Mass fluctuation kinetics: analysis and computation of equilibria and local dynamics

The mass fluctuation kinetics (MFK) model is a set of coupled ordinary differential equations approximating the time evolution of means and covariances of species concentrations in chemical reaction networks. It generalises classical mass action kinetics (MAK), in which fluctuations around the mean are ignored. MFK may be used to approximate stochasticity in system trajectories when stochastic simulation methods are prohibitively expensive computationally. This study presents a set of tools to aid in the analysis of systems within the MFK framework. A closed-form expression for the MFK Jacobian matrix is derived. This expression facilitates the computation of MFK equilibria and the characterisation of the dynamics of small deviations from the equilibria (i.e. local dynamics). Software developed in MATLAB to analyse systems within the MFK framework is also presented. The authors outline a homotopy continuation method that employs the Jacobian for bifurcation analysis, that is, to generate a locus of steady-state Jacobian eigenvalues corresponding to changing a chosen MFK parameter such as system volume or a rate constant. This method is applied to study the effect of small-volume stochasticity on local dynamics at equilibria in a pair of example systems, namely the formation and dissociation of an enzyme-substrate complex and a genetic oscillator. For both systems, this study reveals volume regimes where MFK provides a quantitatively and/or qualitatively correct description of system behaviour, and regimes where the MFK approximation is inaccurate. Moreover, our analysis provides evidence that decreasing volume from the MAK regime (infinite volume) has a destabilising effect on system dynamics

Los hayedos prepirenaicos aragoneses:: fitosociología, fitotopografía y conservación

Tras el estudio de los hayedos prepirenaicos aragoneses (provincias de Zaragoza y Huesca), los autores presentan una tabla de más de 50 inventarios correspondiente al Buxo- Fagetum sylvaticae y explican su composición florística, hábitat y fitotopografía. También se dan tres inventarios del Scillo-Fagetum sylvaticae, mucho más localizado en esta región. Por último, se describe su estado de conservación y se dan algunas recomendaciones para su protección.Prepyrenean aragonese beech-forests (Zaragoza and Huesca provinces) were studied during two years. As a result we present a table of the Buxo-Fagetum sylvaticae (56 releves), a widespread community, and comment on its floristical composition and ecology.Also the more isolated beech-forest of the Scillo-Fagetum sylvaticae is here introduced (3 releves). Finally, some ideas for conservation of these forests are also pointed out

Brain network interactions in transgender individuals with gender incongruence

Functional brain organization in transgender persons remains unclear. Our aims were to investigate global and regional connectivity differences within functional networks in transwomen and transmen with early-in-life onset gender incongruence; and to test the consistency of two available hypotheses that attempted to explain gender variants: (i) a neurodevelopmental cortical hypothesis that suggests the existence of different brain phenotypes based on structural MRI data and genes polymorphisms of sex hormone receptors; (ii) a functional-based hypothesis in relation to regions involved in the own body perception. T2*-weighted images in a 3-T MRI were obtained from 29 transmen and 17 transwomen as well as 22 cisgender women and 19 cisgender men. Restingstate independent component analysis, seed-to-seed functional network and graph theory analyses were performed. Transmen, transwomen, and cisgender women had decreased connectivity compared with cisgender men in superior parietal regions, as part of the salience (SN) and the executive control (ECN) networks. Transmen also had weaker connectivity compared with cisgender men between intra-SN regions and weaker inter-network connectivity between regions of the SN, the default mode network (DMN), the ECN and the sensorimotor network. Transwomen had lower small-worldness, modularity and clustering coefficient than cisgender men. There were no differences among transmen, transwomen, and ciswomen. Together these results underline the importance of the SN interacting with DMN, ECN, and sensorimotor networks in transmen, involving regions of the entire brain with a frontal predominance. Reduced global connectivity graph-theoretical measures were a characteristic of transwomen. It is proposed that the interaction between networks is a keystone in building a gendered self. Finally, our findings suggest that both proposed hypotheses are complementary in explaining brain differences between gender variants

Data for functional MRI connectivity in transgender people with gender incongruence and cisgender individuals

We provide T2*-weighted and T1-weighted images acquired on a 3T MRI scanner obtained from 17 transwomen and 29 transmen with gender incongruence; and 22 ciswomen and 19 cismen that identified themselves to the sex assigned at birth. Data from three different techniques that describe global and regional connectivity differences within functional resting-state networks in transwomen and transmen with early-in-life onset gender incongruence are provided: (1) we obtained spatial maps from data-driven independent component analysis using the melodic tool from FSL software; (2) we provide the functional networks interactions of two functional atlases' seeds from a seed-to-seed approach; (3) and global graph-theoretical metrics such as the smallworld organization, and the segregation and integration properties of the networks. Interpretations of the present dataset can be found in the original article, doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116613[1]. The original and processed nifti images are available in Mendeley datasets. In addition, correlation matrices for the seed-to-seed and graph-theory analyses as well as the graph-theoretical measures were made available in Matlab files. Finally, we present supplementary information for the original article

Perspectives on the implementation of screening and treatment for depression and alcohol Use disorder in primary care in Colombia

Q2Depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) greatly contribute to the burden of disease worldwide, and have large impact on Colombia’s population. In this study, a qualitative analysis evaluates the implementation of a technology-supported model for screening, decision support, and digital therapy for depression and AUD in Colombian primary care clinics. Patient, provider, and administrator interviews were conducted, exploring attitudes towards depression and AUD, attitudes towards technology, and implementation successes and challenges. Researchers used qualitative methods to analyze interview themes. Despite stigma around depression and AUD, the model improved provider capacity to diagnose and manage patients, helped patients feel supported, and provided useful prevalence data for administrators. Challenges included limited provider time and questions about sustainability. The implementation facilitated the identifcation, diagnosis, and care of patients with depression and AUD. There is ongoing need to decrease stigma, create stronger networks of mental health professionals, and transition intervention ownership to the healthcare center.Revista Internacional - Indexad

Percepciones de la comunidad educativa de El Porvenir, Rionegro, Antioquia, sobre la importancia de los servicios ecosistémicos del río Negro

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar los aprendizajes sobre los servicios ecosistémicos que ofrece el Río Negro (Antioquia) los cuales se han visto deteriorados por la contaminación ambiental. Los estudiantes del grado sexto de la Institución Educativa Concejo Municipal El Porvenir escucharon las historias de vida de una líder de la comunidad del barrio El Porvenir en relación a los servicios ecosistémicos, es por ello que nuestra investigación es de carácter cualitativa con un enfoque biográfico narrativo; para la recolección de datos utilizamos las técnicas de observación directa, entrevistas semiestructuradas, historias de vida y el Mapeo de Significados Personales (Personal Meaning Mapping). En la recolección de los datos se interpretaron algunas ideas que generan confusión en los estudiantes, limitando el concepto de servicios ecosistémicos únicamente a los componentes que integran un ecosistema, alterando la interpretación holística del concepto al que se alude. Es importante continuar con procesos de educación ambiental que permitan a los estudiantes reconocer los servicios ecosistémicos de los ríos. Del mismo modo, debemos continuar escuchando las historias de vida de las personas de la tercera edad para crear nuevos imaginarios que permitan una visión esperanzadora del futuro, en este caso la recuperación del Río Negro, Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia

Which resources help young people to prevent and overcome mental distress in deprived urban areas in Latin America? A protocol for a prospective cohort study

Introduction: Improving the mental health of young people is a global public health priority. In Latin America, young people living in deprived urban areas face various risk factors for mental distress. However, most either do not develop mental distress in the form of depression and anxiety, or recover within a year without treatment from mental health services. This research programme seeks to identify the personal and social resources that help young people to prevent and recover from mental distress. / Methods and analysis: A cross-sectional study will compare personal and social resources used by 1020 young people (aged 15–16 and 20–24 years) with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and 1020 without. A longitudinal cohort study will follow-up young people with mental distress after 6 months and 1 year and compare resource use in those who do and do not recover. An experience sampling method study will intensively assess activities, experiences and mental distress in subgroups over short time periods. Finally, we will develop case studies highlighting existing initiatives that effectively support young people to prevent and recover from mental distress. The analysis will assess differences between young people with and without distress at baseline using t-tests and χ2 tests. Within the groups with mental distress, multivariate logistic regression analyses using a random effects model will assess the relationship between predictor variables and recovery. / Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approvals are received from Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires; Faculty of Medicine-Research and Ethics Committee of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá; Institutional Ethics Committee of Research of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and Queen Mary Ethics of Research Committee. Dissemination will include arts-based methods and target different audiences such as national stakeholders, researchers from different disciplines and the general public. / Trial registration number: ISRCTN72241383

Factores demográficos y psicosociales asociados al exceso de peso en una población de Colombia

Introducción: la obesidad es una enfermedad de alto interés en salud pública y de etiología multifactorial. Es necesario conocer los aspectos ambientales propios de cada región que contribuyen al desarrollo de esta patología. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar en la actualidad en una población colombiana la asociación entre diversos factores demográficos y psicosociales de la infancia y la edad adulta con tener exceso de peso. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y de corte transversal mediante una encuesta electrónica realizada a pacientes y acompañantes en la Clínica FOSCAL, donde se evaluaron las variables demográficas, las condiciones de vida en la infancia y los hábitos actuales. Fueron incluidos sujetos mayores de 18 años. Las personas con déficit cognitivo, pérdida involuntaria de más del 10 % del peso y embarazadas fueron excluidas. Resultados: en el análisis se incluyeron 490 participantes con edad promedio de 31,4±15 años; el 58,8 % fue mujeres y el 91,4 % procedía del área urbana. El 44,8 % de los encuestados tenía exceso de peso (32,6 % sobrepeso y 12,2 % obesidad). Se encontró asociación entre la edad actual (OR: 1,11; IC 95 %: 1,04-1,19; p=0,0,002), el peso alcanzado a los 18 años (OR: 1,10; IC 95%: 1,06-1,15; p<0,001) y haber vivido en la infancia en un conjunto residencial (OR: 0,40; IC 95 %: 0,18-0,88; p<0,001) con tener exceso de peso en la actualidad. Se apreció una ganancia de peso de 0,35 kg por año de vida cumplido. Otros hallazgos, como el consumo de alcohol y sustancias psicoactivas, así como la actividad física semanal no tuvieron asociación. Conclusiones: la edad, el peso alcanzado a los 18 años y el no haber vivido en un conjunto residencial en la infancia fueron los factores asociados a tener exceso de peso en una población adulta colombiana

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of integrating mental health services in primary care in low- and middle-income countries : systematic review

Q1Artículo original1-13Aims and method This systematic review examines the effectiveness and costeffectiveness of behavioural health integration into primary healthcare in the management of depression and unhealthy alcohol use in low- and middle-income countries. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review included research that studied patients aged ≥18 years with unhealthy alcohol use and/or depression of any clinical severity. An exploration of the models of integration was used to characterise a typology of behavioural health integration specific for low- and middle-income countries. Results Fifty-eight articles met inclusion criteria. Studies evidenced increased effectiveness of integrated care over treatment as usual for both conditions. The economic evaluations found increased direct health costs but cost-effective estimates. The included studies used six distinct behavioural health integration models. Clinical implications Behavioural health integration may yield improved health outcomes, although it may require additional resources. The proposed typology can assist decision-makers to advance the implementation of integrated models