Karin Wuertz‐Kozak
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View article: Association between childhood trauma and bone health in the United Kingdom
Association between childhood trauma and bone health in the United Kingdom Open
This study provides evidence that childhood trauma is significantly associated with altered bone metabolism and an increased risk of osteoporosis in later life. These findings emphasize the need for early-life stress management in promotin…
View article: Development and Characterization of a Tunable PDMS Substrate Model for Investigating Elastic Properties and Mechanical Stretching in Intervertebral Disc Cells
Development and Characterization of a Tunable PDMS Substrate Model for Investigating Elastic Properties and Mechanical Stretching in Intervertebral Disc Cells Open
Background Aberrant mechanical loading and altered extracellular matrix (ECM) composition favor catabolic cell responses, contributing to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and ultimately impairing the integrity of the annulus fibrosus…
View article: Targeting Fibrotic Scars with Extracellular Vesicles Extracted from Mature Aloe vera: Enhanced Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antifibrotic Activity through M2 Macrophage Polarization and Myofibroblasts Inhibition
Targeting Fibrotic Scars with Extracellular Vesicles Extracted from Mature Aloe vera: Enhanced Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antifibrotic Activity through M2 Macrophage Polarization and Myofibroblasts Inhibition Open
Background Abnormal scarring and fibrotic skin disorders arise from dysregulated wound healing processes. While Aloe vera is widely recognized for its therapeutic properties, the potential of its extracellular vesicles (Av-EVs) remains und…
View article: Differential expression of plasma extracellular vesicles microRNAs and exploration of their association with bone metabolism in childhood trauma participants treated in a psychosomatic clinic
Differential expression of plasma extracellular vesicles microRNAs and exploration of their association with bone metabolism in childhood trauma participants treated in a psychosomatic clinic Open
Introduction Early life stress (ELS) impacts neurotransmitters and cell communication, potentially disrupting neurological and physiological processes. Recently, ELS has been implicated in impaired bone metabolism, with extracellular vesic…
View article: Ex Vivo and In Vitro Proteomic Approach to Elucidate the Relevance of <scp>IL</scp>‐4 and <scp>IL</scp>‐10 in Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology
Ex Vivo and In Vitro Proteomic Approach to Elucidate the Relevance of <span>IL</span>‐4 and <span>IL</span>‐10 in Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology Open
Background This study investigates the native presence and potential anabolic effects of interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10 in the human intervertebral disc (IVD). Methods Human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells cultured in 3D from trauma and degenera…
View article: CRISPR-dCas9 Activation of TSG-6 in MSCs Modulates the Cargo of MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in Human Intervertebral Disc Cells In Vitro
CRISPR-dCas9 Activation of TSG-6 in MSCs Modulates the Cargo of MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in Human Intervertebral Disc Cells In Vitro Open
View article: The underlying mechanisms of the association of bone health with depression – an experimental study
The underlying mechanisms of the association of bone health with depression – an experimental study Open
Background Depression constitutes a risk factor for osteoporosis, but underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are not fully understood. MiRNAs influence gene expression and are carried by extracellular vesicles (EV), affecting cell-ce…
View article: Correction: Bermudez-Lekerika et al. Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems. Gels 2024, 10, 330
Correction: Bermudez-Lekerika et al. Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems. Gels 2024, 10, 330 Open
In the original publication [...]
View article: The role of miR-155-5p in inflammation and mechanical loading during intervertebral disc degeneration
The role of miR-155-5p in inflammation and mechanical loading during intervertebral disc degeneration Open
Background Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a multifactorial pathological process resulting in the dysregulation of IVD cell activity. The catabolic shift observed in IVD cells during degeneration leads to increased inflammation, …
View article: Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems
Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems Open
The negatively charged extracellular matrix plays a vital role in intervertebral disc tissues, providing specific cues for cell maintenance and tissue hydration. Unfortunately, suitable biomimetics for intervertebral disc regeneration are …
View article: The influence of physical and spatial substrate characteristics on endothelial cells
The influence of physical and spatial substrate characteristics on endothelial cells Open
Cardiovascular diseases are a main cause of death worldwide, leading to a growing demand for medical devices to treat this patient group. Central to the engineering of such devices is a good understanding of the biology and physics of cell…
View article: Exploring the Impact of TLR‐2 Signaling on miRNA Dysregulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Exploring the Impact of TLR‐2 Signaling on miRNA Dysregulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Open
Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are key mediators of inflammation in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. TLR‐2 activation contributes to the degenerative process by increasing the expression of extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes, pro‐in…
View article: Spinal study - Examination of back pain and serum leptin in weight loss after bariatric surgery
Spinal study - Examination of back pain and serum leptin in weight loss after bariatric surgery Open
View article: Targeted screening of inflammatory mediators in spontaneous degenerative disc disease in dogs reveals an upregulation of the tumor necrosis superfamily
Targeted screening of inflammatory mediators in spontaneous degenerative disc disease in dogs reveals an upregulation of the tumor necrosis superfamily Open
Background The regulation of inflammatory mediators in the degenerating intervertebral disc (IVD) and corresponding ligamentum flavum (LF) is a topic of emerging interest. The study aimed to investigate the expression of a broad array of i…
View article: Exploring the Impact of TLR-2 Signaling on miRNA Dysregulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Exploring the Impact of TLR-2 Signaling on miRNA Dysregulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Open
The dataset enclosed is discussed and displayed in the scientific article 'Exploring the Impact of TLR-2 Signaling on miRNA Dysregulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration'
View article: The Role of miR-155 in Inflammation and Mechanosensing during Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
The Role of miR-155 in Inflammation and Mechanosensing during Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Open
The dataset enclosed is discussed and displayed in the scientific article 'The Role of miR-155 in Inflammation and Mechanosensing during Intervertebral Disc Degeneration'
View article: Ibuprofen-loaded electrospun poly(ethylene-<i>co</i>-vinyl alcohol) nanofibers for wound dressing applications
Ibuprofen-loaded electrospun poly(ethylene-<i>co</i>-vinyl alcohol) nanofibers for wound dressing applications Open
This work presents the production of poly(ethylene- co -vinyl alcohol) nanofibers by electrospinning and the capacity of the fibers to act as a patch loaded with ibuprofen for wound healing applications is evaluated.
View article: Depressive Symptoms as Potential Mediator between Physical Activity and Bone Health—A Scoping Review
Depressive Symptoms as Potential Mediator between Physical Activity and Bone Health—A Scoping Review Open
Depression constitutes a risk factor for osteoporosis (OP). Increasing physical activity might mitigate this risk, although intensive exercising may lead to opposing effects in depressed patients. The purpose of this scoping review was to …
View article: Immuno-Modulatory Effects of Intervertebral Disc Cells
Immuno-Modulatory Effects of Intervertebral Disc Cells Open
Low back pain is a highly prevalent, chronic, and costly medical condition predominantly triggered by intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD is often caused by structural and biochemical changes in intervertebral discs (IVD) that prom…
View article: Resveratrol Microencapsulation into Electrosprayed Polymeric Carriers for the Treatment of Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds
Resveratrol Microencapsulation into Electrosprayed Polymeric Carriers for the Treatment of Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds Open
Chronic, non-healing wounds represent a challenging socio-economic burden, demanding innovative approaches for successful wound management. Resveratrol (RSV) represents a promising therapeutic candidate, but its therapeutic efficacy and cl…
View article: Acrylonitrile and Pullulan Based Nanofiber Mats as Easily Accessible Scaffolds for 3D Skin Cell Models Containing Primary Cells
Acrylonitrile and Pullulan Based Nanofiber Mats as Easily Accessible Scaffolds for 3D Skin Cell Models Containing Primary Cells Open
(1) Background: Three-dimensional (3D) collagen I-based skin models are commonly used in drug development and substance testing but have major drawbacks such as batch-to-batch variations and ethical concerns. Recently, synthetic nanofibrou…
View article: Clinical and radiological mid- to long-term investigation of anterior lumbar stand-alone fusion: Incidence of reoperation and adjacent segment degeneration
Clinical and radiological mid- to long-term investigation of anterior lumbar stand-alone fusion: Incidence of reoperation and adjacent segment degeneration Open
View article: Sulfated Hydrogels in Intervertebral Disc and Cartilage Research
Sulfated Hydrogels in Intervertebral Disc and Cartilage Research Open
Hydrogels are commonly used for the 3D culture of musculoskeletal cells. Sulfated hydrogels, which have seen a growing interest over the past years, provide a microenvironment that help maintain the phenotype of chondrocytes and chondrocyt…
View article: Evidence-Based Network Modelling to Simulate Nucleus Pulposus Multicellular Activity in Different Nutritional and Pro-Inflammatory Environments
Evidence-Based Network Modelling to Simulate Nucleus Pulposus Multicellular Activity in Different Nutritional and Pro-Inflammatory Environments Open
Initiation of intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to be biologically driven. This reflects a process, where biochemical and mechanical stimuli affect cell activity (CA) that compromise the tissue strength over time. Experimental re…
View article: pH-Responsive Chitosan/Alginate Polyelectrolyte Complexes on Electrospun PLGA Nanofibers for Controlled Drug Release
pH-Responsive Chitosan/Alginate Polyelectrolyte Complexes on Electrospun PLGA Nanofibers for Controlled Drug Release Open
The surface functionalization of electrospun nanofibers allows for the introduction of additional functionalities while at the same time retaining the membrane properties of high porosity and surface-to-volume ratio. In this work, we seque…
View article: pH-Responsive Electrospun Nanofibers and Their Applications
pH-Responsive Electrospun Nanofibers and Their Applications Open
Electrospun nanofibrous membranes offer superior properties over other polymeric membranes not only due to their high membrane porosity but also due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. A plethora of available polymers and post-modificat…
View article: Extracellular Vesicles: Potential Mediators of Psychosocial Stress Contribution to Osteoporosis?
Extracellular Vesicles: Potential Mediators of Psychosocial Stress Contribution to Osteoporosis? Open
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 thro…
View article: <scp>TRPV4</scp> mediates cell damage induced by hyperphysiological compression and regulates <scp>COX2</scp>/<scp>PGE2</scp> in intervertebral discs
<span>TRPV4</span> mediates cell damage induced by hyperphysiological compression and regulates <span>COX2</span>/<span>PGE2</span> in intervertebral discs Open
Background Aberrant mechanical loading of the spine causes intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and low back pain. Current therapies do not target the mediators of the underlying mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways, as these …
View article: Engineering Advanced In Vitro Models of Systemic Sclerosis for Drug Discovery and Development
Engineering Advanced In Vitro Models of Systemic Sclerosis for Drug Discovery and Development Open
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex multisystem disease with the highest case‐specific mortality among all autoimmune rheumatic diseases, yet without any available curative therapy. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic antifib…
View article: Multiscale Regulation of the Intervertebral Disc: Achievements in Experimental, In Silico, and Regenerative Research
Multiscale Regulation of the Intervertebral Disc: Achievements in Experimental, In Silico, and Regenerative Research Open
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major risk factor of low back pain. It is defined by a progressive loss of the IVD structure and functionality, leading to severe impairments with restricted treatment options due to the highly d…