Statview 5.0.1 software for windows

Statistical analysis was performed using Statview 5.0.1 Software for Windows (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Relative quantification was performed by the ΔΔCt method using Bio-Rad’s CFX96 manager software v.3.1 (CFX-96 Real-Time PCR detection systems, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA). Skewed variables were log-transformed before statistical analysis. Differences between more than two independent groups were analyzed by Fisher’s test after ANOVA, and relations between variables were assessed by linear regression analysis. The results were expressed as mean ± S.E.M., and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Statistical analysis was performed using Statview 5.0.1 Software for Windows (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA).
Relative quantification was performed by the ΔΔCt method using Bio-Rad’s CFX96 manager software (CFX-96 Real-Time PCR detection systems, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA).
Skewed variables were log-transformed before statistical analysis. Differences between more than two independent groups were analyzed by Fisher’s test after ANOVA, while relations between variables were assessed by linear or multivariate logistic regression analysis. The results were expressed as mean ± S.E.M. and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.
A heat map of the CNP, NPR-B, and NPRC expression data was also generated by a specific tool that combines Maestro Manager software (Bio-RAD) and excel to create a scale of colors indicating the gene expression in terms of cycle numbers (Ct).
Potential miRNAs and target genes interactions were predicted using the miRWalk database [19 (link)] which includes a machine-learning algorithm based on experimentally verified miRNA-target interactions. The Reactome database was also used to better analyze the pathways [20 (link)].