Predicting daily cognition and lifestyle behaviors for older adults using smart home data and ecological momentary assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Extraction of digital markers from passive sensors placed in homes is a promising method for understanding real-world behaviors. In this study, machine learning (ML) and multilevel modeling (MLM) are used to examine types of digital markers and whether smart home sensors can predict cognitive functioning, lifestyle behaviors, and contextual factors measured through ecological momentary assessment (EMA). METHOD: Smart home sensors were installed in the homes of 44 community-dwelling midlife and older adults for 3-4 months. Sensor data were categorized into eight digital markers. Participants responded to iPad-delivered EMA prompts 4×/day for 2 wk. Prompts included an n-back task and survey on recent (past 2 h) lifestyle and contextual factors. RESULTS: ML marker rankings revealed that sensor counts (indicating increased activity) and time outside the home were among the most influential markers for all survey questions. Additionally, MLM revealed for every 1000 sensor counts, mental sharpness, social, physical, and cognitive EMA responses increased by 0.134-0.155 points on a 5-point scale. For every additional 30-minutes spent outside home, social, physical, and cognitive EMA responses increased by 0.596, 0.472, and 0.157 points. Advanced ML joint classification/regression significantly predicted EMA responses from smart home digital markers with error of 0.370 on a 5-point scale, and n-back performance with a normalized error of 0.040. CONCLUSION: Results from ML and MLM were complimentary and comparable, suggesting that machine learning may be used to develop generalized models to predict everyday cognition and track lifestyle behaviors and contextual factors that impact health outcomes using smart home sensor data.

Stereomeric Lipopeptides from a Single Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetase as an Additional Source of Structural and Functional Diversification in Pseudomonas Lipopeptide Biosynthesis.

In Pseudomonas lipopeptides, the D-configuration of amino acids is generated by dedicated, dual-function epimerization/condensation (E/C) domains. The increasing attention to stereochemistry in lipopeptide structure elucidation efforts has revealed multiple examples where epimerization does not occur, even though an E/C-type domain is present. While the origin of the idle epimerization in those E/C-domains remains elusive, epimerization activity has so far shown a binary profile: it is either 'on' (active) or 'off' (inactive). Here, we report the unprecedented observation of an E/C-domain that acts 'on and off', giving rise to the production of two diastereoisomeric lipopeptides by a single non-ribosomal peptide synthetase system. Using dereplication based on solid-phase peptide synthesis and NMR fingerprinting, we first show that the two cyclic lipopeptides produced by Pseudomonas entomophila COR5 correspond to entolysin A and B originally described for P. entomophila L48. Next, we prove that both are diastereoisomeric homologues differing only in the configuration of a single amino acid. This configurational variability is maintained in multiple Pseudomonas strains and typically occurs in a 3:2 ratio. Bioinformatic analysis reveals a possible correlation with the composition of the flanking sequence of the N-terminal secondary histidine motif characteristic for dual-function E/C-type domains. In permeabilization assays, using propidium iodide entolysin B has a higher antifungal activity compared to entolysin A against Botrytis cinerea and Pyricularia oryzae spores. The fact that configurational homologues are produced by the same NRPS system in a Pseudomonas strain adds a new level of structural and functional diversification to those already known from substrate flexibility during the recruitment of the amino acids and fatty acids and underscores the importance of complete stereochemical elucidation of non-ribosomal lipopeptide structures.

But will they use it? Predictors of adoption of an electronic memory aid in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Electronic memory aids are being researched and developed widely to assist the everyday functioning of individuals experiencing cognitive decline. Although development studies show promise in the initial use of electronic memory aids, little is known about the factors that influence adoption of these aids after training ends. METHOD: We analyzed the baseline characteristics (e.g., demographics, cognitive performance) and training usage (e.g., frequency and pattern of use) of 32 older adults experiencing amnestic mild cognitive impairment who participated in a pilot clinical trial with an electronic memory and management aid (EMMA) tablet application. Sixteen participants who were still using EMMA at 3-months posttraining were defined as "adopters," whereas the 16 participants who were not using EMMA at 3-months posttraining were defined as "nonadopters." RESULTS: Adopters scored higher on baseline delayed memory (Cohen's d = .87) and language (Cohen's d = .82) index scores than nonadopters. Adopters also interacted with EMMA more frequently (Cohen's d = 1.34) and in greater quantities (Cohen's d > .87) than nonadopters by Week 2 of training. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that higher baseline language score and increased frequency of use during training significantly predicted classification of adopters at 3-months posttraining. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of this electronic memory aid was enhanced by teaching the aid to individuals who demonstrated average-level language abilities and who used the aid on average eight times per day during training. Encouraging individuals to use the aid early and often during training can increase adoption of electronic memory aids. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Charting the Lipopeptidome of Nonpathogenic Pseudomonas.

A major source of pseudomonad-specialized metabolites is the nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) assembling siderophores and lipopeptides. Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) of the Mycin and Peptin families are frequently associated with, but not restricted to, phytopathogenic species. We conducted an in silico analysis of the NRPSs encoded by lipopeptide biosynthetic gene clusters in nonpathogenic Pseudomonas genomes, covering 13 chemically diversified families. This global assessment of lipopeptide production capacity revealed it to be confined to the Pseudomonas fluorescens lineage, with most strains synthesizing a single type of CLP. Whereas certain lipopeptide families are specific for a taxonomic subgroup, others are found in distant groups. NRPS activation domain-guided peptide predictions enabled reliable family assignments, including identification of novel members. Focusing on the two most abundant lipopeptide families (Viscosin and Amphisin), a portion of their uncharted diversity was mapped, including characterization of two novel Amphisin family members (nepenthesin and oakridgin). Using NMR fingerprint matching, known Viscosin-family lipopeptides were identified in 15 (type) species spread across different taxonomic groups. A bifurcate genomic organization predominates among Viscosin-family producers and typifies Xantholysin-, Entolysin-, and Poaeamide-family producers but most families feature a single NRPS gene cluster embedded between cognate regulator and transporter genes. The strong correlation observed between NRPS system phylogeny and rpoD-based taxonomic affiliation indicates that much of the structural diversity is linked to speciation, providing few indications of horizontal gene transfer. The grouping of most NRPS systems in four superfamilies based on activation domain homology suggests extensive module dynamics driven by domain deletions, duplications, and exchanges. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas species are prominent producers of lipopeptides that support proliferation in a multitude of environments and foster varied lifestyles. By genome mining of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with lipopeptide-specific organization, we mapped the global Pseudomonas lipopeptidome and linked its staggering diversity to taxonomy of the producers, belonging to different groups within the major Pseudomonas fluorescens lineage. Activation domain phylogeny of newly mined lipopeptide synthetases combined with previously characterized enzymes enabled assignment of predicted BGC products to specific lipopeptide families. In addition, novel peptide sequences were detected, showing the value of substrate specificity analysis for prioritization of BGCs for further characterization. NMR fingerprint matching proved an excellent tool to unequivocally identify multiple lipopeptides bioinformatically assigned to the Viscosin family, by far the most abundant one in Pseudomonas and with stereochemistry of all its current members elucidated. In-depth analysis of activation domains provided insight into mechanisms driving lipopeptide structural diversification.

Versatile role of Pseudomonas fuscovaginae cyclic lipopeptides in plant and microbial interactions.

Pseudomonas fuscovaginae is the most prominent bacterial sheath rot pathogen, causing sheath brown rot disease in rice. This disease occurs worldwide and it is characterized by typical necrotic lesions on the sheath, as well as a reduction in the number of emitted panicles and filled grains. P. fuscovaginae has been shown to produce syringotoxin and fuscopeptin cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs), which have been linked to pathogenicity. In this study, we investigated the role of P. fuscovaginae UPB0736 CLPs in plant pathogenicity, antifungal activity and swarming motility. To do so, we sequenced the strain to obtain a single-contig genome and we constructed deletion mutants in the biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the synthesis of CLPs. We show that UPB0736 produces a third CLP of 13 amino acids, now named asplenin, and we link this CLP with the swarming activity of the strain. We could then show that syringotoxin is particularly active against Rhizoctonia solani in vitro. By testing the mutants in planta we investigated the role of both fuscopeptin and syringotoxin in causing sheath rot lesions. We proved that the presence of these two CLPs considerably affected the number of emitted panicles, although their number was still significantly affected in the mutants deficient in both fuscopeptin and syringotoxin. These results reveal the importance of CLPs in P. fuscovaginae pathogenicity, but also suggest that other pathogenicity factors may be involved.

Partnering a Compensatory Application with Activity-Aware Prompting to Improve Use in Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Compensatory aids can help mitigate the impact of progressive cognitive impairment on daily living. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate whether the learning and sustained use of an Electronic Memory and Management Aid (EMMA) application can be augmented through a partnership with real-time, activity-aware transition-based prompting delivered by a smart home. METHODS: Thirty-two adults who met criteria for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) were randomized to learn to use the EMMA app on its own (N = 17) or when partnered with smart home prompting (N = 15). The four-week, five-session manualized EMMA training was conducted individually in participant homes by trained clinicians. Monthly questionnaires were completed by phone with trained personnel blind to study hypotheses. EMMA data metrics were collected continuously for four months. For the partnered condition, activity-aware prompting was on during training and post-training months 1 and 3, and off during post-training month 2. RESULTS: The analyzed aMCI sample included 15 EMMA-only and 14 partnered. Compared to the EMMA-only condition, by week four of training, participants in the partnered condition were engaging with EMMA more times daily and using more basic and advanced features. These advantages were maintained throughout the post-training phase with less loss of EMMA app use over time. There was little differential impact of the intervention on self-report primary (everyday functioning, quality of life) and secondary (coping, satisfaction with life) outcomes. CONCLUSION: Activity-aware prompting technology enhanced acquisition, habit formation and long-term use of a digital device by individuals with aMCI. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03453554).

Contributions and difficulties of soil metagenomics and its impact on agricultura / Aportes y dificultades de la metagenómica de suelos y su impacto en la agricultura

RESUMEN Los microorganismos son de gran interés porque colonizan todo tipo de ambiente, sin embargo, uno de los problemas al que nos enfrentamos para conocer su diversidad biológica es que no todos los microorganismos son cultivables. El desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías como la generación de vectores de clonación aunado al desarrollo de técnicas de secuenciación de alto rendimiento ha favorecido el surgimiento de una nueva herramienta llamada metagenómica, la cual nos permite estudiar genomas de comunidades enteras de microorganismos. Debido a que ningún ambiente es idéntico a otro, es importante mencionar que dependiendo del tipo de muestra a analizar será el tipo de reto al cual nos enfrentaremos al trabajar con metagenómica, en el caso específico del suelo existen diversas variantes como la contaminación del suelo con metales pesados o diversos compuestos químicos que podrían limitar los estudios. Sin embargo, pese a las limitaciones que el mismo ambiente presenta, la metagenómica ha permitido tanto el descubrimiento de nuevos genes como la caracterización de las comunidades microbianas que influyen positivamente en el desarrollo de plantas, lo cual en un futuro podría generar un gran impacto en la agricultura. En este artículo se realizó una revisión de diversas investigaciones que han empleado metagenómica, reportadas en las bases de datos de PudMed y Google Schoolar, con el objetivo de examinar los beneficios y limitaciones de las diversas metodologías empleadas en el tratamiento del ADN metagenómico de suelo y el impacto de la metagenómica en la agricultura.

ABSTRACT Microorganisms are of great interest because they colonize all types of environment, however, one of the problems we face in knowing biological diversity is that not all microorganisms are cultivable. The development of new technologies such as the generation of cloning vectors coupled with the development of high performance sequencing techniques, have favored the emergence of a new tool in science called metagenomics, which allows us to study genomes of entire communities. Since all environments are different, the type of challenge that we will face when working with metagenomics is going to change depending of the type of sample, in the specific case of soils, there are several variables, such as soil contamination with heavy metals or chemical compounds that could limit metagenomic studies. However, despite the limitations that the environment presents, with the help of metagenomics, both gene discovery and the characterization of microbial communities that positively influence plant development have been achieved, which could generate a greater impact on agriculture in the future. In this article a review of several investigations that have used metagenomics, reported in the PudMed and Google Schoolar databases was carried out, with the aim of examining the benefits and limitations of the various methodologies used in the treatment of metagenomic DNA from soil and the impact of metagenomics in agriculture.

Emerging Applications of Bacteriocins as Antimicrobials, Anticancer Drugs, and Modulators of The Gastrointestinal Microbiota.

The use of bacteriocins holds great promise in different areas such as health, food, nutrition, veterinary, nanotechnology, among others. Many research groups worldwide continue to advance the knowledge to unravel a novel range of therapeutic agents and food preservatives. This review addresses the advances of bacteriocins and their producer organisms as biocontrol agents for applications in the medical industry and agriculture. Furthermore, the bacteriocin mechanism of action and structural characteristics will be reviewed. Finally, the potential role of bacteriocins to modulate the signaling in host-associated microbial communities will be discussed.

Growth inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms by Pseudomonas protegens EMM-1 and partial characterization of inhibitory substances.

The bacterial strain, EMM-1, was isolated from the rhizosphere of red maize ("Rojo Criollo") and identified as Pseudomonas protegens EMM-1 based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA, rpoB, rpoD, and gyrB gene sequences. We uncovered genes involved in the production of antimicrobial compounds like 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG), pyoluteorin, and lectin-like bacteriocins. These antimicrobial compounds are also produced by other fluorescent pseudomonads alike P. protegens. Double-layer agar assay showed that P. protegens EMM-1 inhibited the growth of several multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, especially clinical isolates of the genera Klebsiella and ß-hemolytic Streptococcus. This strain also displayed inhibitory effects against diverse fungi, such as Aspergillus, Botrytis, and Fusarium. Besides, a crude extract of inhibitory substances secreted into agar was obtained after the cold-leaching process, and physicochemical characterization was performed. The partially purified inhibitory substances produced by P. protegens EMM-1 inhibited the growth of Streptococcus sp. and Microbacterium sp., but no inhibitory effect was noted for other bacterial or fungal strains. The molecular weight determined after ultrafiltration was between 3 and 10 kDa. The inhibitory activity was thermally stable up to 60°C (but completely lost at 100°C), and the inhibitory activity remained active in a wide pH range (from 3 to 9). After treatment with a protease from Bacillus licheniformis, the inhibitory activity was decreased by 90%, suggesting the presence of proteic natural compounds. All these findings suggested that P. protegens EMM-1 is a potential source of antimicrobials to be used against pathogens for humans and plants.

Building institutional resilience in the context of climate change in Aurora, Philippines.

The role of local government units (LGUs) in disaster resilience is crucial for a hazard-prone country such as the Philippines. Although the country has its own institutional framework on disaster risk reduction, a number of issues limit LGUs' potential to perform its role. This study focused on building institutional resilience of LGUs towards building climate risk resilience in Aurora, Philippines by engaging key actors in the formulation of Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAP). The study adopted the shared learning process from the Climate Resilience Framework (CRF) to strengthen partnership and implement capacity building activities, aimed at developing the Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and LCCAP beyond compliance. An institutional capacity assessment was administered through a survey involving 87 members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) from eight municipalities and provincial government. Institutional capacity was measured using 70 indicators representing access rights and entitlements, information flows, decision-making processes, application of new knowledge, capacity to anticipate risk, capacity to respond, as well as capacity to recover and change. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Both Spearman Correlation and Cramer's V determined the interrelationship between socio-demographic variables and institutional characteristics. Results revealed that the LGUs performed better in risk response and management. A strong correlation between expertise and position vis-à-vis all resilient institution metrics was also observed, while gender is moderately correlated with all parameters except access rights and entitlements. Three key areas, not adequately articulated in current literature, need to be improved to enhance institutional resilience towards climate and disaster risks, namely: staffing and human resource; access to financial support from other sources; and development of knowledge management systems.

Importancia de compuestos antimicrobianos producidos por bacterias benéficas en el biocontrol de fitopatógenos / The importance of antimicrobial compounds produced by beneficial bacteria on the biocontrol of phytopathogens

ABSTRACT Bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds to compete for nutrients and space in a particular habitat. Antagonistic interactions can be evaluated by several methodologies including the double-layer agar and simultaneous inhibition assays. Among the well-known inhibitory substances produced by bacteria are the broad-spectrum antibiotics, organic acids, siderophores, antifungal, and bacteriocins. The most studied bacterial genera able to produce these inhibitory substances are Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Burkholderia. Some beneficial bacteria can promote plant growth and degrade toxic compounds in the environment representing an attractive solution to diverse issues in agriculture and soil pollution, particularly in fields with damaged soils where pesticides and fertilizers have been indiscriminately used. Beneficial bacteria may increase plant health by inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms; some examples include Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, Azospirullum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegens, and Burkholderia tropica. However, most studies showing the antagonistic potential of these bacteria have been performed in vitro, and just a few of them have been evaluated in association with plants. Several inhibitory substances involved in pathogen antagonism have not been elucidated yet; in fact, we know only 1 % of the bacterial diversity in a natural environment leading us to assume that many other inhibitory substances remain unexplored. In this review, we will describe the characteristics of some antimicrobial compounds produced by beneficial bacteria, the principal methodologies performed to evaluate their production, modes of action, and their importance for biotechnological purposes.

RESUMEN Las bacterias producen compuestos antimicrobianos para competir por nutrientes y espacio en un hábitat particular. Las interacciones antagónicas pueden evaluarse mediante varias metodologías, incluido el agar de doble capa y los ensayos de inhibición simultánea. Las sustancias inhibidoras mejor conocidas producidas por bacterias incluyen antibióticos, ácidos orgánicos, sideróforos, antifúngicos y bacteriocinas. Entre los géneros bacterianos más estudiados que producen sustancias inhibidoras se incluyen Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Escherichia y Burkholderia. Algunas bacterias beneficiosas tienen la capacidad de promover el crecimiento de las plantas y degradar compuestos tóxicos en el ambiente, por lo que podrían incrementar el rendimiento de los cultivos y disminuir problemas de contaminación del suelo, especialmente donde los pesticidas y fertilizantes han sido utilizados indiscriminadamente. Algunas bacterias beneficiosas pueden aumentar la salud de las plantas al inhibir microorganismos patógenos, por ejemplo, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, Azospirullum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegens y Burkholderia tropica. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los estudios que muestran el potencial antagónico de estas bacterias se han realizado in vitro, y pocos de ellos se han evaluado en asociación con plantas. Varias sustancias inhibitorias implicadas en el antagonismo de los patógenos aún son desconocidas; de hecho, sabemos que solo se ha aislado el 1 % de la diversidad bacteriana en un ambiente natural, lo que sugiere que hay muchas otras sustancias inhibitorias que no han sido exploradas. En esta revisión describimos las características de algunos compuestos antimicrobianos producidos por bacterias beneficiosas, las principales metodologías usadas para evaluar su producción, modos de acción y su importancia para fines biotecnológicos.

Structural characterization of scorpion peptides and their bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Scorpion venom peptides represent a novel source of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad-spectrum activity. In this study, we determined the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of three scorpion AMPs, Uy234, Uy17, and Uy192, which are found in the venomous glands of the Urodacus yaschenkoi scorpion, against the clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In addition, we tested the activity of a consensus AMP designed in our laboratory based on some previously reported IsCT-type (cytotoxic linear peptide) AMPs with the aim of obtaining higher antimicrobial activity. All peptides tested showed high antimicrobial activity against MDR clinical isolates, with the highest activity against ß-hemolytic Streptococcus strains. The hemolytic activity was determined against human red blood cells and was significantly lower than that of previously reported AMPs. The α-helical structure of the four AMPs was confirmed by circular dichroism (CD). These results suggest that the four peptides can be valuable tools for the design and development of AMPs for use in the inhibition of MDR pathogenic bacteria. A clear index of synergism and additivity was found for the combination of QnCs-BUAP + Uy234, which makes these peptides the most promising candidates against pathogenic bacteria.

Aging and the role of attention in associative learning.

In this study, we investigated whether age-related deficits in cue-outcome associative learning (e.g., Mutter, Atchley, & Plumlee, 2012; Mutter, DeCaro, & Plumlee, 2009; Mutter, Haggbloom, Plumlee, & Schirmer, 2006; Mutter & Williams, 2004) might be due to a decline in older adults' ability to modulate attention to relevant and irrelevant cues. In the first 2 experiments, we used standard blocking and highlighting tasks to indirectly measure the ability to shift attention away from irrelevant stimuli toward relevant, predictive cues (e.g., Kruschke, Kappenman, & Hetrick, 2005). Although there were age differences in prediction accuracy, like young adults, older adults learned to shift attention toward predictive stimuli and ignore irrelevant or less predictive stimuli. This attentional effect was unrelated to either working memory or executive function suggesting that it did not involve voluntary control processes. The third experiment provided further support for this idea. We alternated a category learning task with a dot probe task to more directly assess the development of automatic attentional biases. There were again age differences in category prediction, but young and older adults alike responded more rapidly to the location of a dot probe cued by a stimulus experienced as predictive during the learning task than one cued by a stimulus experienced as nonpredictive. These findings provide converging evidence that even though cue-outcome prediction declines with age, the ability to modulate attention based on the predictive relevance of cues during associative learning remains intact. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).