Publications by authors named "Knab A"

Aim: To use autofluorescence multispectral imaging (AFMI) to develop a non-invasive assay for the in-depth characterisation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs).

Methods: hBM-MSCs were imaged by AFMI on gridded dishes, stained for endpoints of interest (STRO-1 positivity, alkaline phosphatase, beta galactosidase, DNA content) then relocated and results correlated. Intensity, texture and morphological features were used to characterise the colour distribution of regions of interest, and canonical discriminant analysis was used to separate groups.

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High-resolution mitochondria imaging in combination with image analysis tools have significantly advanced our understanding of cellular function in health and disease. However, most image analysis tools for mitochondrial studies have been designed to work with fluorescently labeled images only. Additionally, efforts to integrate features describing mitochondrial networks with machine learning techniques for the differentiation of cell types have been limited.

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Sulfide solid state electrolytes (SSE) are among the most promising materials in the effort to replace liquid electrolytes, largely due to their comparable ionic conductivities. Among the sulfide SSEs, Argyrodites (LiPSX, X=Cl, Br, I) further stand out due to their high theoretical ionic conductivity (~1×10 S cm) and interfacial stability against reactive metal anodes such as lithium. Generally, solid state electrolyte pellets are pressed from powder feedstock at room temperature, however, pellets fabricated by cold pressing consistently result in low bulk density and high porosity, facilitating interfacial degradation reactions and allowing dendrites to propagate through the pores and grain boundaries.

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Autofluorophores are endogenous fluorescent compounds that naturally occur in the intra and extracellular spaces of all tissues and organs. Most have vital biological functions - like the metabolic cofactors NAD(P)H and FAD, as well as the structural protein collagen. Others are considered to be waste products - like lipofuscin and advanced glycation end products - which accumulate with age and are associated with cellular dysfunction.

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This study focuses on the use of cellular autofluorescence which visualizes the cell metabolism by monitoring endogenous fluorophores including NAD(P)H and flavins. It explores the potential of multispectral imaging of native fluorophores in melanoma diagnostics using excitation wavelengths ranging from 340 nm to 510 nm and emission wavelengths above 391 nm. Cultured immortalized cells are utilized to compare the autofluorescent signatures of two melanoma cell lines to one fibroblast cell line.

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Background: Overuse injury is a common stressor experienced by female collegiate athletes and is often underreported. In response, athletes may develop negative coping skills such as substance use. Alternatively, resilience is a modifiable trait that may positively influence response to musculoskeletal injuries and substance use.

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Background: Although athletic endeavours are associated with a high amount of physical stress and injury, the prevalence of pain is underreported in the sports medicine literature with only a few studies reporting pain on collegiate athletes or exploring sex difference of pain. Impact of pain on athlete availability, training and performance can be mitigated when key epidemiological information is used to inform adequate pain management strategies. This study aims to 1) provide an epidemiological profile of self-reported pain experienced by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes by sex during the first half of the 2019 season, 2) describe their self-reported non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use.

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Purpose: To evaluate relationships of proteomics data, athlete-reported illness, athlete training distress (TDS), and coaches' ratings of distress and performance over the course of the competitive season.

Methods: Thirty-five NCAA Division II swimmers were recruited to the study (male = 19, female = 16; age 19.1 ± 1.

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Background: Sports medicine professionals have instituted easy to use on field screening tests to determine physical readiness and identify athletes who may have increased injury risk. Currently there is little research on fundamental movement and dynamic balance abilities in golfers.

Purpose: To examine differences in fundamental movement patterns and dynamic balance in varying competition levels in golfers.

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Quercetin (Q) and green tea extract (E) are reported to counter insulin resistance and inflammation and favorably alter fat metabolism. We investigated whether a mixture of E + Q (EQ) could synergistically influence metabolic and inflammation endpoints in a high-fat diet (HFD) fed to mice. Male C57BL/6 mice ( = 40) were put on HFD (fat = 60%kcal) for 12 weeks and randomly assigned to Q (25 mg/kg of body weight (BW)/day), E (3 mg of epigallocatechin gallate/kg BW/day), EQ, or control groups for four weeks.

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Abnormal fundamental movement patterns and upper-quarter dynamic balance are proposed mechanisms affecting athletic performance and injury risk. There are few studies investigating functional movement and closed-chain upper-extremity dynamic stability in swimmers. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in fundamental movement competency and closed-chain upper-extremity dynamic balance, using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Upper-Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ), of high school (HS; n = 70) and collegiate (COL; n = 70) swimmers.

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Consuming carbohydrate- and antioxidant-rich fruits during exercise as a means of supporting and enhancing both performance and health is of interest to endurance athletes. Watermelon (WM) contains carbohydrate, lycopene, l-citrulline, and l-arginine. WM may support exercise performance, augment antioxidant capacity, and act as a countermeasure to exercise-induced inflammation and innate immune changes.

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Flavonoids and fish oils have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating influences. The purpose of this study was to determine if a mixed flavonoid-fish oil supplement (Q-Mix; 1000 mg quercetin, 400 mg isoquercetin, 120 mg epigallocatechin (EGCG) from green tea extract, 400 mg n3-PUFAs (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) (220 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 180 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) from fish oil, 1000 mg vitamin C, 40 mg niacinamide, and 800 µg folic acid) would reduce complications associated with obesity; that is, reduce inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and alter genomic profiles in overweight women. Overweight and obese women (n = 48; age = 40-70 years) were assigned to Q-Mix or placebo groups using randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled procedures.

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In the past decades, viridans group Streptococci (VGS) have emerged as an important cause of bacteremia in neutropenic patients with cancer. The clinical course of VGS bacteremia can be devastating including septic shock and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It has been suggested that septicemia with VGS triggers the development of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in patients with pre-existing damage of the lungs due to aggressive cytotoxic treatment.

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A freeze-dried fruit and vegetable juice powder (JUICE) was investigated as a countermeasure nutritional strategy to exercise-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune perturbations in trained cyclists. Thirty-four cyclists (25 male, 9 female) were randomized to control (nonJUICE) or JUICE for 17 days. JUICE provided 230 mg·day(-1) of flavonoids, doubling the typical adult daily intake.

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Incidence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation with vitamin D2 from Portobello mushroom powder would enhance skeletal muscle function and attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage in low vitamin D status high school athletes. Participants were randomised to Portobello mushroom powder (600 IU/d vitamin D2) or placebo for 6 weeks.

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Adaptogens modulate intracellular signaling and increase expression of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72). Rhodiola rosea (RR) is a medicinal plant with demonstrated adaptogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of RR supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), plasma cytokines, and extracellular HSP72 (eHSP72) in experienced runners completing a marathon.

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Objectives: Polyphenol supplementation was tested as a countermeasure to inflammation and oxidative stress induced by 3-d intensified training.

Methods: Water soluble polyphenols from blueberry and green tea extracts were captured onto a polyphenol soy protein complex (PSPC). Subjects were recruited, and included 38 long-distance runners ages 19-45 years who regularly competed in road races.

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Purpose: This study compared the acute immune response, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation to a 75 km cycling time trial in male athletes testing positive or negative for latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Design: Trained cyclists (N = 20) were tested for CMV serostatus, and cycled 75 km on a mountainous course using indoor trainers with continuous workload monitoring. Pre-, post-, and 1 h post-exercise blood samples were analyzed for total blood leukocyte counts, blood granulocyte (GR) and monocyte (MO) phagocytosis (PHAG) and oxidative burst activity (OBA), four plasma cytokines, and plasma F2-isoprostanes.

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Quercetin, a flavonol in fruits and vegetables, has been demonstrated to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating influences. The purpose of the present study was to determine if quercetin, vitamin C and niacin supplements (Q-500 = 500 mg/d of quercetin, 125 mg/d of vitamin C and 5 mg/d of niacin; Q-1000 = 1000 mg/d of quercetin, 250 mg/d of vitamin C and 10 mg/d of niacin) would alter small-molecule metabolite profiles and serum quercetin conjugate levels in adults. Healthy adults (fifty-eight women and forty-two men; aged 40-83 years) were assigned using a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to one of three supplement groups (Q-1000, Q-500 or placebo).

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Red pepper spice (RP) and turmeric (TM) are used as flavorings in foods and for medicinal purposes. Utilizing a randomized, doubled-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design (2-week washout), 4-week supplementation with RP (1 g/d) or TM (2.8 g/d) was tested for influences on inflammation and oxidative stress in 62 overweight/obese (body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m²) females (40-75 years) with systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP ≥ 2 mg/l).

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The regulatory mechanisms of physical activity are postulated to include environmental and biological/genetic factors. In particular, the sex steroids appear to have profound effects on wheel running in rodents. The purpose of this project was to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol and testosterone on wheel running distance, duration, and speed in male and female C57BL/6J mice.

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The effects of a flavonoid-rich fresh fruit and vegetable juice (JUICE) on chronic resting and postexercise inflammation, oxidative stress, immune function, and metabolic profiles (metabolomics analysis, gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry platform) in elite sprint and middle-distance swimmers were studied. In a randomized, crossover design with a 3-wk washout period, swimmers (n = 9) completed 10-d training with or without 16 fl oz of JUICE (230 mg flavonoids) ingested pre- and postworkout. Blood samples were taken presupplementation, post-10-d supplementation, and immediately postexercise, with data analyzed using a 2 × 3 repeated-measures ANOVA.

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This study compared the acute effect of ingesting bananas (BAN) versus a 6% carbohydrate drink (CHO) on 75-km cycling performance and post-exercise inflammation, oxidative stress, and innate immune function using traditional and metabolomics-based profiling. Trained cyclists (N = 14) completed two 75-km cycling time trials (randomized, crossover) while ingesting BAN or CHO (0.2 g/kg carbohydrate every 15 min).

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