Changes and inequality in Latin American families

Includes bibliography

Dimensiones de la pobreza y políticas desde una perspectiva de género

Incluye Bibliografía

Dimensions of poverty and gender policies

Includes bibliography

La participación desigual de la mujer en el mundo del trabajo

Incluye Bibliografía

Transformaciones del trabajo femenino urbano

Incluye Bibliografía

Familias latinoamericanas: convergencias y divergencias de modelos y políticas

Incluye Bibliografía

Three-year follow-up of Interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Past studies have shown that mean values of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) do not change significantly in COPD patients over a one-year period. However, longer period follow-up studies are still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate plasma CRP and IL-6 concentration over three years in COPD patients and to test the association between these inflammatory mediators and disease outcome markers. Methods: A cohort of 77 outpatients with stable COPD was evaluated at baseline, and 53 (mean FEV1, 56% predicted) were included in the prospective study. We evaluated Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), six-minute walking distance (6MWD), and body mass index (BMI) at baseline and after three years. Plasma concentration of IL-6 was measured by high sensitivity ELISA, and CRP was obtained by high sensitivity particle-enhanced immunonephelometry. Results: IL-6 increased significantly after 3 years compared to baseline measurements [0.8 (0.5-1.3) vs 2.4 (1.3-4.4) pg/ml; p < 0.001] and was associated with worse 6MWD performance. In the Cox regression, increased IL-6 at baseline was associated with mortality [Hazard Ratio (95% CI) = 2.68 (0.13, 1.84); p = 0.02]. CRP mean values did not change [5 (1.6-7.9) vs 4.7 (1.7-10) pg/L; p = 0.84], although eleven patients (21%) presented with changes >3 mg/L in CRP after 3 years. Conclusions: The systemic inflammatory process, evaluated by IL-6, seems to be persistent, progressive and associated with mortality and worse physical performance in COPD patients. Trial registration: No.:NCT00605540. © 2013 Ferrari et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Prevenir o reprimir: falso dilema de la seguridad ciudadana

Incluye Bibliografía

Effects of active smoking on airway and systemic inflammation profiles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: The markers that characterize local and systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain unclear, as do their correlations with smoking status and presence of disease. The aim of this study was to assess markers of inflammation in the peripheral blood and airways of current smokers without COPD, of current smokers with COPD and of ex-smokers with COPD. METHODS: In this study, 17 current smokers with COPD (mean age: 58.2 ± 9.6 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]: 56.1 ± 15.9%), 35 ex-smokers with COPD (mean age: 66.3 ± 7.3 years; mean FEV1: 47.9 ± 17.2%) and 20 current smokers without COPD (mean age: 49.1 ± 6.2 years; mean FEV1: 106.5 ± 15.8%) were evaluated. Spirometry findings, body composition and serum/induced sputum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, together with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, were assessed. RESULTS: Serum TNF-α concentration was higher in all current smokers than in ex-smokers with COPD. In current smokers without COPD, serum CRP level was lower than in ex-smokers with COPD and significantly lower than in current smokers with COPD. Sputum TNF-α concentration was higher in current and ex-smokers with COPD than in current smokers without COPD. Multiple regression analyses showed that serum TNF-α was associated with active smoking, and serum CRP and sputum TNF-α were associated with COPD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is associated with higher systemic inflammation in patients with COPD. Current findings also support the hypothesis that smoking and COPD have different effects on the regulation of airway and systemic inflammatory processes. © 2013 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Subestimación de la participación femenina en las actividades económicas: análisis de los resultados del módulo especial de la Encuesta Demográfica Nacional de Honduras 1983 (EDENH-II); trabajo de investigación

Incluye Bibliografía

Oaxaca: estimación del nivel de la fecundidad y mortalidad infantil, en base a los resultados del censo de 1980; trabajo final de investigación

Incluye Bibliografía

Evolución de la fecundidad en América Latina: caso de Cuba

Incluye Bibliografía

Algunos factores que inciden en la participación laboral femenina en Honduras

Incluye Bibliografía

Proyección de la fuerza de trabajo de Costa Rica

La proyección de la fuerza de trabajo de Costa Rica para el periodo 1980-2000, se elaboro con el apoyo del programa de computadora TM1. Como resultado del proceso de modernización entre 1950 y 1984 se ha observado una disminución en las tasas de participación masculina y un aumento en las femeninas, tanto brutas como refinadas. La proyección comprende diferentes versiones, a través de las cuales se plantean hipótesis de variación, tanto en el descenso de la fecundidad como en el comportamiento de las tasas de actividad económica. Una de las hipótesis que el programa usa como de control es la que mantiene constante todos los parámetros. Los resultados de la proyección muestran una disminución de los menores de 15 anos y de las tasas de dependencia, con todas las hipótesis de fecundidad. De acuerdo con la evolución prevista, si se mantienen las tasas de actividad constantes habría un mayor aumento en la PEA masculina, mientras que en el supuesto de tasas variables, la PEA femenina podría aumentar casi en un 100 por ciento.