WENJUAN ZHU¹, ZHENGZHENG JU², FAN CUI^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1379-1388, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.052205

Abstract Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a deleterious microangiopathy of diabetes, constituting a critical determinant of fatality in diabetic patients. This work is purposed to disclose the effects and modulatory mechanism of BTG anti-proliferation factor 2 (BTG2) during the pathological process of DN. Methods: BTG2 expression in kidney tissues of diabetic mice and high glucose (HG)-exposed human proximal tubular cell line HK-2 was assessed with Western blot and RT-qPCR. The diabetic mice model was constructed by streptozotocin injection and confirmed by the blood glucose level beyond 16.7 mmol/L. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and measurement of… More >

WEIGANG REN^1,#, JING LI^2,#, RUIJIANG ZENG^3,4, LIANG ZHU^3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1323-1330, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051747

Abstract Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) stands as the most prevalent form of kidney cancer, accounting for a significant proportion of malignancies affecting the kidneys. ccRCC is well known as a type of tumour with immunogenicity. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) aim to enhance the anticancer immune response in ccRCC by blocking programmed cell death 1 ligand 1/programmed death 1 (PD-L1/PD-1) pathways. In a previous study, we showed that RING finger protein 26 (RNF26) degrades chromobox 7 (CBX7) to activate the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in ccRCC. Methods: We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)… More > Graphic Abstract

JING WANG^1,#, JUNFENG XU^2,#, YINGRAN YANG¹, YOUZHENG QIU¹, SHANSHAN ZHANG³, NING WANG^1,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1343-1353, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051673

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the influence of IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) in neuroblastoma (NB) cells and reveal its potential underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: The Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell apparatus, and flow cytometry were employed to assess cellular viability, migratory capacity, invasive potential, and apoptotic rates, respectively. RNA-seq combined with bioinformatics analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their possible biological functions. Protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. Results: IFN-γ treatment resulted in diminished cell viability, mitigated migratory and invasive capabilities, and augmented apoptotic activity in the SK-N-BE (2) cell line, whereas it exhibited the… More >

KERAN JIA¹, YANHAO ZHANG¹, MENGYU JIANG², MENGGE CUI², JIA WANG², JIAJIA ZHANG², HUIHAI ZHAO², MENGYAN LI², HUA WANG², QUANMING ZOU^1,#,*, HAO ZENG^1,#,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1355-1368, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051383

Abstract Objective: Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen that triggers complex host defense mechanisms, including coordinated innate and adaptive immune responses, to neutralize invading fungi effectively. Exploring the immune microenvironment has the potential to inform the development of therapeutic strategies for fungal infections. Methods: The study analyzed individual immune cell profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Candida albicans-infected mice and healthy control mice using single-cell transcriptomics, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blotting. We investigated intergroup differences in the dynamics of immune cell subpopulation infiltration, pathway enrichment, and differentiation during Candida albicans infection. Results: Our findings indicate that infiltration… More >

ZULONG SHENG^*, YANRU HE, JUNYAN CAI, YUQIN JI, YUYU YAO, GENSHAN MA

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1369-1377, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049905

Abstract Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is known worldwide for its important disabling features, including myocarditis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. It is believed that microRNA (miRNA) has a role in the cellular processes of apoptosis and myocarditis, and miR-219a-5p has been found to suppress the inflammatory response. However, unknown is the precise mechanism by which miR-219a-5p contributes to MI. Methods: We measured the expression of miR-219a-5p and evaluated its effects on target proteins, inflammatory factors, and apoptosis in a mouse model of MI. Echocardiography was utilized to examine the MI clinical index, and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining was More >

LEI SHI^1,#, JIANSHI YIN^2,#, YU CHEN¹, JIANGANG SHI¹, JINHAO MIAO^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1389-1400, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049562

Abstract Background: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a prevalent condition in orthopedics. While death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2) is known to play roles in cellular apoptosis and autophagy, its specific contributions to the advancement of OPLL are not well understood. Methods: Ligament fibroblasts were harvested from patients diagnosed with OPLL. Techniques such as real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were employed to assess DAPK2 levels in both ligament tissues and cultured fibroblasts. The extent of osteogenic differentiation in these cells was evaluated using an alizarin red S (ARS) staining. Additionally,… More >

Li-Anne Gacul¹, Dexter Ferrancullo¹, Romel Gallano¹, KC Jane Fadriquela¹, Kyla Jane Mendez¹, John Rommel Morada¹, John Kevin Morgado¹, Jerome Gacu^1,2,*

Revue Internationale de Géomatique, Vol.33, pp. 295-320, 2024, DOI:10.32604/rig.2024.055085

Abstract Risk assessment is vital for humanities, especially in assessing natural and manmade hazards. Romblon, an archipelagic province in the Philippines, faces frequent typhoons and heavy rainfall, resulting in floods, with the Municipality of Santa Fe being particularly vulnerable to its severe damage. Thus, this research study intends to evaluate the flood risk of Santa Fe spatially using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), taking into account data sourced from various government agencies and online databases. GIS was utilized to map flood-prone areas in the municipality. Hazard assessment factors included average annual rainfall, elevation, slope, soil… More > Graphic Abstract

Oumaima Ameslek^1,*, Hafida Zahir², Soukaina Mitro², El Mostafa Bachaoui¹

Revue Internationale de Géomatique, Vol.33, pp. 321-340, 2024, DOI:10.32604/rig.2024.054838

Abstract L’agriculture de précision (AP) est une stratégie de gestion agricole fondée sur l’observation, la mesure et la réponse à la variabilité des cultures inter/intra-champ. Il comprend des avancées en matière de collecte, d’analyse et de gestion des données, ainsi que des développements technologiques en matière de stockage et de récupération de données, de positionnement précis, de surveillance des rendements et de télédétection. Cette dernière offre une résolution spatiale, spectrale et temporelle sans précédent, mais peut également fournir des informations détaillées sur la hauteur de la végétation et diverses observations. Aujourd’hui, le succès des nouvelles technologies… More >

Zhihui Cheng¹, Ailikute Aikeremu¹, Yanping Gao^1,*, Zhihao Zhang¹, Anthony G. Delli Paoli², Paolo Marcello Cunha³, Alyx Taylor⁴, Fabian Herold⁵, Liye Zou¹

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.26, No.8, pp. 651-662, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2024.055351

Abstract Background: Given the heightened risk of developmental challenges associated with preterm birth, it is crucial to explore interventions that may ameliorate potential adverse outcomes. This study aimed to examine whether meeting the 24-h movement behavior (24-HMB) guidelines, which include recommendations on physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep (SL), is related to indicators of cognitive difficulties, internalizing problems (e.g., depression and anxiety), and externalizing problems (e.g., difficulties in making friends and arguing) in a sample of preterm youth (children and adolescents born preterm). Method: In this cross-sectional study, data from 3410 preterm youth (aged… More >

Yuedong Qiu¹, Qi Sun¹, Jie Zhou², Ni Jiang¹, Wenyu Zeng¹, Biyun Wu³, Fang Li^1,4,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.26, No.8, pp. 623-632, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2024.053926

Abstract Background: In recent years, online trolling has garnered significant attention due to its detrimental effects on mental health and social well-being. The current study examined the influence of peer victimization on adolescent online trolling behavior, proposing that hostile attribution bias mediated this relationship and that trait mindfulness moderated both the direct and indirect effects. Methods: A total of 833 Chinese adolescents completed the measurements of peer victimization, hostile attribution bias, trait mindfulness, and online trolling. Moderated mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between these variables. Results: After controlling for gender and residential address, the… More >