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Abstract Background Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a fundamental role in post-natal vascular repair, yet EPCs from different anatomic locations possess unique biological properties. The underlying mechanisms are unclear. Results EPCs from CB expressed abundant genes involved in cell cycle, hypoxia signalling and blood vessel development, correlating with the phenotypes that CB-EPCs proliferated more rapidly, migrated faster, and formed tubule structure more efficiently. smRNA-seq further deciphered miRNome patterns in EPCs isolated from CB or PB: 54 miRNAs were enriched in CB-EPCs, while another 50 in PB-EPCs. Specifically, CB-EPCs expressed more angiogenic miRNAs such as miR-31, while PB-EPCs possessed more tumor suppressive miRNAs including miR-10a. Knocking down miR-31 levels in CB-EPCs suppressed cell migration and microtubule formation, while overexpressing miR-31 in PB-EPCs helped to recapitulate some of CB-EPC functions. Conclusions Our results show the foundation for a more detailed understanding of EPCs from different anatomic sources. Stimulating the expression of angiogenic microRNAs or genes in EPCs of low activity (such as those from patients with cardiovascular diseases) might allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is often characterized by indolent behavior, small tumors with slow cell proliferation and a tendency to metastasize to cervical lymph node simultaneously, and the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain poorly understood. In this study, FN1 was the hottest gene of PTC and distinctive expression in PTC cells. FN1 deficiency severely inhibited the p53 signaling pathway, especially cyclin proteins, resulting in increased cell growth but hampered invasion. The alternatively splicing EDB region of FN1 was exclusively expressed in tumors, which impacted integrin β1 (ITGB1) bonding FN1 and its secretion process, resulting in completely distinct roles of two isoforms that FN1 including and skipping EDB domain. The isoform EDB(–)FN1 intracellularly inhibited tumor proliferation by upregulating p21 expression, whereas extracellular EDB(+)FN1 promoted lymph node metastasis via the VEGF signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the alternative splicing EDB region of FN1 was modulated by p53-targeted protein ZMAT3 which activated cell migration and lymphoangiogenesis. Collectively, combined with p53-induced proteins, FN1 played both anti- and pro-cancer roles owing to EDB domain alternative splicing. FN1 is a potential determinant behind the characteristic behavior of PTC, which may contribute to a deeper understanding of the peculiarity of PTC and provide a promising target for regional lymph node metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to address the significant manual costs incurred during template measurements due to prism placement and manual observations, as well as to mitigate the safety hazards associated with working aloft, this paper proposes a vision-based AI-driven continuous template automatic measurement approach. Employing an image total station as the primary sensing device, the method utilizes machine vision algorithms to replace manual observation methods for the automated detection and measurement of continuously rising templates at dam construction sites. This approach enhances the efficiency of dam construction layout and reduces the workload for measurement personnel. The method incorporates concentric circles with numerical markings as collaborative targets to replace prisms, and employs a circle center detection algorithm based on cross ratio invariance for precise identification and positioning of measurement points. Additionally, a DP controller is applied to achieve accurate alignment of the image total station. Experimental measurements were conducted at the TB dam pouring site using the image total station Leica TM50I for automated measurements. The results demonstrate that within a testing distance of 70 to 131 meters, the error between this method and traditional manual measurements is within 5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bumblebees play an important ecological economic role as pollinators in nature and agriculture. For reasons of biosecurity, many countries promote the cultivation of native bumblebee species for crop pollination instead of importing "alien" species. In South China, a few bumblebee species are considered useful in this way, particularly, Bombus atripes, Bombus bicoloratus and Bombus breviceps. However, whether they are suitable for artificial rearing and forming healthy colonies for pollination, remains unknown. In this project, queens from the 3 native species of Guizhou Province were collected and colonies were started under standardized conditions. The colonies were scored based on 19 parameters, including the stage of colony development, number and weight of offspring, and diet consumed. The data revealed that B. breviceps had the best performance, produced more workers and consumed the smallest diet. Next, we performed 16S rDNA sequencing of the bacterial communities found in the guts of offspring workers, and then a correlation analysis between colony performance and gut bacteria was conducted. Here, B. breviceps showed the highest diversity in gut bacterial composition, dominated by the bacteria Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, Enterobacter, and Lactobacillus Firm5. The higher the abundance of Snodgrassella, the better the performance of the colony in the foundation stage, and later Lactobacillus Firm5, Apibacter and Bifidobacterium were beneficial during the stages of rapid growth and colony decline. Although we do not understand all of the interactions yet, these correlations explain why B. breviceps demonstrated better colony performance. Our data provide valuable information for breeding local Bombus species and will contribute to developing strong colonies for crop pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a case report of a granular cell tumor (GCT) in the left mandibular canal, a rare occurrence in the jaw. GCT is generally benign, with good prognosis after surgical resection, but some cases can be malignant. The study emphasizes the importance of clinicians being aware of GCT as a possible differential diagnosis, especially in the head and neck region. The patient in the case study underwent successful excision of the tumor, with no signs of recurrence after a 3-year follow-up. [Extracted from the article]