@article{RichterBraunsteinStaeudleetal.2021, author = {Richter, Charlotte and Braunstein, Bjoern and St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Attias, Julia and Suess, Alexander and Weber, Tobias and Mileva, Katja N. and Rittweger, Joern and Green, David A. and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior is preserved during 30\% body weight supported gait training}, series = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}, volume = {2021}, journal = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}, number = {2}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2624-9367}, doi = {10.3389/fspor.2020.614559}, pages = {Artikel 614559}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Rehabilitative body weight supported gait training aims at restoring walking function as a key element in activities of daily living. Studies demonstrated reductions in muscle and joint forces, while kinematic gait patterns appear to be preserved with up to 30\% weight support. However, the influence of body weight support on muscle architecture, with respect to fascicle and series elastic element behavior is unknown, despite this having potential clinical implications for gait retraining. Eight males (31.9 ± 4.7 years) walked at 75\% of the speed at which they typically transition to running, with 0\% and 30\% body weight support on a lower-body positive pressure treadmill. Gastrocnemius medialis fascicle lengths and pennation angles were measured via ultrasonography. Additionally, joint kinematics were analyzed to determine gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon unit lengths, consisting of the muscle's contractile and series elastic elements. Series elastic element length was assessed using a muscle-tendon unit model. Depending on whether data were normally distributed, a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to determine if body weight supported walking had any effects on joint kinematics and fascicle-series elastic element behavior. Walking with 30\% body weight support had no statistically significant effect on joint kinematics and peak series elastic element length. Furthermore, at the time when peak series elastic element length was achieved, and on average across the entire stance phase, muscle-tendon unit length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and fascicle velocity were unchanged with respect to body weight support. In accordance with unchanged gait kinematics, preservation of fascicle-series elastic element behavior was observed during walking with 30\% body weight support, which suggests transferability of gait patterns to subsequent unsupported walking.}, language = {en} } @article{QuittmannAbelAlbrachtetal.2022, author = {Quittmann, Oliver J. and Abel, Thomas and Albracht, Kirsten and Str{\"u}der, Heiko K.}, title = {Biomechanics of all-out handcycling exercise: kinetics, kinematics and muscular activity of a 15-s sprint test in able-bodied participants}, series = {Sports Biomechanics}, volume = {21}, journal = {Sports Biomechanics}, number = {10}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {1752-6116 (Onlineausgabe)}, doi = {10.1080/14763141.2020.1745266}, pages = {1200 -- 1223}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This study aims to quantify the kinematics, kinetics and muscular activity of all-out handcycling exercise and examine their alterations during the course of a 15-s sprint test. Twelve able-bodied competitive triathletes performed a 15-s all-out sprint test in a recumbent racing handcycle that was attached to an ergometer. During the sprint test, tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics and muscular activity of 10 muscles of the upper extremity and trunk were examined using a power metre, motion capturing and surface electromyography (sEMG), respectively. Parameters were compared between revolution one (R1), revolution two (R2), the average of revolution 3 to 13 (R3) and the average of the remaining revolutions (R4). Shoulder abduction and internal-rotation increased, whereas maximal shoulder retroversion decreased during the sprint. Except for the wrist angles, angular velocity increased for every joint of the upper extremity. Several muscles demonstrated an increase in muscular activation, an earlier onset of muscular activation in crank cycle and an increased range of activation. During the course of a 15-s all-out sprint test in handcycling, the shoulder muscles and the muscles associated to the push phase demonstrate indications for short-duration fatigue. These findings are helpful to prevent injuries and improve performance in all-out handcycling.}, language = {en} } @article{WerkhausenWillwacherAlbracht2021, author = {Werkhausen, Amelie and Willwacher, Steffen and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles shorten throughout stance during sprint acceleration}, series = {Scandinavian Journal of Medicine \& Science in Sports}, volume = {31}, journal = {Scandinavian Journal of Medicine \& Science in Sports}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0905-7188 (Druckausgabe)}, doi = {10.1111/sms.13956}, pages = {1471 -- 1480}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The compliant nature of distal limb muscle-tendon units is traditionally considered suboptimal in explosive movements when positive joint work is required. However, during accelerative running, ankle joint net mechanical work is positive. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how plantar flexor muscle-tendon behavior is modulated during fast accelerations. Eleven female sprinters performed maximum sprint accelerations from starting blocks, while gastrocnemius muscle fascicle lengths were estimated using ultrasonography. We combined motion analysis and ground reaction force measurements to assess lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics, and to estimate gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit length during the first two acceleration steps. Outcome variables were resampled to the stance phase and averaged across three to five trials. Relevant scalars were extracted and analyzed using one-sample and two-sample t-tests, and vector trajectories were compared using statistical parametric mapping. We found that an uncoupling of muscle fascicle behavior from muscle-tendon unit behavior is effectively used to produce net positive mechanical work at the joint during maximum sprint acceleration. Muscle fascicles shortened throughout the first and second steps, while shortening occurred earlier during the first step, where negative joint work was lower compared with the second step. Elastic strain energy may be stored during dorsiflexion after touchdown since fascicles did not lengthen at the same time to dissipate energy. Thus, net positive work generation is accommodated by the reuse of elastic strain energy along with positive gastrocnemius fascicle work. Our results show a mechanism of how muscles with high in-series compliance can contribute to net positive joint work.}, language = {en} } @article{MontiWaldvogelRitzmannetal.2021, author = {Monti, Elena and Waldvogel, Janice and Ritzmann, Ramona and Freyler, Kathrin and Albracht, Kirsten and Helm, Michael and De Cesare, Niccol{\`o} and Pavan, Piero and Reggiani, Carlo and Gollhofer, Albert and Narici, Marco Vincenzo}, title = {Muscle in variable gravity: "I do not know where I am, but I know what to do"}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.714655}, pages = {19 Seiten}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Performing tasks, such as running and jumping, requires activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles before (motor unit pre-activation) and during movement performance (Santello and Mcdonagh, 1998). A well-timed and regulated muscle activation elicits a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) response, naturally occurring in bouncing movements (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Taube et al., 2012). By definition, the SSC describes the stretching of a pre-activated muscle-tendon complex immediately followed by a muscle shortening in the concentric push-off phase (Komi, 1984). Given the importance of SSC actions for human movement, it is not surprising that many studies investigated the biomechanics of this phenomenon; in particular, drop jumps (DJs) represent a good paradigm to study muscle fascicle and tendon behavior in ballistic movements involving the SSC. Within a DJ, three main phases [pre-activation, braking, and push-off (PO; Komi, 2000)] have been recognized and extensively studied in common and challenging conditions, such as changes in load, falling height, or simulated hypo-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Arampatzis et al., 2001; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007; Ritzmann et al., 2016; Helm et al., 2020). These studies show that the timing and amount of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit pre-activation in DJs are differentially regulated based on the load applied to the muscle, being optimal in normal "Earth" gravity conditions (Avela et al., 1994), but decreased in simulated hypo-gravity, hyper-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Ritzmann et al., 2016), or unknown conditions (i.e., unknown falling heights; Helm et al., 2020). Some authors indicated that, when falling from heights different from the optimal one [defined as the drop height giving a maximum DJ performance indicated as peak ground reaction force (GRF) or jump high], electromyographic (EMG) activity of the plantar flexors increases from lower than optimal to higher than optimal heights (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Sousa et al., 2007). These findings highlight the ability of the central nervous system to regulate the timing and amount of pre-activation according to different jumping conditions, thus regulating muscle fascicle length, tendon and joint stiffness as well as position, in order to safely land on the ground and quickly re-bounce. Similarly, to pre-activation, also in the braking phase, the plantar flexors are differentially regulated. In optimal height (i.e., load) jumping conditions, gastrocnemius medialis (GM) fascicles shorten at early ground contact (possibly due to the intervention of the stretch reflex; Gollhofer et al., 1992) and behave quasi-isometrically in the late braking phase, enabling tendon elongation, and storage of elastic energy (Gollhofer et al., 1992; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). When increasing the falling height (augmenting the impact GRF), the quasi-isometric behavior of fascicles disappears, and fast fascicle lengthening occurs (Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). In the third and last PO phase, fascicles shorten and the tendon releases the elastic energy previously stored. Bobbert et al. (1987) reported no influence of jumping height on the work done and on the net vertical impulse assessed during PO; this observation suggests that, despite an optimal DJ performance might be achieved only in specific conditions (falling heights, loads), the central nervous system seems to be able to regulate muscle behavior in order to effectively perform the required task also in challenging situations. Although the regulation of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit in DJs has been extensively investigated, very few studies focused on sarcomeres behavior during the performance of this SSC movement (Kurokawa et al., 2003; Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006). Sarcomeres represent muscle contractile units and are known to express different amounts of force depending on their length (Gordon et al., 1966; Walker and Schrodt, 1974); thus, understanding the time course of their responses during DJs is fundamental to gain further insights into muscle force-generating capacity. In vivo measurement of sarcomere length in humans has been so far been performed only in static positions and under highly controlled experimental conditions (Llewellyn et al., 2008; Sanchez et al., 2015). Instead, human sarcomere length estimation (achieved by dividing GM measured fascicle length for a fixed sarcomere number) in dynamic contractions provided an indirect measure of sarcomere operating range during squat jump, countermovement jump, and DJ (Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006; Kurokawa et al., 2003). The results of these studies showed that sarcomeres operate in the ascending limb of their length-tension (L-T) relationship in all types of jumps, and particularly so in DJ. However, most of the available observations on sarcomere and muscle fascicle behavior were made in condition of constant gravity. Thus, in order to understand how sarcomere and muscle fascicle length are regulated in variable gravity conditions, we performed experiments in a parabolic flight, involving variable gravity levels, ranging from about zero-g to about double the Earth's gravity (1 g; Waldvogel et al., 2021). Specifically, the aims of the present study were as follows: 1. To investigate the ability of the neuromuscular system in regulating fascicle length in response to conditions of variable gravity. 2. To estimate sarcomere operative length in the different DJ phases, in order to calculate its theoretical force production and its possible modulation in conditions of variable gravity. We hypothesized that muscle fascicles would be differentially regulated in different gravity conditions compared to 1 g, particularly in anticipation of landing and re-bouncing in unknown gravity levels. In addition, we hypothesized that sarcomeres would operate in the upper part of the ascending limb of their L-T relationship, possibly lengthening during the braking phase (especially in hyper-gravity) while operating quasi-isometrically in 1 g.}, language = {en} } @article{StaeudleSeynnesLapsetal.2021, author = {St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Seynnes, Olivier and Laps, Guido and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Br{\"u}ggemann, Gert-Peter and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Recovery from achilles tendon repair: a combination of Postsurgery Outcomes and Insufficient remodeling of muscle and tendon}, series = {Medicine \& Science in Sports \& Exercise}, volume = {53}, journal = {Medicine \& Science in Sports \& Exercise}, number = {7}, publisher = {American College of Sports Medicine}, address = {Philadelphia, Pa.}, issn = {1530-0315}, doi = {10.1249/MSS.0000000000002592}, pages = {1356 -- 1366}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) patients have persistent functional deficits in the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit (MTU). The complex remodeling of the MTU accompanying these deficits remains poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to associate in vivo and in silico data to investigate the relations between changes inMTU properties and strength deficits inATR patients. Methods: Elevenmale subjects who had undergone surgical repair of complete unilateral ATR were examined 4.6 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) yr after rupture. Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) tendon stiffness, morphology, and muscle architecture were determined using ultrasonography. The force-length relation of the plantar flexor muscles was assessed at five ankle joint angles. In addition, simulations (OpenSim) of the GM MTU force-length properties were performed with various iterations of MTU properties found between the unaffected and the affected side. Results: The affected side of the patients displayed a longer, larger, and stiffer GM tendon (13\% ± 10\%, 105\% ± 28\%, and 54\% ± 24\%, respectively) compared with the unaffected side. The GM muscle fascicles of the affected side were shorter (32\% ± 12\%) and with greater pennation angles (31\% ± 26\%). A mean deficit in plantarflexion moment of 31\% ± 10\% was measured. Simulations indicate that pairing an intact muscle with a longer tendon shifts the optimal angular range of peak force outside physiological angular ranges, whereas the shorter muscle fascicles and tendon stiffening seen in the affected side decrease this shift, albeit incompletely. Conclusions: These results suggest that the substantial changes in MTU properties found in ATR patients may partly result from compensatory remodeling, although this process appears insufficient to fully restore muscle function.}, language = {en} } @article{KetelhutBrueggeGoelletal.2020, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and Br{\"u}gge, G. M. and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bjoern and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Adaptive iterative learning control of an industrial robot during neuromuscular training}, series = {IFAC PapersOnLine}, volume = {53}, journal = {IFAC PapersOnLine}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2405-8963}, doi = {10.1016/j.ifacol.2020.12.741}, pages = {16468 -- 16475}, year = {2020}, abstract = {To prevent the reduction of muscle mass and loss of strength coming along with the human aging process, regular training with e.g. a leg press is suitable. However, the risk of training-induced injuries requires the continuous monitoring and controlling of the forces applied to the musculoskeletal system as well as the velocity along the motion trajectory and the range of motion. In this paper, an adaptive norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm to minimize the knee joint loadings during the leg extension training with an industrial robot is proposed. The response of the algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee and compared to the results of a higher-order iterative learning control algorithm, a robust iterative learning control and a recently proposed conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm. Although significant improvements in performance are made compared to the conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm with a small learning factor, for the developed approach as well as the robust iterative learning control algorithm small steady state errors occur.}, language = {en} } @article{KetelhutKolditzGoelletal.2019, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and Kolditz, Melanie and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bjoern and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Admittance control of an industrial robot during resistance training}, series = {IFAC-PapersOnLine}, volume = {52}, journal = {IFAC-PapersOnLine}, number = {19}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2405-8963}, doi = {10.1016/j.ifacol.2019.12.102}, pages = {223 -- 228}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Neuromuscular strength training of the leg extensor muscles plays an important role in the rehabilitation and prevention of age and wealth related diseases. In this paper, we focus on the design and implementation of a Cartesian admittance control scheme for isotonic training, i.e. leg extension and flexion against a predefined weight. For preliminary testing and validation of the designed algorithm an experimental research and development platform consisting of an industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector has been used. Linear, diagonal and arbitrary two-dimensional motion trajectories with different weights for the leg extension and flexion part are applied. The proposed algorithm is easily adaptable to trajectories consisting of arbitrary six-dimensional poses and allows the implementation of individualized trajectories.}, language = {en} } @article{HeieisBoeckerD'Angeloetal.2023, author = {Heieis, Jule and B{\"o}cker, Jonas and D'Angelo, Olfa and Mittag, Uwe and Albracht, Kirsten and Sch{\"o}nau, Eckhard and Meyer, Andreas and Voigtmann, Thomas and Rittweger, J{\"o}rn}, title = {Curvature of gastrocnemius muscle fascicles as function of muscle-tendon complex length and contraction in humans}, series = {Physiological Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Physiological Reports}, number = {11}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {2051-817X}, doi = {10.14814/phy2.15739}, pages = {e15739, Seite 1-11}, year = {2023}, abstract = {It has been shown that muscle fascicle curvature increases with increasing contraction level and decreasing muscle-tendon complex length. The analyses were done with limited examination windows concerning contraction level, muscle-tendon complex length, and/or intramuscular position of ultrasound imaging. With this study we aimed to investigate the correlation between fascicle arching and contraction, muscle-tendon complex length and their associated architectural parameters in gastrocnemius muscles to develop hypotheses concerning the fundamental mechanism of fascicle curving. Twelve participants were tested in five different positions (90°/105°*, 90°/90°*, 135°/90°*, 170°/90°*, and 170°/75°*; *knee/ankle angle). They performed isometric contractions at four different contraction levels (5\%, 25\%, 50\%, and 75\% of maximum voluntary contraction) in each position. Panoramic ultrasound images of gastrocnemius muscles were collected at rest and during constant contraction. Aponeuroses and fascicles were tracked in all ultrasound images and the parameters fascicle curvature, muscle-tendon complex strain, contraction level, pennation angle, fascicle length, fascicle strain, intramuscular position, sex and age group were analyzed by linear mixed effect models. Mean fascicle curvature of the medial gastrocnemius increased with contraction level (+5 m-1 from 0\% to 100\%; p = 0.006). Muscle-tendon complex length had no significant impact on mean fascicle curvature. Mean pennation angle (2.2 m-1 per 10°; p < 0.001), inverse mean fascicle length (20 m-1 per cm-1; p = 0.003), and mean fascicle strain (-0.07 m-1 per +10\%; p = 0.004) correlated with mean fascicle curvature. Evidence has also been found for intermuscular, intramuscular, and sex-specific intramuscular differences of fascicle curving. Pennation angle and the inverse fascicle length show the highest predictive capacities for fascicle curving. Due to the strong correlations between pennation angle and fascicle curvature and the intramuscular pattern of curving we suggest for future studies to examine correlations between fascicle curvature and intramuscular fluid pressure.}, language = {en} } @article{KuchlerGuenthnerRibeiroetal.2023, author = {Kuchler, Timon and G{\"u}nthner, Roman and Ribeiro, Andrea and Hausinger, Renate and Streese, Lukas and W{\"o}hnl, Anna and Kesseler, Veronika and Negele, Johanna and Assali, Tarek and Carbajo-Lozoya, Javier and Lech, Maciej and Adorjan, Kristina and Stubbe, Hans Christian and Hanssen, Henner and Kotliar, Konstantin and Haller, Berhard and Heemann, Uwe and Schmaderer, Christoph}, title = {Persistent endothelial dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome and its associations with symptom severity and chronic inflammation}, volume = {26}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Dordrecht}, doi = {10.1007/s10456-023-09885-6}, pages = {547 -- 563}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is a lingering disease with ongoing symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive impairment resulting in a high impact on the daily life of patients. Understanding the pathophysiology of PCS is a public health priority, as it still poses a diagnostic and treatment challenge for physicians. Methods In this prospective observational cohort study, we analyzed the retinal microcirculation using Retinal Vessel Analysis (RVA) in a cohort of patients with PCS and compared it to an age- and gender-matched healthy cohort (n = 41, matched out of n = 204). Measurements and main results PCS patients exhibit persistent endothelial dysfunction (ED), as indicated by significantly lower venular flicker-induced dilation (vFID; 3.42\% ± 1.77\% vs. 4.64\% ± 2.59\%; p = 0.02), narrower central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE; 178.1 [167.5-190.2] vs. 189.1 [179.4-197.2], p = 0.01) and lower arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR; (0.84 [0.8-0.9] vs. 0.88 [0.8-0.9], p = 0.007). When combining AVR and vFID, predicted scores reached good ability to discriminate groups (area under the curve: 0.75). Higher PCS severity scores correlated with lower AVR (R = - 0.37 p = 0.017). The association of microvascular changes with PCS severity were amplified in PCS patients exhibiting higher levels of inflammatory parameters. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that prolonged endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of PCS, and impairments of the microcirculation seem to explain ongoing symptoms in patients. As potential therapies for PCS emerge, RVA parameters may become relevant as clinical biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy management.}, language = {en} } @article{WaldvogelFreylerHelmetal.2023, author = {Waldvogel, Janice and Freyler, Kathrin and Helm, Michael and Monti, Elena and St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Gollhofer, Albert and Narici, Marco V. and Ritzmann, Ramona and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Changes in gravity affect neuromuscular control, biomechanics, and muscle-tendon mechanics in energy storage and dissipation tasks}, series = {Journal of Applied Physiology}, volume = {134}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physiology}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Physiological Society}, address = {Bethesda, Md.}, issn = {1522-1601 (Onlineausgabe)}, doi = {10.1152/japplphysiol.00279.2022}, pages = {190 -- 202}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This study evaluates neuromechanical control and muscle-tendon interaction during energy storage and dissipation tasks in hypergravity. During parabolic flights, while 17 subjects performed drop jumps (DJs) and drop landings (DLs), electromyography (EMG) of the lower limb muscles was combined with in vivo fascicle dynamics of the gastrocnemius medialis, two-dimensional (2D) kinematics, and kinetics to measure and analyze changes in energy management. Comparisons were made between movement modalities executed in hypergravity (1.8 G) and gravity on ground (1 G). In 1.8 G, ankle dorsiflexion, knee joint flexion, and vertical center of mass (COM) displacement are lower in DJs than in DLs; within each movement modality, joint flexion amplitudes and COM displacement demonstrate higher values in 1.8 G than in 1 G. Concomitantly, negative peak ankle joint power, vertical ground reaction forces, and leg stiffness are similar between both movement modalities (1.8 G). In DJs, EMG activity in 1.8 G is lower during the COM deceleration phase than in 1 G, thus impairing quasi-isometric fascicle behavior. In DLs, EMG activity before and during the COM deceleration phase is higher, and fascicles are stretched less in 1.8 G than in 1 G. Compared with the situation in 1 G, highly task-specific neuromuscular activity is diminished in 1.8 G, resulting in fascicle lengthening in both movement modalities. Specifically, in DJs, a high magnitude of neuromuscular activity is impaired, resulting in altered energy storage. In contrast, in DLs, linear stiffening of the system due to higher neuromuscular activity combined with lower fascicle stretch enhances the buffering function of the tendon, and thus the capacity to safely dissipate energy.}, language = {en} } @article{UysalFiratCreutzetal.2022, author = {Uysal, Karya and Firat, Ipek Serat and Creutz, Till and Aydin, Inci Cansu and Artmann, Gerhard and Teusch, Nicole and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l}, title = {A novel in vitro wound healing assay using free-standing, ultra-thin PDMS membranes}, series = {membranes}, volume = {2023}, journal = {membranes}, number = {13(1)}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/membranes13010022}, pages = {Artikel 22}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Advances in polymer science have significantly increased polymer applications in life sciences. We report the use of free-standing, ultra-thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes, called CellDrum, as cell culture substrates for an in vitro wound model. Dermal fibroblast monolayers from 28- and 88-year-old donors were cultured on CellDrums. By using stainless steel balls, circular cell-free areas were created in the cell layer (wounding). Sinusoidal strain of 1 Hz, 5\% strain, was applied to membranes for 30 min in 4 sessions. The gap circumference and closure rate of un-stretched samples (controls) and stretched samples were monitored over 4 days to investigate the effects of donor age and mechanical strain on wound closure. A significant decrease in gap circumference and an increase in gap closure rate were observed in trained samples from younger donors and control samples from older donors. In contrast, a significant decrease in gap closure rate and an increase in wound circumference were observed in the trained samples from older donors. Through these results, we propose the model of a cell monolayer on stretchable CellDrums as a practical tool for wound healing research. The combination of biomechanical cell loading in conjunction with analyses such as gene/protein expression seems promising beyond the scope published here.}, language = {en} } @article{ThiebesKleinZingsheimetal.2022, author = {Thiebes, Anja Lena and Klein, Sarah and Zingsheim, Jonas and M{\"o}ller, Georg H. and G{\"u}rzing, Stefanie and Reddemann, Manuel A. and Behbahani, Mehdi and Cornelissen, Christian G.}, title = {Effervescent atomizer as novel cell spray technology to decrease the gas-to-liquid ratio}, series = {pharmaceutics}, volume = {14}, journal = {pharmaceutics}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/pharmaceutics14112421}, pages = {Artikel 2421}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Cell spraying has become a feasible application method for cell therapy and tissue engineering approaches. Different devices have been used with varying success. Often, twin-fluid atomizers are used, which require a high gas velocity for optimal aerosolization characteristics. To decrease the amount and velocity of required air, a custom-made atomizer was designed based on the effervescent principle. Different designs were evaluated regarding spray characteristics and their influence on human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. The arithmetic mean diameters of the droplets were 15.4-33.5 µm with decreasing diameters for increasing gas-to-liquid ratios. The survival rate was >90\% of the control for the lowest gas-to-liquid ratio. For higher ratios, cell survival decreased to approximately 50\%. Further experiments were performed with the design, which had shown the highest survival rates. After seven days, no significant differences in metabolic activity were observed. The apoptosis rates were not influenced by aerosolization, while high gas-to-liquid ratios caused increased necrosis levels. Tri-lineage differentiation potential into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts was not negatively influenced by aerosolization. Thus, the effervescent aerosolization principle was proven suitable for cell applications requiring reduced amounts of supplied air. This is the first time an effervescent atomizer was used for cell processing.}, language = {en} } @article{AkimbekovZhubanovaMansurovetal.2010, author = {Akimbekov, N. Sh. and Zhubanova, A. A. and Mansurov, Z. A. and Digel, Ilya and Artmann, Gerhard and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l}, title = {Use of Carbonized Rise Shell for the local treatment of wounds}, series = {Eurasian ChemTech Journal}, volume = {12}, journal = {Eurasian ChemTech Journal}, number = {2}, publisher = {Institute of Combustion Problems}, address = {Almaty}, issn = {2522-4867}, doi = {10.18321/ectj35}, pages = {133 -- 138}, year = {2010}, abstract = {On the model of musculocutaneous wound in rats, the effect of applicative sorption by carbonized rise shell (CRS) on the healing of festering wound was studied. It has been shown, that cytological changes end with rapid scar formation. The use of CRS at the period of severe purulent wound contributes to its favorable course, prevents the development of complications of the animals from sepsis.}, language = {en} } @article{AggeloussisGiannakouAlbrachtetal.2010, author = {Aggeloussis, Nickos and Giannakou, Erasmia and Albracht, Kirsten and Arampatzis, Adamantios}, title = {Reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis in human gait in vivo}, series = {Gait and Posture}, volume = {31}, journal = {Gait and Posture}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0966-6362}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.08.249}, pages = {73 -- 77}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The purpose of the current study was to examine the reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis while human walking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis in vivo during human gait. Twelve males performed 10 gait trials on a treadmill, in 2 separate days. B-mode ultrasonography, with the ultrasound probe firmly adjusted in the transverse and frontal planes using a special cast, was used to measure the fascicle length and the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM). A Vicon 624 system with three cameras operating at 120 Hz was also used to record the ankle and knee joint angles. The results showed that measurements of fascicle length and pennation angle showed high reproducibility during the gait cycle, both within the same day and between different days. Moreover, the root mean square differences between the repeated waveforms of both variables were very small, compared with their ranges (fascicle length: RMS = ∼3 mm, range: 38-63 mm; pennation angle: RMS = ∼1.5°, range: 22-32°). However, their reproducibility was lower compared to the joint angles. It was found that representative data have to be derived by a wide number of gait trials (fascicle length ∼six trials, pennation angle more than 10 trials), to assure the reliability of the fascicle length and pennation angle in human gait.}, language = {en} } @article{ArampatzisPeperBierbaumetal.2010, author = {Arampatzis, Adamantios and Peper, Andreas and Bierbaum, Stefanie and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Plasticity of human Achilles tendon mechanical and morphological properties in response to cyclic strain}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, volume = {43}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanics}, number = {16}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0021-9290}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.08.014}, pages = {3073 -- 3079}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The purpose of the current study in combination with our previous published data (Arampatzis et al., 2007) was to examine the effects of a controlled modulation of strain magnitude and strain frequency applied to the Achilles tendon on the plasticity of tendon mechanical and morphological properties. Eleven male adults (23.9±2.2 yr) participated in the study. The participants exercised one leg at low magnitude tendon strain (2.97±0.47\%), and the other leg at high tendon strain magnitude (4.72±1.08\%) of similar frequency (0.5 Hz, 1 s loading, 1 s relaxation) and exercise volume (integral of the plantar flexion moment over time) for 14 weeks, 4 days per week, 5 sets per session. The exercise volume was similar to the intervention of our earlier study (0.17 Hz frequency; 3 s loading, 3 s relaxation) allowing a direct comparison of the results. Before and after the intervention ankle joint moment has been measured by a dynamometer, tendon-aponeurosis elongation by ultrasound and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon by magnet resonance images (MRI). We found a decrease in strain at a given tendon force, an increase in tendon-aponeurosis stiffness and tendon elastic modulus of the Achilles tendon only in the leg exercised at high strain magnitude. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the Achilles tendon did not show any statistically significant (P>0.05) differences to the pre-exercise values in both legs. The results indicate a superior improvement in tendon properties (stiffness, elastic modulus and CSA) at the low frequency (0.17 Hz) compared to the high strain frequency (0.5 Hz) protocol. These findings provide evidence that the strain magnitude applied to the Achilles tendon should exceed the value, which occurs during habitual activities to trigger adaptational effects and that higher tendon strain duration per contraction leads to superior tendon adaptational responses.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzelSchaeferMuelleretal.2010, author = {Heinzel, Alexander and Sch{\"a}fer, Ralf and M{\"u}ller, Hans-Wilhelm and Schieffer, Andre and Ingenhag, Ariane and Eickhoff, Simon B. and Northoff, Georg and Franz, Matthias and Hautzel, Hubertus}, title = {Increased Activation of the Supragenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex during Visual Emotional Processing in Male Subjects with High Degrees of Alexithymia: An Event-Related fMRI Study}, series = {Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics}, volume = {79}, journal = {Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics}, number = {6}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {0033-3190}, doi = {10.1159/000320121}, pages = {363 -- 370}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background: One of the most prominent neurobiological models of alexithymia assumes an altered function of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as the crucial neural correlate of alexithymia. So far functional imaging studies have yielded inconclusive results. Therefore, we tested this hypothesis in healthy alexithymics and nonalexithymics in an event-related fMRI study. Methods: Thirty high- and 30 low-alexithymic right-handed male subjects (selected by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS-20) were investigated with event-related fMRI using a picture viewing paradigm. The stimuli consisted of happy, fearful and neutral facial expressions (Ekman-Friesen) as well as positive, negative and neutral pictures from the International Affective Picture System. Results: Contrasting the high-alexithymic with the low-alexithymic group we observed increased activation of the supragenual ACC for different emotional valences as well as for different emotional stimuli. Moreover, there was a positive correlation of the ACC with the individual TAS-20 scores but no correlations with the individual Beck Depression Inventory scores. Additionally, there was no difference in activity of the amygdala. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the supragenual ACC is constantly activated more strongly in alexithymic subjects and that this activation is related to the symptoms of alexithymia and not to associated symptoms such as depression. Therefore, our findings support the hypothesis of an altered function of the ACC in alexithymia.}, language = {en} } @article{TuraliyevaYeshibaevSaparbekovaetal.2016, author = {Turaliyeva, M. and Yeshibaev, A. and Saparbekova, A. and Akynova, L. and Abildayeva, R. and Sadenova, M. and Sartayeva, K. and Schieffer, Andre and Digel, Ilya}, title = {Species composition and injuriousness of stranger xylophilous fauna affecting indigenous urban dendroflora of Central Asia}, series = {Asian journal of microbiology, biotechnology \& environmental sciences : AJMBES}, volume = {18}, journal = {Asian journal of microbiology, biotechnology \& environmental sciences : AJMBES}, number = {2}, publisher = {EM International}, issn = {0972-3005}, pages = {359 -- 366}, year = {2016}, abstract = {At the present time, one of the most serious environmental problems of Central Asia and South Kazakhstan is the ongoing large-scale deterioration of principal urban tree populations. Several major centers of massive spread of invasive plant pests have been found in urban dendroflora of this region. The degree of damage of seven most wide-spread aboriginal tree species was found to range from 21.4±1.1 to 85.4±1.8\%. In particular, the integrity of the native communities of sycamore (Platanus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), poplar (Populus spp.) and elm (Ulmus spp.) is highly endangered. Our taxonomic analysis of the most dangerous tree pests of the region has revealed them as neobiontic xylophilous insects such as Cossus cossus L. (Order: Lepidoptera L.) Monochamus urussovi Fisch., Monochamus sutor L., Acanthocinus aedelis L. and {\~N}etonia aureate L. (Order: Coleoptera L.). We relate the origin of this threatening trend with the import of industrial wood in the mid 90’s of the last century that was associated with high degree of the constructional work in the region. Because of the absence of efficient natural predators of the pest species, the application of microbiological methods of the pest control and limitation is suggested.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzelSchaeferMuelleretal.2010, author = {Heinzel, Alexander and Sch{\"a}fer, Ralf and M{\"u}ller, Hans-Wilhelm and Schieffer, Andre and Ingenhag, Ariane and Northoff, Georg and Franz, Matthias and Hautzel, Hubertus}, title = {Differential modulation of valence and arousal in high-alexithymic and low-alexithymic individuals}, series = {Neuroreport}, volume = {21}, journal = {Neuroreport}, number = {15}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {London}, issn = {1473-558X}, doi = {10.1097/WNR.0b013e32833f38e0}, pages = {998 -- 1002}, year = {2010}, abstract = {High-alexithymic individuals are characterized by an impaired ability to identify and communicate emotions whereas low-alexithymic individuals have a wide-ranging ability to deal with emotions. This study examined the hypothesis that valence and arousal modifications of emotional stimuli differentially modulate cortical regions in high-alexithymic and low-alexithymic individuals. To this end, 28 high-alexithymic and 25 low-alexithymic individuals were investigated with event-related fMRI using visual emotional stimuli. We found differential neural activations in the dorsal anterior cingulate, the insula and the amygdala. We suggest that these differences may account for the impaired ability of high-alexithymic individuals to appropriately handle emotional stimuli.}, language = {en} } @article{KozhalakovaZhubanovaMansurovetal.2010, author = {Kozhalakova, A. A. and Zhubanova, Azhar A. and Mansurov, Z. A. and Digel, Ilya and Tazhibayeva, S. M. and Artmann, Gerhard and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l}, title = {Adsorption of bacterial lipopolysaccharides on carbonized rice shell}, series = {Science of Central Asia (2010)}, journal = {Science of Central Asia (2010)}, pages = {50 -- 54}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{Digel2010, author = {Digel, Ilya}, title = {In-situ biological decontamination of an ice melting probe}, year = {2010}, language = {en} }