The Limbic System in Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Longitudinal Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis.

Background: During childhood and adolescence, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with changes in symptoms and brain structures, but the link between brain structure and function remains unclear. The limbic system, often termed the "emotional network," plays an important role in a number of neurodevelopmental disorders, yet this brain network remains largely unexplored in ADHD. Investigating the developmental trajectories of key limbic system structures during childhood and adolescence will provide novel insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of ADHD. Methods: Structural magnetic resonance imaging data (380 scans), emotional regulation (Affective Reactivity Index), and ADHD symptom severity (Conners 3 ADHD Index) were measured at up to 3 time points between 9 and 14 years of age in a sample of children and adolescents with ADHD (n = 57) and control children (n = 109). Results: Compared with the control group, the ADHD group had lower volume of the amygdala (left: ß standardized [ß_std] = -0.38; right: ß_std = -0.34), hippocampus (left: ß_std = -0.44; right: ß_std = -0.34), cingulate gyrus (left: ß_std = -0.42; right: ß_std = -0.32), and orbitofrontal cortex (right: ß_std = -0.33) across development (9-14 years). There were no significant group-by-age interactions in any of the limbic system structures. Exploratory analysis found a significant Conners 3 ADHD Index-by-age interaction effect on the volume of the left mammillary body (ß_std = 0.17) in the ADHD group across the 3 study time points. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with ADHD displayed lower volume and atypical development in limbic system structures. Furthermore, atypical limbic system development was associated with increased symptom severity, highlighting a potential neurobiological correlate of ADHD severity.

Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain DH-12, a Soilborne Isolate from the Thar Desert with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity.

Strain DH-12 exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The 7.6-Mb draft genome sequence gives insight into the complete secondary metabolite production capacity and reveals genes putatively responsible for its antibacterial activity, as well as genes which enable the survival of the organism in an extreme arid environment.

Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of the Phytopathogenic Ralstonia pickettii (Previously Burkholderia glumae) Strain ICMP-8657.

Strain ICMP-8657 was formerly taxonomically classified as Burkholderia glumae and reported to be the producer of an antibacterial pyrazole derivative. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of ICMP-8657, which failed to demonstrate the biosynthetic capacity to produce the stated antibacterial compound, leading to its taxonomic reclassification as Ralstonia pickettii ICMP-8657.

Clinician modifiable factors associated with better quality of life in children with acquired brain injury undergoing rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinician-modifiable factors related to quality of life (QOL) in children with acquired brain injury (ABI). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine children attending an ABI rehabilitation program (5-18 years) were assessed using the Personality Inventory for Children-2, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-2, Handicap-Related Problems for Parents Inventory and Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory was completed by children and parents six months later. RESULTS: Children with lower levels of internalising and externalising behaviours, health and social skill problems, and higher family functioning had significantly higher levels of total QOL (child and parent rated) (r = -.47 to -.79). In addition, children with higher levels of adaptive behaviour had significantly higher parent rated total QOL (r = .46). Measures of mother's stressors had moderate but not statistically significant relationships with the child's total QOL (r = -.31 to -.35). There were moderate and statistically significant relationships between measures of participation in physical activities and total QOL as rated by children (r = .42-.48) but not parents (r = .11-.30). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest potential targets to be investigated in future clinical research in rehabilitation following ABI in children to optimise QOL.

The contribution of genome mining strategies to the understanding of active principles of PGPR strains.

Pathogenic microorganisms and insects affecting plant health are a major and chronic threat to food production and the ecosystem worldwide. As agricultural production has intensified over the years, the use of agrochemicals has in turn increased. However, this extensive usage has had several detrimental effects, with a pervasive environmental impact and the emergence of pathogen resistance. In addition, there is an increasing tendency among consumers to give preference to pesticide-free food products. Biological control, through the employment of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), is therefore considered a possible route to the reduction, even the elimination, of the use of agrochemicals. PGPR exert their beneficial influence by a multitude of mechanisms, often involving antibiotics and proteins, to defend the host plant against pathogens. To date, these key metabolites have been uncovered only by systematic investigation or by serendipity; their discovery has nevertheless been propelled by the genomic revolution of recent years, as increasing numbers of genomic studies have been integrated into this field, facilitating a holistic view of this topic and the rapid identification of ecologically important metabolites. This review surveys the highlights and advances of genome-driven compound and protein discovery in the field of bacterial PGPR strains, and aims to advocate for the benefits of this strategy.