XIAOSU SONG, FEN GAO, HONG LI, WEIWEI QIN, CHANJUAN CHAI, GUOJUAN SHI, HUIYU YANG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 849-858, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026545

Abstract Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo a conversion from a contractile phenotype to a proliferative synthetic phenotype, contributing to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Semaphorin 7A (SEMA7A) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein that plays an important role in vascular homeostasis by regulating endothelial cell behaviors. However, the expression and role of SEMA7A in VSMCs remain unclear.Methods: In this study, we screened for VSMC-regulating genes in publicly available datasets and analyzed the expression of SEMA7A in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMCs) treated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The effects of SEMA7A overexpression and knockdown on hCASMC proliferation and… More >

JIATENG ZHONG^1,2, JINGYU GUO¹, XINYU ZHANG¹, SHUANG FENG¹, WENYU DI², YANLING WANG^3,*, HUIFANG ZHU^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.30, No.5, pp. 231-242, 2022, DOI:10.32604/or.2022.027900

Abstract Lipid is a key component of plasma membrane, which plays an important role in the regulation of various cell biological behaviors, including cell proliferation, growth, differentiation and intracellular signal transduction. Studies have shown that abnormal lipid metabolism is involved in many malignant processes, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Lipid metabolism in CRC cells can be regulated not only by intracellular signals, but also by various components in the tumor microenvironment, including various cells, cytokines, DNA, RNA, and nutrients including lipids. In contrast, abnormal lipid metabolism provides energy and nutrition support for abnormal malignant growth and distal metastasis of CRC cells. In… More >

Narongsak Yotha¹, Qusain Hiader², Zulqurnain Sabir³, Muhammad Asif Zahoor Raja⁴, Salem Ben Said⁵, Qasem Al-Mdallal⁵, Thongchai Botmart⁶, Wajaree Weera^6,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.74, No.2, pp. 2415-2430, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.031352

Abstract This study aims to solve the nonlinear fractional-order mathematical model (FOMM) by using the normal and dysregulated bone remodeling of the myeloma bone disease (MBD). For the more precise performance of the model, fractional-order derivatives have been used to solve the disease model numerically. The FOMM is preliminarily designed to focus on the critical interactions between bone resorption or osteoclasts (OC) and bone formation or osteoblasts (OB). The connections of OC and OB are represented by a nonlinear differential system based on the cellular components, which depict stable fluctuation in the usual bone case and unstable fluctuation through the MBD.… More >

JULIANA SOARES^1,2,#, DOUGLAS G. FREITAS^1,3,#, PEDRO S. LOURENÇO^1,4, JEFTE FARIAS^1,5, BRUNO PONTES^1,2,3,4,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.9, pp. 2009-2013, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.019969

Abstract Mammalian cell surfaces consist of the plasma membrane supported by an underneath cortical cytoskeleton. Together, these structures can control not only the shape of cells but also a series of cellular functions ranging from migration and division to exocytosis, endocytosis and differentiation. Furthermore, the cell surface is capable of exerting and reacting to mechanical forces. Its viscoelastic properties, especially membrane tension and bending modulus, are fundamental parameters involved in these responses. This viewpoint summarizes our current knowledge on how to measure the viscoelastic properties of cell surfaces employing optical tweezers-based tether assays, paving the way for a better understanding of… More >

VITTORIO PICCHIO¹, FRANCESCA PAGANO², ISOTTA CHIMENTI^1,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.8, pp. 1875-1877, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.020181

Abstract Cardiac stromal cells have faced through the years a significant evolution in their definitions concerning their phenotypes, markers, and functions. They are surging to key roles in physiopathology, becoming important targets to be exploited for cardiac repair. In this perspective, we briefly discuss their role in novel therapeutic strategies for enhancing cardiac repair and regeneration. More >

MARIANO BIZZARRI^*, PAOLA PONTECORVI

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.6, pp. 1357-1362, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018471

Abstract The cytoskeleton includes three main classes of networked filaments behaving as a coherent and complex structure that confers stability to cell shape while serving as sensor of internal/extracellular changes. Microenvironmental stimuli interfere with the non-linear dynamics that govern cytoskeleton architecture, namely by fostering symmetry breakings and transitions across different phenotypic states. Such process induces a wholecoherent adaptive response, involving the reprogramming of biochemical and gene-expression patterns. These characteristics are especially relevant during development, and in those conditions in which a deregulated crosstalk between cells and the stroma is at the core of the pathological process. Therefore, studying how the cytoskeleton… More >

Omnia Shafei^1,2,*, Alyaa A. Kotby^1,2, Mona M. El Ganzoury^1,2, Nevin M. Habeeb^1,2, Eman Elsayed^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.17, No.2, pp. 173-185, 2022, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2021.016987

Abstract Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children using right heart indices and serum galectin-3 (Gal-3), as potential biomarkers of right heart remodeling. Methods: This case–control prospective study included 40 children with ASD and 25 control subjects. An echocardiographic evaluation was performed before the procedure, as well as 24 h, 1 month, and 6 months after intervention. Serum Gal-3 was measured before, and 1 month after the procedure. Results: Serum Gal-3 concentration, right atrial (RA) dimensions, right ventricular (RV) dimensions, indexed RA area, and right index of myocardial performance (RIMP) were significantly… More >

XINYAN CHEN^1,2, HAIXIA ZHANG^1,2, LIN LI^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.4, pp. 1023-1032, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.014873

Abstract Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) has revolutionized the treatment of keratoconus in the past decade. In order to evaluate the 3-month effects of CXL on corneal fibroblasts, a longitudinal study at the tissue and cellular level was carried out with a total of 16 rabbits that underwent CXL, deepithelialization (DEP), or non-treatment (control) and kept for 1 to 3 months. The duration of corneal stromal remodeling after CXL was determined by examining the differentiation, apoptosis, and number changes of keratocytes in tissue sections from animals 1, 2, or 3 months post-treatment. Upon the finish of tissue remodeling, separate rabbits were used… More >

Geena Kim¹, Hong Ryang Kil^2,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.16, No.3, pp. 211-220, 2021, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2021.013724

Abstract Background: The influence of the timing of transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure on ventricular remodeling at 6 months after ASD closure is unclear. This study investigated changes in cardiac remodeling after transcatheter closure of large ASDs according to patient age at the time of the procedure. Methods: In this study, 41 children and 43 adults underwent percutaneous closure of a large ASD. Cardiac remodeling was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography and electrocardiography before and at 6 months after ASD closure. Results: The age of the children and adults were 2.8 ± 3.1 and 50.0 ± 15.6 years, respectively. The Qp/Qs… More >

Chuanyong Qu^*, Hui Yuan

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.125, No.2, pp. 829-847, 2020, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2020.012407

Abstract Microdamage is produced in bone tissue under the long-term effects of physiological loading, as well as age, disease and other factors. Bone remodeling can repair microdamage, otherwise this damage will undermine bone quality and even lead to fractures. In this paper, the damage variable was introduced into the remodeling algorithm. The new remodeling algorithm contains a quadratic term that can simulate reduction in bone density after large numbers of loading cycles. The model was applied in conjunction with the 3D finite element method (FEM) to the remodeling of the proximal femur. The results showed that the initial accumulation of fatigue… More >