Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Ethanolic Tissue Extract against Selected Enteric Pathogens

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms have a significant role in the global increase in mortality. This issue sparked an investigation into metabolites derived from numerous organisms that may have antimicrobial property against bacterial infections. The Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method was used to test the extract of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) against enteric bacteria. The results indicate that the ethanolic extract of P. americana exhibited antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens, with the greatest inhibitory activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus (p = 0.00013) and Candida albicans (p = 0.000911), when compared to the antibiotic controls Rifampicin, Trimethoprim, Ofloxacin, Penicillin, and antifungal drug Nystatin. However, there was no evidence of inhibitory activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Serratia marcescens. Thus, the current findings indicate that P. americana tissue extract may have antibacterial activity against medically important pathogens

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Ethanolic Tissue Extract against Selected Enteric Pathogens

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms have a significant role in the global increase in mortality. This issue sparked an investigation into metabolites derived from numerous organisms that may have antimicrobial property against bacterial infections. The Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method was used to test the extract of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) against enteric bacteria. The results indicate that the ethanolic extract of P. americana exhibited antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens, with the greatest inhibitory activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus (p = 0.00013) and Candida albicans (p = 0.000911), when compared to the antibiotic controls Rifampicin, Trimethoprim, Ofloxacin, Penicillin, and antifungal drug Nystatin. However, there was no evidence of inhibitory activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Serratia marcescens. Thus, the current findings indicate that P. americana tissue extract may have antibacterial activity against medically important pathogens

Academic Self-Concept of Secondary Science Education Students: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Academic self-concept (ASC), a construct recognized in education and psychology, is a significant factor influencing academic performance. Although numerous reports have examined college students' academic self-concept globally, little research has been conducted to ascertain the underlying factor structure and constructs of ASC among undergraduate secondary science majors in the Philippines. The primary objectives of this study were to examine the ASC of BSED college students and to ascertain the underlying factor structure of the ASC variables. The survey of 94 BSED Science students revealed an average general ASC. The EFA model revealed a two-factor structure for the observed variables. The SEM indicates a slight negative correlation between Positive ASC and Negative ASC. Students' sense of capability, pride in their college grades, and belief that studying hard pays off are all strongly associated with the Positive ACS. Students' feelings of being behind on classwork and a lack of necessary abilities for specific majors are heavily attributed to the negative ACS. According to the generated values for the model's good fit indices, the ACS SEM model of the study is an acceptable model. Additional research shall be conducted to further our understanding of students' Academic Self-concepts across disciplines and to validate the two-factor structure model developed in this study

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

Development of an Animal Microbiota Online Web-Based System Basilio: Bacterial Assemblages and Species Identity Library Online

Zoonotic diseases caused by infectious microorganisms transmitted from animals to humans, are becoming a greater threat to global health security. With the massive amount of data on animal microbiota and zoonosis research that recognize the pivotal roles of microorganisms in animal physiology and human health, it is necessary to process and present the data and make them accessible to researchers, educators, and to those involved in microbiota and zoonotic infections studies. The Bacterial Assemblages and Species Identity Library Online (BASILIO) is a web-based bacterial system and database that was created to curate data from various research publications on isolated bacteria from a variety of animal species worldwide. The system focuses on the presentation of animal and bacterial taxonomy, with an emphasis on the abundance of bacterial diversity in the animals studied and the classification of bacteria according to their pathogenicity. The project gathered data on animal microbiota from published studies in reputable peer-reviewed journals. AGILE development approach was utilized to develop the information system iteratively. Unit, system, and acceptability testing were used to execute test plans. The BASILIO web-system was evaluated using ISO 9126 standards and found to be functional, usable, reliable, efficient, portable, maintainable, and usable. The BASILIO in its current state, fills in the need for a database dedicated to fast access to information on pathogenic bacteria found in animals. Future developers are proposed to adopt the BASILIO system and incorporate other data management tools and algorithms to create a more complex and robust system

Filipino Mothers' Involvement in Children's Education in the New Normal

Parental involvement is critical to a child's academic success. However, little is known about how Filipino mothers approach their children's education and the challenges and obstacles they face as a result of their participation in the new normal. The current study examines Filipino mothers' involvement in their children's education and the issues that surround it. We used a case study methodology and interpreted the data using Epstein's parental involvement system. Three main themes emerged: (i) reasons for involvement, (ii) home-based involvement, and (iii) school-based involvement. The study's findings indicate that Filipino mothers are aware of their roles as educators of their children. Filipino mothers' involvement practices were consistent with prevalent parental involvement typologies. The pandemic has exacerbated parents' challenges and difficulties, particularly in balancing work and participation in their children's school-related activities

Development of an Animal Microbiota Online Web-Based System Basilio: Bacterial Assemblages and Species Identity Library Online

Zoonotic diseases caused by infectious microorganisms transmitted from animals to humans, are becoming a greater threat to global health security. With the massive amount of data on animal microbiota and zoonosis research that recognize the pivotal roles of microorganisms in animal physiology and human health, it is necessary to process and present the data and make them accessible to researchers, educators, and to those involved in microbiota and zoonotic infections studies. The Bacterial Assemblages and Species Identity Library Online (BASILIO) is a web-based bacterial system and database that was created to curate data from various research publications on isolated bacteria from a variety of animal species worldwide. The system focuses on the presentation of animal and bacterial taxonomy, with an emphasis on the abundance of bacterial diversity in the animals studied and the classification of bacteria according to their pathogenicity. The project gathered data on animal microbiota from published studies in reputable peer-reviewed journals. AGILE development approach was utilized to develop the information system iteratively. Unit, system, and acceptability testing were used to execute test plans. The BASILIO web-system was evaluated using ISO 9126 standards and found to be functional, usable, reliable, efficient, portable, maintainable, and usable. The BASILIO in its current state, fills in the need for a database dedicated to fast access to information on pathogenic bacteria found in animals. Future developers are proposed to adopt the BASILIO system and incorporate other data management tools and algorithms to create a more complex and robust system