TY - JOUR A1 - Schoenrock, Britt A1 - Muckelt, Paul E. A1 - Hastermann, Maria A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - MacGregor, Robert A1 - Martin, David A1 - Gunga, Hans-Christian A1 - Salanova, Michele A1 - Stokes, Maria J. A1 - Warner, Martin B. A1 - Blottner, Dieter T1 - Muscle stiffness indicating mission crew health in space JF - Scientific Reports N2 - Muscle function is compromised by gravitational unloading in space affecting overall musculoskeletal health. Astronauts perform daily exercise programmes to mitigate these effects but knowing which muscles to target would optimise effectiveness. Accurate inflight assessment to inform exercise programmes is critical due to lack of technologies suitable for spaceflight. Changes in mechanical properties indicate muscle health status and can be measured rapidly and non-invasively using novel technology. A hand-held MyotonPRO device enabled monitoring of muscle health for the first time in spaceflight (> 180 days). Greater/maintained stiffness indicated countermeasures were effective. Tissue stiffness was preserved in the majority of muscles (neck, shoulder, back, thigh) but Tibialis Anterior (foot lever muscle) stiffness decreased inflight vs. preflight (p < 0.0001; mean difference 149 N/m) in all 12 crewmembers. The calf muscles showed opposing effects, Gastrocnemius increasing in stiffness Soleus decreasing. Selective stiffness decrements indicate lack of preservation despite daily inflight countermeasures. This calls for more targeted exercises for lower leg muscles with vital roles as ankle joint stabilizers and in gait. Muscle stiffness is a digital biomarker for risk monitoring during future planetary explorations (Moon, Mars), for healthcare management in challenging environments or clinical disorders in people on Earth, to enable effective tailored exercise programmes. KW - Ageing KW - Anatomy KW - Muscle KW - Musculoskeletal system KW - Physiology Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54759-6 SN - 2045-2322 N1 - Corresponding author: Dieter Blottner VL - 14 IS - Article number: 4196 PB - Springer Nature CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Uysal, Karya A1 - Firat, Ipek Serat A1 - Creutz, Till A1 - Aydin, Inci Cansu A1 - Artmann, Gerhard A1 - Teusch, Nicole A1 - Temiz Artmann, Aysegül T1 - A novel in vitro wound healing assay using free-standing, ultra-thin PDMS membranes JF - membranes N2 - 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. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010022 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Latest Scientific Discoveries in Polymer Membranes" VL - 2023 IS - 13(1) PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Tepecik, Atakan ED - Digel, Ilya ED - Staat, Manfred ED - Trzewik, Jürgen ED - Sielemann, Stefanie ED - Erni, Daniel ED - Zylka, Waldemar T1 - AstroBioLab: Review of technical and bioanalytical approaches T2 - YRA MedTech Symposium (2024) N2 - This study presents the concept of AstroBioLab, an autonomous astrobiological field laboratory tailored for the exploration of (sub)glacial habitats. AstroBioLab is an integral component of the TRIPLE (Technologies for Rapid Ice Penetration and subglacial Lake Exploration) DLR-funded project, aimed at advancing astrobiology research through the development and deployment of innovative technologies. AstroBioLab integrates diverse measurement techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, DNA sequencing and fluorescence spectrometry, while leveraging microfluidics for efficient sample delivery and preparation. Y1 - 2024 SN - 978-3-940402-65-3 U6 - https://doi.org/10.17185/duepublico/81475 N1 - 4th YRA MedTech Symposium, February 1, 2024. FH Aachen, Campus Jülich SP - 33 EP - 34 PB - Universität Duisburg-Essen CY - Duisburg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Sherelkhan, Dinara A1 - Alibekova, Alina ED - Digel, Ilya ED - Staat, Manfred ED - Trzewik, Jürgen ED - Sielemann, Stefanie ED - Erni, Daniel ED - Zylka, Waldemar T1 - EEM spectroscopy characterization of humic substances of biomedical importance T2 - YRA MedTech Symposium (2024) N2 - Humic substances possess distinctive chemical features enabling their use in many advanced applications, including biomedical fields. No chemicals in nature have the same combination of specific chemical and biological properties as humic substances. Traditional medicine and modern research have demonstrated that humic substances from different sources possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them suitable for the prevention and treatment of chronic dermatoses, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and other conditions characterized by inflammatory and allergic responses [1-4]. The use of humic compounds as agentswith antifungal and antiviral properties shows great potential [5-7]. Y1 - 2024 SN - 978-3-940402-65-3 U6 - https://doi.org/10.17185/duepublico/81475 N1 - 4th YRA MedTech Symposium, February 1, 2024. FH Aachen, Campus Jülich SP - 31 EP - 32 PB - Universität Duisburg-Essen CY - Duisburg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schmitz, Annika A1 - Apandi, Shah Eiman Amzar Shah A1 - Spillner, Jan A1 - Hima, Flutura A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi ED - Digel, Ilya ED - Staat, Manfred ED - Trzewik, Jürgen ED - Sielemann, Stefanie ED - Erni, Daniel ED - Zylka, Waldemar T1 - Effect of different cannula positions in the pulmonary artery on blood flow and gas exchange using computational fluid dynamics analysis T2 - YRA MedTech Symposium (2024) N2 - Pulmonary arterial cannulation is a common and effective method for percutaneous mechanical circulatory support for concurrent right heart and respiratory failure [1]. However, limited data exists to what effect the positioning of the cannula has on the oxygen perfusion throughout the pulmonary artery (PA). This study aims to evaluate, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the effect of different cannula positions in the PA with respect to the oxygenation of the different branching vessels in order for an optimal cannula position to be determined. The four chosen different positions (see Fig. 1) of the cannulas are, in the lower part of the main pulmonary artery (MPA), in the MPA at the junction between the right pulmonary artery (RPA) and the left pulmonary artery (LPA), in the RPA at the first branch of the RPA and in the LPA at the first branch of the LPA. Y1 - 2024 SN - 978-3-940402-65-3 U6 - https://doi.org/10.17185/duepublico/81475 N1 - 4th YRA MedTech Symposium, February 1, 2024. FH Aachen, Campus Jülich SP - 29 EP - 30 PB - Universität Duisburg-Essen CY - Duisburg ER - TY - BOOK A1 - Staat, Manfred A1 - Digel, Ilya A1 - Trzewik, Jürgen A1 - Sielemann, Stefanie A1 - Erni, Daniel A1 - Zylka, Waldemar T1 - Symposium Proceedings; 4th YRA MedTech Symposium 2024 : February 1 / 2024 / FH Aachen Y1 - 2024 SN - 978-3-940402-65-3 U6 - https://doi.org/10.17185/duepublico/81475 PB - Universität Duisburg-Essen CY - Duisburg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yang, Peng-Fei A1 - Kriechbaumer, Andreas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Sanno, Maximilian A1 - Ganse, Bergita A1 - Koy, Timmo A1 - Shang, Peng A1 - brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Müller, Lars Peter A1 - Rittweger, Jörn T1 - A novel optical approach for assessing in vivo bone segment deformation and its application in muscle-bone relationship studies in humans JF - Journal of Orthopaedic Translation Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jot.2014.07.078 SN - 2214-0328 SN - 2214-031X VL - 2 IS - 4 SP - 238 EP - 238 PB - Elsevier CY - Singapore ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Werkhausen, Amelie A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Cronin, Neil J A1 - Paulsen, Gøran A1 - Bojsen-Møller, Jens A1 - Seynnes, Olivier R T1 - Effect of training-induced changes in achilles tendon stiffness on muscle-tendon behavior during landing JF - Frontiers in physiology N2 - During rapid deceleration of the body, tendons buffer part of the elongation of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU), enabling safe energy dissipation via eccentric muscle contraction. Yet, the influence of changes in tendon stiffness within the physiological range upon these lengthening contractions is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of training-induced stiffening of the Achilles tendon on triceps surae muscle-tendon behavior during a landing task. Twenty-one male subjects were assigned to either a 10-week resistance-training program consisting of single-leg isometric plantarflexion (n = 11) or to a non-training control group (n = 10). Before and after the training period, plantarflexion force, peak Achilles tendon strain and stiffness were measured during isometric contractions, using a combination of dynamometry, ultrasound and kinematics data. Additionally, testing included a step-landing task, during which joint mechanics and lengths of gastrocnemius and soleus fascicles, Achilles tendon, and MTU were determined using synchronized ultrasound, kinematics and kinetics data collection. After training, plantarflexion strength and Achilles tendon stiffness increased (15 and 18%, respectively), and tendon strain during landing remained similar. Likewise, lengthening and negative work produced by the gastrocnemius MTU did not change detectably. However, in the training group, gastrocnemius fascicle length was offset (8%) to a longer length at touch down and, surprisingly, fascicle lengthening and velocity were reduced by 27 and 21%, respectively. These changes were not observed for soleus fascicles when accounting for variation in task execution between tests. These results indicate that a training-induced increase in tendon stiffness does not noticeably affect the buffering action of the tendon when the MTU is rapidly stretched. Reductions in gastrocnemius fascicle lengthening and lengthening velocity during landing occurred independently from tendon strain. Future studies are required to provide insight into the mechanisms underpinning these observations and their influence on energy dissipation. KW - achilles tendon KW - energy absorption KW - energy dissipation KW - mechanical buffer KW - stiffness Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00794 SN - 1664-042X IS - 9 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Savitskaya, Irina A1 - Zhantlessova, Sirina A1 - Kistaubayeva, Aida A1 - Ignatova, Ludmila A1 - Shokatayeva, Dina A1 - Sinyavsky, Yuriy A1 - Kushugulova, Almagul A1 - Digel, Ilya T1 - Prebiotic cellulose–pullulan matrix as a “vehicle” for probiotic biofilm delivery to the host large intestine JF - Polymers N2 - This study describes the development of a new combined polysaccharide-matrix-based technology for the immobilization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) bacteria in biofilm form. The new composition allows for delivering the bacteria to the digestive tract in a manner that improves their robustness compared with planktonic cells and released biofilm cells. Granules consisting of a polysaccharide matrix with probiotic biofilms (PMPB) with high cell density (>9 log CFU/g) were obtained by immobilization in the optimized nutrient medium. Successful probiotic loading was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The developed prebiotic polysaccharide matrix significantly enhanced LGG viability under acidic (pH 2.0) and bile salt (0.3%) stress conditions. Enzymatic extract of feces, mimicking colon fluid in terms of cellulase activity, was used to evaluate the intestinal release of probiotics. PMPB granules showed the ability to gradually release a large number of viable LGG cells in the model colon fluid. In vivo, the oral administration of PMPB granules in rats resulted in the successful release of probiotics in the colon environment. The biofilm-forming incubation method of immobilization on a complex polysaccharide matrix tested in this study has shown high efficacy and promising potential for the development of innovative biotechnologies. KW - immobilization KW - prebiotic KW - bacterial cellulose KW - biofilms KW - Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010030 N1 - This article belongs to the Section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites" IS - 16(1) PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ketelhut, Maike A1 - Göll, Fabian A1 - Braunstein, Björn A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Comparison of different training algorithms for the leg extension training with an industrial robot JF - Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering N2 - In the past, different training scenarios have been developed and implemented on robotic research platforms, but no systematic analysis and comparison have been done so far. This paper deals with the comparison of an isokinematic (motion with constant velocity) and an isotonic (motion against constant weight) training algorithm. Both algorithms are designed for a robotic research platform consisting of a 3D force plate and a high payload industrial robot, which allows leg extension training with arbitrary six-dimensional motion trajectories. In the isokinematic as well as the isotonic training algorithm, individual paths are defined i n C artesian s pace by sufficient s upport p oses. I n t he i sotonic t raining s cenario, the trajectory is adapted to the measured force as the robot should only move along the trajectory as long as the force applied by the user exceeds a minimum threshold. In the isotonic training scenario however, the robot’s acceleration is a function of the force applied by the user. To validate these findings, a simulative experiment with a simple linear trajectory is performed. For this purpose, the same force path is applied in both training scenarios. The results illustrate that the algorithms differ in the force dependent trajectory adaption. KW - Rehabilitation Technology and Prosthetics KW - Surgical Navigation and Robotics Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2018-0005 SN - 2364-5504 VL - 4 IS - 1 SP - 17 EP - 20 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER -