ZHEN WANG¹, JUN FU¹, SAISAI ZHU¹, HAODONG TANG², KUI SHI¹, JIHUA YANG³, MENG WANG³, MENGGE WU¹, DUNFENG QI^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.12, pp. 1851-1866, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.055286 - 13 November 2024

Abstract Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a rich and complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). M2 macrophages are among the most extensively infiltrated immune cells in the TIME and are necessary for the growth and migration of cancers. However, the mechanisms and targets mediating M2 macrophage infiltration in pancreatic cancer remain elusive. Methods: The M2 macrophage infiltration score of patients was assessed using the xCell algorithm. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), module genes associated with M2 macrophages were identified, and a predictive model was designed. The variations in immunological cell patterns, cancer mutations, and… More > Graphic Abstract

YUSHI YANG^1,#, CHUJIAO HU^2,#, SHAN LEI³, XIN BAO³, ZHIRUI ZENG^3,*, WENPENG CAO^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.12, pp. 1921-1934, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.046191 - 13 November 2024

Abstract Background: The heterogeneity of prognosis and treatment benefits among patients with gliomas is due to tumor microenvironment characteristics. However, biomarkers that reflect microenvironmental characteristics and predict the prognosis of gliomas are limited. Therefore, we aimed to develop a model that can effectively predict prognosis, differentiate microenvironment signatures, and optimize drug selection for patients with glioma. Materials and Methods: The CIBERSORT algorithm, bulk sequencing analysis, and single-cell RNA (scRNA) analysis were employed to identify significant cross-talk genes between M2 macrophages and cancer cells in glioma tissues. A predictive model was constructed based on cross-talk gene expression, and… More >

XUELING HE, LINLU JIN, YIXUE QIN, JIAN ZHONG, ZHI OUYANG, YE ZENG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.11, pp. 1521-1529, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.055410 - 07 November 2024

Abstract Cellular biomechanical features contributed to the occurrence and development of various physiological and pathological phenomena. Micropillar arrays have emerged as an important tool for both the assessment and manipulation of cellular biomechanical characteristics. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth understanding of the fabrication methodologies of micropillar arrays and their applications in deciphering and fine-tuning cellular biomechanical properties and the innovative experimental platforms including organ-on-a-chip and organoids-on-a-chip. This review provides novel insights into the potential of micropillar technology, poised to update the landscape of stem cell research and tissue engineering. More >

JYOTHI B. NAIR^1,2, ANU MARY JOSEPH³, SANOOP P.⁴, MANU M. JOSEPH^5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.11, pp. 1579-1602, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.054879 - 07 November 2024

Abstract Nanoparticles represent a heterogeneous collection of materials, whether natural or synthetic, with dimensions aligning in the nanoscale. Because of their intense manifestation with the immune system, they can be harvested for numerous bio-medical and biotechnological advancements mainly in cancer treatment. This review article aims to scrutinize various types of nanoparticles that interact differently with immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. It also underscores the importance of knowing how nanoparticles influence immune cell functions, such as the production of cytokines and the presentation of antigens which are crucial for… More >

Chenchen Zhou^1,2, Shuaishuai Liang³, Bin Qi³, Chenxu Liu², Nam-Joon Cho^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.30, No.3, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012380

Abstract Micro tools/parts are attracting increasing attention due to the miniaturization evolutionary tendency in many fields, whose functionalities are critically determined by their materials and shapes [1- 5]. Sharp-edged ceramic microparticles have great prospects to be used as micromachining tools and micro components. However, it remains a huge challenge to fabricate nontransparent ceramic sharp-edged microparticles in a high-throughput way while taking their shape complexity, precision, and strength into account [6-8]. Herein, we present an online mixing and in-situ polymerization strategy: “one-pot microfluidic fabrication” along with two novel microfluidic device fabrication methods: “groove & tongue” and sliding More >

YONGJIAN HUANG, JINZHOU WANG, JIUHUA XU, NING RUAN^*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.11, pp. 1765-1776, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.045564 - 16 October 2024

Abstract Background: Despite significant advancements in the development of anticancer therapies over the past few decades, the clinical management of colorectal cancer remains a challenging task. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of cancer-targeting liposomes against colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Liposomes consisting of 3β-[N-(N′, N′-dimethylamino ethane)carbamoyl]-cholesterol (DC-CHOL), cholesterol (CHOL), and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) at a molar ratio of 1:1:0.5 were created and used as carriers to deliver an apoptosis-inducing plasmid encoding the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (pTRAIL) gene, along with the toll-like receptor (TLR7) agonist Rsiquimod (R848). The rationale behind this design is that More > Graphic Abstract

Hongjun Yu^1,*, Canjie Huang¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.29, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011454

Abstract A novel and irreversible phase field model accounting for tension-torsion coupling effect and size-effect is constructed in the context of continuum thermodynamics. First, a general framework considering the energy dissipation process influenced by micro and macro force is formulated according to thermodynamically consistent derivation. Next, the framework is specialized by introducing a material parameter called chiral coefficient to characterize the tension-torsion coupling effect within macro force constitutive according to isotropic micropolar elasticity theory. To gain insight of the chiral effect on the fracture behaviors, the analytical solution of uniaxial traction chiral rod is provided based More >

Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2127-2147, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.056360 - 30 September 2024

Abstract Climate change, driven by anthropogenic activities, profoundly impacts ecosystems worldwide, particularly aquatic environments. This review explores the multifaceted effects of climate change on the phytoremediation capabilities of aquatic plants, focusing on the physiological responses to key environmental factors such as temperature, carbone dioxide (CO₂) and ozone (O₃) levels, pH, salinity, and light intensity. As global temperatures rise, moderate increases can enhance photosynthesis and biomass production, boosting the plants’ ability to absorb and detoxify contaminants, such as metals, pharmaceuticals, and nutrients. However, extreme temperatures and salinity levels impose stress, disrupting metabolic processes and reducing phytoremediation efficiency. Elevated CO₂… More >

Fatima-Ezzahra Soussani^1,2,3, Youssef Ait Rahou^1,2,4, Chayma Ikan^1,2, Allal Douira³, Rachid Benkirane³, Essaid Ait Barka⁵, Rachid Lahlali^6,*, Abdelilah Meddich^1,2,7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2415-2438, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.055050 - 30 September 2024

Abstract This study assesses the effectiveness of using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M) and compost applied alone or in combination (vs. conventional chemical fertilizer application (NPK)) on tomato resistance to vascular wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. In this study, ten treatments were applied: (1) Control (2) M: Rhizophagus irregularis (3) C: Compost (4) MC: The combination of M and compost (5) NPK: conventional chemical fertilizer (6) V: plants infected with V. dahliae (7) MV: plants infected with a conidial suspension of V. dahliae and M, (8) CV: The combination of compost and V. dahliae, (9) MCV: The combination of M, compost and V. dahliae,… More >

MIN LIU^1,*, XIA LI², JUN LIU¹, YU LIU¹

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1475-1487, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053227 - 02 October 2024

Abstract Background: Alveolar macrophage pyroptosis exacerbates inflammatory lung diseases, and tanshinone IIA is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, understanding how tanshinone IIA affects alveolar macrophage pyroptosis is essential. Methods: NR8383 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We assessed cell viability, pyroptosis, and the expression of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), p-β-catenin, β-catenin, and pyroptosis-related factors. We also examined the interaction between tanshinone IIA and TREM2. Results: Co-stimulation with LPS and ATP significantly reduced NR8383 cell viability, increased pyroptosis, and upregulated pyroptosis-associated factors. Treatment with tanshinone IIA mitigated these effects.… More >