The white matter connectome as an individualized biomarker of language impairment in temporal lobe epilepsy.

ObjectiveThe distributed white matter network underlying language leads to difficulties in extracting clinically meaningful summaries of neural alterations leading to language impairment. Here we determine the predictive ability of the structural connectome (SC), compared with global measures of white matter tract microstructure and clinical data, to discriminate language impaired patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) from TLE patients without language impairment.MethodsT1- and diffusion-MRI, clinical variables (CVs), and neuropsychological measures of naming and verbal fluency were available for 82 TLE patients. Prediction of language impairment was performed using a robust tree-based classifier (XGBoost) for three models: (1) a CV-model which included demographic and epilepsy-related clinical features, (2) an atlas-based tract-model, including four frontotemporal white matter association tracts implicated in language (i.e., the bilateral arcuate fasciculus, inferior frontal occipital fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and uncinate fasciculus), and (3) a SC-model based on diffusion MRI. For the association tracts, mean fractional anisotropy was calculated as a measure of white matter microstructure for each tract using a diffusion tensor atlas (i.e., AtlasTrack). The SC-model used measurement of cortical-cortical connections arising from a temporal lobe subnetwork derived using probabilistic tractography. Dimensionality reduction of the SC was performed with principal components analysis (PCA). Each model was trained on 49 patients from one epilepsy center and tested on 33 patients from a different center (i.e., an independent dataset). Randomization was performed to test the stability of the results.ResultsThe SC-model yielded a greater area under the curve (AUC; .73) and accuracy (79%) compared to both the tract-model (AUC: .54, p < .001; accuracy: 70%, p < .001) and the CV-model (AUC: .59, p < .001; accuracy: 64%, p < .001). Within the SC-model, lateral temporal connections had the highest importance to model performance, including connections similar to language association tracts such as links between the superior temporal gyrus to pars opercularis. However, in addition to these connections many additional connections that were widely distributed, bilateral and interhemispheric in nature were identified as contributing to SC-model performance.ConclusionThe SC revealed a white matter network contributing to language impairment that was widely distributed, bilateral, and lateral temporal in nature. The distributed network underlying language may be why the SC-model has an advantage in identifying sub-components of the complex fiber networks most relevant for aspects of language performance

La inteligencia artificial y su influencia en las ventas de la empresa Gisymania Show en Trujillo, 2020

El presente trabajo de investigación referente a la Inteligencia Artificial y su influencia en las Ventas de la Empresa Gisymania Show en Trujillo, 2020 que tiene como planteamiento del problema no haber superado las ventas mínimas que titula la empresa Gisymania Show, cuyo objetivo es analizar cómo influye la inteligencia artificial en las ventas de la empresa, la metodología utilizada es de tipo investigación básica con enfoque cuantitativo, el diseño de la presente investigación se ha considerado que sea no experimental de tipo transversal cuya población está conformada por 50 vendedores y se ha obtenido para la presente investigación de 50 clientes por criterio de censo, teniendo como resultados del trabajo de campo, las encuestas que han sido debidamente analizada e interpretadas bajo el método deductivo. Teniendo como resultado la influencia de la inteligencia artificial de las ventas de eventos cuyas conclusiones son: a). Analizar cómo influye la inteligencia artificial en las ventas de la empresa Gisymania Show en Trujillo 2020, b) Determinar la influencia de los Chatbot en el marketing de la empresa Gisymania Show en Trujillo 2020, c) Determinar en qué medida Transformación digital influye en el precio de la empresa Gisymania Show en Trujillo 2020

Proteínas importantes para la invasión de Babesia bovis a las células huésped

Introduction. Bovine babesiosis is caused by Apicomplexas parasites of the genus Babesia, Babesia bovis being the species associated with the most serious clinical conditions of the disease. B. bovis invasion into the bovine erythrocytes involves the interaction between the parasites merozoites molecules with host cell receptors. Therefore, knowing the proteins involved in the invasion process will enable understanding the parasite biology. Objective. To describe the important molecules involved in the B. bovis invasion process to bovine erythrocytes. Methodology. A search was made on NCBI, Medline, LILACS and SciELO databases using keywords as “Babesia bovis AND invasion process”, “MSA-1”, “RON2”, “AMA-1”, “moving junction”, “B. bovis AND Vaccine candidates”. 61 studies written in English describing the study for proteins that take place during invasion process which have been published until mayo were completely revised. Results. Given that the bovine erythrocyte invasion process is key for the pathogenesis of bovine babesiosis, a review was made where 3 proteins were found to be associated to the recognition and invasion processes of target cells: MSA-1, AMA-1 and RON2. However, the details at molecular level for the inter an intramolecular interaction have not yet been fully elucidated. Conclusions. Study the molecules involved in host-parasite interactions will allow understanding how the B. bovis invasion process to erythrocytes occurs and evaluating their future utility as a component of an effective control strategy for this parasitosis.Introducción. La babesiosis bovina es causada por parásitos Apicomplexa del género Babesia, siendo Babesia bovis la especie asociada con cuadros clínicos más graves de la enfermedad. La invasión de B. bovis a los eritrocitos bovinos implica la interacción entre moléculas de los merozoítos del parásito con receptores de las células huésped. Por ende, conocer las proteínas involucradas en este proceso supone un importante paso para entender la biología del parásito. Objetivo. Describir las principales moléculas implicadas en el proceso de invasión de B. bovis a eritrocitos bovinos. Metodología. Se realizó una búsqueda en NCBI, Medline, LILACS y SciELO usando los términos: “Babesia bovis AND invasion process”, “MSA-1”, “RON2”, “AMA-1”, “moving junction”, “B. bovis AND Vaccine candidates”. 61 publicaciones disponibles en inglés que describen el estudio de las anteriores proteínas y su participación en la invasión los cuales han sido publicados hasta mayo 2020 se revisaron completamente. Resultados: Siendo el proceso de invasión a eritrocitos bovinos clave para la patogénesis de la babesiosis bovina, se hizo una revisión donde se encontraron 3 proteínas de B. bovis que participan en el reconocimiento e invasión a las células diana: MSA-1, AMA-1 y RON2. Sin embargo, los detalles a nivel molecular para las interacciones inter e intramoleculares aún no se han dilucidado por completo. Conclusiones. Conocer las moléculas involucradas en las interacciones parásito-hospedero permitirá comprender cómo ocurre el proceso de invasión de B. bovis a los eritrocitos y así evaluar su futura utilidad como componente de una estrategia de control efectiva contra esta parasitosis

Cognitive phenotypes in late-onset epilepsy: results from the atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Introduction Cognitive phenotyping is a widely used approach to characterize the heterogeneity of deficits in patients with a range of neurological disorders but has only recently been applied to patients with epilepsy. In this study, we identify cognitive phenotypes in older adults with late-onset epilepsy (LOE) and examine their demographic, clinical, and vascular profiles. Further, we examine whether specific phenotypes pose an increased risk for progressive cognitive decline. Methods Participants were part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC), a prospective longitudinal community-based cohort study of 15,792 individuals initially enrolled in 1987–1989. LOE was identified from linked Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims data. Ninety-one participants with LOE completed comprehensive testing either prior to or after seizure onset as part of a larger cohort in the ARIC Neurocognitive Study in either 2011–2013 or 2016–2017 (follow-up mean = 4.9 years). Cognitive phenotypes in individuals with LOE were derived by calculating test-level impairments for each participant (i.e., ≤1 SD below cognitively normal participants on measures of language, memory, and executive function/processing speed); and then assigning participants to phenotypes if they were impaired on at least two tests within a domain. The total number of impaired domains was used to determine the cognitive phenotypes (i.e., Minimal/No Impairment, Single Domain, or Multidomain). Results At our baseline (Visit 5), 36.3% met criteria for Minimal/No Impairment, 35% for Single Domain Impairment (with executive functioning/ processing speed impaired in 53.6%), and 28.7% for Multidomain Impairment. The Minimal/No Impairment group had higher education and occupational complexity. There were no differences in clinical or vascular risk factors across phenotypes. Of those participants with longitudinal data (Visit 6; n = 24), 62.5% declined (i.e., progressed to a more impaired phenotype) and 37.5% remained stable. Those who remained stable were more highly educated compared to those that declined. Discussion Our results demonstrate the presence of identifiable cognitive phenotypes in older adults with LOE. These results also highlight the high prevalence of cognitive impairments across domains, with deficits in executive function/processing speed the most common isolated impairment. We also demonstrate that higher education was associated with a Minimal/No Impairment phenotype and lower risk for cognitive decline over time

Identification of Loci Controlling Restriction of Parasite Growth in Experimental Taenia crassiceps Cysticercosis

Human neurocysticercosis (NC) caused by Taenia solium is a parasitic disease of the central nervous system that is endemic in many developing countries. In this study, a genetic approach using the murine intraperitoneal cysticercosis caused by the related cestode Taenia crassiceps was employed to identify host factors that regulate the establishment and proliferation of the parasite. A/J mice are permissive to T. crassiceps infection while C57BL/6J mice (B6) are comparatively restrictive, with a 10-fold difference in numbers of peritoneal cysticerci recovered 30 days after infection. The genetic basis of this inter-strain difference was explored using 34 AcB/BcA recombinant congenic strains derived from A/J and B6 progenitors, that were phenotyped for T. crassiceps replication. In agreement with their genetic background, most AcB strains (A/J-derived) were found to be permissive to infection while most BcA strains (B6-derived) were restrictive with the exception of a few discordant strains, together suggesting a possible simple genetic control. Initial haplotype association mapping using >1200 informative SNPs pointed to linkages on chromosomes 2 (proximal) and 6 as controlling parasite replication in the AcB/BcA panel. Additional linkage analysis by genome scan in informative [AcB55xDBA/2]F1 and F2 mice (derived from the discordant AcB55 strain), confirmed the effect of chromosome 2 on parasite replication, and further delineated a major locus (LOD = 4.76, p<0.01; peak marker D2Mit295, 29.7 Mb) that we designate Tccr1 (T. crassiceps cysticercosis restrictive locus 1). Resistance alleles at Tccr1 are derived from AcB55 and are inherited in a dominant fashion. Scrutiny of the minimal genetic interval reveals overlap of Tccr1 with other host resistance loci mapped to this region, most notably the defective Hc/C5 allele which segregates both in the AcB/BcA set and in the AcB55xDBA/2 cross. These results strongly suggest that the complement component 5 (C5) plays a critical role in early protective inflammatory response to infection with T. crassiceps

Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most recognized global patterns of species richness exhibited across a wide range of taxa. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past two centuries to explain LDG, but rigorous tests of the drivers of LDGs have been limited by a lack of high-quality global species richness data. Here we produce a high-resolution (0.025° × 0.025°) map of local tree species richness using a global forest inventory database with individual tree information and local biophysical characteristics from ~1.3 million sample plots. We then quantify drivers of local tree species richness patterns across latitudes. Generally, annual mean temperature was a dominant predictor of tree species richness, which is most consistent with the metabolic theory of biodiversity (MTB). However, MTB underestimated LDG in the tropics, where high species richness was also moderated by topographic, soil and anthropogenic factors operating at local scales. Given that local landscape variables operate synergistically with bioclimatic factors in shaping the global LDG pattern, we suggest that MTB be extended to account for co-limitation by subordinate drivers

Cognitive phenotypes: A novel taxonomy to studying the heterogeneity in temporal lobe epilepsy, associated neural correlates, and contributions of non-epilepsy factors

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is characterized by debilitating and progressive cognitive impairment, but there is significant variability in the nature and severity of impairment across patients. Cognitive phenotyping is a promising approach for understanding the heterogeneity within TLE. This 3-paper dissertation aimed to identify the neural correlates associated with cognitive phenotypes, investigate methods for defining phenotypes, and examine epilepsy and health-related factors associated with each phenotype. Study 1 (Reyes et al., 2019) identified four distinct cognitive phenotypes in TLE (N = 70; 36.14 average age; 13.34 average education; 52% female) based on neuropsychological measures of memory and language. Each phenotype was associated with a unique pattern of white matter (WM) abnormalities. Patients with generalized impairment demonstrated widespread WM alterations, those with domain-specific impairment demonstrated regional WM alterations, and those with no impairment demonstrated WM patterns similar to controls. Study 2 (N = 407; 36.36 average age; 13.22 average education; 55% female; Reyes et al., 2020) compared phenotype classifications based on a neuropsychological approach (clinically-driven) versus cluster analysis (data-driven). Both approaches identified three unique cognitive phenotypes with strong agreement (kappa=.716); however, cluster analysis misclassified 12% of impaired patients as having normal cognition. These findings led to the question: could a more robust, person-centered, data-driven approach improve phenotyping? Study 3 (N = 1,178; 37.76 average age; 13.94 average education; 57% female; Reyes et al., under review) used latent profile analysis (LPA) to test several models of cognitive phenotyping and adjudicate the impact of missing data to identify the “best” taxonomy. LPA revealed that the three-class model was the optimal solution (entropy=.816) and the most robust to missing data with a 98.98% agreement with an imputed dataset (kappa=.983). Preliminary analyses revealed lower subcortical volumes in patients with generalized impairment and higher intracranial volumes in those with an intact profile. There was a differential association between hyperlipidemia and cognitive performance across phenotypes. These studies demonstrate unique cognitive phenotypes exist within TLE that are stable across investigations and approaches and are characterized by distinct neural signatures. Knowledge of these phenotypes could drive cognitive and neuroanatomical taxonomies in epilepsy and enhance individualized prediction of cognitive trajectories

Appropiation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the establishment, consolidation and operating of organizational networks in the commercial sector microenterprises in Bogota

La presente investigación está encaminada a encontrar las principales características que presenta el conjunto de las microempresas comerciales de la ciudad de Bogotá con relación a las redes organizacionales. Ha identificado las deficiencias que el sistema contiene así como los puntos en los cuales puede apoyarse para conformar una red. Basado en lo anterior, se ha propuesto un modelo que permita desarrollar redes organizacionales de microempresas pertenecientes al sector comercio. El modelo propuesto consiste en ocho componentes a desarrollar y está soportado en el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación, gracias a su naturaleza interactiva que facilita la comunicación entre ellas. Se hace necesario, para el logro de cada una de las acciones propuestas en el modelo, que las microempresas comerciales no sólo tengan una conciencia de la importancia que tiene la interacción entre ellas y con los demás actores del mercado, sino también refuercen el conocimiento y el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC).This research aims to find the main characteristics the set of commercial micro-enterprises of the city of Bogotá present in relation to organizational networks. It has identified the deficiencies that system contains and the points at which it can hold to form a network. Based on the above, it has proposed a model that allows developing organizational networks of micro-enterprises belonging to the commercial sector. The proposed model consists of eight components to be developed and is supported in the use of Information and Communications Technology, thanks to its interactive nature that facilitates communication among them. It is necessary, for the achievement of each of the actions proposed in the model, micro-enterprises commercial just do not have an awareness of the importance of interaction among themselves and with other players in the market, but also to strengthen the knowledge and the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Can bilingualism increase neuroplasticity of language networks in epilepsy?

Individuals with left temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have a higher rate of atypical (i.e., bilateral or right hemisphere) language lateralization compared to healthy controls. In addition, bilinguals have been observed to have a less left-lateralized pattern of language representation. We examined the combined influence of bilingual language experience and side of seizure focus on language lateralization profiles in TLE to determine whether bilingualism promotes re-organization of language networks. Seventy-two monolingual speakers of English (21 left TLE; LTLE, 22 right TLE; RTLE, 29 age-matched healthy controls; HC) and 24 English-dominant bilinguals (6 LTLE, 7 RTLE, 11 HC) completed a lexical-semantic functional MRI task and standardized measures of language in English. Language lateralization was determined using laterality indices based on activations in left vs right homologous perisylvian regions-of-interest (ROIs). In a fronto-temporal ROI, LTLE showed the expected pattern of weaker left language lateralization relative to HC, and monolinguals showed a trend of weaker left language lateralization relative to bilinguals. Importantly, these effects were qualified by a significant group by language status interaction, revealing that bilinguals with LTLE had greater rightward language lateralization relative to monolingual LTLE, with a large effect size particularly in the lateral temporal region. Rightward language lateralization was associated with better language scores in bilingual LTLE. These preliminary findings suggest a combined effect of bilingual language experience and a left hemisphere neurologic insult, which may together increase the likelihood of language re-organization to the right hemisphere. Our data underscore the need to consider bilingualism as an important factor contributing to language laterality in patients with TLE. Bilingualism may be neuroprotective pre-surgically and may mitigate post-surgical language decline following left anterior temporal lobectomy, which will be important to test in larger samples