Rose Bengal Labeled Bovine Serum Albumin for Protein Transport Imaging in Subcutaneous Tissues Using Computed Tomography and Fluorescence Microscopy.

Subcutaneous (SC) injection of protein-based therapeutics is a convenient and clinically established drug delivery method. However, progress is needed to increase the bioavailability. Transport of low molecular weight (Mw) biotherapeutics such as insulin and small molecule contrast agents such as lipiodol has been studied using X-ray computed tomography (CT). This analysis, however, does not translate to the investigation of higher Mw therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), due to differences in molecular and formulation properties. In this study, an iodinated fluorescein analog rose bengal (RB) was used as a radiopaque and fluorescent label to track the distribution of bovine serum albumin (BSA) compared against unconjugated RB and sodium iodide (NaI) via CT and confocal microscopy following injection into ex vivo porcine SC tissue. Importantly, the high concentration BSA-RB exhibited viscosities more like that of viscous biologics than the small molecule contrast agents, suggesting that the labeled protein may serve as a more suitable formulation for the investigation of injection plumes. Three-dimensional (3D) renderings of the injection plumes showed that the BSA-RB distribution was markedly different from unconjugated RB and NaI, indicating the need for direct visualization of large protein therapeutics using conjugated tags rather than using small molecule tracers. Whereas this proof-of-concept study shows the novel use of RB as a label for tracking BSA distribution, our experimental approach may be applied to high Mw biologics, including mAbs. These studies could provide crucial information about diffusion in SC tissue and the influence of injection parameters on distribution, transport, and downstream bioavailability.

Deciphering the irradiation induced fragmentation-rearrangement mechanisms in valence ionized CF3CH2F.

The increasing presence of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (CF3CH2F) in the atmosphere has prompted detailed studies into its complex photodissociation behavior. Experiments focusing on CF3CH2F irradiation have unveiled an array of ions, with the persistent observation of the rearrangement product CHF2+ not yet fully understood. In this work, we combine density functional theory, coupled-cluster calculations with a complete basis set formalism, and atom-centered density matrix propagation molecular dynamics to investigate the energetics and dynamics of different potential pathways leading to CHF2+. We found that the two-body dissociation pathway involving an HF rearrangement, which was previously considered complex for CHF2+ formation, is actually straightforward but not likely due to the facile loss of HF. In contrast, our calculations reveal that the H elimination pathway, once thought of as a potential route to CHF2+, is not only comparably disadvantageous from both thermodynamic and kinetic points of view but also does not align with experimental data, particularly the lack of a rebound peak at m/z 101-102. We establish that the formation of CHF2+ is predominantly via the HF elimination channel, a conclusion experimentally corroborated by studies involving the trifluoroethylene cation CF2CHF+, a key intermediate in this process.

Concentration-dependent diffusion of unlabeled protein within an in vitro hyaluronic acid matrix.

Diffusion and movement of subcutaneously injected biologics and high-concentration immunoglobulin G (IgG) therapeutics away from the injection site and through the subcutaneous (SC) tissue may be concentration dependent. This possibility was confirmed by in situ measurement of diffusion coefficients of unlabeled bovine IgG in phosphate-buffered saline within an in vitro hyaluronic acid matrix that represents the SC electrostatic environment. Diffusion decreased from 2.67 to 0.05 × 10-7 cm2 /s when IgG concentration increased from 25 to 73 mg/mL. The results demonstrated that in situ detection of unlabeled proteins within an in vitro SC environment provides another useful tool for the preclinical characterization of injectable biologics.

In vitro measurement of concentration of unlabeled protein within a hyaluronic acid matrix.

There are currently more than 560 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) at various stages of research and clinical testing, including candidates for administration by subcutaneous (SC) injection. Preclinical studies based on in vitro measurements of high molecular weight proteins within simulated SC matrices are assisting laboratory studies of interactions of injectable biotherapeutic proteins within the SC environment in relation to bioavailability. We report a new method for directly measuring diffusion of unlabeled, high molecular weight proteins injected into an in vitro matrix that simulates the negatively charged environment of the SC. The matrix consists of 10 mg/ml HA in a repurposed cell culture chamber. The measurement consists of pipetting triplicate 20 µl protein samples into the matrix, placing the chamber in a laboratory scanner, activating tryptophan residues in the protein at 280 nm, and imaging the resulting protein fluorescence at 384 nm over a 0.5-4 h time period thus tracking protein movement. This facile approach enables mapping of protein concentration as a function of time and distance within the matrix, and determination of diffusion coefficients, D, within ±10%. Bovine IgG and BSA gave D = 2.3 ± 0.2*10-7 and 4.6 ± 0.2*10-7 cm2 /s at 24°C, respectively, for initial protein concentrations of 21 mg/mL.

Mononitrate Isosorbide as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a complex disabling mental disorder, and many patients present poor response to available treatments. Accumulating evidence about the role of the glutamate/nitric oxide pathway in mediating the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia suggests potential benefits of drugs that modulate this system. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) as an adjunctive therapy for symptomatic outpatients with schizophrenia. METHODS: This was a 2-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 24 schizophrenia patients. Participants were treated with ISMN 50 mg for 1 month and placebo for another month in a crossover design. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning, and MATRICS Cognitive Consensual Battery were used for symptom assessment and arterial spin labeling was used to assess brain activation patterns. RESULTS: We found significant differences in the total, general, and positive subscales of the PANSS, Global Assessment of Functioning scores, and Clinical Global Impression scores during treatment with ISMN relative to placebo. No treatment effects were found comparing scores in the MATRICS Cognitive Consensual Battery and the negative subscale of the PANSS between the active and placebo conditions. A post hoc analysis of neuroimaging data showed reduced activity in the thalamus in subgroup of patients with severe psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenia patients with persistent symptoms showed significant improvement after 4 weeks of treatment with ISMN 50 mg/d compared with placebo. Isosorbide mononitrate added beneficial effects to antipsychotic treatment in terms of positive symptoms and functioning.

NEXAFS and MS-AES spectroscopy of the C 1s and Cl 2p excitation and ionization of chlorobenzene: Production of dicationic species.

We report on single- and double-charge photofragment formation by synchrotron radiation, following C 1s core excitation and ionization and Cl 2p inner excitation and ionization of chlorobenzene, C6H5Cl. From a comparison of experimental near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra and theoretical ab initio calculations, the nature of various core and inner shell transitions of the molecule and pure atomic features were identified. To shed light on the normal Auger processes following excitation or ionization of the molecule at the Cl 2p or C 1s sites, we addressed the induced ionic species formation. With energy resolved electron spectra and ion time-of-flight spectra coincidence measurements, the ionic species were correlated with binding energy regions and initial states of vacancies. We explored the formation of the molecular dication C6H5Cl2+, the analogue benzene dication C6H42+, and the singly charged species produced by single loss of a carbon atom, C5HnCl+. The appearance and intensities of the spectral features associated with these ionic species are shown to be strongly site selective and dependent on the energy ranges of the Auger electron emission. Unexpected intensities for the analogue double charged benzene C6H42+ ion were observed with fast Auger electrons. The transitions leading to C6H5Cl2+ were identified from the binding energy representation of high resolution electron energy spectra. Most C6H5Cl2+ ions decay into two singly charged moieties, but intermediate channels are opened leading to other heavy dicationic species, C6H42+ and C6H4Cl2+, the channel leading to the first of these being much more favored than the other.

A non-functional galanin receptor-2 in a multiple sclerosis patient.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 2.5 million people globally. Even though the etiology of MS remains unknown, it is accepted that it involves a combination of genetic alterations and environmental factors. Here, after performing whole exome sequencing, we found a MS patient harboring a rare and homozygous single nucleotide variant (SNV; rs61745847) of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) galanin-receptor 2 (GALR2) that alters an important amino acid in the TM6 molecular toggle switch region (W249L). Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging showed that the hypothalamus (an area rich in GALR2) of this patient exhibited an important volumetric reduction leading to an enlarged third ventricle. Ex vivo experiments with patient-derived blood cells (AKT phosphorylation), as well as studies in recombinant cell lines expressing the human GALR2 (calcium mobilization and NFAT mediated gene transcription), showed that galanin (GAL) was unable to stimulate cell signaling in cells expressing the variant GALR2 allele. Live cell confocal microscopy showed that the GALR2 mutant receptor was primarily localized to intracellular endosomes. We conclude that the W249L SNV is likely to abrogate GAL-mediated signaling through GALR2 due to the spontaneous internalization of this receptor in this patient. Although this homozygous SNV was rare in our MS cohort (1:262 cases), our findings raise the potential importance of impaired neuroregenerative pathways in the pathogenesis of MS, warrant future studies into the relevance of the GAL/GALR2 axis in MS and further suggest the activation of GALR2 as a potential therapeutic route for this disease.

Functional versus Nonfunctional Rehabilitation in Chronic Ischemic Stroke: Evidences from a Randomized Functional MRI Study.

Motor rehabilitation of stroke survivors may include functional and/or nonfunctional strategy. The present study aimed to compare the effect of these two rehabilitation strategies by means of clinical scales and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Twelve hemiparetic chronic stroke patients were selected. Patients were randomly assigned a nonfunctional (NFS) or functional (FS) rehabilitation scheme. Clinical scales (Fugl-Meyer, ARA test, and modified Barthel) and fMRI were applied at four moments: before rehabilitation (P1) and immediately after (P2), 1 month after (P3), and three months after (P4) the end of rehabilitation. The NFS group improved significantly and exclusively their Fugl-Meyer scores at P2, P3, and P4, when compared to P1. On the other hand, the FS group increased significantly in Fugl-Meyer at P2, when compared to P1, and also in their ARA and Barthel scores. fMRI inspection at the individual level revealed that both rehabilitation schemes most often led to decreased activation sparseness, decreased activity of contralesional M1, increased asymmetry of M1 activity to the ipsilesional side, decreased perilesional activity, and decreased SMA activity. Increased M1 asymmetry with rehabilitation was also confirmed by Lateralization Indexes. Our clinical analysis revealed subtle differences between FS and NFS.

Sonic Hedgehog mutations are not a common cause of congenital hypopituitarism in the absence of complex midline cerebral defects.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and GLI2, an obligatory mediator of SHH signal transduction, are holoprosencephaly (HPE)-associated genes essential in pituitary formation. GLI2 variants have been found in patients with congenital hypopituitarism without complex midline cerebral defects (MCD). However, data on the occurrence of SHH mutations in these patients are limited. We screened for SHH and GLI2 mutations or copy number variations (CNV) in patients with congenital hypopituitarism without MCD or with variable degrees of MCD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Detailed data on clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings of 115 patients presenting with congenital hypopituitarism without MCD, septo-optic dysplasia or HPE were analysed. The SHH and GLI2 genes were directly sequenced, and the presence of gene CNV was analysed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). RESULTS: Anterior pituitary deficiency was found in 74% and 53% of patients with SOD or HPE, respectively. Diabetes insipidus was common in patients with HPE (47%) but infrequent in patients with congenital hypopituitarism or SOD (7% and 8%, respectively). A single heterozygous nonsense SHH mutation (p.Tyr175Ter) was found in a patient presenting with hypopituitarism and alobar HPE. No other SHH mutations or CNV were found. Nine GLI2 variations (8 missense and 1 frameshift) including a homozygous and a compound heterozygous variation were found in patients with congenital hypopituitarism or SOD, but not in HPE patients. No GLI2 CNV were found. CONCLUSION: SHH mutations or copy number variations are not a common cause of congenital hypopituitarism in patients without complex midline cerebral defects. GLI2 variants are found in some patients with congenital hypopituitarism without complex midline cerebral defects or septo-optic dysplasia. However, functional analyses of these variants are needed to strengthen genotype-phenotype relationship.

Using network dynamic fMRI for detection of epileptogenic foci.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders. It remains medically intractable for about one-third of patients with focal epilepsy, for whom precise localization of the epileptogenic zone responsible for seizure initiation may be critical for successful surgery. Existing fMRI literature points to widespread network disturbances in functional connectivity. Per previous scalp and intracranial EEG studies and consistent with excessive local synchronization during interictal discharges, we hypothesized that, relative to same regions in healthy controls, epileptogenic foci would exhibit less chaotic dynamics, identifiable via entropic analyses of resting state fMRI time series. METHODS: In order to first validate this hypothesis on a cohort of patients with known ground truth, here we test individuals with well-defined epileptogenic foci (left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy). We analyzed voxel-wise resting-state fMRI time-series using the autocorrelation function (ACF), an entropic measure of regulation and feedback, and performed follow-up seed-to-voxel functional connectivity analysis. Disruptions in connectivity of the region exhibiting abnormal dynamics were examined in relation to duration of epilepsy and patients' cognitive performance using a delayed verbal memory recall task. RESULTS: ACF analysis revealed constrained (less chaotic) functional dynamics in left temporal lobe epilepsy patients, primarily localized to ipsilateral temporal pole, proximal to presumed focal points. Autocorrelation decay rates differentiated, with 100 % accuracy, between patients and healthy controls on a subject-by-subject basis within a leave-one-subject out classification framework. Regions identified via ACF analysis formed a less efficient network in patients, as compared to controls. Constrained dynamics were linked with locally increased and long-range decreased connectivity that, in turn, correlated significantly with impaired memory (local left temporal connectivity) and epilepsy duration (left temporal - posterior cingulate cortex connectivity). CONCLUSIONS: Our current results suggest that data driven functional MRI methods that target network dynamics hold promise in providing clinically valuable tools for identification of epileptic regions.

Early versus late carotid artery stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Early carotid revascularization (≤ 14 days) is recommended for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA); however, safety data on early CAS is controversial. The study aims to compare early versus late CAS, when CAS is performed as a first intention revascularization strategy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all symptomatic patients admitted to our stroke unit who underwent CAS was conducted. Patients were divided between two groups: patients who had undergone CAS within 14 days after symptoms and those who had undergone CAS later. Primary endpoints were ipsilateral ischemic stroke or ipsilateral parenchymal hemorrhage (iPH) at 30 days. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at the 30-day and at the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven consecutive patients were evaluated. Primary endpoints obtained in the early and late CAS groups were, respectively, ipsilateral stroke (2.0% vs. 2.6%, P = 1.00) and iPH (2.0% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.40). The rates of MACCE between the early and the late CAS groups were, respectively, (7.8% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.21) at the 30-day follow-up, and (12.2% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.77) at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CAS seems to be safe when used as first intention revascularization treatment within 2 weeks of symptoms, if infarcted area is less than one third of the middle cerebral artery territory. Our results need to be confirmed by larger studies.

Geographical and Temporal Variability in Susceptibility to Cry1F Toxin From Bacillus thuringiensis in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations in Brazil.

The genetically modified maize TC1507 event with the cry1F gene (Cry1F maize) has been used to control Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil since the 2009-2010 cropping season. As part of the insect resistance management program, we conducted studies to determine the baseline susceptibility to Cry1F before the widespread planting of Cry1F maize. Subsequently, we evaluated the geographical and temporal variability of susceptibility to this toxin in populations of S. frugiperda collected from major maize-growing regions in Brazil. The baseline susceptibility to Cry1F was determined using a diet-overlay bioassay for a susceptible reference population and four field populations of S. frugiperda. We then monitored the susceptibility to Cry1F in 43 populations of S. frugiperda sampled in nine States of Brazil between 2011 and 2013. In the baseline study, the MIC50 (the concentration that inhibits molting to second instars in 50% of individuals) ranged from 3.59 to 72.47 ng Cry1F toxin per centimeter square. Based on the upper limit of the MIC99 value of the joint analysis from the baseline susceptibility data, the concentrations of 200 and 2,000 ng of Cry1F toxin per centimeter square were defined as diagnostic concentrations for potentially resistant individuals, and these were used to monitor the susceptibility of S. frugiperda to Cry1F. Survival at 2,000 ng Cry1F toxin per centimeter square increased significantly throughout the cropping seasons in S. frugiperda populations from São Paulo, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná. The highest survival (>50%) was reached in populations collected from Bahia, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná during the 2012-2013 cropping season. Therefore, a significant decrease in susceptibility to Cry1F was detected in S. frugiperda throughout cropping seasons, especially in regions with intensive maize production in Brazil, according to field-evolved resistance that has been demonstrated in Brazilian populations.

The Important Role of Hemispherotomy for Rasmussen Encephalitis: Clinical and Functional Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is characterized by pharmacoresistant epilepsy and progressive neurological deficits concurrent with unilateral hemispheric atrophy. Evidence of an inflammatory autoimmune process has been extensively described in the literature; however, the precise etiology of RE is still unknown. Despite data supporting a beneficial effect of early immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory interventions, surgical disconnection of the affected hemisphere is considered the treatment of choice for these patients. The aim of this study was to report a series of children and adolescents who underwent hemispheric surgery (HS) for the treatment of RE, analyzing their clinical, electrographic, and neuroimaging features pre-operatively, as well as their postoperative status, including seizure and functional outcomes. METHODS: All patients with RE who underwent HS in the Epilepsy Surgery Center (CIREP) of the University Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, between 1995 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative analyses included gender; age at epilepsy onset; seizure semiology; seizure frequency; interictal and ictal electroencephalographic (EEG) findings; age at surgery; duration of epilepsy; surgical complications; duration of follow-up; histopathological findings; and postoperative seizure, cognitive, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluated. Mean age at seizure onset and epilepsy duration was 6 years and 2.5 years, respectively. Mean age at surgery was 9 years, with an average follow-up ranging from 3 months to 23 years. All patients presented with severe epilepsy and distinct neurological abnormalities on MRI. Before HS, different degrees of abnormal intellectual performance as well as hemiparesis were seen in 86% and 90%, respectively. Histopathology examination confirmed this diagnosis in 95% patients. At the last follow-up, 68% of patients were seizure free, and 70% were classified as Engel Class I or II. Postoperatively, the cognitive status remained unchanged in 64% of patients. Likewise, the gross motor function remained unchanged in 54% of patients and 74% had functional hand ability after HS. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the progressive damage course of RE, hemispheric surgery should be offered to pediatric patients. It has manageable risks and results in good seizure outcome, and the preoperative functional status of these children is often preserved (even when the left hemisphere is involved), thus improving their quality of life.

Hydrodynamic Evaluation of a Filtering Hydrocyclone for Solid Particle/Water Separation.

A conventional hydrocyclones is a versatile equipment with a high processing capacity and low maintenance cost. Currently, several studies aim to alter the typical structure of the conventional hydrocyclone in order to modify its performance and purpose. For this, filtering hydrocyclones have emerged, where a porous membrane replaces the conic or cylindrical wall. During the operation of this equipment, in addition to the traditionally observed streams (feed, underflow, and overflow), there is a liquid stream resulting from the filtration process, commonly referred to as filtrate. This work proposes to numerically investigate the solid particle/liquid water separation process in a filtering hydrocyclone using the commercial software Ansys CFX® 15.0. The proposed mathematical model for the study considers three-dimensional, steady state and turbulent flow, using the Eulerian-Eulerian approach and the Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model. This study presents and analyzes the volume fraction, velocity, and pressure fields, along with flowlines and velocity profiles. The results indicate that the proposed model effectively captures the fluid dynamic behavior within the filtering hydrocyclone, highlighting higher pressures near the porous membrane and a higher concentration of solid particles in the conical region, with water being more concentrated in the cylindrical part of the hydrocyclone. Additionally, the findings show that the volumetric flow rate of the filtrate significantly influences the internal flow dynamics, with conventional hydrocyclones demonstrating higher pressure gradients compared to the proposed filtering hydrocyclone.

Quantification of BOLD fMRI parameters to infer cerebrovascular reactivity of the middle cerebral artery.

PURPOSE: To quantify the amplitude and temporal aspects of the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response to an auditory stimulus during normocapnia and hypercapnia in healthy subjects in order to establish which BOLD parameters are best suited to infer the cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (mean age: 23.6 ± 3.7 years, 11 women) were subjected to a functional paradigm composed of five epochs of auditory stimulus (3 sec) intercalated by six intervals of rest (21 sec). Two levels of hypercapnia were achieved by a combination of air and CO2 while the end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2 ) was continually measured. An autoregressive method was applied to analyze four parameters of the BOLD signal: onset-time, time-to-peak, full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM), and amplitude. RESULTS: BOLD onset time (P < 0.001) and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) (P < 0.05) increased linearly, while BOLD amplitude decreased (P < 0.001) linearly with increasing levels of hypercapnia. Test-retest for reproducibility in five subjects revealed excellent concordance for onset time and amplitude. CONCLUSION: The robust linear dependence of BOLD onset time, FWHM, and amplitude to hypercapnia suggest future application of this protocol in clinical studies aimed at evaluating CVR of the MCA territory.

Trigeminal neuralgia as the sole symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a condition characterized by brief electric shock-like pains in the topography of the trigeminal nerve. The most common cause of this disorder is the compression of the trigeminal nerve root by tortuous or aberrant vessels. In this report, we describe a patient who presented due to paroxysmal and excruciating facial pain that was found to be secondary to pancreatic cancer.

Effect of pelleting on the enzymatic digestibility of corn stover.

Pelleting of lignocellulosic biomass to improve its transportation, storage and handling impacts subsequent processing and conversion. This work reports the role of high moisture pelleting in the enzymatic digestibility of corn stover prior to pretreatment, together with associated substrate characteristics. Pelleting increases the digestibility of unpretreated corn stover, from 8.2 to 15.5% glucan conversion, at 5% solid loading using 1 FPU Cellic® CTec2 per g solids. Compositional analysis indicates that loose and pelleted corn stover have similar non-dissolvable compositions, although their extractives are different. Enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover after size reduction to normalize particle sizes and removal of extractives confirms that pelleting improves corn stover digestibility. Such differences may be explained by the decreased particle size, improved substrate accessibility, and hydrolysis of cross-linking structures induced by pelleting. These findings are useful for the development of processing schemes for sustainable and efficient use of lignocellulose.

Performance of cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 insecticidal proteins against Helicoverpa armigera, H. zea and their hybrid progeny, and evidence of reduced susceptibility of a field population of H. zea to Cry1 and Vip3Aa in Brazil.

The genetically modified cotton DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) has been cultivated in Brazil since the 2020/2021 season. Here, we assessed the performance of DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and their hybrid progeny. We also carried out evaluations with DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 cotton containing Cry1Ac and Cry1F. In leaf-disk bioassays, DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 was effective in controlling neonates from laboratory colonies of H. armigera, H. zea and the hybrid progeny (71.9%-100% mortality). On floral bud bioassays using L2 larvae, H. zea presented complete mortality, whereas H. armigera and the hybrid progeny showed <55% mortality. On DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 cotton, the mortality of H. armigera on leaf-disk and floral buds ranged from 60% to 73%, whereas mortality of hybrids was <46%. This Bt cotton caused complete mortality of H. zea larvae from a laboratory colony in the early growth stages, but mortalities were <55% on advanced growth stages and on floral buds. In field studies conducted from 2014 to 2019, DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton was also effective at protecting plants against H. armigera. In contrast, a population of H. zea collected in western Bahia in 2021/2022 on Bt cotton expressing Cry1 and Vip3Aa proteins, showed 63% mortality after 30 d, with insects developing into fifth and sixth instars, on DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton. We conclude that H. armigera, H. zea, and their hybrid progeny can be managed with DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton; however we found the first evidence in Brazil of a significant reduction in the susceptibility to DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton of a population of H. zea collected from Bt cotton in Bahia in 2021/2022.

Seeing with the eyes shut: neural basis of enhanced imagery following Ayahuasca ingestion.

The hallucinogenic brew Ayahuasca, a rich source of serotonergic agonists and reuptake inhibitors, has been used for ages by Amazonian populations during religious ceremonies. Among all perceptual changes induced by Ayahuasca, the most remarkable are vivid "seeings." During such seeings, users report potent imagery. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging during a closed-eyes imagery task, we found that Ayahuasca produces a robust increase in the activation of several occipital, temporal, and frontal areas. In the primary visual area, the effect was comparable in magnitude to the activation levels of natural image with the eyes open. Importantly, this effect was specifically correlated with the occurrence of individual perceptual changes measured by psychiatric scales. The activity of cortical areas BA30 and BA37, known to be involved with episodic memory and the processing of contextual associations, was also potentiated by Ayahuasca intake during imagery. Finally, we detected a positive modulation by Ayahuasca of BA 10, a frontal area involved with intentional prospective imagination, working memory and the processing of information from internal sources. Therefore, our results indicate that Ayahuasca seeings stem from the activation of an extensive network generally involved with vision, memory, and intention. By boosting the intensity of recalled images to the same level of natural image, Ayahuasca lends a status of reality to inner experiences. It is therefore understandable why Ayahuasca was culturally selected over many centuries by rain forest shamans to facilitate mystical revelations of visual nature.