Pompeu Fabra University

About: Pompeu Fabra University is a education organization based out in Barcelona, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 8093 authors who have published 23570 publications receiving 858431 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitat Pompeu Fabra & UPF.

Gender inequalities in health among workers: the relation with family demands

Abstract: OBJECTIVES To analyse whether there are gender inequalities in health among male and female workers who are married or cohabiting and to assess whether there are gender differences in the relation between family demands and health. Additionally, for both objectives it will be examined whether these gender patterns are similar for manual and non-manual workers. DESIGN AND SETTING The data have been taken from the 1994 Catalonian Health Survey (CHS), a cross sectional survey based on a representative sample of the non-institutionalised population of Catalonia, a region in the north east of Spain that has about 6 million inhabitants. The dependent variables were four ill health indicators (self perceived health status, limiting longstanding illness, having at least one chronic condition and mental health) and two health related behaviours closely related to having time for oneself (no leisure time physical activity and sleeping six hours or less a day). Family demands were measured with three variables: household size, living with children under 15 years and living with adults older than 65 years. The analysis was separated for gender and social class (manual and non-manual workers) and additionally adjusted for age. Gender differences for all dependent and independent variables were first tested at the bivariate level using the χ 2 test for categorical variables and the t test for age. Secondly, multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. PARTICIPANTS Persons who were employed, married or cohabiting, aged 25 to 64 years (2148 men and 1185 women). RESULTS A female excess for all the ill health indicators was found, while there were no gender differences in the health related behaviours analysed. Family demands had a greater impact on health and health related behaviours of female manual workers. In this group household size was positively related to four dependent variables. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) to living in family units of more than four persons versus living only with the spouse were 2.74 (95%CI=1.22, 6.17) for poor self perceived health status, 3.16 (95%CI=0.98, 10.15) for limiting long standing illness, 3.28 (95%CI=1.45, 7.44) for having at least one chronic condition, and 2.60 (95%CI=1.12, 6.00) for sleeping six hours or less a day. Among female manual workers living with children under 15 years was positively associated with no leisure time physical activity (adjusted OR=2.37; 95% CI=1.43, 3.92) and with sleeping six hours or less a day (adjusted OR=1.91; 95% CI=1.13, 3.32). Living with adults older than 65 years had an unexpected negative relation with poor self perceived health status (adjusted OR=0.33; 95%CI=0.16, 0.66), and with chronic conditions (adjusted OR=0.45; 95%CI=0.24, 0.87) in female manual workers. Among male manual workers living with children under 15 years was positively associated with longstanding limiting illness (adjusted OR=2.44; 95%CI=1.36, 4.38). CONCLUSION When gender differences in health are analysed, both the paid and the non-paid work should be considered as well as the interaction between these two dimensions, gender and social class. In Catalonia, as probably in Spain and in other countries, private changes such as sharing domestic responsibilities, as well as active public policies for facilitating family care are needed in order to reduce gender health inequalities attributable to the unequal distribution of family demands.

Immigrant populations, work and health--a systematic literature review.

Abstract: Objectives This paper summarizes the information on immigrant occupational health available from recent studies, incorporating varied study designs. Methods A systematic search was carried out in PubMed employing terms of interest to the study and related terms supplied by the same search engine. Articles were selected through the following process: (i) reading the title and abstract, in English or Spanish, for the period 1990–2005, (ii) reading of the entire text of selected articles; (iii) making a manual search of the relevant citations in the selected articles; (iv) eliminating articles without a focus on the themes of central interest (immigration, work, and health), and (v) reading and analyzing the definitive article set. No quality criteria were used in the article selection. Results The location of studies was not straightforward and required careful thought about the search terms. The included 48 papers were often multifaceted and difficult to categorize. They generally came from countries historically associated with immigration and described occupational risk factors, health consequences, and the social, economic, and cultural influences on worker health. They were also based on data, surveillance, training, and preventive measures that were inadequate. Conclusions Increased migration is a reality in industrialized countries all over the world, and it has social, political, and economic consequences for migrating groups, as well as for their sending and host societies. More reliable data, targeted appropriate interventions, and enforcement of existing regulations are necessary to improve the health of immigrant workers. Furthermore, studies in sending and developing countries should be encouraged to form a more complete understanding of this complex situation.

Large-scale analysis of genome and transcriptome alterations in multiple tumors unveils novel cancer-relevant splicing networks

Abstract: Alternative splicing is regulated by multiple RNA-binding proteins and influences the expression of most eukaryotic genes. However, the role of this process in human disease, and particularly in cancer, is only starting to be unveiled. We systematically analyzed mutation, copy number, and gene expression patterns of 1348 RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes in 11 solid tumor types, together with alternative splicing changes in these tumors and the enrichment of binding motifs in the alternatively spliced sequences. Our comprehensive study reveals widespread alterations in the expression of RBP genes, as well as novel mutations and copy number variations in association with multiple alternative splicing changes in cancer drivers and oncogenic pathways. Remarkably, the altered splicing patterns in several tumor types recapitulate those of undifferentiated cells. These patterns are predicted to be mainly controlled by MBNL1 and involve multiple cancer drivers, including the mitotic gene NUMA1 We show that NUMA1 alternative splicing induces enhanced cell proliferation and centrosome amplification in nontumorigenic mammary epithelial cells. Our study uncovers novel splicing networks that potentially contribute to cancer development and progression.

Involvement of the opioid system in the anxiolytic-like effects induced by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Abstract: Rationale. Recent studies have shown that several pharmacological actions induced by cannabinoids, including antinociception and reward, involve the participation of the endogenous opioid system. Objectives. The present study was designed to examine the possible involvement of the different opioid receptors in the anxiolytic-like responses induced by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Methods. The administration of a low dose of THC (0.3 mg/kg) produced clear anxiolytic-like responses in the light-dark box, as previously reported. The effects of the pretreatment with the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist, SR 141716A (0.5 mg/kg), or the µ-opioid receptor antagonist, β-funaltrexamine (5 mg/kg), the δ-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (2.5 mg/kg) and the κ-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (2.5 mg/kg) were evaluated on anxiolytic-like responses induced by THC. Results. SR 141716A completely blocked the anxiolytic-like response induced by THC, suggesting that this effect is mediated by CB1 cannabinoid receptors. The µ-opioid receptor antagonist β-funaltrexamine and the δ-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole, but not the κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine, abolished THC anxiolytic-like effects, suggesting an involvement of µ- and δ-opioid receptors in this behavioural response. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that the endogenous opioid system is involved in the regulation of anxiety-like behaviour by cannabinoids and provide new findings to clarify further the interaction between these two neuronal systems.

Toward understanding response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: left ventricular dyssynchrony is only one of multiple mechanisms

Abstract: AIM: To date, most published echocardiographic methods have assessed left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony (DYS) alone as a predictor for response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We hypothesized that the response is instead dictated by multiple correctable factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 161 patients (66 +/- 10 years, EF 24 +/- 6%, QRS > 120 ms) were investigated pre- and post-CRT (median of 6 months). Reduction in NYHA Class >/=1 or LV reverse remodelling (end-systolic volume reduction >/= 10%) defined response. Four different pathological mechanisms were identified. Group1: LVDYS characterized by a pre-ejection septal flash (SF) (87 patients, 54%). Elimination of SF (77 of 87 patients) resulted in reverse remodelling in 100%. Group 2: short-AV delay (21 patients, 13%) resolution (19 of 21 patients) resulted in reverse remodelling in 16 of 19. Group 3: long-AV delay (16 patients, 10%) resolution (14 of 16 patients) resulted in NYHA Class reduction >/=1 in 11 with reverse remodelling in five patients. Group 4: exaggerated LV-RV interaction (15 patients, 9%) reduced post-CRT. All responded clinically with fall in pulmonary artery pressure (P = 0.003) but did not volume respond. Group 5: patients with none of the above correctable mechanisms (22 patients, 14%). None responded to CRT. CONCLUSION: CRT response is dictated by correction of multiple independent mechanisms of which LVDYS is only one. Long-axis DYS measurements alone failed to detect 40% of responders.