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Physical activity can improve health as well as reduce stress and the risk of developing several widespread diseases. However, there exists no accepted standard biomedical examination-method for stress evaluation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of regular physical activity on stress and wellness as well as the evaluation of potential biomarkers in this field. This study included 105 people (mean age = 36.57 ± 1.4 years) who were randomly assigned into the exercise group 1 (EG-1) (n = 41), the exercise group 2 (EG-2) (n = 30), and the control group (CG) (n = 34). Measurements of stress and wellness were obtained by Multiscan BC-OXI before and after experimental period. This device presents a multifrequency segmental body composition 3D analyser with digital pulse oximeter. The key indicators of stress as well as for wellness were significantly improved in the EG-1. Parasympathetic activity showed significant changes as potential stress biomarker. Statistically significant gender differences were not observed in the comparable groups. The results suggest that the stress resistance and well-being significantly improved in the EG-1 due to regular physical activity. However, further research is necessary to determine effects of physical activity on integral health indicators.

Magnesium-deficiency is implicated in many metabolic disorders, e.g., type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, representing risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to investigate the contribution of magnesium-restriction to the development of NAFLD. Magnesium-deficiency was induced in C57BL/6 mice by feeding a magnesium-deficient-diet. Metabolic markers as well as markers of inflammation and liver function were assessed. Furthermore, liver tissue was examined histopathologically and compared with specimens from high-fat-diet fed and control mice. Finally, the hepatic inflammatory response was quantified by determining hepatic IL-6, TNFα, and MCP-1. Magnesium-restriction resulted in at least a 2-fold significant reduction of serum magnesium levels compared to the high-fat-diet fed and control mice, whereas the hepatic magnesium content was decreased due to high-fat-diet feeding. No changes in metabolic markers in magnesium-restricted mice were observed, while the cholesterol content was elevated in high-fat-diet fed mice. Magnesium-restricted mice additionally featured inflammation and enlarged hepatocytes in liver histology. Furthermore, magnesium-restricted and high-fat-diet fed mice exhibited elevated hepatic TNFα levels compared to control mice. Accordingly, our data suggest that magnesium is involved in hepatic inflammatory processes and hepatocyte enlargement, key histological features of human NAFLD, and may therefore contribute to development and progression of the disease.

The administration of risks is usually an important corner stone of professional operations. Nevertheless, specifically for biobanking organizations, risk recognition, control, management, and easing are inevitably extremely critical elements of everyday operations. The costly kind of unique samples/cell lines, data and also other high-pitched value biobanking products and services such as cell-based drugs, and biologically active pharmaceutical materials call for tremendously precise planning--including the full spectrum of risks. In this chapter, we have included the common risks in biobanking and the management way and methods of risks in a biobanking institution.

Research infrastructures remain the key for state-of-the-art and successful research. In the last few decades, biobanks have become increasingly important in this field through standardization of biospecimen processing, sample storage, and standardized data management. Research infrastructure in cohort studies and other sample collection activities are currently experiencing a lack of long-term funding. In this article, the Biobank Graz discusses these aspects of sustainability including the definition of sustainability and necessity of a business plan, as well as cost calculation model in the field of biobanking. The economic state, critical success factors, and important operational issues are reviewed and described by the authors, using the example of the Biobank Graz. Sustainability in the field of biobanking is a globally important matter of necessity, starting from policy making and ending with security and documentation on each operational level.

Due to increased utilization of biospecimens for research and emergence of new technologies, the availability and quality of biospecimens and their collection are coming more and more into focus. However, the long-term economic situation of biobanks is still mostly unclear. Also, the common sustainable utilization of various international biobanks is challenging due to local differences in sample processing, law and ethics.This article discusses possible strategies to achieve a sustainable utilization of biospecimens as part of the business plan of biobanks.The following questions were addressed as part of a business plan: (1) How can a biobank build up and maintain an up-to-date infrastructure? (2) What kind of funding can support the sustainability of a biobank? (3) Is there an international solution for informed consents to enable sample and data sharing? (4) How can a biobank react during economically unstable periods? (5) Which kind of biobanking research is innovative? (6) What kind of education could be most needful for knowledge transfer in biobanking? (7) Does an expiration date for a biobank make sense according to the period of funding?A strategy for optimal utilization begins with sharing of resources, infrastructure, and investments at the planning stage of a biobank, and continues to the transfer of knowledge and know-how by education. For clinical biobanks in particular, a long-term funding and cost recovery strategy is necessary for sustainable utilization.

Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is now acknowledged as a complex public health issue linked to sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and related disorders like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Aims. We aimed to retrieve its trends out of the huge amount of published data. Therefore, we conducted an extensive literature search to identify possible biomarker and/or biomarker combinations by retrospectively assessing and evaluating common and novel biomarkers to predict progression and prognosis of obesity related liver diseases. Methodology. We analyzed finally 62 articles accounting for 157 cohorts and 45,288 subjects. Results. Despite the various approaches, most cohorts were considerably small and rarely comparable. Also, we found that the same standard parameters were measured rather than novel biomarkers. Diagnostics approaches appeared incomparable. Conclusions. Further collaborative investigations on harmonizing ways of data acquisition and identifying such biomarkers for clinical use are necessary to yield sufficient significant results of potential biomarkers.

Purpose – Biobanks are collections of biological samples (e.g. tissue samples and body fluids) and their associated data intended for various approaches in medical research. The field of biobanking evolves rapidly as an interdisciplinary branch of research and requires educational efforts to provide skilled experts in Europe and beyond. New ways in research and research education play a pivotal role in the future of biobanking. Design/methodology/approach – The increasing of requests and potential uses of biospecimens from biobanks necessitates an international and national intensified transfer of forward looking knowledge and know-how. In Austria, this could be realized by special trainings as well as a postgraduate education. Furthermore, the forward looking research and further development of infrastructure will play a pivotal role in biobanks in the future. Findings – Few opportunities are available for specific education on biobanking in Europe. This could be remedied by the creation networks of ISO-certified biobanks and co-operation with interested parties. Research limitations/implications – The current research focuses on the situation of information transfer in the field of biobanking in Europe. A wider investigation in better harmonization and standardization of methods in other parts of the world would be beneficial. Originality/value – The value of biomolecular resources such as biobanks has previously been discussed in detail, e.g. by the Time magazine. The paper focuses on demonstrating the importance for education in the future of biobanking in general.

Background Despite the importance of body awareness for health and well-being there is still a lack of valid assessment tools to scan proper body awareness. To respond to the limitations of questionnaires (reading/interpretation problems) the Awareness-Body-Chart (ABC) was designed to assess body awareness by colouring 51 regions according to their awareness. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of the ABC. Methods In a questionnaire-study, 106 students in Graz (79 females, 27 males, age median 21 (IQR 20–23) years) filled in the ABC, furthermore a German body awareness questionnaire „KEKS”, and the Beck Depression Inventory II. Factor structure, internal consistency, and retest reliability of the ABC were investigated. Correlations of the ABC with the KEKS and the Beck Depression Inventory II and comparisons of subgroups were conducted. Results Through factor analyses, 14 factors with clear assignments to body parts could be categorized: cranium, face, cervical/lumbar region, chest/abdomen, back, shoulder, upper arm, lower arm/elbow, hand, genital area, thigh/hip, knee, lower leg, and foot. The 14 body parts and the total score showed acceptable to high Cronbach’s alphas (α = .64 - .97). The test-retest reliability showed values between ρ = .71 and ρ = .96. The correlation of the ABC and KEKS (r = .66, p < .001) confirmed validity. Further indications of validity could be seen in comparisons of subgroups and in correlations with the Beck Depression Inventory II. Conclusion The ABC proved good psychometric properties with acceptable to high internal consistency, acceptable to high retest reliability and high construct validity. It is an easy-to-use tool for clinical settings and research. The ABC opens new insights into body awareness-patterns of various subgroups.

In the course of mitochondrial diseases standard care mostly focuses on treatment of symptoms, while therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring mitochondrial function are currently still in development. The transfer of healthy or modified mitochondria into host cells would open up the possibilities of new cell therapies. Therefore, in this study, a novel method of mitochondrial transfer is proposed by anti-TOM22 magnetic bead-labeled mitochondria with the assistance of a magnetic plate. In comparison to the passive transfer method, the magnetomitotransfer method was more efficient at transferring mitochondria into cells (78–92% vs 0–17% over 3 days). This transfer was also more rapid, with a high ratio of magnetomitotransferred cells and high density of transferred mitochondria within the first day of culture. Importantly, transferred mitochondria appeared to be functional as they strongly enhanced respiration in magnetomitotransferred cells. The novel method of magnetomitotransfer may offer potential for therapeutic approaches for treatment of a variety of mitochondria-associated pathologies, e.g. various neurodegenerative diseases.

Introduction Bipolar Disorder is a devastating disease with a genetic heritability. An orchestra of around 500 gene variants is leading to vulnerability. One interesting candidate gene group are the socalled CLOCK GENES. The molecular 24h clock has several CLOCK GENES and the last gene ARNTL encodes for an activator of MAOA transcription and leads therefore to changes in neurotransmitter levels. Methods Genotyping of 150 paricipants with Bipolar Disorder and 78 healthy controls with the Illumina GWAS chip Omniexpress 1.1. Hypothesis driven extraction of ARNTL SNPs with the software PLINK. Statistical analysis with Chi square test with SPSS. Results Patients with Bipolar Disorder differ significantly in ARNTL genotypes compared to healthy controls. Details are presented during the poster session. Discussion Circadian rhythms seem to play an important pathogenetic mechanism in Bipolar Disorder.