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Background Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand activated transcription factors with crucial functions in lipid homeostasis, glucose metabolism, anti-inflammatory processes, placental development, and are involved in cognitive functions and neurodegenerative diseases. Polymorphisms in PPAR genes are shown to influence the activity of these receptors. Aims 1) To examine the association of PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism in pregnant women and their offspring on infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes during the first 18months of life; 2) to determine the influence of Pro12Ala polymorphism on fatty acid concentrations in plasma phospholipids and placental tissue. Study design 138 mother–infant pairs from the PREOBE observational study were genotyped for PPARG Pro12Ala. Plasma phospholipids and placental fatty acid concentrations were measured at delivery. Infants' neuropsychological assessment at 6 and 18months of age was performed using Bayley III. Results The effect of Pro12Ala on infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes was detected at 18months, but not at 6months of age. 18months old infants born to mothers with wild-type Pro12 genotype had better cognitive (OR=5.11, 95% CI: 1.379–18.96, p=0.015), language (OR=3.41, 95% CI: 1.35–11.24, p=0.044), and motor development scores (OR=4.77, 95% CI: 1.243–18.33, p=0.023) than the Ala allele carriers. Pro12Ala variants did not seem to affect fatty acids concentrations in blood nor in placenta at delivery. Conclusions Infants born to mothers with Pro12 genotype have better neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18months of age than Ala allele carriers, indicating a long-term transplacental action of PPARγ variants on foetal brain development.

A case-control study was designed to investigate a chemical accident that occurred in a swimming-pool in the summer of 2005. The aim was to describe the environmental factors involved in the accident, to assess the effect of chlorine gas on the respiratory system, and to perform a clinical and spirometric follow-up. The following interventions were carried out: environmental inspection, epidemiologic survey (including sociodemographic variables), location at the time of the accident, perception of an abnormal smell, and clinical and spirometric outcomes to assess respiratory function. Sixty-five cases and 48 controls were identified and interviewed. The accident was produced by accidental admixture of hydrochloric acid with sodium hypochlorite resulting in chlorine gas release. The main clinical symptoms were dyspnea and cough. The risk of becoming ill was 10-fold higher in children with a previous lung disease and was 4-fold higher when the distance from the chlorine source was less than 40 m. All cases recovered completely, except one who had a history of asthma.

Not availableA lo largo de los últimos años la investigación clínica se ha desarrollado de manera significativa y ha contribuido a que actualmente las ciencias biosanitarias estén más fundamentadas en pruebas y evidencias científicas. La investigación en biomedicina se realiza a dos niveles, básico y epidemiológico. El enfoque epidemiológico presenta unos objetivos muy variados: desde la simple descripción de una realidad (caso clínico o case report) hasta la verificación de una hipótesis en relación con unos factores causales. En todo el espectro posible se pueden aplicar diferentes diseños epidemiológicos, para lograr la finalidad última que se persigue, aunque la validez de la elección determina el rigor científico de las conclusiones del estudio. Un elemento importante de cara a la inferencia de causalidad, sin posible participación de errores o sesgos, es la existencia de un grupo de comparación sobre el que el investigador no interviene (grupo no tratado o control) y, especialmente, la aleatorización del proceso, es decir, cuando la inclusión de los individuos en uno u otro grupo (tratado o control) depende exclusivamente del azar. El establecimiento de causalidad se realiza en base a las características cualitativas y cuantitativas de la asociación existente entre el proceso morboso y los factores de riesgo estudiados.