Hailong Wang¹, Minglei Duan², Lu Yao³, Hao Li^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.072942 - 12 January 2026

Abstract In image analysis, high-precision semantic segmentation predominantly relies on supervised learning. Despite significant advancements driven by deep learning techniques, challenges such as class imbalance and dynamic performance evaluation persist. Traditional weighting methods, often based on pre-statistical class counting, tend to overemphasize certain classes while neglecting others, particularly rare sample categories. Approaches like focal loss and other rare-sample segmentation techniques introduce multiple hyperparameters that require manual tuning, leading to increased experimental costs due to their instability. This paper proposes a novel CAWASeg framework to address these limitations. Our approach leverages Grad-CAM technology to generate class activation… More >

Rayeesa Mehmood^*, Sergei Koltcov, Anton Surkov, Vera Ignatenko

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.072735 - 12 January 2026

Abstract Activation pruning reduces neural network complexity by eliminating low-importance neuron activations, yet identifying the critical pruning threshold—beyond which accuracy rapidly deteriorates—remains computationally expensive and typically requires exhaustive search. We introduce a thermodynamics-inspired framework that treats activation distributions as energy-filtered physical systems and employs the free energy of activations as a principled evaluation metric. Phase-transition–like phenomena in the free-energy profile—such as extrema, inflection points, and curvature changes—yield reliable estimates of the critical pruning threshold, providing a theoretically grounded means of predicting sharp accuracy degradation. To further enhance efficiency, we propose a renormalized free energy technique that More >

Yongle Qiu^1,#, Kunshan Li^1,#, Wenjing Wang¹, Wenjuan Zhang², Jilun Liu², Yang Bai³, Fei Xu³, Jie Guo^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069612 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain largely undefined. This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying VM in OSCC. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was performed utilizing single-cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. ChIP-qPCR was used to validate the binding of ETS transcription factor ELK4 (ELK4) to the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enhancer. In vitro VM formation and invasion of OSCC cells were… More > Graphic Abstract

Yimin Liu^1,#, Bin Liu^2,3,4,#, Huabin Gao¹, Jinlong Wang⁵, Jingya Duan¹, Xiaolan Huang¹, Yuexi Liu¹, Ying Huang¹, Wenjing Liao¹, Ruonan Li^1,*, Hua Linghu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069007 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), exhibits a mesenchymal phenotype characterized by fibrotic stroma and poor prognosis. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a key diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer, is involved in fibrotic processes in several non-malignant diseases. Given the clinical significance of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC and the potential link between HE4 and fibrosis, this study aimed to investigate the role of HE4 in the formation of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC. Methods: A total of 126 patients with gynecological conditions were included and divided into… More > Graphic Abstract

Huihui Shi^1,#, Lei Chen^2,#, Juan Huang^3,#, Xuejing Lin², Lei Huang⁴, Min Tang⁴, Kai Lu^5,*, Wenchao Wang^4,*, Maoling Zhu^1,§,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068737 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This study aimed to identify key genes involved in HCC development and elucidate their molecular mechanisms, with a particular focus on mitochondrial function and apoptosis. Methods: Differential expression analyses were performed across three datasets—The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC), GSE36076, and GSE95698—to identify overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A prognostic risk model was then constructed. Cysteine/serine-rich nuclear protein 1 (CSRNP1) expression levels in HCC cell lines were assessed via western blot (WB) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).… More > Graphic Abstract

Ivan Breslavsky^1,*, Giulio Franchini², Francesco Giovanniello³, Ali Kassab^3,4, Gerhard A. Holzapfel^5,6, Marco Amabili^1,3

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2025, DOI:10.32604/icces.2025.012190

Abstract Despite the critical role of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) activation in the biomechanics of human aortas, comprehensive experimental data and corresponding active material models remain limited. This study addresses this gap by presenting a detailed mechanical characterisation of human descending thoracic aortas under both passive and VSM-activated conditions.
Specimens were obtained from thirteen heart-beating donors. Mechanical testing was conducted within hours of explantation. VSM activation was induced using potassium chloride and noradrenaline, and both isometric and quasistatic stress–strain responses were measured in circumferential and longitudinal tissue strips.
Dynamic mechanical testing under physiologically relevant cyclic loading and More >

Woo-Gyun Choi, Byung Joo Kim^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.12, pp. 2365-2375, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072715 - 24 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: Petasites japonicus (PJ) is a traditional medicinal herb widely used in East Asia for treating diverse ailments. However, its anticancer properties and underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. This study investigated the anticancer potential and molecular mechanisms of the methanol extract of Petasites japonicus (PJE) in human adenocarcinoma gastric stomach (AGS) cells. Methods: AGS cells were treated with various concentrations of PJE, and cell viability was measured using MTT and CCK-8 assays. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by the cell cycle, caspase-3 and -9 activity assays, and western blotting. To elucidate the underlying signaling mechanisms, we… More >

Chenglu Lu^1,#, Huiting Zhang^2,#, Ujjal K. Bhawal^3,4, Lei Wang¹, Jingwu Li¹, Pangzhou Chen^5,*, Lewei Zhu^6,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3657-3678, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069703 - 27 November 2025

Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network composed of non-tumor cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels, and various molecular signals that surround and profoundly influence tumor progression. As one of the key immune effector cells within the TME, mast cells (MCs) exhibit functional complexity, and their specific roles remain widely debated. Depending on the cancer type, spatial distribution, and interactions with other TME components, MCs can demonstrate dual regulatory capabilities—either promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. This characteristic has made them an important focus in current tumor immunology research. This review aims to systematically review the More >

Yan Gui^1,#, Wen Pan^1,#, Ziyi Dong^1,#, Dongzhi Hu^1,#, Yaoyang Guo¹, Xinyi Wen¹, Haiyang Zhang², Zhansheng Jiang^1,*, Xiangqian Zheng^1,*, Ming Gao^2,*, Junyi Wang^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3991-4011, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067182 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Objectives: Metastatic spread to the lung is one of the leading causes of fatal outcomes in thyroid cancer, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate how exosomal microRNA-17-5p (miR-17-5p) promotes lung metastasis in thyroid cancer within the framework of the “seed and soil” hypothesis. Methods: Serum exosomes from thyroid cancer lung metastasis patients and controls were analyzed for miR-17, which was elevated in metastatic cases. miR-17 was transfected into embryonic lung fibroblasts (MRC-5), and their supernatants were co-cultured with thyroid cancer cells (Cal62). Cell proliferation and migration were evaluated using colony formation, Ki67… More >

Ranran Yang^1,2,3,#, Dan Yuan^2,#, Chaohan Liang^4,#, Siying Zhu⁴, Jie Huang², Yingqi Zhang⁴, Weiling He⁵, Qinghai Li^1,*, Hong Zhang^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3945-3971, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064463 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant contributor to global cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Oxaliplatin (OXP), a foundational chemotherapeutic agent for CRC, often exhibits limited efficacy due to the emergence of drug resistance. Although endothelin-1 (EDN1) has been implicated in tumor drug resistance, its role in oxaliplatin resistance in CRC remains poorly defined. This work aimed to define how EDN1 contributes to oxaliplatin resistance and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target. Methods: Public genomic datasets were analyzed to confirm EDN1 upregulation in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with poor prognosis. EDN1 expression was… More >