FMRI decoding using sparse neuronal networks

In this thesis we propose the use of Sparse Principal Component Analysis to recover neuronal areas in Brain Imaging. We work with functional magnetic resonance imaging data focusing our attention on the dimensionality reduction stage to represent the neuronal activation within the components that contain the maximum temporal variance, tightly related with the hemodynamic response of the neurons. The motivation for the sparse representation follows the idea of the massive modularity definition of the mind where "different neural circuits are specialized for solving adaptive problems''. The results show that the new sparse low dimensional basis (Eigenbrains) generated through novel unsupervised algorithms, such as Augmented Sparse Principal Component Analysis, perform competitively in terms of neuronal activity prediction. We push the limits of the brain understanding by describing a neuronal network through each Eigenbrain component and defining a prediction neuronal model using a linear combination of them

Asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico de la vivienda y el consumo de comida rápida y bebidas azucaradas: análisis transversal de la cohorte Niños del Milenio en Perú

Introduction: The consumption of fast food and soft drinks is a risk factor for developing overweight and obesity. This study aimed at assessing if there is association between household socioeconomic level and the consumption of fast food and soft drinks among children. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of the data from the third round (2009-2010) of the youngest cohort of the Young Lives study in Peru was conducted. Sampling was conducted in three stages: in the first one, the country was divided into equal geographical regions, excluding the 5% of the richest district; in the second stage, 20 sentinel sites were chosen and an area within each sentinel site was selected. Finally, in the third stage, eligible children were selected. Outcomes were the self-reported consumption of fast food and soft drinks (never, sometimes, and always), whereas the exposure was household socioeconomic status (in quintiles). Crude and adjusted models were created between variables of interest using Poisson regression models, with robust variance, to report prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).Results: Data of 1901 children, of which 942 (49.6%) were girls, with a mean age of 7.5 (SD: 0.5) was analyzed. A total of 24.1% (95%CI: 22.2% – 26.1%) reported always consuming fast food, whilst this number was 22.4% (20.5% – 24.3%) for soft drinks. Compared to the lowest socioeconomic quintile, those who were in higher socioeconomic status had more probability of consuming fast food and soft drinks (Chi-squared for trends < 0.001). The highest socioeconomic quintile had a greater probability to always consume fast food (PR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.08 – 1.88) and soft drinks (PR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.24 – 2.37). Conclusions: This study shows that there is a significant association between the household socioeconomic level and the consumption of soft drinks and fast food.Introducción: El consumo de comida rápida y bebidas azucaradas es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de sobrepeso y obesidad. Este estudio evaluó si existe asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico de la vivienda y el consumo de comida rápida y bebidas azucaradas en niños.Material y métodos: Evaluación transversal de los datos de la tercera ronda (2009-2010) de la cohorte más joven del estudio Niños de Milenio en Perú. El muestreo fue realizado en tres fases: en el primero, el país fue dividido en regiones geográficas iguales excluyendo al 5% de los distritos con mejor nivel económico; mientras que en la segunda fase se escogieron 20 sitios de vigilancia y un área dentro de ellas. Finalmente, en la tercera fase, se escogieron a los niños elegibles. Las variables fueron el auto-reporte del consumo de comida rápida y bebidas azucaradas (nunca, algunas veces y siempre), mientras que la exposición fue el nivel socioeconómico de la vivienda (dividido en quintiles). Se crearon modelos crudos y ajustados entre las variables de interés usando modelos de regresión de Poisson, con varianza robusta, para reportar razones de prevalencia (RP) y sus intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC 95%). Resultados: Los datos de 1901 niños, de los cuales 942 (49,6%) fueron mujeres, con una media de edad de 7,5 (DE: 0,5), fueron analizados. Un total de 24,1% (IC 95%: 22,2% - 26,1%) reportó siempre consumir comida rápida, y este número fue 22,4% (IC 95%: 20,5% - 24,3%) para bebidas azucaradas. Comparado con el nivel socioeconómico más bajo, aquellos niños en el nivel socioeconómico más alto tuvieron mayor probabilidad de consumir comida rápida y bebidas azucaradas (Chi cuadrado de tendencias < 0,001). El más alto quintil socioeconómico tuvo mayor probabilidad de consumir comida rápida (RP = 1,42; IC 95%: 1,08 – 1,88) y bebidas azucaradas (RP = 1,71; IC 95%: 1,24 – 2,37).Conclusiones: Este estudio muestra que existe una asociación significativa entre el nivel socioeconómico de la vivienda y el consumo de comida rápida y bebidas azucaradas en niños

Evaluation of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus by the Indirect Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay EIA-LAB as Screening Tools in Mexico

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo la evaluación del desempeño del kit ELISA AIE-LAB, para el diagnóstico de la Anemia infecciosa equina, en el contexto mexicano, comparado con la prueba estándar de oro de inmunodifusión en gel de agar, AGID AIE-LABIOFAM.La anemia infecciosa equina es una enfermedad de distribución mundial que afecta a la familia Equide. Actualmente no se dispone de una vacuna eficaz, por lo que el control de la enfermedad depende de las herramientas de diagnóstico. Para mejorar la eficiencia del programa de diagnóstico en Cuba, el Grupo Empresarial LABIOFAM, desarrolló un ensayo inmuno-enzimático, kit ELISA, para complementar el sistema de diagnóstico que actualmente utiliza el kit de inmunodifusión en gel de agar (AGID). El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo la evaluación del desempeño del kit ELISA AIE-LAB, en el contexto mexicano, comparado con la prueba estándar de oro de inmunodifusión en gel de agar, AGID AIE-LABIOFAM, y kit comercial AGID. La sensibilidad analítica se determinó utilizando diluciones dobles seriadas del suero de control positivo para establecer el rango de anticuerpos detectados en relación con el valor de corte de la placa (OD 0,300). Se realizó un estudio de precisión para evaluar repetibilidad, precisión intermedia y reproducibilidad, estimando la desviación estándar y el coeficiente de variación. Los resultados de precisión fueron satisfactorios y los valores del coeficiente de variación se consideraron adecuados para garantizar una excelente consistencia del ELISA AIE-LAB. El rendimiento diagnóstico del ELISA AIE-LAB se evaluó en relación a la especificidad, sensibilidad y concordancia en comparación con ambas pruebas AGID. La sensibilidad diagnóstica fue del 100% y la especificidad del 97,6%, con muy buen grado de concordancia (Kappa = 0,9). Los resultados sugieren que la prueba ELISA AIE-LAB podría utilizarse en México como sistema de diagnóstico para la detección de anticuerpos específicos contra el virus de la anemia infecciosa equina.Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Financiamiento propio del grupo de investigadores

Acumulaciones y Diagramas de Niveles y Flujos

Existen varias características de los sistemas complejos que dificultan la creación de cambios en la salud de la comunidad, los cuales incluyen los siguientes: retrasos entre la intervención y el resultado, respuestas inesperadas o confusas a intervenciones, y diferencias en las formas en que los individuos y los grupos experimentan el mismo sistema. El concepto de “acumulación” brinda información importante sobre la forma en que se generan las percepciones erróneas, retrasos y respuestas contradictorias al sistema dentro de los esfuerzo de la salud que se llevan a cabo. Los diagramas de niveles y flujos son herramientas que sirven para identificar y describir visualmente acumulaciones importantes en el sistema, y para facilitar el diálogo para comprender mejor el sistema. El propósito de este breve documento es describir el concepto de las acumulaciones y su utilidad para ayudarnos a comprender el comportamiento del sistema, y mostrarnos la forma en que los diagramas de niveles y flujos pueden ser utilizados para ayudarnos a modelar problemas y encontrar soluciones en el sistema alimentario y de salud

Orexin Depolarizes Central Amygdala Neurons via Orexin Receptor 1, Phospholipase C and Sodium-Calcium Exchanger and Modulates Conditioned Fear

Orexins (OX), also known as hypocretins, are excitatory neuropeptides with well-described roles in regulation of wakefulness, arousal, energy homeostasis, and anxiety. An additional and recently recognized role of OX is modulation of fear responses. We studied the OX neurons of the perifornical hypothalamus (PeF) which send projections to the amygdala, a region critical in fear learning and fear expression. Within the amygdala, the highest density of OX-positive fibers was detected in the central nucleus (CeA). The specific mechanisms underlying OX neurotransmission within the CeA were explored utilizing rat brain slice electrophysiology, pharmacology, and chemogenetic stimulation. We show that OX induces postsynaptic depolarization of medial CeA neurons that is mediated by OX receptor 1 (OXR1) but not OX receptor 2 (OXR2). We further characterized the mechanism of CeA depolarization by OX as phospholipase C (PLC)- and sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX)- dependent. Selective chemogenetic stimulation of OX PeF fibers recapitulated OXR1 dependent depolarization of CeA neurons. We also observed that OXR1 activity modified presynaptic release of glutamate within the CeA. Finally, either systemic or intra-CeA perfusion of OXR1 antagonist reduced the expression of conditioned fear. Together, these data suggest the PeF-CeA orexinergic pathway can modulate conditioned fear through a signal transduction mechanism involving PLC and NCX activity and that selective OXR1 antagonism may be a putative treatment for fear-related disorders

Modelos Mentales

Un principio central de la perspectiva del pensamiento sistémico es que las estructuras del sistema están respaldadas y permanecen por nuestras creencias, formas de pensar, y objetivos subyacentes (Ver Serie de Informes de Métodos 1.08). Por lo tanto, para transformar y rediseñar los sistemas también debemos transformar nuestra mentalidad. El propósito de este breve documento es introducir el concepto de modelos mentales y discutir cómo las herramientas de dinámica de sistemas se pueden usar para identificarlos, negociarlos y transformarlos

Previous tuberculosis disease as a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:a cross-sectional analysis of multicountry, population-based studies

Background Risk factors for COPD in high-income settings are well understood; however, less attention has been paid to contributors of COPD in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as pulmonary tuberculosis. We sought to study the association between previous tuberculosis disease and COPD by using pooled population-based cross-sectional data in 13 geographically diverse, low-resource settings. Methods We pooled six cohorts in 13 different LMIC settings, 6 countries and 3 continents to study the relationship between self-reported previous tuberculosis disease and lung function outcomes including COPD (defined as a postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) below the lower limit of normal). Multivariable regressions with random effects were used to examine the association between previous tuberculosis disease and lung function outcomes. Results We analysed data for 12 396 participants (median age 54.0 years, 51.5% male); 332 (2.7%) of the participants had previous tuberculosis disease. Overall prevalence of COPD was 8.8% (range 1.7%-15.5% across sites). COPD was four times more common among those with previous tuberculosis disease (25.7% vs 8.3% without previous tuberculosis disease,

Global, regional, and national levels and trends in burden of oral conditions from 1990 to 2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

Government and nongovernmental organizations need national and global estimates on the descriptive epidemiology of common oral conditions for policy planning and evaluation. The aim of this component of the Global Burden of Disease study was to produce estimates on prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability for oral conditions from 1990 to 2017 by sex, age, and countries. In addition, this study reports the global socioeconomic pattern in burden of oral conditions by the standard World Bank classification of economies as well as the Global Burden of Disease Socio-demographic Index. The findings show that oral conditions remain a substantial population health challenge. Globally, there were 3.5 billion cases (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI], 3.2 to 3.7 billion) of oral conditions, of which 2.3 billion (95% UI, 2.1 to 2.5 billion) had untreated caries in permanent teeth, 796 million (95% UI, 671 to 930 million) had severe periodontitis, 532 million (95% UI, 443 to 622 million) had untreated caries in deciduous teeth, 267 million (95% UI, 235 to 300 million) had total tooth loss, and 139 million (95% UI, 133 to 146 million) had other oral conditions in 2017. Several patterns emerged when the World Bank’s classification of economies and the Socio-demographic Index were used as indicators of economic development. In general, more economically developed countries have the lowest burden of untreated dental caries and severe periodontitis and the highest burden of total tooth loss. The findings offer an opportunity for policy makers to identify successful oral health strategies and strengthen them; introduce and monitor different approaches where oral diseases are increasing; plan integration of oral health in the agenda for prevention of noncommunicable diseases; and estimate the cost of providing universal coverage for dental care

Five-Year Survival Outcomes With Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Versus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in CheckMate 227

[Purpose] We present 5-year results from CheckMate 227 Part 1, in which nivolumab plus ipilimumab improved overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer, regardless of tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) status.[Methods] Adults with stage IV/recurrent non–small-cell lung cancer without EGFR mutations or ALK alterations and with tumor PD-L1 ≥ 1% or < 1% (n = 1739) were randomly assigned. Patients with tumor PD-L1 ≥ 1% were randomly assigned to first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab, nivolumab alone, or chemotherapy. Patients with tumor PD-L1 < 1% were randomly assigned to nivolumab plus ipilimumab, nivolumab plus chemotherapy, or chemotherapy. End points included exploratory 5-year results for efficacy, safety, and quality of life.[Results] At a minimum follow-up of 61.3 months, 5-year OS rates were 24% versus 14% for nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy (PD-L1 ≥ 1%) and 19% versus 7% (PD-L1 < 1%). The median duration of response was 24.5 versus 6.7 months (PD-L1 ≥ 1%) and 19.4 versus 4.8 months (PD-L1 < 1%). Among patients surviving 5 years, 66% (PD-L1 ≥ 1%) and 64% (PD-L1 < 1%) were off nivolumab plus ipilimumab without initiating subsequent systemic anticancer treatment by the 5-year time point. Survival benefit continued after nivolumab plus ipilimumab discontinuation because of treatment-related adverse events, with a 5-year OS rate of 39% (combined PD-L1 ≥ 1% and < 1% populations). Quality of life in 5-year survivors treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab was similar to that in the general US population through the 5-year follow-up. No new safety signals were observed.[Conclusion] With all patients off immunotherapy treatment for ≥ 3 years, nivolumab plus ipilimumab increased 5-year survivorship versus chemotherapy, including long-term, durable clinical benefit regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression. These data support nivolumab plus ipilimumab as an effective first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer.Peer reviewe

Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol

High blood cholesterol is typically considered a feature of wealthy western countries(1,2). However, dietary and behavioural determinants of blood cholesterol are changing rapidly throughout the world(3) and countries are using lipid-lowering medications at varying rates. These changes can have distinct effects on the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, which have different effects on human health(4,5). However, the trends of HDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels over time have not been previously reported in a global analysis. Here we pooled 1,127 population-based studies that measured blood lipids in 102.6 million individuals aged 18 years and older to estimate trends from 1980 to 2018 in mean total, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels for 200 countries. Globally, there was little change in total or non-HDL cholesterol from 1980 to 2018. This was a net effect of increases in low- and middle-income countries, especially in east and southeast Asia, and decreases in high-income western countries, especially those in northwestern Europe, and in central and eastern Europe. As a result, countries with the highest level of non-HDL cholesterol-which is a marker of cardiovascular riskchanged from those in western Europe such as Belgium, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Malta in 1980 to those in Asia and the Pacific, such as Tokelau, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand. In 2017, high non-HDL cholesterol was responsible for an estimated 3.9 million (95% credible interval 3.7 million-4.2 million) worldwide deaths, half of which occurred in east, southeast and south Asia. The global repositioning of lipid-related risk, with non-optimal cholesterol shifting from a distinct feature of high-income countries in northwestern Europe, north America and Australasia to one that affects countries in east and southeast Asia and Oceania should motivate the use of population-based policies and personal interventions to improve nutrition and enhance access to treatment throughout the world.Peer reviewe