounders in the conditional regression analysis, were o,p'-DDT (OR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.03-4.89), p,p'-DDT (OR = 2.63; 95% CI, 1.21-5.72), lindane (OR = 3.38; 95% CI, 1.36-8.38), mirex (OR = 2.85; 95% CI, 1.22-6.66), and endosulfan alpha (OR = 2.19; 95% CI, 0.99-4.82). Engagement of mothers in agriculture (OR = 3.47; 95% CI, 1.33-9.03), fathers' occupational exposure to xenoestrogens (OR = 2.98; 95% CI, 1.11-8.01), and history of previous stillbirths (OR = 4.20; 95% CI, 1.11-16.66) were also associated with risk of malformations. CONCLUSIONS We found an increased risk for male urogenital malformations related to the combined effect of environmental estrogens in placenta.

Residential Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution during Pregnancy and Anthropometric Measures at Birth in a Multicenter Cohort in Spain

BACKGROUND. A growing body of research suggests that prenatal exposure to air pollution may be harmful to fetal development. We assessed the association between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and anthropometric measures at birth in four areas within the Spanish Children's Health and Environment (INMA) mother and child cohort study. METHODS. Exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and benzene was estimated for the residence of each woman (n = 2,337) for each trimester and for the entire pregnancy. Outcomes included birth weight, length, and head circumference. The association between residential outdoor air pollution exposure and birth outcomes was assessed with linear regression models controlled for potential confounders. We also performed sensitivity analyses for the subset of women who spent more time at home during pregnancy. Finally, we performed a combined analysis with meta-analysis techniques. RESULTS. In the combined analysis, an increase of 10 µg/m3 in NO2 exposure during pregnancy was associated with a decrease in birth length of -0.9 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), -1.8 to -0.1 mm]. For the subset of women who spent ≥ 15 hr/day at home, the association was stronger (-0.16 mm; 95% CI, -0.27 to -0.04). For this same subset of women, a reduction of 22 g in birth weight was associated with each 10-µg/m3 increase in NO2 exposure in the second trimester (95% CI, -45.3 to 1.9). We observed no significant relationship between benzene levels and birth outcomes. CONCLUSIONS. NO2 exposure was associated with reductions in both length and weight at birth. This association was clearer for the subset of women who spent more time at home.

Propuesta de ontología para puntos de interés turístico

El presente trabajo constituye el Proyecto Final de Máster correspondiente a los estudios del Máster Oficial en Software Libre de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Consiste básicamente en la elaboración y discusión de una ontología para definir puntos de interés turístico (POI). Después de una introducción y una breve exposición del alcance y metodología del trabajo, se expone la actual situación de la Web Semántica y su relación con el ámbito turístico. A continuación se describe la ontología creada, discutiendo las diferentes alternativas para cada uno de sus elementos y comparando las soluciones propuestas con otras ontologías de uso en el sector. Finalmente, se evalúan algunos ejemplos de puntos de interés turístico reales formalizados mediante esta ontología y se discuten algunas conclusiones.

Pràcticum II de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut

L'autor exposa el treball de camp dut a terme durant més de cent hores de pràctiques en un centre de salut mental, CSAM de Manresa. S'inicia amb una visió general del centre, la seva història i els seus òrgans de funcionament. Es fa una petita exposició dels motius de l'elecció per part de l'alumne, l'orientació teòrica del centre, així com la metodologia utilitzada i la temporalització amb la qual s'ha dut a terme la tasca i, finalment, un seguiment i alguns resultats obtinguts de les sessions que s'han dut a terme en les àrees infanto-juvenil i d'addicció i control d'impulsos en adults. Acaba el treball amb una reflexió per als futurs estudiants de psicologia, en l'àrea clínica: Lluiteu, lluitem tots junts "por un prácticum clínico que no convierta a los estudiantes de psicología en pedigüeños de las prácticas y los coloquen en la zozobra inquieta que les lleve a un peregrinaje absurdo por diversos centros públicos o privados, a la búsqueda de algún paciente al que puedan simplemente observar" (De Josep Mª Farré, Psiquiatre de l'Institut Dexeus, en el llibre de María Dolores Avia (dir), "Cartas a un joven psicólogo", en la seva segonda edició).

Antigenic proteins involved in occupational rhinitis and asthma caused by obeche wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon).

BACKGROUND Obeche wood dust is a known cause of occupational asthma where an IgE-mediated mechanism has been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE To characterize the allergenic profile of obeche wood dust and evaluate the reactivity of the proteins by in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assays in carpenters with confirmed rhinitis and/or asthma MATERIALS AND METHODS An in-house obeche extract was obtained, and two IgE binding bands were purified (24 and 12 kDa) and sequenced by N-terminal identity. Specific IgE and IgG, basophil activation tests and skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed with whole extract and purified proteins. CCD binding was analyzed by ELISA inhibition studies. RESULTS Sixty-two subjects participated: 12 with confirmed occupational asthma/rhinitis (ORA+), 40 asymptomatic exposed (ORA-), and 10 controls. Of the confirmed subjects, 83% had a positive SPT to obeche. There was a 100% recognition by ELISA in symptomatic subjects vs. 30% and 10% in asymptomatic exposed subjects and controls respectively (p<0.05). Two new proteins were purified, a 24 kDa protein identified as a putative thaumatin-like protein and a 12 kDa gamma-expansin. Both showed allergenic activity in vitro, with the putative thaumatin being the most active, with 92% recognition by ELISA and 100% by basophil activation test in ORA+ subjects. Cross-reactivity due to CCD was ruled out in 82% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Two proteins of obeche wood were identified and were recognized by a high percentage of symptomatic subjects and by a small proportion of asymptomatic exposed subjects. Further studies are required to evaluate cross reactivity with other plant allergens.

Spatial analysis of the relationship between mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and drinking water hardness.

Previously published scientific papers have reported a negative correlation between drinking water hardness and cardiovascular mortality. Some ecologic and case-control studies suggest the protective effect of calcium and magnesium concentration in drinking water. In this article we present an analysis of this protective relationship in 538 municipalities of Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) from 1991-1998. We used the Spanish version of the Rapid Inquiry Facility (RIF) developed under the European Environment and Health Information System (EUROHEIS) research project. The strategy of analysis used in our study conforms to the exploratory nature of the RIF that is used as a tool to obtain quick and flexible insight into epidemiologic surveillance problems. This article describes the use of the RIF to explore possible associations between disease indicators and environmental factors. We used exposure analysis to assess the effect of both protective factors--calcium and magnesium--on mortality from cerebrovascular (ICD-9 430-438) and ischemic heart (ICD-9 410-414) diseases. This study provides statistical evidence of the relationship between mortality from cardiovascular diseases and hardness of drinking water. This relationship is stronger in cerebrovascular disease than in ischemic heart disease, is more pronounced for women than for men, and is more apparent with magnesium than with calcium concentration levels. Nevertheless, the protective nature of these two factors is not clearly established. Our results suggest the possibility of protectiveness but cannot be claimed as conclusive. The weak effects of these covariates make it difficult to separate them from the influence of socioeconomic and environmental factors. We have also performed disease mapping of standardized mortality ratios to detect clusters of municipalities with high risk. Further standardization by levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water shows changes in the maps when we remove the effect of these covariates.

L'ús de la cançó per a potenciar el desenvolupament del llenguatge d'un nen autista

L’ús de la cançó per a potenciar el desenvolupament del llenguatge d’un nen autista és un projecte que pretén donar una visió de la música com a eina per al desenvolupament del llenguatge verbal i no verbal dels nens amb diagnòstic de TEA (Trastorn de l’Espectre Autista). Busca també fer una revisió bibliogràfica en aquest camp per conèixer i relacionar una mica més aquests móns sovint desconeguts. Finalment, presenta un programa d’intervenció adreçat específicament a quatre alumnes amb TEA, amb necessitats i objectius diferents, amb el pertinent seguiment, anàlisi de les dades recollides durant la intervenció, conclusions, i noves vies de treball que es podrien dur a terme.

Las Noveletas de António Aurélio Gonçalves: Contradicción y Unidad

La temática de esta tesis tiene su motivación en la ausencia de crítica contemporánea sobre la conceptualización de la producción literaria de António Aurélio Gonçalves (1901–1984) como integrante del movimiento Claridade, específicamente en la dimensión estética de sus noveletas. Este tópico resulta de importancia para la comprensión de la evolución literaria en Cabo Verde, el cual se presenta en la investigación como el soporte material de las reflexiones sociales y las contradicciones internas, así como el espacio donde es posible observar lo que sucede en un momento determinado de la formación social caboverdiana en general y mindelense en particular, durante el período comprendido entre las décadas del 30 al 70 del siglo XX. La exposición de los hechos más significativos de la historia socio-cultural de Cabo Verde, fundamentada mendiante la reflexión sobre la formación de su sociedad y cultura, los rasgos más relevantes de la literatura caboverdiana, la complejidad del proceso de elaboración de una historiografía literaria, sobre todo en lo que corresponde a la periodización, constituyen los puntos que aborda este trabajo. Se analiza el sistema de valores que aportan las obras seleccionadas según los respectivos autores y sus épocas, se exponen los criterios que justifican la selección del escritor António Aurélio Gonçalves y el estudio de las noveletas, por considerar que éstas son exponentes del quehacer y la ideología, no solo del autor seleccionado, sino del movimiento liderado por la revista Claridade.

El desarrollo de un puerto pesquero modelo en el departamento de Lambayeque. Conferencia dada el día 15 de enero 1964 en el Club Lambayeque, Lima

Exposición presentada sobre el desarrollo de un puerto pesquero donde se han estudiado las condiciones y las características de la costa, conociendo sus riquezas ictiológicas de la zona por la pesca de varios cientos de años.

Captación de larvas de moluscos en Bahía de Paracas, Perú

Entre enero y mayo de 1986 100 colectores de larvas fueron instaldas en Bahía Paracas (13º50' S, 76º16' W) en áreas de cultivo de la concha de abanico Argopecten purpuratus con el fin de obtener semillas de bivalvos de valor económico. Mayormente con el objetivo de determinar el mejor tiempo para la instalación de los colectores entre enero de 1985 y agosto de 1986 se efectuaron determinaciones mensuales de factores abióticos (temperatura, salinidad, oxígeno, H1S) de las aguas cerca del fondo del mar, la concentración de clorofila "a" y del índice gonadosomático de adultos de A.purpuratus, además de análisis cualitativos de muestras del plancton. Las especies dominantes en número de individuos encontradas en los 82 colectores recuperados después de dos meses de exposición fueron el falso chorito Semimytilus algosus (70 %) y la almejita blanca Petricola sp. (27 %), ambas especies de valor económico. Solo de 0.8 % de la semilla era A. purpuratus, lo que se atribuyó mayormente al material inadecuado usado para los colectores, pero también a mareas rojas que ocurrieron durante el tiempo del experimento.