PurposeInteractive cognitive-motor training (ICMT) requires individuals to perform both gross motor movements and complex information processing. This study investigated the effectiveness of ICMT on cognitive functions associated with falls in older adults.MethodsA single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in community-dwelling older adults (N = 90, mean age 81.5±7) without major cognitive impairment. Participants in the intervention group (IG) played four stepping games that required them to divide attention, inhibit irrelevant stimuli, switch between tasks, rotate objects and make rapid decisions. The recommended minimum dose was three 20-minute sessions per week over a period of 16 weeks unsupervised at home. Participants in the control group (CG) received an evidence-based brochure on fall prevention. Measures of processing speed, attention/executive function (EF), visuo-spatial ability, concerns about falling and depression were assessed before and after the intervention.ResultsEighty-one participants (90%) attended re-assessment. There were no improvements with respect to the Stroop Stepping Test (primary outcome) in the intervention group. Compared to the CG, the IG improved significantly in measures of processing speed, visuo-spatial ability and concern about falling. Significant interactions were observed for measures of EF and divided attention, indicating group differences varied for different levels of the covariate with larger improvements in IG participants with poorer baseline performance. The interaction for depression showed no change for the IG but an increase in the CG for those with low depressive symptoms at baseline. Additionally, low and high-adherer groups differed in their baseline performance and responded differently to the intervention. Compared to high adherers, low adherers improved more in processing speed and visual scanning while high-adherers improved more in tasks related to EF.ConclusionsThis study shows that unsupervised stepping ICMT led to improvements in specific cognitive functions associated with falls in older people. Low adherers improved in less complex functions while high-adherers improved in EF.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000671763

Background Physical activity promotes health in older adults but participation rates are low. Interactive video dance games can increase activity in young persons but have not been designed for use with older adults. The purpose of this research was to evaluate healthy older adults’ interest and participation in a dance game adapted for an older user. Methods Healthy older adults were recruited from 3 senior living settings and offered three months of training and supervision using a video dance game designed for older people. Before and after the program, data was collected on vital signs, physical function and self reported quality of life. Feedback was obtained during and after training. Results Of 36 persons who entered (mean age 80.1 ± 5.4 years, 83 % female), 25 completed the study. Completers were healthier than non completers. Completers showed gains in narrow walk time, self-reported balance confidence and mental health. While there were no serious adverse events, 4 of 11 non completers withdrew due to musculoskeletal complaints. Conclusions Adapted Interactive video dance is feasible for some healthy older adults and may help achieve physical activity goals.

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Yarrowia lipolytica has fast become a biotechnologically significant yeast for its ability to accumulate lipids to high levels. While there exists a suite of synthetic biology tools for genetic engineering in this yeast, there is a need for multipurposed tools for rapid strain generation. Here, we describe a dual purpose CRISPR-Cpf1 system that is capable of simultaneous gene disruption and gene regulation. Truncating guide RNA spacer length to 16 nt inhibited nuclease activity but not binding to the target loci, enabling gene activation and repression with Cpf1-fused transcriptional regulators. Gene repression was demonstrated using a Cpf1-Mxi1 fusion achieving a 7-fold reduction in mRNA, while CRISPR-activation with Cpf1-VPR increased hrGFP expression by 10-fold. High efficiency disruptions were achieved with gRNAs 23–25 bp in length, and efficiency and repression levels were maintained with multiplexed expression of truncated and full-length gRNAs. The developed CRISPR-Cpf1 system should prove useful in metabolic engineering, genome wide screening, and functional genomics studies.

This study found that a bespoke Kinect step training program was safe and feasible for older people to undertake unsupervised at home and led to improvements in stepping, standing balance, gait speed, and mobility. The home-based step training program could therefore be included in exercise programs designed to prevent falls.

Background:We recently developed a novel ciprofloxacincoated sinus stent capable of releasing antibiotics over a sustained period of time. Ivaca or is a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiator that has synergistic bactericidal activity with ciprofloxacin and also enhances sinus mucociliary clearance. The objective of this study was to optimize and evaluate the efficacy of a ciprofloxacin-and ivaca or-releasing biodegradable sinus stent (CISS) in vitro. Methods: A CISS was created by coating ciprofloxacin/ivacaor-embedded nanoparticles with an acrylate and ammonium methacrylate copolymer onto a biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid stent. In-vitro evaluation of the CISS included:(1) assessment of drug stability in nanoparticles by zeta potential, and drug-coating stability within the CISS using scanning electron microscopy (SEM); (2) determination of ciprofloxacin-and ivaca or-release kinetics; and (3) assessment of anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by calculating relative optical density units (RODUs) compared with control stents at 590-nm optical density. Results:The presence of drugs and a uniform coating on the stent were confirmed by zeta potential and SEM.Sustained drug release was observed through 21 days without an initial burst release. Anti-biofilm formation was observed a er placing the CISS for 3 days onto a preformed 1-day P aeruginosa biofilm. The CISS significantly reduced biofilm mass compared with bare stents and controls (RO-DUs at 590-nm optical density; CISS, 0.31 ± 0.01; bare stent, 0.78 ± 0.12; control, 1.0 ± 0.00; p = 0.001; n = 3). Conclusion:The CISS maintains a uniform coating and sustained delivery of drugs providing a marked reduction in P aeruginosa biofilm formation. Further studies evaluating the efficacy of CISS in a preclinical model are planned. C 2019 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

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Ivacaftor enhanced the anti-biofilm activity of l-methionine against the PAO-1 strain of P aeruginosa. Further studies evaluating the efficacy of ivacaftor/l-methionine combinations for P aeruginosa sinusitis are planned.