The structure of MadC from reveals new insights into class I lanthipeptide cyclases.

The rapid emergence of microbial multi-resistance against antibiotics has led to intense search for alternatives. One of these alternatives are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), especially lantibiotics. They are active in a low nanomolar range and their high stability is due to the presence of characteristic (methyl-) lanthionine rings, which makes them promising candidates as bacteriocides.

The effects of a moderate physical activity intervention on physical fitness and cognition in healthy elderly with low levels of physical activity: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Increasing physical activity is one of the most promising and challenging interventions to delay or prevent cognitive decline and dementia.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of a physical activity intervention, aimed at increasing step count, in elderly with low levels of physical activity on measures of strength, balance, aerobic capacity, and cognition. Participants were assigned to 9 months of exercise counseling or active control.

The long-term relation between physical activity and executive function in the Rotterdam Study.

Background: Research on the association between physical inactivity and cognitive decline and dementia is dominated by studies with short-term follow-up, that might be biased by reverse causality.

Objective: Investigate the long-term association between physical activity, cognition, and the rate of age-associated cognitive decline.

Methods: We investigated the association between late-life physical activity and executive functioning and rate of decline of executive abilities during follow-up of up to 16 years, in 3553 participants of the prospective Rotterdam Study cohort.

Flexor tenosynovectomy in carpal tunnel syndrome as a screening tool for early diagnosis of amyloidosis.

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases that most often presents with advanced cardiac pathology. Another presentation of the disease can include symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome; however, the true incidence of amyloidosis in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome remains unclear.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on all patients who underwent an open carpal tunnel release, with tenosynovium biopsy by a single surgeon between 01/2000 and 12/2018.

Decoding the consecutive lysosomal degradation of 3-O-sulfate containing heparan sulfate by Arylsulfatase G (ARSG).

The lysosomal degradation of heparan sulfate is mediated by the concerted action of nine different enzymes. Within this degradation pathway, Arylsulfatase G (ARSG) is critical for removing 3-O-sulfate from glucosamine, and mutations in ARSG are causative for Usher syndrome type IV. We developed a specific ARSG enzyme assay using sulfated monosaccharide substrates, which reflect derivatives of its natural substrates.

Relationship between duty factor and external forces in slow recreational runners.

Objectives: Recreational runners show a large interindividual variation in spatiotemporal characteristics. This research focused on slow runners and intended: (1) to document the variance in duty factor (DF) between runners in a real-life running setting and (2) examine whether the interindividual variation in DF and stride frequency (SF) relates to differences in external loading parameters between runners.

Methods: Spatiotemporal characteristics of 23 slow runners (ie, <2.

Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Levels Are Associated with Aging and Smoking But Not with Future Dementia in the Rotterdam Study.

Background: Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) plays a vital role in neuronal survival and plasticity and facilitates long-term potentiation, essential for memory. Alterations in BDNF signaling have been associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Although peripheral BDNF levels are reduced in dementia patients, it is unclear whether changes in BDNF levels precede or follow dementia onset.

[Planetary health-transformative education regarding the climate and sustainability crises for health professionals].

The urgency of the climate and sustainability crises and their health effects are receiving increasing attention in the German health system. To avoid further exacerbation of these crises, profound transformative processes in all sectors of society are needed (e.g.

The Interrelationship between Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, Apolipoprotein E ε4, Lifestyle Factors, and the Aging Body and Brain.

Aging is associated with a decrease in body and brain function and with a decline in insulin-like growth factor 1 levels. The observed associations between alterations in insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and cognitive functioning and Mild Cognitive Impairment suggest that altered insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling may accompany Alzheimer's disease or is involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent animal research has suggested a possible association between insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and the Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.

Treatment methods for post-traumatic elbow stiffness caused by heterotopic ossification.

Hypothesis: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication of surgically treated elbow fractures that can inhibit range of motion and impair quality of life. Although there are many treatment methods for HO, there is a lack of consensus as to the best option. We hypothesized that contracture release combined with Botox injection would lead to improved functional outcome scores when compared with current treatment methods.

Role of ring-enlargement reactions in the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons.

Ring-enlargement reactions can provide a fast route towards the formation of six-membered single-ring or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To investigate the participation of the cyclopentadienyl (CH) radical in ring-enlargement reactions in high-temperature environments, a mass-spectrometric study was conducted. Experimental access to the CH high-temperature chemistry was provided by two counterflow diffusion flames.

Optimizing pharmaceutical care for pediatric patients with dermatitis: perspectives of parents and pharmacy staff.

Background Atopic dermatitis affects 10-20% of the children worldwide. Unfortunately not all patients who receive treatment have optimal treatment outcomes. Objective To assess the view of parents and pharmacy staff in order to optimize pharmaceutical care for young atopic dermatitis patients.

Revisiting the Role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor Stimulating Activity and the Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer's Disease.

: Alterations in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling have been associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies on the association between IGF-I levels and dementia risk have been inconclusive. We reported earlier that higher levels of IGF-I receptor stimulating activity are associated with a higher prevalence and incidence of dementia.

Kienböck Disease: Quality, Accuracy, and Readability of Online Information.

Patients with limited health literacy require online educational materials to be written below a sixth grade level for optimal understanding. We assessed the quality, accuracy, and readability of online materials for Kienböck disease (KD). "Kienbock's Disease" and "Lunate Avacular Necrosis" were entered into 3 search engines.

Grounded Running Reduces Musculoskeletal Loading.

Purpose: Recent observations demonstrate that a sizeable proportion of the recreational running population runs at rather slow speeds and does not always show a clear flight phase. This study determined the key biomechanical and physiological characteristics of this running pattern, i.e.

Biomechanics of posterior shoulder instability - current knowledge and literature review.

Posterior instability of the shoulder is a rare condition and represents about 10% of shoulder instability. It has become more frequently recognized in the last year, even though it is more difficult to diagnose than anterior shoulder instability. As this form of shoulder pathology is somewhat rare, biomechanical knowledge is limited.

Running speed-induced changes in foot contact pattern influence impact loading rate.

We aimed to determine the effect of speed-induced changes in foot contact patterns on the vertical instantaneous loading rate (VILR). We hypothesized that transition runners, i.e.

Altering gait variability with an ankle exoskeleton.

Exoskeletons can influence human gait. A healthy gait is characterized by a certain amount of variability compared to a non-healthy gait that has more inherent variability; however which exoskeleton assistance parameters are necessary to avoid increasing gait variability or to potentially lower gait variability below that of unassisted walking are unknown. This study investigated the interaction effects of exoskeleton timing and power on gait variability.

Exoskeleton assistance symmetry matters: unilateral assistance reduces metabolic cost, but relatively less than bilateral assistance.

Background: Many gait impairments are characterized by asymmetry and result in reduced mobility. Exoskeletons could be useful for restoring gait symmetry by assisting only one leg. However, we still have limited understanding of the effects of unilateral exoskeleton assistance.

Bi-articular Knee-Ankle-Foot Exoskeleton Produces Higher Metabolic Cost Reduction than Weight-Matched Mono-articular Exoskeleton.

The bi-articular m. gastrocnemius and the mono-articular m. soleus have different and complementary functions during walking.

Complications of Radial Column Plating of the Distal Radius.

Distal radius fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation are commonly stabilized with a volar locking plate; however, more complex fracture patterns may require supplemental fixation with fragment-specific implants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of distal radius fractures treated with radial column plates. A consecutive series of 61 patients who sustained distal radius fractures underwent radial column plating alone or in conjunction with other implants between August 2006 and January 2014.

Fast exoskeleton optimization.

Scientists develop a method that optimizes exoskeleton assistance in one hour and teaches the wearer to walk more economically with it.

Reducing the metabolic cost of walking with an ankle exoskeleton: interaction between actuation timing and power.

Background: Powered ankle-foot exoskeletons can reduce the metabolic cost of human walking to below normal levels, but optimal assistance properties remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of different assistance timing and power characteristics in an experiment with a tethered ankle-foot exoskeleton.

Methods: Ten healthy female subjects walked on a treadmill with bilateral ankle-foot exoskeletons in 10 different assistance conditions.

Exoskeleton plantarflexion assistance for elderly.

Elderly are confronted with reduced physical capabilities and increased metabolic energy cost of walking. Exoskeletons that assist walking have the potential to restore walking capacity by reducing the metabolic cost of walking. However, it is unclear if current exoskeletons can reduce energy cost in elderly.

Effects of feeding fermented wheat with on gut morphology, intestinal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance in weaned pigs.

Feeding fermented feed to weaned pigs may improve nutrient digestibility and gut health and thereby reduce diarrhea incidence. Effects of feeding wheat grain fermented for 24 h with were evaluated with 36 weaned pigs (7.3 kg BW).