@article{KangLimOhetal.2017, author = {Kang, Mi-Sun and Lim, Hae-Soon and Oh, Jong-Suk and Lim, You-jin and Wuertz-Kozak, Karin and Harro, Janette M. and Shirtliff, Mark E. and Achermann, Yvonne}, title = {Antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus fermentum against Staphylococcus aureus}, series = {Pathogens and disease / Federation of European Microbiology Societies}, volume = {75}, journal = {Pathogens and disease / Federation of European Microbiology Societies}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {2049-632X}, doi = {10.1093/femspd/ftx009}, pages = {10}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become a major public health threat. While lactobacilli were recently found useful in combating various pathogens, limited data exist on their therapeutic potential for S. aureus infections. The aim of this study was to determine whether Lactobacillus salivarius was able to produce bactericidal activities against S. aureus and to determine whether the inhibition was due to a generalized reduction in pH or due to secreted Lactobacillus product(s). We found an 8.6-log10 reduction of planktonic and a 6.3-log10 reduction of biofilm S. aureus. In contrast, the previously described anti-staphylococcal effects of L. fermentum only caused a 4.0-log10 reduction in planktonic S. aureus cells, with no effect on biofilm S. aureus cells. Killing of S. aureus was partially pH dependent, but independent of nutrient depletion. Cell-free supernatant that was pH neutralized and heat inactivated or proteinase K treated had significantly reduced killing of L. salivarius than with pH-neutralized supernatant alone. Proteomic analysis of the L. salivarius secretome identified a total of five secreted proteins including a LysM-containing peptidoglycan binding protein and a protein peptidase M23B. These proteins may represent potential novel anti-staphylococcal agents that could be effective against S. aureus biofilms.}, language = {en} } @misc{RandallJuengelRimannetal.2018, author = {Randall, Matthew J. and J{\"u}ngel, Astrid and Rimann, Markus and Wuertz-Kozak, Karin}, title = {Advances in the biofabrication of 3D Skin in vitro}, series = {Frontiers in Bioengineeringand Biotechnology}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineeringand Biotechnology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-4185}, doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2018.00154}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The relevance for in vitro three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture of skin has been present for almost a century. From using skin biopsies in organ culture, to vascularized organotypic full-thickness reconstructed human skin equivalents, in vitro tissue regeneration of 3D skin has reached a golden era. However, the reconstruction of 3D skin still has room to grow and develop. The need for reproducible methodology, physiological structures and tissue architecture, and perfusable vasculature are only recently becoming a reality, though the addition of more complex structures such as glands and tactile corpuscles require advanced technologies. In this review, we will discuss the current methodology for biofabrication of 3D skin models and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the existing systems as well as emphasize how new techniques can aid in the production of a truly physiologically relevant skin construct for preclinical innovation.}, language = {en} } @article{HeWuertzKozakKuehletal.2021, author = {He, Yangyang and W{\"u}rtz-Kozak, Karin and K{\"u}hl, Linn Kristina and Wippert, Pia-Maria}, title = {Extracellular vesicles}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {11}, publisher = {Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22115846}, pages = {15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and damage to the bone tissue's microarchitecture, leading to increased fracture risk. Several studies have provided evidence for associations between psychosocial stress and osteoporosis through various pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, the sympathetic nervous system, and other endocrine factors. As psychosocial stress provokes oxidative cellular stress with consequences for mitochondrial function and cell signaling (e.g., gene expression, inflammation), it is of interest whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be a relevant biomarker in this context or act by transporting substances. EVs are intercellular communicators, transfer substances encapsulated in them, modify the phenotype and function of target cells, mediate cell-cell communication, and, therefore, have critical applications in disease progression and clinical diagnosis and therapy. This review summarizes the characteristics of EVs, their role in stress and osteoporosis, and their benefit as biological markers. We demonstrate that EVs are potential mediators of psychosocial stress and osteoporosis and may be beneficial in innovative research settings.}, language = {en} } @article{BuschTrounsonBrowneetal.2022, author = {Busch, Aglaja and Trounson, Karl M. and Browne, Peter and Robertson, Sam}, title = {Effects of lower limb light-weight wearable resistance on running biomechanics}, series = {Journal of biomechanics : affiliated with the American Society of Biomechanics, the European Society of Biomechanics, the International Society of Biomechanics, the Japanese Society for Clinical Biomechanics and Related Research and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics}, volume = {130}, journal = {Journal of biomechanics : affiliated with the American Society of Biomechanics, the European Society of Biomechanics, the International Society of Biomechanics, the Japanese Society for Clinical Biomechanics and Related Research and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {New York, NY [u.a.]}, issn = {0021-9290}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110903}, pages = {7}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Wearable resistance allows individualized loading for sport specific movements and can lead to specific strength adaptations benefiting the athlete. The objective was to determine biomechanical changes during running with lower limb light-weight wearable resistance. Fourteen participants (age: 28 +/- 4 years; height: 180 +/- 8 cm; body mass: 77 +/- 6 kg) wore shorts and calf sleeves of a compression suit allowing attachment of light loads. Participants completed four times two mins 20-m over-ground shuttle running bouts at 3.3 m*s(-1) alternated by three mins rest. The first running bout was unloaded and the other three bouts were under randomised loaded conditions (1\%, 3\% and 5\% additional loading of the individual body mass). 3D motion cameras and force plates recorded kinematic and kinetic data at the midpoint of each 20-m shuttle. Friedman-test for repeated measures and linear mixed effect model analysis were used to determine differences between the loading conditions (alpha = 0.05). Increased peak vertical ground reaction force (2.7 N/kg to 2.74 N/kg), ground contact time (0.20 s to 0.21 s) and decreased step length (1.49 m to 1.45 m) were found with additional 5 \% body mass loading compared to unloaded running (0.001 > p < 0.007). Marginally more knee flexion and hip extension and less plantarflexion was seen with higher loading. Differences in the assessed parameters were present between each loading condition but accompanied by subject variability. Further studies, also examining long term effects, should be conducted to further inform use of this training tool.}, language = {en} } @article{HeroldBehrendtMeissneretal.2022, author = {Herold, Fabian and Behrendt, Tom and Meißner, Caroline and M{\"u}ller, Notger Germar and Schega, Lutz}, title = {The Influence of acute sprint interval training on cognitive performance of healthy younger adults}, series = {International journal of environmental research and public health : IJERPH / Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, volume = {19}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health : IJERPH / Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph19010613}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {There is considerable evidence showing that an acute bout of physical exercises can improve cognitive performance, but the optimal exercise characteristics (e.g., exercise type and exercise intensity) remain elusive. In this regard, there is a gap in the literature to which extent sprint interval training (SIT) can enhance cognitive performance. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a time-efficient SIT, termed as "shortened-sprint reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training" (SSREHIT), on cognitive performance. Nineteen healthy adults aged 20-28 years were enrolled and assessed for attentional performance (via the d2 test), working memory performance (via Digit Span Forward/Backward), and peripheral blood lactate concentration immediately before and 10 min after an SSREHIT and a cognitive engagement control condition (i.e., reading). We observed that SSREHIT can enhance specific aspects of attentional performance, as it improved the percent error rate (F\%) in the d-2 test (t (18) = -2.249, p = 0.037, d = -0.516), which constitutes a qualitative measure of precision and thoroughness. However, SSREHIT did not change other measures of attentional or working memory performance. In addition, we observed that the exercise-induced increase in the peripheral blood lactate levels correlated with changes in attentional performance, i.e., the total number of responses (GZ) (r(m) = 0.70, p < 0.001), objective measures of concentration (SKL) (r(m) = 0.73, p < 0.001), and F\% (r(m) = -0.54, p = 0.015). The present study provides initial evidence that a single bout of SSREHIT can improve specific aspects of attentional performance and conforming evidence for a positive link between cognitive improvements and changes in peripheral blood lactate levels.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferDechWolffetal.2022, author = {Schaefer, Laura and Dech, Silas and Wolff, Lara L. and Bittmann, Frank}, title = {Emotional Imagery Influences the Adaptive Force in Young Women}, series = {Brain Sciences}, volume = {12}, journal = {Brain Sciences}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2076-3425}, doi = {10.3390/brainsci12101318}, pages = {23}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The link between emotions and motor function has been known for decades but is still not clarified. The Adaptive Force (AF) describes the neuromuscular capability to adapt to increasing forces and was suggested to be especially vulnerable to interfering inputs. This study investigated the influence of pleasant an unpleasant food imagery on the manually assessed AF of elbow and hip flexors objectified by a handheld device in 12 healthy women. The maximal isometric AF was significantly reduced during unpleasant vs. pleasant imagery and baseline (p < 0.001, dz = 0.98-1.61). During unpleasant imagery, muscle lengthening started at 59.00 ± 22.50\% of maximal AF, in contrast to baseline and pleasant imagery, during which the isometric position could be maintained mostly during the entire force increase up to ~97.90 ± 5.00\% of maximal AF. Healthy participants showed an immediately impaired holding function triggered by unpleasant imagery, presumably related to negative emotions. Hence, AF seems to be suitable to test instantaneously the effect of emotions on motor function. Since musculoskeletal complaints can result from muscular instability, the findings provide insights into the understanding of the causal chain of linked musculoskeletal pain and mental stress. A case example (current stress vs. positive imagery) suggests that the approach presented in this study might have future implications for psychomotor diagnostics and therapeutics.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferBittmann2022, author = {Schaefer, Laura and Bittmann, Frank}, title = {Case Study: Intra- and Interpersonal Coherence of Muscle and Brain Activity of Two Coupled Persons during Pushing and Holding Isometric Muscle Action}, series = {Brain Sciences}, volume = {12}, journal = {Brain Sciences}, edition = {6}, publisher = {MDPI Open Access Publishing}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2076-3425}, doi = {10.3390/brainsci12060703}, pages = {27}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Inter-brain synchronization is primarily investigated during social interactions but had not been examined during coupled muscle action between two persons until now. It was previously shown that mechanical muscle oscillations can develop coherent behavior between two isometrically interacting persons. This case study investigated if inter-brain synchronization appears thereby, and if differences of inter- and intrapersonal muscle and brain coherence exist regarding two different types of isometric muscle action. Electroencephalography (EEG) and mechanomyography/mechanotendography (MMG/MTG) of right elbow extensors were recorded during six fatiguing trials of two coupled isometrically interacting participants (70\% MVIC). One partner performed holding and one pushing isometric muscle action (HIMA/PIMA; tasks changed). The wavelet coherence of all signals (EEG, MMG/MTG, force, ACC) were analyzed intra- and interpersonally. The five longest coherence patches in 8-15 Hz and their weighted frequency were compared between real vs. random pairs and between HIMA vs. PIMA. Real vs. random pairs showed significantly higher coherence for intra-muscle, intra-brain, and inter-muscle-brain activity (p < 0.001 to 0.019). Inter-brain coherence was significantly higher for real vs. random pairs for EEG of right and central areas and for sub-regions of EEG left (p = 0.002 to 0.025). Interpersonal muscle-brain synchronization was significantly higher than intrapersonal one, whereby it was significantly higher for HIMA vs. PIMA. These preliminary findings indicate that inter-brain synchronization can arise during muscular interaction. It is hypothesized both partners merge into one oscillating neuromuscular system. The results reinforce the hypothesis that HIMA is characterized by more complex control strategies than PIMA. The pilot study suggests investigating the topic further to verify these results on a larger sample size. Findings could contribute to the basic understanding of motor control and is relevant for functional diagnostics such as the manual muscle test which is applied in several disciplines, e.g., neurology, physiotherapy.}, language = {en} }