Antimicrobial Activity of the Rhizospheric Bacillus Species Isolated from Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Organic Farm Soils in the Philippines

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of rhizospheric bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus isolated from the organic soil of Solanum tuberosum (potato) as an untapped and promising source of novel antimicrobials to combat infections, particularly multidrug-resistant strains. The rhizospheric Bacillus species were isolated using serial dilution and aerobic cultivation. Hydrolytic exoenzyme production was determined using plate techniques, whereas antimicrobial activity was determined using the cross-streak method and agar-disc diffusion assay. The data indicate that the Bacillus isolates possess antimicrobial property against gram-positive bacterial pathogens. The activities were compared to those of the antibiotic Rifampicin as a control. Notably, several Bacillus isolates inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The top performing Bacillus isolates were identified by 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis, which showed the similarities of the isolates to known soil-associated and plant-growth-promoting species; B. velezensis, B. mojavensis, B. subtilis, B. sonorensis, B. tequilensis, B. clausii, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. altitudinis, and B. siamensis from those sequences available in GENBANK. The present investigation establishes the presence of antagonistic Bacillus species in S. tuberosum's rhizosphere. The findings may form the basis for further investigation of the active compounds produced by the isolates and the mechanisms underlying their antimicrobial activity, while optimizing the culture medium for efficient production of potent antimicrobial compounds to combat infectious agents may further be investigated

Antimicrobial Activity of the Rhizospheric Bacillus Species Isolated from Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Organic Farm Soils in the Philippines

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of rhizospheric bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus isolated from the organic soil of Solanum tuberosum (potato) as an untapped and promising source of novel antimicrobials to combat infections, particularly multidrug-resistant strains. The rhizospheric Bacillus species were isolated using serial dilution and aerobic cultivation. Hydrolytic exoenzyme production was determined using plate techniques, whereas antimicrobial activity was determined using the cross-streak method and agar-disc diffusion assay. The data indicate that the Bacillus isolates possess antimicrobial property against gram-positive bacterial pathogens. The activities were compared to those of the antibiotic Rifampicin as a control. Notably, several Bacillus isolates inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The top performing Bacillus isolates were identified by 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis, which showed the similarities of the isolates to known soil-associated and plant-growth-promoting species; B. velezensis, B. mojavensis, B. subtilis, B. sonorensis, B. tequilensis, B. clausii, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. altitudinis, and B. siamensis from those sequences available in GENBANK. The present investigation establishes the presence of antagonistic Bacillus species in S. tuberosum's rhizosphere. The findings may form the basis for further investigation of the active compounds produced by the isolates and the mechanisms underlying their antimicrobial activity, while optimizing the culture medium for efficient production of potent antimicrobial compounds to combat infectious agents may further be investigated

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Growth responses of Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) Kuntze to Rhizobium sp., vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza and chemical fertilizer

Intsia bijuga (ipil, Caesalpiniaceae) stecklings (rooted stem cuttings) produced by rooting of stem cuttings were treated with Rhizobium sp. BJ118 and MYKOVAM either alone or in combination and with chemical fertilizers such as urea, ammonium phosphate and NPK (14-14-14). Results indicated that, treatments began to exert their physical and chemical effects on the stecklings only at 90 and 120 days after inoculation and variables affected include the following: shoot height (cm), root collar diameter (mm), shoot fresh weight (g), % organic matter, and % inorganic matter. However, treatments showed that significant effect on the % phosphorus and % nitrogen as early as 60 days after inoculation. The stecklings in the control treatment were always the shortest and with the narrowest root collar diameter, and with the lowest values of shoot fresh weight, % organic matter, % inorganic matter, % phosphorus and % nitrogen. To fully determine the effectiveness of the treatments, it is therefore worthy to look at the performance of the plants not only the nursery condition but also under field condition

Defining the playing field: A framework for analysing fairness in access to resources, media and the law

The playing field is a concept often used to describe level of fairness in electoral competition. With Levitsky and Way’s definition of the playing field as a case in point, this paper takes a critical look at existing work on the playing field, arguing that current conceptualizations suffer from lacking conceptual logic, operationalization and measurement. A new and disaggregated framework that can serve as the basis for future research on the playing field is then proposed. This framework is applied to an illustrative case study on the development of the playing field in Zambia under MMD rule, thereby demonstrating that it is able to capture both the changing nature of the playing field and the differing mechanisms at play to a larger degree than the framework put forth by Levitsky and Way. The 2011 elections in Zambia also clearly highlight the importance of conceptually and empirically separating the slope of the playing field from its impact on both the opposition and electoral outcomes

Genetic variants associated with longitudinal changes in brain structure across the lifespan

Human brain structure changes throughout the lifespan. Altered brain growth or rates of decline are implicated in a vast range of psychiatric, developmental and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we identified common genetic variants that affect rates of brain growth or atrophy in what is, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide association meta-analysis of changes in brain morphology across the lifespan. Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data from 15,640 individuals were used to compute rates of change for 15 brain structures. The most robustly identified genes GPR139, DACH1 and APOE are associated with metabolic processes. We demonstrate global genetic overlap with depression, schizophrenia, cognitive functioning, insomnia, height, body mass index and smoking. Gene set findings implicate both early brain development and neurodegenerative processes in the rates of brain changes. Identifying variants involved in structural brain changes may help to determine biological pathways underlying optimal and dysfunctional brain development and aging

Dynamics of Brain Structure and its Genetic Architecture over the Lifespan

Human brain structure changes throughout our lives. Altered brain growth or rates of decline are implicated in a vast range of psychiatric, developmental, and neurodegenerative diseases. While heritable, specific loci in the genome that influence these rates are largely unknown. Here, we sought to find common genetic variants that affect rates of brain growth or atrophy, in the first genome-wide association analysis of longitudinal changes in brain morphology across the lifespan. Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data from 10,163 individuals aged 4 to 99 years, on average 3.5 years apart, were used to compute rates of morphological change for 15 brain structures. We discovered 5 genome-wide significant loci and 15 genes associated with brain structural changes. Most individual variants exerted age-dependent effects. All identified genes are expressed in fetal and adult brain tissue, and some exhibit developmentally regulated expression across the lifespan. We demonstrate genetic overlap with depression, schizophrenia, cognitive functioning, height, body mass index and smoking. Several of the discovered loci are implicated in early brain development and point to involvement of metabolic processes. Gene-set findings also implicate immune processes in the rates of brain changes. Taken together, in the world’s largest longitudinal imaging genetics dataset we identified genetic variants that alter age-dependent brain growth and atrophy throughout our lives

Dynamics of brain structure and its genetic architecture over the lifespan

Human brain structure changes throughout our lives. Altered brain growth or rates of decline are implicated in a vast range of psychiatric, developmental, and neurodegenerative diseases. While heritable, specific loci in the genome that influence these rates are largely unknown. Here, we sought to find common genetic variants that affect rates of brain growth or atrophy, in the first genome-wide association analysis of longitudinal changes in brain morphology across the lifespan. Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data from 10,163 individuals aged 4 to 99 years, on average 3.5 years apart, were used to compute rates of morphological change for 15 brain structures. We discovered 5 genome-wide significant loci and 15 genes associated with brain structural changes. Most individual variants exerted age-dependent effects. All identified genes are expressed in fetal and adult brain tissue, and some exhibit developmentally regulated expression across the lifespan. We demonstrate genetic overlap with depression, schizophrenia, cognitive functioning, height, body mass index and smoking. Several of the discovered loci are implicated in early brain development and point to involvement of metabolic processes. Gene-set findings also implicate immune processes in the rates of brain changes. Taken together, in the world’s largest longitudinal imaging genetics dataset we identified genetic variants that alter age-dependent brain growth and atrophy throughout our lives

Virtual histology of cortical thickness and shared neurobiology in 6 psychiatric disorders

Importance Large-scale neuroimaging studies have revealed group differences in cortical thickness across many psychiatric disorders. The underlying neurobiology behind these differences is not well understood. Objective To determine neurobiologic correlates of group differences in cortical thickness between cases and controls in 6 disorders: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. Design, Setting, and Participants Profiles of group differences in cortical thickness between cases and controls were generated using T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. Similarity between interregional profiles of cell-specific gene expression and those in the group differences in cortical thickness were investigated in each disorder. Next, principal component analysis was used to reveal a shared profile of group difference in thickness across the disorders. Analysis for gene coexpression, clustering, and enrichment for genes associated with these disorders were conducted. Data analysis was conducted between June and December 2019. The analysis included 145 cohorts across 6 psychiatric disorders drawn from the ENIGMA consortium. The numbers of cases and controls in each of the 6 disorders were as follows: ADHD: 1814 and 1602; ASD: 1748 and 1770; BD: 1547 and 3405; MDD: 2658 and 3572; OCD: 2266 and 2007; and schizophrenia: 2688 and 3244. Main Outcomes and Measures Interregional profiles of group difference in cortical thickness between cases and controls. Results A total of 12 721 cases and 15 600 controls, ranging from ages 2 to 89 years, were included in this study. Interregional profiles of group differences in cortical thickness for each of the 6 psychiatric disorders were associated with profiles of gene expression specific to pyramidal (CA1) cells, astrocytes (except for BD), and microglia (except for OCD); collectively, gene-expression profiles of the 3 cell types explain between 25% and 54% of variance in interregional profiles of group differences in cortical thickness. Principal component analysis revealed a shared profile of difference in cortical thickness across the 6 disorders (48% variance explained); interregional profile of this principal component 1 was associated with that of the pyramidal-cell gene expression (explaining 56% of interregional variation). Coexpression analyses of these genes revealed 2 clusters: (1) a prenatal cluster enriched with genes involved in neurodevelopmental (axon guidance) processes and (2) a postnatal cluster enriched with genes involved in synaptic activity and plasticity-related processes. These clusters were enriched with genes associated with all 6 psychiatric disorders. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, shared neurobiologic processes were associated with differences in cortical thickness across multiple psychiatric disorders. These processes implicate a common role of prenatal development and postnatal functioning of the cerebral cortex in these disorders