Unveiling the brain’s symphony:exploring the necessity and sufficiency of neural networks in behavior control

Since the pioneering work by Broca and Wernicke in the 19th century,who examined individuals with brain lesions to associate them with specific behaviors,it was evident that behaviors are complex and cannot be fully attributable to specific brain areas alone.Instead,they involve connectivity among brain areas,whether close or distant.At that time,this approach was considered the optimal way to dissect brain circuitry and function.These pioneering efforts opened the field to explore the necessity or sufficiency of brain areas in controlling behavior and hence dissecting brain function.However,the connectivity of the brain and the mechanisms through which various brain regions regulate specific behaviors,either individually or collaboratively,remain largely elusive.Utilizing animal models,researchers have endeavored to unravel the necessity or sufficiency of specific brain areas in influencing behavior;however,no clear associations have been firmly established.

Enhancement of the Antigenotoxic and Antioxidant Actions of Eugenol from Spice Clove and the Stabilizer Gum Arabic on Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Spices are defined as any aromatic condiment of plant origin used to alter the flavor and aroma of foods. Besides flavor and aroma, many spices have antioxidant activity, mainly related to the presence in cloves of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenoids and eugenol. In turn, the most common uses of gum arabic are in the form of powder for addition to soft drink syrups, cuisine and baked goods, specifically to stabilize the texture of products, increase the viscosity of liquids and promote the leavening of baked products (e.g., cakes). Both eugenol, extracted from cloves, and gum arabic, extracted from the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree, are dietary constituents routinely consumed virtually throughout the world. Both of them are also widely used medicinally to inhibit oxidative stress and genotoxicity. The prevention arm of the study included groups: Ia, IIa, IIIa, Iva, V, VI, VII, VIII. Once a week for 20 weeks, the controls received saline s.c. while the experimental groups received DMH at 20 mg/kg s.c. During the same period and for an additional 9 weeks, the animals received either water, 10% GA, EUG, or 10% GA + EUG by gavage. The treatment arm of the study included groups Ib, IIb, IIIb e IVb, IX, X, XI, XII). Once a week for 20 weeks, the controls received saline s.c. while the experimental groups received DMH at 20 mg/kg s.c. During the subsequent 9 weeks, the animals received either water, 10% GA, EUG or 10% GA + EUG by gavage. The novelty of this study is the investigation of their use alone and together for the prevention and treatment of experimental colorectal carcinogenesis induced by dimethylhydrazine. Our results show that the combined use of 10% gum arabic and eugenol was effective, with antioxidant action in the colon, as well as reducing oxidative stress in all colon segments and preventing and treating genotoxicity in all colon segments. Furthermore, their joint administration reduced the number of aberrant crypts and the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the distal segment and entire colon, as well as the number of ACF with at least 5 crypts in the entire colon. Thus, our results also demonstrate the synergistic effects of 10% gum arabic together with eugenol (from cloves), with antioxidant, antigenotoxic and anticarcinogenic actions (prevention and treatment) at the doses and durations studied, in the colon of rats submitted to colorectal carcinogenesis induced by dimethylhydrazine.

MODIFICATION OF PAIN REACTION BY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS IN RABBITS

It has been reported by us that the analgesic effect of acupuncture was reduced following bilateral electrolytic lesions of nucleus accumbens in rats or local 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) injection to the nucleus accumbens. In order to further elucidate the role played by nucleus accumbeus in the integration of pain information, in the present study the effect of electrical stimulation of nucleus accumbens on the pain reaction was observed in rabbits.

Characterisation of the Bacteria and Archaea Community Associated with Wild Oysters, At Three Possible Restoration Sites in the North Sea

With 85% of the global oyster reefs destroyed, there is an urgent need for large scale restoration to benefit from the ecosystem services provided by biogenic oyster reefs and their associated biodiversity, including microorganisms that drive marine biogeochemical cycles. This experiment established a baseline for the monitoring of the bacterial and archaeal community associated with wild oysters, using samples from their immediate environment of the Voordelta, with cohabiting Crassostrea gigas and Ostrea edulis, Duikplaats with only C. gigas attached to rocks, and the Dansk Skaldyrcentre, with no onsite oysters. The microbial profiling was carried out through DNA analysis of samples collected from the surfaces of oyster shells and their substrate, the sediment and seawater. Following 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics, alpha indices implied high species abundance and diversity in sediment but low abundance in seawater. As expected, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Thaumarchaeota dominated the top 20 OTUs. In the Voordelta, OTUs related to Colwellia, Shewanella and Psychrobium differentiated the oysters collected from a reef with those attached to rocks. Duikplaats were distinct for sulfur-oxidizers Sulfurimonas and sulfate-reducers from the Sva 0081 sediment group. Archaea were found mainly in sediments and the oyster associated microbiome, with greater abundance at the reef site, consisting mostly of Thaumarchaeota from the family Nitrosopumilaceae. The oyster free site displayed archaea in sediments only, and algal bloom indicator microorganisms from the Rhodobacteraceae, Flavobacteriaceae family and genus [Polaribacter] huanghezhanensis, in addition to the ascidian symbiotic partner, Synechococcus. This study suggests site specific microbiome shifts, influenced by the presence of oysters and the type of substrate.

THE ROLE OF LOCUS COERULEUS-NORADRENERGIC AND DORSAL RAPHE NUCLEUS-SEROTONERGIC SYSTEMS IN ANALGESIC EFFECT OF HYPOTHA-LAMIC ARCUATE NUCLEUS STIMULATION

Previous studies ia our laboratory have shown that hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC),locus coeruleus (LG) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) play an important role in pain modulation and acupuncture analgesia, There is sufficient evidence that LG and DR are main sites concentrated with noradrenergic (NE) and serotonergic (5-HT) neuronal peri-

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF SEPTUM IN FOREBRAIN ON PARAFASCICULAR NUCLEUS OF THALAMUS

Parafascicular nucleus (PF) is a structure which receives pain impulses, and it also is an important region where the afferent impulses from acupuncture point and pain area are interrelated and interact on each other.

DISTRIBUTION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN THE NUCLEUS ISTHMI OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Electrophysiological studies have shown that acetylcholine may be one of the neurotransmitters in the nucleus isthmi (NI) of amphibians and reptiles, but little (in amphibians) or nothing (in reptiles) is known about the distribution of its hydrolase,acetylcholinesterase (AChE), within NI. However, abundant AChE is a necessary con-

THE OPTICAL LUMINOSITY OF TYPE Ⅰ SEYFERT GALAXY NUCLEUS

The determination of the optical luminosity of a galactic nucleus plays an important role in investigating active galactic nuclei. It is a key quantity not only for correlation analyses of various observables of galactic nuclei, but also for the study of the proper processes and emission mechanism in active galactic nuclei. In 1971, Sandage

EFFECT OF DOPAMINERGIC SYSTEM IN CAUDATE NUCLEUS ON ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA

Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION Caudate nucleus (CN) contains a variety of neurotransmitters, e. g. acetylcholine (Ach), dopamine (DA), endorphins and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). It proves that CN has played an important role in acupuncture analgesia. Carlsson (1959) found that the CN was the region of central nerves system (CNS) where DA concentration was the highest. The striatal dopaminergie neurons were allegedly related to morphine analgesia. However, whether they also play a role in acupuncture analgesia

Construction Processes Paradigm and Reinforcement Alternatives for Tailings Dam Soil

In the last decade, Brazil was the scene of two of the world’s biggest disasters related to mining tailings dams. The collapse of the Mariana and Brumadinho dams was catastrophic event that brought to light major environmental and humanitarian crises. Facts like this incite debate on the safety of dam construction methods and highlight the need for a broad discussion of dam safety legislation in the country. From the above, this paper promotes a review of various forms of construction of tailings dams and their associated problems, as well as discusses the techniques for soil reinforcement and their construction methods. The work also brings an overview of the Brazilian dams from April to July 2019, tracing the context of the Brazilian tailings dams months after the tragedy of Brumadinho. The methodology includes a robust literature review and discourse analysis. In Brazil, the number of ruptured dams is alarming, especially in the state of Minas Gerais, in which more than 7 have broken in the last two decades. Among the damages, the deaths impact society abruptly and were cataloged 455 deaths, of which 216 correspond to the rupture of the dam of the Córrego do Feijão mine in Brumadinho. To evaluate and diagnose a dam, one should consider ordinance N ° 70,389, 2017 revoked by Resolution ANM n ° 95, of February 7, 2022. In this context, in March 2019, we experienced several disturbing situations regarding dam instability in the state of Minas Gerais, being categorized as risky structures. To exemplify, one can cite dams classified as level 2 risk that became level 3. Due to the above facts, several studies are being conducted to improve soil aspects. For example, we highlight the increase in soil resistance that can be done using commercial and alternative materials available in the environment.

Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque and stomach of patients from Northern Brazil

AIM: To establish whether virulence factor genes vacA and cagA are present in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) retrieved from gastric mucosa and dental plaque in pa-tients with dyspepsia. METHODS: Cumulative dental plaque specimens and gastric biopsies were submitted to histological exami-nation, rapid urease test and polymerase chain reac-tion (PCR) assays to detect the presence of cagA and vacA polymorphisms.RESULTS: Detection of H. pylori from dental plaque and gastric biopsy samples was greater by PCR com-pared to histological examination and the rapid ure-ase test. DNA from H. pylori was detected in 96% of gastric mucosa samples and in 72% of dental plaque samples. Sixty-three (89%) of 71 dental plaque sam-ples that were H. pylori-positive also exhibited identical vacA and cagA genotypes in gastric mucosa. The most common genotype was vacAs1bm1 and cagA positive, either in dental plaque or gastric mucosa. These viru-lent H. pylori isolates were involved in the severity of clinical outcome.CONCLUSION: These pathogenic strains were found simultaneously in dental plaque and gastric mucosa, which suggests that gastric infection is correlated with the presence of H. pylori in the mouth.

Modeling Experiment of Break of Debris-Flow Dam

Glaciers are extensively developed in the southwest of Tibet and the moraines are widely distributed with large depth. Large-scale debris flows are often reported which blocked rivers and formed dams. In this paper, seven large debris flows in four valleys are discussed, among which five dams developed. 13 sets of experiments have been conducted in laboratory to simulate the formation and failure of the dam. Finally, a model of dam failure is proposed and a formula is established to calculate the flood discharge： Q=kbnnk/TB^-/LG^0.1,where bk is the outlet width of the dam at the original water level, hk the erosive depth, T the time from overflow to final state of failure, the average width of lake; L the length of the lake, and G the total potential energy of the water in the lake.

Interleukin-1 and TNF-α polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori in a Brazilian Amazon population

AIM:To study the association between Interleukin-1(IL-1)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αpolymorphisms,infection by Helicobacter pylori(H pylori)and the development of gastrointestinal diseases.METHODS:Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 177 patients with various gastrointestinal diseases and from 100 healthy volunteers.The polymorphisms in IL-1βand TNF-αgenes were analyzed using the polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism method(PCRRFLP)and those from IL-1RN with PCR.The presence of infection due to H pylori and the presence of the CagA toxin were detected by serology.The histopathological parameters in the gastric biopsies of the patients were according to the Sydney classification.RESULTS:A comparison of the frequencies of the different polymorphisms studied among the patients and the control group demonstrated that the allele IL1RN*2 was more frequent among patients with gastric ulcers and adenocarcinoma.Carriers of the allele ILRN*2 and those with reactive serology for anti-CagA IgG had a greater risk of developing peptic ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma,as well as a higher degree of inflammation and neutrophilic activity in the gastric mucosa.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate a positive association between IL-1RN gene polymorphism and infection by positive H pylori CagA strains and the development of gastric ulcers and adenocarcinoma.

Chemical composition of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil and antioxidant action against gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol in the rat

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant activity of the essential oil obtained from Rosmarinus officinalis(R. officinalis) in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in vivo.Methods: The antioxidant properties of the essential oil obtained from R. officinalis were evaluated against gastric injury induced by absolute ethanol. Gastric tissues were prepared to enzymatic assays. The levels of glutathione, lipid peroxides, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase were measured.Results: Ethanol produced severe hemorrhagic lesions in the stomach with ulcerative lesion of(140.2 ± 37.2) mm2. In animals pretreated with essential oil of R. officinalis(50 mg/kg, p.o.), a significant inhibition of mucosal injury of(21.2 ± 7.1) mm2(84%inhibition) was observed. The essential oil of R. officinalis protected the gastric mucosa probably by modulating the activities of the enzymes(superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and increasing or maintaining the levels of glutathione. In addition,lipid peroxides levels were reduced. The essential oil of R. officinalis was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometer and the main constituents were cineole(28.5%),camphor(27.7%) and alpha-pinene(21.3%).Conclusions: We suggest that the monoterpenes present in the essential oil obtained from R. officinalis may be among the active principles responsible for the antioxidant activity shown by essential oil of R. officinalis.

Effect of Soya Lecithin on Solubilization and Biodegradation of Pentachlorophenol by <i>Anthracophyllum discolor</i>

The effect of soya lecithin (SL) on solubilization and biodegradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by Anthracophyllum discolor was evaluated. Besides, the PCP effect on critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SL and the effect of PCP and SL on the ligninolytic activity of A. discolor were evaluated. The PCP solubilization test was performed for 100, 200 and 400 mg·L-1 with SL solution varying concentrations of ranging from 0 to 0.9 g·L-1. The effect of PCP (5 to 20 mg·L-1) on CMC of SL by conductivity was evaluated. The effect of SL (0 to 0.9 g·L-1) on biodegradation of PCP (21.4 mg·L-1) in modified Kirk medium was studied. The results showed that SL addition enhanced PCP solubility in water. The solubilities of 100, 200 and 400 mg·L-1 of PCP were about 4.2, 5.0 and 2.5 times higher than their solubility in pure water when the system was added with 0.9 g·L-1 of SL. We found that the increase in PCP concentration caused a decrease in the CMC value. In the biodegradation assay, in liquid medium supplemented with 0.9 g·L-1 of SL, the 94.4% of PCP was biodegraded after 26 days of incubation. In contrast, in the control assay (without SL), the 76.5% of PCP was removed. The PCP degradation was confirmed by the presence of its metabolites. During biodegradation assay, A. discolor mainly produced manganese peroxidase reaching a maximum of 96.8 U·g-1 (dw) when the culture medium was added with 0.6 g·L-1 of SL. These results show that SL can be applied to increasing the bioavailability and biodegradation of PCP.

Presence of c.3956del C mutation in familial adenomatous polyposis patients from Brazil

AIM: To characterize APC gene mutations and correlate them with patient phenotypes in individuals diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP) in northern Brazil. METHODS: A total of 15 individuals diagnosed with FAP from 5 different families from the north of Brazil were analyzed in this study. In addition to patients with histopathological diagnosis of FAP,family members who had not developed the disease were also tested in order to identify mutations and for possible genetic counseling. All analyzed patients or their guardians signed a consent form approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Jo?o de Barros Barreto University Hospital(Belem,Brazil). DNA extracted from the peripheral blood of a member of each of the affected families was subjected to direct sequencing. The proband of each family was sequenced to identify germline mutations using the Ion Torrent platform. To validate the detected mutations,Sanger sequencing was also performed. The samples from all patients were also tested for the identification of mutations by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using the amplification refractory mutation system. RESULTS: Through interviews with relatives and a search of medical records,it was possible to construct genograms for three of the five families included in the study. All 15 patients from the five families with FAP exhibited mutations in the APC gene,and all mutations were detected in exon 15 of the APC gene. In addition to the patients with a histological diagnosis of FAP,family members without disease symptoms showed the mutation in the APC gene. In the present study,we detected two of the three most frequent germline mutations in the literature: the mutation at codon 1309 and the mutation at codon 1061. The presence of c.3956 del C mutation was found in all families from this study,and suggests that this mutation was introduced in the population of the State of Pará through ancestor immigration(i.e.,a de novo mutation that arose in one member belonging to this state from Brazil). CONCLUSION: Regardless of its origin,the c.3956 del C mutation is a strong candidate biomarker of this hereditary cancer syndrome in families of northern Brazil.

How Much Do Adjuvant and Nozzles Models Reduce the Spraying Drift? Drift in Agricultural Spraying

The spraying of herbicides in crops has become the main form of weed control. Although it means unexpected effects on non-target plants resulted by spraying drift. Thus, improvements in application techniques, as the best selection of spray nozzles and adjuvant, are essential to avoid environmental contamination and economic losses. On this work, we evaluate how much adjuvant associated with nozzles can reduce the spray drift. The nozzles used at experiment were air induction flat tip, hollow cone and twinjet and the spray liquids, which were composed of herbicide glyphosate and phosphatidylcholine + propionic acid adjuvant. Measurements were made at wind tunnel and droplet sizer, at laser diffraction method. The models of nozzles influence in droplet size characteristics and in occurrence of spray drift. The use of adjuvants reduces the spray drift only combined with the twinjet nozzle, while for the other models the adjuvant did not reduce the global spray drift at significant levels. The adjuvant reduced the spray drift until 39%, while the nozzles model reduced until 74%. Both techniques when combined were able to reduce until 80%. The model of nozzle has the biggest result on drift mitigation and the use of adjuvants can increase the drift mitigation specially with nozzles that produces smallest droplets.

The Cumulative Effects of Sewage Sludge Compost on Raphanus sativus L: Growth and Soil Properties

The main goal of this research study was to establish the physicochemical characteristics of sewage sludge, and the nutrients needed to enhance the properties of soil with a view to exploiting were potential for agriculture. The example used was the cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus). The findings are intended as a contribution towards making agriculture sustainable. This study was carried out to assess the response of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to doses of sewage sludge applied in medium texture soils, and the socioeconomic contributions that such cultivation of radish would make. Levels of 0.25 and 75 ton/ha of sewage sludge plus the equivalent dose of 25 ton/ha of sewage sludge vermin compost by California Red were used after making a randomized experimental design with three replicates. 30 days after sowing radish seeds, the following data were collected: the number of leaves per plant (NLP);plant height (PH in cm);root diameter (RD) and tubercle production (TP ton/ha). In addition, the pH, EC-electric conductivity (EC), and soil organic matter (SOM) were determined. Statistical analysis showed that 25 and 50 tons/ha gave the best results for the parameters assessed. The estimated increase in family mean income from selling radish crops fertilized with sewage sludge is around 17%.

Semiconductor optical amplifier used as regenerator for degraded differential phase-shift keying signals

Phase and amplitude regeneration are necessary for degraded differential phase-shift keying communication sys- tems. This paper proposes a regenerator based on semiconductor optical amplifier for differential phase-shift keying signals. The key regeneration mechanism is theoretically analysed. The effectiveness of semiconductor optical amplifier based regenerator is demonstrated by comparing the bit error rate and eye diagrams before and after regeneration for 40-Cbit/s differential phase-shift keying 1080-km transmission systems. The results show that regeneration effects are very well. Bit error rate is tess than 10-12 with the regenerator.

The 19th CPC National Congress:A New Historical Milestone

THE 19th CPC National Congress will usher in a new political cycle that will be marked by the celebration of the Party’s 100th anniversary,in 2021.Along with this festive and historic date comes the promise of reaching the first centennial goal established by the Xi Jinping government:To make China a"moderately pros-