@misc{StuetzWeberDolleetal.2016, author = {Stuetz, Wolfgang and Weber, Daniela and Doll{\´e}, Martijn E. T. and Jansen, Eug{\`e}ne and Grubeck-Loebenstein, Beatrix and Fiegl, Simone and Toussaint, Olivier and Bernhardt, Juergen and Gonos, Efstathios S. and Franceschi, Claudio and Sikora, Ewa and Moreno-Villanueva, Mar{\´i}a and Breusing, Nicolle and Grune, Tilman and B{\"u}rkle, Alexander}, title = {Plasma carotenoids, tocopherols, and retinol in the age-stratified (35-74 years) general population}, series = {Nutrients}, journal = {Nutrients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407659}, pages = {17}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Blood micronutrient status may change with age. We analyzed plasma carotenoids, α-/γ-tocopherol, and retinol and their associations with age, demographic characteristics, and dietary habits (assessed by a short food frequency questionnaire) in a cross-sectional study of 2118 women and men (age-stratified from 35 to 74 years) of the general population from six European countries. Higher age was associated with lower lycopene and α-/β-carotene and higher β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α-/γ-tocopherol, and retinol levels. Significant correlations with age were observed for lycopene (r = -0.248), α-tocopherol (r = 0.208), α-carotene (r = -0.112), and β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.125; all p < 0.001). Age was inversely associated with lycopene (-6.5\% per five-year age increase) and this association remained in the multiple regression model with the significant predictors (covariables) being country, season, cholesterol, gender, smoking status, body mass index (BMI (kg/m2)), and dietary habits. The positive association of α-tocopherol with age remained when all covariates including cholesterol and use of vitamin supplements were included (1.7\% vs. 2.4\% per five-year age increase). The association of higher β-cryptoxanthin with higher age was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for fruit consumption, whereas the inverse association of α-carotene with age remained in the fully adjusted multivariable model (-4.8\% vs. -3.8\% per five-year age increase). We conclude from our study that age is an independent predictor of plasma lycopene, α-tocopherol, and α-carotene.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Intziegianni2016, author = {Intziegianni, Konstantina}, title = {Influence of age and pathology on Achilles tendon properties under functional tasks}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-398732}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {ix, 85, xii}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy increases with age, leading to a weaker tendon with predisposition to rupture. Previous studies, investigating Achilles tendon (AT) properties, are restricted to standardized isometric conditions. Knowledge regarding the influence of age and pa-thology on AT response under functional tasks remains limited. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was to investigate the influence of age and pathology on AT properties during a single-leg vertical jump. Healthy children, asymptomatic adults and patients with Achilles tendinopathy participated. Ultrasonography was used to assess AT-length, AT-cross-sectional area and AT-elongation. The reliability of the methodology used was evaluated both Intra- and inter-rater at rest and at maximal isometric plantar-flexion contraction and was further implemented to investigate tendon properties during functional task. During the functional task a single-leg vertical jump on a force plate was performed while simultaneously AT elongation and vertical ground reaction forces were recorded. AT compliance [mm/N] (elongation/force) and AT strain [\%] (elongation/length) were calculated. Differences between groups were evaluated with respect to age (children vs. adults) and pathology (asymptomatic adults vs. patients). Good to excellent reliability with low levels of variability was achieved in the assessment of AT properties. During the jumps AT elongation was found to be statistical significant higher in children. However, no statistical significant difference was found for force among the groups. AT compliance and strain were found to be statistical significant higher only in children. No significant differences were found between asymptomatic adults and patients with tendinopathy. The methodology used to assess AT properties is reliable, allowing its implementation into further investigations. Higher AT-compliance in children might be considered as a protective factor against load-related injuries. During functional task, when higher forces are acting on the AT, tendinopathy does not result in a weaker tendon.}, language = {en} }